Op Ed: Vote No On Amendment Two
The proposed school voucher amendment to the Kentucky Constitution could fundamentally change education in the state. Here’s why it could lead to more harm than benefit.
Reflection on The Torch – Where We Are and Where We Are Going
A statement by the Torch Crew on the state of the publication and our plans for the future.
Why Should I Even Vote?
Many young people in the US are apathetic to elections and consider voting useless. Sydney McCarter makes the case otherwise.
How the Education Department Failed Its Students
A student speaks on collective issues in the education department at Berea College.
Bringing Out the Red: What Being an EMS Worker Taught Me
How the American healthcare system shows the failures of capitalism.
What Should the New Student Union Centre Look Like?
More stores, cafés, meeting spaces. What does the Berea community want to see in the new student union centre?
Which Side Are You On?: A Book Review by The League of Revolutionaries for a New America’s Legacy Committee for Labor Day 2023
Harlan County & its continuing history with miners strike is explored in the book “Which Side Are You On?”
City on the Hill: The Rise of Anti-Democracy
Senate Bill 92 threatens to disrupt Ohio’s proud tradition of referendums.
Editorial: The Kentucky Anti-Drag Queen Bills are ‘Dead’, Some Believe
Berea College student, Bless, offers her opinions on SB 115, the bill aiming to limit drag performances in Kentucky.
Editorial: Trayvion Newton & Suneil Avirneni for SGA Junior President & Vice-President
Read about how Trayvion and Suneil plan to represent students in the SGA.
Editorial: Salaam Nahasi for SGA Sophomore Senator
Read about how Salaam plans to represent students in the SGA.
Editorial: Lily Barnette & Ülvi Gitaliyev for SGA President & Vice-President
Read about how Lily and Ülvi plan to represent students in the SGA.
The Berea Torch’s One Year Anniversary: Lessons and Plans
Looking back at our past, The Berea Torch analyzes our past achievements and looks towards the future.
Walkability and Bikeability In Lexington: Interview with Blake Hall
Native Lexingtonian and urbanism enthusiast Blake Hall talks about his vision for a more walkable and bikeable Lexington.
A Reflection and a Happy Winter Break!
The Berea Torch wishes all our readers a happy winter break and happy holidays!
“There Has to be a Better System” The Convocation Survey Results and What They Can Teach us?
The Berea College convocation survey results show a clear message: Convocations need major reforms.
Students Organizing for Higher Pay
Students in Berea College have started a petition to increase labor wages to the Kentucky minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Who Should Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District Vote For?
This year, the residents of Richmond, Lexington and Frankfort have to choose between two candidates that leave much to be desired
The Elevator Tried to Eat Me
A student gives us an account of their harrowing experience stuck in a Kettering elevator.
What is the SGA Going To Do This Semester?
SGA Sophomore Vice-President Suneil Avirneni interviews SGA President Connor Courtney and talks about his plans for changing Berea this semester.
Solidarity in the 21st Century
It is more important now than ever for workers to support each other in their struggle to achieve a living wage and build a new, fairer society for all.
Workers Gather in Chicago for First Labor Notes Conference in Four Years
On our third Labor Day related article, we will focus on the Chicago Labor Notes conference of 2022 and how the working class was treated during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Remembrance of Harlan’s Valiant Workers’ Insurrection
The Harlan County War (1931-1939) cost the lives of many men and showed the world that the fight for basic workers rights was well and alive in the United States.
Please Bring Back the Martial Arts Club
Reasons Everyone Should Learn Martial Arts a.k.a Please Bring Back the Martial Arts Club
Gerrymandering in America: What It Means, Its Effects, and How to Do It Yourself
Gerrymandering has been a problem in U.S politics since the 19th century and this year is no exception. Read about how gerrymandering affects you and how to spot it.
Travel Chronicle: Lost in the Forests of Georgia
By Ülvi Gitaliyev My adventures for this week takes us back a long, long time ago, 2018 B.C. (Before COVID), before I became another victim of Berea College’s no-tuition (and no fun) promise. Surrounded by mountains and separated by a river, Tbilisi, Georgia is a blend of urban and natural beauty. Its parks, with names…
“Beware of the Great Russian Chauvinist!” How it Feels to be a Neighbour of Russia
Being a neighbour of Russia is an experience that is hard to replicate anywhere else in the world.
Travel Chronicle: Crying in New York and Home Sweet Home
Travelling halfway across the world with a 100 pounds during the COVID-19 Pandemic, because why not?
A Love Letter to Gus Gerassimides
Dear Gus Gerassimides, Rarely has any man been so straightforward and persistent with me as you, Gus, and quite frankly, I am flattered. Please enjoy this letter from yours truly. To be honest, I had never heard of you before this semester. It is quite clear though, that you were aware of me long before…
Travel Chronicle: Jesus Police and Special Rock in Knoxville
When it comes to homelessness, Knoxville is one of the best cities to choose from, just do not tell the locals your opinions on Jesus!
Berea Needs an “Adulting” Class
Sometimes, a college needs to teach its students the basics before moving unto more complex and abstract ideas.
Response to Lyle Roelofs’ “Statement Regarding ‘The Berea Torch’”
After months of meetings and emails, The Berea Torch presents its demands to the college administration.
Why Hunting Witches was an Economic, not Religious, Affair
Witchcraft trials has been oversimplified as purely religious affairs, but it would be foolish to ignore the social and economic factors leading to witchcraft accusations.
Why Campus Activity Board is Failing
Campus Activities Board has to be restructured and better use its funds to engage with more students.
Stove Please ~ A Message to Dana Hall
Surviving off only pre-cooked and dining food is a punishment that no student should suffer through.
Travel Chronicles: Bible Studies and Satanist Concerts in Cincinnati
Being homeless for one night sounds like a nightmare to most, but for me, it was a dream come true.
Thank you for not smoking ~ An anecdotal rant from a pissed off student
The College’s smoking policy, while built with good intentions, penalizes smokers rather than helping them.
Green Decal, Red Line: Issues with Two-Hour Parking
Parking in Berea College has always been a source of tension between students and Public Safety. Some students want to change that.
Travel Chronicles: Walking from Berea to Richmond
The Berea Bubble can be very suffocating at times, but this one student was ready to do anything to get out of it.
Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Illusion of Course Choice at Berea
Finishing Berea in just eight semesters is a challenge in and of itself, but why is that the case?
Response to The Pinnacle’s Editorial Piece: “The Berea Torch – Communist Competitor or Partner in the Press?”
A response editorial to The Pinnacle’s most recent opinion piece about us!
Editorial on Digital Freedom: “Free as in Freedom”
Much of the software we use on a daily basis has hidden layers that allow companies to spy, infect and worse to our computers. Digital freedom presents a solution to this issue.
Ping Pong Please ~ A Message to Bingham RAs
Ping Pong is the sacred right of all students!
Reforming Mandatory Reporting
Ostensibly, mandatory reporters are meant to help protect students, but in reality, they protect the college.
Environment Criminals in Little Blue Vests and Clunky Carts ~ A Message to Public Safety
A message to Public Safety regarding their notorious nature crimes that have wrecked havoc to the beauty of campus grounds.
Liberalism: A Russian Perspective
Liberalism and Russia have never mixed well, but where does this tradition of autocracy come from?
Is the United States in a Revolutionary Situation?
The COVID-19 Pandemic has shown us the limits of laissez faire capitalism, but is it enough to bring about a total revolution?
The Patriarchy is in the Pillars
How patriarchal structures of power and dominance shaped the Classical architecture that can be seen in Berea.