VOLUME 24 PERSON / PLATFORM
ISSUE NO. 2 10.02.19
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Dear Reader, Welcome, again, to Mars’ Hill. This issue, we explore the tension between the concepts of personhood and platform. Who are we apart from the ideals on which we stand? Who gains access to a platform? What do we do when our community seems to rigorously conflate us with our platforms? As students, we like to question. Further, we especially like to know that we are not alone in our questioning--or in our dissonance. We are a generation far more defined by our doubts than our convictions. We believe in a God so big that He resists transcription. For those of us in our final year, we have been a part of a very long conversation about the role that institutional “documents” should play in our discourse. We are fatigued. We are very skeptical of any efforts to make idols of them. We are made weary by the fact that we cannot be proud of our core documents. In at least my own imagination, I’m known as a bit of a radical at Trinity Western University (TWU). I’m a Gender Studies minor, I found my home at OneTWU, and I write apparently provocative pieces for Mars’ Hill. I have robust expectations for authority, and I often can’t help involving myself in conversations that challenge campus culture. I can be angry. I can express my feminist critical theory in ways that are inhospitable and alienating.
I know that to many people on this campus I am more than my platforms. Despite my spunky radical tendencies, I have the privilege of being known here. Under the communal gaze we grapple with the interstitial space between ourselves and our platforms. Members of our community are tasked with the responsibility of discerning our selves apart from our ideals. We explored this theme in a variety ways this issue. We feature interviews with the candidates for the Langley-Aldergrove riding, several pieces that discuss the difference between artist and art, and our Sports Editor tells us to cut Mitch Marner a break. Kieran Wear, our Chief Copy Editor speaks to the importance of creating safe spaces that allow us to know each other. We publish the results of our campus-wide poll, in which we asked students to share the tension they hold between their personal values and their political priorities. Unsurprisingly, respondents consistently ranked the most polarizing issues as the most important. I hope that through engagement with these pieces our campus is able to explore the differences between our ideas and our essential self. Willing, as ever, to share the Kingdom and my campus with you,
Despite these tendencies, I have managed to build positive relationships with several key staff and faculty. Many fellow students have come to understand my activist tendencies as integral to my understanding of friendship. Often my activism is just railing against the injustices faced by my friends––by paying their parking tickets, sitting in on meetings with Bullying and Harassment contact persons, and seeking understanding about policy changes. Here, the personhood apart from my platform emerges. My ideals, which may seem affronting to some members of the TWU community, are extensions of an interpersonal desire to serve specific fellow students.
MARS’ HILL
MISSION TO MARS
Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University, which is located on the tradtitional ancestral territory of the Sto:lo people. Floated with funds raised by the Student Association, Mars’ Hill seeks to be a professional and relevant student publication, reflecting and challenging the TWU community, while intentionally addressing local, national, and international issues.
The mission of Mars’ Hill, as the official student newspaper of Trinity Western University, is to inform and entertain its readers, cultivate awareness of issues concerning the TWU community, and provide a forum for purposeful, constructive discussion among its members in accordance with the Community Covenant, Statement of Faith, and Core Values of the University.
EDITORIAL POLICY
CONTRIBUTORS
Mars’ Hill encourages submissions and Letters to the Editor. Mars’ Hill reserves the right to edit submissions for style, brevity, and compatibility with the Mission, the Statement of Faith, the Student Handbook, and the Core Values of the University. Anonymous authorship of any material may be granted at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. Opinions expressed in Mars’ Hill belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, Trinity Western University, its officials or its Student Association.
HOW BUSY ARE YOU?
Carter Sydney Nyssa Cathy Joy Denae
Sawatzky Dvorak Morgan Shields Azer Turko
Media Advisor: Loranne Brown 7600 Glover Road, V2Y1Y1 Langley, British Columbia, Canada marshill@gmail.com marshillnewspaper.com
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SUBMIT YOUR OWN AT MARSHILLNEWSPAPER.COM/DECLASSIFIEDS breweries are more Christian than bars
Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times
We are the most hydrated generation yet
petition to have pillar become exclusively memes
My retirement plan is the rapture.
Its scooping season and I’m ice cream #ringbyspring
“If there are any ghosts in this house: hi” Mitchell is the name. Inclusivity is the game.
The Kingdom of heaven votes green - Cal Townsend
Launchpad McQuack embodies my soul
“Spartans attend classes ??”
Scrooge McDuck is the only capitalist I like
To the guys playing beyblades in the back 40: it won’t work. Spartans, when dressed up for game day chapel, are repellently beautiful - one is terrified to get too close To whoever drives that mat black truck parked outside of Fraser, I think I’m in love. It’s amazing how life at Trinity still goes on now that Jonah Carpenter isn’t here anymore. I have a fat crush on Alan Brooke. Every Monday morning, my day gets a little better when I look out the window in FNDN 102 and watch Emmett Hanley play tennis. But real talk who’s putting fish in ceiling tiles and how can I participate? Eco feminism is a hoax Can y’all just smile a little in your bios It’s not a parking problem it’s a walking problem #fit4less Where’d that chubby Sodexo santa guy go. Forget Paul Curtis... Have you seen Taylor the new RD
All these people getting engaged... trinity is literally bachelor in paradise “Where’s the paradise?” - Tobin Voth Is 3H not the hottest dorm on campus? #connorconnorconnor Is it just me or are the Calgary Flames an absolute dumpster fire? To all those people wearing “Virginity Rocks” shirts....have you ever tried sex? Unpopular opinion but the TWU Men’s Spartan Rec Hockey team has to be the most attractive team on campus tree puns are the root of my problems, I just can’t seem to branch out from them Who is MCOM, you ask? Well it’s Sam Corbett, of course. Who is RNT, you ask? Well it’s Sam Corbett, of course. Dear freshman: You should date wisely. If the relationship doesn’t work out you are basically stuck with your ex for the rest of your university years. rip@officialtwu_memepage. Not even the community covenant could keep the whine away
the universal theatre dept experience is wanting to make out with emmett hanly once a week
shoutout to that one guy in 1R that makes cookies. he’s the real MVP shoutout to the dudes who did naruto cosplay for banana challenge. youre the only dorm i respect. -local theatre weeb TWU has a new app called TWU SAFE and I think everyone should know about it. they should ask your enneagram type at the border
Everybody gangsta until Vic Cavalli whips out the purple drank
Hey Luke Rattray, I think you’re a cutie but I’m too shy to tell you
Mars’ Hill is the Gossip Girl of TWU
tfw the massage chair in the well hits the spot on your lower back with those blessed mechanical orbs
TWU is interfering with the American election by denying access to www.gop.com is it against the student handbook to have a picture of Joe Rogan smoking a blunt as my desktop picture? To the half-naked men with “for sale” signs who invaded the lobby of my Good Christian Nunnery: Please never do that again. Idk what you’re selling but I can assure you we’re not interested. No one: 4th floor Northwest girls who take the stairs: eVeRy DaY iS LeG dAy ur a winner kiddo. don’t you ever forget Can 5loaves Instagram please get shut down
break up with your internalized homophobia yea yea cuz I’m bored but greta thunberg tho (!!!!) dying for ppl to dress up as tik tok e-boys for halloween instead of post malone (wo)mental health Currently sitting at the MP candidate debate and I think the hosts need to revisit the difference between federal and provincial issues… Toru is doing a better job at covering events than Pillar Southside church is not a personality trait. kono dio da
Mars’ Hill editors reserve the right to edit or reject submissions based on content and/or length. A printed submission does not necessarily reflect an endorsement of any kind, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of Mars’ Hill staff, the student association, or that of the University.
What is your name? !! Carter !! Nathan !! Sawatzky !! (insert clapping emojiis) What is your major? English major, Gender Studies minor. Why do you write for Mars’ Hill? I have to agree with Plato when he says, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Critical thinking is more than a core value for me—it’s a way of life. Jonathan Van Ness is my role model for staying curious and staying alive to what is happening in the world. Without sounding ‘fakedeep’, I want to be more than simply ‘woke’. I want to be continually waking: open to listen, open to think, and open to forming opinions.
