MARCH 2021

March 2021

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4

PIN TREE POS ANTI-ASIAN ATTACKS IN AMERICA THE OPIOID CRISIS IN B.C. COVID-19 AND THE EFFECT ON SOCIAL LIFE SPRING BREAK DURING A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

HOUSE PLANTS FOR STUDENTS

CULTURAL AND RACIAL DIVERSITY IN THE MEDIA ADVICE COLUMN: ASK TOMMY WHAT TO DO IN A COUGAR ENCOUNTER SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES

March

2 FIRST GLANCE P.5: WORLD

P.9: SCHOOL

The Pinetree Post

STAFF

FOUNDERS Russell Kim, Felix Guo EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Briana Ho, Julia Ye

COVID-19 and the effect

Anti-Asian Attacks in America, The Opioid Crisis in B.C.

P.19: FEATURED

on social life, Spring Break

During a Worldwide Pandemic, International Women’s Day

P. 26: OTHER

ARTICLE EDITOR Briana Ho CONTRIBUTORS Kaylin Brereton-Stiles Bryan Chen Kevin Fan, Jon Gough Na-Yeon Kim, Sun-Ho Kim Aaron Kan, Florin Lee Michelina Lee, Zoe Li Alexandra Mandewo Kaleigh Morrow Shaina Rajwani, Jennifer Shui Mattias Wong, Sophie Zhao GRAPHIC DESIGN Julia Ye SPECIAL THANKS TO The Pinetree Administration, Mr. Lau, Anonymous “Ask Tommy” Contributors, Patricia Huang, Robin Hwang, Ms. Cui, Mrs. Lovelock, Mrs. Lockwood, Ms. Matino, Ms. Moorhouse, Ms. Jafarzadeh

House Plants for Students, Cultural and Racial Diversity in the Media, What To Do in A Cougar Encounter, Small Local Businesses

Comics

GET INVOLVED IN THE PT POST! Although we at the Pinetree Post try our best to represent the voice of the everyone at Pinetree, we are only a small group of students. To find the most pressing topics and interesting avenues to explore, we rely on input from readers to curate relevant content only. Anyone is welcome to suggest a topic or provide an opinion for Pinetree Post writers and

contributors to look into further. Do you have something to say that needs your voice? The Pinetree Post also welcomes guest content, any time, of any kind. Feel free to submit an article on a topic you are passionate for, a comic you think everyone deserves to see, maybe even a letter to the editor!

You can submit your original content to us at thepinetreepost@gmail.com.

Have a question or a request? Contact us at: facebook.com/thepinetreepost

FIRST GLANCE

EDITOR’S NOTE

3

BE FABULOUS

Shine like the star you are, darling!

Briana Ho, Julia Ye Editors-in-Chief

Get the lights!

Get the glitter!

This month, our theme is “vibrance,” because we want to celebrate all the wonderful, colourful, fabulous things that make you… well, you!

Springtime in Coquitlam can be pretty drab and rainy most of the time – I’m even writing this during a power outage thanks to a grand old storm – so let’s jazz things up! I’m thinking neon feather boas, kazoos, confetti, ice cream cakes that I’ll violently repress my lactose intolerance for – wait… nevermind, parties aren’t really a thing right now...

Hey, but we can still celebrate ourselves and each other!

Vibrant diversity comes in all forms. There are simpler ways to partake, like livening up your room by adding a plant or two (or five) (House Plants for Students, page 19) or, especially since many of our social lives have drastically changed (COVID-19 and the effect on social life, page 9), finding new safe and fun ways to hang out with friends (Spring Break During a Worldwide Pandemic, page 12).

Then there’s slightly more practical activities, such as learning to coexist with the diverse, natural world around us (and, y’know, hopefully not get

Source: Julia Ye

eaten) (What To Do in A Cougar Encounter, page 22) or discovering your new favourite shop by supporting local small businesses (Small Local Businesses, page 24).

And lastly, there’s the most important type of vibrance: the beautiful diversity of people! Everyone comes from different backgrounds, has different strengths, and sees with different perspectives. The more we educate ourselves about those unlike us, the more respectful and accepting we’ll become! For example, we can analyze racial representation in television and movies (Cultural and Racial Diversity

Source: Kevin Fan

4 FIRST GLANCE slowly breaking away towards mutinous freedom but that’s probably just the furnace or something.

Also check out this month’s comic (Comic, page 26)!

It’s more of an illustration, but it still brings serotonin through the eyeballs!

Hope you enjoy this issue of the Pinetree Post! Remember to like us on Facebook for new announcements and follow us on Instagram for the latest updates (@thepinetreepost). Message us on Instagram or email us (thepinetreepost@gmail. com) if you have a topic you’d like us to address next month or if you’re interested in writing a guest article yourself !

Missed the last issues? Read them at https:// issuu.com/thepinetreepost.

Well, time to go back to flicking lightswitches because I keep forgetting they don’t work.

Toodles, darlings!

Briana Ho & Julia Ye Editors-in-Chief Imagine your homestay’s dog being taller than you :) OUCH

Source: Julia Ye

in the Media, page 20) as well as real-world incidents of racism (Anti-Asian Attacks in America, page 5).

We can learn about local human rights crises (The Opioid Crisis in B.C., page 7) and celebrate the advances we’ve made towards equality (International Women’s Day, page 15).

