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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

Republicans Are Hypocrites, but They're Effective

Republicans Are Hypocrites, but They’re Effective

With the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and an ensuing vicious political fight, many are quick to point out the hypocrisies of the Republican party. What these critics miss, though, is that Republican hypocrisy is the only way to be politically effective.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor September 21, 2020

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, legal titan and pioneering advocate for women’s rights, died last Friday due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer. She was...

NYU Still Needs to Take Action for LGBTQ+ Rights

NYU Still Needs to Take Action for LGBTQ+ Rights

Reflecting back on the 50th anniversary of the Weinstein Hall occupation protesting NYU’s cancellation of gay events on campus, it’s clear that NYU still has a long way to go to fully support the LGBTQ+ community.
WSN Editorial Board September 20, 2020

One year after the Stonewall riots, LGBTQ+ rights activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera organized an occupation of Weinstein Residence Hall in response to NYU’s abrupt...

Homeless Students Deserve More From NYC's Education Department

Homeless Students Deserve More From NYC’s Education Department

While the DOE has taken steps to help the city’s homeless students get online for remote learning, homeless communities in the city still need more support to ensure that they can continue to attend school during the pandemic.
Helen Wajda, Opinion Editor September 20, 2020

At a homeless shelter in Manhattan, Christlie Jean-Baptiste struggles to get her children online for remote learning due to the shelter’s lack of Wi-Fi and cell service. While...

If NYU Can Punish Violaters of COVID-19 Policies, Why Not Sexual Assault Perpetrators?

If NYU Can Punish Violaters of COVID-19 Policies, Why Not Sexual Assault Perpetrators?

NYU’s recent suspension of students demonstrates its power to hold students accountable for their actions. This level of accountability must set the precedent for cases of sexual assault in order to create a true zero-tolerance policy, instead of upholding an illusory idea of campus safety.
Nicole Chiarella, Copy Chief September 17, 2020

Note: This article contains mentions of sexual assault which may be triggering to some readers. Please proceed with caution. On Sept. 6, NYU made national headlines after suspending...

Voter Suppression Has Always Been a Problem

Voter Suppression Has Always Been a Problem

Recent mania over the imagined problem of voter fraud have been used to justify tactics that lead to voter suppression. Our continued failure to guard the citizenry from these attacks on voting stems not from a public official, but rather the lack of an explicit right to vote.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor September 16, 2020

As the November presidential election approaches, the logistics of voting have become increasingly politicized and contentious. This comes after months of President Donald Trump...

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

Staff Rants: Parties

From tailgates to sobriety, our staff has a lot of opinions on parties.

On Tailgating  Helen Wajda, Opinion Editor I enjoy hanging out with my friends as much as the next person, but I will never understand the appeal of tailgate parties. Why...

President Trump Has No Clue What He’s Doing

President Trump Has No Clue What He’s Doing

The President’s blatant and intentional mismanagement of COVID-19 highlights his inability to perform the duties associated with his role.
Kevin Kurian, Deputy Opinion Editor September 15, 2020

In the 1970s, investigative journalist Bob Woodward relied on extreme cloak and dagger tactics to uncover evidence that implicated then-President Richard Nixon in the Watergate...

Making Space for Self-Compassion Starts in the Classroom

Making Space for Self-Compassion Starts in the Classroom

While it’s tempting to try to continue on as normal during this time, trying to forget that we’re living through a pandemic might be more harmful than helpful for mental health.
Helen Wajda, Opinion Editor September 14, 2020

Almost every day since mid-March, I’ve felt overwhelmed with anxiety and exhaustion. Will my family members — many of whom have underlying health issues — contract COVID-19?...

Hotel Evictions Show NYC’s Disregard For Homeless People’s Needs

Hotel Evictions Show NYC’s Disregard For Homeless People’s Needs

Mayor Bill de Blasio's decision to evict homeless residents from a neighborhood hotel after Upper West Siders threatened to sue the city not only endangers public health, but reflects hostility towards homeless individuals.
WSN Editorial Board September 13, 2020

New York City announced on Tuesday that homeless people staying at The Lucerne Hotel, located in the Upper West Side, will be removed. This move occurred after a weeks-long campaign...

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Are Not Enough

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Are Not Enough

In light of anti-racist uprisings across the country, the NYU administration has recently stressed its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. This does little to tackle institutional racism in any meaningful way.
Asha Ramachandran, Deputy Opinion Editor September 13, 2020

Diversity, equity and inclusion have long been represented in NYU’s policies when it comes to addressing racism at an institutional level. These ideas, however, do not do nearly...

Trump’s WeChat Ban Is Xenophobic

Trump’s WeChat Ban Is Xenophobic

The ban of the Chinese messaging app WeChat could have disastrous effects on the Chinese immigrant community.
Ashley Wu, Editor-at-Large September 10, 2020

After the news broke that President Donald Trump was set on banning TikTok in America, the app’s myriad of devoted followers spoke out against the injunction with semi-religious...

The Reprisal of Bush V. Gore Threatens Our Elections

The Reprisal of Bush V. Gore Threatens Our Elections

President Trump has recently filed lawsuits against New Jersey and Nevada for their efforts to increase voter accessibility, citing the controversial case Bush v. Gore. If this legal reasoning is accepted, it may wreak havoc on our courts and elections for decades to come.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor September 9, 2020

During the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many have expressed interest in vote-by-mail because of the health risks associated with large crowds at polling places. In response, President...