Larisa Manescu

University of Texas- Austin

I was born in Romania, grew up in Canada and Texas, and spent two years of high school in Argentina, ultimately graduating high school from an international school in Buenos Aires. Privileged with these experiences, I feel the need to scream to the world: Look beyond what you know! Expand your mind to what's out there, and expose it to others as well! I think mainstream journalism spends too much time relying on the talk of officials and not enough on everyday people, which is what the heart of journalism should be about; this is why I aspire to be an investigative journalist. However, the issues with mainstream journalism shouldn't be ignored, so if I gain the position to revolutionize it in any way, I'll take up that opportunity. There's little I don't enjoy doing, but a few of my favorite activities include dancing (unprofessionally but still gracefully, of course), traveling, drinking bubble tea, having adventures with my boyfriend, reading, writing, and talking to strangers. I'm antsy if I'm stagnant for too long, so I'm hoping to get a job that gives me the liberty to take up frequent expat positions around the world.

Articles by Larisa Manescu

The Pitfalls of Politicization May 10, 2012 Political affiliation probably determined peoples’ reactions to the headline of 'President Obama supports same-sex marriage' before they even heard the entirety of the news. We must look at his words from a personal perspective rather than seeking to politicize them.

Human Rights and China’s Rise to Power May 3, 2012 China has managed to increase its global dominance through its booming economic relations with developing nations. However, domestic human rights violations threaten to hamper China's ability to compete with the U.S. for cultural influence around the world.

Dignity, Not Luxury, for Prisoners April 9, 2012 I cannot fathom the perceived benefits — using either practical or ethical arguments — of denying prisoners the most basic of human rights. No system should provide circumstances so bad that a prisoner is deprived of physical health or nutrition.

Learn From Your Mother, But Don’t Be a “Mama’s Boy” March 27, 2012 Preserving the quality of a concrete mother-son relationship can beneficially aid men in their future relationships with women and help develop their own self-assured autonomy. Kate Stone Lombardi's new book on "The Mama's Boy Myth" provides a great explanation.

Inside Pornography: A Rational Feminist Critique February 20, 2012 I’ve never had a passionate opinion on pornography. But, after attending a lecture titled “The Effects of the Sex-Obsessed Culture on Women," I've realized it's important to realize and reflect upon the insinuations of its content.

Justice Tourism and the West Bank February 3, 2012 While often portrayed as a sinister breeding ground for terrorists, the West Bank instead provides a living witness of the social and economic separation that many Palestinians face living in Israel. "Justice tourism" is one attempt to bring this unheard side of the story to light.

All-American Muslim: Hardly a Threat December 16, 2011 TLC's new show "All-American Muslim" has taken a lot of flak recently from the Florida Family Association, and advertisers are already pulling their ads. But there's really no reason for such an absurd response.

The Misguided Quest to Save Rio de Janeiro’s Slums November 18, 2011 As it prepares for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil has increasingly focused attention on its favelas. Yet the intentions behind the movement to improve slum conditions must be humanitarian, not economic; government officials must put the people first, not the tourists.