Volume 44 issue 5

Students’ leave of absence

Fearing the future

Hedwig at Hart House

From Iranian prison to UTM

Physical health awareness

News, page 2

Opinion, page 6

Arts, page 8

Features, page 11

Sports, page 14

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10.02.2017

U of T to institute mental health leave Students may be placed on a mandated leave of absence after recommendation from administration ALICIA BOATTO NEWS EDITOR The University of Toronto is undergoing consultations for a new university-mandated leave of absence policy that will allow the administration to recommend students struggling with severe mental health concerns to take a leave of absence.

This policy has been in development since the 2014-2015 ombudsperson’s report and is meant to provide help to students whose academic performance has been impacted by their mental health. Currently, the University Mandated Leave of Absence policy is being discussed across the three campuses for information purposes only.

“It’s important to note that this is not a policy that a student can request.

It’s not a policy for a student who may be already engaging in a health care treatment plan and is able to go to class and participate in class,” stated Sandy Welsh, vice-provost students in an interview with The Medium.

According to Welsh, the policy is designed to help establish a process for instances when a student’s mental health prevents them from functioning in class, as well as if they have demonstrated aggressive behaviors

YASMEEN ALKOKA/THE MEDIUM

This is designed for severe cases of mental health when students may pose a danger to themselves. towards themselves or to others.

“It’s really for the very rare situations where we have concerns about a student and they’re either unable to continue in their studies, they are very unwell, and for the best interest for the student, they can stop their studies and get well again, we’d be using this policy,” Welsh said.

“It’s also important to note that this

is a policy of last resort. The policy does require that before we move to this stage that we’ve attempted to have the student to choose to go on a voluntary leave of absence,” she continued.

If a student elects to willingly choose to go on a leave of absence or follow the mandated leave policy, the university will put into place a series

of terms and conditions required of the student during their absence.

According to the draft policy section G., paragraphs 39 and 40, such terms may include a re-evaluation if the student poses a threat to themselves or others; the student’s method of communication with the university while on leave; and the student’s level of access to the campus and co-cur-

ricular activities.

If the student was placed on leave due to behavior concerns, the draft policy states: “Where the University considers it appropriate, the terms and conditions may include a provision limiting the Student’s ability to be on University premises or part of the premises for the duration of the Leave of Absence. The terms and conditions could include that the Student may visit the University only if authorized in writing by the Student Case Manager, and may only communicate with designated University personnel and only for purposes related to the application of this Policy.”

The mandated leave of absence policy would be overseen by the academic division heads. The principal or dean of a student’s division or college would then request the viceprovost of students to implement this policy for a particular student.

According to Welsh, without this policy in the past, the university used the student code of conduct as a means to implement a leave. The new policy permits the university to put a student on leave more efficiently and allows students to receive the help they may require.

Health continued on page 4

Town Hall seeks to expand campus space Principal Krull used UTM’s first Town Hall of the year to address spatial concerns around the campus ALI TAHA

The first town hall meeting of the academic year, held last Tuesday, discussed various projects the University of Toronto Mississauga will undertake over the next five years, intended to address the issues of campus learning and study spaces.

With UTM’s enrolment growth, the campus’s principal, Ulrich Krull, elaborated on the Campus Master Plan, which focuses on the reconstruction of the North Building Phase B. The new building will house the departments for English and drama, philosophy, historical studies, language studies, political science, and sociology, along with new active learning classrooms and administrative space.

“What I want to do is give you a sense as to how we’re treating this amalgamation, holistically, including programs, space—where we’re going in the plan in terms of improving the overall capability of students here. There are multiple pieces that have to fall into place. If

NATALIE NG/THE MEDIUM

Last Tuesday’s first town hall meeting of the academic year discussed upcoming projects. you want to attract students, then we have to worry about things like recruitment, scholarships, and the kind of programs we put in,” stated Krull.

According to UTM’s principal, the administration is looking to revitalize the research component of

the university, creating innovative ways to hone students’ skills and prepare them for the university experience and post-graduation.

“Now we have to take a look at what the mantra, the vision, is at the University of Toronto. This is an institution that prides itself on ex-

cellence in research, which feeds the undergraduate experience,” Krull said.

Krull added that the provincial government has largely been interested in funding the construction of classrooms and teaching laboratories.

According to Krull, the science departments that have the ability to hire staff are unable to due to lack of research class space.

The university has invested over $100 million dollars in the construction project to build a science building, according to Krull. “It will be one of the investments we make to change the nature of this campus and how we are all perceived.”

Krull also spoke about innovative ways of learning that will enhance undergraduates’ skills with a focus on communications, including writing, numeracy, verbal, and visual.

The intention is to create “modules” designed to teach students a specific skill. The modules will be held outside of a student’s regular program, but will still be embedded in the program they’re interested in.

Krull stated that the modules are still in their earliest phases of being developed.

There will be one module for every year a student is at UTM in a traditional four-year degree.

Hall continued on page 3

10.02.2017 THE MEDIUM NEWS

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3

UTMSU’s bursaries available

September 22nd, 2017 Police Assistance Campus Police were called to attend the student centre for an intoxicated student. Campus Police escorted EMS to the student centre and the student was transported to Credit Valley Hospital.

September 24th, 2017 Motor Vehicle Collision Campus Police were notified of a motor vehicle collision at the north entrance of the university. A single vehicle had crashed into the University of Toronto rock slab entrance sign.

EMS, Mississauga Fire, and Peel Regional Police attended. Peel Regional Police deemed the driver to be under the influence of alcohol. As a result, the driver was issued a three-day license suspension and charged with careless driving.

September 24th, 2017 Theft A student reported to Campus Police that their belongings were stolen from the RAWC. The belongings were in an unlocked locker and upon return, they were no longer there.

September 25th, 2017 Police Information Campus Police attended the RAWC for a student and a non-community member using the same TCard to gain entry to the gym facilities.

The student was advised to speak to RAWC facilities manager in order to have membership reinstated. The non-community member was advised not to return to the RAWC facilities and if they wish to do so, they would need to speak to RAWC management and Campus Police.

These reports are those that have been released to The Medium from Campus Police and do not necessarily constitute an exhaustive list.

Students can contact the UTM Campus Police at 905 828 5200, Peel Regional Police at 905-453-3311, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Modules to improve UTM comunication

MESHA GHAYUR/THE MEDIUM

The student union offers several different bursary options to help students with school fees.

TANISHA KUMAR

The application process has opened for five different bursaries, offered by the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union: a need-based bursary, book-based bursary, international student bursary, accessibility U-Pass bursary, and a childcare bursary.

“Our students pay some of the highest tuition fees in Canada and it’s important that we support our students and understand that we all come from different walks of life,” wrote UTMSU’s president Salma Fahkry in an email to The Medium.

“It’s also important to acknowledge the barriers of high tuition fees and how this can impact a students’ ability to receive post-secondary education.”

The bursaries are offered throughout the fall, summer, and spring academic terms, and can be accessed through online applications available

on the UTMSU website.

According to the application, the need-based bursary “is designed to assist full-time & part-time undergraduate students, who have proven they are in financial need, in meeting the high cost of financing their postsecondary education.”

In order to help with the cost of textbooks, the UTMSU offers the book-based bursary “to assist students in meeting the high cost of financing their post-secondary education.” They mention that, “The bursary is a reimbursement of some of the costs associated with the purchase of books during the Fall 2016 academic term.” Reimbursement will come in the form of cheques from the union.

The application states that the international student bursary “is designed to assist registered, undergraduate, international students who have proven they are in financial need, in meeting the high cost of financing their post-secondary educa-

tion.”

The union’s accessibility U-Pass bursary “is designed to assist fulltime students, who require the use of wheelchairs and/or are currently registered with UTM Accessibility.”

According to the application process, students applying for this bursary are also required to return their U-Pass.

The UTMSU designed the childcare bursary to “assist full-time, part-time and graduate students, who have children that need childcare in order to attend a post-secondary education.”

Once a student has accessed their desired application, they need to bring the filled application along with all required documents to the UTMSU in the Student Centre.

These applications are then assessed by the bursary coordinator. The final decision is then made by the bursary committee after all the information has been brought to them.

The deadline to apply for all fall bursaries is October 20th.

Program catalogue launched

JEANLOUIS REBELLO/THE MEDIUM

The library’s fourth floor will be re-organized to maximize space.

Hall continued from page 2 Krull sees these modules as a new and innovative way to help foster the best learning environment for students coming to UTM. “The end result is that students coming through will be expected to take these modules because we know they will help them survive the university experience and prepare them so they can be leaders on graduation. It’s something that can really help students so that they’re better prepared in the university and when they leave. All of these projects have been conceptualized. None of it is fully developed,” Krull concluded. “It is something we will be coming to the community to develop over time.”

The town hall meeting also dis-

cussed changes to the library. UTM’s interim librarian, Shelley Hawrychuk, wants to focus on hiring more staff and librarian positions, as well as creating a more studious atmosphere in the library.

“There have been noise and food problems in previous years, and we want the library to have a more academic image,” Hawrychuk stated. To tackle this problem, the library has removed all the large tables on the fourth floor and has replaced them all with study carrels.

“We want to create a culture that the library is quiet or silent at all times,” she added. “It’s not a different library, it’s a better library.”

The next town hall meeting is scheduled to take place on October 23rd in IB150.

SHIFA SHIDDIQUI/THE MEDIUM

Project Plans is a campus-wide initiative launched by the Career Centre.

FARHAT AMINI

The University of Toronto Mississauga Career Centre has launched a campus-wide initiative called Project Plans, that allows students to plan the four years of their undergraduate program. The catalogue consists of over 62 degree types, focusing on specialist and major programs.

