Social Justice Voices - Issue 02

Social Justice

Spring 2022

Voices

Student Magazine

ISSUE 02 Boyd Secondary

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'Fearless Girl' - New York City

CONTENTS 0 4 Editor's Note: Our Schools Embody The Spirit of Diversity Mr. Taylor 0 5 Online Hate Culture Today Jasper Perry 0 6 The Rise of Fast Fashion Maya Quay 0 8 Is Modelling Truly a Beautiful Industry?

Paulina Petrakis 1 0 Men's Mental Health Matters Mahara Remtula 1 2 The Impact of Homelessness on Individuals Experiencing It Aisha Nawaz 1 4 Profitability in Suffering: The Spread of Sex Trafficking Across Canada Samantha Stolberg 1 6 Japan’s Untold Story of Xenophobia and Racism Kento Weil 1 8 The Environmental Cost of Fast Fashion Hilda Zhang 2 2 The Impact of Covid-19 on Teens and Mental Health Marie Legath 2 5 B.C.’s Overdose Crisis: The Insidious Killer Hidden in Plain Sight Justin Ho 2 6 Impaired driving in Canada: Is the leash tight enough on this epidemic?

Kelvin Nguyen

Editor's Note:

Our Schools Embody The Spirit of Diversity

by Mr. Taylor

As Canadians, most of us are exposed to racial and ethnic diversity every day, yet we often fail to recognize just how globally distinct this is, or the underlying strength that it implies. Our country’s most unique and often unheralded feature is the diversity in our schools.

Familiarity and understanding of cultural differences is a lifelong asset —essential to thriving in an economically interdependent, globalized world where international trade and communication is an everyday occurrence.

The underlying climate of acceptance and respect toward different cultures and ethnic backgrounds is so interwoven into the tapestry of thousands of schools in Canada that it has become a matter of course for students and staff.

Tragically, incidents of racism still persist, particularly in broader society. Since the pandemic, we have seen significant increases in race-based hate crimes, specifically anti-Asian racism. Moreover, in light of the heartrending discoveries of unmarked graves on once residential school lands, Canadians are still coming to terms with our imperial past and taking steps toward truth and reconciliation.

Each day I am heartened to see students enjoying each other’s presence without giving the ethnicity of their schoolmates a second thought.

This year on the school soccer team, I was amazed to see how quickly international students from Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Germany and Sweden integrated and were welcomed by other students on the pitch, inside the classroom, and in the hallways—the result of a pervading culture of acceptance.

We often take for granted this level of inclusion and diversity, despite its elusiveness to most of the world. In recent conversations with visiting teachers from Finland, the overriding sentiment expressed was one of wonder and appreciation at how effortlessly our student body flourishes among and welcomes ethnic difference.

Exposing oneself to diversity is not just a means of promoting a more tolerant society.

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Certainly, attitudinal undercurrents of stereotyping and prejudices linger. Nevertheless, as an educator, I cannot help but feel buoyed by a sense of optimism and a firm belief that racial undertones will continue to diminish over time as the students of today step into adulthood and begin to make their mark on our country.

As exemplified in this magazine, today’s youth have a deep understanding and concern for issues of equality, fairness, and welfare. What is more, they have learned how to work together harmoniously and develop first-hand ethnic and cultural understanding in the process.

As Canadians, we are taught to be humble and not boast about our achievements. But, when it comes specifically to the diversity in our schools, I believe we have good reason to be proud and promote globally what is a distinctly Canadian strength.

Online Hate Culture Today

by Jasper Perry

If you maintain any kind of social media presence these days, I am sure you have encountered some form of hate culture. Some faceless, nameless profile sharing a racist meme or homophobic tweet. Maybe you’ve even experienced it through online gaming, with someone on your team quickly yelling a slur at you through the game chat. Or someone choosing to purposefully lose or “throw” a game based on your sexuality or gender identity.

This kind of behaviour has become so common online that I am confident every single person reading this article has experienced it before. The question is, where is the line between an edgy/mildly offensive joke and actual hate? And why has it recently become such a problem?

Hate culture is the term I personally like to use to describe the persistent problem of hate online, especially through teenagers with the rise of meme culture and mass online gaming over the last two decades. The difference between hate culture and straight up racism, homophobia, or any other kind of discrimination, is that hate culture is usually presented as a joke. A lot of people who are sucked into hate culture, especially teenagers, think that what they say and do is okay because “it's not actually serious” or “it’s just a joke."

This, along with the way the internet allows you to be completely anonymous has led hate culture to seep into online spaces without people ever needing to be scared of being held accountable. The anonymity of the internet takes the consequences and ramifications of hate speech and allows you to completely sidestep them, making it so many people feel confident that they can say hateful things without ever needing to face their actions.

The truly scary part of hate culture is that some people get sucked into it enough that they stop thinking it is just a joke and turn to the extreme right.

We often see this with teenagers, especially because their brains are still developing and they are much more impressionable than adults.

One prime example of this is the alt-right pipeline on YouTube that was rampant back in the early 2010s. Mainly, videos would be posted using terms and phrases such as “SJW” or “Triggered Feminists”, and they would show extreme situations or take them out of context with the goal of painting their causes in a horrible light.

Many pre-teens and teenagers have watched these videos and associate feminism, LBGTQ+ people, and even sometimes people of colour, as something to be made fun of.

This made a lot of kids develop hate culture early and led them to more and more hateful online content. This problem on YouTube is less prevalent today, but exists, and people still get sucked into content that promotes hate culture.

