TEACHING CONSENT
FALL MOVIE GUIDE
GET TO KNOW DAN MUTANER
An inside report on the student-led organizations that are trying to end rape culture pg 6
Spectre? Mockingjay? Star Wars? Graffiti reviews where you should spend your $$$
“I wanted to make people smile”
pg 26
pg 15
LIBRARY PRANK OF THE YEAR >> Tamar KB investigates WHY IS STAPLES BANNED? >> The TDSB’s elusive policies
Baruch Zohar Jessica Bulgutch
editors in chief
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Contents
Features pg 10
Internal
Fay Asimakopoulos Tamar KB
editorial board Arts and Culture Olivia Willows Victoria Stratford
Opinion & Humour Caitlyn Heffernan Logan Midroni
JHR Susi Hermanns Elizabeth Wolfenden
Internal Ajantha Nades Alyssa Joynt
Sports Matt Scace Sam Spodek
Copy Editors Parnian Hossein-Pour Emily Steen Steven Lee Naomi Bargiel Genevieve CrispinFrei Jo Faisman
External Chitta Chowdhury Amy He Features Cassidy Bereskin Jenny Lee Visuals Editors Amy Zhu Alice Liang
Advisors Lucy Wolff Lujayn Mahmoud Anastasia Zaritovskaya
External pg 26
Letter from the
pg Arts & Culture 28
pg 30
Sports
pg Opinion & Humour 32 Contact Email us your submissions at ntcigraffiti@gmail.com fb.com/ntcigraffiti @ntcigraffiti @ntcigraffiti Visit our new website at ntcigraffiti.com
editors...
Hour 1: This is an exciting new chapter in our journalistic careers. The sky is blue (rather than cyan), birds are chirping, and our homework is nowhere to be seen. Hour 3: Fay has uncovered the Fall 2012 issue of Graffiti, and we both had to come face to face with the first articles we ever wrote for the paper. This has been a terrifying (and humbling) encounter. Hour 7: We have managed to fund an entire Starbucks franchise for the remainder of the year. Hour 30: At this point, InDesign and the modern technological conspiracy TM have failed us and we are staring into the abyss in hopes that it finds a way to transfer technological knowledge to us through osmosis. Hour indefinite point in time-space: We once heard that the marker of good taste is a definite and distinct misapprehension about the quality of your work. Journalistic aesthetics - Graffiti: 0- 100. For our first issue of the year, we had one objective in mind: to reach as far and wide into the minds and interests of NT students, in order to curate a paper that truly speaks to our common and diverging interests. We hope that, as you leaf through the paper in your home forms, you take the opportunity to read an article on a topic you never thought you’d be interested in -- and emerge all the more knowledgeable from it. Stay restless,
Fay and Tamar
pg 18
JHR
staff advisors Baruch Zohar Jessica Bulgutch
pg 4
3
Letter to the editors Dear Editor, Recently in our college English class we read an article in last year’s Graffiti article called “Ladies Second” written by Carolyn McPherson. The article changed our perception of news coverage around women’s sports. We were quite surprised about how the stereotypes impacted our views on women’s sports. After we read McPherson’s article we found that she was right about the discrimination against women’s sports by doing some more research and reading more articles. We decided to pick The Toronto Star for this experiment. We picked The Toronto Star due to the fact that it is one of the most popular newspapers in the GTA. As a class we went through 10 days of newspaper coverage. We collectively realised that there were only 2 articles focusing on women out of 100 articles.
By Ms Bulgutch
We were upset to realise that women’s sports really aren’t seen to be as important as men’s sports. There were so few articles we weren’t even able to complete our assignment. Instead of doing the assignment we decided to write an article to the Sports Editor of The Toronto Star complaining about how much more dominant men’s sports coverage was compared to women’s sports coverage. We wanted to let you know that the article from last year has inspired us to write these letters to The Toronto Star and we’ll keep you posted if The Star responds to us. Sincerely, The ENG2P/3C English Class By Ms Bulgutch
meet your
graffiti
2015/16 digital editors ... For more information on how to get involved with Digital Graffiti visit
ntcigraffiti.com or message us at
fb.com/ntcigraffiti Siobhan Kidd
Liat Fainman-Adelman
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spirit(ed) [ SPIRIT AT NT ]
>> IS NT SPIRIT DYING? >> THE GRINCH THAT STOLE RAG >> SPIRIT THROUGHOUT NT HISTORY
Is NT Spirit Dying? by Jenny Lee
then
now
T
his year, it felt like less than half of the home forms expressed enthusiasm for Red and Grey Day. As usual, the grade 9 girls’ gym homeform went all out, this year putting themselves in “Ms. Rough’s Wonderland,” and the grade 12 vocal homeform put on a Grease musical that was obviously well-rehearsed with a lot of school spirit. Not only were these two home forms outstanding in putting forth their efforts into showing the spirit for Red and Grey, but there were others like the home forms belonging to Ms. Bilmer, Mr. Oh, Ms. Marquis, and Mr. Roche that embodied all of the core values of NT’s Red and Grey, inside and out. Still, these enthusiastic home forms amounted to only about 20% of the entire school, and just barely kept the day alive. The remaining 80% of home forms seemed not to care about Red and Grey Day, and were not so interested in spreading or sharing in the spirit. A few solitary cups stood on tables, while lousy streamers hung lifelessly from the ceiling. Eventually, people started to leave their own home forms, because it was too depressing, in favour of venturing into other home forms that were award nominees. The Grade 9s are expected to be the most spirited at NT. After all, they did have more spirited home forms than any other grade this year. However, they lacked that same redburning spirit NT alumni had decades ago. Grace Pawliw-Fry, a grade 11 student at NT, has grandparents and parents who went to NT. According to her grandparents, the celebration of Red and Grey day was after school and was thus voluntary. However, many people showed up and cheerleaders led some cheers. Her grandmother says, “I was one of the cheerleaders. Maybe it was the group of people I circulated with, but we were all excited and wanted to hail North Toronto. [We were] proud of our school [and] wanted to praise it. There were even rivalries between North Toronto and Northern and Lawrence Park.”
By NTCI Foundation Kyle Kweon, a Grade 12 student in a math homeform, said, “[a] club is the easiest theme to do for Red and Grey Day. People just have to dress up and we just need to turn the lights off and have some music.” But he is not the only one at NT whose school spirit has become dormant underneath the ashes of academic demands. Perhaps most seniors at NT have become so overwhelmed by assignments and tests that they don’t have a minute in their schedule to spare on things like caring about the pizza party prize. When did NT’s spirit day become a burden for students, a task to quickly and easily complete – the nadir in the life of Red and Grey Day? Not only has the pizza party competition dwindled in popularity, the students have also displayed a bit of shame in celebrating Red and Grey Day. After second period, the washrooms are crowded with students stripping off their red and grey clothing and furiously rubbing their faces with paper towels to get the “NT” red letters off their faces. NT students used to go outside dressed in red and grey for lunch and watch the games outside. People were proud to go to Starbucks with red face paint, and say “It’s Red and Grey Day at our school” when they were asked what the occasion was by the people in the neighbourhood.
“I think we lack the spirit that the old school had” Jack Matthews, NT’s Student Council President, believes that the spirit changed some time between the transition from the old NT to the new NT. He says, “I think the spirit was decently okay, but we lack the school spirit that the old school had. Because it was older and less expensive than our current school, activities and decorations and stuff may not
have been as strict, as it may have been a more relaxed kind of atmosphere.” Even though the new atmosphere may have changed things, the administration has provided us with extended home forms, an extra 15 minutes each, to plan for Red and Grey Day. Although some teachers allot more class time to prepare than others, class time should not get in the way of students making the best out of Red and Grey Day, in Allan Liu’s opinion. He says that “it’s up to the students to make it creative.” Instead of deserting their home forms, perhaps NT students should plan ahead of time to be model home forms on spirit day and continue to make it memorable each year. Although the majority of our spirit might have plummeted, there were still some enthusiastic home forms that kept Red and Grey Day afloat. Mr. Roche’s homeform, a science class, did a CSI theme in which there was a murder investigation and student council members were treated as eerie suspects when they walked into the room to judge. Ms. Bilmer’s homeform did a Hell’s Kitchen theme in which Ms. Bilmer was Gordon Ramsay and a ferocious cupcake decorating competition took place. Kate Hull, a student in the vocal homeform, lost her voice from singing too much during the rehearsal of the musical with her classmates. She expressed no regrets, only happiness; the sense of accomplishment was scintillating on her face. Yet, when four other students, one from each grade, were asked if they would have sacrificed their voice for Red and Grey Day, none of them gave an affirmative answer. NT’s Red and Grey Day is at the risk of extinction, and the issue must be acknowledged and taken care of before it is too late.
The Grinch That Stole Red & Grey Day
5
by Logan Midroni
They warn you, a day in advance in fact, by lining the exits to our school with a wall of class reps shouting at you, like you’re fresh meat arriving at a county prison. While being deafened by their cheering, and simultaneously blinded by their bright red shirts (which could even insight rage in a docile bull, as they would feel towards an instigating matador), you should feel that shiver down your spine, and that drop in your stomach. It’s here; prepare yourself to suffer through another Red and Grey Day. I’m sure there are some things to love. The school day is shorter, each individual classroom acts as a do-it-yourself dim sum service for baked goods, and you get to see Dr. Chan dressed in a surprisingly fitting traplord outfit... I guess? But taking this into consideration, does it outweigh the rest of what you endure in our student body’s attempt to ‘show school spirit’, or ‘a sense of pride in our school’? Honestly, it’s gross. But the answer is no. No it doesn’t. Getting dressed for the event is where the pain begins. It gives people an excuse to wear Morphsuits. Yes, you read that right; Morphsuits. That’s the first problem. Unless you’re coming up with a killer Halloween costume to impress your friends, trying to show off your die-hard support for
your team at a sports event, or attempting to enjoy the last of your childhood and purity before of the darkness of reality that’s slowly setting in, there’s absolutely no reason to wear a Morphsuit. Next: face paint. It seems like a great idea in theory. “Hey, here’s some sticky red stuff to slather under your eye holes; this’ll show that you love your school.” Great, love it. That moment when it dries in minutes and starts peeling off your face, like skin from a molting snake; nothing could be more expressive of your NT pride. Tattoos are just an extension of this; don’t think you’re getting away with that so easily. Face tattoos are never a good idea. I don’t care if they’re temporary; they’re the universal indicator of Florida convicts.
“ Prepare to suffer through another Red & Grey day” Now, a very important part of Red and Grey Day is, of course, the homeform competition. This contest challenges your creativity, your originality, and your ability to entertain the student council representatives... for about three minutes. It’s your time to shine!... that is, if you’re in Vocals, or some other music class, that will undoubtedly win like they do. Every. Single. Year. But it’s not all about winning, right? Competition
breeds innovation, as they say. There has to be some fun and interesting classroom themes to take part in. And yet, for the past four years, my homeform has lazily thrown together the ‘vibrant’ casino scene by bringing in a deck of cards which they use to entertain themselves for about five minutes... But, surely, there’s something better out there. Something on the first floor probably. Their marks depend on it. Alright, so as much as I like ruining the joy that people take from this day of celebration, I am obligated to remind you that Red and Grey Day really isn’t this bad. It’s a day out of our busy work week to have fun and bond with the community of our school, that, while giving out a consistently aggressive workload, is only blocks away from Chipotle. That’s a pretty solid thing to celebrate. And while I may not approve of some of the spirit day’s overly-enthusiastic, and admittedly cliché methods, I’m also the person who dressed up as nothing for Halloween, and consider this one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. For the people that take pride in this day; take pride of this day, and enjoy its celebrations. People who don’t; enjoy your early dismissal. And for everyone: no Morphsuits. Seriously, why?
Blast from the [NT] past!
A look at spirit throughout NT history
By NTCI Foundation
features [
FEATURES
]
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>> CONSENT CULTURE >> STAPLES-TDSB BEEF >> GRAFFITI >> UNEXPLAINED TRADITIONS
Teaching Consent
by Fay Asimakopoulos First there was Slut Walk Toronto, which, in response to a Toronto police officer’s assertion that women can minimize their chances of rape if “they stop dressing like sluts”, embedded the term “slut-shaming” in the average liberal young person’s vocabulary; then there was the “no means no” campaign, which sought to raise awareness about women’s right to say no to unwanted sexual contact. Other online campaigns, such as the “#YesAllWomen” twitter-led movement have worked to a similar effect, stressing the idea that consent is an absolute, black-and-white field, and that any rejection thereof is a denial of women’s sexual agency. A key premise of the consent movement has been the idea that rape and sexual assault have been wrongly blamed on women through a culture that bystands to, or even rewards, male aggression. Deconstructing the mythology behind masculinity, femininity, and what it means to say no as a woman can erode these social norms — and thus change these harmful gender relations. Yet, a caricature of the movement has also come under attack, by those both inside and outside the feminist movement. Critics are quick to point out that sexual activity often happens under the use of substances; that rapists are compulsive criminals, not unlike murderers or thieves; that to identify masculinity with deviant behaviour is exclusionary and discriminatory. At the University of Toronto, the student-led Centre for Sexual Education has been at the forefront of the race to dispel such oversimplified narratives. Isabel Carlin, the PR Representative of the Centre claims that “SEC offers presentations to many different groups, including fraternities, high schools and community centres”, and that they consider markers of success to be “engagement from participants during and after the presentation, and feedback telling us that we made them feel safer or made them feel like they have learned something new”. From the very beginning, Carlin makes it clear that people often misunderstand consent; she is dubious of the single tale of the malignant, ill-intentioned rapist. “[Students] sometimes have questions that educa-
tion can totally solve, such as “What if we’re both inebriated?”. She stresses that workshops are most effective when they give a space for a frank discussion; where participants “feel like they can also ask questions and receive answers”. And while she acknowledges that the narrative of “man rapes woman” is both real, valid, and common she believes that a fair treatment of rape includes “men who are survivors of rape, trans survivors and perpetrators, and in-community violence, especially in regard to queer women’s spaces and radicalized communities”. This can be a lot of ambiguity for most to wrap their heads around; after all, the average relationship model most young people are exposed to in the media is that of a man and a woman, where the man continues to be, overwhelmingly, the initiator. It can thus be hard to identify one’s experiences as a victim, a perpetrator, or a bystander when the message is that men are de factothe aggressors and women are the victims; that, as a man, you do not have to stop until a woman tells you no — that it is a man’s role to be an aggressor and in a woman’s role to defend herself from unwanted sexual attention — or even outdated when your own relationships seem to not outwardly fit that model.
Effy Min is a North Toronto graduate, survivor, and the co-founder of Bad Subject, a youth-run non-profit that aims to bring inclusive seminars about consent to high school students. She believes that “no means no” activism often fails at the practical aspect of consent education, as often “the crux of the conversation surrounding consent is the contradiction of how can we teach that sex without consent -- and consent has to clear -- is sexual assault without alienating all the people who have had sex without clear consent and do not feel sexually assaulted”.
Bad Subject presented its consent workshop to Grade 11 Enriched English students last year to overwhelmingly positive reviews. Ruby Mae Landry, a Grade 12 student who observed the workshop, called its approach “blunt, realistic, and refreshing” and speculated that it “would allow people to take a feminist argument more seriously”. An anonymous male participant from Ursula Franklin High School said that, despite having previously identified as an ally, he found “arguments on the difference between selling sex and selling rape” compelling, recognizing “that it is not an equal objectification of women”. A male participant from Bloor CI acknowledged that he “did not realize that consent is more than someone saying “no”” and credited the consent workshop with his deeper understanding. Min’s approach is that “representing sexual violence as only male-on-female ends up demonizing men as constant would-be perpetrators and excluding them from the conversation”. She foregoes what “the statistics say” for an approach that focuses on including all in a conversation that acknowledges the many ways in which people can fail to perceive or express lack of consent in a sexual situation. Bad Subject’s workshops ask participants to identify signs of discomfort in their partner[s], and get more comfortable with “checking in” before sexual contact -- even if it leads to rejection. The idea that people don’t always rape because they “want to”, but because they do not understand exactly what consent entails is radical -- but youth often identify with it. Project Slut, an anti-sexual bullying campaign born out of Harbord CI, is leading a campaign to end high school dress codes that objectify women and create a narrative where a woman’s clothes can be seen as “inviting harrassment”. The “We Give Consent Campaign” is led by two high school students that want to change the health curriculum to reflect the strides taken by the movement in defending women’s rights to dress and present the way they want. There has never been a better time to have an open, accepting, and community-oriented discussion about consent — and the sexual myths that inform people’s perceptions, intentions and actions. It’d be a pity if high schools were excluded from it.
Top 10 #1: Surviving University by Jarod Bond
Assuming that you are going to go to university, I have seven quick pieces of advice for you. The first is to attend a university outside of Toronto in order to grow independent. The second is to live in residence because that’s best way to make best friends. The third is, assuming you go into rez, to randomly walk into people’s rooms to get to know them and always leave your door open for the first month so that they can do the same. The fourth is to try not to skip any classes (although it is going to happen) and to keep up on your readings. The fifth is to surround yourself with people in the same program as you because they’ll keep you in check should you not follow the fourth rule. The sixth is to lower your expectations, as it’s normal for your average to drop about 15%. My final piece of advice is to BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER because residence will either provide one-ply or none. Where does all the tuition money go?
An Investigation of TDSB Blocked Websites by Cassidy Bereskin
It’s 8:40am. You’re sitting in the commons, sipping your Starbucks coffee, and suddenly, it hits you. Your $5.00 Staples middle-school-calculator has reached its functional limits. Dr. Chan has instructed everyone to buy a scientific calculator. Your procrastination has caught up to you — the test is tomorrow! Don’t worry. You’ve got your iPhone. So you hop on TDSB wifi and search “best deals for scientific calculators.” RedFlagDeals highlights the HP® 10BII+ Financial Calculator, perfect for your math and business courses. Staples carries it for $42.89. You surf the web for Staples.ca...ACCESS DENIED. Are you kidding me? Blocked? Office supply porn? Nevermind. You have other work. So you switch to your science assignment — creating a website for Mr. O’Connell’s ecology unit summative. You start by entering the URL for your choice website building platform, Wix.com...ACCESS DENIED. The TDSB, Canada’s largest public school board, continues to deny students, teachers, and staff access to various websites. The issue has stirred up controversy in the NT community as burning questions continue to circulate within our halls. Staples, a reputable office supply retailer known for its diverse assortment of products and competitive pricing, has mysteriously missed the cut. According to Mr. Kinoshita, responsible for IT at NT, “office supply vendors send out requests for bids to procure stationery from the TDSB” and Staples “refuses to go through the bid process and bid for a contract.” Since the Board is provided with “special contract prices” from companies like Grand & Toy, the TDSB restricts “teachers, staff and employees from purchasing classroom materials from Staples.ca.” Mr. Kinoshita predicts Staples will remain blocked until the company bargains in good faith with the Board. In many respects, the blocking of Staples is pragmatic, as it serves to protect the TDSB from reimbursements for purchases from the Staples website. However, when light is thrown on the issue of Internet censorship
for commercial means, it becomes clear that harmful effects abound. Students are innocent bystanders, confined to a less competitive marketplace to foster a deal between the TDSB and a chosen vendor. Case in point: today, the HP® 10BII+ Financial Calculator is advertised for $42.89 at Staples and $50.98 at Grand & Toy; Grand & Toy will cost me almost 20% more. Hamima Fattah is currently a Student Trustee for the Toronto District School Board. Her role is to advocate for the interests of TDSB students at Board executive meetings. “Restricting websites that cause no harm is unnecessary, especially websites, such as Staples, that provide supplies for many students,” says Hamima. As Student Trustee, she hopes to address the issue in nuanced discussions at the Board level. At NT, the effects of the TDSB’s Internet censorship on staff and students are unfortunate. “For the most part, I am comfortable with the TDSB blocking certain harmful sites [and] as a TDSB employee, if I make a purchase with TDSB funds, I am supposed to honor the agreement by buying through Grand and Toy,” says Ms. Bulgutch, media studies teacher at NT. She describes the partnership with vendors as “reasonable” yet condemns the fact that students are blocked, and warns that the agreement between the TDSB and Staples has the potential to adversely influence their purchases. In support of this contention, grade 11 NT student Erin Fortune calls the Board “extreme” for blocking Staples on all devices. Erin, who acknowledges “nothing wrong with the staples website,” doesn’t consider the TDSB justified in “influencing where we [students] choose to shop.” Another appalled NT student, Angela Cui, affirms that “business should not have an effect on the everyday lives of NT students.” Angela’s argument is upheld by the majority of students within the grey halls. While Staples.ca has a distincly commercial explanation, the TDSB’s blocking of Wix is a completely different story. This innovative platform enables students to design websites for free and has revolutionized the ways in which presentations are created. Now, students can choose from a variety of media pathways to create powerful visual presentations: PowerPoint, Prezi, and Wix. It’s
no wonder that Wix has become one of the most popular choices among students. So why would the TDSB reject such an innovative educational tool? “Wix is blocked because of a number of phishing and spam issues that were originated from the website,” explains Peter Singh, The Board’s Chief Technology Officer. When asked to specify the “phishing and spam issues,” Mr. Singh was reluctant to respond. Though the blocking of Wix is definitely safety-driven, the issue still remains unclear and opaque. Nisha Telesford is the President of the Student Council at Vaughan Road Academy; she continues to be perplexed at the blocking of Wix. Nisha highlights that her school newspaper, Vaughan Vox, intended to create its online presence through the innovative platform. However, because Wix was blocked by the TDSB, the students running the Vaughan Vox had to recreate their shiny website through a third party. Nisha goes on to say that the blocking of the site “adds unnecessary bureaucracy to students looking to pursue opportunities.” The blocking of Wix has been frustrating and even heartbreaking for NT students like Danielle Gareau, who feel penalized by the Board’s arbitrary choice. After hours of work on her project, Danielle discovered that the site was blocked while attempting to present it in front of her Business class. In a similar fashion, NT physics teacher, Mr. Kinoshita, was unaware of the blocked site until he attempted to demonstrate various website projects to one of his classes. “Unimpressed by the Board’s poor policy and lack of transparency,” Mr. Kinoshita, alongside many staff and students, push for the TDSB to publish a list of censored websites. Beyond this initiative, the TDSB needs to accommodate for all of its stakeholders, not just employees. We all understand that inappropriate, harmful and destructive content exists on the web. Pornhub.com, Leafly.com, gambleonline.co — and much is at stake for the TDSB. But when the Board implements censorship, it controls consumer choice, creates inefficiencies, and undermines free market opportunities. Students and staff continue to feel perplexed, appalled and penalized by the TDSB’s Internet censorship.
