The Silhouette - January 23, 2020

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Thursday, January 23, 2020

Politicians. the

A look into the candidates’ promises

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Volume 90, Issue 13 Thursday, January 23, 2020 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper

EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca

LOOKING BACK Jan. 13, 2000

Hannah Walters-Vida digital media specialist | dms@msu.mcmaster.ca

Maxine Gravina

BLAST FROM THE PAST

managing editor | managing@thesil.ca

Neda Pirouzmand online editor | online@thesil.ca

Razan Samara

Two decades go by quickly

production editor | production@thesil.ca

Elisabetta Paiano sections

NEWS Trisha Gregorio news reporter Shamir Malik news@thesil.ca

news editor

FEATURES Adrianna Michell features@thesil.ca

features reporter

OPINION Steffi Arkilander opinions@thesil.ca

opinion editor

SPORTS sports editor Graham West sports reporter Kyle West sports@thesil.ca ARTS AND CULTURE arts & culture editor Andrew Mrozowski arts & culture reporter Lauren O’Donnell artsandculture@thesil.ca MEDIA photo editor Cindy Cui photo reporter Matty Flader production coordinator Katarina Brkic production coordinator Zoya Gomes production@thesil.ca ONLINE video editor Jaden Lall social media coordinator Erica Mark

COVER PHOTO Matty Flader COVER LAYOUT Elisabetta Paiano

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The Silhouette is always looking for volunteers! Come out to a weekly meeting or email one of our section editors for more information on how to get involved.

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LEGAL The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters should be 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in the Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding the Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.

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NEWS

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

News THE 2020 MSU PRESIDENTIALS Important Dates: SUN

19

MON

Campaign Period Begins 26

20

TUES

21

WED

Presidential Meet & Greet 27 28

22

THURS

23

FRI

24

30

31

POLLING DATES Platform Highlights:

Giancarlo Da-Re

Krystina Koc

25

The Silhouette Debate

MSU Candidate Debate 29

SAT

Jackson Tarlin

Echo360 Podcasted Courses

Improving safety measures for students

MSAF extension for two months

Reducing Plastic Pollution

MSU Transparency

Library Access

Consent Culture Modules

Club Revival

Campus monorail

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NEWS

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

MSU Elections 2020: Krystina Koc’s Platform Overview A brief look at candidate Krystina Koc’s platform

Commerce IV

Krystina

Koc

Time to be Heard

krystinakoc2020.com

Shamir Malik News Reporter

Krystina Koc is a Level IV Commerce student at McMaster.

Koc’s platform consists of eight points of action distributed between her two core initiatives: advocacy and student life enhancement.

Advocacy

In the advocacy section, Koc focuses on safety, transparency, comfort and internal issues within the McMaster Students Union. Citing reports of break-ins in Westdale and Thorndale areas, Koc claims that student safety is a growing concern among students. Koc aims to improve student safety by increasing lighting in student neighbourhoods and facilitating safety measures with landlords.

She also plans to create video modules detailing instructions that might help in potentially unsafe situations.

Her second initiative calls for the improvement of transparency within the MSU by

writing bi-annual reports that would disclose the progress of MSU activities.

The third platform point, titled “Be comfortable,” aims to re-open discussions on McMaster’s Department of Athletics and Recreation’s tank-top ban in the Pulse. Koc’s goal is to ensure that everyone can feel comfortable while using McMaster’s athletic facilities.

Koc’s fourth point aims to make the MSU’s internal processes, such as conflict management and review of MSU services, more efficient.

“I plan to take the work that our current President, Josh Marando, has already begun and [continue] his efforts to improve [the MSU’s] internal workings,” she states in her platform.

Student Life Enhancement

Koc’s fifth platform point revolves around MSU Clubs. She plans to review all McMaster clubs that are redundant or have been inactive for six months.

She believes this would make room for unique clubs and allow students to choose clubs with more ease.

“I plan to take the work that our current President, Josh Marando, has already begun and [continue] his efforts to improve [the MSU’s] internal workings,” Krystina Koc MSU Presidential Candidate Koc is open to exploring non-MSU clubs having access to campus resources, such as room bookings, for fundraising purposes.

Koc also advocates for the use of student cards at Union Market and aims to reduce the time that the store takes to restock food items. Koc claims that Union Market shelves are often left empty as the shipments needed to refill them come in too late.

Koc’s seventh point intends to improve access to mental

health services on campus by developing strategies to enhance the Student Assistance Plan, a free online platform that offers psychological counselling to McMaster students. She also plans to increase support to Maccess, a peer support outlet for students with disabilities and disabled students.

