I have a memory of being 13 or 14, in my bedroom after school, swearing to myself that I would learn to speak less, be more pleasing, not have so much to say. I have a distinct recollection of the shame I felt at the ways in which I couldn’t conform to what was expected […]
Masuma Khan and the question of free speech
University codes of conduct, which generically prohibit “unwelcome or persistent conduct that the student knows, or ought to know, would cause another person to feel demeaned, intimidated or harassed,” will inevitably smack up against the academy’s ultimately more fundamental role as protector of free speech and encourager of vigorous debate. The question is what were Khan's defenders defending?
Should the vice-president of the Dalhousie Student Union have faced even the whiff of disciplinary action from the university’s administration for a less than genteel Facebook exchange she had with some constituents? The short answer is no. The long answer is still no. But… Let’s circle back for some context. On June 28, 2017, the […]
Examineradio, episode #135: Desmond Cole street checks the police
Broadcaster, writer and activist Desmond Cole is the special guest on this episode, and oh boy, does he have a story to tell. Many people know him from his 2015 article in Toronto Life magazine where he talked about being carded by police and harassed for no reason other than being black. Others know him […]
Okay, you have five minutes: Morning File, Thursday, October 26, 2017
I’m Erica Butler, your friendly neighbourhood transportation columnist, filling in for Tim today while he’s on assignment. News 1. Dal drops disciplinary action against Masuma Khan In a statement Wednesday,Vice-Provost Student Affairs Arig al-Shaibah announced she would be dropping the disciplinary action against Dal Student Union VP Masuma Khan over her now famous #whitefragilitycankissmyass Facebook […]
Dalhousie Senate in uproar over disciplinary action taken against student: Morning File, Tuesday, October 24, 2017
News 1. Dalhousie Senate takes up Masuma Khan issue After news media reported that Dalhousie student Masuma Khan is facing disciplinary action, many members of the Dalhousie Senate demanded that the issue be discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Senate. To back up, as explained by the Globe & Mail last Thursday: A student at Dalhousie University is […]
I Just Threw Up a Little In My Mouth: Morning File, Saturday, October 21, 2017
1. A note I threw up before I wrote this. It’s true I’ve had the flu for two weeks, I’ve been travelling, my body is run down. I’m sure that had something to do with it. But really, it was because I read through the comments on Tim’s article from yesterday. It’s not that they […]
Another cool thing ruined by someone holding the camera the wrong way: Morning File, Friday, October 20, 2017
News 1. Clayton Miller Back in July, Wagner’s law firm held a press conference to publicize “new evidence” in the Clayton Miller case: the videotaped testimony of Bryan McDonald, a Cape Breton Search & Rescue captain, who said he and his team of 10-15 people searched the area where Clayton’s body was later found, but found nothing. […]