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Bourgeoisie?!?
by Chitta Chowdhury North Toronto residents living around the school might have been surprised, angered, elated, or even amused to see “Bourgeoisie?” spray-painted in plain black lettering near the South Eastern entrance of the TRIDEL Roehampton condos. What the artist behind the purported act of vandalism describes as a ”one-word piece that presents a common criticism of our school and the general North Toronto region” also seems to comment on the capital of our academic community, and spell it out for all to see. Graffiti is often dismissed, as it is often seen as a type of art restricted to underprivileged, lower-income residents in the city. Since it is considered anti-establishment by nature, any area tainted with a hint of spray paint or marker is often passed off as sketchy. It is unsurprising that seeing graffiti on our $3 million school in the heart of the nanny-packed Yonge and Eglinton area seemed a little out of place. Often reduced to simply the result of fleeting teenage angst, graffiti is rarely taken to be an art form or a valid political statement. Considering the content of this piece, this graffiti piece is hard to dismiss. The piece was created with the “purpose of seriously questioning the political, economic and class impartiality of the administrations, namely Lawrence Park Collegiate, North Toronto Collegiate and Northern Secondary,” says the artist. The schools named, especially our school, are often thought to consist of “rich white people”, as Niloy Anjum, a high school student, who goes to Woburn CI said. Considering that the average household income for North Toronto students is approximately $200 000, it’s not surprising that we come off that way. Notably, this piece wasn’t created by someone who would be considered an outsider -- the artist “was raised in the North York community”. He describes his own neighborhood as a “closely knit, wealthy community with its education and the administration thereof, whether public or private”. According to the artist, the piece “not only question(s) the extent to which wealth influences these schools, but even go so far as to assert that these educational institutions act in a way that cultivate a new generation of Bourgeoisie”, bourgeoisie being a Marxist term referring to the ruling or property owning class. A more modern take of the term goes beyond simply sheer wealth, but also the culture that
comes with it; it is specific to groups who are in the position to dictate mainstream culture. But is this a fair critique of a school that consists of hundreds of different individuals? Susi Hermanns, a grade 12 student at NT and the head of Social Equity club, thinks that it is. “The bourgeois fear the reconciliation of the oppressed because it would mean the end of their oppression“, says Susi. “The bourgeois instead socialize the oppressed with a false sense of free will and control. Funny enough, this centuries old dynamic is directly portrayed in North Toronto culture. We act as though simply being aware of how certain social issues and conflicts exist means that we can give ourselves a pat on the back for solving them. What we, as a community, don’t realize is that understanding a social issue isn’t just half the battle. In fact, it’s far less than that. At this point we haven’t really started.” Indeed, a fear of anything ‘sketchy’ is common at our school. We fear what we are unfamiliar with. For many of us, that includes lower income neighborhoods, and people who are from these neighborhoods. One interview subject chose to stay anonymous out of fear of coming off as “offensive”, a fear common amongst NT students. The Grade 12 student who chose to stay anonymous says that she would not hang out with people who come off as ‘sketchy’ because they are a “bad influence, seriously and honestly. Their perspectives of the world and mine are way too different. I don’t fit in their world. I can’t understand them”. She defines ‘sketchy’ as “poor isolated neighborhoods”.
However, breeding a culture of fear at our school is also problematic. Students shouldn’t be afraid of saying something racist or classist. They simply shouldn’t believe these things or find them funny in the first place. Punishing a student on the basis of being offensive isn’t the solution. Developing a school culture, in and out of the classroom, that focuses on understanding the complexities of privilege and the dynamics between different groups is. This graffiti work was not only borne out of place due to its form, but also because it was an uncomfortable confrontation for our school. “Bourgeoisie?” isn’t a statement. It’s a question. It is a question asking us why we are often so immersed in our little bubble that we are blind to the rest of the world. As much as we might like to think of ourselves as progressive, we may just simply doing the bare minimum to maintain political correctness. We refuse to even acknowledge issues that we may have at our school simply out of fear that we might come off as offensive, ultimately resulting in a collective denial that these issues actually exist. In order to create a school environment that is truly inclusive and accepting, for all groups, we must first address the core of the problem: our distinctly bourgeois lack of honesty about the world around us.
School administrations likes to preach acceptance and inclusivity. We throw in a few words of acceptance in an assembly and immediately hear racist/sexist/classist jokes or words in the halls afterwards. Because we mention how intolerance won’t be tolerated, we go on with our day pretending that acceptance is being practiced. This dismissive nature of our school culture shows how we can fake inclusivity and acceptance.
Top 10 #2: UBC
by Georgia Mahoney Webster Saying goodbye to Toronto was hard, but saying hello to Vancouver was easy. UBC is located on a peninsula in Vancouver that is surrounded by ocean. With 51,000 students currently enrolled, UBC feels more like a small town than a university campus. My residence has an amazing ocean and mountain view, while the campus looks like an American college movie, which is probably why movies get shot here all the time. Features shot on campus include Wolverine, The Butterfly Effect, Josie & the Pussycats, and yes, 50 Shades of Grey, to name a few. There’s more greenery on a single street here than in the entire North Toronto area, and even though it takes 20 minutes to walk to class every morning, I get to look at the mountains the entire time. If there’s one thing I want all grads to know, is that you should go where you think you will be happiest, not where your friends are going. The 4000 km distance sucks at times, but FaceTime exists. It rains the odd time here, but the city is full of adventure. There’s a perfect mix of city and nature in Vancouver. It’s hard to take the leap out west, but like they say - the west coast is the best coast.
9
Unexplained Traditions by Anastasia Zaritovskaya
of media, and the company gained a monopoly in diamond mining. Its advertisement has become so ingrained in our lives to the extent that even now in the 20th century, it’s almost impossible to picture a proposal without a diamond ring.
The world is a many-sided place with various traditions around it, ranging from fun or strange or both to downright insane. Most of us follow unexplained customs, many of which are of a cultural or religious nature. However, there are some traditions that are very common around the world — most of them go unexplained. Many happen to be so integrated into our society that we don’t even know their origins. Why does the groom have to slide a diamond ring onto the bride’s finger on the wedding day? Why not rubies or emeralds? After the “Will you marry me?” moment, the future husband opens the box and the sparkling diamond is sitting snugly inside. Also, when a couple gets engaged, the first response is “show me the ring!” And most women are curious about whether or not it is a diamond ring. They want to know what kind of diamond ring they’re getting. Why though? The diamond may act as a timeless symbol for love and faith, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover that the diamond ring is just a well-done advertising coup. Before the 1940s, no one proposed with a ring. However, in 1947, De Beers diamond corporation started a campaign titled “A Diamond is Forever,” which was intended to brainwash people into buying the extravagant diamonds. It was a huge success. De Beers was famously known for their diamonds through the extensive use
“Even now, in the 20th Century, it’s impossible to picture a proposal without a diamond ring” In order to meet the standard expectations, men are pressured into buying expensive diamonds that are decent sized; some even put aside a portion of their salary for that wedding ring. Even the “two months’ salary” is a concept introduced by the firm, and since then, the price has only risen steadily. The cost of diamonds is rising every year to make the diamond rings even more prized, and more options in the style of diamonds are available for the customers to let their diamonds have a sense of uniqueness. Tiffany Co., the world’s renowned luxury company, increased the price of its diamond rings by 10 percent in in June, 2011. Ten percent may sound little, but when the original price is thousands of dollars or even tens of thousands, the increase makes a significant difference to how many more months the groom will have to put aside a portion of his salary. Moreover, Tiffany is using the famous phrase “Will you?” as its campaign - Will you promise to never stop completing my sentences or singing off-key, which I’m afraid you do often? And will you let today be the first sentence of one long story that never, ever ends? Also, it creates a sense of exclusiveness by having the 4C’s, cut, colour, clarity, carat size, as its criteria for that perfect diamond. It grades the clarity of the
diamond on a scale from Fl (flawless) to I3 (heavily included). And there’s also a scale for colour and carat size and different types of cut for the diamond. Before the diamond became iconic for the wedding ring, it was only prized for its everlasting quality. In 2015, there’s more to the diamonds than just its rigidness. Customers can choose round, princess cut, oval, marquise, pear-shaped, emerald cut, cushion cut, or other different kinds of cut for the diamond rings. We are constantly bombarded by these advertisements and influenced by marketing strategies behind them. After all, there’s no rule that states one can only have a successful marriage life with diamond rings. My parents are a rare exception to the rule; they did get engaged with the exchange of a diamond ring, and they have a happy marriage. Many of their friends have also done the same and are the same. Proposals and diamond rings are companions in classic literature, too. For example, in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” there was not a single glint of diamond on the fingers of high-class ladies of Britain. The diamond ring tradition is so new — and yet, it’s considered classic according to most of the diamond jewelry companies. Most of NT students said that their parents have a diamond ring at home — a ring that they practically won’t be able to sell, as it is not even worth half its original value now.
Top 10 #3: UPenn Wharton by Jillian Li
Ever since my Grade 9 year, I had my mind set on going to an Ivy League school in the States. At the time, it was for completely shallow reasons: the name and prestige. After pouring my heart and soul into an application process that still makes me cringe, I was ecstatic – and honestly quite shocked - to be accepted to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. I’ve come to learn that this place has so much more to offer than just a prestigious name: One – the campus is beautiful. Very Hogwarts-esque, but with a modern tang. Two – the diversity of people here and their respective cultures, ideas, and perspectives astounds me. You interact with people from all walks of life and every person you talk to has something interesting to share. Three – people are so motivated. Almost too motivated for my own liking sometimes, but it’s eye-opening – even inspiring – to be in an environment where everyone has such strong passions, cares about contributing academically and socially, and possesses a desire to push themselves above and beyond. Four – some things are just straight up cool. Like the Preisdent of Germany coming to campus. Or Alec Baldwin. Or even Serena Williams. All within a month. Five – the work hard play hard mentality is so real. No doubt the curriculum here is rigorous and the workload is hefty, but it doesn’t stop anyone from having fun and enjoying the university experience. Coming to Penn was a new and refreshing start for me, but it also came with its challenges. It’s not easy moving to a new country, and starting anew academically and socially. But would I change anything? Nope. The experiences I’ve had here at Penn have been invaluable and day by day, I’ve grown to love the school more and more.
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>> TEACHER PROFILES >> BEST LIBRARY PRANK EVER >> THE REAL DANIEL MUNTANER >> MORE
Meet your new teachers!
Photos by Alice Liang, Becklynn Zeng & Jack Matthews
[ MS ADAMS ]
By Alyssa Joynt
Ms. Adams has returned to North Toronto after taking a year off on maternity leave. Ms. Adams always thought about teaching in the back of her mind, but she originally went into business. After working for two years at Maple Leaf Foods, she wasn’t feeling rewarded. She wanted to help kids and students, and so she went to teacher’s college. Currently, she is teaching co-op, and feels good knowing when a student is getting a lot out of their placement, is enjoying it, and has a passion for it. Outside of school, Ms. Adams enjoys her new-found hobby of woodworking, as well as going to the movies, and meeting up with friends.
[ MS DE SOUSA ]
Ms. De Sousa is joining the teaching teams of grade 9 geography, grade 10 careers, grade 11 biology, and student success. Ms. De Sousa describes her most embarrassing high school moment as having lasted a whopping two years, during which she had a perm. Besides that, she also says that she was very studious in high school (which is why her hair was so big; it was full of knowledge). If you ever feel the sudden urge to discuss 1990s-2000s alt. rock, Ms. De Sousa is your go to person. Her cat is even named Eddie, after Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. She is also interested in birdwatching, which eventually developed into Ms. De Sousa’s interest in nature conservation, a career that she would have pursued if she weren’t a teacher. As if these things weren’t intriguing enough, Ms. De Sousa also considers herself a coffee connoisseur. Her recommendation: Himalayan Java cafe. Welcome to NT Ms. De Sousa, and good luck.
[
MS KONFORTE
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By Alyssa Joynt
Although Ms. Konforte never considered teaching originally, after entering the corporate world, she discovered that her personal values did not align with those of the realm of business. Instead, she decided to pursue a job that held more sentimental meaning, and so she delved into the world of teaching, subsequently discovering her passion for it. “It’s okay to do one job or start one career and change… It’s never too late to change if you realize that you don’t like the profession you studied for,” she says. What Ms. Konforte loves about teaching is teaching her students the necessary skills to be successful in life, and in making money. She loves the prospect of aiding them pursue any life goals they have.
By Lauren Kim
[ MS ZAGARITIS ]
Ms. Zagaritis is a returning teacher to NT. She teaches subjects such as business, co-op, and, previously, careers. Even as a young child, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her favorite part about being a teacher is the kids as she enjoys working with and helping them. During her free time, she loves to travel, shop and spend time with her 4 month old niece. If not a teacher, she would want to be a travel or style blogger, given her love of travelling. In fact, for her next vacation, she would like to go to Australia or New Zealand. If she were to be given the chance to advise her high school self, her advice would be to “enjoy it” and “be thankful for everything you have and cherish those high school memories” because the best part of high school for her was the school clubs and trips. As a matter of fact, her most memorable moment in school was the year end trip to Wasaga beach, mostly because it was a chance for her to go away from home and hang out with her friends. One of her favourite things about NT is the sense of community.
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[ MS ROBERTS ]
By Jasmine Chung
Welcome to North Toronto Collegiate Institute, Ms. Roberts! Ms. Roberts, is new to NT teaching English and Band, and yet another wonderful addition to our staff. She came from Don Valley Junior High School, where she taught the same courses for grades 7 and 8 so she is picking up where she left off. She knows her music as she sings in a choir and plays multiple woodwinds such as the saxophone, flute and clarinet. Ms. Roberts enjoys singing and reading during her time outside of work. As a passionate teacher of English, books have always inspired her, like the ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy by Philip Pullman. Her favorite type of movie is one that centers around the “satirical high school” depiction By Jasmine Chung
[ MS WARRING BIRD ]
Bienvenida, Señora Warring Bird! Ms. Warring Bird is a new faculty member at North Toronto Collegiate Institute. She has joined the moderns department teaching Spanish to NT students. Despite having been raised in a family that spoke exclusively English, Señora Warring Bird is fluent in three different languages; English, French, and Spanish. During a year long exchange program in Argentina and at the University of Toronto, Ms. Warring-Bird studied Spanish.
During her free time, she enjoys reading, biking, and traveling the world. She believes that her greatest accomplishment in her lifetime was having her kids; a 5-year-old boy named Owen, and a 9-month-old boy named Liam. When asked about the North Toronto Collegiate Institute and said “everyone here is really nice. The staff is great and supportive. We also have an awesome principal, and cool students!” Señora Warring Bird has strong opinions about equality, gender representation, social norms, and social justice. She is also a very amiable and funny teacher, who wishes for the equal participation of all students. She wants to be an influential figure to students who can successfully transform the class into an engaging, informative, and fun environment.
[ MS HERON ]
By Lauren Kim
Ms. Heron is a new and welcome addition to the North Toronto community. With three years of teaching under her belt, she transferred from the Newtonbrook Secondary School to commenced her year with us. Interestingly, her first encounter with NT was actually four years ago for her student placement, during which she worked in the geography department as a teaching assistant. Her first impression of the school facilities and community, during her student placement was that NT’s atmosphere reminded her a lot of the high school that she went to, which made her feel at home from the very beginning. For as long as she can remember, Ms. Heron has had a deep passion for teaching, specifically physical education, which is one of her teachables. She loves promoting activeness in people, and helping find everyone’s own love for physical activity.
By Lauren Kim
[ MR OH ]
The newest staff member to join the math department at NT is Mr. James Oh. He teaches grade 9, 10 and 11 math classes. Prior to joining NT, he taught at Kipling Collegiate. He was inspired to teach math when he “... started tutoring kids in math, and I really enjoyed helping kids who didn’t understand math. And so, that’s what brought me into teaching.” Graffiti asked him what he would do if he was not a teacher. “I would be a full- time dad.” he replied. When asked what brought him to NT, he replied that “The school board put me here. [I] don’t have a choice in it.” he said, chuckling. We also asked him what his favourite and least favourite aspects of the school are so far. He said that “My least favourite aspect is the traffic getting here, and the traffic leaving here. My favourite aspect would be all the stuff that’s going on. There’s always something out on the football field, or music. There are always people in the school and it’s very lively.” Outside of the classroom, he enjoys playing golf and he is a huge supporter of the Maple Leafs. Perhaps his students can expect a few probability questions regarding the chances of the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup this year. He also loves listening to music by Justin Timberlake. At the end of the interview, Mr. Oh said,“I love the atmosphere here, I love the environment. I think the students take on the school as their own, and it’s very nice to see that. I love the enthusiasm.”
12 By Lauren Kim
[ MS BACCHUS ]
Over the course of seven years,, Ms. Bacchus was a teacher at Parkdale Collegiate Institute, York Memorial Collegiate Institute, Earl Haig Secondary School, and C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute. Ms. Bacchus was born and raised in Toronto, and has a love of horseback riding. In fact, one of her favourite memories is horseback riding in Rogue Valley when she was a kid. She also enjoys swimming and yoga, and is content to spend time with a Dan Brown Novel like “The DaVinci Code” or “Angels and Demons”, or with an international film or documentary from Netflix. If you’re looking to get on Ms. Bacchus’s good side, try striking up a conversation about one of her favourite TV shows, like How to Get Away with Murder, Downton Abbey, or Grey’s Anatomy (because let’s face it, you’ve all watched at least one of those. Although she is a French teacher, her favourite food is not, in fact, escargot or croissants; Ms. Bacchus would be much happier with some delicious Italian food. If she could be magically transported to any fictional world, Ms. Bacchus would choose to travel to Narnia.
Meet your custodial team!
By Alice Liang
Thank you for all that you do. NT would not be the same without you! Top 10 #4: McMaster by Ben Keymer
When you drive past Hamilton on the QEW, the scenery doesn’t look particularly welcoming. Lots of people are scared off by the smokestacks and excessive pollution. However, if you look a little closer, behind that manufacturing plant is a beautiful, welcoming campus full of people that work hard, and play harder, all while wearing red and grey. Sounds familiar, eh? Mac is awesome. You’re close enough to home that you can get on a bus and be at your front door in around 90 minutes for shampoo and minute rice top ups, but not so close that your parents try to come visit you. It’s a great place to come to learn and meet new people. Getting involved is easy and the opportunities are plentiful, whether it be writing for the school paper, joining a faculty club, or playing a sport. Also, our frosh week was three times longer and three times more lit than Western’s. Visit McMaster and I promise that you will fall in love with it. Follow in the footsteps of the late, great hockey hall of famer, Roger Neilson, and make the transition from NT to Mac.
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Art Council Seeks Representation by Parnian Hossein-Pour Why is the Music Council important enough to warrant a seat on the Student Council, while the Art Council isn’t? NT’s art students often feel marginalised and underrepresented within the school community. This year, the Art Council is taking a stand to make a change. They are attempting to secure a position on the Student Council, similar to that of the Music Council’s. They crave recognition and representation, and a position on the Student Council is the first step to achieving these goals. Many NT students are unaware and have little exposure to the Art Council. Most have a vague recollection of the murals, but few know about any of the Art Council’s other events. “They know Music Council, they know NEAT, they know NTAA,” says Art Council co-head Grace Pawliw-Fry, but students blank when faced with the events of the Art Council. To combat this lack of awareness, the Art Council wants NT to know about the numerous events they run; this particularly circumscribes the Soda Pop Shop, Mural, Spring into Arts, Semaine Blanche, and the student-run Gallery. For the Soda Pop Shop, “[they] don’t only put up the gallery, [they also] arrange a lot of it,” including the set-up, clean-up, advertising, and theme, says Pawliw-Fry. Music Council president Haley Mcilkamo says that “[the Music Council] has a lot of events … that aren’t just for music students, [but rather] for the whole student body.” Some students, such as the Student Council Treasurer, Minjae Kim, are wor-
ried that the Art Council’s events are not as “interactive” and incorporating of the “entire school population”. However, the Art Council wants the school to know that “you don’t have to be good at art” to enjoy their events. Mural, for example, “doesn’t require any artistic ability; just [a lot] of hands and lunchtimes,” explains Pawliw-Fry.
heads will be elected similarly to how the Music Council president is, with the art students voting during the general election. One difference from Music Council will be that they will have two heads; one who is on the Student Council, specifically an external liaison, and one who is more internal, and is traditionally elected.