Koc’s final platform point aims to combat food insecurity on campus by raising awareness for existing services such as the Food Collective Centre. She cites a U.S. study conducted in 2019 that states that 41 per cent of fourth-year students are food insecure.

Koc’s final platform point aims to combat food insecurity on campus by raising awareness for existing services such as the Food Collective Centre.

More information about Koc’s platform can be found on her website krystinakoc2020. com.

@TheSilhouette

The Silhouette

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

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MSU Elections 2020: Jackson Tarlin’s Platform Overview A brief look at candidate Jackson Tarlin’s platform

Engineering Physics V

Jackson

Tarlin

Earth Toned Prezidante for a Toned Earth

jackson2020.club

Trisha Gregorio News Editor

Jackson Tarlin, a Level V Engineering Physics student at McMaster, has presented a wide-ranging platform that aims to address a range of issues affecting students.

“Our goal is to take every annoyance you’ve grumbled about during your time at McMaster and throw them in the trash. Then set the trash on fire. If we have time left over once we’re done, we’ll use the trash fire to light our pipe and then sit in a muskoka chair and watch the sunset,” the platform overview states.

Tarlin built his platform upon four pillars: Student Life, Clubs and Services, Campus and the Environment.

Student Life

Tarlin’s platform approaches student life with a focus on personal expression, McMaster Student Absence Form extensions, hydration, affordability and accessibility.

Beginning with person-

al expression, Tarlin aims to address conflicts between personal expression and a need to maintain illusions of harmony on important issues. He would assign zones to different parts of campus, with each one corresponding to a distinct and permissible level of personal expression. Tarlin’s five zones range from Zone 1, which prohibits politics and foul words, to Zone 5, which restricts conversation to swearing and screaming only, prohibiting compassion.

“Our goal is to take every annoyance you’ve grumbled about during your time at McMaster and throw them in the trash. Then set the trash on fire” Jackson Tarlin MSU Presidential Candidate

With regard to the MSAF policy, he proposes changing the current allowance period, which currently allows up to three consecutive days of missed work, to allowing up to two months of MSAF use.

Tarlin states that this would increase stress during exam time and reduce student retention.

Hydration has its own place in Tarlin’s platform. He plans to shame individual water fountains by putting up a bulletin board dedicated to criticizing the worst water fountains across campus. He believes this will encourage water fountains, although they are inanimate, to better themselves.

Tarlin proposes the replacement of all stairs on campus with ramps. He hopes that the amount of construction required would facilitate a familiar and comfortable ambience for McMaster students.

“It just wouldn’t be McMaster without [all the noise and construction],” Tarlin’s platform explains.

Clubs and Services

Tarlin’s second pillar focuses on

The Silhouette, Spotted at Mac and McMaster Confessions. He suggests increasing the tuition of 20 students by $15,000 to hire full-time journalists for The Silhouette and allow the newspaper to release issues every day.

Tarlin’s proposal to give full club status to Spotted at Mac and McMaster Confessions is something he hopes will increase their reach with their respective audiences. Both of these Facebook pages are known for publishing anonymous posts from Mac students.

Campus

Tarlin sees opportunities to change campus in five ways: moving the A.N. Bourns Science Building to Parking Lot I to make Thode more accessible from the John Hodgins Engineering building, replacing a tree near Togo Salmon Hall with a “better tree” and building a monorail between the McMaster University Student Centre and Mills Library.

Due to the very small distance between MUSC and Mills, the monorail would not

need to move. Tarlin believes that the costs of constructing the monorail would be saved by the absence of electricity costs needed to run the monorail.

The Environment

Tarlin dedicates the rest of his platform to the environment. He encourages more animal safety awareness in order to stop students from eating cockroaches at Centro.

As a tribute to modern music, he wants to rename Cootes Paradise, “Gangsta’s Paradise”.

He also points out the moderate nature of geese at McMaster; he believes they could be trained to be as violent as geese from universities such as Waterloo and University of Toronto.

Lastly, Tarlin’s platform delivers one ultimate goal: to solve climate change once and for all.

More information can be found on his Facebook page “Tarlin 2020”. He is also reachable via email through Earthtoned.prezidante@gmail.com

@TheSilhouette

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NEWS

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

MSU Elections 2020: Giancarlo Da-Ré’s Platform Overview A brief look at candidate Giancarlo Da-Ré’s platform

Chemical Biology V

Giancarlo

Da-Ré

Here To Stay

gc-2020.com

Shamir Malik News Reporter

Giancarlo Da-Ré is a Level V chemical biology student at McMaster.

Da-Ré has held several positions within the McMaster Students Union, including Creating Leadership Amongst Youth part-time manager, Spark sessions coordinator and Horizons leadership developer.

