Category Archives: Activism
The Communist Who Ruled the AMS: An Interview with Blake Frederick
Five years ago today, on November 27th, 2009, news broke in The Ubyssey of a scandal that would polarize campus for months to come. Two incumbent members of the AMS Executive, President Blake Frederick and Vice President External Timothy Chu, had gone behind the backs of AMS Council and taken drastic action to try to […]
Ayotzinapa Protest and the Importance of Solidarity
These atrocious acts of censorship and abuse of institutional and political power mirror the recent Burnaby Mountain protests and the acquittal of Darren Wilson. There are clearly many layers of injustice here; why has there been so little investigation on the whereabouts of these 43 students? Why is police brutality still so prevalent when they are meant to protect us? Why does the Canadian government still consider Mexico a “safe country” for refugees? Why have so few Vancouver publications reported on the protests that happened in the heart of Downtown?
#ReasonsToResist at UBC: Finance and Labour
This is Part Two of a Five-Part series from The Talon on Reasons to Resist at UBC. See Part One: Tuition and Housing here. The focus of this series is to reflect and extend the current state of activism on campus, by evidencing yet more potential issues related to financial and negotiating power at the […]
Defenders and Caretakers of Burnaby Mountain: We Stand with You
Note: The Talon editorial collective would like to apologize for not having consulted Elders regarding place names on Burnaby Mountain. We understand that Lheklhukxate is one name belonging to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people and as such do not want to erase place names known to and belonging to other nations. The Talon editorial collective would like to express solidarity […]
Kelly Gerlings’ #WeOppose Protest Speech: “UBC, Can You Hear Us Now?”
This speech was given by Kelly Gerlings of #IAmAStudent at the AMS Trek for Tuition and Housing. Hello UBC! My name is Kelly Gerlings and I am a student. I want to tell you a few things. I am a domestic student, a settler here. I am graduating this year, in May (let’s not talk about […]
Soundtrack to the Revolution: A Term Paper Season Self-Care Mix
Welcome to The Talon’s ‘Soundtrack to the Revolution.’ After I posted this lovely Iron & Wine album on my Facebook wall, describing it as “ritualistic posting of healing songs,” the brilliant Lucia Lorenzi responded by suggesting that The Talon editors write up a playlist for their “soundtrack to the revolution.” Lucia is a PhD candidate in the Department […]
University Administration Backs Out of Panel After #IAmAStudent Protester Added
Later this week, the Terry Project in partnership with AMS Events is hosting a BARTalk on the proposed tuition increases, called “Fees, Funds, and the Future of Education.” Initially, there were 5 panelists slated for the discussion: Dr. Louise Cowin (the university’s Vice President, Students), Anji Redish (the Vice Provost and Associate Vice President of Enrolment […]
#ReasonsToResist at UBC: Tuition and Housing
This is Part One of a Three-Part series from The Talon on Reasons to Resist at UBC. The focus of this series is to reflect and extend the current state of activism on campus, by evidencing yet more potential issues related to financial and negotiating power at the University. It is by no means intended […]
A Note on Remembrance Day
Certain aspects of Remembrance Day make me uncomfortable, and I don’t think I’m alone in this. The white poppy (sometimes called the peace poppy) is worn as an alternative to the red poppy, and is meant to ensure that remembering past conflicts doesn’t involve glorifying or simplifying war. Traditional Remembrance Day ceremonies honour the victims […]
Consultation on whose terms? An Inside Look at the Residence Fee Conversation
Note: I would like to clarify that these views are my own and I am not speaking on behalf of RHA Student Housing and Hospitality Services (SHHS), the organization responsible for providing that housing, is supposed to be committed to supporting access to residence. However, the 20% fee increases proposed earlier this month suggest otherwise. […]