On the lighter side of this issue, we have our fan-favourite, Tommy Sharpe! Full of personality, full of vibrance, but definitely not full of food unless he’s been eating the newspapers that’re supposed to be for his bedding! It’s not my fault that I keep forgetting to feed him - I’m just so busy with… things… (that totally aren’t binging Amazon Prime originals) and I’m sure he’s completely fine. On an unrelated note, at night I sometimes hear some steady chipping sounds in the basement - almost like a chisel against metal chains,

5

WORLD NEWS

Anti-Asian Attacks in America

Recent issues related to asian racial discrimination

Attacks against Asian Americans are on the rise. Here’s what you can do

Source:CNN

Sun-Ho Kim Writer Though incidents concerning racial injustice have always been present in American societies, hate crimes specifically targeted towards Asian-American and Asian citizens have peaked in the year 2020.

Looking at statistics provided by Voice of America news (VOA) on March 2, featuring 16 major U.S. cities in a chart format, six of these well-populated locations had a triple digit percentage increase for Asian hate crime throughout the year 2020. New York saw the worst of these sudden spikes, facing an astonishing 833% increase from 3 to 28 incidents involving Asian victims last year. Additionally, the Stop AAPI hate (Stop Asian American and Pacific Islanders

hate), an Asian-American established hate tracker organization, has recorded an unbelievable 2,800 Asian targeted incidents across the U.S. through the last 9-month period of 2020. They concluded that the majority of these events revolved around verbal abuse, while a small percentage (around 9%) of these hate crimes involved direct physical harm.

But what could have possibly caused this sharp rise in Asian hate crime incidents?

“It’s not racist at all. No, it’s not at all.

It’s from China. That’s why. It comes from China. I want to be accurate” (Donald Trump, 45th U.S. President, March 18, 2020).

6 WORLD

With the beginning of the horror behind the deadly Covid-19 outbreak, the 45th President of the United States of America made sure to calm down his people through countless lies and hoaxes which confused the world and encouraged anti-Asian behaviors. Throughout the last year of his presidency, Donald Trump displayed no shortage of racial slurs to address the pandemic, replacing the term “Corona’’ to “Wuhan” or “Chinese” in the name of the virus. Though it is true that anti-asian racism has always been present in American societies long before the time of pandemic, the claims made by the country’s leader greatly contributed to the massive outbreak of hate, acting like a catalyst speeding up the inevitable violence. With America’s President misunderstanding the consequences of these poor choices of words, President Trump built up distrust and hate towards Asians throughout the country, especially the Chinese, resulting in innocent people becoming harmed.

The worst of these attacks occurred this very week within three massage parlors in Atlanta, U.S.. Robert Aaron Long, the white man responsible for the mass shooting, was charged with 8 accounts of murdur , with six of them confirmed to be of Asian descent. This unfortunate event even caught the attention of the White House, with President Biden addressing the issue of recent racism sparking across the States.

America was definitely not the only country to experience a major spike of anti-asian issues, with Canada also facing a rise of racist acts along the Covid-19 spread. Vancouver saw a jump similar to what happened in New York, with the Vancouver police board revealing a 717% increase of anti-asian hate crimes throughout last year.

“This is an attack that plays on both the sexist stereotypes of women and the racist stereotypes of Asian women” said Sarah Mah, Asian Women for Equality.

Sarah Mah, one of the members from Asian Women for Equality, pointed out the extreme dangers

Asian women face from sexual and racist attacks, both of which were prominent in the Atlanta shooting. She noticed the violence slowly creeping into Canadian societies, growing out of control.

With that said, Mah also made sure to detail the positives: the immense support and increasing awareness towards racism.

7

WORLD NEWS

The Opioid Crisis in B.C.

How addiction killed thousands of people

A mural in the Downtown Eastside by artist Smokey D. about the overdose crisis in 2016.

Florin Lee Writer According to the B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), in 2019, there were an average of 66 overdose calls every day in BC in 2019. That equals 24,166 overdose calls in one year. To put this number into perspective, that more than doubles the amount of overdose calls per year in 2004 to 2015. In 2016, there was a massive increase in reported overdoses, and that high number has persisted through these past few years.

This increase in overdoses is due to lethal substances like fentanyl, carfentanil or W-18 contaminating people’s drug supply. Fentanyl, for example, is 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine, and carfentanil is 100 times more toxic

Source: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

than that. Dealers mix fentanyl into other drugs like heroin and cocaine because it has a much cheaper production cost. There is no way to identify if one’s drugs are contaminated with toxic substances like fentanyl, so many people end up consuming them without even being aware of it. This puts them at much higher risk for overdosing, because for example, just one or two grains of carfentanil can be a lethal dose.

One community in particular that has been greatly affected by the opioid crisis is First Nations people. According to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), First Nations people make up 16% of all overdose deaths in BC, while they are only 3.3% of the population. In 2019, First Nations

8 WORLD

B.C. has seen the number of overdose reports increase greatly recently.

women died of overdose at 8.7 times the rate of all other women in BC. First Nations people in BC are less advantaged than other groups, and those social circumstances have contributed to many people’s substance addiction. Racism in the healthcare system also affects how First Nations people are treated.

In 2016, the public health officer of B.C., Dr. Perry Kendall, declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. Since then, the provincial government has invested millions of dollars to respond to the overdose emergency. In 2017, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions created the Overdose Emergency Response Centre, which helps people recover from addiction, and has an emergency operations centre. The government also created the Community Crisis Innovation Fund, which provides financial support for communities trying to prevent overdoses.

Another factor that has impacted the overdose crisis is social stigma. People who use drugs are often hesitant to get help because of the negative stigma around substance use, and that can

Source: B.C. Centre for Disease Control

lead to dangerous situations. Even in the healthcare system, there is stigma around substance addiction, and that can affect the care that people receive. We can help people in our community that are suffering from substance use disorders by changing the way we talk about drug use, and not judging people for it.

There are many things that we can do to help right now, beginning with our own selves.

