Renewal: Special Edition

THE MIKE

renewal: special issue April 4, 2016 ISSUE 15

2

EDITORIAL letter from the editor

As I write this it is 2:44 AM on the night before newspaper production. An eerily similar still comes to mind, from almost a year ago as I wrote my first Letter from the Editor. The hour was the same and I was shifting in my chair, trying to anticipate what the year ahead may hold for us at the paper. At the outset of our journey, the team was tasked with developing a vision for the paper. Given the intermittent history of our production, many didn’t take us seriously, nevertheless, we sat together trying to ideate and articulate the purpose of the Mike. We decided that the paper would be a “conduit for student engagement” and the “premier platform to broadcast the voice of SMC students”. In our attempt to make that happen, we have featured everyone from first year students to subject matter specialists, from Cardinals to Caretakers, and understood - this is SMC. We are thinkers, dreamers, doers, slackers, those that fall and those that rise, those that cave and those that fight. And that is the beauty of our complex, intricate fabric. One that we try to give you a feel of through our bi-weekly publication.

In our final issue for the year our feature shines a light on the themes of renewal and change. We have articles that engage with the topic from a variety of angles: SMCSU’s relationship with the St. Mike’s authorities, the evolution of art on campus, President Obama’s visit to Cuba among others. Inherent in ideas of change are ideas of progress and the endpoint of all these efforts. Similarly, this magazine has been a culminating point of the efforts our team has made throughout the year to revive the Mike as a publication in which SMC can take pride.

Please note that the views presented by our writers are entirely their own. The Mike does not endorse these opinions and encourages our discerning readers to critically consider them. We strive to maintain and thrive because of the diversity of in our stories. We hope you enjoy reading the issue as much as we did putting it together for you!

We’ve built strong partnerships with the various forces that drive St Mikes, promoted our talent and even highlighted areas of deficiency. We take seriously our commitment to represent and channel SMC and invite new leaders to join the team and strengthen our effort in 2016-17.

Signing Off,

masthead

Palakh Chhabria and Salena Barry Editors

Editor-in-Chief Ms. Palakh Chhabria editorinchief@readthemike.com

MANAGING EDITOR Ms. Salena Barry managingeditor@readthemike.com

opinions editor Ms. Anah Mirza opinions@readthemike.com

SPORTS EDITOR Mr. Alex Wichert sports@readthemike.com

Faith editor Ms. Elizabeth McDermott faith@readthemike.com

arts editor Ms. Lia Kim arts@readthemike.com

living EDITOR Ms. Christina Bezerra living@readthemike.com

Photography editor Mr. Keenan Gibson photos@readthemike,com

Design editor Ms. Elizaveta Mironova

BUSINESS MANAGER Mr. Denys Matvyeyev

EDITORIAL

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS SPORTS LIVING FEATURED ARTWORK ARTS FEATURE: TRINITY ART SHOW FAITH COVER STORY: A Heart that says “Yes” BBBBBBBBBBBBBbefore being asked FEATURE: Advancing a Shared Agenda FEATURE: the case for student autonomy

OPINIONS

4 6 9 11 16 18 20 22 23 26

4

SPORTS

Relaytable For All A look back at this year’s Relay for Life at UofT Alex Wichert SPORTS EDITOR

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend Relay for Life UofT 2016. I was also very much honoured with the role of MC for the majority of the evening, making announcements to participants and helping the diligent executive staff progress through the night’s events. It was, by all accounts, an incredibly successful time: over $14, 000 was raised for the Canadian Cancer Society through the combined efforts of the dancing, singing, challenge-competing, creative, and energetic participants who filled Brennan Lounge and, subsequently, the Coop.

As the official Relay for Life UofT 2016 Facebook page said, the proceeds “will be going towards cancer research, support programs, and preventative initiatives.”

What was striking about the event, and what has been striking during previous years’ iterations, is the profound sense of hope which is consistently present.

Within the brightly-lit and cozy confines of the Brennan Lounge, aestheticallychoreographed teams gathered to unfurl their banners, laugh with the SMC Improv team, and revel in the forms of entertainment available. This sense of optimism, albeit in a more sombre tone, was present even during moments such as the Luminary Ceremony. The event, a candlelit vigil in honour of all those who have fought or are currently fighting cancer, began with a series of emotionallypowerful, personal narratives before inviting participants to walk the indoor pathway in commemorative silence. Songs of remembrance were performed live during this section of the evening. Throughout what was easily the most serious moment of Relay, there was still a sense of emotive energy which recognized the unity of the ceremony; no words were spoken during the walk and yet one could sense the understanding between participants. It was a moment of sadness but also a moment of hope, recognition, and community.

Movement was certainly a key element of Relay 2016, in many senses of the word. The outing was a movement in that it was an event with a common goal, one which united those from otherwise disparate fields to come together and press on for attainment. Forms of movement were present in the activities, from the walk during the Luminary Ceremony to the dance event in the Coop to the energized antics of SMC Improv which recruited members from the audience. In fact, Relay struck a balance between moments which were emotionally moving and moments which were literally moving, such as a whipped cream challenge which sent onlookers jumping back at every fling of the plate. Even instances of apparent rest, as participants settled in for a Mario Kart match or to listen to the musical talents of the evening, remained cognizant of movement: teams were asked to keep at least one member walking the indoor track at all times.

Cancer never sleeps, Relay reminds us. That’s one of the reasons why the event extends well into the evening. Cancer doesn’t discriminate, Relay reminds us.

That’s one of the reasons why participants of all personal and professional backgrounds are welcomed with warm acceptance. And, at least for our current moment in history, cancer is always in motion somewhere in the world. That’s why Relay emphasizes the powerful qualities of movement and activity. They’re key elements of sports and, like sports, they serve many functions. They ease one’s worries, they bring people together, and they’re great fun. More than this, though, the forms of movement during Relay were representative of the dogged determination to fight back. Each participant demonstrated this willingness to continue the movement in her or his personal yet, simultaneously, collective way.

I think that is truly representative of the movement found throughout Relay for Life.

SPORTS

Ode of the Abode

5

Alex Wichert SPORTS EDITOR

A final look at some of the sports on which we hang our hats Although the year is coming to a close and the hard work you’ve done, it truly shows Although we’ve reached this year’s final hike of the newsprint journey for The Mike Although some seasons have just begun and others, still, their course has run Although all this, we say, in short, it’s time for a final word on sports Who could forget, the golden beginning of a Warriors team who just keeps winning on the court and from the Free Throw Line They’re going for a record of all-time Or on the ice, John Scott was the man Voted an all-star by the fans The league sidled against, but they soon found out He could do more than win a fisticuff bout!

Maybe, this year, will belong to the Caps who, led by Ovechkin, are taking laps around the league – perhaps due to Trotz the head coach whom many sought But don’t count out some familiar foes Such as the Blackhawks led by Toews, not Toes And don’t forget the Raptor pack After years of struggles, the deck they’ve stacked Charging toward their first fifty-win year By the time of publication, we may already hear of this feat! It will be rather nice Since the Leafs are hoping for Matthews on the ice Babcock has done everything they’ve asked and now development will be his task

Across leagues now, on the iron grid in which a quarterback always makes his bid to lead his team, as Denver will attest It’s Peyton Manning, on whom depend the rest!

Another word on duties, if you please For the ones who, on the mound, the keys to success are fastballs put to the test Arrieta, Kershaw, and the rest!

Their teams left too early from postseason play Each hope this will be the year they stay

He’s gone out on top, with ring in-hand He’s left the trophy in Bronco land Moving, now, to baseball play with hopes as high as the flight of jays New management has come to town but we’ll still all hear that homerun sound as Donaldson hits that pitcher’s heat Maybe, this year, the Royals will be beat

And so, amid sport hopes and dreams Wins and trophies captured by players and teams Throughout the year, we’ve discussed our thoughts From baseball plays to hockey shots And so, a thank you to all who have read this section and what it has said Thank you, as the year comes to an end for talking sports in articles with friends

6 LIVING The Mental Health Conversation, Starts Within You

Lorenzo Colocado CONTRIBUTOR There is always something. Something you need to do—a reading, assignment or errand. Some place you need to be—a class, meeting, or work shift. And just when you’ve checked something off the list, there’s one thing after another waiting for you. There is always something.

