Our Opinion Trump announces re-election campaign

Tear gas and violence surrounded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress tried to certify the election of Joe Biden as President. The man behind the curtain, telling supporters to march to the Capitol, was former President Donald Trump, who recently announced his plan to run for re-election in 2024.

It has been said that more than six in 10 U.S. citizens do not want Trump to run for re-election, according to PBS. Many previous Trump voters have even expressed their opposition to his re-election announcement because of his behavior. Trump created a movement of challenging elections across America, weakening the integrity of the election system. He continued to attack mail-in and absentee ballots, claiming he was a victim of fraud by the vote-by-mail system.

His posts became so unprofessional and hateful, that his account faced a permanent suspension because of the violence he instigated in general and on Jan. 6. He tweeted, “Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!”

During his presidency, Trump signed executive orders that discriminated against specific cultures and groups of people, appointed anti-LGBTQ and anti-women’s rights Supreme Court judges, banned transgender service members from the military, and so much more that stripped basic human rights away from Americans. He is not for the people; he is for the rich, the wealthy and the white.

Why should we trust the man who encouraged a political riot because he simply could not fathom the fact that the majority of Americans did not want him as president?

Electing him in 2016 was a mistake, and it would be an even greater mistake to elect him once more. It is with our sincerest hopes that people educate themselves and do their research before voting in the 2024 Presidential election. This is more than Trump being a Republican or a battle between both parties. This is about every marginalized group/citizen living in this country that could greatly suffer at the hands of Donald Trump.

Goodbye, Javelina Nation; the only way from here is up

As the semester continues to go by and graduation gets closer, it’s time to say goodbye to some of the best people I met during my time at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Joining

Sarah Reyna Campus Editor

The South Texan as a freshman was extremely scary and nerve-wracking, to be honest, but I was warmly welcomed to the family. During my freshman orientation, I was the only communi- cation major student, so I was able to talk one-onone with the Art, Communication and Theatre Department Chair Todd Lucas. He told me about The South Texan and recommended I attend one of the weekly meetings once the semester began. I don’t remember the very first story I wrote, but I do remember what I felt the first time I saw my writing published. That feeling led me to continue my journalism career with the Javelina Media Experience and even an internship with the Alice Echo-News Journal this past summer. For the first two years working with The South Texan, I was a volunte er reporter. It wasn’t until summer of 2021 that I applied for my first paid position. I was hesitant to apply, but after talking with our Student Media Adviser Nicole Morris, I submitted my application.

Morris, thank you for believing in me and thank you for everything. Without your guidance, I would definitely not be where I am today, nor would I be a successful journalist.

Of course, most of my gratitude comes from the people who have helped shape me academically, but most importantly, I would not be here without my mom. Literally. Without her, I would not be able to attend college, as she so graciously brings me to campus and assists me in classes. Mom, thank you for being so selfless and allowing me to continue my education. Words cannot express how thankful I am. While my time at TAMUK and The South Texan is coming to an end, I am very lucky and grateful to have worked with such amazing journalists and people in general. Ronni Reyna, Erik Estrada, Dylan Sanchez and Melissa Mata: I hope you all continue to do great things in your future; I have faith in every single one of you. Thank you for a wonderful four years.

Farewell, Bon Voyage and you know the rest

“He nods, as if to acknowledge that endings are almost always a little sad, even when there is something to look forward to on the other side.” – Emily Griffin Direction in life is something that everybody wants to know ahead of time so that way they can plan accordingly.

I’m a planner and I always have been. Just the thought of the future terrifies me, but I’m slowly learning to find excite-

I do not mean to brag, but if you look up the definition of “procrastinator” you may very well find a picture of me attached to it. If you have not guessed it yet, this column is on the list of things I have left to the last minute. However, I am putting this one off for a whole different reason. How does one fit in three and a half years of ment in it. School has always been my thing. I love learning and strangely find comfort in studying. But that safe chapter in my life is coming to an end, and it’s time to read the next. If I regret anything, it is that I did not enjoy my present as much as I could have. Instead, I focused too much on my future and for what? It still hit me just as much as it would have if I didn’t. Overthinking kills happiness. My journey is a bit different from others at TAMUK. I transferred here against my will after my freshman year from another university. their life into 350 to 400 words? Having some time to reflect has reiterated my belief that everything happens for a reason. TAMUK was not my first, second or third choice - it was not even my last. Nonetheless, attending TAMUK was inarguably one of the best decisions of my life, and I owe it all to procrastination.vWhoever said to never mix business with pleasure clearly has not met my co-workers and friends at The South Texan. Thank you all for being pillars to lean on during stressful and successful times. The best memories have been

STAFF

Ronni Reyna Editor-in-Chief chief.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Rae Martinez Managing Editor managing.editor@thesouthtexan.com made inside the four walls of Manning Hall, Room 165.

Despite my reluctance, I soon realized the benefits of TAMUK are bountiful and endless. The small size of the university and its departments encouraged me to get involved quickly and earn a position within my organization even quicker. This in turn led me to wonderful opportunities and memorable experiences.

Thank you, Morris, for always picking our brains and holding us up to our fullest potential (also your killer outfits never go unnoticed). Thank you, Mrs. Patsy, for keeping our heads on track and our stomachs fed.

To my adviser, Nicole Morris, thank you for giving me a chance. Your knowledge on journalism and your overall wisdom have shaped me into the woman I am today. I hope to continue making you proud.

To Lauren Gallegos and Nathaly Enriquez, I do not even know where to begin. I cannot thank you both enough for everything you have done for me. Thank you for being some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Friendship is not measured by years,

Erik Estrada Digital Editor digital.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Zena Desouza Chris Olivarez Senior Reporters

The South Texan is a student publication produced by Texas A&M University- Kingsville students. The views, opinions and commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas A&M University system. The South Texan uses student fees in part to publish. The South Texan is part of the Art, Communications, and Theatre Department (ACT) and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA).

Sarah Reyna Campus Editor campus.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Dylan Sanchez Sports Editor sports.editor@thesouthtexan.com

Frank Villarreal Entertainment Editor entertainment.editor@thesouthtexan.com and both of you made me realize that. Lastly, I must thank my family. You all have seen me at my worst and best, and still shower me with love and support. I share my success with you, because if there are people I could not have done this without, it is you all. I must have done a plethora of charitable deeds in my past life to have been blessed with such a loving family in this one. I love you all, this one is for you. I don’t condone procrastination, but I do have to say that making last-minute decisions has led me to live the best years of my life.

To The South Texan each of you have an incredible amount of creativity. Never stop learning and growing in your talent. KTAI, we had a short run, but I am so grateful to have tried something new with the little time that I had left. The end is expected to bring a tear, maybe two, okay maybe an entire breakdown, but the possibilities moving forward are endless. No matter where life takes us, everything will work out the way it is supposed to. There is beauty in the unknown and beauty in the experience. I’m glad I have both.

Aryssa Enriquez Marketing Manager marketing.manager@thesouthtexan.com

Nicole Perez Morris Adviser nicole.morris@thesouthtexan.com

Melissa Mata Abigayle Hayden Reporters

Mireya Martinez

Jessica Tijerina

Dominic Valdez Photographers

Mackenzie Bryce Social Media Manager Melissa Mata Circulation Manager