Many hate groups will target their content toward teenage audiences because it is much easier to change the viewpoint of a teenager than an adult. We’ve seen this on platforms that allow the creation of separate domains for specific groups, like Reddit and 4chan.

Hateful groups of people often congregate on these sites, especially neoNazi groups. They would sometimes spread hateful messages in the form of memes and jokes to get more teenagers sucked into hate culture. This was a huge problem until around 2017 when sites like Reddit finally started shutting down hate groups on their platform.

A big problem online is that there is a blurred line between free speech, jokes and actual hate. If Twitter for example was to shut down a bunch of extreme accounts, they would be accused of political bias and discrimination, and a lot of people would start accusing them of censorship.

Because of this failure to separate free speech from hate speech, many people who spread hateful messages will never have any action taken to their accounts.

Although hate culture in gaming is generally better controlled than in social media, it is still a prevalent problem in online gaming. The online gaming world provides the same anonymity that social media does, where the screen separating players allows them to say what they want without consequences.

But in the case of gaming, mute functions make it easy to block out people spreading hateful messages and developers are generally willing to take quick action against these people. For this reason and others, the problem of hate culture in gaming is diminishing, however, slurs are still often casually thrown around in games.

Overall, hate culture is a massive problem facing the online world today.

The line between free speech, jokes, and actual hate speech has been blurred to the point where action is not being taken by social media platforms.

But with time, it is my prediction that society will become more progressive and have less tendencies towards hate. Eventually, I think that hate culture will dwindle. But in the meantime, action must be taken by social media platforms to be more vigilant and strict toward hate culture.

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The Rise of Fast Fashion

by Maya Quay

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Have you ever struggled to find a new outfit to wear while getting ready in the morning? Luckily, this probably isn’t the case for most of you, as your closets are filled with clothes of different colours and patterns, keeping up with the latest trends. However, being able to keep up with all the newest trends means purchasing from fast fashion companies, where your money goes towards cheaply made clothing and contributes to environmental pollution.

What is Fast Fashion?

Fast fashion began with the Industrial Revolution when the sewing machine was invented. Clothing shopping only used to occur very season, but 20 years ago, clothing became cheaper and trend cycles increased. As the demands for trendy clothing increased, companies responded by creating garments sampled from catwalks or celebrity culture. Today, the incentive is to lure customers through affordable prices and grow the customer base while making profits. Some popular fast fashion brands you’ve probably heard of include H&M, Zara, and Forever21.

How Does Fast Fashion Affect the Economy?

The fashion industry continues to show economic growth and companies are making huge profits since labor is cheap in overseas countries. Fast fashion allows for job opportunities in poorer countries, however, wages are low and workplaces have dangerous environments that have led to many accidents in recent years. Profit margins are also increased because of low production costs, but at the expense of fundamental human rights. The mental and physical health of workers is put at risk through brutal practices and toxic chemicals. Unfortunately, factories are often their only form of income.

Companies benefit from the economics of fast fashion, but in doing so, heavily rely on the support of poor work environments for their labor.

Did You Know: The lack of reducing and reusing causes a loss of 500 billion USD a year.

What Are the Impacts on the Environment?

The fashion industry is the second largest polluter of clean water in the world, contaminating waterways, coastal land and marine life all across the food chain. CO2 emissions are expected to rise by 77% and water consumption by 20%, as conventional cotton and leather requires large amounts of water and hundreds of kilograms of chemicals in a 3:1 ratio.

Polyester is derived from fossil fuels, contributing to global warming along with microfibers polluting the oceans. Consumers contribute to “throwaway” culture, with more than 500 millions kilos of unwanted clothing ending up in landfills every year in Australia alone, the result of garments produced at a high speed and then disposed. Moreover, fast fashion uses unethical procedures for animal wool, fur, and leather, and exploits millions of animals in laboratory experiments. In conclusion, fast fashion has little to no positive impact on the environment and only adds to the overwhelming global issues today.

Here Is What You Can Do: Shop sustainably and ethically by supporting local or small independent businesses. There is no need to chase trends and online influencers. Find your own personal style through second-hand clothing or clothing swaps.

Textiles and garments can be recycled, repurposed, donated, or sold. Simple steps like washing clothes less often to maintain their quality, saving water and electricity, shopping less frequently, and buying high quality products that will last longer, can make the world of difference.

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Is Modelling Truly a Beautiful Industry?

by Paulina Petrakis

We view the modelling industry, specifically runway modelling, to be such a gorgeous and unique place to showcase works of art. Designers get to present and share their creative ideas with the world and start new eras and trends.

When self-image is so closely tied toward body image, many young women tear themselves down mentally, and lose sight of who they really are. With incessant thoughts of not being pretty enough, it is no wonder why body image disorders have steadily increased.

However, the industry is not as glamorous as it seems.

Another problem within the model industry is its lack of diversity. Not only has it set a physical beauty standard, but a race standard as well.

Yes, it displays clothing that designers have worked tirelessly to produce, but there are many problems with the modelling industry that have yet to be fixed.

The first problem is the beauty standard that is required to be a model.

Companies look for women who are very tall, and extremely slim. Their focus is almost exclusively on finding women who are skinny, which creates a lot of difficulties for both models themselves and our society.

We are repeatedly shown that the only way to be a model, and a successful one at that, is to be tall and skinny. This is held up as beautiful, which it certainly is, however, all body types should be recognized as beautiful.

