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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

Emily Dai

Emily Dai, Opinion Editor

Emily is a sophomore studying Politics and Economics. She is from Richmond, Virginia and is passionate about presidents, Pride and Prejudice and public transportation. Reach her on Instagram @emliydai for podcast recommendations and Supreme Court discourse.

All content by Emily Dai
On April 26, the Supreme Court announced that it would review a New York law that restricted the ability to carry a gun outside the home. This is the first time the Supreme Court has taken up this issue in over a decade. (Staff Photo by Taylor Knight)

Opinion: Conservative win in Second Amendment case could spur liberal court reform

Last Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to review a lower court decision regarding the Second Amendment, making this the first time the court has taken up this issue in over a decade. While gun rights activists are almost surely going to win, liberals may be able to turn it around and push for further court reform.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor May 3, 2021

On April 26, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would review a longstanding New York law that restricted the ability to carry a gun outside the home. New York State Rifle...

Opinion: Stop exploiting Asians in your arguments against affirmative action

Opinion: Stop exploiting Asians in your arguments against affirmative action

Arguments against affirmative action often center around Asian Americans as a way to criticize the policy as being harmful toward a minority group. However, opponents to this system have never had the interests of Asian Americans in mind.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor April 7, 2021

NYU recently released admissions data for the Class of 2025, including the notable drop in acceptance rate, from 15% to 12.8%. As admissions decisions continue to roll in across...

Make ride-share drivers employees

Make ride-share drivers employees

Last week, a Lyft driver was viciously attacked by two passengers while carrying out a ride in Queens. The persistent cases of violence against ride-hailing drivers highlights a larger issue of contractor-based business models.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor March 23, 2021

On March 16, Lyft driver Ashish Sapkota was attacked by two passengers in Queens. What began as an ordinary ride quickly derailed when the passengers began fighting in the backseat....

How To Properly Critique Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Legacy

How To Properly Critique Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Legacy

Since the passing of RBG, many are critical of the backlash people are lodging at her and her legacy. However, what these people miss is that Ginsburg’s failure to step down when President Obama was in office will forever taint the achievements made in her lifetime.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor September 23, 2020

Since the recent passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, many progressives are debating the best ways to remember her and discuss her legacy. An outpouring of news...

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 22, 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...

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 17, 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...

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 10, 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...

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

Staff Rants: Coronavirus

From the loss of indoor seating to general annoyance, our staff has a lot to say about the coronavirus.

On The Loss of Public Seating  Helen Wajda, Opinion Editor One thing living through a pandemic has taught me is that I rely entirely too much on public seating to get me...

NYU’s Impossible Financial Situation

NYU’s Impossible Financial Situation

Like many universities across the country, the pandemic has backed NYU into a corner. The financial pressures facing NYU explain its decision to partially reopen, and will cause it to struggle for years to come.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor August 31, 2020

Like many other universities, NYU faces an impossible catch-22 as our government’s incompetent response to the pandemic causes COVID-19 to continue to ravage this country. NYU...

Democrats, You Don’t Have to Hand It to George W. Bush

Democrats, You Don’t Have to Hand It to George W. Bush

On Saturday, May 2, former President George W. Bush was met with praise for his message calling for national unity amid the coronavirus pandemic. In reality, this praise is part of a larger obsession to sanitize Bush’s disastrous presidency.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor May 5, 2020

Former President George W. Bush shared a message on Saturday, May 2, across his social media platforms calling on Americans to put aside partisan differences amid the coronavirus...

How Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Shapes the Supreme Court

How Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Shapes the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has repeatedly bolstered the Trump Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda. Last Thursday, the majority opinion’s language in Barton v. Barr reveals possible biases against immigrants.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor April 28, 2020

Since launching his presidential campaign in 2015, the nation has been inundated with inflammatory, anti-immigrant rhetoric catalyzed by President Trump. Publically, Trump has...

Yes, Stay-at-Home Orders Are Legal and Necessary

Yes, Stay-at-Home Orders Are Legal and Necessary

Last week, we witnessed an eruption of protests against multiple government’s shelter-in-place orders, across multiple states, under the guise of protecting personal liberties, but these protestors have failed to truly grasp what civil liberties actually are.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor April 21, 2020

The nation witnessed a collision between public health and political struggles last week, as thousands of people exploded into open protest on the streets of Michigan’s capital....