“Why is the music council important enough to warrant a seat on the Student Council, while the Art Council is not ?”
The justification for their willingness to give up the current, cozy system is because they feel that the rewards will be worth it. Cui says that their end goal is “to get more people involved…and have a greater impact“. Fisher adds, “an impact [that] people know is from Art Council”. They want to “grow the council and do more within the school,” according to Cui. But mainly, they want to “[bring the] Art Council to the attention of the whole school and [have their] voice heard on the Student Council,” says Pawliw-Fry.
Leading the fight to attain a position in Student Council are the two lobbyists; Madelaine Fisher and Angela Cui. “In October, [they presented] what [they wanted] to [accomplish] to the class reps, and [then in November], the class reps will have a vote” to decide the fate of Art Council, says Fisher. If the Art Council were to become a member of the Student Council, the largest internal change would be the Art Council’s electoral process. Currently, they have a very informal system, in which the council from the previous year raises their hands for what position they’re interested in, and the individual typically, without any opposition, gets the role, all without any deliberation or campaigning. This was how Grace Pawliw-Fry and Elizabeth Sullivan came into power as heads. However, if they do claim a Student Council seat, then the subsequent
For the North Toronto Athletic Association, NTAA, being on the Student Council is critical to their functioning and success. NTAA Male Representative Jeff McPherson says, “[the Student Council] helps get information quickly and more efficiently to NTAA”. They know about “events” and “requirements” as soon as the Student Council does, “which makes it easier to schedule meetings [and] delegate tasks.” This is another important reason why the Art Council needs to be on the Student Council. Not only are they trying to get more attention; they’re trying to do their jobs more effect-
By Angela Cui
Top 10 #5: U of T - Victoria College by Ema Ibrakovic
I’d like to start by addressing the common rumours you hear about U of T: “a 90 at Western is a 60 at U of T,” “U of T nightlife is dead,” “It makes you feel like a number.” Lies. Diving into my first round of midterms, I was afraid that my high school GPA would drop like crazy because of big, bad U of T. Turns out, North Toronto does an incredible job at preparing you for university. My fellow NT alumni at U of T can attest to this. I find myself having less work, more interest, and much more free time. U of T has some of the best professors on the planet, which is exactly what you’d expect from a school that usually ranks best in Canada and top 25 in the world. Also, since there are so many people at the school, there’s always something going on. While U of T may not compare to getting ‘Westurnt,’ it has more than enough pub nights, frat parties, and res bangers to go around. No university town can compare to downtown Toronto, a half hour’s walk of Kensington Market, Yorkville, Chinatown, and the Downtown Core. Lastly, there are tons of small communities within U of T. If you’re in the faculty of Arts and Science, you pick a college that serves as your smaller community. My college, Victoria, is full of prestigious and incredible people, featuring alumni like Nobel laureate and former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, as well as the William Blake-loving literary critic Northrop Frye. U of T is big enough that anyone can find their niche.
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Stop to See the Wallflower by Ajantha Nadesalingham It’s 11:30; ten minutes before lunch. The minute hand twitches upward, seemingly in a losing battle against gravity. And this isn’t the only battle being fought in vain; the frustrated teacher has been attempting to teach the distracted class. A pause. The teacher asks, “What were the causes of the American Revolution?” Perhaps it won’t be agonizing. Wrong. Dead silence. “Don’t be shy,” the teacher coaxes, before deciding to select a student at random to answer the question. To some extent, all of us can relate to such a situation. However, the light in which a student may view class participation varies. To some, participation in class comes naturally. One of these students is Cassidy Bereskin. For her, participating in class “facilitates learning,” and thus, the presence of all forms of class participation are beneficial and crucial to her. This is also true for David Chu, who states that he sees randomized student selection as acceptable, acting as “a diagnostic [tool], and a check up” to a student’s understanding of class information. For others, the prospect of being called out is unappealing. In this case, the distinction between shy and reserved individuals becomes important. Shy people feel “nervous or timid in the company of other people,” according to the Oxford Dictionary; this type of behaviour is a mild manifestation of social anxiety. However, a reserved person is “slow to reveal emotions and opinions”. Though the terms are often used interchangeably in casual speech, this article will adhere to the literal definitions of the words. Generally speaking, shy and reserved people are both mutually likely to be opposed to class participation, especially of the mandatory type. However, the motivation for their feelings are different. Michelle Sum, an individual who identifies as shy, recalls a class in which she’d walk into “every other day with the worst feeling.” Her teacher would pick on students, which made her feel “queasy and super nervous.” This became a physical complaint too; her heart would race, and she felt “like [she] wanted to throw up.” Jordan Ashby, a twelfth grader at North Toronto, remarks on this, saying, sometimes, “being shy and forced to participate is destructive.” Allison Suba, also in grade 12, pipes in, saying that the ethics of forced class participation are “situational”. It’s true: many other factors come into play when determining whether students feel comfortable participating in class or not; the issue isn’t as simple as the personality of the
student. One other factor is the class atmosphere. Even those who are more reserved, such as tenth grade Anastasia Gaykalova, feel more inclined to participate when class participation is approached in a gentler way. She thinks that one teacher who approaches this successfully is her math teacher, Ms. Brown. Anastasia says that, although Ms. Brown calls on students, “You don’t have to answer.” This way, students aren’t expected to “openly say ‘I don’t want to answer,’ but can instead say, ‘I’ll pass.” Anastasia believes Ms. Brown’s method “sets a positive mood [for] the class.” From therein, it becomes a matter of expectation. As more people actively participate in class, they “see it [is] more common,” says Henry Kelsey of North Toronto, adding that “people [do not] feel the judgement that they [otherwise would] think is going on.” Another way in which teachers can set a good atmosphere, is to reduce the divide between themselves and their students. Relatable teachers, by their nature, create comparatively positive class environments. A teacher who is successful in this, as described by Allison Suba and Jordan Ashby, is Mr. Hobson. Although it is difficult to pinpoint precisely what Mr. Hobson does that elicits this view of him, the feeling is shared by many students. Allison recalls, fondly, a time when she had an entire conversation with Mr. Hobson about “gluten free cheesecake”. Clearly, Mr. Hobson values the sentiments of his students, which creates a relationship resembling friendship, rather than a solely professional, and oftentimes alienating, relationship.
“Marks are not awarded for...saying just anything, or trying but not succeeding”. However, when class participation for shy and reserved people is studied through a macro-lens, it may be a painful necessity. From an objective perspective, it is impossible to distinguish between a person who is shy and a person who is reserved. Though a reserved person may benefit from being called out occasionally, a shy person may experience severe discomfort that, in no way, benefits them academically or otherwise. Another layer of considerable complexity is added when people exhibit character traits of both shyness and reservedness. In such a case, a reserved person may become shy due to their inclination for introspection; too
much reservation can create self-doubt and incessant worries about how the world views them. When class participation is developed as an academic standard from a young age, shy people can learn to develop social skills and the notion that their perspectives are valued. The unfortunate side effect, however, is the possibility that the process may be uncomfortable. Although, in a utopian society, developing social skills may not be necessary for success, we live in a world which depends heavily on “who you know, not what you know,” according to Jordan. In our fast paced society, opportunities often come to those who are most able to connect with individuals. Because of this, he believes that outgoing people have higher success. And, after all consideration, schools prepare students for the world; it not only aims to teach strictly academic skills, but the skills necessary to function well within our society. In most cases of modern society, Ms. Bulgutch thinks that being well spoken is an advantage. However, when being “outspoken [is] coupled with being uninformed, [it is] rarely, if ever, good”. In Ms. Bulgutch’s media class, there is one time, and one time only, that she assigns grades for academic discourse. She clarifies, “academic discourse is not a euphemism for participation. Marks are not awarded for...saying just anything, or trying but not succeeding”. Rather, she says “students must [contribute] to a conversation in a thoughtful manner, demonstrating understanding and knowledge as well as making connections to the course.” Ms. Bulgutch acknowledges that some dislike sharing their views in class, as it generates “[worry] about judgement.” However, she also raises the point that not all students “like to demonstrate knowledge and understanding by taking a test, or in writing either”. To counteract the fact that students have different preferred methods of learning, Ms. Bulgutch does attempts to level the playing field for all types of students, acknowledging that certain students will be put at a disadvantage utilizing any single method. After all, those who are reserved may also have brilliant ideas. Prompting these individuals to share is a way of slowing down in an otherwise fast paced world. As Michelle Sum says, “society tends to notice [more attention grabbing things] and that...displaces the quieter people.” It’s certainly important to recognize the validity in stopping to see the wallflowers; they may well be the most beautiful, exquisite, and underrated among us all.
Top 10 #6: Western by Jeremy Fox-Revett
First off the student body at western is very vocal about the excellence of the school, I believe that, if it weren’t for my friends sharing their stories and experiences of western I would have been more hesitant to apply here. Second, there is a sense at Western that your young, and arguably most cherished, years of life are being well spent here. You really feel like you are maximizing your happiness at this school. There’s a “work hard, play hard” mentality that’s brought into play here. Lastly , my personal interests are economics , and Western’s diverse and acclaimed program and faculty had really caught my eye early on, so I was very set on Western from the beginning.
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Hey NT! It’s me, Dan Muntaner... Interviewed by Alyssa Joynt
It is safe to say that most of North Toronto knows Daniel Muntaner. Although he is an active member of the Free the Children and chess clubs, you likely know him because he holds the door open for students in the morning. He alternates between entrances, welcoming and telling jokes to students, staff, and visitors. Most people would find it difficult to maintain happiness, but not Daniel. He is positively positive. What made you want to hold the door open for people every morning? I’m usually here in the mornings, and I wanted to help people out, do something to make them smile. Why do you enjoy doing it? I like doing something good for the community of North Toronto. You are such a positive person. What would your advice be to other people to emulate that? Wake up every day and realize how fortunate you are. Make the most of your life and try to be as happy as possible. Realize the potential you have to be positive. If you are positive, it helps you out and helps other people out too. If you are always positive, the people around you will be too.
Where do you see yourself in twenty years? I guess I could see myself living a comfortable life helping others. Like being actively involved in political campaigns like I am now, being involved with the NDP, and being actively involved in many things. You talk a lot about being involved in the community. How are you involved? I am involved by having a positive attitude a lot, I always like to talk and be friendly to people, I volunteer for the NDP a lot, and help good people. I like to give advice and hold the door every day; that’s how I am involved in the school community.
What is your all-time favourite quote? “Everyday is a brand new day. It’s good to make the most of it because you only get the one chance to live in that one day.”
Do you ever have morning where it’s really hard to be positive? I like to just stay positive. Not every morning will be great, but if you try to Daniel is also NT Wellness’ Student of the Month! Check keep thinking positive, it will be. out his thoughts on wellness at fb.com/ntciwellness
By Amy Zhu
NT Breakfast is Toast by Lucy Wolff
Some intentionally skip it, some dream about it, but everyone knows it’s the most important meal of the day. It’s the magic meal that boosts your memory while lowering your cholesterol, and raises your energy levels while dropping your overall daily caloric intake. It’s the moment in your day to feast upon muffins, eggs, and orange juice. It’s breakfast, and the NT cafeteria is not serving it any more, at least not officially. Due to a lack of revenue in the morning, the NT breakfast is toast. This decision was not made within NT’s walls. Mr. Gorenkoff made it clear that he was not in control of the situation, and deeply regretted it, as he wants “full service for the students”. He was also a frequent muffin customer himself and expressed his sadness at the termination of this convenience. Georgia, the friendly face behind the cafeteria counter, reinforced Mr. Gorenkoff’s statement and added that she did her best to fight the cut. Along with the breakfast cut, Georgia also lost her assistant. Everything that comes out of the cafeteria is now a product of Georgia’s hard work alone. She finds the new situation “stressful”, yet is more upset by the fact that “all by [her]self, [she] can’t do as much”. TDSB Nutritional Services district manager,
Shelley Lucas, explained that a “lack of participation result[ed] in a lack of sales”, which led to the cut. Cafeteria sales are based on hourly rates, and, at NT, the breakfast hours have been falling short over the past year. Mrs. Lucas also expressed her grief over the necessity of the cut, but is optimistic about the future. The loss of the NT breakfast, and Georgia’s assistant, is not permanent, and, according to Mrs. Lucas, could even reappear later this year. There are a few theories about why breakfasts at NT were scrambled instead of sunny side up. Mrs. Lucas cited the “incredibly good weather” as a major factor. A Tims run is far less appealing when faced with the prospect of either freezing, or trudging up the stairs to get a coat from a locker. Also, one of NT’s biggest perks, our location, creates lots of competition for the cafeteria. Being, at most, five minutes from a Starbucks, or the food court which offers many possibilities, means students at NT have convenient choices outside the school walls. Mrs. Lucas also suggested the possibility that students “don’t...want to stay on site”, making the nearby restaurants more appealing than the school cafeteria. When several students were asked about the breakfast
service at school, the response was almost unanimous; “What? NT serves breakfast?!” Perhaps this surprised reaction hints at another cause; after all, it’s hard to sell food if students don’t even know it’s being sold. Despite everything that has happened, freshly baked muffins can still be found in the commons of NT in the morning. Where are these mystery muffins coming from? Well, the students of NT have an extremely selfless person in our midst. Georgia, despite her cut hours, she still comes in early to cook. When asked what time she arrives at school, she laughed off the question, saying, “don’t even ask”. She comes in early “out of the goodness of her heart”, according to Mr. Gorenkoff, and is unpaid for the time. Georgia has been working at NT for fourteen years and feels a “family”-like connection to the school and the students, so she goes above and beyond to prepare breakfast for NT. During our short interview, four kids lined up to buy a muffin, and were all able to, thanks to Georgia’s extra efforts. So, NT, the power now rests in our hands. As Georgia said, “if you don’t support your school cafeteria, of course it’s going to close”. As students and customers, we can bring breakfast back or drive it away. The choice is ours.
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A Silent Salute by Tamar KB
“We did it the last day of school”.
the street to print and frame the photo.
Classy. Understated. Cool. Few thought differently of the prank Laith Goldie and Nima Sadeghi enacted at the end of the 2014-15 school year. Unless you spend some time in the school’s library, looking up from your paper and actually paying attention to what is in front of you, you may not have even noticed it. High up on the library’s southeastern wall, accompanying the portraits of NT’s past principals, a new picture went up, resting there from the last day of school till October of this year.
“We didn’t tell anyone because we thought word would spread too quickly and it would get taken down. We didn’t even tell our close friends. We both only told our parents and they loved it thought it was hilarious.”
Laith fixes his hat atop his head and leans across the Starbucks table, as if about to reveal a great secret. “I got the idea from a guy named Aidan Bain, my brothers friend, two years older than me. I just always looked up at the wall while chilling in the library and thought “there’s enough room for exactly one more photo The night before the last week of school, the grads scrambled to to coordinate on a grad prank but obviously no one could decide on one. Then, at 2 AM the night before the last full day of school, Nima called - “man the idea of the picture on the wall - we are literally doing it”
The goal was to have the picture remain up there until commencement, to show the grads when everyone came back to visit. Unfortunately it was found it two days before the event. Kids had been sending snapchats of it being taken down to both the boys. Grade 12 student, Riley Scanlan commented on the prank, saying “I think it was funny and impressive they got it up there!“; fellow grade 12 Colin Downey admits “[the two were] true guns of a caliber that we may never see again”.“The dream couldn’t go on forever”, says Laith.
The prank was not meant to be a personal attack on anyone -- it was, simply, a grad prank.
“So we came into the library at 8:30 in suits.” With the aid of a friend, they got a picture taken and went of to the FedEx office across
In terms of legacy, Laith and Nima consider their years at NT the best of their lives. Everything about NT: the location, the new school, the field, being captain of the soccer team, winning south region rugby last year, NT winning cities for hockey, the parties, the girls, good academics, everything a
bout it. “We made the most of high school because we knew this unreal time couldn’t last forever. High school was our kingdom and NT was our castle. Enjoy high school and honestly make the most of it because it’s a time in your life that you’ll never get to relive. “
Laith continues; “A high school is only as fun as your class makes it. People you don’t even know will look up to you and think, “I want to be as cool as those grade 12’s by the time I’m in their shoes”, at least that’s how I felt when I was in the junior grades. And I can honestly say with all my heart I believe I filled those shoes and then some. So give them something to admire, set the tone, there is no other time in your life than when you are a senior in high school. Take risks, be loud, and above all never let shit that doesn’t matter get on your nerves. You may never achieve what you were looking for, but at least try. Oh and as for the prank, don’t even bother… It was one of the most satisfying achievements during our high school careers. Thank you hall of famers. Work hard, but if you don’t play hard then what are you working for? After 4 years in that prison I can honestly say it’s the absolute best prison in the TDSB, please keep it that way. The boys both signed off with this; “We love NT, and we’re happy to say we left our mark on it. Please do the same. The boys would like to state that the prank was not meant to be a personal attack on anyone. The motive behind the whole thing being, simply, to do a grad prank.
Top 10 # 7: U Waterloo by Kienna Shaw
I’d chosen the University of Waterloo because of the Knowledge Integration (KI) program, a one-of-kind interdisciplinary program. For someone like me who enjoys a lot of different subjects, smaller class settings, and freedom to explore and customize my experience, I’ve found that this is a great fit for me. However, KI isn’t the only unique academic thing at U of Waterloo. There are programs and courses such as STV (Society, Technology, and Values), Environmental Resource Studies, and Nanotechnology Engineering, which I had never heard of before arriving here. Even more standard programs have access to the well-known co-op program, offering some really interesting chances to work with relevant companies and organizations (recently, there was a co-op recruitment event by Google!). Being a school that prides itself on being a place of new ideas and entrepreneurship, there are all sorts of interesting opportunities beyond just academics. Events involving alumni and other relevant speakers are frequent, letting students stay in the know-how of their discipline beyond school. It’s also great to see all of the cool inventions and Speaking of beyond academics, there are a lot of (and I do mean over 100) clubs and other extra-curricular groups around. Every club that I’ve come across was very friendly and welcoming, with lots of events open to the public. Some of them have a drop-in-and-join kind of attitude, while others have more consistent time commitments needed, but all of the clubs have great communities. In fact, I think the community of U of Waterloo is one of things that struck me as great about this university. From the residence to the faculties, the sport teams to the clubs, U of Waterloo offers so many chances to be involved and part of communities that make you feel right at home.
External [EXTERNAL]
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>> BREAKTHROUGH LISTEN PROJECT >> SEXIST THREATS >> SAME SEX MARRIAGE >> MORE
Breakthrough Listen Project by Shreya Anand
Star Trek, ET, X-Files, Doctor Who, Avatar… sensing a pattern? The human race is obsessed with extraterrestrial life, as evidenced by the array of alien-oriented entertainment that has been squeezed out through the years. Many efforts have been made, on our part, to discover and communicate with extraterrestrial life, but those pesky aliens just don’t seem to be cooperating. We’ve found water on Mars (DON’T DRINK IT…you DW fans know what I’m talking about), we’ve got photos of Pluto and its moons and we’ve identified more planets than ever before. We’ve come so far, but still no little green people. Enter the Breakthrough Listen project. It’s the biggest, baddest, scientific quest ever undertaken for signs of intelligent life outside our little blue planet. It is a 10 year project with a financial commitment of $100M. Yeah, that’s a lot. It was also launched by Stephen Hawking, who believes that “mankind has a deep need to explore, to learn, to know. We also happen to be sociable creatures. It is important for us to know if we are alone in the dark”. So what exactly is the Breakthrough Listen project? It is a program dedicated to scanning the nearest 1, 000, 000 stars, the center of the galaxy, and the entire galactic plane for transmissions that are not known to occur naturally in space. Beyond the Milky Way, they will listen for messages from the nearest 100 galaxies. In this case, “they” are the world’s most powerful telescopes; the Green Bank telescope in West Virginia, USA and the Parkes telescope, in New South Wales, Australia. In addition, the “Lick Telescope” in California, USA will carry out a search for optical laser transmissions that will also surpass the ranges of any past initiatives of the like.
