Op-Eds
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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.
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Uncovering the Behind the Scenes of the “It Girl”
The “It Girl” has circulated social media, influencing women across various demographics to join this journey. What started as a movement to empower women to focus on improving their health, lifestyle, and well-being soon became muddled with the toxic need to have a perfect external disposition while consequently exacerbating socioeconomic divides. The trend also pinpoints a vital discussion on the growing need for cultural appreciation.
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The West is Failing in the South Caucasus
American and European responses to democratic crises in Georgia and Armenia have shown a dilemma in priorities.
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Shedding Light on the Dark Side of Congressional Stock Trading
Congressional stock trading regulation needs a massive overhaul.
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Did Amazon Lose its Smile?
Amazon’s once beneficial charitable program AmazonSmile shuts down permanently with a 33 day notice.
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The “Apolitical” Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court election earlier this year illustrated the political nature of the fight for Supreme Court seats. With millions of dollars pouring into the race from various political groups, the race was the most expensive state court race in history. It illustrated that voters and interest groups view the control of courts as a means to political results.
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The West Needs to Hedge Its Bets in Ukraine
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its second year, it is clear that the conflict has reinvigorated the foreign policy of the West and put US leadership on center stage. However, as Russia begins to show signs of resilience and the war continues to place a drain on Western military supplies, it is time for the West to advocate for a pragmatic and peaceful conclusion to the conflict.
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The Capital Homeless Crisis at McPherson Square
Washington D.C.’s lack of coordination in regard to the relocation of the homeless population in McPherson Square has resulted in an adverse impact on homeless people, leading to prolonged housing insecurities.
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The Argument for Congressional Term Limits
Congress is presently defined by heightened partisanship, ideological polarization, and unproductive gridlock. Could term limits be the solution?
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The Search for Language Inclusivity in Schools
With millions of English language learners in schools across the United States, there is a lot of pressure placed upon them to gain competencies in acquiring English speaking abilities. This pressure can often lead to students losing their primary language or feeling as though their cultural identities are repressed or not welcomed within the classroom. Both the government and educators are tasked with finding a solution to enabling students to effectively learn English without sacrificing their identities.
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The American People Deserve Better
Despite what Republicans and right-wing media outlets say, Joe Biden is not a bleeding heart liberal, and certainly is not a radical leftist. Yet that very radicalism which those on the right demonize and falsely attribute to President Biden may be the very thing this country needs to solve its problems. Joe Biden will never be the candidate of change, Marianne Williamson could be.
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Let's Talk About the Weather
The weather this winter was unreasonably warm for us in Virginia, while the Californians across the country experienced blizzard conditions into the early Spring. Is this weather a fluke or is it the first in a new pattern of severe changes to the climate? If it’s more than a coincidence, what does that mean and what can we do about it?
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Glenn Youngkin is Running for Last Place
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has been cited as a potential Republican presidential candidate, either in 2024 or some time down the road, and some actions he has taken as governor indicate a national ambition. However, Youngkin continues to poll poorly in national primary polls, and decisions he makes with a national eye have often come at the expense of the Virginians he vowed to serve for four years.
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Donald Trump continues to threaten the future of the Republican Party
The upcoming GOP nomination will determine whether the Republican Party can free themselves from Donald Trump's lingering influence