Columns

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Barth Wu ’26: Chew on This: Rise n' Shine

By Eleanor Barth Wu | December 9

SciLi stacks got you down? Tired of having to hear the breathy chortles of people whispering in the first floor of the Rock? When I find myself in one of these situations, I often ride my bike down the gloriously steep College Hill, beyond South Main Street to Rise ‘n Shine, a little coffee ...

Ricks '27: The left must embrace Progressivism if it wants to save democracy

By Kendall Ricks | December 5

When Kamala Harris lost the presidential election in early November, many different theories emerged to explain why. The campaign was criticized for not doing enough to distance itself from the Biden administration, appeal to the working class or ease voters’ concerns about inflation. However, one ...

Rahman ’26: Brown has a liberal problem

By Tasawwar Rahman | December 2

On Nov. 6, I, like many of my classmates, woke up disappointed by the results of the U.S. election. As a lifelong liberal, I thought the choice was clear — a prosecutor over a felon. But I was not surprised that so many of my fellow Americans turned to Trump.

Guan ’27: Democrats should look to understand, not demonize

By Lucas Guan | November 25

As I write these words, I am certain many readers continue to feel anger, frustration and anxiety in the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. I share many of these emotions. But I am equally concerned about this country’s intense polarization. We must do our part in the long process of reconciliation, ...

Lair ’28: Higher education must rescue internet archivists

By CJ Lair | November 24

In his column, CJ Lair '28 argues that Brown should do more to support online archive projects.

Sandhu ’25: Two households, two parties — what Romeo and Juliet can teach us about political division

By Meher Sandhu | November 22

We have all come across the “Romeo and Juliet” story countless times, in one form or another. Perhaps it was introduced to you by Leonardo DiCaprio’s dreamy film portrayal, the lyrics of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” or best of all, Shakespeare’s original text. This fall, I saw the story ...

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Aizenberg ’26: What a religious Israeli political party and a Nebraskan mechanic can teach the Democrats

By Benjamin Aizenberg | November 19

The 1999 Israeli elections sent shockwaves through the small nation’s political landscape. Though the well-established Likud party and One Israel coalition led the parliamentary vote count, the ultra-religious Shas party emerged as an unexpected challenger, finishing just one percent behind. Led by ...

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Davis ’27: Rural America isn't the enemy, moral superiority is

By Christian Davis | November 19

As election season draws to a close, another American tradition takes its place: scapegoating. The discourse surrounding rural voters has reached an all-time high across social media and, more worryingly, across campus. In an effort to place blame for the result of the presidential election, students ...

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Barth Wu ’26: Chew on This: Providence Noodle Bar

By Eleanor Barth Wu | November 19

Providence is known for its Italian mob-boss mayor Buddy Cianci, the Big Blue Bug off of I-95 and being a little eccentric. Providence is not known for its Asian food. There are, of course, exceptions. I recently ventured down College Hill to Providence Noodle Bar on Mathewson Street. Founded by two ...

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Woodilla ’27: Expanding Brown’s research and graduate programs helps us all

By Mike Woodilla | November 15

Many students choose Brown because of its Open Curriculum, small class sizes and brilliant faculty, all of which define Brown’s unique educational approach. Despite these strengths, the University’s research infrastructure and graduate program offerings remain underdeveloped, a shortcoming that ...

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Hudes ’27, Simon ’25, Wellisch ’26: After another Trump victory, a moment to regroup

By Paul Hudes, Yael Wellisch and Alissa Simon | November 13

In their column, Paul Hudes ’27, Alissa Simon ’25 and Yael Wellisch ’26 argue that disappointed Democrats at Brown should regroup and focus on local and state change.

Illustration of two people in front of Sayles Hall with a gray, ominous cloud hovering above them

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Valdes ’27: Behind Brown — Rachel Fontes

By Camila Valdes | November 8

Behind Brown is a series of vignettes about staff members of the University.

An illustration of Rachel Fontes, who wears glasses and a black polo shirt with a Brown crest.

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O’Riordan ’27: When is beauty culture anti-feminist?

By Mary O’Riordan | November 7

When my mom and her sister came up to visit me a couple weeks ago, my friends couldn’t stop cracking jokes about how strong my mom’s genetics are — and they’re right. My mom has four sisters, most of whom have the same brown hair, hooded eyes, freckles and short build. I’ve been mistaken for ...

An illustration of a woman looking into a handheld mirror. A chain encircles her. Lipstick and eyeliner containers float in the background.

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Ricks ’27: Our tipping practices stifle dining culture. Raising the minimum wage is the answer.

By Kendall Ricks | November 6

Americans have been ambivalent about tipping culture for years, unsure of when and how much to tip — if at all. But in tip-earning jobs employees are often paid a subminimum wage, relying heavily on customer gratuity for their income. Unfair wages have led some states to eliminate subminimum pay and ...

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Davis ’27, Hudes ’27: Democrats started losing once we thought we were ahead

By Paul Hudes and Christian Davis | November 6

A crowd funnels into the vast Salomon DECI auditorium for what they have waited years, months, weeks, and days for. Election night is upon us. Students nurse Diet Cokes and enjoy warm slices of Domino's as the program commences. Several speakers address the nervous, yet passionate, room as results trickle ...

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Aizenberg ’26: This election is impossible to predict — but I’ll try anyways

By Benjamin Aizenberg | November 5

Ben Aizenberg ’26 shares his prediction for the 2024 presidential election, and why he’ll probably be wrong.

An illustration of a voting booth inside of a crystal ball.

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Rahman ’26: Dear young progressives, third party is not the answer

By Tasawwar Rahman | November 3

If we wake up on Wednesday morning and Donald Trump is elected president, our world will fundamentally change for the worse. When we wake up a year later and lament the damage, what will we say we did to prevent it?

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Barth Wu ’26: Chew on this: Ratty Roundup

By Eleanor Barth Wu | November 3

In her column, Eleanor Barth Wu ’26 introduces the Ratty Roundup, a report on the best offerings of Brown’s dining halls.

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Sandhu ’25: Nightmare on Pennsylvania Ave

By Meher Sandhu | October 31

It’s the 31st of October, and I’m squeezed on a couch with my sisters and cousins all huddled under one, enormous blanket. I am twelve years old, so, of course, the ferocious wind howling down our chimney or the dark shadows lurking in the corners have no effect on my nerves. My mom is calmly seated ...

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Guan ’27: Stop using social media to get your news

By Lucas Guan | October 28

In his column, Lucas Guan ’27 argues that social media should not be used as a source of news.