In the middle of the clutter and noise; there is still, and always, you.

Think about the last time you thought about how you’re managing life’s tireless trials and tribulations. Think about the last time you thought about your mental health. Think about the last time you thought about you.

Let’s talk.

I’ve noticed more conscious efforts and interests rising to include and emphasize the awareness of mental health issues across social media platforms. Scrolling through my timeline, I’ve seen lists and articles of “Things To Do And Avoid During Exam Time,” “Ways To De-Stress,” “What To Do When Taking Breaks,” and, as simple as it was to click on these creative tips and tricks, there is something I have learned that is just as powerful as talking. It’s listening.

About two months ago was the #BellLetsTalk campaign on Twitter and as positive outcomes were on that day, mental health can still be a stigmatizing conversation topic to talk about that continuously needs open spaces around for

stigma to be seen differently. Mental health isn’t about one day or one tweet, link, or article; it’s a living and breathing message that is bigger than all of that. It is constantly in need of nurturing, time, and space.

Let’s listen.

There is truth that allowing for voices to speak is important, but I don’t think our generation will understand completely the true value of what is being said when we forget that listening makes sense of our conversations and progresses our learning in meaningful ways. Listening is the connection to people’s hearts, and that’s a language I think we need to be learning more about in order to pop the bubble on stigma. I think that empathetic connection gets overlooked and undervalued often especially living in a time that values speaking up, being louder, and striving to constantly be heard to drown out our past memories of pain.

Take the time to listen to others but never forget to also listen to yourself. When there are times we don’t know exactly what to say, really listening to each other and not just hearing them makes all the difference to support a friend, family member, even yourself. Every day we are making choices and during your most stressful days, choose to do what is good for yourself.

I started trying yoga (because I clicked on one of those “Things To Do When You’re Stressed Out” articles one day), and the class instructor talked about balance. You know and

living

Our mental health brings together a sense of community and human belonging. When we understand our emotions and where our struggles are rooted in, we better understand ourselves and who we are in relation to reach other. This is the way we build the foundation to this community, by knowing our strength lies within ourselves. I hope we can try to see a bit of ourselves or of someone we love in others.

That mentality and changes in our interactions can make profound impacts in the way we experience our mental health. We need to see each other as human beings and not just for our labels.

“

Take the time to listen to others but never forget to also listen to yourself.

“

can feel your balance when you move and push your body’s limits from the centre to one side. You know when to pull back closer to the centre because it’s like telling yourself if you went any further, you will fall or injure yourself. Your body has unique ways to protect itself and return to its centre, and, in regards to mental health, it is our equal duty to listen to our inner voice and balance and know what limits can be pushed but maintained. I believe we are able to understand and define what our balance is, but we must do these things with deep empathy. Talk and listen to yourself gently—a friend said that to me recently. Talk to yourself gently and with care you would give to a child. We must re-learn a process we forgot and abandoned growing up to become adults.

It was as if to become an adult, we must be strong and in order to be strong, we must harden our exteriors, and there is no room for that in children. Why did we transition from children to adults and change the meaning of taking care of ourselves to be something complicated and difficult? How did we not think by toughening our exteriors, we neglect or treat our inner selves as secondary? Taking care of ourselves requires self-humility and maybe that’s what is so challenging when our generation places immense value on our exterior and outward appearances. We need to know that there will be waves, these ups and downs, but we must believe in our ability to ride them with brave resiliency: a trait that exists in our very make-up as human beings.

7

In the student world, the pressures and expectations seem insurmountably intimidating. The messaging that’s constantly being told to us is to be nothing but the best by any means necessary, over-work and out-work everyone else, never sleep or rest because that’s weak, are all damaging and unsustainable messages. By any means, I am not saying to not work hard or push yourself to be better. Dreams and aspirations are necessary for us to be successful, but we must keep our well-being in mind. There must be a better way to better ourselves without damaging our well-being. There must be a better way to achieve and define what “success” means to us without having it told to us what success has to look like. We have to reach for higher standards for ourselves with respect and patience. Take accountability for our ability to change the landscape surrounding mental health and stigmas associated with it by understanding the power of active conversations. Talk, listen, feel, and believe that you are loved through your most challenging times, at times that you may not feel it. We are more than just numbers, letters, and labels. We must step in and embrace our human-ness and bring that valuable aspect in everything that we do and hope to do because that is where I believe we will feel change. If you are going through anything difficult, know that opening up is your sign of strength, not weakness. I want to end with something I heard at an event hosted by Rise Edutainment in Scarborough that resonated with me that I want to share with you to remember: You are not your struggles You are not your pain They are just roadblocks Proving how far you came.

8

LIVING

How to get your skin summerready

Masking: So I’m going to pretend that the word masking means applying face masks, and not some random scientific term that I just Googled. Not only do I find face masks fun to take selfies in (of course), but they are also a great way to relieve stress and drastically improve your skin. The Lush Fresh Face Masks are AMAZING—the ingredients are all-natural, so if you have super sensitive skin (like me), you probably won’t have a problem with any of them. And, the best part, they’re only $8-$12 for a tub, which will last you for a few uses per week for about a month (until they expire).

One of my favorites is their Oatifix mask: made with bananas, vanilla, oats, and almonds for sensitive skin. This is really amazing for all skin types because the banana helps to moisturize and nourish the skin, while the oats and almonds help to exfoliate. The mask really works to reduce redness as well.

My other favorite mask is their Mask of Magnaminty. This mask is amazing for a deep and purifying clean: perfect to get your skin summer ready. Lush uses aduki beans (no idea what they are, but they are amazing for exfoliating), vanilla, and peppermint to really get rid of blackheads and even out your skin tone. It’s amazing for acne prone skin as it really works to tone down redness and irritation.

Vitamin C:

Emily Mais

CONTRIBUTOR

I’m going to sound extremely basic for writing this next sentence, but here it goes: I feel like the end of winter and beginning of spring is the perfect time to detox our mind, body, and, most importantly, our skin.

I read an article once that Josephine Skriver drinks a cup of hot water every morning and every night before bed for detoxification. She said to give it three weeks until you notice results —so don’t give up (like I almost did) if you don’t notice results after two days. I know everyone always recommends hot water and lemon, but drinking anything with lemon is the ultimate annoying drink, since you’ll be running to the bathroom all night. Drinking hot water has so many benefits—it’s hydrating and kills bacteria and gross stuff in your body that can show through your skin.

So I’ve heard that the latest skin care craze has been buying pure vitamin C and applying it directly to the skin to help brighten and anti-age. However, since I am not a doctor and am not ready to fully commit to that level of skincare, I’ve been obsessed with Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster. It’s great for acne, and it works to naturally brighten the skin and boost your complexion over time.

Sidney Smith Hanyong Xu

FEATURED ARTWORK

9

Untitled (Tea series) Henry Lu Time-based sculpture 2014 Making tea in wine glasses comments on the infusion of east/west cultures. In this time-based work, the tea leaf will eventually sink to the bottom of the glass, implying one’s unconsciousness of a culture’s invasion.

10

Photography

A Breakdown of Photo Composition As any photographer can attest, the composition of a photo is the main ingredient in an eye catching piece. Even with a wonderful subject, poor composition can can cause a photos potential to crumble. The composition of a photo is the artistic aspect of an image that lets the viewer know the photographer has an eye for what’s around them.

Composition follows a rough set of guidelines, without any firm or binding rules. With any aspect of a form of art, the rules are made to be played with, and they describe an idea, not a list of instructions. With that being said, there are multiple ways to improve an image’s composition. One of the most basic and easy to use tools is applying the rule of thirds.

If you’re looking at a photo, imagine that it’s being cut into nine equal sections by two horizontal, and two vertical lines.

In these sections, you’ll notice that the subjects and focal points are cropped and divided by the lines, or positioned along them, with the key points of focus being at the points where the lines intersect. The human eye recognizes this pattern as making the image less chaotic and easier on the eyes. Another simple tool is following the natural patterns and symmetry in the environment around the subject.

