Related Blog Posts on Machon Kaplan
Learning to Appreciate the Value of Nonpartisanship Through My Summer Internship
As a Political Science major, whose best friends are Political Science majors, who spends her time watching The West Wing and who finds fascination in the game and strategy of electoral and personal politics, I cannot separate my politics from my identity. My
Reflections on the Urgency of Environmental Justice
In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court released a series of opinions that were deeply disappointing to many in the social justice community. On Monday, the court refused to strike down racial gerrymandering in Texas and sanctioned anti-competitive, domineering
"Politiclueless": Getting Acclimated to D.C. through Machon Kaplan
As passengers abandoned airplane mode, buzzes from CNN or New York Times lit up their phones; updating them of what had or hadn’t transpired domestically and abroad in the nearly five-hour flight between Arizona and DC.
I opened my phone to two Snapchats, a
Just Keep Marching, Even When the News is Disappointing and the Road Ahead is Tough
“Stop lying to women!”
The voices of hundreds of pro-choice advocates rung as I sat at my desk on Tuesday morning, the Supreme Court just outside the window. Each day brings another group of protesters, their voices permeate the glass, sometimes full of glee
The People–Not the Decisions of Our Government–Define America
Last month, I anxiously awaited the Supreme Court’s decision on President Trump’s discriminatory travel ban. I’ve spent the past year in disbelief of the way the leader of our country has spoken about the Muslim community and I continued to hold out hope that
Out of the Woods, Into the City: How Camp Prepared Me For My DC Internship
This is my first summer not at camp. For the last twelve years, I have packed my bags, worn my Tevas and headed up to URJ Camp Newman. This summer, I packed my bags, wore professional-looking flats, and hopped on a plane to Washington D.C. to participate
Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue: The Power of Citizen Review
The proliferation of personal recording devices in recent years has exposed the general public to an appalling phenomenon woven deeply into the fabric of our nation: racially disparate policing.
The deaths of Michael Brown, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile
Strengthening Our Commitment to International Religious Freedom
We are lucky to live in country that was founded on the cornerstones of freedom of speech, expression, and religion. We see the signs of religious freedom every day as we walk down the street and pass a church, a mosque, and a synagogue all on one block
Invisible Realities
When my younger brother was about eleven, he decided he did not believe in God. My mother, being the supportive, inquisitive person that she is said, “Okay, that is fine, but out of curiosity, why don’t you?”
Jacob responded, in the plainest terms, “I cannot
A Mandatory Minimum of Justice: Ending Mass Incarceration
The United States has the world’s largest prison population: 2.2 million Americans are currently serving time in our nation’s over 5,000 jails and prisons. That means that there are fewer college campuses in this country than prison yards. It also means that
