The Carillon Volume 63, Issue 16

the carillon the staff editor-in-chief editor@carillonregina.com

taylor balfour

executive director business@carillonregina.com

jacob nelson

production manager production@carillonregina.com

morgan ortman

advertising manager advertising@carillonregina.com

ty cote

technical editor shae shackman carillontechnical@carillonregina.com multimedia/graphics editors

multimedia@carillonregina.com graphics@carillonregina.com

kate thiessen sarah carrier

copy editor copyeditor@carillonregina.com

hannah senicar

news editor news@carillonregina.com

sara birrell

a&c editor aandc@carillonregina.com

julia peterson

sports editor sports@carillonregina.com

ethan butterfield

op-ed editor op-ed@carillonregina.com

marty grande-sherbert

distribution manager distribution@carillonregina.com staff writer staff writer news writer a&c writer sports writer

kyle anderson holly worby

reese estwick

matt thomson florence hwang sarah nakonechny

web writer

gillian massie contributors hammad ali, chantal leforge and liam o’connor

vol. 63

board of directors taylor balfour, lindsay holitzki, maddie ouelette, dustin smith. marty grande-sherbert, and jacob nelson

the paper

227 Riddell Center University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2 www.carillonregina.com Ph: (306) 586 8867 Printed by Star Press Inc, Wainwright, AB The Carillon welcomes contributions.

Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are expressly those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff.

The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization. land acknowledgement The Carillon is written on treaty four territory. As such, the staff recognize that we are living, working, and telling stories on and of Indigenous lands. We recognize that we are on the traditional homelands of the Nakota, Lakota, and Dakota peoples, along with the homeland of the Métis nation. The carillon understands that it is pointless to acknowledge the land on which we work without speaking to our commitment to telling stories and prioritizing voices that further the return of the land to its place sacred place in the cultures of those that live here. the manifesto In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over forty years.

In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a beltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower.

The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.

the people’s friend; the tyrant’s foe

The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 January 28 - February 3, 2021 | Volume 63, Issue 16 | carillonregina.com

news

Welcome back everyone!

I’d like to once again give a big thank you to every contributor who helped make this issue possible. We so deeply appreciate and love every submission we’re able to share.

arts

arts

Rec fees p.3

Puddle of Mudd

p.6

The university is going ahead with its controversial plan to charge the majority of students fees for recreational facilities.

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of their album Come Clean, Ethan Butterfield interviews Pudd of Mud frontman Wes Scatlin.

p.7

Olivia Rodrigo’s overnight hit song “drivers license” and the possible meanings behind it.

op-ed

sports

sports

drivers license

Remember: students are paid $20 per Carillon contribution! Whether that be writing, poetry, photography, or art, your work is welcome (and wanted!) here.

Enjoy this issue!

Taylor Balfour

photos

cover......................................sarah carrier news..............................................pixabay a&c............................wikipedia commons a&c.............................................crisovalle sports.........................wikipedia commons sports.........................wikipedia commons op-ed.............................................pixabay

U of r gym opening

p.11

The concerns and reliefs of university recreational spaces re-opening.

Cheese rolling

p.11

Forget all the other weird sports we’ve covered this past year. Cheese rolling is THE ONE.

Death row

p.16

Reese Estwick discusses the forgiveness we learnt as children and how we’ve turned against that in our courts.

news

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editor: sara birrell news@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 28 - february 3, 2021

Admin shakes down students for rec fee Students pay for budget shortfall

sara birrel news editor Although it’s been nearly a year of dramatically reduced services at the University of Regina, students aren’t seeing a reduction in fees, nor is the administration providing any clarity about how they’ve decided to administer fees in the winter semester. Of particular concern is the university’s decision to charge the standard Recreation and Athletic fee despite the fact that access to facilities has been extremely restricted.

Students who want to use the gym or aquatic centre must book space in advance and are restricted in what equipment is available. They are allowed one one-hour time slot per day, subject to availability (at the time of writing most days only had one time spot available at a fixed time), and for users of the fitness centre, that one hour is actually 45 minutes, since the final 15 minutes are reserved for cleaning and sanitizing the equipment.

A survey of 752 students conducted by URSU found that 92 per cent didn’t feel that the fee, or the administrations reasoning for it, was justified.

According to URSU’s Vice President of External Affairs, Amir Said, the students’ union has written three letters, one which included the results of URSU’s survey, raising concerns about the fee to Dr. Harold Reimer, the Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, all of which “didn’t receive a proper response,”

according to Said. (Reimer told the Carillon that the department had responded to Khan’s letters by “reiterat[ing] the university’s position” on the fee.) A fourth letter was sent on January 19, which Reimer said is awaiting response pending the results of a meeting between URSU and the university executive this week.

In an URSU meeting on January 18, the subject of the recreation and athletic fee was raised.

URSU general manager Carl Fils told the meeting that the students’ union has proposed options

lion in fees last year due to campus closures related to the pandemic.

“They need to make that money back that they lost,” Said told the meeting. As the Carillon has pointed out many (many) times before, the university’s decision to rely on students to fund the maintenance and upkeep of a public institution is a reflection of how little interest the province has in covering post-secondary education. At the very least, any pandemic-related budget shortfalls should be made up by the provincial government and not students, many of whom

students have reported that they were charged the fee and have been unable to get a response from the administration about it.

Other students say that when they re-enrolled in the same class as a distance education student, the fee was removed. Others say that they tried to re-enroll as a distance education student, but found that the distance education spots were filled (although there were still open spaces in the class) and they could therefore not remove the fee. Both RPIRG and the Saskatoon Social Work Students Society

“

The university’s decision to rely on students to fund the maintenance and upkeep of a public institution is a reflection of how little interest the province has in covering post-secondary education.

– Sara Birrel

to the university, but that those proposals were “falling on deaf ears.” Possible alternatives could be making the fee opt-out (which it should be anyway, since many students, including some disabled students, couldn’t use the facilities even if they wanted to) or reducing the amount to reflect the reduced services, like the University of Saskatchewan has done. Part of the reason that the university is so committed to charging for rec and athletics is because they missed out on roughly $1.2 mil-

are suffering disproportionately from lost income and employment opportunities.

Some of the concern around the fee has been a lack of communication from the administration and the fact that it’s apparently being charged to students who would not, even under ordinary, non-pandemic circumstances, be charged a recreation and athletics fee. This includes students, like some social work students, who attend satellite campuses like the one in Saskatoon. Some

have been trying to get responses from the administration, both by direct contact and via social media, but they have so far been unsuccessful.

URSU meets with the university executive on January 26 (after this story was filed) so there remains the possibility that the administration will formally and clearly communicate with students about the fee, as well as respond the concerns raised by distance students, although it’s difficult to see any scenario where U of R

students have enough bargaining power to pressure the admin to walk back the fee. The difficulty URSU has had in getting an adequate response from the administration is troubling. Their fallback methods of communicating with the administration are clearly not working, something Said noted when he said the union would have to “start thinking outside the box.” This will mean that executives will have to think less about maintaining collegial relationships with administrators, who are adversaries, and think more about how they can build capacity and actually organize the student body.

While this moment in time, in which the inequities of our society are most clear and the argument for universal post-secondary education should be obvious, seems like an ideal time for the students’ union to organize a resistance to the neoliberalism that is damaging our university and creating long-term financial hardships for many, it’s also a time when people’s resources are most depleted and their ability to fight back is compromised by the traumas of the past 11 months. The administration seems to recognize how much students’ ability to resist has been reduced and are exploiting this opportunity to charge predatory fees that can’t be rationalized under any humane system.

URSU needs to engage more with other unions to build collective power, because right now, the administration holds all the cards.

Pixabay

Illustration of wallet with two bills sticking out.

january 28 - february 3, 2020

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 4

news

Governor General resigns after harassment investigation

Payette created toxic environment gillian massie web writer Governor General Julie Payette has officially resigned following a review of workplace harassment allegations that began last year.

The independent investigation, which began in September at the request of the Privy Council Office, has also led to the resignation of Payette’s secretary, Assunta di Lorenzo. The turbulent environment Payette and di Lorenzo created for co-workers, RCMP, and guests of Rideau Hall have raised questions about Payette’s fitness for the role and whether she was properly vetted prior to the appointment. Rideau Hall has lost over a dozen employees throughout the pandemic alone who have left due to harassment claims.

Payette’s letter of resignation says that although no formal complaint about her behaviour was made, she does take the allegations against her seriously and has, throughout the investigation process, encouraged staff to participate in the review.

“Tensions have arisen at Rideau Hall over the past few months and for that, I am sorry,” stated Payette.

The allegations first surfaced in a CBC article published last July. Multiple workers came forward anonymously to report that Payette and di Lorenzo had presided over a toxic and verbally abusive workplace environment.

Many employees had been witness to Payette’s explosive yelling at co-workers. It is also alleged that Payette, a former astronaut, criticized employees’ lack of knowledge or understanding about outer space, a subject completely unrelated to meeting agendas. The aftermath of many belittling and humiliating episodes – which complainants say usually happened in full view of

their coworkers – concluded with employees shaken or found crying in their vehicles. The employees who did come forward to speak choose to remain anonymous.

They feared the toxic climate would only escalate if their names were released.

The role of the governor general is the second most important role within government.

Appointed by the queen on the prime minister’s advice, the governor general’s appointment typically lasts for five years. The governor general is accountable for dissolving Parliament and calling a federal election if needed. In September, amidst the swirl of allegations, Payette delivered the

Not only have tantrums been reported in office, but also on foreign trips while representing Canada. Canada-based non-profits like St. John’s Ambulance and Scouts Canada expressed disappointment that Payette did not perform the traditional practice of honouring their organizations.

