Opinion pitches!

Hey everyone! Here are some story pitches if you're interested in writing this week! First drafts should be about 500-550 words, and will be due to me by 5pm Friday evening (but if you want to send them earlier, that's amazing). Just reply to this email if you want to pick up any of these pitches, or if you want any more information about these stories! And as always, if you have an idea for an article, feel free to send it my way.

SU Identity Matters Research

Researchers at the Students' Union conducted a study to examine the role that identity plays in students' decisions to run for student governance positions at the U of A. The results showed (perhaps not surprisingly) that women are less likely to feel confident running for Student Council, that members of racial minorities are less likely to seek higher offices, and that almost all student leaders felt like they were underestimated by other stakeholders as a result of their age. You can read the full report of their findings here. What should we do about this? Is it our responsibility as a student population to change attitudes? Should the university as an institution be responding to this in some way? Write about it! Equal Voice Canada also did a related study in Edmonton, looking at ways to get more women involved in politics. You can read about that here.

Making banking easier for homeless Edmontonians

Boyle Street Community Services is partnering with ATB to open a bank in downtown Edmonton specifically designed to make it easier for homeless people - who often aren't able to get government-issued ID - to open a bank account. There's some cool technology being used here, including retina and fingerprint scanners as a way of identifying people. Read more here.

March for Black Women YEG

On September 30, people are marching both in Washington and in Edmonton for the rights of black women and other women of colour. Their message is that "there is no racial justice without gender justice". If you're interested, attend the rally at the legislature and write about it! You can see the Facebook event here. This also comes at the same time that the United Nations Human Rights Council is discussing a report about the oppression of African-Canadians. The report includes recommendations for the future - including a public apology and potential reparation payments. I think these are both part of an often undiscussed aspect of racism in Canada, and so it would be cool to discuss them in an article!

The Gateway Presents!

As you may already know, every second Friday from 5:30-6:30pm, CJSR airs a segment of our radio show, The Gateway Presents. Each segment includes an Opinion piece where two people debate on a hot-button issue. Along with pitching Opinion stories for the website or the magazine, please also feel free to pitch me content for The Gateway Presents! Whether you know someone who'd be interested in debating on the show, you have a topic you'd like to see presented, or you'd like to produce a segment all by yourself, let me know and we'll make it happen.

Shorter segments

Don't have time to write a whole 500-word article this week but still want to write something? Write one of these! They're about 200-300 words and a really good time. - Streeters: I'll match you up with a Photo volunteer and you'll hit the mean streets of campus, armed with a question and a camera, to survey some U of A students. Past questions have included: what should the university's logo be, what was your worst live music experience, and where do you poop on campus.- Burlap Sack: Rant about something that bothers you! - Marble Pedestal: Rant about something you love! - Adulting 101: Either tell us how to do something adult (how to use an iron, how actually make food, etc.) or tell us about a time you failed to do something adult (like that time you put the red sock in with the whites and now everything is pink).