According to the Breakthrough Initiatives website, this initiative is 50 times more sensitive and will cover 10 times more of the sky than previous programs dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial life (SETI). The program will also scan “5 times more of the radio spectrum-100 times faster”. If you’re flying an aircraft on any one of the nearest 1,000 stars, or sending out some heavy duty transmissions (12 times the output of the interplanetary radars used to probe the Solar System) from the center of the Milky Way, you will be picked up by our very own Extendable Ear. Oh, and the optical search? It can detect a laser with the energy output of a normal household light bulb from 25 trillion miles away, but, no biggie. Obviously, this extensive search will provide us with a ridiculous amount of data, however unlike many other initiatives; all this data will be open to the public. If you’re really interested in this and want to help out, you can always join the 9 million people who volunteer for SETI@home, and download a screensaver which will allow the SETI teams to use your computer to analyze the data. It’s a lot less creepy than it sounds; your computer will only be used for analysis when it is not being used by you. The reason behind this is that in order to analyze the aforementioned large amount of data, the SETI programs would need an extremely powerful supercomputer. Unfortunately, the programs cannot afford to build or buy a supercomputer of this scale. However, a lot of small computers working on different parts of the analysis would also get the job done. There is an international competition to create
digital messages that represent humanity and Earth. This is meant to spur a global discussion of the ethical and philosophical issues surrounding communication with intelligent extraterrestrial life. It is also a way to educate ourselves on the prospective languages of interstellar communication. Also, there is $1,000,000 total of the prize pool. Overall, the Breakthrough Listen project is very different from the average idea of space exploration. The general consensus is that space exploration consists of probes and signals, broadcasted out into the great beyond, not sitting back and listening. However, when one goes about searching for life outside Earth, it is important to consider all possibilities. What if we are heard by more advanced civilizations that, in the words of Stephen Hawking, “possess the same violent, aggressive and genocidal traits found among humans,”? Earth could be like Pandora; a victim of a more destructive race. Interstellar communication is so tightly connected to popular science fiction, that sometimes, it’s hard to believe it’s an actual possibility. There could be others out there, somewhere in the universe, sitting on their versions of desks, typing on their versions of computers about a new program they have to reach out to other galaxies, like the Milky Way (or whatever they call it), right this very moment. Despite the new hi-tech program, the probability of finding extraterrestrial life is still extremely low, however, the scope of the universe is unquantifiable and, who knows, one day, we could find our little green men. So long as the Earth doesn’t get demolished to make way for a ‘hyperspace bypass’ first.
Online Black Market by Olivia Song
As many of you know, the world’s largest online black market, Silk Road, had been shut down once again. Silk Road is an anonymous marketplace for illegal recreational drugs, counterfeits, firearms, and illegal services. Their products include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and fake IDs. Tor conceals the IP addresses of all computers entering its network, making it practically impossible to track down who accessed certain websites. The original intention of Tor was for journalists from all over the world to have a safe place to express their opinions and thoughts. Unfortunately, it was taken advantage of by those with less-than-noble intentions. All trading within Silk Road was made using bitcoins which act like cash. If had you used a
credit card to pay, transaction details would be recorded by your credit card company, making the transaction trackable. However, when you convert your money to bitcoins, all transactions are invisible.
By Hanwen Zhang Many young adults prefer using Silk Road rather than going to a street vendor. According to different polls, almost every drug is cheaper on Silk Road, especially harder recreational drugs. This has attracted many young drug users who don’t have the money to purchase
the drugs through traditional methods. The original Silk Road was launched in February, 2011 and was forced to shut down in October 2013. During its short existence, over 1.2 billion U.S. dollars were exchanged. Its owner and founder, Ross William Ulbricht, was arrested in San Francisco, charged with money laundering, hacking, conspiracy, and trafficking narcotics. One month after the arrest, Silk Road 2.0 was launched. It provided the same services as the original Silk Road, but claimed to have improved security. After a year in operation, Silk Road 2.0 was taken down after its founder and owner, Blake Benthall, was arrested in San Francisco. Following the closure of the Silk Road 2.0, in January 2015, Diabolus Market, a famous online black market, renamed itself “Silk Road 3 Reload”. It remains in operation today.
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Sexist Threats at the U of T by Hana Sharifi
By now, you’ve all likely heard the stories of Beyoncé and Emma Watson coming forward with a strong feminist message, Jennifer Lawrence vocalizing her desire for women to love their bodies, and Mindy Kaling publishing yet another book on why women should be confident. Face it, we’re living in a world where feminists are finally getting the acknowledgement they deserve, and discrimination may be on the verge of extinction. One would think that incidents of sexist and racist threats would slowly come to an end. But here is yet another story, and this time right in our very community – the University of Toronto.
Students at the University of Toronto first found out about the sexist threats incident through an email sent to all of the students and staff. I was able to interview a friend of mine, Roya Akbary, who is currently in her first year at the U of T. She said that “The email was basically a warning to everyone at U of T regarding the threats. It mentioned that security on campus had been raised but that classes would continue normally.” She noted that students in the Women and Gender Studies and Sociology were visibly more concerned about the threats, as they saw them pertain to their friends and professors.
Women at the U of T have been told to keep their guard up, after receiving violent online threats to shoot women on campus. Students, faculty, and staff were warned about anonymous threats, made by someone using the subtle screen name ‘KillFeminists’ on a site called BlogTO. The university even has the police working alongside them, to discover who the threats are coming from. But although the threats have been described as abhorrent, critics are saying that the U of T has not given those at risk enough information about the specific nature of the threats. No one knows if the reason for that is to shield the U of T community or protect their reputation.
“Students in Women and Gender Studies were visibly more concerned about the threats” “None of my professors mentioned anything with regard to the incident”, she said. “However, this is probably because all of my classes are science courses and so the threats did not really concern my professors. I do know that some professors in Social Sciences were much more concerned and did address the issue during the first week of classes.” When asked if she took any extra precautions, being a woman, she answered, “Honestly, I was so preoccupied with the
first week of classes that I did not take any precautions because I did not feel threatened or unsafe at school.” The U of T has a wonderful reputation regarding safety, so it is not surprising that many students did not feel very concerned about the threats. Finally, when asked if she thought something like this would happen again, she said, “Yes, I think that an incident like this is likely to happen again, because there will always be people with opposing ideologies who attempt to bring violence or threats of violence into an issue to assert their “power”. Feminists at U of T may have received threats but they did not stand down. Overwhelming support for feminism was seen on campus with profs and students wearing stickers that indicated that they supported feminists at U of T.” Shortly after the threats were delivered, hundreds of University of Toronto students, staff, and faculty member rallied together near Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue to fight for feminism. They demonstrated a clear and strong sense of community, something that is vital to challenging today’s misogyny – a hatred of women as a sexually defined group. The message was abundantly clear: violence that seeks to silence feminist voices cannot and will not succeed in its goals.
Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage by Kathy Shen
Rainbow flags. Celebratory posts. Happy pictures of same-sex couples. The legalization of gay marriage in United State “broke the internet” in the midst of summer heat. Although this was a big step for the U.S, there are still many areas that need improvement. First of all, currently, there are no federal laws clearly stating that discrimination toward LGBT community is illegal in the states. Only 19 state have an anti-discrimination law for sexual orientation in the workplace. This means that, in the other 31 states, a same-sex couple can get married on Saturday and get fired next monday just because of who they are. A survey conducted by CNN showed that at least 1 in 10 LGBT workers were afraid to be fired for their sexuality. Many members of the LGBT community also could be denied services just because their sexual orientation. It is also very disturbing to think that Arkansas actual passed vto SB 202, also known as the “anti-anti discrimination law,” to prevent any city or county from passing any anti-discrimination measures. The governor defended this action by stating that he didn’t want gays/lesbians to have more rights than an average person. Implanting a antidiscrimination law is to make sure that an average person doesn’t get more rights than
homosexuals. Another factor contributing to the hardship of implementing the antidiscrimination law is that it might interfere with the existing religious freedom measure. Many devoted Christian thinks providing services for same-sex couple is interfering with their religious belief. The owner of an auto-repair shop named Dieseltec had verbally assaulted homosexuals on facebook. He also threatened to put any homosexual client’s car together with all bolts and no nuts. Due to the lack of anti-discrimination law in Michigan, where this shop is located, the owner will likely not face any consequences.
Throughout history, this was not usually the case. Some of the earliest documented homosexual behaviour was found in Ancient Greece. At that time, the majority believed that the gender of one’s partner does not matter, what matters is the role that certain person plays in a sexual relationship.
People were perfectly fine with others choosing a partner with the same gender. This view on sexality continued. It is interesting to think that our civilization has taken a step backward since the Roman Empire, because even today, many thinks that homosexuliaty is wrong and sinful. Homosexuals have been discriminated against for a long period since the fall of the Roman Empire. Michel Foucault, a famous critical theorist who wrote extensively on the topic of sexuality, thinks that the fear of homosexuality is due to the reason that same-sex couples cannot have children of their own biologically. This view also led to the homophobic actions of many churches in the states. Their belief is that every child is a gift from the god. In broad strokes, the religious extremist thinks that in being a homosexual one is refusing the gift, which makes it a sin. The legalization of same-sex marriage is just another step in the dissolution of the hatred the LGBTQ community has been on the receiving end of. However, that is not to say that homophobia doesn’t have deeper roots that need to be addressed in order to achieve absolute equality.
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Meet Google
by Sundar Pichai I first saw him at the Google I/O Annual Developers Conference 2014 in San Francisco. He wore a burgundy knitwear and dark jeans; nothing too spectacular. He had a pair of black glasses and spoke with a heavy Indian accent. Born in Tamil Nadu, India in 1972, Pichai earned his degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP). He also holds a MS from Stanford University and a MBA from the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania. He joined Google in 2004 as its vice president in product management. My first impression of Sundar Pichai wasn’t positive; I assumed he was just another nerdy developer working at Google who serendipitously received the chance to step on stage. Clearly, I was wrong. Completely wrong. At the time of the 2014 Google I/O, Pichai was Senior Vice-President of Google, Product Chief, and in charge of Android, Chrome & Apps. I was oblivious to these titles and thought that was the furthest Pichai could get. Once again, my judgement was off. On August 10th, 2015, Larry Page, Google’s founder and CEO at the time, announced that Sundar Pichai would become Google’s next CEO. This was unexpected news and I exploded in complete and utter disbelief. How did Pichai become CEO? Is he the only smart employee in Google? Definitely not. As a multinational technology company, Google hires top-notch employees. Then how did Pichai rise above all other candidates in Google and gain trust from Larry Page? Besides being incredibly talented and hardworking—standard qualities that many of Pichai’s peers shared—Pichai did three things that made him stand out: Firstly, he led difficult and demanding projects that were crucial to Google’s financial successes. As the leader of the Toolbar project, Pichai diligently persevered through the doubts of others, eventually turning the project into the cornerstone of Google’s powerful search engine Chrome. Toolbar itself was not an attractive project; it certainly did not gain much attention within Google. However, Pichai realized the importance of a Google Search presence on users’ computers. He stuck to the task and
made Toolbar a cool feature that Chrome had to offer. Google Chrome extended Pichai’s mission by improving the user’s web experience and by emphasizing a Google presence through the browser. Upon launching the Chrome Browser on September 2nd, 2008, it became a hit. It has surpassed Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox to become the #1 browser in the world, with a market share that is more than twice of the once dominant and widely used Internet Explorer. Secondly, he recruited a great team. Pichai’s team of product managers had a reputation of being among the best of the best. In the formation of his team, he mentored and retained talented and industrious people. In addition to that, Pichai has been known for being a responsible and persistent leader. When he used to report to Marissa Mayer, former key executive at Google and now Yahoo’s CEO, he “used to wait for hours outside her office to make sure that she gave his team solid work-performance scores.”
“What we can learn from Sudnar Pichai is that you should never underestimate your ability” Thirdly, he avoided making enemies. Like many big corporations, Google has workplace politics. Pichai “navigated those politics to make his team successful while inflicting the least possible damage on any other team.” Pichai is reportedly “universally well-liked at Google”, and seems to enjoy a “warm, easy-going rapport” with Page. Pichai accompanied Page when he tried to acquire WhatsApp and Nest, which led to Pichai earning a spot as Page’s right-hand man. The point of this story is to demonstrate that skills alone don’t make you successful; many of Pichai’s superiors have higher degrees and more experience than him. But what they lack are human qualities, characteristics that Pichai possesses in abundance. A former Google employee said Pichai was “without a doubt, one of the best people I’ve worked with,” adding that when he decided to leave Google for a startup, Pichai was incredibly supportive and offered to help in any
way he could. Rather than have an attitude of indifference, as many of his superiors would have had, he stayed because he empathized with his former colleague’s struggles. Pichai realized this was a man who needed support amidst uncertain times. In huge corporations such as Google, people are often so focused on achievements and promotions that sometimes, they forget the most important human interactions. Possessing these human qualities is what made Pichai stand out, not his rank in the corporation or his apparel game in the office, and this was what ultim ately caught Page’s attention. However, don’t assume that it’s all smooth-sailing onwards. After becoming the CEO of Google, Pichai will face two major problems. First off, Pichai is exceptionally adept at discovering ways to make teams compromise. This management technique will be put under stress in his new role, where he will have to make tough decisions in which both parties may not be happy. Second, not everyone in Google will be thrilled to have Pichai in charge. Pichai rose very fast, and the egos of several members of the Google’s SVP team who have been around a long time are bruised. “Most of Google remembers him (Pichai) in a much more junior role” and “for some old-timers, reporting to the guy that used to be four levels below you is a challenging thing.” It’s never easy to be CEO; it only guarantees more responsibilities and conflicts. However, there is no need for concern; it was his very ability to solve problems in the face of adversity that carried Pichai to where he is now. Putting all of that information back into a lesson for you to take away, what we can learn from Sundar Pichai is that you should never underestimate your ability. You may be behind your peers as of right now, but as long as you keep your head down and work hard, you will eventually earn your way up, maybe even, like Pinchai, surpassing your peers in the process. So go ahead and start working hard now, whether that is to do those math problems one more time or to edit that filthy essay one last time: get started! If you still have fear or doubt, remember this quote from human-relations master Dale Carnegie: “If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” Get busy NT!
Top 10 # 8: Dalhousie by Robert Gott
You probably have some preconceived notions about Dalhousie University. You’ve probably heard that everyone who goes to Dal drinks like a fish, and that the parties there rival those of Western or Queens. I will have you know that our parties are much better. Part of that is because Dal is a pretty spectacular place; located in the heart of Halifax, and only a short 20 minute walk away from anything you could possibly want to do. Killer Thai/Japanese food? Best burgers in Atlantic Canada? A bar scene that will make your friends back in Ontario envious? Check, check and most definitely check. Dal also has a huge number of opportunities to get involved. Do you think NT has a lot of intramurals? Think again. If clubs are your thing, we’ve got enough of them to either bolster your résumé or to just to suit whatever quirky interest you could possibly have. There are teams for sports you didn’t even know existed. And if being a frat bro or a sorority sister is more your thing, Dal has 10 different frats and sororities. Try beating that, Ontario schools. If having a balance of fun and hard work sounds better than breaking your back at a desk; if you’re feeling a little east coast and you think the Tigers life might be the life for you, Dal will welcome you as one of our own.
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When the Media Falls Silent by Hodman Abukar
Remember when several predominantly black churches were set afire around the St. Louis MOIL area during a two week period in mid-October? Neither do I. Sure, at first there was some coverage in the media of the arson, due to the fact that several of the burnings were near the ‘Black Lives Matter’ protesters in Ferguson, Mo. But unlike the last spate of black church burnings this past summer, in which extreme weather played a role in some of the fires, the cases all appear to be the actions of arsonists. The lack of media coverage about these fires has been noticeable, given the media’s hyperactive coverage of the “animal-like” and “hazardous” rioters in Baltimore setting fire to a CVS pharmacy earlier in 2015. When the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup Finals on June 15, 2011, the people who cost the city of Vancouver $5 million dollars in damages and set fire to cars, buildings and more during the riot were not called ‘animals’, nor were they dehumanized. In fact, they were referred to by several networks as “fans who got a little too rowdy.” The dictionary definition of the term rowdy is “noisy and disorderly.” According to reports, at least four people were stabbed and nine police officers were injured. It is reasonable to conclude that this is not simply noisy and disorderly. But when people who are angry and tired of the inequality that continues in their country, act out, they are arrested, gassed and treated like criminals. It’s intriguing that two incredibly similar incidents occurred, and they are treated like completely different situations.
When the Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz killed 150 people, he suffered from ‘depression’ and ‘vision problems.’ When Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black teenager was fatally shot whilst being unarmed, he was “‘no angel’ because he smoked, drank, and rapped.” When a 14-yearold black girl is humiliated and dragged across a classroom in front of her classmates, there is always the possibility that what she had done to deserve this assault was unknown and there was a likelihood of the girl being ‘unruly.’ “It is arson,” St. Louis Fire Department capt. Garon Mosby told Fox News 2 St. Louis. “These [churches] are being intentionally set [aflame].” That being said, it is clear someone has been trying to send a message. According to The Atlantic, these incidents are ‘hyped’ hate crimes and the idea of arsonists targeting black communities whatsoever is a ‘hoax.’ First, we have eerily-silent major media networks, and then, claims that the whole thing is some mass ‘hyperventilater’-lead method of spreading anti-white propaganda.
“These [churches] are being intentionally set [aflame].” The most recent wave of church fires took place in North St. Louis, near Ferguson, where racial tension have been particularly high since the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown. While it is possible these attacks were not
racially motivated, the reality is that the vandalism, destruction, and burning of black churches is a popular tactic among hate groups. The fires spanned from October 10 to October 22. One out of the seven targeted churches was predominantly white. Due to this fact, any allegations that these incidents may have been one big bigoted message directed towards the black community of St. Louis are suddenly irrelevant. This is because the media long ago decided incidents involving mostly those of African descent are not nearly as significant as ones that involving caucasians.“White Privilege doesn’t exist,” a statement you can find virtually everywhere on the internet. If “White Privilege” does not exist, then the next black criminal will be set apart from his or her race, and not continue to perpetuate the stereotype of angry, violent blacks, right? Western media will obviously break their clear pattern and learn from the fallacies they have circulated around the world, won’t they? I hope some day in the near future, the above words will become a reality rather than sarcastic remarks. Give the rise of a new wave of racist violence against black churches, Congress should find ways to better protect places of worship from arson and vandalism. The First Amendment’s guarantee of the people’s right to worship freely should be the only justification needed for immediate action to protect America’s black churches from future acts of racist violence.
Is Canada Headed For Another Recession? by Amy He
A string of dire economic news since the beginning of 2015 has had many of us worried about whether Canada could be on the brink of another downturn. A few months into the year, Canada experienced a multitude of layoffs, especially after Target shut down all of its American stores, and when the oil sector began to face serious troubles. Then, the Bank of Canada shocked Canadians with a surprise interest rate cut and the lonnie has fallen to level of the 2008-2009 Great Recession. The source of Canada’s financial issues? Unemployment is uncomfortably high while oil prices are uncomfortably low. Some believe there is more nuance to the negative growth in the Canadian economy: they say that strong U.S. growth and a weak lonnie will improve the country’s exports and keep Canadians shopping locally, while low interest rates and low gas prices will give them incentive to spend. The lowered loonie was intended to help Canadian manufacturers by making exports cheaper, which to an extent it has. But the shrinking lonnie has also driven up manufacturers’ costs, as many buy supplies and services from abroad.
Canada’s situation doesn’t appear on the path to improving any time soon, with oil prices expected to remain low for the remainder of the year. The word “recession” has creeped into headlines, but economists believe it’s premature for the ‘R’ word despite the two full quarters of shrinkage. If you just returned from an extended two months long summer vacation in the Caribbean, here is to what you have missed.
“The economy is shrinking in the second quarter” The latest report from Statistics Canada showed the economy shrinking again in the second quarter, making it two in a row. This is enough to call it a recession, but optimistic Canadian economists believe that in order to qualify we need to put other factors into perspective, such as job losses. The latest trade report showed a bounce in exports. The jobs report, too, showed a jump, remarkably in full-time positions. This is not to say the labour situation is not depress-
ing, only that the labour market doesn’t suggest a recession. In the meantime, Canadian consumers are plunking down on big-ticket items, indicated by strong home sales and rolling auto sales. It should be simply noted that Porsche sales are up 30 per cent this year in Canada. The Canadian economy does not appear to be in recession, despite satisfying the commonly employed definition of having experienced two consecutive quarters of decline in GDP. A more stringent definition of recession is a period with a sustained and widespread decline in economic activity, a criterion which this downturn does not meet. In July, Canadian GDP witnessed a growth of 0.3%, forecasting a slightly brighter picture for the third quarter output. With all those recession concerns out of the way, what does the future hold? Economic analysts predict that there will be very little economic growth, and that Alberta’s manufacturing sector will continue to suffer. Unemployment will continue to occupy high levels, continuing to hold at 7 per cent.
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Anti-Semitism: An Inside Look by Rowan Smith
When you type in ‘Jewish people should…’, Google will greet you with a wave of appallingly anti-Semitic messages. Attacks on the Jewish community can range from online harassment to physical assault. Many would think that after the atrocities committed upon the Jewish population throughout WWII and its aftermath, rampant and overt anti-Semitism would cease. However, it seems that this type of discrimination never went away. In the extreme cases, discrimination causes casualties to the targeted group in the form of a planned attack. When this occurs, people all over the world quickly learn about the tragedy. Social media allows news to spread like wildfire, giving an opportunity for people to be educated on the issue and to get involved. However, it also gives people a chance to spread lies, slander and ill-timed jokes. Anti-Semitism is a major problem, and while certain people can get a good laugh with Judaism as the butt of the joke, they don’t realize their contribution to a toxic community. A former NT student and blogger was willing to give her opinion on what it’s like to be a young Jewish person in the eve of increasing anti-semitist attacks. Q: When did you first feel, if ever, that you were the victim of anti-Semitism? A: Anti-semitism is not restricted to one age group -- all ages can be complicit. From a very young age I was told to watch out for anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic people. In order to protect myself, I find that I have to be wary of other people, because not everyone is as accepting as many like to believe. It’s something I have been exposed to since a very young age. Q: Is the Anti-Semitism you have experienced mostly in real-life or online? A: Since people have the ability to remain anonymous, they feel like they can attack others online and get away without consequence.