More than three years into her five-year mandate, Payette still hadn’t moved into Rideau Hall, the traditional residence of governor generals. Instead, Payette took up residence in the nearby 7 Rideau Gate, a mansion usually used to house visiting dignitaries.

While the massive amount of public relations work required by the governor general’s role can

wouldn’t have to speak with maintenance workers. The project ultimately expanded to a private staircase for Payette with a private patio area for herself. The plan was made more complex by the problems of making it compatible with the heritage building. It was never completed, despite racking up nearly $140,000 in expenses.

On top of the staircase project, multiple gates were constructed to keep visitors away from her living quarters at a cost of $117,000.

The costs of renovations have resulted in the waste of many taxpayer dollars. Not only is the price of construction wasteful, but the intent behind them demonstrates pretentious values. Payette’s dis-

“

While Payette has a sterling reputation as an astronaut and engineer, she has a known history of being difficult to work with, something that should have been a massive red flag for someone being considered for a front-facing role like governor general.

– Gillian Massie

first pandemic-era throne speech.

The Governor General is responsible for promoting a healthy democracy and representing national identity within Canada.

They meet with foreign world leaders representing Canada as a national entity and promoting Canadian ideals. The role is also responsible for the arts, sports, and culture of Canada. They listen to the concerns of Canadians and calls attention to them.

From royal visitors to community events, the Governor General needs to welcome those on behalf of Canada.

For someone in such a visible role, Payette has often shown discomfort in public interactions.

be taxing, Payette’s unresponsive attitude towards serving the governor general requirements raised concerns, in particular her long refusal to move into Rideau Hall and the extensive renovations that were undertaken in order to entice her to do so. The Rideau Hall grounds are open to the public to enjoy; however, Payette expressed discomfort with the constant entering and exiting of visitors.

The stairwell project is one of the unnecessary and publicly-funded renovations used to persuade Payette to move into the Governor General’s residence.

The project began as a cat door for Payette’s cats before morphing into a private unseen exit so she

comfort about Rideau Hall shows her disdain for workers and the public.

Payette expressed concerns over security, given the public nature of Rideau Hall, but also disregarded the RCMP’s protection.

Additional officers had to be added to many foreign trips to keep Payette from slipping away. At times, the RCMP detail assigned for Payette’s protection was left scrambling to find her whereabouts after she disappeared for a run without notifying officials.

The complaints against Payette and her resignation have raised questions as to why she was appointed in the first place. While Payette has a sterling reputation

as an astronaut and engineer, she has a known history of being difficult to work with, something that should have been a massive red flag for someone being considered for a front-facing role like governor general.

RCMP background checks show reports of dropped charges of assault against her previous husband in 2011. The same year Payette hit and killed a pedestrian while driving in Maryland, an incident that was ruled an accident.

Screening officials did not contact Payette’s previous employers throughout the vetting process. Arguably many officials were starstruck by Payette’s celebrity status and her recommendation from Jean Chrétien. However, Payette resigned from both the Montreal Science Centre and the Canadian Olympic Committee following allegations of verbal harassment of staff, something that should have raised questions about her appointment, if not precluded it completely.

Trudeau is in hot water considering that his vetting process has been proven insufficient – especially coming after the dismantling of the Conservative government’s non-partisan committee listing candidates for vice-regal positions.

As for Canadians, many are disappointed with Payette’s actions. The governor general position is symbolic of Canadian ideals, and many are frustrated watching inappropriate behaviors reflect poorly upon Canada. In a Washington Post op-ed following Payette’s resignation, one columnist said the Payette debacle should lead to the abolition of the entire position.

Supreme Court Chief of Justice Richard Wagner will fill the role until a replacement is nominated.

Wikipedia Commons

Former Governor General Julie Payette

january 28 - february 3, 2020

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 5

news

Hong Kong’s fight for democracy not over yet COVID-19 moves protest online

matt thomson news writer In 2019, after Xi Jinping, China’s president since 2013, declared himself dictator for life, the Beijing government sought to flex its proverbial muscles within its borders in a global show of power. This involved a nation-wide crackdown on several substantial minority groups, whom the CCP have deemed antithetical to its rule and the “Chinese Way of Life,” including suppression of Chinese Christians (especially Catholics), renewed crackdowns on Tibetan Buddhism and nationalists, and, most severely, the state-sponsored cultural (and literal) genocide directed at Muslim Uighurs in its North-Western edge. The most well-known of these acts of oppression, however, and the one which has also drawn the most international ire, is its encroachment on the island-state of Hong Kong.

For those who didn’t get a degree in history, here’s a quick rundown of Hong Kong’s past. Prior to 1842, Hong Kong island and the surrounding peninsula were sparsely inhabited and largely overlooked by the Western world.

After a bit of bad-faith diplomacy, drug smuggling, and open war, the island was ceded to the British Empire, who held it until 1997.

That year, after granting the colony nominal democracy, Britain handed Hong Kong’s sovereignty over to the CCP under the terms of a 1984 treaty which gave the island nominal autonomy and special status for 50 years. Up until the 2010s, China’s rule in Hong Kong had been largely benign, albeit looming, and the city enjoyed economic success while its citizens experienced their first real sense of self-rule in a century. The city continued to develop a unique culture of its own, gradually becoming a centre of commerce

Wikipedia Commons

Hong Kong protestors with umbrellas and signs.

and travel for both mainland Chinese and the rest of Asia.

Upon Jinping’s seizure of total power in Beijing, however, the CCP changed its approach to rule in Hong Kong. Instead of integrating the various regional cultures and beliefs alongside their own, the CCP began a fierce campaign of forced assimilation. Anything that is not directly deemed by the party as culturally Chinese is to be uprooted, destroyed, and remoulded in the CCP’s image either by coercion or, often, violence. As a result, Beijing took a more direct approach to Hong

Hong Kong Police Department as an intimidating yet impotent force of totalitarianism attempting to crush the spirit of an entire city, while protestors fought back using every non-violent play in the book. As the HKPD’s methods became harsher, the protestors demonstrated in greater numbers as their leaders developed a militant approach to public agitation.

The student demonstrators practiced non-violence by means of tactical withdrawals, gas masks and homemade body armour, tight formations resistant to onfoot assaults, and even the ancient

charges under the sweeping security law). Others, like Nathan Law, who was previously arrested with Wong in 2017 protests, have fled the island under threat of arrest.

As autumn 2019 rolled around, the civil battle over Hong Kong seemed poised to reach a dramatic climax that would live on for ages, but it was derailed by the arrival of a then unknown coronavirus in Wuhan.

Soon, 2019 turned to 2020, and COVID-19, along with the disastrous response by both the WHO and Beijing, became the main

“

Even after a year of setbacks, many in Hong Kong continue to fight for their island’s autonomy, holding out for the U.N. or NATO to intervene or for a change in leadership within Beijing.

– Matt Thomson

Kong, including broadening the degree of censorship and deporting “political agitators” to mainland detention centres. In response, many Hong Kong citizens stressed that such acts violated the terms of the 1997 Hand-Over, an accusation the U.K. and most Commonwealth nations formally recognized in late 2019. Following a fierce crackdown by the HKPD on political groups, university students took to the streets in protest.

Over the following summer, skirmishes between HKPD and protestors, who were overwhelmingly peaceful, became the daily norm, and soon the island’s struggle for self-determination was brought to the centre of the global stage.

For the better part of half a year, news cycles in much of the Western world portrayed the

Roman Testudo using umbrellas in lieu of shields. As this went on, the Western world became awed by the spectacle of willpower and grassroots determination while the CCP labeled the students as rioters, attempted to keep the rest of China ignorant, and utterly failed to present a positive picture of its domestic policies. Steadily, governments within the U.N. issued official statements, including economic sanctions in some cases, either in support of the protestors or against the CCP’s conduct. Some of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy activists have been arrested and jailed for their role in the protests, including Joshua Wong who is serving a 13.5 month sentence (and who was recently arrested while still in prison on new

story coming out of Asia. By January, Western attention had steered completely towards the disease, depriving Hong Kong of its most valuable source of support and public awareness. When the pandemic reached the island, public demonstrations evaporated as protestors were forced by these new circumstances to isolate at home. Without the presence of mass demonstrations, the CCP was able to force/coerce HK officials to pass legislation expanding Beijing’s political presence on the island, widening censorship laws, and placing greater restrictions on individual rights and political action.

This process repeated itself to the point where the United States government declared on May 7 that Hong Kong no longer

enjoyed autonomy, a sentiment echoed by the UK, in the wake of a new security bill passed by Beijing. Public demonstrations remain scarce, and without the ability to publicly gather many Hong Kong citizens are turning towards escape. The overwhelming majority of Hong Kong students are choosing to study abroad, away from the CCP’s reach, and in July 2020, the UK granted most Hong Kong residents eligibility for British National status, meaning they could reside within Britain territory for five years whereupon they could be granted citizenship. This also makes it easy for applicants to travel to Commonwealth nations.

However, to many demonstrators who consider Hong Kong home, the fight is far from over.

Stuck at home, protestors have since taken their fight online, digitally petitioning governments across the globe to intervene and refuse to recognize the CCP’s rule.

