New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News
Police officers in what look like biker helmets stand around the entrance to a subway station. Behind them, people are marching. One person holds a small Palestinian flag, and two hold up posters.
NYU students join hundreds at Columbia pro-Palestinian encampment
Graphic of an email from the Office of Students Affairs and the Division of Campus Services on a purple background.
Admins ask Nike to respond to wage theft allegations
An illustration of a pair of legs wearing light blue jeans and teal shoes with white stripes standing on a wooden box with the “W.S.N.” logo on it. In the background are trees and various colorful buildings.
The Soapbox: Olympic concerns in France, Indigenous festival in Australia, soccer federation scandal in Spain
Street photograph of the front entrance of the NYU College of Dentistry.
Dentistry school receives $8M to study oral cancer treatments
The words “BEYOND NYU” next to a woman holding a book.
Beyond NYU: Writing to help women combat social media’s toxic impact
A group of protesters holding colorful signs.
Social work students rally for paid field time and fewer hours
An email from N.Y.U.’s department of campus safety pasted on a purple background.
Campus Safety responds to wave of assaults near Washington Square Park
The emergency exit door at the entrance to a subway station. Behind the door there are security guards. The door has a sign that reads “Service Entry”.
Students wary of Hochul’s subway security plan
A mural of a woman’s face holding up a chain with the word “LOISAIDA” and a gold cityscape. The words “el bohio murals” and “#BRINGARTBACK” are next to the woman alongside the words “CURATED BY … THRIVECOLLECTIVE.ORG.”
Activists’ 25-year fight to revive an East Village community center
A woman wearing black stands between two speakers in front of a crowd of people holding signs and banners.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters march across Manhattan
Graphic of an email from the Office of Students Affairs and the Division of Campus Services on a purple background.
Admins ask Nike to respond to wage theft allegations
Street photograph of the front entrance of the NYU College of Dentistry.
Dentistry school receives $8M to study oral cancer treatments
An email from N.Y.U.’s department of campus safety pasted on a purple background.
Administrator punched near Washington Square Park
A woman standing by a podium in graduation regalia.
Human rights scholar Martha Minow to speak at this year’s commencement
A woman handing a letter to another woman.
RAs unionize, demand university recognition
Police officers in what look like biker helmets stand around the entrance to a subway station. Behind them, people are marching. One person holds a small Palestinian flag, and two hold up posters.
NYU students join hundreds at Columbia pro-Palestinian encampment
Paulson Center lobby focusing on a white sign that says “TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE N.Y.U. COMMUNITY, A N.Y.U. I.D. IS TEMPORARILY REQUIRED FOR ACCESS.”
NYU’s Paulson atrium restrictions might violate 2012 legal agreement
Subway station with New York University signage covered in red spray paint splatters and the tag “FUNDS GENOCIDE.”
Pro-Palestinian activists spray paint NYU subway station
A graphic of the first page of a legal document on a purple background.
3 professors seek defendant status in antisemitism lawsuit against NYU
Three people at the front of a stage with a brick wall behind them.
Palestinian journalist speaks about first-hand coverage of Israel-Hamas war at panel
A large group of people sit on the large staircase inside the lobby of New York University’s Kimmel Center for University Life, with one person in the front row holding a sign with text “WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM” printed on it.
Students demand more from Hamilton on Iran demonstrations
The logo of New York Universitys Asian/Pacific/American Studies in white in the middle of leaves and flowers.
Asian/Pacific/American Studies major lacks adequate representation, students and faculty say
An exterior shot of the Bronfman Center. On the left is the entrance of the building with a New York University sign that reads “STILL REQUIRED FACE MASK.” On the right is a plaque that reads “New York University 7 The EDGAR M. BRONFMAN CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDENT LIFE”
NYU disputes failing grade on antisemitism report
Dr. Jonathan Haidt speaking in front of an audience with a presentation labeled “The Partisan Divide on Political Values Grows Even Wider” behind him.
Stern professor resigns from professional org. after refusing to write diversity statement
An illustration of a gray facade which reads “NYU School of Global Public Health”, with a purple banner that reads “NYU” on the right side, all against a pale background.
Women with disabilities more likely to report food insecurity, NYU study finds
The words “BEYOND NYU” next to a woman holding a book.
Beyond NYU: Writing to help women combat social media’s toxic impact
Chloe George in red hair stands against a white background.“BEYOND N.Y.U.” is written in white font in the top-left corner.
Beyond NYU: Singing solo after songwriting for stars
