ERASE Racism applauds federal court decision to halt DEI ban—for now
By Kalpana Bhandarkar and Edward Pichardo U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson, a federal judge in Maryland, temporarily blocked the Trump administration last Friday from implementing bans on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at federal agencies and businesses, universities, schools and other organizations that receive funding from the federal government. ERASE Racism applauds this vital decision that […]
Reporting on Native communities: AP reporter talks media representation
By Brooklyn Dottin Long Island has only two remaining Native American reservations—the Shinnecock and Posspatuk—a sharp contrast to the more than dozen tribes that once thrived in the region in the pre-Colonial era. Traditionally, media coverage of Native American communities has been scarce, often misrepresenting or stereotyping them. There are few, if any, Native American […]
Hofstra prof. speaks on fighting deportation amid Trump crackdown
Amid President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration and deportation, fear is now widespread among undocumented immigrant communities across the country. This is particularly true in Nassau County, where County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, has stated the county’s law enforcement would work with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to round up undocumented […]
Religion expert speaks at Hofstra on the rise of Christian nationalism
By Camryn Bowden The rise in Christian nationalism in the United States is not a new phenomenon. Since the creation of the country, there have been people who believe that the United States is destined to be a nation guided by Christian principles. In the present, that manifests in decisions by politicians to push for […]
Seeking post-pandemic healing in the woods
By Scott Brinton A cold wind, as loud as a trumpet, whipped across the summit of Mount Marcy, New York’s highest peak in the Adirondacks, on Aug. 17. I could see only feet in front of me, because the mountain, at 5,344 feet above sea level, was enveloped by clouds. Then a light rain started […]
Hofstra journalism students reflect on DNC reporting experience
By Camryn Bowden Editor’s note: The following is one of two student reports on Hofstra University’s coverage of the recent Democratic National Convention in Chicago. To be a student journalist means taking risks in pursuit of learning the industry. Whether that be covering protests, attending news conferences and briefings, talking with people on the street […]
Letter to the Editor: LIE service roads need cyclist safety upgrades
To the Editor: I’m an avid road bike cyclist. I use the Long Island Expressway service road frequently, but only on weekend mornings. There are no bicycle lanes, except for 100 yards on South Service Road in front of the Ritz Carlton from New Hyde Park Road to the Ritz. There are shoulder areas, but not enough. If Nassau County is unwilling to designate bicycle lanes […]
Community Voice: The underlying structural racism behind L.I.’s affordable housing crisis
By Laura Harding Affordable housing is at a crisis point in New York, and the crisis is even greater on Long Island. Underlying the problem is longstanding structural racism that must be addressed if Long Island is to attract the workforce that it needs for economic success in the 21st century. Needed solutions include responsible development, […]
Community Voices: This MLK Day, commit to equity and justice
By Laura Harding Editor’s note: Harding is president of the nonprofit ERASE Racism, based in Syosset. On Jan. 15, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We do so at a time when we are still battling the very issues Dr. King fought to address. This year’s celebration of Dr. King’s work and legacy comes […]
Guest opinion: To protect our future, let’s make neck guards mandatory for youth hockey
By Brandon Avezov Editor’s note: This is a guest essay from Long Islander Brandon Avezov, who attends Columbia University. His sister, Jennifer, is currently a Hofstra University student. This past October, the tragic death of professional ice hockey player Adam Johnson, resulting from a skate blade laceration, reverberated through the sports community, beckoning a need […]
Islamic Center of Long Island offers perspective on conflict in Gaza, Israel
By Max Green and Fatima Moien Nearly 1,400 Israelis were killed and some 240 were taken hostage in an Oct. 7 surprise attack perpetrated in southern and central Israel by HAMAS, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement). HAMAS is estimated to have fired more than 2,200 rockets on Israel that day. Since […]
Opinion: New York is home, but Israel has my heart
By Megan Naftali My entire life, home has been New York, and family was my mom, uncle and grandparents. That was before I went to Israel for the first time in January of this year. I have family there, but I didn’t meet them until I was 14 years old, and I didn’t truly know […]