They’ve also distributed well, information about the CCP’s censorship, false claims, and suppression of historical events such as the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989. Hong Kong demonstrators have also become some of the greatest actors in disseminating information regarding the CCP’s actions against the Uighur people, which include but are not limited to mass detainment, cultural destruction, and forced sterilization. Even after a year of setbacks, many in Hong Kong continue to fight for their island’s autonomy, holding out for the U.N. or NATO to intervene or for a change in leadership within Beijing. In a post-COVID future, only time will tell whether the world at large finally takes action or if the struggle for Hong Kong’s democracy will be in vain.

arts & culture

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editor: julia peterson aandc@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 28 - february 3, 2021

Puddle of Mudd interview: Wes Scantlin A look into the lead singer’s life

ethan butterfield sports editor

Hey everyone – well, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? This week I’m returning to the band interview scene with an in depth interview with Puddle of Mudd frontman Wes Scantlin.

Puddle of Mudd is an alternative rock band that gained huge popularity through the early to mid-2000’s with albums like Come Clean, which boasted singles such as “Control,” “Blurry,” and “She Hates Me.” Their album Famous provided hits like “Famous” and “Psycho.” As of late, Puddle of Mudd have been promoting their 2019 album, Welcome to Galvania and have a 20th anniversary of their 2001 album Come Clean on the way.

Moving along, you can find the interview with Wes just below: *Note: some of the elements of Wes’s life are of an unnerving nature, so please take care when reading.* So, with everything going on right now, you’re writing new music at the moment.

When things start to alleviate a bit and concerts start to get rolling again, are you going to be focusing on releasing new material or more on touring?

A little of both, might mix it up a little bit. Keep the pedal to the metal. All I’ve been doing is writing new music. I have time now [laughs].

With regards to Welcome

to Galvania, that’s been huge for not only you, but the band as well. What’s it feel like to get that out into the world?

You know, man, that’s really cool. Because, you know, some of our songs are barely kind of in my life. You know, they were written a long time ago. So I had to, I had to change my, you know, my playground, my playmates, you know, get sober and be cool. And, you know, get back to being [the] nor-

ing my money. So, you know, had to get away from those people, man. Now, they’re just, they’re losers. All they can do is hang on to, you know, the winners ass, you know what I’m saying.

How does it feel knowing that you’re getting back to form as far as writing music and Puddle of Mudd goes?

I am pretty much 100 per cent back to the old Wesley Scantlin, I’m singing to my fami-

it’s like a, it’s like a magical dream that happened, you know. And it doesn’t happen to everybody. I really think my mother, you know, she could see that I wasn’t like [a] Eddie Van Halen type. I couldn’t really do things like Eddie Van Halen in the beginning of starting to play guitar. So she is like, my mom just said “Hey Wes, you’re not really playing like the Eddie stuff. You’re not like that kind of guy.” She was like, “You should

“

You know, I’m super proud of myself and everybody that was involved and, you know, it’s just, it’s like a, it’s like a magical dream that happened, you know. And it doesn’t happen to everybody.

– Wes Scantlin

mal me. But, yeah, there are some people you know, some business companies that were, you know.

As usual, it’s kind of like a freaking cliché in this crazy world, you know, that happens to artists, people tend to take advantage of you and then next thing you know they’re stealing all your money.

And, you know, unfortunately, it was like my ex-wife, she was stealing my money. The booking agent was stealing my money, the life insurance policy guy was, freaking, stealing my money. You know, like, freaking everybody was steal-

ly, I keep God first place, and I let him do a lot of the driving in my life, Mr. God upstairs. You know, prayer, meditation, and just being healthy. Just focusing on, you know, on positivity.

So Puddle of Mudd has that 20th anniversary of Come Clean coming out, which was huge. What are your feelings looking back on that 20 years down the line now that it’s coming out?

You know, I’m super proud of myself and everybody that was involved and, you know, it’s just,

write your own songs.” So she told me that, and I started writing my own songs. You know, I give her a lot of credit to my mom for that.

With Welcome to Galvania doing as well as it has, with regards to the singles and sales and everything, do you see that as a sort of resurgence from where you were with Come Clean? Or do you not see it that way?

No, I see it that way. You know, I was being bullied a lot by people that have, you know,

I don’t know if it’s jealousy, or I don’t know what it is, man. I don’t know. People wanted me to be dead man, like, my wife took a life insurance policy out on me, like, the day after we were married.

And I was like, “what’s the deal?”

So then all of a sudden I started throwing up every day, so it was kind of like an ID (Investigation Discovery) channel type situation.

Very scary. And I almost like basically passed away and died, like at least three or four times. But I just had to get away from her. I’m just happy to seriously be alive, man.

Being positive, staying creative.

Being really creative, actually. I’ve really been massively creative for the last year. Like humongously.

So, last question for you, with the release of the 20th anniversary of Come Clean and everything, has there ever been a point where you’re sort of looking back on everything, and you’ve kind of you kind of thought “Well, maybe I’ve done everything I can do with Puddle of Mudd?” Or do you feel like there’s much more that you can accomplish with the band?

It’s never going to be gone, you know. And, I’m proud man, really proud to pat myself on the back. Yeah. There’s other things in my life that I’m going to do, you know, just as an entertainer.

Just all kinds of crazy stuff you can do. So, I’ll get into whatever I want to get into when I want to get into it.

Wikipedia Commons

Wes pointing the mic to the crowd.

january 28 - february 3, 2020

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 7

news

COVID and concerts

What will concerts look like after the pandemic?

taylor balfour editor-in-chief Pre-COVID, I was a concert lover. I still am a huge concert lover.

I had actually made a resolution in late-2019 to try and attend as many concerts as I could, big or small, because I always found myself glowing for weeks after experiencing live music.

Of course, the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic shut down any hopes I had of making that resolution a reality in 2020.

In the almost full year since Canada has been locked in this pandemic, concerts have been practically non-existent. On the other hand, many artists have found creative ways to transfer their art online, with many offering Zoom readings, concerts, poetry sessions; if you name it, there’s probably an online adaptation of it.

In the midst of this change in both community and technology, I have been wondering what the future of concerts will look like – in the long-term, but also in the months ahead. Seeing images of fenced off, private concert seating areas, limited seating, and “masks required” signs, it looks like attending shows will be quite different, at least for the next little while.

I have always been a believer that the coronavirus lockdown

Wikipedia Commons

A blue-lit theatre full of empty seats.

is an opportunity for so much of our society to be altered and changed. And, watching as our country begins to grow and adapt to social distancing and isolation protocols, I can’t help but feel the same way toward concert venues.

COVID presents us a unique opportunity to make concerts, grocery stores, venues, etc. all accessible and welcoming to everyone of any background and of any physical capability. For example, online Zoom concerts or events have generated discussion about proper closed captioning

and sign language services to be provided, since using an online platform can draw more attention to accessibility needs and how to meet them.

Problems such as these have been issues far before the coronavirus pandemic. It’s only since COVID-19 that much of the world realized how inaccessible so many aspects of society were.

We should have always been offering closed captions and sign language at venues and events.

We should have always allowed other methods of viewing a per-

formance (in-person or online) as not everyone has the luxury of being able to access or enter a concert or TV venue. What about individuals who are unable to leave their house? Those who are living alone and do not have proper support to leave by themselves?

Of course, concerts are a miniscule (and frankly, non-important) accommodation arising from the pandemic. The need for better prescription pick-up and drop offs, online classroom teaching, grocery delivery, and social

services help (only to name a few) are of higher priority to make accessible given the pandemic as quickly as possible. However, as we move forward, I hope we’re able to put the lens of accessibility on everything. Not only on necessary services such as medication and groceries, but for entertainment as well: for concerts or art shows, or for comedy events or live TV tapings. We owe it to the world to make our spaces accessible to anyone and everyone, from all walks of life.

“Drivers license” dazzles

Olivia Rodrigo starts her solo musical career with an extraordinary success

reese estwick staff writer

The lyrical masterpiece, “drivers license” by 17-year-old Disney star, Olivia Rodrigo, exploded the music charts, filled people’s eyes with tears, and gave the world a small glimpse into a love triangle – it also led to much drama and speculation.

In its first three days after its US release, the song sold over 16,000 digital downloads and received more than 21 million streams. It also broke the Spotify record for most one-day streams for a non-holiday song. This is very impressive considering that Rodrigo had not yet established herself as a lone artist. “drivers license” tells the story of a girl getting her drivers license, but the boy that she was in love with who taught her how to drive is not there anymore. With lyrics like, “But today I drove through the suburbs / Crying ‘cause you weren’t around,” Rodrigo really lets fans into the sorrow that she is experiencing.

The song is written very literally – allowing fans to get the full picture of the breakup between Rodrigo and High School Musical: The Musical: The series co-star, Joshua Bassett. Fans were intrigued and left heart broken by the lyrics, “And I know we weren’t perfect / But I’ve never felt this way for no one / And I just can’t

imagine how you could be so okay now that I’m gone / Guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me / ‘Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street.”

Bassett posted the song on his Instagram story complimenting Rodrigo saying, “such a great song! Congrats @olivia.rodrigo.”

With the making of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 2, fans are curious how the on-screen relationship between Rodrigo and Bassett will play out now that there is this painful and sort of petty love triangle taking place.

Fans had been speculating about the relationship between Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter for quite a long time, as they had been seen together a lot in the media. Rodrigo confirms this by singing, “And you’re probably with that blonde girl / Who always made doubt / She’s so much older than me / She’s everything I’m insecure about.”

Through those lyrics, Rodrigo conveys admiration for Carpenter, the blonde 21-year-old singer and actress.

Rodrigo was met with the release of two other singles, one

by Bassett and one by Carpenter.