He is currently the residence orientation advisor for the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning.

Da-Ré’s platform highlights three areas that serve as umbrellas for 14 actionable points: accessibility, climate action and student experience.

Accessibility

To address accessibility concerns at McMaster, Da-Ré proposes six points.

The first point proposes a new MSU website that is both easier to navigate and in line with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. His second point aims to increase the number of McMaster courses that use Echo360, a

system that records lecture audio and visuals and stores them online for students to access.

The MacPherson institute is one of the partners that Da-Ré would work with to fulfill this initiative.

Da-Ré’s third point calls for an environmental audit of the McMaster University Student Centre. His platform states that the building is currently physically inaccessible and that an audit could be used by future years to inform MUSC improvements.

Citing mental health difficulties as one of the largest concerns for students, Da-Ré’s fourth point plans to advocate for additional Student Wellness Centre counsellors. He would also raise awareness of the Student Assistance Plan, a free online platform that offers psychological counselling to McMaster students among other services.

Da-Ré also aims to address financial barriers to being a Welcome Week Representative by introducing a voluntary “Welcome Week Rep Suit rental program”. Currently, rep suits cost approximately $60, with additional costs for extra decorating supplies. Through this

program, Welcome Week Representatives could pay a deposit for a rep suit, which would be reimbursed upon the return of a clean rep suit.

Along with advocating for Ontario Student Assistance Program, Da-Ré plans to simplify McMaster’s scholarship and grant application process by transitioning to a fully online system. This would include collaborating with the Financial Aid office to provide workshops and advice on students’ applications.

Climate Action

Da-Ré’s platform has four points based on climate action.

He plans to collaborate with the McMaster Sustainability Council to work on phasing out the sale of plastic water bottles on campus. He cites 14 other Canadian universities that have banned the sale of plastic water bottles on their campuses.

Da-Ré would introduce a self-serve cleaning station for reusable mugs at The Grind.

He would also increase storage space “for-here” mugs, plates and cutlery. The Grind currently uses single-use counterparts, which Da-Ré calls costly and unsustainable.

With his third point, Da-Ré plans to reduce cross-contamination of waste products by developing consistent waste signage and increasing the number of green bins on campus. He claims that cross-contamination of waste streams is one of the largest problems for Facility Services and increases waste sent to landfills.

Da-Ré’s fourth point aims to reduce the use of single-use coffee cups on campus. He suggests a program that would allow students to buy select hot beverages at The Grind or Union Market for $1 on the first Monday of every month, provided they bring a reusable mug.

Student Experience

Da-Ré dedicates five points in his platform to improving the student experience at McMaster.

The first of these points aims to support international students by increasing communication between MSU cultural clubs and the Student Success Centre. Da-Ré also plans to introduce an international student support and resource committee.

Da-Ré aims to create a

teaching module about consent culture that outlines services, policies and supports on campus related to sexual violence.

He would make this new consent culture module mandatory for all Welcome Week Representatives.

Da-Ré plans to update all MSU Operating Policies and MSU Workplace Documents on his new MSU website to ensure that none of them are outdated.

He also aims to release a survey in Summer 2020 to gauge how students would like to interact with the MSU’s Board of Directors. The BoD currently uses the “President’s Page” in The Silhouette to address the student population; Da-Ré claims that this is not regular enough. He would include more frequent captioned video updates on social media and have the BoD hold “office hours”.

Da-Ré intends to follow the recommendations of third-party consultants hired by the current BoD to create a long-term financial plan for the MSU. More information can be found on his website gc-2020.com.

3 Smarter Ways to Finding Your Career! to evaluate your abilities and determine if you will be a good fit for their organization.

While the pay may not be great, internships can give you a competitive edge. They give you the hands-on training that allows you to build and refine your skills; making you more marketable in a crowded job market.

Whether you’re a student considering your career path or currently in your career looking for ways to advance, the chances of you finding a career quickly and easily in today’s job market might be challenging. Job hunting today can be tough and rigorous. Here are some quick tips to help you accelerate your process.

1. Tap into your network – Sometimes it’s not what you

know, it’s who you know, and everybody knows somebody.

Tap into your network of friends, family, students, professors and co-workers to help open doors for you.

Connect with them directly or via social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, to request a quick 20-minute in-person or phone meeting to get their advice on how best to find that dream job you’re looking for.

Towards the end of your meeting, make sure to ask them if they have contacts in their network who may be able to help with your job search. This helps to advance your search and grows your network.

2. Internships – Internships are a great way to gain real world experience, make connections and get more insight into your career of interest. They are also a great way for organizations

A successful internship should open the doors for you to seamlessly transition into a job.

