Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White


Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

All content by Michael Patrick

Receiving honors on behalf of my family

Michael Patrick April 24, 2012

Before my mother died in February last year she said to me, “I know you’re destined to great things with your life. Just don’t go off and forget about your momma.” And I remember those words like...

UA president search should look to uplift

Michael Patrick April 17, 2012

As many of you already know, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees named former University of Alabama president Dr. Robert Witt as chancellor over the systems’ three universities. Colleagues...

Before the lottery, fix the constitution

Before the lottery, fix the constitution

Michael Patrick April 10, 2012

I have seen firsthand the negative ways in which gambling can affect a person’s life. During the past two years, my grandfather developed a gambling addiction, which was eventually discovered as a side...

Affirmative Action still warranted because of history of inequality

Michael Patrick April 3, 2012

Last week, a column ran that called for the end of race-based affirmative action, ultimately claiming that race does not contribute much by the way of diversity. One line from this column really resonated...

“Stand your ground” laws cause more crime than they prevent

Michael Patrick March 20, 2012

Many people in Florida and across the United States are demanding justice after 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was gunned down in his father’s neighborhood in Sanford, Fla. During halftime of the NBA All-Star...

Women underrepresented in politics

Michael Patrick February 28, 2012

This August marks 92 years since the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment granted women in the United States suffrage by prohibiting the denial of voting rights based...

Black History Month should raise questions about race

Michael Patrick February 7, 2012

Carter G. Woodson, an early 20th-century historian, originally proposed Negro History Week, from which evolved our current Black History Month. The purpose of this month is to focus on the positive contributions...

Obsessions of college students vastly overrated

Michael Patrick January 31, 2012

The very nature of college seems to encourage students to find something to obsess over. We are constantly encouraged to find our passion, be it in flag football, working in a biology lab with renowned...

Its up to women to protect their right of choice

It’s up to women to protect their right of choice

Michael Patrick January 24, 2012

Monday, marchers filled the streets of Washington, D.C. in protest of the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion in the United States. This ruling helped reaffirm the basic right that disallows...

Gender-specific titles create unnecessary division

Michael Patrick December 6, 2011

Last week, First Year Councilor Robert Pendley proposed a bill to the University of Alabama’s student senate that would change their enumerated titles from “councilor” to “councilman” or “councilwoman.”...

Rush process needs reform

Michael Patrick November 29, 2011

As the fall semester is coming to a close, many sorority sisters are settling into their new homes as official members of their respective greek organizations, thus indicating that they have survived pledgeship...

Machine can work for change

Michael Patrick November 22, 2011

Just as the Occupy Wall Street movement seemed to be losing much of its momentum as the cold apathy of winter started creeping through the skyscrapers of New York City, Mayor Bloomberg managed to almost...

Start working on your UA bucket list

Michael Patrick November 15, 2011

My time at the University of Alabama has afforded me many opportunities to look back on my years here with great nostalgia. My classes, my friends, and my experiences have all played a vital role in developing...

Alabama’s invisible tradition shines

Michael Patrick November 8, 2011

The Alabama tradition has never been televised, and is not sponsored by O’Charley’s, Taco Bell or Tiffin Motorhomes. The Alabama tradition can’t be found in Bryant-Denny Stadium or Coleman Coliseum,...

Students must strive to fulfill Capstone Creed

Michael Patrick November 1, 2011

“As a member of the University of Alabama community, I will pursue knowledge; act with fairness, honesty, and respect; foster individual and civic responsibility; and strive for excellence.” -The...

Some tattoos are better left in the mind

Michael Patrick October 25, 2011

Tattooing has been a common form of body modification for centuries, and in many parts of the world it serves as a religious or cultural tradition. Tattoos in America were once viewed as a form of rebellion...

Patrick for Machine President

Michael Patrick October 18, 2011

I know my loyal Twitter fandom has been waiting in anticipation for this day for the past few weeks, and it’s finally here. I am officially announcing my candidacy for the presidency of Theta Nu Epsilon,...

