Opinions
The Polling is Wrong
By Muhib Muhib
Recent polling shows bad news for Democrats in 2024, but raw election results and other fundamental events show something different. It appears the latter is right.
Shining a Light On Migraines in School
Stuyvesant needs to take care of its lights to take care of its students.
Chinatown is NOT for Sale!
By Anonymous
As the new jail in Chinatown begins construction, residents fear what the building could mean for the neighborhood's future.
The Road to November 2024
President Biden’s State of the Union Address in early March addressed many of the major problems the United States currently faces involving our Congress, involvement in international affairs, reproductive rights, and more. Politicians will be forced to address these issues not only in the midst of the presidential election, but also within the upcoming years as city and state elections will inevitably occur.
Loving Latin
By Myles Vuong
The Latin language is oftentimes relegated to elite scholars and antiquated religious clergy, yet we should appreciate its timeless texts and the experiences that come from the class.
The Long-Needed Embracing of Islam in the West
Explaining the positive change in mentality when it comes to Islam in the Western world.
El Salvador’s Drastic Crime Rate Reduction: At What Cost?
By Nabiha Islam
Although El Salvador’s new president aims to crack down on gang violence, it is important to consider the costs of mass incarceration.
Are Fairytales PG-13?
By Elma Khan
Fairy tales have much darker underlying themes than they appear to have and should be taught to students much more carefully, in a way that acknowledges their problematic aspects.
Letter to the Editor
By Abel Bellows
Letter to the Editor in response to “Black and White: The Withheld History of Palestine and Israel” by Anonymous.
The Road to November 2024
Most 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.
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor in response to “Black and White: The Withheld History of Palestine and Israel” by Anonymous.
Subway Surfing: A Dangerous Phenomenon
By Joanne Hwang
Subway surfing isn’t just a risky trend—it’s a reflection of the struggles of today’s youth manifesting in dangerous actions, a call for change in the mental health field, public transportation, and a lesson in the way society handles teen-related issues in New York City.
The Ivies are Losing Their Edge, But We May Have Another Option
For high school students in New York, it may be time to stop fixating on the Ivy League and start researching to look at other options.
Letter to the Editor
By Seth Fenton
Letter to the Editor in response to “Black and White: The Withheld History of Palestine and Israel”
The 2024 Election Is A War of Attrition
Both voters and the candidates are taking extreme, and often illogical, measures to garner support. The actions ultimately reduce the election to a mere competition rather than a collective effort to select a candidate who will best utilize their position to improve the state of the country.
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.
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.
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.
Boycotts and Strikes: A Misguided American Mess
As uninformed and untargeted boycotts and strikes continue to arise across the nation to advocate for ceasefires or to pressure Israel, it's important to take a step back and realize that they’re not accomplishing the intended goal.
French Fries for Happier Children
By Ushoshi Das
The recent city budget cuts have unnecessarily affected public school meals.
Peace is Possible
In a time when those in power benefit from Jewish and Muslim division, the biggest act of resistance is to understand that Jews and Muslims, religiously, fundamentally, historically, and currently, are ready for coexistence and peace.
Night Court—Navigating the Ethics of Watching Others Hurt
By Alexa Leahy
In night court, even though the person watching on the wooden pew gets to observe the trial as if watching a show, there lies a real person on the other side of the barrier whose real life could be breaking down.
Addressing Our City’s Crisis for Migrants
The ongoing migrant crisis in New York City has been frequently observed, complained, and written about for the past couple months. For these reasons, the Opinions Department compiled a spread of Opinions writers' takes on various questions to gain a glimpse into the Stuyvesant perspective.
The “Pay-to-Win” Justice System
In the capitalist society that we live in, being wealthy gives defendants an advantage in getting away with crimes.
Reflections on the Irish Hunger Memorial
This piece was written in response to an extra credit assignment assigned by history teacher Mr. Hanna. The assignment asked students to visit the Irish Hunger Memorial in the Battery Park City neighborhood of Manhattan and to write a reflection on how it made them feel.
We Need Snow Days!
As snow becomes a rare occasion, making and treasuring memories from snow days becomes more and more valuable.
Bun Cha Obama: Authenticity in Food
By Myles Vuong
In a world where “authentic food” is overused and influential, it is time to change how we approach cultural foods.
On Being Multicultural
Being multiracial has expanded my perspective in so many ways, though many people who don’t understand it can be detrimental influences. Still, one has to pave their own way.
The Merits of a Merit-Based System
The current college admissions system is inequitable and robs high schoolers of their childhood: a merit-based system is the solution.
Why Do Movie Moms Keep Dying?!
How can women envision their future when our media is obsessed with killing moms?
Are Our Parents Right?
The streaming business is oversaturated with too many shows that prioritize media buzz over content, leading to a decrease in the quality of television.
Letter to the Editor
By Melody Huang
A letter to the editor in response to “Revisiting the Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” by Sofia Sen.
Why Not Teach Every Student to Read Well.
Reading proficiency in students across the nation and globe is shockingly low, and it’s an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
The Intro Class Dilemma
Stuyvesant should implement exams that allow students to test out of introductory courses.
Privilege In Publishing
By Elma Khan
Publishing industries must create changes to ensure that all authors get equal opportunities to share their literature.