Natural patterns are easily overlooked in the viewfinder, but

become extremely apparent during the editing process. To avoid missing anything, always stop, lower the lens, and look past your subject to the background and foreground.

My last tip for better composition, is to make the viewers eye walk the entirety of an image. Images with leading lines, and geometry that the eye can follow will force the viewer of any image to examine the full photo and not just the center or singular subject. Using this, a photographer can include multiple focal points, and change a stale image into something that keeps a viewer looking, and their eyes wondering. With all of these guidelines, the most important thing is to stay creative, because in any art form, what gets noticed isn’t what’s already been done, but what catches the viewer by surprise.

Writing: Keenan Gibson Photographers: Mitch Hiscox, Nasir Ahmed, Keenan Gibson The works of The Mike photographers can be seen throughout the issue.

ARTS

There’s more to C.S. Lewis thana Narnia Katharine Tiitson CONTRIBUTOR The Easter holidays evoke a certain nostalgia of childhood classics like The Chronicles of Narnia. Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963)—or simply C.S. Lewis—is a well-known, widely read Irish novelist, academic, and philosopher of the 20th century. During his lifetime, he published 74 books— occupying the shelves of both fiction and non-fiction— with most of those stories concentrating on the thematic importance of religion. A devout defender of the Christian faith, Lewis wrote numerous apologetics and reflections that discussed the relevance of theology in the form of storytelling.

To shed some light on some of Lewis’ theological works, here are two of my personal favourites. The first being his 1960 book entitled, The Four Loves, in which he discusses his views on the four kinds of human love: familial or affectionate love (storge), friendship (philia), romantic love (eros), and spiritual love (agape). Another example is his 1961 reflection, A Grief Observed, written after the passing of his wife, Joy Davidman.

This book is composed of reflections which bear the human emotions of loss and pain.

And yet, these are only a couple of examples of his vast literary canon; for me, the one that takes precedence over the others would have to be Lewis’ The Great Divorce. Published in 1945, The Great Divorce is a dream-like tale in which Lewis talks about concepts such as “Heaven” and “Hell.”

Goodreads summarizes The Great Divorce as a “classic vision of the Afterworld” that begins with “the narrator [boarding] a bus on a drizzly English afternoon, and [embarking] on an incredible voyage through Heaven and Hell. [The narrator] meets a host of supernatural beings far removed from his

expectations, and comes to some significant realizations about the nature of good and evil.”

This particular text strikes a balance between description and dialogue, which shifts between the narrator’s opinion and that of the other characters. Apart from the first few chapters, each section of the novel addresses significant topics that are still relevant to the modern world, like that of pride, love, faith, and forgiveness, to name a few.

The first encounter in the book involves a “Ghost”—a term Lewis uses to refer to a resident of Hell—who cannot grasp why a “Spirit”—another term used to refer to the residents of Heaven—is granted asylum for its past sins of murder, while the former is subjected to remain in Hell. This form of questioning magnifies the notion of the necessity for sinners to have to work in order to achieve their salvation. The Spirit residing in Heaven had spent time repenting for its past actions, whereas the Ghost had done nothing but say that it had in fact been a good citizen.

“

No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it.

“

WHAT IS IT ABOUT C.S. LEWIS THAT MAKES HIM SO BELOVED

11

In the following passage, Lewis shows us that “Heaven” is the result of a choice given over and over again, and that Hell is not an irreversible fate: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice, there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek, find. Those who knock, it is opened.”

Although Lewis does not provide answers to all of the questions that his literature provokes, the fact that he openly discusses varying themes of atheism, liberal theism, and the severity of sins in his works, demonstrates his keen powers of rhetoric and passion for the Christian faith.

In particular, The Great Divorce, more so than the other mentioned titles, manages to show for itself why exactly C.S. Lewis is still so relevant in today’s world.

12

ARTS

The art of dyeing Easter eggs How to dye the perfect Easter egg

Jessica Frasca CONTRIBUTOR

A couple years ago, I read a thick paperback edition of I love the tradition of decorating Easter eggs and hiding them around for kids. Before the hunt begins, people usually dye their eggs in pastel colours, which are used to symbolize the coming of spring. Eggs, in general, are a traditional symbol of fertility and rebirth, and the practice of decorating eggshells is an ancient one. There have been archaeological discoveries of decorated eggs as old as 60, 000 years. In the Ukraine, people use wax and dye on their eggs in a process known as “pysanky.” In Canada, the proper technique for colouring eggs consists of three fundamental ingredients: vinegar, food dye, and water.

neutral pH of approximately 7, and, therefore, it’s considered neither alkaline nor acidic. On the other hand, vinegar is an example of an acidic liquid with a pH level of approximately 3. This means that when you add in the food colouring—or “acetic acid”—it reacts with the water and vinegar to create what I believe is the best method for dyeing eggs, which involves the vinegar lowering the pH enough so that the dye will bind to the eggs. Additionally, an egg has an outer shell that’s composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and the calcium in this shell reacts with the vinegar to form carbon dioxide (CO2)—the evidence for which may be seen in the consequent bubbling.

The question is: how does one properly dye an egg?

Warning: when dipping an egg into food colouring and vinegar, white spots will begin to appear on the surface of the eggshell.

You might be asking yourself what it is about the vinegar that makes the dyeing process all the better.

Well, vinegar adds lots of free protons—positively charged hydrogen ions—to coloured molecules, and they fill in the places where sodium ions are missing. The positive charge of the hydrogens behaves like a magnet and pulls the dye to negative atoms in the coloured molecules, as well as the CaCO3 in the eggshell. (Note: dyeing an egg in pure vinegar and food colouring may result in a more vibrant colour, but it may also cause white spots to appear on the surface of the eggshell where the dye hasn’t properly bonded to the egg).

Alternatively, if you were only to use water and food colouring, the egg would only show just a little bit of colour, not enough to be vibrant or dark. Therefore, dyeing Easter eggs in just water and food colouring is only good if you’re trying to achieve a light pastel shade.

Try aiming for a pH level of 4, which will ensure a smooth, rich colour. The trick is to add one teaspoon of vinegar for every half-cup of water.

First, a little scientific background: distilled water has a

While there’s a scientific process involved in the art of dyeing eggs, the traditional Easter egg hunt is based on having fun. As kids scramble looking for these colourful treasures, never again shall we take for granted the effort required in preparing for this activity.

ARTS

13

The history of the Easter bunny How an egg-laying, chocolatebearing rabbit came to be Briana Armson STAFF WRITER

Easter is usually seen as a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. And yet, the classic symbols that many of us have come to know and love—like baby chicks, chocolates, and bunnies—appear to have very little to do with the holiday’s foundational meaning. However, delving into the roots of these traditions provides deeper insight as to why the above are considered the holiday’s chosen icons.

The origin of Easter’s main mascot—the Easter bunny—is not well-known, but many historians believe that it’s rooted in ancient pagan culture.

Many believe that the idea of the Easter bunny was brought to North America by German immigrants in the 1700s.

Upon settling in Pennsylvania, newly migrated Germans shared their country’s tradition of an egg-laying hare—or “osterhase”—which children made nests for. The osterhase was said to lay colourful eggs in nests as gifts for families during the Easter holiday. Over time, the Easter bunny began delivering chocolates, candies, and other small gifts inside decorated baskets—a take on the original nest tradition—to North American children.

The term “Easter” comes from the pagan goddess of fertility called “Eostre.” (Other spellings of her name include “Eastre” and “Oestre”). Given that she was believed to bring an end to winter, the Festival of Eostre celebrated the arrival of spring. As a fertility goddess, Eostre’s sacred animal was the rabbit—a creature known for its rapid reproductive rates and energetic breeding habits. Feasts during this festival featured eggs, baby chicks, and bunnies as means to express gratitude for the abundance of life brought about by spring.

Other countries have their own Easter traditions that are different from the bunny figure. In Switzerland, it’s the Easter cuckoo that brings both coloured and chocolate eggs to children, given that it stands for growth and resurrection.

