Plant your feet deep in the earth, and think of all the stories that have passed beneath them. In Sydney and beyond, we walk on the land of First Nations people. Storytelling is central to the idea of a university, in the sense that every piece of knowledge accumulated throughout history can only be expressed through storytelling.
The path of a Kookaburra’s flight through the inky dark sky tells a story — one of migration, mating, and more. The spin of an electron tells another story, a subatomic dance that defines all matter. Beyond this, the stories that accompany discovery are all too commonly shared without regard for First Peoples.
In Australia today, we’re watching as the story of the Voice to Parliament unfolds. As a left-wing student newspaper, we have been telling stories about the Voice to help you understand more about the debate. It is essential that all students interested in justice and equality vote yes in the referendum.
The feature this week was written by Josh Clay, and outlines the role that the Voice could play in improving urban planning. Alana Ramshaw has written about the recent sexual misconduct report on page 8, outlining the work that the University must undertake to end rape on campus. Tim Scriven, a postgraduate student, explores the many locked doors that have been propped open across campus on page 14. There is a rousing call to proPalestinian action from the perspective of hummus on page 10. Regardless of topic, the articles in this edition tell the stories forming in the minds of University students today.
Thank you to Lauren MacColl for the cover art this week. Her art reminds me of one of my favourite stories from my childhood, Magic Beach by Allison Lester. Thank you for the whimsy and beauty, and for the strong voice your art has given this edition. Finally, this edition (and much of this year) would not have been possible without the support of Nikki Eghlimi. Her ability to tell stories that are hilarious, irreverent, and devastating all at once has always astounded me. I know that we will be telling each other stories for a very long time. Messi eshghe mani, osheg etam.
