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Melissa Barales-Lopez

Melissa Barales-Lopez

Hi! My name is Melissa and I'm a Los Angeles native. I spend most of my time reading, writing, and watching an inordinate amount of Law of Order. I share a passion for public policy and literature and would love to pursue a career in either field.
Mike Pence: The better alternative?

Mike Pence: The better alternative?

Facing an abundant and growing amount of evidence of presidential wrongdoing involving obstruction of justice, Donald J. Trump could very possibly be facing future impeachment. Granted, there have been only two presidents, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, in all of...

The Costs of Being a Woman in the U.S.

The Costs of Being a Woman in the U.S.

Alicia Lopez, working-class mother of six, is quick to warn first-time mothers of the astronomical — and often concealed — costs of giving birth. With over $15,000 of pregnancy fees and delivery charges under her belt, Ms. Lopez has sworn off children. “I can’t afford...

Anti-Blackness in the Latinx community

Anti-Blackness in the Latinx community

An unacknowledged and ingrained feature of the Latinx community is the anti-Blackness sentiment that seeps into many dinner conversations and daily life. Indeed, a cornerstone of the Latinx community is the diversity of our appearance; White Latinos, Afro-Latinos, and...

Fentanyl ― the new drug killing thousands

Fentanyl ― the new drug killing thousands

An unprecedented and seemingly abundant drug is making its way through the market. Leaving catastrophe and tragedy in its wake, fentanyl is further exacerbating the already severe opioid crisis in America. Worst of all, health and public officials across the nation...

Turning a deaf ear…

Turning a deaf ear…

Despite priding myself on a highly unique and distinguishable music taste, I’ll admit that I like to indulge in the Billboard Top 100 hits. I’ve found myself absentmindedly bopping my head to hip-hop songs in spite of my constant proclamations that my personal music...

AYE: Shortage of funds

AYE: Shortage of funds

An indigo blue, revolving chair, the endless stacks of paper on a desk at any one given time, and an overly zealous receptionist stationed at the corner of the office paint a clear picture of the 280 hours I spent interning at AYE. Endowed with a generous grant from...