Many Australians have campaigned to replace the Easter bunny with the Easter bilby, a marsupial that’s native to the continent and is currently endangered. Additionally, rabbits are viewed as pests in Australia, as they’ve destroyed thousands of acres worth of crops since their inception in the 1800s. Therefore, support for the endangered bilby is strongly encouraged. In Germany, children make nests made from moss and hay in eager anticipation of the Easter fox or “oster-fuchs.”

Pagan myths also offer insight as to why we celebrate Easter with both dyed and chocolate eggs. According to legend, Eostre, having been late in bringing about spring one year, decided to save the life of a frozen bird in a sincere act of apology. Since the bird’s wings were damaged with frostbite— and therefore unable to take flight—Eostre transformed the animal into a snow hare. In order for the hare to remember its past life as a bird, the goddess gave this creature the ability to lay colourful eggs once a year, at the time of the spring festival. Eggs were meant to represent new life, regeneration, and even resurrection.

The history of the Easter bunny stems from a variety of cultural practices and traditions, which creates an imaginary figure that’s imbued with much historical meaning. Although a rabbit that lays eggs and brings chocolate to children seems quite far off from the resurrection of Christ, the Easter bunny is rooted in the concept of rebirth as well as regeneration, which is made possible by the arrival of spring.

14

ARTS

Who we are when we leave and when we come back On personal growth and the pleasure of revisiting beloved books Louis Train CONTRIBUTOR A couple years ago, I read a thick paperback edition of Any Human Heart, a novel by William Boyd, which, in diary form, traces the life of its narrator from South America at the turn of the 20th century through his studies, work, and life in Scotland, England, Switzerland, America, and beyond.

It’s an impossibly big story, and the greatest thrill is that every 50 pages or so, you realize how the story’s become unrecognizable since you last came up for air. The main character also becomes unrecognizable, changing in voice, personality, and ambition, in the way that people who live big lives often do.

Many critics disliked Any Human Heart, especially its protagonist, who they found too slippery to hang on to.

But something about the novel stayed with me. And in the following year, when I sat on the subway or in a lecture, sometimes Boyd’s novel and his protagonist would slip into my mind. I read more of his books and noticed a pattern. The best stories spanned decades and continents, and placed the reader in the role of spectator of someone’s incredible and ever-changing life. Re-reading Any Human Heart or starting his spy novel, Restless, or some of the short stories in Fascination, I felt myself alone on the bleachers of a stadium, watching an incredible game down on the field. And I knew I’d rather be on the field.

figurative (in Canadian novels, it usually happens in a forest and results in a Governor General’s Award). We associate rebirth with one defining moment of change, an event or revelation of which there is a before to look back on and an after to gaze forward to.

But in real life, rebirth happens slowly. In the lives of people we know, as in the lives of Boyd’s characters, subtle changes add up over years. It may be difficult to see as it happens, but it happens to almost everyone.

Just before I left for Moscow, a friend and I went to the Victoria College Book Sale, one of my favourite annual traditions. I picked up a guidebook to Russia, some new CanLit, and a few Boyd novels I hadn’t read. But books are heavy, and I opted not to pack the fiction in my luggage. Right now, those books are sitting on a bookshelf in the room I grew up in, with choo-choo trains and cars painted on the walls. I think a lot about those books. I’m excited to read them when I return, but a part of me wonders if I’ll even want to. When people change, tastes change, and it’s possible that the person I become, whoever that will be, won’t even bother with them when he comes home. Whenever that will be.

In September 2015, I took a job in Moscow; in part, I’m embarrassed to admit, because I wanted to be like the spectacular characters in Boyd’s novels, but also because I wanted to become a different person. I was sick of who I was and thought a change of venue was in order, and nothing as close as Montreal would do it. In the month before I left, I dreamed of the person I would become.

Rebirth is a central theme in literature and in religion. It’s the biggest change a person can undergo—to die, to come back, to be the same person, to be different, to be touched by the divine, and to be human. In novels, a rebirth is usually

Rotman Commerce Hanyong Xu

Photography

15

16

feature

The Evolution of Art on Campus In Conversation with Eleanor Laffling, Curator, Trinity Art Show Salena Barry MANAGING EDITOR Art can be baffling. While most people can easily understand, or surmise, why Michelangelo’s David or Monet’s Waterlilies are Art, it can be harder to reason why Donald Judd’s Stacks, Tracey Emin’s My Bed or Marina Abramovic’s performances fit the same the same definition. Understanding this link, despite personal opinions, is what art education helps those within and (beyond), an Art History or Visual Studies background, to understand. And as much as I, being an Art History student myself, can understand the importance of art in society and the rationale behind its broad definition, I believe that it’s much more important for those outside the major to have the same exposure to these ideas as well.

As U of T students, we enroll in this institution not only to gain an in-depth knowledge of our field of choice, but to also exit through the King’s College gates as well-rounded members of society. A familiarity with art, science, history, and philosophy are more than just breadth requirements; they are a means to this end.

In conversation with Eleanor Laffling, a fourth-year Art History student and this year’s curator of the Trinity Art Show, we discussed the importance of art exposure, education, and inclusivity on campus and how this year’s Trin Art Show attempts to facilitate this.

1. How did you get involved in the Trin Art Show?

The Trin Art Show was inaugurated in 2004 with one undergrad student, usually in a Visual Studies or Art History program, curating three to four shows over the course of their time at the university. Last year’s student curator graduated and I took her place. It was a bit of learning curve, but it also provided me with the opportunity to do something different with this year’s show.

2. What would you say is the biggest difference between this year’s show and its predecessors?

I would say that we definitely had a much more robust social media campaign. I thought, if we’re going to have an art show let’s do it properly. So we publicized our Call for Submissions and the actual event on Facebook, Twitter and

Instagram. We also partnered with U of T clubs, art initiatives and Toronto galleries. Having a a big social media campaign was important for visibility, but also to document the show because that hadn’t really been done in previous years 3. What is the theme of the show and how did you develop it?

The theme of this year’s show is Minimalism and reductive forms. The idea came to me from a larger research project that I was taking on that examined why the term minimalism was not really present in discussions or definitions of Canadian art practice. A lot of their work, especially that from the 60s, when the form really gained prominence, could certainly be defined as such, but wasn’t. This year’s show aims to showcase the variety of minimal or reductive art forms ¬that exist in Canada. We have works that incorporate sound, projection, video among other things. I wanted the show to both shed light on minimal or reductive Canadian art practices, but also to show the variety of ways in which minimal art can exist. We also wanted to focus not only on these forms but the process through which they were created.

4. Did you find an answer to your larger research question?

Well, the term Minimalism really gained prominence in the 1960s in the US with the rise of artists like Frank Stella.

However, American minimalism was still grand and big despite being reductive. Canadians in this period still used minimal forms, and described their work as employing them, but disassociated with the larger American movement. It’s bizarre that even artists like Agnes Martin, a renowned Minimalist, is in many ways considered an American even though she is a Canadian.

5. Why is it important to have these kinds of student-run events on campus?

I think it’s an opportunity to bring art to campus. It s also a great way for student artists to start their portfolios by having a space on campus that facilitates this. It’s also an important

feature opportunity for student curators to try their hand at the more practical applications of what they study in either Art History and Visual Studies. It’s also an important way to be be inclusive and form new bonds. This year’s executive along with the artists showing are very diverse. I’m working with students from Trinity, the Architecture faculty, UTM, Victoria College, and St. Mike’s.

6. What is the role of art on campus?

I find that Art isn’t as appreciated as much as other subjects on campus. Our school is very research oriented and we praise students in arts and other disciplines for their research, but the practical aspect of their studies often isn’t as visible or appreciated. There is definitely a disparity between research and its practicality. I wanted to integrate the two. I believe art says a lot about society and therefore, there is a lot we can learn from art—it’s more than simple embellishment. I also think its important I think that this show will demonstrate what you can do with art – to demonstrate that it is a job and to create a platform to demonstrate that. I also think that campus institutions like the Barnicke and the UTAC also help to facilitate this as well.

7. Speaking of the Barnicke Gallery and UTAC, what do you think about their new merger?

I think it’s definitely going to raise their individual profiles because before they were kind of both hidden away. I also think that the union will create an opportunity to have more art panels, programming and increased discussion on campus. It will raise the profile of art on campus in general 8. What was the most difficult thing about producing the show? The most unexpected?

