Pro Tem - Vol. 61 Issue 7

In This Issue

Page 2 ● LETTER FROM THE EDITOR VIE ÉTUDIANTE

Page 3 ● Ce que j’ai appris pendant mon temps à Glendon

Page 3 & 4 ● Going on Exchange is Hot, the Exchange Office is Not

EXPRESSIONS

Page 4 ● balmy

Page 5 ● Daltonisme

ARTS ET DIVERTISSEMENT

Page 5 ● Conseils pour maîtriser la photographie culinaire

Page 6 ● More Than What Meets the Ear

MÉTROPOLE

Page 7 & 8 ● La Petite Fille Contre la Grande Ville et les Aventures à CentreVille

Page 9 ● Delights of Montréal: An Editor’s Favourite Places

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Page 10 ● Book Review: Sabrina by Nick Drnaso

ACTUALITÉ ET OPINIONS

Page 11 ● Celebrating Black History Month in Toronto: A Time for Reflection, and Action

Page 12 ● Different Race, Different Culture, Same Love

La prochaine date limite : Vendredi 17 février 2023

Celebrating Black History Month in Toronto: A Time for Reflection, and Action

Michael Aquilino English Journalist

Now being more than midway through the shortest month of the year, February has already dawned on global calendars. The second of the month is known for its relationship with a peculiar furry rodent, known for its meteorological knack, with our familiar friend up in Wiarton having, this time around, predicted an early spring (I am writing this article, in fact, on Groundhog Day — so Willie’s forecast has not yet come to fruition). Aside from a 1993 flick of the same name, starring Bill Murray, the early-February holiday does not have many associated traditions, and is perhaps not as boisterous as its other festive counterparts — including one that is celebrated for this winter month’s

entirety: Black History Month. Its roots in Canada extend back to 1978, beginning with the establishment of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), who presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have the month of February declared as Black History Month. Shortly thereafter, in 1979, a declaration of Black History Month, the first of its kind in the country, was announced in Toronto. 14 years later, in 1993, the OBHS petitioned the province of Ontario to make the same declaration that its capital had years earlier. The petition was successful, and observation of Black history began to blossom around the country — eventually leading to a national proclamation and recognition of the celebration in 1995.

Though it has a rich history in

Canada, Black History Month saw its earliest incarnations emerge from our neighbours down south. Originally celebrated for only seven days, and known as “Negro History Week,” Black History Month began as an idea conceived by American historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, in 1926. Hoping to elucidate the often overlooked, yet incredibly significant, contributions and achievements of the Black community, Woodson chose the month of February for it having been the birth month of former American President, Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), and social reformer, Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) — both figures who, in their own rights, played immense roles within the history of Black populations in North America. Fifty years after its first American inception, Continued on PAGE 11

Vol. 61 Issue 7 : le 15 février 2023

Le journal bilingue de Glendon | Glendon’s Bilingual Newspaper

Photo par torontoblackfilm.com

Marya Tiwana

Section Editor: Issues and Ideas, Health and Wellness & Expressions / Actualité et opinions, Santé et bien-être & Expressions

Notre équipe

Pro Tem est le journal étudiant du collège Glendon. Publié pour la première fois en 1962, c’est la plus ancienne publication de l’Université York.

Opinions published in Pro Tem are those of the individual writers, and do not reflect the views of the publication as a whole. We will not print copy deemed racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise oppressive.

Les lettres adressées au journal peuvent être éditées au niveau de la clarté ou du

Letter from the Editor

Coucou, Glendon !

We’re starting to see some warmer weather, and I am absolutely here for it! I’m excited to return to you with our seventh issue of the semester, chock-full of articles about all sorts of things; from book reviews, to city guides, Pro Tem has you covered! February is Black History Month (BHM), and we thought it fitting to give a spotlight to articles on Black history, culture, and social issues. Education is key, and Pro Tem always wants to provide a voice to those hoping to make a difference.

Tous mes remerciements vont à l’équipe de Pro Tem, qui a travaillé très dur pour réaliser ce numéro pour vous, à nos contributeurs, qui ont toujours fourni d’excellents articles, et à nos lecteurs, sans qui il serait impossible de publier un autre numéro. Votre soutien est très apprécié et nous espérons continuer à publier des numéros de qualité, forts de votre confiance en nous !

contenu. All copy appearing in Pro Tem is at the discretion of the editorial team.

Feel free to respond to what you read in the pages of Pro Tem! / N’hésitez pas à réagir à ce que vouz avez lu dans Pro Tem!

To see past editions of Pro Tem, please visit our website: www.protemgl.com

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @protemglendon for reminders about upcoming deadlines and events.

Amie Sosa

Section Editor: Campus Life, Arts and Entertainment & Metropolis / Vie étudiante, Arts et divertissement & Métropole

Au cours des prochaines semaines, gardez un œil sur notre prochain numéro du semestre ! La prochaine date limite de contribution est le vendredi 17 février. Assurez-vous d’envoyer vos articles, recettes, critiques, anthologies, et encore plus à editor@protemglendon.com

Je me réjouis de lire vos contributions ! Keep your eyes peeled for news, events, polls and more on the Pro Tem Instagram page @protemglendon! It’s the best way to get news about Pro Tem outside of issue releases, and a surefire way to get access to exclusive content. Merci pour votre lectorat. J’espère que ce numéro vous plaira et que vous passerez une bonne semaine !

For the time being et à bientôt,

chef

Ariana Mah Editor in Chief | Rédactrice en

Anna Noumtinis Bilingual Journalist / Journaliste bilingue

Peony Wong French Journalist / Journaliste française

Michael Aquilino English Journalist / Journalist anglais

Ariana Mah Editor in Chief / Rédactrice en chef ✉ editor@protemglendon.com

Elton Campbell Layout Designer / Maquetteur ✉ design@protemglendon.com

Shilpa Ahluwalia Photographer / Photographe ✉ photography@protemglendon.com

Anike Morrison Assistant French Editor / Rédactrice française adjointe ✉ frencheditor@protemglendon.com

Cecilia Palacio Gutiérrez Assistant English Editor / Rédactrice anglaise adjointe ✉ englisheditor@protemglendon.com

Josée Philips Chief of Operations / Chef des opérations ✉ operations@protemglendon.com

Ce que j’ai appris pendant mon temps à

Glendon

Peony Wong

French Journalist

La chose la plus excitante m’est arrivée récemment. J’ai reçu un courriel concernant l’éligibilité à l’obtention d’un diplôme après avoir postulé à être diplômée cette année. J’ai été ravie de voir que ma demande avait été traitée et approuvée. En conséquence, j’obtiendrai un baccalauréat spécialisé en psychologie et une mineure en communication ce juin.

