Unpacking Chancellor Block’s Statement on Israel (Again)

Several months ago, the Al-Talib Editorial Board condemned a statement released by the office of Chancellor Gene Block that took a biased stance against bigotry on UCLA’s campus in light of Israel’s violations of international law. The statement was nothing short of tone-deaf, hypocritical, and lacking critical nuance regarding the rise of anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, and…

Exposing the “Middle Man” in the Middle East

In 1953, Iran’s democratically-elected government led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh had been overthrown yet again to restore power to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. The final months of Mosaddegh’s government were nothing short of chaotic. Economic tensions flared as the British embargo tanked public approval and sparked political violence among dissenting…

Let Her Speak

USC just set an alarming precedent in academia.  On April 15, 2024, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew Guzman announced that their class valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, will not be delivering a speech at this year’s upcoming commencement. The administration cites safety concerns stemming from ongoing political tensions amid months of atrocities and…

Harassment of Pro-Palestinian Students on U.S. University Campuses: A Growing Concern

Following the events of October 7th, 2023, protests have erupted all over the world, with large numbers of people showing up to support the call for a ceasefire amidst the Israeli government’s relentless bombardment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. In the United States, universities have become hotbeds for discussions, protests, and students organizing to raise…

Cascading Down

Down the bleak cascade,  I see something wither,  Smaller and Smaller,  It comes and goes past  Down the hurricane, As time flows,  Nothing remains constant.  I feel as if the world is something similar,  Nothing remains as is,  Everything shifts,  And with time comes becomes bright again,  Hope I see something another,  Until then,  All…

Broken

Life crumbles every day,  Maybe for a second or a year,  No hope to be seen from afar. I can’t see anything,  I try to,  But I can’t.  My hope crumbles  As I lose everything. My family, my dreams, my desires,  All of them are broken,  Crumbled to the floor one by one.  If only…