Columns

What the last two Lawnparties show us about the need for USG reform

What the last two Lawnparties show us about the need for USG reform

Brittani Telfair

“It is undeniable that USG representatives are hard-working, and that should be recognized. The controversy regarding the past two Lawnparties raises concern, however. Because much of USG’s work is hidden from the student body, they are largely unaccountable to us.”

“It is undeniable that USG representatives are hard-working, and that should be recognized. The controversy regarding the past two Lawnparties raises concern, however. Because much of USG’s work is hidden from the student body, they are largely unaccountable to us.”

OPINION | 10/03/2021

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Native Hawaiians deserve to be seen, too

Native Hawaiians deserve to be seen, too

Gisele Bisch

Native Hawaiians should not have to carry the weight of advocating for ourselves and our history alone. With Hawai‘i being one of the fifty states, our past should be common knowledge. 

Native Hawaiians should not have to carry the weight of advocating for ourselves and our history alone. With Hawai‘i being one of the fifty states, our past should be common knowledge.  

OPINION | 09/30/2021

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Texas abortion law proves that, once again, bodily autonomy is fragile

Texas abortion law proves that, once again, bodily autonomy is fragile

Claudia Frykberg

“The enforcement of such a law, as well as its failure to be challenged thus far on a legal basis, shows the ongoing necessity of vigilant advocacy for reproductive rights, and acts as a harrowing reminder of the fragility of liberties that were so arduously won.”

“The enforcement of such a law, as well as its failure to be challenged thus far on a legal basis, shows the ongoing necessity of vigilant advocacy for reproductive rights, and acts as a harrowing reminder of the fragility of liberties that were so arduously won.”

OPINION | 09/29/2021

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What ‘party culture’ reveals about our mental health

What ‘party culture’ reveals about our mental health

Allen Liu

“The intensity of life at Princeton and relative isolation of campus can be stifling, and it may feel that the only escape is a pregame or a night out. However, if students and the University do more to prioritize well-being, it doesn’t have to be that way.”

“The intensity of life at Princeton and relative isolation of campus can be stifling, and it may feel that the only escape is a pregame or a night out. However, if students and the University do more to prioritize well-being, it doesn’t have to be that way.”

OPINION | 09/28/2021

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Add/drop needs to change in order to truly serve students

Add/drop needs to change in order to truly serve students

Ava Milberg

“By reconfiguring the add/drop period in a way that reduces the disadvantages of actually adding and dropping different classes, students would hopefully feel encouraged to try out different classes and find ones that truly are the best fit.”

“By reconfiguring the add/drop period in a way that reduces the disadvantages of actually adding and dropping different classes, students would hopefully feel encouraged to try out different classes and find ones that truly are the best fit.”

OPINION | 09/27/2021

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Princeton’s queer community is often biphobic and transphobic. Where do we go from here?

Princeton’s queer community is often biphobic and transphobic. Where do we go from here?

Hannah Reynolds

“In spaces that are markedly progressive and accepting, gatekeeping of queerness is unacceptable. As Princeton students — whether queer or allies — we must foster a safe and accepting community for people of all identities, rather than contributing to the self-doubt and isolation one already often experiences as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

“In spaces that are markedly progressive and accepting, gatekeeping of queerness is unacceptable. As Princeton students — whether queer or allies — we must foster a safe and accepting community for people of all identities, rather than contributing to the self-doubt and isolation one already often experiences as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

OPINION | 09/26/2021

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Reckoning with our ranking

Reckoning with our ranking

Mohan Setty-Charity

“We are tremendously privileged to attend a school that allows us to make a real difference in the world, and can use this opportunity to do something good. Princeton’s ranking gives us opportunities that others do not have. Take these opportunities with open arms, and help Princeton remind our community and the world the actual reasons that we are special.”

“We are tremendously privileged to attend a school that allows us to make a real difference in the world, and can use this opportunity to do something good. Princeton’s ranking gives us opportunities that others do not have. Take these opportunities with open arms, and help Princeton remind our community and the world the actual reasons that we are special.”

OPINION | 09/22/2021

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How to navigate campus life at Princeton

How to navigate campus life at Princeton

Julia Chaffers

“You may have noticed in the first few weeks how Princeton can pull you in many different directions as you attempt to juggle classes, extracurriculars, and just being a functioning human being. If you approach each of these spheres of campus life with an open mind and a priority on your wellbeing, you’ll be able to weather the first few months of in-person Princeton.”

“You may have noticed in the first few weeks how Princeton can pull you in many different directions as you attempt to juggle classes, extracurriculars, and just being a functioning human being. If you approach each of these spheres of campus life with an open mind and a priority on your wellbeing, you’ll be able to weather the first few months of in-person Princeton.”

OPINION | 09/22/2021

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To be known and shouted over: Race and first-year orientation

To be known and shouted over: Race and first-year orientation

Zachary Shevin and AG McGee

“The exercise of free, authentic voices can be powerful. But that power only takes root when we are willing to listen and hear the voices at hand.”

“The exercise of free, authentic voices can be powerful. But that power only takes root when we are willing to listen and hear the voices at hand.”

OPINION | 09/22/2021

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What I learned after three years at Princeton

What I learned after three years at Princeton

Sally Jane Ruybàlid

“GPAs, class standings, median incomes — they are all just arbitrary tidbits that only divide the masses. You don’t owe anyone anything.”

“GPAs, class standings, median incomes — they are all just arbitrary tidbits that only divide the masses. You don’t owe anyone anything.”

