In light of recent events such as the Charlottesville protests, the now 72-year-old tolerance paradox is once again relevant. The concept of the tolerance paradox is that, should a tolerant society tolerate intolerance, the tolerant society will inevitably be destroyed and replaced by an intolerant one. Putting aside, for the moment, the historical fact that […]
It may come as a surprise, but I actually love flying. I love everything about it. I love the bureaucratic hassle of security and the sterility of airports. Above all, however, I love watching the great American empire fly by thousands of feet below me. As someone from California with family in Connecticut, there’s a […]
I don’t know if I’m the only person who feels this, but I’m a little bit exhausted of hearing about Donald Trump. It’s not even so much that I’m tired of Trump himself. Rather, I’m sick of seeing his presence everywhere on TV and the internet. Every late night comedian seems to have their own […]
Welcome back, Wheatonites! I hope that everyone enjoyed their summer vacation and is ready to start the 2017-2018 academic year with renewed energy. As the current opinions editor, I would like to open the Wire with a few remarks about the opinions section this year. I am declaring a war against intellectual uniformity at Wheaton. […]
One of the largest displays of white supremacy and general bigotry in the 21st century was exhibited in Charlottesville, Virginia, six weeks ago. Members of various white supremacist groups under the umbrella term “alt-right” gathered to protest the removal of a statue of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee after this was voted upon by […]
In recent years, American journalists have increasingly publicized Russian efforts to influence public opinion online through targeted disinformation campaigns and hacking attempts. However, these kinds of state-sanctioned programs are not new, nor are they the sole province of former KGB agents. Over the course of the Cold War, both the Soviet Union and the nations […]
Looking back at my time in high school, one student in a sea of over 2,000, I can say with confidence that it was nothing like college. The whole point of high school, I argue, is to teach young people how to follow rules and schedules which are handed to them. An itinerary they have […]
“America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!” Since the dawn of time, migration has been a part of humanity; we conquer, discover or quite simply survive. Regardless of where we’re from, we are products of migration – from across the world, an ocean […]
On Jan. 24, President Trump signed executive orders directing the Army Corps of Engineers to “review and approve in an expedited manner” the further construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Dakota Access Pipeline has become increasingly controversial over the last couple months. One of the four states in which the DAPL goes through is […]
Like Jesus or Wonder Bread, marriage – and more specifically, marriage characterized by cozy, picket-fence domesticity – is deeply woven into American life and consciousness. Few traditions are as discussed and disputed; few are so loathed and loved. While marriage retains its significance, if symbolically, among Americans today, the institution itself is evolving, and rapid […]