In 1960, the Queen of Jazz made a mistake. Performing the song “Mack the Knife” in West Berlin, Ella Fitzgerald forgot the lines. The weight of global expectations stood on her shoulders as one of the first Black women to sing this piece—and in front of a white, international audience,[Read More…]
Search Results for author "Matthew Molinaro"
By the light of a brother’s smile
In a now-viral, nine-minute introduction speech in praise of Michael B. Jordan’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, actor Jonathan Majors expressed his love for his friend, Creed III co-star, and brother. Embracing one another, the pair displayed an intimacy and affection uncommon in an era that has proclaimed[Read More…]
Resolving forward, for the year, and for more
The leap into the new year brings with it not only the start of the winter semester but the invocation behind your resolution: Ask not what 2023 can do for you, but what you can do for 2023. How do we make material promises, and start fresh from the ruins,[Read More…]
Decolonizing tennis, tournaments, and talent
When the greatest of all time, Serena Williams, made a return to tennis this past June, she decided to play doubles on the grass at the Eastbourne International. Looking for an in-form partner, she called up the talented Tunisian Ons Jabeur. Jabeur, the first Arab woman to break into the[Read More…]
On queer space, futurity, and inclusion
It’s Friday night and you’re done with midterms. You leave the heteronormative institution (if you really ever can), text a few friends, pick your favourite club, and dance the night away. You’re listening to queer icons––Cher or Madonna, Gaga or Rihanna, Diana Ross or Gloria Gaynor, Fiona Apple or Kim[Read More…]
On finding references, letters, and research connections
You’re thinking of going to graduate school or professional school. You’ve lined up the universities where you wish to apply––research-intensive Canadian universities, British universities with specialized masters, our Southern neighbour’s Ivies, and high-performing public institutions all make the list. You stumble not on the personal and research statement, not on[Read More…]
Loving my Black hair back
Last April, I attended a birthday party for a friend. Rather than looking back at the shared laughter and happiness of this gathering, I remember this night for a white person who, after complaining at length about their “difficult” straight hair, gestured toward me and my “easy” curls. Without my[Read More…]
Twenty-first annual McGill Pow Wow celebrates Indigenous life across communities
On Sept. 23, with hundreds of people in attendance, McGill’s First Peoples’ House hosted the 21st annual Pow Wow at Lower Field. It had been two years since the last in-person Pow Wow, so this installment reintroduced Pow Wow to the grounds. Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, and community members[Read More…]
Falling for autumn gatherings
As the semester barrels closer to a cold case of the post-add-drop blues, many students should keep the restorative effects of outdoor gatherings in mind. With assignments creeping up and readings growing heavier by the second, students are faced with the prospect of staying indoors––hunched over a laptop or set[Read More…]
Campus conversations: Resistance
Resisting silence Sepideh Afshar, Opinion Editor Resistance, to me, is to be vocal about the injustices you see and experience. For about a year, I was part of a sorority at McGill. In this predominantly white space, I found myself silenced concerning the overt racism I was experiencing. I felt[Read More…]
