Opinion Writing

The United States of America has been experiencing heightened political polarization, including ideological divisions between Democrats and Republicans. This polarization is regularly displayed in Congress, the media, and public discourse. The dominance of the two-party system has been a large area of criticism. Many would argue that this system significantly limits the diversity of political representation and makes it more difficult for alternative voices to emerge. The most pressing central question is: Would significant changes to our political or electoral institutions make America’s democracy work better? Furthermore, should these changes be actively pursued? These questions can prompt us to thoroughly examine the existing structures and processes that justify the United States political system. The Constitution was first written during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where a group of influential people like Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison shared ideas and ...

 Embracing My Identity: My Journey to Self-Acceptance By: Lauren Rollins “Damn, this baby’s hair is nappy” Nappy. That's how my mom would describe my hair as she sat me down for my first relaxer before I was a year old. The offensive term, originally used to describe the naturally kinky and coily hair of African slaves in the 17th century, is how I viewed my hair for years. Growing up, especially as a young black girl in the South, I couldn't escape the constant commentary on my appearance. Whether it was the texture of my hair, the shade of my skin, or the shape of my features, it seemed like everyone had an opinion – and none of them were positive. My family, bless their hearts, inadvertently added to what many would call my "self-hatred." My mother, sister, and even my grandparents, all unintentionally reinforced the idea that there was something inherently wrong with the way I looked.  “I don’t want to get darker” my older sister, Victoria, would whine while we sa...