le journal bilingue de Glendon | Glendon’s bilingual newspaper
In This Issue:
Issue 2: le 10 octobre, 2018
You Be the Judge!: Presidential Power “Trumps” the Senate’s Advice in Appointing the Next U.S. Supreme Court Judge
Vie étudiante: An eAmbassador’s tips for commuters, les raisons pour lesquelles l’échec est nécessaire dans la vie et une présentation bilingue des membres de l’équipe de Radio Glendon Metropolis: The uprising of Toronto gun violence, a review of a TIFF premiere and a list of electronic music concerts Issues and Ideas: The Kavanaugh sexual assault controversy, a political science student’s musings on the importance of voting, et les manifestations en Niger Health & Wellness: Ce que pensent les étudiants des « relations toxiques » and a Keto cheesecake recipe Expressions: Un poème amoureux et émouvant and a student’s meditation on sadness Prochaine date limite : 12 octobre
Michael Reynolds
Mohammad Ameli Contributor Trump’s Supreme Court judge, Brett Kavanaugh, was appointed in spite of scandal during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vetting process. The findings of the FBI’s investigations into allegations of sexual assault as a young man loomed before him. The most compelling of these allegations was made by Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist at Palo Alto University. Following consultations with her lawyers, Ford agreed to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 27th, 2018. Her opening statements were wrought with raw emotion and a powerful opening line: “I am here today, not because I want to be—I am terrified—I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to
tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school.” Ford then described the events leading up to her assault, including how she met Kavanaugh, the kind of person he was, and what he and his friend, Mark Judge, allegedly did to her. Ford stated that she wanted to be as transparent as possible, and would do her best to recall the incident that occurred some 36 years ago. The Democrats were the first to question her, alongside Republican-appointed prosecutor, Rachel Mitchell. For these senators, there appeared to be very little, if any, doubt about Ford’s allegations. They rarely questioned the validity of her story; rather, the Democrats took their allotted time to speak out to other survivors of sexual assault, and ask discrete questions such as that
posed by Senator Dick Durbin: “With what degree of certainty do you believe Brett Kavanaugh assaulted you?” Ford responded, “One hundred percent.” The Republicans, however, took a very different, yet tactile approach. They didn’t want to state that they weren’t persuaded by Ford. Rather, they sought to poke holes in her story and reiterate the point that there hadn’t been an official investigation, despite numerous requests to do so. Their position was that they didn’t have all the facts in front of them; and while they didn’t dispute Ford’s testimony, they couldn’t simply block Kavanaugh’s nomination without the FBI’s potentially incriminating findings. Continued on page 10...
Pro Tem Letter from The Editor Notre Équipe
Editor in Chief | Rédactrice en chef Sarah Ariza-Verreault editor@protemglendon.com
Chief of Operations | Chef des opérations Kaya Harris-Read operations@protemglendon.com English Editor | Rédactrice adjointe anglais Amanda Sears assistanteng@protemglendon.com French Editor | Rédactrice adjointe français Gabriella Giordan assistantfran@protemglendon.com Media Officer | Agente des médias Krysta Veneruz media@protemglendon.com Photographer | Photographe Adrienne Arzaga photography@protemglendon.com Layout Editor | Maquetteur Connor Boyd design@protemglendon.com Section Editors | Chroniqueurs Campus Life | Vie étudiante Ayse Koca campuslife@protemglendon.com Issues & Ideas | Actualité et opinions Sabrina Sukhdeo issuesideas@protemglendon.com
Salut, Glendon! Thank you, again, to everyone who had come out to support Pro Tem at our launch party back in September! Your support means so much for our talented team. On another note, were these past few weeks as stressful for you as they were for me? Heureusement, la semaine de lecture est venue nous sauver ! On aura finalement le temps de compléter nos lectures et de commencer nos travaux afin de nous préparer pour le « crunch time » qui s’en vient. Profitez de cette semaine, Glendon, I know that I will. However, the coming weeks are not only stressful because of papers, midterms, and readings; municipal elections are on October 22! Il est important d’exercer vos droits en tant que citoyens; assurez-vous de vous renseigner sur les candidats électoraux pendant cette semaine de vacances. Bonne lecture ! - Sarah
Metropolis | Métropole Gulsvert Dela Cruz metropolis@protemglendon.com Arts & Entertainment | Arts et divertissement Bruno Da Costa arts@protemglendon.com Health & Wellness | Santé et bien-être John Kemp health@protemglendon.com Expressions | Expressions Ayla Sljivar expressions@protemglendon.com
Sarah Ariza-Verreault Editor in Chief
About Us Pro Tem est le journal étudiant du collège Glendon. Publié pour la première fois en 1962, c’est la plus ancienne publication de l’Université York.
Kaya Harris-Read Chief of Operations
Amanda Sears Assistant English Editor
Gabriella Giordan Assistant French Editor
Krysta Veneruz Media Officer
Adrienne Arzaga Photographer
Connor Boyd Designer
Ayse Koca Campus Life
Sabrina Sukhdeo Issues & Ideas
John Kemp Health & Wellness
Ayla Sljivar Expressions
Opinions published in Pro Tem are those of the individual writers, and do not reflect the views of the publication as a whole. We will not print copy deemed racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise oppressive. Les lettres adressées au journal peuvent être éditées au niveau de la clarté ou de contenu. All copy appearing in Pro Tem is at the discretion of the editorial team. Feel free to respond to what you read in the pages of Pro Tem! / N’hésitez pas à réagir à ce que vouz avez lu dans Pro Tem! To see past editions of Pro Tem, please visit our website: www.protemglendon.com.