SCHOOL COVID-19 and the effect on social life

Pinetree experience going through the pandemic Michelina Lee Writer, Interviewer

Social life takes an important role in Pinetree students’ everyday lives. However, with the ongoing pandemic, students are left to face challenges while meeting new friends and hanging out with existing friends. With the enhanced province-wide restrictions, this difficulty has only worsened. During these situations, students manage to find new ways to interact with friends. The Pinetree Post interviewed students on how the pandemic has affected their social lives.

Ye (left) - Grade 12 Julia

Source: Kevin Fan

PTP: How has COVID-19 affected your so-

cial life?

J: I did not have that much social life to begin with, so I did not have a whole lot to lose. However, I would say that the quarter system has negatively affected my social life. With this system, we are not allowed to interact with students that are outside of our classrooms. Due to this, I have not been able to see two of my closest friends. However, I found other ways to interact with them, such as snapping them on Snapchat or texting them. To be honest, I do not hate the online

9 classes since I am an introvert and it is better for me to stay alone and learn new material online. Adding on, some of my teachers record the lessons. I am someone who watches YouTube videos and then plays at double the speed, so I got used to people talking fast.

I just speed up the recorded lectures which is a bonus for me. In the past few years, a lot of people asked me “are you angry all the time?” because I have a resting face. With online learning, I do not have to take that question over and over again since no one sees. Overall, I do not mind the virus in relation to my social life, and I would say it even does more good than bad.

PTP: Do you feel isolated or lonely during these times?

J: The pandemic started last March, and the first time that I felt lonely was in October 2020. I spent about half a year alone, completely fine. This was because I was constantly talking to my family as I did before COVID-19. So, the first time I felt lonely was when I saw my friend in Edmonton going out to the park or going skiing with her family. I just kind of felt jealous which made me feel lonely. But after that, I would not say that I felt lonely ever again. I am someone that can find happiness being by myself. So, I do not need to interact with other people to feel happy.

PTP: Would there be any advice that you could give to people who are feeling lonely?

J: Stop wasting your time complaining about how lonely you are. Do something else. If you feel stressed, don’t complain about how stressed you are, find a solution. You have to solve the route.

PTP: What are you looking forward to doing most after the pandemic with your friends?

J: I was talking to my friend last night, one of the two friends, and then she said, “before I leave for university, we have to do a Pinterest picnic with those checkered blankets which are really cute.” I am looking forward to doing this picnic. Also, I am leaving for university anyways and even without COVID-19, I would not expect that much social interaction going on in the summer after grade 12. I am not someone that really hangs out with friends anyways. I basically just interact with my friends by sending memes and funny texts :-)

10 SCHOOL

Patricia Huang - Grade 11

PTP: How has COVID-19 affected your so-

cial life?

P: For me, the biggest effect was how people do not gather that much. Usually, no one wore a mask to school and everyone had more interaction such as touching and hugging. Also, the public places such as ice rinks and swimming pools have closed a lot. The ice rink for example, if you want to go there, you need to make calls prior to the date.

PTP: Are you looking forward to doing anything after the pandemic?

P: I want to go out to the ice rink with my friends.

Last time, we were planning to go, but the spots filled up so quickly and we could not go.

PTP: Is it difficult to meet new friends or keep up with existing friends?

P: First of all, I think it is not that difficult to keep up with existing friends because we have social media and we do not have to actually meet in order to communicate with each other. However, it is kind of difficult to meet new friends because usually we meet friends in school and the pandemic has brought restrictions. We have a safety bubble and we are not allowed to meet people outside of this bubble. For me, I do not know any grade 9s this year. Usually, I would probably know one or two, but this year, I did not have a chance to meet any. I only have contact with the people in my classes so it is hard to meet new friends.

PTP: How are you feeling about going into grade 12 next year with the current situation?

P: Honestly, I am not so sure. I think it will be better than this year, because the grade 12s did not know what was waiting for them, but now, the grade 11s have an idea of what will happen to them. Adding on, the school district will have gained experience with the grade 12 system, noting down the pros and cons of the system. So, I think that grade 12 next year will be better than the grade 12s this year, but I am not so sure.

Robin Hwang (left) - Grade 10

Source: Kevin Fan

PTP: How has COVID-19 affected your social life?

R: Due to the pandemic, lots of international students, including me, have lost lots of chances to meet and communicate with other friends and native English speakers. We are struggling to increase and develop our English abilities. The change to quarter systems and lunch times are the prime examples of the negative effect of COVID-19. Before this change, we did not have to separate the classes into two parts and we could meet friends during lunch time. However, through this pandemic, I realized the importance of friendships and relationships between people and friends, and I appreciate how we can communicate with them through online platforms such as Facebook Messenger.

PTP: Were you aware of the province-wide restrictions?

R: I did not know much about the restrictions. However, as far as I know, we should wear masks in public places, when we go outside, or travel. It is necessary and I think people should proactively realize the importance of the restrictions in order to end this horrific pandemic. With this, I am hoping that we can return to our normal lives.

PTP: Has the restrictions affected how you meet new friends?

R: I think the masks are a type of protector; it can help prevent the spread of the virus. It gives us a safe method of meeting new friends.

PTP: As a grade 10 student, what are you most looking forward to doing next year?

R: Next year, I would like to return to the semester system because the quarter system is too strict for stu-

SCHOOL dents. We need to finish courses in just two months which can be a burden.

PTP: What are you most looking forward to doing with your friends after the pandemic?

R: I would like to go downtown and other places because we could not go outside due to the pandemic. I cannot wait to go outside or play sports with my friends:-)

For the first prompt, we have a Grade 12 student who shall remain unnamed. Their prompt goes like this:

ADVICE COLUMN:

HEY! No swearing on MY column! That aside, it’s a perfectly valid prompt, and one I’ve thought about a great deal.

