The Confluence | July 29th, 2019

Confluence

YOUR OFFICIAL COLLEGE MAGAZINE

The

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Coming TO TERMS

July 29th, 2019

It’s the Chief - Editorial It’s been a while since we’ve spoken last, and I just wanted you guys to know that things are going great here at Confluence HQ (Room 1-303).

I have just gotten back from a work trip in Nanaimo, where I have developed and expanded my horizons at the students’ union. More and more am I getting excited for the upcoming semester. The primary thing that excites me is the influx of new faces and people to meet. At the union, new faces are very appreciated. If you have just arrived in Canada, or are newly enrolled at the college, welcome!

On a more serious note, there has been an uproar happening recently in our city. This last weekend there were protests over the movie “Unplanned,” a film centred around the hotly-debated abortion issue.

Regardless of what you think of the quality of the movie, it has an obvious bias towards one side of the issue. The thing that worries me about this is that we currently live in a society that takes things at face value. While skepticism can be tiring for some, it is healthy and valuable to have, especially when it comes to topics as broad as abortion.

During the showing, many people who were against the showing of the film protested the movie’s existence and overall purpose: Advocating for abortion to not be socially accepted. I was saddened that I wasn’t able to make it to the rally, but as I said, I was in Nanaimo.

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The reason that I bring up this hotly-debated issue is that we currently live in a political climate that is going through many changes. With the introduction of bills such as C-16, we are forming into a country that has a changing set of federal standards in the way that people interact with others.

Whereas on the same front, we are also fighting for the personal freedoms to have the option to maintain control over yourself and your own body.

Politically, I believe people should have the freedoms to speak whatever they want, but they have to accept the consequences of doing so. I also believe that as long as your choices have no effect on others, it is undebatable that you should have the right to make choices considering your own well being.

We are in a society that often follows the louder voice, and while that can sometimes lead you to good things, it also leaves you vulnerable to being led down a path that you are not fully aware of. What I advocate for is to be knowledgeable about the world around you, and make yourself aware of what is happening.

In a world where “fake news” is becoming a legitimate threat, we are having to adapt to having a more open mind and not take everything at face value.

Stay safe out there, and educate yourself!

Cheers!

Damon Robinson Editor-in-Chief, The Confluence

Hey Dudes- Editorial Hey folks! I hope you wonderful readers are all enjoying your summer; I know I am. As we approach the end of July, I have come to realize I have now been your News Editor for about three months, hot damn! I have learned so much more in these short months than I ever expected to. It turns out, the Student Union does so much more than provide the CNC population with The Confluence every two weeks (or so). As you can imagine, this took me by surprise. My presupposed idea of the Student Union, admittedly, was not held of very high regard. The reason simply being that I did not know what purpose the CNCSU served in the college. Let me tell you, my eyes have been opened wide. I have worked a fair amount of jobs in my days, and this is by far the most motivated team of people that I have ever seen. Every last person working in the CNCSU has big ideas and big plans to make it happen. I am constantly getting inspired by the passionate, and kind people that this little office holds, and I am remind-

Raegan Cote

ed just how blessed I am to be a part of it.

News Editor

Okay, sorry to get sappy there. In other news, the CNCSU has had campaigns going out the wazoo! My personal favourite this far has been Pizza Day. I wish every day could be Pizza Day. How awesome would that be?

Until next time, have a good couple weeks, y’all!

Ian Petrie Trades Rep.

Amy Barry Health Plan & Services Coordinator

Shaun Edwards Health and Science Rep.

Rebecca Clark-Gray Office & Services Coordinator

Navjot Singh Brar Business & Technology Rep.

Carman Hill Quesnel Office & Services Coordinator

Brandan Jack Indigenous Rep.

Brittany Idiens Health Plan & Services Coordinator

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Leila Depenau Executive Director

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Coming to Terms

Reagan Cote, News Editor

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Throughout my term as the News Editor for The Confluence, I want to use my position to be as open and honest with the readers as possible.

I want to be someone you guys can really know, as opposed to just being a face with a name. In the spirit of Pride Month, I thought I might as well share my own personal coming out story.

I figured, what better way to get upclose-and-personal than to describe, in detail, how I realized I am attracted to people of the same gender? In my attempt to dig up my history regarding my sexuality, my hope is that I will become closer to the readers, and through

that, I may be able to reach people who can relate to my experience. I know that through discovering my sexuality, media was my main source of not only information—but of comfort as well.

The process of discovering who you are is not always an easy one, and may feel incredibly lonely at times. I want to help who I can to make this journey feel like something more normal than what others may have made it sound like. So, here goes nothing. I hope y’all enjoy.