A woman with blue hair and a blue shirt plays a guitar and sings into a microphone. “BEYOND N.Y.U.” is in white font in the top-right corner.
Beyond NYU: From books to ballads
A man in a red velvet suit looks to the right next to a vintage music player. “BEYOND NYU” is in white font in the top left corner.
Beyond NYU: A shy guy’s transformation into Broadway success
A graphic featuring a woman in front of a red background with the hand-drawn words “BEYOND N.Y.U.” next to him.
Beyond NYU: A global jazz singer’s journey to becoming a Grammy winner
Doctor Carl Zimmer speaks from the wooden podium in Hemmerdinger Hall. An audience sits in front of him. Behind him is a projector screen displaying two images.
How science journalists reported on the ‘story of our lifetime’
A man wearing a dotted tie, a white shirt and a black suit jacket speaks in an online conference session. Behind him are a bookshelf and five clocks displaying times in different time zones.
Minnesota prof criticizes public health response at COVID-19 lecture
An illustration of a COVID-19 vaccination card in the background with a half-full syringe on the left of the foreground and a bottle reading “COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER” on the right.
Most NYU students haven’t received the bivalent booster, WSN survey finds
A building which has NYU and NYU Steinhardt flags hoisted from a walls.
After one month of checking visitor vax cards, NYU gives up
Seven students wear masks while sitting at their desks in an NYU classroom. A professor sitting on a table listens to a student.
Immunocompromised students concerned following mask mandate removal
Three people looking at products inside a store.
From snacks to skincare, Tesolife is a hidden gem
The exterior of Scarr’s Pizza, with a sign that says “Scarr’s Pizza,” and two people inside.
The best way to go on a pizza crawl across Manhattan
The exterior of a restaurant with a sign saying “CHOLA” and, below that, “COASTAL INDIAN CUISINE.
Chola brings elevated Indian flavors to seafood lovers everywhere
A dorm room with two beds in University Hall.
Ranked: First-year residence halls
A man uses a blowtorch on a piece of sushi.
Lunch at Kintsugi Omakase is simple yet magnificent
A model in blue jeans and a detailed white bikini top with sunglasses on her head poses.
NYU Program Board fashion show spotlights student designers’ unique visions
An illustration with “BOOTS” written in the middle, and boots are below and above the words.
These boots were made for walking: A guide to the best boot styles
Five women stand in front of a crowd dressed in black, green, orange, red and white modest dresses.
NYU student uses fashion and femininity to raise money for victims in Sudan
A person walking in Washington Square Park is wearing a brown mini skirt, black sneakers and a black open-knit sweater over a white tank top, while carrying a yellow tote bag.
Cultivate your spring wardrobe with these 6 blooming trends
Twelve lip balm tubes lined up and displayed on a white background
The best products for any lip-balm lover
The exterior of Scarr’s Pizza, with a sign that says “Scarr’s Pizza,” and two people inside.
The best way to go on a pizza crawl across Manhattan
The exterior of a restaurant with a sign saying “CHOLA” and, below that, “COASTAL INDIAN CUISINE.
Chola brings elevated Indian flavors to seafood lovers everywhere
A man uses a blowtorch on a piece of sushi.
Lunch at Kintsugi Omakase is simple yet magnificent
(Julia Smerling for WSN)
A warm welcome to modern Asian fine dining with Hortus NYC
Front of the bar The Happiest Hour which has a green facade and gold lettering.
Betting on burgers: A new take on the American classic from The Happiest Hour
Three men dancing and clapping while a woman sings on a stage. Light up letters are at the front of the stage spelled “ARAB.”
NYU Arab Festival vibrantly celebrates Middle Eastern and North African cultures
A storefront with text that reads “Pop Up Grocer & CAFE.”
From baked goods to books: 4 must-visit, women-owned businesses
An illustration of a plate with yellow rice, chicken legs and red onion.
The only chicken biryani recipe you’ll ever need
Four framed photographs on a white wall.
‘The Ways of Langston Hughes’ dives into the relationship between two creative pioneers of the Harlem Renaissance
Five women stand in front of a crowd dressed in black, green, orange, red and white modest dresses.
NYU student uses fashion and femininity to raise money for victims in Sudan
Line of colorful tin cans arranged next to each other. From left to right: “GHOST” on a yellow and blue can, “BANG ENERGY” on a white and blue can , “C4” on a black and orange can, “ALANI NU” on a blue and mint green can, “MONSTER” on a black and neon green can, “CELSIUS” on an orange and white can, “JAVA MONSTER” on a brown can, “PRIME” on a pink and white can, “YERBA MATE” on a yellow and red can and “RED BULL” on a blue and tin can.
Ranked: Energy drinks
Six water bottles lined up against a white background.
Ranked: Water bottles
Illustration depicting two rows of professors from the chest up.
Ranked: Five professors that’ll make or break your semester
A colorful illustration of six different handbags: a blue laptop bag, a brown designer bag, a pink Jansport backpack, a black designer tote bag, a cream fabric tote bag, and a brown vintage messenger bag.
Ranked: School bags
(Illustration by Aaliya Luthra)