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.
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.
The Polling is Wrong
By Muhib Muhib
Recent polling shows bad news for Democrats in 2024, but raw election results and other fundamental events show something different. It appears the latter is right.
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.
Shining a Light On Migraines in School
Stuyvesant needs to take care of its lights to take care of its students.
Chinatown is NOT for Sale!
By Anonymous
As the new jail in Chinatown begins construction, residents fear what the building could mean for the neighborhood's future.
Boycotts and Strikes: A Misguided American Mess
As uninformed and untargeted boycotts and strikes continue to arise across the nation to advocate for ceasefires or to pressure Israel, it's important to take a step back and realize that they’re not accomplishing the intended goal.
The Road to November 2024
President Biden’s State of the Union Address in early March addressed many of the major problems the United States currently faces involving our Congress, involvement in international affairs, reproductive rights, and more. Politicians will be forced to address these issues not only in the midst of the presidential election, but also within the upcoming years as city and state elections will inevitably occur.
Loving Latin
By Myles Vuong
The Latin language is oftentimes relegated to elite scholars and antiquated religious clergy, yet we should appreciate its timeless texts and the experiences that come from the class.
The Long-Needed Embracing of Islam in the West
Explaining the positive change in mentality when it comes to Islam in the Western world.
El Salvador’s Drastic Crime Rate Reduction: At What Cost?
By Nabiha Islam
Although El Salvador’s new president aims to crack down on gang violence, it is important to consider the costs of mass incarceration.
Are Fairytales PG-13?
By Elma Khan
Fairy tales have much darker underlying themes than they appear to have and should be taught to students much more carefully, in a way that acknowledges their problematic aspects.
French Fries for Happier Children
By Ushoshi Das
The recent city budget cuts have unnecessarily affected public school meals.
Letter to the Editor
By Abel Bellows
Letter to the Editor in response to “Black and White: The Withheld History of Palestine and Israel” by Anonymous.
Peace is Possible
In a time when those in power benefit from Jewish and Muslim division, the biggest act of resistance is to understand that Jews and Muslims, religiously, fundamentally, historically, and currently, are ready for coexistence and peace.
Night Court—Navigating the Ethics of Watching Others Hurt
By Alexa Leahy
In night court, even though the person watching on the wooden pew gets to observe the trial as if watching a show, there lies a real person on the other side of the barrier whose real life could be breaking down.
The Road to November 2024
Most 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.
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor in response to “Black and White: The Withheld History of Palestine and Israel” by Anonymous.
Subway Surfing: A Dangerous Phenomenon
By Joanne Hwang
Subway surfing isn’t just a risky trend—it’s a reflection of the struggles of today’s youth manifesting in dangerous actions, a call for change in the mental health field, public transportation, and a lesson in the way society handles teen-related issues in New York City.
Addressing Our City’s Crisis for Migrants
The ongoing migrant crisis in New York City has been frequently observed, complained, and written about for the past couple months. For these reasons, the Opinions Department compiled a spread of Opinions writers' takes on various questions to gain a glimpse into the Stuyvesant perspective.
The Ivies are Losing Their Edge, But We May Have Another Option
For high school students in New York, it may be time to stop fixating on the Ivy League and start researching to look at other options.
Letter to the Editor
By Seth Fenton
Letter to the Editor in response to “Black and White: The Withheld History of Palestine and Israel”
The 2024 Election Is A War of Attrition
Both voters and the candidates are taking extreme, and often illogical, measures to garner support. The actions ultimately reduce the election to a mere competition rather than a collective effort to select a candidate who will best utilize their position to improve the state of the country.
The “Pay-to-Win” Justice System
In the capitalist society that we live in, being wealthy gives defendants an advantage in getting away with crimes.
Thrift Culture: Threading The Needle
By Virgenya Zhu
A look into the thrifting trend, and what it means to partake in it ethically.
Reflections on the Irish Hunger Memorial
This piece was written in response to an extra credit assignment assigned by history teacher Mr. Hanna. The assignment asked students to visit the Irish Hunger Memorial in the Battery Park City neighborhood of Manhattan and to write a reflection on how it made them feel.
We Need Snow Days!
As snow becomes a rare occasion, making and treasuring memories from snow days becomes more and more valuable.
Bun Cha Obama: Authenticity in Food
By Myles Vuong
In a world where “authentic food” is overused and influential, it is time to change how we approach cultural foods.
On Being Multicultural
Being multiracial has expanded my perspective in so many ways, though many people who don’t understand it can be detrimental influences. Still, one has to pave their own way.
The Merits of a Merit-Based System
The current college admissions system is inequitable and robs high schoolers of their childhood: a merit-based system is the solution.
Why Not Teach Every Student to Read Well.
Reading proficiency in students across the nation and globe is shockingly low, and it’s an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
Why Do Movie Moms Keep Dying?!
How can women envision their future when our media is obsessed with killing moms?
Are Our Parents Right?
The streaming business is oversaturated with too many shows that prioritize media buzz over content, leading to a decrease in the quality of television.
The Intro Class Dilemma
Stuyvesant should implement exams that allow students to test out of introductory courses.
