Editorial Content — Carolina Political Review

Carolina's Premier Undergraduate Political Affairs Journal

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The Beauty of Diaspora: UNC’s Asian Culture Groups Hearken their Heritage

The Beauty of Diaspora: UNC’s Asian Culture Groups Hearken their Heritage

“In diaspora communities, the journey to maintaining cultural ties is narrow and arduous. Distanced by oceans and borders, immigrant communities – especially second and third generation-descendants – are prone to frayed ties to home. Commonly, the only window to the culture of their mother lands is through static-filled Facetime videos and phone calls. However, UNC’s Asian groups are striving – and flawlessly succeeding – in providing a connection that transcends geography. Faced with such a flourishing, I had the honor of delving ‘behind the scenes’ of UNC Ek Taal, the University’s competitive Indian classical dance group.”

Editor's Picks, Culture, Local, EssaysMichelle LiuJune 30, 2022UNC - Chapel Hill, Fellows, Dance, Culture, Editor's PickComment

Barred from the Ballot Box: North Carolina’s Legal Battle Over Felony Disenfranchisement

Barred from the Ballot Box: North Carolina’s Legal Battle Over Felony Disenfranchisement

“Considering the forthcoming election cycle for senate and house seats on both a state and national level, an additional 55,000 ballots — approximately how many previously incarcerated persons would be eligible if CSI v. Moore is affirmed — would immensely alter voter demographics throughout the state. It is imperative for folks to keep a watchful eye on the unfoldings of this court case; not only will it dictate the extent of natural rights for a neglected group of the state’s citizenry, but it also has the power to reconfigure the political makeup of North Carolina.“

Local, Editor's PicksJustin GoldmanApril 15, 2022Ex-Felon Enfranchisement, NC Voting Laws, NC Elections, Voting RightsComment

North Carolina State Supreme Court Taking Next Steps on NC Public Education

North Carolina State Supreme Court Taking Next Steps on NC Public Education

“In 2021, Governor Roy Cooper, also a Democrat, proposed a budget that would have allocated $1.7 billion to fund a two-year remedial action plan for North Carolina schools, but the funding fell short. Since late 2021, Lee has again been pushing for the state to fund the Leandro plan, but the Republican-controlled legislature is reluctant to appropriate money on the basis of a court order, which they consider a constitutional overreach, as the legislature is endowed with the power of the purse, not the judicial system.”

LocalNing SoongApril 4, 2022NCED, NC Education, Governor, Roy Cooper, LeandroComment

Partisan Politics or State Inadequacy?: The GOP’s Request for Voter I.D. Intervention Reaches the Supreme Court

Partisan Politics or State Inadequacy?: The GOP’s Request for Voter I.D. Intervention Reaches the Supreme Court

“At face value, this conflict might appear as no more than a partisan power grab at controlling the status of S.B. 824 — a frequent occurrence in our contemporary political system. Yet, the effects of this case are more pivotal and far-reaching. If a Supreme Court decision favors Senator Berger and Representative Moore, the legislature will be granted broad autonomy regarding intervention in future cases. A move in this direction might blur the lines between the roles of the Legislature and the Executive, and thus create a more nebulous governmental landscape.”

Editor's Picks, LocalJustin GoldmanApril 4, 2022Voter ID, Voting Rights, NCPOL, Supreme Court, Attorney General, GOP, Editor's PickComment

Charlotte’s $250 Million Racial Equity Initiative Stumbles Amid Controversy

Charlotte’s $250 Million Racial Equity Initiative Stumbles Amid Controversy

“At the present moment, given its rocky start, doubts remain high about the initiative’s capacity to create meaningful change for Charlotte’s citizens.”

LocalNing SoongMarch 9, 2022Charlotte, Racial Equity, Black Lives Matter, ControverseyComment

North Carolina Public Schools See a Disconcerting Prevalence of Calls for Literary Censorship

North Carolina Public Schools See a Disconcerting Prevalence of Calls for Literary Censorship

“Janice Robinson, the North Carolina director for Red, Wine, and Blue, an Ohio-based organization that supports local moms and seeks to prevent book bans, believes that the concerns about explicit material are ‘just a smokescreen for the anti-CRT.’ What book bans are actually doing, claims Ms. Robinson, is allowing the "right wing" to push "their political agenda at the expense of our kids," as they are unable to use literature to encounter uncomfortable experiences of those outside their community, which would prepare them for life beyond the classroom.”

