the Maclean’s makeover
In August, Maclean’s launched its recently redesigned print magazine.
What a wonderful surprise to open my mailbox to find the new one Maclean’s September magazine. What a great new design all the way. Waiting for more trouble. –David Mossey, Cambridge, Ontario.
I love your magazine redesign. It’s been quite a while since I’ve read all the articles cover to cover, but I did it in the September issue! I understand that it has prided itself on being a more political publication, but I was able to learn a lot from what it printed in other media, and especially on television. I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of topics on which it seems to have been decided and the shorter length of the articles on most of the topics. Keep up the great work! –Pauline Therrien, Sudbury, Ontario.
I had a subscription to Maclean’s since my mid-20s, and that’s a 45-year career for me. My biggest disappointment came when the magazine went from weekly to monthly. The various redesigns over the years have been fine, but for me the last one is Really nice to look at. The magazine looks sharper and more attractive, and the content is excellent, which I anticipate will continue. One drawback for me, as my eyes age, is the reduced contrast between the colored background and the print. –Pierre Brisson, Ottawa
Scapegoat injustice
As a citizen of New Brunswick, I am embarrassed and horrified by the details of how the alarming and racist attack on Dr. Ngola unfolded (“’Patient Zero’ Strikes Back, Justice, August 2021). The reverse engineering of events for the purpose of filing charges to cover a political leader – a prime minister, no less – is something that may not surprise us in an authoritarian regime, but in a democratic country it is beyond the limits. limits. The saddest element in this story, the one that embarrasses me the most, is the conclusion that there is no political price to pay. –Raelene Graham Theriault, Island View, NB
First tears, now fury
I have recently read many articles describing the cruelty inflicted on indigenous children in residential schools (“The Reckoning,” Residential Schools, August 2021). I have cried to all. Now I am angry. Where is the roll call of shame with the names of the responsible priests and nuns? Why are these monsters and their families protected from social condemnation under the cloak of anonymity provided by the church? –Pearl Edwards, Montreal
Reconcile this
In August, Marie-Danielle Smith spoke with Murray Sinclair about reconciliation and the Nameless Graves.
The most pertinent message from the interview with retired Senator Murray Sinclair needs to be repeated (Interview, September 2021): “The government of Canada has never developed an action plan on how they are going to achieve reconciliation. They do not hold their system accountable for achieving reconciliation. “Unless Maclean’s has a plan to keep pressuring the government to find and make those plans, this article is just another piece of complacency, appeasing the conscience of the “White Magazine of Canada”. –Shane Nestruck, Winnipeg
The power of listening
Wendy Glauser covered what it takes to change the vacillating mind about the vaccine.
I was intrigued by Wendy Glauser’s recent article, in particular the focus she promotes on vaccine vacillation (“Don’t hesitate to listen,” Vaccines, August 2021). I wonder if this approach could be applied to many other contentious issues. For example, when someone asks genuine questions about immigration policy, decolonization efforts, or gender-neutral toilets and is quickly dismissed as racist or transphobic, the opportunity for meaningful dialogue and, significantly, a reassessment of points of view. Worries don’t go away; rather, they go underground, where they continue to influence decisions, even at the polls. Or the discussion may be relegated to safer spaces, such as opinion-enhancing conversations among like-minded people. I am certainly not suggesting that malicious actions are tolerated, but a listening ear often accomplishes more than harsh judgment. –David Scott, Lethbridge, Alta.
Charity of the basket
As the Maclean’s A letter writer who was criticized for returning baskets to the First Nations gang that made them, I feel compelled to respond (“Desperate Self-Flagellation,” Letters, September 2021). It is true that the baskets were not acquired maliciously, but I don’t understand how returning the baskets is foolish and messes up a meaningful action. The response I received from the band belies that sentiment: “Thank you so much for getting in touch and for your generous offer. We will be happy to repatriate the baskets. It would also be exciting for us to go back to our Elders and get an idea of who could have created them. We are building a new cultural center that will have an interactive historical and artistic exhibition, and it seems that the baskets would belong there. ” –Laura Jones, New Westminster, BC
Cut glass
In July, CJ Jennissen wrote a letter in response to Sarmishta Subramanian’s story about the disruption of education in the pandemic.
The decision to publish CJ Jennissen’s ignorant letter to the editor shows a lack of judgment rarely displayed by his excellent magazine (“Are the kids okay?” Letters, August 2021). By publishing the writer’s statement that 13 years of school are “a huge waste of time” that turns “children into cabbages,” he gives credence to that nonsense. Teachers and administrators have spent countless hours trying to create new ways to teach and organize online learning groups without any prior training or experience. The last 18 months have been the most radical adjustment in public education in its nearly 200-year history. If education were left to Jennissen, it would not take long for us to slide rapidly to the bottom of the global educational ladder. –John A. Borst, Kingston, Ontario.
Model woman
As a star hockey player, Hayley Wickenheiser brought Canadians excitement and entertainment. And now he offers us medical as well as medical care (“A Letter to My Future Self: Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser,” annotation, September 2021). Thank you very much and congratulations to her! What a great example you set for Canadian girls. –Marie Medoro, Mississauga, Ontario.
Inward focus
In August, Aaron Hutchins examined whether forgiveness is possible for Jaskirat Sidhu.
His article on forgiveness is excellent (“Forgiving Jaskirat Sidhu”, Justice, August 2021). The biggest misunderstanding about forgiveness is equating it with forgetting, with wiping the board, with “turning the other cheek” and with a necessary restoration of the relationship. Forgetting is never an option, nor should it be. Turning the other cheek simply invites more abuse. Some relationships should not be reestablished. Unfortunately, healing is optional. Without the hard and heartbreaking work that needs to be done, we continue to tear the wound apart. Forgiveness is the first step in self-healing; if it helps the perpetrator of the pain, that is fine, but it is first and foremost the work of a person’s soul. –Mike Kosyk, Grande Prairie, Alta.
Gratitude for a giggle
Marie-Danielle Smith covered the Listowel, Ontario Sign Wars.
Thank you Trevor Cork and all Listowel businesses for your incredible humor through the wars of signs during the nasty COVID-19 pandemic (“The War of Words,” National Notes, July 2021). We drove there at least three times to laugh and take pictures. This world needs more humor! –Verda-Jane Hudel, Wilmot Township, Ontario.
Sweet water
In the September 2021 issue, Maclean’s examined the Newfoundland and Labrador tax on sugary drinks:
It seems to me that this new tax money should be spent on fixing the water infrastructure. —Nykolas Bryden on Facebook
If it’s between pop and water, I buy myself a filter. —Stewart Corneliss on Facebook
The most shocking thing about this article is that Pineapple Crush is a thing! —Thomas Bollmann on Facebook
All fired
Maclean’s wrote about a wildfire lookout in northern Alberta for the September 2021 issue:
That threat is especially real in Alberta, where the provincial government has slashed budgets for wildfire suppression and someone aligned with that government is likely to privatize jobs. —Thomas Mike on Facebook
Here at NS we destroyed most of ours. Nearsighted resource management. —Rob Fadelle on Facebook
We invite readers to send letters to [email protected] or to Maclean’s, 15 Benton Road, Toronto, M6M 3G2. Provide your name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters must be less than 200 words and may be edited for space, style, and clarity.
Reference-www.macleans.ca