Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
December 3, 2024

Opinion

The opinions presented below are solely the views of the author and do not represent the views of The News-Letter. If you are a member of the Hopkins community looking to submit a piece or a letter to the editor, please email opinions@jhunewsletter.com.

GAGE SKIDMORE / CC BY-SA 2.0 Mahto argues that Vivek Ramaswamy appeals to conservative audiences on hot-button issues but lacks policy proposals. 

Vivek Ramaswamy has no platform

By NEIL MAHTO | September 18, 2023

A Schrodinger's douchebag is someone who says offensive statements and contrives their level of seriousness and whether or not they were joking based on other people's reactions. A new politician has given the old-fashioned Republican Party a brown face, but when you strip away his Obama-esque charisma, all you're left with is a controversial pundit who stirs culture wars. Vivek Ramaswamy picks and chooses his identity, affiliations and views based on his audience. 

Is democracy alive and well? Vote around and find out

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | September 14, 2023

Being politically active doesn’t seem as meaningful as it used to. For those of us who were excited to finally turn 18 and bubble in a ballot, voting may now feel more symbolic of our civic power than actually capable of enacting change. If you feel disillusioned with the political sphere, we’re in the same boat.

Blue Jays, don’t get the LinkedIn blues

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | September 7, 2023

If you have scrolled through LinkedIn recently, chances are your feed has been filled with posts from fellow students reflecting on their summer 2023 internships, announcing summer 2024 internships or showing off full-time job offers alongside the logos of Fortune 500 companies. 

Can our small wins be stepping stones to real change?

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | August 31, 2023

As freshmen are adjusting to campus, so are we. For returning students, this isn’t the Hopkins we’ve always known (though that’s not necessarily a bad thing). With new physical changes and new policy changes, our ever-evolving campus looks a bit different this semester. 

Looking back as we move forward

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 27, 2023

As the semester draws to a close, students are itching to start their summer plans and move on from the school year. However, before we begin our vacations, we should take the time to look back on the past year and reflect on all that has happened on campus. 

STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR The Editorial Board evaluates the University’s successes and shortcomings in meeting the goals outlined in the Ten by Twenty plan.

Buzzwords are just white noise

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 20, 2023

The University released the Ten for One draft, a document detailing 10 goals that Hopkins seeks to achieve by the end of 2030, on April 14. The Ten for One framework follows Ten by Twenty, the 2013 framework which outlined priorities to guide the University through 2020. The University has checked in on these goals through three progress reports and a final report card in 2020. 

POPULAR PRESS MEDIA GROUP / CC BY-SA 3.0 Tuschman stresses that child celebrities need improved working conditions.

Child celebrities are losing their youth in the limelight

By ABIGAIL TUSCHMAN | April 19, 2023

Like many kids who grew up watching Disney Channel, I often pretended that I was drawing the logo with a sparkly wand alongside Brenda Song or Miley Cyrus. I would stare at the TV and ask my mom why she didn’t put me in acting. I always got the same response: “I didn’t want you to end up like Lindsay Lohan.”

MARK JONES / CC BY 2.0 Yi argues that fans care too much about their favorite celebrities’ love lives.

We are too invested in celebrity relationships

By JENA YI | April 18, 2023

Taylor Swift fans across the world have mourned the pop star’s breakup with her longtime boyfriend, actor Joe Alwyn, since the news broke nearly two weeks ago. Heartbroken “Swifties” have been leaving flowers on Cornelia Street, the site of Swift’s former Manhattan residence and the title of a song from her seventh studio album, Lover, which details memories of a budding romance with Alwyn.

Here’s a tip: Tip your service workers

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 13, 2023

Have you ever checked out at Brody Cafe and, with a long line snaking behind you, been presented with an iPad asking: “Add a tip?” As the tip options appear before us and we’re forced to make a decision in a few seconds, the pressure to get out of line quickly creeps in. 

ABIGAIL TUSCHMAN / OPINIONS EDITOR The Editorial Board encourages students and faculty to join forces and pool their resources to achieve their shared goals while they lack formal representation.

We’re not all in this together, but we should be.

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 6, 2023

Last Wednesday, Teachers and Researchers United (TRU-UE) held a discussion panel on potential alternatives to the Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD). While this event was organized by the Hopkins graduate student union, faculty members also participated and expressed support for increased community dialogue surrounding the JHPD. 

KETUT SUBIYANTO / PEXELS LICENSE Tan cautions readers of the threat smartphone addiction can pose to one’s sleep quality.

Shut off your phone and get some shut-eye

By DAVID TAN | April 6, 2023

“This is the last video,” I say to myself. Next thing I know, it’s 3 a.m., and I’m still eager to watch another TikTok video even though I have class in six hours. I hear in the back of my head, “You’re screwed.” Many other students probably hear the same two words echoing in their minds. Even with class early in the morning, we are night owls, unable to go to sleep.

WOODLEYWONDERWORKS / CC BY 2.0 Tuschman argues that Lunchables shouldn’t be served as school lunch.

Don’t make lunch ladies hand out Lunchables

By ABIGAIL TUSCHMAN | April 5, 2023

It’s a nearly universal experience for U.S. kids: You go to the grocery store with your parent or guardian, come across the wall of colorful Lunchables packages and beg for a box, holding up the “Nachos with Cheese Dip and Salsa” or the “Chicken Dunks” with puppy eyes and a pouted bottom lip. 

KOOLSHOOTERS / PEXELS LICENSE Boppana warns of the misleading claims behind skincare marketing.

The skincare industry preys on our fear of aging

By SAMHI BOPPANA | April 5, 2023

If you’ve spent time on TikTok recently, you’ve likely seen videos from “Skin-Tok” or “Beauty-Tok,” where influencers provide you with their recommendations for lotions that prevent wrinkles, showcase their elaborate seven-step skincare routines to prevent aging or even discuss the expensive facials or injections they undergo to maintain their glow. 

We have a major problem: The humanities matter, too

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | March 30, 2023

Now that we are in the final stretch of the school year, freshmen are declaring their majors and considering their academic and career paths. In just a couple weeks, University offices will host workshops for freshmen to learn more about their declared majors and departments. 

Letter to the Editor 3/20/23

By ARTI MALA | March 28, 2023

In response to “First Seed offers vegan, oil-free Indian food” published March 19, 2023:   I appreciate the author writing about First Seed and was delighted to hear that she found the food flavorful and convenient. She noted that she personally did not find the pricing competitive with her local grocery store offerings. I am writing to offer the following additional context:

Trending
Weekly Rundown
News-Letter Magazine
Multimedia
Hoptoberfest 2024
Leisure Interactive Food Map