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Felix reviews the qualms of American immigration politics and explores new ways the Biden administration could change the status quo.

Kamala Harris on immigration: Same wine, new bottle

By ANJU FELIX | June 18, 2021

The Biden administration has taken the initiative to roll back cruel Trump-era policies, expedite the processing of migrants and make material conditions of the undocumented population more bearable. Nonetheless, the overwhelming approach laid out by the White House still endorses law and order deterrence: The proposed budget for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased for the fiscal year 2022 and a strategy to discourage immigration from the source is being pursued.

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Felix examines the United States' approach to gun violence as the Supreme Court decides to review individuals’ rights to bear arms.

The Second Amendment is America’s self-destruct button

By ANJU FELIX | May 1, 2021

The U.S Supreme Court recently decided to hear and review its first case on an individual’s right to bear arms since 2010. The litigation challenges a New York state law that requires residents to prove “proper cause” in order to obtain a pistol or a concealed carry permit.

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Arboleda is critical of the Senate as a legislative body, given the undemocratic state it has reached.

We need to talk about Senate reform

By MELISSA ARBOLEDA | May 1, 2021

Article One of the U.S. Constitution establishes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House is based on population size while the Senate ensures equal representation for each state. The hierarchy is said to have been designed to “cool House legislation just as a saucer was used to cool hot tea.”

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Bali reviews the implications of recent changes to CDC guidelines in light of media misinformation and ignorance.

New CDC mask guidelines are irresponsible and unnecessary

By KERIM BALI | May 1, 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new recommendations for the use of masks and other precautions in regard to vaccinated people on Tuesday, April 27. The new guidelines suggest that fully vaccinated individuals can safely choose to not wear a mask or socially distance when outdoors, as long as they are not in crowded areas.

COURTESY OF PODGOALSJHU
Khudairi and Wang call for students to form pods and communicate openly with their friends about COVID-19 risks.

Let your friends in but keep COVID-19 out

By XICHEN WANG and FAY KHUDAIRI | April 30, 2021

As we emerge from the isolated gloom of winter into the bright spring days, there is hope in the air. The weather is finally warm, trees are blooming and the COVID-19 vaccine is available to everyone 16 and over. The February cluster of student cases is a distant memory, and it’s finally time to hug our friends again.

Actions speak louder than words: OIE must prove it can be trusted

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 29, 2021

Under the pseudonym Zhang, a master’s student at Hopkins recounted the mishandling of her sexual assault case by the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) to The News-Letter. Unfortunately, OIE has failed yet another complainant in its Title IX procedures.

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Duhan advocates for more resources and guidance to be allotted for allied health students.

Students pursuing careers in allied health should receive the support they deserve

By ASHA DUHAN | April 27, 2021

When I committed to Hopkins, countless people from my high school asked if I wanted to become a doctor. While a significant percentage of our student body is pre-med, not all of us hope to attend medical school one day.

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Tie examines the global impacts of Japan’s decision to dump treated wastewater into the ocean.

Fukushima dumping radioactive wastewater in the Pacific is an easy, but wrong, solution

By SHIZHENG TIE | April 24, 2021

The 10th anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi accident, where an unexpected earthquake generated a tsunami that destroyed the nuclear power plant’s backup generators, fell on March 11. The loss of power and consequent failure of the cooling system resulted in the elevation of residual heat. In an attempt to cool things down, seawater was continuously pumped to the reactor, but ultimately the core still partially melted down. Since then, the disposal of this radioactive seawater has presented a challenge.

This Earth Day, do your part to promote sustainability at Hopkins and beyond

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 22, 2021

Today, we celebrate the 51st annual Earth Day. Since President Joe Biden’s inauguration, the U.S. has made some progress in the fight against climate change. The country rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement in one of Biden’s first executive orders. With the new administration’s recently unveiled $2 trillion infrastructure plan promoting cleaner energy sources and racial equity, there is reason to be optimistic.