Cela m’a fait penser à l’avenir, mais aussi au passé. J’ai réfléchi à ce que j’ai appris au cours de ces quatre dernières années en tant qu’étudiante universitaire, et, aussi pendant mon temps à Glendon. J’ai commencé avec juste ma majeure en psychologie en 2019. En ce temps-là, la pandémie n’avait pas encore frappé, alors tous mes cours étaient en personne. Ce n’est qu’à la mi-mars que les règlements du COVID-19 ont été mis en place et que tous les cours ont été transférés en ligne via Zoom jusqu’à la fin du semestre. En

Going on Exchange is Hot, the Exchange Office is Not Anonymous

There are few times in your life when you get to temporarily detach yourself from your regular environment for 4–12 months and completely immerse yourself in a different cultural context. University exchange is one of these special chapters. Anyone who has ventured abroad will tell you to take advantage of the unique circumstances and step out of your comfort zone, and they are entirely correct. However, dare I say, the Exchange Office is a slight disaster.

It’s hard to know where to start.

First, let me preface this by saying that the individuals working in the Exchange Office over the past two years are kind, and truly want to help. As far as getting students enrolled in partner universities on time goes, the exchange coordinators did their jobs, and sent us off. This is a criticism of Glen-

réfléchissant à cette période, mes professeurs ont fait un excellent travail de transition, d’autant plus que c’était si soudain et que tout le monde vivait ce changement pour la première fois. Je suis heureuse que ma première année n’ait pas été entièrement en ligne et que j’aie eu la chance de rencontrer mes pairs et mes professeurs en personne. Au début, je pensais que le format d’enseignement en ligne serait temporaire et que les choses reviendraient à la normale l’année suivante. Cependant, ce n’était pas le cas, car, comme les autres, ma deuxième année était en ligne. Pour être honnête, je m’en réjouissais, car je n’avais pas à faire la navette, je n’avais pas à être présentable et je pouvais rester à la maison et faire des câlins à mon chien 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7. Le premier semestre de ma troisième année était également en ligne. C’est alors que j’ai décidé d’ajouter une mineure en communication. Je ne regrette pas d’avoir ajouté une mineure à mon diplôme et je le recommande vivement si vous souhaitez étudier un programme supplémentaire. Je vous encourage également à suivre des cours d’été, car j’ai pu suivre des cours assez rapidement. Maintenant, je suis en quatrième année et je suis de retour sur le campus pour tous mes cours. Bien que je n’aie été présente que pendant

don and York as institutions, failing to serve students adequately.

After meeting with the exchange program coordinator, it was clear that most of the time they were as lost as we were and didn’t have much information. You often walked away from an email chain or meeting with more questions, fewer answers, and extreme frustration. One student recounts that the official response to an issue concerning the exchange and Glendon semesters overlapping was, “just go and hope for the best.” You can imagine how comforted they felt by that response. The overall support from the Exchange Office for the actual semester abroad was equally as satisfactory. You’d think that in a day and age where mental health is such a high priority, administrations designed to assist students would at least not add to students’ woes.

An exchange office should be prepared to guide students through the various steps required when moving abroad. That is the expectation when your tuition is being kept by an institution that is not giving you courses for a semester. Students received no heads-up about long visa wait times, no assistance or suggestions on housing, and no mention of wildly differ-

deux ans, le temps passé à Glendon va me manquer. Une chose que j’ai apprise, c’est que les professeurs se soucient réellement de la réussite de leurs étudiants. Ils peuvent convenir de repousser une date limite pour que nous ayons plus de temps pour parfaire le travail, ou de répondre à toutes les questions que nous pouvons avoir. Je pense que cela est dû aux classes à petit effectif. J’ai également appris qu’il existe de nombreuses façons pour les étudiants de s’impliquer sur le campus. Il y a beaucoup

de clubs de Glendon qui sont toujours à la recherche de nouveaux membres au début de l’année scolaire.

Dans l’ensemble, j’ai beaucoup appris pendant mon temps à Glendon et le fait d’être sur le campus va me manquer. J’ai eu le sentiment de faire partie d’une communauté et j’ai pu rencontrer de nouvelles personnes au fil du temps. J’attends avec impatience les nouvelles opportunités que je découvrirai alors que mon voyage commence !

ent academic requirements. Notably, York International has the same issues: a student who travelled to Spain this year was completely taken aback when they discovered that exams were worth 70% or more and that a full point would be deducted for incorrect answers. While we as students have a responsibility to do our research, the exchange offices should at least have information sheets breaking down differ-

ences in academic expectations and housing procedures at this point; this is not their first rodeo.

Continuing on the academic front, there was a lack of information available at the time of picking which partner universities to apply to. Even links to the partner universities on Glendon’s website were broken. For those who want to fulfill program

Continued on PAGE 4

Going on Exchange is Hot, the Exchange Office is Not (cont.)

requirements abroad, having a list of potential courses is absolutely essential – even if it’s a list from a previous school year. Glendon and York should take responsibility to speak with their partners and make these available to students, not tell each student to reach out themselves and ask for a list. The responses I got after speaking with the Exchange Office mostly redirected me to figure it out on my own. It got to the point where I stopped contacting the Exchange Office at all because the emblematic response was essentially, “I don’t know, you’ll have to look into it.” Had I known that the process would be so DIY, I would have considered an independent study abroad program, and probably saved myself many headaches and a good load of money.

Others who needed assistance from the Office found that there were significant delays in responses to urgent matters. For example, there was an incident during which the person who was already

Expressions

balmy

Marya Tiwana

Section Editor: Issues and Ideas, Health and Wellness & Expressions

hope hovers, swims, in the diffusive lines between land and sea. an openness to the embrace between the two sits in wait of any eye to witness it, an affability accessible to any laid upon you as you arrive.

before the sun settles its fires to rest in crimson ribbons upon the sea, the moon with her blurred beams bids you welcome, bids you rest. she nudges you to laze upon the pillows of pocket sand-dunes to watch the pair sit lantern to the skies. they murmur, as you rise, of the love of the oceans and the seas, of their rabid, violent winds, of the waves they paint in a boundless ahidous. your eyes slide across the horizon, landing upon the lull of frothy, soft foams they bring as hands to the shore, cautious in their undemanding ascent.

covering for someone on vacation at York International took days off, delaying the signing of important enrolment documents.

Students also suffered from inconsistent information. At least one exchange was cancelled because a student did not meet York’s GPA requirement, even though York International had already given them the go-ahead. The student had, of course, already begun paying for their necessary documents.

York’s requirement for students to buy Guard.me travel insurance is in itself ludicrous. Travel insurance is a smart choice for such extended trips; however, sending students to one company without the choice of opting-out is exploitative. Many of us already have an insurance plan with travel coverage, and can provide the necessary documentation to prove it. Having to pay for a service you already have is both redundant and annoying. Having paid for a service which later costs you more money than if you hadn’t had the coverage, is infuriating: my doctor’s visit plus medication while abroad cost me about €70 EUR upfront. Not only did Guard.me not reimburse me, but I also had to pay my phone company $120 CAD because I had to call Guard.me for assistance; they do not have a toll-free number, and the person assisting me continuously wrote my information

wrong. Further, Guard.me sent me to a doctor’s office that did not do walk-ins and I had to find another clinic on my own. If York is going to force us to pay for a specific travel insurance, they should at least choose a reliable one.

