Op-Eds
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Understanding the Erasure of Alevis in Turkey: Lessons to Be Learned
There are around 20-25 million Alevis in the world, but they remain unknown to almost the entire world. The deliberate erasure of the Alevis in Turkey has rendered them globally invisible and their suppression continues even at the University of Virginia. Why has the world effaced the Alevis and what can we learn from their erasure?
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How Hostile Architecture Works as a Function of Capitalism
Hostile Architecture has pervaded our most popular cities, presenting new challenges to the homeless population. Why are our public spaces dictated by the interests of capitalism rather than for human need?
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The Case for Voting for Third Party Candidates
Looking at the upcoming election, Americans are not happy with the presidential nominees. Voting third party is a viable solution to create substantial change within a two-party system.
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The Ever-Present Nuclear Threat
The threat of nuclear war constantly surrounds us. So why don’t we think about it and what can we do to reduce that threat?
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Prudence Under Pressure: Why Today’s Leaders Should Emulate The Foreign Policy of President John F. Kennedy
With problems and conflicts escalating around the world, sometimes the best answer lies in examining the past.
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On 2024 and the Middle East
There are many issues on the ballot for the 2024 election, but will the conflict in the Middle East take center stage? Explore how this pivotal issue intersects with domestic policies and the ongoing debate between Biden and Trump in a fiercely contested electoral rematch.
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Hallucinogens and Productivity: Do hallucinogens have a place in the academic world?
Can hallucinogens be used in academia? Explore the potential of these substances as transformative tools for enhancing creativity and mental health in university settings.
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Two Party System: The Lesser of Two Evils Is Still Evil
It’s time to end the two-party binary in America. Real democracy is about voting on one's conscience, not through coercion.
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Reformation During the Resurgence of Industrial Policy Under the Biden Administration
“President Joe Biden talks on the phone with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee...” by The White House is licensed under CC0 1.0 DEED
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COP 28: Where Do We Go From Here?
Delegates at COP 28 reflect progress in climate finance and cooperation. Yet, there is still an urgent need for efforts combating climate change.
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“French Go Home:” Why are Relations Between France and West Africa Melting Down?
A wave of diplomatic breakdown between France and its former colonies has swept West Africa, stirring a heated debate and reflecting escalating anti-colonial sentiments. The controversy highlights historical tensions and calls for a reevaluation of France’s relationship with the region.
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María Corina Machado: ¿El futuro de Venezuela u otra esperanza perdida?
En tiempos de crisis, dictadura y tragedia, María Corina Machado es la única persona que puede salvar a Venezuela.
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El multilingüismo dentro del Congreso de los Diputados: El PSOE promueve la “representación lingüística”
El Congreso de los Diputados ha adoptado la norma de “representación lingüística”, pero datos electorales sugieren un motivo menos sencillo que respeto.
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China’s Belt and Road Initiative Is Not Debt Trap Diplomacy
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s ambitious foreign policy to foster infrastructure and economic development and to create a trade network with China as the central hub. To overcome perceived predatory perspective of the BRI, China needs to be more involved in the management of funds in their partner countries, especially for developing countries with historically corrupt or unstable governments.
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Derechos abortivos en México
Hablamos mucho sobre los derechos de las mujeres en los EEUU después de Dobbs, pero también tenemos que mirar lo que está pasando alrededor del mundo.
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What Defines a "War?"
It is vital to honor history when speaking of such a contentious topic as Israel and Palestine; that is of course, history of an earlier time and of a more recent time. The proportion of death must come into play, especially in an evaluation of arguably the most complicated conflict humanity has ever seen.
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Idealism Belongs in Democracy
Political idealism is often met with criticism and disregard. However, hope in the future of America has always played an essential role in political and social progress.
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Disappointing Nostalgia in the House of Representatives
As right-wing extremism occupies the plans of select Republican Congresspersons, parallels can be drawn between the optics and strategies of GOP dissenters of the 2020s and the Tea Party Republicans of the 2010s. While their similarities are striking, differences in representation suggest that the kind of rhetoric of select Republicans falls onto the deaf, unrequited ears of the electorate.
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An Approach to Alleviating Teacher Shortages in Spotsylvania County
Virginia's public schools find themselves facing a crisis — a staggering decline in teacher retention rates. Nowhere is this more evident than in Spotsylvania County. The root cause? Demoralization among teachers, fueled by the growing influence of local politics, is pushing the limits of an already strained education system.
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Age Verification Laws: A Violation or a Necessity?
The government finds it prudent to curb minors’ access to pornographic content, but does that simultaneously curb our rights as citizens?
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A Quixotic, yet Necessary Plan to Expand the European Union
The European Union has succeeded in promoting peace on a continent historically plagued by war. However, with the question of accepting new members, EU leaders face complex political and institutional challenges.
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The Myth of the Gender Monolith
Living in a westernized society means living within the bounds of the gender binary. Beyond our scope, however, lies a rich history of unique gender expression and the lessons we can learn from the cultures that embrace it.
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The Mystique of the Off Year
Virginia is different from many other states in America in the fact that it holds off-year congressional elections, a choice made centuries ago that has withstood the test of time. Considering the many other changes in Virginia since then, why has this policy persisted and what implications do these off-year elections have on politics in Virginia?
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Stroads and Sprawl– Urban Planning in Charlottesville-Albemarle and Beyond
Urban sprawl is ugly and widely disliked, yet it composes most new development in Charlottesville and throughout North America. Why does this type of built environment persist and proliferate?
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Rethinking the Naturalization Test: Assessing Knowledge and Language Proficiency with Equity
The trial testing of redesigned naturalization tests announced by USCIS in December 2022 include increased difficulty in a standardized English-speaking portion and an updated civics test. Increasing the difficulty of the English-speaking test could create barriers for non-English speakers seeking U.S. citizenship, reinforcing discrimination. The historical and current attempts to make English the official language in the U.S. have and could increase discrimination towards people who speak languages other than English.