We Are One Charlotte Corelli
September 21 marked the start of a four-day attack on Nairobi’s upscale Westgate Mall. The terrorist group alShabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks that resulted in 61 civilian deaths. On September 24, the last day of the siege, Kenyan President Kenyatta said that his country was “bloodied but unbowed,” according to CNN. “While everyone in Nairobi felt deeply saddened and shaken up by the attacks, what was really inspiring was the sense of unity and strength that emerged from the situation,” said Canadian Brianna Roberts, who lived in Nairobi while she worked for a NGO. “In just a few days, millions of Kenyan shillings were donated to help victims pay for hospital bills, counseling and other costs related to the attacks,” Roberts said. “The hashtag #WeAreOne started
trending in Nairobi almost instantly.” Roberts also said that free rides were offered by the local public transportation drivers called ‘matatus’ to those on their way to donate blood to the attack victims and that “local women cooked for hours to provide food for the officials... working to free the hostages.” Two Canadians lost their lives in the attacks and seventeen yearold Fardowsa Abdi was among the injured Canadians. Born in Toronto, Abdi moved to Nairobi with her family two years ago, the Toronto Star reports. She was grocery shopping in the Westgate Mall when the attacks began. Severely injured, Abdi was flown to Sunnybrook Hospital on September 29, where she underwent surgery on her leg. Her sixteen year-old sister, Dheeman was also injured in the attacks. Throughout the siege, no chemical weapons were used. There was also a period of over thirtysix hours in which gunfire was not heard. Part of the mall did collapse which “was caused by a fire set by Kenyan government spokesman
Katherine Quinn
In the past 10 months, Rehtaeh Parsons, the victim of yet another cyber bullying attack, has been all over the news. Rehtaeh was gang-raped, and pictures from the event were distributed throughout her school. When the ensuing personal and cyber harassment became too much for her to handle, she hanged herself. Rehtaeh’s parents hold both the bullies and the shortcomings of the Canadian justice system accountable for her suicide. As a result of Rehtaeh’s suicide, the government has taken action against bullying, but it is now time for individuals to take action. As a result of the media attention Rehtaeh’s suicide attracted, laws regarding bullying and cyber bullying have been set
Death Stat
Elizabeth O’Sullivan
Every year we commemorate a day to remember all of the amazing Canadians who lost their lives fighting to keep our country the amazing and free place it is. At the Remembrance Day assembly of 2011 they included the number of civilian deaths in each war along with the number of solider who enlisted and died for their country during in one of the slide shows they play. These statistics were not included this year. To me this is very important information because it shows the progression of war and the importance of peace now more than ever. As you look at wars closer to
Manoah Esipisu. On September 25, the counthe terrorists,” The Globe and Mail writes, following a statement by try began three days of mourning. In the aftermath of the
The Ford Lauren D’Angelo
16
When I first proposed writing a column on the latest Ford drama, somebody said to me, “but Lauren, he hasn’t done anything!” I turned to him and just said, “trust me. Something will come up.” And, my word, Ford has delivered beautifully. As of November 18, 2013 at events, several smaller attacks 11:03 PM, Rob Ford has: lied, admithave occurred and Kenyan Troops ted to “[having] some fun times on the have entered Somalia, where the weekends” (AKA purchasing marijuana, group al-Shabaab is from. smoking crack cocaine, and binge drinking during his time as mayor), driven “Security [in Nairobi] has changed slightly,” said Roberts, “espe- drunk, been seen with a possible prosticially around shopping malls. There tute, seen his television show, Ford Nation (mightn’t I suggest Fordnication instead?) are more security guards [and] less entrances available for use. “Full body cancelled after just one episode, decided Toronto Police are following him and his scans and purse scans are mandatory brother, used racial slurs, spewed horto enter public places... in general, ribly demeaning and crass words about security is being treated more serwomen, managed to humiliate Toronto iously.” in too many global scandals to count, The attack on the Westgate and disclosed his plans to run for Prime Mall was the most devastating event Minister. Mayor Ford is truly the role to happen in Nairobi since the 1998 model we teenagers need in