Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “Opinions”

The Price of Your Aesthetic

Look around and observe the many characters of Smith College. Just about every “aesthetic” can be found here, whether it be “alt,” fairy-themed or maybe the recently popular “Lana-Del-Rey-vinyl.” There are distinct and observable archetypes of people that this school attracts, and more discernibly, a variety of fashion styles that never seem to stop evolving along the newest trends. The incessant upkeep with trends is a marked trait across campus, and it is without a doubt that the students of Smith express themselves through fashion with such nonchalance—but at what cost? 

In Loving Memory of American Higher Education

I have probably read over 200 Buzzfeed articles throughout my life. Back when it was still culturally relevant, much of its content focused on American college life and the culture that emerged from within it. From 23 things that perfectly define “college culture” and 21 things that are so college, it hurts. The 2010s were the years of America’s cultural hegemony; American cultural products (books, movies, music, art, etc.) were consumed all around the world.

The Anti-Doomscroll: Reading Interviews with Black Women Writers as an On-ramp to Liberation

This article was originally published in the November 2023 print edition. As news coverage of the Israel-Hamas War has increased, so has the number of social media posts I see related to the ongoing deaths, injuries and traumas there. I’m coming to accept the value of witnessing these atrocities in close to real time as a person of privilege. Still, there is also a cost when casual consumption becomes doomscrolling.

Smith Wildlife is Sick and Tired of Construction

Smith College has recently announced the construction of a new building for the Lazarus Center for Career Development and the Wurtele Center for Leadership, which is set to be built on a hillside overlooking Paradise Pond. In response to this announcement, many students have taken to social media to discuss the validity of the project. Arguments have been raised, suggesting that the funds for this new building could be more effectively utilized to address internal issues within the college, such as broken elevators and insufficient professor salaries. While there are a multitude of reasons to question the necessity and efficiency of the new Lazarus Center, I would like to introduce an additional critique from a conservation standpoint. 

A Guide to Thoughtful Gifting in Every Relationship Stage

As the holiday season quickly approaches, it’s time to start brainstorming gift ideas. Whether it’s for a loved one or a friend, trying to come up with the perfect present can be stressful. It is always a little challenging for me, but I remember feeling particularly daunted when shopping for my girlfriend for the first time.