I’ve been on Twitter since 2012. When the advanced search feature on the platform was introduced a few months ago, I had an absolutely horrible time filing through all of things that I tweeted when I was 15 and deleting them. They were as terrible as you’d think they’d be.
The advanced search tool has uncovered worse, though. Once the feature came out, people starting getting ~exposed~. It seems like every day there’s a tweet from someone famous that’s circulating Twitter and places like Buzzfeed with headlines like, “Fans are pissed at _____’s old racist tweets.”
These discussions are warranted when they look at the greater picture and impact of social media and learning and growing from one’s past choices. But some are only for the sake of taking someone down, and it’s driving people to delete their posts in droves. Are they really changing if they’re just hiding out of fear of exposure?
I don’t have an answer for this. Maybe you do. If so, I’d love to hear it. Regardless, I am thankful for social media for a lot of reasons. It gave us some great sources for today’s stories, for example. It’s also helped give many a voice for important issues, such as DACA, which Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced would be terminated a year ago today. For some at UNC, it feels like their time in the U.S. has been met with an expiration date.
In Chapel Hill
On Aug. 28, the front window of Midway Barber Shop was broken in the middle of the night. Despite community support, most of the money is going to come out of the pocket of Stepney Edwards, who owns and manages the shop. Regardless, Edwards is determined to move on, and many regard Midway as a staple of the community.
Professor Frank Baumgartner just published a book entitled Suspect Citizens: What 20 Million Traffic Stops Tell Us About Policing and Race, which examines how racial differences impact traffic stops. Writer Claire Willmschen spoke with him about the findings of his research and his new book.
In North Carolina
The North Carolina Career and College Promise has been a beneficial program for many in our state since its inception in 2011, with a way to help students prepare for college and save money, and increase high school graduation rates. Read more about the fast-growing program here.
Later this month, the Charlotte Hornets will be offering up free college tuition. Well, to someone who can make a half-court shot at their preseason contest on Sept. 28. Three randomly-chosen students will have the chance to make the shot.
Things to do
Assistant University desk editor Kate Karstens is three things: single, done with singles and the creator of our office DJ playlist this week. Listen to her playlist to help get you through your day.
"Strap on your fantasy seatbelts and brace your asses for The Adventure Zone."
Griffin McElroy
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