Local, Editor's PicksJacob WrightMarch 9, 2022NC Education, Censorship, Books, NCPOL, Editor's PickComment

Governor Cooper Recommends Schools End Mask Mandates

Governor Cooper Recommends Schools End Mask Mandates

“Many states with Republican governors have already ended the mask mandates and now some states with Democrat governors are following suit. There is evidence supporting claims that masks are not effective for young children and therefore there is no need for them. Additionally, there is evidence that shows that masks have harmed children in both educational and social development. Due to this impact, states are having to reevaluate the cost of wearing masks and if the benefits of masks outweigh the educational and social development of children.”

LocalSeth MooreMarch 7, 2022NC, NCP, NCPOL, Education, NC Education, Mask Mandates, COVID-19Comment

The Bottom-Up Process of Pretrial Reform in North Carolina

The Bottom-Up Process of Pretrial Reform in North Carolina

“As public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased attention on jail populations and the national racial reckoning after George Floyd’s death forced communities to reconsider the current criminal justice system, pretrial reform in North Carolina has become a prominent topic of interest.”

Fellows, LocalNoah GottliebMarch 2, 2022Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, Jail, Pretrial Reform, NC Law, UNC Comment

N.C. Commission Unanimously Rejects Vaccine Mandate

N.C. Commission Unanimously Rejects Vaccine Mandate

“The letter to the Commission, referenced earlier in the article, that recommended rejection of the vaccine mandate did include, however, the caveat that "the Commission could consider adding a COVID-19 vaccine to the childhood immunization schedule at a later date." But, observing the repealing of mask mandates, the plummeting daily COVID cases, the opposition from state officials on all sides of the aisle, and the objections from state health officials, it seems highly unlikely that the Commission will institute a mandate for Covid-19 vaccines for school-aged children in North Carolina.”

LocalJacob WrightFebruary 20, 2022NC Ed, NC Education, NCp, NCPOL, Vaccines, Vaccine MandatesComment

Environmental Justice in North Carolina: Cooper’s Executive Order and Winston-Salem’s Fertilizer Plant Fire

Environmental Justice in North Carolina: Cooper’s Executive Order and Winston-Salem’s Fertilizer Plant Fire

“On January 7, 2022, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 246, titled ‘North Carolina’s Transformation to a Clean, Equitable Economy,’ and on January 31, 2022, when the Winston Weaver Co. fertilizer plant in Winston-Salem caught fire, creating the possibility of one of the worst explosions in US history due to the 600 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate inside.”

Editor's Picks, LocalNing SoongFebruary 20, 2022Climate Change, Environmental Politics, Environmental Racism, Winston Salem, Natural Disaster, NCPOL, Editor's PickComment

NC Supreme Court Hears Arguments Regarding Two State Constitutional Amendments

NC Supreme Court Hears Arguments Regarding Two State Constitutional Amendments

“No matter your partisan preferences, in this case, it’s nevertheless imperative to assess the ramifications of gerrymandering in the United States and how manipulated districts can corrupt the integrity of American political processes.”

LocalJustin GoldmanFebruary 20, 2022NCGA, NCPOL, Gerrymandering, NC Supreme Court, State Supreme CourtComment

Insurrection: The Possible End to Madison Cawthorn’s Short-lived Career

Insurrection: The Possible End to Madison Cawthorn’s Short-lived Career

“Cawthorn intends to fight the suit and a spokesperson commented saying the voters bringing the suit are “comically misinterpreting and twisting the 14th Amendment for political gain.” It is clear Cawthorn does not believe the suit will succeed. However, if the suit manages to succeed, Cawthorn will be disallowed from running for public office. Additionally, he could be subject to criminal charges by the federal government like many of the people involved in the riot.”

