Category Archives: Eli Bolus

Columns, Eli Bolus, Forum

Profiling in airports necessary for America safety

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By Eli Bolus
 
For as long as I can remember, going through airport security has taken longer for my family than most.
The last time I went through airport security it was one day before school started.  After I picked up my  bag and handed over the “dangerous” weapons I carried on my person like nail clippers and bottle of hand sanitizer,  I looked over to see Transportation Security Association agents searching a large Middle Eastern looking man for weapons or other illegal paraphernalia.  This man was my father. He is not the first to be “randomly” searched and he certainly will not be the last. My father, like many others that look Middle Eastern or have Middle Eastern names said the “random” searches got especially bad soon after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2011.  Flying was not an option just because of the looks people would give my father;  people universally feared him.

Over the last decade the hostility decreased, but it is definitely still there.  It takes the form of the random searches the T.S.A. performs on a regular basis.

Fifteen years ago my father’s name was just a name, but now it is a brand.  People know that a name with a Middle Eastern root is a warning that this man is dangerous.  T.S.A. agents know to search people with Middle Eastern names like my father because of what stereotypes lead them to believe.  Now my father’s name is more than just a name; it is a curse.

These searches do not bother my father in the least.  He, more than anyone, understands how important they really are.  It actually bothers him more when they search people like my 80-year-old grandma.  They are obviously no threat, so T.S.A. agents are only trying to avoid offending someone.  Acting like you are not profiling may be actually worse than profiling.

Regardless of a person’s “feelings,” safety needs to be our number one priority. This may mean adding an extra 20 minutes to our travel time, but this is for the overall safety of fellow Americans.  So if that means racially profiling must take place in airports among other places, then so be it.

Some would say profiling is ignorant and outdated, but there is no other way to ensure the safety of our country without some form of it.

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Blake Dykes, Eli Bolus, News

Freshmen transition to high school life

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By Anna Berry, Eli Bolus, and Blake Dykes
 
For most freshmen, the transition from middle school to high school can be a big change. From the number of people, classes, and halls, the first week can be full of different opinions.
 
“I expected to get lost a lot,” said freshman Colleen Bryan.
 
This can be the case for many others new to the larger high school. However, freshmen Josh Sauer said he had problems finding classes. After he learned where they were, he described it as “pretty easy, simple.” The first week, according to some freshmen, was different than they expected for several reasons.

“All the teachers were suppose to be hard and strict,” said Sauer.

Also, freshman Brayden Hoke thought high school was going to be tough but said it turned out to be easier than he thought.

One of the biggest changes for many freshmen is the teaching style of their teachers. Some freshmen have trouble studying for the harder tests.

“It’s harder to take notes because teachers do not explain much,” said freshman Kaelei Gnthulier.

Some freshmen also enjoy how the school rules are a little more lenient. “I like the dress code a lot better,” said Gnthulier.

“[I like that] people have grown up a little, and are not as concerned about what you wear and what you say,” freshman Jalyn Kowalski said.

Overall, freshmen tend to find their place in high school and begin to get the layout of the school down. Many have high hopes for the rest of the year.

“For the most part, I want the rest of my high school career to be similar to this week,” said freshman Liam Resener. “The best part about being a freshman is that you’re going to be a sophomore.”