So, be sure to ask questions, really lean into the role and most importantly, make a good impression.

3. Get your degree and diploma at the same time – Many universities are making it easier to complete your educational requirements faster and with more flexible options. For example, McMaster University of Continuing Education offers a Degree + Diploma program that allows full time university students to get a

professional diploma designation as a part of their degree.

This all-in-one approach saves student’s additional years of study, reduces educational costs and gives them the skills employers are looking for. Many of the courses are offered online to provide you with added flexibility to fit with a student’s busy schedule.

Lastly, here is one final tip to finding your ideal job, don’t get discouraged! Expect to knock on a lot of doors before you get that one job offer. Keep at it and keep moving forward on your job hunt. After all, your career depends on it.

Sponsored by:

Overcome scary assignments with Research and Writing Week to have our ideas validated by an outsider to build our confidence. We can get stuck when we don’t feel like our ideas or skills are good enough,” McCaffrey shares.

To help students develop their skills and gain confidence in their academic performance, the Student Success Centre (SSC) and McMaster University Library present: Research and Writing Week.

Taking place from January 27 until January 30, the week will feature different workshops to help students with their biggest and scariest academic projects.

Jenna Storey and Mary McCaffrey, SSC academic skills program coordinators,

want to reassure students that it’s normal to need academic support in university.

“Sometimes assignments seem scary because the expectations for a university paper are much higher than in secondary school,” shares Storey.

McCaffrey adds, “I still get scared of assignments, and I’m working on a PhD!” Additionally, seeking support isn’t the same as admitting defeat. “Sometimes we need

In their experience working with students, the SSC academic skills team has identified that research and writing are common concerns for undergrads. Some questions that students ask and the SSC academic skills team’s expert advice include: How do I properly integrate my sources?

• “We have workshops to help you do this, and you can also meet with a writing advisor.”

Why should I write an outline?

• “Outlines help us to write better-organized papers and convey more complex ideas.”

How can I find good scholarly journals?

• “Weigh each article using the CRAP test: Is the article current, relevant, authoritative and purposeful?”

Where can I find writing support?

• “Trained writing advisors from the Undergrad Writing Centre can support students’ writing skills and provide new insight into their assignments.”

For more support on these topics and more, undergrads are invited to celebrate the launch of Research and Writing Week with Motivation Monday on January 27.

From 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., students can meet with McMaster Library and Undergrad Writing Centre staff to receive assignment advice from both a research and a writing perspective.

Snacks will be provided.

Other Research and Writing Week workshops include: • Picking Your Essay Topic (Jan. 28) • Problem Solving Peer Review (Jan. 28) • Revise, Revise, Revise! (Jan. 29) • Breezy Citations (Jan. 29) • Writing Lab Reports (Jan. 30) • Savvy STEM Research (Jan. 30) For the full Research and Writing Week schedule, visit bit.ly/SSC-research-writingweek.

To register for the appointments or workshops, visit OSCARplus.

By Jeff Low Sponsored by:

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NEWS

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

Hamilton LRT project comes to the end of its tracks

Where do we go from here and how will we get there?

Andrew Mrozowski A&C Editor

On Dec. 16, 2019, Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney informed Mayor Fred Eisenberger, that the provincial government had decided to cancel plans for Hamilton’s light-rail transit system, which was set to begin construction in 2020. After Mulroney called for a press conference to deliver the news in Hamilton, she cancelled the conference due to safety concerns linked to the large crowd that had gathered for her announcement. Instead, Mulroney issued a statement and cited impractical costs as the reason for the LRT’s cancellation. “. . . The [LRT] project will actually cost five times more than the previous [provincial] government led us all to believe,” said Mulroney in her statement.

The proposed corridor was set to extend from McMaster to Eastgate Square, amounting to a new 14 km system.

THE MEETING Prior to this termination, Eisenberger says that the provincial government had given no indication that the project would be cancelled or that a press conference was to be called [on Dec. 16, 2019]. He also claims that on April 10, 2019, Premier Doug Ford had sent Jeff Yurek, the previous Minister of Transportation, to Hamilton to confirm that the provincial government would support the LRT’s construction.

Eisenberger considers Ford’s failure to follow through a betrayal.

“You said Nov. 28, 2018: ‘When people democratically elect someone, if he wants an LRT, he’s gonna get an LRT,’ adding ‘that’s democracy,’” said Eisenberger in an open letter to the office of the Premier.

THE COST In May 2015, Premier Wynne promised the city of Hamilton $1 billion to fund capital costs of the LRT project. In September 2019, a meeting between

the Ministry of Transportation and Hamilton revealed that the preliminary project budget for the LRT, including both capital and non-capital costs, ranged from $4.6 billion to $6.5 billion.