Thinking of tumblr, many Jewish bloggers, including myself, have received hate mail with anti-Semitic messages, or, in more extreme cases, have even been bombarded with pictures of Holocaust victims. The anti-Semitism also tends to spill over in sites where people can remain anonymous. Tumblr, Reddit, and 4chan have been bases for anti-Semitic communities. Q: Why do you think Anti-Semitism continues to this day, even with the increased prominence social justice movements are gaining? A: I feel like many people aren’t educated on Judaism, and so they make assumptions about our beliefs and way of life. They might make jokes based on common stereotypes that they don’t realize are really offensive. They overlook the fact the Jewish people aren’t all of the same ethnic group or cultural group, but is a wide range of ethnicities from different parts in the Middle East. What some Jewish people may not take any offense to, others might. The Jewish community cannot be reduced to a few stereotypes. With more recent stories about vandalism of Jewish property, defacement of Jewish graves, and random violent attacks, it is possible to draw parallels between the situation now and the blatant anti-Semitism Jewish people experienced between 1930-1945. Though 6 million people were murdered, there are those who believe that the Holocaust never happened -- that it’s just propaganda put forward in order to gain pity. Or worse, there are still people who believe that Hitler’s plan was good, and who identify as Neo Nazis with the aim of carrying out Hitler’s goal. However, it’s not just Neo Nazis who still believe that the Jewish community should be segregated. Several signs have popped up in the past few years around Europe saying “No Jews allowed”. Unfortunately it seems that many people still view this as an appropriate message to spread in society.
Q: Do you think enough is being done to stop this? A: Although there are those who actively try to prevent the attacks and vandalism, there is rarely any coverage when it comes to the isolated events. When anti-Semitism is broadcasted or published for others to learn about, it’s usually in linked events or a planned attack has led to several injuries or casualties. The shooting of the kosher grocery store in Paris would be an example of that, it received a lot of attention but several people still lost their lives due to the attack. However if there was more coverage, there would also be greater opportunity for more antiSemitic propaganda, leading only to more hate created off of falsehood. Q: How do you feel about Nazi Sympathizers? A: I feel like the people who are sympathizers are neglecting the crimes done by the Nazis -including the fact that they have been labelled war criminals for a reason. The Nazis destroyed generations of people’s traditions and culture. To push that aside as if it were nothing in order to favour the guilty party is wrong. It’s as if two people got into a fist fight and the observers care more about the person who injuring their hand rather than the person bleeding on the ground. Q: How do you think bystanders can minimize anti-Semitic rhetoric? A: The first step in stopping anti-Semitism at this level would be to speak out against the smaller jokes and to educate the party involved so they can take the information and use it to improve themselves. Knowledge can replace stereotypes and will improve how people view the Jewish community -- proving that different religions can work together. In the Middle East, there are schools that have adopted this way of learning. Instead of having segregated schools, both Muslim and Jewish children are learning about their own cultures and the cultures of others as well, minimizing the rift between younger generations.
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Homo Naledi ...but were too scared to ask. by Allison Suba What is homo naledi? Homo naledi is the most recent addition to the hominid family tree. In case you didn’t know -- hominids are a family of primates that are closely related to humans. Other notable members of this genus are homo sapiens (humans) and homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals).
spelunkers who stumbled across the cavern in 2013. Aware that the caverns are part of a World Heritage Site, they reported their finding to local authorities. Paleoanthropologist Lee Berger was placed in charge of the excavation, and was the first to suggest that they might have found a new species.
Where was homo naledi found? Homo naledi was discovered in the area of South Africa thought to be where humans originated. The specimens were found within a remote cavern in the Rising Star cave complex near Johannesburg. The entrance to the chamber is incredibly small , which has led to the belief that the skeletons were purposefully deposited there.
How old is homo naledi? Bcause the bones haven’t been carbon dated yet, we don’t really know. Carbon dating is extremely destructive to the sample, and won’t be conducted until the bones have been studied further. However, because of it’s many ape-like features, anthropologists suggest that homo naledi is one of the oldest species in the genus, perhaps an ancestor to homo erectus. It has been estimated to have evolved 3 million years ago.
Who discovered homo naledi? Homo naledi was discovered by two amateur
What makes homo naledi different from other spe-
cies? Homo naledi has several unique characteristics. Although it is relatively tall, with an average of 5 feet for males, it has a brain the size of an orange,. Its hips are very primitive, like our earliest ancestors. Its feet and ankles suggest it could walk upright, but it also has curved fingers and dislocatable shoulders. Its morphology is a weird mix between ancient and modern hominid species. So what’s the big deal, anyway? Homo naledi is a new piece to an enormous puzzle. With its addition, we can learn more about early humans and how we evolved. What is particularly intriguing is the possibility of creative thought; it could be the missing link that explains our intelligence and creativity. You might be able to read this article only because homo naledi evolved higher levels of thinking.
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Japan’s Military Expansion by Amy He
Japan is stepping out of seven decades of pacifism as the country’s parliament passed legislation to expand its military powers. The legislation gives Japan the power to involve itself in international conflicts, even under circumstances where Japan is not directly under attack. As an ally of the United States, Japan, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, works toward passing more security bills to strengthen its military cooperation with the U.S.. Under the revised US-Japan Defense Guidelines, which was unveiled in April, the two counties are paving way for more active participation of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. The U.S. strongly supports the legislation and looks forward to cooperation with Japan. Since the U.S. is bound by treaty to defend Japan, Japan now feels the need from international pressure to expand its military role to defend the interests of its close ally, the U.S.The cabinet justified their move by saying that the new measure will allow Japan to contribute to international peace and security through a strong and vital alliance with the U.S. Japan’s move in defending its national interest is also justified by increasing threat from its neighbor, North Korea, which warned the U.S. and its allies that it is “ready to use nuclear weapons at any time”.
Supporters in the parliament asserted that in this rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, Japan should defend its national interests more actively. However, this controversial bill sparked vocal oppositions and massive demonstrations in Tokyo streets. Tens of thousands of anti-war demonstrations occurred outside the Japanese Parliament building in recent weeks. The demonstration is the largest of its kind in Japan in more than fifty years. Legal scholars argue the legislation violate Japan’s pacifist constitution. Many fear that the legislation will break seven decades’ of pacifism without public debate.
And they also fear that the vague wording of the legislation could drag Japan into foreign wars, instead of what Abe said, “to prevent wars”. Nineteen-year-old Shunichiro Kobayashi said, “I am worried that economic draft will become more realistic in the future.” Other opponents are worried about the economic cost of the expanding military at a time when Japan is
still struggling with chronic economic stagnation. Japan’s defense spending is going to rise 2.2%, and that allows Japan defense companies to sell to new markets. A recent poll shows that 54% of respondents opposed the legislation. Japan’s defense strategies also provoked concern among China and South Korea, which Japan had already been engaged in regional disputes. As Japan reemerges on the military stage, whether it will use its force with discretion will be an important question. The intention of the legislation should be to promote regional peace, security, stability, rather than the opposite. But U.S.’s strong support of the legislation provides some reasonable suspicion for China, since China and Japan have already involved in disputes around South China seas. The relationship between Japan and China had already been strained and Japan’s move to expand its military could make the situation even more intense. Concerns from China regarding Japan’s use of force to obtain Chinese territories are not completely without evidence. The real intentions Japan, more accurately, Abe and the cabinet have for the legislation are still mixed.
Bill C-51 & 24
by Anastasia Zaritovskaya We are used to blindly believing that Canada is a democratic and free country. We are told that in this country everyone is equal and is unconditionally guaranteed basic rights. But, on a closer look, it turns out that Canada is not exactly what it positions itself as. By now, some people have heard about Bill C-24 and Bill C-51. The latter was introduced at the end of January, and set out to extend Canada’s anti-terror laws beyond the legislation proposed just after 9/11. C-51 would facilitate sharing information among 17 federal institutions, give police power to preventatively detain or restrict terror suspects without a warrant, ban the “promotion of terrorism,” allow the public safety minister to add people to Canada’s “no-fly list,” and enhance the powers of Canada’s spy agency, CSIS. This doesn’t sound so bad, right? Sure, unless you really consider what this is all about. Giving police the power to arrest a person at their will can start blatant racial discrimination. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “Violent jihadism harms Canada.” C-51 will make it easier for the government to rationalize its bias towards muslims and Islamic organizations. Furthermore, C-51 gives more power to the spying agency, CSIS. Essentially, the government will have more freedom to store, analyze and share anyone’s personal data. What it means is: anything you’re doing on your PC or phone could potentially be tracked down and viewed as a possible threat. Also, by imple-
menting Bill C-51, the government will violate pretty much all the basic freedoms depicted in the Charter of Rights. These include: religion, expression, media, association, and the most sacred one, thought. Even the freedom of thought could be stepped-over, since the spy agencies will be allowed to track text messages, calls and the browsing history. We all text what we think, right? This is how even your freedom of thought could be violated. “While the potential to know virtually everything about everyone may well identify some new threats, the loss of privacy is clearly excessive,” Canada’s privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien wrote. I doubt that knowing this, many of us, along with the rest of Canada, will be embracing this bill. However now, this bill is a legit law.
“Is Canada truly democratic?” You might say, ‘’Well, it doesn’t really impact me directly; I’ve never done anything illegal. I’ve got nothing to hide.” Sure, if you’re fine with your confidential info being stored, analyzed and shared, you’re fine. But C-51’s mean older brother, Bill C-24, might impact you directly. A controversial provision of Bill C-24 recently came into effect, allowing the government to revoke Canadian citizenship. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Association of Refugee
Lawyers (CARL) said the rules that went into effect when Bill C-24 became a law in May created a two-tiered system in which naturalized Canadians with dual nationals are treated as second-class. Plus, the bill changes the procedure by which immigrants and refugees can get their citizenship, meaning the bill could have an impact on millions of people. Additionally, under C-24 higher fees for citizenship applications are placed upon people. The much-publicized position is that the bill is necessary to protect Canada from terrorism, but it also brings a lot more problems to regular residents. “All Canadian citizens used to have the same citizenship rights no matter what their origin,” B.C. Civil Liberties Association Executive Director Josh Paterson said. C-24, also a law since 2014, by revoking citizenship from dual nationals, implies a violation to immigrants’ and refugees’ rights. Needless to say -- a huge part of the Canadian population is made up of immigrants. So, why not make life easier for them? Instead, the government does quite the very opposite. Speaking from a personal perspective I, myself, am an immigrant, and can speak for many others like me who wouldn’t like to be seen or treated as second-class citizens. Isn’t Canada supposed to be unbiased? The two Bills (now laws) undermine the country’s identity, violate its Constitution and basic civil rights, which positions Canada as highly hypocritical.
Journalism for Human Rights Feminism Deconstructed >> LGBTQ Youth [ JHR ] >> in Russia >> Social Justice at NT >> MORE
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The F - Word by Susan Lin
Over the past few centuries, the F-word has been popping into our lives more frequently, whether it’s through TV, books, or a casual conversation. After reading a book about the F-word this past summer, I am fascinated by the idea that women throughout the last couple centuries are realizing they need to stand up for what they want and what they believe in. I realize that not everyone knows the definition of feminism (Yes, feminism- not the other word that you all think I’m writing about) and what it holds for the following decades to come. Therefore, I strongly believe that it’s very important for young people around the world to understand what it actually means to be a feminist. According to Google dictionary, “feminism is a range of movements and ideologies that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment.” The word [feminism] first originated from the women’s suffrage movement during the 1920s which helped women gain the right to vote in federal elections. This movement was considered to be the “first wave of feminism” which later paved the way for many other feminist movements like the “social movement” during the 1960s and 70s. Women during the 1960s-70s women were still very restricted by social barriers that blocked them from entering male dominated jobs, such as being a doctor. This second wave of feminists fought for social equality. Third wave feminism is said
to have begun around the 1990s and continues on to the present day. These women fight for the inclusion of other women of different colour and cultures, focus how the media portrays women, and are, at most, an expansion of the second wave. When I was little, whenever I heard the word feminism, it seemed full of negativity and hatred. It seemed to be a word that caused people unhappiness. To this day, the word feminism still seems to have a negative connotation that is forcefully dragging onto the leg and not wanting to let go.
“Woman will always be dependent until she holds a purse of her own.” To clarify, feminism is not about the need to excel against men in any way, shape, or form. Feminism promotes equal rights and does not restrict women from being held back in their lives due to their gender. Fannie Hurst once said, “A woman has to be twice as good as a man to go half as far.” While this is an issue in modern society, I hope that changes will be made to ensure a bright and healthy future for young girls everywhere. Feminism is about getting rid of the stereotypes that exist in today’s culture. It is about helping the women in music to be able to write songs about their feelings and not have people thinking they can call her horrible, nasty and awful names. It’s about supporting the young
girl whose dream is to grow up and become an engineer, but feels as if she is an abnormality in that field of work due to the gender stigma that remains attached to that job. It’s about assisting the single mother who tries to make ends meet by working as hard as men working in the same sectored job, but getting paid nearly 25% less. One time, my mother couldn’t even register for a card from a wholesale furniture store because she got told from the lady on the phone that “your husband needs to be the one to register.” With all the newly advanced technology and the blooming urban cities, do not think that there isn’t gender discrimination anymore because there still is lots of it. Being a feminist doesn’t mean you have to act masculine and tough. Being a feminist means that you support the other women around you and find your own path to success, as well as not be a bystander when sexist jokes are made. Due to this reason, I believe that everyone has the ability to become a feminist. As I, and many others, become more and more influenced by some of the most powerful and famous celebrity feminists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Emma Watson, who have all taken a stand and have spoken out about their own beliefs and struggles. I believe that our generation can be the ones to set things straight. From the wise words of Elizabeth Stanton, “Women will always be dependent until she holds a purse of her own.”
Harper and Human Rights by Charlie Littler
With the recent Liberal victory it is easy to bid “good riddance” to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and move on. However, in doing so we fail to take advantage of this shift in government to assess the shortcomings of The Conservative Government and ensure that Trudeau’s government takes measures to reverse the negative impact Harper’s nine years in power had on Canada. It’s no secret that Stephen Harper’s conservative government has done an underwhelming job in protecting and upholding the rights of Canadians and many are unaware of the impact he had on Canada. In July, The United Nations released a report expressing their discontent regarding the Harper Government’s actions concerning the rights of minorities or underrepresented populations in Canada. Focusing specifically on their report of women’s rights, it is clear that the Conservative government has done little to aid in the issues faced by Canadian women. The report stated that there was concern regarding the significant gender based wage gap and the distinct lack of women in
leadership positions. Recent statistics stated that despite the labour force being comprised of 48% women, only 0.32% held senior management positions, a statistic that has only increased 4% since 1987, and actually experienced a drop after Harper’s election in 2006. This questions the effectiveness of the Harper government when it is clear that there was actually a decrease in progress during his time in power. In fact, rather than remaining neutral on the subject of women’s rights, in 2006 Harper removed the word “equality” from the mandate of the status of women in Canada.
How conservative policy (or lack thereof) has damaged Canadians In short, his position on women’s rights could not have been clearer if he have directly proclaimed his disregard for the issue. However, the Conservative government has done more than just hinder the progress of
women’s rights for the past decade. Between 2000 and 2008, 10% of female homicides were represented by aboriginal women when aboriginal women only accounted for 3% of women in Canada. This sounds bad to begin with, but, as with all things Harper, it only gets worse. That statistic had risen by 6% by 2013, yet in 2014 Stephen Harper stated that the issue “[wasn’t] really high on [his] radar to be honest.” It may be hard to see the importance a former Prime Minister’s policies, but amid the celebration of a Liberal government lays a daunting challenge for Justin Trudeau. He must attempt to mend the damaged relationship between First Nations and Canada that occurred as a result of Harper. Within the last weeks, Trudeau has already launched an official investigation into the cases. What the conservative government could not do in nine years, Justin Trudeau has begun just days after his election. It’s time for him to finally show Canada “what good politics looks like”.
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A Mask of Equity by Tara Sanayei
It’s the “frog in boiling pot of water” analogy we see time and again. If a frog is placed in a boiling pot of water, it will immediately sense the danger and jump out. However, if the water is gradually heated, the threat will not become apparent to the frog until it is too late. Banning the niqab might seem like a minor issue now with little repercussions or consequences. However, it’s where this is headed, and the profoundly racist intentions that are hidden within it, that is concerning. In simpler terms, we’re in the water, and the heat keeps turning up. With most of Canada unfamiliar with Islamic religion and culture, it’s not uncommon to be confused on exactly what the problem is. This has led many Canadians to blindly support the ban on niqabs, claiming it would help Muslim women to escape the oppression it represents. As undoubtedly charming as it is that Canada is full of cape wearing vigilantes, it’s not needed. Without extensive knowledge of Islam and Muslim culture, it’s easy to think the niqab is worn for the same reasons it was worn thousands of years ago. The niqab was first enforced on women in parts of the Middle East in hopes that keeping them covered would ensure men would be able to “control themselves”. A horrible practice, yes, but that is a larger problem that than the niqab. The niqab is a product of this ideology, not the cause. What we have to understand is that although the niqab was created out of a form of oppression, it is not the reason it is worn today. In Canada, women are not forced to wear the
niqab and do so on their own will. No one is threatening them to wear it as many seem to believe. Its tainted past can play tricks on our eyes, leaving us to believe the niqab is made out of chains, rather than cloth. After leaving behind almost every aspect of their culture by moving to Canada, for some women the niqab can be a form of cultural familiarity. What once represented oppression to many of these women now represents cultural freedom. Art by Steven K
Stephen Harper tried to take the same vigilante approach as many Canadians, masquerading his racism with a desire to help. In a shameless representation of wedge politics, the niqab became one of his main policies. He devoted time and effort into trying to ban niqab in order to “protect” Muslim women from a culture that is “anti-women”. If Mr. Harper claims he is so passionate about protecting Muslim women, why is every part of his platform a plot to further demoralize them? Where was this passion when he personally turned down Muslim refugee applications? He famously defended his position by saying that he “will never tell [his] daughter that a woman must cover her face in public”. This is a problem that started by telling women what to wear, and a problem that will not end by telling women what to wear.
The debate began when it was brought into question whether women should be able to wear a niqab while taking the oath of citizenship. A common and inaccurate argument surfaced time and again proclaiming that without seeing the women’s faces, we wouldn’t be able to see who we were letting into Canada. However, Canada’s current court system would not allow this to ever be the case. Before swearing the oath, anyone pursuing citizenship must identify his or her face. Women who are not comfortable revealing their face in public, are given the option to privately identify themselves to a female Canadian official. The actual oath of citizenship is purely for tradition.
This whole issue has brought light upon how we deal with oppression in our country. Our solution is to fight that very oppression with none other than, well, oppression. It’s as if a violent fight were to break out on the street, and we’re all discussing whether we should stop it using knives, guns, or our own fists. The nonsensical hostility that endorses the ban on niqabs reveals that there is an overwhelming disagreement on what Canadian values are. Although multiculturalism is seen as a core Canadian value to many, some find that the full acceptance of different ethnic groups challenges their vision of Canada. After all, the women who wear a niqab have a slot for their eyes so they can see; and those who oppose it are completely blinded by it.
SOCIAL JUSTICE CLUBS AT NT by Anastasia Zaritovskaya
Promote equality, freedom, and compassion all while being a part of North Toronto! NT has many clubs that address the hot topics of social justice and equality, but they often go unnoticed. This article will shine the spotlight to some of North Toronto’s clubs that focus on social issues and activism. We, as students, can do great things for the world if we get involved, and these clubs give us that opportunity. So next time you see an opening in your schedule, don’t just sit there – become a part of one of NT’s budding social justice clubs. Free the Children Description: Free the Children is both an awareness-raising and a fund-raising club, representing the sister charity organizations of Free the Children and MetoWe. Free the Children is essential to the NT community in order to help raise the voices of those that are silenced and help students become well-informed, rounded, and unique agents of global change. They run several campaigns throughout the year, raising awareness on several human rights issues, as well as fundraising for conflicts around the world and in the NT community. One of the campaigns of this year is the October We Scare Hunger campaign, which collects items for a massive food drive collection. What they do:
How to get involved: The club
meetings are every Tuesday at 12:00 in room 226. The ‘club team’ plans for events and fundraisers as well as discusses ways to be better global citizens. For those who are unable to commit to weekly meetings, there is the ’action team’, which helps with fundraising events.
Students for Social Equity Description: Students for Social Equity hosts discussions once a week about social justice and current events. They also have been involved with charity week in the past.
Get involved!
Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Description: The GSA club that aims to eliminate homophobia and transphobia within the school and the community. They endeavor to create an environment that is accepting and encouraging to LGBTQ+ students. It is a club that is welcoming to everyone, no matter their sexual orientation. What they do: The GSA’s goals for this
This year, Students for Social Equity will create a lot more initiatives throughout the school to raise awareness about the club beyond their own members. This year, they want to set up a book drive to raise awareness about youth/children in poverty in Toronto, become more involved with this year’s charity week, and create more initiatives to discuss the social issue that the charity is addressing. What they do:
How to get involved: Students for
Social Equity meets on Thursdays at lunch in room 333.
year are to increase awareness about the diversity of gender identity and trans individuals, as well as to eliminate stigma surrounding pride and being an ally. Some activities that they run are grade nine workshops on acceptance, making posters with LGBTQ related terms and definitions as well as posters promoting a positive space. Also, they’re going to a conference in November, planning queer movie nights, and for pride week, they run a series of events like fun workshops and a beach party. How to get involved: The GSA
meets on Tuesdays in room 221 at lunch. They also have an anonymous queer only group. For information on it you can message Tegan Ht on Facebook.
