You are putting the burden of education unto a student disguised as an “opportunity to share.” You are putting a student on the spot in an environment that has most likely not been optimized for their safety.

In honour of the month where we celebrate Black excellence and love, I want to extend that celebration to Black women revelling in self preservation and self care. Chatting with Calgary It Girl, Femi Akinsanya, I sought to understand: how can a Black girl practice self-care on Valentine’s Day and beyond.

In John Ware Reclaimed, Cheryl Foggo re-examines the story of John Ware, the Black cowboy who settled in Alberta in the 19th century.

I want to be satisfied with the idea of “care” simply being kind in one’s daily interactions, however caring might mean saying uncomfortable truths, without waiting for the comfort of the cultural climate…

Photo by Pink Blush Photography

Onyx refers to herself as The Stripper Queen of Canada. She is an exotic dancer who has been working across Canada for over 15 years. Among a long list of titles, Onyx is a two-time winner of Miss Nude Canada and also holds the title of Miss Burlesque North America. Yet despite being one of the best in the industry, Onyx has to fight for what most of us see as basic human rights.

This is what we know: research has a questionable past and present. Ethics weren’t always a thing apparently, and they’re very mutable. What’s ethical for a scientist trying to cure a deadly disease may be cruel to a vegan wanting to see no creature harmed; what was seen as an ethical approach to interviewing fifty years ago may be seen as exploitative today.