The provincial government sent a new estimate to Eisenberger days before the Dec. 16 press conference; this new estimate puts project costs at $5.5 billion.

Eisenberger and his team had questions regarding the new Dec. 12 estimate, which they never had a chance to raise.

According to Mulroney’s Dec. 16 statement, the $5.5 billion estimate came from a report by an “expert third party”.

Kris Jacobson, director of the LRT project office, broke down the difference between capital and non-capital costs.

Hamilton has a memorandum of agreement with the provincial agency Metrolinx, where the province is responsible for upfront capital costs. This includes lifecycle costs for the LRT system, such as construction, purchasing trains and replacing tracks. On the other hand, Hamilton would have been responsible for non-capital costs, such as day-to-day operations and general maintenance of the corridor and stations.

Jacobson noted that without any context, the provincial government’s $5.5 billion estimate is impossible to interpret and verify.

“There’s a lot of options and methodology that are used to develop these numbers that we don’t know . . . so to us, they’re just numbers,” said Jacobson.

THE REACTION Andrea Horwath, the Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre and leader of the official opposition, held a press conference at Redchurch Café + Gallery, a business along the proposed LRT route. She called on Premier Ford to come forward with the third-party’s detailed cost estimate.

“The bottom line is Mr. Ford’s making up the numbers to justify this cut. So, show us the numbers, show us the report and give us an apples to apples comparison with the other projects that are ongoing

right now in our province,” said Horwath.

The Hamilton LRT was estimated to cost $5.5 billion for the 14 kilometre corridor.

Similar projects in other jurisdictions include the Hurontario LRT in Mississauga, which is estimated to cost $1.6 billion for an 18 kilometer corridor; the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which is estimated to cost $12 billion for a 19 kilometre corridor, 10 kilometres of which are underground; and the ION LRT expansion in Cambridge, which is estimated to cost $1.4 billion with an 18 kilometre corridor. All of these projects have gone over their original cost estimates, yet they continue to receive provincial funding.

Horwath highlighted that Metrolinx has spent taxpayer money buying land and creating documents necessary for the procurement process. Metrolinx is now in possession of the stretch of land that would have been the LRT. Horwath also publicly criticized Donna Skelly, the Member of Provincial Parliament for Flamborough-Glanbrook and the only Progressive Conservative elected in Hamilton.

“There’s no doubt [Skelly] didn’t support [the LRT] as a city councillor, but as I said that’s not the will of the people of [Hamilton]. They voted for a pro-LRT mayor and Ms. Skelly . . . Mr. Ford should respect the right of our municipality to plan its own future and to determine what transportation infrastructure is the best for Hamilton,” said Horwath.

On. Dec. 18, Horwath sent a letter to the Auditor General of Ontario, Bonnie Lysyk requesting the office investigates the rationale behind the LRT cost estimates provided to the public under the Liberal and Provincial Conservative governments.

“The public deserves to receive honest and reasonable cost estimates when assessing the value of public transit projects that cost billions of dollars,” wrote Horwath.

In her reply, Lysyk stated that, as part of an ongoing audit, her office is currently examining Metrolinx. She also declared

that she would examine cost estimates for projects such as the LRT. According to Skelly, the Auditor General’s report will likely be released by the end of 2020.

THE REASONING For Skelly and her government, the cost was too prohibitive, not only for the province but also for municipal taxpayers. Evidence for this claim is limited to Mulroney’s Dec. 16 statement, in which she claims that, over the 30 year lifespan of the LRT project, taxpayers would have paid $1 billion.

According to Skelly, the provincial government believes the previous Wynne Liberal government was aware that the LRT could not be built for the $1 billion promise, but had informed neither the mayor nor city council.

“I see it as a smart and responsible decision because my priority, and the priority of our government, is to ensure that we respect taxpayers and their hard earned dollars, and money was being spent on a project that should never ever have seen the light of day,” said Skelly in response to the Mayor calling the LRT cancellation a “personal betrayal.”

THE OUTLOOK The provincial government’s initial $1 billion commitment to the LRT project will be diverted towards Hamilton’s transportation infrastructure.

Skelly believes the commitment provides an opportunity for the city, specifically when examining the Hamilton Street Railway bus system.

While $1 billion is not enough to finish the LRT, it will be up to the Hamilton Transportation Task Force to determine where this funding should be allocated.

This task force will be comprised of five non-politically affiliated community members, four of which will be decided by the province and one by the city of Hamilton. Their primary role will be to create a list of transportation projects for the Ministry to consider as viable alternatives to the LRT, due by

the end of February 2020.

