BANDERSNATCH CENSORED?

By Simon Desjardins
Staff Writer

This winter will mark my fourth semester studying here at John Abbott and I can finally say that I’ve joined a club, Bandersnatch, this Winter of 2026. When I first walked in I was greeted by organized, creative and extremely inviting people. I could tell this team cared about the power to give a voice to everyone at JAC, so that we could learn from our collective ideas. As an aspiring journalist, I believe that no topic is too sensitive to be talked about. Furthermore, the issues that are considered taboo are usually the ones that should be discussed the most. Despite all this, JAC seems to be stopping you from voicing your opinion on one single topic.

The Palestine-Israel war has been an ongoing issue for decades and it is clear that our generation has a part to play in it. JAC has silenced us, as capable students, to speak about this high tension debate. Throughout my stay here, many teachers have taught me that narrative control is the best way to pacify our society. Why would we let ourselves be silenced so early on? If we let the people who are in charge of us control what we need to say now, then, in the future, we will not bat an eye when our leaders ignore our opinions. This will take away our drive to question, if we don’t change this censorship now. Although I don’t have much to say about this war, I know a large amount of the student body does. Sparking conversation about what divides us is the only way different groups can attain a comfortable middle. I believe in our capabilities to be civil, respectful and attentive to what others have to say; without this we will never learn from each other. Conflict is resolved through openness. Let us write.