Opinions
Bangladesh’s Second Independence
Student protestors in Bangladesh have overthrown Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a result of the reinstatement of an unjust quota system. The nation now must take positive steps towards a true democracy.
The Value of Education is Plummeting
It’s time for a reset on how students have unintentionally forgotten the original intent of the educational system, which has caused them to miss out on the real value behind learning.
Take Student Government Elections Seriously
By Joanne Hwang
It’s time for students at Stuyvesant to take government elections seriously and prioritize policy and candidates who demonstrate real dedication in order to successfully foster a school community and effectively prepare students for the future.
Unlucky Numbers
By Mace Elinson
Dive into manipulative tactics corporations employ in order to increase participation in an unwinnable game.
Race To The Top: Exploiting Stories and Statistics
By Annie Li, Myles Vuong, Yuna Lee
As the world is engulfed in conflict and crisis, we must stop exploiting real-world situations for our gain, whether it's through Speech and Debate or through our lives.
A Facade of Empowerment
In a world where digitization of the body positivity movement diminishes the value of personality over physicality, a neutral approach to self-worth is key.
Protect Our Community Green Spaces
Urban green spaces are critically underlooked in New York City, but their potential benefits are too great to ignore.
From Club Supermarket to Club Co-op
At the Bronx High School of Science, there’s only one book club. Could Stuyvesant benefit from being less ambitious?
Confronting the Stigma
By Anonymous
Stigmatization and misconceptions of antidepressants have considerably undermined their possible benefits.
Add More <F> Express Trains
By Muhib Muhib
<F> Express service has been a novel rarity since 2019, but it can and should be expanded now.
The American Political Middle Ground DOES Exist
By Eli Smith
The hyperpolarized American political and social landscapes perpetuated by media organizations and politicians do not reflect the true beliefs of Americans. We need to form connections with one another and move past our disagreements to reach political resolutions.
Coquette Disease
By Angelina Lu
With the rise of social media and life’s aesthetics, the harmful effects of these trends highlight the need for change
Feels Like Home
By Maisha Thakur, Yelena Agadzhanova
As those who have unknowingly experienced disconnect from our cultures for so long, we’ve grown to believe in the importance of remaining in touch with our roots in any way possible.
The School System Makes Me Think I Fell Out of a Coconut Tree
Dear Stuyvesant High School, show us how we exist in the context of all in which we live and what came before us!
The Threat of Super PACs to Democracy
Super PACs give wealthy individuals and institutions an outsized impact in elections and should have limits placed by our democracy.
Road to 2024: Reflecting on This Past Summer
With the immense political turmoil that has taken place over this past summer, we asked Opinions writers to reflect on their thoughts and emotions.
Brat, Coconuts, and the Kamalanomenon: The Power of the Youth Vote
By Annie Li
A discussion of Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, a shift away from “lesser-of-two-evils” voting, and the critical power of the youth vote.
Big Pharma, Big Oil, Now There’s Big Chicken: The Monopoly of the Poultry Industry
Although city consumers like us are far removed from the chicken industry, we must still address the monopolistic greed and exploitation of American farmers.
The Double Standard At The Heart of Anti-Zionism
While the boundaries of hate speech when it comes to most minority groups are clear, treatment of Jews is an unfortunate double standard.
The Failure of American Oil Sanctions
The United States’s indiscriminate use of harsh oil sanctions has undermined their effectiveness as a tool to achieve foreign policy objectives.
Study Drugs and the Danger of Fabricated Truths
We should pay more attention to the normalization of study drugs based on preconceived notions about prescription stimulants.
America Needs Better Comprehensive Sexual Education
By Joanne Hwang
The implementation of comprehensive sexual education is essential for ensuring the health and empowerment of the youth in a politically fragile environment.
Moments of Stillness: Reflections on the Eclipse and Urban Connection
The eclipse facilitated a profound moment of mutual connection for New Yorkers. Can we find this unity elsewhere?
How to Celebrate Passover During a War
Honoring Passover, Eid, and other holidays, whether through the lens of hope or grief, is especially vital to this moment in time.