Even the mandatory pre-departure session run by York International was a letdown. While they could use the opportunity to provide practical information on visas, finding housing, opening bank accounts, etc., they choose to focus on the fact that the culture will be different wherever you go…I think as university students, especially living in Toronto, we are well aware that there are cultural differences across the world. Even Glendon’s own exchange director expressed that the two-hour session seemed rather useless. Resources should be used to run region or country-specific workshops on practical elements. We can access YouTube to investigate what is considered polite wherever we are headed instead.

Finally, Glendon advertises its small campus and student services that will make you feel at home, not just like a number or client, and yet, the Glendon Exchange Office did nothing to check in on students at any point during the process, much less once they were abroad. While being on exchange is a thrilling experience,

it can also be terrifying. Some students have mentioned that their mental health suffered, and that they experienced deep loneliness. Being alone in a different city is a de facto vulnerable state even if everything is going well; there should be checks and balances in place to ensure no one is overwhelmed – or at least that no one is homeless. To add insult to injury, there was a change in staffing halfway through the semester and the Office failed to inform students on exchange. Had there been an emergency, students would have reached out to the wrong people.

The Exchange Office and York International are not the only substrates of Glendon or York that suffer from ineptitude, but they are perhaps where a lack of personnel, funding, experience — whatever it may be — become most evident. When we, as students, are required to rely on one or two offices for an intensive period of time to navigate unfamiliar waters, the holes in the boat become very clear, very fast. One previous exchange student warns that although it’s all worth it in the end, “There should be a disclaimer for the stress and tears you will shed before you even leave the country.”

horns tiring of their own uproar and screeching, swarming sirens are set aside, frozen, paused, disempowered - the open, humid air absorbs their constant clash and clangor, offers you the breath of the mer in its lieu. warm winds arrive, disperse the taut, weighted force upon your shoulder, your chest, your head. the waves hum, drown out shuffling folders, float you far from bursting questions, bleeding sheets, from papercut lists, from bruising critiques, from backlogs. the lights overhead can no longer bite at your eyes, and no vehicle can bring forth its overzealous lights, cut sharp silhouettes from your eyes. the evening is spent with wrists not locking into place, but swinging, swaying, freely touring their facilities.

as you are allowed to settle soft upon a camel’s back, the quiet, furry being remains linked to its peers, strands laying loosely between them. they walk guided, not dragged, by the hand of a man the sea, too, guides, along the endless stroll she has crafted. children settle nearby, and when you allow your eyelids to melt idly

into one another, the camel’s buoyant trots rock you childlike as well, draw you into a familiar rhythm.

a gentleness permeates it all, awaiting readiness, awaiting reception. the longtraversed landscape offers a bountiful, sincere hospitality, but does not prescribe it. paths are offered to you, etched, and

faded, and then fashioned again along the water’s edge, but you step for wonder, and not in fear of penalty, a welcome wanderer.

a love that beckons, but does not trap. a love that guides, but does not drag. a love that calms, but does not silence. a love that melts into scratches like ointment.

Photo par Marya Tiwana

Daltonisme

Anna Noumtinis

Bilingual Journalist

Si les couleurs de la peau sont la façon dont nous distinguons une autre personne, Je désirerais être daltonienne.

Le daltonisme, c’est une condition médicale, c’est biologique.

Seulement la biologie pourrait montrer l’absence de préjugés raciaux.

À l’intérieur nous sommes tous les mêmes, Même cœur qui bat. (Same heart that beats)

Même sang qui coule en rouge. (Same blood that runs red)

Je désirerais être daltonienne,

Dans un monde où la qualité d’une personne est la seule façon de les distinguer des autres.

Parce que nous pouvons seulement regarder les qualités d’une personne. Leurs sourires sont différents.

La profondeur des yeux différents.

Je désirerais être daltonienne.

Pour donc vivre dans un monde absent de préjugés raciaux.

Conseils pour maîtriser la photographie culinaire

Peony Wong

French Journalist

En grandissant, j’avais une passion pour une chose en particulier… la nourriture ! Si vous mettiez quelque chose devant moi, je le mangerais. Choux de Bruxelles, anchois, foie, tout ce que vous voulez. Je n’étais pas du tout difficile pour ce qui est de la nourriture. C’est peut-être parce que mes parents m’ont exposé à différents types d’aliments et de cuisines à un jeune âge. Je me souviens que nous allions manger dans un restaurant différent une fois par semaine, le mercredi soir, car mon père ne travaillait pas ce jour-là. Pour me souvenir des plats que nous mangions, je volais toujours le cellulaire de mes parents et je prenais des photos de tout. Aujourd’hui, je m’intéresse toujours à la nourriture et je dirais même que mon amour pour la nourriture a grandi.

J’ai même développé une nouvelle passion, qui consiste à prendre des photos de nourriture et à les mettre sur Instagram pour que les gens les voient. En même temps, cela me permet d’aider les restaurants à obtenir plus de visibilité tout en faisant ce que j’aime, c’est-à-dire manger et prendre des photos. En tant

Expressions

que créatrice de contenu culinaire, je veux partager avec vous tous mes conseils sur la façon dont je prends des photos de nourriture. Je ne suis en aucun cas une professionnelle, mais ces conseils peuvent vous aider si vous débutez dans la photographie culinaire. Ce n’est pas aussi simple que ça en a l’air, et ce n’est certainement pas la même chose que de photographier des gens ou des paysages.

Il y a tellement de facteurs qui entrent en jeu pour obtenir la photo parfaite. Évidemment, l’appareil que vous utilisez pour prendre des photos est le plus important. Dans le passé, j’utilisais un appareil photo reflex numérique, mais aujourd’hui, je n’utilise que mon iPhone. Même si un appareil photo reflex numérique produit une image de meilleure qualité et d’aspect plus professionnels, l’iPhone n’est pas si mauvais. L’iPhone vous donne toujours une image nette, semblable à celle d’un reflex numérique. Cela vaut probablement aussi pour d’autres marques de téléphones comme Samsung ou Sony.

La deuxième chose à garder à l’esprit est l’éclairage. Je préfère prendre des photos sous un éclairage naturel qui rend la nourriture plus appétissante. J’essaie d’éviter l’éclairage artificiel en utilisant des lampes ou des flashs. Cela dépend aussi de l’environnement dans lequel vous prenez vos photos. S’il fait très sombre, je dois évidemment utiliser une source de lumière artificielle, mais s’il fait jour, je profite de la lumière naturelle.

Une autre de mes astuces consiste à trouver de bons angles. L’un des

moyens est de prendre une photo d’une vue aérienne. Pour ce faire, il suffit de photographier un ensemble de plats vu d’en haut. C’est souvent plus difficile à réaliser, car vous devez faire attention aux ombres sur la photo, et vous devez vous assurer que tout est bien disposé. Un autre angle que j’aime utiliser consiste à prendre une photo en gros plan d’un seul plat. Pour ce faire, je m’assure que je prends la photo d’un coin du plat et que je capture également le coin opposé, en diagonale.