Society is constantly reminding young women that if you are not slim and don’t have long legs, then you are not worthy of being displayed on runways across the world.

Not only is the industry showing us how impossible the beauty standard is to achieve, but also how unrealistic it is. No woman is created the same way, which is why our bodies are all so different. This is what makes them beautiful.

There are so many reasons why women have different bodies, including their biology, what they have access to, or how they grew up. It is mindblowing to still see in today’s day and age that women will only be accepted into the industry if they look a certain way.

It is a standard that not all women can achieve even if they tried.

Yet, with the standard in place, we continue to see increased rates of eating disorders among models and everyday women and girls. Experts draw direct links between unachievable beauty standards and mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia.

Yes, some women in the industry can be very slim and healthy at the same time, but the majority focus on losing weight to fit the prized standard, causing them to hurt their bodies in the process.

Women in society have come to feel that beauty and worth are only based on physical appearance, and that if we fit outside the dominant beauty norm, it does not matter how caring or kind we are on the inside.

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Over time, the all-white, blonde hair, golden skin model has become the industry’s prized norm. Fortunately, in recent years, we have begun to see increased model diversity.

It is an issue that was long overdue, as all skin colours and races should have been included in the model industry decades earlier.

With the standard of a model being tall, skinny, and white, this type of body and race was displayed as superior to others for years in advertisements and on runways. Not only should this have not happened in the first place, it was also an incomplete depiction of beauty throughout the world. We all deserve to see ourselves represented and to be considered beautiful, yet the industry declared otherwise.

The unequal runway standard implicitly suggests that any other race, body or ethnicity is considered “not good enough.” It has real-world consequences that can lead women to believe they are not pretty enough because of their background and skin colour.

It impacts women of all ages, but especially young girls, who come to doubt and treat themselves poorly, because they do not see themselves represented in the beauty industry. It implies in subtle and not so subtle ways that it is supposed to be that way.

The sad truth is that there is no good reason why one race has been showcased more throughout the industry. It is completely and utterly disheartening to see.

For years, the modelling industry has been sending out the wrong messages to women and society and has only somewhat recently begun to fix this.

Ideas and practices in the modelling world are still toxic today, and have significant implications for models and women in our culture.

Unfortunately, there is yet to be a big enough movement to lastingly change the industry.

The fact is that all women around the world are stunning and beautiful in their own unique ways. But, only by shifting the beauty industry over time, can unrealistic standards be unlearned and replaced by a recognition of the true beauty that we all possess.

PERSPECTIVE TAKING Good leadership requires you to surround yourself with people of diverse perspectives who can disagree with you.

- Doris Goodwin (Presidential Biographer)

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Men's Mental Health Matters

by Mahara Remtula

Unfortunately, mental health is a topic that is often stigmatized in our society, causing people to associate it with shame. However, there is no reason to feel this way. We wouldn’t blame someone who has another disease for their sickness, so why do we place stigma on mental health issues occurring in the brain? Mental illness is as serious as any other disease, and it can threaten one’s life just as easily.

In many cases, the stigma is more significant for men. For too long, society has expected men to “man up,” repress and bury emotions rather than address them. From a young age, boys are taught that “men don’t cry” and need to internalize their feelings in order to keep their emotions in check.

However, this tradition of suppressing emotions is not beneficial for anyone. Untreated mental health conditions can cause many adverse consequences. It is linked to high-risk behaviours including substance abuse, gambling and other forms of addiction. Further, unaddressed emotional problems can also cripple a man's ability to fully function in society and within his family.

Everybody, regardless of gender, needs equal access to mental health support because mental health is not gender specific.

Fortunately, the tide is slowly changing when it comes to men’s mental health. Over the past few years, several male celebrities, including Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson, Olympian Michael Phelps, and pop star Shawn Mendes have shared their struggles with mental illness.

Even Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has spoken out about his mental health and said, “I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but also my work.” Here, Harry explains how suppressing his emotions and ignoring his mental health has had adverse consequences on both his personal and professional life.

Perhaps if he had had increased access to mental health support when he was young, he could have avoided some of these challenges. Through their honesty and vulnerability, these men are helping to start conversations about and raise awareness around the importance of mental health support for all.

Depression is one of the most common types of mental illness.

As a mood disorder, depression impacts between 15 and 20 percent of people, with women more often diagnosed.

Depression can be debilitating, and can cause several serious complications, affecting both mental and physical health. People experiencing depression are also at a higher risk for suicide.

I believe that everyone is fighting a different battle, and gender should not even be relevant in the topic of mental health. In my own school, we have posters in the girls washroom stalls referring us to the Richmond Youth Health Clinic for physical or mental health help.

Men are less likely to seek treatment for mental illness such as depression. As a result, men succumb to mental illness at a starkly higher rate than women. While women are two times more likely than men to experience depression, suicide rates are significantly higher for men.

After consulting with peers from my school, I have become aware that these posters are not in the boys washroom. They are not even given a simple poster, which I believe is the bare minimum.

It is a prime example of how men’s mental health is often diminished in our society.

Studies have shown that the symptoms of depression can be drastically different for everyone. For example, depression may manifest as anger, irritability, aggression, or overwhelming sadness.

If you are struggling or know someone that is, please don’t hesitate to call the Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of B.C. at (604) 872-3311 because help is available.

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PERSEVERANCE If you were born with the weakness to fall, you were born with the strength to rise.

