Dialogue
“Barbie”: The Politics of a Plastic World
The task of bringing Barbie to the big screen was hardly a simple one. The film went through various iterations and spent over a decade in development before it could make its way to cinemas. And while it isn't a film I was particularly looking forward to seeing myself, it's one I'm still glad that I got to see all the same.
By Ben Ulansey8 months ago in Critique
Afghan Refugees
The uptick in Afghan refugees is not new; it has happened in the past as well. The Pakistani government has called for all undocumented migrants to leave the country by November 1, or they will face deportation. This decision will significantly impact the 1.7 million Afghan refugees who live in the country without documentation. However, the question that looms is why Pakistan is sending Afghans back to their home. Is Pakistan as cruel as other countries that have expelled undocumented migrants, or is there another reason compelling Pakistan to take these necessary steps?
By Madiha Masood8 months ago in Critique
HAMAS: Gaza's voice
The land, once known as the Qila of three world religions, has turned into a battleground that has been burning for over a century. It was held by the powerful Muslim empire, the Ottomans, but was brutally taken by foreign forces in the aftermath of World War I. In collusion with the victorious Allied forces of World War, a brutal state was established within Palestine, under the label of Zionist, which resulted in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians. This displacement gave rise to defense movements, such as the PLO, a party that raises its voice for the people of Palestine, who were expelled from their own homeland. Even though these Palestinians didn't need to be kicked out and could coexist, as all three religions lived in Jerusalem, what we've witnessed is that brutality begets more brutality. The Holocaust led to the creation of the most brutal movements, including Islamic ones like Hamas and Fatah, further intensifying destruction on both ends. This piece will highlight the creation of these groups, which are called terrorists by many nations. If Hamas is considered a terrorist group, then so is the Zionist movement.
By Madiha Masood8 months ago in Critique
Gen Z: The Digital Age
Once, the electrify of your brain and opening the window to the other world are losing its grip, as our youth have become more time-dependent on social media, especially visuals, to the extent that they've lost the blessing of imagination. Reading novels and articles was a mere habit for the previous generation, but this generation has lost touch with it. They don't even bother to read captions if they're longer than two sentences. As for reading a book, it's completely out of the question, perhaps considered a waste of time. In this piece, we will discuss what they are giving up on due to this mindless social media scrolling.
By Madiha Masood8 months ago in Critique
Accountability
Accountability The conversation between men and women has shed light on many issues. It still gets out of hand quickly. The main issue I’ve observed has been that when it comes to accountability, the blame gets placed on one party and one party alone- Which is funny because most of these conversations have both sides admitting that accountability is needed. So, who takes accountability? And when do you take accountability?
By Dylan-Quinn Harris9 months ago in Critique
The claim that there is a growing presence of fascism in the United States.
It's been nearly a year, or perhaps exactly one year, or maybe just a bit over a year—I'm writing this in December. Let's just say it's been approximately a year since the strangest day in recent American history. During this time, things haven't been particularly pleasant. The far-right appears to be growing in power and influence under the Biden administration, and in this episode, we will delve deeper into this issue because it poses a concerning omen for the future of American politics. Let's begin.
By Daud Mahmood9 months ago in Critique
The Male-Female Dynamic
In a world where TV shows often portray the normalcy of boys and girls forming deep friendships, questions arise about the true nature of these relationships. Some view them skeptically, fearing they may evolve into something more than just friendship, perhaps akin to 'friends with benefits.' Throughout our lives, we've been taught that men and women have distinct responsibilities and roles, an idea deeply ingrained in society. However, this perspective becomes confining when men insist that a girl can be their best friend and that this friendship can be as pure as that between two female friends. In my piece, I aim to explore the nuanced dynamics between men and women, a topic I will delve into in detail. Recently, I've come across evidence that sheds light on how destructive such male-female friendships can be. I know someone who had to bear the consequences of considering a man his best friend, only to discover that the man viewed her as a romantic interest while pretending to be just a friend. This experience has led me to question whether true platonic friendship is achievable between the sexes.
By Madiha Masood9 months ago in Critique