The UN’s contentious motion on slavery
Earlier this month the United Nations passed Resolution A/80/L.48: Commemoration of the abolition of slavery... The post The UN’s contentious motion on slavery first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
human rights
Denmark is the Best Place for Women
Denmark has earned the title as the best place for women to live based on the Women, Peace and Security Index. It uses 13 indicators that span women’s inclusion from…
Man was made to mourn
When I was an adolescent, my Irish grandfather would recite poetry taught to him by my Scottish grandmother. The poem was usually by Robbie Burns, the Ploughman poet. I was…
Homelessness among 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals
Chapter 11 of my open access textbook has just been released. This chapter focuses on homelessness experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. A ‘top 10’ summary of the new chapter can be…
Lessons from Finland.
At the Canada West Forum website, you’ll find a video contrasting two very different responses to homelessness. It shows formerly unhoused people in Finland now living securely and comfortably in…
The Perfidious Lust for Unbridled Power
Saving this here. It's the beautifully penned order, in full, from Fred Biery, U.S. District Judge, a federal judge who ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Arias and his…
Sunday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Sunday reading.- Heba Gowayed and Victor Ray discuss the need to go beyond merely calling to abolish ICE and other human rights abuses, and instead…
Alberta teachers’ strike—it’s war!
On Tuesday the Alberta government introduced the Back to School Act to end a strike... The post Alberta teachers’ strike—it’s war! first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
A noble Nobel winner
How satisfying to see a battler for democracy win the Nobel Peace Prize. This year’s... The post A noble Nobel winner first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
Outrage
Fareed Khan describes himself as a "human rights and anti-hate activist, fighting for justice for the oppressed and persecuted." He has written and commented extensively about these issues. Khan's Substack…
The ICC charges the Taliban
Throughout history it has been women’s lot to be oppressed by men. Such has been... The post The ICC charges the Taliban first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
They refuse to kill for Israel
On March 20, 2025 I recorded the Winnipeg segment of the cross-country tour of Israeli refuseniks Tal Mitnick and Einat Gerlitz. The venue, Home Street Mennonite Church, was packed. The…
Humanism
Stephen Fry excels in many forms of entertainment and education. While there seems to be nothing he cannot master, Fry has struggled with bipolar disorder throughout his life. Three years…
Be woke!
Ten symptoms of Woke Mind Virus: 1. You read book, and don't burn them. 2. You embrace science. 5. You believe in true equality FOR ALL PEOPLE! 8. You resepct…
Not everything is broken in our world
World Central Kitchen, founded by Spanish-American chef Jose Andres, is an example of humanitarianism at work. WCK has become one of the world’s leading relief organizations since its 2010 launch…
Trump “metastasizing, mutating, rapidly worsening”
A brilliant essay in The Globe and Mail. Andrew Coyne has spent decades observing and writing about Canada. He has interacted with politicians of all sorts, but none like the…
Actively working for change…
Audre Lorde was particularly focused on issues involving race and oppression, but her words are relevant to all of today's critical issues. Individually, we may not affect material change, but…
Should I smite them?
In 2000, James M. Kauffman forwarded a satirical letter circulating the Internet, addressed to conservative talk-show host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger. As a result, he became entangled in the raging controversies…
Gifted lifter of political veils and pretenses
A decade ago, the New York Times included American cartoonist Jen Sorensen on a short list of the "most gifted lifters of political veils and pretenses." Her work might be…