THE CORD THE TIE THAT BINDS WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY SINCE 1926
VOLUME 60 ISSUE 11 • NOVEMBER 6, 2019
NO SNOOZE, YOU LOSE Feature, page 8-9
THE BEAUTY OF BUSINESS
LITTLE HOMES, BIG FUTURE
WHY THE LONG FACE
“VALUES” TEST
HAWKS DEFEAT IN RUGBY
Indigenous cosmetic company visits
City of Kitchener passes new bylaw
Bojack Horseman prevails
Quebec misses the mark with new initiative
38-19 victory against Marauders
News, page 6
News, page 5
Arts & Life, page 13
Opinion, page 15
Sports, page 16
2 •
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019
VOCAL CORD How much sleep do you get on average?
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CordNews THIS DAY IN HISTORY: NOVEMBER 6
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
1429: Henry VI is crowned King of England. 1860: Abraham Lincoln (RepR-Ill) elected 16th American President. 1861 - The inventor of basketball, James Naismith, was born. 1861: Jefferson Davis elected to 6 year term as US Confederate President.
“I definitely don't get enough.”
1917 - During World War I, Candian forces take the village of Passchendaele, Belgium, in the Third Battle of Ypres.
– Carly Wong, 2nd-year accounting and eco-
1917: New York State adopts a constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote in state elections. 1923 - Jacob Schick was granted a patent for the electric shaver.
“The average I sleep is three to five hours. ” – Chris Clarke, 4th-year BMus
JADE HOSICK/OPINION EDITOR
Hayley McGoldrick celebrating her 23rd birtday with The Cord and basking in the love of her fellow Cordies
1935: Edwin H. Armstrong announced his development of FM broadcasting. 1947: NBC's "Meet the Press" debuts - US's longest running TV show. 1973 - NASA's Pioneer 10 spacecraft began photographing Jupiter. 1975: First performance of the Sex Pistols at St Martins College, London.
"I try to get around six, but if I'm realistic, I get five.”
1995 - Mark Messier scored his 500th NHL goal.
– Luke Jenkins, 3rd-year music
1996 - Michael Jordan scored 50 points for the 29th time in his NBA career. 1996 - News Director, Hayley McGoldrick was born and the world was blessed and better for it. 2005: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the 4th film based on the books by J. K. Rowling, premieres in London. Goes on to become most successful film of the year, earning almost US$ 900 million.
"Seven hours because I think sleep is pretty important.” – Qinye SU, BBA
2012: Elizabeth Warren becomes the first female Senator from Massachusetts.
Compiled by Sidney MacDonald, Lead Photographer NEXT ISSUE
OPINION EDITOR Jade Hosick opinion@thecord.ca
SENIOR COPY EDITOR Victoria Marshall copyeditor@thecord.ca
CORD STAFF
SPORTS EDITOR Matt Cascagnette sports@thecord.ca
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Waitson editor@thecord.ca
GRAPHICS EDITOR Jamie Mere graphics@thecord.ca
CORDCAST PRODUCER Jade Hosick, Victoria Marshall cordcast@thecord.ca
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brit Kovacs creative@thecord.ca
PHOTO EDITOR Darien Funk photos@thecord.ca
WEB DIRECTOR Kashyap Patel online@thecord.ca
ONLINE EDITOR Kathleen McCullough online@thecord.ca
NEWS DIRECTOR Hayley McGoldrick news@thecord.ca
VIDEO EDITOR Katherine Fitzpatrick video@thecord.ca
NEWS EDITOR Sophia Cole news@thecord.ca
LEAD REPORTER VACANT news@thecord.ca
ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Alyssa Di Sabatino arts@thecord.ca
LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Sidney Macdonald photos@thecord.ca
NOVEMBER 13, 2019
CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Lauren Rutherford Jana Ibrahim Jennifer Webb Lauren Symbolik Laura Thompson
“Stark and Perri rebranding under new ownership” - Alyssa Di Sabatino
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES All advertising inquiries can be directed to Kurtis Rideout at kurtis.rideout@wlusp.com or 519-884-0710 ext. 3560.
COLOPHON The Cord is the official student newspaper of the Wilfrid Laurier University community. Started in 1926 as the College Cord, The Cord is an editorially independent newspaper published by Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications, Waterloo, a corporation without share capital. WLUSP is governed by its board of directors. Opinions expressed within The Cord are those of the author and do not necessarily refl ect those of the editorial board, The Cord, WLUSP, WLU or CanWeb Printing Inc. All content appearing in The Cord bears the copyright expressly of their creator(s) and may not be used without written consent. The Cord is created using Macintosh computers running OS X 10.10 using Adobe Creative Cloud. Canon cameras are used
for principal photography. The Cord has been a proud member of the Ontario Press Council since 2006. Any unsatisfied complaints can be sent to the council at info@ontpress.com. The Cord’s circulation for a normal Wednesday issue is 4,500 copies and enjoys a readership of over 10,000. Cord subscription rates are $20.00 per term for addresses within Canada. The Cord has been a proud member of the Canadian University Press (CUP) since 2004.
PREAMBLE The Cord will keep faith with its readers by presenting news and expressions of opinions comprehensively, accurately and fairly. The Cord believes in a balanced and impartial presentation of all relevant facts in a news report, and of all substantial opinions in a matter of controversy. The staff of The Cord shall uphold all commonly held ethical conventions of journalism. When an error of omission or of commission has occurred, that error shall be acknowledged promptly. When statements are made that are critical of an individual, or an organization, we shall give those affected the opportunity to
reply at the earliest time possible. Ethical journalism requires impartiality, and consequently conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest will be avoided by all staff. The only limits of any newspaper are those of the world around it, and so The Cord will attempt to cover its world with a special focus on Wilfrid Laurier University, and the community of Kitchener-Waterloo, and with a special ear to the concerns of the students of Wilfrid Laurier University. Ultimately, The Cord will be bound by neither philosophy nor geography in its mandate. The Cord has an obligation to foster freedom of the press and freedom of speech. This obligation is best fulfilled when debate and dissent are encouraged, both in the internal workings of the paper, and through The Cord’s contact with the student body. The Cord will always attempt to do what is right, with fear of neither repercussions, nor retaliation. The purpose of the student press is to act as an agent of social awareness, and so shall conduct the affairs of our newspaper.
Quote of the week: “MEAAT - Men. Except. Aaron. Are. Trash.” - News Director, Hayley McGoldrick, giving relationship advice to The Cord's staff .
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019
News
• 3 NEWS DIRECTOR HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK news@thecord.ca
NEWS EDITOR SOPHIA COLE news@thecord.ca
FACULTY
Laurier hires senior advisor of equity, diversity and inclusion HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS EDITOR
Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Barrington Walker as their new senior advisor: equity, diversity and inclusion to develop a strategy to enhance the existing diversity and support andcontinue to build at Laurier. Walker will start his appointment in January of 2020, as he is currently an associate professor at Queen’s University. He will become a tenured professor in the department of history as part of his appointment. “Dr. Barrington Walker was selected by the search committee as the preferred candidate for the Senior Advisor EDI role based on his academic and administrativeexpertise,” said Pamela Cant, assistant vice president of human resources and equity in an email statement. “His lived experience, and his passion and commitment to developing and implementing equity, diversity and inclusion strategies, policies and processes.” A government of Canada is funding the position with a grant of $384,700 over the span of two years which was announced on Nov. 9. Federal minister of science and
Community of Practice, Dr. Walker will lead the creation of a university-wide EDI strategy and provide expertise, guidance, mentorship and support to faculty and staff working toward EDI-related goals.” Since 2002 Walker has been a member of the history department
at Queen’s University, being the diversity advisor to the vice principal: academic from 2007-2009. He has also written and taught about history in the forms of Canadian social history, African-American history as well as relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in North America. Walker will be working alongside current Laurier faculty members Darryl Dee and Lamine Diallo who will be serving as EDI faculty colleagues to dedicate time to EDI research and developing strategy. Michelle Skop and Christine Neill currently serve as a representation for female faculty colleagues and a research associate will also be hired. Members of Indigenous initiatives, human resources, the Centre for Student EDI and teaching and learning will also be members of the community practice. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) comprise the support for the Dimensions program which includes four other Ontario schools among the 15.
psychology program that I teach were there yesterday came and told me how it made them think about their goals and if it aligned or not with their mental health and wellbeing,” Coulombe said. “My hope is that it gave people food for thought and that’s what
I hope, I’m not pretending that it will make all the difference but if it will make them reflect a bit about what they’re doing for their mental health and well-being, part of the reason why people deal with this is because of the high level of stress in our lives.”
