Wise Monkey News is here to provide young people an opportunity to discuss the issues that affect their lives. We hope that, through your participation, this website serves as a forum for the development, exchange, and expression of ideas that will prepare us to assume our positions as the leaders of tomorrow's world. Have something to say?

Movies Galore!

by: Claude Pomerleau C.S.C. - printed on 02-06-2002

I don?t recall a Christmas/New Year cycle with so many entertaining and challenging movies, domestic and foreign. Vacations are usually twilight zones when it comes to movies. Not this year.

First, the political thriller "Lumumba." It only lasted for a few weeks in December, but it is showing this week at PCC?s Cascade Festival of African Films. It?s a moving political biography of the first Congolese leader after independence from Belgium in 1960.

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What exactly is the meaning of the mystical word 'mantra'?

by: Kelly Maggi - printed on 10-24-2001

Since the debut of this column two months ago, readers have brought one question to me repeatedly: “What in the world is a mantra???” I hope that this will answer your question.

The Modern Mantra:

I use modern mantra in this column. A modern mantra consists of a simple phrase or a couple of words that are meant to help one get through the day or a particular situation. You probably already use these without knowing it.

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What Role does the U.S. play in the world?

by: Hank Smith - printed on 09-11-2002

I remember a conversation I once had with a fellow American and a Swede. We were discussing movies, and the Swede mentioned that his favorite film was from the United States - American Beauty. Another American I was with could not believe it.

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Learning with an edge

by: Melanie Gangle - printed on 04-25-2001

International study abroad experiences present great opportunities for self-growth. When you study abroad, you challenge your cultural assumptions. When you’re communicating in a new language, eating new foods, and learning a new set of cultural expectations, you can’t help but learn new things about your host culture, about your own culture, and about yourself. Cultures, although they may be different, are also universal; you’ll find culture everywhere.

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Illegal immigrants gain priority admissions to California universities

by: Jaime Denning - printed on 03-06-2002

You live in New York. Your dad, his dad and his grandfather all attended the University of California at Berkeley. Family tradition and desire push you to apply to the university. You harass the mailman daily, waiting for your acceptance letter. Finally it comes and you run triumphantly with it into the kitchen where your step-mom is making cookies. You tear open the creamy cardstock envelope and find "Dear Joe, We regretfully inform you.

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Who’s afraid of feminism?

by: Matt McAuliffe - printed on 09-25-2002

Feminism causes great fear. Just the mention of the word can send many people ducking for cover. Even more fear is caused when this word is spoken to males. We often respond in a variety of ways: laughter, disgust, and anger. Besides being fundamentally annoying to those who believe and profess feminism, I think this common response hurts men as well.

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