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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

All content by Robin Young
(Sophie Hess for WSN)

This East Village grocer brings Filipino New Yorkers back home

Since the ’80s, Johnny Air Mart has offered both culinary staples and shipping services to the borough’s Filipino community.
Robin Young, Staff Writer March 12, 2026

On Avenue A, a modest storefront covered by a simple brown awning peeks out from a red brick building. Shelves bursting with colorfully packaged goods are visible from...

(Sophie Hess for WSN)

4 women-founded gardens to find community in

Spend the semester’s first moments of warmth at these East Village green spaces, where the legacies of local female activists bring new life to the neighborhood.
Robin Young, Staff Writer March 11, 2026

This year, the National Women’s History Alliance’s theme for the month, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” highlights women engaging in sustainable...

(Courtesy of Curtis Brown)

‘Mexodus’ traces the Underground Railroad’s overlooked southern route

WSN spoke with one of the creators of the off-Broadway production about its exploration of American history through live looping and hip-hop storytelling.
Robin Young, Staff Writer March 6, 2026

For enslaved people seeking freedom in 19th-century Texas, traveling north wasn’t the only option. The off-Broadway musical “Mexodus,” returning for a limited engagement...

NYU’s Abu Dhabi campus. (Sam Klein for WSN)

Opinion: NYU’s global promise carries global responsibility

As violence erupts near the NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Tel Aviv campuses, students deserve transparent safety planning and proactive accountability from administrators.
Robin Young, Staff Writer March 3, 2026

On Saturday night, an Iranian missile hit an apartment block a little over two miles away from NYU Tel Aviv’s campus, killing at least one civilian and injuring dozens. At the...

(Sam Cheng for WSN)

After 24 years, beloved vegan staple Red Bamboo says goodbye

Regulars of the Greenwich Village restaurant, which closed on Monday, reflected on comfort food, community and the challenges faced by small businesses.
Robin Young, Staff Writer February 24, 2026

On a packed Friday evening just days before its final service, Red Bamboo was anything but quiet. The vegan hotspot on West Fourth Street was packed with full tables as a...

(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)

I look the same everywhere. My Blackness does not

Spending time abroad showed me some of the many versions of Blackness that exist — and that my identity is not fixed, but shaped by cross-cultural conversations.
Robin Young, Staff Writer February 19, 2026

I spent the fall semester of my sophomore year in Accra, Ghana. I stood in the middle of Madina Market, pressed between narrow walkways crowded with people moving in every direction....

(Sidney Snider for WSN)

Cucculelli Shaheen pulls guests into ‘Electric Cosmos’ at NYFW

With a live set from rock band Calico Mantra and hair-as-accessory detailing, this power couple’s latest runway fused mysticism, psychology and rock-and-roll romance.
Robin Young, Staff Writer February 14, 2026

The Bowery Ballroom is the kind of place where you would expect guitar amps and sticky floors, not a runway. But as the first notes from rock band Calico Mantra filled the air...

(Krish Dev for WSN)

New eats near NYU: Portuguese egg custard tarts brighten the Village

Nata, opened by an NYU alum, brings a beloved pastry from Portugal just steps from Washington Square Park.
Robin Young, Staff Writer February 4, 2026

For those seeking refuge in the middle of an unforgiving winter, the Village isn’t short on places to grab coffee and a warm pastry. But at Nata, which opened on Jan. 10, that...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Opinion: Due process matters, not deportation statistics

Deportation policy is not a numbers game — the real issue lies in whether immigrants are given their right to due process.
Robin Young, Staff Writer January 28, 2026

New York City is home to more immigrants than any other city in the United States. The growing crisis in immigration enforcement is not just a distant federal policy debate —...

(Suditi Sircar for WSN)

5 musical scores that live rent-free in my head

These cast recordings will transport you to the best seat in the house.
Robin Young, Contributing Writer December 5, 2025

Cast recordings aren’t just collections of songs. They tell complex stories and give listeners the chance to relive the joy that otherwise, can only be experienced in the...

(Maryam Lootah for WSN)

Off Topic: TikTok’s quarter-zip trend is bigger than fashion

A viral post about sweaters opened the door to deeper questions about how Black identity is judged online.
Robin Young, Contributing Writer November 25, 2025

It started with a smiling Black man who posted a TikTok in a navy blue quarter-zip sweater, casually declaring himself a “quarter zip dude now.” The video was fun and playful,...

(Evan D'Souza for WSN)

Opinion: Mamdani’s inexperience should not be seen as weakness

Old ideas about experience plague politics, but Zohran Mamdani’s win shows it’s time to redefine what makes a leader ready.
Robin Young, Contributing Writer November 7, 2025

Zohran Mamdani made history Tuesday night as he was elected New York City’s youngest mayor in more than a century. For many, his victory signals a generational shift in what...

(Ivy Chan for WSN)

4 independent makeup shops that shine in NYC

Brush off Sephora and Ulta and blend these unconventional makeup stores into your routine.
Robin Young, Contributing Writer October 10, 2025

Makeup is a part of student life in more ways than one. You may be using it to get ready for a night out after a long week of classes. Perhaps you want to feel confident before...