OPINION | 09/21/2021

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F*ck cancel culture

F*ck cancel culture

Dillion Gallagher

“Cancel culture is not a substitute for accountability, mainly because it doesn’t carry any weight for those supposedly being held accountable. The reputations we build with and among our peers, friends, and colleagues are our first real contribution to Princeton.”

“Cancel culture is not a substitute for accountability, mainly because it doesn’t carry any weight for those supposedly being held accountable. The reputations we build with and among our peers, friends, and colleagues are our first real contribution to Princeton.”

OPINION | 09/20/2021

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Princeton must invest in more resources for trans*, queer, and femme students

Princeton must invest in more resources for trans*, queer, and femme students

Kristal Grant

“The Pride Alliance demands that the University immediately begin prioritizing the mental health and well-being of its queer and trans* students, women and femme students, and Black and Indigenous students of color.”

“The Pride Alliance demands that the University immediately begin prioritizing the mental health and well-being of its queer and trans* students, women and femme students, and Black and Indigenous students of color.”

OPINION | 09/20/2021

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Should we hope this ‘normal’ lasts?

Should we hope this ‘normal’ lasts?

David Palomino

“So what does our future hold? Will this ‘normal’ last? We cannot know. We can, however, hope. We can accept uncertainties and still dare to influence the future.”

“So what does our future hold? Will this “normal” last? We cannot know. We can, however, hope. We can accept uncertainties and still dare to influence the future.”

OPINION | 09/19/2021

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Introducing Reactions: Opinion’s snappy and succinct mini-columns

Introducing Reactions: Opinion’s snappy and succinct mini-columns

Zachariah Sippy and Rohit Narayanan

After major scoops and stories on campus, Reactions will host a series of snappy, prompt, roughly 250-word pieces, staking out different points of view. These mini-columns can engage with each other directly, explore different sides of the issue at hand, and — importantly — prioritize timeliness.

After major scoops and stories on campus, Reactions will host a series of snappy, prompt, roughly 250-word pieces, staking out different points of view. These mini-columns can engage with each other directly, explore different sides of the issue at hand, and — importantly — prioritize timeliness.

OPINION | 09/16/2021

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Doing enough: what high-risk individuals can teach us about COVID-19 safety

Doing enough: what high-risk individuals can teach us about COVID-19 safety

Genrietta Churbanova

Tenna’s perspective on the danger that large social events pose to high-risk students illuminates two substantial shortcomings in the way COVID-19 safety is typically discussed at Princeton.

Tenna’s perspective on the danger that large social events pose to high-risk students illuminates two substantial shortcomings in the way COVID-19 safety is typically discussed at Princeton.

OPINION | 09/13/2021

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Afghanistan and the decline of American reliability

Afghanistan and the decline of American reliability

Juan José López Haddad

“The United States might not be the Land of the Free, but relative to other comparable powers, it is indeed the Land of the Freer. Now, during the 20th anniversary of the heinous terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, it is critical for all Americans to reflect whether Washington has really kept the promises it made when it vowed to fight terrorism, both domestic and foreign.”

“The United States might not be the Land of the Free, but relative to other comparable powers, it is indeed the Land of the Freer. Now, during the 20th anniversary of the heinous terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, it is critical for all Americans to reflect whether Washington has really kept the promises it made when it vowed to fight terrorism, both domestic and foreign.”

OPINION | 09/12/2021

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Stop treating Princeton like a bucket list

Stop treating Princeton like a bucket list

Allen Liu

“It’s easy to feel apathetic or detached from campus because of the experiences we missed. Instead of focusing on what we could next check off our bucket list, we should focus on something even more important: each other.”  

“It’s easy to feel apathetic or detached from campus because of the experiences we missed. Instead of focusing on what we could next check off our bucket list, we should focus on something even more important: each other.”  

OPINION | 09/09/2021

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Stop sexualizing women-loving women: Drake’s ‘Girls Want Girls’ and artistic responsibility

Stop sexualizing women-loving women: Drake’s ‘Girls Want Girls’ and artistic responsibility

Brittani Telfair

“When making art, artists have a responsibility to be considerate of their subjects and refrain from using, abusing, and co-opting the stories of communities they have no sincere interest in understanding.”

“When making art, artists have a responsibility to be considerate of their subjects and refrain from using, abusing, and co-opting the stories of communities they have no sincere interest in understanding.” 

OPINION | 09/09/2021

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The privilege of indifference: Commonalities between national forest management and Divest Princeton

The privilege of indifference: Commonalities between national forest management and Divest Princeton

Hannah Reynolds

“Our leaders, whether USDA officials, or legislators, or Trustees at Princeton, must listen to those most affected. Our leaders must listen to those in frontline communities where severe and disproportionate impacts of climate change are already being felt.”

“Our leaders, whether USDA officials or legislators or Trustees at Princeton, must listen to those most affected. Our leaders must listen to those in frontline communities where severe and disproportionate impacts of climate change are already being felt.”

OPINION | 09/08/2021

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As we return to in-person instruction, let’s not take it for granted

As we return to in-person instruction, let’s not take it for granted

Ava Milberg

“Fortunately, in-person school is no longer ‘gone,‘ but for quite some time it was. Only after losing the ability to go to school and all of the enjoyments that come with it was I able to truly develop gratitude for it.”

“Fortunately, in-person school is no longer ‘gone,‘ but for quite some time it was. Only after losing the ability to go to school and all of the enjoyments that come with it was I able to truly develop gratitude for it.”

OPINION | 09/06/2021

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