An Open Letter To My White Friends

Nina Friars reflects on her heritage and her story in an emotional and poignant letter to her friends for the Drew’s News Lockdown Writing Competition. “Cradled in one culture, sandwiched between two cultures, straddling all three cultures and their value systems, undergoes a struggle of flesh, a struggle of borders, an inner war.” - Gloria…

ByNina Friars23 November 2021

Opinion

“The rest is silence”: the death of vaping in Australia

Jules Vahl looks into vaping and analyses the new vaping laws. The tobacco industry is the scummiest, most disgraceful institution known to humankind, which is why it gave me great pleasure to read that the use of vapes has finally been restricted to their only productive purpose: to help smokers quit smoking. From October 1 2021, vapes…

ByJules Vahl4 November 2021

Opinion

How a Nation Fails

Alex Malouf reflects on his cultural heritage and the political situation in Lebanon. There’s a saying in Sydney’s Lebanese community; “Anyone with the means or money to get out, did so a long time ago”. Whenever I used to meet with my grandfather’s side of the family for a celebration or big get-together, conversation would…

ByAlex Malouf21 September 2021

Opinion

R U OK? Bad Haircuts Are Saving Lives

For R U OK? Day 2021, Ed Goodman reflects on his own mental health struggles and the symbolic significance of haircuts as representations of mental health. 2019 was the year I sat my HSC. 2020 was a failed gap year and the beginning of a global pandemic. And now in 2021, I write this ten,…

ByEd Goodman8 September 2021

Opinion

Do you find girls kissing girls attractive?

Netra Hankins has a message for those who find girls kissing girls enjoyable (and are not queer). You see two girls are kissing at a party. It’s natural, easy on the eyes, perhaps you even think it’s hot. They may not even be in a relationship. It may be a couple showing affection, but it…

ByNetra Hankins20 August 2021

Collaborative Opinion

What an $8 Vodka Raspberry Can Teach Us About Toxic Masculinity

Winners of the Collaborative Writing Competition, Ed Goodman and Alex Malouf interrogate toxic masculinity and the structures that underpin it. On my 18th birthday, my dad took me out to the pub for a beer. Like most guys do. A cold schooner of VB to celebrate that I was officially a man. As we walked up…

ByEd Goodman20 August 2021

Opinion

Menstrual products should be free, period.

Alice Litchfield discusses periods and the lack of accessibility around menstruation. Let me take you back to Saturday morning sport. You’ve sat and watched your little sibling’s game, done your umpiring duty for the Under-10 Blues, and now you’re waiting for your turn to hit the court. A few red frogs and a blue Powerade…

ByAlice Litchfield13 August 2021

Opinion

The UK is the world’s COVID Petri Dish. That should scare Scott Morrison.

Rob Abadee discusses the vaccination roll-out and the COVID-19 lockdown, postulating that Australia may not be as safe as everyone thinks. “We’re going to have to generate what we call herd immunity…and the only way of developing that, in the absence of a vaccine, is for the majority of the population to become infected.” -…

ByRob Abadee7 August 2021

Opinion

Don’t Forget about Disabled People: 3 Ways to Make Events More Accessible

Gemma Hudson discusses the practicalities of living with a disability and the need for increased accessibility. Author’s Note: Throughout this article, I have elected to use identity first language (disabled person) rather than person first language (person with a disability). I have done this because my disability does encompass many aspects of my life, and…

ByGemma Hudson18 July 2021

Opinion

RESPONSE: The Naivety of Treating Governments Like Start-Ups

William Price responds to Max Raine’s article, arguing that treating governments like a start-up is naïve, misleading, and ignores democratic realities. Max Raine recently argued in Drew’s News that politicians should think like start-ups and that government policy should be more flexible in order to adapt to changing circumstances. This is an appealing proposition, but…

ByWilliam Price7 June 2021