The Dark Reality of Russian LGBT Youth by Olivia Willows Although homosexuality was decriminalized in 1993, and transgendered people are legally able to undergo sexual reassignment surgery and change their names on legal documents, the LGBTQA+ community still faces great social and political discrimination in Russia. Homosexuality has been classified as a “mental illness” since 1999, and currently, there are no laws protecting the community from discrimination, and in more extreme cases, violent hate crimes. More recently, in June 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin passed a bill banning, “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors.” The law was passed with the intent of protecting minors from the LGBT community, which the Russian government has deemed dangerous. Under the new law, it has now become illegal to hold gay pride events, speak in favor of gay rights, or say that gay relationships are equal to heterosexual relationships in the presence of minors. Russian gay-right activists, however, accuse this new law of inciting homophobia, discrimination and violence towards Russia’s LGBTQA+ citizens. In recent polls, for example, it was determined that 85% of Russian citizens do not support same-sex marriage, and the majority of Russians support laws discriminating against LGBTQA+ people. What’s more, a surge of homophobic hate-groups have emerged following the new law, often targeting gay men. One group, called Occupy Pedophilia has become notorious for using social media to lure gay men into traps, only to humiliate them
and post subsequent videos on the Internet where they gain ‘likes.’ Unsurprisingly, Russian authorities do nothing to punish the perpetrators or support the victims of these hate-crimes, and those brave enough to report them are often dismissed or mocked. Given this, the following question begs; in a country where homophobia is entrenched in society, and homosexuality is equated with pedophilia and danger, how can queer youth feel even remotely safe or accepted? Regardless of the country in which they reside, the adolescent years for those who identify on the LGBTQA+ spectrum can be a confusing and difficult time. One must come to terms with their sexual and gender identity, and some face the hard decision of coming out to their families and peers. Supporting queer teens is vital, and those in Russia are being deprived of the support they need. The government is telling these teenagers that their sexual orientations are a result of “mental illness,” and their desire to love someone of the same gender is so “vile” and “wrong,” that their peers must be shielded from it. By supporting laws that discriminate against LGBTQA+ people, society is sending a message that by coming out, queer youth run the risk of putting their personal safety in danger. According to one NT student who identifies on the LGBTQA+ spectrum, it’s extremely important for queer teens to be able to safely come out, as once you do, “[you are] able to be true to yourself, and you can befriend the people in your life that will accept you and love you for the long run.” But queer youth in Russia
may feel as though they are not able to come out, and thus they are unable to find other youth to share their experiences with. In fact, according to Advocate, a LGBT online newspaper, one Russian LGBT youth support group has been charged with violating the country’s antipropaganda laws. The group, called Children 404, was hosted on Facebook and was a space where queer youth could come together and freely discuss the implications of living in a homophobic society. The Facebook group was one of the last of its kind, and now queer youth are without yet another important resource. A Russian Researcher at Human Rights Watch, Tanya Cooper, told one newspaper that she is afraid the entrenched homophobia and lack of resources for queer youth will have enormous repercussions on the mental health of these teens. The country already has a suicide rate three times the international average, a figure she fears will only increase due to the increasing homophobia in the nation. Queer youth in Russia are in a grim situation. As a result of the anti-propaganda laws, they are left without vital resources and are being deprived of gay pride events in which they can express and accept themselves. After being told of the circumstances in Russia, Jordana Stal, a NT student, responded by stating, “[The anti-propaganda laws] basically make anyone who identifies as being LGBTQ feel as though there’s something wrong with who they are. It makes them feel bad for something that they have absolutely no control over, which can negatively affect their mental health.”
Top 10 # 9: Fifth Year by Jack Baker
During my grade 12 year, I found that there was a lot being thrown at me at once. Assignments would pile up, and I would begin hating subjects I always used to love. School started to seem less like it was about my ability to learn and understand, and more like it was about my ability to cram and go without sleep. Looking for a way to relieve the stress brought on by a fast paced learning environment, I decided to take a fifth year. By doing this, I was able to cut my course load down to something much more manageable. School became about learning the content, instead of about asking, “will that be on the test?” Not only did making the choice to take a fifth year grant me more sleep and more time to myself, but it helped me to enjoy learning again.
No Child Unscarred
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by Anastasia Zaritovskaya Art by Amy Z
Currently, there are approximately 7 million displaced refugees within Syria, with more than 3 million fleeing to other countries. The Syrian refugee crisis has affected many people. However, no one talks about the youngest, the precious young people that have been forced to fight for survival. Out of the 12 million refugees that were displaced from their homes, half are children. Children, whose lives and mental health can never be repaired. The damage during these types of crises to an adult’s psyche is, of course, traumatic, but to a child the aftermath is horrendous. A huge number of changes occur within a child’s mind from birth up until puberty, some of which are irreversible. Their identities are shaped from these experiences, which later affects their psychological state as well as how they exist within society. We all know that young children can be very impressionable - this is the argument many parents use when restricting their child’s exposure to violent scenes in movies and the media. But what happens when you can’t just turn the TV or a computer off? What happens when this horror becomes reality? As mentioned before, there is an unbelievable amount of children who have been thrown out of their homes, many separated from their families and forced to witness horrors no child should ever have to see. You don’t have to be a scientist to understand that their psychology is already changing from these experiences, and not in a way that will benefit them; many have had to quit school, become malnourished and abused, fight illness and the list goes on. By no societal norm is this right for anyone. Living in anxiety and fear has become normal for them with their mental health forever damaged by the horrors of their reality. These children can no longer rely on anyone to protect them, because many children who have not been separated from their parents have had to witnessed their parent’s deaths. Even the children living relatively safely are not mentally stable because their post-traumatic stress is not easily treated. This is a much bigger issue than we realize. Children are the future and that future is not looking bright now. The children of the Syrian refugee crisis are on the fast track to becoming an invisible “lost generation”, with their psyche undergoing unrepairable damage.
arts & culture [Arts & Culture]
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>> A Fall Movie Guide >> UPCOMING T.O. EVENTS >> Key Wardrobe Pieces >> MORE
Fall Movie Guide
by Noor Gaya, Chantelle Nejnec, Dana Abou Zaki Spectre A fan of the old Bond, James Bond? Then go see SPECTRE. In the movie, 007 discovers the organization SPECTRE not long after his past leads him to new places. He finds himself in need of the daughter of an old enemy to journey into the heart of SPECTRE, during which surprising connections occur. This is definitely a top pick, and if you are a fan of action then this is the film for you. Miss You Already In Miss You Already, two lifelong best friends have gone through everything together. However, they face incredible hardships when one’s life only just begins by starting a family, and the other’s starts to face her probable end. Grab your closest pal and a tissue box to see this movie. Ronaldo Diehard soccer fan? You don’t have to be to know this guy. Anyone who doesn’t live under a rock knows Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid forward. Three time Ballon D’Or winner. Portugal National Team forward. Former Manchester United player. Those are just some of many accomplishments over his twelve year career. And now, his first ever documentary filmed over fourteen months will give you an inside look into the life of this footballer, father, and friend during the peak of his career. Whether you’re a diehard Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo fan or just want to stare at his beautiful face for an hour and 45 minutes, see Ronaldo in theatres. The 33 The 33 is based on the true story of 33 Chilean mine workers who in 2010, became trapped when a gold mine collapsed 2000 feet deep. A rescue team worked day and night for 69 days to save the men, but beneath the rocks the miners embark on a quest to survive living in suffocating heat and a complete lack of food and water. Starring Antonio Banderas and Jennifer Lopez, this captivating movie will leave you in tears. Everyone come out to see the incredible true story. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 Katniss Everdeen, known as the “Mockingjay,” and District 13 lead a revolution against the Capitol and President Snow. If you’re a fan of the books and a lover of bread, romance, and archery, check out the last movie of the series on November 20th. This is not one you’ll want to miss. The Night Before Three friend’s annual Christmas tradition comes to an end when one of them learns he is expecting a child and the other gets a sudden break in the entertainment industry. Since this Christmas is their last Christmas together, they decide to make it the best one yet. From the people who brought you Neighbours and (almost) The Interview, here’s The Night Before starring Seth Rogan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. With special guests like Miley Cyrus and the great Kanye West, this movie will be one of the most talked about movies of the year. Check it out on November 20th. Star Wars Big fan of stars? Even bigger fan of wars? Then you should see the newest edition to the world renown series, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The plot will not be based on Star Wars Legends, rather an original story based on Return of the Jedi. The cast will be a mix of new and old, including Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac. The movie is set to be released on December 18th. So, grab a pal and watch one of the most anticipated movies this year. May the force be with you. Daddy’s Home Coming out on December 25th, Daddy’s Home will be starring two of hollywood’s iconic comedy stars; Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell. This comedy is about a radio executive (Will Ferrell) trying to become the best step dad to his wife’s two children. Unfortunately for him, their biological father (Mark Wahlberg), a badass freeloader, arrives and causes complications. The two end up competing for the affection of the children. If you have nothing to do on Christmas day because a) you don’t celebrate it or b) you open your presents really quickly and have a whole day of nothing planned, you and your favourite people should head down to Cineplex and enjoy this amusing film.
Something Different...Again by Anastasia Zaritovskaya In 1991, Daniel Hirst stuck a dead 14-foot tiger shark in formaldehyde, put it in a vitrine, and declared it a work of art. It was later sold for more than $8 million dollars. Seven years later, Tracey Emin sold her bed with various bedroom objects lying around for more than $230,000. Is this what we consider “revolutionary” art? Is this “great”? Contemporary and postmodern art has long been a subject for discussion. There are many examples of interesting pieces, but unfortunately there are many, many more of facepalm-worthy works that are all the same, without any new ideas.
Modern art was a movement between the 1860s and the 1970s, which at the time had a spirit of experimentation (not something said about its contemporary counterpart). Growing simpler and simpler each time, postmodernism struggles to create something new that the world has yet seen. It is interesting how much more interactive art has recently become. Take, for example, this year’s Nuit Blanche. The pieces all relied on the viewer. There was a work that involved the viewer playing music into a microphone that came out of a speaker. The focus of the art was the viewers themselves. The price of a painting
isn’t determined by how well it is done or what ideas are rendered in it, but by the popularity of the artist. There are many types of postmodern art, but all of them have one thing in common; they all rely the ability to invoke a strong emotional reaction, usually negative, in the viewer, or simply shock value. Daniel Hirst’s shark shock value was in the gruesomeness of his work. We, as a society, have become so accustomed to art being shocking that we deem any art that isn’t exploiting some gruesome emotion as “boring.” What happened to the days when art was not done for the viewer, but for the artist?
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Upcoming T.O. Events
by Victoria Stafford and Olivia Willows 1. Adele Album Release: Maybe you’re tired of Hello by now–most of us are. But don’t worry! You now have ten other songs to overplay. On November 20th, Adele will release her new album, 25, after being silent for practically four years. 2. Toronto Christmas Market: Deck the Halls! Only 37 days and counting and Toronto is already getting ready for Christmas in full force. From November 20 to December 20 the Distillery District is hosting the Toronto Christmas Market. 3. The Bahamas at Massey Hall: Famous for their songs Lost in the Light and All the Time, The Bahamas are playing on November 27 at Massey Hall. 4. ODESZA at the Sound Academy: Maybe not the most ideal day for an electronic concert, but to each their own. On Sunday, November 29th, ODESZA is playing at the Sound Academy. We won’t blame you if you don’t show up to school on Monday. 5. The Who at the ACC: We are so excited. Classic British rock band, The Who, is at the Air Canada Centre on December 2nd. Maybe it’s just the best Christmas gift ever, or a rockin’ Wednesday night. 6. Cage the Elephant Album Release: You probably only know that one song, but now you can learn many more! Check out Cage the Elephant’s new Album, Tell Me I’m Pretty, being released on December 18th. 7. Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens: If you are even thinking about attending this movie within the first week of it’s release, pre-order a ticket right now. Seriously, put down this newspaper and buy your ticket. The long awaited new Star Wars film, Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens, will be coming to theatres on December 18th. 8. Sisters: Comedy duo Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will be starring in new blockbuster, Sisters, coming to theatres on December 18th..If you couldn’t get into Star Wars, go see this movie. 9. Joy: Jennifer Lawrence is back! The young actor will be starring in a new movie, Joy, coming to theatres Christmas day. A great alternative to Christmas dinner if you’re sick of spending time with your family. 10. Vance Joy at Massey Hall: Ride the riptide (#sorrynotsorry) all the way down to Massey Hall on January 26 to see this cute Australian in all his live glory.
Exploring the Korean Wave: K-Pop by Christina Wen and Yejin Sung You’ve all likely heard of Psy’s Gangnam Style. Who could forget it? The 2012 sensation has over two billion views on YouTube, and was the first YouTube video to break one billion views. The hilarious video left the world doing the infamous horse dance, creating a worldwide trend that lasted for years. It’s one of the most famous examples of K-pop, also known as Korean pop music. K-Pop started out as a small musical niche in Korea, but has recently turned into an international sensation and is now a leader in breaking cultural and language barriers by introducing East-Asian music to an audience of all backgrounds. The genre is something that many fans can relate to, admire, and be proud of. But there’s much more to K-pop than Gangnam style. Even if you may not notice it, it’s a part of our culture. In fact, one of the most talented K-pop sensations, Henry Lau, attended NT during his freshman year and even worked with our very own Ms. Pady. Some of you may have even attended the sold-out BigBang Toronto concert that took place a couple weeks ago. For the hardcore Kanye West fans, you might have heard of his collaboration with Korean band, JYJ, when he tried to expand his fanbase to Asia in 2010. And perhaps you have watched the Pitch Perfect 2 trailer, which features BigBang’s song, Fantastic Baby. But why is K-Pop such a global phenomenon and what sets the industry apart? The functioning of the music industry itself is very different. Artists not only sing, they rap, dance, and act as well. Most artists are also multilingual, and they can speak Korean in addition to Mandarin, English, and/or Japanese. And, Korean bands are much larger to their counterparts in America. Most bands in Korea consist of anywhere from 5 to 12 people, and
each member plays their own important role in their band. There’s the leader, the visual (the most attractive), main vocalist/dancer/rapper, and maknae, who is the youngest member. As for the bands themselves, they have an incredibly dedicated and loyal fan base. Each fan club not only has their own unique name, but a specific colour. You may hear fans use the term “bias,” which refers to their favourite member. In most cases, each artist has been trained since their teen years to fit these roles of a band for anywhere from five to ten years. They are recruited from an early age through talent searches conducted by record labels and companies. By the time they’re ready to debut, they’ve mastered their skills in their assigned area. While this practice is looked down upon in America as being too ‘processed,’ it has worked well in Kpop so far; both commercially and artistically.
Why is K-pop a global phenomenon? The number one reason is, of course, the music. Though it may seem strange to listen to music to which you don’t understand the lyrics, K-pop proves that music is truly a universal language. The language barrier doesn’t stop the fans from singing along, nor does it compromise the popularity of the song. In fact, it further enhances the music. Fans can concentrate on the quality of the music while translating the meaning of the lyrics. A close second is the dancing. There is a certain satisfaction to watching people dance so fluidly and in sync. It’s just another way for K-pop artists to prove their talent. Also, the unique fashion is a contributor to the success of K-pop. Fans love the flashy and daring outfits and coloured hair because it sets them apart from other celebrities. Then there’s the band members who work hard and put themselves out there to connect with their
fans. Their charm, individual personalities, hard work and willingness to please their fans is what makes them so admirable to many. K-pop fans love the creativity and uniqueness of the genre–the ability to express oneself artistically through all the elements: music, dance, fashion, and personality. If you’re ready to become a fan, but don’t know where to start, do not fret. Here’s a “Beginner’s Guide to K-pop” for those interested. Here are the top 10 K-pop music videos that every fan should watch:
1. BigBang’s Fantastic Baby 2. Henry Lau’s Trap 3. 2NE1’s I AM THE BEST 4. TVXQ’s Catch Me 5. EXO’s Overdose 6. BTS’s Dope 7. Brown Eyed-Girls’ Abracadabra 8. SNSD’s I GOT A BOY 9.SHINee’s Sherlock 10. Super Junior’s MAMACITA
Art by Hana A
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What To Save Your Nickels On by Victoria Stafford
“The Law of Diminishing Returns” defines that there is a point at which increasing the input does not increase the output. At least I think that’s what it means – I never took economics. Despite this, I can confirm that there will come a point when the clothes you buy will no longer be worth what you’re spending. My closet has seen a parade of unworn impulse-buys, expensive T-shirts and shoes that were worn once before they were given the heave to the curb. While I regret spending $35 on a frilly T-shirt I wore once before I “misplaced” it, there are some things in life worth spending money on. Even if you have to babysit five Friday nights, save your money and buy one pair of comfortable, quality shoes. I don’t quite remember when it happened, but since the return of running shoes to the runway, I have never been more comfortable and more willing to spend money at Sport Chek (I own too many pairs of running shoes for someone who hasn’t taken gym since grade nine).
Welcome to “The Jean-Bracket,” the price range between $50 and $150 in which the ideal price for jeans lies (refer back to “Law of Diminishing Returns”). After $150, you are paying for expensive discomfort, and before $50 you are left with a bagging, fading, worn out mess. Khakis and other pants are a “buy one sale” type of purchase. Leggings are worth the money. Poor quality leggings pill, bag, fade and fall down. You won’t wear them and you’ll have spent money on a vaguely-black pair of tights that will become pyjamas. There are tees, button downs, pullovers, sports bras (I’m counting them as tops, they go on your torso), cardigans, and sweatshirts. Basics such as tee shirts, tank tops, and plain longsleeve shirts do not need to be a bank-breaking endeavour. I own the same shirt in three different colours, which cost a total of $15. And, until today I don’t think anyone noticed or cared. Sweatshirts should be reserved for team
4. Alvvays The band was able to engage the entire audience and get everyone to dance along to their poppy tunes throughout their short, 45 minute set. Lead singer Molly Rankin’s voice powered throughout the crowd. The intimacy of the smaller stage definitely added to my enjoyment, and I left Alvvay’s set having had a great time. You can support your local Toronto talent and see the band at the Danforth Music Hall on December 11th and 12th. 3. Hotchip The British electronic band has the unique ability to produce catchy, dance inducing songs all while playing actual instruments. They are not just two dudes with a computer, assaulting your ears with horrific noises (sorry,
Happy spending.
by Eyal Wilk
by Olivia Willows
5. St. Vincent: Formally known as Annie Clark, St. Vincent is an American indie-rock artist and girlfriend of well-known model/actress Cara Delevingne. While huddled in the crowd listening to her play on that warm Saturday afternoon, one thing was apparent; this girl can play guitar, and play it very, very well. Throughout her 11song set, I found my eyes glued her hands as she gracefully maneuvered them along her guitar. While playing guitar, she was also carrying out immaculate choreography, shuffling her feet in an almost moonwalk-esque manner, perfectly timed with her accompanying bassist. Of the 11 songs played, most of them were from her most recent album, Digital Witness. She opened her set with indie-hit Birth in Reverse, closed with Bring Me Your Love, and stashed Prince Johnny right in the middle.
While these rules are not the be-all and endall, they can act as a baseline for future spending. There are exceptions to every rule, and there are rules that will be left for another day with more column space. But, the most important part is recognising when you are impulse shopping. It’s okay to be selfish with your own money; it is your money to spend. Clothes are fun and important as you, hopefully, wear them every day. Good luck, NT. Remember, bras come first.
Top 10 # 10: McGill
Best of: Osheaga Usually when you have to wake up at 5:30 in the morning, you don’t imagine ending that same day rapping along to the words of your favourite Kendrick Lamar song in a crowd of 100 000 people. After some careful consideration, I have compiled a list of the top five musical acts I saw play at Osheaga 2015.
or school clothing. Anything cropped should be half the price of a regular shirt because honestly, it’s half a shirt. Button downs require a bit more effort because iffy ones can feel like a paper bag. Jackets and coats are a must – we live in Canada. And I beg of you, spend money on bras.
EDM fans), but rather a comprehensive band of trained musicians, who play their music live. Throughout their hour-long set, the band played some of their biggest hits including One Life Stand and Over And Over. They altered some of their songs so much they were almost completely unrecognizable – and sometimes this can be a challenge for diehard fans – but I didn’t stop dancing throughout the entire set. 2. Weezer The 90’s rock band knew that most people were not looking to hear their new (and arguably terrible) music, the crowd wanted to hear the ionic melodies of Beverly Hills, Say It Ain’t So, and Hash Pipe. All these and many more classic Weezer tunes were played during the band’s 13-song set. Lead vocalist, Rivers Cuomo, brought out his adorable children to accompany the band for two songs–his daughter playing the keyboard, and his younger son rocking out on an inflatable guitar. The entire audience was simultaneously singing every word of a song, and the overall environment was charged, as every single person appeared to be having a remarkable time. What’s more fun than belting out the words of Buddy Holly with 100 000 other people? 1. Glass Animals First there was Radiohead. Next alt-J. And now, Glass Animals. If you like the atmospheric sounds of the prior two bands, you will most certainly enjoy Glass Animals. Fortunately, the band played at the same intimate stage at which I saw Alvvays, and their short set was nothing shy of spectacular. They played almost the entirety of their first album, including hits, Gooey, Walla Walla, as well as a cover of Kanye West’s, Love Lockdown. The lead singer’s incredible energy pumped up the entire crowd, and every single audience member sang and danced along to their set. If you haven’t listened to them before, you best look them up.
