English: a degree for the curious

English majors are often at the heart of jokes culminating in the word “barista” and accompanied by smug laughter. Though I acknowledge the job...

A passion for punctuation

In the seventh grade, I argued with a teacher for 20 minutes over the correct definition of “irony.” In kindergarten, I prided myself on...

We are living in a post-post 9/11 world

The image of the burning towers was the first thing on television when I woke up on September 11, 2001. Being nine years old...

Outstanding students shouldn’t be ashamed of their success

As a student who strives for excellence, I have continually struggled with the shame and ridicule that comes from succeeding at university. Whether it...

Decriminalizing marijuana makes perfect sense

I have a confession to make. Like Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, I have smoked marijuana....

False idols: Putting athletes on a pedestal for the wrong reasons

It has become an enduring image: Ray Lewis, two-time Super Bowl Champion, legendary middle linebacker and motivator extraordinaire, driving his troops in a variety...

Embrace a child’s right to consent

With the hype surrounding Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and the debate of whether it should be interpreted as a rape anthem, I have had...

Unions are far from irrelevant

Dating back to the 1880s, the first Monday of September has been recognized as Labour Day in Canada to celebrate our nation’s workers. Increasingly,...

Is our language becoming reductive?

It’s not unusual to see someone plugged into an electronic device in the form of a smartphone or laptop. We are in an age...

Public nursing can still be private

I first want to point out that I don’t have a problem with breastfeeding, nor with women who do so in public. I don’t...