Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
April 25, 2024

Voices

Hopkins is a diverse university where an incredible mix of cultures, academic interests and personalities coexist and thrive. Here is the section where you can publish your unique thoughts, ideas and perspectives on life at Hopkins and beyond.

Recovering from my sexual assault: what I’ve learned

By ROBAB VAZIRI | April 27, 2020

I’ve communicated with one friend since the shutdown. He’s my only friend. The roads outside are barren, the blossoming flowers and warm rays of sunshine an insult. Beyond our neighborhood, soccer fields and playgrounds are plastered with apocalyptic signs that read, “Indefinitely closed for COVID-19. KEEP OUT!” coupled with a marginally more romantic, “Practice social distancing and wash your hands :).” These days I have so much time to write and reflect upon my life.

COURTESY OF VICKY CHEN Baking has been one of Chen’s favorite leisure activities during her time social distancing.

Reflecting on an "extended weekend" and what's to come

By VICKY CHEN | April 27, 2020

I have, like the rest of us, been feeling a mushy amalgamation of lethargy and unease. Each endless Sunday I wake up anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., eat whatever meal feels the most appropriate, and weave in and out of Zoom meetings, naps, Netflix binge sessions and schoolwork. 

Navigating my relationship with Hindi

By MANAVI MONGIA | April 27, 2020

My French has faltered many times, especially in rather unforgiving environments like Paris. Yet I have always felt more confident speaking it than Hindi, the language I grew up hearing. My parents, who are Indian immigrants, have always spoken it at home, but never pushed me to when I was growing up.

How to not hate yourself during quarantine

By KATY WILNER | April 25, 2020

It can be difficult to practice self-love while in quarantine. Despite what Instagram and TikTok will have you believe, most of us are not doing daily high intensity interval training, baking bread or cleaning our rooms. Many of us are actually just sitting at home losing academic motivation, panicking about summer internships and contemplating whether or not to go outside that day. 

The luckiest class on the face of the earth

By KELVIN QIAN | April 25, 2020

Senior set. Many dance groups do it — Eclectics, Korean Pop Motion, SLAM — as one of those college traditions filled with pride and mystery. At each annual dance showcase, the seniors of the club perform a special set of their own, the result of months of practicing in secret and a capstone to our four years at Hopkins.

The utter comfort of bad TV Shows

By CLAIRE BEAVER | April 20, 2020

In this tumultuous yet simultaneously tedious time at home, I have to keep reminding myself that there is a light at the end of tunnel. Though we sadly do not know when we will see the light, how bright it will be, if it is actually there or not, whether or not it will reschedule graduation, if our government is really doing all they can, whether we will even get to vote this year or... 

PUBLIC DOMAIN In tarot, The Devil represents not only the harm others do to us, but the harm we do to ourselves

The Devil: Gaslighting and the long healing process

By RYAN AGHAMOHAMMADI | April 20, 2020

Gaslighting, coined from the 1938 play Gas Light, is defined as the psychological manipulation of someone such that they begin to doubt their own sanity and beliefs. In doing so, the “gaslighter” can more easily control and influence their victim. ] This isn’t a story about how I was gaslighted. This is a story of what happens after. 

Learning how to cope in a pandemic

By SANIYA RAMCHANDANI | April 13, 2020

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve felt everything from ecstatic to guilty to so upset that I found myself sobbing uncontrollably on the floor. 

Going back home: From Stockholm to Korea

By ELIZABETH IM | April 11, 2020

March 11 (the day before) 1 p.m.:  I struggled through Mythos, a mystery board game based on H.P. Lovecraft’s writings, with my Storytelling Workshop: How a Narrative Works classmates. It was pretty scary; or maybe I’m just easily scared by horror stories. 

COURTESY OF MANAVI MONGIA Mongia's sister is grateful that she has her fiancé and their dog Ringo to keep her company.

How we take can care of ourselves in this crisis

By MANAVI MONGIA | April 6, 2020

The other day, I entered my room and heard the faint sounds of birds chirping. I, of course, immediately assumed that I had forgotten to turn off a Spotify playlist, “Nature Sounds,” which I often listen to as I do work. 

COURTESY OF RUDY MALCOM Malcom is social distancing with his boyfriend in Baltimore.

Love in the time of coronavirus

By RUDY MALCOM | April 6, 2020

Two weeks and two days after making it official, my boyfriend (my first ever!) and I moved in together. Needless to say, our relationship is moving rather quickly. Our very first date was on Feb. 14; I suppose I sort of lied in my last column when I wrote that I was destined to be single on Valentine’s Day — “barring any unlikely developments.” 

Lessons from my grandparents

By KATY WILNER | April 4, 2020

I keep asking myself this question as I begin to lose track of what day it is, begin to forget the feeling of stress and begin to plan my days around taking walks. Recently, I went grocery shopping. The experience of doing something productive outside was exhilarating. 

COURTESY OF ADDY PERLMAN After three years of growth and change in college, Perlman reflects on her readjustment to home.

Reintroducing myself to my home

By ADDY PERLMAN | April 4, 2020

We’re catchin’ gators, whatcha y’all doin? Perched on a red Kawasaki, my mom and I watched as two young guys baited their lines to catch more gators. They were making gator tail to freeze in order to keep them from leaving the house for food. Staying a safe distance, we saw worm after worm hit the water, but they couldn’t get the gator. One guy tried to tell the other that his casting form was off, and he smirked and said, “it’s not like you’re catchin’ anything.”

COURTESY OF KELVIN QIAN Qian reflects on the community he found in Eclectics now that their last performance is cancelled.

From dance crew to familE: My two years with the Eclectics

By KELVIN QIAN | April 4, 2020

Eclectics showcase 2020 was going to be lit. Twenty pieces that my peers choreographed, to be performed on the first Saturday of May. From gravity-defying rolls to six-steps and top rocking and epic shuffle choreography, this year was gonna have it all.

Finding my unique place in the Coronavirus outbreak

By JASON HELFER | March 28, 2020

Like most people, I have had a lot of time to think and reflect lately. One theme keeps coming back to me. What will the world be like after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is over? Tragedies and national emergencies do change the nation, the world and the way we live. 

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