controversy
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Nabokov’s novel Lolita serves as a necessary, albeit controversial, classic
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Few novels have generated as much debate as Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita. First published in 1955, the book was immediately controversial for its subject matter: the middle-aged Humbert Humbert narrates his obsessive, manipulative relationship with 12-year-old Dolores Haze, whom he calls “Lolita.” Critics and readers have long struggled with whether the book is art, exploitation, or…
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Kanye West: the star of controversy
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The artist formerly known as Kanye West, now going by the name ‘Ye’, has become well known over the last several years for his controversial social and political viewpoints. Over the last couple of weeks, Ye has managed to drum up a substantial amount of controversy, even by his standards. It all began during Paris…
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Whoopi Goldberg’s comments receive backlash
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On a recent episode of the American talk show The View, panellist Whoopi Goldberg claimed that the Holocaust, the systematic killing of Jewish people under Nazi rule, was not related to issues of race. Critics were appalled and baffled. Goldberg was eventually suspended for two weeks. The comments made by Goldberg were wrong and historically…
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Olympic viewership down amidst controversy
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The Olympic Games, since their emergence from antiquity, have been a spectacle. The incredible athletes never fail to arouse the world’s attention as we look on, bewildered by their prowess. But despite this fact remaining unchanged, Olympic Games viewership is down this year in every country except the host nation, China. And while defenders of…
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When do we have to stop enjoying a film?
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Trigger warning: This article contains references to SA and violence through the scope of cinema. “The best films ride that line between exploitation and condemnation.” This is something Wilfrid Laurier film professor Glen Norton told me during our discussion about controversy in film. The film industry has a storied history of pushing the boundaries of…
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Ellen missed the mark on her apology…again
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Back in 2018, I read an article published by The New York Times titled “Ellen DeGeneres Is Not as Nice as You Think.” The article documented a rare series of interviews with the comedic star. It seemed to highlight her subtly expressed personal aversion to the mantra of positivity associated with her since her daytime…
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Cuties: Netflix’s unethical exploitations
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The movie Cuties was recently released onto Netflix amidst massive controversy. For those unaware, the original promotional poster marketing the film showed 11-year-old children wearing revealing attire while making mature poses. Many—myself included—found the poster to be grotesque and pedophilic, prompting Netflix to release an apology and an updated, appropriate poster. With the movie being…
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Canada’s chief justice against federal law to make courses in sexual assault mandatory for all judges to learn
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Canada’s Chief Justice has stated that he is against a proposed federal law that would make courses in sexual assault mandatory for all judges to learn, as he believes that judges should not be told what to think. Michael MacDonald, interim executive director of the Canadian Judicial Council stated that while these courses are well-intended,…
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Taylor Swift should have ownership of her own music
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On July 2, 2019 Taylor Swift had posted an essay on Tumblr where she told the world about how Big Machine Records founder Scott Borchetta did not consult her when selling her work to Scooter Braun. Swift states that she was not given the opportunity to buy her own work back and has since then…
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Derogatory note brings university community together
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On Oct. 10, 2019, a note was found taped to the wall of a fourth-floor residence common room at Queen’s University. This floor is a floor designated to Indigenous students and allies of the community. The floor houses roughly 50 students. This note used extremely derogatory and violent language directly targeted towards Indigenous students and…
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The Tie That Binds WLU Since 1926
Serving the Waterloo campus, The Cord seeks to provide students with relevant, up to date stories. We’re always interested in having more volunteer writers, photographers and graphic designers.