Opinions - The Brown Daily Herald

Opinions

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 ...

Opinions

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 ...

Opinions

Letter: Response to ‘US spent over $22 billion on Israel’s military operations in the past year, Watson study finds’

By Abby Doft, Frederick Horowitz and Justin Steinberg | November 19

To the Editor:

Opinions

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 ...

Opinions

Angelino MPH’24: Taking a stand to protect freedom of the press

By Domenic Angelino | November 18

Freedom of expression, freedom of thought and the freedom to share information are at the core of what it means to be a member of the Brown community. These rights ensure our capacity to influence communities far beyond our own. Despite the importance of these freedoms, many of us take these rights ...

Opinions

Letter: Responding to ‘Fmr. US Rep. David Cicilline and six others join Brown Corporation’

By Peter Mackie | November 17

To the Editor:

Opinions

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 ...

Opinions

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

Opinions

Carpenter ’26: The faculty must vote on Fossil Free Research

By Caitlyn Carpenter | November 12

In September 2011, faculty at the Brown School of Public Health decided that enough was enough: The manipulative tobacco industry would be banned from funding faculty research. For decades, Big Tobacco had backed biased research to support its deadly agenda, threatening academic integrity and creating ...

Opinions

Grossman ’24: Investment ethics committees were a proud Brown tradition. Paxson and Carey destroyed them.

By Eli Grossman | November 10

The Advisory Committee on Corporate Responsibility in Investment Policies and its successor committee, the Advisory Committee on University Resources Management, have historically represented Brown’s commitment to take responsibility for the moral implications of its investment policies. Unfortunately, ...

Opinions

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.

Opinions

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.

Opinions

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 ...

Opinions

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 ...

Opinions

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.

Opinions

Suthy ’27, Gale ’28, Redlich ’28: It’s not too late to vote

By Lillian Gale , Nihil Suthy and Avery Redlich | November 4

The general election is on everyone’s mind, and anticipation here on campus is rising exponentially. This was as evident as ever when we were out tabling with Brown Votes these past few weeks. Many students took initiative, coming up to us to learn how they could register. These same students brought ...

An illustration of an envelope with a slip of paper inside that says "Brown votes."

Opinions

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?

Opinions

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.

Opinions

Editorial: It’s time for Brown students to show up at the polls

By Editorial Page Board | October 31

A little under four years ago, we endured the most blatant attempt to overthrow a presidential election in the history of the United States. Only a few of the current students at Brown were old enough to vote in that election; most of us were merely observers. But now, as election day comes crashing ...

Opinions

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 ...