Op-Eds
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Mass Incarceration: Eliminating the Cash Bail System
In the United States, freedom before trial is based on a defendant’s financial means. This creates detrimental effects for equal rule of law and justice, and structural reforms are necessary.
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The Year of the Union
This past year has seen more strikes and union action than the past two combined, creating a sort of contagion of worker protests that have impacted every corner of the American labor system. What sparked these strikes and why now?
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The Unsuspecting Nature of Fentanyl: How American Perceptions of Addiction Hinder Treatment of Overdose
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is responsible for the overdose of thousands of Americans each year. Because of the perception of drug addiction in our society, this problem continues to increase and go untreated. We must reframe our understanding of addiction in order to address and fully rid communities of fentanyl overdose.
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Virginia’s Attack on Transgender Youth
Virginia's recent model policies for the treatment of transgender students in schools have faced significant criticism for endangering the human rights of transgender students. Debates about whether Transgender Rights oppose Parents' Rights have taken hold across the state's school districts.
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The Forgotten: Underage Actors within the Film Industry
The Hollywood film industry has a tendency to flaunt large on screen age gaps, often amongst minors and adults. These underage-to-adult age gaps negatively impact minor actors, who cannot fully comprehend the mature scenes that they are required to perform in. Further, as there is a lack of legal protection for minor actors, action must be taken by the government to give these actors the protections they deserve.
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Gentrification in Washington D.C. Chinatown: Consequences on Asian and Chinese Americans, Marginalization and Displacement
Chinatowns are symbols of vibrant cultural heritage and are in danger of disappearing across the nation. Washington D.C.’s Chinatown, in particular, is susceptible to the loss of generations of Chinese American business, community, and history
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Mareas de cambio: elecciones latinoamericanas 2023 y la oleada anti-incumbente
En una región todavía tratando con violaciones de derechos humanos y que sigue luchando por democracia, las elecciones presidenciales tienen el poder de definir el futuro de las relaciones latinoamericanas con el resto del mundo. Aquí se presentan las elecciones presidenciales latinoamericanas a través de un tema que puede proveer una perspectiva nueva sobre estas elecciones tan importantes.
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How Lessons from Rome Can Save American Democracy
In a striking parallel to the decline of the Roman Republic, the United States increasingly grapples with domestic threats. As American political divides deepen, drawing lessons from history may be the necessary safeguard to our democracy.
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¿Dónde está la biblioteca? La importancia de idiomas extranjeros
En la secuela de la decisión de La Universidad de Virginia Oeste de cortar los idiomas extranjeros, necesitamos recordar que los idiomas mejoran a todos y es la responsabilidad de la universidad continuarlos.
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The Kingfish at 130: The Life and Legacy of Huey P. Long
Many may recognize the Kingfish of Louisiana, but little of his legacy. From humble origins, to dominating the halls of Louisiana’s legislature, there is much to be compared to the populist movement of Long to the populism of today.
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Xóchitl Gálvez: La primera presidenta de México
Xóchitl Gálvez está lista para reformar el gobierno de México, fortalecer la democracia del país, y ganar la presidencia para el bienestar de todos mexicanos este dos de junio de 2024.
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Why Democrats are favored to continue their winning streak in… Kentucky?
Beshear is popular, he’s favored in the polls, and his opponent, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, espouses a brand of radical right-wing politics that most Kentuckians find toxic.
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Senator Tommy Tuberville Calls into Questions the Power of Senate Holds
Today, Senate holds are being abused to further political agendas. If not reformed, they could diminish the power of the Senate and threaten U.S. national security.
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Moms for Liberty Is Redefining “Liberty” in School Board Elections
Moms for Liberty has spearheaded a political campaign to increase “liberty” in Virginia public schools. Their campaign centers around restricting access to books that challenge normative perspectives, and doesn’t look too much like liberty at all.
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Media Fragmentation and the Manufacture of Reality
The 21st century has borne witness to a previously unimaginable proliferation in the sources of media content. The internet and social media have ushered in a revolution in information consumption that has changed the nature of human interaction. Despite the positives of a diverse information pool, the degree of audience fragmentation has shattered our society’s collective reference frame and eroded Americans’ faith in democracy. Future developments in media technology and practices will continue to strike at the core of our republic unless the U.S. government acts to regulate their development and use.
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Book Bans: The Effect of Censorship on Inclusive Literature
As book bans sweep across conservative school districts in the nation, what’s at stake? We find that, at the center of the controversy, is an aversion to inclusivity and representation, masked under a veneer of protecting children.
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Political Polarization: A small minority or the entire public?
Who are the main actors behind American political polarization? If people are more moderate than we play believe, perhaps there is more to be learned about those who want to divide than unite.
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The Push and Pull of History and Progress
Today’s Supreme Court has brought many fundamental questions of American history and its interpretation to the forefront. While American history can serve as a helpful tool for contextualizing and inspiring political progress, the Roberts Court has also shown it can be a dangerous tool to hinder progress.
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Derailed from Success: The Usage of Tracking in American Secondary Education
Commonplace in the United States, tracking is an accepted practice which promises to separate students based on their levels of academic achievement and capability. However, the realization of said promise is left unfulfilled for many.
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The Great Fallacy in Education
In my article, I identify the prevailing notion in America that educational performance and career outcomes are due to inherent intelligence. I argue that not only is this one dimensional view of intelligence detrimental and limiting to the American population, but it is deeply flawed in failing to acknowledge the nuances of context, background, and opportunity in shaping human development and thus outcomes.
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The Efficacy of Affirmative Action in 2023
Affirmative action in college admissions has become one of the most controversial policies of the past half-century. Was it really the fairest way to distribute access to higher education?
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You want a Pepsi?: Commodified Wokeness in American Society
In a capitalist American society, purchasing becomes conflated with protesting. The commodification of activism misleads consumers into thinking they are making social change.
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Striking Down Affirmative Action Will Only Worsen Racial Disparities
The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action ignores the complex ways race has shaped practically every sector of society in America.
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Gentrification in Charlottesville
For centuries, the private and public sectors have worked together to create a system of profiteering from the real estate market. Examples of the damage they have caused to local communities can be seen across the nation, even within Charlottesville.
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What is the 15-Minute City?
While it has become a target of conspiracy theories, the mixed-use planning of the 15-minute city will create environmental, economic, and social benefits for urban residents.