EDITORIAL

TORIAL E D I

Dear Reader,

During my time as a student in this life I’ve come to realise that whatever can be created by one person and consumed by another can be considered art. More recently, I’ve been reflecting on who I consider to be an artist and what the role of an artist should be. So, when Toni Cade Bambara, a black woman, a social activist and an artist through the avenues of documentary making and authoring says things like,

‘The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible’,

my entire heart expands, and I find a whole new appreciation for these people. These people who are subject to the worst of disadvantages from a system we all are enduring under, and yet, it is their resistance and their strength against it, which brings an avalanche of transformation, of evolution, of love and of radical change to us. These people leave behind a legacy and it is our duty to uphold the movement.

On Dit is a magazine, but it can also be art, it can also be a tool, it can also be a platform and it can also be the reason for community if it is used in the right way. It goes without saying that in all of the things I mentioned, there is politics. And therefore, it is my duty and it is my honour and passion, while I am editor this year along with my amazing team, to make On Dit a place for all of that.

Like all people that want to confront corrupt systems, we as editors have a lot to battle this year. The gender pay gap, censorship, the raging pandemic that could have been totally avoidable, the university expanding neoliberalism and a lot more. But we are strong and determined and we will produce for you the best we can. As Nix Herriot says in his article,

‘Like any publication, a student newspaper’s style and temper reflected the political persuasions of its editorial team.’

I feel a deep optimism for this year, and I hope you can feel it too. It feels like everything is on the brink of change, and right now in my personal life, I pursue the skill of understanding how to fight, how to resist and how to create in the most effectual way. I invite you to try it with me.

‘know that the world is a place of trial wherein there is no time a person can afford to be idle, for that time will be a source of regret for him on a future day of account’ – Ali the Commander of the Faithful. A.S

I hope you enjoy On Dit this year and I hope it can impact your life in a positive way.