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The Problem with Pathologizing Consensual Professor-Student Relationships

Madison Griffiths' new book Sweet Nothings has sparked renewed debate about the ethics of professor-student relationships. While Griffiths presents these relationships as inherently problematic—especially for young women—her arguments rely on emotional anecdotes, gendered assumptions, and a troubling disregard for personal agency. This response will systematically dismantle her core claims, demonstrating why her perspective is not just flawed but potentially harmful to genuine discussions about consent, power, and adult relationships. At its heart, this debate isn't really about protecting students. It's about controlling consensual relationships between adults under the guise of moral concern. By examining Griffiths' arguments alongside broader societal trends, psychological research, and historical context, we'll see how this moral panic reflects deeper biases—and why it ultimately undermines women's autonomy. 1. The Myth of "Unique Harm" in Academic...
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Is There Hope for Kenya? Part 2: The Ruto Presidency and the Illusion of Change

 In Part 1, we examined how the election of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto in 2013 entrenched impunity and normalized corruption in Kenya. Now, we turn to Ruto’s presidency—a regime that promised transformation but has instead deepened the country’s crises through hypocrisy, repression, and the same old tribal politics. Ruto’s Questionable Past: From Mau Evictions to Poisonous Maize Long before becoming president, Ruto’s political career was marred by controversies. One of the most telling was his opposition to the evictions from the Mau Forest—a critical water tower that feeds multiple rivers across Kenya. As then-Prime Minister Raila Odinga led efforts to reclaim the forest from illegal settlers, Ruto and his allies, including Isaac Ruto, shamelessly opposed the move. Isaac Ruto’s infamous statement—"I have never seen rain fall from trees. We all know rains fall from the skies"—was not just ignorant but a deliberate exploitation of public gullibility. Yet, instead of being...

Is There Hope for Kenya? A Bleak Outlook on Tribalism and Failed Leadership

 Kenya, a nation endowed with immense potential, continues to struggle under the weight of tribalism, corruption, and failed leadership. The hope for a better future dims with each passing administration, as those entrusted with power prioritize self-enrichment over national progress. To understand why Kenya’s situation appears hopeless, we must revisit the mistakes of the past—beginning with the election of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto in 2013. A Nation That Rewards Impunity In 2013, Kenyans made a grave mistake: electing two individuals facing charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their alleged roles in the 2007-2008 post-election violence, which claimed over 1,000 lives. Despite Kenyan law barring individuals with criminal charges from vying for office, Uhuru and Ruto were allowed to run—a clear disregard for the rule of law. Worse, they won, signaling that a majority of Kenyans were willing to overlook serious allegations if it meant their "tribal champions...

Israel’s Aggression in the Middle East: The Urgent Need to Stop Supporting Zionist Expansionism

 The Middle East is once again engulfed in flames as Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on June 13, 2025, further destabilizing an already volatile region. This latest act of aggression is not an isolated incident but part of a long-standing pattern of Zionist expansionism, backed by Western powers, particularly the United States. For decades, Israel has justified its military campaigns under the guise of "self-defense," while simultaneously being the primary aggressor in the region. The time has come for the world to wake up and recognize the truth: Israel is not a victim but a perpetrator of violence, and its continued belligerence threatens global peace. This article will dismantle three key myths that sustain Western support for Israeli aggression: The False Narrative of Israel’s "Right to Defend Itself" The Dangerous Religious Myth of Jewish Exceptionalism The Geopolitical Strategy to Weaken the Middle East By the end of this piece, it will be clear that s...

Colonialism’s False Promise: Why Africa’s Future Lies in Self-Determination, Not Recolonization

 Introduction Recently, I engaged in a heated debate with a colleague, Mr. Ian, who argued that had colonialists stayed longer in Africa, the continent would be more developed today. His argument hinged on the case of South Africa, where apartheid-era infrastructure—such as Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport—appears more advanced than what many African countries have today. According to him, colonialism, if prolonged, would have accelerated development. I vehemently disagreed. While it is true that colonial powers built railways, ports, and administrative systems, these were never designed for African prosperity. They were extraction tools—meant to exploit resources and labor for European benefit. The real question is not whether colonialism built infrastructure, but for whom it was built, and at what cost to African dignity, opportunity, and self-determination. This article dismantles the myth of “beneficial colonialism” and argues that Africa’s future lies not in nos...

The Substitution Crisis

The sun was mild as it was setting. Kochare bent low to tighten his shoelaces. The familiar ache in his muscles from two days of malaria was fading, replaced by the pleasant anticipation of a proper game. He breathed in deeply to relieve tension that often accompanied every player prior to a game. "About time you showed up, Coach!" Timo called out, bouncing the ball between his feet. "We were about to start without you."   Kochare grinned. Even though he wasn't officially their coach anymore, the nickname had stuck. "Malaria doesn't care about football schedules," he said, rolling his shoulders. "But I do.I know I am due for fine for missing match last Saturday, but I was helpless."   Bruce jogged up, his dark skin glistening with sweat. "Some opponents have just arrived. They want a friendly."   A murmur of excitement passed through their small group. With only seven of them so far, a proper friendly match would be intense. Koc...

The Measure of a Woman

Joram leaned back in his leather office chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he watched Essy through the glass partition. She was bent over a stack of files, her tall, slender frame poised in quiet concentration. Once, the sight of her had sent a thrill through him—her elegance, her devotion to the Christian Union, the way she carried herself with an air of grace. But now, all he saw were the cracks in the facade. The burnt spot on his carpet flashed in his memory—a permanent scar from the day she had carelessly set a hot pan down after making chapatis. "It was an accident," she had said, her voice soft with apology. But accidents, to Joram, were symptoms of a deeper carelessness. Then there was the cleaning—only the visible surfaces, never the hidden corners where dust gathered like secrets. He had asked her once, voice sharp with frustration, "Did your mother never teach you how to clean properly?" She had stiffened, hurt flickering in her eyes, but he hadn...