Eight… I’m not gonna lie, the city was definitely a big factor in my decision to pick McGill, and that’s because it’s pretty easy to get lost in the spectacle that is student life in Montreal. The food, the music, the art, the bars, the clubs; seemingly endless amounts of alcohol, and even the French… it can be a lot to take in. It’s not within any realm of difficulty to experience a completely fresh and new outing each time, but, simultaneously, it becomes fairly easy to fall into the comfort and routine of the ‘McGill bubble’, winding up at the same few bars and clubs that seem to be entirely financed by first years. My advice, for those of you picking McGill partially because the idea of living in Montreal for four years really excites you, would be to take initiative and actively seek out new experiences. Force yourself to step outside your comfort zone, because that’s probably what’s tempting you to come here anyways. At the same time, really make sure you like the school itself, because, at the end of the day, you’re going to take classes in it for four years. McGill is a ‘world-class’ university, but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to have crappy professors, and lectures that make you feel like you’re back in high school. If you’re just coming for the city and have no consideration for the implications of attending one of Canada’s most notorious and reputably toughest schools, it’s going to be a long and rough few years. That being said, both McGill and Montreal offer incredible potential, for an incredibly convoluted mixture of a tough, but rewarding academic journey, and a ridiculous amount of fun… teen.
Sicario: Redefining The Portrayal of the Drug War
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by Elizabeth Wolfenden
While watching an action thriller movie, what do you expect to see? Extended fight scenes complete with frantic chases and intense gunfights? Mysterious characters with troublesome pasts and impressive fighting skills? As I settled into my comfy fold-down chair in the centre of the row, popcorn balancing on my knee and anticipation taking over, this is what I expected from Sicario. But I did not know what I was in for: a fresh take on the genre with all of the above and much more. Sicario, directed by Quebecois Denis Villeneuve, is a deliciously intense, eye-opening film with shocking bursts of action balanced with remarkable displays of cinematic beauty and moments of humanity. After rising through the ranks of her maledominated profession, FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is recruited by a mysterious government official, Matt Graver (Josh Brolin), to join a task force fighting the ruthless war on drugs. Guided by Matt and the shadowy Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro), Kate is led through a nerve-wrenching journey that quickly reveals the realities of the Mexican Drug War. The acting performances in the movie are notably impressive. Blunt portrays a realistic, strong female character who accurately demonstrates
the challenges of being a woman navigating a male dominated profession. On numerous occasions, Kate is thrown into situations where she is engulfed in confusion, fear and anger. Blunt’s portrayal of Kate’s emotions in these situations is so accurate, that as a viewer, I felt as though if I were in her shoes I would be reacting in the same way. However, Del Toro’s performance is by far the most impressive. Del Toro is experienced in the area of drug war movies and has won an academy award for his role as Javier Rodriquez in 2000’s Traffic, and played Pablo Escobar in 2014’s, Escobar: Paradise Lost. No one seems to capture the war on drugs – its tragedies, its violence, its intensity – with the same mastery of Del Toro. In Sicario, he portrays dark and mysterious Alejandro. He doesn’t talk much but he carries a heavy presence, bringing even more intensity to the screen. One incredibly refreshing aspect of the film is its acknowledgment of a grey area. We often see very discernable “bad guys” and “good guys” in action movies. In Sicario, however, there are no heroes and no villains–everyone is somewhere in between. This is more realistic because, when dealing with a situation as complicated as the drug wars, nothing is black and white. Another refreshing aspect of the film was its humanity. Action movies often do a good job of
glorifying violence and making death insignificant. Thousands of real people and real families are affected by the death and violence that the drug war creates. Sicario acknowledges this and manages to effectively intertwine humanity into the plot, while still maintaining the intensity any good action movie should have. Sicario, along with its dynamic plot and characters, is also a visual masterpiece. There were multiple occasions while watching the film when I wish I could press pause so I could take in the visual splendor. In one scene, SWAT team members are walking through a desert at dusk to raid an underground trafficking tunnel. You watch as the silhouettes of the soldiers fall into the horizon on a backdrop of an orange, pink and yellow sunset. Unlike many action thrillers, the importance of genuine cinematic beauty trumped CGI in the making of this film, a rare occurrence that should be appreciated. The second the credits started rolling, Sicario became one of my favourite films. The shocking action, humanity and cinematic beauty of the film overwhelmed me, and when the lights came on I wasn’t ready to leave the theatre. Sicario is one of those rare movies where when everyone else is shuffling out, you’re still in your seat taking it in. For anyone who enjoys action thriller movies, Sicario is a must-see.
Moving Theatre: A Cultural Hospot by Joshua Chong
It gets interesting when you take a play, put it outdoors, and stretch it out over kilometres. And even more so when each scene is written by different playwrights My Lakeshore My Home (MLMH), produced by Sirius Theatrical, is performed in partnership with the City of Toronto and Cultural Hotspots, an Etobicokewide festival that celebrates the diversity of the people who call Lakeshore their home. The festival is a City of Toronto initiative that aims to showcase the heritage, creativity and culture of a specific community each year. This year, I was fortunate enough to take part in this production as one of the assistant directors and assistant stage managers. MLMH is a show made by Lakeshore residents for others who reside there. Coming from North Toronto, this gave me an outsider’s look at how a community could come together and create an original performance. The entire cast and playwrights were amateurs with the exception of four actors. The majority of the scenes were written at workshops hosted by the Toronto Public Library for newcomers to Canada. The play was filled with scenes about personal, poignant experiences on immigrating to Canada, or simply relocating to the Lakeshore, and calling Etobicoke home. As the mini festival is a walking outdoor performance, many local businesses and area residents participated, hosting scenes on their front porch, inside their restaurant, coffee shop or art gallery. A true sense of community was in the air.
What makes this production so authentic is the spontaneity. It felt like I was in the production as scenes randomly popped up during the walking tour of the Lakeshore. All scenes featured were non-fiction, whether they are past experiences or stories passed down from generations, we can all somehow connect to them.
“I am profoundly struck by how theatre and the arts can bring a whole community together” Naturally, the show was held outdoors. There is no set, minimal props, lighting and sound design. As our city is the stage, many things can happen during the performance. A family of ducks might waddle past a scene on the boardwalk, or a cyclist may ride by during a monologue. The director has no control over what may happen during the scene, and this is what makes every show so unique. Unlike a regular play where every detail is meticulously planned, the feel and character of each performance is influenced by the unscripted events from the environment. Everything that happens can change the mood of the scene. Some balmy weather can further intensify the sadness in a scene; the planes that land and the boats in the marina can bring out the hustle and bustle of Toronto.
Nonetheless, in order to achieve a professional production, somewhat consistent from show to show, some aspects must be meticulously organized and planned. While it may be daunting to move a group of thirty actors from scene to scene when the performance is spread out over three kilometres, it is necessary. At all moments, the director must know where each and every cast member is located and it can be challenging when some actors are used to a brisk walk, while others treat it like a leisurely Sunday stroll. As a community theatre production, the rich cultural background of each actor adds to the diversity in the play. In theatre there are two unspoken golden rules: never work with animals, and never work with children. I broke rule number two, and I have learned the consequences. There are six child actors who are cast in the show, most of whom are fabulous and extremely talented...except for one. As a stage manager, directed to take down blocking (movement) notes, it is nearly impossible to do so when your actor is running and fighting on stage. Who knows if what they are doing is part of the scene, or just being a restless eight year old. All these unique experiences were equally exhilarating and challenging. I am profoundly struck by how theatre and the arts can bring a whole community together, and how people of different ages and backgrounds can come in unity to be part of a creative journey.
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sports [ SPORTS ]
>> HEAD INJURIES >> NT’S #1 BODYBUILDER >> TOUGH LUCK, BLUEJAYS! >> MORE
Head Games
by Cameron Kozinets Everyone loves to see the big hit. The feeling of adrenaline that comes with watching two grown men with astounding speed smash into each other is undeniable. But rarely do fans stop and consider the potentially life altering consequences that come with doing that on a regular basis. Football is a thrilling and historical sport that brings in tons of revenue (especially the NFL), but recent research has shown that while it is an exciting sport to watch, it takes a greater toll on those playing it than anyone could have anticipated. According to researchers at Boston University, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy was found in a whopping 76 of 79 former professional football players once their brain was analyzed post-mortem. CTE occurs in people who experience repetitive brain trauma, and some symptoms include memory loss, aggression, and depression. It has been linked to suicides and dementia. A very notable example of someone who suffered from CTE is Junior Seau. Seau is a likely Hall of Famer of the NFL, who spent 20 years in the NFL. He was a legend for both the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers, and on May 2nd, 2012, at the age of 43, he took his own life. Another example of someone who had CTE is former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, Jovan Belcher. He killed his girlfriend, fled the scene and then ended his own life at an NFL practice facility in 2012.
There is a disturbing amount of data that shows that brain damage in the NFL is near inescapable, and athletes are taking note. Chris Borland has become the figurehead for the football head injury movement, when he retired at the age of 24 after a promising rookie season. He gained rookie of the year votes and was thought to be the future of the San Francisco 49ers defense. Instead, he walked away from the chance of glory and millions of dollars because of his concern for his own physical wellbeing. While many spurned 49ers fans call his decision to leave selfish, the decision was his own to make. A player retiring so young and stirring up a media controversy for the NFL is scary. The potential for other players to leave at a young age remains, and it likely keeps the NFL executives up at night. Can anything really be done about it? Football is a sport built around violence, and it is a huge money-maker. There is not much profit to be found in softening up the sport and making things safer for the players because of the chance they will lose viewers. The NFL is already commonly called the “No Fun League” for their strict policies, and further harshening their rules could potentially lead to problems for the league. Because of this, it is likely that the league will be unwilling to change. The sad thing about this is the fact that the NFL prioritizes profit over the safety of their players. According to a New York Times report, an NFL player is eight times more likely than the
general population to develop Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. That means every single time NFL players play a game, they are jeopardizing their future. Most players know the risks associated with playing in the NFL, but can not refuse the money and fame that comes with playing in the most elite football league. As well, many players are so uneducated that they do not have any other options. To make the NFL, you have to have been an outstanding player in every level of football, from high school through to university. With the constant practices and benefits that come with being an athlete on a university football team, education takes a back seat for most athletes. As star quarterback Cardale Jones of Ohio State University tweeted in 2011, “Why should we have to go to class if we came here to play FOOTBALL, we ain’t come to play SCHOOL, classes are POINTLESS.” The crunch of a big hit, the smash of a helmet on helmet, the crash of a player falling down to the turf, that is what gets the crowd out of their seats. It is one of the most important aspects of the game of football, the big hit. But with undeniable research proving that it is ruining the lives of the players involved, the NFL needs to act, and fast. In 2014, the NFL made $9 billion in revenue, making it the richest sporting league in the entire world according to Forbes. But money is not more important than the lives and safety of human beings, so it is time for the NFL to take action.
Sebastian Torre: The Hulk of NT Interviewed by Jose Gomez At a mere glance, it’s apparent that Sebastian Torre is the Hulk of NTCI. But why does Sebastian Torre thrive to be so huge? This is because Sebastian is a bodybuilder. A pretty good one too. He can currently bench 245lbs, curl 110lbs and squat and deadlift over 400lbs. So let’s get to know more about the biggest guy at NTCI. Q: What got you into Weightlifting?
A: Actually myself. When I was young I was suffering from depression and anxiety and was kinda chubby and disappointed about my body type. One day I decided to start Parkour and freerunning which really burned my fat and got me into shape. Q: What kind and how many supplements/ proteins do you take?
A: Never really kept a set schedule or amount for the supplements I
take. But normally I would take a scoop of concentrated protein in the morning as a side meal with my breakfast. After school I would take my pre workout right before I go to the gym. Q: What does your diet consist of?
A: I try to eat a gram of protein for every pound I weigh. I currently weigh around 190 pounds and therefore try and aim for 190 grams of protein. I have to cut low on carbs though because I gain a lot of fat from them and soon will begin to cut them completely out of my diet. I would like my diet to consist of rice and different types of chicken with veggies, fruits, and nuts. For me, diets are hard to keep because they’re expensive. Q: What is your opinion on steroid use?
A: There was a long period, around 2 years ago, where I was consid-
ering of doing them and they were always at the back of my mind. One day my friend called me and wanted to buy them and try them with me. I’m really fortunate to have turned down the offer. I could understand if a grown man would like to take them to increase their testosterone, but for kids and young adults, you are sincerely asking for a heart attack or an early death.I don’t want to be a part of that community. Q: What is one of the biggest challenges you face?
A: The biggest challenge I face in bodybuilding is probably my diet because it suffers and without a proper diet, I can’t get the full and proper results that I am looking for. But as long as my motivation and determination is way up there and I keep going to the gym I will be able to overcome and improve on the challenges. Photo by Andra F
A Journey of Bandwagons, Blue Birds, and Baseball Blunders
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by Sam Spodek
The Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series in the early nineties and followed it up with twenty-one playoff-less seasons. “There is always next year” became a saying Jays fans were becoming more than comfortable with. Many began questioning whether or not the Bluebirds would ever see October baseball again. Most Jays fans admit the performance of the Jays this season caught them off guard. However, their early exit from the postseason was no surprise. A Jays team who had struggled through the first half of the season was dominating the majors. Alex Anthopoulos shocked the world, bringing in the likes of Troy Tulowitzki and David Price among other big names. Blue bird fever swept the country and the Jays were the talk around every water cooler one could find. The city of Toronto, the country of Canada, and the world of baseball were expecting a blue October. Everyone set their sights on a 3rd World Series for the blue birds. People who had never enjoyed a baseball game in their lives were tuning into the action. José Bautista was instantly recognized by nearly all NT students. Yet this same group of people failed to recognize all-star keeper of the three-bag and MVP hopeful Josh Donaldson even when his name was mentioned. Unsurprisingly, twenty-year old Roberto Osuna, the Jays closer who threw fire all year long,
was recognized by none. If you are reading this and thinking “Who in the world doesn’t know the Bringer of Rain,” or “Osuna is the reason why the Jays bullpen isn’t a dumpster,” then the safe bet has you being an actual Jays fan. Regardless of whichever category of fan you fall into, you are probably trying to figure out why it matters that the Jays have a large bandwagon. At first, diehard Jays followers had no issue with the blooming burst of fans. On October 14th, 2015, the feelings completely changed. Mr. Zohar, an English teacher at NTCI and a regular Jays fan stated had he been at the game on October 14th, he would have been “scared to be there due to the sheer insanity of the crowd.” Bandwagon fans up in the cheap seats were nearly rioting in the stands over the controversial go-ahead run scored by the Rangers. Rafi Kay, a grade 12 Student at NTCI who attended said game, said in response to the wildness of the drunken patrons after some calls against the Jays’, “It was scary… After that call people were throwing beer cans from the 5th deck and they were hitting people down below. It was super dangerous.” When prompted about the short time in which the Jays were losing late in the game,
Kay said “If [the Jays] lost, there would have been a street riot. It would have been insane.” A lack of understanding of appropriate baseball fan etiquette lead to the upper-deck of the Rogers Centre turning into an impromptu Oktoberfest celebration. By the time the Jays found themselves in the ALCS, fans were burnt out and the team was playing on an empty-fuel tank. The season came to an abrupt end which caught newfound fans off-guard and justified the skepticism of many baseball writers. Where do the Jays go from here? Many questions have arisen from bitter Blue Jays backers due to the bulk of their top prospects being traded and Anthopoulos being chased out of town by new team president and CEO, Mark Shapiro. Will the city of Toronto ever see another championship? This was supposed to be “their year”. Yet now we find ourselves surrounded by a plethora of lost followers of the blue flock. One day, this season will be looked back on as a stupendous success and a turning point in the history of the franchise. As for right now, all we can say is there is always next year.
Penalized?
by Stavros Greer Ray Rice was a star running back for the Baltimore Ravens when, in January of 2014, he beat his fiancé. A video of him dragging her unconscious out of an elevator was shown on TMZ, and he was charged with 3rd degree aggravated assault. The NFL then suspended him for two games for the assault, but later changed it to an indefinite suspension. However, several months ago, after the charges against him were dropped, he won a court appeal allowing him to be reinstated into the NFL, and he will be playing again as soon as a team decides to sign him. This leads us to wonder if the NFL and the Baltimore Ravens should have suspended him for something that didn’t affect his playing on the field before he was tried by the court system. In response to public pressure, he was effectively found guilty and punished by the NFL without the benefit of a trial. Slava Voynov was a defenceman for the L.A. Kings. At the beginning of last season he was arrested on domestic violence charges for assaulting his wife, and suspended indefinitely by the NHL on October 20th, 2014. The L.A. Kings tried to slip by this suspension by having Voynov attend a practice, but were fined $100,000 by the NHL. On July 2nd 2015, Voynov pleaded guilty to charges of misdemeanour and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. He has since been released, and has gone to his home country of Russia. Recently, Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane underwent a rape investigation after he allegedly raped a local woman of Hamburg, NY, at the
beginning of August 2015. The difference with the Kane case is that he was not suspended by the NHL or the Chicago Blackhawks organization, despite the fact that the investigation had not been resolved by the start of the season. However, Kane’s picture was taken off the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 16. Charges against Kane were dropped last week. The Kane case opens up a question of under what circumstances should professional sports leagues punish players for their actions outside of sport. In both the Rice and Voynov cases, the players were suspended while the allegations were ongoing. However, Patrick Kane was not suspended during his investigation. It seems that players are only suspended if there is enough evidence against them to prove them guilty in the court of public opinion. In the case of Rice, there was a repulsive video. With Voynov, there were shocking photos of his bloodied wife. However, there is no major evidence against Kane, and many believe he could be innocent. To contrast, last spring Tom Brady was suspended for four games for supposedly tampering with footballs. After months of controversy and time in court, the suspension was overruled and the sporting world exploded. During this, the Patrick Kane incident arose but almost no one seemed to care. Most of the updates for the case were coming from blogs and major sports news sites were only mentioning it as “legal trouble.”
So why does it seem that whenever an athlete gets in trouble outside of their sport, no one is reporting it, but when they do something minor that affects them on the field, ice or track, it is constantly being reported on? Why is it that whenever an athlete gets into legal trouble everyone forgets about it within a month, but when something illegal happens in a game it is remembered forever? The Patrick Kane case is a perfect example of this. Despite the recent caution professional sports leagues have taken when something so terrible happens, Kane was in the Blackhawks training camp a month later. Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks grinder Raffi Torres, who has a history of illegally targeting other player’s heads on checks, was suspended 41 games for a check to the head, the 3rd longest suspension in NHL history. The differecee has to do with publicity. In the case of Ray Rice, there was a video of him beating his fiancée. But with Patrick Kane, there was no major evidence against him. If the general consensus was that Kane did indeed rape someone, the NHL wouldn’t have any choice but to suspend him. But because most people believed he was innocent, the NHL didn’t suspend him. The reason why things like Brady’s “deflategate” or Torres’ hit get extra attention is because they happen during games, and the league has to ban those players to prove that they have standards on player’s behavior.
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Not So Nice, Eh? by Matt Scace
Take a moment to think about the narrative of the 1972 Summit Series. Canada vs. Russia. The NHL vs. The Red Army. Of course, simply reducing the series to this would conjure up hundreds of thoughts on what the matchup of the two countries would look like. Finesse versus brute force. Skill versus physicality. After all, in the stereotypical society we live in today, the world commonly believes that Canada is a country with an abundance of maple syrup, Mounties, and a knack for saying “Sorry!” for no particular reason. Meanwhile, Russia is known as a place where the leader annexes places for personal pride and enjoys the art of schadenfreude. They are people who do pushups without using their arms, trying to make the rest of the world feel inadequate and weak. This has become quite misleading, especially in the world of sticks and pucks that the world thinks Canada rules because, well, it has nothing better to do than play hockey. Canada’s on-ice reputation has never squared off with it’s off-ice reputation for peace and almost ridiculous kindness. On the rink, Canadians are downright dirty. Not by a small margin either.
punch. Canadians aren’t only tough, they’re rough. And the proof isn’t hard to find. Looking at the players with the most hits in the 2014-15 season, there are a number of outliers that are quite visible. Of the first twenty players in this category, an earth-shattering thirteen of them were Canadian. What may be even more astonishing is the fact that that just three of them were European-born. Even with respect to how outnumbered European players are to Canadians in the NHL, if the European population was raised to equal the Canadian’s, the European players would only make up 15% of those in the top twenty fighting majors. Additionally, if the same was done for hits, they would make up just 34% of those in the top twenty. By now, some may be thinking, “shame on you, Canada.” But recently, Canadian hockey leagues, most notably the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), have been making attempts to put a halt to raising Students of Satan attached to skates.
So what does this mean?
Until recently, contact hockey was prominent in all Ontario hockey leagues. In 2011, contact hockey was banned from all house-league organizations in an attempt to shift away from the evident traditional attitudes that Canadians have had. In the same year, the Ontario Hockey Federation banned hitting from the Select level of hockey, a more competitive level that parents pay up for. And while it did stir up controversy for families who had kids that wanted to bodycheck but didn’t want to move up another level, the intentions were sound. The OHF was aiming to lower concussion rates within the youth, which were only climbing. Try arguing with that.