Each specialist or major program in Project Plans outlines the core courses students are expected to take each year, as well as guidelines and references for academic assistance.

In contrast to Degree Explorer, an online tool that tracks the amount of credits a student has earned toward their degree, Project Plans highlights co-curricular and internship oppor-

tunities for students based on a student’s registered program.

“The idea is that there’s so many curricular and co-curricular opportunities for students that it’s so hard to find it all in one place,” said Monica Scott, the outreach consultant for the Career Centre.

“It’s intended for the students by the university, resources have gone into it, and we’re trying to pull things together so people have a good experience here,” she continued, adding that the idea for Project Plans came from Queen’s University, which has a similar program and a large support from the students.

The initiative is sponsored by the dean’s office with a steering committee consisting of the Career Centre, Office of the Registrar, Student Af-

fairs, five academic departments, and five additional offices.

The committee was responsible for overseeing the development of the project.

In addition to the steering committee, focus groups comprised of students, UTMSU, and student societies who represented the student body, were consulted on the general layout and the information being presented regarding the initiative.

The project started before the 2016 winter break. Students were asked to give feedback regarding the layout and some of the information within Project Plans in February and in April.

Students can now access the Program Plans under the action button on UTM’s main homepage.

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«NEWS

THE MEDIUM 10.02.2017

Leave policy obtains feedback

»WHAT WOULD YOU IMPROVE ABOUT THE SHUTTLE BUS?

Urooj Mirza 4th year, Criminology

Madison Schmidt 3rd year, Psychology

“More seating space.”

“More frequent service.”

Willson Adore 4th year, Anthropology

Chris Nishiyama 2nd year, Political Science

“Better buses, like Coach buses.”

“Additional buses.”

ANUM SYED/THE MEDIUM

There will be terms and conditions put into effect during and after the mandated leave.

Health continued from cover Welsh stressed that this policy is not a form of discipline, but instead a means to address mental health concerns.

The draft policy states that “all students in good standing at the University of Toronto should have the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations.”

According to Welsh, “good standing” is synonymous with “eligible to register.”

“It applies to all students, it’s one of the ways we refer to in a general principle way that the students are connected to the university,” Welsh

stated.

The university would assign a student case manager, while the student is on leave, to assist the student during the mandated leave process.

“This would be a support person.

It could be someone from the registrar’s office, or someone from another part of the university who has been supporting that student, and that person would be working and talking with that student to explain the process,” Welsh explained.

“As well in my role as vice-provost students, under this policy, I would be seeking advice from appropriate people to fit that case as well some of those people may be providing

support and working with that student.”

Welsh also added that her office has been in consultations with the deans of students, registrars, and student unions over the course of the spring and summer.

After the consultations period, the policy will move to the university’s Governing Council for approval of implementation. The policy will then be used as soon as approval from Governing Council has been obtained.

According to Welsh, the policy is estimated to be in effect no later than the next academic year.

Queer Orientation talks equity Activist Kim Katrin Milan spoke about allyship and feminism

Metrolinx merges PRESTO and U-Pass FATIMA WASIF ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

JOANNA THOMAI/THE MEDIUM

Queer Orientation Week included a community barbeque.

SHARMEEN ABEDI

The University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union hosted its Queer Orientation last week featuring a guest talk from activist Kim Katrin Milan, who is a writer, activist, and artist. She focuses on issues relating to feminism, intersectionality, and marginalized communities and has spoken at many public institutions.

Milan’s talk titled, “What does it mean to be an ally?” covered issues such as allyship, protests, and the meaning of oppression.

On the topic of allyship, Milan said it is a lifelong commitment. “If I am facing problems because of my identity, then you are facing those problems too,” she explained. She added that helping solve the problem for as long as it takes is more sufficient than just raising one’s voice on an issue.

Milan listed the many ways to demonstrate allyship, such as protesting, financial aid, using your job, volunteering, voting, and speaking up in

moments of violence.

According to Milan, people can demonstrate allyship wherever they are, and whenever they possibly can.

She also pointed out how people discuss “the correct way to protest,” but then object to any form of protests.

“People say you should do what Martin Luther King did, but when he was protesting, people did not like what he was doing at all,” she stated.

Milan did not support the idea of treating others the way you want to be treated, stating that “you should treat people the way they want to be treated, which means you have to ask and listen.” During the talk, the group discussed how the absence of obvious evidence of oppression does not mean that the oppression is not there, but rather that it is institutionalized.

Milan further emphasised that because identities are complex and can include various categories, like race, gender, sexuality, and other, society cannot focus on a single issue alone, such as the missing and murdered Aboriginal women. The talk dis-

cussed how justice was not done due to internalized bias against the Indigenous community.

Milan argued that saying people and cultures are all the same is not a solution to racism and oppression.

“We need to realize that we are all different and accept each other because of those differences,” she said.

As Milan explained, equality assumes that we are all the same and deserve the same treatment, whereas equity takes into account our many differences, and how people deserve treatment according to their specific needs.

Other events in the orientation included a community barbecue and the history about the queer and trans community on campus. There was a screening of the documentary Game Face, designed to show students how the athletic department can be made friendlier towards the trans and queer community. The week concluded with Queer Pub Night at the Blind Duck Pub.

Metrolinx has announced a new initiative that combines university transit passes onto PRESTO Cards for the fall of 2018. The new program will allow universities to offer students a PRESTO card, preloaded with the pricing discount usually offered through the U-Pass, upon agreement with a university and its local transit companies.

“The functionality to enable the PRESTO university pass program coming this fall 2018, will offer an automated solution for discounted fares to students at universities that have reached an agreement with their transit agency,” stated Vanessa Barrasa, a spokesperson for Metrolinx, in an email to The Medium.

The University of Toronto Mississauga students pay for a transit pass, separate from PRESTO, which currently only applies to MiWay transit.

“The announcement was of no surprise as the senior executives of Metrolinx said that integration with the current U-Pass system would not be costly and could be done soon,” Salma Fakhry, UTMSU’s president, said in an email to The Medium.

“We hope that the current infrastructure of the U-Pass program will be the base pillar of this integrated program. No additional payments should be leveraged onto

students to make this card work,” stated Fakhry.

“MiWay has said that opt-outs are not an option, as is the practice for most if not all UPASS programs across the country,” she also added.

According to Barrasa, this system has undergone testing in Hamilton with students from McMaster and Redeemer University. The studentpass holders would then find using Hamilton Street Railway more accessible through their fall and winter terms.

UTMSU did not specify if the PRESTO-UPass combination will still be paid under student’s ancillary fees through their tuition.

Based on the specific contract terms struck between schools and transportation services, students will be set to receive an integrated PRESTO to use through the fall and winter terms.

According to Fakhry, the UTMSU has been working towards this initiative since October 2016.

As of press time, it remains unclear if the students will continue to pay for the new pass as part of their ancillary fees.

10.02.2017

MASTHEAD EDITORS Editor-in-Chief Mahmoud Sarouji editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Menna Elnaka managing@themedium.ca News Alicia Boatto news@themedium.ca A&E Kassandra Hangdaan arts@themedium.ca Features Mahnoor Ayub features@themedium.ca Sports Vanessa Cesario sports@themedium.ca — Photo Olivia Adamczyk photos@themedium.ca Design Mirabelle Eze design@themedium.ca Copy Ayesha Tak copy@themedium.ca Online Meg Sharpley online@themedium.ca ASSOCIATES News Fatima Wasif A&E TBA Features TBA Sports TBA Photo TBA Copy TBA GENERAL STAFF Webmaster Florence Cao web@themedium.ca Distribution Manager Alison Ross distribution@themedium.ca Ads Manager Mayank Sharma ads@themedium.ca Cartoonist Anthony Labonté COPYRIGHTS All content printed in The Medium is the sole property of its creators, and cannot be used without written consent.

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To contribute, email editor@themedium.ca

Don’t fear your future, embrace it It’s okay not to have your entire future figured out—take your time, you’ll be alright Since I graduated this past June, I find myself content with where I am and what I’m doing with my life.

But I find myself at a standstill.

As I’ve written in other editorials, myself and many of you are constantly getting asked the same question: what are you going to do with your life?

As content and happy as I am, I am aware that I still want to progress myself into my future. But, like I said, I’m stuck.

My ultimate goal is to be working in the film industry because I believe in the power of films and the stories they tell the world. However, with the creative arts, there are many ways to break into the field.

I’ve been telling myself that I want to go to college next year to do a post-graduate program in film, but there’s something about it that’s making me hesitant.

Part of it is the money. This is a question that those around my age who want to break into the film industry ask themselves all the time: Do we go out and make films ourselves and submit them to festivals and such, or do we go to school to get our foot in the door, but also drop $15,000 or more? There is no right answer, and it’s a constant

question that runs through my mind all day. On one hand, I’m afraid if I leave it up to myself to do, I’ll get lazy and won’t find the motivation to create all the time. On the other hand, it saves me money. However, going to school will actually give me that extra step that I need in order to learn about the industry and have some hands-on work experience.

Applications to apply are starting to open up and I’m beginning to get nervous about what path I’d like to take.

I know and understand what my end goal is, but the path to get there will always be the hardest to figure out.

I’ve also been realizing that I’m extremely critical of everything I do, specifically toward the work I produce. Now, I know that I’m not pumping out creative work on a daily basis, but when I do, I get so wrapped up in it being as perfect as it possibly can be, and sometimes that worries me.

