The Heights

Civil Discourse: The Decline of U.S. Global Dominance (And How To Prevent It)

Addison Walsh and Helen Nguyen • October 5, 2025

This is the first installment of Civil Discourse, a column where columnists Helen Nguyen and Addison Walsh share their perspectives on a political story or event covered by The Heights. This first column is a response to “Former Ambassador to China Warns of Competitive Loss to China if U.S. Fails To Unify.”

When Fashion Reflects Politics: The Return of Minimalism

Bryanna Rosario • September 20, 2025

Fashion tends to operate in cycles—whatever is new today was likely already a trend a decade or two ago. Social media, with its familiar buzzwords—y2k, boho chic, and quiet luxury—ensures that these fashion choices stay “trendy.”

Al Cecchinelli Brings a Personal Touch in Third Mayoral Run

Genevieve Morrison • September 7, 2025

Cecchinelli felt called to the mayoral race because of change. As he sees it, recent reforms like upzoning, housing development, and bike lanes on Washington Street are pushing the city in a direction he doesn’t recognize.

Election 2025: Local Duo Looks to Repeal Newton’s Winter Parking Ban

Carina Murphy • July 10, 2025

As most Newton residents soak up the sun in the recent heat wave, Jeremy Freudberg and Peter Klapes have their sights set on the future—to snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and the rules that come with them. As co-leaders of the campaign to repeal Newton’s winter parking ban, they’ve rallied support for a repeal measure that will appear on the November ballot.

BC Barred Student Organization From Endorsing Presidential Candidate, Emails Show

Nikita Osadchiy • March 30, 2025

The College Democrats of Boston College, a registered student organization on campus, was barred from publicly endorsing and phone banking for Kamala Harris by University administrators five days before the 2024 presidential election, according to emails obtained by The Heights.

U.S. Politics Has a Wu-Tang Problem

Tommy Roche • March 30, 2025

I have tried to conceal my political opinions in my columns, but not anymore. It’s time to talk Wu-Tang. No, I’m not referring to some extremist group that takes its name from the iconic 1990s hip-hop group. I’m talking about how the rise of ironic political disengagement—embodied in a $35 Wu-Tang lawn sign—is killing America.

India’s Next Move in the U.S.-China Chess Match

Jose Garcia • February 2, 2025

The chess match between China and the U.S. is far from over, and India should be perceived as a rook in the middle of the board, undecided on its allegiance. Maybe the answer does not lie in picking a side and falling into the depths of this zero-sum game, but in building a stable economy that allows India to reclaim as much independence as possible from this chess game.

BC Alum and U.S. Senator Ed Markey’s Inauguration Absence Was Undemocratic

Nick Voll • February 2, 2025

Just two days later, President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States of America. BC’s most visible alumnus was noticeably absent from the ceremonies, presumably mourning the demise of his once proud basketball program. Markey, along with several other members of the Massachusetts delegation, including U.S. Representatives Bill Keating and Ayanna Pressley, consciously decided not to attend Trump’s inauguration.

A Case for Compassion

Mary Zimmerman • November 17, 2024

This morning, I started to write a radically different article. After a painful U.S. election, I wanted to issue a call to action and a plea for hope in the face of what seemed like utter hopelessness. The first paragraph quoted Emma Lazarus and the second lamented Arizona’s passage of Proposition 314. Frustration poured onto the page. Then I got an email. My friend died this afternoon.

Winston Discusses Religion and Media’s Role in Reagan’s Presidency

Ashna Potluri • October 19, 2024

The religious imaginary, a collective sense of what provides purpose for citizens, plays a large role in how Americans operate as a society—including who we choose to elect—according to Diane Winston,...

Protest and Complacency at BC

Katie Spillane • September 17, 2024

So, in this time of strife and action, why does it often feel like Boston College is incapable of taking action? In my experience, students here seem to believe there are many culprits to our problem of indifference—usually those with opposing viewpoints. And both sides point a finger at cancel culture.

Why We Should Understand the Enemies of the Western World

Jose Garcia • February 28, 2024

The grand strategy of the world chessboard shifts and changes every day with the development of new interests and political campaigns. It’s foolish to dismiss attempts to understand fellow players because of a supposed moral high ground.