Enfin, si vous utilisez un iPhone, je vous recommande de ne pas utiliser le

mode portrait, mais uniquement le réglage photo. Ensuite, je zoome généralement sur un objectif 1,5 x, j’appuie sur l’écran et j’attends que l’appareil se mette au point automatique. Cela permet de donner de la dimension au plat et de rendre la photo claire et nette.

C’est tout ! Ce sont les conseils que je donne à tous ceux qui débutent dans la photographie culinaire ou qui veulent apprendre quelque chose de nouveau. Dans l’ensemble, amusez-vous et appréciez la nourriture que vous avez devant vous !

More Than What Meets the Ear

Amie Sosa Section Editor: Campus Life, Arts and Entertainment & Metropolis

“You don’t know what’s in store” the Weeknd, “High for This”

Spotify, one of the most popular music streaming services available, recently announced the most-streamed song on the application as of January 2023. “Blinding Lights” by the Weeknd surpasses three billion streams, outranking and overtaking Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” as the most streamed song on Spotify. This can be attributed to the Weeknd’s swift rise to fame and increase in fans, as he gained about 94+ million listeners per month on Spotify.

The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, was born on February 16th, 1990, and was raised in Scarborough, Ontario. The music industry first took notice of Tesfaye at the end of 2011, especially with the releases of his three mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. The Weeknd introduces a combination of dark lyrics and contemporary R&B, creating a sense of escapism and melancholy often inspired by his personal experiences with love and lust. This has led millions to find the Weeknd’s lyrics to be relatable and sympathetic to those who are in a similar headspace or situation. Although often given the title of “Toxic Lover”, upon further analysis, it can be interpreted that perhaps the Weeknd is not as “heartless” as he claims to be.

In the release of his debut mixtape in 2011, House of Balloons, the Weeknd shares emotional and dark concepts in this collection of songs, sheltered within a drugged perception in the titular “House Of Balloons,” named after the Toronto one-bedroom house he once shared with friends. It was said in a 2015 Rolling Stone magazine interview that the house was not very charming, so they would attempt to embellish it with balloons when girls were coming over to party.

In 2011, when the Weeknd first came to prominence, the genre of R&B was filled with confident dance tunes, which provided contrast to House of Balloons, when it first appeared mysteriously on music blogs and forums. His insecurities, and the feeling that his music and look were unorthodox to the typical R&B genre, drove the Weeknd to conceal his identity in the early

stages of launching his music career. The album cover contained a graphic of women and balloons, a tribute to his past, and gave no hint as to who he was. He continued to watch in secret as his fan base grew, and the Internet exploded with speculation on just who the Weeknd was, and where he had come from. There were even some rumours that the artist behind House of Balloons was not just a single person, but a group instead. However, as his popularity grew, the mystery faded, and it became clear that the Weeknd was the alter ego of Toronto’s very own Abel Tesfaye.

The Weeknd began to be noticed by bigger artists, including fellow Torontonian Drake. A re-recording and compilation of his mixtapes was released in his album Trilogy, which helped him break into the mainstream music industry; his music was played in big retail chains and blasted through the speakers of car radios. In the beginning, the Weeknd’s lyrics discussed his lifestyle and values from the perspective of someone who was raised in the urban setting of Scarborough, where money was hard to come by. A situation that is not familiar to all, but relatable to most, these early lyrics resonated with the public. In his introduction to the album House of Balloons, and by extension, his music as a whole, the song, “High for This” draws listeners in with motifs of imagery and understanding. “You don’t know what’s in store/ But you know what you’re here for,” are the first two lines of the song, which feel as though the Weeknd is crooning to the listener, luring them in as an insider to the party scene. Later on in the song, the Weeknd sings, “Open your hand, take a glass/Don’t be scared, I’m right here,” which further makes reference to the idea that the Weeknd is a source of comfort and guidance. Some theories make the argument that the lyrics are able to provide comfort, reassuring the listener that the singer understands them and their feelings, because he has already experienced this. The Weeknd has often been “exposed” and portrayed as a toxic lover and villain in his life, which is illustrated through his music. However, it is often forgotten what one must go through to decide that adopting a toxic, antagonistic persona is the best way to live.

What makes someone the antagonist of their own love story? According to many online forums, the formula to identifying the villain is through their motivation. All of the best villains have a motive that empowers and motivates them to find a way to achieve their goals, no matter the cost. Although the Weeknd describes himself as a manipulative person who is able to sensually appeal to and lure in all women, it is

clear that this is simply a facade to hide the pieces of his broken heart. In the 2016 album, Starboy, the Weeknd fills the minds of his fans with feelings of denial, anger, and resentment towards heartbreak, expressing himself as prideful and arrogant. This is in an attempt to conceal the true feelings of hurt that are associated with the heartbreak that he is experiencing. Heartbreak could also be a euphemism for the problems caused by fame, and the truth behind success stories in the music industry. In his song, “Starboy,” the Weeknd boasts about his rise to fame, especially since he made over $50 million since the release of his last album. Throughout the song, especially in the first verse, he makes reference to this by singing, “Made your whole year

in a week too,” meaning he surpassed all our salaries in just one week. The second verse refers to the concepts of heartbreak and pain, which he feels when people don’t support his success, and the eventual realisation that these were false friends. He sings, “Coming for the king, that’s a far cry, ah/I come alive in the fall time, I/No competition, I don’t really listen.” These lyrics also demonstrate his coping mechanism, where upon being hurt by others, the Weeknd immediately exposes the individuals, and defends himself by boasting about his success and pretending he feels nothing from their comments. This can be explained by his upbringing, as growing up in a rough environment can cause people to close

Continued on PAGE 7

Photo par rollingstone.com

More Than What Meets the Ear (cont.)

themselves off, having to adapt to their unpredictable situation. Rather than easily brushing things off, and moving on in life, it is preferable to adopt a defensive personality.

In After Hours, his next album, the Weeknd portrays a more honest approach to his emotions, revealing a deeper side to himself through his songs. In “Heartless,” on the surface, it seems he is still in his “Starboy era,” with a toxic and cocky attitude weaponised as a defense against those trying to hurt him. However, upon a closer look, pieces of his broken heart are displayed in the song, with lyrics like,

La Petite Fille Contre la Grande Ville et les Aventures à Centre-Ville

Amie Sosa

Section Editor: Campus Life, Arts and Entertainment & Metropolis

Je me souviens d’avoir dû me lever tôt, choisir une tenue, me brosser les cheveux emmêlés et prendre le petit-déjeuner pendant que ma mère habillait et nourrissait mon jeune frère. Nous avons marché jusqu’à la voiture et mon cœur était rempli de joie et d’excitation. Nous sommes allés au centre-ville.