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sport Kirsty Duncan announced the initiative which includes 14 other academic institutions called Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada which is providing $5.3 million in total to all the schools. “We are very excited to have Dr.
Walker join Laurier in this inaugural role, as he works to enhance Laurier’s efforts in fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive community, as outlined in Laurier’s strategic plan,” Cant continued in her email statement. “As co-chair of Laurier’s ED I
MENTAL HEALTH
CCRLA hosts first speaker in series to promote well-being HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS EDITOR
The Centre for Community Research, Learning and Action (CCRLA) held the first speaker in their student mental health series that will be ongoing throughout the 2019-2020 school year. The event was a talk from Simon Coulombe, an assistant professor at Laurier and director of CCRLA’s Flourishing Communities research group. The series is focused on dealing with issues regarding mental health and ways to cope in different ways, with the first installment of the series titled “What matters to me? How personal goals enhance health and well-being”. “Part of the research that I’m doing is trying to understand better how we can help people promote their wellbeing and how we can create environments that promote wellbeing and positive mental health, so I felt this was totally aligned with my research and my goals,” said Simon Coulombe, assistant professor and speaker for the event. “As part of the research that I do I also use my experiential knowl-
edge, in the history of my life I’ve had to deal with anxiety problems so it’s always something that I’m happy to share to try and reduce the stigma; we know there are so many students, faculty and staff at Laurier and really in any setting these days there are so many people dealing with mental health issues.” The talk was a partnership between CCRLA and the Laurier department of health sciences, as both parties have a heavy focus on the wellbeing in human beings from both a psychological and physical aspect, as Coulombe merged his own experience with research to give the talk. “I believe that the idea was that due to the work that health sciences students do and will go into in the future, they will have to deal with their own mental health challenges and cope with stress and other challenges that all students deal with, but they’ll also be called on in the future as they become doctors and working in the healthcare profession,” Coulombe said. “The idea behind this partnership in the event was to merge the two perspectives, so part of the talk yesterday was really about mental
health in general and mental health for students, but also some things that future healthcare professionals should know and will be dealing with, ways of supporting the wellbeing and mental health of their future clients.” The event, which was free for all students to attend, was held in Lazaridis Hall with almost 100 students registering for the event as it aims to raise awareness of student specific mental health and well-being issues, encouraging conversations on campus and to sharing coping strategies and personal experiences between students for support. “The reception was good, people were engaged, we even did a small exercise doing mindfulness altogether to talk about what the benefits of mindfulness but also some of the hesitations, I could see they were taking it seriously,” Coulombe said. Mental illnesses mostly develop in late teens and early 20’s, which is the age many university students currently are. Both genetics and environments or situations can be factors of the development as well as a combination of both. “Some of my grad students in the
FILE PHOTO
4 • NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019
HOUSING
Kitchener council approves tiny home bylaw SOPHIA COLE NEWS EDITOR
On Oct. 28 the Kitchener city councillors ruled to approve a new residential bylaw that will allow up to three residential units on a property. The bylaw will permit adding units like tiny houses, granny flats and above-garage apartments to a property. “We have been working on updating our zoning bylaw for over five years, so this has been a long time coming,” said Sarah Marsh, Ward 10 Kitchener City Councillor. “We’ve heard from residents in various stages of the process and a lot of what we heard was people want more housing options,” she said “In the last year, the provincial government has brought forward their legislation called ‘more homes, more choices,’ and so they also are requiring that any new bylaw in a municipality will need to allow for more.” This bylaw change is following the recent provincial changes to the Planning Act which allow property owners the option of having up to three approved residential units on their property. The Kitchener-specific bylaw differs from the provincial law by permitting these units to be their own separate buildings on the property. “The city along with a lot of other communities have been trying to
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find additional ways to provide housing options and what we hope are more affordable housing options,” said Kevin Curtis, University of Waterloo planning professor. “I think this is another example of initiative that there is broad merit to but we’ll have to monitor the situation to see what the nature of the uptake is and what kind of issues, if they arise over the course of the first couple of years, what
they are and if any of the matter in the bylaw need to be tweaked,” Curtis said. “Time will tell.” This bylaw change is a step in the right direction when dealing with the affordable housing problem that has been building in many Ontario cities. “The city has been very positiveand very innovative in this regard. I can’t even think of another city offhand that has gone this fast this
quickly on this point, but everyone is always looking to try to find ways to deal with this ever-changing housing market and the needs and demands and supply issues,” Curtis said. The city also recognizes that this change is not an immediate solution in and of itself, but rather a stepping stone towards a larger solution. “It will not be the be-all-end-all
and it won’t be immediate so no, we’re not able to hang our hat on this change to alleviate the affordable housing needs, this is just one piece,” Marsh said. “I think we need a broad range of tools to really make a dent in the affordable housing problem.” The city of Kitchener is currently working towards developing an affordable housing strategy to address the needs of the growing city.
STUDENTS
OUSA hosts 50th annual assembly HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR
OUSA’s annual fall general assembly took place from Nov. 1 to 3 at Brock University in St. Catharines to discuss and debate three policy papers on different topics: ancillary fees, gender and sexual diversity, two spirit & LGBTQ+ students and student disability and inclusion. “It’s an opportunity for all the different member associations who comprise OUSA, for their students to get together and discuss what OUSA’s policy direction should be. When we arrived on the Friday, we had the opportunity to review the papers, provided feedback and edit those papers in advance for the next day,” said Shawn Cruz, vice president of university affairs for the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union. “Saturday was when students provided feedback on the papers and we obviously took that feedback into account, come Sunday all the papers were brought together and debated on. It’s a very formal process using Robert’s Rule of Order, at the end of the plenary
session on Sunday the papers were passed, approved and members felt they were a good representation for students at the provincial level.” Each year there are eight schools that meet twice a year to review these papers, in the fall and then again in the winter. Some of the schools that comprise OUSA are the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, McMaster University, Brock University, Queen’s University, Trent University, Durham GTA and the University of Western Ontario. “OUSA provides Laurier andLaurier students an opportunity to advocate in a way that we wouldn’t have without our OUSA membership. OUSA is a very valuable organization that brings over 150,000 student voices together and gives us a central voice when it comes to representing the government,” Cruz said. “The Laurier students’ union as well as other student organizations across Ontario will do their provincial and federal political advocacy of their own, but the benefit of being part of OUSA is that it can bring together so many diverse voices,
FILE PHOTO/KASHYAP PATEL
it also gives us more power when trying to get meetings with government officials, we’re able together to do a lot as a collective.” This year’s general assembly was the 50th annual meeting of the member schools and all three papers that were under review were passed on the plenary floor.
“We have such a diverse set of people that we advocate for, not only at Laurier but at other schools across Ontario too and that’s the benefit of having them all collect in the same room at OUSA general assembly,” Cruz said. “I think what that means for our own advocacy here at Laurier is
that we can continue to do a really good job and engage as many students as possible, making sure we aren’t just representing a singular voice because we need to take into account all the different student perspectives and try and elevate that to the government as best as we can.”
