At the end of this year, I sat down with the three retiring seniors in the Opinion section and decided to feature each in one article. I thought it was condensed to save time. In our group interviews, we learned a lot about each senior’s time at Tufts and at the Daily, but what happened between the questions was far more valuable in the end.
In between the serious answers and the truly impactful ones, there are jokes, references, asides, and quite a number Stupid look. As an interviewer who scheduled this appointment right before lunch, you might imagine that a drawn-out meeting might be frustrating. But at the end of the day, I don’t think I could have painted this portrait of the opinion section without it. I wish I had asked more questions.
Of course, it is important to understand the seniors in each section and their unique stories. Reya Kumar, Executive Opinion Editor-in-Chief in Fall 2022, is a member of this section. “eternally.” she participated Spring 2021, second semester of university, in the midst of lockdown due to the new coronavirus infection Since then, I have continued to be involved in some way. She is currently in her second term as Associate Editor. Although her consistency is admirable, her story is far from conventional. As a result of her not being added to the email list, she joked that direct messages she sent to the Daily’s Instagram account can still be read on Instagram.
Current Opinion Editor Kevin Golub, rather, “Late bloomer” He jokingly began writing op-eds during the spring semester of his junior year. He then returned to Tufts and joined the section as a staff writer, contributing a “significant amount” of articles. Given his accumulation of nearly 30 articles, this comment elicited a hearty laugh from the rest of the audience. signature field One year as a staff writer.
Like Golub, Justin Hong, now an associate editor, joined the section relatively late, his first semester as a staff writer being in the spring of his junior year. Similarly, his involvement Editorial Regarding a bill that was rejected by the Massachusetts General Assembly. Following this, his research has primarily focused on issues in Tufts and Massachusetts.Joe Biden doesn’t read the Tufts Daily” In other words, he believes it’s best to appeal to the Daily’s readers, who have the power to make a difference. But he claimed that California Governor Gavin Newsom reads the Daily, and that the satirical letter to the editor that Hong wrote for the Daily’s April Fool’s edition echoed .
Yet, despite our predecessors’ differences, engagement styles, and goals as writers, each reflects on how important the Opinion Section has been to them, demonstrating the section’s ability to come together. Ironically, the sections containing the most controversial articles are where the tightest ties emerge. All commented on the impact COVID-19 has had on their Tufts experience and expressed gratitude for the community the section has created.
“This section has a built-in sounding board,” Said Kumarrefers to frequent and often heated debates over opinion articles in subcommittees.
The Opinions section has provided a welcoming environment for writers of all opinions. Golub said, “Although I am in the minority, I have had a very rewarding time and have made many friends, even though most of them have different political views than mine.” …The fact that we not only have daily discussions, but we’re friends and have civil discussions, that’s the main reason I stayed at the Daily.”
Mr. Kumar and Mr. Hon also spoke about how this section of the community has progressed throughout their tenure at the Daily.Hong elaborated During his first semester at the Daily, meetings typically lasted 10 minutes and there was no sense of community. However, he said this semester was very different and he really enjoyed it and it was the first time he attended because he wanted to attend the conference even though he didn’t have anything to write about.
Golub Added This year, the Daily said, it recognized a “completely different side”. [his] ‘Social Life’, highlighting the ‘peculiar meeting place’ of Kumar’s house where the bonds of almost every section are held (and where, of course, this interview took place).
It’s hard to outline the months of jokes and references they dished out on Sunday afternoon at that “peculiar gathering place.” But between questions, comments about vocabulary, serious and unserious demands for off-the-record statements, and frequent and perhaps unapologetically used profanity, this dialogue It represents what an opinion means to me. Beyond the questions and stories and incredibly unique lived experiences, there are three of his seniors who will be greatly missed in this section.