Some fans believe that this release was planned by the artists to gain media and traction for their songs, while others believe that Bassett and Carpenter’s responses were petty and rude.

Bassett’s song, “Lie Lie Lie,” was allegedly in the works for a year and it was just a coincidence that Rodrigo had released a song the week before. With lyrics like, “You’ve been lying to yourself / Lie to everyone else / Only thinking about yourself / Darling what the hell,” it seems like he could be speaking right to Rodrigo.

Carpenter’s song, “Skin,” has very direct lyrics: “Maybe you

didn’t mean it / Maybe blonde was the only rhyme;” referring directly at Rodrigo’s lyrics (which didn’t even rhyme with blonde).

With other lyrics like, “You can try / To get under my, under my, under my skin / While he’s all mine,” Rodrigo’s fans are furious, as they believe Carpenter is responding unfairly because “drivers license” admires her, rather than tearing her down.

Although the drama surrounding these songs has taken over the internet, we are all excited to see what Rodrigo will do next, as she is just at the start of her music career.

Crisovalle via Unsplash

A nighttime shot of the highway, with the blurry lights of traffic flashing by.

january 28 - february 3, 2020

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

arts & culture

8

Labour exploitation rampant in video game industry Blood, sweat, and binary

matt thomson news writer

Pixabay

Black Playstation controller.

It’s probably not much of a statement to say the video game industry has become one of the largest and most profitable segments of the modern economy. Well, unfortunately, it’s also a capitalist hellscape filled with predatory management tactics, worker abuse, contractual exploitation, cut-throat competition, and powerless worker representation straight out of an Ayn Rand wetdream. It is a sad fact of reality that behind nearly every master-

next big IP developed by Polish game studio, CD Projekt Red, the same team responsible for the highly regarded Witcher franchise. After the successful release of the third Witcher game in 2015, CDPR became one of the most prestigious and valuable companies in Poland, and the studio’s value on the stock market saw an equally impressive rise. Today, the game studio is a “too-big-to-fail” staple of the Polish economy, and, until recently, its monetary value was matched only by it’s sterling

come December 12, 2020, the game was revealed to be a complete disaster. While most were shocked by the game’s terribly unfinished state, the writing had been on the wall for those willing to look.

As 2019 rolled into 2020, stories slowly trickled out from the studio’s Warsaw HQ as the public at large remained fixed on the game’s upcoming release.

Tales of developmental burnout, unpaid overtime, and a system of abuse towards employees by

2019, meaning an entire yearand-a-half of 16-hour, six-day work weeks sitting in dark offices typing walls of code without actual overtime pay (the company stated in June 2019, that it would not subject its workers to crunch-time development). As well, project leaders and company management continually showed a blatant disregard for the well-being of their employees and often made no attempt to communicate with their developers.

According to one interview, staff

working in these environments rarely have a healthy work/life balance. Due to a complete lack of strong industry regulations and a severely apathetic customer base, developers are often left at the whim of higher ups, and to date little has been done to introduce reform. Thanks in part to effective lobbying campaigns, workers have been blocked from unionizing or even striking by the industry elite, and lawmakers across the globe have done next to nothing to remedy the situa-

“

Due to a complete lack of strong industry regulations and a severely apathetic customer base, developers are often left at the whim of higher ups, and to date little has been done to introduce reform.

– Matt Thomson

ful work of digital art there are surely dozens of tales full of the blood, sweat, and binary shed to bring the games we love to light.

The horrid conditions of the industry were once again brought centre stage in late 2020 with the long-awaited release of the soonto-be tragic comedy, Cyberpunk 2077.

Cyberpunk was set to be the

reputation within the gaming community. Following a Microsoft showcase during the 2018 E3 conference, Projekt Red revealed Cyberpunk 2077 to the public for the first time with a cinematic teaser, followed the year after by a blowout game-play reveal presented by Hollywood actor and living meme, Keanu Reeves. The stage was set for one of the biggest video game releases ever, and

project managers all came to light over the course of the year. Developers laid out detail after terrible detail via anonymous interviews with major videogame-related publications, including Kotaku and Polygon, painting vivid scenes of isolation and overworked staffers.

According to these interviews, staff have been placed into a state of “crunch,” an industry term for mandatory overtime, since July

only learned of the game’s initial six-month delay after reading an article headline on Twitter.

Unfortunately, none of this is news to those familiar with the industry, and when compared to other projects, such as Rockstar’s 2010 detective game L.A. Noire, the stories out of CDPR seem almost pedestrian. Crunch-time philosophy dominates almost every major studio, and developers

tion. The public is predominantly unaware of this phenomenon both due to a lack of interest on the part of consumers and the enormous profits the tech industry garners each year. For the sake of these workers, the public needs to treat video games with the seriousness they deserve and hold the industry accountable for the irreparable damage done to those who have given joy to so many.

january 28 - february 3, 2020

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

arts & culture

9

TV review: Secret City An Australian take on House of Cards?

julia peterson arts editor Secret City had obvious aspirations – to become the Australian take on House of Cards, tangled full of political intrigue, populated by characters you love to hate (or hate to love) trading witty, barbed lines interspersed with gorgeous shots of the Canberra skyline.

Well. At least the cinematography was there.

Secret City is very much a geopolitical thriller, focused on the rising tensions between China and the USA, and how Australia is getting caught in the middle.

But it’s not all about the dry backroom dealings. By the first few minutes of Episode 1, there has already been one murder and one gruesome near-death – the show does not shy away from the most extreme consequences of conspiracies, and the dangers for those involved. And as some politicians seek to use global events as a lever to turn Australia into more of a surveillance state, other people outside the halls of power are beginning to uncover exactly what is being plotted in the name of their country’s “safety” and “security.”

Despite its rich source material – the series is based on Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis’ trilogy The Marmalade Files, The Mandarin Code and The Shadow Game – Secret City translates to the screen as an emotionally muddled, narratively disjointed, long six episodes.

Anna Torv stars as journalist Harriet Dunkley, a crusader without a cause, apparently more interested in barging into her editor’s office and demanding to get

Pixahive

The red Neftlix logo shines out from a TV screen in a darkened room.

her way than anything else. And though the narrative rewards this more often than not, the payoffs somehow still don’t manage to make her come across as less petulant or, as we are supposed to accept, good at her job.

I’ll be the first to say that a huge part of great journalism can be about getting very lucky.

It’s completely possible for career-making stories to “fall out of the sky” after a chance encounter or a random phone call. But Harriet has really unbelievable good fortune as she stumbles across various elements of the conspiracy

tralian Signals Directorate and a transgender woman, is Harriet’s ex. After she came out, Harriet divorced her, though is certainly not above using her to get access to confidential files when it serves her purpose.

Kim had so much potential to be a wonderful character. She’s multifaceted and messy – as all the best characters in political intrigue thrillers tend to be – smart as a whip, driven as hell, anchored by a strong (if not always necessarily ethical) moral code, hopeful without veering into optimism, kind and cold in turns. And

ly abiding love for Kim. A love which, unfortunately, was brutally absent from every other aspect of the show. And I am very much including the writer’s room. *Major spoilers for the first season of Secret City continue below. Also, this portion of the article discusses violence against transgender people* Watching Secret City, I felt like the writers had all attended an HR training session together and learned that sexually assaulting a trans woman in the workplace is bad, and decided to film a narrative PSA to that effect – but they clearly didn’t necessarily under-

“

Anna Torv stars as journalist Harriet Dunkley, a crusader without a cause, apparently more interested in barging into her editor’s office and demanding to get her way than anything else.

– Julia Peterson

while she’s going about her daily life. And the show just doesn’t do enough to establish that she’s pulling these links together where no one else could through her skill, talent, and drive. Instead, she is almost completely propelled from plot point to plot point by virtue of “being the protagonist.”

And while Harriet drives the narrative forward in her haphazard way, stumbling across the trail of an international intelligence conspiracy, the emotional core of Secret City should have belonged to Kim Gordon (Damon Herriman).

Kim, a senior analyst in the Aus-

there is even a glancing attempt to reckon with the idea that Kim, through her work at the Signals Directorate, is directly contributing to the mechanics of the surveillance state that puts marginalized people like herself at greater risk.

Honestly, I wish Secret City had been focused on Kim rather than Harriet. As a character, Kim fascinates, while Harriet mostly just schemes and rages. But even as it was, it’s not too far of a reach to say that the entire conclusion of Secret City depends on a deep, complicated but fundamental-

stand why; as in, that trans people are full human beings worthy of dignity and respect.

And while I think the show should not have cast a cisgender man to play Kim, rather than having a trans woman play the role, that is actually not my biggest problem with how her story was treated.

Kim’s storyline is just unrelenting trauma piled on trauma.

Harriet treats her coming out as a personal betrayal and is incredibly cruel to her long after the fact, except when she wants something. She’s mistreated by her

boss, still in love with a woman who can only mourn the husband she thought she married, and is eventually murdered by her new partner in an extended, violent scene that zooms in on every gory moment.

And even at her funeral, Kim is further degraded in death. All the eulogies and graveside conversations call her a man, and no one – not one person – dares to issue a correction. I had only “known” Kim for three episodes, and I couldn’t stop myself from loudly muttering “she” every time someone misgendered her while claiming to mourn her. Somebody had to. Harriet certainly didn’t step up in her defense, not even for a quiet correction or a flinch when Kim’s identity was repeatedly ignored and erased.

And after that, we’re supposed to believe Harriet loved Kim enough to willingly destroy herself in an all-consuming quest to avenge her death? I don’t buy it.