2
Be sure to follow us on Facebook for reminders about upcoming deadlines and events: @ProtemGL
Gulsvert Dela Cruz Metropolis
Bruno Da Costa Arts & Entertainment
Vie étudiante Tips For Commuters Ana Felisa Villegas Glendon eAmbassador
mornings so I know exactly what time to leave my house without frantically huffing and puffing while running for the bus. RocketMan also shows you where the nearest bus stops are located.
Why I’m a Fan of Failing
Picture this: you’re on a crowded bus at 8:00 am, there’s traffic, and you probably won’t get to school for another hour. A grumbling stomach added to this equation equals commuter disaster! No matter how crunched you are for time, always prioritize the most important meal of the day.
Why are you afraid of failing? It’s an honest-to-goodness question. Why are you so afraid of failing? Is there a specific reason? I was once extremely afraid to fail, too. Although everyone’s standard of failure is different, a failure is a failure no matter how big or small. Why was I so afraid of it? I realized that it was because failure for me was the universe’s way of telling me that I wasn’t good enough. However, once I stopped fearing failure, I became more successful and started loving myself even more. I am a fan of failure because without it I would not be who I am today. For every small little failure I’ve had in my life, I have overcome it and been rewarded with a success, love, and support. At twelve years old, I tried out for a dance studio. I didn’t make the team that I wanted. Looking back as an adult, I wouldn’t have been the right fit for the team, but at the time, I was heartbroken. I was a failure, a disgrace, not good enough for anything—that’s what I thought. I cried to my mom for what felt like hours before she looked me in the eye and told me, “Prove them wrong.” That summer I dedicated my life to dance; I took intensives, privates, and stretch classes. That summer I realized I wasn’t a failure. It shaped my work ethic as a dancer and the style I grew to develop throughout my later years of dance. This moment in my life during which I failed to accomplish my task pushed me to new limits. Out of my failure came success. At seventeen, I took an English class. I was afraid to fail. My teacher wanted me to do something I wasn’t comfortable with: She wanted me to talk about my feelings. The first two months of journaling on The Book of Negroes consisted of good grammar, proper punctuation, and filtered thoughts. I wrote what I thought I was supposed to write. However, it wasn’t reflective of my true feelings—how the book was really affecting me. I only got a C+ on my first set of journal entries. I was devastated. It was the lowest mark
Queianna Portia-Park Contributor This is my fourth year of commuting to 3. Eat breakfast or at least bring a snack and from Glendon. How long this takes depends on the circumstances of the day. By bus during rush hour, my commute can easily take an hour and a half. On a good day, and with the help of my lovely father to drop me off at school, I usually get there in 20 to 30 minutes. Being a commuter doesn’t take away from your university experience. It just takes a bit more effort compared to living on campus. However many Glendon students are commuters, so many of us are in the same boat. Here are some things that I’ve learned along the way to make my commute as smooth as possible:
4. The most important rule of all: Pee before you leave the house A grumbling stomach plus a bladder waiting to be emptied equals a double commuter disaster.
5. Music, podcasts, and books My commute isn’t complete without lis1. Keep in mind how long your com- tening to Stromae and pretending that mute will take when making your class I understand French. I don’t personally listen to podcasts but many people do, schedule To get a rough estimate of how long so do whatever works for you! I also your commute might take, you can plug like to catch up on readings during my in your address on Google Maps. This commutes, but if you’re prone to motion allows you to get a time estimate wheth- sickness, it’s probably wise to avoid. er you’re driving, using transit, walking, or cycling. With that in mind, be realis- 6. Take care of your metropass like it’s tic when making your schedule. Maybe your child you don’t want to take too many 9:00 The thing costs $116.75 and the driver am classes, considering rush hour and, doesn’t even drop you off at your house, tuck you in and read you a bedtime stobesides, who likes getting up early? ry. Trust me, I’ve lost mine twice after 2. The RocketMan App is your best taking a mortgage out for these things. You think it won’t happen to you but it friend If you’re taking the TTC, download will. I hole-punched the corner of my RocketMan on your phone right now! I pass and put it in a lanyard after learncan’t tell you how many times I’ve avoid- ing the hard way. ed standing in the cold waiting for the bus for 20 minutes thanks to this app. It And there you have it, friends. Rush comes in handy especially during busy hour and traffic ain’t got nothing on you!
I had ever received. I went to my teacher and I asked her what I could do. She told me to write more about how I felt reading the book. Once I opened up, I started writing more and more. I wrote things that didn’t necessarily make sense at first, but they were concepts and theories that I could develop. I was thinking critically by reflecting on my life, the book, and society. I was writing a beautiful mess. I was learning a lot about myself and I was terrified. I got an A. At nineteen, I heard that Glendon was looking for new eAmbassadors. I wanted to do it; I was excited. I told my friends that I was thinking about it. Almost everyone that I told said to go for it. One person, however, said something along the lines of, “you’ll never get it.” I was hurt and felt like a failure. There was obviously a reason this person didn’t think I had what it takes. It took only one friend to look me in the eye and say a simple sentence: “I think you have what it takes.” From that moment, it clicked. I didn’t care that the other person didn’t think I could do it; I had to try. I had so many people supporting me and I wasn’t going to let one person tell me I was a failure before I even tried. Between the support of my close friends and the help of a veteran eAmbassador, I became confident. Trying my best and not being accepted didn’t make me a failure; I merely failed on that particular attempt. It was failing, but not failure. I would, and will, still have opportunities to retry things. But to be a failure is to be defeated. Failing no longer scared me. I am twenty-one, and even though I still don’t like the idea of failing, I know that often it is the force of failure that makes you push harder, fight stronger, and dig deeper. Of course I’m still afraid to be a failure, but I’m not afraid of failing. The only way I can be a failure is if I don’t even try. Failing has taught me many lessons, but most importantly, it taught me that I shouldn’t be afraid of it. In essence, failing taught me that I am not a failure. If there is anything you should take away from the text, it’s this: Failing isn’t fun, but it is sometimes necessary to help us grow. That is why I’m a fan of failing.
