Opinion

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

Outdated Triangle Frosh Week Show demonstrates why Princeton culture is in need of change

Outdated Triangle Frosh Week Show demonstrates why Princeton culture is in need of change

Chris Park

“Am I saying that Triangle deserves a similar fate as SPIA and First College? Absolutely not. They are a team of Princeton’s finest artists, comedians, and designers. Their performances have demonstrated incredible finesse and the club is a significant ambassador of the University. However, excellence should not overshadow the potential to grow.”

“Am I saying that Triangle deserves a similar fate as SPIA and First College? Absolutely not. They are a team of Princeton’s finest artists, comedians, and designers. Their works have presented incredible finesse and are a significant ambassador of the University. However, excellence should not overshadow the potential to grow.”

OPINION | 09/08/2021

---

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

---

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

---

Hurricane Ida made clear that the Orange Bubble is not invincible. Now what?

Hurricane Ida made clear that the Orange Bubble is not invincible. Now what?

Claudia Frykberg

“It’s easy to feel protected by the Orange Bubble. But if Hurricane Ida showed us anything, it is that the climate crisis is at our doorstep and time is a luxury we no longer have.”

“It’s easy to feel protected by the Orange Bubble. But if Hurricane Ida showed us anything, it is that the climate crisis is at our doorstep and time is a luxury we no longer have.”

OPINION | 09/05/2021

---

We have a one-time chance to change Princeton. Don’t squander it.

We have a one-time chance to change Princeton. Don’t squander it.

Emma Treadway

“I encourage you: consider what you can change, and how you can set the example for your successors. This chance won’t come again.”

“I encourage you: consider what you can change, and how you can set the example for your successors. This chance won’t come again.”

OPINION | 08/30/2021

---

See it, share it, stomp it: Looking out for spotted lanternflies in Princeton

See it, share it, stomp it: Looking out for spotted lanternflies in Princeton

Sreya Jonnalagadda

“See it, share it, stomp it! These are the steps you should follow if you see an insect called the spotted lanternfly around Princeton.” 

“See it, share it, stomp it! These are the steps you should follow if you see an insect called the spotted lanternfly around Princeton.” 

OPINION | 08/30/2021

---

Science-based measures and community’s efforts will support return to in-person teaching and learning

Science-based measures and community’s efforts will support return to in-person teaching and learning

Robin Izzo

“Princeton was proactive and worked hard to develop an infrastructure that is not common, even among our peers. It is this novel yet tested combination of measures that allows us to confidently welcome back our whole community this fall.”

“Princeton was proactive and worked hard to develop an infrastructure that is not common, even among our peers. It is this novel yet tested combination of measures that allows us to confidently welcome back our whole community this fall.”

OPINION | 08/27/2021

---

English Department Faculty: Why Princeton should allow for remote teaching this semester

English Department Faculty: Why Princeton should allow for remote teaching this semester

Guest Contributors

“As we now adapt to the rapidly changing risks of the Delta variant, we need a maximum degree of flexibility in our teaching. We ask Princeton to take the lead, alongside Rutgers, Rice, Tufts, the University of Pittsburgh, and others, in allowing for remote teaching.”

“As we now adapt to the rapidly changing risks of the Delta variant, we need a maximum degree of flexibility in our teaching. We ask Princeton to take the lead, alongside Rutgers, Rice, Tufts, the University of Pittsburgh, and others, in allowing for remote teaching.”

OPINION | 08/25/2021

---

Cuba cries ‘Freedom!’: Why Princeton students should support Cuba amid the island’s ongoing crisis

Cuba cries ‘Freedom!’: Why Princeton students should support Cuba amid the island’s ongoing crisis

Ana Blanco, Rosmeilyn Jerez, Alejandro Garcia, and Gisell Curbelo

“We ask that you do not allow political biases or preconceived notions of Cuba to hinder your ability to advocate for those who are suffering.”

“We ask that you do not allow political biases or preconceived notions of Cuba to hinder your ability to advocate for those who are suffering.”

OPINION | 08/20/2021

---

FaceTime is not a plan: We need to be ready for quarantine and isolation

FaceTime is not a plan: We need to be ready for quarantine and isolation

José Pablo Fernández García

“Simply put, possibly having a friend FaceTime you into a class as Dean of the College Jill Dolan suggested at the recent Town Hall meeting is not a sufficient plan. And, in the absence of one, students and faculty must develop their own.”

“Simply put, possibly having a friend FaceTime you into a class as Dean of the College Jill Dolan suggested at the recent Town Hall meeting is not a sufficient plan. And, in the absence of one, students and faculty must develop their own.”

OPINION | 08/17/2021

---