Bluegrass, the slick younger cousin of string band, old-time, and a myriad of other musical influences, emerged just eighty years ago, and its reach is ever-expanding. As the genre’s audiences begin to approximate the diversity of the national identity to which it is so intimately tied, the political and cultural fractures that shape American life appear among its listeners.
The task before the new UC leadership is no small one, but they are uniquely positioned to address the issues posed by distance and diversity and may end their term with more student support than what they started with.
Harvard did not consult students before or after rolling out its first change to grading: extending the pass-fail deadline. For our grading policy to prioritize student well-being and educational equity, Harvard needs to initiate communication with students, not work around them until complaints are received.
There is evidence to suggest that lasers could revolutionize protesting around the world, but the final decision to use a laser or not is fundamentally a personal choice all protesters need to consider.
Singapore's commitment to “engagement” with its civil society will be tested with time. The litmus test of this brand of consultative politics is its willingness to accept dissenting opinions and policy suggestions that sit uncomfortably with the status quo, and to dispel any lingering worries that these critical perspectives might result in reprisals.
The sustainable and equitable future of tourism must focus on personalized experiences that work in conjunction with local communities. Only by doing so can the problems associated with mass tourism be alleviated.
In a world of growing pessimism and tribalism, where the unknown is feared and the foreign is treated with skepticism, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a laboratory of diversity.
It will take a tremendous but necessary effort in order to create a society that is more equitable for all of its participants. Until then, free expression will continue to be a right that is granted only to a select few.
The long history of Cuban-American cultural interaction suggests that the two cultures have embarked on a productive cultural exchange despite the political obstacles. Under a receptive U.S. administration, both nations can use this pre-existing cultural interchange to improve diplomatic relations.
