Many of us have long been taught not to discuss three topics – money, religion, and politics. This advice applies to acquaintances and strangers in particular (as opposed to family and close friends), but these ‘controversial’ topics are often avoided in many social circles. Why? For the most part, these topics are avoided because they…
Recently racism has become a prevalent topic of discussion, with people demanding social justice and visible progress. However, colourism is a similar issue that is often swept under the rug, but deserves attention as well. Colourism, also known as shadeism, refers to “a form of prejudice or discrimination in which people who are usually members of…
In 2020, everything is being cancelled due to COVID-19, but this isn’t the first time that we have seen bursts of cancellations. Cancel culture has been prevalent for the last few years, as people have been using their voices to criticize others (particularly celebrities) based on when they come across actions/statements that they view as…
Diversity is an important step towards equality, a relatively simple one that emphasizes equity and fairness. According to the Oxford dictionary, diversity is defined as “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.” Diversity is important for a…
COVID-19 has impacted billions of people around the world to varying degrees. For the most part, our lives have changed socially, as we are expected to physically distance, limit our contacts, and follow other procedures to maintain public health and safety. While these expectations and suggestions are nearly universal within Canada and other parts of…
This week is Bullying Awareness week, so there is no better time to reflect on the many aspects of bullying, from causes, to impacts, to prevention, and so on. We’ve all learned about bullying in school, yet the issue persists, with too many young people falling victim to bullying each year. Perhaps there is an…
Redlining, a term coined by sociologist John McKnight in the 1960s, refers to the discriminatory practice of systematically denying (typically financial) services to specific areas based on a demographic’s predominant race and ethnicity. Black inner city neighbourhoods were most notably affected by the discriminatory practice which denied many minority families of mortgages, insurance, loans etc….
Police have been the subject of criticism for decades, but 2020 has brought new levels of polarization, with a number of high profile deaths at the hands of police, and people from around the world calling for justice. There is no question that policing is a difficult job involving enormous sacrifice, but those who take…
Halloween is approaching, and due to the Coronavirus it will likely look and feel different this year. Nonetheless there is still fun to be had on this occasion. However you choose to celebrate, ensure you do so responsibly, prioritizing safety and ensuring you are respectful. One of the key aspects of Halloween requires a conscious…
Election season is upon us. The results of the US Presidential election will impact Americans’ lives for the next four years (and beyond), but will also affect the rest of the world as well. While an individual voter may feel that their choice doesn’t make a difference, collectively voters have tremendous power and responsibility. It…