The process of being a creative requires consistent practice and application. Otherwise, you lose sight of what it is you want. Though it’s tough when your mind is wrapped up constantly on creating the perfect project, I realize now that my

weakness is not creating enough.

I spend so much time focusing on watching videos, and collecting gear, and I’m wasting my time not actually getting up and going out to create for myself and add to my creative portfolio.

What I do know, is that whichever path I do choose, I will do what’s right for me. I know that I will not sacrifice my happiness as a creative for the sake of accustoming myself to a life I don’t want to live.

I know full well that I’ll have to at least have a job to pay my bills and such. However, at the same time, I will not allow myself to give up on my hopes to become a filmmaker in some form.

Many of us fear the idea of instability and are consistently creating a plan for our lives. We want to stick to a lifestyle where there is always a plan. But, to me, that worries me.

Constantly planning for what I hope to come next sets me up for disappointment, because as we all know life can hit you in the face sometimes.

Having a plan will not always be able to combat that. Sometimes, what’s important is to stay as flexible in your life as possible and to understand that nothing is guaran-

teed. Whether you’re a first-year, a fourth-year, or in your final stages of your Ph.D., don’t be afraid to adapt to the times. This is something that I’m realizing as I figure out my way into the film industry.

Believe me, I’m anxious, afraid, upset, and worried all the time about my future. I’m also excited and can’t wait to see what comes.

You probably are too.

I just need to take the chance and leap into what it is I want to do, and I think you should too. Right now, I realize I haven’t, but I know I will soon.

Allow yourself to be afraid of the future, but also allow yourself to be excited about the unknown, and don’t be disappointed if you don’t get where you want to immediately.

This is your time to be you and be who you’d like to be. Motivate yourself to do what allows you to achieve as much happiness in your life.

For me, that’s film. And as anxious as I am about the future, I know I’ll be okay.

And you will be too.

YOURS, MAHMOUD SAROUJI

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«OPINION

THE MEDIUM 10.02.2017

Vote in The Medium’s Board of Directors Election October 7 @ 8 a.m.—October 9 @ 11:59 p.m.

Visit voting.utoronto.ca to cast your ballot.

Open to all registered UTM students.

13 candidates are running for five seats on The Medium's board of directors. Add your voice to the corporate and financial governance of your student paper.

NOUR ABU-ALI My name is Nour Abu-Ali. I am a fourth year student in the CCIT and PWC Programs, and I am running for the Medium’s Board of Directors 2017-2018. I have a passion for writing and editing, and would love to be a part of a team that is fully committed and dedicated to reporting and promoting campus life. Being a member of the Board of Directors will provide the necessary experience and skills that I will implement in my future career. I aspire to work in publication organizations and this position will assist me in acquiring the expertise that I hope to obtain. If elected, I will ensure that the Medium is governed in a proficient and efficient manner.

JASMINE BILOKI My name is Jasmine Biloki as a student starting my third year of studies, being apart of such a diverse and welcoming learning community here at the University of Toronto Mississauga, I have sought after many opportunities to be involved. These desires have lead to my involvement with a variety of departments, academic societies and clubs ultimately keeping me informed and connected as an active member of the student body. This has lead me to a role as student leader on campus through my position working for the Centre for Student Engagement overseeing the Civic Awareness Workshops. With my breadth of experiences and my active desire to be apart of the campus community I feel confident in my capacity to succeed in a role of administration as part of the Board of Directors for the Medium. I honor what the Medium represents, that being the voice of the students. With this in mind I recognize the fact that being apart of the Board of Directors it is imperative to maintain the reputation that the Medium has built. I am capable of creating interpersonal relationships and effectively analyzing reports and audits. In brief, I strive to achieve success in all that I take on, coupled with this desire to be apart of the Medium in such a unique way I aim to excel as a member of the Board of Directors.

OSCAR ADAMCZYK My interest in being part of the board of directors of Medium II Publications stems from the recognition that the Medium is an important source of information to the students of the University of Toronto Mississauga. As such, it is necessary to verify that resources are being used in the best possible way by the Medium in order to benefit the students in their receiving of the news. As a director on the board, I would make sure that this business runs well now and, in effect, years to come.

MELANIE ASSELIN As a second year student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, I can vividly recall my time spent reading The Medium as a freshman in an attempt to keep myself up-to- date on the happenings around campus.

In experiencing different aspects of campus for the first time, I was seeking ways to do so organically, so as to maintain my position in being alive to trustworthy and genuine sources of information. The Medium was able to exceed my expectations and still holds the position as my go-to source for campus news and community information. Upon seeing the posting for nominations for the Board of Directors, I was incredibly drawn to the idea of being a part of a publication that I am familiar with by joining the team behind The Medium. With extensive experience in leadership, organization, and managing logistics for various clubs and teams, I feel as though I would be a valuable member on the Board. The Medium has a constitution that I wholeheartedly stand behind, an incredible team of contributors, as well as a voice that I have listened to throughout my time here at UTM and am eager to help direct to the best of my ability.

MYIA HELLMER Do you want to know where your $3.00 is going?

My interest in finance and I sure do. I’m looking to increase my extracurricular involvement, and being part of the Medium’s Board of Directors is a way to do just that. As I enjoy decision-making and organization, the job sounds like a good fit for me. I am willing to make the commitment, and being a perfectionist, I will ensure that everything is completed to the highest quality it can be.

PAULA CHO Hello! My name is Paula Cho and I’m running for a place on The Medium’s Board of Directors because I want to contribute to the newspaper by taking care of our financials in adherence to the paper’s constitution.

I have taken on leadership roles in the past, such as being the public relations officer for my high school’s Dance Team and the treasurer for its Make-A- Wish chapter, so I fully understand the commitment and responsibility I hold if elected. In addition, I was one of the Copy Editors of my high school’s newspaper and know the financial workings of a large student-run organization, including advertising with the paper, doing audits, and allocating resources. I hope to be part of your Board of Directors to ensure our paper runs as efficiently as it can, so please vote for me!

AYESHA HASSAN The reason I want to be a part of the Board of Directors for The Medium is because my passion as a UTM student falls in line with the goals of The Medium.

I want to serve as a representative for my friends, peers, and community members so that they can have a voice within the organization, and their experiences, concerns and stories have a place to be heard and accepted. Also, I possess the leadership skills necessary to be an effective Board member, because like any good leader, I aim to take into account the values and objectives of UTM by engaging with its students and faculty in an empathetic manner, and bring their stories to life. The Medium is an organization that has helped me grow both personally and professionally, as it has helped me explore my interest in writing, and it even gave me my first breakthrough by publishing pieces of work that I wrote. The Medium has shaped my university career, and as a part of the Board of Directors, I want to make way for future writers to develop as I have, and ensure that the publication provides an inclusive medium for viewers to receive their news.

Direct any questions to cro@themedium.ca For more info, visit themedium.ca/elections

SHANZA AYUB My name is Shanza Ayub, and I’m a third year student, currently working as part of the team overlooking Community Innovation Projects at the Centre for Student Engagement. I have been involved with many departments and clubs on campus, and taken part in many activities relating to event planning and budget management. I have followed the Medium since my first year at UTM, and so as part of the Board of Directors, I look forward to playing a role in its administration. I am familiar with its constitution, and aware of the responsibilities of the Board of Directors.

I understand that the Medium is the voice of the students of UTM, and so its management involves strong decision-making in order to maintain its integrity and reputation. I will keep a check on the effective allo ment and division of its financial resources to ensure that the staff and members of the Medium have all that they need for the smooth and efficient running of the newspaper. I will make sure that all audits are thoroughly carried out, and reports are accurately analysed and fairly judged before any decisions are made. The Medium has done great work, and I hope to guarantee that it continues to do so during the year.

JULIA HEALY I am running to be on the Medium’s Board of Directors as current events are important to me, and I want to be able to share that with the student body. I also want to be apart of a group of people who help to manage the hard-earned tuition money of the student body.

PAWEL MIGDAL I believe in pursuing new opportunities that aim to grow and develop myself as a person, as well as allow me to contribute to the established society of university. Coming into the University of Toronto, I discovered a passion for storytelling through photos and videos.

Hearing about The Medium, I decided to join what has now become one of many personal side endeavours.

The opportunity to pursue weekly photos would not be possible if it was not for this club. From assignment to assignment, the experience and growth I received was unmatched. These experiences that I learned over the year are ones that I believe are valuable to myself, and further, to the entire group. While each person’s experience shapes them in their own way, I believe these qualities make me a strong candidate for the Board of Directors of The Medium.

SRISHTI PRASHAR I am interested in running for this position because of my interest in leadership roles. The Medium is a prestigious organization, and I would like to take a part in its success. As a follower of current events, I believe that The Medium can do a better job at reaching more people at UTM, and this starts with a careful examination of finances. I have had many years of experience with budgeting and planning both in an educational and a professional environment. A successful board of directors requires passionate members with specific goals in mind, so I believe that I will be a valuable addition to the team.

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10.02.2017

Hedwig flies out of cage onto the stage King, Mayer, and band, left the Hart Housee audience spellbound with Hart House’s seasonal debut KASSANDRA HANGDAAN A&E EDITOR

I like experiencing theatre without knowing the particulars of a production’s plot. So, when the title Hedwig and the Angry Inch arrested my vision, I prepared myself for the viewing of some sort of Harry Potter adaptation. However, when an androgynous actor—with no wand, scar, or round glasses—saunters onto the stage, my initial perceptions are shattered. Instead, Hedwig Robinson (James King), is provocatively dressed in knee-length high heels and tight clothing. As the show progresses, Hedwig sheds her long black cape, takes on different wigs, and becomes more scantily dressed.