Chaque semaine, de relâche en mars, de l’école primaire à l’école secondaire (sauf pendant la pandémie de COVID-19), nous allions au centre-ville, à TIFF et à Chinatown. On traversait les rues et même on prenait le métro, j’aimais toujours le métro, me sentir tellement cool d’être dans un bus souterrain. Chaque fois que j’ai toujours apprécié mon temps dans le centre-ville, explorer une région aussi occupée, regarder les gens et essayer de nouveaux aliments. J’ai un vague souvenir d’essayer des crêpes en forme de petites bulles et d’être si excité par elles. Cepen-

“Tryna find the one that can fix me,” almost immediately confessing his enduring heartbreak. There are many different ways to cope with heartbreak, and one is simple denial. The Weeknd attempts to push past the lingering feelings, and tries to present himself as untouchable and unaffected by the breakdown of his past romantic and platonic relationships. The last line of the first verse reads, “Tryna love me but they never get a pulse down,” making reference to the fact that plenty of women have approached him with romantic intentions, but were unable to successfully form a relationship with him. The chorus of “Heartless” features the lyrics, “Cause I’m heartless/And I’m back to my ways ‘cause I’m heartless/All this money and this pain got me heartless.” These last three lines emphasise the idea that the Weeknd is finally coming to terms with his play-pretend game of being heartless, and “going back to his old ways” in an attempt

to cope with his difficult emotions. The titular song of After Hours shares a more emotional and personal experience, where the singer opens up about a past failed romance. “After Hours” features a plea for forgiveness and reconciliation to a former flame, expressing that he loves her. There were many speculations about whether this song is specifically about the Weeknd’s past relationship with Bella Hadid, as the timeline of the song release coincidentially lines up with the end of their unsuccessful relationship. This has not been confirmed by any official sources, but remains a fan theory regardless. The lyrics, “Oh, baby, where are you now when I need you the most?/I’d give it all just to hold you close,” imply that although he may have been the cause of the end of the relationship, he too was hurt in the process. He is still struggling to move on, and therefore cannot be labelled as heartless or emotion-

less; instead, he hides these emotions of grief and loss, and continues to drive towards further musical success.

All in all, although The Weeknd is said to be a toxic lover and an icon of the players, having shared his experiences with parties, women, and drugs, it can be said that this is not the case. Upon further analysis, it is clear that this is simply a coping mechanism to deal with the heartbreak that he so often finds himself in. There are many different aspects that contribute to this theory, and through the lyrics of his music, it is evident that the Weeknd is not as heartless as he might like to be. He’s just another man trying to heal his broken heart and maintain his dignity, not allowing those who hurt him to see him in pain; that’s the true Weeknd.

dant, depuis le début de mes études universitaires, mon emploi du temps familial n’a jamais été le même et nous ne sommes pas partis depuis 2018. Cette année, j’avais pour objectif d’essayer de nouvelles choses, en particulier dans mes études, car je savais que mes cours étaient principalement basés sur la langue et je voulais éviter d’être submergé.

J’ai décidé de prendre un cours d’histoire de l’art à l’université d’York, cela s’appelle « l’art dans la ville » et c’est un cours facile si vous cherchez quelque chose de nouveau et intéressant à apprendre. Ce cours est très intéressant pour moi, car j’ai toujours été intrigué par l’art et son histoire, mais je n’ai pas beaucoup de connaissances en arts. Ce cours m’a déjà beaucoup appris et j’apprends à regarder à travers une perspective plus artistique et créative vers la ville et le monde. On nous a récemment confié un projet qui nous encourage à aller au centre-ville et à visiter le Musée des beaux-arts de l’Ontario et c’est tout ce que j’avais besoin d’entendre.

Ce mon voyage a commencé, j’ai fait mon sac, j’ai planifié mon itinéraire et je suis parti. J’ai pris le train Go de Brampton à Union Station, le cœur du centre-ville. C’est alors que je me rends compte que j’avais toujours pensé que le centre-ville était loin et juste hors de portée, alors qu’en réalité il n’était qu’à quarante-cinq minutes environ. Maintenant, en raison des nouvelles récentes concernant les dangers du centre-ville, je ne vais pas mentir, j’avais peur dans le métro, mais je me suis assuré d’être vigilant et j’ai aussi amené

mon copain qui a créé tout un horaire de choses amusantes à faire dans le car il savait que je n’étais pas allé au centre-ville depuis longtemps. Nous avons marché de la gare jusqu’au musée des beaux-arts de l’Ontario. Les rues, de Toronto, étaient animées par toutes sortent de gens. J’ai regardé autour de moi avec admiration et excitation alors que j’essayais de saisir et d’apprécier chaque couleur, panneau d’affichage et tenue que je pouvais voir. Je suis du genre à essayer de tout romancer dans ma vie, alors voir la mode du centre-ville dans la vraie vie et vivre le style de vie du centre-ville était tellement amusant. J’ai aussi réalisé à quel point le centre-ville est

compact, tout était à distance de marche de tout le reste et c’était assez intéressant de voir tous les petits magasins, boutiques et restaurants en se promenant.

Alors que nous approchions de la galerie d’art, j’ai été surpris, je n’étais jamais allé à la galerie d’art, donc j’étais super en émoi. La galerie d’art est divisée en plusieurs sections et présente de nombreuses formes d’art et techniques différentes. C’était très intéressant de voir des œuvres d’art discutées en classe dans la vraie vie et super intéressantes à pouvoir même voir les traits de peinture et les couches créés par des artistes célèbres.

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La Petite Fille Contre la Grande Ville et les Aventures à Centre-Ville (cont.)

Je pourrais presque les imaginer en train de peindre cela alors que j’examinais leurs œuvres d’art et essayais de distinguer les pensées qui pouvaient leur traverser l’esprit lorsqu’ils créaient ces œuvres célèbres. En parcourant la galerie, c’était super intéressant de voir mon copain qui a étudié les beaux-arts au lycée examiner chaque pièce avec un esprit plus intelligent sur le plan artistique. Il cartographie les coups de pinceau et les lignes utilisées dans la pièce, je me concentrerai davantage sur la couleur tandis qu’il apprécierait les contrastes d’ombre et de lumière ou la façon dont certaines expressions et émotions étaient représentées tout au long de la pièce. J’ai pensé que c’était une chose intéressante à remarquer, car cela m’a fait réaliser com-

ment tout le monde perçoit l’art et malgré le fait que nous regardons les mêmes œuvres d’art, tout le monde rassemblera des idées et des conclusions différentes.

J’ai l’impression que quelqu’un a probablement dit un jour que le centre-ville est un lieu de rêve qui se réalise… ou peutêtre que c’était New York. Néanmoins, j’ai vécu un moment d’émerveillement alors que je me tenais dans le musée des beaux-arts de l’Ontario. Même si j’étais entourée de tant de belles œuvres d’art, je pouvais avoir l’impression qu’elles allaient disparaître alors que mes yeux se concentraient sur une œuvre d’art en particulier. Claude Monet. Vétheuil en été 1879. Les couleurs semblaient si parfaitement utilisées et incorporées pour créer cette pièce. Toutes les lignes, les coups de peinture et même sa signature dans le coin inférieur droit m’ont impressionné. Alors que je regardais ce tableau, je pouvais sentir la chair de poule couvrir mes bras et mon cœur commençait à se remplir d’un tourbillon d’émotion. J’ai toujours admiré le travail de Claude Monet, mais le voir en personne, le voir juste devant moi lui donner tellement plus de sens. Pour être honnête, après avoir vécu cela, je n’étais pas sûr de la

façon dont le centre-ville pourrait améliorer cette expérience.