NEWS • 5
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019 COMMUNITY young people’s literature category for her book Stand on the Sky. Bow will attend the award ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Dec. 11 and 12 where she will give a reading and receive her award. Stand on the Sky is Bow’s fifth novel and is one that she is very personally invested in.
This is my fifth novel but in a sense, it’s the book of my heart. It’s a book I’ve been working my way up to writing for a long time. -Erin Bow, Author
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Local author wins prestigious Governor General’s Lit award SOPHIA COLE NEWS EDITOR
Local Kitchener author, Erin Bow, is headed to Canada’s capital as the recipient of prestigious award, the Governor General’s Literary Award. The Governor General’s Literary Awards are one of the oldest stand-
ing awards in Canada and some of the most prestigious and celebrated in the literary realm. Each year, there are 14 recipients in a variety of different categories, seven for English literary works and seven for French literary works. Each winner receives an award of twenty-five thousand dollars.
“I’m so excited about it, I’m just over the moon about it,” Bow said. “They did tell me a little bitbefore they told the public and I wasn’t supposed to tell anybody, not even my family, but that was a complete non-starter because when they called everybody woke up and came to see what I was doing.” Bow is one of two winners in the
$35 parking ticket
VS
“I also wanted a book about a brother and a sister. This book is dedicated to my late sister,” said Bow. “I wanted so badly to save my sister, I wanted a book where a kid succeeds in doing that.” “This is my fifth novel but in a sense, it’s the book of my heart. It’s a book I’ve been working my way up to writing for a long time.” Stand on the Sky tells the story of a young girl, Aisulu, who’s brother falls ill, causing her parents to leave with him in search of a cure. During this time, Aisulu lives with her extended family while secretly taking in an orphaned baby eagle and learning how to earn its trust in order to help herself and her family. “There are these books that have a kid and an animal on the cover and the kid gets involved in this deep relationship with this animal and it transforms their lives and their families as they grow up and then the animal dies at the end of the story,” Bow said. “So, I wanted a book with a kid and an animal on the cover that would have a happy ending.” While the characters in Stand on the Sky face trials and tribulations, they emerge triumphant and this is the message that Bow hopes to communicate to her readers.
“This book is labelled for readers eight and up, so a feeling of power and possibility and like you can genuinely do something impossible, like stand on the sky,” said Bow. “So many of those books are sad, I wanted a book that was happy and triumphant.” While Bow is now a well-known and celebrated writer with a multitude of published works, a career in writing was not something she considered until later in life. Previously, she spent time as a physicist. “I didn’t always know I wanted to be a writer, but I was always the kid with her nose in a book,” Bow said. “I didn’t really know any writers and I didn’t really recognize that books were something that human beings wrote and that one could make a living that way.” “I didn’t publish my first book, which was a book of poetry until I was just shy of 30” Bow’s writing is predominantly geared towards a young adult audience, something that is fueled by her own love of the genre and the element of storytelling it possesses
I find that in YA you mever read a book that doesn’t have story to tell, so I love that because I love stories more than anything else about writing -Erin Bow, Author
“I find that in YA you never read a book that doesn’t have a story to tell,” said Bow. “So I love that because I love stories more than anything else about writing. When I started to write, it almost wasn’t a decision, it just tumbled out into the form that I had been reading” For those who are craving more of her work, Bow currently has several mystery projects in the works which have yet to be released, but will be revealed in the future.
delicious pizza
Save your money for pizza. In Waterloo you need to register if you park on the street overnight.
waterloo.ca/parking
6 • NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019
LAURIER OPEN HOUSE
Indigenous entrepreneur shares story of success Last weekend, Laurier hosted a series of events and speakers, including CEO and founder, Jenn Harper VICTORIA MARSHALL SENIOR COPY EDITOR
It’s open house season – and to mark it, Laurier ran a multitude of campus-related events this past weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 3, the Indigenous Student Centre welcomed Jenn Harper, CEO and founder of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics Inc. to speak to current and prospective Indigenous students about entrepreneurship. The event, hosted in The Turret, began at 3 p.m. with light refreshments and an introductory presentation on student entrepreneurship initiatives at Laurier’s Waterloo campus.
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I really wanted to take a different stance on student recruitment - you see the tables, and they have the free stuff, but I wanted to plan a new experience for students. Jessica Duke, Indigenous student recruitment and outreach
Tell us what you think!
Help us design two new parkettes in Northdale
Join us at our drop-in public information centre to review and pick your favourite park design concepts for two new parkette spaces in the Northdale neighbourhood – Sunview Parkette and Hemlock Parkette. Feedback from the community to date has been a valuable input into these new design concepts. Now, we’d like to check back with you to better understand if we’ve hit the mark with the proposed designs. Tell us what you think and vote on your favourite concepts at this informal meeting or visit online to share your input.
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 3:30 to 7:30 pm The Atrium, Lazaridis School of Business and Economics 75 University Ave. W.
Waterloo To share your comments online, or for more information, visit engagewr.ca/waterloo
engagewr.ca/waterloo
It was noted in these opening remarks that the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is Laurier’s business development hub, and students who wish to pitch ideas there are welcome to do so at any time. Then came keynote speaker Jenn Harper, who was quick to enlighten the crowd with her wit and humour. Harper told the story of Cheekbone Beauty from its conception, and explained how it all began in 2016 with a single eureka moment. Harper started the revolutionary beauty company out of her desire to give something back to the Indigenous community to address issues of generational trauma from the residential schools system. She cites both her grandmother, who survived residential school, and her brother B.J., whom she lost to suicide, as driving forces of both her entrepreneurial spirit and the success it has returned. What differentiates Cheekbone Beauty from the average cosmetics brand is its charitable giving. 10 per cent of all proceeds from Cheekbone sales go to Shannen’s Dream under the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, which helps advocate for better access to education for Indigenous children in Canada. It is also Harper’s hope to begin a scholarship fund in honour of her grandmother, which she says will be open to any Indigenous women pursuing any kind of post-secondary education or vocational training. After the presentation on the story of Cheekbone Beauty, Harper
did a Q and A with the attendees. Students asked questions on all areas of the spectrum, and Harper had answers; rather than the session being lecture-like, it evolved into a discussion on environmental ethics, social and Indigenous justice initiatives, and how to uplift fellow Indigenous businesswomen. To conclude the presentation, Harper touched on her own struggles with alcoholism, highlighting self care as a crucial part of her daily routine. She explained that being in touch with yourself and with the earth every day are onlythe first steps to becoming the best successful version of you. A number of Cheekbone Beauty products were then given to attendees through a raffle, and the crowd was very excited to be able to check out the lip and brow products that Harper generously donated for the event. The goal of the afternoon was to disembark from the status quo on student recruitment and provide a safe space for current and future Indigenous students to get inspired. This type of event was the first of its kind, but the Indigenous Student Centre hopes there will be more to come. “I really wanted to take a different stance on student recruitment – you see the tables, and they have the free stuff, but I wanted to plan a new experience for students, and that’s why I did it in tandem with open house,” Jessica Duke, Indigenous student recruitment and outreach officer at the Indigenous Student Centre, said. “I hope to plan something for Brantford in March break, but hopefully we can bring [in] another social innovator,” Duke said. Through these events, Laurier is hoping to highlight its on-campus entrepreneurial resources to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
I feel like I can relate. Having grown up not feeling worthy, feeling ashamed...ultimately, I dont want any kid indigenous or not - to ever feel that way. -Jenn Harper, founder of Cheekbone Beauty
Making Indigenous youth feel empowered in their educational endeavors is a shared focus between the Indigenous Student Centre and Cheekbone Beauty alike. “I’m helping Indigenous youth because I feel like I can relate. Having grown up not feeling worthy, feeling ashamed … ultimately, I don’t want any kid –Indigenous or not – to ever feel that way,” Harper saaid in an interview. “You can overcome those deep traumas and not only survive, but … thrive.”