Directed by Rebecca Ballarin, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is Hart House’s debut show of the season, and, I daresay, also its most risqué.

Hedwig, musically accompanied by her husband, Yitzhak (Lauren Mayer), holds a cabaret-style performance, while her previous lover , Tommy Gnosis, performs at the Busch Stadium—an adjacent venue. Lovelorn, Hedwig remains bitter towards Tommy for the success he’s achieved performing the songs

SCOTT GORMAN/PHOTO

The performance takes on an interactive nature as King breaks the fourth wall. they’ve co-written together.

Hedwig, born Hansel Schmidt, was raised in East Berlin by an unsolicitous mother and absentee father.

When Hedwig, still biologically a male, meets American soldier General Luther Robinson, she plans to marry Robinson and travel to the West. To complete marital requirements of being a man and a woman,

Hedwig undergoes a bungled sex surgery leaving her with a “one-inch mound of flesh.” A year after her arrival in the United States, and subsequent divorce from Robinson, Hedwig hears that the Berlin Wall has fallen—her tribulations seemingly for naught.

Not long after, she meets, falls in love, and is rejected by Tommy

Speck—whom she later gives the nickname Tommy Gnosis. Tommy cannot accept Hedwig when he learns she is not a cisgender woman.

Thus, begins Hedwig’s long road to self-acceptance and forgiveness as she travels and follows Tommy’s tour after creating her own band, The Angry Inch. With bandmates Skzsp (Giustin MacLean), Krzyzhtof (Iain

Leslie), Jacek (Erik Larson), and Schlatko (Robert Pucell), Hedwig rocks the stage.

Throughout the show, Hedwig and Yihtzak’s genderqueerness and sexual ambiguity were carefully portrayed by King and Mayer. King, speaking in a breathy voice while playing Hedwig, is physically contrasted to Yihtzak. Yihtzak, typically played by a female actress to further emphasize the play’s blurred gender lines, is petite in comparison to Hedwig.

Perhaps Genevieve Koski of The Dissolve explained it best when she describes the character of Hedwig to be neither just a man, woman, nor drag queen.

“Hedwig is a gay man without the physical maleness, who publicly identifies as female for want of better opinion,” Koski states.

A strength of the evening was the interactive nature of the performance. From time-to-time, King would step down from the stage speak to audience members. At one point, he climbs a chair and stands over a frazzled audience member while in stilettos. An impressive, yet nevertheless, startling feat.

Hedwig continued on page 10

Well, what’s it like to be 29 going on 30?

29+1 is the first of four feature films showing as part of UTM’s 50th Anniversary Film Festival JENNY LIU

Nearly 200 people gathered in CC 1080 to enjoy Kearen Pang’s dramatic film 29+1. Originally a one-woman theater performance, 29+1 brings together two different women that share the same inescapable reality of turning 30 years old. 29+1 was the first of four movies that will be shown during UTM’s 50th Anniversary Film Festival.

29+1 was selected to represent the diversity of UTM and surrounding communities, and I think it fulfilled this purpose. 29+1 was produced in Hong Kong, and the two female leads, Chrissie Chau and Joyce Cheng, are both from Hong Kong.

Being a woman of East Asian descent myself, the movie speaks to me on many levels. However, what I love the most is that while the movie penetratingly reflects the Hong Kong culture, no one in the audience was left behind to understand the delicacy of the movie. The audience was incredibly diverse in ethnicity, age, and profession. A little East Asian girl with shorts and sneakers subtly caught

JOANNA THOMAI/THE MEDIUM

Last Wednesday, a crowd of nearly 200 people gathered to watch Pang’s film 29+1. her breath in the corner because she was running late, and a senior-aged man sat solemnly by the front, bearing a strange resemblance to Ernest Hemingway. No matter what your background was, everyone in the audience enjoyed the movie. I know because I heard so much laughter.

Christy, played by Chau, is your stereotypical white-collar business woman. Beautiful, successful, and independent, she spends her morn-

ing counting the calories in her corn flakes and coating her face with dozens of beauty products. She has everything under control, or at least she tries. However, she’s not happy. Like many people her age, she’s chasing after the wrong things. Wong Tin-Lok, played by Cheng, is very different. Although unattractive by society’s standards, Wong Tin-Lok is content with what she has and lives a very simple life. She’s happy and she infects peo-

ple with her goofy smiles. The two women never meet, but their lives entwine in the most intricate way possible. In the end, Wong Tin-Lok saves Christy, despite not knowing a thing about it.

I love both roles equally because I think every woman has a Christy and a Wong Tin-Lok living inside them.

My ‘Christy’ pushes me to achieve higher. She gives me motivation, but at the same time, makes me feel in-

adequate. My ‘Wong Tin-Lok’ tells me that only my happiness matters.

She helps me to stay true to myself and to others. However, sometimes I’m ashamed to bring her out. I don’t know to whom I should listen to more, but I do know that both are searching for the same thing.

Following the screening of 29+1, there was a Q&A session with the director, Kearen Pang, accompanied by faculty members, Larry Switzky from the Department of English and Drama, Anders Bergstrom from the Department of Visual Studies, and Rosa Hong from the Department of Language Studies. Pang answered every question the audience had regarding her original script, performance, and the process of adapting it to a movie.

Towards the end, I asked Pang one question: if she could send one message to all the female audience in this room, what would it be? She responded that it would be to acknowledge the changes happening in our life.

Embrace these changes because life goes on. Just like in the final message of the movie: “All stages start at zero.”

Life is made up of many new starts.

Talk digital ways to me

10.02.2017 THE MEDIUM ARTS» 9

SHARMEEN ABEDI

CHEN GONG/THE MEDIUM

A panel of students and recent graduates spoke about the importance of digital branding.

DELANEY ROMBOUGH This past Monday, the DEM Association hosted their first event of the year, the DEM Soirée. This event gave the opportunity for students to connect and network with ICCIT professors, alumni, and students. Information was also provided on how to create a digital brand for oneself.

Following the opening remarks from the DEM Association co-presidents, Honarina Syfa Bukenya and Karen Gamus, there were presentations from the ICCIT undergraduate program coordinator, Lisa Peden, and recent UTM graduate of DEM, Ray Khan.

Peden said, “We have grads who are now doing traditional finance and bank jobs and we also have grads who are at CBC working on web design and development.”

There was also a short panel with DEM alumna Darya Balyasnikova, Justin Teng, who is a consultant for Shopify Plus, and Ray Khan, who currently works for both a marketing agency and a virtual reality agency.

Topics that the panelists discussed included the changing and competitive job market, overcoming career challenges, and digital branding.

Over the summer, the DEM As-

sociation rebranded itself from the DEM Society to comply with UTMSU’s rules regarding clubs and academic societies.

“We kept the same logo for familiarity but we changed the colour of the logo from blue to red because we wanted it to be bold and exciting. It took some intense marketing magic but in the end, we believe it was a successful rebranding,” explains John Fernandez, VP communications of the DEM Association.

On the value of creating an online brand for oneself, Fernandez emphasized the use of social media: “Due to social media, it’s easy for everyone to create a digital brand to better market themselves to potential employers. Employers look for potential candidates through social media so it’s important to at least have an online presence in one digital platform. The most important platform where students can create a professional digital brand is LinkedIn.” Fernandez suggests that one of the best ways for students to begin building a brand for themselves is by having an online presence on social media: “I recommend LinkedIn for all students, no matter what program they’re in. Employers use

it and everything is free and professional.”

Peden and Teng also emphasized the importance of personal branding. During the panel, Teng said: “It’s not enough anymore just to have a good resume, you have to find a way to make yourself stand out. Whether it’s through course work that you’ve done or personal websites, you can use those to your advantage.”

“As students, the best time to start is now,” Khan added.

But social media is not just for individuals anymore. Increasingly, big brands and companies are turning to social media to reach out to potential customers. Fernandez also notes: “The aesthetics of online marketing can affect how your audience perceives your brand or business. A sloppy advertisement can damage your brand or business but an aesthetically pleasing and creative advertisement can increase the appeal of your brand and business.”

The DEM Association is currently working an upcoming Get Involved social happening on October 5. Other plans include workshops about digital marketing and graphic design, as well as the annual Young Entrepreneurs Conference.

As a big fan of fantasy literature, I have wanted to read the critically-acclaimed, fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien’s works for a long time. Luckily, for my class on fantasy literature, we read The Hobbit. Written in 1937, it was succeeded by Tolkien’s more renowned work, Lord of the Rings.

The Hobbit follows the story of an ordinary hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who is thrown into a series of epic adventures that include dwarves, goblins, faeries, and elves, all in the search of lost treasure guarded by Smaug, the dragon.

The Hobbit is a quintessential fantasy novel and has influenced later works of fantasy. The moment when Gandalf the wizard shows up on Bilbo’s front door and tells him he is needed for a quest is tremendously similar to the scene found in Harry Potter when Hagrid shows up at the hut to tell Harry that he is a wizard.

The Hobbit established the elements seen in fantasy literature: an atypical hero, the search for lost treasure, constant danger, and courageous characters who emerge victorious in their quest. There are a variety of imaginative creatures either fighting for the side of the good or for the side of evil.

Whereas the dwarves and hobbits are depicted as inherently good creatures, the goblins and trolls are particularly nasty and malicious.

As a medieval scholar, Tolkien describes fantasy as a high form of

art. He makes a good point when he says that fantasy is a very difficult genre because you are creating a whole new world in it. I agree with Tolkien, and I think The Hobbit is an excellent example of the portrayal of an enchanted world that is wildly different to our own.