- Rupi Kaur (Poet)

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The Impact of Homelessness on Individuals Experiencing It

by Aisha Nawaz

People who are experiencing homelessness need more than just a roof over their heads. They require significant support to overcome the challenges they face, as life without a permanent address can put a lot of pressure on individuals and result in physical and mental suffering.

Some of these individuals have criminal records, which greatly lowers their employment options. For those that have not worked in years,, finding a job is difficult since employers see their lack of recent experience as a weakness.

For most people it is extremely difficult to live like this, with limited access to resources. The suffering caused by homelessness is not something that most people would wish for themselves or their loved ones, however, it is a reality for many.

Even when they receive an interview, they may not have access to appropriate clothing for the meeting or job itself. These barriers make it very difficult to secure the level of employment necessary to afford a home.

Homelessness can cause numerous adverse consequences. Since most often people experiencing homelessness are outside braving tough weather conditions, they are at higher risk for tuberculosis, skin diseases and sleep deprivation. They are also more likely to suffer from physical and sexual assault, drug dependency, mental illness and mortality.

The uncertainty of each day, including not knowing where one might sleep can take a toll on a person’s mental well-being. They may feel isolated and alone, and taking drugs to deal with their pain and mental anguish.

Unfortunately, the longer an individual is left in this position, the harder it is for them to get back on their feet.

My previous perception of homeslessness was challenged when I met a person who had been homeless for over 17 years. He told me that even if he had the opportunity to find a home, he did not know if he would take it.

He explained that he had been homeless for a long time and had learned to make his own way. He added that he liked being off the grid and did not want to get a home just to have a landlord come after him if he could not pay rent. He seemed to have adapted to his situation and did not indicate much worry about what was going to happen next.

This comfortability was contrary to what I expected. From my research, I anticipated that every person experiencing homelessness would wish to find a permanent home. However, this conversation showcased that each person’s situation is different and homelessness is complex.

Many people assume that most sit around all day, or walk up and down the streets aimlessly. While this may be the reality for some, each person has unique individual goals and life situations. Many search for work during the day. However, for people experiencing homelessness there are extra obstacles that make it increasingly difficult to secure employment.

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Individuals experiencing homelessness are often treated as a social pariah.

However, the only thing that makes them different is their lack of a home.

They are indeed still human, with feelings and a heart—they are just as good or bad as you and I. Unfortunately, they are still looked down upon in our society. They are all too often treated disrespectfully by the public.

Many people think that if homelessness does not directly affect them that it is not their problem. However this is misinformed, as it affects everyone in a community.

Homelessness causes a ripple effect throughout the community, impacting the availability of healthcare resources, crime, safety, the workforce, and our tax dollars. Everyone benefits from breaking the cycle of homelessness, and it starts by helping one person at a time.

Anyone can make a difference in their community through small acts of kindness that help those experiencing homelessness feel welcomed, safe, and cared for. Even teenagers like me can help by donating money to a trusted charity, or making a comfort pack with a few essential items to give to someone in need.

By simply buying or making a sandwich for someone, you are positively impacting their lives. It can also go beyond material goods, such as by politely approaching someone and checking in on how they are doing.

Many members of the public simply ignore these individuals.

Human connection is important and it can be nice for people without homes to talk to others so that they do not feel isolated and alone.

Everything helps, just make sure that you are respecting the individual boundaries of whomever you choose to interact with.

It is up to us to uplift our entire community, and one way that we can do this is by helping those without homes feel welcomed, safe and cared for.

HUMANITY To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.

- Howard Zinn (American Historian)

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Profitability in Suffering: The Spread of Sex Trafficking Across Canada

by Samantha Stolberg

Human trafficking is a problem for not just for a single soul, but for every global citizen that values justice and seeks to reduce senseless human suffering.

There are three categorizations of human trafficking, which represent hideous and painful parts of humanity. They include labour trafficking, organ removal, and sex trafficking.

Studies by the Scared Heart Foundation found that survivors are more likely to face widespread poverty, drug and substance abuse, and a lower education rate. The effects of poverty lead many of these individuals into homelessness, sex work, or into the hands of human traffickers. It even puts them at an increased risk of kidnapping.

Many become so desperate for help that they find themselves trapped.

Human trafficking is often confused with human smuggling, yet they represent distinct forms of abuse. For example, human smuggling involves an illegal crossing of borders, whereas human trafficking does not. Human trafficking also involves an individual being coerced, manipulated, or forced into exploitation.

Another demographic commonly found in human trafficking are youth, often groomed from a young age by what is known as a Romeo pimp. This is a type of trafficker that pretends to be a boyfriend and manipulates them into sex trafficking down the road. These pimps make false promises of a better lifestyle, luxury, and freedom.

In Canada, the majority of human trafficking cases are sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. Human trafficking in the past decade has risen by nearly 10 times, with Statistics Canada reporting 511 cases in 2019, compared to 53 cases in 2009. As well, those numbers only account for cases that were charged as human trafficking. Most human trafficking cases do not receive charges, and many go unreported because victims are too fearful to come forward.

As social media has become a part of our everyday lives, it has also made it easier for predators to target and find youth, as well access their personal information online. As of 2021, Instagram had a reported 700 million active users. It has, along with other platforms, provided traffickers with easy avenues to contact, recruit, and groom vulnerable youth.

Though it is common across Canada, sex trafficking is most prevalent in Eastern Canada, with Ontario having reported 68% of all cases since the start of statistical tracking in 2009. Nevertheless, B.C. is also a hub because of our border and large city.

