Opinion
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Let’s take a breather
Exam season is almost upon us, which means endless amounts of caffeine and bidding your friends farewell for a few weeks. Thankfully, we have those glorious seven days in February to catch up on that pile of homework.
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The Soapbox
Okay guys, it’s time we have a chat. And let’s be clear, I don’t mean “guys” from the perspective of our language that often defaults to a masculine bias; I actually mean that right now, I need to talk to those who identify as men. Female or feminine identified folks, you can of course join in - some of you already have - but ultimately, this conversation is most needed between us guys.
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Yes, we are racist.
As much of our city knows, Maclean’s recently released an article titled, “Welcome to Winnipeg: Where Canada’s Racism Problem is at its Worst.” Nancy Macdonald - the author of the article - triggered strong reactions across the city, forcing many Winnipeggers to look at ourselves in the mirror. We cannot pretend that racism doesn’t exist in Winnipeg.
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Facebook comments bring unwanted attention
Late in 2014, Kelvin High School teacher Brad Badiuk was found to have made offensive comments towards First Nations people on Facebook. His Facebook post referenced the book “The Comeback” by John Ralston Saul - a book explaining how mending the relationship between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Canadians was the key to a better country.
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Canada’s Patriot Act
Bill C-51, or The Anti-Terrorism Act as it’s more commonly known, is the newly revealed piece of legislation that the Prime Minister’s office claims will tighten Canada’s protections against acts of terrorism and improve communication amongst various departments and agencies.
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Imagine all the people (getting higher education for free)
Well, the headline doesn’t quite fit the John Lennon song, but almost, right? President Barack Obama recently imagined something quite daring - at least in the American context. He proposed free community college for “everyone who’s willing to work for it.” He emphasized the proposal as being a cultural shift and an idea he would like to see spread all across America.
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Policy changes can’t fix everything
The Ontario government’s recent revision of policy regarding the treatment of transgender prisoners seems at first glance to be a step in the right direction. The biggest change to the policy means that prisoners will now be incarcerated based on their self-identified gender. In addition, trans women will now have the option to be strip-searched by women rather than men. Prisoners will be addressed by the gender and name with which they identify.
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Freethinking
The Manitoba Government has come under heavy criticism lately on a wide variety of fronts. On poverty, healthcare, taxes, education and resource management, not too many kind words have been said about the current administration.
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Pot Shots
It’s time to legalize marijuana.
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Streeter
Q: How do you feel about Nancy MacDonald’s Maclean’s article claiming that Winnipeg is the most racist city in Canada?
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Racism
I’m not interested in discussing whether Winnipeg is the most racist city in Canada. Racism is an issue across the continent. It’s a side effect of living under a settler colonial system that has a vested interest in securing land and resources, subjugating the indigenous population and controlling popular opinion.
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Still Breathing, but barely
On the third night of the year I got into the backseat of my parents’ Mazda next to my aunt and uncle. My dad drove and my mom fretted over whether she’d fit in. We were headed to a chilly Exchange District studio, where my cousin and her friends hosted a hip hop dance battle.
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Fossil Free Future
We are in the midst of a movement. Before you throw up your hands and cry, “Good Lord, not another one,” as images of Occupy Wall Street and Kony2012 flash through your mind, hear me out. A movement of fossil fuel divestment is gaining support on university campuses across Canada and the United States.
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This article has been removed
In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, people worldwide have expressed solidarity with the French satirical magazine and the nuances of free speech have made a swift entrance into mainstream conversation.
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Current prostitution laws aren’t sexy
It seems some governments are beginning to understand that legalization or the lack thereof has little to do with how people actually behave. Prohibition in 1920s United States is a common example of how outlawing something often fails as a deterrent (the outlawing of alcohol resulted in bootlegging and underground drinking clubs), but often causes people to do that activity more often and under more dangerous circumstances.
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Online Exclusive - Prosperity, Power and Putin
“Today, there are many forces tugging at the fabric of our societies. Demagogues who play on fears of immigrants and minorities, economic stagnation that hollows out communities and puts the dream of upward mobility out of reach for too many families. Deep frustrations that erode trust in our leaders, our institutions, even our neighbours.”
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Well, That’s garbage
Winnipeg winters are, to say the least, harsh.
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Is there room for empathy in the context of free speech?
On January 7, two gunmen (later identified as Muslim extremists) entered the offices of satirical Paris magazine Charlie Hebdo and opened fire, killing 12 people, allegedly over offence caused by illustrations of the prophet Muhammad.
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A tough conversation
It’s time to have a conversation. Actually, it’s far past time.
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Cultural inequality is real, but free museum admission isn’t the problem
The Canadian Museum of Human Rights (CMHR) is facing criticism for providing free admission for Indigenous people.