It all began at age six; maybe seven… or eight, to be honest I am not exactly sure. Anyhow, I remember having a

sleepover with my two best friends. It was probably around midnight, which was nearing the appropriate time to go to bed. The lights were out, the room dark, and I—bundled in a pink sleeping bag detailed with white fluff around the edges. As silence trickled down the walls previously filled with giggles and laughter, I ask, “If I was gay, would you guys still be friends with me?” To which I get two responses: Friend #1 responds, without missing a beat, “No.” Friend #2 then says, “I mean I would, it would just be weird.”

I respond with a calm “Okay,” leaving that as the final word of the evening. All thoughts regarding romance with a girl were stuffed deep into my closet, hidden underneath my piles of crocks, nail polishes, and head bands. Never to be touched again.

That is, until I decided to do some spring cleaning, about eight years later. That was when a whole shit ton of dust, dirt, and emotions came out, guns-a-blazing.

Though things were no longer

Articles

still attracted to men, I just happened to have standards. Anyhow, one of my best friends eventually came out, which was the moment where it all changed for me. I was no longer alone.

My friend allowed me an outlet to find out who I truly was, and I found the support I so badly searched for.

From here on out, my coming out process all happened relatively fast. I went from questioning my sexuality, to completely and fully admitting to myself that I am attracted to the same gender. I came out to my mom in the Hart Mall parking lot across from the old Scotiabank, and I came out to my dad on Christmas Eve. In hindsight, I could have timed those situations to work slightly better in my favor, but it happened, and bottom line, I got it over with. I have decided that there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to come out. I am blessed to be raised in a household that accepted me for who I am, and I am so thankful for that every day. Some of my family was supportive right off the bat, though it took the others some time to let it

sink in. I knew it was important to have patience with this sort of thing.

If it took me sixteen years to understand my sexuality, it was going to take some time for the people around me to understand it as well. The hope is that they will all come around one day, though that is not always the case. I know many people, to this day, are not nearly as lucky as I was. The world is changing for the better, I only wish it was moving a bit faster. Everyone deserves to feel accepted by their loved ones, and live their lives as who they are, not as someone else’s idea of them.

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so easy to suppress, I still managed to do my best. Planning class in grade ten specifically, was a bit awkward to say the least. My teacher would hand out quiz after quiz, one self-evaluation after another, about sexuality, gender, and mental health. For example, on a scale of one to five, how confident are you in your sexuality? Lying my way through each check box, I knew something seemed a little fishy. How come I hesitated every time I selected the “hetero” box? Well, turns out I had the answer all along. Needless to say, I wasn’t obsessed with Ellen DeGeneres purely for her great fashion style.

Grade eleven rolled around, and suddenly it became real. It became real to the point that keeping it to myself was growing quite impossible. Those sixteen-year old boys I tried dating were never really my type, and I felt truly broken. I would wonder how come I couldn’t fall for the guys who had rusting grey trucks, or pants sagging down to their knees. Admittedly, I later found out that I was indeed

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REVIEW: SEX EDUCATION

The Netflix Show YOU DIDN’T WANNA WATCH WITH YOUR MATES

Damon Robinson, Editor-In-Chief

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It’s a Sunday night, and with work the next morning I decided to finally see what the heck that Netflix show I see on my home page is all about. My first impressions are this: It feels awfully uncomfortable watching supposed-tobe teenagers banging with their parents listening in from below.

That is legitimately what happens and I would understand if that makes your head turn away. However, you would be missing out on one of the biggest surprises of the year if you switch shows before you take in what it actually is.

Sex Education is a relatable show that shows no fear while

facing the topics that we all had issues talking about when we were in high school. I was shocked with how in-depth the characters got with sexual and personal issues that would legitimately be confusing for a seventeen-year-old.

You can easily tell how much the writers and producers have invested into the premise of the show. The primary characters could have been easily categorized into character archetypes found after a five-minute search on TV Tropes, but they’re not. Otis can be seen at the prototypical sexually-repressed nerd, while Maeve could be the Manic-PixieDream-Girl we’ve seen in every 2000’s romantic comedy.

Articles The thing is, they’re not. While the characters archetypes are a id, don’t judge a book by its cover. part of them, it isn’t entirely them. The shows writing is very Sex Education is hosted on Netflix and has been renewed for deep, and it is naturally funny. There are no laugh tracks, or a second season. moments of jokes coming in one after another. What there is, however, is a full eight episodes of relatable adventures to solving the issues revolving around sexuality in the mind of a seventeen-year-old.