Secret City did return for a second season, with an even greater focus on the United States’ influence on Australia’s politics (and a very on-the-nose title: Under the Eagle). But political thrillers need more than just a convoluted, high-stakes plot to sustain themselves. They also need characters we can care about, whose motivations make sense, and who aren’t just going to be torn apart by the show itself as “revenge” for being who they are.

Secret City should have stayed a secret.

sports

10

editor: ethan butterfield sports@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 28 - february 3, 2021

Women in sports: Taylor Bubnick Continuing to make a case for female athletes sarah nakonechny sports writer

The University of Regina Cougar Women’s soccer team brings forth another incredible female athlete.

Center midfield Taylor Bubnick has committed much of her life to athletics. Dabbling in volleyball, basketball, track, cross-country, hockey, golf, gymnastics and swimming, she experienced a taste for a wide variety of sports.

However, no matter what she tried, soccer was always what she came back to. What kept bringing her back to soccer was the foun-

did she have the family love and connection, but she was also able to hone her skill and competitive edge as well.

Being a full-time student and athlete takes a lot of time and focus. Training is something that Bubnick enjoys thoroughly whether it takes place in the weight room, on the track, or on the field. The ability to build on the foundation that she has acquired over the years has allowed her to view the training aspect as enjoyable and she has fun growing as an athlete while also keeping in mind what she is

Bubnick’s life involves more than just balancing schoolwork and athletics. To maintain her overall wellness, she needs to take time to ensure that she is continuously getting a good quality rest, which is not always easy but keeps her from feeling rundown and drained. As is important for all of us, Bubnick fuels her body with nutritious food and being conscientious about staying hydrated even when she is not currently training. It is not just what she needs to do in order to stay in top condition but also what she should not do as well. Being able

are playing at an extremely high level as representatives of their universities will have nowhere to advance to after convocation.

These strong and accomplished women will have to play in community leagues whereas men have the opportunity to be drafted and continue to play at high skill levels.

Although this is a tough reality, Bubnick does not let this get her down. She has worked on reframing her mentality and focusing on the things that she can control which is her performance here and now. Focusing

dom where she played for the Swansea City Ladies. While there she earned a spot as a starter in the Welsh Women’s Premiere League (WWPL) cup final where her team took home gold. If that is not impressive enough in 2019 she earned a spot on the QC United UWS team where she was able to compete against the Calgary Foothills, LA Galaxy, Santa Clarita Blue Heat and Colorado Pride.

Achieving success is something that is up to nobody else but yourself. Set your eyes on something you want and keep pushing

“

Those, like Bubnick, who are playing at an extremely high level as representatives of their universities will have nowhere to advance to after convocation. These strong and accomplished women will have to play in community leagues where their skills will deteriorate as a result where men have the opportunity to be drafted and continue to play at high skill levels.

– Sarah Nakonechny

dation and joy experienced within the parameters of this sport at such a young age. Even if the final score isn’t a winning one, Bubnick can be reminded of the pleasant memories she started with. Beginning at the age of 4-years-old, her parents had the ability to manage and coach her team for a few years. This allowed for that connection to be built and for her love of the sport to become solidified. After those initial years with her parents, they stepped back to allow for her to be mentored and coached by those with more experience than themselves. Not only

working towards. Practices allow her to increase her strength, continue to refine techniques, as well as strategize and build different tactics with her team. All of these are vital to ensuring that Bubnick maintains her competitive edge and can continue to adequately support her team on the field. As one can imagine this takes a lot of dedication and time to ensure she can give her all in each and every session. Meaning that Bubnick must remain strict with her priorities to ensure that her team, her health nor her academics suffer as a result.

to take time to do nothing and relax is just as important as keeping on top of all the tasks she has. Doing what it takes to keep yourself in top performance is important, no matter what that looks like for you.

As with many sports, Bubnick has noticed that there is a bias that supports men more than women when we look at the professional world of soccer. Playing professional soccer as a woman in Canada is something that is virtually unheard of and can be very disheartening to many athletes. Those, like Bubnick, who

on the way she pushes herself in her training, performing to her highest level when competing, carrying herself proudly as a female athlete and promoting the sport to other females. It is not about what we cannot do moving forward, but rather the paths we have the chance to open up for others.

All of her hard work has certainly paid off as Bubnick has gotten some once in a lifetime opportunities during her sporting career. During her final year of high school she had the chance to move to Wales, United King-

till you get it. Once you get it keep pushing to become even better at it. There are going to be so many people who tell you that you cannot achieve the success that you are after and just as many are going to try and steal those dreams away from you. Protect your dreams and shield them from the world if you must. Your dedication to yourself and to what you want will prove all of them wrong and give you something to be so proud of. Whether it takes weeks, months or even years do not let anyone ever tell you that it will not be worth it.

Taylor Bubnick

Taylor playing soccer.

january 28 - february 3, 2020

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 11

sports

U of R gym reopening Looking into concerns

sarah nakonechny sports writer The start of a new term brings forth the opening of different facilities at the University of Regina. One of these facilities is the gym and aquatic centre in the Kinesiology Health and Sport building. This opening causes many mixed emotions from students regarding safety, various protocols, fees and overall use of the space. Everyone, including staff, students and administration, wants what is best for the university and its students needs while ensuring that everyone remains as safe as possible. While speaking to various students, there were some that showed excitement while others are apprehensive about the ability to utilize the space.

A large concern of many students is the cleaning and distancing protocols that are in place while using the space. Many students are unaware of the cleaning protocols that are in place and are concerned about them not being followed effectively by other individuals using said spaces. It is important to note that staff are being diligent in their cleaning protocols and are doing their very best to ensure that everyone who enters the space follows all of the cleaning and sanitation guidelines that are in effect. Equipment is cleaned thoroughly between uses

and the sign up sheets allow for time between students for this cleaning to happen. Once in the space some students have reported that they do not feel as concerned about the cleaning protocols as they can witness the cleaning that takes place to ensure the health and safety of those who choose to come and use the equipment available.

Another concern that individuals have is being unsure about the quality of workout one can get when present in the fitness centre. Due to the fact that individuals must sign out each piece of equipment that they intend to use, some fear that they will not be able to get a well rounded workout. Others find that this is not a problem and that it serves as a motivator to workout more as they can focus on one aspect more intensely and it prevents them from bouncing between equipment because they do not know what to do. It forces them to stay focused on the area that they intended to do when they walked into the facility instead of drifting back to their preferred areas. The sign outs are also providing accountability as those using the space recognize that spots are limited. By having their name in a slot they feel responsible for showing up and putting in the time whereas before these regulations it was easier to skip gym

days as nobody would know and you would not need to potentially answer to anyone about why you did not show up.

The last major concern that students have is about the possible increase in transmission that this is promoting by encouraging individuals who are not from the same bubbles to come into the same space when it is not needed. These people understand that you want the ability to get in a good workout but believe that it is possible to workout from the safety of your own home. By promoting the congregation of a wider variety of individuals to use the same space with people they are not familiar with seems as though it is not a wise idea right now. The confirmed COVID cases that were traced to the Kinesiology building the same week that the gym and aquatic centre opening was announced has only fueled these fears and made those who were nervous about using the space even more concerned about doing so.

Those who are using the space are supportive of the efforts that the staff and administration has put into effect to ensure the safety and health of those who are choosing to workout in the space. They believe that the sanitation protocols, mask wearing and distancing is enough to allow them to get a good sweat on

Wikipedia Commons

An assortment of weights.

while still staying safe. If people are concerned about the use of the space then they should give the online fitness classes a try as a way to support their fellow Cougars attempts to keep everyone active while ensuring good health in these difficult times.

Currently, there is no majority feeling on whether or not the use of the space itself is a negative thing or not. Majority of individuals are upset about having to pay the fee that is attached to it if they

do not intend to use the space.

Otherwise there is very little concern about other aspects that can not be worked around with another option that has been presented.

If you have concerns about your safety or health please stay home and if you are curious about the protocols that are in place contact the facility about further inquiries. We will reach the other side safely and all of us will be back in the gym in no time.

The weird world of cheese-rolling Cheese the day

gillian massie web writer

It’s not every day you see a group of people tumbling down a hill after a wheel of cheese. The cheese-rolling event is not for the faint of heart as it takes “high contact” activity to a whole new meaning.

The cheese-chasing event on Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester, England, resonates as one of the most unique and dangerous sporting events to ever occur. The annual event occurs near the end of May, where many runners and spectators gather on the grassy slope.

The cheese-run rules are straightforward. Whoever makes it to the bottom the quickest, wins the massive wheel of cheese and, of course, ultimate bragging rights. Runners gather at the top of the hill, where the announcer counts to four. Upon promptly reaching three, the cheese launches down the hill. On four, the runners may commence down the side of the hill.

A mob of runners hurtles down the hill, tripping and rolling as they go. Even the spectators aren’t safe as they border the edges of the hill. On top of many runners’ injuries, many spectators are also injured by out of control, flailing runners. Paramedics are on standby at the bottom of the hill, ready for immediate care for the runners.

Cooper’s Hill is a steep slope that begins with a plunging angle of 70 degrees, then flattens slightly to 50 degrees before becoming utterly horizontal at the bottom of the hill. The length is approximately 250 yards of uneven grassy terrain. Volunteer rugby players tackle the out-of-control runners at the bottom of the hill before they skid to a stop.