An atypical hero, the search for lost treasure, constant danger, and courageous characters who emerge victorious in their quest.

One of the novel’s important themes is how an individual can be so much more than what they appear. Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who has lived an uneventful, sheltered, and relaxed life, is an unlikely hero.

He doesn’t seem to be the kind of being to pursue a quest for treasure. Initially, the dwarves dismiss him as being good-for-nothing, despite Gandalf ’s insistence that Bilbo is the chosen one. However, over time, Bilbo is able to prove them wrong on multiple occasions when he uses his intelligence and courage to save the day. Whether it is pure luck, or destiny, his story gives you the idea that people are not always what they seem to be.

It is interesting to note how a fantasy novel, such as The Hobbit, is great at conveying real world themes of courage, sacrifice, loyalty, and power.

War, drunken revelry, seven Thebans A war-time plot line mixed with an outdoor setting helps set the mood for UC Follies’ SEVEN VLADISLAV BOSHOER Written by Ned Dickens and directed by Hannah-Rae Sabyan, SEVEN is a dramatic play of tragedy and drunken revels. The story takes place during the end of the Trojan War, and revolves around the lives of seven Thebans the night before they are forced to die in battle. Sabyan informs me that SEVEN is the result of a four-week rehearsal. In theatre, this is an extremely short amount of time to prepare for a full-length play.

SEVEN follows the lives of Bowl (Louis-Alexandre Boulet), Firewood (Jocelyn Kraynyk), Water (Kyle Warne), Glass (Margaret Rose), Bread (Katerina Hatzinakos), Cloth (Uir Lone-Bikey), and Blood (Adam-Ali Kanji-Lalani).

The show was impressive considering the limited time for rehearsal and design. The greatest strength of the play was the venue . I think that in the best plays, films, and novels, a well-done setting can become as dynamic and important as a character in the play. SEVEN uses this to its greatest advantage.

The play was held in the outdoor quad of University College. Local

FACEBOOK.COM/UCFOLLIES/PHOTO

UC Follies brought Greek tragedy to life at University College’s quad. contractor, Robbie Winter, constructed a real fire pit, along with a table of food and wine, and a tent around which the audience sat in a circle. Harkening to traditional Ancient Greek theatre, the venue provided a palpable atmosphere suitable for immersing the audience in the storyline. The costume and stellar performances by the actors also helped in this regard.

It is important here to explain that while the play’s outdoor setting is a strength, it can also be a doubleedged sword. A potential problem is raised for the physical comfort of the audience. When I saw it, the weather

was cold. It would have been better if the production was scheduled for the previous weekend when the weather was still warm.

The best parts of the play were the lighthearted scenes. There were many instances of the actors drinking and spilling wine on the ground, getting drunk, dancing, singing, and kissing each other. The acting was very natural and convincing, and almost indistinguishable from reality. The lighting done by Julia Davis was appropriately subtle and played off the natural environment in a way that pulled the viewers in even more.

I was impressed by all the actors

on display, and it didn’t feel like any one actor had done better than the other. Each actor played a particular personality, and as Sabyan pointed out, the crux of SEVEN was the seven actors playing off each other as a chorus, meaning, there is no central character or traditional hero, but an ensemble work. To pull this off, there has to be great chemistry between the characters and considering the extremely short time for rehearsal, it was shocking how perfectly they blocked their movement and delivered their lines.

The dialogue and how the play is formatted is a double-edged sword.

The lines are in the style of Greek verse, meaning that there are many lines that are lyrical, that rhyme, and are pleasing to listen to. There were, however, many sections where some characters would have a long monologue, and it would go for so long that I would lose track of what was happening.

The contrast and transition between scenes could be quite jarring; One moment everyone is dancing and yelling around the campfire, and the next moment a character has an emotional existential crisis.

The fault here may lie more so with the playwright, but these moments could have perhaps been directed better to have a smoother transition. As well, when one goes to see SEVEN, they should know that there are no breaks during the play, and it runs around an hour and forty minutes. This results in occasional fatigue from the long lyrical monologues and the jarring emotional transitions.

With these hesitations and precautions in mind, I would wholly recommend seeing SEVEN for the unique experience it offers as a play.

10.02.2017 THE MEDIUM ARTS» 10

Art night long spent at Nuit Blanche

Toronto’s transformation into art festival featuring over 85 projects, as seen through a camera’s lens OLIVIA ADAMCZYK PHOTO EDITOR

Colouring Outside the Box afforded the same tranquility of filling in one of those adult colouring books, but the book was an oversized “shoebox” in this case.

I imagine the experience of Dream Variations was similar to that you get in UTMSU’s Nap Room, but here they provided blankets.

It doesn’t take a complicated effort to impress hoards of people running low on sleep, just live animals like those in Horses.

STARscape provided a pleasant alternative to the near impossibility of viewing the night sky’s stars in the city of Toronto.

There was something so satisfying about leaving your contribution to the writings on the walls of PLAYHOUSE: Invisible City.

Whatever desire that Village Print Shop sparked in me to further experiment with screen-printing will probably soon get extinguished by school, sadly.

Hedwig’s very diva debut Hedwig continued from page 8 However, I am not alone in this opinion: “What I loved in particular about the show was how interactive it was. My friend Arina, [a fourthyear CCIT student], and I sat in the back section of the theatre and we were both surprised when Hedwig was standing near us and talking to audience members,” says Cindy Do, a fourth-year philosophy specialist student. “I found myself laughing at some parts, singing along during ‘Wig in a Box,’ but also feeling sad while listening to Hedwig tell her story. It was easy for me to stay engaged with the show from start to finish because of its energy and the feeling of being in a live concert.”

Noteworthy is King’s persistently tireless performance. Hedwig’s dialogue reads like a never-ending stream of consciousness. After a song, a monologue followed, or a brief dance, yet King never showed signs of fatigue or character dissociation during the almost two-hour duration of the show. Still, King persisted in his performance, changing his voice to suit a breathy Hedwig, deepening his voice when imitating Tommy, and taking on a Midwestern American accent for Robinson. All this proved that King was not only indefatigable but also versatile in his performance.

King also added some originality to his dialogue by adding in bawdy jokes, and disparaging Hart House’s architecture in a good-humored way. When Hedwig was describing how her intimate relations with Tommy caused her to lose weight, she smirked, saying, “I call it losing pounds by getting pounded.” Addi-

tionally, I appreciated the relevant Torontonian culture references, as well.

Mayer, too, delivered strong vocal accompaniment to the show. Her clear voice, which reminded me of Lea Salonga, ran in harmony with Hedwig’s rough and raspy vocals.

Her voice was almost cathartic to listen to in that it was difficult not to feel my mood lighten up despite the emotionally heavy scenes.

“The show is the story of one person’s understanding of themselves.”

—Rebecca Ballarin In the script, Yihtzak is supposed to be bitter and resentful. Though at times I could see Mayer’s performance of Yihtzak corresponding with the script, generally, I saw sadness and pity of Hedwig in Yihtzak’s expressions. Consequently, even though Mayer didn’t seem to successfully emote Yihtzak’s resentment, I think her individual interpretation and emphasis of Yihtzak’s pain and pity brought out another aspect of Yihtzak. This adds a welcome complexity to the character.

As Ballarin states, the play explores themes about division, identity, love, loss, and pain. Ultimately, Ballarin notes, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is about love and learning to be “unapologetically [oneself ].”

Hedwig and the Angry Inch runs until October 7 at Hart House Theatre .

So, where are you from?

PAWEL MIGDAL/THE MEDIUM

Local residents talked about life and identity before and after coming to the city of Mississauga.

MELISSA BARRIENTOS

The Story of M: Bringing the Faces and Voices of Mississauga Forward is a three-year initiative project by Museums of Mississauga that aims to cultivate new programs and facilities that truly represent the residents of this city. The first phase of the project began with a series of workshops, which was most recently located at Mississauga Valleys Community Centre.

Throughout the storytelling workshop, themes of respecting the diversity of Mississauga were expressed through the act of sharing stories. The aim was to uncover diverse narratives of Mississauga residents, ranging from Indigenous peoples to new immigrants, in order to form a better understanding of Mississauga’s identity.

Stuart Keeler, the manager and chief curator of Museums of Mississauga, describes their initiative as “a three-year project that is truly engaging our residents so that they can see themselves truly reflected in their own city.”

When I attended a storytelling workshop at Mississauga Valley Community Centre, I found tables

arranged in a circular formation and a map of Mississauga taped to the wall. Arianne Shaffer, the program’s main storyteller and facilitator of the workshop, began recounting her own story of discovering her identity within the cultural diversity of Mississauga as a child. An interactive discussion then took place where people of varying cultures spoke of their own experiences and attachments to Mississauga’s past and present cultures.

As we went around the room, residents of Mississauga stressed the historical importance of the city, such as the rural land surrounding the Square One Shopping Center 44 years ago, that has now been rapidly populated and urbanized. On the other hand, residents also expressed the importance of their personal experiences in the Mississauga community. For many immigrant residents, such as myself, Mississauga was their first city in Canada. I felt myself sympathizing with the residents taking part in the workshop, along with a sense of belonging.

At the same time, memories of residents’ first encounter with snow, their child’s first enrolment in school, and their first barbecue

were bittersweet stories. One felt the sense of each resident’s acquisition of one culture and slight loss of their other culture.

The idea of The Story of M was recommended by the Heritage Management Strategy, approved in June 2016 by the City Council. The strategy presents a Thematic Heritage Outline for Mississauga, which emphasizes bringing residential narratives together to form the identity of Mississauga’s community. The outline also continuously develops traditions and culture as the residents in the community grow.

