Edition 6 of Lot’s Wife is out now. We would like to thank all those who contributed to this edition through written and visual contributions.
This edition will be published online only and can be viewed here.
EDITORS NOTE
Dear readers,
We have finally come to our sixth and last edition for 2021. In this edition, we continue to showcase the Monash University literary and artistic community while delving into crucial issues faced by students and wider society. From essays about international students’ experiences overseas and in Australia, to pop culture articles, poems and short stories, the Monash community has shown its diversity and creativity once again in this issue.
At the beginning of 2021, we wrote hoping that we would not have to repeat the constant uncertainties and lockdowns of 2020. Unfortunately, of course, this wasn’t to be. You only need to look at our editor’s notes for each edition to see how quickly things can change, with each of them in some way plagued by quick changes to the current COVID-19 landscape.
In particular, the last five months have been a roller coaster of COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria, with cases escalating and our daily lives rapidly changing as a result. Our third edition was published only days prior to the fourth lockdown, with distribution abruptly halted. Our fourth edition was drafted between two lockdowns, with our editor’s note emphasising a return to on-campus activities. Yet, most of us have not returned to in-person classes since Semester One and instead have retreated to the 2020 norm of Zoom calls, and we have been unable to distribute physical copies of edition four.
While this sounds grim, we don’t want to be too pessimistic. Compared to other countries we have been quite fortunate, with vaccine rates skyrocketing and a stable economy. Although cases in Victoria remain high, things only seem to be improving and we can hopefully look forward to celebrating the end of the year with friends and family.
We also need to remember all those suffering under more precarious and dangerous circumstances. Natural disasters, political instability, and warfare continue to run rife throughout the world. Many have been brought to poverty due to economic downturns. Political opponents in non-democratic countries face persecution for refusing to remain silent. And more people have become victims of the climate crisis through wildfires, floods, and more.
All this goes to say: we don’t know what 2022 will bring. We hope for equitable distribution of vaccines and decisive action on climate change. We hope the next year will allow the kind of connection that’s been missing: the return of international students shut out from Australia, on-campus classes, reuniting with friends and relatives across state and international borders. We hope that those who have found greater accessibility in the shift to online events are not left by the wayside.
And since this edition marks the end of our term as the Lot’s Wife editorial team, we hope that Lot’s Wife continues to be a place where you, the students, can have a voice.
It’s been an honour and a privilege to be your editors this year, and we hope we’ve lived up to the responsibility.
We want to sincerely thank all our wonderful subeditors, writers and artists for your time and dedication over 2021. Although it’s been another strange year, you have all shown great dedication to Lot’s Wife – the magazine truly wouldn’t be here without you. We cannot wait to see what you and the new editors do next year.
On a final note, remember to keep voicing your concerns. Don’t fear the power of putting pen to paper: of writing, making art, and having your voice heard. Your words can make real change.
Thank you for your support and see you in 2022,
The Lot’s Wife Team
