Open Space: Mental health no longer a shunned topicMental illness is perhaps the least understood, the most highly stigmatized, and the most neglected of all illnesses. Despite recent advances in standardized diagnostic criteria and increasingly well-researched treatments, stigma continues to cloud mental health. If you disagree, Victoria-born Ted Talk presenter Kevin Breel challenges you with this question: “Would you rather make your next […] Continue Reading |
Open Space: Feminism is realityYou hear the “f word” on college campuses a lot these days. Between Tumblr’s social justice warriors and Social Science majors, feminism has been getting a lot of press. It’s not like that’s a new thing: the fight for gender rights has been raging for years. Still, this new breed of feminist has everyone talking. […] Continue Reading |
Sex slavery needs consideration in law reformCanada’s recent law reform has people debating over which legislative objective to adopt concerning the sex trade. But is sex slavery being adequately considered in these debates? The applicants challenging the prostitution laws have, understandably, made recommendations based on their experiences as autonomous sex workers. But any change to the law ought to be considered […] Continue Reading |
Party drugs can be safe this summerWith summer not far away, some students will be gearing up for an array of beach walks, dance parties, music festivals, and outdoor extravaganzas. Summer can also mean a lot of partying. Whether it’s a guerrilla rave happening on the beach or some booty-bumping headliner in a club, we will be putting on our dancing […] Continue Reading |
Open Space: Saviour complex isn’t helping AfricaI can’t count the number of blog and Facebook posts I’ve seen of the same ilk: some white, middle-class college kid takes a “voluntourism” trip to a developing country (usually in Africa), snaps a few photos of themselves with children in an inspirational T-shirt, and swings a hammer a few times over a week. World […] Continue Reading |
Open Space: ESL cuts privatization of English trainingIf anyone thinks the recent ESL cuts are the result of budget worries, they’re sadly mistaken. The problem of English language training and how it should be delivered in British Columbia is a decade-long debate. Taken from a sociological standpoint, a critical constructionist believes that social problems are constructed, conceived, and presented to the public […] Continue Reading |
Open Space: Encountering federal leaders, encountering hopeThings changed when Justin Trudeau came to town. The past few months have been an exciting time for members of the political science club at Camosun College. The club’s Facebook group saw some action in disputing municipal amalgamation, protests against the Canadian Federation of Students in Montreal, and controversial implications of Rob Ford antics in […] Continue Reading |
Open Space: God as man contributes to gender inequalityThe most powerful entity in the universe is god, and he’s a man. This belief has indirectly aided in the creation of a gender imbalance due to its monotheistic principals and has left me asking myself, “What, or who, represents women in Christianity?” Is there any valid point for god having a distinct gender? This […] Continue Reading |
Open Space: Motherhood is the unfinished work of feminismWhy is it that after all the work feminists have done it’s still thought that it should be women who give up their jobs to be stay-at-home parents while the men go to work? Here’s why: motherhood is the unfinished work of feminism. After all that feminism has done, it still has so much to […] Continue Reading |
Open Space: It’s not as easy as just givingEvents like the World Day of Giving portray that things are changing for the better. You know, as though the world is becoming a better place because people from countries around the world are making small donations to help those in need. I’m a little skeptical. Isn’t this just a Band-Aid? Think about it: sitting […] Continue Reading |
