The "N" word. The "W" word. The "C" word.
What do these words mean to us? How powerful are they?

Today, Uni juniors and seniors found out during the "N*W*C*" performance at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

On July 14, 2007, at precisely 11:04 p.m., I became 15 years old. And, in Illinois, that meant I was able to take a simple test and receive my driving instruction permit.

Even though my birthday was on a Saturday during the summer, I woke up early to beat the crowds at the DMV in Champaign. I had already taken the required two driver's ed classes at Kenney Gym. I had my birth certificate and a bank statement as proof of residence. And after about 20 minutes, I had my very own permit.

The dialogue about racial issues opened up and got louder today as new players stepped into the arena. The cast/co-writers of “N*W*C*” — Rafael Agustin, Allan Axibal, and Miles Gregley — fearlessly approached the discussion in a personal and very effective manner.

They held our attention this morning at the Krannert Center and made us think hard for over an hour and a half.

It used to be that when you heard the letters A-B-C in a row, you would assume that someone is lightheartedly spelling the alphabet. But recently, when someone says this, it has the effect of either immense relief or a grimace of pain. All depending on how someone is holding their hands. This is the effect of the new and rapidly developing trend of an activity nicknamed the “A-B” game.

Perhaps the greatest operatic voice of all time, Luciano Pavarotti, passed away on Sept. 6.

Even those who know nothing about opera know Pavarotti, and even those who don't know his name have heard his voice. He was a man who sang with more power and grace than the ocean and whose voice crossed the expanse of human emotion.