Syria: An Update on the Current Crisis

Syria has been home to numerous atrocities over the past few decades, making it an important country to monitor. Since 2011, the country has experienced the collapse of its society due to civil war. However, human rights abuses have existed prior, with the suppression of freedoms being carried out by the government. Not only has … Continue reading Syria: An Update on the Current Crisis

The Battle of NGOs in Nicaragua: A Human Rights Crisis

Arbitrarily detained, beaten in prison, exiled, and stripped of their nationality has become a common experience for activists in Nicaragua. This is the case of Kevin Solís, who was arbitrarily detained twice; in 2018 for allegedly obstructing public services and carrying a firearm, and later in 2020 for alleged robbery and assault. The United Nations … Continue reading The Battle of NGOs in Nicaragua: A Human Rights Crisis

A Culture of Shame and Regret: Exploring the Rise of Digital Sex Crimes in South Korea

“Private,” “a matter of female chastity,” “unimportant,” “shameful.” These tend to be the words showing the attitude towards survivors of sexual violence in South Korea; it’s what suppresses the voices of victims and perpetuates a culture of guilt and silent suffering.  Many of South Korea’s societal institutions employ strong patriarchal norms to this day: current president … Continue reading A Culture of Shame and Regret: Exploring the Rise of Digital Sex Crimes in South Korea

The Death Penalty in the US: Legalized Murder?

On September 24, 2024, the state of Missouri executed an innocent Black man. Why did they kill him?  Marcellus Williams was convicted and sentenced to death for murdering Felicia Gayle. There was no physical evidence linking Williams to her murder: fingerprints, footprints, hair, and DNA found at the crime scene did not match Williams. The … Continue reading The Death Penalty in the US: Legalized Murder?

An Analysis of Voting Rights and Infringements: Pakistan

Pakistan’s Political Landscape   Pakistan is a unique country amalgamating diverse ethnicities, religions, regional dynamics, and political ideologies. Upon independence from British Colonial rule in 1947, Pakistan had experienced periods of military dictatorships interspersed with democratic governance.  The creation of Pakistan’s democratic foundation is accredited to President Ayub Khan. He worked to create the Elective … Continue reading An Analysis of Voting Rights and Infringements: Pakistan

Marriage Trafficking in China Leads to Women in Chains

by Delisha Valacheril   Chinese vlogger captured a horrific, viral video of a woman chained outside to a hut in January of 2022. This woman was mentally incapacitated and had been without clean water, food, and electricity for an extended time. Xiao Huamei had been taken from her home province of Yunnan and sold to … Continue reading Marriage Trafficking in China Leads to Women in Chains

How Stigma Hurts: The Ethnicity in ‘Marijuana’

By Eva Pechtl In my introductory blog on ‘How Stigma Hurts,’ I reviewed the opium crisis and the stigmatization of opium smoking by Chinese immigrants. I highly recommend reading this to better understand how addiction was viewed differently depending on the communities using drugs, and usually viewed negatively if that person is already seen as … Continue reading How Stigma Hurts: The Ethnicity in ‘Marijuana’

The Unrest in Haiti: Country in Crisis

By Jayla S. Carr Political History Haitis political challenges can be traced back to its revolutionary past. Following independence, the country faced the daunting task of establishing a functional government amid the ruins of colonial rule. The unmountable debt given to the Country of Haiti from its former colonial power, France, coupled with internal power … Continue reading The Unrest in Haiti: Country in Crisis

The Unrecognized Effects of the Opioid Crisis on Native Americans

by Abigail Shumate A Brief History of the Opioid Crisis Beginning in the late 20th century, opioid prescription rates skyrocketed in shocking numbers, and in just over ten years, opioid sales quadrupled. With the introduction of OxyContin into everyday life and medication sales, an opioid that was falsely advertised as non-addictive, as well as pill … Continue reading The Unrecognized Effects of the Opioid Crisis on Native Americans

Factors Affecting Poverty in Alabama

by Jordan Price One day, in the cafeteria of my small-town Alabama high school, my friend asked if I could sneak some extra snacks from the cafeteria as I went through the line, “Anything that I can put in my backpack for later.” I wondered why her question was asked so defeatedly but brushed it … Continue reading Factors Affecting Poverty in Alabama