Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
February 9, 2026 February 9, 2026 | 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.

THE PUBLIC EDITOR: Recapturing visual storytelling at The News-Letter

By JACOB TOOK | September 19, 2019

Let me set a scene: It’s late on a Wednesday night at the Gatehouse, the little cottage at the bottom corner of campus where The News-Letter happens. News editors have just begun to lay out their pages, and have realized that they don’t have enough photos. Let the brainstorming begin — run across campus to snap a quick pic of such-and-such building even though it’s dark. Pester writers to see if they took any photos. When in doubt, use a file photo of the Gilman clock tower.

PUBLIC DOMAIN Shade argues that Americans must always endeavor to protect the Constitution.

On Constitution Day, keep in mind the document’s fragility

By TIM SHADE | September 19, 2019

Once per year, on Sept. 17, the United States quietly marks what might be its most underrated holiday. No, I don’t mean International Country Music Day (though I’ll admit that I was looking forward to that for weeks). I’m talking about the commemoration of the document that lies at the core of our national identity: the Constitution of the United States.

How Chinese optimism may lessen world conflict

By YIMING YANG | September 12, 2019

The world seems to step into an “illness” of conflicts. This illness applies to disorder, emotional opposition and hatred among people, regions and governments. It not only leads to economic recession, but also results in increasingly more aggressive politics.

FLICKR/PUBLIC DOMAIN Maras argues that planning to fight climate change should be prioritized by all politicians.

Climate change must be taken seriously, regardless of politics

By GRETA MARAS | September 12, 2019

Climate change is real. There is an objective, sweeping consensus throughout the scientific community that human activity is substantially responsible for the gradual warming of planet Earth. No longer do we have time to dispute the validity of this claim; this has no business being the argument that drives the climate change discussion anymore

How will Hopkins implement changes without consistent leadership?

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | September 5, 2019

The start of a new school year typically brings several changes to campus. This year, however, marks the beginning of some particularly dramatic changes. Most notably, while a student center will not be around for years to come, we are finally in the beginning stages of designing one. And despite widespread pushback from students and communities, the University will begin implementing a private police force. 

When will the University rename the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship?

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | May 2, 2019

Last Thursday, Woodrow Wilson fellows presented a culmination of their four years of research. The prestigious fellowship, which provides selected applicants up to $10,000 over four years, has given students valuable opportunities to pursue independent research. Yet the fellowship’s namesake concerns us. Woodrow Wilson — a Hopkins alum and the 28th president of the U.S. — was also a proud white supremacist. 

PUBLIC DOMAIN The new Reiwa era should come alongside new ideas on what it means to look Japanese.

Japan is too concerned with physical appearance

By HINAKO YASUI | May 2, 2019

“My daughter Hinako’s hair may look lighter than others, but here, I declare that it is her natural hair color.” My mother would sign and stamp this note for my homeroom teacher annually. My teacher approved the note, and it became my “natural hair certificate.” I would carry this certificate with me whenever I was wearing my school uniform. When someone questioned my “different” hair color and accused me of dying it, I could prove my innocence. This started in elementary school and continued until I graduated high school.

Why you should donate to your class gift

By RACHEL UNDERWEISER | May 2, 2019

When I attended the Student Involvement Fair in the fall of my freshman year, I brought along a separate tote bag. In that bag, I collected flyers for every club possible: Model UN, Improv, Engineering Clubs, JHU Perch, you name it. There were so many options, right there, literally at my fingertips. That night I stumbled upon a flyer for a sketch comedy group with a large cartoon logo, and I pinned it on my wall, circling the date to audition.

COURTESY OF JAKE FOX Jake Fox (right) playing on the Iroquois Nationals at the 2018 FIL World Championship.

Native American lacrosse deserves greater recognition

By JAKE FOX | May 2, 2019

According to Native Americans, the Creator long ago passed down lacrosse to Native Americans. More than a sport, it was a medicine and allowed for healing of the people. Today, lacrosse is the fastest sport on two feet, played all around the world. As a Native American student athlete of the Métis tribe, I have continued to share the game to people of all ages and races. I, along with other Native Americans, want all to enjoy watching and even playing the game handed down to us. Yet many people around the world play without including us.

Progressives should not insist on anti-Zionism

By RUDY MALCOM | April 25, 2019

Like millions of fellow Jews worldwide, I began celebrating Passover on Friday night. The holiday commemorates the Hebrews’ biblically alleged exodus from Egypt into present-day Israel.  When I was growing up, several Jewish friends of mine told me that Passover — with its abundance of matzo — was the only time of the year that they ever thought about being Jewish. 

Remember Black Lives Matter during Earth Week

By NAADIYA HUTCHINSON | April 25, 2019

When Eric Garner, a 43-year-old Black American man, cried, “I can’t breathe” shortly before dying from a chokehold at the hands of a New York City police officer, it wasn’t just because of the officer strangling him. It was also because he had asthma constraining the amount of air he could take in. Garner’s death gained media attention due to uproar from the #BlackLivesMatter movement. But the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter generally makes one think of protests against police brutality and crime in Black communities. 

FILE PHOTO A 2018 rally by Refuel Our Future, urging Hopkins to fully divest from fossil fuels.

Despite progress, Hopkins must step up climate efforts

By ELLY REN | April 25, 2019

On Earth Day, University President Ronald J. Daniels made a few exciting announcements. The University has purchased solar offsets for two-thirds of our energy consumption, created the Sustainability Leadership Council and appointed a new director for our small and underfunded Office of Sustainability. 

Burnt out? Us too.

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD | April 18, 2019

Writing about work culture at Hopkins is tricky. We acknowledge that we are extremely privileged to be able to attend college, surrounded by scholars who are the very best in their field and peers who are already accomplishing so much. We are grateful to pursue our higher education in Baltimore, at one of the nation’s top institutions. And yet, as finals approach, and Brody remains full, many of us are burnt out. 

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