While cheese-rolling seems like a silly event, it does have ceremonial past, dating back over 200 years. The Romans had a

fort at the top of the hill and often rolled ceremonial bundles of brushwood down the hill’s side to represent the new year after winter. The Romans were credited for using Cooper’s Hill to their advantage by rolling things down the plummeting slope. Arguably, rolling things down the hill could have been used as a defence mechanism to prevent intruders from reaching the fort. Boulders or a nine-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese hurtling down the pike can do some severe dam-

age. The rotation of cheese can gain up to 110km an hour down the hill. Many spectators have to keep a sharp eye as the bounding cheese will often veer off course right at them.

While the event has caused brutal injuries to the contestants and spectators, nobody has ever died participating in the Cheese run. However, an old folk tale tells of one of the contestants dropping dead at the end of the race.

Because such intense injuries have occurred during the cheese-roll,

it had been officially banned in 2010. However, local volunteers and lovers of the event have kept it alive.

Despite the event resulting in maiming and multiple casualties, the Cooper Hill Cheese-Roll continues to attract ranges of racers and spectators each year. The event is not for the faint of heart, but the opportunity to win an enormous wheel of cheese proves to encourage runners of all ages.

Wikipedia Commons

Cheese rolling event.

january 28 - february 3, 2020

sports

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

12

COVID-19 in the NHL Players affected at a staggering rate

ethan butterfield sports editor The NHL season has only been around for about two weeks, and yet, the transmission among players/teams is staggering to say the least. This is especially concerning considering how relatively smooth the Stanley Cup playoffs were with regards to transmission rates, furthering the conversation of athletic safety during a pandemic. What’s interesting is that, despite the amount of cases that were found to be confirmed among training camps before the season started, the NHL still felt it necessary to begin the regular season.

The official NHL website shows details regarding the transmissions that took place within said training camps, giving some rather upsetting numbers.

“The NHL concluded its 2020-21 formal training camps for the 31 teams with a total of 27 Players with confirmed positive test results for COVID-19 among nine different clubs. The results include 17 Players on the Dallas Stars – most of whom are asymptomatic and all of whom are currently recovering without complication.”

Now, I’ve mentioned in a former article that the Dallas Stars were hit fairly hard by COVID-19 during the timeframe of the sea-

son starting. However, the impact of COVID among nine different clubs in a 31 club system (almost impacting a third of teams at 29 per cent) cannot be ignored. It’s clear to see that, even among the bubble that the NHL finds itself in, COVID-19 continues to make an impact on both players and the game of hockey as a whole.

This being the case, the NHL still finds itself with (as mentioned at the start of this article) staggering infection rates. Players what seems like every week find themselves moving onto the NHL’s COVID protocol list. For those who feel that the number of cases currently present aren’t that significant, I would disagree.

Things have now gotten to the point of internal closures within the league, as can be seen with the Carolina Hurricanes below [info provided via the NHL official website]: “The Hurricanes’ last game was a 4-2 win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Monday [Jan. 18].

But the game Tuesday [Jan.19] was postponed “out of an abundance of caution,” according to an NHL statement, and the NHL announced Wednesday [Jan. 20] Carolina’s training facilities would be closed until further notice and games would be postponed at least through Saturday [Jan. 23] as a result of five players

Pixy

The NHL logo over an empty rink.

on the COVID-19 protocol list.”

These instances of COVID-19 transmission in the NHL, whether it be preseason or ongoing, show the general lack of ability on the part of a major league to keep players healthy. As much of a welcome back as it is to have hockey, there also needs to be a measure of guaranteed security on display in order to make sure that players can continue to pursue their passions and their goals.

Below you can find the following players that have been

confirmed with COVID-19, with teams added: Carolina Hurricanes – Warren Foegele, Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin, Jordan Staal, Teuvo Teravainen Columbus Blue Jackets – Mikko Koivu, Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic Dallas Stars – Blake Comeau Detroit Red Wings – Adam Erne, Robby Fabbri, Sam Gagner, Jon Merrill, Filip Zadina Florida Panthers – Juho Lammikko

Nashville Predators – Mikael Granlund New Jersey Devils – Mackenzie Blackwood, Jesper Bratt Philadelphia Flyers – Shayne Gostisbehere Tampa Bay Lighting – Curtis McElhinney Washington Capitals – Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov, Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Samsonov Winnipeg Jets – Pierre-Luc Dubois; Tucker Poolman

Hockey rinks and COVID transmission An issue for ice hockey players

holly worby staff writer

Outbreaks of Covid-19 were a major concern for many before the re-start-up of sports practices, but thanks to careful planning and adherence to safety measures there have not been as many as were predicted thus far.

One exception to that, the spread through hockey teams, has sent scientific researchers scrambling to discover why a hockey rink may pose more risk than other athletic environments.

In an article for the CBC, Natalia Goodwin outlined a major outbreak in Ontario that was traced back to one asymptomatic athlete who attended a team practice. The exposure caused by this single individual was traced

by Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and led to 89 other confirmed cases, and 445 high-risk contacts connected to ten sports teams, four schools, and a daycare. OPH produced an infographic picture which can be found in Goodwin’s article that outlines just how many lives are impacted by an outbreak of this size.

Some theorized factors contributing to this outbreak were asymptomatic players, players who carpooled with people from outside their households, inconsistent mask use during practices, and large social bubbles caused by coaches coaching multiple teams

and players playing for multiple teams. However, given recent research, those are not the only factors that athletes – specifically hockey players – should be mindful of.

Ariana Eunjung Cha and Karin Brulliard spoke with a variety of scientific experts for their article in the Washington Post in early December and outlined several risk factors that have been given little attention. The overarching theory explains that “Experts speculate that ice rinks may trap the virus around head level in a rink that, by design, restricts airflow, temperature and humidity.” Now let’s dive into the specifics.

Those familiar with hockey rinks know that the area of gameplay is surrounded by plexiglass, both to protect spectators from being hit by flying pucks and to stabilize the airflow and keep the ice at a consistent temperature, normally around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. “The Department of Homeland Security has shown in lab experiments that the virus may live at those temperatures up to two times longer in the air. At 86 degrees, for example, 99 percent of the airborne virus is estimated to decay in 52 minutes. But at 50 degrees, it would take 109 minutes.” The lower the temperature, the longer it takes the contagious, airborne particles to die off, meaning that the particles could

pose risk for a much longer period of time when in a hockey rink at 20 degrees.

Jose-Luis Jimenez, an air engineer consulted by Cha and Brulliard, believes the low temperature of rinks to also keep those contagious particles at the perfect height to be inhaled. “Much like in a cold winter night, you have these inversions where the cold air with the virus which is heavier stays closer to the ground. That gives players many more chances

to breathe it in.” So the particles not only retain their contagious nature for longer in a hockey rink, they are also more likely to be inhaled because of where they sit once exhaled.

Humidity plays a major role here, as hockey rinks must have low humidity to ensure proper ice conditions. “In higher humidity, the virus attaches to bigger droplets that drop faster to the ground, decreasing the chance that someone will inhale them. The drier

the air, the faster droplets will evaporate into smaller-sized particles that stay in the air, increasing concentration.”

While these studies are still fresh and come with limitations, they do provide a much deeper look at why hockey practices and games may pose a higher transmission risk than would be found in other gameplay environments, even when those involved adhere to prescribed safety measures.

Ethan Butterfield

The Brandt Centre hockey rink.

january 28 - february 3, 2020

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 13

sports

Super Bowl preview It’s been a hell of a ride ethan butterfield sports editor As I sat on my couch and watched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tear down the Green Bay Packers, absolutely annihilating my prediction for who would become Super Bowl champ this year, I realized something. What makes the game of football so interesting is it’s ever changing landscape and the ability to provide surprise after surprise through the regular season, as well as the playoffs.

coaching staff there to help him excel his game. However, counterpoint: it’s Tom Brady! You can make the argument that he wouldn’t be where he is without the talent that surrounds him, but he also wouldn’t be where he is if he himself wasn’t that talented.

Whether it was against the up and coming Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53, the surging Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 49, or even “The Greatest Show on Turf ”’s St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl 36, Brady gets the job done.

11 - 5 and ended up beating Drew Brees and the Saints in the playoffs so not very.

Honestly, it is absolutely mind-blowing to see what Tom Brady has accomplished throughout his career, silencing his critics every step of the way. He’s still get the mind, the arm, and the sheer dedication to play at the same level of players like that of Patrick Mahomes. Speaking of which…

From the ageless wonder, we move to the rising superstar that is Patrick Mahomes. Having won

weapons effectively.

Seriously though, Mahomes looks as if he’s playing on the easiest setting in Madden. This past Sunday, he took down a red-hot Buffalo Bills team by two scores in what I can only assume was a direct statement to the rest of the NFL, saying “don’t get in between me and my second Super Bowl.”

The win silenced online critics who felt Mahomes wouldn’t be ready to play due to a concession he suffered during his game against the Cleveland Browns.

frickin’ Brady), there are a couple of other things that sway my decision. One, the veteran status of players on the Buccaneers team makes me nervous for Kansas City fans. If there’s one thing anybody knows about NFL veterans and their football IQ , it’s that it weighs into big games significantly. Mahomes and Kansas City may have youthful enthusiasm but the Brady Bunch brings well-aged intelligence into the big game. Second, big pressure situations are what players like

“

Mahomes and Kansas City may have youthful enthusiasm but the Brady Bunch brings well-aged intelligence into the big game.

– Ethan Butterfield

The high octane play of loaded offences and the steady dedicated work of well-maintained defences shows that any team can have a chance at any time to get a huge win. That is, and this brings me to my point, unless your team is going up against Tom Brady.

