GOP tax plan threatens grad students the most
By Maggie Durwald | Columnist
December 7, 2017
The Republican Party has once again proven itself to be an enemy of science and higher education — this time in the form of its new tax plan, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. With a vote of 51-49 during the early hours of Dec. 1, the Senate passed the GOP’s latest plan — a draft riddled with last-minute revisions scribbled in its margins — just ho...
When talking assault, recognize the limitations of the #MeToo movement
By Ana Altchek | Columnist
November 29, 2017
The infamous words of pre-college advice for girls at my high school graduation party were “never leave your drink unattended,” and, if you ignored that, “don’t drink the punch” — warnings against the dangers of college parties, particularly when alcohol is involved. These are valid ti...
When the whole world collides: global music hits the charts
By Levko Karmazyn | Columnist
November 8, 2017
If you turned on your car radio during the summer of 2016, chances are you came under the influence of the tropical pulse of Drake’s “One Dance.” As the first song to hit one billion plays on Spotify, it marked one of the 2010s’ biggest music stars hitting a viral peak. But it wasn’t just Drake’s magical touch that made the song a success — sweeping sample...
Column | Bye-bye, Barstool: Sexist site does not deserve a serious platform
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
October 25, 2017
If you’re a sports fan who appreciates quality writing, in-depth coverage and analysis, you may follow ESPN, Sports Illustrated and FiveThirtyEight. If you’re a sports fan who loves lukewarm memes, ridiculous hot takes and articles and photos that degrade women, you might follow Barstool Sports....
Editorial: In wake of Weinstein, keep pushing forward
By The Pitt News Editorial Board
October 19, 2017
Most English teachers — and certainly any editor — will say to use the active voice when possible. Jackson Katz, an educator and author at the forefront of the male feminism movement, wants to make sure you remember that too. “We talk about how many women were raped last year, not about how many men...
When fans turn toxic: the Szechuan sauce riots
By Thomas Wick | Columnist
October 19, 2017
Hundreds of people stood last weekend outside a big business to protest. They raised their fists, chanted at the representatives and demanded they provide for them. What were these people so furious about? A 19-year-old sauce for McDonald's Corp. chicken nuggets. “Rick and Morty” made headlines with McD...
PA ‘Right to Try’ bill: who is it really helping?
By Ana Altchek | For The Pitt News
October 11, 2017
Several years ago, my next door neighbor was diagnosed with stage four cancer — within six months she tragically passed away. Not only was this an agonizing experience for her, but it was painful for her devoted husband, children and grandchildren. While she was too sick to consider any options, the...
Editorial: Trump’s contradictory contraceptive rollback
By The Pitt News Editorial Board
October 11, 2017
Touting the decision as a defense of religious liberty, President Donald Trump rolled back an Obama-era federal mandate Friday that required employers to provide contraception in their health care coverage. The decision might appease his voting base, but it is both a morally and constitutionally...
Ending whitewashing is simple: just look at Ed Skrein
By Thomas Wick | Columnist
September 28, 2017
Hollywood has a complicated relationship with racial injustice in America, and for good reason — minority actors still struggle for representation in the industry. But when I heard controversy brewing about whitewashing yet again, I couldn’t believe that our nation hasn’t made more progress. ...
The American prison system: justice or exploitation?
By Vaibhavi Patria | For The Pitt News
September 27, 2017
In Washington, Pennsylvania, a county jail captain was charged this week with stealing more than $2,000 from inmates. Charges like this are nothing new — especially in Pennsylvania. According to Prison Legal News, at least 14 Pennsylvania prison and jail guards were arrested between 2012 and 2014. Som...
Editorial: Don’t forget about Puerto Rico in wake of Maria
By The Pitt News Editorial Board
September 27, 2017
When it made landfall in Puerto Rico Sept. 20, Hurricane Maria was the largest storm the island faced in the last 80 years. Almost the entire population of the island — nearly 3.5 million American citizens — still do not have electricity. Many also do not have running water, and 95 percent of ...
Maduro vs the world: Venezuela’s hopeless crisis
By Saket Rajprohat | Senior Columnist
September 20, 2017
The streets are filled with protesters. The shelves at grocery stores are empty, and pockets are even emptier. Right now, Venezuela looks bleak — and Veronica, a Venezuelan immigrant living in Pittsburgh who requested that her last name be withheld for her family’s safety, said the country is f...
Analysis: How a 1999 NATO operation turned Russia against the West
By Christian Snyder, Assistant Opinions Editor
September 7, 2017
The name Boris Yeltsin should ring a bell, whether it brings to mind images of him leaping upon a tank during a coup in 1991 Moscow or standing drunk in his underpants in Washington, D.C. in 1995. Yeltsin, the first president of the Russian Federation, may be remembered for his drinking habits, but...