As Homelessness Grows, Its Racial Undertones Become Harder to Ignore

As a poster child of the declining liberal city, San Francisco has gained quite a reputation for itself. Most notably, regarding its growing homelessness encampments; the city has been in the spotlight with talk of rampant crime rates, abandoned buildings, and the infamous "poop map." Yet down the blocks of San Francisco’s tent-lined streets stand luxury apartments. The characterization of this issue is full of contradictions — as these newly developed units await incoming residents, the number of those on the street continues to grow.

NationEmogene KarasJuly 15, 2024Emogene Karas, Homelessness, Racial Politics, Economic DisparityComment

Climate Refugees: A Call for Change

Along the southern coast of Ghana, dozens of young men flock to port cities in hopes of stowing away on departing commercial ships. Two of these men, Jonathan and Michael, are from the port city of Takoradi, whose fishing industry has greatly suffered due to a rapidly changing climate. With severely overfished waters and rising sea levels, Ghana’s coast has become increasingly unfishable, suffering from dangerous tides, perennial storm surges, and dwindling fish populations.

Like other fishermen, Jonathan and Michael decided to emigrate to find new economic opportunities.

GlobeEmogene KarasMay 6, 2024Climate Change, Refugee Crisis, Human Rights, Emogene KarasComment

A Case for Humor: How Girls’ Silliness is Bridging the Confidence Gap

As I worked as a camp counselor this summer, I was ready for all of the surprises– from pulling ticks out from between my kid's toes to telling them to stop starting fires, my days were filled with spontaneity and almost nothing phased me. What truly caught me off-guard, however, were the girls in my camp, as they were the funniest group of kids I’ve ever met.

NationEmogene KarasJanuary 3, 2024Emogene Karas, feminism, Confidence, pink tax, Women's rights, EqualityComment

Story Hour, Transphobia, and Legislation: How Drag Queens Became Demonized

The trope of the creepy crossdresser is nothing new. From serial killers in movies to flashers in the park to weird neighbors on Disney channel shows- growing up it was everywhere, and now it’s back. And this time, drag is being dragged through the mud.
The most recent wave of anti-drag sentiment has been driven by talk shows, protests, and most importantly an influx in anti-drag legislation. Alongside a greater trend of anti-trans bills, Tennessee recently passed one of its harshest anti-drag bills yet, criminalizing participation in “adult cabaret performances” in public spaces or in the presence of children. This bill lumps drag performers with exotic dancers and strippers, labeling these performances as shows with “prurient interest.”

NationEmogene KarasJune 5, 2023Emogene Karas, Transphobia, Transgender Rights, drag queens, DragComment