Definitely adjusting my vision for the show with the pieces that I received. I set out with an idea of how I wanted the show to be, but in the end its really dependent on the sort of art I get submitted. We have a bunch of great artists this year, both on campus and in Toronto. We have Liza Eurich, a Toronto-based artist showing this year. I’ve also found being thrust into process really difficult, but also really rewarding. I have people asking me where the best place to print things are, or asking how much projectors cost. Realizing all of the different things that have to come together to create the show was eye-opening. Also, making all of these decisions, especially being someone who is pretty indecisive was a new experience. I have to thank my executive, Trin and all of the other institutions, art initiatives and student groups for making the show great. I think the overall experience, has

17

definitely rounded out my art education at U of T because we tend to focus a lot on theory and learning about art, but not as much on the practical aspects of the work.

9. What guidance do you have for future students attempting to promote art on campus?

There are a lot of new arts initiatives on campus like the U of T Council for Art that are helping to promote art on campus, both in terms of visibility and education. I hope that the Trin show will be able to do the same and also continue to be more inclusive, not just with other colleges and initiatives on campus, but also with the larger Toronto art scene. We live in a major city that has important arts institutions. I really hope that if U of T and the Toronto art scene can continue to partner in the future, the show can become more than just a U of T staple, but a Toronto Arts staple. I also think that we can continue to tap into the interest on campus. This year the show received more than 50 submissions so there is definitely interest in campus, and there are a lot of talented people who are looking for an opportunity to showcase their work and learn more about art on campus. I hope that the show will continue to become bigger and better.

FAITH & THOUGHT

If They Keep Silent, The Stones Will Cry Out: An Interview with Cardinal Turkson Elizabeth McDermott FAITH EDITOR On March 21, Cardinal Peter Turkson came to the University of St. Michael’s College to give the Kelly lecture. The lecture was on Laudato Si, the encyclical that Cardinal Turkson had helped draft. His Eminence took some time before the lecture to sit down with the Mike to speak about the encyclical and its relevance to the students of St Michael’s College.

He first wanted to clarify what the encyclical was about. “The pope didn’t set out to write an encyclical about climate change”, he said. “That’s not the main focus of the encyclical. The encyclical is about social issues. So it’s about conditions of human life and conditions of the environment of human life …How can we love God without loving what He has created?”

He went on to say that “the crucial expression for us is in a relationship, and this also in the bible is the first sense of justice…the respect for the demands of the relationship in which we live.” We live in three relationships, with God, each other, and the earth. “And if we refer to these relationships in the sense of justice, then our justice is towards God when we worship Him… our justice is towards one another when we treat each other fairly, and our justice is towards the earth, creation, which supports our lives. If we abuse one, it affects the others. And in that sense, this encyclical is not talking about something external, something not related to us. It’s very much related to our lives.”

He also said that this is not only for Christians. “This is something we can understand, even if we don’t go to church. Who can deny the fact that our lives on this earth are so bound up by relationships? ... How else do you live? If we go to the supermarket to shop, we manifest a relationship of deep trust. We go there, we buy items, and we trust that they’re properly made and not poisonous or contagious. It’s everywhere… It’s all series of relationships. That’s how we live. And our lives are determined by these networks of relationships, but they all require that we respect the demands of the relationships. Otherwise there’s no peace, it’s chaos.”

Living out the demands of the relationship with the earth is not easy for young people seeking jobs, he acknowledged. “Certainly they do not want to rock the boat”, he said. “But at the same time, when in that business, [if ] there is anything that conflicts with their own conscience…at a certain point you do create unhappiness for them. So that being the case, what can a young graduate who comes and finds himself in such a situation, what would he do? The big thing that I would try to promote is that people bring their faith into their business…at a certain point, we invite people to be coherent in their own lives. What they believe is also what

they live. So be deeply rooted in their own faith and convinced about their own beliefs, what they stand for, and then with that go out to encounter the world, and that will be their contribution to the world, and will be their own way of making the world a better place, with their faith.”

Finally, in light of Cardinal Collins’ recent statement on euthanasia, we asked Cardinal Turkson to speak about the issue. “It should not happen that when someone cannot contribute to society as they used to do when they were younger, that they be considered dispensable. That should not be the case.

[Nowadays] when something is found to be inconvenient, you get rid of it. If we got rid of things because they were inconvenient, none of us would probably be on this earth.

The reality of human existence needs to be considered…when patients themselves ask for this - you can mitigate the pain. You can mitigate it by ensuring more love and more attention and make it more bearable for the person to endure this. And most importantly for us Christians, Jesus has taught us a lesson.

Sometimes our suffering can bring something good to another person. That’s an occasion for somebody to learn to show love, to stay with him…Our world is becoming too -- not being able to bear any suffering, any pain, inconvenience. Everything must be pleasure, pleasure, happiness and pleasure. But even nature doesn’t have this. Even nature has spring and has winter. And the winter must be there so that spring can be meaningful.”

“

To God, all things are alive; O come, let us adore Him!

“

18

The Invitatory of Matins of the Dead

FAITH & THOUGHT In line with the cheery Easter message of God’s love, I think I should encourage the reader to go forth and have the courage to “open wide the doors of your heart”—as Pope St. John Paul II said. BLACH. What a tall order--- first of all, nobody wants to read such moralizing prose, and secondly—I’m feeling particularly feeble these days. It’s not just the thoughts of family, friends, school, work, finances, inequality, poverty, refugees, Putin, Trump, global warming, and the fate of Joseph Andrews (from the novel Joseph Andrews) that burdens my mind, but the general and deep seated feeling that something is terribly hurt. It’s enough to say that sometimes, for whatever reason, life is a little bit difficult. So let us take a brief moment to reflect.

Reflection #1: Easter is about forgiveness and redemption. God didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners, sick people. GOOD. But then again, I am comfortable and actually quite happy in this state of misery… Cue reflection #2.

Reflection #2: God loves us first. You don’t have to do anything to merit God’s love. He’s just that kinda guy… If you think it sounds irrational, you’re probably on the right track. Who would love someone (and incidentally give their life for them) knowing full well that the person probably won’t ever appreciate, acknowledge, accept, or reciprocate that love--- certainly no one with a brain. I guess the Son of God is “a madman… madly in love” (The Way of the Cross, St. Josemaria Escriva).

19

YOU’LL NEVER FEEL READY Reflecting on Easter Ceci Woodard CONTRIBUTOR

Reflection #3: Maybe you feel like you don’t know God and you’re kind of a selfish basket case as it is. Rest easy, He already knows you, loves you, and probably finds you very amusing. I have often had the paradoxical impression that I am terrifyingly close to and far from God. As my dear old friend Gus once said: “I searched for you outside myself, while all along you were in me, but I was not in You…” (The Confessions of St. Augustine). Though our hearts are very often far from Him He is right there with us…even if you don’t feel it.

Reflection #4: Don’t be afraid to face your shadow—self-knowledge is the crucial first step toward knowledge of God. God knew what he was doing when he gave us confession. We desperately need it! That thing you are rationalizing in your head right now--- that is what you need to say.

Confession isn’t just about receiving forgiveness, but about getting actual grace that will aide you in the circumstances that you are struggling with.

Remember, “Gods Mercy will always be greater than any sin...” (Misericordia Vultus- Bull of indication of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy).

Reflection #5: God meets us where we are at. He wants you as you are.

Just chill. “Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love. With your apostolic life, set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart” (The Way, St. Josemaria Escriva). The world is suffering and God put you here for a reason. Nobody can be you. Newman Centre and Saint Basils offer spiritual direction. Go. Let yourself be known and guided.

God loves us first and forever. Plus, it’s the Year of Mercy. If you don’t know anything about it, you should Google it—it’s pretty rad and Pope Francis is the bomb. Just know that you don’t have to, and you aren’t alone. I am praying for you.