Après la galerie d’art, nous sommes allés dans un restaurant voisin pour prendre de dim sum et à mon avis, ce sont toujours les endroits dont vous n’êtes pas sûr du nom et qui sont un peu cachés qui servent toujours la meilleure nourriture. Cet endroit mignon et calme s’appelait « Rosewood Asian Cuisine » et est situé dans le quartier Dundas St West, la nourriture était très bonne et le prix était assez raisonnable, la nourriture a également été apportée rapidement, ce qui était super. Pour deux personnes et avec les restes inclus, c’était 15 $ par personne. Nous avons réussi à manger rapidement et à respecter votre horaire, car nous avons passé une journée complète à essayer de nous intégrer à toutes les principales activités que nous devons accomplir dans ce quartier du centre-ville. Nous avons pris en tramway jusqu’au centre Eaton et nous sommes partis explorer. Centre Eaton était surestimé à mon avis, je pensais qu’il aurait été plus occupé qu’il ne le fût une réalité et plus grand qu’il n’y paraissait. Cependant, l’Indigo était beau, j’ai adoré là-bas. Nous avons également participé à une activité typique

du centre-ville et apprécié le Karaoké. Nous avions réservé des réservations pour un endroit apparemment populaire appelé « Bar + Karaoké + Lounge » et nous avons chanté des chansons de Disney pendant une heure. Cet endroit était très agréable et pour ma première participation au karaoké, c’était très amusant. Il y avait des lumières disco et des lumières LED dans notre salle et nous avons pu réserver une salle pendant une heure pour environ 30 $ pour deux personnes. Nous avons décidé de nous rendre au Dragon City Mall avant de quitter le centre-ville. Au milieu de ce petit centre commercial se trouvait une zone de machines à griffe rose avec environ huit à dix machines différentes, avec des prix très mignons que vous pourriez gagner. Nous en avons gagné trois au total, mais j’étais le porte-bonheur et j’en ai gagné deux ; un joli lapin rose et un joli pingouin rose, nommés Charlotte et Cynthia.

En tout, cette aventure était amusante et il est définitivement recommandé d’amener vos amis et d’explorer le centre-ville lorsque vous en avez l’occasion.

Delights of Montréal: An Editor’s Favourite Places

Ariana Mah Editor in Chief

I would not be a very good exchange student if I didn’t blab non-stop about my experience “abroad,” talking the ear off any well-meaning passerby and extolling the virtues of leaving Toronto for a semester at least. After all, isn’t that what the exchange experience is for? Unlike most of my peers, I didn’t study abroad in France, Switzerland, Spain or Belgium during the fall semester; I’m saving that for my next bout of exchange sometime in the distant future. Instead, I headed just six hours east, to Montréal, Quebec, where I studied at the Université de Montréal. As my first time living in the big city in nearly two decades, I was often dazzled by the bright lights of the city and its endless offerings. Having made new friends and explored many small pockets of the city, I’d like to share it with you all, my captive readers.

A great place to start is some of the novelty shops, activities, and tourist attractions. While I love La Ronde’s rollercoasters, and have gone every time I visited Montréal, it just wasn’t meant to be this year, since I arrived at the start of September. Besides, I think my tolerance for thrilling rides and long days at the sweltering, sunny theme park has waned with age; you won’t catch these old bones on Ednör – L’Attaque anytime soon! If you’re instead interested in a leisurely meander

through nature, I would highly recommend the Jardin botanique de Montréal, an expansive space of exhibition greenhouses, themed outdoor gardens, and beautifully curated grounds. It’s well worth your money, as there’s just so much to look at, and you’ll be able to spend a good amount of time exploring and viewing exhibits. Going during the autumn months is a great idea, as there is a high likelihood that your general all-access ticket will include a bonus ticket to the evening Gardens of Light event, which completely reimagines the space to display stunning visual interpretations and highlighted exhibits.

In the mood for some fun with friends, and a coffee or a drink while you’re at it? You’ll find your new home at Café Bloc, a unique rock climbing spot suited for both the most and least experienced climbers. With two floors of climbing walls, a small workout space, and an outdoor climbing terrace, there’s a good chance you’ll spend your entire afternoon off the ground. And when you’re in need of nourishment, caffeinated drinks, sandwiches, and alcoholic beverages are available at their café, along with branded merchandise.

My most random recommendation would have to be Le Petit Duck Shoppe, located in the heart of Old Montréal. Located in a surprisingly large space, there’s not much to say, except that you can get pretty much any iteration of a rubber duck here. Teacher duck? Done. Ballerina duck? Absolutely. Swimmer duck, complete with a swim cap and goggles? Not a question. A selection of duck-themed trinkets are also available, meaning that all your novelty rubber duck needs can be satisfied here; give it a visit!

Speaking of Old Montréal, all the best cafés and brunch spots can be found along its cobblestone streets, always just

around the corner, or through a small easement. Full disclaimer: I might be a little biased, since I lived in the area, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true! Dandy came highly recommended to me for brunch, and once I tried it out, I too was convinced. There’s something to be said for a mid-morning meal and sips of mimosas with friends, spent in the turmeric-coloured booth seats of a large, mirrored room. The tangy, earthy flavours of the mushroom toast make it a must-have menu item, along with the decadent ricotta pancakes. Next up is a collection of cafés. Looking to get some work done in a gorgeous co-working space with high, arching ceilings? Crew Collective Café has you covered, located inside the Old Royal Bank building, with sweet treats, healthy meals, and beverages on offer. 49th Parallel Cafe is also an excellent choice for donuts and a hot caffeinated drink on a cold day. However, my personal favourite has to be Tommy Café, specifically their Old Montréal location. With plenty of nooks to work and eat, I’ve spent many an afternoon hard at work reading and revising for my courses. Their iced chai latté is the best I’ve ever had, and the portions of their avocado toast are truly massive. Make sure to pick up a stamp card on the way out, in order to work your way up to a free drink!

But sometimes, I’m just a Chinese-Canadian girl at heart, missing her mom’s cooking while away from home, and craving some of the warm, comforting foods I was used to living in Toronto. On my hunt for a taste of home, I found quite a few repeat favourites. This includes Le Lotus Bleu, for hand-pulled beef noodles and a waitress with the best recommendations in the area. La Maison du Nord-Ouest takes the cake though; it’s a bit of a hole in the wall with minimal decor, but the food more

than makes up for the lack of atmosphere. On my last night in Montréal, I had such a craving for their spicy potato noodle soup that I went out for the last time with a friend just to have it! They also have a long list of appetisers, and different types of noodles, including ramen and fish noodle soups. I hope that this (non-comprehensive) list gives you some ideas for your own trip to Montréal! One day, I promise to continue my quest of finding all the best places in the city.

