Ambitious, joyful learning.
While that might not be Archer’s official slogan anymore, it’s still embedded in the fabric of our philosophy. We are taught to advocate for ourselves and others, make change and use our voice; be ambitious. Never be afraid to raise your hand, ask questions or push boundaries, and certainly don’t taper your joy and curiosity in fear of judgment.
In our male-dominated society, when it comes to women, ambition is spewed as an insult. Ambitious women in the media are portrayed with a myriad of stereotypes: cold, heartless and robotic. Archer continues to counteract that message, teaching students that women can be ambitious and joyful. Archer reclaimed the word, making ambition something to be proud of, where joy and ambition coincide. A place where being a trailblazer is applauded.
This philosophy has wholeheartedly made me who I am today: An ambitious woman who isn’t afraid to advocate for justice. But this wouldn’t be authentic if I didn’t give The Oracle its due credit for helping foster my passions and strengthen my voice.
I’m trying to sum up my endless love for this publication, while simultaneously trying to think of something profound to end on — that word carries such a burden. For once, I feel speechless. I don’t know how to tie a neat bow on years’ worth of writing.
It’s surreal. Until I publish my last article, I’m not officially done with The Oracle, which is why I procrastinated writing this piece for days. But it’s time to close this chapter.
Throughout my four years on The Oracle — I’m proud to say — I’ve accumulated a reputation for my opinion writing. Whether it’s my stance on capital punishment or pretty privilege in the justice system, op-eds have been my space for advocacy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love objective reporting, but the opinion section is something I want to distinctly highlight.
The gravitas that student voices carry is uniquely Archer. I didn’t truly understand how special this was until I started getting to know other student journalists, who face prevalent censorship and vast administrative disinterest in student voices. Yet that could not be further from the truth here.
Archer’s philosophy of empowering voices is surely not limited to student journalists. The most consistent message is that all perspectives have value — a sentiment that is, sadly, not a cultural norm. Whether it’s learning hard history or reading banned books, this narrative is not just spoken; it’s embodied.
No institution is perfect, by any means, but the sign of a great institution is that it acknowledges imperfection and continuously strives for better. That’s one of the beautiful aspects of a student-run publication: we have a platform where people can express dissatisfaction, or in this case, gratitude.
Take advantage of Archer’s various platforms for social and political expression. Utilize Archer’s safe community to hone your voice and gain confidence so when it’s time for you to go off into the world, you’ll be empowered.
Thank you, Archer and The Oracle, for shaping me into who I am today. No matter where life takes me, I’ll always be an Archer girl.
