Year in Review: 2018-2019

 It’s been over 6 years since the Mayans predicted the world was going to end and, frankly, I’m surprised we’re still around. From slapping horses, to a roof caving in, to the recent fire on University Ave, Queen’s has certainly kept us on our toes over the past few years. Sometimes, so much has happened in a week that it’s hard to fathom it’s only Thursday. But then again, nights are just as easily forgotten, aided by our dedication to hydrating in the Hub.This year, we’ve seeing major changes on campus, like the University District Safety Initiative, which may have contributed to a decrease in ticketing at this year’s St Patrick’s Day. Provincially, Ford’s government has announced major changes to OSAP, mandatory student fees, our healthcare, and, most recently, the provincial logo. Internationally, our southern neighbour is constantly in the news because of their controversial president, and our world is as unpredictable as ever. Reflecting on the past year, we wanted to compile some big events that landmark the months that have passed. 

SEPTEMBER

Colin Kaepernick, who infamously knelt during the US national anthem, became the new face of Nike’s 30th anniversary ad campaign. We mourned the loss of Mac Miller and marvelled at Cardi B & Nicki Minaj’s physical altercation during fashion week. Naomi Osaka was the first Japanese female to win a Gand Slam singles final after beating Serena Williams in a controversial match. Michael Kors bought Versace for $2.1 billion, and Shane Dawson releases the first episode of his series, “The Mind of Jake Paul”. 

OCTOBER

Banksy’s painting self-destructed at a Sotheby’s auction, while Sears filed for bankruptcy. Canada became the second country in the world to legalize the sale and use of cannabis. Queen’s held its annual homecoming celebration, saw its first fall reading break, and MUSE launched it’s very first podcast.

NOVEMBER

David Vassos became a celebrity on campus for his tilt memes in Facebook’s Overheard, which subsequently got him banned. The Spice Girls announced a new tour; however, Posh Spice will not be partaking. This month also saw Camp Fire ignited in Butte County, California. It became California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire - 88 deaths and 18,804 buildings destroyed. Midway through the month, Michelle Obama’s Becoming is released and Justin Bieber confirmed he married Hailey Baldwin. MUSE hosted its HIVE event at the Bader and published their first online-exclusive editorial, The Unlikely Creatives of Vogue.

DECEMBER

The month began with Ariana Grande dropping her iconic anthem, Thank U Next. Exam season was in full swing as Mitchell Hall opened its doors on campus. Luxembourg is the first country to make all public transport free. MUSE posts 21 Things I Learned By 21 (the most popular post of last semester). 

JANUARY

Ford’s Government proposes changes to OSAP and opt-out fees, whilst MUSE launched Mental Health Week. Trinity finally became relevant after introducing Dollar Beers. MUSE posted What’s Cooler Than Being A Chill Girl (the most popular post of this semester).

FEBRUARY

R Kelly was arrested after allegations of criminal sexual abuse, and 21 Savage was arrested by US Immigration for overstaying his visa. MUSE launched Sex Ed Week, focusing on taboos around dating and sex. Including Hook Up Horror Stories. Fashion Month made waves all over the world for being the most diverse one yet, but was a solemn affair after news broke that the legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away.

MARCH

Forbes named Kylie Jenner as the world’s youngest billionaire, perhaps inspiring Queen Elizabeth II to post on Instagram for the first time. The Queen’s Journal published a longform on our school’s unpublished foreign investments, bringing its integrity into question. Likewise, the US college system was also in question after an admission scandal broke, implicating celebrities Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. The Queen’s men’s volleyball team finished fifth at USports. St Patrick’s Day was held in all its glory, with the star of this year’s celebration being the giant Pikachu surfing crowds on Aberdeen.

APRIL

 Kingston’s favourite venue for live music, Mod classics, and beer announced it will be closing its doors at the end of the month. MUSE released a guide to Stage Rage, which we can only assume contributed to the overload of students who lined up for the school year's final Thursday rager. I write this as I sit in a café in Sweden, my heart full from watching Snapchat and Instagram stories of the MUSE Launch party that has just wrapped up back home in Kingston. Very rarely do I get to address you, my dear reader, in such a direct and personal way, but please indulge me as I wrap up our year together.I want to say thank you.From the bottom of my heart, thank you for continuing to support student voices and creativity. Thank you for clicking the links, sharing the articles, showing up to our events. To my contributors, thank you for trusting us with your work. I’m constantly blown away by the quality of work I receive, whether it’s from my staff or one-off submissions. Queen’s students are wittier, smarter, and more introspective than we get credit for. I’m so proud to have been at the helm of our online publication for the past year. To the rest of the MUSE team, thank you for your dedication, your passion, and your tireless hours working building a creative community on campus.Student groups like MUSE are a vital part of our university, especially when opportunities for self-expression is few and far between. We strive to widen perspectives, to understand the personalities that make up our diverse student body. We advocate for inclusivity, for intersectionality, and for acceptance. We want to serve as a space where students can explore their minds and create something that is meaningful and beautiful to them.We may not report on the news, but we reflect on the student experience, and this niche is invaluable.Finally, thank you to my #museheads team. Each and every one of you has impacted my life so profoundly. It’s so special to work alongside such resilient, creative minds and incredible, loving souls. Even from across the ocean, I have never felt so confident and supported in the work that I do. I truly believe that we’ve created a life-long familial bond this year, and cannot wait to continue to grow, thrive, and giggle with you for years to come.I joined MUSE on my very first day at Queen’s, and it has shaped me into the person I am today. I am honoured that I get to finish off my undergraduate degree as Editor in Chief of MUSE for the 2019/20 school year. We have a great year in store, so stick around and we’ll be back before you know it. 

Have a great summer!

Yours Creatively,

Jane Bradshaw

Online Director, MUSE 2018/19 & Editor in Chief, MUSE 2019/20