Look, I understand all the arguments people make regarding Mr. Brady and his success, and to those arguments’ credit, Tom Brady doesn’t do it on his own.

There’s a solid defence, a talented offence, and a well-balanced

Now, heading into Super Bowl 55, Tom Brady is once again on the path to greatest as he pursues his seventh Super Bowl championship. In case you thought you read that wrong, you didn’t. Tom Brady is pursuing his seventh Super Bowl ring. What’s even crazier about Brady ‘the ageless wonder’ is that he came over from the AFC to the NFC in a division that several (what hesitate to call) experts said would be an actual challenge versus the division he was in. So how difficult was that division? Well he went

his first championship last year in Super Bowl 54, Mahomes and crew look to be the first team to become repeat Super Bowl winners since, well, Tom Brady and the Patriots in 2005 (well this is awkward). The thing is, Mahomes makes the game of football look really easy. I mean really, really easy. Granted, the addition of weapons like that of Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Le’veon Bell certainly help him make the game look easy, but as with Tom Brady, Mahomes himself has to be talented to actually use those

Not so critics, not so.

Anywho, with both contenders set in this up and coming Super Bowl 55 match-up, I’m sure you’re curious as to who is going to come out on top. Well I don’t know myself. I can certainly make a prediction like every other sports analyst out there and act like I knew the whole time if they win. So, my prediction for Super Bowl 55? I’m going to have to go with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Why? Well, despite the obvious reasons (because it’s Tom

Rob Gronkowski and Tom Bady are used to, and there is no bigger than that of the Super Bowl.

While Mahomes has won a Super Bowl, he hasn’t won one with stakes like this. Going into the big game against the greatest quarterback of all time is one thing, but going in and trying to be the first repeat champion in 16 years is a whole other thing altogether.

All in all, regardless of the outcome, this will be a game for the ages (at least that’s the hope).

Wikipedia Commons

The Super Bowl trophy.

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editor: marty grande-sherbert op-ed@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 28 - february 3, 2021

The bar is on the floor! Let’s pick it up

Guys, everything still sucks

Wikipedia Commons

The White House.

There is another administration in the American White House now. In another piece published in the Carillon this week, Kamala Harris is described as a step forward for women in positions of power. It is also acknowledged that there are valid critiques of her policies. If I can be forgiven for belabouring a point, I have to stress that I disagree with the optimism of that article, and that it isn’t only Harris’ and Biden’s policies that I find less than hopeful; it’s the faith many have in institutions like these as a whole. It is far past time for us to be serious about what is helping us save lives and move forward politically, and what is holding us back. We need to be honest with ourselves about what is not working.

This is not necessarily an article in response, but it is a less impressed view on the same subject. Many of my friends live in the States, and I see the ripples of the American right in our own community so quickly now (the Trump rallies on January 6 right here on the prairies, in Red Deer, as one example), so I feel I can’t afford to look away. Truthfully, I did not feel like celebrating at all when Trump left office. I felt exhaustion, not relief, as if the fire was maybe burning a little lower but it was still very much on. What made me more exhausted, though, was the resignment of so many people – the way people were treating Harris, AOC, Bernie and other democrats as celebrities and saviors. I caution myself against hero worship of any kind, no matter how much I admire someone’s contributions in the world, but in this case I didn’t even really feel like it made sense.

There were people this year who were shot – had their eyes taken out – who got teargassed, who got trampled, who got run

over in the streets to protect their loved ones or community members they didn’t even know. Despite all that senseless violence, people think that the spectacle of the inauguration is what’s meant to change everything?

When we watch white supremacists carrying, among other things, a cross onto the lawn of the capitol, and be all but welcomed by cops with arrests only occurring after a fact, we need to admit that this is not an institution where meaningful or brave changes take place. Much like Canada’s government that dresses its colonial violence in a friendly façade, the American

We do now have a Black woman in the seat of vice president. That is in fact unprecedented, just as it would have been unprecedented for Hilary Clinton to win the presidency years before. But we also have Black women outside of government who have been advocating for decarceration and prison abolition with far less material support. Meanwhile, Harris continues to support policies that support increased arrests and incarcerations, and target trans women and sex workers. It was also unprecedented to witness Barack Obama’s presidency, and this was culturally monumental in many respects, but it was not

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Whether or not people in settler governments represent you matters much less than whether or not you and the people immediately around you have each other’s backs.

– Marty Grande-Sherbert

government is more concerned with its image and symbolic power than it is with the rights of its citizens. If we measure success, in any state, by what’s going on in institutions like this, we will have neither an accurate nor a radical picture of the true state of change. Even things like the speedy cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline

by Biden are victories that it would be foolish to credit any president for. Those were victories hard-won by people the American and Canadian governments both did their best to suppress for years.

inspiring for him to win the Nobel Peace Prize with a record of over 500 drone strikes that lead to a very unpeaceful swath of deaths in the global south. We all deserve better than this, and this is no legacy for anyone to aspire to.

I truly understand, and have felt for myself, the need to be optimistic this year. It seems like everything is permanently terrible, everything is falling apart, and it would be so nice if for once there could be some justice. But loving justice needs to be what pushes us to demand more of our world,

not to settle for the lesser evil when there is still fighting to do. A few years ago, I would have echoed what I had heard all the time: “let this radicalize you” – but by this time, radicalization is due. You should not be comfortable with the state of the world right now. Gestures like the ones made at the inauguration, or like the address on anti-racism made in our government this week, are surface-level acknowledgements of the problems that are in practice still occurring. Simply having someone in office, or having a statement made, is something we have a lot of evidence for being ineffective.

I know we are all depressed and hopeless as hell, and it’s likely that the more aware you make yourself and the more you pay attention, the harder it feels. But all the people I know who are both politically aware and fulfilled stay that way by divesting from institutions and investing in their communities. Whether or not people in settler governments represent you matters much less than whether or not you and the people immediately around you have each other’s backs. It may take you a while to build that trust – I know I’m not there yet – but I can almost guarantee that unless we express and fight for our own needs, we will be let down.

Also, the Bernie memes were funny for a while because I know we all needed a laugh, but it is time to stop now. I saw someone get a tattoo of it. He’s literally just sitting there.

marty grande-sherbert op-ed editor

january 28 - february 3, 2020

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When protest becomes a privilege

Storming the capitol and the BLM protests had vastly different tones

By the time I write this, the United States will have a new president. How good Joe Biden will be in this role still remains to be seen. But most of us would probably admit that, given the track record of his predecessor, the bar has been set pretty low. This is true especially after the events of January 6, when we had to witness Trump supporters march into the Capitol, making no pretenses about their plans to force the U.S. senate to overturn the results of the election and forcibly reinstate Trump. I am not going to try and talk about how this is terrifying, because if a person doesn’t already realize that, they are likely the type who will not agree no matter what I have to say.

Instead, I want to talk about something else. We have seen the photos of a man, one of those who entered the Capitol, with his feet up on Nancy Pelosi’s desk. We have read news reports about how one of the intruders, Jake Angeli, has been provided organic meals while he is in prison for the “minor misdemeanor” of trying to overthrow a democracy. And when I see the sheer deference with which these people are being treated, it takes me back to this past summer.

You remember last summer. When a Black man had a cop kneeling on his neck, only because he allegedly tried to use a counterfeit note? Hopefully you also remember the countless other Black Americans who were attacked for heinous acts like sleeping in their own bed, standing outside their own house, trying to buy a TV, or just – you know – being Black. Time and time again we are reminded that in the U.S.A., if you are a Black person, one of the biggest threats to your life is interaction with law enforcement.

This past summer, we saw police and the national guard in tactical gear, ready to put down the slightest sign of “acting” up

Wikimedia Commons

Scene at the capitol, January 6, 2021

on the part of the protesters who wanted an end to police brutality towards people of color. Then, three weeks ago, we saw those same law enforcement officers being positively deferential to “protesters” chanting for the death of the vice president. I read a news report about how Democrat senators were told to remove name tags or anything that would identify them as Democrats, out of fear for these “protesters” and what they might do to Democrat politicians. Before you blow this off as needless sensationalism, let me remind you that these people were literally chanting “hang Mike Pence,” and had zip ties with them for, presumably, tying up abductees.

And yet, the number of shots fired during the entire day of January 6 was less than those fired in one moment, at Breonna Taylor while she was sleeping in her own bed. To be clear, I am not recommending that the cops should have also shot these Trump supporters, who think the will of the majority and the dignity of the office of President is less important than the tantrums of a bully. What I am recommending is that cops also learn not to shoot when the people on the other side are facing the crime of not being white.

I am recommending that the calm, collected manner in which cops spoke to these “protesters,” should also be extended to a Black teenager standing outside his own home. After all, trying to occupy the Capitol and kidnap senators is a crime. Being Black is not. For now though, we will settle for protests against racist police violence to at least get the same treatment criminals who support Trump get from law enforcement.

hammad ali contributor

Two Fifty The world belongs to me in increments of 2.50 because that’s the price of coffee.

In which case, 2:50 was 13 minutes before I woke up and stayed awake, thinking all the while of the smile on your face that was never meant for me. Maybe one day, that will change. I used to be afraid of change, which is usually 2.50, also, but it doesn’t seem so scary anymore.

It is palpable, if not entirely welcome, even when I wake up in the middle of my peace, or 13 minutes later, give-or-take.

Maybe 2.50 is what it costs me to fuel thought entirely and maybe that will change for inflation and restless nights show scattered signs of life in me. But that’s alright.