Unfortunately, those discovered are not much older than 25, with Statistics Canada finding nearly 43% of sex trafficked victims under the age of 25, with about one quarter under the age of 18.

It is often assumed that victims of human trafficking are mainly migrants or immigrants, however, the reality is that 90% of human trafficked victims are Canadian citizens. Unfortunately, Indigenous women make up around 50-60% of victims, despite only comprising 4.9% of the population.

So, let’s dive into the why. Why are so many people in particular groups trafficked?

While this is an extremely complex question, the central answers can be found in just two words: vulnerability and poverty.

As residential school survivors or descendants of residential school survivors, many Indigenous people suffer intergenerational trauma.

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Common recruitment tactics include fake or defective job offerings where predators target people experiencing poverty with nowhere else to turn.

Youth are being manipulated through fake relationships and groomed into sex trafficking at an early age.

In a 2018 study funded by Psychology Today, Mellissa Withers, PhD, discovered that 55 per cent of minor sex trafficking victims from 2015 or later were found through social media. Using social media, sex traffickers have been provided with a quick means to lure as many people as possible on often unsupervised apps that minors frequent.

Human tracking and especially sex trafficking has become widespread in just a few decades. It has led many people to be coerced into sacrificing their humanity for labour, debt, or sex. Tragically, Forbes reports that human trafficking across the world generated over 150 billion dollars in profits in 2019—a number that continues to increase each year. To put this in context, Amazon reported a profit of 115 billion in 2019.

Human trafficking is a moral evil, and it is important to raise awareness into how it attacks and hurts so many people across the globe. Education and community awareness are key factors in preventing this dreadful crime. As William Wilberforce said in British Parliament nearly 250 years ago: “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”

ALTRUISM Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don't do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.

-Ruth Bader Ginsburg (U.S. Supreme Court Justice)

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Japan’s Untold Story of Xenophobia and Racism

by Kento Weil

When you think about the country of Japan, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it the spectacular cuisine and exquisite foods?

The beautiful shrines and temples? Perhaps is it the unique culture and traditions?

If you were to research Japan as a possible tourist destination or investigate its portrayal in pop culture, you would likely discover that Japan has a lot to offer. It is one of the safest places to live in the world, and it has excellent cuisine and a rich and vibrant culture.

However, there is a side of Japan that is not often addressed by the media.

It is the prevalence of racism and xenophobia that still exist today. As a tourist, it is not likely that you would experience these issues. However, when foreigners decide to make Japan their home, they are sometimes met with challenges related to racism and xenophobia.

There is a Japanese word ‘Gaijin’ ( 外 人 ), which directly translates to outside person/peoples. It is most often used to refer to foreigners of non-Asian backgrounds. In Japan, life as a Gaijin presents unique challenges. Simply trying to apply for an apartment will often present inequalities, as many landlords will flat out refuse your requests to rent out the apartment just because you are a foreigner.

Welsh voice actor, Connor Colquhoun, shared that when he tried to move into another apartment in Japan, over ten of the landlords told him he would not be accepted because ‘they do not take foreigners’. Even if you are qualified and have the money, you can be rejected without being given a chance based on your country of origin.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, new instances of mistreatment against foreigners living in Japan have occured. At the Asakusa Excel Hotel Tokyu in downtown Tokyo, there was an incident where the hotel segregated its lifts with signs that said “Japanese only” and “foreigners only.”

This action received severe backlash online, with one Marc Yanofsky posting that “COVID-19 measures should be based on public health, not race, nationality or ignorance.” In this case, Asakusa Excel Hotel Tokyu was not making public health decisions based in science, but instead from a position of xenophobia.

The xenophobic actions towards the Gaijin population is very concerning, but the treatment of people from Korea and China is much worse than people of Caucasian and African American backgrounds. The discrimination against Korean and Chinese people is rooted in historic tensions between these countries.

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One example of direct discrimination against people from China can be seen in the actions of a convenience store in Hakone. During the COVID19 pandemic, the store refused to serve Chinese customers. It presented a sign on the front entrance that translated to “No Chinese are allowed to enter the store. I do not want to spread the virus.”

The tourism centre apologized for this incident. However, legal experts said that while the sign was morally wrong, it did not break the law because there are not any laws against discrimination in Japan.

An example of racist attitudes against Korean people in Japanese media can be found in a message posted by the CEO of DHC Corp, a Japanese cosmetic company. In November 2020, Yoshiaki Yoshida posted a message stating that their rival company, Suntory, casts Korean people in their advertisements, and referred to the Koreans using derogatory words.

He followed up the statement saying his company only hires Japanese talent because they are a “pure Japanese company”. Here it is made clear that in the mind of Yoshida, Japanese identity is deeply rooted in racial background and this sentiment is reflected in their marketing strategy.

There are a handful of groups in Japan that incite hate speech and/or racist actions towards the Korean and Chinese populations. The most prominent is Zaitoku-kai, a far-right extreme nationalist group that wants to remove welfare and privileges afforded to Zainichi Koreans, who are people of Korean descent that have been living in Japan for generations.

In July 2015, there were false rumors that some ethnic Koreans had become ‘illegal residents’ due to lack of documentation, and this led to many Japanese citizens contacting authorities to turn in their Korean neighbors, trying to get them deported. Many ordinary citizens did not hesitate or think twice about reporting Koreans who had been born and raised in their community.

