opinion

OPINION

EDITORIAL: We must solidify First Step, take next step

By The Daily Targum | March 13, 2019

A new day was meant to dawn. But the apparent rising sun of progress and reform seems more and more to be only a mirage of a society lost in a desert without the free-flowing waters of justice. We passed the First Step Act at the end of last year, a historic criminal justice reform bill meant to unleash the tides of change was, in light of its namesake, the first step in addressing the inequality and injustices of our nation’s criminal justice system. 

OPINION

OLAYEMI: Students’ inhibitions leave for spring break

By Yvonne Olayemi | March 13, 2019

As Rutgers embarks on its "do not ask, do not tell" week of trouble-making, mischief and potentially poor decision making, I cannot help but think about how significant the concept of spring break has become to our age demographic. A conversation that I was having with a few friends led to one of them posing of the question: Is spring break really an excuse to wild out? By “wild out,” I mean go nuts, behave in a substantially less concerned manor, partake in scandalous or taboo activities, etc. 

OPINION

COMMENTARY: ISIS decline causes debate of citizenship

By Fatuma Musse | March 12, 2019

The decline of ISIS brought along more security threats and international crises, both long-term, and short-term. The Caliphate was declared over after a series of prolonged losses, leading to both political and economic disasters within itself. In 2017, Iraqi forces reclaimed Mosul, the Caliphate’s most important stronghold, as the Syrian Democratic Forces took back Raqqa, another important city. 

OPINION

Commentary: Government support does not undermine our philanthropy

By Matt Fontanilla | March 12, 2019

On March 5, The Daily Targum ran an op-ed titled “Solution to Poverty is in Individual Acts.” In it, author Michael Vespa suggests that poverty in America could be reduced by taxing Americans less so that they can give more to charity because the government “has had no real progress” in combating poverty. But, the article fails to recognize the nuanced nature of charitable giving in the United States, and makes false assumptions about charitable giving.

OPINION

BOZTEPE: Cost of coal is not as cheap as we are told

By Kaan Jon Boztepe | March 12, 2019

Coal is apparently the nonrenewable resource that is the future of our energy as stated by the current presidential administration. Strictly “clean” coal, whatever that is supposed to be, seeing as though it can never be clean. In response to that ill-formed decision with no true explanation, I would like to write about the additional costs of coal that are not visible at first glance, along with showing the harmful effects of a resource that we should be leaning off of as a nation. 

OPINION

SURIANO: Dems. allow House of Reps to become home of ill repute

By Robert Suriano | March 11, 2019

Is Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) trying to get President Donald J. Trump reelected? Because the way she is managing her caucus in the house makes it certainly appear so. The Democrats in the House are mistaking Trump's unpopularity with support of far-left socialism. This could be a disastrous strategy for them. Look, I would be very glad if they do blow their current advantage. It just seems odd that Pelosi, as wily a political operator as they come, would allow her caucus to run out of control like she is. 

OPINION

EDITORIAL: House resolution cannot end debate

By The Daily Targum | March 11, 2019

Anti-Semitism continues to bloom in the fertile soil of bigotry and hate as the long and ugly history of Jews in Diaspora winds into the hate of contemporary times. There cannot be a denial of the Jewish people’s oppressed and persecuted history, just as there cannot be a dismissal of the continued attacks and demonization of the Jewish people. America was not immune to Nazism, this nation is not invulnerable to intolerance and there needs to be discourse on the widespread hate, xenophobia and racism from the representative leadership of this nation to the people. 

OPINION

MEHTA: Ethics of Immigration need to bind debate

By Rishi Mehta | March 11, 2019

Imagine calling the police and being sent to voicemail.  This is currently how immigrants feel following this administration’s continued neglect of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) constant abuse of power. “Illegals,” is how they are described — the Left even refers to them as “illegal immigrants” — when was the last time they were referred to as human beings? 

OPINION

EDITORIAL: Bold tax reform proposal changes debate

By The Daily Targum | March 8, 2019

Brinksmanship over taxes and the state budget brought New Jersey within inches of a state government shutdown last year. Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), after winning a decisive victory on a progressive platform, looked to fulfill his campaign promise of raising the marginal tax rate on those who make $1 million in a year. 

