Compared to white women, black mothers die at three times the rate during childbirth. Racism in healthcare has consistently failed women of colour. History of inhumane experiments on slaves has institutionalized stereotypes regarding how black people should be cared for. Many doctors still hold the belief that African Americans can handle more pain, leading to…
On March 14, 1979, Judy Chicago’s art instillation, “The Dinner Party,” was opened at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. That instillation pushed feminist art to the limelight, changing the lives of women, and forever defining Chicago as a legend. Now, “The Dinner Party” is permanently installed in the Brooklyn Museum, but the life…
The black deaf community is wholly shaped by two marginalized communities: deaf and African-American. For women, the prejudice may reach an intersectionality of three, experiencing sexism, racism, and communication barriers. The history of prejudice and segregation against black folk invented a dialect of American Sign Language (ASL), known simply as Black ASL. The discriminatory practices…
The holidays are a fantastic time to practice giving. This year, I want to focus on giving the gift of empathy and understanding this holiday season, and I think you should too! Below is a list of holiday phrases in different languages, and I encourage you to use these with people you know who’s first…
Frida Kahlo is recognized as Mexico’s, if not the world’s, greatest painter. She is a Marxist, reconstructionist, disabled, bisexual painter and activist. Kahlo completely revolutionized the way we view art, gender, and society. Her art, particularly her self-portraits share a personal story of pain and suffering, but also a profound resilience. Kahlo explained, I paint…
By 2035, climate change will reach a point of no return. Unless immediate, monumental action is taken, 2035 will literally be the beginning of the end. These number are optimistic, as science sides with caution. That mean we have 17 or less years of living without food shortage, economic collapse, unliveable environments, and inevitably, extinction. Ice…
Looking past personal prejudices, similar to sexism and homophobia, racism is systematic. It exists within societal institutions like the government, the education system, the health care system, the criminal justice system, and the work force. This results in underrepresentation of people of colour in positions of power and mistreatment of people of colour across institutions…
In February 2014, London-based, award winning journalist, Reni Eddo-Lodge published a blog titled, “Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race.” It explained the vastly recognized frustration that people of colour experience describing struggle to those who can’t wholly relate and refuse to listen. In the blog she explains, I cannot continue to…
Often referred to as the “world’s oldest profession,” prostitution has existed in society for thousands of years. In recent years, many countries have decriminalized sex-work in an attempt to improve the health and safety of prostitutes. Since 2014, Canada has legalized the selling of sex, but criminalized the purchasing or “obtain[ing] for consideration… the sexual services…
In the 80’s and 90’s, the Club Kids, a youth group of dance personalities led primarily by party promoter Michael Alig, were a defining force in New York’s underground party scene. One Club Kid who can be commonly recognized by those born outside of the Club Kid era is RuPaul. RuPaul is a drag queen…
About a month ago, the Keg replaced their plastic straws with a plant-based straw in an effort to minimize plastic waste. A restaurant in Banff, Magpie and Stump, is following the #StrawsSuck campaign and serving all drink without straws. Even Starbucks has planned to eliminate all plastic straws from their stores by 2020. Vancouver and…