In August, the Metropolitan Opera announced that the 2015-2016 season performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello would not feature the traditional presentation of the lead tenor in blackface. New York Times reporter Michael Cooper called the announcement a “seismic shift” and wrote that opera houses’ continual use of blackface is likely “more surprising to many … Read more
WARNING: This article contains spoilers. After months of anticipation, the latest installment in the Star Wars franchise, The Force Awakens, was released on December 18, becoming the fastest film to reach $1 billion in box office sales in the process. As an avid Star Wars fan and foreign policy wonk, I couldn’t help but … Read more
“Okay class, it’s time to talk about mental health. For this unit, we’ll be discussing major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and…” Meanwhile, the class of apathetic high school students decides to check their phones, attempt to nap, or pull out some math homework. The students have already concluded that this … Read more
America’s college campuses are experiencing rapid change. The 21st century has seen drastic increases in campus diversity, making student bodies a more accurate reflection of the American “melting pot.” Simultaneously, mental health issues continue to flood the headlines of university newspapers around the nation. And in the shadow of it all, a debate over political … Read more