GAMES • 7
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019 SUDOKU
Dear Life Dear Life is your opportunity to write a letter to your life, allowing you to vent your anger with life’s little frustrations in a completely public forum. Dear Life, According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don’t care what humans think is impossible. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Ooh, black and yellow! Let’s shake it up a little. Barry! Breakfast is ready! Ooming! Hang on a second. Hello? - Barry? - Adam? - Oan you believe this is happening? - I can’t. I’ll pick you up. Looking sharp. Use the stairs. Your father paid good money for those. Sorry. I’m excited. Here’s the graduate. We’re very proud of you, son. A perfect report card, all B’s. Very proud. Ma! I got a thing going here. - You got lint on your fuzz. - Ow! That’s me! - Wave to us! We’ll be in row 118,000. - Bye! Barry, I told you, stop flying in the house! - Hey, Adam. - Hey, Barry. - Is that fuzz gel? - A little. Special day, graduation. Never thought I’d make it. Three days grade school, three days high school. Those were awkward. Three days college. I’m glad I took a day and hitchhiked around the hive. You did come back different. - Hi, Barry. - Artie, growing a mustache? Looks good. - Hear about Frankie? - Yeah. - You going to the funeral? - No, I’m not going. Everybody knows, sting someone, you die. Don’t waste it on a squirrel. Such a hothead. I guess he could have just gotten out of the way. I love this incorporating an amusement park into our day. That’s why we don’t need vacations. Boy, quite a bit of pomp... under the circumstances. - Well, Adam, today we are men. - We are! - Bee-men. - Amen! Hallelujah! Students, faculty, distinguished bees, please welcome Dean Buzzwell. Welcome, New Hive Oity graduating class of... ...9:15.
SLEEP IS
THE
Editor-in-Chief Emily Waitson explores the dange in university students, and what they ca “There is no sunrise so beautiful that it is worth waking me up to see it.” Mindy Kaling, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Sleep is often treated like a divine luxury in university that doubles as a competitive sport, where the rewarded trophy is exhaustion and irritability. From conversations and memes, to tweets and dead-eyed students in library cubicles surrounded by coffee cups the “zzz’s” we collectively catch, and how little they often amount to, are dually idealized and accepted as the norm for students especially. My sleep schedule is incredibly inconsistent and lacking, in many ways, and it plays a huge role in my overall mood and wellbeing. Whenever I get less than at least seven hours of sleep, I know that it will be harder for me to get through the day, tackle my list of to-do’s and be the balanced person that I desperately want to be. And whether it’s due to work, studying, persistent anxiety or watching just one more episode of a Netflix show (that usually turns into two or three), my bedtime is often pushed to midnight or much later. There have been countless studies surrounding sleep and how the lack of hours we clock
in each night can affect our brains, development and ability to function. Science has proven that sleep deprivation can have the ability to slowly kill us by increasing our risk for things like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure and can contribute to symptoms of depression, according to websites like Healthline. And though generations of college students have showcased their commitment to the idea that sleep equates weakness in a culture of pulling consistent all-nighters, we are forced to contend with the fact that we need to be sleeping more, whether we have the time to do so or not. Although it varies from person to person, the general consensus seems to be that adults should be getting beWhile the instinct may b tween seven to nine hours of study or complete an sleep each night, and many losing out on sleep w people function on far less than that. affect your memory an “Sleep is a crucial comand retain information. ponent for maintaining our be to sacrifice sleep to physical and mental wellness. One of the best things assignment at night, lo students can do for themactually negatively affe selves to prioritize sleep, for their overall health, and for your ability to focus an their academic success,” said Sarina Wheeler, manager at T The Wellness Education Centre, in an email statement. “While the instinct may be to sacrifice sleep to study or complete an assignment at night, losing out on sleep will actually negatively affect your memory and your ability to focus and retain information. The Canadian Sleep Society found that increasing the number of hours of sleep a night improves grades. Students with grades of ‘C’ or lower averaged half hour less sleep a night than those who earn grades of ‘B’s’ and ‘A’s’.” Whenever it reaches midterm and exam season, the Spotted at Laurier Twitter account is flooded with tweets from people asking if they should just stay up for 24 hours straight to study, how much coffee is too much coffee — and requests for last-minute tips on how to cram for an exam in just one night.
S(N’T) FOR
E WEAK
erous phenomena of sleep deprivation idolization an be doing to improve their well-being
And with daylight savings time resulting in shorter days, it becomes more difficult for people to power through their classes, jobs, extracurriculars and social lives. Studying for long periods of time without a break and sacrificing sleep in the process, is often supplemented by students with excessive amounts of caffeine — through coffee, energy drinks and pills designed to increase wakefulness. Moderate intakes of caffeine don’t typically have the tendency to have adverse effects on the body, but having too much in excess isn’t considered healthy. Caffeine, like any drug, makes people less sensitive to it the more that they use and consume it — resulting in a need for higher amounts of caffeine to be ingested in be to sacrifice sleep to order to reach the desired n assignment at night, side effects that people want will actually negatively and use it for. The recommendations nd your ability to focus from Health Canada suggest While the instinct may that the daily caffeine intake o study or complete an for adults shouldn’t exceed more than 300mg a day. osing out on sleep will And with the rise in ect your memory and popularity for energy drinks, foods like Awake Chocolate nd retain information. and caffeine pills specifically -Sarina Wheeler, manager at targeted towards students, it’s The Wellness Education Centre likely that many people are overusing these products and taking in far more than their recommended daily dose of caffeine. Caffeine pills that promote and bolster “positive” side effects like improved mental focus, mental clarity and enhanced performance should be taken in moderation, if at all, and ever be used as an alternative or replacement for sleep. According to Pharmacy Times, “When consumed in large amounts, however, [caffeine] can lead to dizziness, muscle tremors, insomnia, irritability and increased heart rate.” As well, increased caffeine intake can disrupt your sleep patterns, making it difficult to not only fall asleep, but, as some studies have shown, delay the timing of your body clock.
A cycle seems to develop for many students from picking up habits like using stimulants, such as caffeine, in order to stay awake longer, where they’re then faced with the inability to naturally fall asleep when they should or want to. Alternatively, methods and merchandise designed to improve sleep, like vitamins, teas, homeopathic remedies, natural sleep aids and endless gadgets geared towards a better slumber, have become increasingly popular and trendy over the past few years. And though things like sleep masks, lavender pillow spray and blackout curtains won’t have any negative side effects on your health, and may have the potential to actually improve your sleep, it’s important to tread the line of sleeping pills, prescription or otherwise very carefully. Other sleep aid alternatives include apps, like Headspace and Calm, which are designed to help ease you into sleep and track and monitor your sleep cycles, which can be beneficial for understanding your patterns “Getting good sleep is also associated with a stronger immune response, making it easier to fight off illnesses. During the cold and flu season especially, you need your rest to help your body fight all the illnesses you are exposed to. You’ll also likely find that your mood and energy levels are improved after a good night of sleep,” Wheeler said in the statement. Adults should be aiming for at least seven hours of sleep a night, at minimum. Regularly getting eight to nine hours of sleep a night is optimal. “If you had a night of poor sleep, taking a 20-minute nap the next day can be beneficial. Don’t let yourself sleep for hours during the day though, or you will likely find your night time sleep schedule negatively affected. To catch a nap on campus, check out the sleep pods on the first floor of the library,” Wheeler said. “If you give yourself the gift of better sleep, your body and mind will be much healthier. The positive effects start after the first night of good sleep.”