3
Campus Life Radio Glendon: Column 2 The Radio Glendon Team Contributors Bonjour, mes amis! We’re back for another Radio Glendon column. Cette semaine, l’équipe de Radio Glendon souhaite se présenter. Like Glendon, our team is diverse and small, but we all share a passion for music and creating content. Nous sommes aussi véritablement bilingues! Without further ado, I’d like to tell you a little about each member of our crew. Monika Chorazyczewski Position on the team/Position dans l’équipe: Manager/Directrice Major/Majeure: I’m a double major in French studies and Social Sciences... As well as my bed! Favourite Music/Musique préférée: Dancehall, R&B, French Rap, Alternative Rock Why did you join Radio Glendon/Pourquoi as-tu rejoigné Radio Glendon?: I was introduced to the space by a really good friend of mine and I’ve fallen in love with it ever since. It’s a space where creative minds from all walks of life are able to express themselves however they want using Radio Glendon as their output.
Santé et bien-être Nikolai Goloubenko Position on the team/Position dans l’équipe: Audio Engineer Major/Majeure: Linguistics and Language Studies/La linguistique et l’étude des langues Favourite Music/Musique préférée: There are two kinds of music: good and bad. It’s important to keep an ear out for the old and new, and various genres. Right now I really gravitate towards electronic music and hip hop. Il y a deux sortes de musique: bonne ou mauvaise. En ce moment, j’écoute souvent de la musique électronique ou du rap. Why did you join Radio Glendon/Pourquoi as-tu joigné Radio Glendon?: I joined Radio Glendon to apply my music production and sound engineering skills while in school and to help train new people with equipment for recording radio shows, music, and other creative projects/ Je suis devenu ingénieur de son et d’enregistrement afin d’utiliser mes compétences en production de musique et de son pendant mes études, et surtout, pour aider d’autres étudiants à développer leurs projets créatifs.
Sashmir Sidney Position on the team/Position dans l’équipe: Events coordinator/Coordinatrice des évenéments Major/Majeure: International Studies Favourite Music/Musique préférée: French Canadian Music Why did you join Radio Glendon/PourMarie Gomez Position on the team/Position dans quoi as-tu joigné Radio Glendon?: I was really interested in having to host l’équipe: Manager/Directrice Major/Majeure: J’étudie la communi- events and be a part of a team where cation à Glendon, change to J’étudie we have the opportunity to express oula communication à Glendon. Je suis selves through hosting shows. aussi inscrite au programme conjoint Elton Campbell York-Seneca de journalisme. Favourite Music/Musique préférée: I re- Position on the team/Position dans ally like pop music, Hispanic dance mu- l’équipe: Show Host Coordinator/Coorsic, singer-songwriter, classical music, dinateur des animateurs Major/Majeure: Sociology and heck, even country music! Why did you join Radio Glendon/Pour- Favourite Music/Musique préférée: quoi as-tu joigné Radio Glendon?: I None; quality music of any genre is my always loved music and I knew I want- favourite. ed a career working in media. I started Why did you join Radio Glendon/Pourmy show, What’s Going On, because I quoi as-tu joigné Radio Glendon?: wanted to talk about music that I liked Unlike other clubs, it allows me to be and things happening around me. Ra- very active in a way that is flexible with dio Glendon quickly became a place for my school schedule at school. It never me to express myself and have fun cre- clashes with my class times. Furtherating my own content. Plus, the physi- more, I love music and interviewing incal space has been a great hang-out for teresting people. me over the years!
4
Lessons in Healthy Friendships Fresange Maleka Contributor When we have conversations about health and wellness, we oftentimes focus on the self more than anything else: self-esteem, self-love, self-empowerment, self-care, etc. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it is also important to remember that humans are relational beings. A lot of how and what we feel about ourselves, whether we like it or not, can be reflected in our interactions with others. This is why I think it is so important to have healthy and constructive friendships. It is especially important in a university environment where so many changes and new stresses can occur. There’s nothing more comforting than having people in your life who can comfort you in difficult situations because they can relate as well. However, this makes it equally as important to know when a friendship is unhealthy. Lately, I’ve felt like the use of the word “toxic person” has become way too common. It’s not always wrong to recognize and realize that someone might not be a person who is good for you. Nevertheless, I still feel as though we do not focus on the positive people in our lives enough. Throughout my years at Glendon, I’ve met people who have shown me what true healthy friendships look like. Not only that, but these people have also taught me how to be a better friend. I thought I’d share three lessons I’ve learned in my three years at Glendon on how to sustain healthy friendships that have helped me, and
will hopefully help you as well. #1 - Perfection in any type of relationship is unattainable, outdated, and boring. There is no such thing as a perfect person, which means there is no such thing as a perfect friend. Labeling someone as “toxic” after they mess up once is doing a disservice to everyone involved in the situation. Friendships are about growth and communication as much as any other relationship. Be willing to talk when something bothers you instead of acting out of hurt and anger. Friends that learn how to fight in a healthy way are friends that fight for each other. #2 - Some people just want to be there for you—full stop. It’s unhealthy to constantly ask yourself about someone’s motives in your life. There comes a point where you’ll realize that, despite the fact that not everyone is like this. There are people that exist who truly want what’s best for you simply because they care about you. Don’t spend too much time analyzing their every move; just try to be a genuine friend to them as well. #3 - It’s okay to lean on your friends when you’re going through a rough time. I know this sounds simple, but I believe many people have a hard time actually practicing this in their lives. It’s unrealistic and unhealthy to believe that you never need support or even just someone to listen. There are people out there who will offer you help even when you don’t know how to ask. Good friendships are not always easy to come by, but they are part of living a healthy and well-balanced life. It’s important to not let fear keep you from trying to make connections. I realize it can be scary to allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone, but in the long run, you’ll only be disappointed with yourself for not trying.
