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

An illustration of Malcom X wearing a black suit, a gray hat and a pair of glasses with black frames against a red background.

Celebration of Black cinema and civil rights in America: ‘Malcolm X’ turns 30

Three decades ago since its release, the Brooklyn Academy of Music hosted a screening for Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” to commemorate the legacy of the film and the enduring memory of the civil rights activist. 
Mick Gaw, Staff Writer December 9, 2022

Over one thousand New Yorkers gathered at the opulent Howard Gilman Opera House to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X”  biopic on Nov. 22. The Brooklyn...

An illustration of two figures displayed on a laptop placed on top of dark blue bedding with a cup of tea nearby. The first figure looks to be screaming, the other has a stern look.

Off the Radar: Black vampire myths and addiction in ‘Ganja & Hess’

Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “Ganja & Hess” is available to stream on Kanopy.
Mick Gaw, Staff Writer November 4, 2022

“Ganja & Hess” (1973) opens with a somber, gospel-inspired opening song that cryptically refers to crucifixion and blood thirst. A set of intertitles introduces the protagonist,...

On Aug. 24, 2021, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as New York’s first female governor. Hochul is now planning to cut $250,000 from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture during Black History Month. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Opinion: Hochul’s budget cut to NYPL Black culture center is shameful

Gov. Kathy Hochul is planning to cut $250,000 from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The timing of this horrible decision, the start of Black History Month, only makes it more offensive.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor February 11, 2022

“Happy Black History Month! Governor Kathy Hochul wants to cut $250,000 in funding from the [Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture] and $75k from the Langston Hughes...

Pursue Your Dreams, Not Your Parents’

Pursue Your Dreams, Not Your Parents’

I couldn’t go through four years of college pretending to feel passionate about my parents’ wishes for me.
Chinenye Onyeike, Staff Writer November 11, 2019

Before college, I lived to make my parents happy. I allowed them to draw the outline of my professional future and it was my job to color it in. And when the picture drawn didn’t...

MAI (Movement Art Is) is an organization that uses movement artistry to inspire and change the world while elevating the artistic, educational, and social impact of dance. MAI was co-founded by Jon Boogz and Lil Buck.

Love (and Dance) Heals all Wounds at Skirball

Julia Fields, Staff Writer April 16, 2018
Skirball Center for Performing Arts hosted “Love Heals All Wounds” –– an expressive dance performance from the group Movement Art Is that highlighted current social issues
The Destruction of a Black New York Community

The Destruction of a Black New York Community

Tianne Johnson, Contributing Writer February 12, 2018
Appreciating different cultures is not enough. We must try to understand the hardships of oppressed cultures in order to move toward social justice.
The NYU Steinhardt Department of Art and Arts Professions opened its new exhibit, “jux-ta-po-si-tion,” on Feb. 15 for Black History Month.

Steinhardt Artists Celebrate Black Experience, Excellence

Phyllis Lam, Contributing Writer February 21, 2017
As Black History Month continues, the Steinhardt Art & Arts Professions department has opened "jux-ta-po-si-tion," taking in what it means to be a black artist in today's America.
Directed by Jeff Nichols, "Loving" portrays the story of an interracial couple during the case of Racial Integrity Act of 1924.

‘Loving’ Proves Comforting in Its Justice

Sophie Bennett, Staff Writer November 3, 2016
The new film "Loving" captures with astounding emotion and power the importance of the Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia which ruled in 1964 that any law prohibiting interracial marriage was unconstitutional.
With so many cultural differences between NYC and Ghana, a study abroad trip to Accra can be greatly eye-opening.

Ghana: Learning to Love my Dark Skin

Dejarelle Gaines, Highlighter Editor October 11, 2016
Highlighter Editor Dejarelle Gaines recounts her experience in Ghana and how it affected her perception of beauty and self.

Music loves blackness, but not black people

Kieran Graulich, Music Editor October 21, 2015
The black experience has been appropriated to the point of silencing black voices.
New York State public schools suffer from segregation

New York State public schools suffer from segregation

Kavish Harjai, News Editor April 2, 2014
A recent report found the New York state has the highest number of segregated public schools in the country.