If you haven’t already filled out the Voice Reader Survey for 2018 and put your entry in to win a shiny new tablet computer, suitable for taking your AU course on the go, then this is probably your last chance.  The survey is closing on Sunday, July 29.  If you haven’t filled it out over the weekend, it’ll be too late.

This week in the Voice Magazine, our feature article is an interview with the president of the AU Graduate Students’ Assocation, Lindsay McNena, a graduate of AU who’s moved on to Masters of Counselling, also at AU.

However, I’m looking on this week’s issue as one with a double feature, the second being our own Brittany Daigle’s look at what it was like being only a short distance away from the recent shooting that took place in Toronto, Ontario.  The first few paragraphs of her article “Fear in Toronto” are chilling, reminding you of the human side of these events in ways that you don’t see reported in the news.

It’s easy, with events like this happening, and the constant reporting of any tragedy, to start thinking it might just be easier to withdraw from the world.  You can see that in Brittany’s article.  But, I have to say, that’s not a good route to go down.  Giving in to that fear can have far reaching consequences, not just for your own life, but for the lives of others around you.

And unfortunately, isolation isn’t the answer. It doesn’t work, not long term. This applies whether we’re speaking on a national scale or that of an individual.  Trying to shut ourselves away from bad things, thinking that, so long as we protect ourselves well enough, bad things can’t happen is simply wrong.  And in fact, often simply trying to protect yourself can lead to bad things happening.  We simply need to look at the recent events in the United States for evidence.  President Trump says he is trying to protect American workers with various tariffs, yet it is American workers who are suffering the brunt of the increased costs those tariffs bring on.

On an individual level, even keeping yourself isolated in your own home is no guarantee of safety, as I found out a couple of years ago when a stolen automobile crashed into our home late one night.  No serious damage to our home was done, thanks to some decorative rocks in the front garden that deflected the vehicle into the concrete staircase outside rather than through the corner wall into our living room, but the point was certainly driven home.  There is no safe space.

And as hard as it is to accept it, it is only once we do that we can move forward toward making our lives not just safer, but better.

If that’s all too heavy, however, don’t fret, there’s lighter fare in this week’s issue as well, whether an exploration of Korean food, 20 quick life-hacks for university students, a Vintage Voice that will point you to some steamier writings we’ve published in the past, or if you just want advice, news, events, or whatever, it’s all here.  Enjoy the read!