It has been suggested that the Laborers International Union of North America, a pro-LRT labour union, will be involved in some capacity.

Mayor Eisenberger remains committed to the LRT and continues to urge the provincial government to reconsider their decision.

“I’m hopeful but not confident that [the project will be reinstated], but we’ll do everything we can to try to set that kind of change,” said Eisenberger.

Jacobson and his team leading the LRT project also do not see this as the end.

“Who knows what the future holds for LRT in Hamilton . . . here is a commitment to funding transportation and transit improvements in Hamilton, which is a positive. So there is something that’s going to come from this. What is it? That still needs to be determined,” said Jacobson.

The state of transportation in Hamilton will remain in the air until the task force reports to the Minister of Transportation.

The Silhouette reached out to Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney for an interview about the Hamilton LRT project being cancelled, but the Minister declined our request.

@andrewmrozowski

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

The Silhouette

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PRESIDENT’S PAGE

JOSH MARANDO President president@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x23885

It’s hard for me to believe that it has been over a year since I set up my table in MUSC on the first day of the 2019 MSU Presidential Election campaign period. I remember the experience very clearly the feelings of anxiousness, excitement, and fear. This is, of course, not how most people feel at this time of year.

Some students avoid MUSC at all costs, some quiz candidates extensively, some research privately, while others detach from the process completely. Overall, there are mixed opinions when it comes to the MSU Presidential Election.

Although, for many students, I think it represents an opportunity for change.

I know that some people find it hard to believe that student politics can make a difference. I am fully aware that many see this position as merely an addition to a resume or an opportunity for an ego boost.

However, from my perspective, that is not generally the case. Without student politics, the McMaster undergraduate experience would be very different.

MSU Presidential Elections and the

January 23, 2020 | thesil.ca

work that comes afterwards continues to shape and promote the development of this institution.

In a few years, it may be difficult to find a student who remembers that the Student Activity Building and Pulse Expansion began as a campaign point. Some people who are taking the additional GO Bus routes home may not realize that they are benefiting from a successful past campaign priority. There are countless projects that were first presented on a presidential platform, including the fall break, changes in legislation, bursaries, and course accessibility measures, all of which have improved the student experience.

There are people that believe that the platforms of candidates are not feasible or that candidates should limit their goals to projects that can be completed in one term. I fully agree that there can be platform points that should not be a priority because the benefit is far outweighed by the costs, but I think it’s important to not immediately discount an idea as being infeasible, when it simply may not be a current priority. We should encourage

The President’s Page is a space sponsored and used by the McMaster Students Union (MSU) Board of Directors (BoD) to communicate with the student body. It functions to highlight the Board’s projects, goals, and agenda for the year, as well as the general happenings of the MSU.

candidates to advocate on our priorities, despite possible limitations. Just because something is hard does not necessarily mean you shouldn’t fight for it.

As you begin to evaluate the candidates, I encourage you to do your research, ask critical questions, and think about who you want to see representing you in the coming academic year. What are their priorities?

Why do they want this position? Do I trust them? These are important to ask yourself, because these positions hold a lot of power and therefore a responsibility to use it effectively.

holistically to determine whose vision, priorities, and platform they value the most. Hold candidates accountable for their statements and their actions, but also give them the space to learn. Find someone who you trust to learn from their mistakes and come back the next day better, and to always advocate on the behalf of McMaster students.

I thank the candidates for taking a chance by running in the election and the students that engage in the democratic process. Visit msumcmaster.ca/elections for more information on the candidates and

“We should encourage candidates to advocate on our priorities, despite possible limitations. Just because something is hard does not necessarily mean you shouldn’t fight for it.”

Some people compare the election process to a very long job interview, where the entire student body is the hiring board. I encourage you to see it that way as well. My hope is that students review the candidates

SARAH JOSH MARANDO FIGUEIREDO President

VP (Administration)

details on the HSR referendum that is running concurrently with the election.

Students can vote in the election and referendum by logging in with their MAC ID at msumcmaster.ca/vote from January 28 – 30, closing at 5pm.

SHEMAR HACKETT VP (Education)

ALEX JOHNSTON VP (Finance)

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

The Silhouette | 11

Editorial What’s going on with presidentials?

Presidentials are underway, and they’re a bit lacklustre Hannah Walters-Vida Editor-in-Chief

Is it just me, or are presidentials a bit . . . quiet?

This time last year, we all knew to avoid the hallway outside Union Market, knowing that candidates’ campaign tables would block the way from MDCL or LRW. Every inch of available wall space was taken up by campaign posters.

Last year, presidentials season was notoriously loud and overwhelming. As much as we all complained about the chaos, its absence this year is strange.

