EDITORIAL

Words by Habibah Jaghoori

I cannot believe we are over halfway through 2022 and over halfway through the On Dit editions. Where has the time gone? When I reflect on the journey so far, I feel immensely grateful for the privilege it has been to be your editor and student reporter. This year so far has taught me a lot, and I cannot say I am the same person I was at the start of the year. I’ve been able to look at certain things with fresh eyes, I’ve been able to open up to giving and receiving love and I’ve learnt to trust myself in ways I didn’t even know was possible. Behind the scenes of the beautiful magazines, you hold in your hands, is a lot of work between my team. I’ve had my highs and I’ve had my lows and I am so proud of how my team, and I have carried ourselves and each other through our lows. It takes maturity, humility and strength to CORRECTLY share a space which holds so much influence and I can see how far my team and I have come in this arena.

Whilst I write this editorial, I can’t help but also talk about the recent news that has been emerging around the world. Whether it be the tragic Buffalo and Texas shooting, riots in Sri Lanka, education attacks in Australia, another year of war and famine in Yemen and just so much more, it is clearer than ever that the current system is oppressive and does not hold up an ounce of justice. We live in an era where organised action and firm opposition is the only solution. The overturning of Roe v Wade, the ongoing plight of the Palestinians at the hands of Israeli occupation, the disasters of climate change and our circus of a Labor government are all connected and products of one another. I don’t know what else is to come in the future, but what I do know is that it is the moral responsibility of student press editors to take a position. I am proud to say my position is to fight back until the last breath in my lungs. There is a reason why Martin Luther King has said,

‘An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.’

On a softer note, I write this on the 4th night of Dhul Hijja. If you know, you know. But if you don’t, I promise you there is divinity in the air. Anticipate and expect miracles. I do and I am. So, to my future self-reading this right now, I hope it is all beautiful. To whoever is reading this right now don’t be afraid to seek beauty. My friend Steph recently taught me that it is a disservice to yourself and others when you withhold your love for them. My other friend and soul sister Aza has actively demonstrated for me the intrinsic and innate relationship between your roots and your activism. I have grown and evolved a lot since starting Uni as a child in semester 2 of 2019. My internal revolution has given its fruit (and still has a lot to go) and I will forever remember everyone that has played a role in it.

‘In love with how it happened so far. Even the terrible things.’ – Yrsa Daley -Ward