opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Can Writers Be Apolitical?. Top Story - April 2021.
Short answer: no. No, they cannot. Long answer: it's a little more complicated than that. I find discussions of politics to be incredibly fascinating. Maybe it's because I study in a program heavily based on politics and write about current affairs every day. Growing up, I was privy to a phrase that rings in my ears to this day. Three things you never talk about: money, politics and religion. I have to say, even as a child, I thought this was a weird turn of phrase. On the smörgåsbord of interesting conversational topics, why is politics off limit? What about politics triggers our delicate sensibilities and makes such topics untenable?
By Laquesha Bailey5 years ago in The Swamp
Isn't That Your Job?
While I sit at home and contemplate my life, as I’ve had ample time to do this past year, I’m reminded of my first semester at Simon Fraser University. Back then I was 19, bright-eyed and blissfully unaware that I would be completing my university studies from the comfort of my living room. My first class at Simon Fraser was Criminology 135: Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions and my professor was a stern man who had once been the Attorney General. I loved it. So much so that I began doing things like drinking coffee and pulling all-nighters to ensure that I performed well because, like everyone says, “college is where it really counts”.
By Zachary Bennett5 years ago in The Swamp
You Are Part of the Problem
I have a few things to say here, and I’m not sorry. This stuff is really bugging me; the cognitive dissonance is strong (and I don’t know why it’s not the same for those of you for whom this applies). Holding such starkly opposing views so strongly should cause cognitive dissonance... and if it doesn’t, there’s some work you need to do. There are a lot more examples than just those listed here, and I’m sorry if I missed yours, but writing all these out is depressing.
By Jenn Kirkland5 years ago in The Swamp
What Would I Say To Our Country? We Must Do Better!
America, it's time to do three things. Redesign, Rebuild, Reclaim! The words can mean many things. They are by themselves verbs, or transitive verbs if you wanted to get technical. They’re also when put together, a mission statement for anyone that has suffered a failure, a loss, or fallen on hard times. Let’s face facts. In today’s world, we now need more strength than at any time in recent history. We’re all going to suffer from the rapidly changing universe we live in and our lives will inevitably be affected by the sudden change in both our immediate world, our communities, our country, and unfortunately, I do believe our planet.
By Jason Ray Morton 5 years ago in The Swamp
Digital Blackface? Really?
The thing about anti-racists is that some on the more extreme end of thinking are always looking for brand new ways to figure out how to accuse non-racist people of somehow being racist. Some of them just seem to like "Gotcha!" moments and moving goalposts in order to trap more and more people.
By Chris Hearn5 years ago in The Swamp
Being a Hidden Victim of the Pandemic
“Heroes work here.” That’s what everyone has been preaching since last March and while I wholeheartedly agree that medical professionals deserve recognition, it would be dishonest of me to ignore the epidemic of negligence spreading through hospitals. And as someone who has been “blessed” with two hospital stays since the beginning of the pandemic, I feel qualified to at least share my experience in hopes that other people will pay attention to their care and speak up when need be.
By Breanna Leslie5 years ago in The Swamp