• Jardin botanique de Montréal : 4101 Rue Sherbrooke E (Station Pie-IX)

• Café Bloc : 1209-1211 Boul. Saint-Laurent (Station Saint-Laurent)

• Le Petit Duck Shoppe : Corner of 398 Rue Marie-Morin et Rue Saint-Paul O (Station Place d’Armes)

• Dandy : 244 Rue Saint-Jacques (Station Place d’Armes)

• Crew Collective Café : 360 Rue SaintJacques (Station Square Victoria-OACI)

• 49th Parallel Café : 488 Rue McGill (Station Square Victoria-OACI)

• Tommy Café : British Empire Building, 200 Rue Notre-Dame O (Station Place d’Armes)

• Le Lotus Bleu : 988 Boul. Saint-Laurent (Station Saint-Laurent)

• La Maison du Nord-Ouest : 1818 Sainte-Catherine O (Guy-Concordia)

Photos par Ariana Mah

Book Review:

Sabrina by Nick Drnaso

Michael Aquilino English Journalist

Mental health, though pressing and demanding in the lives of many, is an often overlooked and neglected topic. It is one that affects many, some of whom may unknowingly be in our close circles. A seemingly unidimensional concept, mental health encompasses an immense array of daily challenges and obstacles, impeding peoples’ ability to go about their lives comfortably and at ease. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to mental health, as one’s experiences differ greatly from another’s. This being said, in spite of the complexities and multifaceted nature of mental health, most people will agree that mental health, and the various illnesses and barriers associated with it, can pose great difficulty to those who suffer from such issues — they can be draining, and incredibly hard to overcome. Hence, I believe that heightened awareness on the matter, and wider accessibility to treatment and services, helps to better address the issues at hand, and improve the lives of many. Although society has taken initiative in a few respects (Bell Let’s Talk, exposure in media/classrooms, etc.), the topic of mental health is still in need of further discussion. While having improved in recent years, a stigma surrounding mental health still looms. It is my belief that, through greater exposure, education, and unification, those that struggle with mental health will not feel alone, and may be able to take solace in the presence of others. Society must come together not only for the well-being of individuals, but for everyone, sharing their toils with all

— teaching and learning that it is okay, to not be okay.

Part of the assigned course material in my 21st-century American Literature course was the graphic novel Sabrina (2018), by Nick Drnaso. The piece, initially set in Chicago, follows the story of the titular character, Sabrina, and her sudden disappearance. Having been missing for some time, characters, including Sabrina’s sister, Sandra, and her boyfriend, Teddy, assume the worst, and are stricken with grief. Sandra remains at home in Chicago, and Teddy, too overcome with the sorrow of having likely lost his partner to stay put, moves to Colorado to live with his childhood friend, Calvin. Over the course of the novel, Sandra and Teddy, as well as Calvin, cope with Sabrina’s disappearance in their own ways. Themes of depression, suicide, coping mechanisms, and mental health as a whole, are explored — depicting the characters’ harrowing battles amongst themselves. Drnaso’s illustrations are intimate and captivating reflections of the characters’ feelings and behaviours — almost as if the reader were experiencing the same as their fictional counterparts. There were many moments throughout the novel where Drnaso’s storytelling, through both words and pictures, allowed me to become immersed within the pages, developing a greater degree of empathy for not only the characters, but for those in my life.

Sabrina eloquently portrays the struggles of those with mental illness, elucidating through fiction what many feel and experience in reality. The piece profoundly explores the role of mental health in a 21st-century, technologically-advanced context, including the advent of conspiracy, surveillance, the grim side of the Internet, and the further effects of such notions thereafter. Mental health is not an isolated phenomenon, as many factors influence an individual’s mental well-being. Now, more than ever, society is easy to engage with,

and we consume media and content at an unprecedented scale, which has its own impacts. Social media plays a lead role in dictating the character of society; it is able to sway people into believing certain things, and behaving in certain manners. Social media has also set many standards for society as a whole, and those unable to realize these unrealistic standards, whether of beauty, success, or relationships, will likely view themselves as inadequate and imperfect. Yet, social media is the real issue, clouding the judgments of many, and indoctrinating entire populations into adopting skewed perceptions on life. People must stay true to themselves, as they are the only ones who know what’s best for them. Although it is easier said than done, people should steer clear of the opinions of others, accepting themselves for who they are: everyone is perfect in their own way. Amongst other ideas, beauty is not found in commonality, success is not measur-

able (meaning different things, to different people), and relationships are special for their uniqueness; conformity is overrated. Sabrina eerily reminds readers of the scary realms of the Internet, and how many evils may lurk beyond laptop screens. Thus, Drnaso’s novel, in bringing to light the importance of mental health, and the shortcomings of technology, teaches readers a crucial lesson — that people must learn to stick by each other, help one another, and foster a caring and compassionate environment for all. People should not be so quick to judge others, as they may never know what someone else is truly going through.

As the first graphic novel to have been nominated for the 2018 Booker Prize, a prestigious accolade awarded to the best English-language work published in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sabrina has received tremendous praise, and is sure to leave readers thinking long after its final pages.

Celebrating Black History Month in Toronto: A Time for Reflection, and Action (cont.)

in 1976, “Negro History Week” morphed into Black History Month as we now know it, and was declared as a national observance in 1977.

Now, 30 years since the province of Ontario declared February as Black History Month, Ontarians continue to celebrate the Black community, and all it has done to enrich a tremendously diverse Canadian identity. During Black History Month, Canadians are encouraged to remember and honour Black figures of historic and modern-day prominence, while acknowledging all those who acted and continue to act on the sidelines as well. The Black community has historically fought, and in many ways still fights, to overcome unrelenting social barriers. The world has been, and to a large degree continues to be, a place of racial discrimination and inequality, impeding the abilities of many to succeed and thrive in life. Nonetheless, marginalized populations, especially the Black community, have not quietly submitted to unjust oppression; rather, they have ardently fought back against their oppressors, and championed social harmony. Many may know the stories of historically-inspirational Black figures, like Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., and Canada’s own, Viola Desmond. While their stories, amongst many other famous ones, are of profound importance, Black History Month is built upon the foundations of recognizing all of whom have contributed to the narratives of Black people around the world. Individuals like Claudette Colvin (1939-), who was arrested at the age of 15 for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white woman nine months before Parks, Ruby Bridges

(1954-), who was the first Black child, at the age of 6, to desegregate an all-white elementary school in Louisiana, and American-Canadian anti-slavery activist Mary Ann Shadd (1823-1893), share the same stories of hardship and resilience as the aforementioned, more famous historical figures, though they have been spotlighted less.