It is understandable that people are often so fascinated with Japan. It has an abundance to offer, with one of the most interesting histories and cultures in the world. Still like any other country, it has its problems.

It is important that its ongoing challenges of racism and xenophobia be identified. These problems cannot be glossed over, because only by facing the issue can it be addressed and can the lives of foreigners living in Japan become more equitable.

Ending racism is not a finish line that we will cross. It’s a road we’ll travel.

Emmanuel Acho (Author, Athlete, Activist)

The Environmental Cost of Fast Fashion

by Hilda Zhang

Fast fashion has changed the way people buy and dispose of clothing. By selling large quantities of clothing at cheap prices, fast fashion has emerged as a dominant business model, causing garment consumption to skyrocket.

But the human and environmental health risks related to inexpensive clothing are hidden throughout the lifecycle of each garment. From the growth of water-intensive cotton to the release of toxic dyes into the sea to workers’ low wages and poor working conditions.

Some parts of modern life are widely known to cause environmental harm, like flying overseas, using disposable plastic items, and driving.

However, when it comes to our clothes, the impacts are less obvious.

There are questions that have to be addressed when trying to move away from fast fashion, including: how can we shop in a sustainable way?

The answer starts with changing our habits. Fast fashion creates trends that move quickly. When we feel like we have to be at the forefront of those trends, we buy new things, only to infrequently wear them. Being fashionable without harming the environment is all about slowing down.

Take your time to find second-hand pieces that are special or invest in high-quality, timeless clothing that you’ll never tire of. Or, only buy things you know you’ll wear a lot. We’ve all felt the last-minute panic before a night out, when you realize you don’t know what to wear, and the temptation to buy something new is strong.

There are many different aspects and elements of fast fashion that can impact the environment, but one of the primary aspects is water use. The fashion industry uses around 1.5 trillion litres of water each year, and it is only getting worse. It requires about 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt and 2,000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans. As the demand for fast fashion increases, the industry could be consuming 50% more water by 2030.

Share, swap, and borrow. Perhaps you have a special occasion coming up that does require more effort, like a wedding. Try coordinating with friends to share glam outfits, or join a local group for swapping clothes.

The other major environmental impact comes from microplastics and Polyester fibres. If you check the label of the clothing you are wearing, chances are it is made of polyester. Polyester is one of the cheapest and most popular textiles used by the fashion industry. 70 million barrels of oil per year are used to make polyester fibres.

Don't forget to do your own research into brands. When buying something new, have a look into the shop you’re buying from. What materials do they use? How much new clothing do they create every year? How far does the clothing travel from the production line to your home? Do the workers in their supply chain earn a living wage? It’s important to know the answers to these questions so that we can make informed choices.

Not only do these man-made fabrics use a lot of fossil fuels in the manufacturing process, most brands use synthetic fibres like nylon and acrylic which take hundreds of years to biodegrade. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is estimated that 35% of all microplastics (tiny pieces of non-biodegradable plastic in the ocean) come from the laundering of synthetic textiles like polyester.

Surprising to many, 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon, come from the fashion industry. The production of making plastic fibres into textiles is an energy-intensive process that requires large amounts of petroleum and releases volatile particulate matter and acids like hydrogen chloride. Cotton, which is in a large number of fast fashion products, is also not environmentally friendly to manufacture. It produces large amounts of CO2.

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Buy second-hand and donate your unwanted clothes. There are loads of beautiful, nearly new clothes out there in thrift shops, and on platforms like eBay, Depop, and Poshmark.

Always shop locally. If there are local, independent fashion brands in your area, it’s a great idea to support them. Not only does that help boost the local economy, but if an item travels less distance, then it has a smaller carbon footprint.

Do less laundry. Each time you put on a load of washing, synthetic fabrics shed microplastics, which end up in our oceans. In fact, up to 25% of each garment’s carbon footprint comes from the way you wash it.

Comprehensive changes in the fast fashion industry can and are needed so that we can help end sweatshops and exploitative work practices, heal the environments of communities where garments are produced, and aid the global fight in mitigating climate change.

PEOPLE POWER Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead (Anthropologist)

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Habitat loss, poaching, and war continue to threaten the mountain gorilla population.

OUR SHARED PLANET I remember the anger that I felt, reading all these stories about explorers and settlers who would wipe out an entire species, and in the process, decimate the eco-system forever. The difference now is we're knowingly doing this.

It's just on a much larger scale.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Actor, UN Climate Change Ambassador)

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THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS Painted by Hieronymus Bosch

Leonardo DiCaprio: My first visual memories are of this framed poster above my crib. I would stare at it every night before I went to bed. It was painted around 1500, and if you look at these panels long enough, they start to tell a story...

In the first panel you have Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, birds flying off into the distance, elephants and giraffe and a lot of religious iconography. The second panel is where it starts to become more interesting. The deadly sins start to infuse their way into the painting.

There's overpopulation, there's debauchery and excess. And the last panel, which is the most nightmarish one... is this twisted, decayed, burnt landscape. A paradise that has been degraded and destroyed.

The burning of coal, oil and wood is releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect has been detected and it is changing our climate now. It is these activities that drove mankind out of the Garden of Eden.

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The Impact of Covid-19 on Teens and Mental Health

by Marie Legath

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's been a notable decline in the mental health of adolescents in Canada. High school students have faced many challenges over this period. It affected families who have lost family members, parents who have lost jobs, children who have lost contact with people who are close to them, and children who have experienced increased challenges at school.

