Media and journalism reccomendations from the staff of The College Voice
Dana Gallagher:
“They Don’t Really Want Us to Vote: How Republicans Made it Harder,” The New York Times. In some states, it’s easier to vote than ever. In the last three years alone, 15 states have moved to automatically register voters (unless they opt out) when they visit motor-vehicle agencies. But in others, minority voters and college students face an expanding range of partisan obstacles. Nearly a thousand polling places have been closed nationwide in the last half-decade and last year at least 99 bills were introduced in 31 states to restrict voting access.
“Almost Half the Top Jobs in Trump’s State Department are Still Empty,” The Atlantic. In 18 countries, including Australia, the White House has yet to designate a U.S. ambassador. Australians who pay attention to foreign policy see the omission as a slight. Australia is debating its strategic future in a rapidly changing Asia. Should it stick to its traditional role as a military ally of the United States—or cast itself, instead, as a mostly-economic partner for China?
Saadya Chevan:
“Rise of the Armed Left,” The New York Times. Opinion columnist Michelle Goldberg traveled through several southern states to interview liberals who have established organizations to train themselves to use firearms in self-defense as a result of the rise of right-wing threats and terrorism exemplified by the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting.
Max Amar-Olkus:
“Nigeria’s Army Cites Trump to Justify Shooting Shia Protesters,” BBC. The Nigerian army’s official twitter account shared a video with the caption “please watch and make your deductions” after Amnesty International criticed them for open firing using live rounds on Shia protesters throwing stones. In the video, Trump talks about using lethal force on Central American migrants, saying, “When they throw rocks at our military, our military fights back.” The number of protesters killed has not yet been independently verified; the army puts the number at six dead, but the group itself says dozens were killed.
Alex Klavens:
“The Stakes for the Harvard Trial are Higher Now That It’s Over,” The Atlantic. Though Harvard University officials predict an affirmative action case will go in their favor, the stakes are high for Colleges and Universities around the U.S. regarding the use of race in admissions.
Price Day:
“Saudi campaign to abduct and silence rivals abroad goes back decades,” The Washington Post. The killing of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul is the latest example of a pattern of the Saudi government killing or silencing dissenters both in their country and abroad dating back to the 1970’s. More scrutiny is being placed on the middle-eastern US ally in light of the recent assassination, a nation which is also still ruled by an absolute monarchy and medieval Sharia law.