Ranked: Students who study abroad
Two people walk down the runway. One wears a quilt patchwork dress and the other wears a striped colorblocked dress.
IMPACT’s annual show champions sustainability but lacks organization
Two models with pink eyeshadow look into the camera. One is wearing a ginger wig, the other a blonde wig.
Frederick Anderson creates a mélange of blues, grunge and rock and roll
A group of models in different red, white and black outfits pose in front of a white backdrop.
Bishme Cromartie blends streetwear and avant-garde design
A model walking down a runway with a red dress that has a blue protruding hand and cat.
Abstract constructions and sleek streetwear take on NYFW
A group of models walks down a runway in a line. At the front of the runway, a model opens a black and white checkered cape to reveal a blue ruched mini dress with red stars.
Cultural commentary meets couture at first day of Global Fashion Collective
On a bright magenta background is a neon red-headed girl in a red and black dress, black sheer tights, and black ankle boots, sitting on the ground reaching for a white teacup filled with a dark, coffee-colored liquid.
Review: ‘Fingers Crossed’ is a stripped portrait of a shoegaze icon
In the background is the Letterboxd website window, which shows three films in the “Popular Films This Week” category: “Dune: Part Two” “La La Land,” and “Spirited Away.” To the lower right, there is a phone screen showing the overview for the film “The First Omen.”
Inside the Boxd: ‘Monkey Man,’ ‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and more
A girl wearing a white tank top and blue jeans sits on a store countertop, holding a wooden sign that reads, “Brandy Melville.”
Review: ‘Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion’ has been a long time coming
A screen displayed on the wall of wooden sticks in water with a mountain in the background, an art piece displayed dangling from the ceiling and a red art piece displayed on a platform.
Review: ‘Threads to the South’ explores Latin American identity through textile art
Two women wearing neutral colors are shocked as the woman in front of them flips her hair.
Review: ‘Wicked Little Letters’ spells out what it means to be kind
On a bright magenta background is a neon red-headed girl in a red and black dress, black sheer tights, and black ankle boots, sitting on the ground reaching for a white teacup filled with a dark, coffee-colored liquid.
Review: ‘Fingers Crossed’ is a stripped portrait of a shoegaze icon
Collage of four illustrated books: on the top left is an illustration of a book cover filled with oranges under a plastic film. The title “BLISS MONTAGE Stories” lies on top of the film. On the top right is an illustration of a black book cover titled “POVERTY, BY AMERICA” on a light green background. On the bottom left is an illustration of a book cover with a black, bold line across it. A bee is in the top right corner, along with the title “The Bee Sting” written between the lines. On the bottom right is an illustration of a dark green book cover with a pink box in the center, titled “THE VIRGIN SUICIDES.” There are five dark green flowers in the box and one of them has a missing petal. A pink petal is in the bottom left corner.
Books beyond Bobst: A modern classic, a short story collection and more
Collage of four illustrated books: on the top left is an illustration of a blue book with a deer jumping over shrubs drawn in black. The cover says “YOU ARE HERE” in white, “POETRY IN THE NATURAL WORLD” in orange and “EDITED AND INTRODUCED BY ADA LIMON” in black and white. On the top right there’s an illustration of a green book with several white chairs on it and the words “EMMA” and “JANE AUSTEN” written in white. On the bottom left there is an illustration of a book cover with a woman sitting in a garden of flowers overlooking the water. The cover says “THE ENCHANTED APRIL” in white and “VINTAGE VON ARNIM” in brown and white. On the bottom right there’s an illustration of a white book cover with a blue contorted body on it in a black box. On the cover, “MATISSE”, “VOLKMAR ESSERS” and “TASCHEN” are written in white.
Start your spring right with these 4 books
A girl sitting on a dormitory desk decorated with pictures and books.
How I learned to love reading again
Collage of four book covers. On the upper left is Asimov’s “Foundation,” on the upper right is Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go,” on the bottom left is Morelli’s “The Night Portrait” and on the bottom right is Biggs’ “A Life of Ones Own: Nine Women Writers Begin Again.”
Books beyond Bobst: A science-fiction novel, a multifaceted memoir and more
In the background is the Letterboxd website window, which shows three films in the “Popular Films This Week” category: “Dune: Part Two” “La La Land,” and “Spirited Away.” To the lower right, there is a phone screen showing the overview for the film “The First Omen.”
Inside the Boxd: ‘Monkey Man,’ ‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and more
A girl wearing a white tank top and blue jeans sits on a store countertop, holding a wooden sign that reads, “Brandy Melville.”
Review: ‘Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion’ has been a long time coming
Two women wearing neutral colors are shocked as the woman in front of them flips her hair.
