“Many critics of such a replacement argue that heritage has a part to play in the flag’s significance and that we must not replace our history simply because of a few bruised egos. Such an argument, however genuine, disregards the fact that white supremacy is the foundation of much of our institutions and by proxy, our province.” writes fourth-year conflict studies and human rights student at the University of Ottawa Trevor Stewart.
“Your athletes and your community do not want your emails or your social media posts, they want you to take accountability for your actions (or lack thereof), and implement sustainable change in the form of policies and action. Your words without action are and will continue to be empty,” write a collective of members from the University of Ottawa women’s rugby team.
COVID-19 has meant that millions of Americans have cast mail-in and absentee ballots (despite the political rhetoric, these are the same thing). Unfortunately, because many states do not start counting absentee ballots until election night and because their infrastructure isn’t designed to handle such a huge quantity, it could be days or weeks before we have a final vote tally from every state,” writes Fulcrum contributor Christopher Bishop.
In light of the recent controversy surrounding the use of the ‘N-word’ by a professor in a lecture. Babacar Faye, the University of Ottawa Students’ Union president, has written a letter to the editor of the Fulcrum where he calls on the University of Ottawa to take action and take the necessary steps to rid the campus of racism and make it inclusive for everyone.
“After re-familiarizing myself with different types of water, I’ve come to a conclusion; Aquafina and Dasani water need to go out of business,” writes Siena Domaradzki-Kim, the Fulcrum’s associate features editor.
“Academic freedom, which protects professors and researchers from sanctions when they dissent from prevailing opinions, has been seriously undermined by the authoritarian left. This was confirmed recently in a controversy concerning a University of Ottawa professor who spoke the ‘N-word’ in class,” writes Stuart Chambers, a professor at the school of sociology and anthropology at the University of Ottawa.
“What is happening at the University of Ottawa is not about white folk’s right to access reclaimed verbiage by communities outside of their own, nor about academic freedom, as we have been so led to believe. What we are collectively bearing witness to is about power; namely who can access it, and who must succumb to it,” writes Shadé Edwards, a second-year common law student at the University of Ottawa.
It’s been more than a week now since the University of Ottawa’s support staff (PSUO-SSUO) went on strike following the breakdown of mediated talks with the University of Ottawa on Oct.15. The Fulcrum believes it’s time for the University to get back to the bargaining table and strike a fair deal with PSUO-SSUO members that does not involve significant cuts to members healthcare coverage.
Some of us bake bread, or learn to paint, and others take-up running. And some of us (like me) plan international trips so that I can hop on an airplane as soon as the pandemic is over. The things you can learn about solo travellers in films can also apply to life in isolation.
“To the young people who have found such glee in attacking their professors; your self-righteous instrumentalization of identity politics, it must be said, is hyperbolic and misdirected,” writes Ryan Lux a doctoral candidate at the U of O’s school of sociological and anthropological studies.
