Two times out of three, telling somebody that I am a fan of the seven-member Korean boy band, BTS, elicits a reaction rife with judgement, disdain, and snideness. Mostly, in these instances, I can know what assumptions these people harbour, because I have come face to face with it many times before, both online and…
When we think of the Middle East, we think of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, the Red Sea. We think of both the towering skyscrapers in Dubai and the crumbling huts of the Yemani countryside. For some, one image is more resonant to their perception of the Middle East than others; the image of a totalitarian,…
COVID-19 has been a persisting burden in our lives for the past 2-ish years. Throughout these infamously “uncertain” times, we have learned to value healthcare workers to an entirely new level. Though medicine has been a savior to the human kind for as long as we can remember, it has done more harm than we…
Martin Luther King Jr was an influential person in Black history. He led the movement to end segregation and counter prejudice in the United States through the means of peaceful protest, and his speeches have left a lasting impact on many people. His “I have a dream” speech is his most famous speech. It called…
The days succeeding a major sporting event are usually filled with celebration. However, the aftermath of the Euro 2020 tournament was far more unpleasant. Throughout the tournament, England’s success had its fans repeatedly using the phrase “It’s coming home.” And when they reached the finals of the tournament, it seemed as though their dream would…
It’s been over a year since COVID-19 crept into the West. Hate crimes against the Asian community surged in the early stages of the pandemic, and they have yet to taper off. COVID-19 brought a pressing issue into the limelight, but the misinformation and discrimination surrounding Asians is nothing new. I want to examine the…
In our world, racism plays a large impact on our society. Racism is the belief that humans can be divided into a hierarchy on the basis of their race. This belief has has led to prejudice and discrimination that has manifested in not only individuals “but also through societies and institutions”(J. S. Frideres, 2006). Racism…
Rosa Parks. Martin Luther King jr. Nelson Mandela. These are just a few of the figures involved in our history for the abolishment of racism and undoubtedly figures that continue to inspire us today. However, our textbooks only feature a paragraph or less about their honorable commitments. How can we raise more awareness of them? …
George Floyd’s violent death was a breaking point — an all too familiar reminder that, for Black people, law enforcement doesn’t protect or save our lives. They often threaten and take them. This quote is taken directly from the Black Lives Matter website, specifically under the call to defund the police. The attempt to redistribute wealth…
In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a series of guidelines on disease naming. They included useful practices to summarize symptoms and reduce fear. They also explicitly mentioned that diseases must not be named after locations, people, animals, or cultures. This was all done in an effort to reduce the stigma and insult related…
A little while ago, I was watching Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire and couldn’t help but notice something that struck me as interesting. The robes that the Death Eaters are wearing during the attack at the Quidditch World Cup are eerily similar in design to the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan’s robes. It…
Ah, Halloween, a time of frights and fun, candy and costumes, ghosts and ghouls, and – cultural appropriation and racism? Halloween is the one day a year you can decide to be something you’re not, to get creative, and try something new without consequence, making it one of my favourite holidays! However, when people take…
Why is it that I was born in a safe country, embraced by my parent’s loving arms While another like me was born and soon abandoned in a dirty orphanage? What was the difference between him and I? Why is it that I had the privilege to scamper my beautiful streets, wildly laughing and carefree,…
(Original Image) Disclaimer: There is some sensitive language that is used in this post, but it’s solely for the sake of analysis and is not intended to offend anyone. Have you ever been treated unfairly because of your race? If your answer is yes, then it’s proof that racism still exists. Even if you haven’t…
Hundreds of American citizens of all racial backgrounds took to the streets of Ferguson, Missouri this week following the death of 18 year-old Michael Brown at the hands of a police officer. Protests and riots were violently countered by the state police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke bombs (BBC News), further fuelling the public outrage towards…