As it has been a constant struggle for many, it has unvariably taken a large toll on students and their education. The psychological impact of COVID-19 on adolescents will be felt both in the short-term, and in the long-term.

During March of 2020, schools across British Columbia were closed down, leaving students and teachers to work through a screen.

Excessive screen time is often associated with negative side effects such as poor sleep, mental health problems, and physical health issues. Losing the in-person interactions at school was a big risk in itself.

This new way of living left teenagers to rely on themselves and work more independently. Some students who struggled with their mental health before the closing of schools relied on in-person contact with councillors and other sources of support provided through their school.

This change in the delivery of education led many students to go without the regular help they required, and they often didn't have an alternative option for help. Some of these connections were essential for student success, as some students have trouble working independently with no additional help.

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As the pandemic was unexpected, there wasn’t an existing solution for this issue. Fortunately, some were luckier than others and continued receiving extra support because of their individual school or family’s capacity to continue providing it.

When returning to school, educating students on COVID-19 restrictions was often top priority. Schools made sure to keep students and classes healthy and safe. As in-person classroom practices returned, it became clear that taking care of our mental health was not as important as our physical health. Although teachers are not expected to fully support students’ mental health, I find this to be very disappointing, as the pandemic has affected nearly everyone in some way.

Students and their families have been affected by social isolation, unemployment, the impact of social media with an increased reliance on technology, and much more. With this in mind, active support from adults in the education field is necessary for a healthy school community.

My Experience In my experience, I have found that there was a high demand for mental health support from teenagers. Many of my friends and fellow classmates had come to me expressing how difficult they found the adjustment of getting back to school.

I also found myself talking to friends and asking for advice, eventually discovering we didn’t have the knowledge that a professional would with regards to finding a solution for our mental health challenges.

This experience was draining and was reflected in my school work, sleep schedule, and personal connections. I figured it was a shortterm effect, and that it would simply take time to become fully adjusted again for things to improve. I had notified my teachers that I had been struggling and although I felt supported, it often felt as if I was talking to a concerned peer, rather than someone willing to provide sufficient help or direct me to appropriate support.

Instead of things improving, I found myself struggling for the rest of the year.

Eventually I found a councillor outside of school that I still see to this day due to the prevailing issues/struggles I’ve been facing. This is an example of how COVID-19 produces many long-term effects.

I have many friends that have had similar experiences as me and have found help through counselling sessions as well. Yet there are many people I know who can’t get the help they need. Some don’t know where to start, as they haven't been educated on the topic as frequently or as thoroughly as needed.

Students do not blame secondary school educators for experiencing these setbacks as mental health support from educators is not an expectation, but I believe it should be. Although the pandemic has affected everyone differently, there has been a shift in the majority of high school students with an increase in mental health challenges. Despite the prevalence and seriousness of these challenges, it is not too late to ameliorate the situation and improve the mental health of students.

"This change in the delivery of education led to many students without the regular help they required, and they often didn't have an alternative option for help."

Potential Solutions More discussions and literacy about mental health in the classroom are needed in order to see an improvement in the mental wellbeing of teens across Canada. Mental health in school can start with teacher-led discussions in the classroom. Many students don't know how to cope with their issues, so they stay home feeling guilty.

If there was more support available to high school students, more students would be fully present in class, and more dedicated to their school work. Because this is a fairly uncommon subject to converse about, many students fear facing their issues head-on and dread asking for help. If the subject of mental health was normalized in school discourse, more students would feel open to getting help.

While there are many kids who struggle with their mental wellbeing, there will always be some people who don’t see this as a personal subject of concern. This is a great opportunity to teach students how to help their classmates who need their support.

For schools that have the capacity for this addition, improving mental health discourse and investing in student supports could be an invaluable step toward helping students improve their education and lives after experiencing adverse effects of COVID-19.

If you need someone to talk to, Youth in BC is a confidential chat, text, and call line.

Greater Vancouver: 604-872-3311 Online Resources: www.youthinbc.com

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COMPASSION For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others.

You'd be surprised how far that gets you.

- Neil deGrasse Tyson (Astrophysicist)

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B.C.’s Overdose Crisis: The Insidious Killer Hidden in Plain Sight

by Justin Ho

How many people die from overdoses in British Columbia each year? However, the harsh reality is that once addiction reaches a certain It is a startling amount, and one that has kept growing over the years. point, drugs are used by individuals simply to cope and function in The numbers, representing individual lives cut short, go all too often their fragmented lives. heard, but unnoticed.

When we examine the demographic implications of the opioid Our province, known for its beautiful mountainscapes, and lush green epidemic, we see that Indigenous Canadians, who have suffered and sky-blue hues, has a big issue with opioid addiction and overdose. emotional scars and generational pain from a history of oppression, To put the crisis in perspective, in 2011, 295 people succumbed to illicit are also disproportionately losing their lives. drug use. Whereas, in the final two months of 2021, 425 people died.

This staggering number is almost double the number of deaths that In 2020, the number of Indigenous Canadians that died from occurred annually just a decade earlier. overdose increased 119% from 2019.

While most would assume that OD’s occur primarily on the street, the “They did it to themselves” is an ignorant view. What good is it to look majority happened in private residences, with just 15% linked to street down upon someone who could be struggling in life financially and use. mentally, or making the wrong choices because of a traumatic upbringing?

