The Road to a Fairer Society
Without policy recommendations, complaints about economic inequality are as empty as complaints about the weather. We can criticize market outcomes and their adverse impacts, as I did with my second and first articles respectively. However, without an agenda for our elected officials, this criticism will remain in the realm of discussion, instead of actually improving […]
Is the Market Moral?
Feel-good Hollywood movies are a hallmark of American culture. From childhood Disney films like Aladdin and Cinderella, to classics like Rocky and Forrest Gump, American media saturates our screens with moral heroes who overcome challenges and earn deserved rewards, leaving the wicked villains with their just deserts. This fondness for satisfying endings isn’t new. During […]
Low Juror Compensation Harms Judicial Process
This article is the first installment of a column dedicated to addressing the problems jury duty both faces and creates. Juries often go undiscussed; when they are, the central theme is that juries are essential despite the associated inconveniences. My column will question why we remain passive about such an extremely flawed institution, especially when […]
The Degradation of Immigrants in America: An Analysis of Dehumanizing Linguistics
Language is one of the most distinguishable founding elements of humanity. It is a basic principle of human development and existence, determining every interaction and relationship. A well known psychological theory championed by Sapir-Whorf states that language isn’t simply how we voice our thoughts; it shapes our ideas and perceptions of reality.[1] In accepting this, […]
Why Inequality Matters
In an adorable experiment known as the “Fairness Study,” two capuchin monkeys in separate cages are tasked with handing rocks to a researcher in exchange for pieces of cucumber. While both monkeys are willing to conduct this transaction, when one monkey begins receiving grapes as the other receives only cucumbers, the underpaid monkey becomes clearly […]
Quit Trying to Escape Identity Politics
Every movement we’ve ever had has sprung from another. I’m taking a freshman-level course in my final semester at Northeastern. Call it what you will, but I’ve found it’s extremely helpful in reevaluating my education and my perspective on more than just books. In week three, we spent the bulk of our time learning foundational […]
What is There to Fear About Social Justice?
The Arizona state legislature introduced a bill, HB2120, in January to limit school activities and courses that, amongst other things, “promote division, resentment or social justice toward a race, gender, religion, political affiliation, social class or other class of people.” This bill expands upon an existing law that banned Mexican-American studies courses in colleges and […]
Trumpian Collective Over Self
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” – Audre Lorde What’s a Tuesday night without curling up in a multi-colored quilt with some chardonnay to watch The Office, before being rudely interrupted by a call to discuss reconciling America’s many divisions after the inauguration? I’m constantly torn on […]
Putting “America First” by Recommitting to Global Health
On Monday, November 14th – six days after the presidential and congressional elections – I piled into an Enterprise rental car with a few friends, and we made the short trip up to Nahant, MA. Representative Seth Moulton was holding a town hall meeting at the public library there, and we hoped to speak to […]
The Case for the Right to Health
As a college student, you might not be particularly interested in politics. You might not see its relevance to your life or to the lives of anyone you know. You might steer clear from cable news, Facebook shares, and Twitter brawls at all costs. However, even if all of these things are true, it’s likely […]