Dear America, Stop Overreacting!
America has a history of overreacting in times of crisis, leading to illogical and discriminatory measures.
The Road to November 2024
By Amaryllis Sun, Helen Mancini
Many of the current Stuyvesant seniors and some juniors will be eligible to vote in the 60th presidential election on November 5, 2024. In the midst of college applications and the hectic life of a Stuyvesant student, it can be difficult to keep up with the tumultuous American political landscape. To address this, The Spectator is starting a new election literacy project. As this historic election unfolds, the Opinions Department will publish polls, facts about the candidates, key swing state updates, and other content throughout the election season.
The Dilemma Between Testing Dates and Religious Holidays
By Nabiha Islam
For the past couple of years, the New York State Exams have been administered during Eid following Stuyvesant not providing a “No Testing Day” the day after a religious holiday.
Shining a Light On Migraines in School
Stuyvesant needs to take care of its lights to take care of its students.
Anonymity Examined: The Opinions Department’s Reflections
In light of discussions concerning the “Black and White” Opinions article, the New York Post response, and questions raised by the Stuyvesant community surrounding the necessity of anonymous writers, the Opinions Department asked its writers—the core of The Spectator’s argumentative works—to share their thoughts.
New York’s Sidewalk Scaffolding: A Tale of Urban Intrusion
Scaffolding is a scourge on the streets of New York City, and the problem can only be fixed by holding building owners accountable.
Get in the Kitchen!
Stuyvesant students are very academically intelligent, but out of the classroom and in the home, they are left to their own devices without a formal education in domestic living, causing a gap in their knowledge of basic tasks.
Reimagining Writing at Stuyvesant
By Joanne Hwang
Students should advocate for a departure from traditional English education and an entrance into diverse literary genres and creative writing assignments in order to foster innovation, creativity, and personal growth within the school community.
Phones Are Not the Enemy
By Ushoshi Das
It is impractical to place an outright ban on student-owned smartphones in high schools.
Big Pharma, Big Oil, Now There’s Big Chicken: The Monopoly of the Poultry Industry
Although city consumers like us are far removed from the chicken industry, we must still address the monopolistic greed and exploitation of American farmers.
Take Student Government Elections Seriously
By Joanne Hwang
It’s time for students at Stuyvesant to take government elections seriously and prioritize policy and candidates who demonstrate real dedication in order to successfully foster a school community and effectively prepare students for the future.
Unlucky Numbers
By Mace Elinson
Dive into manipulative tactics corporations employ in order to increase participation in an unwinnable game.
Race To The Top: Exploiting Stories and Statistics
By Annie Li, Myles Vuong, Yuna Lee
As the world is engulfed in conflict and crisis, we must stop exploiting real-world situations for our gain, whether it's through Speech and Debate or through our lives.
The Double Standard At The Heart of Anti-Zionism
While the boundaries of hate speech when it comes to most minority groups are clear, treatment of Jews is an unfortunate double standard.
A Facade of Empowerment
In a world where digitization of the body positivity movement diminishes the value of personality over physicality, a neutral approach to self-worth is key.
The Failure of American Oil Sanctions
The United States’s indiscriminate use of harsh oil sanctions has undermined their effectiveness as a tool to achieve foreign policy objectives.
Protect Our Community Green Spaces
Urban green spaces are critically underlooked in New York City, but their potential benefits are too great to ignore.
From Club Supermarket to Club Co-op
At the Bronx High School of Science, there’s only one book club. Could Stuyvesant benefit from being less ambitious?
Confronting the Stigma
By Anonymous
Stigmatization and misconceptions of antidepressants have considerably undermined their possible benefits.
Add More <F> Express Trains
By Muhib Muhib
<F> Express service has been a novel rarity since 2019, but it can and should be expanded now.
Study Drugs and the Danger of Fabricated Truths
We should pay more attention to the normalization of study drugs based on preconceived notions about prescription stimulants.