Black History Month endeavours to shed light on stories that may be seldom heard, in addition to the ones that have made headlines. These are stories that, in spite of their obscurity, have had, and continue to have, lasting impacts on society. Black History Month strives to educate and enlighten people on topics that they may otherwise know little about, spreading Black culture and awareness to all. Black History Month, however, is not solely about remembering and acknowledging circumstances of distress, despair, and protest, but also celebrating innovation, accomplishment, and excellence. The Black community, including the likes of Bessie Coleman (1892-1926), the first African-American to fly an airplane, Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993), the first African-American Justice appointed to the Supreme Court, and William Peyton Hubbard (1842-1935), a native Torontonian inventor and the city’s first Black elected official, have always been active participants within society. Their voices and actions, largely unheard of and unknown, nonetheless helped to pave the way for their successors (of all backgrounds), improving society for all. Thus, during Black History Month, people from all walks of life are urged to acknowledge and appreciate important figures of the past and the

present, and the Black communities currently in their everyday realities. In doing so, society fosters a degree of acceptance and further inclusion among a diverse global population, helping to rectify faults of the past, and ensure that a brighter, more promising future lies ahead for everyone.

Black History Month is a time of reflection and action, one which is traditionally celebrated through themed exhibits, educational resources, plays, political/social messages of observance, the emergence of Black history clubs, and an increased presence in popular discourse, keeping Black history alive through memory, display, and conversation. With many events scheduled around the city in the days to come, Glendonites and Torontonians are certainly able to do their part in welcoming and embracing the month! Here is a non-comprehensive list of a few happenings that caught my attention:

1. Toronto Black Film FestivalFebruary 15-20, 2023 (Various venues in Toronto, and virtual)

Launched in 2013, the Toronto Black Film Festival, held during the month of February in celebration of Black History Month, dedicates itself to the promotion of Black cinema, art, and culture in Canada, as well as around the world. The festival is held at various venues throughout the city, as well as virtually, with various pricepoints also available.

2. Drumming Workshop - February 18, 2023; 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. (40 St. Clair Avenue East)

Taking place at the Deer Park Toronto Libraries branch, this authentic, interactive drumming workshop, with AfroLatin drummers Joaquin Nuñez and Dyalis

Machado at its helm, will be sure to have participants dancing and cheering from its get go — and long after its end!

3. Black-Owned Toronto Marketplace

- February 25, 2023; 11:00 a.m.4:00 p.m. (317 Dundas Street West)

Hosted by the Art Gallery of Ontario, this special vendor market will showcase 25 Black-owned local businesses, offering an array of products sure to spark your intrigue! With the rest of the AGO ready to explore just steps away, come on down, see what’s in store (quite literally), and shop local!

Black History Month is a time of recollection, education, and empowerment. Black histories, despite being overshadowed and disregarded throughout the years, are crucial stories of resilience, perseverance, and progress. Black people have substantially contributed to the betterment of society, and, in response, society has largely let them down. In recent years, the narrative has begun its transformation. The Black community will no longer go unnoticed. Countless Black individuals have inspired, and continue to inspire, their social counterparts, and it is up to the latter to keep their memories alive, as well as bolster the efforts of those still igniting change today. Hence, during the month of February, and every day thereafter, I hope that everyone will allow themselves to become immersed, in one way or another, within Black history and culture, informing and educating themselves on what makes people different, yet so much the same.

Different Race, Different Culture, Same Love

Anna Noumtinis Bilingual Journalist

Considering February is Black History Month and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I thought it would be fitting to talk about the beauty and struggle of interracial couples. I cannot speak from my own experience, but I have witnessed firsthand the interactions and have heard many different stories — both heartwarming and frustrating — from my sister, who is in an interracial relationship. My family is Greek-Cypriot Canadian, and my sister’s boyfriend’s family is from various parts of the Caribbean (Grenada and St. Vincent). Their cultures are very different, from the language to the food. However, their core beliefs, ideas and values about different things like future goals and how to treat others are largely the same. My sister and her boyfriend encourage and support each other in their personal endeavours, and push each other to reach their full potential! They have also learned a lot from each other’s differences.

I think that is the true beauty of interracial and intercultural relationships: having the opportunity to teach someone about a culture they are unfamiliar with. This spreads the knowledge of that culture, its beliefs, and its practices outside of that cultural circle. When you have to explain your personal beliefs and practices to someone, you are teaching them, but you are also furthering your own understanding of those beliefs and practices, because you are put in a position where you need to elaborate, compare and contrast them to other ideas. This is something I find that same-culture couples don’t really engage in, because they are both aware of these practices and beliefs, so they often don’t question them or discuss them. Obviously, this doesn’t apply to every case. I also find there are twice as many opportunities in which compromise is needed within interracial and intercultural relationships than in same-race/culture relationships. It can be small compromises, like which traditional foods to cook for a Christmas dinner, or bigger compromises, like converting religions so that the couple can have a specific religious sacramental ritual at their wedding, or deciding on which second language will be taught to the children. These are things that might not seem that important to some people, which might

make the decision easier for them, but it is in no way easy to have these conversations. I remember how conflicted my sister was over the holiday break when she had to decide which of our family traditions she and her boyfriend would attend, and those they had to miss, in order to also attend his family’s traditions. It was not easy for either of them to miss out on certain events, but it was a compromise that had to be made, so they could both be fair to both their families. Though my sister was conflicted about missing some of our traditions, she had a lot of fun, and learned a lot more about her boyfriend’s culture and family, making it all worthwhile.

The language barrier is also a common struggle for interracial/intercultural couples, especially when meeting extended family. In my sister’s case, the majority of her boyfriend’s family knows English, so there is not much of a barrier for her, but in her boyfriend’s case, a lot of our older family members do not speak much English. This makes it hard for them to get to know him, and vice versa. Language is not a permanent barrier by any means, since one can learn the language of their partner. However, it is harder to learn a second language as you get older, and learning a new language takes a lot of time and effort. This is not always feasible for some people, but with enough exposure to the other language, it becomes easier to understand the meaning of certain words or gestures even if one cannot speak the language itself.

One of the biggest struggles that my sister often talks about is how whenever she and her boyfriend are out in public, people often stare at them. In the beginnings of the relationship, my sister shared how frustrating it was when people stared, because it would make them both feel uncomfortable and judged, and ruined the atmosphere of their date nights. She said that if they were the same race, then people wouldn’t stare. Unfortunately, this is a sad reality that many interracial couples face. My sister’s tactic for dealing with this, she says, is just trying to ignore the staring, because their opinion on her relationship doesn’t matter. This is absolutely correct! The most important opinions on a relationship come from the people in it; it shouldn’t matter what others say or do. In that same breath, you can’t help feeling upset or frustrated when a negative comment or glance is tossed your way — because it is unnecessary! It truly is unfair that interracial couples have to deal with explicit and implicit judgment on their relationship, because every relationship comes with its own struggles and responsibilities, and having to put

up with judgment from strangers shouldn’t be one of them.

The colour of someone’s skin should not matter in life, and especially not in love. Love is about people’s souls, and how their souls interact. When people stare, make rude comments, or treat people unjustly because of the race of the

person’s partner, it fuels a world ignorant to what love really is. Love is about learning and growing with someone, and I think interracial couples truly embrace and embody this notion in their relationships. This is something to be celebrated and admired, not criticised.

Photo par Anna Noumtinis