Tag: opinion
Natural hair deserves to be celebrated at predominantly white institutions like SU
Navigating the complexities of being a minority at a predominantly white institution (PWI) like SU is a challenging and complex journey of self-acceptance entwined with cultural identification. The most significant of these challenges is accepting natural hair in a setting where professional standards sometimes dismiss and undermine the deep-rooted diversity of Black beauty. Read More »
Despite common belief, queerness, religiosity can co-exist
The greatest discovery I made on my journey with my spirituality was finding the difference between being religious and being part of the Christian church; I realized that I could be queer and religious at the same time. Read More »
Why women in ecology are crucial to the climate movement
Principles of ecofeminism are crucial to facilitating greater change and providing a voice to those who have been silenced. It is in humanity's best interest to give women a seat at the table. Read More »
No matter how you view TikTok, banning the platform would be censorship
We are so worried that the CCP will undermine democracy, so what do we do? Block or ban a social media platform. I have lived under a censorious regime, and I can tell you it is not something we want for our country. Read More »
What 'grandmacore' teaches us about girlhood, growing up
In a world where women are held to impossible, contradictory standards of beauty and aging, it seems to me that teenage girls and elderly women have far more in common with each other than we might think. Read More »
All full-time faculty deserve a path to tenure
Whether through an institutional path to tenure or unionization, full-time teaching faculty, professors of practice and visiting professors with specialized knowledge are critical to the educational mission of our university. They deserve more than precarity. They deserve the full rights of academic freedom. Read More »
Academic freedom is not absolute, must bend to protect Jewish students’ safety
Conceding that there exists an antisemitism problem on campus, hope springs eternal that the entire Syracuse community can cohabit on campus with respectful treatment of one another, allowance for differences of opinion, and complete protection of and safety for all community members, including Jewish students, professors and teaching assistant’s who are sorely lacking those entitlements at present. Read More »
As a Latine voice at The D.O., BIPOCs in the media are too rare
My story guides my desire to mobilize social justice, and my diverse experiences create a wealth of knowledge that drives change; it's essential that we leverage our stories and experiences to confront and dismantle the neocolonialist values entrenched in our Western mindset and systems. Read More »
The lack of news coverage shouldn’t stop us from talking about the war in Ukraine
It’s not fair to expect everyone to know everything about every global issue, but it is fair to expect the news to try and cover it. Read More »
The entertainment industry needs to better protect underage creators
Parents and family members who are supposed to protect their children, who should be looking out for their safety and well-being, are now exposing them to audiences on the internet for engagement, views and profit. Read More »
The case for YIMBY amid Syracuse's housing crisis
By supporting new developments and upzoning to allow for higher-density housing, as a city, Syracuse could foster a more vibrant, diverse and inclusive community. Read More »
Israel's attack on Palestine's libraries, universities is an attack on academia everywhere
But I also mourn the loss of irreplaceable collections of rare books, valuable cultural artifacts and hundreds of years worth of historical records. Read More »
In talking about ecology, art can be a more effective medium than stats, numbers
Art is unique in its ability to spread awareness as it can evoke emotions and spark human connection with the environment more effectively than a data set. Read More »
Western media prioritizes pro-Israel bias over ethical, accurate coverage
Instead of waiting for American legacy media outlets to pivot towards fair coverage, our focus should be amplifying the work of Palestinians who bear witness to the horrors committed by Israel against their people. Read More »
Following FAFSA changes, colleges need to help middle income families
A college education shouldn’t be out of reach just because of the income bracket a student belongs to. Read More »
With the rise of Hindutva in Modi’s India, it's time for the U.S. to step in
The decline of democracy in India is happening before our eyes, and it questions if democracy was ever truly meant to prevail in a country so inflicted by shame and rejection of its own history. Read More »
Nex Benedict’s death amplifies a need for legislation that protects queer youth
It is crucial that along with social education, legal action is taken to protect queer people – not harm them. Read More »
As outside groups look to limit conversations on Palestine, academic freedom needs to be prioritized
While people can disagree regarding the Israel-Hamas war, a difference in ideas should not be labeled as antisemitic as it will only dilute the gravity that legitimate claims of antisemitism deserve. Read More »
AI deepfakes affect us all – but not in the same ways
If we’re going to make a difference in how we punish creators and distributors of deepfake pornography, we have to start by asking ourselves who we consider worthy of protection, who we want to fight for and what value we place in our own image. Read More »
We can’t continue to ignore the dangers of conspiracy theories
In an era where conspiracy theories can quickly gain traction, it's crucial for us to prioritize truth-seeking and rely on well-researched information. Read More »
SU needs to implement emergency contraceptive vending machines at Barnes
By encouraging dialogue and providing convenient access to contraceptives, we can create a culture of informed decision-making, ultimately benefiting both the academic success and overall well-being of college students. Read More »
It’s time to stop overlooking Black men’s mental health struggles
We need more Black men present in mental health spaces, not just as therapists, but as a part of the mental health conversation from the very beginning. Read More »
Elmo asked how everybody’s doing, why aren’t we asking each other
More than anything else, Elmo has taught me that we need to do a better job of initiating more open dialogues about our mental health. Read More »
While you might not know queer terminology, you should be ready to learn it
Every time you make a mistake or come across a new word, take it as an opportunity to learn more. It is our responsibility to create accepting spaces for our peers. Read More »