Shaffer describes The Story of M, and its accompanying workshops’ importance, as she talks of how the workshop lets the residents of our city feel “empowered to tell their own true story,” and of how the project initiated by Museums of Mississauga “connects the city service with the community.”

The workshops, which introduces the grand The Story of M project with its first phase, will continue to be held at various locations in Mississauga, including Malton Community Centre and Meadowvale Community Centre, throughout the month of October.

10.02.2017 » 11

Is global academic freedom a right?

The department of women and gender studies hosted Iranian-Canadian professor Homa Hoodfar HALEY WEST

Professor Homa Hoodfar of the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at Concordia University spent 112 days in prison in Tehran, Iran. The Iranian-Canadian anthropology professor was arrested while on a personal and research visit to Iran, according to her conversation with CBC News published on the day of her release, September 26, 2016. One year later, on September 26, 2017, marking the one-year anniversary of her release from prison, the women and gender studies department of UTM hosted Hoodfar for a talk titled “Critical Thinking as a Transnational Right.”

Professor Hoodfar discussed the role of academic freedom in a global context and also in her personal experience.

Citing her previous academic work, Hoodfar stated that her interrogators, the Iranian authorities, claimed that she had come to Iran on a political mission to agitate women and bring about a feminist revolution, changing the nature of the state in Iran. When Hoodfar attempted to show that her reasons for being in Iran were academic and

AIMEN ALI/THE MEDIUM

Professor Homa Hoodfar spoke about transnational academic freedom and responsibilities. had no political purpose, she was confronted with the idea that everything she says is considered political because she is a professor, a person of authority who people will listen to. Her interrogators added that academic freedom is a western

concept and is not needed in Iran.

“Academic freedom is a privilege,” Hoodfar explains, “It is a collective right and a responsibility and [although] academic freedom is frequently discussed as a right, often people forget about

the responsibility attached to these rights.” Hoodfar also describes how, no right comes without responsibility. “Academic freedom means one must act as a public intellectual. It is a public intellectual’s responsibility to talk to the public and present

their ideas. Academic freedom requires the support of the public to be maintained.”

Hoodfar, however, mentions that academic freedom does not mean that academics can do and say whatever they want, whenever they want. “It is the freedom to speak. within their expertise, using the foundation of critical thinking to advance the common good by creating knowledge,” she says.

Critical thinking is innovation and creativity, Hoodfar describes, and it refers to the ability to think beyond merely identifying the problem.

“We have to mind ourselves, and our students, that critical thinking isn’t just questioning everything, but using your imagination to develop solutions.”

Academic freedom is important, even in countries like Canada, where matters of personal freedom are protected by law. According to Hoodfar, academic freedom goes one step beyond freedom of expression. It allows people to say things that are not necessarily common or publicly accepted without having to be afraid of losing their job or going to jail for expressing their views.

Rights continued on page 13

Students light the night with awareness The annual Light the Night event at UTM aimed to raise awareness about power-based violence JESSICA CABRAL

Last Thursday night, UTM Student Housing and Residence Life, in collaboration with the Centre for Student Engagement and the Diversity Task Force, held their annual Light the Night event to raise awareness about power-based violence. Participants carried lanterns and signs as they journeyed silently from Roy Ivor Hall, into the neighbouring streets of the community.

Meredith Dodds, a program assistant at UTM SHRL and a fourthyear specialist in exceptionality and human learning, explained to The Medium: “Light the Night is an event we’ve been holding in residence for a long time to raise awareness about power-based violence—whatever power-based violence looks like to anyone in their content, a lot of times, it’s domestic-based violence.

This year we’re going to walk through the community to say that this is something we’re not okay with. We’re going to take a stand against this and we’re going to share it with the Mississauga community.”

The event began with an icebreaker activity, organized by the Centre

CHEN GONG/THE MEDIUM

Light the Night was organized by UTM SHRL and the Centre for Student Engagement. for Student Engagement, to foster communication among the participants. For the activity, each student wrote one question on a blank piece of paper. Then, CSE staff instructed the students to fold the sheet into a paper airplane and throw it into the air. Each student chose a random air-

plane, selected a partner, and began discussing the question. Questions ranged from introductory queries about education, family life, and personal history, to thought-provoking conversation starters such as, “What is one aspect of your identity that you are proud of?”

Following this opening activity, the event featured representatives from Interim Place and UTM’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre to educate students on the impacts of violence and the resources, both on and off campus, that are available for victims of abuse.

Julia Robinson, the development coordinator at Interim Place, and her colleague Mercy Gichuki, the public education and community collaboration coordinator, revealed that approximately half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one instance of physical or sexual violence in their life, and that up to 70% of female murder victims are killed by their male partners. Since the creation of Interim Place in 1981, this organization, housed at two locations with a total of 54 beds, has provided over 41,000 abused women and children with shelter, support, and protection. Gichuki concluded their presentation by reminding the audience that the most important support individuals can provide to victims is to simply believe them.

Paula Lam, the sexual violence prevention and response coordinator with the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre at UTM, explained that U of T’s new Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment policy allows the centre to provide students with services, such as assisting sexual violence survivors with academic, living, and medical accommodation.

Light continued on page 13

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THE MEDIUM 10.02.2017

Are we too late to protect our wildlife?

According to the Living Planet Report for Canada, some species saw an 83% drop in population size DEVANSHI ADHVARYU

Living in Canada, we take pride in our wildlife and nature. Home to over 7,000 native species, and a hotspot for a quarter of the world’s wetlands, Canada is known for its wildlife. Unfortunately, the Living Planet Report for Canada, released on Thursday, September 14th by World Wildlife Fund Canada, has stated that half of Canada’s wildlife is in decline.

According to the report, some of the species that already had diminishing populations saw an 83% drop in their population size.

While analysts believe that the most obvious candidates to blame for the decline would be climate change and human activity, professor Marc Cadotte, the associate chair in graduate studies in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough, offers an in-depth analysis for this bleak picture.

“Canada is well-known for our wildlife and nature, but I would say that’s only because we’re a big country with few people so there’s still many opportunities for nature and wildlife to exist,” says Cadotte.

Cadotte, who studies patterns of species diversity and their application to conservation issues, believes that because our demands on nature for agriculture and for resources are continuously growing, habitats

LIDIA TRZUSKOT/THE MEDIUM

While being home to over 7,000 native species, half of Canada’s wildlife is in a period of decline. for wildlife are being pushed into smaller areas. According to Cadotte, there are additional hidden contributors to the decline in population sizes and diversity in Canada, such as pathogens and diseases.

Even then, the picture of wildlife centuries ago painted a vast array of thriving mammals.

“If we came 20,000 years ago, we would see these giants mammals that no longer exist, like the woolly mammoth for example, sabre-

toothed tigers, giant ground sloths, and dyer wolfs all across North America. But if we look back 1,000 years ago, we don’t have definite numbers, there were a wide range of animals all across Canada but they were pushed towards the northern side of provinces,” the professor says.

The species that are most affected by changes in their native habitats are usually bigger-bodied mammals.

“The bigger body of the animal,

the larger it is, the more it is sensitive to human impact. So what really looks bleak is for many large-bodied animals, those animals that require a lot of space, a lot of food, and take a long time to birth and raise their young. [These] are the animals that we need to be most concerned about,” explains Cadotte.

The beloved Canadian moose, for example, has been largely impacted because of human influence, pathogens, and increase in diseases, along

with habitat loss. Cadotte also believes that in some cases, this damage may be irreversible.

While the future looks bleak for many of our prized Canadian animals, Cadotte says that the situation is not unique specifically to Canada. Moreover, in the context of protection laws and conservation areas, the ecology and evolution researcher believes that conservation regulations miss the big picture, like climate change.

“There’s nothing unique about Canada, I think that we’re just behind on the curve in some ways, because we’re such a big country with more natural areas and relatively few people. So what has happened [in Canada] has happened elsewhere in the world before,” says Cadotte.

An example that he also offers is that of Europe. Population decline of animals in Europe have occurred hundreds of years ago in the past, and it is not big news there. Cadotte speculates that what we are seeing now in Canada is just a repetition of what has already occurred in other parts of the world.

According to Cadotte, replenishing and sustaining our wildlife is as easy as being aware of these issues. . Something as simple as buying the right products that are ethically-sourced and environment conscious, or even planting a non-invasive plant species in your garden, is a step towards positive change.

Conversations about entrepreneurship Students were invited to the Impact Centre for the third series of discussions on entrenpreneurship AYESHA HASAN

Returning for a third year on September 21st, the Impact Centre at the University of Toronto St. George campus, hosted Entrepreneurship 100: Conversations—the second installment of a three-day event. The Entrepreneurship 100 events, as described on event’s official website, are “a live-only experience, connecting curious people with diverse entrepreneurs.”

The first part of Entrepreneurship 100: Conversations took place on September 21st and was headed

by Nat Korol—founding partner of Hyphen Co., Sam Dumcum— trainer at I-CUBE UTM, and Fotini Iconomopoulos—owner of Forward Focusing. As Leo Mui, manager of entrepreneurship initiatives at the Impact Centre describes to The Medium, the event was “focused on people who wanted to work for themselves as well as others.” Mui adds that the event was designed for current students, recent graduates, and alumni, so that “they could get a better outlook of the market and receive guidance for setting up their own businesses.” The speakers for the event were Mayrose Salvadore—co-founder and current executive director of Pueblo Science,

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The Impact Centre has successfully hosted Entrepreneurship 100 for three years now.