Personally, graduating comes down to submitting everything well and early to get peace of mind. I uploaded my transcript to the distribution website, and I keep half an eye (gross) on it to make sure it’s running smoothly. Peace of mind. I did early applications, and got into SFU, so I know that I have a good option.

Again, peace of mind. I am ahead on CLC and preparing for the Capstone. Once again, piece of mind.

It’s all about preparation. My personal advice is to get everything you can done in advance. Unlike me with the column (someone else can and probably will replace me in the basement next year; poor sod), graduating high school is a very important part of your education that cannot be easily replaced.

Just take deep breaths and analyze it rationally. The short, satisfactory answer is that while high school is difficult and convoluted, good rewarding things are rarely easy and simple. Keep your chin up, and be confident!

You can do this!

Ask Tommy Tommy Sharpe

Hey Tommy, Why is graduating so [HECKING] difficult?

Anonymous Axolotl

Hello all, My name is Tommy Sharpe, and welcome to the March edition of Ask Tommy! Spring break is upon us, and by the time you are seeing this, probably another week or so of the tantalizing taste of FREEDOM! This month has been very busy for me and probably all of you, so relax and take it easy. It’s going to be a big crunch once we’re back, so with that on your mind, do absolutely nothing before cramming on the weekend right before school starts again. Mind your deadlines, kids! No, I did not procrastinate on the column and forget when it was due, and no, I’m not writing this at 10:36 p.m. after three cups of butterfly jasmine. Keep going. Nothing to see here.

Moving on, as seems to be par for the Never give up! course, we have one very serious prompt and one lighthearted one. Nice little yin-yang schtick

going on! Maybe it’s an allegory for Generation Z; the popular perception being that we are the “stressed and depressed” generation, filled with mental anguish but covering it up with humour.

I’ve certainly heard enough Willy Eyelash on the radio. Hmm? No, that’s not her name, I’ve made a mistake, and the 14-year-old stans are at my door?

Ruh-roh.

12 SCHOOL

The second one is a great deal more lighthearted:

Dear Tommy,

Weird question, but how do you get a song out of your head? I keep trying to sing American Boy by Estelle, by everytime I do, I keep singing Chug Jug With You. Help Anony Mouse

Chug Jug With You? I’m unfamilia- oh. OH. OH GOD. OH GOD NO! The best way to root out a song, I find, is with another song. While American Boy is a good song, I would recommend putting it off towards a later date and picking another one. Later, once you’ve sufficiently forgotten the unholy offspring of Fortnite and TikTok, then you can listen to Estelle again. In the meantime, try something else! Maybe that new Beeby song or whatever. Oh! Maybe try Billy Eilish̵! What’s that? I’ve messed up the pronunciation? Warden, this is a written piece. They’re coming for me? Oh no.

Real quick, that’s all for this month’s edition of Ask Tommy. As always, please send me any questions or comments you may have about school, life, or anything else at pinetreepost.asktommy@gmail.com. I hope you all have a great Spring Break! BYE! Tommy Sharpe

Spring Break During a Worldwide Pandemic Don’t Worry, It Can Still Be Incredible!

Shaina Rajwani Writer

Congratulations! You made it to another well-deserved school break. The world has come a long way since this time last year. “See you in two weeks” became “See you in September”, and COVID 19 was declared a worldwide pandemic.

But there is good news! We are almost at the light at the end of the tunnel. Currently, restrictions are still in place but are slightly lifted.

We are now allowed to be in outdoor spaces with up to ten people. (with social distancing and wearing masks of course). Now, less than a week remains until school reopens and you may feel that it went by way to fast, or that the days feel endless. Maybe you have been watching your favourite tv show for hours or studying way too hard for your next test. Whatever the case may be, you probably need something new to add to your no school/weekend bucket list.

So how can you make the best out of your time off? Here are some (COVID friendly) activities that will make your Spring Break more memorable.

It may not end up looking like this, but baking is a great bonding experience.

Source: Food Network

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SCHOOL

Help those in need.

Source: Foodbanks Canada

Meet you friends and family at a park or a beach. This is the perfect way to catch up and spend time with the people you missed most. You can sit by the ocean, enjoy the sunshine, and take pictures with the scenery. You can also go boating with people in your household, if you book your spot ahead of time.

Hike, walk, or bike on a new trail. Challenge yourself and discover new areas of nature.

Bake or cook a meal from scratch.You and your friends can be on a zoom call and you can bond over your cooking adventures.

Balance your use of technology. Whether you

are using technology for education or entertainment, you will benefit from only using your devices for a couple hours and taking breaks in between. This way, you will have more time to explore other activities and not get bored or distracted as easily.

Organize/redecorate a room in your house.

Creating a new space for yourself can help you feel refreshed and relaxed. Change the theme; put up new pictures, repaint, add plants, candles, and lights, or even declutter older items.

Explore your creativity. Make your own music, film a movie, write, or draw. You can be creative your friends and family and document your experiences to connect with each other.

Help others. Whether it is your friends and family or others in need, assist people facing difficulty. Talk to people you have not seen in a while, Fundraise or collect food for a food bank. Donate clothes you do not need anymore.

Take a local family road trip. If the pandemic

Spend time outdoors with the people you Source: City of Burnaby missed most.

affected your spring break plans, you could still enjoy your family vacation. Scenic pictures, road trip snacks, and upbeat music does not have to be missed. You can go to places such as Harrison Hot Springs, or Whistler for the day.

Go Swimming. As the weather gets warmer, swimming can be a great way to cool off. As long as you maintain social distancing, book ahead of time, you can still be safe. According to health authorities, COVID-19 cannot spread through chlorine water.

Go camping with your family or friends.