10 • ARTS & LIFE
Arts & Life
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019 ARTS & LIFE EDITOR ALYSSA DI SABATINO arts@thecord.ca
RESTAURANT
Stark and Perri rebranding under new ownership JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR
ALYSSA DI SABATINO ARTS & LIFE EDITOR
Uptown Waterloo’s beloved restaurant and bar, Stark and Perri, is getting rebranded. Now under new ownership, the restaurant closed down on Oct. 7 and renovations have been underway since. “We took it over about a month ago and we’re refurbishing and we’re looking at going in a different direction with the food,” said Wayne Montgomery, builder and designer. “We’ve done a number of changes already, to this point. Mostly additional lighting and we’ve changed up our area a lot, and new TV’s. We also added in a shuffle board,” said Montgomery. The new restaurant will be named The Prohibition Warehouse, a reference to Waterloo’s
bootlegging origins. “We wanted to make a statement about there being a new owner. The restaurant was good before, but it didn’t have a big following and rebranding helps with regaining those food customers,” said Montgomery. “So we’re going to have wood fire pizza, people already really loved our pizza before... but I kind of thought that the wood fire pizza oven would bring in a new feel to the space, so we brought the oven in. We’re doing an Italian inspired pub-type menu, so it’ll be pizzas, pastas. You’ll still have your standard pub food,” Montgomery said. The bar will be open for patrons every Friday and Saturday evening while the renovations are taking place, and was also open this past Thursday, Oct. 31. for the Halloween-celebrating crowd. The official opening date is
contingent on when the brand new wood fire pizza oven finishes getting installed, but is set to fully open with its new menu in early to mid November, Montgomery explained. “So we’re open Friday, Saturday, with just a limited appetizer menu and then obviously there’s the bar night, but we can’t put out our full menu until we have the pizza oven,” Montgomery said. Although the renovations aren’t fully complete, the changes so far are noteworthy. “It was sort of dark and dingy, so we added some bright colours and a lot more lighting,” said Montgomery. For a basement restaurant, this is a profound renovation. The dark furniture, bookcases and fireplaces that added to the moody atmosphere have been removed, opening the space up.
In their place, palm leaf prints line the walls. Other new additions include TV’s and a shuffleboard, as already noted.
The restaurant was good before, but it didn’t have a big following and rebranding helps with regaining those food customers. -Wayne Montgomery, builder and designer
Patio fire tables are also projected to be installed for the summer
months. The unique two-level split of the restaurant evidently remains, with the bar on the ground floor and more tables for dining patrons on the intermediate floor. With the rebrand, the goal is to attract more patrons, and Montgomery explained how they’ve already seen a diverse crowd for the bar nights. “It’s going to be the ‘same-same’ but different at night time, so every Friday, Saturday evening you’ll get a half student half young professional party crowd,” said Montogomery. “I mean, I know that when I was a student I didn’t want to go to nightclubs every single night. So I think that it’s a fresh, not as loud, more social (place with) reasonably priced food. It’s going to be the type of place that students want to go to.”
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ARTS & LIFE • 11
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019 ENTERTAINMENT
Bojack Horseman: A complicated portrait
The show, now in its sixth season, has a lot more to it than I ever expected — it’s worth the watch
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AARON WAITSON PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER
For those who may not have watched the show yet, this most definitely will contain some (minor) spoilers. As someone who has spent the last week finally binge-watching the first two seasons of Bojack Horseman instead of doing anything remotely close to productive, I think I’m a pretty fair candidate to talk about a show that revolves around a character with a lack of self-discipline, self-destructive tendencies and general disregard for their own well-being in favor of mindless distractions and unhealthy vices. The show does a great job of being a profound, soul-crushing, very personal evaluation of my own life that masquerades as a light-hearted, happy-go-lucky show full of jokes and satire. Let’s just say the show hit me a lot harder than I ever expected it to. When the show first aired, it was my natural inclination to ignore something that I thought was “just about a sad-looking horse man”: it looked boring, and I thought the trope of a depressed and cynical main character was unoriginal. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch it — or are like me and hate new things because they scare you — Bojack Horseman is a nihilistic, animated, talking-animal adult comedy about a self-loathing, alcoholic horse and his ever-continuing struggle to live with himself and come to terms with his personality in order to improve and grow as a person.
Bojack, the once-famous sitcom star of the fictional 90’s show Horsin’ Around, exists in a state of psychological limbo, torn between his desire to be oppressively alone and his desperate need for validation and approval from anyone, but especially strangers. The majority of the first season’s plot revolves around Bojack’s desire to get his autobiography published so that he might feel emotionally fulfilled; once he achieves that, he then turns to his dream of becoming the star in a movie about his childhood hero, Secretariat.
“I want … to feel good about myself … the way you do — and I don’t know how. I don’t know if I can.”
Despite achieving all of the goals he sets out to pursue, he’s still left with an emptiness inside: a void that he attempts to fill with a string of alcohol, bad decisions and meaningless, casual relationships. A lot of the show revolves around the ways in which Bojack attempts to run from his past, his present — and even his future. Whether it’s alcohol, buying things or literally going to another state, the show teaches us that no matter
where you are, what you’re doing or who you try to present yourself as, you can’t escape “you.” You have to confront “you,” at some point — we all do, if we want to grow. But for all the depressing aspects of the show, it also has a lot of surprisingly intelligent, oftentimes dark moments of humor and extremely witty one-liners, often coming at unexpected times, from unlikely characters and with a cutting emotional depth and relevance to them. If you’re having some difficulty getting through the show, I would strongly recommend waiting until you get through most of season two: the first season received a mere 67 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, but the following seasons have drifted between 97 and 100 per cent for a reason. Like the character himself, the show takes some time to grow on you: what begins as a picture of a melancholic, lifeless man and all of the negative effects he has on his loved ones, evolves into a bold approach to depression, its cyclical nature and the complex nature of people as more than strictly “good” versus “bad.” There is an exchange from Season 2, Episode 8, which I feel sums up Bojack well: “You’re a millionaire movie-star, with a girlfriend who loves you, acting in your dream movie — what more do you want? What else could the universe possibly owe you?” “I want … to feel good about myself … the way you do — and I don’t know how. I don’t know if I can.”
Bojack isn’t a “good” person, by any means: sure, he’s desperate, selfish, bitter and jaded, untrustworthy, narcissistic, insecure — and a seemingly-endless string of other undesirable characteristics — that make him seem like the last person in the world you might want to be around.
“It gets easier. Every day, it gets a little easier. But you gotta do it every day. That’s the hard part. But it does get easier.”
He’s one of the most frustrating and asinine characters I’ve ever seen: it’s no surprise that with each season comes new bridges burned and people hurt. But he also isn’t a “bad” person: he’s honest (to a fault) and extremely authentic — many fans of the show note that they “connect” more with an animated, alcoholic horse than anything else. He demonstrates that, while he messes up — a lot — he’s also capable of extreme growth. He becomes very loving, and supportive, of the people in his life, and goes to great lengths to help them when they need it most. He overcomes great emotional barriers that, previous to the show, he would have never dreamed of
doing. The show does an excellent job of showing the multifaceted spectrum of human (or equine) existence: that very rarely is any one person, any one thing, and that our experiences (past, and present) shape us in ways that others can’t begin to comprehend — unless we talk about it. One of Bojack’s biggest problems — and one I found myself personally connecting with very strongly — is that feeling of emptiness that can’t seem to be filled with accomplishments, accolades or success: but it can’t be found with escapes either. Bojack is a complex character with a complicated journey: I feel his is an authentic representation of a realistically morally-grey individual that television (even if it is Netflix television) doesn’t often approach, with topics that it rarely delves deep into. I’m both excited and nervous to get through the rest of the series, if nothing more than the fact that this show has been more effective than any kind of therapy I’ve been to in my life. And though I haven’t finished the series yet, the ending quote (and song, Courtney Barnett’s Avant Gardener) of Season Two stands out to me as the most succinct and eloquent expression of Bojack’s journey thus far, including the mistakes he has made, the lessons he has learned and the journey he must still make in finding the will to keep pushing on: “It gets easier. Every day, it gets a little easier. But you gotta do it every day. That’s the hard part. But it does get easier.”