To be clear, I’m not complaining about the lack of posters or the ability to walk through the student centre in peace. However, it’s indicative of a larger, and concerning, pattern

in student politics at McMaster.

Perhaps the most striking thing about this election is the low number of candidates. Two years ago, seven students ran for McMaster Students Union president. Last year, there were four candidates. This year, we have three.

It’s impossible to say for sure why so few candidates are running. Perhaps it’s partly due to the recent history of harsh punishments for minor bylaw infractions. It’s not unusual for candidates to accrue substantial fines for minor bylaw infractions that pile up, and in some cases, this leads to disqualification. This became clear in the January 2018 elections.

Running is hard enough, but the position itself can be a large undertaking. It’s hard to blame anyone for choosing not

to take part.

In addition to dwindling numbers of candidates, voter turnout is on the decline.

Voter turnout for the 2019 MSU Presidential election was 26.8 per cent, falling 1.2 per cent from the year before. Last year was the first time in five years that less than 40 per cent of the undergraduate population voted in an MSU presidential election.

We can talk about apathy and lack of engagement, but it seems unfair to pin this on the students, especially in a year like this.

Students are having to take on additional jobs, drop out of extracurriculars and even leave school entirely, because the Ford government took away their financial support by cutting funding for the Ontario Student Assistance Program. Currently,

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Your Student Assistance Program services include in-person, telephone or on-line counselling service.

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we are being thrown into the workplace amid job cuts and unfair labour negotiations.

If presidential candidates fail to demonstrate how they will lead our student union in responding to this overarching threat, why should students be expected to rally behind them?

One only needs to look to the York Federation of Students to see the kind of change that a student union can champion.

Last November they, along with the Canadian Federation of Students, took the provincial government to court over the student choice initiative — and won.

It’s the job of the student union to be the voice of students, and advocate on behalf of students. Not one of the three candidates this year have promised to hold government

to cats (the movie) to redchurch to quick chik and taco del mar to incite’s first issue of the year

accountable, nor have they outlined meaning plans to advocate on behalf of students to the provincial government.

This is not meant to criticize any one candidate, but rather to point to an institutional culture of complacency that has taken hold within the MSU. Rather than campaigning within the bounds of a system that has time and time again failed students, we need leaders who will pledge to fighting back. A quiet election season is okay, a complacent one is not.

@TheSilhouette

to trying to fix my computer during lecutre to 8:30s to forgetting the invoices

to tanner zipchin

to unwanted basement cockroaches

to contributors. we love our contributors

to ciniplex laying off tanner z

to YOOOOOO that’s amazon

to slipping on ice and falling

to cookies

to thinking you have an interview this morning when it’s actually tomorrow, and not realizing your mistake until halfway there

to surviving the lsat to our presidentials team to our sex and the steel city team to our whole team

to the fake SRA agenda that made us all PANIC

12 |

OPINION

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

Opinion Inherent systemic barriers hinder low-income students from equal opportunities A lack of support, a harsh OSAP system and a necessity to work creates insurmountable hurdles

CINDY CUI/ PHOTO EDITOR Esra Rakab Contributor

“University is a learning experience, it’s okay to fail.”

These words that are intended to comfort me echo through my mind at every instance of academic hardship.

University is often advertised as a place for learning and self-discovery, but this narrative often only applies to privileged, higher-income students. As an immigrant student from a low-income background and challenges with mental health, I’ve always been perplexed as to how this wasn’t just a privileged oversimplification of the emotional, physical, and financial burdens that often accompany enrollment in university for students of lower income. After all, when students who are well-off fail courses or decide to pursue additional years of education, their families can often support that decision financially. On the contrary, a student struggling similarly with their education would not have that support to

fall back on. With little support, low-income students must navigate an education system designed for students without such pressures and financial difficulties, and are thrown into a cycle where there is seemingly no escape.

Even with the Ontario Student Assistance Plan, numerous low-income families struggle to meet the yearly cost of university to invest in their future.

OSAP is unforgiving of students who, often for valid reason, fall below their academic standing requirements. OSAP-assisted students often face familial, personal or financial challenges, which can manifest as academic hardship, since students lose the capacity or time to devote to their studies. Rather than supporting students in such extenuating circumstances, the institution punishes them through academic probation and OSAP reductions or cuts.

What implication does this have on the well-being of low-income students, who are pressured to excel in univer-

sity and graduate as soon as possible, only to be thrown into an increasingly competitive job market? While their debt accumulates and while finding employment post-undergraduate becomes increasingly difficult, the pressure to graduate quickly heightens.