OPINION

SHAH: ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ addresses #MeToo

By Anjali Shah | March 8, 2019

This week on my column, I reprise my title as a "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" fan as I write my second article on the show, discussing its most recent episode: “He Said, She Said.” Written by Lang Fisher and serving as cast member Stephanie Beatriz’s directorial debut, the eighth episode of the sixth season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” — its first season since being saved from cancellation by NBC — took on the daunting task of tackling #MeToo through the lens of a female NYPD detective without sacrificing the comedy. 

OPINION

CASTELLI: Traditionally feminine roles are not inherently oppressive

By Giana Castelli | March 8, 2019

What is the image of the woman in 2019? Defiant, loud and unafraid to speak her mind. “The Handmaid’s Tale” is perhaps the crowning jewel that epitomizes the conscious of the modern American woman. It portrays a dystopian future where women are forced into servitude by both a Christian patriarchy that rules the country and a matriarchy who is satisfied with its role as “servants.” 

OPINION

HITCHINGS: Rutgers will have to meet high Big Ten Tournament expectations after last year

By T.J. Hitchings | March 7, 2019

Next Wednesday, March 13, the 22nd rendition of the Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament will tip off at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Rutgers will be there, as all teams in the conference qualify, but this year is different. This year is an opportunity more than ever to prove, on a national stage, that the Scarlet Knights not only belong in the Big Ten, but also have the talent to make a splash in the college basketball world.

OPINION

KEMBURU: Debut of ‘Leaving Neverland’ forces us to question values

By Anusha Kemburu | March 7, 2019

He was dubbed the “King of Pop.” He joined The Jackson 5 at the mere age of 5 years old but emerged as the group’s lead singer. He made musical history time and time again, winning the Grammy Living Legend Award, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and having his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is Michael Jackson. And Jackson, according to the recently released documentary “Leaving Neverland,” was a sexual predator and a pedophile. 

OPINION

VALDEZ: We must curb outrage, keep it in perspective

By Josh Valdez | March 7, 2019

Everyone was in shock. I looked around the classroom and saw people’s confused expressions. Nobody could believe what was happening. A student was standing on the table screaming. That is right, a college student was yelling at the top of her lungs during the middle of class.

OPINION

EDITORIAL: Executive order has potential problems

By The Daily Targum | March 6, 2019

An eruption of applause and cheers from conservative activists, clad in “Make America Great Again” merchandise, followed President Donald J. Trump’s announcement that he will make federal funding for universities conditional on their support of freedom of speech. No further announcements or policy outlines have been publicly released after Trump said that he “will be signing an executive order requiring colleges and universities to support free speech if they want federal research dollars” at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

OPINION

MEJIA: Feminism in conflict with consumerism confronts our values

By Marielis Mejia | March 6, 2019

Do I have to put my feminism aside in order to be part of a consumerist society? In the western world that we live in, consumerism is one of the most praised social and economic orders that currently exists. Consumerism has created a system of worth based on purchasing power that values those who are able to spend more over those who have limited resources to purchase. The world of global consumerism that we currently take part is in direct opposition with feminist ideals. 

OPINION

ABRAMS: Fraternity pledging has gone too far at U.

By Ashley Abrams | March 6, 2019

This past Saturday, I was in the Undergraduate Reading Room at Alexander Library on the College Avenue campus feverishly reading assignments for the forthcoming week. As I was poring over a paragraph from Audre Lorde’s “Sister Outsider,” I felt a faint tap on my shoulder.

OPINION

WASON: US leaders should not stand with dictators

By Amar Wason | March 5, 2019

Any remnants of a political culture incentivized toward bipartisan behavior had perished long before President Donald J. Trump took office in 2016, so it is not quite fair to place the blame squarely on his shoulders for the particularly divisive environment that currently exists. In July 2014, under the previous administration of former President Barack Obama, a whopping 68 percent of Republicans favored his removal from office for what they saw as executive overreach. 

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