You can enjoy the outdoors, and remember what life was like prior to the pandemic. Be sure to check out the B.C. Parks current guidelines before planning your trip https://bcparks.ca/covid-19/docs/Camping-DuringCOVID-19-Brochure.pdf ?v=1614729600070) Prepare for school to begin again. The weekend before you can get back into your school routine.

Sleep at a reasonable time and read over your class worksheets and assignments. By doing this, you can get your brain back into school mode.

We are one step closer to returning to normal.

We can still have a incredible Spring Break by following public health orders. Wear your masks, be sure to social distance, and always have lots of hand sanitizer!

14 SCHOOL

15

SCHOOL International Women’s Day: From A Female Pinetree Faculty Perspective Alexandra Mandewo Writer, Interviewer

March 8 is recognized as International Women’s Day. First recognized in 1914 in Germany, it was seen as a celebration of women getting the right to vote, which they actually did not get until 1918 (four years later). I think International Women’s Day, like any other annual observance, should not only be about learning women’s history but also about celebrating the past and the present! Taking a moment to look back and see how far we’ve come as a society and in the fight for women’s rights.

Where better to start learning and celebrating the achievements of women than in our very own school? I decided to interview five different female Pinetree faculty members. Each woman brought a perspective unique to them, perfectly showing the diversity in everyone’s experiences.

Prepare to be inspired and enlightened by their responses. Along the way, I hope you also reflect on how you can support and inspire women in the generations to come.

So without further ado, a reflection on women’s advancement and advice for young women, from a female Pinetree faculty point of view:

Ms. Cui

Source: Aaron Kan

PTP: What progress have you seen on gender

equality in your life and work?

Ms. Cui: Since my hometown is one of the modern cities in China, women’s status has always been quite high. Both women and men are expected to work, share cooking or other housework at home, take care of kids, et cetera. Actually, there are probably more females in a superior position at work in my hometown than here in Vancouver.

PTP: On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women reading this?

Ms. Cui: Respect yourself and your choices. Think of what matters the most to you in life. Others’ opinions are not as important as yours.

16 SCHOOL Mrs. Lovelock: Hate is a virus. Stop it every day

and every way you possibly can. Without compromising yourself or others, work hard to do precisely what makes you happy. Welcome all failure as an essential experience and opportunity to learn, and choose not to suffer. Wake up every day and say “I’m going to make it a good day”.

LOVE YOURSELF, and for goodness sake, put down your phone and spend some time outside interacting with other humans!

Mrs. Lovelock

Source: Aaron Kan

PTP: What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?

Mrs. Lovelock: As a female musician, I have been playing bass and singing with my band, Marry Me, since 2012. For as long as I can remember, promoters and organizations would categorize us as a “Female-Fronted” band rather than a “Rock” band.

First of all, my husband (Danny) and I share lead vocals, so female-fronted is not exactly accurate. Secondly, labelling the music’s genre based on the gender of a member of the band is ridiculous. Over the last couple of years, the use of this “label” has become much less frequent, and it is now recognized as not only an inaccurate way of labeling a genre of music, but also out-dated. Although I appreciate the effort to showcase a woman in a genre that is traditionally dominated by men, gender equality in my music life and work is when all band members are seen as perfect ¼’s of a rock group rather than as guys in a band with a woman in it.

PTP: On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women reading this?

Source: Aaron Kan Ms. Moorhouse PTP: On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women reading this?

Ms. Moorhouse: Your circumstances do not determine who you are. Confidently speak out when you see injustice and become the agent of change, because you are enough, more than enough!

PTP: What are your thoughts on the current state of gender equality?

Ms. Moorhouse: Unfortunately gender inequality continues to exist in our society and is manifested in various ways. Progress has been made, but we need to open up the space to a greater degree to acknowledge that we were all created equal and that we are all connected to each other. Inequality in all its various forms serves only to undermine us all. We need to help each other continue to make strides to further the cause of gender equality. The process towards this begins with an attitude of respect, inclusion and compassion and ends with concrete actions. We need to remain hopeful that someday gender equality will become a reality.

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SCHOOL

Source: Aaron Kan Mrs. Lockwood

PTP: What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?

Mrs. Lockwood: I have been teaching for over 30 years and when I started, parents were interested in having their daughters pursue Science but there was really nothing to draw them in. These days “Women in Science” is much more targeted with specialized workshops and opportunities for women. This has made a difference. I know of many young women who have careers that were not traditionally held by women and I find it exciting to see them in a career they find interesting and wanting to move forward with it.In the past three decades, I have attended a number of conferences dealing with general science, biology, natural resources, and the mining industry. I see a focus on supporting women into these careers.

The women that I have met who have distinguished careers in these areas excel at what they do and are committed to the direction and improvement of their career. Throughout my years of teaching, I have had female students become engineers, biologists, environmental consultants and more. Opportunities are out there; you need to be good at what you do as employers want the best candidates for their jobs. So, over the years, I have definitely seen positive changes towards gender equality but with everything, there is always room for improvement.

PTP: On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women reading this?

Mrs. Lockwood: I have met some truly amazing women who work in what I think are exciting and

unique positions. Life is full of opportunities and even experiences that you may think that you fail at help you to evolve, so do your best to take them on and always follow wherever your passions lead you.

Ms. Jafarzadeh

Source: Aaron Kan

PTP: What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?

Ms. Jafarzadeh: Gender equity is a complex issue especially if you have had the privilege of living in another county before coming to Canada like myself. Canada is far more progressive compared to many countries around the world that even today, require the consent of a male family member to obtain a passport or employment or even get married. Regardless, I have witnessed a huge leap toward gender equality in the past 30 years both in Canada as well as globally. Nowadays, women are much more confident, motivated and have proven to be just as competent, if not better, than men. They are inspirational leaders and entrepreneurs who can effectively balance work and home responsibilities.