Cinnamon Cheesecake à la Keto Reilley Kallem Contributor As the throes of autumn fall upon us, we trade the tart refreshments of summer for the warmth of sugary, spicy sweets. Within this search for gastronomical comfort, our “pumpkin spice-anything” cravings intensify, and so do our yearnings for sugars and carbs to ward off the chills of autumn and to comfort us amidst the impending threat of winter. Instead of battling the temptation to indulge in fall’s questionably healthy delicacies, I decided to take it upon myself this year to look for healthier alternatives to traditional fall treats. Since the ketogenic diet has overtaken social media, I adapted this cheesecake recipe from a beauty and lifestyle YouTuber, LustreLux, who created this recipe to accommodate her journey in weight loss. The keto diet limits carbs and sugars and replaces them with healthy fats in order for the body to enter into ketosis; a process by which a lack of carbohydrate intake allows the body to burn fat. Be it not an endorsed item on any keto disciple’s daily diet, this recipe will allow those on the diet, and those who crave a sweet treat alike, the enjoyment of a fall staple all while cutting some sugars and carbs. This is achieved by substituting the conventional sugar used for the filling with naturally-derived sugar alternatives and the graham cracker crust with pecans. Although it is more a treat than an everyday staple of the diet, dieters and enthusiasts alike will be able to indulge in the dish while still remaining in ketosis. I can vouch for its uncompromising flavour. The softness of the cheese filling coupled with the earthy sweetness of the pecan crust is enough to fool your taste buds—in fact, it may even train them to prefer the healthier option rather than that of the conventional graham cracker. Trying this recipe, I discovered my family’s new alternative to the traditional autumn delicacies. So what do you say? This autumn, don’t sacrifice your diet for your indulgence and enjoy a piece of this keto-friendly cinnamon cheesecake!
Santé et bien-être
Cinnamon Cheesecake à la Keto (Serves about 8) Ingredients: For the crust: Non-stick spray (for the pan) 8 oz. ground walnuts or pecans (the most keto-friendly and most delicious!) 3 tbsp. butter ¼ cup Erythritol or any other naturally-derived sugar alcohol substitute (you can also use regular granulated sugar if you’d prefer a non-keto cheesecake) Ground cinnamon (be generous - I recommend 2-3 teaspoons for a truly authentic spicy fall-inspired cheesecake) For the filling: 2 ½ bricks of cream cheese (I prefer light cream cheese as conventional) 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup granulated sugar 2-3 tsp. ground cinnamon About 1 tsp. lemon juice 4 eggs Method: For the crust: Grease generously the bottom and the sides of a round 9-inch springform pan with non-stick spray and set aside. Add the remaining ingredients for the crust to the bowl and blend with a wooden spoon until an even, granular consistency is achieved. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Press into the bottom of the pan to form an even, compact base. Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Let the crust cool enough to touch. For the filling: In a medium mixing bowl, break the cream cheese into smaller pieces, about 1-inch by 1-inch in size. Add the rest of the filling ingredients and stir just until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, blending after each one to get a fluffy consistency. When the mixture has become consistent, spread the filling on top of the cooled, pre-baked crust. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes at 350°F. Refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight (very important step for cohesiveness and taste).
Reilley Kallem
Et voilà! Release the latch on the top half of the springform pan and carefully slide the cheesecake from the bottom of the pan onto a flat plate, platter, or cake stand. Garnish with dried flowers for a rustic feel or a classic one with fruit. Enjoy, guilt-free!
5
Pro Tem Launch at Lunik
6
All Photo Credits to Adrienne Arzaga
Glendon Club Fair
All Photo Credits to Adrienne Arzaga
7
Metropolis 6 Concerts in the 6ix: Electronic Edition Connor Boyd Layout Editor There is no shortage of good concerts to see in Toronto. In fact, there are so many that it can be overwhelming for music fans. Though there are numerous excellent musical acts in pop, hiphop and other genres, this article will be highlighting some of the best electronic performances coming to our city this fall.