Ian Adamson—owner of Greenhouse Microgreens, and lastly, Morgan Wyatt—co-founder and CEO of Greenlid Envirosciences.

In an email to The Medium, Salvadore describes her journey towards entrepreneurship, and her role in the Entrepreneurship 100: Conversations.

“I started Pueblo Science after finishing my Ph.D. in Chemistry

at U of T because I wanted to help remote communities like the place I grew up in, in the Philippines. I believe that improving the quality and access to good basic science education can end poverty in remote areas of the world,” says Salvadore. She describes how access to basic science education has the potential to improve the health and economic prospects of communi-

ties. Along with access however, Salvadore describes how education also has to be effective: “Many children are being taught basic science in a very theoretical way, as a result, they think that science is abstract, hard and not relevant to their daily lives. As a scientist, I know that science is about understanding the world around us and it is our duty to make sure that the next genera-

tion follows our footsteps and be able to solve problems facing their generation.”

As part of the Entrepreneurship 100: Conversations, Salvadore was part of a panel discussing social entrepreneurship. As a co-founder of a charity, she shared what inspired her to launch and propel the charity to reach seven countries in seven years. The charity has impacted 3,000 teachers and 250,000 students so far. “I’ve been lucky to be able to benefit from many generous volunteers, willing to put in their time, expertise and resources to help Pueblo Science further its mission of educating the next generation of innovators. Being a speaker is one of the ways that I can give back. I also hope to inspire some of the students or alumni attending the event to start their own social enterprise, or support the existing ones by volunteering,” says Salvadore.

In the context of discussing the challenges and benefits of social entrepreneurship, Salvadore says: “I will focus on the lessons I’ve learned starting and leading a charity. Also, I will discuss whether becoming a charity is really the best path for an enterprise to be sustainable and grow.

Impact continued on page 13

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Academic responsibility A safer campus

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Light the Night attendees wore purple awareness ribbons.

Light continued from page 11 AIMEN ALI/THE MEDIUM

Hoodfar explained the role of governments and public authorities in maintaining academic freedom.

Rights continued from page 11 Yet even in Canada, arguably one of the most democratic countries in the world, there is research being conducted, but the results may not be published, Hoodfar explains. One possible barrier towards publishing could be, as Hoodfar describes, the wording of grants used to fund the research. When conducting research in other countries, Hoodfar says, “Academic freedom can be non- existent, and yet there has never been a major discussion about academic

freedom in practice, although there have been attempts to ensure the sanctity of academic freedom internationally.”

According to the anthropology professor, UNESCO was supposed to be the blueprint for international academic freedom, but she believes that “60% of the countries who have signed the document don’t know what is included.” If international relations have been unable to achieve their goals, it is time for a change in focus from international to transnational rights. The Iranian-

Canadian professor adds that while “international” typically refers to agreements and discussions between government, “transnational” refers to public-to-public actions. Transnational, as Hoodfar describes, may include the government, but it is not mandatory for those actions. Hoodfar also says that public-to-public actions can be just as effective as governmental actions: “Legitimacy does not come from the state. Legitimacy comes from the public knowing that you are committed to improving their way of life.”

The policy will also aid with reporting cases of abuse to Peel Police or Campus Police. Lam clarified that survivors of sexual violence are not just victims of sexual assault or rape, but can be anyone who experiences any sexual act— including physical, psychological, or cyber—that targets their sexuality or gender identity.

After the speakers, attendees created signs that read “End the Violence,” wore purple awareness ribbons to stand against domestic violence, and embarked on a silent candlelit walk around campus and the community.

Once participants completed the walk, Campus Police provided refreshments at Roy Ivor Hall.

The Light the Night event ended with a collaborative creative activity and a moment of reflection. Individuals were invited to dip their hands in paint and leave their colourful hand print on a blank canvas to pledge that “their hands will not take part in the violence.”

Shanzey Ahmed, a fourth-year psychology and criminology major, and member of the CSE, hopes students will reflect on and remember what they’ve gained from the event. “It’s important to raise awareness because a lot of people suffer in silence. Unless we talk about these issues, they will get swept away. It’s important for people to feel comfortable about seeking help when things go wrong.”

Resolving cases at UTM Social currency Students apply business concepts to real world problems

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The event’s panelists hailed from diverse backgrounds.

Impact continued from page 12

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DECA UTM hosted its first case competition welcoming students from all disciplines.

SHAYNA JAN

On Saturday, September 30th, 75 students had the opportunity to participate in the annual Introductory Case Competition hosted by DECA UTM. During this event, students were given a hypothetical problem-solving situation within a category of their choice, such as marketing, accounting, business, law, and more, and were asked to offer a plausible solution. Once presented with their case, they were given 50 minutes to prepare a 10-minute presentation outlining their strategy and course of action. Although this fast-paced problem-solving could be considered nerve-wracking for first timers, DECA UTM’s co-president, Meenah Saravanabavan, had plenty to say on the enriching benefits of

these type of events.

“I’m never nervous for an interview or a presentation because I’ve done DECA for so long,” says Saravanabavan. She stresses the value of these events, as they help students improve their communication skills and critical thinking abilities, while also teaching them how to think quick on their feet.

Saravanabavan while urging students from all disciplines to get involved, notes that certain categories may contain business terminology unfamiliar to students who are not involved in the fields of commerce and management. She recommends the business/law category to those hoping to pursue law school.

These cases usually cater to a wider range of students, as they offer a more practical application of concepts in business. When asked to describe the nature of these

events, Saravanabavan painted a picture of encouragement and acceptance. The judges for this year’s Introductory Case Competition were alumni students who had participated in DECA case competitions themselves. By keeping their past experiences in mind, they were able to empathize with students and offer support and resources that could be used to enable their success. Saravanabavan emphasizes that DECA case competitions are simply learning experiences, and “it doesn’t matter how badly your first case goes, your second case will go better.”

The Introductory Case Competition was the first of three events being hosted by DECA UTM. The other two case competitions are scheduled to take place on October 28th and November 18th.

Is it advisable to immediately obtain your charitable status as soon as you start your social enterprise?

Finally, I will talk about becoming a social millionaire. I call one person impacting a million others, a social millionaire. That is very possible in today’s connected world.”

Salvadore hopes the event will “inspire the students to take action and help make our world a better place.” She further states: “They can start their own social enterprise or volunteer with the existing ones, like Pueblo Science. It will also allow them to learn from entrepreneurs and get [...] validation for their ideas. Talking to someone who has already faced all the roadblocks can really make a huge difference for someone just starting off. Role models and mentors are priceless.”

The panelist discussions for this week, as Mui mentioned, also highlighted “the degree to which business skills are needed in a

not-for-profit organization to ensure smooth sailing.” In contrast to the events organized in previous years, Mui describes how “this event is informal in comparison to other entrepreneurship events hosted around the city and panelists [this year] hail from a diverse background and are a mere four or five years older than the attendees, so that they have a better chance to relate to them and ask for advice.”

Apart from the advice given by the panelists and questions being answered, Mui also hopes that the attendees and panelists enjoy their time, and that “they gain insight on the skills and attitudes needed by entrepreneurs […] like time-management, self-drive, and tenacity”.

The last panel discussion is scheduled for October 5, and is titled “Is my idea any good? A conversation on conceiving, assessing, and pivoting business ideas” that will, as Mui describes, target “those who want to improve their business idea or make sure that their ideas will bear fruit in the future.”

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RAWC hosts annual MoveU Motivator Scott Prosser was this year’s MoveU Motivator speaker, which was held this past Friday at the RAWC AMRISH WAGLE

Last Friday, the RAWC, in collaboration with the Health and Counselling Centre and the UTM Wellness Ambassadors, hosted their annual MoveU Motivator. The entirety of the event was focused on raising awareness for the importance of physical health and staying active daily.

Although the event lasted only from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., it was planned out and promoted since the beginning of September by the Wellness Ambassadors (WAs) and their health education coordinator, Ravinder Gabble. The WAs conducted several walkabouts for weeks, where they distributed flyers, educated UTM students about what the MoveU Motivator event is, and why they should attend. The planning and logistics was spearheaded by the team co-leads, Hannah Goodwin and Miranda Jurilj.

The event started off primarily with the guest speaker, Scott

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The MoveU Motivator gave students the opportunity to try any of six activities.

Prosser. Prosser’s main takeaway point was that, “Life is a game—play it”. According to Prosser, although university students have quite a

busy schedule, it is nevertheless of vital importance that we appreciate and recognize the precious value of every moment of our lives. Prosser

himself puts this philosophy into practice through his extensively active and adventurous lifestyle. Although currently a professor and

researcher at UTM, Prosser’s active lifestyle has led him in recent years to participate in triathlons, and soon next year, a 14-kilometre swim along the Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The speech was geared thoroughly to provide students the inspiration to consider focusing on their own health, rather than simply the next upcoming deadline for a midterm or assignment.

The MoveU event was segregated into three mini-classes where students had the opportunity to participate in any of the six activities being conducted: basketball, volleyball, pilates, Zumba, badminton, chair yoga, and paint darts. For the last activity, WAs filled up balloons with paint, which they planned to pin up against a wall, and have students shoot darts at. Each of these was managed and coordinated by several guides who regulated student engagement and learning in their respective activities.

MoveU continued on page 15

Women’s basketball defeated by Royals The UTM varsity women’s basketball team played the Redeemer Royals in an exhibition game last Saturday VANESSA CESARIO SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

Last Saturday, UTM had their homecoming weekend where the varsity women’s basketball team played their first exhibition game against the Redeemer Royals. The women won the first toss of the game and less than a minute into the game, Bianca Hatchett gets the first basket to put UTM on the score board. The first quarter was a lot of back-and-forth play, but the women held their own and were working well as a unit—despite the score ending in 18-15 for Redeemer at the end of the quarter.