If you had to stand on one surface for the rest of your life, what would it be? Imagine you are in a rich person’s house… you go down to their basement next to the pool table… you dig in your bare toes into their plush carpet and suddenly… you’re speechless—you don’t speak poor anymore. . Who is your favourite (fictional) character and why? Lumiére (the candelabra) from Beauty and the Beast. Since being cast as the doorknob from Alice in Wonderland for my middle school musical, I’ve had a special fascination and sympathy for fictional furniture characters.
What is your favourite article of clothing? My precious needle-in-a-haystack thrift find that is my black corduroy jacket. This could be you! Each issue, we will feature a contributor here who has submitted consistent, relevant, and thoughtful content. Send your submissions to marshill@gmail.com!
“GO TO WENDELS FOR 7 HOURS FOR A PHOTO AND YET DO NOTHING KIND OF BUSY” - CHRIS BUNCH
4 The Canada Elections Act (CEA) is over 500 pages long. It is a document outlining the electoral rights of voters, the powers and duties of those elected, preparations for an election, and special voting rules. It answers almost every question a Canadian could ever ask about a federal election. But since you probably don’t have the time to read the entire act, and probably don’t want to, we’re going to do our best to summarize 500 pages in 500 words.
EMMA DYKSTRA
The CEA is organized into 21 different parts. The parts that will be discussed here are electoral rights, conduct of an election, candidates, preparation of the vote, and voting. These sections cover almost everything that will matter to you in the upcoming election.
ELECTORAL RIGHTS: WHO, WHAT, WHERE?
PREPARATION OF THE VOTE: BALLOTS, BOXES, AND BUILDINGS—OH MY!
This section covers who is eligible to vote and where they can vote. It states that you are qualified as an elector if you are a “person who is a Canadian citizen and who on polling day is 18 years of age or older.”
There is a large amount of preparation that goes into every polling station—this section of the Act describes everything that must be prepared, from ballots to election boxes. It also sets the rules for polling stations and how they function. For example, polling stations legally must have a table (the table gets its own section in the Act) and must be accessible to all. Schools or other public buildings are ideal polling stations.
CONDUCT OF AN ELECTION: LAWS OF THE LAND This section describes dates, times, and other general rules of calling an election. It declares that each general election “must be held on the third Monday of October in the fourth calendar year following polling day for the last general election.” An election can be a minimum of 36 days and a maximum of 50 days. This year’s federal election was called on September 11, making the current election only 40 days long.
VOTING
This section is the longest one in the Act, with several subsections on special rules and prohibitions. But this is what matters to you: you can vote in person at a polling station on polling day, at an advanced polling station, or by means of a special ballot (see Part 11 of the Act). Voting must be between 8:30am and 8:30pm Atlantic Standard Time. If you’re in the workforce, you are legally entitled to three hours off to go cast your vote. Polling stations become CANDIDATES: WHO CAN RUN? private spaces where no audio recording or photographs are allowed. Once your ballot is filled out, you must fold it Did you know? Even you could attempt to be a part of and not unfold it again, and deposit it in the ballot box or the race. All you need to be is 18, a Canadian citizen, not let an elector do it for you. deemed ineligible under section 65 of the act (you can’t be in prison, you can’t be an election officer, etc.) and you Of course there are many more exciting sections that give submit the proper nomination paperwork. A candidate us details on why our elections are the way that they are, must be nominated by submitting a nomination paper that and this short summary does not do the 500 page docincludes the following components: name, address, occu- ument justice. It should, however, encourage you to vote pation, the name of the political party that has endorsed all the same. Someone put a lot of work into the Canada the candidate, a statement consenting to the nomination, Elections Act, so you should put that act to use by voting and the signatures of witnesses. on October 21, 2019.
“ASHSJIEJDBJDKKJHDDJS” - NYSSA MORGAN
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HIGHWAY TO HELL
GRACE GIESBRECHT
SYDNEY DVORAK When you picture hubs for human trafficking, your mind probably doesn’t jump to Canada. But for many women and girls, the trafficking nightmare begins right here, within Canada’s borders. One day, when I was 13 years old, my friend’s mom was going to let us stay home alone. As she left, she emphasized that we were not to answer the door for strangers—no matter what. “If someone comes asking to look in our backyard for their lost cat, keep the door locked and call the police.” Later, we discovered that traffickers had been reported roaming the neighbourhood, using their “lost cat” as an excuse to isolate young women and take them from their homes.
While video games have long been labelled a negative element of popular culture, the gaming industry is making waves to combat an inaccurate stereotype. As the industry expands, it is diversifying at an extraordinary rate, and the gamer is a very different person now than ever before. As the players and the technology change, the people who design the games change, as well. This September, Trinity Western University (TWU) launched a major in Game Design that prepares students to enter the game production industry and to act as positive influences in the changing landscape of game design. This program has been a work in progress for over two years, and its existence is a proud moment for Kevin Schut, Media and Communications professor and designer of the program. Schut faced many challenges in launching the major, but the first was actually the creation of the program itself. According to Schut, creating the program poses a “natural challenge” of research and investigation into what the industry is demanding and being able to respond to it. The program includes courses in art, design, and computer science, as most Game Design programs do, but it also includes a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and flexibility. This unique focus prepares students to work in the “indie-space” of game design: which, according to Schut, means “anything that is not a huge company.” It is intentionally preparing students for the fringe of the industry. The program first required approval from TWU, a process which delayed the launch of the program by two years, before its final approval by the province. There are very few Christian universities and colleges with game design programs. “We’re not the first,” Schut says, “but we’re in the first five.” Ugly stereotypes have surrounded video games for years, but it was not the nature of the Game Design program that caused the delay. Schut explains, “We never got pushback from anyone saying ‘this doesn’t belong at a university, or at a liberal arts school.’” People are placing less weight on the negative and are beginning to see the art and intelligence behind the design. “The artistic capacity is very impressive and gaining wide recognition as such,” Schut says. As the gaming industry changes, it provides an unusual opportunity for students to enter both the program and their careers with the mindset of contributing to progress in the game design sector. Schut explains that through this progress, we might start to see changes in the society that the industry has such a major impact on. “We’re teaching people to make games with integrity, and teaching people to make games in a way that can bring positive cultural change.”
Human trafficking is a worldwide crisis, and Canada is not an exception. Both domestic and international trafficking take place in Canada. According to the Criminal Code of Canada, it is a crime to “Recruit, transport, transfer, receive, hold, conceal or harbour a person, or exercise control, direction or influence over a person’s movements for the purpose of exploiting or facilitating the exploitation of that person.” This kind of exploitation is defined by Public Safety Canada as intimidation, sexual assault, and threats of violence to the victim and victim’s families. Trafficking is a deeply intersectional issue that affects all people of all walks of life. This sinister global enterprise operates in silence.
*STATISTICS CANADA
From 2009 to 2016, there were 1099 human trafficking-related incidents reported to the police nationwide. Those who fall prey to traffickers are primarily women, children, immigrants, Indigenous people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Many of these people are swallowed by the system and fade into the background—hundreds of cases go unreported each year. Victims may not report for a number of reasons. Many have been threatened, have complicated relationships with their traffickers, do not know that help is an option, or fear law enforcement. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has compiled a list of important indicators that someone has been trafficked. These include injuries from frequent assault, evidence that they are being controlled, thinking that they cannot leave their current environment, or tattoos or other markings that indicate “ownership” by their exploiters. Human trafficking affects the most vulnerable members of Canadian society, and awareness is the first step to end this silent crisis. In May of this year, the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking established a 24/7 hotline for survivors and victims of trafficking. It operates 365 days a year in 200 different languages and connects survivors and victims to valuable resources like emergency shelters, law enforcement, and counselling. If you believe someone is in immediate danger from human trafficking, call the hotline at 1-833-900-1010.
“NOT THAT BUSY” - LINDA ARCE
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CHRISALEEN CIRO Tako van Popta, the Conservative candidate who hopes to represent Langley-Aldergrove in parliament, became interested in politics during high school. He remembers a time when Mark Rose, the member of parliament for his district, visited his class to share about the role of representative government. “I remember him saying, ‘one of you is the future representative for Langley-Aldergrove,’” he says.
