It Really Do Be Like That Sometimes

This week, we discussed a research study published in Science : "Are Women Really More Talkative Than Men?" We did our usual assigned questions from the back of the book and discussed them, along with some of our thoughts and criticisms of the study. However, one topic of discussion arose near the end of the hour: "Is this study relevant anymore?" While the methods the study used to acquire its data (the EAR), were certainly novel, the stereotype it aims to address isn't. The stereotype of women being more "talkative and gossipy" than "strong, silent" men has been portrayed in numerous forms of media, including movies and TV shows. But now, I don't think anyone believes in that stereotype. While many studies like the one discussed above contribute to scientific progress, there are a few that have made a significant (sometimes unwanted) impact on our society. We've all heard of Andrew Wakefield's study that supposedly demonstrate...

If you've been on social media lately, you've most definitely heard of the plight of Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph: 21 Savage. On Super Bowl Sunday, he was detained by ICE when they accused 21 of being a British national who has been in the United States illegally since his non-immigrant visa expired in July 2006. He really does have ICE on his wrist now. Now, I won't go into the politics of immigration policies, but 21 was seven years old(and unaware of his immigration status) when he entered the United States with his parents. Since then, he’s been living in the United States without authorization and trying to legalize his immigration status(by applying for a U-visa). According to 21’s lawyers, he has three US-citizen children, and his mother and four of his siblings are all either US citizens or legal residents. Ultimately, 21 Savage has deeper ties to the United States, and Atlanta in particular, than his birth country. I can understand ICE's motivation to d...