Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
November 19, 2025 November 19, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

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.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / CC 3.0  Mahto argues that Minhaj’s comedy must take into account possible repercussions for those he falsifies stories about.

Hasan Minhaj’s “Emotional Truths” are just dirty lies

By NEIL MAHTO | October 12, 2023

Hasan Minhaj’s popularity has largely stemmed from his ability to tell jarring truths about being Muslim-American in humorous tones. Heartbreaking realities are much more palatable, especially for non-brown audiences, when told flippantly. It has been well documented throughout history that comedy is a form of social commentary. However, it is clear that some of the Minhaj’s tales that spark chuckles are often only ostensibly true.

MAARTEN COLLEN / CC BY 2.0 The Editorial Board warns readers to recognize when a celebrity obsession becomes unhealthy.

Proceed with caution: Parasocial relationships can be parasitic

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | October 5, 2023

If you’ve been following the news this week, you’ve likely seen Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s rumored relationship front and center. Following her appearance at his football game, fans have been analyzing short clips of the two interacting in an attempt to piece together the details of their relationship. Even senators are speculating on how well-matched the two are. 

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / CC 2.0 Boppana argues that Bob Menendez owes it to his constituents to resign in order to restore their faith in their government. 

Bob Menendez owes it to his constituents to resign

By SAMHI BOPPANA | October 4, 2023

Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey was federally indicted in New York for taking thousands of dollars in bribes on Sept. 22. Menendez is accused of extortion, specifically of using his position on the powerful United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to obtain favors of value. 

GAGE SKIDMORE / CC BY 2.0 Koldas argues that, despite former U.S. President Trump’s indictment, he will not lose the support of his fans. 

Trump’s indictment will probably not reduce his impact (again)

By BUSE KOLDAS | September 20, 2023

Despite the allegations made against Trump, his past indictments and his current flippant attitude toward the situation, a poll from The Wall Street Journal found that 59% of Republican voters named Trump as their first choice, up from 48% prior to his indictments.  This is political fanaticism, and I am used to seeing it because I come from a country where it’s the norm.

JOHN RAMSPOTT / CC 2.0  Swindle and Cherki argue that we have an obligation to actively remember American and African American history.

We must fight against attempts to erase our history

By YUVAL CHERKI and LANA SWINDLE | September 19, 2023

History is not solely a record of our mistakes. It is also a record of the greatest of humanity, of all the people before us who did the impossible — the people who did not get discouraged by how impossible change seemed and set out to make change happen despite knowing it would not be seen in their lifetimes. History shows a vital strength and a stubbornness that, in a world too focused on reality, we need to regain. 

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. 

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