It’s May, and my internal clock  is counting down the seconds until summer. Though I know I’m unlikely to realize my dreams of lying on the beach all day, every day, I’m definitely...

A few weeks ago, as I was browsing through the racks of a secondhand clothing store, I noticed that among the typical sections in women’s clothing — sweaters, T-shirts, dresses — there...

I’ve been extremely fortunate to find two incredible internships for myself this year. During an exit interview last semester, I thanked my supervisor for the opportunity, and she explained that...

Last week, Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew announced that ex-slave and abolitionist Harriet Tubman will replace President Andrew Jackson as the face of the $20 bill. Jackson, however, will not be removed...

It seems spring might finally have arrived in Minnesota. I woke up this morning to the sound of birds chirping, and I’ve traded in my boots for sandals. As many of us are emerging from our winter...

Last week, I spent the last hour of one of my classes doing a “peer review workshop.” Weirdly, I love reviewing other people’s work, so theoretically, I should love peer review workshops....

Last week, I visited the Minnesota Historical Society for the first time, during the launch of a literary anthology of essays composed by 16 Minnesotan writers. Five of these writers read selections from...

Between now and 2022, at least one person among my four cousins and I will be graduating from college or high school every year. We shared this discovery with our parents, who looked at us, eyes twinkling,...

Last Wednesday Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced that his office will not bring charges against police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze — the men responsible for the death...

I recently spent some time visiting my relatives. Although they’re technically my aunt and uncle, they see themselves as my honorary grandparents, and they do actually have grandchildren who are...

Last week, when I went to buy groceries, I saw the first Minnesota-grown tomatoes of the season. Their appearance — along with the sun shining on me as I walked home — reminded me that it will...

In case you missed it between all the various primaries, caucuses and debates, a jury just awarded Hulk Hogan $115 million in a lawsuit regarding a sex tape published by Gawker. Florida law allows juries...

I’ve figured out my employment status for next year, which is super exciting for a soon-to-be graduate. Starting in September, I’ll be working as a full-time fellow with a prominent service...

We’ve all had a teacher we didn’t like. For me, the one who never managed to pronounce my name correctly comes to mind. But even worse were the teachers who didn’t seem to enjoy their...

I used to be chief of the grammar police. I inherited the title from my grandma, an English major, who passed it through my lawyer mother onto me.     I grew up with people who drilled the difference...

On Feb. 19, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled against Kesha in a case that reveals much about our culture’s attitudes toward sexual assault.      In 2014, Kesha filed a complaint...

Last week, I made a new friend. We had just become “Facebook official” when we noticed the two of us shared a single mutual friend.     “How do two you know each other?”...

Last week, one of my professors made the profound statement, “Diversity is not about representation. Diversity is about power.” The simplicity and truth of her remark struck me.     Often...

With the Minnesota caucus approaching (it’s on March 1, so go out and get involved), many of my friends have taken up canvassing for their favorite candidates. Others have adamantly refused...

I  have a love-hate relationship with technology. Right now, I’m patiently waiting for my iPhone to die so I can return to a flip phone. While I wait, however, I’m fully enjoying my mobile...

I am known in my family for being fairly outspoken about my opinions, especially those regarding gender inequalities. Over the past year, I’ve gotten quite a few calls from my relatives excitedly...

Last week in my biology lab — the last liberal education requirement standing between me and my diploma — I was part of what ended up being a fascinating interaction between two lab groups.      My...

As many as 100,000 individuals are held in solitary confinement in United States federal, state and local jurisdictions.     Solitary confinement is a punishment so egregious that the United...

As a musician, last Tuesday was one of the most exciting days I’ve experienced in a while. I began my morning with a private lesson during which my teacher helped me practice a piece of music written...

This past weekend, the very first vegan butcher shop in the country opened in Minneapolis. The shop will offer vegan alternatives to meat and cheese. I’m thrilled to hear the news.     I...

Last Thursday, the Guerilla Girls launched their “Twin Cities Takeover” with events at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Walker Art Museum and Minneapolis Institute of Art.     The...

Among my circle of close friends, I think I could count on one hand those who consider themselves practitioners of one faith or another. It’s common in our generation to identify as nonreligious.      More...

Coming back to school this semester was hard for me. I just got home from visiting a friend on the tropical island of Oahu, and the wind over the Washington Avenue Bridge this morning felt especially brutal.      However,...

I know of very few people these days who do not have their lives concentrated into a small screen they can carry around in their pockets.     However, I recently had a conversation with a friend...

Over the past few weeks, I have heard an unfortunate number of conversations that showcase passive, white Minnesotan liberalism at its finest. These have focused on the recent police shooting of Jamar...

In the academic world as we know it today, we rarely come across novels in classes that are not based in the study of literature. Though I’ve taken numerous writing-intensive classes, I didn’t...

Yesterday, I heard a coworker in my office remark, “Snow, December — and just like that, the holiday season is here.” He’s not wrong. On my daily commute, I pass trees covered in...

Last April, I received an email from the National Name Exchange, a program that aims to inform minority students of graduate school opportunities. I had a brief flashback to my junior year of high school...

Last month, the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board voted to add the most-accepted modern spelling of Lake Calhoun’s original name, Bda Maka Ska, to the lake’s signage.    Efforts...

Since the release of highly-edited videos appearing to depict Planned Parenthood representatives participating in the illegal sale of fetal tissue, there has been uproar about the organization. A campaign...

I first stepped into a tattoo and piercing parlor at age 16. My mom accompanied me, as did a mix of apprehension and excitement about the needle that would be making a small hole in my left nostril. Since...

In 1990, New York City Teacher of the Year Award recipient John Taylor Gatto said in his acceptance speech, “The truth is that schools don’t really teach anything except how to obey orders.”    In...

More than 100,000 people from more than 30 countries congregated in New York City last week to experience the spring collections of about 250 fashion designers at the semi-annual New York Fashion Week....

By the third week of term, University of Minnesota students are beginning to settle into their new classes, walking patterns and, for many people, new living spaces. The annual campus poster sale took...

Friday marked 14 years since two hijacked planes crashed into New York City’s World Trade Center, a tragedy whose effects shook the world.   I was seven years old on Sept. 11, 2001, and...

This year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together ended on Monday, leaving almost 1.8 million people across the state with lighter wallets, heavier stomachs and an already-brewing anticipation for next...