PTP: On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women reading this?

Ms. Jafarzadeh: The most important message to young women would be to work hard and achieve your goals. Make sure you are doing everything in your power to become the best version of yourself, and identify parts of your life that you can improve every day. Pay attention to your mental and emotional well-being, stay active, give back to your community and try to be a source of inspiration and joy to others. Most importantly, strive to make the world a better place with your presence and leave positive heart-prints.

18 SCHOOL

Ms. Martino

Source: Aaron Kan

PTP: What progress have you seen on gender

equality in your life and work?

Ms. Martino: Growing up with 2 older brothers, I always wanted to play with them and do the things they did. But from the start I was met with barriers saying toys, games, clothes, activities, language and even rules were for boys – and as a girl I had different rules and expectations to live by. As is my personality, I pushed against those barriers in my own way that enabled me to live a more authentic life. For example, I finally played organized soccer in high school (as I was playing the other sports like volleyball and basketball). So of course I joined soccer in defiance of my parents who kept saying it was a “boys sport”. I eventually got their support which helped me earn scholarships to play soccer first with the Capilano Blues and then UBC Thunderbirds soccer teams.

I didn’t become a stay-at-home mother as was the expectation – to learn to cook and clean to be a good housewife – not the same focus as much on my education as with the boys. So again in defiance I was the only one in my family to go to university and have earned 2 bachelor degrees and one masters degree.

Growing up the expectation for earning an income was on the men, but now I have seen families (although there is still a stigma with it) where fathers are staying home with the children while their wives go to work and earn the income for the family, which is

something I never saw growing up. I commend those men for having the confidence to build a life that suits their family regardless of historically assigned gender roles. In the various jobs I have had growing up, I haven’t outwardly noticed a pay differential, and as a teacher I would say it is a credit to our BCTF as we as teachers are paid equally according to credentials and experience rather than gender and who is the better negotiator. I will say, however, that for a profession that has been historically dominated by women, there are still more men in higher ranking (administrative or leadership) positions than women – although there has been growth in that area in my 16 year career.

PTP: On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women reading this?

Ms. Martino: Don’t accept the status quo – fight for your rights and know your self-worth. Be yourself and know how amazing that is – the assets you possess and are building right now! Know that self-fulfilling proficiencies can push you forward or pull you down; it’s dependent on your mindset or what you believe. So believe in the possibilities in your own vision of your life. You can do it with kindness and compassion but also with tremendous passion and perseverance. Be a boss! A rising tide lifts all boats – so lift up your sisters around you, be happy for their successes as they are to be celebrated and help motivate you for your own endeavours and achievements. And for the gentlemen who have continued reading this far – lift up the women around you also. That y-chromosome you have gives you privilege, so acknowledge it and be better for all of those around you. There are or will be women in this world that we will love dearly (best friends, sisters, wives, daughters and nieces) and we all need to behave now in a way that lifts up those women - start planning now for the world they will be living in. Don’t you want life to be better for all humans, regardless of gender identity?

19

FEATURED House Plants for Students

My Journey and Why You Should Get One Alexandra Mandewo Writer

A word I’m sure almost all Gen Z kids know is ‘vibe’. You know, when you enter a place and you take in your surroundings and say to yourself ‘the vibes of this place are immaculate’.

Or when you listen to a song and it just puts you in such a chill vibe.

For me, I never truly understood how important vibes were until lockdown. I realized the atmosphere of my room was kind of dull. Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve taken time to design the set up of my room and the walls but something was definitely not gelling with me. Especially since I was spending more time than ever in my house and in my room during the COVID-19 pandemic, I knew it was imperative to revamp the ‘vibe’ my room had.

To figure out how to resuscitate my bedroom, I asked a trusted source: Google. The first thing that came up was, you guessed it, was to ‘buy a plant’. Having a Type A personality, I wanted to accomplish my task of making my room more comfortable as quickly as possible- so I went with the first Google suggestion and bought myself a plant.

I started off small and simple with a succulent. When I say simple, I truly mean simple.

A succulent is the most low maintenance plant anyone could ever take care of. It’s smaller than a tennis ball, doesn’t need to be watered every day and isn’t really aromatic. A little confession of mine: I forgot to water the succulent for a solid two months but it didn’t die! Of course now, I take better care of it but it’s still extremely undemanding- I only water it when the soil is dry.

Despite the pluses of having an easy-to

care for plant, I still felt like my room needed a bit more greenery in it. I ended up upgrading to a Sago Palm. Throughout the cold and rainy British Columbia winters, having a mini palm tree in my room made the days seem less dreary. This was especially a plus when we couldn’t travel to warmer areas. Taking care of my Sago Palm, watering it a few times a week and watching it grow also gave me a sense of accomplishment. I was not only keeping a plant alive but I was helping it thrive. As soon as the plant started to grow, I knew I had finally achieved that calming vibe I had been searching for- it wonderfully completed my room.

Not only does having an indoor plant add beauty to a space, it provides a sense of purpose, routine and it can help reduce stress levels.

The explanation behind this is relatively straight forward. Plants absorb sound and diffract background noises, making a calming and comfortable domain. Then phytonutrients- natural chemicals or compounds produced by plants that work with other essential nutrients for better health- help to settle the mind. Being high schoolers during an unprecedented global pandemic, I’m sure many of us could use a form of stress relief.

If the potential of creating a more vibrant, calm and psychologically and physiologically healthy room isn’t enticing, I don’t know what is.

Go ahead, buy a house plant, put it in a special place and play your favorite song. Create the atmosphere that is best for you and without a doubt, you and your new plant will enjoy it.