Robarts Library Hanyong Xu

A Heart that Says “Yes” Before Being Asked: The Annunciation, Good Friday, and Holy Week Adam Giancola CONTRIBUTOR

For only the fifth time in over 100 years, this year’s Good Friday falls on the same day as the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (March 25th)—a feast that recognizes the date on which the Angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to announce the coming of Christ. While the Feast of the Annunciation has since been moved in the Latin liturgical calendar so as not to overlap with Holy Week, this date-sharing calls to mind a striking resemblance between two of the most important moments in the history of the Church. On one hand, the Annunciation is first and foremost the story of Mary, a girl of 14 years, who, having grown up in virginity, was offered the invitation to mediate the earthly with the divine. On the other hand, Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion and death of Christ, of God-made-man, who freely suffered and died for the sins of mankind. In each account the freedom of the human person is crucial to the holiday because it is precisely Mary and Jesus’ free choice to respond to God’s will that makes way for something much greater to follow.

The Annunciation

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the Virgin’s name was Mary.” The Evangelist identifies not only the place but the time and the persons involved in the Annunciation, giving rise to two central issues. These issues are at the forefront of the fourth century fresco entitled the Vault of the Cubiculum of the Annunciation, found in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome. Though weathered, it is the earliest known depiction of the angel’s announcement to Mary, pointing out the two essential components of the Annunciation. On one hand, the painting shows the angel’s outstretched hand, indicating the Divine proposal from God. On the other hand, it shows Mary, who remains sitting in reception of the angel’s proposal. In this way, both the Scriptures and the fresco allude to the same conclusion: the Annunciation of the Lord is more than just the announcement of the Incarnation. It consists additionally in the person of Mary, who, in her humility, allows the Holy Spirit to “rest upon her.”

The principal source of knowledge that we have about the Annunciation is the Gospel of Luke, which begins by setting the stage for the encounter between the angel and the Virgin:

Perhaps the most captivating section of Luke’s Gospel involves the exchange between Mary and the angel directly before the Incarnation takes place:

But the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?

The time directly preceding Mary’s consent is said by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux to have been the moment when “the whole world [was] waiting.” Yet, in looking to the passages in Luke, we are able to see the great certainty that Mary has, as if from the beginning, in accepting the proposal given to her by the angel Gabriel: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word.” It is here where Mary expresses her Fiat, clearly expressing the disposition of one who desires to see an effect, rather than one who doubts its possibility. Her “yes” marks the moment in which God enters history; it is “the ‘Amen’ of faith.”

Good Friday Despite it signifying the day on which Christ died on the cross, Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday calls to mind a similar account of faithfulness. Christ’s Passion and death are certainly painful moments of tragedy, but they are neither occasions for despair nor the final words on man’s salvation.

Indeed, at the moment of His death, Christ’s final words are full of hope and fidelity: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

This fact is perhaps most evident in the position of Mary as she watches her Son walk toward His death. In the Gospel of John, the Evangelist writes: “there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he said to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he said to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own” (John 19:25-27).

Standing firm at the foot of the Cross, Mary affirms for us that the crucifixion is only just the beginning of the Christian

mystery. Christ’s suffering and death are eventually conquered

by His Resurrection and Ascension. As with the Annunciation, Mary places her hope in something even greater than that which she could possibly grasp on her own.

A Call to Conversion A reader today may at first find it surprising to find parallels between such dramatically different points in Christ’s life.

And yet a closer look shows that from each “yes” emerges new life. Mary’s “yes” brings us the Incarnation; Christ’s “yes” brings the Resurrection. But the real risk here is that we forget that their “yes” is as much ours as it is theirs. Indeed, if this choice to stay faithful to God’s will is not something that we seek for ourselves in these days of Holy Week—however incomprehensible and overwhelming a task it is—then we risk missing out on the central mystery of Christianity. The late Fr. Luigi Giussani recalls us to the very position: Now there is the Holy Week; if a person on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter, during these four days goes/lives without looking at the face of Christ, but only with the concern about his sins or about his own perfection or about the things he has to meditate on, he comes out tired and everything is like before. On the contrary, looking at the face of Christ changes you. But in order to be changed, it is necessary to really look at His face, with the desire for the good, with the desire for truth: “I am able to do everything, O Lord, if I am with you, who are my strength”: a “you” dominates, not things to be respected.”

To remain faithful in front of Christ in these days is therefore not a problem of understanding or comprehension, but a problem of openness. Even with our doubts, uncertainties, and limitations, we too can walk the Way of the Cross, fixed with a gaze on Christ. Should we become distracted, preoccupied, or confused along the way, we have nothing to fear—because standing right beside us at the foot of the cross is our mother, pointing us back to Him: Look now upon the face that is most like the face of Christ, for only through its brightness can you prepare your vision to see Him. – Dante, The Divine Comedy – Par. XXXII

22 feature Advancing a Shared Agenda

Building a sustainable partnership to improve student life at SMC David Mulroney PRESIDENT OF ST.MICHAEL’S COLLEGE One of the first calls that the newly elected president of the St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU) can expect to receive will be from me. We have a shared agenda: we both want the very best for students at St. Mike’s.

But we also have important business to transact.

The university administration, which I head, is responsible for releasing to SMCSU the levy to support student-union activities collected from each St. Mike’s student. This is no small matter. The total is in the neighbourhood of $140,000.

While this money belongs to the students, the administration is more than a transfer mechanism. Before that amount of money can be released we need to be satisfied that there is an acceptable process in place for receiving, managing and accounting for it. This needn’t be onerous, but it should inspire confidence and reflect a commitment to transparency.

It would be irresponsible to release any sum, let alone such a large one, in the absence of such assurances.

Last year, we decided to follow a best practice developed on the main campus of the University of Toronto. Increasingly, before any funds are transferred by administration, student unions are now asked to verify that their financial records are in order and to commit to holding an Annual General Meeting.

That was our plan, too. But when we sat down with the 2015/16 SMCSU executive, it was clear that we would need to do some extra work to meet those standards.

For one thing, the new SMCSU administration could not testify that their books were in order. They explained that, in the transition between governments, financial data is often lost. The result is that the new government isn’t able to speak with any confidence about the accounts they have inherited.

We urged them to break from this cycle, and offered to help them find an accountant to help get their books in order and establish a more effective transition process. Indeed, we made it clear that we couldn’t release a first tranche of SMCSU’s funds until they had agreed to work with an accountant to produce transparent financial accounts.

The condition for releasing the remainder of the funds was that SMCSU publicly commit to holding an Annual

General Meeting (AGM) at which they would report fully and transparently to the student body on their activities, including how and where they had spent money during the year.

That both things actually happened this year is a big step forward. But it is just an initial step. While some useful information was made available via the SMCSU AGM, in many cases the expenditures listed were so broad and generalized that it was impossible to figure out what was being spent and why.

As a higher standard for SMCSU accountability gets built into our culture, students will demand increasing detail and specificity in reporting. This is the essence of democracy. If you want to know what an organization’s priorities are, fast forward past the campaign rhetoric and take a look at where they are spending your money.

You will get no argument from me about how important it is that our administration respects SMCSU’s autonomy. But in saying that, I do have one hard and fast rule and one recommendation when it comes to the expenditure of student funds.

The hard and fast rule is that no money collected from students can be used for the purchase of alcohol. This strikes me as self-evident, particularly given our culture and our commitment to a safe and healthy student environment.

The recommendation, based on my own experience in government, is that in those rare instances where SMCSU spends money on its own offices or on hospitality, travel or events involving its own executive, they commit to reporting these expenditures promptly, fully and transparently.

Meeting new, higher standards of accountability takes time and effort. But this is the inevitable consequence of having access to community funds.

In addition to being the right thing to do, managing funds prudently and judiciously in student government provides the kind of hands-on, practical experience that is enormously helpful later in professional life.

I’m looking forward to discussing our shared agenda.

feature 23 The Case for Student Autonomy How the SMC Administration Robbed it from their Student Body Michael Cowan CONTRIBUTOR Editor’s note: The following article expresses opinions that are not necessarily those of the Mike. Our team hopes that students will broadly inform themselves of events at SMC before making judgments.

I met President Mulroney in December outside Kelly Library.

