October 29, 2021

It's up to all of us to stop online bullying

Cyberbullying is on the rise. More parentsacross the world are reporting their children being cyberbullied. At first glance, you may assume this behaviour is an unfortunate consequence of a generation raised online. But it’s not other children setting the standard for modern cyberbullying. Instea…

October 26, 2021

Challenging dominant worldviews through outdoor education is key to preventing climate disaster

Framing humanity and nature as separate created the climate crisis. Teaching our youth the opposite can end the cycle of environmental damage. The rapid rate of global industrialization within the …

October 22, 2021

Misogyny is as much a part of Queen’s culture as Homecoming

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…

October 22, 2021

Representation is crucial for feeling comfortable in your own skin, especially at predominantly white institutions

On my first day on campus, I put on my headphones and turned on Google Maps. It took a few minutes to get out of my neighborhood and find the streets leading to campus. With my music on and Google …

Instagram activism isn’t performative, you’re just not putting in the work

October 22, 2021

Instagram’s previously apolitical feed is long gone, and you’ll be noticed for choosing to ignore it. Instagram activity took a turn in June 2020 when users began sharing and posting information, p…

Kingston’s development plans don’t honour the city’s climate emergency

October 22, 2021

Despite Kingston’s commitment to making the city greener, recent development plans have indicated the municipality’s priorities don’t lie in combatting the climate crisis. In March 2019, City Counc…

Canada’s prison system needs to provide more rehabilitation options for drug addiction

October 7, 2021

This article discusses addiction and may be triggering for some readers. Canada’s prison system provides too few resources or programs for people suffering from drug addiction—all it does is ma…

True workforce inclusivity must look beyond economics

October 7, 2021

The current pandemic labour shortage is causing Canadian employers to shift their attention to the greater than 600,000 Canadians with disabilities who have both the capability and desire to wor…

To avoid the fate of North Korea, we must learn to be critical of our own government

October 5, 2021

In extreme circumstances like a pandemic, governments often introduce regulations that promise a better quality of life for their citizens. The story of Yeonmi Park—a North Korean defector—provides…

Orientation weeks are an opportunity to educate about sexual violence. Banning them isn’t the solution.

October 5, 2021

We are all imperfect when it comes to media literacy—let’s acknowledge it

October 1, 2021

Media literacy—the practice of critically evaluating all kinds of media and understanding how it shapes our lives—is a learned skill no one can expect to wield perfectly all the time. With social m…

A ‘new normal’ should mean a new outlook on body image

October 1, 2021

The body image ideals we carried into the pandemic were unrealistic and unhealthy. As we slowly emerge from this public health crisis, let’s establish a new normal for body image, too. Spending th…

The steep price of outdoor recreation can make nature inaccessible and unwelcoming

September 28, 2021

There’s an assumption the great outdoors is where we can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life—a place that belongs to everyone. But the cost of outdoor gear tells another story. Outdoor recre…

Gatekeeping in the trans community is baseless and harmful

September 24, 2021

The internet allows the LGBTQ+ community to connect more easily than ever before—but not all spaces are as safe as they may seem. I’ve noticed a wave of users on online platforms, such as Tumblr an…

Ontario must take larger strides towards preventing sexual violence on campuses

September 24, 2021

Instant gratification on social media is harming in-person relationships

September 21, 2021

As humans, social connection has always been our lifeline. We’re wired to crave approval from the people around us. Throughout history, people sought the validation of their friends and family memb…

My grieving process isn’t stagnant—and that’s okay

September 21, 2021

I’ve spent a large portion of the last two months coming to terms with a former classmate’s death. I wasn’t as close to them these past couple of years, but the news of their passing still hit me h…

Vic Sahai's passion for student engagement earns endorsement

September 17, 2021

Our Process: The endorsement is the result of a vote by The Journal Editorial Board. The Editorial Board considers platforms and private questioning periods with available candidates before making …

How toys play a role in young adult life

September 17, 2021

Toys seem to exist only in our childhood memories. The era of colourful building blocks, shiny bright balls, and action figurines is buried under a layer of dust in the attic, remembered with only …

Consumers should be mindful of companies’ greenwashed marketing techniques

September 14, 2021

With expensive price tags attached to products marketed as “eco-friendly,” leading a sustainable lifestyle can seem unattainable to people on a budget. Dishonest companies are often the root of thi…

Cancellation of AMS Bus-It Program is unfair for students returning to campus

September 14, 2021

The cancellation of the AMS Bus-It program is a point of frustration this fall. Considering the cost of public transportation and campus parking passes, the program is a needed lifeline for student…

Canada’s COVID-19 requirements for the US/Canada border are unrealistic and unwelcoming for international students

September 10, 2021

The Canadian government’s requirements for crossing the border are unrealistic: the strict and unforgiving limitations, including the time crunch for negative COVID-19 tests and the ArriveCAN app u…

Cancelling the ‘Vote On Campus’ program leaves university students at a disadvantage for the upcoming election

September 10, 2021

In light of the Sept. 20 election, Elections Canada cancelled their Vote On Campus program. But blaming the pandemic and the lack of time for preparation doesn’t justify the destructive effect the …

Varsity athletics need more women coaches

September 2, 2021

Representation for women in sport has always been lacking, but there are few areas in more dire need of women than coaching. Varsity athletics is no exception. As of 2020, only 16 per cent of Canad…

OnlyFans’ proposed ban on pornographic content exposed the platform’s disregard for its creators

September 2, 2021

For five days, the creator platform OnlyFans planned to ban sexually explicit content from its site over alleged pushback from financial institutions. This limbo not only unfairly threatened sex wo…

Overwhelming criticism of Maryam Monsef reveals Canada’s cultural insensitivity

September 2, 2021

On Aug. 25, Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef issued a direct plea to the Taliban, urging for the safe release of people from Afghanistan. For addressing members of the Taliban as “our brother…

Jagmeet Singh’s Tik Tok campaign should make voters think about the relationship between politicians and social media

July 26, 2021

New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh has gone viral for using Tik Tok videos to outline his political campaign. Although his strategy might be a move in the right direction, this union o…

The Texas government is pushing women down a rabbit hole of shame, isolation, and targeting

July 26, 2021

This piece mentions abortion/sexual violence and may be triggering for some readers. The Canadian Mental Health Association Crisis Line can be reached at 1-800-875-6213. Even in the progressive Wes…

Queen’s community must unite to encourage confidence in personal cultural identity

July 26, 2021

Families house cultural roots, passed on from parents to children for generations. Moving away from home can make it difficult to continue these traditions and to preserve one’s personal cultural i…

Editors’ Note: Queer Issue

June 28, 2021

The Queen’s Journal Vol. 149 Issue 2 is our inaugural Queer Issue. In honour of Pride month, this Issue will take a special look at queer voices at Queen’s. It celebrates the joy and community crea…