12 • ARTS & LIFE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019
SERIES
Star Wars franchise is expanding
ALYSSA DI SABATINO ARTS & LIFE EDITOR
It’s safe to say that a lot of new things are cropping up in the Star Wars universe. On Oct. 21, the trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was released, much to the excitement of many fans. This film will be the ninth and final installment of the series and is set to premiere in Canada on Dec. 19. What’s more is that the second trailer for the Stars Wars spin-off, The Mandalorian, was released on Oct. 28 and is set to premiere on Disney Plus on Nov. 12. With all of the recent commotion over the newest spin-off addition, I can’t help but think of Solo: A Star Wars Story and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story — the almost-forgotten non-“episode” movies in the series. Most fans can probably say they’ve at least seen these films, but likely don’t remember any major plot-points — I know I don’t at least. So, while the two non-“episodes”
pretty much flopped, I have high hopes for The Mandalorian. To be fair though, it’s not unreasonable to have high expectations when the budget for The Mandalorian is $120 million; a huge amount of money to invest in an eight-episode series. The trailer is action-packed and even though it’s a TV series, it almost presents itself as a big-scale movie, so the budget justifies itself. The series takes place five years after the fall of the Empire, and 25 years before the First Order emerges, following a Mandalorian bounty hunter who works independently from the New Republic. Many reviews on the trailer have been positive, with fans saying it feels on-brand with the series while still introducing new concepts, characters, and layers to the cinematic universe. As for The Rise of Skywalker, I feel confident that it will successfully conclude the series. The trailer is visually appealing and gives off an impression of grandiosity — understandably, since this will be the conclusion to the beloved series. The film takes place a year after the last episode, with the surviving members of the Resistance still facing-off against the First Order. The final battle between the Sith and
Jedi will supposedly commence as well. Interestingly enough, Carrie Fisher will be included in the film as Leia Organa, through the implementation of unreleased footage from the previous two films. As the Leader of the Resistance and a central figure to the series, I’m interested to see how these clips will be inputted, but I have no doubt in my mind that seeing Leia will cause emotions to rise in movie theatres all over. Billy Dee Williams will also return to the film as Lando Calrissian, for the first time since Return of the Jedi. Ian MacDiarmid will also be returning to play Palpatine, which was revealed in the second trailer. This probably would’ve had more of a shock-value if it was saved for the film instead, but regardless, this has been garnering much conversation among fans. I can’t help but feel like the series will be wrapped up nicely, especially with the return of old characters. It goes without saying that fans can expect all the loose ends of the series to be finally tied up; namely Kylo Ren’s internal conflict between good and bad. Some speculate that he will follow the same redemption arc that Darth
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Vader did. The trailer also depicts Rey and Kylo Ren facing off, which surprisingly doesn’t signal much at all in terms of what might happen. The series has expanded rapidly in recent years, with some saying that episodes have been released
too quickly or frequently, but I still feel as though the series will be properly concluded with The Rise of Skywalker. The Mandalorian will hopefully pacify the restless fans who want more content before the series conclusion.
MUSIC
Jesus is King sparks conversation RYAN KENNEDY ARTS & LIFE CONTRIBUTOR
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After teasing multiple release dates and several delays, Kanye West released his latest album Jesus Is King, on Oct. 25. Coming as the follow up to 2018’s Ye, West’s new record is a pronounced departure from his previous musical themes and ideas. While he is known for reinventing himself from project to project, Jesus is King is a Christian rap album that features no cursing and is a representation of West’s newfound faith. According to West, Jesus Is King is “an expression of the gospel.” It is a culmination of West turning to Christianity amid his mental health issues in late 2016, and the Sunday Services he has been hosting weekly since January. Reactions from fans and critics to the album were mixed; some resenting the fact that West has strayed so far from the ‘old Kanye,’ with others being pleasantly surprised by the cohesiveness of his latest effort. The album begins with ‘Every Hour’, featuring West’s Sunday Service Choir. It serves as a fitting intro track, with the choir being the only performers and West following it with gospel-infused rhymes and preaching. The second track, ‘Selah’, wastes no time continuing to spread the word, with West rapping, “God is King, we the soldiers / Ultrabeam out the solar / When I get to Heaven’s gates / I ain’t gotta peak over.”
By halfway through this song, it became clear that this album would be 100% gospel-infused, if there was any doubt to begin with. ‘Hallelujah’ chants sung by the Sunday Service Choir serve as the hook, immediately following Kanye declaring, “He saved a wretch like me.” ‘Follow God’ is the song that most resembles West’s previous work, with a hard-hitting beat and catchy rhymes. It is also the song that most easily allows the casual hip-hop listener to tune out West’s preaching — if they choose — and simply enjoy the song without a heavy focus on the content. After a pretty strong start to the album, Jesus Is King’s weakest moment arguably comes with ‘Closed on Sunday,’ with the corny opening line, “Closed on Sunday, you’re my Chick-fil-A.” The song just features acoustic guitar in the instrumental for most of it, leaving the listener craving more than the simple beat and uninspired bars. The album picks up and remains mostly steady after this, with very good production throughout; West’s greatest strength as an artist. Pi’erre Bourne produced ‘On God’, as well as ‘Everything We Need’ and ‘Water,’ both creative songs — albeit not West’s best — that are able to simultaneously appeal to the Christian audience that West is trying to reach, as well as fans of his old work. The final four songs wrap up the album’s gospel expression. They are inspired but fall slightly short of
a powerful religious message or the revolutionary hip-hop of West’s old days. The experimental production is strong, and the Clipse feature in ‘Use This Gospel’ works surprisingly well for the sound of this album. Overall, whether devout Christians would feel inspired and empowered by Jesus Is King is questionable. However, from the point of view of a Kanye West fan without any prior exposure to Christian rap, it feels like a solid effort. The album is far from West’s early-mid 2000s peak, though it is more compelling than his previous solo record, Ye. The album can feel over-preachy at times and slightly hollow as a result, considering how recent West’s embracing of religion as the main guide in his life was. For fans who can get over this, the production is very strong throughout, as per usual with West. There are only one or two songs that don’t stand up to repeated listening, and ‘Follow God’ would fit right in with any other hip-hop music at a party or bar. I would recommend Jesus Is King to any rap music fan, and even to the Kanye West fans who don’t like the direction he has taken in recent years. While he hasn’t used his personal and public life to drive him like 808s & Heartbreak and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy so much as choosing to mostly ignore criticism and go in his own direction, Jesus Is King was a pleasant surprise and one of the stronger rap albums of 2019.
13 •
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMEBER 6, 2019
Editorial
OPINION EDITOR Jade Hosick opinion@thecord.ca
EDITORIAL CARTOON
JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR
Editorial: Are conspiracy theories really that crazy to believe in? JADE HOSICK OPINION EDITOR
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I love conspiracy theories. I could go on and on about ones that many people are well aware of like the Mandela effect or how Avril Lavigne died and was replaced by a clone named Melissa. I can also go on and on about older conspiracies like how Shakespeare didn’t write any of his plays or how the moon landing was fake. Basically, any theory about how the world works and how things function or what was on Shane Dawson’s YouTube channel, that might be seen by mainstream society as far-fetched, I am all ears. I love these theories because although people might claim them to be fake is there not a possibility that they are real? Is it not cool to think of the possibilities that everything might not be what it seems? Isn’t it cool that there is the potential for everything we think we know about the world is not actually fact? I understand that some might be
very far fetched - like the idea that Prince Charles is a vampire or how Keanu Reeves is an immortal soul who has lived through multiple identities - but some really aren’t all that unbelievable. If we look at the Illuminati conspiracy for example, some people think that this is impossible for such a small group of people to control the world.