I was having a cigarette, standing near the “no smoking” sign (I shouldn’t have been). The President approached me, asked me what the sign said, escorted me to the no smoking area, then asked who I was and if I even went to SMC. I believe I found out a few days later that this was actually the new President of the University of St. Michael’s College, when a colleague sent me a tweet about smoking on campus, authored by the President.

This all goes to say that, in hindsight, this one encounter with President Mulroney was indicative of the kind of year it would be. Given the circumstances, I think the president should have at least introduced himself. The fact that I had to find out that way was not a good start. If I were the college’s new president, it would be my priority to build relationships with the students, including the ones like myself who had the audacity to smoke in front of a no-smoking sign.

Let’s consider the state of the St. Michael’s College Student Union. The President’s Office withheld most of SMCSU’s finances for the majority of the year in an effort to get SMCSU to establish financial accountability and transparency. Some of the terms for SMCSU to get its money, according to senior members of SMCSU, were that SMCSU would host an Annual General Meeting, and that they would gradually comply with the new alcohol policy and stop purchasing drink tickets at council events. I interviewed SMCSU’s president and vice-president, and they both described this process more as filling out a checklist, as opposed to working towards a solution to the problem. The Administration’s account of this saga is very different; nevertheless, this is how SMCSU’s executive feels.

On Monday March 21st, I moderated SMCSU’s election forum, which included a debate between the two tickets for president and vice president. I think I may have rattled some cages. At least that’s the impression I got when President Mulroney confronted me at a poll station I was working at on Wednesday, March 23rd. He suggested that I ran the debate

with an agenda, saying that the questions were skewed and that certain students felt disrespected. Many of the questions were framed in a way that would give candidates a platform to take a position on many of President Mulroney’s initiatives this year. I don’t consider this running an agenda; I consider it drawing attention to issues that concern the nature of student autonomy, issues that have been handled this year mostly behind closed doors. Access and openness are vital to informed debate.

I had the honour and privilege of being on SMCSU for several years, and when I was elected President, I knew I had lots of work to do. When one is appointed they cannot simply establish and force their agenda – in fact, they need to spend a lot more time winning over the students, justify their position by earning trust and respect. As a student politician, I understood that. I worked my tail off for the whole year trying to get certain things done, and many times, I failed.

I may have been the president, but I was one person, and I knew that I may have been able to set the agenda, but I was not always able to pass the agenda, especially in the face of occasional overwhelming student opposition.

In my opinion, the President’s first year on the job has proven to be a disastrous one, at least in regard to his relationship with students. One simply cannot walk into an institution and start moving around the furniture. Literally. The pool table was confiscated from Brennan Lounge and its current location is a mystery. This occurred after several complaints were made about problematic behavior and activities happening around the pool table. These complaints were well-founded but, I think it may have been wiser to apprehend the individuals responsible for this behavior, as opposed to removing the pool table.

Furthermore, one cannot call the president and vice president of SMCSU into their office without setting an agenda for the meeting, and then proceed to lecture them on how SMCSU is just a social organization that lacks ambition, and has poor communication. One especially can’t say these things when those same individuals tried to get an introductory meeting for about a month before the administration finally found the time. SMCSU is not a portfolio of the President’s office.

It’s a council of incredibly hard-working student leaders who have dedicated countless hours to serving the students who

24

feature

University College Hanyong Xu

elected them, and it can’t be ordered around the way it has been this year. It certainly can’t be ordered around in this way without the students hearing about it.

Before I graduate, let me share some observations from my experience. The first one is that many students are really upset that the pool table is gone, so someone should probably put it back. Secondly, nobody agrees with the draconian alcohol policy, and it’s not because SMCSU is some unmotivated, unambitious social group. It’s because SMCSU understands that prohibition is an outdated, dangerous policy that will undoubtedly result in more behind-the-scenes binge drinking, not less. Thirdly, there is a chasm dividing what SMC’s administration believes constitutes upholding Catholic values, and what students believe on the same topic.

“

to get the money that students paid directly to SMCSU in their tuition levy. I can guarantee SMCSU would have been happy to work towards improving their finances without having their finances gutted by the President’s office. I can guarantee SMCSU would be willing to make several adjustments to their alcohol policy that would ensure student safety, without having to completely, and unwillingly, overhaul their entire alcohol policy. For whatever reason, some may think that SMCSU is anti-administration. The only thing SMCSU is against is unreasonableness, unilaterality, and archaic prohibitive measures to solve problems that can be solved through dialogue and cooperation. I think if both SMCSU and President Mulroney are committed to this, then next year will be very productive. So far, I believe only one of these parties has demonstrated this commitment, while the other one has a pool table in a storage locker somewhere, next to several thousand drink tickets and a no smoking sign.

Access and openness are vital to informed debate.

“

Lastly, every initiative the president demanded of SMCSU this year could have been accomplished in a reasonable way. If SMCSU’s finances were a mess, the president could have worked with them to help fix it. When you withhold funds from an autonomous student union, and then give the union their money in instalments as if they’ve earned it, you’re setting a bad precedent and dampening relations with the council, and you certainly aren’t working with them.

SMCSU shouldn’t have to jump through your flaming hoops

Brennan Hall Hanyong Xu

Photography

25

26

OPINIONS

Zuckerburg’s China Dream

Despite reports of the CEO’s trip being a success, the goal remains ambitious “You should learn from your competitor, but never copy. Copy and you die.” Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group once famously exclaimed.

Recently, Facebook overlord Mark Zuckerberg has been courting the Middle Kingdom quite excessively. From learning Mandarin to giving his daughter a Chinese name, Zuckerberg’s plan with China borders overt appeasement. On the weekend of March 21st, the tech giant showed up at the China Development Forum in Beijing.

Zuckerberg chatted with legendary e-commerce entrepreneur Jack Ma on the country’s current business environment and also met with Liu Yunshan, China’s propaganda chief responsible for running its censorship apparatus. Despite his past attempts to woo the Chinese government, what is striking about this engagement is the extent to which Chinese media has fixed their attention on Zuckerberg, cementing his reputation as one of the world’s top executives in the eyes of China’s citizenry.

Yet, not all reactions have been positive. Some had no idea who he was and believed that his appreciation of Chinese culture is the only reason he was featured on state media.

Others commented on his physique as based on pictures taken of Mark’s jog around Beijing. Netizens poked fun at him for not wearing a facemask, a safety hazard due to high levels of air pollution in the Chinese capital. More sinister comments questioned why the CEO of Facebook would choose to—out of all places—jog in the country’s most politically sensitive area, Tiananmen Square (cue 1989).

Considering all of these attempts, it is fair to say that Zuckerberg is attempting to convince China into lifting its Internet restrictions on Facebook. Such a move he hopes would open the website to a giant market of 700 million netizens, which,

Arnold Yung CONTRIBUTOR

despite its large size, only constitutes 47.9% of households in the country. It is likely that smaller cities and rural areas would remain untapped, which could still be a lucrative source for Facebook’s future ventures.

However, obstacles to Zuckerberg’s “China dream” are more cumbersome than expected. Party senior Liu has praised Zuckerberg’s company for its technological prowess but remains stern on stressing the importance of Internet governance “with Chinese characteristics.” Adherence to Chinese Internet policy had frustrated several Western businesses in the past; the most notable being Google, having pulled out of China in 2010. Allegations of Gmail accounts being hacked by the party-state coupled with frustration towards censorship resulted in Eric Schmidt’s loss of confidence in the continuation of Google China. Therefore, a key lesson here is to understand that the Chinese government sees the Internet as an “invisible battleground of cyberspace” and a “manifestation of internet sovereignty.” Facebook itself was banned back in July 2009 when Uighur separatists had used the social media platform as a tool to organise political protests.

Should restrictions on Facebook be lifted, Zuckerberg would face greater competition. Indigenous social media platforms such as Wechat and Sina Weibo are entrenched deeply within the Chinese market whilst search engines such as Baidu promptly filled in the vacuum left behind by Google. Ultimately, this will not be a simple walk in the park for Zuckerberg. Facing the might of the Great Chinese Firewall and the social media giants that have adapted with it, Facebook would face greater challenges, even if by some miracle the CEO’s otherwise naïve strategy of seduction convinced the Chinese leadership to give Facebook a chance.