Protests stand for equality

Michael Patrick October 11, 2011

New York City — As a life long resident of Alabama, I am no stranger to the history of Americans fighting social and economic injustice. Despite what the Texas Board of Education might prefer, I grew...

Perry County Herald silenced too soon

Michael Patrick July 14, 2011

The Perry County Herald is a small-town newspaper that began operating five years ago in Marion, Alabama, the county seat of Perry County. The Perry County Herald was not created to fill a void in Perry...

Alabama’s immigration bill is troubling

Michael Patrick June 8, 2011

The state of Alabama came from behind to declare itself king of regression last week. Alabama legislators often get really antsy when other states are stealing the spotlight over being the most racist...

Gun checks necessary

Michael Patrick April 13, 2011

In the United States, approximately 34 Americans are murdered daily by guns. University of Alabama students may have seen a billboard truck advertising this statistic driving around campus and the Tuscaloosa...

Eight top Twitter feeds to follow

Michael Patrick March 30, 2011

July 15 of this year will mark the fifth anniversary of the formal launch of the website Twitter. Twitter, our favorite micro-blogging service, allows for us to, as Kingsley Clark pointed out last week,...

The problem is the Machine

Michael Patrick March 10, 2011

The Machine, or Theta Nu Epsilon, is an organization of white sororities and fraternities that use collaborative efforts to elect SGA representatives and homecoming queens. There are people that question...

Intolerance a problem in greek system

Michael Patrick February 10, 2011

Last week, the University of Alabama’s students watched as greek and independent students at Auburn University fought a not-so-unique battle over on-campus fashion. It seems that our neighbor has passed...

Open internet means more innovation

Michael Patrick January 27, 2011

It seems more than ever that the issue of net neutrality has been thrust into the spotlight over the past few months. In light of the second lawsuit filed against the FCC’s new open Internet order,...

Other horrendous deaths in Arizona

Michael Patrick January 12, 2011

The Oregon Ducks vs. Auburn Tigers BCS National Championship is finally over and the Tigers managed to squeeze out a win. I imagine they desecrated Glendale in the same manner they did to our very own...

Repealing ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ won’t harm the military

Michael Patrick December 2, 2010

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” has yet again been thrust into the spotlight of American media and is at the forefront of American politics. The long-awaited Pentagon report on the possible effects of...

No problems with gay marriage

Michael Patrick November 17, 2010

Marriage is one of the oldest institutions still recognized in our society today, and it does not seem to be losing any of its value or momentum. Marriage is simply a legal contract between two individuals;...

A case for Sparks

Michael Patrick October 27, 2010

The election is less than a week away, and it seems like everyone couldn’t care less about what is going to happen in the Alabama gubernatorial race. Both parties lost their reformation hopefuls—Bradley...

Religion still necessary

Michael Patrick October 20, 2010

Growing up in a small town in Alabama, before I went off to kindergarten at the age of 5, I learned the ABCs, how to tie my shoes and how to count to 10. Before that, I learned that God created the world....

Gays should stress similarities

Michael Patrick October 7, 2010

Note: Thoughts expressed in the columns and letters of the opinions section are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of the CW editorial staff. Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers...

Don’t vote, don’t progress

Michael Patrick September 22, 2010

For months Lady Gaga has been diligently working to bring “don’t ask, don’t tell” and its outdated, discriminatory policies back to the floor of the U.S. Congress. Just last week Gaga used her...

9/11 should bring us together

Michael Patrick September 9, 2010

New York City is often considered one of the most culturally diverse and progressive cities in the world, but a paradoxical shadow of Islamophobia has been cast over New York and the rest of the United...

Fulfilling the dreams of children

Michael Patrick August 25, 2010

Children in the United States are sent to elementary school, middle school and high school. They then graduate and go to college or enter into the work force. However, each year 65,000 kids — who grew...

Intelligent design is not science

Michael Patrick June 17, 2010

The legal debate over whether or not intelligent design should be taught in schools has been dormant since 2005; however, the same cannot be said for public support for both sides of the debate. Dialogue...

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