‘future bass’ music prominent in the EDM industry to, more recently, chill tunes mixed with guitar. This event is perfect for fans of electronic music seeking a unique and diverse experience unlike traditional EDM concerts. Ryan Hemsworth - Open World Tour (with Giraffage & Suicideyear) Wednesday, October 31, 2018 7 PM, Velvet Underground
Taking a more energetic and upbeat approach to his music, Canadian producer and DJ Ryan Hemsworth will be performing in Toronto to promote his newest album, Elsewhere. The record is a groovy compilation of collaborations Medasin - The Irene Tour (Phase 2) that draw from a variety of genres, from (with Electric Mantis) upbeat dancehall music to more mellow Friday, October 19, 2018 R&B. Accompanying him at the concert 10 PM, Velvet Underground will be Giraffage, a fellow electronic proPromoting his debut album, Medasin is ducer and Suicideyear, an artist known making the first stop of his North Amer- for mixing elements of hard-hitting trap ican Irene tour in Toronto. His iconic with an atmospheric aesthetic. If you’re style shines through in the record with looking for good music on Halloween, a fusion of jazz rhythms and electronic this is your event! beats, crafting a warm and nostalgic album to bid farewell to the summer. Join- K?D - Find Paradise Tour ing him will be indie electronic producer, (with DeVault) Electric Mantis, whose tracks are quite Saturday, November 17, 2018 10:00 PM, Velvet Underground surreal and experimental. A once-mysterious artist, K?D is emerging from the woodwork to celebrate his debut record, Find Paradise EP. His production ranges from upbeat pop-inspired tunes to intense dance tracks, A rising star in the indie electronic two styles both represented in the EP. scene, Shallou is coming to Toronto ac- Joined by fellow dance artist DeVault, companied by fellow electronic act Jap- K?D’s performance is shaping up to be anese Wallpaper. His music is both am- quite a spectacle. bient and emotional, a combination that radiates in his newest EP Souls. The Keys N Krates - Closer We Get Tour record displays his ability to seamlessly Saturday, December 8, 2018 blend soulful vocals with calming pro- 10:00 PM, Velvet Underground duction and delicate instrumentation. If you’re looking for a chill night out, this After releasing their debut album, Cura, earlier this year, Toronto trio Keys N concert is a great choice. Krates is returning to their hometown in style. A seamless blend of hip-hop and San Holo – album1 Tour (with Taska Black, Eastghost, BAYNK) electronic, the group takes their sound to a new level in their latest record. NoWednesday, November 14, 2018 tably featured on the album is Toronto 7 PM, Danforth Music Hall rapper, Tory Lanez, in their collab, “MuHot off the heels of his newly-released sic To My Ears.” This event is a definite album, simply titled album1, guitarist must-go for all music fans. and producer San Holo will be taking over the Danforth Music Hall with several guest artists. His music is experimental and has evolved over his 8 musical career, changing from Shallou – Souls World Tour (with Japanese Wallpaper) Wednesday, November 14, 2018 7:00 PM, Velvet Underground
Fall Events in Toronto: What Not to Miss If you’re around Toronto and hear of an event that might be of interest to our community, write to us at: metropolis@protemglendon.com. Arts and Culture Art Toronto Metro Toronto Convention Centre Oct 26 – 29 ImagiNATIVE TIFF Bell Lightbox Oct 17 – 21 Transforming Traditions: The Arts of 19th Century Iran Aga Khan Museum Sep 22 – Dec 9 Cinesphere Fall Film Series Cinesphere @ Ontario Place Oct 5 – Dec 23 The International Festival of Authors Harbourfront Centre October 18-28 Toronto After Dark Film Festival Scotiabank Theatre Oct 11 – 19 Careers Toronto Job Fair One King West Hotel Oct 22 TorontoJobs.ca Career Fair Roy Thomson Hall Oct 24 Community and Environment Empty Bowls Gardiner Museum Oct 11
2018 Ontario Climate Symposium OCAD Oct 11-12 Toronto Soup Festival 100 Garrison Road Oct 20 – 21 Food and Drinks Cask Days Evergreen Brickworks Oct 19 – 21 Vegan Oktoberfest The Great Hall Oct 14 Best of Scarborough Food Tour Begins at Kennedy Station Aug 9 – Oct 27 Queen West Pastry Crawl Nugateau Sept 25-Dec 28 Music and Entertaiment Fairland Funhouse Augusta Avenue Aug 15 – Nov 2 Halloween Halloween Haunt Canada’s Wonderland Specific nights until Oct 31 Legends of Horror (feat. The Vampire Circus) Casa Loma Sep 28 – Oct 31
Métropole Guns and Roses: A New Crisis in Toronto? Gulsvert Dela Cruz Metropolis Editor As of midnight, September 24th of this year, Toronto has seen a total of 310 shootings with 407 counted victims, and 40 deaths within that figure. This constitutes a staggering, but unsurprising amount, given the string of shootings that have been reported this year. The Danforth shooting in particular still echoes within the conscience of the city’s residents. However, we have to ask: is this a large epidemic or just a fact of life in Toronto? One doesn’t have to look too far for an answer. Numbers collected by the Toronto Police Service tell us that while the number of shooting incidents and deaths are, in fact, higher than this time two years ago, they have not been particularly low before either. In 2016 and 2017, there were 305 and 292 shooting incidents, respectively, as well as 29 deaths for both years. Prior to that, the number of incidents drops to a low of 178 recorded incidents in 2015 and 22 fatalities in 2014. If we look a few years back, we will see steady rise for both categories, with 2007 in fact seeing 43 shooting deaths. Change in shooting locations was
brought up by Claire Wilmot of The Toronto Star as a justification for the air of sudden crisis in the city, with areas like 52 Division (the area including Kensington, University, and Spadina neighborhoods) experiencing an increase of 250 percent, while more vulnerable areas like Rexdale, Jane and Finch, and Lawrence Heights have seen a 40 percent decline since 2016. Behold the Harris era: Just before its arrival, shootings in the city were, relatively speaking, less of an issue. The Common Sense policy put out by the Conservative government resulted in cuts to social assistance and a number of community supports that focused on poverty and social isolation. Neil Price of Now Toronto said that community leaders warned the province of the consequences of attempting to “reduce people to nothing.” 2005 saw the “Summer of the Gun”, during which 52 people died of shootings, namely the young, impoverished black men “who had better access to guns than to jobs.” The succeeding McGuinty government reversed course by focusing on youth programs, but this effort proved to be lacklustre. Gang-prevention programs that started in 2009 were eventually starved of funding, and their staff burnt out. A 2008 Liberal review detailing the links between the lack of social and economic opportunity and gun violence was received with hesitation by the government (led by the authors’ own party); it took a while for the
Cindy Newton Graham
government to even officially receive it. In light of more recent events, the city has approved $8 million to address gun violence, of which $7.4 million has been dedicated to enforcement and surveillance activity, and $1 million for community programs aimed at addressing the root causes of violence. There are also calls for the return of more directly-involved police programs, such as the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS) which ran from 2006 to 2013. According to Public Safety Canada, this was effective in positively changing community perception of crime and disorder, in addition to seeing a notable reduction in crime accompanying 1,300 arrests and the seizure of $23,000 over its operating period. However, this program also saw criticism, notably in alleged
harassment of community members and the rolling back of parole policies, leading to longer prison sentences for youth and thus more difficult rehabilitation and reintegration into society. A number of circumstances may see a policy shift in this area. This is more than just the jump of shooting deaths this year. With a heavy-handed Conservative provincial government, we may see a return to similar approaches of addressing gun violence. We also have the upcoming municipal elections, where the rhetoric on gun bans and community and response programs come up when the hot issue of public safety is discussed, as a catalyst for this potential change. If anything, we must hope and act in order to reverse the ballooning issue of Torontonian gun violence.