Time advances. Your face will change to someone else’s.

2:50 happens every morning.

chantal leforge contributor

january 28 - february 3, 2020

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

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Rehabilitation over incarceration No more capital punishment

The death penalty is an appalling form of capital punishment, used to give the state power, create a diluted sense of justice, and take the lives of many.

I don’t particularly like the term “death penalty” itself. It implies that the person being put to death is guilty of a crime, and in many cases, innocent people are placed on death row. Why not call it murder by the state? Murder sounds much more fitting considering the outcome – in my opinion.

The conversation surrounding the morality of the “death penalty” has surfaced recently when the state killed Dustin Higgs, a 48-year-old man, convicted of murdering 3 women in January of 1996: Tamika Black (19), Tanji Jackson (21), and Mishann Chinn (23).

I will not argue the facts of this case, as that is a whole other issue. However, the gunman who killed two of these women was given a life sentence, while Higgs was sentenced to death, and that does not sit right with me. I am certainly not saying that the gunman should have also been assigned this horrid punishment. I would argue that Higgs, and other people sentenced to death, are being wronged by the state and the people. Whether guilty of a crime themselves or not, I do not believe that anyone should be killed.

I recall a day when I was on the playground in grade school and another child hit me – it hurt. My reaction was to hit back. The teacher stopped the interaction and explained to me that I should “be the bigger person and just walk away,” that I should “find a teacher so that they can talk to the student about their actions.” The conclusion was that it is better for only one person to get hurt, and for the perpetrator to as a result be taught better actions and given the support that they need to be a “better” member of society. Now, that analogy may seem silly, as five-year-olds

on a playground hitting each other cannot possibly be the same as taking one’s life – but I would argue that in terms of handling the situation, this is a principle that we should remember. If that day I had just responded by hitting the other child, what would either of us have learned about violence? Would we know that physical abuse is wrong, or would we have learned that it is okay as long as the amount of damage done is equal and “fair?”

I find that there is often a false conflation between the concepts of “fair” and ”equal.” In my understanding, fair is

and opening your heart to another human being and many generations to come.

The justice system we know today is not attempting to create a better, safer, happier society. Rather, it comes up with solutions to “get rid” of problems, to cost less money, and to make people afraid of the state. This only allows the state to hold more power over the people.

A state where justice system had the power to take your life, even if you are innocent, does not allow for individuals to have autonomy over their own person.

Should the institutions and social structures

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In my understanding, fair is not always equal, and therefore justice is not always understood.

– Reese Estwick

not always equal, and therefore justice is not always understood. If we continue to punish those who kill by killing with state power, who wins? Who feels a sense of justice? Who is happy? The families of those Higgs (allegedly) killed are still suffering the loss of their daughter, sister, partner, and friend. Now, in turn, Higgs’ family is suffering the loss of their own loved one.

If it was your sibling, child, partner, or friend who was convinced of such a heinous act, would you think it was fair for them to be killed in return, or would you want them to get the support that they need to re-enter their community and learn from their previous actions? This is not about an immediate “fix” – it is about looking past oneself

have that kind of power over the people?

This question is especially important when issues such as racism and sexism are built into these institutions – how can someone like Higgs, a Black man, truly receive a fair trial with his life on the line? There is no such thing as a blind trial when every single person has bias because of how society has raised us, whether it be conscious or not.

Black Americans like Higgs face poverty at a disproportionate rate, and far too often poverty is related to over-policing, which in turn is related to criminal convictions (whether accurate or not). Overall, this leads to more racialized people in the justice system, a bias on the inside, and a further cycle of poverty in the communi-

ties. There is no end in sight. Racialized people are overwhelmingly targeted by the justice system and far too often wrongfully convicted, just because of their appearance.

Higgs went to his grave swearing that he was innocent, and although there is no way to prove his innocence (or guilt), it is still important to acknowledge the failures within the justice system to be able to work towards positive systemic change for future generations.

Imagine living in a society where criminals were not looked down upon. Where people who were struggling were seen as human beings equally as valuable as those with high status. Imagine those who were caught up in a crowd they did not want to be a part of having the chance to a safe place, where they know that they would receive help rather than judgement, a prison sentence, or death.

Rehabilitation is worth more for us than incarceration. People being treated as people should be the minimum requirement.

The “death penalty” is wrong. It should be banned immediately, and with the newly sworn in President and Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, I am hopeful for change – yet there is still a lot of work to be done.

Dustin Higgs was murdered at the hands of the state. Let’s fight for him to be the last person to ever receive that sentence. Let’s hold the government accountable. Let’s fight for racial equity. And most of all, let’s remember that fair does not mean equal. He was not your loved one, but what if he was – would you fight for his life then?

reese estwick staff writer pixabay

A courtroom in a circle formation.

carillonregina.com | the carillon |17

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january 28 - february 3, 2020

Harris’ vice presidency makes me feel seen With women told not to speak up, it’s meaningful when one does

As a child, I was always told that I was too loud, too talkative, and too opinionated. It’s a common criticism that women, especially young women, face around the globe.

I talked too much and was too assertive.

I was too passionate or overly-excited. The list goes on and on. Regardless of intent, the steady stream of assertions that I was “too much” played a large part in my desire to not take any leadership roles later in my teen years. In my younger days, I didn’t join the student council or any outspoken groups at my high school. Instead, I kept my opinions and thoughts to my friend group, and tried to coast through my education with my head down.

In truth, I had even entered this university campus with that same mentality. “Get your degree, get out, that’s it. Nothing extra.” How was I to ever be taken seriously in a leadership role if, at every turn, I had been told I lacked what was required?

This is why the young girl in me was floored, and so excited, to see Kamala Harris take the seat as Joe Biden’s vice presidential running mate in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Harris stood for everything that I had been told was a detriment. She was passionate and loud; she stated her points clearly and demanded to be heard.

Most of all, she dodged every sexist comment that was tossed her way and continued, despite it all, to speak her mind.

Now, I understand the controversy that surrounds Harris, and this article isn’t to discredit or knock the very valid critiques that people have offered about her policies or the Biden administration. This article is not an attempt to speak over that, but instead

is meant to acknowledge how wonderful it was, as a young girl who seldom saw herself represented in places of power, to finally watch it happen.

When I saw Harris get interrupted or shut down by other officials – told she was overreacting or didn’t have the proper qualifications – I saw myself in her. I saw the little girl who was told all those same things years ago, and internalized them, altering how she expressed herself.

Early into Harris’ victory speech in November 2020, there is a moment when the camera cuts to a young woman in the crowd. Tearfully, she turns to the man to her right, bringing a tissue up to her face, and then turns back to Harris in awe. All the while, Harris speaks about “ushering in a new day” for their country.

That is the face of someone who feels seen. Who has, for the first time in their lives, witnessed what has felt like the impossible. They are witnessing someone that represents them take the stage and speak on behalf of their people. Most importantly, they are watching someone like them be heard.

Growing up, when I was told that my voice was in the way, too loud, or too opinionated, I would have adored seeing a woman like Harris in office – a woman who had heard all the same things, and yet rolled them off her shoulders to get her work done.

For the first time ever, I and others have been able to watch a woman who has faced our common adversities take on a position no woman has ever had before.

taylor balfour editor-in-chief

Wikimedia Commons

Joe Biden walking while giving a thumbs-up.

Unity: the 2021 Inauguration So much better than the alternative

With 2021 rolling around and the inauguration of President Joe Biden having officially taken place, I think we can all breath a sigh of relief and say “thank fuck that’s over.”

Congratulations to everyone south of the border, you did it; you showed up and put someone that wasn’t the walking definition of the word “pathetic” into office. Granted, more than 74 million still voted for the prick, but small victories, people, small victories. I would personally like to extend my gratitude to Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan for being the all-star tag team of states that helped to make this a reality. That being said, and bashing aside, let’s look at President Biden, the inauguration and what we can expect in this bright new year.

As far as the inauguration goes, it was a nice way to usher in the new President.

Garth Brooks, a known Republican, performed at the ceremony and talked about what would end up being the theme of the day: unity. Brooks’ discussion, much like others that would talk during the inauguration, was one that everyone needed to hear after the four years of sheer thick-headedness that took place in the United States (sorry, bashing again). However, Brooks’ discussion was far from the highlight of the night, as Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem, ‘The Hill We Climb,’ was a reading that struck an emotional chord with the many in attendance and watching from home.

For those that didn’t get a chance to hear the reading and experience the emotional weight that it brought the inauguration, here is a small excerpt from it just below:

Wikipedia Commons

Amanda gormon, reading “The Hill We Climb”

But one thing is certain, If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy,

and change our children’s birthright.

So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left with.

Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.

We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west.

We will rise from the windswept northeast, where our forefathers first realized revolution.

We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states.

We will rise from the sunbaked south.

We will rebuild, reconcile and recover.

And every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful.

This powerful section of Ms. Gorman’s poem solidifies what is (or rather, what should be) the common goal of all Americans. The time for divide and the time for hate is over. Plain and simple. There are no ifs, ands or buts when it comes to the numerous subjects that need to be addressed in the U.S. – as well as Canada – today. As someone who truly hopes for the very best of people, I certainly hope to see the very best of President Biden as he moves forward with his presidency.

Overall, let’s hope this presidency, as well as this year, holds significantly more positives as we all look to continue to stay healthy. Also enough with the Bernie Sanders mittens meme.

ethan butterfield sports editor

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editors: sarah carrier, kate thiessen graphics@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 28 - february 3, 2021