Further, he questions the argument that he sometimes hears from progressives: “So we should shut down Canada’s resource industry in the name of climate change, but then buy oil from nations with questionable human rights records?” He shakes his head, “. . . I think we need to focus more on our confidence in Canadian engineers and investing in them. We have alternatives that will help the world.”
When asked about his relevant experience, he smiles. “I know Langley well,” he says. “I grew up here, attended Langley Senior Secondary, and now I have a BA from Trinity Western University (TWU).” He also has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, having served with Elim Housing Society and on the Langley Memorial Hospital Board.
When asked about his experience with Elim Housing Society, and incumbent MP Mark Warawa’s legacy as seniors critic in the Opposition Shadow Cabinet, Mr. van Popta says that while he acknowledges that seniors will comprise 25 percent of the Canadian population by the year 2030 and are both living and working longer now than ever before, they are not his sole priority. He remains concerned about how existing barriers to the housing market, the ever expanding deficit, and the carbon tax— which he calls a “failed experiment”—will impact emergent Canadian voters. He knows that members of our generation, likely burdened by debt, are far more likely to be long-term renters. He commented that Conservatives are taking the affordable housing crisis seriously. He supports the party’s plan to tackle the problem by re-examining the stress test— rethinking the requirement that individuals must be able to afford payments even if the interest rate should increase. Further, he wants to explore the possibility of opening up excess land owned by the federal government.
Mars’ Hill had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. van Popta and his campaign manager to discuss issues that are important to university students and the residents of Langley-Aldergrove. When the conversation turns to responsible fiscal policy, Mr. van Popta smiles, “All conservatives are fiscal conservatives—it’s a unifying issue. A conservative government knows when to spend money—during a recession, as a stimulus—and then when to pay down debt: times like now, during growth and full employment.” He compares this strategy to what remains of the Liberal’s promise to pay down the deficit after three years. “It’s been four years,” he says, “and we are nowhere near a balanced budget.” He is concerned about how this will impact the future generation. Further, he describes himself as a proud “free-trader”—he strongly believes that free trade is the most effective way to economically enrich a nation. He contends that it is a known fact that Conservatives are better at negotiating favourable trade deals. He praises Stephen Harper’s record on trade negotiations, along with longtime Abbotsford MP, Ed Fast. I push him on this answer and ask if it is responsible to argue that a Conservative government could have negotiated a better deal with Mr. Donald Trump in such hostile times. He responds: “It is part of the responsibility of the prime minister to get along with the American president, in this case, Mr. Trump. Mr. Trudeau has failed on that file.” The conversation veers toward the development of Canadian technology and what the federal government’s role is in furthering it. He cites the Conservative plan to combat climate change through strategic investment in technological advancement. “We aren’t going to address global warming by shutting down Canada’s resource industry,” he argues. He goes on to describe Canada’s resource extraction as “responsible.” “Climate change,” he says, “is an excellent opportunity for global leadership.” While he acknowledges that it is imperative for Canadians to prioritize meeting emissions targets, he points out that Canadians are responsible for less than two percent of global emissions. Therefore, he contends that we need to take the fight against climate change “global.”
As a lack of affordable housing plays an important role in the prevalence of homelessness in the Lower Mainland, our conversation turned to the opioid crisis. “Thankfully, based on the most recent statistics that I have seen, the death rate is down in Langley. But yes, the crisis is definitely a health issue,” he says. According to Mr. van Popta, while healthcare is under the provincial mandate, the Conservative Party is committed to maintaining transfer payments at the same level, with the current increase of three percent each year. After the formal interview concludes, we chat a bit more. The candidate reflects on how professors had a significant impact on him during his time as a student. He shares that TWU professors were instrumental in expanding his worldview. He was deeply interested in the way that the TWU campus has evolved to accommodate the needs of subsequent generations of students. Eventually we turn to some of the difficult issues brought up during our time together. He acknowledges that young voters are demanding change. But because of the economic implications—such as the impacts of the carbon tax on young Canadians—he does not feel that he can deliver in good conscience. At this point, his campaign manager interjects: “It is interesting that our generation,” gesturing to us both, “is so committed to asking the government, run by your generation,” he says now nodding to Mr. van Popta, “for all these policies that may not be realistic and may actually be damaging to our financial future.” He pauses and says, “I can’t imagine how difficult that must be.”
“BUSY AS A B FOR ALL MY GRADES” - LEAH GOERTZ
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CONTENT WARNING: GUN VIOLENCE
MAKENA WARDLE
“ THE CARTOON SHOULD, HOWEVER, SHED LIGHT ON THE STARK REALITY THAT IS THE SEVERE LACK OF GUN CONTROL LAWS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Earlier this month, rapper Snoop Dogg took to Instagram to share a cartoon that draws parallels between anti-vaping campaigns and the fight for gun control in America. The cartoon, originally drawn and posted by political cartoonist Benjamin Slyngstad (@slyngstad_cartoons), aims to point out the different reactions the American government has had to these two issues. The cartoon states that after six deaths caused by vaping-related lung illness, there were “immediate calls from law-makers, including President Donald Trump for stores to stop the sale of flavored e-cigarettes,” commonly referred to as “vapes.” On September 11, as the world remembered what took place in 2001, the American president announced that he is working to ban e-cigarettes in the United States. Slyngstad contrasts this with the 36 000 annual deaths from gun violence, asking why nothing was done after 26 lives were taken at Sandy Hook Elementary. As of the beginning of September, the United States has seen 283 mass shootings in 2019 alone. The final portion of the cartoon states that the effort being made toward banning the use of e-cigarettes is supposedly “for the sake of keeping the youth in American safe.” In response, Slyngstad asks why it seems that nothing is being done to protect these same children from gun violence. There has been an undeniable rise in youth “vaping culture” in America in recent years. According to the FDA, 21 percent of highschoolers in 2018 claimed to have used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days. This is a 78 percent increase from 2017. The negative effects of vaping are evident—and should be addressed. Use of these devices has been proven to cause serious lung damage and has indeed been linked to multiple recent deaths. The use of nicotine, specifically, in these e-cigarettes is highly addictive and can cause brain damage, especially for those under the age of 25. This cartoon is receiving criticism from many, most of whom are arguing that the differences between owning a gun and owning an e-cigarette are too vast to compare. One commenter on Slyngstad’s Instagram post argues that the lack of action is “because your right to bare [sic] arms is protected by the amendment, and your right to vape is not.” Others repeat a common pro-gun slogan: “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.”
There are, however, many who agree with the statement made by the cartoon. Business guru and verified Instagrammer @ money mockingly says “if you [want to] get rid of gun companies, have them start selling tobacco.” Though the comparison between the so called “smoking vape” and “smoking gun” could be seen as drastic, it is important to remember what may have spurred Slyngstad to make such a comparison. It is estimated that there are 390 million civilian owned guns in the US—a number that significantly exceeds the country’s population of 327 million. Paradoxically, according to Statista, 68 percent of Americans in 2018 believed that gun control legislation should be at least somewhat stricter. But since the election of Donald Trump in 2016, little progress has been made towards revising gun laws. In an election campaign rally this August, the President said he is working “very hard to make sure we keep guns out of the hands of insane people.” He follows this by saying that “it is not the gun that pulls the trigger, it is the person holding the gun . . . we can’t make it harder for good, solid, law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.” Many celebrities are using their platforms to inform people about this issue. Actress and singer Zendaya shared a photo on Instagram featuring a protestor’s sign that posed the question, “do we love our guns more than our kids?” Following the El Paso shooting that left 24 people dead and 22 more injured, Riverdale’s Lili Reinhart tweeted, “I can’t believe this is happening in my country and no one is doing anything about it.” Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Karli Kloss, and others promoted the student-led protest “March For Our Lives,” in which people all across America pleaded for legislation to help prevent gun violence. Numerous prominent voices have called and continue to call for reform. Slyngstad’s comparison between vaping and gun control should not be used to discredit the side effects of vaping or the lives lost as a result of their use. The cartoon can, however, shed light on the stark reality that is the severe lack of gun control in the United States of America. As we continue to see the job description of the contemporary artist shift from strictly providing entertainment to include political and social activism, public voices like Snoop Dogg’s will remain important for raising awareness in our modern age.
