“Of all our dreams today, there is none more important — or so hard to realize — than that of peace in the world.” — Lester B. Pearson, former Prime Minister of Canada and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. How do you balance that dream — peace in the world — with the reality […]
From the Streets to the Senate: A Brief History of Hip-Hop and Politics
Most people know Meek Mill as the rap artist behind the inspirational anthem “Dreams and Nightmares.” Lesser known is Meek Mill’s personal life, one full of endeavors intertwined with politics: he was pardoned by former Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf for firearms and drugs charges; leads the REFORM alliance, advocating for comprehensive reforms in the criminal […]
The Secret Scramble for Africa
“The native must realize that colonialism never gives anything away for nothing.” Writing in 1961, Frantz Fanon was witnessing a new era in African history — after a century of near-total colonial domination, the last vestiges of Western empire had at last begun to unravel. Fanon, perhaps one of the 20th century’s most renowned political […]
El Nightmare Americano
As children, we are sold the idea that the American Dream exists because, as Americans, we can accomplish our wildest dreams because of our country’s democracy and ideals. The United States is “the land of the free and home of the brave,” where “liberty and justice for all” is a mantra taught to kids from […]
Empty Pockets and Empty Calories
America is in the midst of an escalating obesity crisis, and this is especially true amongst low-income communities. According to a 2015 study, obesity is responsible for millions of deaths each year due to its association with a plethora of health complications including cardiovascular disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and osteoarthritis. The USDA reports […]
Effective Altruism on Trial with FTX
Most of his employees were gone — quit, fired, or arrested — so only one colleague and his parents remained in the $35 million Bahamian penthouse when the police arrived for Sam Bankman-Fried. In a New York City federal court, Bankman-Fried faces one count of wire fraud, two conspiracy charges, and a count of money […]
Colors of Gay Politics
High-pitched voices, feminine appearance, good fashion tastes… Among the many stereotypical beliefs regarding gay men, them being a group of solid Democrats is one appearing less in sketches and stand-up comedies but equally prevalent. My friends’ enchanting revelations about some conservative guy’s sexual orientation often result in astounded bursts of “He’s gay? But he’s a […]
Like It or Not, Dobbs Is Empowering Voters
Last June, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization instantly became one of the most polarizing and consequential Supreme Court decisions not only of this century but arguably of all time, seemingly doing away with nearly fifty years of established legal precedent and restoring the Constitution to a place of legal neutrality with respect to the […]
The Winning GOP Strategy Already Exists
The Republican Party is in trouble. For the last three major election cycles, all they’ve done is lose, and they’re headed in a similar direction going forward. Though polls show an even race between Trump and Biden, the last three election cycles prove that incumbents have always trailed one year before the election. We should […]
Fascism: What it is and its Dangers
September 2nd, 1945. Japan surrenders to the allied forces after the second atomic bombing of Nagasaki, marking the end of World War II and the axis powers, and, some would say, fascism. With Mussolini, the founder of fascism, hanged in the streets of Italy and Hitler gone months before Japan’s surrender, it would seem reasonable […]