Around the world, we are entering a new era. From politics to the unfolding of a pandemic, it’s easy to feel uncertain. But, in such a moment, the Op-Ed offers a bright spot—allowing us all, no matter our locations, to speak up and out about the most pressing issues of our times. To contribute to cultural conversations and even make change through the power of our words.
Below, Guest Judge Syreeta McFadden shares her top picks from our recent Op-Ed Competition—sharing her insights on the craft, content, and larger significance of young writers’ raising their voices and sharing their opinions.
Reflections from Syreeta:
I should say that these were all very excellent entries. From diving into the importance of autism awareness and unpacking the problem of consumerism, to asking readers to try not to worry about the deluge of world crises that we don’t have control over—they were all very compelling reads. Yet these two pieces—the winning entry really speaks to the urgency of the current moment and reminds readers to resist ugly impulses and remember our shared humanity, and the runner up’s really rich examination and deconstruction of the reach of colonial history and uncovering of the complexity of Indian myth, history and culture—are powerful works.
Winner: “In the wake of a global pandemic, human nature is far more insidious” by TQ (Singapore)
In a few short weeks, we’ve witnessed a vast transformation of our ‘normal’ to face an invisible foe. And while many look to the COVID-19 virus as the chief villain, we’ve seen the rise of xenophobia and scapegoating in our communities. TQ reminds readers that this, too, is a kind of virus in a time where we need to work collectively to curb the spread of a deadly pandemic. Viruses know no nationality and are borderless. TQ’s highlights how in Singapore, anti-Chinese sentiment in the time COVID-19 is just as dangerous and virulent to the global family.
Runner Up: “Understanding my (colonized) history” by Animesh Joshi (US)
Reading Animesh Joshi’s journey to understanding the richness of Indian history and questioning the colonial lens during the lazy days of summer vacation was as insightful as it was enjoyable. Novels, Toni Morrison once said, can be a body of knowledge, and that it was a novel that sparked a curious mind to uncover jewels in one’s own family history or nation’s history delights novelists everywhere, I’d imagine. Joshi incisively connects the lessons from primary school that present incomplete histories in India and America, rightly observing that dominant colonial narratives obscure the humanity of indigenous and marginalized communities.
Best Peer Review: Review of “Diversity Behind The Camera” by Amalia (UK)
I think Amalia’s feedback for “Diversity Behind The Camera” was sharp and rightly recognized the components of a strong Op-Ed. It equally encourages and recognizes the strength of the writer’s skill in synthesizing evidence with lively language. It recognizes the rigor and sophistication of the argument presented by the writer and further doesn’t hold back in recognizing a missed opportunity to introduce (as well as suggest) additional evidence to amplify the writer’s chief argument.