When the second quarter rolled around, the women began playing with high intensity and turned the game around to be in their favour.

Second-year player, Jade Addai, made an incredible play roughly halfway through the quarter, which lead UTM to take the lead. Addai took the ball from one end of the court to the other where she had dribbled through the entire Redeemer team to score a basket, putting UTM ahead 23-22. The crowd was pumped up

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The women’s basketball team lost their exhibition game with Reedemer Royals in a score of 74-65. after this play and cheering on their UTM Eagles for the remainder of the quarter. The half ended 37-31 for UTM.

At halftime, there was entertainment for the crowd set up by members of the RAWC. There were two competitions—one was a full court

race with the ball for small children, where they all received prizes at the end, and the other was a 3-point shot competition where they invited four

contestants from the crowd to compete against one another. The RAWC was also handing out free t-shirts, food, and noise clappers to fans who came out and supported their UTM Eagles.

The UTM women struggled in the third quarter. They weren’t sinking as many baskets as they were in the first and second quarter, and the team was beginning to break down. Redeemer took the lead 5544. The women stepped it up halfway through the fourth quarter and began raising their intensity once again. UTM was scoring baskets and working well as a team, but were still unable to catch up to Redeemer who took the game 74-65.

The UTM women’s basketball team will be competing at the varsity level this upcoming season. Fortunately, this was only an exhibition game, and the women can use this game as a way of learning and improving upon their weaknesses. The women have a clear chemistry on and off the court, and with a little hard work and dedication, they are looking at a promising season ahead.

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Eagles tie golden shield MoveU, a success again Varsity men’s soccer played Sudbury native team, Cambrian

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Professor Scott Prosser was this year’s MoveU speaker.

MoveU continued from page 14 After a cool-down at the end of the event with yoga, all participants received a free gym bag stuffed with goodies, such as Old Spice deodorant, Gillette Fusion Proshield razor, a frisbee, a card holder for smartphones, and much more. Students that participated in three activities were entered in a draw to win even more prizes and lucrative gift cards. Many of the students that attended the MoveU Motivator said that they had a blast and enjoyed the various fun activities they engaged in throughout the endorphin-induced afternoon.

The WAs had organized another event, known as Meet-A-Friend Café, just the day before at the student centre. Gabble mentioned that “the turnout was simply sensational.” This event, on the other hand, was geared towards raising awareness for mental health. They also had free caffeine

beverages and board games for participants to bond over and hopefully form friendships.

The MoveU Motivator strived to re-introduce students to an active lifestyle to take care of their physical health.

Overall, the MoveU Motivator strived to re-introduce students to an active lifestyle to take care of their physical health. Furthermore, the event introduced students to the RAWC facilities, especially as most are not aware that their tuition already covers the cost of using this space for athletics and recreation. The WAs plan to coordinate two events for every month of the year, focusing on both mental and physical health, on campus.

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The men’s soccer game against Cambrian College ended in a 1-1 tie.

SANTIAGO GIL MARIN

The UTM varsity men’s soccer team played Cambrian College, from Sudbury, Ontario this past Saturday. Both sides were evenly matched, and both were creating dangerous chances for the opposite team. However, it was the Eagles who opened the score board with a goal from Ben Haidara after a wellcrossed free kick outside the 18yard box during the first half. The first half of the game ended with UTM up by one, and the visitors facing a yellow card for excessive

complaining and backlash towards the referee.

During the second half, UTM had a more aggressive formation in

It was the Eagles who opened the score board with a goal from Ben Haidara after a well crossed free kick. attack, and after missing a couple of chances inside the box, conceded a goal—scored by Cambrian’s number

19, after a well-managed and quick counter attack. After the goal, the Eagles tried to get back their initial advantage but Cambrian’s defense proved to be too big of a challenge.

The end of the match showed a lot of friction and stoppages as both teams tried to win the match.

Even though the Eagles were unable to retain the three points, the team and the coaches feel confident that they can improve considerably for the next game. There are new players that arrived this season who need time to adapt better, and consolidate the base of the team.

Myth: Women shouldn’t lift weights

Shaka explains the benefits of strength training and dispels the myth that women should not lift weights JESSICA SHAKA

Whether it be rendering yourself inflexible, the fear of transforming into a “mini-hulk,” or feeling as if you just can’t do it as a woman, there are many myths that prevent people from strength training. This is a challenge for women since we tend to have less muscle mass than men. However, women are less susceptible to injuries than men and have a healthier metabolism. Often, sex differences are exaggerated and shouldn’t be a factor in your decision to strength train.

Strength training is a type of exercise specializing in the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction, which builds strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. In other words, it is a way of gradually improving strength by training your muscles to resist force with free weights, machines, or your own body.

While becoming stronger is

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Strength training has many benefits for women, such as reduced risk of developing diabetes. the goal, it isn’t the only benefit of strength training. Studies have shown that women who regularly exercise their muscles are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, in addition to cardiovascular disease, a

condition that involves narrowed or blocked blood cells that can lead to a heart attack, chest pains, or a stroke.

Strength is also one of the few things that can make your bones denser, something that will greatly reduce

your chances of having osteoporosis in the future. Overall, an abundance of studies have shown that strength training improves women’s health and emotional wellbeing. According to a 2017 study, three months of

working out with resistance bands can lead to significant weight loss and increased bone density in obese and frail women over the age of 60 Once you get started, there are few things you have to remember.

For one, you must take the time to learn proper exercise form. Doing an exercise can cause injury as well as hinder your progress. Make sure to talk to a trainer or coach to learn the correct way to do any given exercise.

Secondly, push yourself. While it’s important to avoid injuries, you want to make sure that you feel pressure or “the burn” on the muscles you are targeting. However, if you are feeling pain on muscles outside the ones you’re targeting, then you’re probably doing the exercise wrong and should see a trainer for help. Finally, have a variety of workouts. Repeating the same exercises will stagnate progress.

There are plenty of strength improving exercises you can do, but here are some for beginners.

Lifting continued on page 16

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THE MEDIUM 10.02.2017

Weight and Health benefits of kale Sciulli explains the massive amounts of benefits kale provides strength training

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Raw kale carries a variety of nutrients, such as vitamins A, K, and C.

NICOLE SCIULLI STAFF WRITER

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An important part of strength training is learning proper form.

Lifting continued from page 15 The first one is leg press. To do this exercise, lie on the seat and adjust it so your thighs are parallel to the foot plate when you recline. Press your feet to the plate, straighten your legs, bend your knees back, and lower the plate until the weight hovers just above stack. This will work your quadriceps and gluteus maximus.

The second exercise is called a tripod row. To do this exercise, get on all fours and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Then, extend your right leg as you bend your lower elbow drawing weight towards the left side of your

body. Switch sides and do this exercise 12 to 13 times to work your upper back and trapezius muscles.

Lastly, the lying march works out your abdomen. This exercise requires you to lie face up with your left knee at a 90-degree angle. Pulling your abs in, proceed to slowly lower your left leg until it’s just over the ground. Go back to starting position then repeat the exercise on your right side. This will strengthen your abdomen.

These are only a few different exercises that women can do at the gym.

Strength training will help to burn fat and tone certain areas. Thus, do not be afraid of weights—embrace them.

When you finish exercising and you’re contemplating what to eat for a snack, the go-to for any health buff is normally a refreshing salad. Why not add an extra health kick to that salad by infusing some kale into your meal?

Kale is filled with many health benefits, with some of them being medicinal. Kale is a part of the cabbage family, which is related to other healthy leafy greens, such as brussel sprouts and spinach.

Raw kale carries a variety of nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Vitamin A helps our eye sight, especially our night vision, vitamin K regulates blood clotting and helps with bone health, and vitamin C can help boost the production of collagen and improve the appearance of skin. These vitamins are examples of antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent cell damage from oxidation.

They are also natural occurring in the

body to help fight off viruses and microbes. However, you can’t overload your body with antioxidants as they have been linked with chronic conditions like cancer, vision loss, and diabetes. It also includes manganese and has a low-calorie count.

It can also help with diabetes because kale is rich in fibre. It is proven that if a person with type 2 diabetes increases their dietary fibre, their blood sugar will drop. It also promotes natural anti-inflammatory omega-3 and pro-inflammatory omega-6 agents, whereas processed foods contain too much omega-6 and are linked to diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and rheomode arthritis. Kale is a great way to counteract this effect on the body. It has also been linked to cancer prevention. The gluocosinolates are chemicals that break down during the digestion process that prevent cancer cells to grow. It is important to have a balance. It is recommended to eat one to two cups of these greens every week.

Don’t worry if you do not like salad; there are several great recipes that can incorporate kale into your diet. If you chop up some kale leaves and put them in the oven, you can have crispy kale chips. It’s a great alternative to potato chips that are high in fat and sodium. You can mix up spices for extra flavour. You can also put kale in smoothies. Some tips include putting baby kale in your smoothies because the taste is not as strong and can be easily hidden, if you’re not fond of the peppery and bitter taste. You can also try juicing the kale for a fresh flavour and mix it with different fruits and vegetables. If you’re looking to incorporate kale in your entrées, you can try using it as a wrap for your chicken or shrimp. For extra flavour, add a squeeze of lemon.

Whether you’re looking to improve your diet, or just enjoy the taste, eating kale is great for getting the nutrients you need. It can be incorporated in a variety of recipes and improves your overall health.