The show revolves around Otis (Asa Butterfield), a son to a local sex therapist Jean (Gillian Anderson). Otis’ immense knowledge about human sexuality leads badass Maeve (Emma Mackey) to utilize his shrink-like ability to educate the young men and women at their school. The premise is simple and is surprisingly effective. One of the highlights of the show is the acting of gay best friend Eric (Ncuti Gatwa). Eric, as a character is one that we often have seen thrown to the wayside, utilized as the token best friend who the main characters spill all the contents of the episode too. The way Sex Education handles Eric is a breath of fresh air. Eric isn’t just the gay, black best friend; Rather, he is just Eric, an immensely complicated human teenager exploring himself and what he truly wants in the world.

RATING

83/100

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If you are ever looking for something to watch, Sex Education is one that I would personally recommend. This Netflix-Original has shown me the time-old lesson is still val-

C a lif or nia anno unc es t w o y e ar s fr ee c o l l ege; m ea nwhile, BC t uit io n f e es c o n t i n ue s to r i s e The Government of California has announced that it is providing two years of tuition fee free college for students graduating from California high schools. The initiative was approved with the recent passing of the state budget. Meanwhile in British Columbia, tuition fees continue to rise to historic levels, further strapping students with debt and closing the doors to those without the means to pay high up-front costs.

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“For students trying to access post-secondary education, cost is the biggest barrier,” said Tanysha Klassen, Chairperson of the BC Federation of Students (BCFS).

“California’s progressive initiative gives all people, regardless of economic background, the chance to get their foot in the door and begin their studies.”

California has provided one year of tuition fee free community college for several years; the state budget allocates an additional $42.6 million (USD) to fund the second year, which will assist full-time students at 115 community colleges across the state.

It is estimated that 33,000 new stu- “The Province estimates that within dents will be eligible for the program. the next ten years, 77% of new jobs will require some form of post-secondary Tuition fees in BC have increased education or training,” said Klassen. “If more than 300% since 1990. we want to have the workforce required Further, BC is the only province in to fill those jobs, we need to ensure Canada without a comprehensive education is affordable and accessible.” up-front grants program or non-repayable loans; those who have to borrow to The British Columbia Federation access education are saddled with an of Students represents over 170,000 average of nearly $35,000 of debt college and university students from upon the completion of their degree. across all regions of the province.

The Federation represents full- and The BCFS’ campaign Grants part-time students at the Not Loans calls on the provincial college, undergraduate, and graduate government to implement an up-front levels. Together these students needs-based grants program in order advocate for a well-funded system of to reduce student loan debt and ease post-secondary education in BC that financial barriers to post-secondary is affordable and accessible for all. education. Polling shows that the public agrees with this proposal: 68% of British Columbians agree that BC needs an up-front needs-based grants program.

Providing free college education is a popular policy in BC too: one in two British Columbians support providing one year of tuition fee free college or trades training.

For more articles like this, check out the official BCFS blog at https://www.wearebcstudents.ca/blog

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OPEN CALL for your submissions

Poetry-Photography-Articles-REVIEWS-PAINTINGS GRAPHIC DESIGN-CARTOONS-CREATIVE WRITING-ESSAYS Submit now to: EDITOR@CNCSU.CA

Negot iat ion

M a nmeet Ka ur, C ont ri b utor

During my Industrial Relations class, and the employer asks you, “What are

the same technique to clear my head

I first realized the power of negotia- your salary expectations?” You feel when things are confusing, and I don’t tion. After a year from having taken like saying a desired number that will know where to start. Often, things have that class, I am now looking back pay your tuition and down payment failed due to lack of internal harmony to reflect on the importance of the for your new car. You ask yourself, within ourselves or within an orgaword “negotiation” and its effect on

“Wait a minute, is that reasonable?”

nization, or a team. Ultimately, tak-

my life during different situations. This conversation taking place between ing the time to ask ourselves what we Just imagine yourself being an inter- the “angel” and “demon” sitting on ei- want, and negotiate internally within national student. If you already are, ther side of your shoulders is the “inter- ourselves first will make us feel confiyou will relate what I am referring to.

nal negotiation.” We often call it “over- dent and prepared for that upcoming

If not, imagine yourself in a role-play; thinking” and distract ourselves from

salary negotiation with the employer.

new country, a new language, new finding our bottom line OR having asked

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culture, no family, no friends. Scary, ourselves, “What do I really want?” right? Also, you are an ambitious and

The moment we find the answer for

highly motivated individual who wants what we want, we have started to preto be successful. This is your first in- pare ourselves for effective negotiation terview for your first summer job, with the employer. Sometimes, I use For more articles like this, check out the official BCFS blog at https://www.wearebcstudents.ca/blog

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