screen_shot_2016-07-13_at_9

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Another news week and rabble.ca bloggers continue to bring nuanced and thoughtful takes on the stories of the week. From Black Lives Matter, to white privilege, rape culture, and climate change, here are some of rabble.ca’s top blog posts this week. 

Steven Maynard argues that police have no place in Canada’s Pride parades. He discusses how queer sexuality is policed in public spaces and details police actions against queer communities since the 80s. Maynard argues that there is no historical evidence to support that having police at Pride creates better policing. He notes it is not about individual officers but about an institution with persistent systemic issues. 

Matthew Hays discusses the backlash against Black Lives Matter Toronto largely by white, cis, middle and upper class gay men. He writes, “rather than becoming an opportunity to discuss intersectionality, the Pride event and the BLM actions have exposed stark divisions within LGBTQ communities.” He notes that the controversy reflects the problem of some community members not listening to those who don’t feel included or safe. There has long been concern about affluent, white, gay men dictating the priorities of the community and the gentrification of Pride. With the BLMTO protest, the time is ripe to begin addressing these issues within the community.

In solidarity with the BLMTO protest, Jesse Wente recounts being stopped by police for being Ojibwe. He writes about how the police institution is designed to oppress Indigenous people and that trust needs to be built for effective change.

As a feminist and journalist living in a rape culture I am often drawn to reporting stories about sexual violence. I write about what it’s like living in a rape culture and why it’s important for me to delve deep into the issue. As uncomfortable as the topic can be, we can only begin to combat it once by addressing it out in the open.

Environmentalists and animal rights activists have long argued that cutting out meat products would benefit the climate. Ryan Katz-Rosene contends that the issue is more complicated and amends the statement to “eat less but better meat”. He says this means eating ecologically and humanely raised meat, especially locally produced meat. Katz-Rosene argues focusing on the climate impact of meat puts the blame on livestock rather than humans, which calls for the elimination of animal agriculture rather than changes in consumption and production.

That’s it for this week’s blog roundup! Make sure to check out more rabble.ca blogs to find out what’s happening in your world.

 

Like this article? rabble is reader-supported journalism. Chip in to keep stories like these coming.

Emily Blake

Emily Blake

Emily Blake is a multimedia journalist with a master’s of journalism from the University of British Columbia. Her areas of specialization include gender, politics, human rights and media ethics....