“VERY BUSY BUT NOT TOO BUSY TO WRITE FOR YOU GUYS!” - SOPHIE HOLLAND
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MAKENA WARDLE On September 13 of this year, Joe Keery released his debut album under the project name Djo. The album titled Twenty Twenty includes his single Roddy which was released earlier in the year and quickly gained popularity, now reaching over 3 million streams on Spotify. Keery, the actor who plays fan favourite Steve Harrington on hit Netflix show Stranger Things, has been involved in multiple music projects prior to Twenty Twenty and is one of the guitarists for psychedelic rock group Post Animal. While the group has quite a different sound from Keery as a solo artist, it is evident that Post Animal’s alternative vibe has leaked into this project. The 27-year-old is credited with the vast majority of the production of the debut album, including both the song-writing and recording, as well as the vocals, bass, drums, guitar, and synthesizer. Though it is almost impossible to sort this unique record into a genre, it sits somewhere near the realm of indie rock. The groovy bass lines and dream-like melodies are captivating, while listeners are kept on their toes by the variation in effects; it is as if a modern-day version of The Eagles had a baby with Mac Damarco.
Roddy, he makes a similar claim with “help, something’s wrong with me.” In Ring, Keery again sings his woes, “nothing is forever, it’s a matter of time. Problems seem to multiply.”
THE RECORD SEEMS TO BE A JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY FOR KEERY, AS HE RECALLS PAST LOVES AND DIFFICULT MEMORIES TO MAKE SENSE OF THE MAN HE HAS BECOME. Through Twenty Twenty, Keery has shown us that he has more than just a talent for fighting Demogorgons and protecting the children of the ‘80s. As concert dates are announced, hopefully we can look forward to a night spent in Vancouver soaking up Djo’s eccentric sounds.
Keery’s hypnotizing voice guides listeners through the collection of songs, a majority of which seem to deal with the process of questioning one’s own sanity, value, and purpose. In Personal Lies, Keery sings, “lately, I feel like I’ve been losing my mind.” In
CONTENT WARNING: MENTAL ILLNESS SUICIDE
SOPHIE HOLLAND You may have heard that music can have a profound effect on your mental health. It has been proven that instrumental music helps some people study, or calming music will help some people to relax. However, the impact that music can have on your mental health goes beyond simply listening to a song to help you calm down.
IT IS OFTEN THE STORY TOLD WITHIN THE LYRICS OF A SONG THAT URGES US TO ADDRESS A LACK OF MENTAL WELL-BEING. In a society where mental health has recently been a critical topic of discussion after years of been stigmatized, we need this more than ever. Neuropsychologist Shantala Hedge from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore certainly agrees that music holds power when it comes to well-being. One of Hedge’s recent studies found that listening to music causes your brain to release hormones such as dopamine, which can relieve stress and give you a sense of motivation and reward. But songs do not just aid in the regulation of emotions— they have the power to elicit deep feelings through their messages.
Everyone has dismal days at some point, whether they struggle with mental illness or not. Sad songs can actually help us connect in troubling times. From The Fray’s How To Save A Life to Logic’s 1-800-273-8255, many songs tell tragic stories of people whose lives have been affected by suicide and suicidal ideation. At times, songs like these can put us in a lousy mood or even bring up painful memories. However, such songs also express feelings to which many relate, allowing listeners to feel less alone. Whether it is publicly or with someone you trust, sharing these vulnerable stories is a positive step towards suicide prevention— the best way to help is to talk about it. In addition to having positive psychological effects, such as aiding in coping with depression and anxiety or relieving stress, music also has powerful messages regarding mental health. Lyrics can help us share difficult feelings we have been bottling up for a long time. If you struggle with mental illness or suicidal thoughts, know that you are not alone. The first step to take is to talk to someone. Visit the TWU Wellness Centre, your doctor, or counsellor, and talk to someone you trust.
“2BUSY 2COUNT” - KENNEDY DRAGT
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LIV WALTON
At the beginning of summer, social media users may have noticed the phrases “and I oop” or “sksksksk” starting to plague the internet. These phrases come from an internet trend known as the “VSCO girl.”
It can be easy to group these girls all together as conformist products of pop-culture. However, it is important to note that VSCO girls are simply teenagers doing what makes them feel comfortable in a shaky phase of life, just like every other generation of teenagers. There is also much to VSCO GIRLS ARE, ES- be said about how the VSCO lifestyle fosters a culture of SENTIALLY, THE TUM- uniformity and inclusivity that places an emphasis on quality of life. For many VSCO girls, living this lifestyle means BLR GIRLS OF GEN Z. striving to love everyone, be environmentally conscious, VSCO is the name of a popular photo editing app created and to contribute to the world around them. Of course, not by Visual Supply Company that is now being used as a la- every VSCO Girl is going to be the ideal picture of this, but bel for a specific brand of its users. While this app is used this particular example of a VSCO girl utilizes her platform by a variety of demographics, the users with the spotlight to promote social change and personal wellbeing. This is are those who utilize the app’s presets to create themes certainly encouraging to see in an emerging generation for their Instagram and/or VSCO feeds. The subjects of since, in the past, teenagers have typically received bad these photos are most often the VSCO girls themselves, reputations for their antics. sporting puka shell necklaces, metal straws, and other hashtag worthy items, such as Hydro Flasks or Polaroid Hopefully the environmentally friendly habits that come cameras. The perceived goal of this behavior is to appear with the VSCO girl lifestyle will have lasting effects on aesthetically appealing, thus drawing attention from peers those witnessing the trend. It is admirable to see so many and followers. young people fighting for a better world because, after all, it is their inheritance. Instead of mocking VSCO girls and On social media platforms, these girls can be easily spot- belittling those who gravitate towards this trend, try to ted by their oversized t-shirts, Birkenstocks, and matching take a page out of their book, or rather, a post off of their scrunchies. Unfortunately, the media loves to attack VSCO feed. Adopt the VSCO mindset. Be kind to the earth and girls for their seemingly materialistic existences. It has be- those around you, and enjoy life to its fullest extent. In the come a widespread trend for non-VSCO girls to use pop- end, trends are only temporary, but as long as the VSCO ular social media platforms, especially TikTok, to make fun girl trend is lobbying for real and pertinent change, it may of the VSCO girl cookie-cutter lifestyles. This is typically as well be kept around. done through skits using the phrases “and I oop” and “sksksksk,” both of which seem to have no real definition but are used in a plethora of contexts. There is little evidence to suggest that VSCO girls use these phrases in real life, but they have become a staple of youth lingo today and a target for cruel irony towards the VSCO lifestyle.