TIFF: Seeing Toronto On-screen
stranger to Boyden’s novels as he himself has been facing controversy surrounding the authenticity of his claims to indigenous ancestry for the past few years. Today, it is unbelievably important to have indigenous perspectives represented on-screen, but it is equally important to note who is presenting these stories to the public. Controversy aside, TIFF audiences found the story captivating. I personally found it particularly powerful to watch a film—and one with such an important message, at that—set purposely in Toronto. While I’m sure we all know that many films are shot in Toronto all year long (recent films such as Suicide Squad, It, and The Shape of Water, among many others) they seldom ever feature Toronto as their actual setting. While I usually take pleasure in calling out Toronto landmarks in the background of films, I had a particular thrill in exiting the theatre and walking right by the very film locations I had just seen on-screen. On the other hand, the film’s sombre message weighed particularly on me; I feel as though seeing the events in the story play out in my hometown truly reinforced the fears that indigenous communities all over Canada face every day and I hope that films such as Through Black Spruce, in spite of all its controversy, will bring awareness of indigenous issues to Canadians and start the important and necessary conversations in our country.
Sarah Ariza-Verreault Editor in Chief The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is hands-down one of my favourite yearly events in Toronto. Many people love how it brings the city to the international stage; however, I love how it empowers homegrown, Canadian filmmakers. While the works of Montreal-born prodigy, Xavier Dolan, are usually the most coveted amongst TIFF-goers (good luck getting tickets to any of the screenings), this year I had the pleasure of viewing an adaptation of Canadian author Joseph Boyden’s critically-acclaimed novel, Through Black Spruce. All of Boyden’s novels cover the rise and fall of the Bird family from Canada’s colonial period into the present. 2008 winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize, Through Black Spruce follows protagonist Annie Bird in the search for her missing twin sister which takes her from Moosonee to Toronto—a testament to the ever-growing issue of the missing and murdered indigenous women throughout Canada. Although the film adaptation features a predominately First Nations cast, it has, upon release, sparked a fair amount of controversy due to the fact that its director, Don McKellar, is not of indigenous descent. Ironically, the issue of cultural appropriation is no
9
Issues and Ideas Voting Matters Simon Topp Contributor
You Be The Judge! (cont.) These divergent positions by Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are far from surprising given both American partisan politics and the “culture” and “dynamics” of what may be referred to as the transformative era of the #MeToo movement, which highlights and encapsulates the stories, anxieties and traumas of female sexual assault victims/survivors. The Kavanaugh hearings reflected the #MeToo movement, as it is worlds apart from a similar case earlier in American history: the vetting process and appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court of the United States. Anita Hill testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Thomas had sexually harassed her at work, and senators picked apart her story, leaving her with a sharp twinge of regret for even coming forward with her testimony. Ford’s testimony, however, was met with words of encouragement and appreciation for her bravery to appear before the Senate committee. Of course, in this context, it was the prerogative of the senators to support Ford or at the very least not attack her in this contemporary era of progressive thought and support for historically disenfranchised women. Kavanaugh’s seat on the nation’s highest court could very 10 well have an impact on the mid-
term elections which will be held in November, where all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested. The midterm elections are extremely significant for both sides as the Republicans want to keep the House and Senate majorities, while the Democrats are fighting to gain more seats and control of either or both Houses of Congress. In anticipation of Democratic-controlled Houses of Congress, Trump had Kavanaugh appointed in order to equalize the “Democrat-ruled” Supreme Court. It would ultimately work to offset the anticipated power shift on the Court. Kavanaugh’s appointment into the Supreme Court makes it clear that there’s a significant political game at play between the Republicans and Democrats. As always, we see the rights of disenfranchised and underrepresented groups in society being wavered back and forth with the political will of powerful “democratic” institutions. Despite my thoughts on the issue, I urge my fellow students who read this article to look deeply beneath the surface-level events and delve into a critical analysis of the political, sociological and psychological motivations behind both sides of the case; did Kavanaugh deserve his appointment into the Supreme Court? You be the judge!
