By: Rihan Issa, Executive Articles Editor, Vol. 27 Government surveillance is inevitable in our current reality. So present, it seems it is a fact of life rather than a direct invasion into the lives of marginalized communities. Government surveillance obstructs marginalized communities’ growth and transformation into healthy, safe, and vibrant communities. Surveillance has been used […]

By: Kathy Jara, Associate Editor, Vol. 27 There are many arbitrary areas of immigration law that showcase deep-seated racist and xenophobic attitudes of the U.S. justice system. In particular, refugee law has been very difficult for refugees and asylees[i] to navigate. These individuals are, more often than not, individuals of color and members of other […]

By. Elisa Teeter, Associate Editor, Vol. 27 The USDA defines “food deserts” as areas that meet both low-income and low-access criteria based on census data.[i] To meet the low-income criteria, either 1) the poverty rate must be greater than or equal to 20% or 2) the median family income in the area does not exceed […]

By: Shelly Feldman, Associate Editor, Vol. 27 One of the most pressing global challenges is human trafficking. Human trafficking is defined as “a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults and children by compelling them to perform labor or commercial sex.”[i] Former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo described human trafficking as […]

By Alexis Franks Associate Editor, Vol. 27 When Brian Laundrie pulled his white van into his family’s driveway on September 1st, 2021, friends and family all began asking the same question: where was Gabby? Brian and his fiancé, Gabby Petitio, had set out on a cross-country road trip one month before Brian’s unexpected return.[1] Their […]

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November is Native American Heritage Month (also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month). In honor of this American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, I will be writing about an issue affecting Native communities across the country: the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP). This is a crisis “centuries in the making that will take a focused effort and time” to unravel. Recent legislation and policy initiatives to address the crisis mark a turning point in terms of the government’s priority in tackling the crisis.

By Clara ButlerAssociate Editor, Vol. 26             After a national tragedy, within the thoughts and prayers usually offered to the affected community is a deep thread of pro-carceral sentiment. This response to instances of hate crimes and “domestic terrorism” is increasingly concerning, especially as most of the response comes from people who identify as liberal. […]