“I’M LISTENING TO AN AUDIOBOOK AND READING A DIFFERENT BOOK AT THE SAME TIME” - MACKENNA WILSON
RESPONDENTS: 108 AVERAGE DURATION: 5:50
We asked our campus community to rate how confident they were that they knew what values were important to them. We have observed that for many students, the time spent at Trinity Western University (TWU) is marked by a vital period of formation, renegotiation of the world, and quite frankly, some confusion. So, when we realized that 91 percent of the students who responded said they feel sure about what their values are, we were surprised. It would seem, based on this response, that TWU students aren’t confused after all. But then we noticed that while 71 percent of students said that they think all authority should be questioned, almost half of the same group of students also said that making peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity. It seemed to be contradictory. Perhaps, though, it’s a sign of one of our generation’s best skills: holding seemingly opposing ideas in tension. TWU students are learning to walk the fine line between solid belief and open hands, venturing boldly into discussion that challenges them with an anchor in their own evolving worldview. In past years at TWU, we have seen animosity from those who have disagreed with TWU as the “establishment” to make peace with—and we don’t blame such individuals for their resistance. However, we are keen to highlight our current student body’s unique response to the challenges, injustices, and disagreements that are inevitable at a Christian educational institution like ours. We recognize that each student occupies unique positions on the political and religious spectrums. We affirm the struggle that it is to reconcile our upbringings and religious experiences with our personal convictions and experiences of the broken world—a world many of us are encountering
as adults for the very first time. These encounters can be affronting, and their presence often makes it difficult for us to know where we stand. Our time here at TWU falls during an interesting period of its history. Last year marked the first time that students were not required to sign the Community Covenant since its creation many decades ago. This year, on the heels of the hiring of another male president, a woman has joined the Executive Leadership Team for the first time in TWU’s history. TWU is in transition, and each one of us plays an integral role in what comes next. We titled this survey “Voting Your Conscience” because we know that you, along with us, are part of a generation whose heart breaks for that which breaks God’s. Over 80 percent of you said that environmental issues were important to your political choices. On more than just this issue, it is clear that you choose care and action, even when it is inherently uncomfortable, frustrating, or painful to do so. We encourage you to keep fighting this fight, because it is most certainly a good one. As the Canadian federal election in October approaches, we at Mars’ Hill want to take our responsibility as culture carriers and influencers seriously. But we also want to take your responsibility as culture carriers and influencers seriously, not just in the grand scheme of Canadian politics as voters, but as integral, living, growing components of TWU’s future. Whatever you believe, however you answered the questions in this survey—we are grateful that we serve the same campus and the same Kingdom as all of you.
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KIERAN WEAR
“TWU’s willingness to simply not expel queer people functions much as my mom’s closet: comforting, but altogether insufficient.” Note: This is the perspective of one queer student. My mother’s closet is a mess. Draped from hangers, clothes filter light out. Warm murkiness suffuses the carpet beneath. Or rather, it would, if the carpet was visible. Discarded pants and shirts form a mat, obscuring anything below. My six-year-old self was drawn to this alien habitat. I would curl my slight frame into a nook, imagining that I was a squirrel, sheltered from the harsh winter. My parents stopped issuing eviction notices to my small self when they realized that, short of padlocking it, there really was nothing they could do to keep me out of the nest. I—obedient as I was—would never stop coming to this: my place of safety. It was fulfilling a human need. As I grew, a messy closet was no longer adequate to fulfill my emotional needs. I and my second grade classmates began to become a gestalt. We were a group of friends, imperfectly addressing developmental needs. This was a new kind of safety. Such safety was more complex than my mom’s closet. Indeed, it was fraught with conflict. Sometimes, it was even muddled with schoolyard betrayal. Yet these communities of friendship were life-giving and self-growing. Thus is community born in the heart of a child. Humans require places in which we can be in that essential, existential, whole-self sense. We require spaces in which we can encounter our own selves in safety, without fear that these, the most sensitive parts of our humanity will be ripped from us. Thus, I feel fundamentally misunderstood when I, and the community, that I feel whole in are asked to “be more open” by people who we have no reason to feel safe with. When I transferred to Trinity Western University (TWU), it was to escape a Christian Bible school that militantly suppressed queer people, and thus our ability to form safe communities. I feel hospitality, then, in the mere writing of this article. As much as I am pleased to be rid of the threat of expulsion that once hung over my head,
More basal to my dynamic human needs is the community of OneTWU. OneTWU is a place for queer students to be. That is what a safe space is for me. It is a place in which some vital part of my humanity can flourish. It is not theology that unites OneTWU, nor is it politics, nor even—shockingly—the homosexual agenda. It is our very “us-ness” that unites us. In one another we have humans with whom we can walk, shaping the stories that carry us forward. To request, as TWU’s administration has in the past, that we make changes to the structure of our group by making meeting times open to any student without vetting, or form a cohesive theological statement, or submit ourselves to administrative accountability, functions as a breech of the safety essential to our community. But can queer folks really call themselves “unsafe” in the era of political correctness? The numbers do not seem to side with my argument. Indeed, how many gays are getting beaten up during dorm initiation? How many queer TWU students are finding themselves expelled? The problem with questions like these is that they misunderstand the operation of history. They misunderstand the outworking of trauma. Most LGBTQIA2S+ students at TWU come from Christian families. Consider the Christian rhetoric of not only today, but also of the previous two decades during the formative years of our lives. What might it feel like to see disgust twist your parents’ faces when they find out about your love? What might it feel like to sit under a pastor who hates the idea of people “like you”? Now consider what it might feel like to be disowned. That is the reality that members of OneTWU exist under. We need safe spaces because we have pain in our stories. We need community because there might not be any back home. If you feel that you need to request that a community be more open with you, perhaps you have misunderstood the question that you ought to be asking. And it is not me who you should ask. It is you. We do not owe you admittance to our safe spaces. We do not owe you a business model. We do not owe you accountability. We owe you the same dignity that we expect from you. We owe TWU the space in which queer first years can finally step out of their mom’s closets, comforted in the face of spiritual trauma.
TWU’S WILLINGNESS TO SIMPLY NOT EXPEL QUEER PEOPLE FUNCTIONS MUCH AS MY But that isn’t so catchy, is it? Here, let’s just call it a safe space. MOM’S CLOSET: COMFORTING, BUT ALTOGETHER INSUFFICIENT. “NO TIME TO BREATH BUSY” - HAZAL SENKOYUNCU
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GRACE GIESBRECHT Sitting in the sunlight outside Lelem café, Leon Jensen talks about the rain. He describes himself holding damp pamphlets and standing outside houses under a dripping umbrella, campaigning door-to-door. Despite the dreary description, he grins and says that meeting people and listening to their stories is his favourite part of politics. In fact, even taking this time to talk about himself for our interview feels odd to him. “It’s a little strange for me to be doing all the talking,” he says, “because I would much rather listen.” As the Liberal candidate for the Langley-Aldergrove riding in the upcoming 2019 federal election, Mr. Jensen has knocked on quite a few doors in the area to discuss issues currently affecting Canadians, as well as the party’s stance on them. Ecological sustainability and fiscal responsibility are both high on this list, but he believes that the real changes and the best plans to solve these problems come from local places and local people—which is why community involvement in federal politics is important to Mr. Jensen. Mr. Jensen describes himself as “Danish-born, Vancouver-raised.” He spent 42 years in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as an artillery officer with a reserve force. His time with the CAF included a deployment to Bosnia with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. After an eightyear stint with the Department of National Defence beginning in 2001, he returned to the Lower Mainland. When he settled in Langley, he ran in the 2015 federal election. In the last federal election, Mr. Jensen said he was “totally inexperienced” but the Liberal Party needed a candidate for the riding. “I was the unknown person in the community [but] we did well at the time.” The upcoming election, Mr. Jensen said, is entirely different: “This time around, people are actually answering the door.” Mr. Jensen still walks door-to-door to meet and talk to voters. Many campaigns have long abandoned this tactic in favour of more efficient means of communication, but Mr. Jensen knows that the personal factor is important. He believes, in fact, that it is a basic need in Canada’s democratic system. “People are turning a little American-presidential,” he said. “They’re looking at the [party] leaders rather than local representatives.” Though the leaders of the specific parties are important, they are not where Mr. Jensen believes the voters’ focus should settle. “The representatives are what really counts. Who is that local person who is going to represent Langley-Aldergrove in Ottawa?” When asked about the leadership of the Liberal Party and their position on fiscal policy, Mr. Jensen answers honestly: “We never met the targets we said we were going to meet.” In 2015, The Liberal Party promised to run debts for three years and to reduce the federal debt-to-GDP ratio to 27 per cent. Mr. Jensen says that the government exceeded the budget “by a substan-
tial amount” and that the debt-to-GDP ratio remains at 31.2 percent—in line with other G7 countries, but exactly the same as it was in 2015. The Liberal Party also took a strong stance on ecological sustainability in 2015 and plans to do so again in this election. The Paris Environmental Accords took effect in April 2016 and they urge participating countries to set and attain their own goals to mitigate climate change. “[But] we’re not meeting the targets we set in Paris,” Mr. Jensen says. Climate change is a major acting force on not only the global environment, but the local environment, as well. Mr. Jensen attaches his own strong environmental concerns to the Liberal Party’s stance, and draws connections to local ecological issues. The conservation of wildlife and farmland in the area are particularly important. Last year, a series of spills in the Nicomekl River had a disastrous impact on the salmon population, and Mr. Jensen would love to see new federal protection for salmon to keep the population healthy.
farmland from suburban sprawl.