In the NHL, one gets the sense that there is an unwritten code when it comes to wearing visors. Commonly, enforcers who regularly find themselves with their gloves on the ice tend to not opt for the visor. Why? There are numerous possibilities, whether that it is dangerous to fight with a piece of glass blocking their punches or these players are so tough that they think that visors would only be a hindrance and not of any help.
While this was their primary reason behind bringing in non-contact hockey, their effects may be felt even stronger with the types of players Canada will be producing in the near future. It is possible that because players will be spending more time playing without contact, their behaviour will be less aggressive as they move up the ranks, even if hitting is possible. This presents Canada and the world of hockey with a unique opportunity for a culture shift.
If one uses this unwritten code to make sense of the statistics on visor use, it becomes very clear that Canadians are far from what the world thinks of them. We might as well drive down to Texas and teach them how throw a
The NHL has been making rule shifts every year for a while now in an effort to decrease the number of head injuries. These measures have gone from introducing a trapezoid for goaltenders to having a hybrid icing rule,
In a recent study done by the US National Library of Health, results show that of non-rookie players (those with 26 games or more of experience who aren’t required to wear visors) who are Canadian are far less likely to wear visors. Of these Canadian players, just 68.6% of them wear visors. In contrast, 89.5% of Russians are currently wearing visors in today’s NHL, the second highest of any nation in the league.
preventing high-speed collisions while chasing for a puck into the boards. While these adaptations have made a difference in preventing these collisions, changing the culture of Canadian hockey may be their greatest opportunity yet to tackle concussions. With 311 Canadians currently in the NHL, covering 50.8% of the league’s population, Canada is the country that will be determining what changes are made in professional hockey. Unfortunately, this will have to take some time. Although Select hockey, one level above house league, is already four years removed from contact hockey, coaches and players are still taking time to adapt. In a recent game between the North Toronto Minor Midget team and Leaside Flames, things got a little more hairy than they usually do. By the second period, both teams had racked up over ten penalty minutes. The coach of the Leaside Flames was furious. At every whistle, he would call the referees over to not discuss, but rather scream at them for their calls. Quickly, North Toronto went up 3-1. By the middle of the period, the score did not change but penalty minutes were still climbing. But then something odd happened. The backup goaltender for North Toronto was opening the door on the side closest to Leaside’s bench when he overheard the Flame’s coach “Don’t be afraid to hit them, boys.” Minutes later, a Leaside forward had his hands on a North Toronto player’s numbers, shoving him into the boards head-first. What ensued was not unexpected from that point on. The player was ejected, the Leaside coach threw a tantrum and was given a coaches’ penalty. It was a game that seemed to not only disprove all Canadian stereotypes, but it was also an impeccable presentation of the style of hockey that Canadians play, even at a level that will not produce the next Gretzky. But there’s something to be said for what happened in that game. If there are still games like these happening at this stage in Canadian hockey, it is clear that it will take a little longer than a few years to erase hard-hitting and violence from Canada’s hockey repertoire. And if the battle starts by slowly making visors mandatory, so be it. But if we can tackle the issue of Canadian’s knack for excessive violence on the ice, the NHL will find itself more safe than ever. And only then, can we truly embrace our stereotype of meaningless sorry’s and snowshoeing to school. But for now, Canadians remain hockey’s violence problem.
Top 10 #9: Studying Abroad by Hana Kent
I’ve always loved to travel. Ever since I was little, I was fortunate enough to accompany my mother on her business trips around the world. As I grew older, I learned about the existence of programs that allowed you to study abroad, and allowed you to travel. The one that caught my interest the most was the castle program at Queen’s University. I decided that, although starting the first year at university was already a significant change, I was ready for an entirely new start. So, when I got into the program, I leapt at the opportunity. I was so excited. University in a different country, let alone in England? Here I am, studying in a 15th century castle, meeting people whom have become a big part of my life, and seeing places I’d only ever dreamed of. All those late nights, early mornings, and stressful moments that you experience in high school? They’re worth it. If it means getting to do what you love, then you’ve truly found something special. Studying abroad has allowed me to experience things that I will remember for the rest of my life, and for that I am eternally grateful.
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opinion & humour TRAUMATIC VISITS TO THE EYE DOCTOR [OPINION & HUMOUR ] >> TRUMP >> HOW TO WRITE A WILL >> MORE
The Eye Doctor
Trumping Expectations
by Caitlin Heffernan
by Charlie Littler
I get very easily disturbed by discussions of anything eye-related. People often wonder why this is. I believe that a single trip to the optometrist was the root of all my issues.
balanced inside your head, and one wrong move could result in your eyeballs tumbling right back out. I am not exaggerating whatsoever. This is exactly what it felt like.
During this fateful appointment, the doctor said to me, “Oh, you’re 15 now. We can do this the adult way.” This immediately set off an alarm in my mind. When has the “adult” way ever meant anything pleasant? Being an “adult” just means having to deal with things such as paying taxes and childbirth.
So after my eyeballs had been adequately frozen, the eye doctor essentially declared that he was going to press a large, blunt plastic rod against the surface of my eye. And of course, in my head, I said to myself, “Absolutely NOT.” But then I realized how pathetic I was being and decided I should suck it up and face my fears and come to terms with my grim reality.
That “adult” way, as expected, turned out to be quite the traumatizing experience. First I had to get eye drops, which are bad enough to begin with. But these weren’t just the kind that make your pupils big and your vision blurry. Oh no, these were SPECIAL eye drops that FREEZE your eyeballs. I don’t know if you will fully understand the magnitude of this statement, but I will attempt to describe the sensation. Basically, it feels as though your eyes are too big for your face and had to be shoved into their sockets. In this process, they were grotesquely mangled and misshapen as a result of being horrifically smashed into your skull. They were then simply left rather precariously
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Have you ever felt blinded by the radiance of capitalism? If so, well, that was probably just the reflection of the sun in one of Donald Trump’s seven towers. Although in that case, it’s still capitalism. If you’ve been living under a rock have no idea who Donald Trump is, search “worst toupee ever” on Google Images. He’s the fifth result. But all jokes aside, there really is no better republican candidate for the 2016 US presidential election. America needs Trump. They need, as he so brilliantly stated, “unpredictability”.
Because the exact quality you want in the president and commander in chief of the US military is unpredictability. At least he has a distinct tax plan. He plans to create a “dynamic economy” by lowering taxes by an almost unfathomable amount. This is all fine and dandy until you As the doctor brought the demonic instru- realize that that would send the US into a 10 trillion dollar ment up to my face, I couldn’t stop blinking. deficit. It’s okay though because, as Trump loves to menI couldn’t restrain the instinctual response tion, he’s rich. He also cares for education, as he claims long enough for anything to work. I don’t that it will be the first department to have funding cut. It’s even know what he was going to do. He not like education is important or anything. In addition, seemed to get annoyed with me after several attempts, and his face expressed such senti- Trump really cares about Americans. He wants the best ments as “Are you kidding me right now?” for businesses, even if that means disregarding the enand “I don’t get paid enough for this.” After vironment completely. He most definitely has his priorities a few minutes of my frantic, uncontrollable straight! blinking, he finally just gave up. And so, in the end of what ended up being an extreme- A message to all Americans when the election rolls ly anti-climactic episode, it turns out I’d around: vote Trump. He’ll really trump your expectations gone through that whole ordeal for nothing. for America.
PleaseDon’tPickMe Disease by Susan Lin
If you have ever felt your heart racing and your palms sweating, if you have quietly muttered, “please not me, please not me, please not me,” and if you have endured complete and utter embarrassment, then you are suffering from Pleasedontpickmeitis disease. This disease is caused when a teacher selects a student at random to participate in class discussion, without the hand-raised consent of the student. Some common techniques to remain uncontaminated are to avoid eye contact with the teacher, pretend you’re doing important work, or answer one or two questions in the beginning of class so that you won’t be called on later. One of the highest achieving students in Grade 11 suffers from this disease. As not to offend any of her current teachers, she has opted to remain anonymous. She states that the disease causes her to “[be] completely embarrass[ed], awkward, and... to chronically blush.” She adds that “[she] understand[s] that calling upon students unexpectedly is meant to keep [them] attentive, but at times it also can make [students] look idiotic.” Many wonder why teachers like to pick on students who do not have their hands up. Is it because they like to see us “chronically blush?” Do they like to see us struggle to find words? Or do they just like causing heart palpitations in their students? Hopefully these are not the effects teachers want to see. Teachers might say
that picking on students randomly has a positive effect on learning. A variety of these reasons may include A) attention confirmation, B) class participation, and C) opinion variation. These claims are correct, but picking students at random causes more harm than good. Making students stand on the tip of their toes during a lesson is psychologically unhealthy in a learning environment. Would you be able to memorize the Periodic Table while you were being chased by a tiger? Of course not. Therefore, stress makes learning very difficult.
Photo by Becklynn Z
As we all know, students have different personalities and learning strategies. As a result, there are some students who are more vocal and extroverted than others. If a student who raises their hand knows the answer, a student who doesn’t raise their hand may know the answer too. The only difference is that the vocal one likes to share it, and the other doesn’t. Either way, they both know the answer. As high school
students, we should know that school is our top priority, and that help is available if needed. Grade 11 student Sangeetha Ram states that “it’s unnecessary for teachers to verify if the student understands or doesn’t understand in front of the whole class, because it does not only make an awkward situation for the student, but also wastes class time for everyone.” While some students don’t like teachers randomly picking on them, those with their hands up may be disappointed when they aren’t chosen. This may cause the students to respond negatively by assuming that the teacher is ignoring them or doesn’t like them. Accounting teacher Mr. Sibera feels that the school year should be divided into “different phases.” He believes that “in the beginning of the school year (first phase), teachers should first verbally assess students who seem more willing to participate so that the learning style has been set.” He adds, “students are uncomfortable in the beginning of the year, but after a few weeks (second phase), when the students feel like one group and a positive relationship is built with the teacher, you can start to engage the shyer students in a friendly, non-judgmental environment.” Furthermore, Mr. Sibera feels that “students should not treat the teachers’ verbal assessment as the teachers picking on them, but as a way to make sure that the student understands the lesson.”
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How To Write a Will
by Genevieve Crispin-Frei “This test will be the death of me!”, and “studying? More like stuDYING!”, are among common phrases heard throughout the hallways of NT. Most sane students express these clichés with overt exaggeration. Unfortunately, some students are thoroughly convinced that cramming conjugations will result in cranial combustion. If, ever, you are studying and see a2 + b2 = the area of your coffin, or you hear your own voice in the distance pleading “tell my mother I love her!”, then you know it is time to start bequeathing. Here are some handy tips on how to properly write a will and, more importantly, how to do so in style. First off, think of all of the people you hate. Depending on the type of person you are, either make sure that you include them under the section “I Do Not Give These Annoying People Anything Whatsoever”, or, if you are slightly more aggressive, under the “To the Following People I Bequeath Sheets of My Waxed Armpit Hair” section. As an extra-aggravating addition, ensure that you write detailed letters to the people who will be receiving these sheets, and explicitly express every possible reason as to why they were included on this list. Next, relieve your loved ones of insignificant knick-knacks, by passing all of your junk to friendly acquaintances. Has your mom or dad ever complained about how much clutter you have in your room? Well, they will no longer have to worry once you’re gone! Joe can have
your posters; Sally your lipsticks; and Alex your “I Voted for Donald Trump” backpack pins. And to make them remember you fondly, express that they may sell your gifts on Kijiji for some extra pocket money. After all has been said and done, it is time to focus on the mementos and keepsakes dedicated to your close friends and family. Remember that every item you give must have significant meaning or value. Entrust your beloved iPhone 6S to your sister, your teeming bank account to your brother, your favourite photo album to your mother, and your prized toenail collection to your father. And, of course, give your bedding to your best friend... because, let’s be real, your best friend is your bed. Next, you must seriously consider the following questions; do you want to be buried, cremated, or reanimated a la Frankenstein? Who will you appoint to liven up your funeral? What outfit will look cutest on your cadaver? How aesthetically pleasing do you want your coffin/urn to be? For the music, do you want Alphaville’s Forever Young, or Mozart’s Requiem? For the most personalized funeral, make sure to leave these detailed instructions on the pages of your will, written specifically in the attention-grabbing bold script. Now that all preparations have been made, you must write your will. As you are not a lawyer, you most likely do not know the proper format
or terminology for a will. However, fret not, for there is a solution. All of your schooling can finally be put to use as, over the years, you have trained repetitively to harness the ultimate power: the power of BS-ing. Combine common knowledge (“being of sound mind and body”) with erudite terminology (‘bequeath’, ‘bestow’, ‘endow’, ‘entrust’), alongside well-placed distractions (puns, anecdotes, doodles) and voilà! A perfect attempt to properly compose a legitimate testament. Congratulations! You now (un)officially know how to write a will! Follow these tips and everyone will be able to recognize your personality in your will-writing (you’ll make your English teachers proud)! Now go ahead and write your will, then stop procrastinating and start studying! Good luck, farewell, and Rest in Peace.
Art by Alice L
“I Literally Can’t Even”
How To Reduce Stress
When walking down NT’s crowded hallways and hoping that you have completed your homework, finding a corpse is probably the last thing on your mind — unless you resemble Wednesday Addams. But what else does it mean when your friend comes up to you and says, “I am literally going to die.”? Isn’t literally supposed to mean exactly and actually? When we say that we’re “literally dying from starvation,” or that we “literally have nothing to wear,” how often do our dramatic declarations prove to be factual?
It’s around this time of year that people tend to become stressed. So here are a few fun and healthy ways to get rid of all that unhealthy frustration built-up, and remediate the clutter of your mind:
by Lujayn Mahmoud
Although ‘literally’ is supposed to be interpreted without inaccuracy or exaggeration, the word is now misused more often than we’d like to admit. In fact, we’ve exaggerated and used the word so much that if you search it up online, the second definition states that literally is “used for emphasis or to express a strong feeling while not being literally true.” ‘Literally’ is used in this definition as a substitute for ‘actually,’ even when the definition intends to define the opposite meaning. It is quite confusing. How can it be that the same word can be spelled the same way, pronounced the same way, and have definitions that are total opposites? Aside from ‘literally’, many other terms have lost their true meaning. One of those undefined terms is ‘lol.’ Three North Toronto students were asked to count the total number of times they had received and sent
‘lol’ from their phones the previous day. The average of their results was approximately 200 ‘lol’ mentions per student. The average person, excluding children, laughs an average of 20 times a day. That statistic is significantly lower than the number of times many of us claim to be laughing as we type the simple, three lettered, and now meaningless term we’ve grown so accustomed to. It’s strange considering ‘lol’ is supposed to mean “laugh out loud,” because if we aren’t actually laughing aloud, why do we claim that we are? When did it become necessary to add ‘lol’ after almost every message? From ‘lol,’ to ‘hashtag,’ to ‘can’t even,’ these terms are overused and often sloppily added to a conversation. ‘Omg’ used to be followed up by a lengthy explanation of something fabulous, or absolutely unbearable. Now it has become a necessity in our everyday vocabulary. Our so-called vernacular mainly consists of words that are short, strange, and only make sense to us for a while before they are forgotten and weirder terms are acquired. Not only are too many words overused, they are often used incorrectly, evident through our constant mention of the word ‘literally.’ It has come to the point where we do not know the origin of the words we use, and if we can’t understand ourselves, how do we expect others to understand us? It is time to re-evaluate our use of these various terms, and define them, once and for all.
by Matthew Ferguson
1) Read Children’s Books The deceptively optimistic messages in children’s books will put you into the mindset that you can get through anything…even if you don’t actually try. They’re all incredibly short, so you can feel more productive than you really are, and go around telling everyone about how much reading you’ve been doing lately. 2) Stare At Clocks Meditating near a clock is a great way to take your mind off of that giant pile of work you have yet to complete. Rock yourself from side to side, synchronizing with the ticking, whilst repeating the encouraging mantra “with each second that passes I am increasingly screwed.” 3) Watch A Dystopian Film With the recent emergence of increasing popularity in the speculation of society’s future state, dystopian films can be a great way to hinder the realistic comprehension of your current commitments, and consider the future. Watching a film about a dystopian
society with fictional characters who have problems, that are clearly greater than yours, will distract you from the fact that you’re already living in one! 4) Question Everything In Your Life At anytime, reflecting philosophically on your own life is time well-spent. Right? What’s more relaxing than an existential crisis?! Contemplating the futility of existence is practically equivalent to a soothing massage! 5) Go For A Really Long Walk Long walks are especially helpful if you’re going through a perpetual existential crisis. Just walk as far as you can, away from all of your assignments and commitments. If you can’t see them, they don’t exist! 6) Treat Your Homework As A Friend Homework can be the equivalent of a friend -- obnoxious, frustrating, tedious, and seemingly irrelevant. But your success in life depends on them, just like your homework (not really). Think of your homework as if it’s a friend that you have to deal with--I mean spend time with; do your homework as you would do a friend. (That didn’t come out as well as I’d thought it would.)
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horoscope By Amy Zhu, Jack Matthews & Riley Scanlan Taurus: April 21 – May 21 Aries: March 21 – April 20 Taurus… You need to work on not just Remember that time you caught focusing on yourself. Sorry to break yourself staring at that stranger on the subway? Well, he remembers too. it to you, but you’re not as interesting And he has not forgotten. Next time as you think you are. Next time you’re you go outside (and every time after about to say something, stop and think to yourself- “Should I really say this? that for the rest of your life) watch your back. He’s coming for you, and Will people really care?” No. You shouldn’t. They won’t. he’ll find you. Where to go: A safe house. And never leave. Gemini: May 22– June 21 Gemini’s are known to be clever, whimsical, and risk-taking. Gemini’s love nothing more than to explore, and they’re quite the opportunists. Basically, Gemini’s rock! They’re fun, flirty, and fresh! Wow Gemini, you sound pretty groovy! If only astrology was accurate… Where to Go: Somewhere far, far, away… For everyone’s sake. Leo: July 23 – August 22 Watch out!!!!! That chicken you ate last week was raw!!! Oh Leo, you’re so clueless… This does not bode well for your aura. To prevent anything bad happening to you, walk under as many ladders as possible. Where to go: Ikea, I hear they’ve got some ladders there.
Libra: September 24 – October 23 Finders keepers, losers weepers. The scales are always in balance so remember that one’s loss is another’s gain. Make sure you’re on the right side. The dealer’s hand is heavy and the dice are loaded; a pair of snake eyes might just bite you in the ass. Look out. Where to Go: Wherever you go to change a student’s mark.
Cancer: June 22 – July 22 It’s time to revamp your life! You need to make everyday ‘treat yo self’ day. You deserve it. You’re such a hard worker and after all that time you put into procrastinating, the least you could do is reward yourself. Go crAzY! Where to go: McDonald’s. On a shopping spree!
Virgo: August 23 – September 23 This is it. This is your month. That guy/girl you’ve been dreaming of is finally going to look at you! Best not be caught in a slump, make sure to wear your number one outfit everyday! (Yes, that means you should wear the same thing every day for the rest of the month.) Where to go: To buy deodorant. Your clothes may smell bad but that doesn’t mean you have to! Scorpio: October 24 – November 22 People often think Scorpio’s are sneaky and devious. I mean who can blame them, your name is basically ‘scorpion’. However, Scorpio’s are hugely misunderstood. You actually walk very loudly and therefore would never be able to pull off a ‘sneaky’ persona. Perhaps don’t wear ski boots the next time you’re robbing a bank!
Capricorn: December 22 – January 20 Interestingly, Capricorn’s got their name because the first Capricorn to ever live was obsessed with Capri Sun juice and corn (yes, Capri Sun is that Where to Go: Away from me with all old). In other words, you are going to have a very lucky month! That unit test that sag. coming up? Don’t study for it. You’ve got the luck of the Capri Sun and corn gods on your side! Sagittarius: November 23 – December 21 Rumour has it, Sagittarius’s name comes from the fact that they are saggy… Insightful, right?
Aquarius: January 21 – February 18 Oh, Aquarius. You’re so free spirited and quirky! I bet you think you’re pretty special, huh? Too bad everybody knows that Aquarius’s are just overrated Gemini’s. That’s right, I said it. Try to work a little harder on conforming- as High School Musical once said, “Stick to the Status Quo.” Wise words to live by. Where to Go: Nowhere box-shaped.
Pisces: February 19 – March 20 One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. Things could go either way for you: you can either get set free or filleted. Be careful of what lurks beneath the surface and try not to make too many ripples or you might find yourself fried. Where not to go: The cafeteria. Two words: Fish Tacos. Visuals by Amy Zhu
Crossword
Across 3. Need a drink from this? Either the water is going to all end up on the floor or you’ll be licking the spout. 6. I am literally standing right under the router. Why do I only have one bar?
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8. Woke up late? Missed the bus? Prepare for the walk of shame. (2 words) 9. *Squints at plaque above door* Still don’t know what room ___ this is. 10. Ah, yes! The perfect place to store 20 empty coffee cups, a Canada Goose jacket, and that’s about it! 12. Who knew AA, BB, CC, and KK could cause so much thigh strain? Down 1. The floor that’s colder than your soul. 2. You still can’t hear it even after your teacher yelled at you to be quiet five times. (2 words) 4. The School Which Shall-Not-Be-Named 5. That awkward moment when you see your teacher in-line here and you have to avoid eye contact the whole time. 7. We never knew we’d miss these exams this much until they were so tragically stolen from us. 11. You gotta work like this if you wanna play like this
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