Max Rhoads

What a broken bridge has taught us about anti-Blackness

What a broken bridge has taught us about anti-Blackness

On March 26, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed after a container ship collided with it in a tragedy that led to six deaths. However, after a clip of the city’s mayor, Brandon M. Scott, speaking about the tragedy circulated online, users quickly began attacking him. 

In 2024, performative activism is still trending on social media

In 2024, performative activism is still trending on social media

Over the last 20 years, social media has become a powerful force in our world. According to an analysis of survey data by Kepios, as of 2024, about 62.3% of the world uses some form of social media, amounting to 4.95 billion people. Because of its accessibility and wide reach, social media has become a method of dispensing information about a variety of topics, including the paramount social and political issues of our world. In some ways, this can do a lot of good, largely in how it can inspire previously uninformed people to learn more about various causes. However, there are many pitfalls. 

American voters are unhappy with their Presidential candidates, so who will they choose to elect in 2024?

American voters are unhappy with their Presidential candidates, so who will they choose to elect in 2024?

We are in the third year of President Joe Biden’s term, and the 2024 presidential election is fast approaching. We have already met the candidates for each party, and the Republican candidates have debated on national television. However, it remains uncertain who will make it onto the ballot. 

The Hollywood labor strikes are over, but what has changed?

The Hollywood labor strikes are over, but what has changed?

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike recently came to an end after 118 days, with actors celebrating the prospect of returning to work. The union came to a historic deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, with the largest increase in minimum wage in 40 years, according to The Washington Post. However, because the deal is so new, it remains to be seen if it will be honored and if actual change will occur in the industry.

The deadly consequences of Islamophobia: Remembering Wadea Al-Fayoume

The deadly consequences of Islamophobia: Remembering Wadea Al-Fayoume

On Oct. 11, Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy, was stabbed to death by Joseph Czuba, his family’s landlord, in a horrific tragedy. His mother was also attacked but survived. Their attacker was reportedly obsessed with coverage of Hamas’ attack on Israel and had begun to associate the actions of Hamas with every Palestinian. 

How the WGA resolution will weather the streaming economy

How the WGA resolution will weather the streaming economy

In a critical new development, the Writer’s Guild Association reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, putting an end to the 148-day strike. While this is good news, the fight is far from over. The Screen Actors Guild’s labor union is still on strike, and writers have yet to see whether or not AMPTP will honor this new agreement.

What the Vassar lawsuit reveals about wage discrimination in academia

What the Vassar lawsuit reveals about wage discrimination in academia

Five current and former female professors at Vassar College, another member of the Seven Sisters, have filed a wage discrimination complaint against the college. The class action complaint, which was filed on Aug. 30, 2023 alleges that Vassar has been paying them less than their male counterparts for decades.

Mount Holyoke needs to do better by its students of color

Mount Holyoke needs to do better by its students of color

Mount Holyoke is a predominantly white institution, and it is undeniable that white people make up a majority of the student population, as well as the administration. While one could argue that none of this treatment was intentional or race-related, intention does not matter as much as the impact on students of color.