Columns Archives - The Pitt News

Opinion | It鈥檚 time to say goodbye to closed-note final exams

By Thomas Riley, Opinions Editor • December 2, 2024

Gone are the days of cramming for a two-hour in-person exam and memorizing what I often felt was at least 40% useless information. I believe these days should be gone for everyone.

Opinion | Why can鈥檛 Ariana Grande be a musical theater powerhouse and a pop star?

By Grace Longworth, Contributing Editor • December 2, 2024

Grande completely exceeded my expectations and the expectations of critics. So why have so many corners of the internet continued to tear her performance apart over a week after the film鈥檚 release?

Opinion | 10 things to look forward to in 2025

By Brynn Murawski, Staff Columnist • December 2, 2024

While it鈥檚 important to have a realistic view of our future, it鈥檚 also important to have something to look forward to. Here, I have compiled a list of 10 things to look forward to in 2025 for anyone feeling frightened or just dreading leaving 2024 behind.

Opinion | Democrats should be concerned with shifts in blue strongholds

By Srinidhi Gopalan, Contributing Editor • November 22, 2024

Recent election results in such states have raised eyebrows nationwide, suggesting a deeper shift in voter sentiment rooted in overlooked local issues, demographic changes and evolving political attitudes. Why did so many voters abandon the Democratic Party, and what does this say about the shifting priorities in these communities?

Opinion | The best ways to make the most of the holiday season

By Irene Moran, Senior Staff Columnist • November 19, 2024

From baking treats to ice skating in the cold weather, there is so much to do during the holidays. Whether you鈥檙e celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another holiday, there are so many great things to do to make this time of the year.聽

Opinion | Why Kamala Harris lost the election

By Zion Schenk, Staff Columnist • November 19, 2024

After the results of the election and Donald Trump鈥檚 win, Democrats are scrambling to understand why Kamala Harris lost. Although it鈥檚 difficult to really understand the exact reasons her campaign failed, there are a few answers I believe to have played a major role in her difficult and unfortunate loss.聽

Opinion | How to navigate politics this holiday season

By Tessa Powers, Staff Columnist • November 18, 2024

We Americans have now elected a convicted felon over a woman as the 47th president of the United States 鈥� and just in time for the holiday season.

Opinion | What the election results mean to me

By Grace Harris, Senior Staff Columnist • November 18, 2024

We all felt the impending doom, the fear and most intensely the confusion that this election illuminated. This election brought about a slew of emotions for me and my intersecting identities, and I am not alone in this feeling.

Opinion | Modern non-fiction for people who like to cry

By Julianna Steach, Staff Columnist • November 15, 2024

Given that we can no longer sit in the sun on a park bench reading, but instead are cuddled up in the privacy of our homes, why not read a book that makes you weep? The only person that may bother you is your roommate, and they鈥檝e probably seen you cry before.聽

Opinion | On the death penalty

By Livia LaMarca, Assistant Opinions Editor • November 15, 2024

I am struck by how profoundly fear, anger and hatred distorted my beliefs. That despite everything I valued most, I clung to views rooted in violence and oppression, values I thought I could never hold.