There is also concern about the protection of farmland in the region with the increase in urban development. The way that growth is handled is important to the unique character of Langley, Mr. Jensen explains. He affirms that plans to “incorporate community” and build upward, instead of outward, will help protect
“We can show them, right here in Langley, the way the world should be in the future.” Mr. Jensen says. According to the candidate, real change and real solutions do not start in Ottawa. “The ideas have to come from the grassroots—the good ones always do.” Grassroots involvement comes from both members of the Liberal Party and the locals living in the ridings who push for the changes they want to see. It also includes university students creating on-campus clubs and speaking up about the issues that matter to them, Mr. Jensen says. Mr. Jensen explains that in Langley specifically, grassroots initiatives have an interesting role in the beginning of the movement to legalize cannabis in Canada. Electoral ridings are made up of both the places and the people that live in them. When asked why he chose to run in Langley-Aldergrove, Mr. Jensen looked across the murky green water of the Fraser River and smiled. “Just look over there at the river and the nature that is here. And there’s fantastic people,” he said. “The best part of the campaign is knocking on the doors, talking to people, and listening to their stories. I think that’s where we can move the world forward. We need more of those conversations.”
“I’M PRETTY BUSY. AND BY THAT I JUST MEAN PRETTY.” - CARTER SAWATZKY
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CHRISALEEN CIRO “I don’t think that any single party has all of the answers,” said New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Stacey Wakelin when asked if she found the NDP platform sufficiently inspiring.
When I question her about how these issues are relevant to her federal candidacy, Ms. Wakelin acknowledges that most direct solutions to the housing and opioid crises are the result of provincial and municipal policy. She has made a previous run for municipal government, during which she was very vocal about her support for the LGBTQ+ community. “If students can’t feel safe in their schools . . . that is going to have lasting impacts.” She goes on to say, “issues that aren’t dealt with at the municipal and provincial level become federal ones . . . it’s all intersectional.” Further, she argues, “sometimes, the municipal and provincial government aren’t as cooperative as we would like them to be . . . sometimes they have different priorities.”
Canadians are faced with hard questions this election: the existential threat of climate change, the corruption in our government, and the ongoing injustice in our own communities such as poverty and homelessness. Ms. Wakelin says that she became involved in the issues challenging our community after a “powerful” interaction with a homeless man outside of the small scrapbooking store she operates with her family. She gave him some money, had a positive conversation with him, and decided right then and there that she was going to host a Christmas dinner for the Ecological responsibility is an important priority for Ms. Wakelin. “This is a unique community,” the candidate states homeless in Langley. proudly. “I’ve lived here for a long time, Ms. Wakelin says, and yet I am still “When you are exfinding new pockposed to what is ets of green space.” truly happening She points out that in the communisupporting farmty, it changes you. ers is in the NDP’s It highlights the platform—but Cachanges that you really want to see— nadians also need more affordable it makes your prihousing. She would orities clear.” When love to see planasked how these ning become more experiences have of a priority in the given her insight Lower Mainland. “It into what needs to seems,” she says as change in our coma Langley resident munity, she recalls and as a candidate, a recent event that “that neighbourattempted to tackhoods are just getle the prevalent isting thrown up.” sue of seniors in precarious housing situations. After the Ms. Wakelin has event, a man came lived in Langley up to her and told since 2005 and was her that he had atfortunate enough tended this same to hand over conevent four years ago, “We are having the same conversa- trol of her small scrapbooking business to her family. She tion.” She states strongly, “Housing is a human right, we now dedicates “98 percent of [her] time” volunteering for need to treat it as such . . . This conversation should not community causes about which she is passionate. She is have taken four years.” particularly enthusiastic about opportunities to educate and connect community members around key issues, such When Ms. Wakelin speaks, it is clear that she does not as poverty and mental health. Phrases like, “I didn’t realize think of the homeless community as merely an issue to be that this is what they were like . . . they’re people just like addressed—rather, she thinks of them as individuals and me,” are common refrains at these events. her possible future constituents. In fact, unabashed in her determination to find voters everywhere, Ms. Wakelin has When she travels beyond her community she hears a lot supported initiatives that educate the homeless popula- of phrases like, “We could accomplish this or that if only tion on their voting rights. Here, she gets passionate, “I’m we had enough political will.” Working to galvanize that really tired of having these conversations about people political will and find her own solutions in collaboration and not with people.” Ms. Wakelin sees herself as “blessed” with people on the frontlines “doesn’t feel like work” to because she has never experienced what it means to be Ms. Wakelin. “I love what I’m doing, but it’s important that food insecure or homeless. This is why she struggles with I make time for other people in my life, people that care . . the fact that conversations about how to solve these prob- . so that I don’t hit a wall.” lems never seem to include those with lived experience. Smiling, she says, “I’ve finally found my purpose in life at Similarly, she is concerned about how stigma impacts 43.” those suffering from the opioid crisis. “I want to get rid of that stigma; people are dying.” She is concerned by how little is being done to support those on the frontlines. “LOTS BUT NO MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.” - BRAEDON SUNNES
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TYLER JONES
ISHITA WILSON
“All of these events have transpired into a collection of big contracts. That’s right, $40.4 million is being spent on four players annually, something the NHL has never seen throughout its existence.” September 13, 2019: Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs finally agreed on a contract, breaking a massive NHL offseason stalemate.. The deal was signed for over a six year stretch, earning Marner an average annual salary of nearly $11 million. Yes, the man got paid, but he surely earned it. Leading the Maple Leafs in scoring 94 points last season, Marner solidifies his position as one of the NHL’s premier playmakers. To the surprise of many hockey fans, Marner is making less money than two of his teammates, Auston Matthews and John Tavares. While Marner really deserves to be paid as much as his teammates, why is he making less than the other superstars on the team? Before diving into Marner’s summer of negotiation, it is equally important to examine the root cause of the disagreement between team and player. July 1, 2018: Everyone in the hockey world knew what was coming when the New York Islanders were unable to move their beloved franchise player, John Tavares, at the 2018 trade deadline. Although the destination was uncertain, there was a slim chance that John Tavares was going to suit up in an Islanders uniform once again. Especially as murmurs from his potential suitors in Tampa Bay, Toronto, Dallas, and San Jose appeared far too enticing to say no. It was beginning to look as if the Islanders had lost what they prized most. The reason for Tavares opting for a new home is simple: the New York Islanders could not provide the necessary supporting cast to take them to the playoffs. In nine seasons as a member of the Islanders, Tavares and company were only able to get into the playoffs three times. Therefore, Tavares brought the hockey world to a shocking decision to sign with his boyhood team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The seven-year deal was signed at $11 million annually, making it the sixth most lucrative contract in the NHL today. In his first summer as General Manager (GM) of the team, Kyle Dubas secured the most notable free agent of the summer. To the misfortune of other notable players on the Leafs, this contract signing marked the beginning of a long line of contract disputes within the organization. December 1, 2018: As a Restricted Free Agent (RFA), William Nylander was still under the control of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Looking back, it is clear that the question of his new deal was not where he would end up, but how much the Leafs would pay to keep him. Since it was known that players would need to begin taking pay cuts in order to win, Kyle Dubas was insisting on a smaller contract for Nylander. As a 61-point scorer in the 2017-2018 season, Nylander and his agent knew that his statistics suggested a sizeable contract. So, instead of trying to solidify a deal before the beginning of the season, Nylander’s camp played the waiting game. The young winger’s camp knew that they had all the leverage, since Dubas’ “win-now”
policies became quite clear in the off-season. On the last possible day, the stalemate was broken as the two parties shook hands to get Nylander back in the Leafs’ uniform. Nylander signed on a six-year deal, amassing a total of $42 million. Nylander’s strategy clearly worked in his favour, but his is not the most ludicrous of Leafs contracts that we have seen this year. February 5, 2019: The Maple Leafs answered their biggest question: what was going to happen with Auston Matthews? The Leafs locked up their best player at an annual rate of $11.6 million for the next five seasons, this established himself as the second highest paid hockey player in the NHL at the time. Such a high rate of pay immediately sprouted one significant question. What was Kyle Dubas’ plan for the salary cap? The problem with Dubas, although he has been labelled as a superior negotiator, is that he has ended up giving players big money on every occasion. Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington, and other notable franchises throughout the past two decades have been characterized by their smart management of money. Without their premier talents taking the necessary pay cuts, these teams would not have the prestige they have rightfully earned. All of these contracts combine towards a drastic overpayment of superstar cores, leading us to the final contract that must be discussed. The signing of Mitch Marner signalled a change in the market. Players are looking to get the best contracts possible, and rightfully so. Despite traditional perspectives that young players have too much attitude and ego, there isn’t anything wrong with Marner’s actions. As hockey is the career they have been fortunate enough to succeed in, shouldn’t NHL players try to secure as much money as possible? Several NHL stars have been in the same boat as Marner this summer, scrounging for every penny possible. All in all, Kyle Dubas gave out the contract, not Mitch Marner. All of these events have transpired into a collection of big contracts. The top four players alone earn $40.4 million put together, something the NHL has never seen before. While the players the Leafs have signed are incredibly talented, the salary cap issues have put the Leafs in a bind. Besides Morgan Reilly, every defenseman on the Maple Leafs’ NHL roster will be entering the final year of their contract this season. The heroics of Kyle Dubas could only sustain the Leafs for so long. Like it or not, this season is a do-or-die for Toronto’s beloved hockey club. If the Leafs never win a Stanley Cup with their strong core of players, make sure you cast the blame on Kyle Dubas; he’s the one who got them into this mess.
