Skip to Main Content
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Opinion

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has recently come under fire for her actions. Progressives targeting her are only hurting their own cause. (Illustration by Bridget Harshman)

Opinion: Taking cheap shots at AOC hurts the progressive movement

After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Met Gala attendance and Iron Dome vote, progressives are hurting the democratic socialist cause by joining in with the conservatives criticizing her.
Batoul Fathi, Staff Writer October 6, 2021

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended her first Met Gala last month wearing a dress with the words “tax the rich” emblazoned on the back in red letters. Later that month,...

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez changed her vote on the development of the Iron Dome missile defense system in Israel from “no” to “present.” Ocasio-Cortez is not the only progressive politician who abandoned their campaign ideologies. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Opinion: Don’t take progressive politicians at their word

Progressive politicians such as AOC and Jamaal Bowman have repeatedly abandoned their stated ideologies. It’s time we question if they truly champion the change we are looking for.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor October 5, 2021

In the last few years, the United States has seen a marked rise of progressive politicians like U.S. Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar and — most famously — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez....

Students in a classroom attend in-person classes with limited safety precautions. NYU needs to provide virtual class options for students who cannot attend campus due to COVID restrictions. (Photo by Manaal Shareh)

Editorial: NYU must expand virtual attendance options

Although we’re making progress in the fight against COVID-19, it is essential that virtual attendance options are available to the NYU student body.
WSN Editorial Board October 4, 2021

Students received some revolutionary advice from a wise and ever-helpful NYU Returns email on Sept. 30: stay home if they feel sick and report any symptoms to the NYU COVID-19...

383 Lafayette St. houses the Office of the Bursar which deals with student financial aid. When it comes to financial aid allocation, transfer students are at a great disadvantage. (Staff Photo by Alex Tran)

Opinion: NYU should expand institutional financial aid for transfer students

NYU remains one of the most expensive universities in the United States. Despite its overwhelming financial resources, its financial aid options for transfer students are inexcusably paltry.
Morgan Caramello, Staff Writer October 4, 2021

It is a university’s responsibility to care for its students, but transfer students at NYU are often left with their financial needs unmet. NYU, which boasts a whopping $4.7...

Hispanic Heritage Month spans from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. NYU must commemorate the holiday for Latinx students and faculty. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Opinion: NYU must do more for Hispanic Heritage Month

In the month-long celebration of Latine people and heritage, is the university doing enough to celebrate the students and faculty that fall under this umbrella?
Mariana Trimble, Contributing Writer October 1, 2021

Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, spanning from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Its awkward placement is not accidental, as many Latin American countries celebrate their independence between...

A woman holds a sign demanding the closure of the Rikers Island jail. Activists are criticizing the rising death toll and inhumane living conditions, and New York City has pledged to close Rikers Island in 2027. (Photo by Sam Clegg)

Opinion: Close Rikers now

Amid an alarming rise in suicides, neglect and unlivable conditions, it is incumbent upon Mayor Bill de Blasio to shut down Rikers Island jail complex and stop wasting taxpayer money on pointless reforms.
Asha Ramachandran, Opinion Editor September 30, 2021

After touring Rikers Island on Monday, Sept. 27, Mayor Bill de Blasio noted the city’s progress in improving the jail. However, he failed to mention the deadly overcrowding,...

An illustration of a megaphone with a red handle. Written in orange on the megaphone are the words “Staff Rants.”

Staff Rants: The Mario movie

Here are our thoughts on the Mario movie. Enjoy!

On Chris Pratt I will be using my Italian American privilege here to say that Chris Pratt will pay for his crimes. Jake Capriotti — Photo Editor   On celebrity...

The death of #vanlife influencer Gabby Petito and the disappearance of her boyfriend Brian Laundrie has captured national attention. The tragedy of the story is underscored by its underlying issues of mental health and domestic dispute. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: The true crime of Gabby Petito’s story was domestic violence

The Gabby Petito conversation cannot overlook how our legal system inadequately handles domestic abuse.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor September 29, 2021

Content warning: This article discusses domestic abuse.  The case of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old who was found dead in Wyoming last Tuesday, went viral on social media after...

Ex-councilman Andy King made an appearance at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Bronx YMCA gym on Sept. 9. Considering his long history of abusive workplace practices, his appearance sends mixed signals regarding accountability for politicians. (Official NYC Council Photo by William Alatriste)

Opinion: Andy King’s ribbon-cutting appearance underscores weak NYC governmental accountability

Making public appearances alongside the ex-councilman after his removal from office for workplace misconduct, New York City politicians send mixed signals on accountability. They must do better by cutting ties with perpetrators and fulfilling their promised audit for sexual harassment policies.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor September 27, 2021

On Sept. 9, former councilman Andy King made an appearance at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a YMCA gym in the Bronx. Pictured alongside him were several local politicians, including...

Members of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance have been protesting against Mayor Bill de Blasio’s debt relief plan for taxi workers outside City Hall for the past eight days. The plan is weak and does not do enough to financially protect taxi drivers. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Editorial: NYC taxi drivers deserve better than de Blasio’s deal

The debt relief plan offered by Mayor Bill de Blasio should be amended to financially protect taxi workers after decades of deregulation and private greed.
The Editorial Board September 27, 2021

For the past eight days, members of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance have been engaged in a 24/7 protest outside of City Hall in response to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s debt relief...

Food delivery services have become more essential in recent years. Mayor de Blasio must sign legislation to give them greater protections.
(Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

De Blasio must deliver for delivery workers

The New York City Council passed an unprecedented slate of legislation that will protect delivery workers from unsafe working conditions. Bill de Blasio should sign it immediately.
Kevin Kurian, Opinion Editor September 24, 2021

Hurricane Ida revealed the shallowness of America’s praise for frontline workers. As the streets of New York flooded, some decided that a pizza or a burrito was more important...

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Met Gala dress was seen as tone-deaf by many. The controversy raises the question of whether or not NYU students are ignorant of their own class privilege. (Illustration by Bridget Harshman)

Opinion: AOC’s Met Gala stunt and the frivolous performance of class solidarity

AOC’s Met Gala dress was tone-deaf, but what do the surrounding arguments reveal about NYU students’ own ignorance regarding class and privilege?
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor September 23, 2021

On the evening of Sept. 13, the Met Gala was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Among the many distinguished guests were acclaimed actors, renowned artists,...