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Abril Rodriguez Diaz

About Abril Rodriguez Diaz

Forum Editor Abril Rodriguez Diaz ’26 studies Psychology and Government and is passionate about mental health access, immigrant rights, and women's health. When she's not writing or working at the Independent, you'll find her practicing yoga, playing guitar, or trying out new recipes.

Articles written by Abril Rodriguez Diaz:

Emmanuel_Effiong_2026_--_affirmative_action_piece

Harvard Admissions, It’s Time to Turn to Class-Based Affirmative Action

Class-based affirmative action should have been implemented decades ago. With race-based affirmative action banned, it is now the best way forward to maintaining and increasing diversity.

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Last month, Harvard’s Class of 2028—the first to enroll since the ban on race-based affirmative action—began their freshman year. The past few weeks on campus have been marked by discussions following Harvard’s release of the Class of 2028’s racial demographics, which showed that the share of Black and brown students remained relatively stable compared to […]

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“This Time, It’s Different.”

Gabriel Ferrer ’26 speaks on Venezuela’s post-election crisis and his role in raising awareness at Harvard.

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“We need the world to know what is happening in Venezuela,” declared Gabriel Ferrer ’26 on an Instagram reel that has since reached almost 18 thousand views. He went on to give a passionate rundown of Venezuela’s current post-election crisis. “We’re now in the process of defending the truth, and we’re asking the international community […]

Alma Russell Birth Control

For the Bodies the Pill Left Bleeding

Despite what experts from the Washington Post say, the birth control pill made me incredibly sick.

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On March 22, I opened my email over breakfast to The Post Most and clicked on the headliner: “Women are getting off birth control amid misinformation explosion.” Written by two female health reporters, Lauren Weber and Sabrina Malhi, the article criticized women who share negative experiences with hormonal contraceptives online. Weber and Malhi called the […]

Annelise 9.28

Inclusion and Exclusion: Hispanic Heritage Month at Harvard

Realizing the implications of Hispanic Heritage Month, but celebrating our identity all the same.

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Being Hispanic and Mexican, I do not celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Through its materialization at Harvard, the month of September—filled with themed HUDS recipes, house community events, and cultural showcases—prompts contemplation on the interplay of race, culture, and linguistic identity from its Latino students. To me, the month-long attribution feels violently reminiscent of the Spanish […]

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Inclusión y exclusión: “Hispanic Heritage Month” en Harvard

Comprendiendo los implicaciones, pero celebrando igualmente nuestra identidad.

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Aunque soy latina y mexicana, no celebro el “Mes de la Herencia Hispana,”,  ​​Hispanic Heritage Month. A través de su materialización en Harvard, el mes de septiembre—lleno de eventos y celebraciones culturales—fomenta la reflexión de estudiantes latinos sobre la interacción entre raza, cultura e identidad lingüística. Para mí, la atribución de un mes de celebración […]

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Technology as a Distraction: Why We Should Set Our Own Barriers

How much more productive could you be in lecture without a laptop?

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With the fall semester taking off, most Harvard students are doing their best to set good habits and regular routines. Starting the year off strong can be crucial to succeeding academically and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Being a Harvard student often means racing against the clock, playing a game to add as many responsibilities […]

Lucy 4.20

i and my sensations

An original poem.

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glazed walls / hazy still-shots around the room: how to slice birthday cake / spilled drink / sit by me / satin, sour patch, kisses, cables / and seconds, staggered seconds / berry adolescence / all this in black and blue air sinking, breathing / like a merry go round / these walls are warm […]

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Artificial Intelligence is a Nuclear Weapon

Bill de Blasio warns Harvard affiliates about the consequences of letting AI remain unregulated.

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“The parallel [to nuclear weapons] is striking. Can you imagine the creators of nuclear weapons deciding they wanted to open source what they had done?”  On Tuesday, March 28th, Harvard Program of Science, Technology, and Society welcomed former Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio for a discussion of AI for Cities or Cities […]