Review: ‘Wicked Little Letters’ spells out what it means to be kind
A giant gorilla wielding a spear.
Review: In ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,’ Godzilla is nowhere to be found
Illustration of a laptop screen and red mug in front of a purple background, on the screen there are two women walking in a park kicking their legs out in sync.
Off the Radar: ‘Attenberg’ is a transformative repose
A singer performing on a stage in front of red smoke and a crowd full of waving flashlights.
Review: J. Cole’s ‘Might Delete Later’ should be deleted
Illustration of a vinyl record in its sleeve, the album cover is a woman with tattoos in underwear sitting submerged in a body of water.
Review: Lizzy McAlpine’s ‘Older’ is an ode to coming-of-age stories
Photo of a large stage displaying red lips signing alongside a stage cam of a woman signing into a microphone on either side.
Review: Olivia Rodrigo spills her ‘GUTS’ at MSG
Three members of Vampire Weekend posing in the front seat of a car and looking at the camera through the cars front windshield.
Review: Vampire Weekend’s ‘Only God Was Above Us’ sinks its teeth into nihilistic perspectives
A black and white image of four smiling women poking their head through a tree.
Review: Chastity Belt’s ‘Live Laugh Love’ is dreamy collection of lyrical nostalgia
Seven people wearing medieval outfits dancing on a stage.
Review: ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’ does celebrity casting right
A bearded Indian man wearing a blue suit kneels between the white words “Vir Das Mind Fool.” There are gold designs depicting clowns, microphones and mountains bordering the frame.
Award-winning comedian Vir Das brings India to Carnegie Hall in his ‘Mind Fool’ Tour
People standing in front of a stage with theater decor. There are brown cardboard that have trees and tree branches on them surrounding the stage.
Review: Rattlestick Theater holds first annual ‘Ratcracker’ fundraiser
Fake snow falls around a group of ballet dancers dressed in light blue costumes who stand on a stage that is designed to look like a forest covered in snow.
‘The Nutcracker’ is worth your time this December
A man wearing a top hat being lit up by a spotlight. Around him are various people all looking up toward him.
Review: 2023’s ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street’ revival brings more than blood and guts
A screen displayed on the wall of wooden sticks in water with a mountain in the background, an art piece displayed dangling from the ceiling and a red art piece displayed on a platform.
Review: ‘Threads to the South’ explores Latin American identity through textile art
Six black and white portraits on a wall.
Review: ‘Chelsea Hotel Portraits’ expertly reveals humanity in the Chelsea Hotel
A framed illustration from the exhibition of two peacocks in a field.
Review: ‘The Art of the Literary Poster’ exposes the history behind the evolution of creative marketing
Three people around a museum exhibit with blue walls displaying a photo of a person sitting at a graffitied piano and a photo of a woman, a man and a dog with a bike. Two neon bikes and a piano are on a raised platform in front of the photos.
Review: ‘Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys’ is a celebration of diversity
A girl wearing a black shirt holds a camera at her side while posing in a sandy outdoor area.
Elinor Kry discusses visual artistry in a visual world
An illustration of a student government meeting. A person speaks behind a podium with an N.Y.U. flag behind them.
Guest Essay: From square one to Washington Square, your voice matters
An exterior view of the Stern School of Business. The Tisch Hall building is to the right and the Kaufman Management Center is to the left. In the foreground is the Gould Plaza public gathering area.
Opinion: Stern has a designated ‘lunch hour,’ other schools should too
An S.A.T. a practice pamphlet sits alongside a book featuring the words S.A.T. Test Preparation on it, and other study items on a desk.
Opinion: NYU needs to bring back mandatory standardized testing
A purple sketch illustration of a sad girl. In the background are the words “Meal Swipes: 0” written repeatedly.
Opinion: NYU must stop heavily relying on student generosity to provide food security
An illustration of students sitting in a large room for a student government meeting. On the left, a purple banner with the N.Y.U. torch logo hangs on the wall and reads “N.Y.U. S.G.A.”
Guest Essay: Why you should care about the SGA’s next chair
A graphic with three strips of excerpts from a lawsuit document against a background of players competing on a volleyball court. The court has the logo of N.Y.U. Athletics in the middle.
Editorial: NYU, why didn’t you call Robinson’s foul?
Inside a New York City polling site. A red Vote N.Y.C. sign in the foreground, and a polling booth in the background.
Editorial: New York needs you to vote tomorrow
Protesters walk down University Place holding large signs that read “N.Y.U. OWES ADJUNCTS” and “UNION POWER.”
Editorial: NYU’s adjunct union tentative contract shouldn’t have taken this long
A man reading the October 4, 2022, edition of The New York Times. The newspaper headline reads “N.Y.U. Students Were Failing Class. The Professor Lost His Job.”
Editorial: The New York Times article on Maitland Jones was incomplete.