Is it not cool to think of the possibilities that everything might not be what it seems?
But, what about concentration of ownership? I mean in Canada alone we have barely any media diversity as a lot of big corporations own smaller ones, so basically only the top five companies get to say what they really think about issues. Is it so out there to think about the truth behind weirder conspiracies? Like how it could potentially make sense that when the world
was supposed to end in 2012 we actually changed dimensions to one where the Monopoly man actually doesn’t have a monocle. I mean it might be outlandish to think about - but do you have any proof to say otherwise? I’m beginning with conspiracy theories because the whole point of this editorial is to get people to understand that people are going to believe what they want to believe. As long as they are not hurting anyone or an entire group of people then I do not see the issue with people believing that our entire government is made up of lizard people, because it’s honestly fun to think about. This has a lot to do with people’s personal beliefs as well. I love to hear about religious or spiritual beliefs, because a person should have the freedom to believe and support what they wish. We should not be trying to prove why something does not exist, we should be listening to the views that people have on the world, because we don’t really know how true they are. I want to know why some people have fun in devaluing other people’s beliefs - It might seem crazy to you, but perfectly logical to them.
14 •
Opinion
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019 OPINION EDITOR JADE HOSICK opinion@thecord.ca
Why Remembrance Day is so important MATT SNEATH OPINION COLUMNIST
Right now, there are approximately 90,000 serving members in the Canadian Armed Forces. There are also over 650,000 veterans currently living. These people are as diverse as the duties they’ve performed in the service of their country. From providing humanitarian assistance to staring death face down the ramp of a landing craft off the shores of France, the men and women wearing the maple leaf on their shoulders have done it all. As a student, I’ve read and written about some of the darkest times and places human history has to offer. Like most Canadians, that’s the extent of my experience outside the ivory tower that we call home. And make no mistake – for all of our many shortcomings, it is an ivory tower. From up here, it’s easy to forget how rough the world can be outside, because things are good. It’s been four generations since the Second World War. For each year that Canada comes farther away from being active in global combat, the idea of what would be at stake if our way of life were to be threatened fades out of our consciousness. That’s because in the ivory tower, we can
JADE HOSICK OPINION EDITOR
On Oct. 29th it was announced that Los Angeles Prosecutors have decided not to pursue a trial against Kevin Spacey in regard to charges of sexual battery as the accuser, who has never been publicly identified, has since passed away (the passing was said to have been of natural causes). This case started after the allegation made by the accuser that Spacey had inappropriately touched him during a message that occurred at his home in Malibu, California in October 2016. The man has also sued Spacey under John Doe in a case that has yet to reach federal court. In May of last year Spacey had requested that the federal court either dismiss the case or order the victim to identify himself. The judge at the time allowed for the anonymity of the plaintiff – but now Spacey will not be proceeding to court on this case. Spacey has had other situations dealing with sexual assault – including charges from an incident that occurred in 1992 that were dropped as the statute of limitations had passed. Earlier this year prosecutors in Massachusetts had also dropped a criminal case against Spacey filed after the accusation that he had
sleep soundly. We can put forth new ideas and critique one another. We can stand up publicly for our beliefs. As Canadians, we enter this world with the birthright of choice: choosing the languages we speak, the people we marry, and the faiths we adhere to. We are afforded the liberty to determine our own morals as we see fit, under the sacred premise that difference doesn’t have to equate to conflict.
As Canadians we enter this world with the birthright of choice: choosing the language we speak, the people we marry and the faiths we adhere to
But we don’t own the place. In fact, we don’t even have a longterm lease. Since July of 1867, the rent has been due. And every month since, that rent has been getting paid by the men and women who venture out to do what needs to be done to ensure that the debt doesn’t fall to you or I.
groped an 18-year-old man at a bar in Nantucket in 2016. The reasoning behind the trial being denied is the fact that the accuser has passed and therefore cannot provide a testimony in his own case. My question is: should people still be responsible for the actions that they committed against people who have since passed? I personally think that justice should always be given to victims of crimes - but if being a criminology minor has taught me anything, it’s that the law or the justice system is not always fair or just. There should be a trial, because both persons involved, Spacey and John Doe, should get the justice that they so deserve. If Spacey committed the crime, he should be held accountable - but if he is not guilty then the courts should display that. But, if a trial was to occur then it’s Spacey’s word against someone who is no longer with us, and anything another person could say about the matter would be hearsay (which is the report of someone's words by a witness, which is usually not allowed as evidence in a court of law). so unfortunately - justice the way it should happen will not occur for the unnamed victim. But, I would also like to remind everyone that just because a trial does not happen, does not mean the offense did not happen. There are a variety of reasons as to why a case might not have a court date, so we should not be quick to label any victim.
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So when the inevitable debates concerning poppies, politics and parades come across your social media feed, take a minute and consider that, when it all boils down, Remembrance Day isn’t about any of those. It’s about recognizing and remembering the everyday men and
women past and present who have stepped up to the plate to do the jobs that need doing, regardless of how difficult it is to do them. Wherever you may stand politically, better people than you or I have put it all on the line in service of the country that represents the very best of what this world has to
offer. It’s not perfect, and it might never be. But it’s damn good. All you need to do is take a minute out of your day, and remember that what we have, how we got it, who paid the price for it, and that those people are still out there paying our rent day in and day out. Lest We Forget.
Should a victim’s death lead to a denied trial? CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019
OPINION • 15
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“Quebec values test” will not work for Canadians VICTORIA MARSHALL SENIOR COPY EDITOR
Quebec is the Canadian province that would be most likely to make “I’m not like most girls” their Instagram bio. It’s always been a little different, and has been recognized as such - but in the last few years, the province has taken a sharp turn towards increasingly tight secularist laws. So you can get some background information, here’s some fast facts: Quebec is the only province in Canada to have control over its own immigration. Quebec also takes one of the lowest amounts of immigrants nationwide. And despite being very culturally Catholic, Quebec is the least religious province in the country. Quebec has come under fire in the last few years for its introduction of Bill 21, “An Act respecting the laicity of the State,” which was created in response to Quebec’s 21st century fear of religious symbols in the public space. Although it was largely supported, it was criticized for impacting those of Quebec’s religious minorities - the majority of whom wear visible religious symbols - by banning them from displaying their religion and culture in the workplace. The legislation would, for example, ban a Muslim teacher from wearing hijab, or a Sikh retail worker from wearing a turban. The same goes for other religious symbols like crosses and Stars of David, but the main issue is that the most visible garments and symbols tend to me worn by minorities, putting them at increased risk for being targeted by the law.
Quebec has done this in the name of interculturalism, its model of cultural integration holding that those of incoming minority cultures must physically and socially accustom themselves to Quebec’s dominant secular culture. Quebec operates on this system in order to protect the French language, part of the provincial culture that has been under threat of Anglophone domination since Quebec was colonized by the British in the 1700s.This type of unloading of colonial narrative, however, has gotten to the point where too much strain is being placed on new Canadians. Last week, Quebec’s provincial government, currently led by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ)’s François Legault, announced the plan for a new “Quebec values test.” Starting Jan. 1 2020, all applicants for Quebec residency will be required to take this test in order to live in the province. Each applicant can take the test three times, but is required to take a day-long crash course on Quebec values before being allowed to proceed to a third attempt. In order to graduate high school today, Ontario students have to pass a standardized test – the OSSLT is something that plagues grade 10 kids with endless stress. This kind of government-imposed test is something that is meant to help us get places in life by ensuring our literacy. But how can we consider this a success if, in first year university, students struggle to use grammar correctly and structure a paragraph? Government-issued tests like this are meant to bring everyone to the same standard and level of knowledge. Instead, however, they measures intelligence through subjective criteria that fail to set us up for the future.
