February 4, 2022

Movies and TV shows shouldn’t have to apologize for creating unrealistic fantasies

Films and TV shows are constantly critiqued for portraying unrealistic characters, plots, and fashion. However, the picture on the big screen is made to entertain—viewers must learn the difference between fiction and reality. A common genre under fire for its lack of realism is soapy teen dramas….

February 4, 2022

We need protections from the ‘freedom convoy’ in Ottawa that don’t involve the police

Canada is failing when it comes to protecting citizens and holding perpetrators accountable without police involvement. The continuing violence and hatred from those participating in the “freedom c…

February 4, 2022

For offenders like Shane Dawson, cancel culture has no meaning

Three months ago, Shane Dawson returned to the internet with his head held high and a shameless three-part series close behind him. Most internet users are aware of Dawson’s recent history—a mob of…

February 1, 2022

AMS 2022 winter referendum statements

The Journal provides free space in our print edition and online for parties on the referendum ballot. All statements are unedited. Voting takes place Feb. 1 and 2. Triennial Review Camp Outlook Que…

Team ETC can push the AMS forward—but they must be willing to learn on the job

January 28, 2022

Our Process: The endorsement is the result of a vote by The Journal’s Editorial Board. The Editorial Board considers prior interviews, debates, platforms, and a private questioning period with the …

It’s time to recognize the problem with hockey culture

January 28, 2022

This article discusses sexual assault and may be triggering for some readers. The Kingston Sexual Assault Centre’s 24-hour crisis and support phone line can be reached at 613-544-6424 / 1-800-544-6…

Every celebrity you idolize will turn into Chris Pratt

January 28, 2022

Restructuring priorities for medical school students could address inequities in healthcare distribution

January 25, 2022

Issues with the distribution of healthcare in Canada is no secret—in 2020, only eight per cent of the country’s 92,173 practicing physicians were serving rural communities. Although medical schools…

Social media’s mental health content is for self-education, not self-diagnosis

January 25, 2022

Like many, I first viewed social media’s array of mental health content as a useful outlet for discussing mental health and connecting people through shared experiences. However, I’ve since realize…

Alleged racially motivated incident demonstrates reality faced by students of colour in Kingston

January 21, 2022

Two racialized graduate students at Queen’s say they were targeted by a driver who almost ran them over when they were crossing the road at an intersection on Jan. 6. The women later told The Kings…

Queen’s needs to keep students informed about COVID-19

January 21, 2022

University students and staff deserve better than the vague instructions, lack of clear communication, and confusing bureaucracy that came from Queen’s in December, when the abrupt switch to online…

The 2022 Golden Globes will be the future of award shows if they don’t change for the better

January 18, 2022

Jan. 9 marked one of the most anticlimactic happenings in recent Hollywood history: the 79th Golden Globes Awards. This year’s ceremony included no hosts, no celebrity guests, and solely live-blogg…

Gyms should be considered an essential service

January 18, 2022

Gyms should remain open during COVID-19 lockdowns. Now, more than ever, people need to take care of their bodies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say being overweight can lead …

Tara Henley’s comments about the CBC exemplify how not to criticize journalism

January 14, 2022

To maintain the integrity and accountability of Canadian journalism, criticism of media outlets is a must. Tara Henley’s accusations towards the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), however, ar…

Love triangles in film are unnecessary and unhealthy—change my mind

January 13, 2022

I’ve never understood the excitement around love triangles in film. Although the hype of cheering for Team Gale or Team Peeta can be contagious, it overshadows the unhealthy message sent to real-li…

Transparency and accountability is a must for student leadership—and RTZ doesn’t deliver

November 26, 2021

Student government leaders must be honest and transparent when addressing problems within their institutions—and team RTZ is no exception. Since the beginning of their term, four members of the AMS…

Let’s make academics more accessible and less elitist

November 26, 2021

In the past few months, I have used the term “anticolonialism” about 367 times. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve explained Edward Said’s “East vs. West dichotomy” to an unsuspecting econ major…

Academic freedom is no excuse for racism in the classroom

November 19, 2021

On university campuses, ‘academic freedom’ can sometimes be code for racism. Last fall, University of Ottawa professor Verushka Lieutenant-Duval was suspended after using an anti-Black racial slur …

We need to stop romanticizing unhealthy power dynamics in relationships

November 19, 2021

When I was a teenager, I was enamoured by the idea of forbidden love. I saw it everywhere—from songs and books to movies and TV shows. This forbidden love often fell into one trope: a heterosexual …

There's more value in discussing your ideas than posting them online

November 19, 2021

Our personal and public lives have separated as we unwaveringly press forward into the digital age. However, this isn’t a diatribe on the rules of internet security or the dangers of opening yourse…

Burnout culture in academia is harmful—let’s find other ways to measure success

November 12, 2021

Crying, feeling numb, having too much going on, being behind in every class, not spending enough time with your friends, wanting to stay in bed all day—we all know the feeling. It’s burnout, and su…

RBC doesn’t care about Indigenous reconciliation or the climate crisis. The money proves it.

November 12, 2021

The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) may claim to care about the climate crisis and Indigenous reconciliation, but the institution’s actions have proven performative—and the CEO seems dismissive of those…

The popularity of Asian-created content doesn’t eclipse anti-Asian racism

November 12, 2021

If you think Squid Game’s popularity represents greater acceptance for East Asian folks in North America, think again. When Asian media is trending, it doesn’t erase the racism experienced by the A…

Taking time to recharge wasn’t the solution to getting back on my feet

November 5, 2021

The Canadian Mental Health Association Crisis Line can be reached at 1-800-875-6213. “It’s okay to say ‘no, I don’t feel like it’. Take some time for yourself to recharge.” I’ve been told this sent…

University students deserve better from education than a creative vacuum

November 5, 2021

Universities need a better relationship with creativity. Undergraduate learning is an exhausting cycle—go to class, read the textbook, memorize the facts, then regurgitate those facts onto your exa…

We need to study the humanities—not only STEM

November 5, 2021

In the race to push more and more kids into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, we’ve begun to neglect the importance of the humanities. Arts degrees have been shamed for n…

Stop pressuring people with non-Western names to accept anglicized nicknames

November 2, 2021

From Mohammed to “Mo,” Hung to “Hunter,” Debelah to “Deborah”—Canadian society often pressures people with non-Western names to accept nicknames molded to whiteness. Confronting the racism that dri…

AMS 2021 fall referendum statements

October 30, 2021

The Journal provides free space in our print edition and online for parties on the referendum ballot. All statements are unedited. This year, the fall referendum will take place on Nov. 1 and 2. Qu…

Jump-rope is changing how I feel about cardio, and it can do the same for you

October 29, 2021

If you’re anything like me, working out can sometimes feel like a bit of a chore—especially cardio. As I’ve recently discovered, however, there’s a not-so novel way of getting in a great cardiovasc…

Increased police presence in the University District must not go unacknowledged by Queen's

October 29, 2021

Students are uncomfortable with the City of Kingston’s increased policing of the University District. Once again, the University is turning a blind eye. Before Homecoming weekend on Oct. 15, news b…