When I was the Texan’s social media editor, I often joked about how doomscrolling was part of my job — from watching silly man-on-the-street interviews that inspired the week’s content to swiping past teachers’ soapboxing about banned books and classroom censorship.

One year later, as managing editor, the consolidation of seven ethnic, area and gender studies departments in my college will be finalized this fall. What felt more surreal than putting the news on the next day’s cover was seeing that cover plastered on my friends’ Instagram stories. 

Those short-form videos I’d guiltily passed over in my algorithm had seeped into my university.

The Texan taught me that online numbers aren’t the priority in journalism. While that’s definitely the case, it’s hard to prove the bytes of journalism that do numbers on social media aren’t just as important. Whether we admit it or not, we are often too quick to form our opinions based on a 15-second clip or 25-word post criticizing society, from a celebrity slip-up to ideological warfare.

And that’s fine — as long as you account for that byte having been vetted for your sociopolitical palate. Discounting the way social media can spread awareness won’t stop people from getting their news online. 

Thus, I implore you to recognize that digital accountability is oversaturated. Attempts at online journalism and activism are everywhere, and much of the content you encounter contains truth. But it is truth as it appeases what you already know and want to know. So, gather many perspectives — even ones that make you squirm — and investigate their sources with the willingness to be wrong. 

Witnessing, captioning and editing our coverage for the past two years has shown that this willingness is the most surefire way you can educate yourself, even as classrooms cease to legally provide those challenging viewpoints.

Since joining social in spring 2024, to leading the newsroom now, we have seen beyond a textbook’s worth of history. We began with the end of DEI initiatives at Texas public universities, followed by the mass deployment of armed law enforcement during April 2024’s pro-Palestine protests. Then, we turned to mass ICE activity and increased University oversight of curriculum.

As managing editor, I supervised a multitude of excellent coverage from our endlessly diligent staff. We witnessed and covered the College of Liberal Arts’ consolidation alongside controversial topics becoming limited in classrooms. We brought readers clarity on the above decisions in President Jim Davis’ first outside press interview in office. We supported one another as we covered the Sixth Street shooting aftermath. 

Despite this jarring semester, no thesaurus could express how immensely proud I am to have led this newsroom of dedicated professionals and friends. I’m floored to be saying goodbye to the Basement I poured 30 hours a week into this year. I’m floored to have been given this privilege at all.

Trinity, Shivani, Amelia, Katie, Aaron and Kylee: I owe much of my success in the Texan to people who took leaps of faith for me. Thank you for believing in me, from hiring me as a social g-staffer, to jumping from senior digital staffer to social media editor, to selecting me as your associate managing editor. I hope I did this paper a fraction of the justice you did.

Maryam, Ana, Meaghan, Naina, Saron, Taylor, Justin, Colin, Clara, Genese, Sophie, Alyssa, Annelise, Kevyn, Dieter and Tyler: Thank you for trusting me with your departments. I hope you felt the overwhelming faith I had in each of you, because I knew you would blow me away with your innovation.

Erika, Brian and Mazzy — my minions! Erika, I wheeze when I laugh and add “wait” to my interjections because of you. Never let your smile dull; it got me through many tough nights. Mazzy, your initiative and warm support are invaluable. You’re the people’s buddy. You are a very good person. Brian, I’m so upset to have been outmogged by your one-liners this semester. Your level-headedness held me accountable through the battles I wanted to fight least. You will be a stellar managing editor. Truth nuke. 

Ava, I’m surprised you didn’t clock out of your entire tenure early! I’m not surprised by the legacy you left, though. I’m in awe of how nonchalantly you led with grace and humility. Keep that work-life balance in the great places you’re destined for.

Aaron, you taught me what upholding expectations early looks like. Alyssa, you were so patient with me in my first AME semester. Thank you for always cheering me on. Matthew, my chunc! I got so many laughter headaches in the fall because of you. Stay standing on business and personality-employed. Kylee, you’re a classic girl snare drummer — the backbone of the drumline. Thank you for your confidence and example to lead by.

Sarai, I’m always impressed by your drive and sweetness. Being social’s patriarch with you, from our deep conversations to our crashouts, was a blessing. Yesenia, please continue infecting people with confidence. Your ability to pull Speedway interviews was an enigma. Vale, your unwavering loyalty and glazing have grounded me many a time. It means more than you could ever know. Avery, you remind me that a girl is going to be okay. Your resilience and love are boundless. Rainna, your concision skills and nocturnality constantly blow me away. Sarah, you inspire me to be self-assured and grateful.

All three copy teams I worked with, but especially my Wednesday warriors — Mia and Uswa — thanks for keeping the Texan lawsuit-free and for keeping me company every week. Sorry that we’d always avoid eye contact when you brought management a page edit.

LHDailyTexan: Never stop showing people loyalty and affection the way you do. It brightens my life tremendously. Pejah, the pride and admiration I have for you and your leadership is a 40+ inch story. I’m eternally grateful to grow with you.

Katie, your flourish with the pen is nothing short of inspirational. I’m going to miss beating a dead horse in the private writing center rooms. Ari, my intern, your friendship lifted my confidence through much of my late-semester trudge. Sulay, never forget that you make the people around you rich in love.

Peter, I deeply appreciate how much you reminded management that this is our paper. Thank you for taking my late-night calls to make sure the creative risks we took were legal and ethical. You need to teach a workshop on how to exit a conversation!

Sissy, Joe and Luna, thank you for being my biggest allies. I’m successful and kind to myself because of you.

To readers and my future students, change the world by keeping your eyes open, even as the world tires you, and help others see it. 

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Excerpt from “Bystander, or Texas student journalist seeks poetic solace in 2025” by Newton Tran

The Campus Protection Act restricts expressive activity on college campuses between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

UPDATE: The number of confirmed arrests is now 57, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s office.

Qaddumi’s suspension comes after waves of disciplinary action against pro-Palestine demonstrators.

He’s a terrorist to the DPS, a friend to me.

“It feels like we’re traveling back in time ‘cause we’re making history.”

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