OPINIONS 27 Obama Says Hello to Havana and a New Era There are hopes as high as the safeguarding of human rights on this trip Timothy Graham CONTRIBUTOR Despite being in the home stretch of his final term in office, US President Barack Obama is still making strides towards his legacy. This week, Air Force One touched down in the Cuban capital of Havana, marking the first visit of a sitting president in nearly 88 years. For those who remember the history the US and Cuba share, this moment is truly remarkable.

At the height of the Cold War, and following the Cuban government’s expropriation of American properties and its move toward adoption of a one-party system of government, the US imposed an embargo on Cuba in 1960 and broke diplomatic relations in 1961. President Obama’s trip follows his December 2014 announcement of the beginning of a normalization process between the two countries. In July of last year, the decision was made to re-establish diplomatic relations, effective with the re-opening of embassies in both countries.

The relationship between the two countries has, for the better part of a century, been precarious, but, more than that, has been uniquely strange. The United States’ deliberate isolation of Cuba has perplexed many over the years. After all, the justification following the Cold War has been grounded in the human rights violations that are routine on the island.

However, it is not as if the US does not engage with authoritarian regimes at all; relationships with China and Russia have always been a priority. Even smaller countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been functioning as American allies, thanks to their ability to influence regional interests. Bearing this in mind, President Obama’s renewed commitment to rebuild the

relationship is surprising on some levels. He has provided aid, lifted Cuba’s terror designation, and announced an agreement to restore direct flights between America and Cuba. A number of items have transpired in Cuba in the opposing direction, including a harsher crackdown on its dissidents, including record-breaking detainment and torture. Havana has also been strengthening its ties to North Korea, which is developing missiles and warheads. Prominent American voices like Secretary of State John Kerry’s have reacted to these developments. Kerry cancelled his own trip that preceded that of the President’s.

Some remain cynical of the presidential call for renewed relations. The fact that Cuba has been a regime hostile to the United States poses strategic liability to American interests.

While in the current international order there are no real rival superpowers to the US, the fact that Cuba has a history of allyship with the Soviet Union speaks to a potential vulnerability. If a future superpower stations military assets in Cuba, the United States becomes exposed. As such, the United States has gains to make from a functioning relationship and this olive branch is not purely altruistic.

With all this said, the re-drawing of lines is significant in that it is ultimately uncharted waters. There is no instruction manual with foreign policy for factors are always changing. The United States is not the same as it was 50 years ago, and the same consideration should be afforded to Cuba. There is no absolute insurance that can guarantee how a government will behave.

So why are we so firm on discounting this chance?

28

OPINIONS

Back 2 Skule: Some Things Remain Broken With the year’s imminent conclusion, a number of disappointing truths have since been revealed

In returning to university last fall after over 30 years, I came with a to-do list. The first item: would knowing “then” what I know “now” have helped? Most definitely! To future graduates: don’t be in a rush to skip past these years at school. You have 40 years to find out that it’s the journey and not the destination that defines us. The second item: fall in love with reading and writing again—a huge check mark there. Third, use said rediscovered love of writing to get published and or printed—yet another check (kudos to editors at The Mike). Fourth, take a meaningful journey towards higher learning. Disappointingly, I pencil in a partial checkmark next to that one.

It’s frustrating to explain; perhaps a metaphor in lieu of an all-out explanation will help. Imagine you’ve snagged a reservation at one of the fanciest restos in town – a place that employs a genuine Michelin 3-star signature chef (think Susur Lee or Gordon Ramsay).

As you arrive, before they even seat you, the Mâitre D’ asks you to pay for the meal in advance. The amount is so outrageous you ask to see the itemized list. All sorts of weird surcharges: the energy to heat and light the place; furniture, fixtures and forks you haven’t used yet; irritating music piping through the walls; insurance in case you hurt yourself outside the restaurant; even a fee for other servers standing idly around desperately avoiding eye contact with you. You politely pay for all this without even being seated.

The night is young and you’re hopeful that things will turn around – after all, it’s a 3-star Michelin so it must be good. You’re finally seated, have studied the menu and are ready to order. With the first order, the server casually strolls back to the kitchen and returns an hour later to tell you that they’ve just run out of that item. You try for your second choice. Another hour passes. “Sorry, we’re out.”

Third choice? Still, no luck. Now you’re starving and desperate for something – anything – before the place closes. The server brings out choice number four and even though it’s prepared well you’re just not enjoying it because it – quite frankly – was a fourth choice.

You happen to catch another server bringing your first choice to an empty table. You ask, as anyone would, “Why are you serving that to an empty table?” The server replies with, “Just in case that person shows up.” Puzzled, you ask, “What if they don’t? Why not serve it to someone who will actually eat it and enjoy it?” And then comes the rehearsed response, “That’s not our policy.”

Peter Paul CONTRIBUTOR

You notice the line-up of people still waiting to get into the restaurant and all of the empty tables around you. The question: “Why so many empty tables?” The response: “The fire code only allows us to use half the tables at any one time.” As you leave, you glance back at the long line-up of people still waiting to get in. Some will obliviously dine on their parents’ credit cards; others will borrow money that may take years to repay. A voice from the line-up shouts to you, “How was it?” You mendaciously respond with “Worth the wait!” because now you’re among the elite who have dined there. This is the University of Toronto. This is the archaic system we know as ROSI / ACORN. This isn’t right.

OPINIONS

29

Briana Armson STAFF WRITER

The Apple-FBI Faceoff A fight for the future of online privacy This dispute has caused a great deal of discussion in the media and tech industries regarding security, privacy, and surveillance; issues that have become far more prevalent in our data-saturated lives. Apple’s main concern is the court’s tendency to function on precedent, meaning that if the FBI is victorious, it is far more likely for cases of a similar nature to win again. Public opinion polls show that Americans in favour of the FBI winning have a slight majority over those backing Apple. This is due to the tendency of consumers to value short-term risks, such as terrorism or mass shootings, over theoretical possibilities, such as complete government surveillance over all of our connected devices.

“

The thing about the world where the FBI doesn’t miss anything, that’s a world where the FBI knows everything.

“

Tech giant Apple and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been engaged in a behind-the-scenes battle over the past few months, which has recently been brought to the public’s attention. In June 2014, Apple released iOS 8, which, at the time, was a new operating system for the iPhone. The most significant update was a change in the phone’s data encryption —devices could now only be unlocked by entering the correct passcode, preventing government investigators from accessing any information on the phone itself, limiting the investigation to data that has been uploaded to iCloud.

Furthermore, devices became equipped with a security feature that, if enabled by the user, could permanently delete all data if the passcode was guessed incorrectly ten times.

The FBI was frustrated by Apple’s increased security measures, eventually resorting to legal action in February when the United States Department of Justice ordered the company to unlock the phone belonging to Syed Farook, the gunman responsible for the San Bernardino shootings.

Apple refused to create the software that would make this possible, stating it would set a “dangerous precedent” and threaten the security of millions of iPhone users. Other major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook have backed Apple in their stance.

Apple refusing to comply with the FBI’s request has resulted in a court hearing originally scheduled to take place on March 22nd; however, it has since been postponed until April 5th. The Department of Justice requested this delay due to an unnamed outside party having since contacted the FBI with a possible method of unlocking the phone without Apple’s assistance. This alternative measure will be tested by the agency until a status report is due April 5th, thereby determining the course of the trial. Many believe the encryption debate will soon be taken up in Congress.

The US has become a hub for personal data in the Internet age, gathering information about the population’s attributes, preferences, and interests. This vast collection of data is used in order to successfully market and advertise products; however, there are far more sinister implications for our future. Unrestricted access to this pool of personal information could create a social landscape in which we do not trust our devices. Social revolutions that often start as illegal rebellions, as the gay rights movement once was, might be stifled if no information can be kept private. The Internet, a place of multiple perspectives and opinions, could be surveilled and censored, eradicating any oppositional viewpoints. Moxie Marlinspike, developer of the messaging app Signal, puts it aptly: “The thing about the world where the FBI doesn’t miss anything, that’s a world where the FBI knows everything.”

30

Photography

fun section

31