The dramatic rise in drug related deaths is a pressing issue for our province and country, and one that has likely been aggravated by the Living in the Lower Mainland, I have seen my fair share of slums and beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, with effects that still street corners. Making a conscious effort to observe people in tough linger today. circumstances, gives important insight and empathy towards those struggling.

The introduction of Fentanyl for medical use is when illicit drug deaths most notably started to rise. Fentanyl is a powerful pain We need to reduce the stigma around this problem by teaching others pharmaceutical made from opioids that are 100 times stronger than about the factors that contribute to drug addiction and how they morphine, heroin, and oxycodone. Unfortunately, its strength makes it manifest in an someone’s life. highly addictive.

To be human is to make mistakes and learn from them. That is how life It works by sending pleasure signals to the brains reward system, should be experienced. thereby increasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy. However, withdrawals symptoms are harsh, and include Yes, in some senses, they made choices or “did it to themselves”, but extreme weakness, nausea, or vomiting—symptoms that often last this a narrow, simplistic perspective. We should treat them as those months, and make the drug hard to kick. who have lost their way.

In recent years, a tragic trend has emerged. With its high potency and It is on us as a community to help them learn to help themselves and low cost, fentanyl is often intentionally mixed into drugs like heroin pick up the pieces—to restore them back into society. and cocaine by drug traffickers. This has led to fatal consequences among infrequent drug users.

Ultimately, we must remember that these cases happen to real people.

To our friends, and to our family members.

When it comes to drug addicted people living on the streets, misconceptions and stereotypes abound. Large segments of the public Moreover, to engage in true empathy, we must connect the dots still view the drug addicted as lazy, and not wanting to change their between poverty and drug abuse so that those who need rehabilitation ways. receive it, and hopefully get on the road to recovery.

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Impaired driving in Canada: Is the leash tight enough on this epidemic?

by Kelvin Nguyen

As a teenager who is learning how to drive, I am always aware of my surroundings. But when an impaired driver under the influence of alcohol or cannabis starts driving uncontrollably on the road, what can I do to keep myself safe?

Between 1,250 and 1,500 people die each year in Canada because of impaired driving. Tragically, it is often happening to innocent, unsuspecting people, and cutting their lives short.

As detailed on the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) website, Michelle Ramsey Hawkins life was forever changed on April 10, 2016 when an impaired driver took the life of her two sons, Samuel and Khaiden, both of whom were under the age of 7.

They had bright futures ahead of them with a loving family. However, their futures were taken by someone that could have simply avoided drinking in the first place. Sadly, there are numerous stories on the MADD website that speak to similar tragedies.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2019, police had reported 6,453 incidents of drug-impaired driving. This number represents about 8% of all impaired driving reports, and a 43% increase over 2018. While alcohol impaired driving increased by 15% in 2019.

However, impaired driving that causes death has fortunately reduced to its lowest level since the collection of data on impaired driving commenced. In 2019, the provinces of Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, and Labrador had the largest rates of impaired driving, whereas, Toronto and Winnipeg, had the lowest rates in Canada.

Despite the decline in impaired driving cases over the past decade, the public safety implications and numerous tragic consequences persist.

Impaired driving continues to be one of the most common criminal acts causing death in Canada.

Not only is impaired driving costing the lives of innocent people, but it is also a significant problem to Canadian taxpayers. In 2013, a study conducted in Canada by MADD estimated the costs of impaired driving to be around $20.6 billion.

So what is Canada doing to combat the impaired driving epidemic?

In June 2018, the Government of Canada implemented Bill C-46, which amended the criminal code to give police new powers to screen for alcohol and drugs. The government also invested $161 million over 5 years to combat impaired driving, train officers, and buy detection equipment.

While Canada is moving in the right direction, in 2019 police reported a whopping 85,673 incidents in impaired driving alone, an all-time high over the past decade.

I contend that the Canadian government should invest more resources into this problem, including increasing the penalty for first-time impaired driving offences and continuing offences.

This begs the question, why are other provincial governments unable to get their rates on par with cities like Toronto and Winnipeg?

From an education standpoint, there should be lessons offered on how to spot an impaired driver which also teach the steps to take after identifying an impaired driver. Most importantly, with more and more new Generation Z drivers hitting our roads and highways, consistently providing youth education within our public schools about the dangers of impaired driving is essential to prevention.

Evidence suggests that stiffer punishments for impaired driving ultimately leads to reduced incidents.

I also believe police should conduct increased sobriety checks on certain roads and highways, particularly in highly populated areas.

Interestingly, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a reduction in impaired driving cases. From March 2020 to February 2021, police reported a 14% reduction in “impaired operation of a vehicle, with a 33% decrease in impaired driving that resulted in death or major bodily harm.”

Certainly, this is an ongoing problem that will not likely be solved in the foreseeable future, but with the added benefit of strengthened laws and increased education, we can save more lives like Samuel and Khaidens.

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PRINCIPLED COMPASSIONATE ENGAGED

September 29, 2021 - Boyd Social Justice students acknowledging Canada's fist National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION Truth: That which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.

Reconciliation: Efforts made to address the harms caused by various policies and programs of colonization, such as residential schools.

Murray Sinclair Chair of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission

“Achieving reconciliation is like climbing a mountain — we must proceed a step at a time. It will not always be easy. There will be storms, there will be obstacles, but we cannot allow ourselves to be daunted by the task because our goal is just and it is also necessary for our children... We owe it to each other to build a Canada based on our shared future, a future of healing and trust."