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Incredible inventors and their illuminating inventions

Incredible inventors and their illuminating inventions

All talk, no action

On Feb. 6, the students of the course “Black Brandeis, Black History” (AAAS) led a teach-in about Angela Davis ’65 at the Mandel Center of Humanities Forum. The teach-in — which centered the life and activist work of one of Brandeis’ most famed alumni — prompted student and audience discussion about the University’s public treatment of Davis. The overwhelming sentiment was that Davis’ work has historically gone unrecognized by the University and is only acknowledged in a performative context. One student commented on Davis not being invited to speak at the 75th anniversary weekend. Another criticized the University's tendency to pick and choose which causes to align itself with depending on what is most “in vogue” and uncontroversial at the time.

The University is constantly lagging in accessibility

Accessible infrastructure and quality accessibility support services are essential for a campus to be inclusive and welcoming to students with disabilities. However, the University has been slow to implement more accessibility renovations and to staff the Student Accessibility Support Office. This board believes that helping students with disabilities thrive on campus needs to be a higher priority for the administration. Brandeis often advertises itself as an institution that champions social justice and fosters a diverse student body. However, an inaccessible campus demonstrates that more progress is needed in order to honor these values. 

Shades of Security: A Black American student’s reflection on race in Europe

At the beginning of Black History Month, the interesting quirks of my experiences as a Black individual studying abroad in the south of France unravel, revealing both the subtle and glaring nuances of racism in Europe. 

Administrative turnover: Addressing understaffing challenges

Empowering Student Engagement: Reducing Administrative Barriers at Brandeis University

Women2Drive campaign: The power of the internet in socio-political movements

Saudi Arabia has had internet connection since 1994, but restricted its use to state academic, medical, and research institutions. In 1997, King Fahd approved public Internet access and it was not until January 1999 that local internet service providers began connecting ordinary citizens. In 2013, the Women2Drive campaign was arranged entirely through social media platforms: Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. I argue that the effective use of information and communication associated with the internet played a crucial role in aiding this social movement with creating a low-cost protest, garnering high-speed transnational support that, in turn, pressured local and transnational government authorities to address the long standing driving ban for Saudi women.

The abysmal state of Brandeis housing

With the announcement of the 2024-25 housing application, the entire Brandeis community felt the onset of housing anxiety and some déjà vu from last year’s chaotic housing crisis. The Justice editorial board would like to address key concerns that have been left unmet from last year and years past.

Letter to the Editor: Brandeis Application Prompt

Dear President Liebowitz, 

A Call for Accountability: Graduate Students Advocate for Justice

The fall semester was incredibly challenging for members of the Brandeis community. Many of us are affected by the violence occurring in Palestine and Israel. Closer to home, the Brandeis administration led by President Ron Leibowitz has repeatedly mishandled its messaging on the violence the Israeli military is waging in Gaza. Brandeis administration has also acted tyrannically and breached community trust in its response to student activism. Despite President Leibowitz’s self-proclaimed pride in setting an example for how other universities respond to this crisis, a vast portion of our campus community does not stand with him. To date, many Brandeis faculty and alumni have voiced their disapproval of the administration’s actions. Similarly, we as a diverse and interdisciplinary group of 40+ graduate students, have come together to set straight the record of events that have taken place on our campus and hold the University administration accountable for its part in escalating a crisis of trust at Brandeis. 

A bitter winter: Navigating Brandeis’ campus

This year the bitter winter, a staple of Massachusetts weather, somehow still took the Brandeis campus by surprise. This board questions why the campus appeared so unprepared for the low temperatures this past week, despite the fact that a cold front was forecasted. 

Devil’s Advocate: Debating a Constitutional Disqualification of Donald Trump

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Semester in review: There is still more to do

As we approach the final weeks of the fall 2023 semester, we as a board understand that it has been a stressful time for students with everything going on. 

Good luck and goodbye to our ’23 midyear graduates!

Now that the fall semester is coming to an end, a smaller, but just as important, portion of senior students will be graduating.

Two state solution: Using history to explore common ground for peace

Let me begin by stating that I am aware my perspective is idealistic. Solutions are not black and white and are certainly not as simple as I may make them sound. As a Jewish student, I often feel as though I am expected to either be ardently pro-Israel and blindly defend all of their actions or be on the other end of the spectrum and condemn the country’s existence altogether. 

The devil’s advocate: Debating the Hyde and Helms Amendments

Context: In 1973, following the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade — since overturned — which recognized a constitutional right to an abortion, President Nixon signed into law the Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which bars the use of federal funding for abortions overseas for “family planning.” 

How do we heal our campus? We need safety, not security

On Friday, Nov. 10, Brandeis and Waltham Police arrested seven people, including three Brandeis students who were participating in a protest. Some doubts persist about the details of what occurred that day, and we support calls from our faculty colleagues for an independent investigation that lays out the sequence of events and institutional decision-making. 

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Does increased police presences really make us safer?

In light of the heightened state of emotions and stress, the last thing students should feel is unsafe. Historically and presently, the University represents a vulnerable community, and given the amount of media attention Brandeis has received in recent weeks, we urge the community to be thoughtful about what all students are experiencing.  

Bridging Cultures: Thanksgiving and the Mid-Autumn Festival

As the anticipation of Thanksgiving sweeps across the United States, thoughts turn to the traditional feast of roasted turkeys, delectable stuffing, and the sweet finish of pumpkin pie. While these quintessential elements define the American celebration, it is equally important to delve into the rich cultural tapestry that weaves together our global community. In this reflection, my focus turns to the vibrant and centuries-old Chinese cultural traditions encapsulated in the Mid-Autumn Festival.