Cancel culture squashes real conversations

Cancel culture squashes real conversations

As I engage in class discussions, I feel like I am in the film “Groundhog Day,” hearing the same watered-down conversations on political issues over and over again. The heedless repetition of political phrases is a byproduct of cancel culture.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, cancel culture is “the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure.” Cancel culture creates a hierarchy of opinions where certain opinions are given ascendancy over others. It encourages students who believe in the superiority of mainstream opinions to cancel those who disagree, preventing any chance to have educational moments and empathy within political discourse.

Foreign language media needs to be a staple of the film industry

Foreign films have had a hard time escaping American art houses. Acclaimed Italian moviemaker Federico Fellini may have won the most directorial academy awards, but his works never made it to mainstream American audiences. This has earned Americans a reputation of being disinterested in foreign content, but this is not the whole truth. Major studios have often bought the rights to popular international films, but withhold them from large audiences, opting instead for remakes.

Antisemitism on campus is nothing new; allies must speak up for Jewish students

Antisemitism on campus is nothing new; allies must speak up for Jewish students

Content warning: this article discusses antisemitism and the Holocaust.

On Oct. 6, 2021, a Nazi swastika was found in the third floor bathroom of 1837 Hall. As a Jewish student at Mount Holyoke College, I was hurt, but not shocked.

UMass Theta Chi incident calls college Greek life into question

UMass Theta Chi incident calls college Greek life into question

Content warning: this article discusses rape and drugging.

While higher education seems to have student safety in mind as we readjust to the “new normal” pandemic world, the sexual assault case at the Theta Chi chapter at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on Sept. 18 compels us to question if these institutions are really monitoring student welfare.

Despite growing popularity, progressive candidates don’t win

Despite growing popularity, progressive candidates don’t win

Medicare for all! Taxing the rich! Green New Deal! Student debt relief! These values are among those heard in the rallying cries of progressive politicians and voters in the 2020 election cycle. However, candidates who espouse these values are vastly underperforming on the national stage.

Can Kathy Hochul bring welcome change to the NY state government?

Can Kathy Hochul bring welcome change to the NY state government?

On Aug. 24, 2021, Democrat Kathy Hochul was sworn in as the Governor of New York, the first woman to hold the position. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation after a string of sexual assault allegations should have been shocking — he was so adored in 2020 that his fans were dubbed “Cuomosexuals.” To many, though, this was just another name in a long list; men in power taking advantage of their young, often female, subordinates is a tale as old as time.

Mount Holyoke needs to be more transparent regarding COVID-19 precautionary measures

In a world where the COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving, keeping up isn’t an easy task. It is essential to be on top of the facts and make way for conversations that address a simple yet crucial question: What’s next?

Mount Holyoke College President Sonya Stephens’ email in March 2021 was a breath of fresh air for many, bearing the news that Mount Holyoke would open its doors for all students in the fall semester. While many rejoiced at this decision, there were still questions and concerns littering students’ minds about masks, testing and overall safety about in-person school. Before the fall semester started, these initial questions regarding COVID-19 were answered.

Juniors and seniors talk growing pains as they return to campus

At the beginning of September, Mount Holyoke students re-introduced themselves to campus. Freshmen and sophomores got their first taste of in-person learning, while juniors and seniors found themselves adjusting to being on campus for the first time in a year and a half. Those who went home as first years in 2020 returned as juniors while 2020’s sophomores are now completing their final year. The leap forward has left some Mount Holyoke upperclassmen unsure of where they stand. I spoke with several students who talked about feeling like they’d lost part of the “Mount Holyoke experience.”

California’s special election was bad politics

California’s special election was bad politics

On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Californians will vote in a special election with just two questions on the ballot. Should the state of California recall Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom? If so, who should replace him? On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Californians will vote in a special election with just two questions on the ballot. Should the state of California recall Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom? If so, who should replace him?