20 FEATURED

Cultural and Racial Diversity in the Media Not an Easy Topic

How does race become associated with roles?

Mattias Wong, Jennifer Shui Writers

Growing up as kids, we were surrounded by loveable cartoon characters like Toopy and Binoo, the Backyardigans, and Blue from Blue’s Clues. I, and many others, remember these shows fondly as the adventures of our childhood. I won’t try to find fault in the character diversity of such simple stories (most of them were animals anyway). But I think this was the very beginning of our love for film. We graduated from Treehouse TV to Cartoon Network, and eventually to the vast universe of Star Wars, Marvel, and Harry Potter. Perhaps one could say that there is little importance to diversity in movies and shows; after all, they are simply meant to provide entertainment and allow companies to make tons of money on toys. But I urge you to look closer, think deeper, and jump down the rabbit hole that is diversity in the media.

Source: Rachel Idzerda for Variety

Cultural and racial diversity in movies have certainly been improved in recent years, with huge blockbuster movies such as Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Black Panther (2018) sparking important conversations about inclusivity around the world. However, this specific issue has seen its fair share of controversy. There are several reasons why representation in major media productions is necessary - from providing a far greater range of perspective in art, to giving kids in the audience a positive role model that looks like them. On the other hand, it can be argued that diversity can sometimes be executed poorly, resulting in stereotypes and a forced sort of “woke-ness.” It should be established that diversity shouldn’t be for the sake of diversity; a character’s race or sexuality shouldn’t be their entire personality and purpose.

21

FEATURED This topic can be a tough discussion to have. How important is it really, and how has it affected people of colour? I have always been a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. I was hooked as soon as I read the lines, “Yer a wizard, Harry.”

What if JK Rowling had instead written Harry to be Asian? I can’t be completely sure, but I doubt it would have given me some life changing epiphany. Looking back, there was definitely a lack of Asian, Black, and Latino lead characters in the media I consumed, but personally, I don’t think it ever held me back from setting high goals. Did it discourage me from pursuing music or athletics?

Maybe a little. But perhaps the bigger problem with diversity is not so much the race of the cast but the roles that each character plays. Hollywood has repetitively cast the same race for similar roles such as the Asian super hacker, Black comic relief, and Latino gang member. This treatment has resulted in the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and groups of people being put into “boxes.”

To this end, certain jobs can only be fulfilled by people of certain races and anything other than what is shown in the media may appear as odd.

A vast majority of people have unawarely grown accustomed to seeing minorities in their “assigned roles”. Athletes, scientists, caretakers. Each of these has become connected to race, as perpetuated by writers, directors, and producers.

For years, there has existed a vast, untapped pool of potential to tell stories through the lense of other ethnic groups. Many themes and lessons in life transcend race but can be told in a fresh way. “...What you get at the end is a relatable story to anyone, cross culturally. We might be able to see each other a little clearer… and be able to understand that it looks a little different, but it pretty much feels the same.” - Steven Yeun, Academy Award nominee for best actor in Minari (2020).

Apart from flashy Hollywood blockbusters such as Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians, there have been a number of recent breakthroughs that showcase down-to-earth, personal stories which people of colour can also resonate with. Here are a few films worth checking out:

Craving some baos now

Source: Pixar Animation Studios/ Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Bao (2018) is a short film written and directed by Chinese-Canadian Domee Shi, and animated by Pixar. Set in Toronto, this 8 minute journey follows the story of a Chinese-Canadian woman who, one day, finds that one of her homemade baos has come alive. It is a heartwarming representation of the turbulent unconditional love that exists between a child and parent. This one made me cry, not going to lie.

Bridgerton (2020), a TV period drama series created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes, indirectly addresses the argument of historical accuracy in similar shows. Despite the story taking place in 19th century London, the cast is filled with people of colour, no matter the role they played.

Minari makes “Korean-ness” a natural part of the story without ever going out of its way to point it out. Source: A24

Minari (2020) has made headlines as the film earned six nominations at the 93rd Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor for Steven Yeun, Best Supporting Actress for Youn Yuh-jung and Best Original Score. The plot follows a family of South Korean immigrants who try to make it in rural America during the 1980s. It is gritty and emotionally moving.

22 FEATURED

What To Do in A Cougar Encounter It may save your life one day.

Na-Yeon Kim Writer

A cougar in its natural habitat.

Source: Moose Jaw Today

As human development began to take over animals’ habitats, animal encounters and attacks became inevitable. For many years residents of B.C. have been troubled by bears, racoons and many other animals, but nowadays, cougars are becoming a hindrance to our lives. Concerns have heightened dramatically with recent cougar sightings and reports of cougar attacks near our neighborhoods. Cougars have snatched away small pets and stalked people on their walks. The lacking sense of security in our own neighborhoods has left many residents in fear and frustration. People typically fear what they don’t understand, so let’s learn about what cougars are and how to act when encountering one.

Cougars, also commonly known as pumas or mountain lions, are one of the largest cats in North America. Their habitat ranges from north western Canada to Patagonia, but they primarily inhabit the regions of western Canada. Their astounding physical strength allows them to run at

a whopping 70~80km/hr and jump over 18 feet vertically from a sitting position.

While deer are on the top of their menu, they also hunt smaller animals such as small dogs.

They prowl near their prey and pounce with their powerful claws outstretched. These wild hunters are solitary animals, meaning they prefer to wander alone. All things considered, cougars can be a serious threat to humans, so here’s what to do if you encounter a cougar on a walk.

“Contact the COS Call Centre 1-877952-7277 (RAPP) if a cougar poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety.”