A masked student sits in an NYU common area. She is surrounded by tables, chairs and a foosball table.
Editorial: NYU lifted its mask mandate, but now isn’t the time to be idle
The 6 subway train arrives at the Union Square station. People stand on the platform and walk on the overpass.
Opinion: Dramatically increasing law enforcement in NYC subways is not the answer to safety concerns
A street of New York City covered in rain and fog. Two people are walking on the sidewalk holding umbrellas.
Opinion: NYU needs to update its severe weather policy
A sign inside Grand Central Terminal that says “Hudson Lines Departures”, with departure times, track numbers, and destinations listed on it.
Opinion: Upstate New York is underrated
Exterior of an N.Y.U. building.
Opinion: NYU should be more transparent about its investments
A manipulated image showing a red broken-heart emoji superimposed against a warped image of the New York City skyline.
Opinion: NYC is the best place to get over heartbreak
An illustration of a white speech bubble that reads “This shit sucks” in black font. Next to it, another speech bubble that is blue and reads “Right?”. Both speech bubbles are against a gray grid background.
Opinion: A 3-step guide to complaining correctly
An illustration of a purple world map with four circles of club logos overlaying it. The top left circle has text “the French club” with the French flag drawn inside the letter “F” against a blue background. The top right circle has the tip of the Empire State Building lit with green, white and red lights and text “ITALIAN CLUB AT N.Y.U.” against a light blue background. The bottom left circle has text “C.M.S” in red and a red flower icon. The bottom right circle has text “Russian Club at N.Y.U” in red against a white background.
Opinion: NYU should promote more conversation clubs
An illustration of a tweet from user @A1exandraCohen with text “if i EVER get Twitter blue, just know it’s a cry for help.” against a blue background. The tweet has two likes.
Opinion: Students can save Twitter
An illustration of white wired earphones surrounded by musical notes, against a blue background.
Opinion: It’s high time we embrace pop music again
An illustration of a hand with red fingernails holds a smartphone that displays a BeReal interface. The woman takes a selfie while she pets her dog.
Opinion: Let’s be real about BeReal
An illustration of an older man with a mustache and glasses, wearing a light blue shirt and navy blazer. Behind him are antiques and face designs.
Opinion: Renaming the Steinhardt school is long overdue
A neon purple L.E.D. sign saying “N.Y.U. TISCH” in a hallway that has white walls with several framed pieces hung on it.
Opinion: Drama students should be able to choose their preferred studio
An illustration of a black graduation cap with a purple tassel on top of three books in a pile. The books are blue, red and green and the pile is falling over. The background is purple with dollar bills scattered all around.
Opinion: Covering course fees is a necessary step toward affordability
A screen of the “N.Y.U. Connect for Students” page placed on a purple background.
Opinion: NYU advising needs to do better
A laptop displaying the webpage of “N.Y.U. Albert” course registration system.
Opinion: NYU’s course registration is outdated
An image of a N.Y.U. flag, with the color purple edited into pink.
Off-Third: NYU changes branding to save misled patients
A laptop with the screen open to “NYU Albert” is covered with a red X on the left, and a piece of paper with the NYU logo titled “Course Registration” is covered with a green checkmark on the right. The background is blue.
Off Third: NYU takes course registration completely off the grid
A crowd of students in a large lobby.
Off-Third: NYU to use students as human fire extinguishers following policy change
A wrecking ball comically shatters the Washington Square Arch into pieces. An X shape of yellow-and-black striped tape is behind the image, in front of a paler yellow background.
Off-Third: NYU to demolish Washington Square Park for campus expansion
An illustration of a black car with N.Y.U. Safe Ride logos on the hood and side. On top of the illustration is a smartphone displaying an application called “N.Y.U. Safe Ride.”
Off-Third: NYU Safe Ride adds skateboard service
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: Silver School dean on the case for a tuition-free social work education
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: Wasserman Center director on the Handshake job search platform
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: CWS director on suicide response and mental health resources
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: NYU remains committed to NYU Tel Aviv
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: An open letter to President Hamilton
An exterior view of the Stern School of Business. The Tisch Hall building is to the right and the Kaufman Management Center is to the left. In the foreground is the Gould Plaza public gathering area.
Opinion: Stern has a designated ‘lunch hour,’ other schools should too
A purple sketch illustration of a sad girl. In the background are the words “Meal Swipes: 0” written repeatedly.
Opinion: NYU must stop heavily relying on student generosity to provide food security