Calling on the GRO: Support minority-owned businesses

By TYLER ADAMSON | April 19, 2021

As an alum, Baltimore resident and friend to current graduate students at Hopkins, let me begin with this: The adaptability and creativity that the Graduate Representative Organization (GRO) has shown through the COVID-19 pandemic is truly laudable. From virtual cooking classes and coffee hours to giveaways and virtual esports tournaments, the GRO has really stepped up to support and accommodate students during this tumultuous year.

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Edmonds argues that Hopkins improved its communication over the course of the pandemic, while Park argues that Hopkins needs to make more transparent, student-informed decisions.

Opposing Viewpoints: Hopkins should have been more transparent during the pandemic

By SOPHIA PARK | April 17, 2021

Just over a year ago, the University announced its sudden transition to remote instruction due to COVID-19. Anxious and confused, thousands of undergraduate students were sent home and were left questioning when they would be able to return and if the virtual learning format would work.

Opposing Viewpoints: Hopkins handled the pandemic as well as it could

By WILL EDMONDS | April 17, 2021

Just about a week ago, the University announced its plans for the coming fall semester. Finally, it seems, we are returning to some level of normalcy. More than a third of Americans have already received their first vaccine dose. After a long and difficult year, this is news to celebrate.

Another Black man was killed by police. Meaningful reform is long overdue.

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 15, 2021

During Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s trial regarding the murder of George Floyd, the city was brought to the forefront of national news once again. Last Sunday, Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by a white police officer.

To support the APIDA community, we must combat misinformation

By ELIZABETH REDMOND | April 13, 2021

“You may wish that you weren’t Asian, but remember that your ancestors likely went through similar or even worse incidents.” This was a sentence on the anti-Asian racism resources page of Harvard University’s Counseling and Mental Health Services website. Shortly after the Atlanta shootings in March, it was taken down, and an apology was posted.

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Felix examines why the Republican Party holds power despite its policies differing from public opinion.

To achieve pluralism, the Republican Party must begin listening to voters

By ANJU FELIX | April 11, 2021

With one in seven Americans projected to live in poverty during 2021, the gap between the haves and have-nots has only grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the forefront of this disparity, with the majority of Americans in favor, are calls to raise the national minimum wage.

Take the shot: The University must help students get vaccinated

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 8, 2021

As of Tuesday, all Maryland residents over the age of 16 are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at mass vaccination sites. While some students have already qualified for vaccinations through clinical work, now everyone has access.

COURTESY OF RILEY DIFATTA
Difatta and the Check Your Bias campaign seek to raise awareness about targeted violence and terrorism.

Check your bias to curb misinformation and targeted violence

By RILEY DIFATTA | March 28, 2021

“Tell us about yourself.” I’ve rehearsed my answer over and over again: “I’m Riley, a junior at Johns Hopkins University. I’m studying Psychology and have minors in Integrated Marketing Communications and Leadership Studies.” But recently, my elevator pitch seems to be missing a critical piece of my identity — my race.

Western media is complicit in perpetuating anti-Asian stereotypes

By SHIZHENG TIE | March 28, 2021

It is difficult to discern the exact moment when being Asian felt risky in the U.S. for me. I steered away from controversies that could alienate me from my peers and neighbors, spoke perfect English and occasionally used slang words.

Our endorsements for the (largely uncontested) 2021-22 SGA Executive Board

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | March 25, 2021

Only one candidate in this year’s Student Government Association’s (SGA) Executive Board elections is running opposed. We suspect that this is because, for the second year, elections for the SGA class councils and executive board are being held at the same time in an effort to increase voter turnout and streamline the voting process.

LAKSHAY SOOD/LAYOUT EDITOR
Palla and Prebel Jackert argue that pre-med students should be required to learn about racial bias in medicine.

Hopkins should require courses on medical racism for pre-med students

By ADHITH PALLA and ELLA PREBEL JACKERT | March 20, 2021

1840s, Alabama. A decade of medical experimentation on enslaved women allowed a young physician named J. Marion Sims to finally and successfully operate on a vesicovaginal fistula, a monumental step forward for gynecology.

Opinion