Welcome to Editor’s Pick! In this monthly segment, our Opinion Editor selects five articles from the previous month to put in the spotlight.
Dissecting racist iconography, the role of institutions and systems of oppression with WGS lecturer Shama Rangwala by Khadra Ahmed
This article really focuses on important issues, and Shama Rangwala was an excellent choice to interview. The writing is succinct, the quotes pulled nicely, and the transition between subjects was peppered beautifully with background information to make me feel like I was part of the conversation. Important subject matter + good writing = great article.
Top 5: places to nap on campus by Harmon Tamura
This is an article that I had the pleasure of editing, and a pleasure it was. The best part about this piece is that the comedy doesn’t hit you all at once, but instead slowly builds to the unlikely crescendo of potential arrest — all for a spot to catch some z’s. Well written and hilarious, this article had us all rolling on the floor laughing.
Album Review: Taylor Swift’s “Lover” by Parul Singh Kanwar
I’m not one to read album reviews normally, but I enjoyed this one. The ever-so-subtle lambasting of Lover was done in a fashion which almost seems complimentary, until you read lines like “this song does not aim to provide any big solutions to gender inequality but rather just draws attention to it.” The article claims that Lover is nothing new, and I agree. Well written and subtly acrid, you don’t want to skip reading this one.
Free menstrual products available on campus from the Students’ Union by Kate Turner
A much anticipated story, the free menstrual products were promised by UASU president Akanksha Bhatnagar in her platform. This article balances student reaction, cost to students, and even an interview with Bhatnagar. Such an important and anticipated action required a steady hand to tell the tale, and that’s what it got.
CHEW on that: Homeless LGBTQ+ youth still matter to Edmontonians by Bree Meiklejohn
While this was a heartwarming story to begin with, Meiklejohn really brought it to life. An expert blend of praise, facts, and quotes highlights the CHEW project and their successful raising of $30 thousand perfectly. This article is wholesome and brings real issues to light, earning it a place on this list.