To introduce ourselves, we’re recommending some summer reading — from the outgoing editors, books they’ve already read and loved, and from the incoming editors, books we’re looking forward to digging into.
Culture
Third-year Sauder student Shakil Jessa’s short film Imran and Alykhan debuted on May 12 at this year’s Crazy8s Gala, a competitive opportunity for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work.
Clark closed the three-show Decolonize the Chan series on March 26 with Feast Of The Invisible, an immersive performance that blended ceremonial storytelling, têwêhikan (hand drum) and musical genres from jazz to throat singing.
So, in no particular order, here are the top ten culture pieces of 2021/2022.
Archive
A collection of poems by Black students on Black resilience.
Art grants people strength in times of uncertainty, it also allows us space to reflect on our identity and place in the world.
The beauty and elegance beholden to our melanin shades is far too magical for the world to comprehend. There’s power in our walk, one filled with strength and resilience. There’s beauty in the way we talk; it is as beautiful as a lullaby being sung to a baby barely holding onto wakefulness.
Growing up, I had an unrealistic and unhealthy relationship with my hair. I described any version of my hair that wasn’t straight as “rough,” “unkempt” and “not good enough.”
2021 was going to be the year that I would finally make the trip back, a Christmas miracle after three years of coal. However, well after my tickets were booked and my hopes were raised, the Canadian government dropped the news that eight African countries, including my own, were banned due to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
At the event, I found myself in an environment where I didn’t feel as though I was being ‘othered.’ I didn’t have to politely explain why I speak English so well or brush off prolonged awkward stares. It was one of the first experiences that helped me believe that I and had a role to play on this campus.
After a successful election, I quickly found myself feeling stagnant. I found that the bureaucratic nature of these council meetings would not allow me to make true systemic change.
I had to watch myself for simple things like to not lose my cool and never raise my voice under high stress situations.