The same can be said for tests that measure a new Canadian’s knowledge of these so-called Quebec values. Coverage from the Montreal Gazette says that the questions will challenge anapplicants’ knowledge of Bill 21, the importance of French, and the conditions of Quebec’s moral contract as outlined in previous provincial legislation. Given the track record of other tests of the same caliber, how can Quebec’s government expect a “values test” to legitimately help ensure immigrants become better acquainted with their society? But perhaps that’s not their mission. It also has been controversially decided through the implemen-
tation of Quebec’s Bill 101, the Charter of French Language, that French will always be the language of public life. Since Quebec has established itself as a French nation, it has mainly attracted immigrants of French-speaking countries. And if Quebec has the power to select only newcomers who speak French, why are they so concerned with that? Although upholding Quebec’s French culture and history is undeniably important, so is upholding the broader Canadian values that celebrate diversity and multiculturalism. Perhaps rather than using their provincial values as the sole rights entitled to their residents and citizens, Quebec can trust that
those wishing to become Canadian within their borders will do so while observing the other rights and freedoms bestowed upon them in the 1982 Charter. Simply being different does not make you any less Canadian. Wearing visible religious garments or symbols does not make you any less Canadian. Coming from a minority religion does not make you any less Canadian. Speaking a language other than French or English does not make you any less Canadian. What makes someone Canadian is their willingness to make this country a better place. One’s knowledge of statutes and ability to speak French don’t equate to that.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR MARK CASCAGNETTE sports@thecord.ca
MENS BASKETBALL
“Frustrating” trip to Ottawa for Mens Basketball MARK CASCAGNETTE SPORTS EDITOR
After an impressive first week comprised of two dominant victories against Toronto and Windsor, culminating with their highest national ranking in over six years, the Golden Hawks’ men’s basketball team were feeling good heading into a tough battle this past weekend. The Golden Hawks traveled to Ottawa to continute their season long five-game road trip, as they faced two of the top three ranked teams in the country. Laurier suffered their first two losses of the season in the nation’s capital in a trip that Coach Serresse explained as “frustrating” The Hawks dropped the first game of their season in a close 80-72 loss on Friday night against the Ottawa Gee-Gees and struggled offensively on Saturday night, losing by a 33 point margin to the top-ranked Carleton Ravens. On Friday night, the Golden Hawks got off to a slow start. Ineffective shooting and turnovers held Laurier scoreless through the first five minutes of the game. Although the offense was struggling, the defense played strong in the first quarter and the Gee-Gees held a 15-6 lead. “Turnovers have been a big issue, we are focusing on getting better and not turning the ball
over,” Coach Justin Serresse stated after the game. Ali Sow took over in the second quarter as Laurier stormed out of the break, and were able to tie the game up midway through the quarter. The Gee-Gees kept hitting thier shots and held on to a five point lead heading into halftime. As the teams went back and forth in the third quarter, third year guard Calvin Epistola played key for Ottawa and was part of a great stretch to end the quarter, which gave Ottawa a nine point lead into the fourth, where Laurier’s fate was sealed. With four minutes left in the fourth quarter and Laurier down by 11, Ali Sow with a game high 19 points took a three from the corner and was ejected from the game after receiving his second technical foul. A very frustrated Justin Serresse picked up a technical foul from two different referees and was ejected with Sow after an animated display with the referees. Asked about the ejections Coach Serresse was upset stating, “Sow got ran over… we know that the defensive player who ran into him is a very physical player, and I didn’t think that should have been called a foul, nonetheless a technical” The ejections for both Sow and Serresse also resulted in a one game suspension, meaning that the Hawks would be without their
all-star guard and head coach against the defending champion Ravens the night following. Furthermore, Serresse stated, “I am frustrated with the way the league is set up and how one thing, which is not reviewable and which could be a flop can lead to an ejection as well as a suspension.” Serresse mentioned as a result of that “we did not have a fair chance in the game against Carleton.” The Saturday night game against the Ravens, which was already going to be a tough battle, turned into an even more difficult challenge without the presence of Sow and Serresse. The Hawks have never beat the Ravens in franchise history and that didn’t change on Saturday as Carleton lead for the majority of the night. Ben Stevens and Matt Minutillo put together strong performances, as did guard Romello Taylor who stepped in the starting lineup for Ali Sow; but it was not nearly enough, as the Ravens were able to expand their lead in each quarter and the lack of starpower hurt Laurier. The shorthanded Hawks went on to lose 85-52 and dropped to 2-2 on the season. Laurier drops one spot to the seventh ranked team nationally and will be looking for redemption when they play York tonight in Toronto. The Hawks will end their road trip with a matchup this
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Saturday against Lakehead. With the Golden Hawks sitting in the bottom five of the OUA in nearly every major offensive category, Coach Serresse mentioned that “The focus is on offense as we have not been consistent this year on that side of the ball… we need a
complete game offensively.” The Golden Hawks should get the offensive spark they need as leading scorer and all-Canadian Ali Sow will be back in the lineup, as well as Coach Serresse who will be back on the bench with his team tonight in Toronto.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hawks defeat Marauders in rugby playoffs
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MARK CASCAGNETTE SPORTS EDITOR
Following a 38-19 victory this past weekend against the McMaster Marauders, the Golden Hawks men’s Rugby Team has advanced to the Consolidation Final to play for a fifth place finish in the OUA. An overall dominating team performance highlighted by Laurier prop, Owen McLean Lavado has
the Golden Hawks on a two-game win streak and ensures that they will have a chance at winning the consolidation side of the OUA new playoff structure. After a very strong 2018 season, which saw the Golden Hawks win the bronze medal game and finish 3rd place in the OUA, the expectations this season were set high. However, Laurier started slow this year, losing two games in the
first couple of weekends against Trent and Queens. Blowout wins in the next two games against talented teams in Brock and Western, were thought to have turned the season around for the Hawks. With a .500 record and sitting at 2-2 through their first four games, the Golden Hawks believed that they would be on the championship side of the bracket.
After the two wins and a bye week, Laurier had control of their playoff destiny, though two crushingly close losses in back to back weeks against Guelph and Waterloo had sealed their fate. At a final record of 2-4, they finished the regular season fourth place in the West and narrowly missed the medal side of the bracket, meaning they would not be able to compete for a top three spot. The Brock Badgers finished with the same amount of points as the Golden Hawks but qualified to the championship side, due to OUA tiebreakers. On Sunday in Hamilton, the Golden Hawks looked like they did in 2018, as they completely dominated the game from start to finish, having a 19-0 lead heading into halftime and not slowing down after that. Ian Mcleod’s Laurier side looked dominant on the road, which has been a trend this season, as the Golden Hawks have played much better away from Waterloo. The Hawks relied on a great performance from third-year sociology major Owen McLean Lavado, who scored a pair of tries,
as well as hometown players Matt Fish (Waterloo) and Tyler Farrow (Cambridge) who each added singles, on route to the Golden Hawks doubling up the Marauders 38-19. Lavado who is in his third year at Laurier from his hometown of Toronto, has had a great year for the team and has provided the Hawks with many scoring chances throughout the season. Lavado was personally awarded for his performance against the Marauders, as he was named Laurier’s male athlete of the week, the first time he has achieved that feat. The Golden Hawks will finish the 2019 season at home against the RMC Paladins. A team that Laurier has not lost to since 2015. The Golden Hawks have only won one game at home this year, a few weeks ago when they defeated the Western Mustangs in the first round of the consolidation playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm this Saturday at University Stadium. With a win over RMC, Laurier ‘s men side will have earned an OUA top five-finish for a third consecutive season.