Category: Opinion

Opinion

The New Age of Therapy has Four Legs: Therapy Dogs add Potential for Pups

Emma P., journalist

Therapy dogs are becoming more prevalent and acceptable, especially following the 18 or more months of isolation caused by the pandemic and the current uneasiness of the world.  People are in need of the consolation these dogs provide.

In an age in which anxiety prevails, relief in the form of affection is a plus. A study conducted by the Royal University Hospital in Canada this year, found that patients’ health improved after receiving pet therapy. “Clinically significant changes in pain as well as significant changes in anxiety, depression and well-being were observed in the therapy dog intervention group compared to control groups”. 

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Opinion, Science

Gender Inequality in STEM

Lauren B., journalist

What do you think of when you think of someone who works in STEM?  A man in a lab coat?  A man traveling through a jungle?  A man exploring a cave?  Or perhaps someone a little out of the ordinary: a woman.  Today, women make up half of our population, yet they make up less than 30% of all STEM workers.  I want to be one of those STEM workers, but I don’t want to be the only woman in the room.  We must do more to encourage girls like me to go into STEM.

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Opinion, Politics

The Necessity of Nuance in Today’s Political Climate

Since the 2016 election, the political climate in the United States has become noticeably polarizing. Political values have always pushed people to radical ideas, but since the controversial January 6th Insurrection, the topic of an ongoing public investigation, it seems that the country has been more politically divided than ever. 

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Opinion

An Open Letter to Netflix

Deya N., journalist

Dear Netflix CEO Reed Hastings,

Two years ago, a teaser for an upcoming Netflix show popped up on my YouTube recommendations. As a then 13-year-old artist with an appreciation for coming-of-age stories, I was pleased to find an upcoming show called I Am Not Okay With This which centered on mysterious events happening to a teenage girl (played by one of my favorite actresses, Sophia Lillis)seeming to have an indie atmosphere, witty comedic timing, and a fun soundtrack–all great elements in my book. Anne With An E had just been cancelled at this time and I, like many others, was upset to see the rushed ending to a beloved modern take on the classic heroine. So when I Am Not Okay With This was released, I gobbled it up like a cup of strawberry frozen yogurt that hits the spot just right. And…six months later, IANOWT was cancelled, too. Not exactly the cherry on top I was hoping for. 

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Opinion

What’s Really Behind Singaporean Cuisine

Lily Maxcy, journalist

Coming from a family of mixed ethnicity, my mother born Singaporean, more specifically Peranakan, and my father an American, it has always been interesting attempting to dissect and decipher the foods of a vast culture I will never be fully able to understand. Spending periods of my life in Singapore really opened my eyes, even at a young age, to just how diverse and unique Singapore is, with Malaysian and Chinese influences taking a firm hold all throughout the region. Despite the entirety of the nation existing on a miniscule island, many cultures have flourished there for several decades. When reproduced in the United States, many restaurants such as ‘Hawker Center’ and ‘Mamak’ prospered. However, the real gems of Singaporean food and its deeply rooted traditions come from Hawker Culture and street food. Those who are lucky enough to experience Singaporean food culture firsthand know it is the true food capital of the world.

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Opinion

Why the Current U.S. Recycling Programs Are Inefficient

Diane K., journalist

According to a survey by the Carton Council of North America, 94% of Americans support recycling and 74% say that it should be a priority. Despite these findings, a 2015 fact sheet by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the national recycling rate is only a mere 35%. Why is there such a discrepancy between the two statistics?

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Opinion

The Role of Nuclear Power in Resolving Global Warming

Jacob D., journalist

Although most Americans agree that the government should do more to protect the environment, there is debate about which energy sources should replace fossil fuels. One contender is nuclear power, which relies on the process of nuclear fission to heat water, which creates steam that interacts with a turbine to generate electricity. Nuclear fission involves a neutron colliding with an atom of uranium in order to split it into two new atoms. Once the uranium is split into those two atoms, neutrons are released that can collide with and split new uranium atoms. This results in what is called a chain reaction, where each uranium atom being split results in others being split in the same way. This process releases large amounts of energy in the form of heat, which allows for the aforementioned method of producing electricity.

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Opinion

The Main Principles of Your Chakras

Nathalia S., journal

Why would it be influential to know about chakras and how to unblock them? The human mind has always been in charge of how things are experienced in existence, and it symbolizes everything we are capable of feeling. Your chakras must be open or harmonized to operate optimally. You may feel emotional or physical discomfort relating to a specific chakra if it becomes blocked. It is beneficial for people to know about their chakras, to understand their bodies, and enhance their spirits. 

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Feature, Opinion

The Misconceptions of the Asian-American Community

Julian-Alexandre W., journalist

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a multitude of heinous hate crimes against Asians. Counting just 15 major cities alone, there has been a 169% spike in anti-Asian crimes. Frankly, these recent attacks on Asian Americans are shocking as they are unprovoked, unimaginable, and un-American. Anti-Asian hate stems from misleading information about Asians and the COVID-19 pandemic. My community is being targeted because people think Asians are vulnerable and submissive; however, these untrue stereotypes… these malicious misconceptions have long existed and still carry a stigma in today’s society. 

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Feature, Opinion

How Hostile Architecture Perpetuates Wealth and Class Inequality

Danielle C., journalist

Have you ever seen spiked or slanted benches on your way around the city? Have you ever seen leaning bars or spiked window sills? These are all examples of hostile architecture. Also known as defensive or aggressive architecture, hostile architecture is an urban design strategy that focuses on the specific construction of public structures or paths. It encompasses forms of public architecture designed with uncomfortable features in hopes to keep away loiterers or homeless individuals. Named due to the unwelcoming features of such builds, these designs have increasingly popped up in flourishing and crowded cities, such as New York or London. 

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