An illustration of a student government meeting. A person speaks behind a podium with an N.Y.U. flag behind them.
Opinion: NYU needs to take student government resolutions more seriously
Hair products on display at a store.
Opinion: Sidestein should sell curly hair products
An illustration of an orange bobcat sitting in an inflatable pool studying.
Opinion: Spring break couldn’t have come at a worse time
A mural of a woman’s face holding up a chain with the word “LOISAIDA” and a gold cityscape. The words “el bohio murals” and “#BRINGARTBACK” are next to the woman alongside the words “CURATED BY … THRIVECOLLECTIVE.ORG.”
Activists’ 25-year fight to revive an East Village community center
A front entrance with the text “Electric Lady Studios” written in a retro white font on two reflective walls.
‘An exploitative environment’: The interns behind Electric Lady Studios
The exterior of the Morton Williams Supermarket, with a prominent red lettering that reads Morton Williams at the top of the building and the phrase The Fresh Marketplace beneath it.
How a supermarket became the center of NYU’s relationship with the Village
A graphic with three strips of excerpts from a lawsuit document against a background of players competing on a volleyball court. The court has the logo of N.Y.U. Athletics in the middle.
How Stuart Robinson’s misconduct went overlooked for years
Eight people stand in a line on a grass field and are doing warmup exercises, with a few of them talking to each other.
‘Unrecognizable’: How the women’s cross country team went from 4 runners to 5th in the nation
The N.Y.U men’s volleyball team celebrates by huddling together and jumping with their hands raised.
Men’s volleyball win UVC Championship
NYU womans basketball team celebrated their historic win at the University Senate meeting on March 28. (Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)
‘Symbolic and celebratory’: NYU places No. 1 in D-III winter standings
The N.Y.U. Figure Skating Club pose for a picture in an indoor stadium.
NYU Figure Skating ends season as No. 4 in the nation
A man in traditional kendo wear, holding a string on the garment in front of himself.
In the Huddle: Danny Chung’s Kendo journey
An illustration of purple players participating in volleyball, basketball, soccer and track on a yellow background.
Men’s volleyball wins conference, women’s tennis scores a victory and other news
Participants smile in a team photo with a dog.
NYU’s department of physical therapy hosts race to raise money for research
Four people toast over dinner.
The Dinner Party, redefined
The Toronto skyline at night.
Spring break snapshots: Grassy getaways to snow-stuck trucks
A crowd of people dance on a dance floor with their hands up. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling, and the room is basked in pink-ish purple light.
From prom to Pier 60: Violet Ball brings nostalgia to the dance floor
Groups of people stand between the basketball courts in the Paulson Center, with teams wearing matching colored shirts.
Schools clash at NYU All-University Games
Participants smile in a team photo with a dog.
NYU’s department of physical therapy hosts race to raise money for research
The Toronto skyline at night.
Spring break snapshots: Grassy getaways to snow-stuck trucks
A crowd of people dance on a dance floor with their hands up. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling, and the room is basked in pink-ish purple light.
From prom to Pier 60: Violet Ball brings nostalgia to the dance floor
Groups of people stand between the basketball courts in the Paulson Center, with teams wearing matching colored shirts.
Schools clash at NYU All-University Games
A large crowd filled by lion dancers and other people standing while red and yellow confetti is falling.
New York City welcomes the Year of the Dragon
SLAM! at NYU celebrates the art of spoken word
SLAM! at NYU celebrates the art of spoken word
Mou Theatre brings together Mandarin-speaking theater enthusiasts at NYU
Mou Theatre brings together Mandarin-speaking theater enthusiasts at NYU
A woman hanging a Turkish flag on a curtain by a window at N.Y.U.s Kimmel Center. Outside of the window is a red building.
Turkish NYU students commemorate 85 years since the death of republic founder
Barks in Tompkins Square Park: Annual Halloween Dog Parade returns
Barks in Tompkins Square Park: Annual Halloween Dog Parade returns
Rob Benevides applies a white wig to an actor wearing a prosthetic costume face.
An inside look at the art and design process of behind-the-scenes artists
Four people toast over dinner.
The Dinner Party Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
An illustration of the Washington Square Arch shown from a low angle. Around and behind the arch are cells and a DNA strand.
The Research Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
A stylized illustration of a building with collaged newspaper clippings from old WSN printed issues. (illustration by Aaliya Luthra)
Celebrating 50 years of the Washington Square News
An illustration of an aerial view of Washington Square Park overlaid with texts that read Welcome Home! and N.Y.U.
Welcome Home, Class of 2027
Evolution of NYU | Under the Arch Magazine
Evolution of NYU | Under the Arch Magazine
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