Premier Doug Ford has been a very busy man. In the two months since his election, he has eliminated the Ministry of Francophone Affairs and the Ministry of the Status of Women, backed away from the funding of refugee resettlement, cancelled Ontario’s basic income pilot project, and delayed new vaccine reporting requirements. More recently, he has announced that he plans to cut Toronto City Council in half, in the middle of the municipal election. He intends to use the notwithstanding clause in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that, if invoked, allows the province to ignore the Charter and override court rulings that would strike down the Ford government’s decision for its questionable constitutionality. This is the first time that clause has been used in Ontario. This article, however, is not about the Ford government’s actions (though for the record, I think all of them are terrible). Instead, I’m writing this to highlight something: in the 2018 Ontario election, only 58% of the population actually voted, which, embarrassingly, was actually a record high number for voter participation in Ontario. 40% of that 58% voted for Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party, that means only 23% of all eligible voters in Ontario voted for the current provincial government. None of what Ford is doing is illegal. As much as I dislike it, there is nothing in Canadian law nor the Charter that prohibits Ford from doing anything he’s done. The problem is that the system is broken, and it’s broken for a simple reason: People don’t vote.
Darcy Norman, Wikimedia Commons
The idea behind democracy is that we, the people, make our concerns known. Once our concerns are known, politicians try to convince us to vote for them by acting on those concerns. If we believe them, then we vote for them, which allows them to be our leaders. In this way, we have influence on the government and make it work for us. In other words, our system is one that assumes that most people vote. That is why Doug Ford has the power to do everything that he’s done; he has a majority government, giving him full power over the Ontario legislature, assumed to have been won by capturing the vote of more than half of the population, maybe 60 percent. But not even 60 percent of the province voted. As a result, we have a mismatch between power wielded and votes earned. That’s a broken system. So, how do we fix it? A lot of the problems arise from our first-pastthe-post election system, which allows governments to win seats in the parliament way out of proportion of their vote share. For example, in this election, achieving 40% of all votes enabled the PCs to claim 72% of the seats. While remedying this is not really in our immediate control, what we can do instead is vote. Participate. If a government wins a majority, let’s makes it so that it actually has something close to a majority of the votes. Let’s also ensure that governments have to listen to us when we make our voice heard. Why should the government pay attention to student issues if students consistently don’t vote? Voting blocs have power. There is a reason the middle class is always addressed by politicians, and one of them is that the middle class consistently turns up to vote. If we don’t exercise this right, what is the point of living in a democracy at all?
Actualité et opinions
Boureima Hama, AFP
La protestation au Niger Helen Lam Contributrice En avril 2018, dans la ville de Niamey au Niger, Africa 24, chaîne de télévision africaine de langue française, a affirmé que la loi de finances 2018 faisait l’objet de débat au parlement. Dans leur vidéo, les Nigériens hurlent dans les rues pour démontrer leur désapprobation pendant une manifestation qui durait quatre mois. Ils expriment leur colère contre le gouvernement par rapport aux nouveaux impôts et les dénoncent pour avoir accordé des cadeaux fiscaux d’une vingtaine de milliards de francs CFA aux compagnies de téléphones. Grâce aux médias, on peut se renseigner sur l’évènement d’actualité. Jeune Afrique, le premier magazine de langue français panafricain, a indiqué que la loi de finances 2018 était qualifiée d’antisociale par le peuple. Moussa Tchangari a affirmé que les autorités ne se sont jamais montrées ouvertes au débat. Jeune Afrique a expliqué qu’un collectif de la société civile organise des manifestations pour
demander l’abrogation de la loi de finances. D’ailleurs, l’article mentionne que, selon le ministre des Finances, Hassoumi Massadou, le budget de 2018 n’inclut pas les zones rurales, où vivent 80 % des Nigériens. Massadou croit que la loi ne blessera pas les pauvres. Il est évident que le reportage de Jeune Afrique couvre l’évènement complètement, sans biaiser, pour illustrer cette controverse à un immense public. Il donne les arguments des deux côtés du débat. Niger Inter, magazine mensuel d’analyse et d’opinion, a examiné plutôt la perspective religieuse, soit la perspective islamique, de cet évènement. Dans un article écrit par Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim, ce dernier soutient que les associations islamiques du Niger influencent fortement la loi de finances de 2018. Selon les membres de la communauté musulmane, se mettre à manifester pour ou contre la loi de finances détruit le sentiment de solidarité nationale, ce qui n’accomplit rien pour l’intérêt public. Au contraire, ces actions rendent la nation plus faible parce qu’elles mettent l’accent sur les divergences entre les acteurs politiques et sociaux, lesquels sont censés gérer ensemble les problèmes.
Ces associations islamiques invitent les partis en dispute à débattre de manière constructive. Niger Inter montre le point de vue d’une minorité religieuse pour promouvoir la diversité. Il est probable que l’opinion de ce groupe n’est pas très populaire. Pour cette raison, Niger Inter se démarque des autres médias et il offre une voix à ceux qui se font rarement écouter. En effet, ce magazine maintient la démocratie et l’égalité qui caractérisent ce pays libéral dans une société globale où il y a beaucoup de discrimination. Le Niger est un pays africain dont une énorme partie est occupée par le Sahara. Le territoire nigérien est couvert d’ocres et de dunes et il n’y a aucun accès maritime. Le pays est une république semi-présidentielle, avec un président comme chef d’État, et un premier ministre comme chef du gouvernement. Le gouvernement détient les pouvoirs exécutifs et législatifs. Le pouvoir législatif est aussi aux mains de l’Assemblée nationale, qui comprend 113 députés élus au suffrage universel. Normalement, la durée de la législature est de cinq ans. Le Niger est politiquement paisible, mais sa situation économique est alarmante. Les dangers, les
changements climatiques et la volatilité des cours du pétrole ont une influence négative sur l’économie du pays. À cause des crises en Libye et au Mali, ainsi que les conflits armés contre le terrorisme, le Niger a accueilli de nombreux réfugiés. Comme dans les autres membres du G5 Sahel, ces adversités affectent les finances publiques en élevant le taux de croissance démographique et le taux de fécondité. Cette élévation constitue un défi pour la santé, l’emploi, et la distribution des richesses et des ressources au Niger. Ces contraintes génèrent une demande fortement augmentée de biens et de services sociaux qui sont sur le marché. Somme toute, les manifestants au Niger possèdent le désir de fustiger la loi de finances. Africa 24 a montré les cris furieux du peuple. Jeune Afrique exhibe les opinions des personnes qui sont pour et contre la loi. Niger Inter propose d’étudier le problème sous un nouvel angle basé sur les croyances et les valeurs d’une association islamique. J’espère que les Nigériens trouveront une solution à cette crise. J’en suis optimiste, étant donné que la paix est la norme dans les relations politiques de ce pays démocratique.
