Op-Eds
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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.
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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.