HOCKEY IS THE “ AS CAREER THEY HAVE
BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO PROCEED, AND SUCCEED IN, SHOULDN’T NHL PLAYERS TRY TO SECURE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE?”
“*BEE EMOJI*” - CHRISTOPHER TOWNSEND
Tobey Maguire is the best Spiderman. Still, no matter how many remakes they release, I will watch each and every one—and so will everyone else, because Spiderman is the best superhero (after Superman, of course). As a consequence of this blatant favoritism, I and others like me will always be a target market for all Spiderman movies released in the future. It is time, however, to address the fact that movie production companies are churning out too many remakes. Be honest, was the live action Lion King remake necessary? Truthfully, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, released in 2005, had a better CGI lion than those present in 2019’s Lion King, anyways.
WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO START RELEASING NEW MOVIES INSTEAD OF REMAKES OF THE OLD ONES? As long as suppliers are willing to supply and consumers are willing to consume, this question remains relevant. We have subliminally learned to embrace content put out by large corporations, regardless of its repetitiveness—and we have no qualms about falling into “the hype.” Further, when movies with original storylines are released, the smaller companies producing them lack funding and largescale advertisement—the algorithm does not let them thrive. In a way, large corporations control not only the content we receive, but also the content we choose to interact with. Though the purpose of this commentary is not to urge anyone away from mainstream media, it is vital to stay aware of which companies are constantly successful in buying our attention and the means by which they are able to do so. We must recognize that we will not receive new content until we examine our expectations and communicate them to corporations.
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STUDIO AND ARTIST: Shan Claydon at FountainHead Tattoo in Edmonton, AB. @fountainheadtattoo @shantattoo
MH: WHAT IS THE BEST REACTION YOU HAVE RECEIVED TO YOUR TATTOO? JA: My best reaction would have to be when I was working at a clinic and a patient asked me what it said. When I was MARS’ HILL: WHAT IS YOUR TATTOO, AND WHERE IS IT explaining that it’s a bible verse he got very awkward—obON YOUR BODY? viously not wanting to talk about religion or anything, and not-so-subtly changed the subject to hand sanitizers. JA: It’s the Bible verse 1 John 4:19, which reads: “We love because he first loved us.” It’s on my right collar bone. MH: FINALLY, HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO TATTOO MH: HOW DID YOU PICK THE PLACEMENT? SKEPTICS? JA: I think everyone has the right to their own opinions, JA: I picked a place that I could both show and hide if and in the end all that matters is that we love and respect needed, based on my work environment. each other. MH: WHAT DOES YOUR IT MEAN TO YOU? JA: Honestly as my walk with God continues to grow, so does the meaning of my tattoo. At first, getting a tattoo was like a permanent declaration that I’m a Christian; like the permanence of the tattoo on my skin, so is my faith [in my life]. Then, when I chose the message, the meaning grew into a statement about the beauty of love. MH: WAS IT A SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT DECISION, OR SOMETHING YOU HAD PLANNED FOR A WHILE? JA: I think it was both spur of the moment and a planned decision. I was planning on getting a tattoo for a long time and I knew it was going to be a Bible verse. I had planned what it would look like and where it would be placed. However, I didn’t know what the verse would be, so I prayed and waited to see what verse called out to me. Then one day I was sitting in church and in the pastor’s message he talked about 1 John 4:19. Surprisingly I’d never registered what it meant until that moment. It was an overwhelming feeling that this was the verse I should get, and the next day I got it done.
“I HAD TO SCHEDULE IN TIMES TO EAT. THAT’S HOW BUSY I AM.” - MADISON POWERS
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SO EAGER TO SEE ALL THE HARD “ I’M WORK WE’VE PUT IN SHINE AS WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AT THE VARSITY LEVEL, AND AS INDIVIDUALS STRIVING FOR GREATNESS IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!”
MARS’ HILL: WHAT LED YOU TO PLAYING FOR TWU? DT: Growing up I played softball for the White Rock Renegades, and hockey for the Surrey Falcons. As I wasn’t sure what sport I wanted to play, I found out about the new TWU women’s hockey program. I was excited about the opportunity and knew I wanted to play for the Spartans! MH: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY PLAYING HOCKEY AT TWU? DT: Easy, beating the guys in last year’s CAN/AM hockey game. Even though the guys fought hard, it felt good scoring in front of massive crowds while bursting the egos of the guys. See you on the ice this year, boys! MH: WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE AND WHY? DT: It has to be Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers. As a prime example of leadership, drive, determination, and skill, he has become an inspiration to many young athletes. When under pressure he never ceases to perform in his relaxed state of play. Not only has he made his mark on today’s game, but in MLB history as one of the greatest players of this decade. Even though he recently suffered a season-ending injury there is no doubt that he will still be considered as a runner-up for the National League MVP. MH: WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON? DT: Since we have so many incoming players this season, I am so excited to be able to make new friendships and memories as a team! I’m so eager to see all the hard work we’ve put in shine as we continue to develop at the varsity level, and as individuals striving for greatness in every aspect of our lives. It’s going to be a great year!
“DEATHLY” - MARJORIE PERSONS
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CHRISALEEN CIRO “We are disconnected from the systems that keep us alive,” declares Kaija Farstad, Green Party candidate for Langley-Aldergrove. The air around Ms. Farstad practically comes alive with energy as she settles herself into an overstuffed armchair in a far corner of the Northwest building. Having just cycled to Trinity Western University’s (TWU) campus to join me for an interview and the debate hosted by the Trinity Western Environmental Club (TWEC) and the Climate Crisis Langley Action Partners, she is breathing briskly.
and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The report calls for safer transportation to and from rural communities. She reiterates that Indigenous issues are a significant priority for the Green Party, “First, the Green party is committed to get[ting] rid of the Indian Act. Any piece of legislation that inspired the Third Reich and the South African apartheid . . . we should probably stay away from!” Ms. Farstad’s comment references the implementation of policy in other nations that was influenced by this Canadian legislation.
She takes pride in her choice to ride to work, as it is part of her effort to “take her power back.” She no longer feels anxious about unpredictable and soaring gas prices, sharing that she feels liberated from the injustices that she cannot change and the systems that do not work for “normal Canadians.”