our tender bombing on the United States Emage; while Snooki and J Biebs may be bassy, which killed just over 200. entertaining, they are really nothing compared to Mayor Ford. Ford is like our own not-so-little superhero; he heroically pummels elderly councilors in his rush to… do something. Of course, any Harper’s blessing. In August of strategies that help make bumps in the road, or in this case, bumps 2013, Nova Scotia enacted a law Ontario schools safe, inclusive in Councilor Pam McConnell’s newly enabling the victims of cyber and accepting places to learn. swollen lip, are smoothed over with his bullying to seek protection. The Violation of the act can result in suslovely words of kindness. His heartfelt law can help victims to identify pension or expulsion from school apology, “to anyone I accidentally hit anonymous bullies and to sue depending on the severity of the case. when my brother was in an altercation them or their parents in cases The government has over there,” soothed the nerves of any involving minors. done its part by instating laws, but now concerned Torontonians. Rest assured, As of now, these laws are it is our turn. Bullying is the leading the mayor did not try to trample other in affect only in Nova Scotia, but cause of suicides among teenagers toofficials. He just had a momentary lapse each province has their own laws day, making it a pressing issue that must of sanity. His brother, Councilor Doug regarding bullying and cyber be taken care of. We must help Ford, continues to astound the GTA with bullying. Since June of 2012, we victims of bullying by sup in Ontario are protected by the porting them, making sure help is avail- his heroic acts of brotherly loyalty as he rushes to defend his brother from baf“Accepting Schools Act.” This able for them, and most importantly, by flingly hostile groups of Torontonians. act requires all school boards being there for them. If you see a peer After all, Mayor Ford smokes crack and to take preventative measures sitting alone, invite them to sit with drinks excessively, but he is “not an adagainst bullying, issue tougher you, and always intervene if you see dict!” and he is “seeking professional consequences for bullying, and bullying or harassment taking place. help.” I suspect Mayor Ford is simply support students who want to These are the little things we can all do seeking professional hair help. promote understanding and Seeing as how Mayor Ford has that will make the world a better place. no intention of resigning, NT-ers can respect for all. This act builds Together, we can create a world where look forward to reading many a colourful upon the government of Onbullying is unacceptable. article on the latest antics of our imprestario’s equity and inclusive edusively still-married Mayor. I would like cation and safe school to finish with a few quotes from the man the present, the number of military 60 000 Iraqi civilians were killed as himself. deaths has dwindled. This would well. “Those Oriental people work like suggest that wars are becoming less These people should be dogs ... they sleep beside their machines. violent. This could not be further honored too. Undeniably it is brave The Oriental people, they’re slowly taking over ... they’re hard, hard workers.’’ from the truth. Yes, the number to sign up to fight any war be it “They said ‘Do you smoke crack of solider deaths is has decreased your own or someone else’s and the and are you a crack addict?’ No, I don’t dramatically the number of civilian people who do this deserve to be smoke crack and I’m not a crack addict. deaths is exploding. For example, honored. But so do the people who Have I? Yes, I have. So…I didn’t lie. I in World War I, 9.7 million soldiers do not sign up and die without ever don’t smoke crack…I haven’t smoked in were killed in action, with 950 000 having held a weapon. over a year…but did I? Come on?” civilians dying as a direct result of These statistics show that “She says I want to eat her conflict, not including starvation. peace is more important now than pussy… I’ve never said that in my life to ever. War no longer only kills those her, I would never do that. I’m happily who sign up. With the weapons of married, I have more than enough to eat today distance from a war does not at home.”
“War no longer only kills those who sign up.”
In the Iraq War, about 15 000 soldiers died, 10 000 of whom were Iraqi soldiers, and, according to the Iraqi government, an additional
“...unity and strength...emerged from the situation.”
make you safe and this is something that must be respected by society. I think it is important that everyone learns about this so that we can fully respect the potential consequences of stirring up trouble in the world.