Posts in Editorials
We Can’t Pick and Choose Which Genocides to Defend Against

“In Minister Gallant’s comments about cutting off resources to Gaza, he contended, ‘We are fighting animals’ and ‘We will eliminate everything.’ This direct and explicit conflation between all Gazans and Hamas is deeply troubling and is an all-too-common tactic used to justify violence towards targeted groups.. . .  As the crisis in Gaza grows more acute by the day, we in North Carolina, the UNC community, and the U.S. must push for an immediate ceasefire to all indiscriminate military operations”

Read More
Supreme Court Rejects Affirmative Action in College Admissions

“On June 29, 2023 the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the use of affirmative action in all higher education admissions processes. Though the claims brought against affirmative action are deceivingly compelling, the harsh reality of overturning affirmative action will create barriers in achieving success through higher education for future students of color.“

Read More
On the Heels of a Tragedy: North Carolina Legislature Loosens Gun Laws Despite Yet Another Devastating School Shooting

“March 23, 2023, brought yet another horrendous act of gun violence in the United States. A short two days later on March 29, 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly was able to pass Senate Bill 41, also known as the Guarantee 2nd Amend Freedom and Protections Act. The bill’s most serious implications come in its first section most commonly referred to as the “pistol permit purchase” section, which ends the requirement to obtain a permit from one’s county sheriff before purchasing a handgun.“

Read More
The Importance of Differentiating Between Academic Speech and Free Speech on College Campuses

“Free speech has and continues to play an essential role in higher education, yet recent political polarization has put a strain on the effort to maintain the essential divide between academic speech and public discourse.“

Read More
Does Faith Belong in the Discussion About Abortion?

“Abortion seems to be a never-ending issue in the discussion about American politics and public policy. Faith, and specifically Christianity, has long played a role in this discussion and has been a dominant force as of late. While it is a dominant religion in the country and it has played a large role thus far, does faith have a place in the political discussion about abortion?”

Read More
Feel Like It’s Getting Harder to Vote? You’re Not Alone

“Voting, the bedrock of our democracy, is the single most important practice for citizens to make their voices heard. Yet, since the 2020 election, Republican state legislatures across the country have passed voter suppression bills under the guise of “protecting integrity in our election.” This façade does a poor job of covering what these laws are truly intended for: making it more difficult to vote.“

Read More
Senators Push for Stricter Social Media Guidelines for Kids: Will This Cause More Harm Than Good?

“The main question that the Kids Online Safety Act provokes is who gets to dictate what is and isn’t allowed on social media. Concerns of censorship come amid claims that Elon Musk, Twitter’s new CEO, has suspended accounts for criticizing him as well as a flood of Library book bans targeting stories centering characters that are LGBTQ+ and people of color. Opponents of the Act such as Evan Greer voice valid concerns about Censorship and authoritarianism.“

Read More
Celebrating the Renville Treaty: Indonesia’s Growing Role in International Relations

“Excerpt: On the 75th anniversary of Dr. Frank Porter Graham’s negotiation of the Renville Treaty, the Carolina Asia Center held a joint conference between The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) in Jakarta which discussed Indonesia’s past, present, and future on the world stage…Indonesia is rapidly gaining economic and political influence on the world stage via increasingly diverse foreign direct investment, Indonesia’s sway within ASEAN, and the desire to forge an independent Indonesian path.“

Read More
The Future of Marijuana Use: Will North Carolinians Be Able to Legally Light It Up Anytime Soon?

“With the recent announcement from the White House and an increasing number of states legalizing marijuana, North Carolinians are left wondering about the future of marijuana legalization in their state. While both Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein have voiced their support for legalization of marijuana, the ultimate decision lies in the hands of North Carolina’s Republican-controlled state legislature.“

Read More
The Cost of Debt

“Only recently having left the world of mask mandates, vaccines, work at home orders, and increased prices, the state of the dollar must be preserved in an already weakened economy. With inflation the highest in over forty years, having been capped in July at 9.1%, additive changes such as loan forgiveness will seek to halt its decline back to the recommended 2%.”

Read More
Column: The Issue with OSHA’s Vaccine Mandate

“The desire to end the seemingly never-ending pandemic has led Americans to put a lot of faith in the federal government. This can be dangerous. The United States has checks and balances and separation of powers for a reason. If these were neglected, it could set a dangerous precedent. Some businesses have already implemented vaccine requirements on their own terms or because of a state mandate; however, a federal mandate carries a heavier weight and attempts to usurp state sovereignty. After all, the 10th amendment provides the states with the authority to oversee public health, not the federal government.”

Read More
The Biden Administration’s Surprisingly Positive First Fifty Days

“Going into Inauguration Day, many Americans were satisfied to finally see the Oval Office reclaimed by someone who, while not perfect, seemed to have common courtesy and basic administrative competency. For others, the relief inspired by Donald Trump leaving public office was mitigated by a concern that nothing would fundamentally change under a Biden administration. While President Biden is still far from a progressive president, recent orders and proposals by him and the Democratic party which he leads should inspire some confidence in those uneasy about Biden’s capacity to affect positive change.”

Read More
The Battle for the Nation's Soul Will be Won or Lost in North Carolina

“If it feels like some sick game to get over 270 electoral votes by cobbling together a map of states, that’s because it is. The defining issues of our time, like the COVID-19 response, racial equity, and health care ought to be decided by one person, one vote. Unfortunately, those aren’t the rules by which we play. To restore decency to our country, it is imperative that we find our way to 270 electoral votes. A victory right here in North Carolina can ensure it if the Blue Wall falters once more.”

Read More