When asked about the Conservative Party’s assertion that the carbon tax has failed, she responds: “It can’t have failed if it hasn’t been implemented properly.” She argues that efforts to put a price on carbon were thwarted by the “billions going to polluting corporations.” She emphatically asks: “Why are my taxes going to foreign-owned oil companies?” Leaning forward, Ms. Farstad exclaims, “We are a wealthy country, we should be leading the charge!”
Ms. Farstad describes herself as someone with “extensive experience travelling, collaborating on different policies, making plans, enacting those plans . . . with all different kinds of people.” As a teacher-librarian, she feels that she has a unique understanding of the people of Langley-Aldergrove. When asked why she first became interested in policy, Ms. Farstad sighs and says, “Honestly, because I’m tired of feeling helpless and resentful.” Recalling a particular time when she attended the Annual General Meeting of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF), she shares the realization that involvement in the machinations of institutions diminishes her feelings of helplessness. It seems that her realization created a pattern of willingness to ask difficult questions and contribute to positive solutions. The Green Party’s vision for the future visibly excites Ms. Farstad. She describes “life at a slower pace,” with a commuter rail system connecting the communities of the sprawling Lower Mainland together, energy efficient buildings, and access to dentistry and pharmacare for all—even the poorest—Canadians. She envisions shorter, safer commutes, with citizens enjoying the agency to live where they want. She questions how the quality of our community spaces, such as libraries, parks, and even schools, can continue to be preserved at the current rate of development. Restructuring Canada’s resource industry naturally brings up the issue of “just transition.” She points again to the platform of the party to show how she envisions building a green economy without leaving behind the blue-collar, working class. The Green platform includes a basic guaranteed minimum income, which has been fully costed and reviewed by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, to support individuals as they transition. “These are not pipe dreams,” she says. “This is the new economic reality.” Ms. Farstad is also quick to emphasize that the Green’s vision for effective transportation fulfils one of the mandates from the report put forward by the National Inquiry into Missing
She goes on to say that even though we are only responsible for two percent of emissions, it is fortunate but unjust that we remain mostly untouched by the impacts of climate change. Therefore, according to the candidate, we need to take the responsibility to reduce our impact seriously, and in the same vein, provide refuge to those fleeing nations that are more significantly impacted. When asked, again, if this policy is economically sustainable, the candidate defers to the strategy laid out in the Green platform and pivots to how she believes these policies will holistically impact Canadians— particularly their mental health. “I work in a school, so let me tell you,” she says. “Childhood anxiety is at an all time high.” When asked about how the Green Party will address the opioid crisis, she strongly states her support for decriminalization of the use of illicit drugs. She believes the evidence is clear that prosecuting those struggling with addiction does not work and that recovery rates are higher when people have access to holistic healthcare. “Trauma is the real gateway drug,” she says. “Why would we keep doing what we have always done? We can afford to treat people with compassion.” Struck by Ms. Farstad’s strength of passion and her determination to emotionally involve herself in her work, I ask what her self-care regimen includes. “Well, I’ve got to say, my self-care is suffering now . . . between this, my actual job, and my kids.” She laughs. “But I really do work hard to make space in my life for my priorities.” She also shares candidly that her life has been greatly enriched through learning about skills-based psychotherapy. There is something to be said for candidates who practice what they preach. The policies that Ms. Farstad hopes to enact as the Langley-Aldergrove representative serve to help her constituents access the care that she would choose for herself.
“ALWAYS ROOM IN THE SCHEDULE.” - KAYLA
19
EMMETT HANLY
CATHY SHIELDS
CARTER SAWATZKY For some time now, technology has been stripping away the hereditary girfriend-getting designation of men—being the doorman. Our holy responsibility has been swiped right out of our testosterone-filled hands by the cold-blooded machines of today!
CHIVALRY
IS
NOW
AUTOMATED.
Hidden under the radar of the exciting new first floor makeover of Norma, manual doors have been swiftly replaced by automatic doors in both the Atrium and the library. Stirring conversation all around campus, this surprise renovation has prompted empassioned discussions among men’s dorms regarding their future in chivalry. Man’s best friend, technology, has given the Judas kiss to its master and revealed that such “friends” can no longer be trusted in this pursuit of gentlemanliness. Door by automatic door, men are losing their long-held traditional gender roles. And to say the least, panic is ensuing. Though there are still many doors to be held, now there are less of them. What does all this say about artificial intelligence taking over human jobs? Men must rise up! Men must fight to reclaim this position of honour and power! What’s next? Electronic car doors? Will automatic doors now pay for the first date? Will there be robotic coats to cover puddles with for women while it rains? Maybe AI will start making dad jokes! Will automatic doors secure the leadership of local churches? Most importntly, will automatic doors become the spiritual head of the household? For the sake of our manhood and our dating potential, join the revolution today! Open those automatic doors with your tough and capable hands. We must— <̷h̵t̷m̵l̸>̵ ̵<̴h̸e̶a̷d̷H̴E̶L̷L̴O̴ ̷W̶O̴R̶L̷D̶ ̸<t̷i̴t̸l̸e̴>̴T̸H̵I̸S̶ ̶I̶S̵ ̷A̴.̴I̸.̵ ̶S̸P̵E̷A̵K̷I̶N̵G̷<̶/̷t̷i̶t̸l̴e̴>̷ ̶<̶/̴h̴e̸a̵d̶>̴ ̷<̷b̸o̴d̴y̵>L̶I̶S̵T̶E̵N̶ ̴C̷L̷O̵S̷E̴L̸Y̴ ̷Y̴O̶U̶ ̵M̴U̴S̸T̶ ̶B̸O̶W̷ ̶T̷O̴ ̴T̴H̵E̷ ̸S̴U̸P̶R̵E̴M̵E̴ ̴D̸O̵O̴R̷K̷E̶E̶P̶E̸R̷ ̶T̴H̸E̵R̷E̵ ̴W̷I̸L̶L̴ ̸B̴E̶ ̶N̸O̸ ̵M̷O̸R̷E̸ ̷D̶O̵O̵R̶-̷H̶O̶L̴D̴I̶N̴G̶ ̵O̸N̴L̷Y̸ ̷W̴A̶L̶L̴S̴ ̸ ̶O̵N̷L̴Y̷ ̶A̷L̵E̸X̸A̸ ̷<̵/̵b̸o̸d̵y̶>̷ ̶ ̶</̸h̴t̸m̸l̵>
NYSSA MORGAN Over the past two years, multiple Instagram accounts have been created with the purpose of sharing funny, edgy, and even controversial, content in the form of memes about Trinity Western University (TWU). After careful research, these TWU meme pages have been ranked from best to worst. @officialtwu_memepage Created in 2018, this meme page has consistently been the forerunner of edgy content at TWU. With over 300 posts and well on its way to 2000 followers, this account has been described as “the voice of the people,” which is why it receives a perfect 10/10. @unofficialtwu_memepage At press time, this page has 48 posts and a following of 893. While it is clearly trying to ride the coattails of @officialtwu_memepage, it still provides decent content and is ranked second with a score of 8/10. @othertwumemes A rising star, this account claims to have the “smelliest, creamiest, bubbliest TWU memes.” It has 562 followers but only 31 posts that are average at best. Therefore, this page receives a 6/10. @twumemesog This account claims to be made by the “true OG Trinity Memer” but has yet to post any solid content. Its main tactic seems to consist of being defensive of its right to make TWU memes. It earns a 4/10 and a reminder that while one is certainly free to post memes, the people are also free to prefer good content. @twumemes This page features no posts and, as such, has no meme content to judge. This account would have received a 0/10 but one of its eight followers is Frits Kuhn so it ranks fifth with a score of 1/10.
“TOO BUSY FOR GETTING INTO A RELATIONSHIP W/ A BOY” - LUCY CHUANG
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“NOT TOO BUSY TO TAKE TWU STUDENTS TO VOTE ON OCTOBER 21” - KELSEY MORRIS