Staff Rants and Raves: Movies

Staff Rants and Raves: Movies

From Lizzie McGuire to Lady Bird — here’s what our staff thinks about movies.

Rants On Issues With “Blue Is The Warmest Color” Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Deputy Managing Editor When I was younger, closeted and in total denial about my own queerness,...

Do Not Trust the Supreme Court to Protect Your Right to Vote

Do Not Trust the Supreme Court to Protect Your Right to Vote

Last Monday, April 6, the Supreme Court refused to extend the absentee-ballot deadline in light of a global pandemic, reflecting Chief Justice Roberts’ long-held commitment to weaken voting rights.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor April 14, 2020

During these trying times of a global public health crisis, Wisconsin and the courts have failed to protect voters. The Supreme Court refused to extend the deadline for absentee...

NYU Will Never be Prestigious Without Better Financial Aid

NYU Will Never be Prestigious Without Better Financial Aid

Each year, NYU embarks on an ambitious mission to better its reputation and world-standing, yet does nothing about its infamously poor financial aid offers.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor April 6, 2020

Just days ago, NYU announced its annual admittance of the “most selective class” in its history. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2024 fell to 15%, more than halving its...

Even in Times of Pandemic, Abortions Are Still Essential

Even in Times of Pandemic, Abortions Are Still Essential

Under a guise of sudden concern for public health, Republican lawmakers are quick to exploit coronavirus to fulfill their own moral crusade against abortion.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor March 31, 2020

Though we are all familiar with the long-perpetuated excuse for inactivity in times of tragedy, pro-life politicians have decided to subvert expectations by exploiting the coronavirus...

Confronting Identity in Light of Coronavirus and Xenophobia

Confronting Identity in Light of Coronavirus and Xenophobia

As much as I may identify with my own nation, the recent pandemic has shown me how fragile this relationship truly is.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor March 23, 2020

I was born in New York City. I grew up in Richmond. I reveled in my American history and government classes. I even voluntarily participated in a year-long civics competition where...

Roe v. Wade’s Shaky Legal Reasoning

Roe v. Wade’s Shaky Legal Reasoning

Part of the reason for the string of recent pushes by state legislatures and lower courts to get abortion on the Supreme Court docket is to overturn the constitutionally uncertain Roe v. Wade.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor March 10, 2020

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard the first major abortion case of the Trump era. The case, June Medical Services v. Russo, concerns a Louisiana law that required abortion...

Staff Rants and Raves: Food

Staff Rants and Raves: Food

From under-portioned grains to juice cleanses, our staff has a lot of strong feelings about food.

Rants On Lack of Grains Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor How come whenever I go to any establishment that sells make your own bowls, the server gives the person in front...

Don’t Try Children as Adults

Don’t Try Children as Adults

The boys charged with the murder of Tessa Majors, like every other child indicted with a serious crime, should be tried in juvenile court.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor March 2, 2020

On Dec. 11 of last year, 18-year old Tessa Majors was fatally stabbed while on an early evening walk through a park near campus. Majors had recently moved to New York from Charlottesville,...

Bloomberg Is Everything Wrong With Money in Politics

Bloomberg Is Everything Wrong With Money in Politics

A race between Trump and Bloomberg would be a disastrous hit to democracy and a symbolic shift toward an American oligarchy.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor February 25, 2020

American elections are devolving into a tournament of oligarchs. The President of the United States is a billionaire businessman from Manhattan, and a current Democratic presidential...

Staff Rants: TV Shows

Staff Rants: TV Shows

We’ve all binged a show, even though we know we shouldn’t. Here’s what our staff has to say about the Golden Age of TV — or so they say.

On Netflix-Induced Pain Jake Capriotti, Photo Editor As a young boy growing up in Arizona, I was not fond of many television shows. One show that I was emotionally invested...

The Uncomfortable Issue of Bathroom Accessibility

The Uncomfortable Issue of Bathroom Accessibility

The lack of sanitary and accessible public bathrooms throughout NYC is inappropriate and dangerous for public health.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor February 18, 2020

Imagine this: you’re stranded in Midtown and you’re starting to feel the chai latte you chugged an hour earlier. Or maybe you and your family are trying to hit up all the NYC...

