Berkeley Political Review

Berkeley Political Review

UC Berkeley’s Only Non-Partisan Political Magazine

The Sublime Resistance of Southern California’s Latino Goth Necropolis

My exposure to goth music began in 2025 when I attended a Twin Tribes concert in Anaheim, California. The venue was dimly lit, but piercing strobe lights illuminated concertgoers’ dramatic goth makeup looks. With a twinkling guitar and a flitting dark-electronic tune in the background, the singer of the opening band condemned violent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across America, garnering strong cheers from the audience. 

Read More

Monuments to an Unfinished Country

Monuments to an Unfinished Country

I made my first visit to Washington, D.C. over spring break. It was prime time in the city for elementary

Liu vs. Gu and the Chinese-American Dichotomy

Liu vs. Gu and the Chinese-American Dichotomy

Two Chinese girls, both born and raised by a single parent in the Bay. Both began winter sports early in

May 10, 2026
How School Closures Wreck California Communities of Color

How School Closures Wreck California Communities of Color

In school districts across California, the threat of public school closures has left families distraught, caught between the urgency of

May 10, 2026
Policed, but Not Protected

Policed, but Not Protected

In Chicago’s Stateway Gardens housing project during the 1960s, violence was ubiquitous. The public housing project was developed in the

Should We Be Proud of Going To The Moon?

Should We Be Proud of Going To The Moon?

On April 1, Artemis II began its 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first manned lunar mission by the

May 8, 2026
Who Speaks for Farmworkers Now?

Who Speaks for Farmworkers Now?

As the blazing sun burns high in the open sky, flanneled farm workers labor in the fields where a growing

May 8, 2026
Defining Westernism, However We Want 

Defining Westernism, However We Want 

In an increasingly interconnected world, traditions that have historically defined cultures — from education systems and philosophies to clothing and

May 7, 2026
Pick Your Poison: The Sahel Forced to Choose Both

Pick Your Poison: The Sahel Forced to Choose Both

Pipe bombs and IEDs have finally ripped apart the West from its African allies. For over a decade, the United

May 7, 2026
Newsom’s Big Bet on Behavioral Health and Shelter Beds

Newsom’s Big Bet on Behavioral Health and Shelter Beds

California has seen a recent nine percent drop in unsheltered homelessness. This statistic may not seem exceptionally significant, but it

May 6, 2026
Divert Your Panoptic Eyes From Retributivism 

Divert Your Panoptic Eyes From Retributivism 

Is America heaven on Earth?  John Winthrop commenced the nation’s early history with his dream that “we shall be as

May 4, 2026
Make America Thin Again?

Make America Thin Again?

My recollections of summer 2016, in all their vividness, often have me worried that I am dismissing the larger, more

May 2, 2026
Eyes on the Movement: Stephen Shames Photographs the Black Panther Party

Eyes on the Movement: Stephen Shames Photographs the Black Panther Party

Stephen Shames is one of the most significant documentary photographers of the American civil rights era. Beginning in the late

May 2, 2026
Memorandums of (Mis)Understanding

Memorandums of (Mis)Understanding

Four months after Kenya was the pioneering partner in the America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS), the country faced severe

May 2, 2026
When God Answers Back

When God Answers Back

I recently received a long, heartfelt text about the health of someone whom I care very deeply about. It broke

May 2, 2026
Is Gianni Infantino Shutting Up and Dribbling?

Is Gianni Infantino Shutting Up and Dribbling?

President Donald Trump’s new Board of Peace has a membership list that is both unprecedented and highly unusual. While the

May 2, 2026
Vaccinated? Call 1-800 EXTORTION 

Vaccinated? Call 1-800 EXTORTION 

1-800 EXTORTION is the number that the state of Ecuador encourages citizens to call if they have been victims of

May 1, 2026
Chicken Katsu Curry

Chicken Katsu Curry

This essay is in response to Elliot Harvey’s March essay, “Instrumentality and Power.” The kids' chicken katsu curry meal at

May 1, 2026
The EU-Mercosur Deal Reveals Fractures in Europe’s Decision-Making

The EU-Mercosur Deal Reveals Fractures in Europe’s Decision-Making

In attempting to strike a trade deal with the South American regional bloc Mercosur, Europe finds itself at a familiar

May 1, 2026
Public Libraries Are Becoming Battlegrounds and the Damage Goes Far Beyond Books

Public Libraries Are Becoming Battlegrounds and the Damage Goes Far Beyond Books

The public library is not an abstract, outdated civic symbol. For a parent without internet, a teenager without access to

May 1, 2026
The Third United Front?

The Third United Front?

In April 1927, the First United Front violently collapsed. After working alongside the Chinese Communist Party to oust the local

April 30, 2026
Second Graders Have Better Extracurriculars Than You

Second Graders Have Better Extracurriculars Than You

As the eldest daughter, I’ve always felt the responsibility to “fix” certain problems in my family. Whether that be solving

April 30, 2026