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Miley Cyrus commodifies black culture, women

September 12, 2013

In several weeks, former child star and pop sensation Miley Cyrus will host and perform the second episode of the 39th season of Saturday Night Live. This appearance will be the latest of Cyrus’s media blitz that includes her now notoriously controversial performance at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

The debate about Cyrus should not be about what she’s doing right by American women. It should be about whether she’s commodifying women of color and twisting herself into another roadblock for intersectionality in feminism.

Let’s recall her performance at this year’s VMAs with R&B singer Robin Thicke. The casual racist attitude of the performance is unnerving — women of color dressed up as animals and danced around Cyrus while she sang her summer hit, “We Can’t Stop,” and twerked. Mind you, Cyrus has claimed that she’s invented this dance move despite the fact that it has been practiced for years by black artists and musicians.

On top of this, Cyrus is a propagator of a so-called ratchet culture — a lifestyle associated with lower-class people of color. Timothy Thomas, one of the songwriters for Cyrus’s most recent album, told Vibe Magazine that she said,“‘I want urban, I just want something that just feels black.’”

I don’t believe that Cyrus should be condemned for exploring her adult sexuality in front of the probing gaze of the paparazzi and mass media. However, I think it’s a stretch to assume that what she’s doing is intentionally feminist. Her behavior more closely resembles that of a toddler acting out to receive attention — not condemnable, but not particularly groundbreaking either.

In either case, how would her behavior advance feminism in a positive direction? Women are not defined by their bodies, and they should not be policed for their attire or shape. But there is a line between standing up to cultural statutes that dictate how much clothing a woman is required to wear and reacting to admittedly unfair limitations on her behavior for years as a child star. What she’s doing is not for the advancement of the female gender. It’s simply for her. How am I, as a woman, supposed to believe that any man who saw Cyrus’s performance at the VMAs is going to respect me more as a result?

Furthermore, feminism that lacks intersectionality is worthless. Cyrus treats black culture as if it is a stylish jacket that can be worn when it’s trendy and taken off as soon as it becomes burdensome. Culture shouldn’t be treated as a trend — much less when Cyrus has never had to deal with the societal burden of being a woman of color in America.

White middle-class women have been driving feminism for decades. It’s clear that Cyrus is attempting to forge a new identity for herself as a result of the confines of her childhood fame, but in order to do so she must understand that cultures different from her own are not to be used to accessorize her music or her videos. Cyrus’s appropriation for the sake of rebellion only serves to add more bricks to the wall, keeping intersectionality out of the feminist movement.

A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, Sept. 12 print edition. Kaidia Pickels is a contributing columnist. Email her at [email protected].

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  • D

    disqus_lww62SYwvP • Oct 7, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah. A white girl did something. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

    “Cyrus treats black culture as if it is a stylish jacket that can be
    worn when it’s trendy and taken off as soon as it becomes burdensome.
    Culture shouldn’t be treated as a trend — much less when Cyrus has never
    had to deal with the societal burden of being a woman of color in
    America.”

    Do you people EVER get off the Victim Train?