Staff Rants and Raves: Oscars

Staff Rants and Raves: Oscars

Sunday’s Oscars was a historic night for film. Here’s what our staff has to say about it.

Rants On Viewer’s Etiquette Jake Capriotti, Photo Editor I did not know what to expect from my first Oscars party at NYU. I attended the Third North viewing with two...

NYU’s Facade of Financial Support

NYU’s Facade of Financial Support

Despite promoting socio-cultural diversity, NYU continually sabotages and fails to accommodate lower-income students.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor February 10, 2020

When Joshua Jackson applied to NYU, he didn’t expect to get full exposure to its financial classism. Jackson, a senior at Brown University, wrote to request an application fee...

NYU Exploits Academia’s Permanent Underclass

NYU Exploits Academia’s Permanent Underclass

The rapid rise of adjunct professors across the nation and at NYU during a hike of administrative salaries indicates their mass exploitation.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor February 3, 2020

In 2013, Margaret Mary Vojtko, an adjunct French professor at Duquesne University, died from a heart attack at 83 years old after being laid off when the university refused to...

Arguments Against New York’s Cash Bail Reforms Are Dated

Arguments Against New York’s Cash Bail Reforms Are Dated

Much of the pushback to New York’s new bail reform laws rehashes old arguments dripping with hatred of the poor.
Emily Dai, Deputy Opinion Editor January 27, 2020

Last spring, New York passed a new bail law that recently went into effect. Bail is a method to ensure people return to court by allowing defendants conditional release in exchange...

Beto’s Success Amounts to Pretty Privilege

Beto’s Success Amounts to Pretty Privilege

Much of the optimism and excitement around Beto’s audacious presidential run can be attributed not to any unique political ideas, but his attractiveness.
Emily Dai, Staff Writer November 11, 2019

Beto O’Rourke, tumbling in poll numbers and dwindling in fundraising figures, recently dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. After struggling to channel...

The Phrase ‘International Student’ Disguises Discrimination Against East Asians

The Phrase ‘International Student’ Disguises Discrimination Against East Asians

NYU students often use the word “international” instead of “Asian” whenever they want to express their racist sentiments but keep up politically correct appearances.
Emily Dai, Staff Writer October 28, 2019

It seems that as much as NYU likes to promote itself as a global institution, the students here can be just as closed-minded as anyone else; they have just learned to adjust their...

The entrance to the NYU Liberal Studies Offices, located at 726 Broadway. (Staff Photo by Julia McNeill)

Liberal Studies Professors Feel Exploited, Some Want to Unionize

WSN has learned that LS professors, who are generally paid less and have shorter contracts than those at other schools, want to unionize to improve current circumstances.
Emily Dai, Contributing Writer October 28, 2019

Some Liberal Studies professors are looking to unionize, citing lower pay and a lack of resources and job security.  “Liberal Studies faculty are regarded as second class...

The Battle for LGBTQ Rights Is Far From Over

The Battle for LGBTQ Rights Is Far From Over

After the landmark 2015 case legalizing same-sex marriage, some believed the American fight for LGBTQ rights was over. However, three upcoming Supreme Court cases could change everything.
Emily Dai, Contributing Writer October 7, 2019

The Supreme Court is kicking off its new term this Tuesday with three monumental cases that could alter the direction of the LGBTQ rights movement. Altitude Express Inc. v. Zarda,...

The Supreme Court Is Facing a Legitimacy Crisis

The Supreme Court Is Facing a Legitimacy Crisis

Sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh have recently resurfacedand the Supreme Court is certainly heading toward a crisis in public confidence. The question is, will it be able to recover?
Emily Dai, Contributing Writer September 30, 2019

Almost exactly one year ago, the American public watched Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s gripping account of a sexual assault perpetrated by then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh...

An Obituary for Bill de Blasio’s Political Career

An Obituary for Bill de Blasio’s Political Career

After dropping out of the presidential election, Mayor Bill de Blasio returned to New York City. But what exactly did he come back to?
Emily Dai, Contributing Writer September 26, 2019

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s political odyssey has officially ended — not with a bang, but with an utterly pathetic whimper. Last Friday, de Blasio announced on MSNBC’s...