: In early April the Associated Press announced that it would no longer use the word “illegal” when referring to undocumented immigrants. The decision has been hailed by immigrant rights groups and others, who say the term is a pejorative that dehumanizes large swaths of the U.S. population, immigrant and native-born alike. Authors Andrew Lam, Helen Zia and Chitra Divakaruni offer their own views on the term “illegal” through the lens of the immigrant experience.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski’s plan to allow greater media consolidation in local markets could wipe out many of the remaining TV station owners of color left in the country. According to the latest data, people of color own just over 3 percent of all full-power TV stations — just 43 of the nation’s 1,348 stations — despite making up close to 40 percent of the U.S. population. But the FCC chairman doesn’t plan to deal with this media inequality. Instead, he wants to adopt rules that will make things worse. 

‎"If roads were collapsing all across the United States, killing dozens of drivers, we would surely see that as a moment to talk about what we could do to keep roads from collapsing. If terrorists were detonating bombs in port after port, you can be sure Congress would be working to upgrade the nation’s security measures. If a plague was ripping through communities, public-health officials would be working feverishly to contain it.  "Only with gun violence do we respond to repeated tragedies by saying that mourning is acceptable but discussing how to prevent more tragedies is not. 

The media-dubbed “coalition of the ascendant” of women and minorities has made historic gains in our nation, yet according to the Federal Communications Commission, these communities own only a pittance of the mainstream media. Apparently not satisfied with their grip on the market, media conglomerates are lobbying the FCC to allow even more consolidation in the industry, effectively shutting the door to the development of a media that’s more reflective of our nation.

The largest African-American newspaper in the District recently won the right to keep its designation to be considered for government contracts. The Washington Informer newspaper announced a settlement with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer in maintaining its status with the District government as a newspaper of general circulation and a Certified Business Enterprise. Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes expressed her satisfaction with the settlement. "I am pleased with the OCFO's decision but I am still baffled by the unwarranted decision which got us here in the first place and its negative implications," Rolark Barnes said. 

Michael Cancella, a Highbrow Magazine contributor, graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a B.A in History in 2010.  After graduating he worked in the finance industry at a hedge fund startup and is currently going through the CFA Program in an effort to broaden his knowledge of finance and the economy. A desire to place current events in historical context has inspired him to pursue efforts in financial journalism, which in turn has evolved into a freelance writing career with a broad scope of topic interests including politics, domestic social issues, global events, sports, as well as finance and the economy. 

Tucker Carlson is that rarity in the sea of conservatives. He has opposed the Iraq War, been a vocal critic of George W. Bush, is a devoted Grateful Dead fan to boot, and once traveled to Africa with the Rev. Al Sharpton. Carlson, along with the New York Times’ David Brooks, is the type of conservative whom liberals may disagree with, but ultimately (and perhaps grudgingly) respect. Carlson currently serves as the Daily Caller's Editor-in-Chief, an online publication he co-founded with Neil Patel, which has made its mark as a lively bastion of conservative thought, boasting millions of readers, brash and theatrical headlines, and even a "Guns and Gear" section.

Liz Appleby, a contributing writer at Highbrow Magazine, is originally from the North East of England. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, she moved to London where she has lived since 2003. She works as a freelance writer, researcher and consultant in the creative and digital media industries. Liz has written extensively about the arts, including articles on the late John Cage, Public Enemy, and David Hockney.

Highbrow Magazine assistant managing editor Zach Napolitano is regarded as one of the last true custodians of the English language. That is mainly because he financed his degrees from Fordham University and Brooklyn College through janitorial work. In addition to fixing, and occasionally making, pages for Highbrow Magazine, he’s contributed to Long Island Pulse Magazine and has been awarded for his writing in media research by the New York State Communication Association. Zach currently resides in Babylon, New York. 

Loren DiBlasi is a freelance writer/blogger based in New York City. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College as a double major in English and Art History. Loren loves music, film, art, fashion, and all aspects of pop culture, which she writes about frequently. Her articles for Highbrow Magazine have included coverage of Golden Globe-nominated films; a look at the Oscars; and a political essay about how the 2012 presidential candidates utilize social media in their campaigns.