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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...

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 Myth of American Exceptionalism: Why Americans Are the Most Ignorant People in the World

The United States has long portrayed itself as the global leader in democracy, freedom, and human rights. Yet, beneath this self-righteous façade lies a nation steeped in historical amnesia, political hypocrisy, and willful ignorance. Americans, despite having access to vast educational resources, remain shockingly unaware of their own history and their government’s role in global oppression. From rewriting the causes of their Civil War to manipulating foreign democracies while claiming to uphold them, the U.S. thrives on selective memory and double standards. 1. The American Civil War: A Deliberate Erasure of Slavery’s Central Role Ask an average American why the Civil War was fought, and you will likely hear vague answers about "states' rights" or "economic differences." Few acknowledge that slavery was the primary cause of the war. The Confederate states explicitly stated in their secession declarations that they were leaving the Union to preserve slavery. So...

A Tribute to My Literary Icon: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

The passing of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is not just the loss of a great writer; it is the silencing of a voice that spoke truth to power, a voice that shaped my understanding of history, resistance, and the enduring struggle against oppression. To me, Ngũgĩ was more than an author—he was a teacher, a historian, and a revolutionary whose works ignited in me a fierce opposition to neocolonialism. His novels, essays, and plays were not just stories; they were weapons of truth, exposing the brutality of colonialism and the betrayal of Africa’s independence dreams. A Grain of Wheat: Unmasking the Mau Mau and the Cost of Freedom Of all his works, A Grain of Wheat stands out as the novel that most profoundly shaped my political consciousness. In it, Ngũgĩ does not just recount Kenya’s struggle for independence; he humanizes it. He shows how the so-called "Mau Mau" (a derogatory label imposed by the British) were, in truth, the Kenya Land and Freedom Army—freedom fighters who sacrificed eve...

Revisiting Gender Discussions: Embracing the Biological Perspective

  T he discussions surrounding gender should become increasingly complex since the focus on social constructions stifles conflicting perspectives and evolving ideologies. Despite neglecting conflicting perspectives , one prevailing issue emerges—role confusion. Over the years, the feminist movement has championed the cause of gender equality, advocating for women's rights and dismantling archaic stereotypes. Yet, despite strides made in education, employment, and social recognition, a significant portion of women seems hesitant to embrace roles historically attributed to men. T here remains a palpable reluctance among women to ascend to roles traditionally associated with men, particularly that of the provider or breadwinner. This phenomenon raises profound questions about the prevailing social construction perspective on gender . It signals that there could be more to the explanation of this gender phenomenon. Probably, it is time to seriously consider the biological pers...

Review of Dreams in a Time of War

In a world directed by economic power and wealth, honest, critical, and dissenting voices that challenge the popular capitalist hegemony are often disparaged and ridiculed. Such are the works of professor Ngugi wa Thiongo, a Kenyan literary icon. His authentic voice on the evils of colonialism and the corrupt neo-colonial Africa has made his books lie in the inaccessible corners of libraries in Kenya and across the globe. Fortunately, passionate readers with a concentrated desire for knowledge find these books that redeem them from ignorance. You learn about the hidden narratives of the African struggle for independence, the unwillingness of brazen colonial powers to face their brutal colonial past, and the true heroes of the African independence struggle.  "Dreams in a Time of War" is Ngugi's autobiography. Unlike most of his books, which tackle most of the abovementioned themes, "Dreams in a Time of War" depicts how turbulent events affect young, innocent chil...

Human Beasts

 "Animals are worse than humans. See that cock beating his tied opponent pitilessly. The wild thing about animals is that when their opponents are at their weakest point, they see it as an opportunity to eliminate them.  "Unlike them, we, humans, show much care and compassion. We recognize our fellows lowest points, and empathize with them. We are far better in love than animals," Ngala recollected Owalo's sentiments. However, he strongly disagreed with Owalo.   "There is nothing good about humans. They are more opportunistic and devouring than other animals. "People have brains, but their actions prove that brawn is much better. Their greed, enveloped in sweet terms like civilization and development, has destroyed the environment, eradicated several other species, and sown deep seeds of hatred among themselves. That is why men keep fighting over petty things like religion, race, ethnicity, and traditions. No wonder they came up with this fallacious idea of...