The American Political Middle Ground DOES Exist
By Eli Smith
The hyperpolarized American political and social landscapes perpetuated by media organizations and politicians do not reflect the true beliefs of Americans. We need to form connections with one another and move past our disagreements to reach political resolutions.
Coquette Disease
By Angelina Lu
With the rise of social media and life’s aesthetics, the harmful effects of these trends highlight the need for change
All Eyes on Rafah
A Tiktok influencer’s insensitive choice of audio regarding the Met Gala set alight a block movement. In order to force acknowledgement and support in Gaza, users have been blocking celebrities who’ve chosen to stay silent on the humanitarian issue.
Bring Back the Paper SAT
By Ushoshi Das
Switching to the digital SAT was the wrong move for the the College Board.
America Needs Better Comprehensive Sexual Education
By Joanne Hwang
The implementation of comprehensive sexual education is essential for ensuring the health and empowerment of the youth in a politically fragile environment.
Moments of Stillness: Reflections on the Eclipse and Urban Connection
The eclipse facilitated a profound moment of mutual connection for New Yorkers. Can we find this unity elsewhere?
How to Celebrate Passover During a War
Honoring Passover, Eid, and other holidays, whether through the lens of hope or grief, is especially vital to this moment in time.
Dear America, Stop Overreacting!
America has a history of overreacting in times of crisis, leading to illogical and discriminatory measures.
Tact, Trickery, and Textiquette
By Virgenya Zhu
The newfound expectation for constant digital availability from our peers is not as productive as it seems.
The Road to November 2024
By Amaryllis Sun, Helen Mancini
Many of the current Stuyvesant seniors and some juniors will be eligible to vote in the 60th presidential election on November 5, 2024. In the midst of college applications and the hectic life of a Stuyvesant student, it can be difficult to keep up with the tumultuous American political landscape. To address this, The Spectator is starting a new election literacy project. As this historic election unfolds, the Opinions Department will publish polls, facts about the candidates, key swing state updates, and other content throughout the election season.
The Dilemma Between Testing Dates and Religious Holidays
By Nabiha Islam
For the past couple of years, the New York State Exams have been administered during Eid following Stuyvesant not providing a “No Testing Day” the day after a religious holiday.
Anonymity Examined: The Opinions Department’s Reflections
In light of discussions concerning the “Black and White” Opinions article, the New York Post response, and questions raised by the Stuyvesant community surrounding the necessity of anonymous writers, the Opinions Department asked its writers—the core of The Spectator’s argumentative works—to share their thoughts.
New York’s Sidewalk Scaffolding: A Tale of Urban Intrusion
Scaffolding is a scourge on the streets of New York City, and the problem can only be fixed by holding building owners accountable.
Shining a Light On Migraines in School
Stuyvesant needs to take care of its lights to take care of its students.
Get in the Kitchen!
Stuyvesant students are very academically intelligent, but out of the classroom and in the home, they are left to their own devices without a formal education in domestic living, causing a gap in their knowledge of basic tasks.
Reimagining Writing at Stuyvesant
By Joanne Hwang
Students should advocate for a departure from traditional English education and an entrance into diverse literary genres and creative writing assignments in order to foster innovation, creativity, and personal growth within the school community.
Feels Like Home
By Maisha Thakur, Yelena Agadzhanova
As those who have unknowingly experienced disconnect from our cultures for so long, we’ve grown to believe in the importance of remaining in touch with our roots in any way possible.
Bangladesh’s Second Independence
Student protestors in Bangladesh have overthrown Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a result of the reinstatement of an unjust quota system. The nation now must take positive steps towards a true democracy.
The Value of Education is Plummeting
It’s time for a reset on how students have unintentionally forgotten the original intent of the educational system, which has caused them to miss out on the real value behind learning.
The School System Makes Me Think I Fell Out of a Coconut Tree
Dear Stuyvesant High School, show us how we exist in the context of all in which we live and what came before us!
The Threat of Super PACs to Democracy
Super PACs give wealthy individuals and institutions an outsized impact in elections and should have limits placed by our democracy.