As I type this, Columbia University has called in a militarized police force to brutalize, silence and terrorize the very students it’s obligated to protect. I propose that, as we…
The TikTok ban
President Joe Biden’s move to ban TikTok is an overreach driven by unfounded fears. Banning TikTok paves the way for government control over online content, threatening free speech. This decision…
Letter to the Editor
Dear editor: As a 1971 [Portland State] alum who was involved in organizing peaceful campus protests against the Vietnam War and was attacked and injured by the Portland police…
Autism Acceptance Month and beyond
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is receiving more public attention these days. April marked Autism Acceptance Month, dedicated to celebrating the diverse experiences of individuals on the spectrum. While the month…
Body Positivity movement losing traction
Picture this—It’s 2012. Lana Del Rey just released Born to Die, you’ve finished reading a John Green novel and a new app called Instagram is taking over the scene. On…
Shame on you, Kotek
The quick passing of House Bill 4002 is an action by the Oregon legislation to recriminalize minor drug possession, and it is not only an attack on the vulnerable populations…
Media and celebrity co-opting and exploiting AAVE
Finna, shawty, gyatt, woke, rizz and now locked-in—yet another African American Vernacular English (AAVE) phrase has been trivialized and appropriated. It’s nothing new to see non-Black people have co-opted…
Our loneliness is killing us
The United States prides itself on being an independent society, championing individuals’ ability to carve out their own path and narrative in life. However, while we espouse the rhetoric of…
Politicians benefit from voters not voting
People in positions of power often prefer selective voting participation. This is evident from numerous instances of voter disenfranchisement, which often conveniently aligns with politicians’ avoidance of accountability and compliance…
Cop cities and the militarization of vulnerable populations
From Atlanta to Oregon, cop cities are being built which constitute a significant danger to our community. These facilities add to the already disproportionate targeting of Black and Brown neighborhoods,…
U.S. exceptionalism in Hollywood
Westerners—especially white people from the United States—are always the good guys. At least, that’s what Hollywood wants you to think. Something that people in this country either take for…