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The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire

The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire

The digital-first, student-run magazine of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Journalism Department

Amherst Wire

An Open Letter to Marty Meehan

An Open Letter to Marty Meehan

Zach Steward, Politics/Op-Ed Editor October 7, 2021

When discussing acts of racial violence, white people tend to speak in absolutes. As if what occurs is only a one-off, not part of a systematic issue that no one addresses. As it relates to college campuses,...

Swamy is not for Black Lives

Swamy is not for Black Lives

Zach Steward, Politics/Op-Ed September 28, 2021

Pointless emails without any real teeth behind them. That is what I've come to expect from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, especially after hate crimes or other attacks happen. This problem isn't...

With a lackluster response from UMass Administration, what happens next?

Aliana Liz Tavares, Writer September 25, 2021

After a sexual assault allegation made against the Theta Chi fraternity on the anonymous thought sharing app, Yik Yak, students and supporters of sexual assault survivors led days of protests on campus....

Sexual assault and white privilege: An intersection

Sexual assault and white privilege: An intersection

Zach Steward, Politics/Op-Ed Editor September 23, 2021

I want to start this off by saying that I am privileged in the sense that I am not a survivor of sexual harassment or assault. I stand with survivors & want to make clear that sexual violence in any...

Melville reflections

Zach Steward, Politics/Op-ed Editor September 23, 2021

“Bias-related incident.” The first time I heard this phrase it came from my Residence Director and some administrators that spoke to myself and others after a racial slur was written across a bathroom...

UMass: Cut the BS

UMass: Cut the BS

Zach Steward, Politics/Op-Ed Editor September 23, 2021

As a young black man in America, racism is nothing new to me. I've dealt with it for a long time, and I will continue to deal with it and challenge the system that allows it to continue for as long as...

Racial Justice Coalition: One Year Later

Racial Justice Coalition: One Year Later

Zach Steward, Politics/Op-ed Editor September 15, 2021

More than a year ago, a group of students came together over several months during the summer and submitted a list of demands to the upper UMass administration that were meant to advance the rights of...

Cred. Aliana Liz Tavares

Invisibility, My Superpower

Aliana Liz Tavares, Contributor September 14, 2021
My first year at UMass was very challenging, being a young Black and Hispanic woman. Here I talk about situations I encountered, what I observed and how I navigated it all.
Prince, John Adams and John Quincy Adams Halls in Southwest Residential Area on Sunset Ave. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. (Morgan Hughes/Amherst Wire)

A Guide to the UMass Residential Areas

Elizabeth Sheridan, Contributor August 31, 2021
Here is a helpful guide to the six residential as new students move in.
How can the Celtics avoid letting the failure of last season have disastrous consequences for the future?

How can the Celtics avoid letting the failure of last season have disastrous consequences for the future?

Taylor Lee, Editor August 9, 2021
After a tumultuous season filled with injuries, inconsistent play and antsy fans, how can the Celtics turn it around for this upcoming season while keeping our stars happy?
Jae Crowder imitates LeBron James after beating the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. (Credit - Jae Crowder’s Instagram Page)

Jae Crowder is the Penultimate Role Player Searching for Validation

Taylor Lee, Editor July 20, 2021

Naturally, all the focus of a championship team focuses on their stars. The Michael Jordans, LeBron James, and Stephen Currys of the world. The truth is though that these supernovas never achieve their...

Graphic by Brianna Silva

Looking Back: Getting the vaccine, figure skating, mourning a loss and marriage in the time of Covid-19

Editor's note: The following stories are the second part of Looking Back, a two-part series of first-person blog posts looking back at life the past year. The series is produced by Professor Steve Fox's Journalism 300 course in the Journalism Department at UMass Amherst.
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