    Reply
    https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37740
  • S

    Sasha • Sep 13, 2013 at 11:09 am

    You have to follow Miley a bit closer to see that she idolizes black culture much like Robin Thick. Unfortunately, she could have integrated the Twerk parade that followed her around the stage but chose not to and left the door open to dumb (not to scholarly) articles like this. (Can we get some sources for some of the things the authors states as facts up there?)

    For example, I’ve been following Miley twirking for about a year. Started following her twerking since her birthday last November when she celebrated with Black female strippers that presumably were twerking it. As an Black choreographer all I wanted to know was can Miley Twerk? I watched some clips and determined that she could and was like, “work little Disney princess”. So, I don’t buy the author’s assertion that Miley said she invented twerking. I also don’t believe she is acting out.

    Anecdotally, I had a grad dance fellowship in So Cal and we did research at the strip club in ’97. I was amazed at how many women were there trying to learn how to dance like that and also just generally flirting with the guys there.

    So, I just see A+B=C. Miley admires black culture, many young girls of all races are learning to Twerk. Miley, unlike most guys, has the power of her fame to capitalize on it. She made the poor choice not to integrate her show better but OMG how many times have I complained that there were no black dancers?

    Was it racist? Yes. All black chicks dancing around one white chick for ratings and for the music industry to capitalize. This is nothing new. Do I think Miley is? Very doubtful on that.

    Just my opinion from the facts I’ve seen about Miley following this thing since Nov….

    Reply
    https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37652
  • H

    Hammakaze • Sep 13, 2013 at 3:58 am

    “The casual racist attitude of the performance is unnerving — women of color dressed up as animals and danced around Cyrus while she sang her summer hit, “We Can’t Stop,” and twerked.”

    How is that racist? Performers dancing in animal costumes on stage is somehow now considered racist?

    You are just desperate to make up a false story about racism to get some attention. How sad is that?

    Reply
    https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37648
  • L

    LoomingDissent • Sep 13, 2013 at 12:36 am

    “The casual racist attitude of the performance is unnerving — women of color dressed up as animals and danced around Cyrus…”

    I appreciate your point of view on the subject, but come on. I think it’s reaching a bit to say that a black woman is being degraded to nothing more than an animal simply because she is dancing around with a giant teddy bear on her back. It was an entertainer and her minions who said, “Hey, here’s an idea for the show: Let’s dance around with giant teddy bears strapped to our backs. That’s never been done before, right?” I would be willing to bet my salary that it wasn’t, “Hey! Here’s a way that we can demoralize blackie even further.”

    Besides, is it really “twerking” if you don’t have an ass?

    If you want to make the argument that she is another white artist crossing over into black music, then make it. I’m not quite sure why you’d be offended by such, though. If they suck, then they’ll be forgotten; if they are any good, then they will be successful similar to their black counterparts. It’s not just white faces that are purchasing their albums, I assure you.

    Oh, and a teddy bear isn’t a real animal = )

    Reply
    https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37647
  • N

    N N • Sep 13, 2013 at 12:17 am

    Give me a break. People stopped writing and reading crap like this when the internet provided a democratic forum for commentary. Try english instead of being dyke-pendantic. It might get you a job at Vassar or Columbia, but mental twerking went out with the 80’s when minority illiteracy at the university level came in.
    Give Miley a break. She delivered a huge body of pretty good quality entertainment to a whole generation of little girls while probably giving up her own tween years. Let her explore a little. You would probably do the same if you had her money, youth and looks. Drop the Bah Humbug.
    Even the old “rednecks” you despise listen and celebrate rap now. How about MOVE ON instead of leaning forward?
    Stop fighting wars that ended years ago.

    Reply
    https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37645
    • A

      Angry black man • Sep 13, 2013 at 12:20 am

      The war on race is still going on right now wake up

      Reply
      https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37646
  • S

    Snowball_Tex • Sep 13, 2013 at 12:07 am

    Miley Cyrus is a talented and energetic woman. Contemporary black culture is a morass of tribal violence and primitive fireside rituals.

    Reply
    https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37643
    • A

      Angry black man • Sep 13, 2013 at 12:15 am

      u say wat!!!!!

      Reply
      https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37644
  • A

    Alannah • Sep 13, 2013 at 12:03 am

    I think that this is an amazing and very interesting piece.

    Reply
    https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37642
  • J

    Joan Smith • Sep 12, 2013 at 11:56 pm

    I agree… she’s a whore.

    Reply
    https://nyunews.com/2013/09/12/pickels/#comment-37641