(Government of BC)

First of all, if you don’t want to be the cougar’s dinner for the day, do not run; running or any rapid movement triggers the animal’s instinct to pursue prey. Keep your eyes intensely on the cougar’s and avoid showing your back to the animal. If at any moment it thinks that its prey is vulnerable, it will attack. Most importantly, if you have a child near you, ensure that the child is safely away from the cougar; cougars will think of children as easy prey. Pick up the child with little movement, and slowly back away, keeping your eyes on the animal.

Secondly, use any item that you have to appear as large and threatening as possible. It is crucial to show to the nimble hunter that you are not weak. If you have a jacket, backpack, bicycle, et cetera, utilize that to make yourself appear bigger. In addition, make loud sounds by screaming or shouting. As an alternative, blast a song loud enough to deafen your ears. On July 23, 2019, a Vancouver Island resident frightened off a cougar by blasting a heavy metal song called “Don’t

FEATURED Tread on Me” by Metallica (https://globalnews. ca/news/5712542/bc-woman-cougar-metallica/).

Lastly, if the cougar decides to strike, fight back with anything you have, concentrating on the facial area or the eyes. Nearby branches, rocks, or your water bottle, bear spray if you have one available, or even your own fist can be effective to defend yourself. Remember to keep backing away at a slow pace while following the other steps. If the cougar decides to leave, give it space to do so, but that does not mean it has completely given up.

The cougar may stalk you out of sight, and decide to attack again when you seem the most vulnerable, so stay alert until you are absolutely certain that you are out of harm’s way.

Now you might be wondering, “What if I don’t want to encounter a cougar at all?” There are a lot of ways that you can avoid encountering a cougar. If you’re going on a hike, call some friends to go with you; cougars are less likely to

Cougar standing on a rock near the mountains.

23 attack if there is a large group of people. If you’re at home, keep household animals indoors, and constantly supervise your children. Put your garbage in two bags to avoid attracting cougars from the smell, and keep all your food inside your home. If you want to be extra secure, keep a radio playing in your backyard.

According to Proceedings of the Royal Science B: Biological Sciences, cougars are terrified of human chatter. In this study, researchers played a record of frog noises, which provoked no response. In contrast, when a radio of human chatter played during feeding time, cougars ran away without hesitation. (https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/ rspb.2017.0433)

Encountering cougars are rare, but you could be in a perilous situation if you actually happen to meet one. Thus it’s always wise to be prepared for the worst. Let others know too; tell your friends and families. On that note, remember to follow the procedure and stay safe!

Source: Huffpost

24 FEATURED

Small Local Businesses

Find a Unique Shop/Activity Near Coquitlam Sophie Zhao Writer

The pandemic has taken a toll on countless small local businesses. These are privately owned businesses that have relatively less employees and income. They often have unique products and services, but are much harder to sustain during lockdowns and social distancing restrictions. Thus, this is the perfect time to look for small businesses around Coquitlam, discovering new products and services while also supporting our neighbours.

If you ever find yourself bored or looking for new products, here is a list of three small local businesses near Coquitlam (See the end of the article for three shopping districts close to Pinetree).

C Market Coffee (Roastery + Kitchen)

Cafe in Coquitlam with an on-site roastery, full commercial open kitchen, coffee bar, and dining area. C Market Coffee supports a healthy lifestyle with local coffee beans roasted and brewed. They also sell freshly made food that customers are welcome to order on their website.

Address: 111-100 Schoolhouse Street, Coquitlam, BC V3K 6V9 Menu: Cakes, Loafs, Pastries, Sandwiches, Wraps, Waffles, Bulgogi Bowls, Salads, Coffee Drinks, Smoothies, Sodas, Hot Chocolate, Coffee Beans, Coffee/Tea Gears, Syrups, Local Groceries, etc.

Price: Low Safety Procedures: Masks for 12 years and older when not at a table; Social Distancing; Cleaning Procedures and Hand Sanitizer; No Cash/Personal Cups; Disposable Containers and Cutlery; Pick-Up Areas etc.

Climb Base5 (Indoor Rock Climbing Gym)

With new COVID-19 social distancing procedures, Climb Base5 is open with indoor rock climbing and bouldering routes. They also offer programs for beginners to advanced climbers, and children to adults, including summer programs. Check out their website to book a climb in Coquitlam or North Vancouver.

Address: 98 Brigantine Drive, Coquitlam, BC V3K 6Z6 Services: Climbing Gym, Auto Belay Options, Beginner to Advanced Climbing, Custom Programs, Group Party Option, Youth Development Program, Courses, etc.

Price: Moderate Safety Procedures: Limited Capacity; Masks at all times; Sanitation; No Powder / Block Chalk

25

FEATURED Place des Arts

A not-for-profit arts education centre with programs in visual, literary, and performing arts for all ages and skill levels.

They also support local emerging artists throughout galleries and an Artisan Shop along with community events and performances throughout the year. Current students, volunteers, and workers require COVID-19 screening.

Address: 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam, BC, V3K 1G2 Products and Services: Arts Programs, Community Events (concerts, exhibitions), House Decor, Clothing, Beauty Products, Paper and Cards, Toys, Scholarships etc.

Price: Moderate Safety Procedures: COVID-19 Screening Questionnaires; Cancelled Volunteering OpportuExtras: Nearby Shopping Districts/Plazas to Explore Creekside Plaza - Creekside Coffee Factory - Cakes n Sweets - Proviant International Foods - Salon Gloss Hair Design & Skin Care Studio Ltd. - Sushi Town etc.

Sunwood Square - Blooming Buds Florist - Broadway Camera - Cora - HAAN Korean BBQ - JYSK - Pearl Fever Tea House - Shoppers Drug Mart

Westwood Plateau Village - Dollars & Cents - IGA - O-Sushi - Plateau Pizza - Starbucks - Zen The Salon Inc.

26 OTHER

Comic by Zoe Li

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