'Far less life-changing than it should have been'
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day


'Juneteenth is about more than the end of slavery'
Los Angeles Times editorial board
Juneteenth is "no more a holiday just for Black people than the Fourth of July is a holiday just for white people," says the Los Angeles Times editorial board. It "recognizes and celebrates a profound milestone in American history," but it "didn't end systemic racism and its discriminatory effects in housing, employment and education" that are still felt today. However, there are "reasons to celebrate this holiday," as Juneteenth is "about honoring fortitude, perseverance and, yes, optimism."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'We have run federal agencies. Here's what the civil service needs.'
Mike Hayden, James Loy, Mike McConnell, John Negroponte and Sean O'Keefe at The Washington Post
There should be a new way of appointing civil servants "that preserves all that is right with our civil service but also addresses what almost everyone agrees is wrong with it," say Mike Hayden, James Loy, Mike McConnell, John Negroponte and Sean O'Keefe. Using "political ideology as a litmus test" in civil appointments "presents a dangerous risk to our national security," but "these employees must also be held accountable for doing their jobs well."
'To protect Taiwan and the Philippines, the US must show strength in the seas'
Joseph Bosco at The Hill
China's "expansionist claims threaten to set off a regional war that could quickly erupt into global conflict," says Joseph Bosco. The United States is "critical to the fate of both Taiwan and the Philippines," and whoever occupies the White House "must dispel the United States' official vagueness if it is to avoid a tragic strategic miscalculation by China." The Biden administration "must intensify the flow and upgrade the quality of weapons systems to Taiwan."
'Why I'm calling for a warning label on social media platforms'
Vivek Murthy at The New York Times
The mental health problem "among young people is an emergency — and social media has emerged as an important contributor," says Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. It is "time to require a surgeon general's warning label on social media platforms," which would "regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe." But a "warning label would not, on its own, make social media safe for young people," so the "rest of society can play a role also."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Penn wipes trans swimmer records in deal with Trump
speed read The University of Pennsylvania will bar transgender students from its women's sports teams and retroactively strip a trans female swimmer of her titles
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
'Trucking is a dangerous business'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'More must be done'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'If smoke can affect health early in life, it also can affect life's end'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'The arts are not just expressions of creativity'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'Alligator Alcatraz will be a blight on the Everglades'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
How Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral run will change the Democratic Party
Talking Points The candidate poses a challenge to the party's 'dinosaur wing'
-
'HBCUs have always had to think more strategically'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
The ambiguous legal state of ectopic pregnancy care
The Explainer Rep. Kat Cammack's accusations of 'fearmongering' are the latest example of how mixed messages are complicating the debate around abortion