As I begin writing, I have just learned that Louisville has again suffered another mass shooting at Chickasaw Park, leaving 4 injured and 2 dead. I would be remiss if I did not state how difficult it is to find new words. At times, we must feel like broken records with repeated calls over the years to institute this or that ameliorative policy, sparing no … Continue reading Gun Violence in America Reveals Something Deeper
In 1984, a story was published about how a truck transporting hazardous material lost some of its cargo when it swerved to narrowly avoid a visually impaired man. This hazardous material caused irreversible genetic mutations when it came into contact with domesticated animals that had escaped from a bystander during the accident. Luckily, this is the fictitious origin story of the beloved action hero franchise … Continue reading …Well, What About the Waste? Sustainable Long-Term Solutions to Nuclear Waste Disposal
When Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine on Friday February 24th, 2022, I was an intern at the Kentucky State Senate. I could not wait to get to work the week after to ask the senator I worked for his opinion about the historic situation unfolding in eastern Europe. Little did I know, his answer was one I would never forget. I asked him, “What … Continue reading Strategic Neutrality: An Alternative to American Foreign Policy in Ukraine
Last weekend, pictures of Pope Francis dressed in a long, white puffer jacket began circulating the internet. In awe of the Pope’s sudden sense of fashion, I began sending the photo to my friends and family without giving much thought to its legitimacy. Given that it’s now spring and probably not cold enough in Rome to require a full-body puffer jacket, I probably should’ve examined … Continue reading Artificial Intelligence May Be Able to Pimp the Pope, but What Else Can It Do?
In 1863, the transcontinental railroad broke ground. This transformational piece of infrastructure allowed the United States to flourish industrially and become the economic powerhouse we recognize today. Since the 1860s, rail technology has grown exponentially faster and more efficient, meaning that trains can transport far more cargo. Today, most railcars carry around 100 cars of cargo, mostly coal, lumber, or other raw industrial materials. But … Continue reading Derailed Politics: the Partisan Response to the East Palestine Disaster
Hilaria Cruz, Assistant Professor of Linguistics at the University of Louisville Like recipes that are cherished and handed down through generations, languages require care if they are to exist in the future. Mother tongues are repositories of invaluable wisdom, creativity, and beauty, and they enable us to communicate and share with family, friends, and neighbors. Language is vital to our survival and links us to … Continue reading Dwindling Voices: Endangered Languages in Our Communities and Around the World
In the heart of central Africa lies the Democratic Republic of Congo, the second-largest country in the African continent and the eleventh-largest in the world by land area at 2,344,858 area per square mile. The DRC is a country that has been plagued with political and economic instability due to European and American imperialism. But how did Congo arrive at its current form of political … Continue reading How Imperialism Stole the Future of the Democratic Republic of Congo
It is often the case that when the average American is asked about Thurgood Marshall, the only thing that comes to mind is “the first Black Supreme Court Justice”. However, the story of Marshall’s upbringing and thrilling legal career is a deeper and more meaningful account. His life leaves a long legacy of excellence and a never-ending battle for civil rights. Born July 2nd, 1908, … Continue reading The Incredible Life of America’s First Black Supreme Court Justice
Introduction Ralph Bunche was a man of many firsts. The first Black valedictorian at UCLA. The first Black American to earn a Ph.D. in political science. And the first Black recipient of the Nobel Prize. While impressive, the accolades of the man known as the “Father of Peacekeeping” pale in comparison to the impact he had on the world. As an architect of the United … Continue reading The Life & Legacy of Ralph Bunche
Decades before desegregation and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Black Americans struggled to travel throughout the nation with ease, safety, and comfort. However, due to pervasive racism in the form of Jim Crow laws, segregationist policies, informal community traditions, and prejudiced individuals, the threat of physical danger and harassment constantly loomed for traveling Black Americans. The Negro Motorist Green Book, first … Continue reading The Green Book: How Traveling Black Americans Navigated Jim Crow
loupolitical.org 