LocalSeth MooreFebruary 16, 2022Republicans, Insurrection, NCPOL, Madison Cawthorn, January 6thComment

The Carolina Student’s Guide to the Law

The Carolina Student’s Guide to the Law

“The Carolina Political Review sat down with Carolina Student Legal Services Director and Staff Attorney Fran Muse in addition to the Executive Director of Off-Campus Student Life and Community Partnerships Aaron Bachenheimer to learn about ways that Carolina students can ensure that they stay on the right side of the law during their time in Chapel Hill.”

Fellows, LocalNoah GottliebFebruary 14, 2022UNC, Student Life, NC Law, FellowsComment

NC Representative Cawthorn Faces Disqualification

NC Representative Cawthorn Faces Disqualification

“North Carolina’s Representative Madison Cawthorn is under scrutiny from the State Board of Elections in response to a group of eleven North Carolinian voters urging the Board to disqualify his candidacy, citing his involvement in the rallies preceding the January 6th Insurrection as a violation of the Constitution.”

LocalNicholas BerryFebruary 14, 2022NC, NCPOL, Republicans, InsurrectionComment

Despite Past Opposition, Governor Roy Cooper Proclaims “School Choice Week” in North Carolina

Despite Past Opposition, Governor Roy Cooper Proclaims “School Choice Week” in North Carolina

“Despite his historic opposition to school choice, Governor Roy Cooper recently issued a proclamation naming the week of January 24-29, 2022 as “School Choice Week.” However, Cooper has not taken any further policy action to confirm a sudden switch in position to supporting school choice, nor has he spoken about his rationale for issuing a proclamation designed to increase the visibility of school choice.”

LocalNing SoongFebruary 8, 2022NCPOL, Roy, Roy Cooper, Governor, NC Education, School ChoiceComment

UNC Takes Center Stage in Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Case

UNC Takes Center Stage in Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Case

“With these replacements, the Court is now a 6-3 conservative-liberal split, which is consequential as conservatives are more likely to find affirmative action unconstitutional. It is also a disturbing sign that the Court is taking a case for which the precedent involved was affirmed just six years ago.”

Editor's Picks, LocalJacob WrightFebruary 8, 2022UNC, Admisstions, Supreme CourtComment

Governor Cooper’s Veto Means Redistricting Will Be Decided By NC Supreme Court

Governor Cooper’s Veto Means Redistricting Will Be Decided By NC Supreme Court

“With the future of NC redistricting likely playing out in the states' court rooms, Governor Cooper’s veto will not be the last North Carolinians hear about changes to midterm elections. Though lawmakers on both sides of the aisle remain vocal about how the debate should be settled, all eyes now turn towards the seven justices in Raleigh to shape this coming election cycle.”

Fellows, LocalDiane OngFebruary 6, 2022Fellows, NCPOLComment

Governor Cooper Urges State Employees to Give Public Schools a Lifeline

Governor Cooper Urges State Employees to Give Public Schools a Lifeline

“Two weeks ago, Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina’s more than 80,000 state employees will have the opportunity to use paid leave to staff public schools in the state. What is the problem in NC schools?”

LocalNoah GottliebJanuary 31, 2022Education, NC Education, COVID-19, TeachersComment

A Thanksgiving Retrospective: NC’s History with Native Americans

A Thanksgiving Retrospective: NC’s History with Native Americans

“The United States’ history with broken treaties displays a trend that has continued into contemporary times to harm and disregard the wishes, cultures, and safety of Native Americans. Native Americans today endure massive institutional and social disparities that often go unacknowledged or unknown by Americans. These disparities exist within many spheres in American society.”

LocalHannah GarnerDecember 6, 2021History, US History, Native AmericansComment

Sickouts Reveal a Larger School Staff Shortage Issue

Sickouts Reveal a Larger School Staff Shortage Issue

“Kids are only in school once, and these beginning years are formative in them becoming capable and functioning adults. In fact, the education that staffing shortages are robbing kids of is considered so fundamental that the North Carolina Constitution recognizes that "the people have a right to the privilege of education.”

Editor's Picks, LocalJacob WrightNovember 29, 2021NC Education, NCPOL, State Budget, Minimum Wage, Labor, Education, Editor's PickComment