11
Expressions Existential Sadness David Jeji Contributor
Tes lunettes roses
Nous nous sommes assis sur le canapé, Tu t’es assis à côté de moi sans trop y Ayla Sljivar penser. Expressions Editor Pendant la nuit, ta voix puissante s’est cassée après avoir bu l’alcool qui couLa rencontre lait de tes lèvres. Quand on s’est rencontrés, Je me suis rendu compte que tu t’adresHonnêtement, je n’ai ressenti aucun sais seulement à moi lorsque tu parlais. sentiment d’amour, Ta voix était silencieuse, comme si tu Ou même pensé que tu étais beau. avais un secret à m’offrir. Tu étais de taille moyenne et ta nuque Ton souffle roulait sur ma joue comme était droite. si tu m’embrassais. Tu avais le teint pâle, avec des veines Je ne sais pas ce qui m’a poussée à me très dessinées sur tes bras et sur ton rapprocher de toi. cou. Cela ne semblait pas te déranger. Tes veines ressemblaient à des doigts Peut-être que tu voulais que je me rapde squelettes. proche. Tu avais un visage allongé et des joues Tu m’as offert un bonbon et je l’ai pris. amaigries, comme celles d’un soldat Après ton départ, j’ai pensé à toi. durant la guerre. Tu avais des lèvres peu marquées qui Encore se courbaient vers le bas, C’était le milieu de l’été. Et une grimace permanente. Nous marchions ensemble, nos bras se Tes yeux étaient bruns et tes paupières touchaient. étaient enflammées. Était-ce un accident ou était-ce fait par Ces yeux ne me captivaient pas, exprès ? Ils ne rendaient pas ce que tu disais De toute façon, ça ne me dérangeait fascinant. pas. Je n’ai pas pensé à toi après mon C’est à ce moment-là que j’ai vu tes départ. yeux. Ils étaient différents, Au retour Pas pour leur couleur ou pour leur Chez moi, je suis entourée d’amis. forme. Et de toi. Mais l’un était brillant et l’autre était Tu n’es pas venu bredouille. triste. Tu m’as donné une boîte dentelée de J’ai couvert l’œil triste avec ma main. bonbons et une bouteille de liqueur Tu as ri en retirant ma main et en disant douteuse. que tu pouvais toujours percevoir la Je l’ai quand même prise. beauté à travers cet œil.
1. As I live life, I often ask myself: what is sadness? 2. Is it a lack of joy? A feeling that we try to suppress? 3. No… for you see, the definition goes deeper than that. 4. It is hidden like the craftiness of an evasive rat. 5. Sadness and its symptoms cannot be seen. 6. They attack the root of joy, ensuring that you are no longer keen. 7. Sadness is the false hope of having empty goals to run toward. 8. Little you know, there is no reward… 9. For you see, the treacherous moCette nuit-là, j’ai rêvé à toi. notony of routine, lives day by day. 10. The absence of direction is self-eviLa dernière fois dent, as there is nothing to say. Nous nous sommes assis en silence 11. One must live this reality alone, as sur mon canapé. you yearn to share. Tu m’as offert un bonbon, mais il avait 12. Time after time, you find that they un goût aigre. do not care. Tu devais partir le lendemain. Tu m’as assuré que nous parlerions ch- 13. It will be clear that for every person, there is an internal battle to be aque jour pendant ton absence. fought. Comme j’étais bête. 14. With this in mind, you soon realize C’était le début de la fin. that human relations are not free, Pourtant, je me suis penchée vers toi. but bought. Tes bras m’ont entourée. 15. So, alone you go, always on the Nous ne nous sommes pas embrassés outside looking in. cette nuit-là. Je ne sais pas si c’était une décision 16. You analyze the interactions, wondering what could have been. sage de ma part. Tu devais partir, mais tu ne t’es pas re- 17. Why is happiness so fleeting, always changing its place? tourné vers moi en partant. Alors, en m’appuyant sur le cadre de la 18. Why can it not be savoured, at a more leisurely pace? porte, je me suis rendu compte que tu 19. Is this what it means to be human? étais beau. The act of trying to fill the void? Tes veines dessinées semblaient avoir 20. Have I lost my humanity? Have I été peintes soigneusement par un arbecome a droid? tiste. J’ai pensé à tes joues creuses, blotties dans la courbe de ma main. À tes lèvres, toujours courbées vers le bas, émettant un rire musical. Et à tes yeux. Mes propres yeux sont devenus tristes. J’ai pleuré cette nuit en pensant à toi. La douleur Ma poitrine n’a jamais été aussi lourde. Le silence entre nous n’a jamais été aussi fort. Mais, s’il te plaît, dis-moi, vois-tu encore de la beauté à travers ton œil triste ?