As much as I desperately want to advocate that it’s okay to fail and learn from our mistakes, I have experienced whirlwinds of anxiety in thinking that my mental health might set me back a year to prolong my education or increase my loans and costs.

As a result, any effort to keep my grades sufficiently “competitive” came at the cost of my well-being. Despite this, I could not succumb to the exhaustion and anxiety because the consequences of performing poorly in school would be too great to bear. Institutionally, we are thrown into a cycle where we fall thousands of dollars in debt in hopes of finding a job, yet our education may become jeopardized while we try to stay

afloat. Low-income students often also work part-time to help pay fees, but the time commitment comes at the cost of their education; students are locked into positions where their ability to meet standards of academic performance is hindered. Paradoxically, we may come out of university even more financially burdened than when we started, and must find a way out. This is a challenge that higher income students usually do not have to consider seriously, often allowing many of them to enjoy and excel in their education with little financial burden.

I cannot advocate that our grades don’t define us without acknowledging my hypocrisy when I criticize myself for falling short. We’re given little guidance on what to do with failure and how to succeed despite it; The only students who share their marks are “straight A” students; the only students who share their work experience share what positions accepted them, rather than what

rejected them. The perspective skews towards one of communal success, while students who are struggling are left on the sidelines.

While individuals can seek support services, like by taking loans or seeking therapy (which is also paradoxically expensive), the solution needs to target the system. Changes in the university structure, financial aid, student support and a greater focus on permitting work-life balance may provide us with stepping stones, but these inherent inequities that lead to disparities in students’ well-being and success need to be addressed by institutions, the Ontario Student Assistance Plan and students benefiting from this systemic privilege.

I’m sick of falling prey to this system. For once, I want to be able to say, “It’s okay if we fail, we can learn from this,” and truly, genuinely mean it.

@TheSilhouette

Call For Nominations

PRESIDENT’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT LEADERSHIP

The McMaster community is invited to nominate an undergraduate student for the President’s Award of Excellence in Student Leadership.

The deadline date is Friday, March 13, 2020.

This annual award recognizes undergraduate students that have demonstrated a commitment to the University’s belief in excellence in its student body. For more information on the award or to obtain a nomination form visit:

studentaffairs.mcmaster.ca/students/the-presidents-award-of-excellence/

14 |

A&C

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan.23, 2020

Arts & Culture Inside the mind of an allegorical minimalist Artist focuses on two communal projects during residency at the Art Gallery of Hamilton Donna Nadeem Contrbutor

As part of a year-long residency at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, artist Reinhard Reitzenstein is exploring ideas of the natural world and technology through sculpture and drawing in collaboration with the Hamilton community. While an established artist, Reitzenstein’s residency has been an opportunity to reintroduce himself and his artistic identity to the public sphere.

Reitzenstein graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1971. His work explores the relationship between nature, cultural science and technology while utilizing installation, sculptures, drawings, photography and sound as his medium of choice.

Over the course of his career, Reitzenstein has been described as an environmental artist with focuses on land and ecology, and an allegorical minimalist after creating his own art movement combining allegory and minimalism.

Allegory refers to abstract ideas and principles in forms of storytelling, figures and events, while minimalism is a style that focuses on the simplest of forms and techniques. A seemingly contradictory combination of these two concepts allow Reitzenstein to create visual pieces that are meant to change and unsettle the viewers’ percep-

tions.

Entering the AGH exhibition, you’re greeted by a quote from the artist depicting what he understands his movement to be. “Allegorical minimalism: paradoxical synthesis of the material and natural world, challenging the perceptions of the spectator (as critic) while denying not only a fixed interpretation but the very possibility of interpretation itself.”

Reitzenstein began his residency with the intention of developing at least one or two projects and the capacity to focus on them for a duration of one year. This allowed him to engage in a gradual creation process. The space itself was another dimension Reitzenstein had to take into consideration.

High and vaulted ceilings along with windows bringing in natural lighting from every direction allowed Reitzenstein to push his sculptures and drawings further to produce larger work that force observation and interaction.

The exhibition features two communal projects that have created an opportunity for community members to contribute through various workshops and interactive tours.

The first piece, the Erable Project, is composed of an array of discs suspended in the middle of the room. The discs are individually cut sections of a tree and hung horizontally next to each other. Reitzenstein

Reinhard Reitzenstein explores ideas of nature and technology within the Hamilton community through sculptures and drawings.

MATTY FLADER/PHOTO REPORTER

Photo of the Erable Project.

MATTY FLADER/PHOTO REPORTER

created some of the discs, while community members contributed to others, creating a diversity of unique colour choices and designs. Each piece is covered in an assortment of wet felt. The soft material requires constant repetitive motions to achieve a desired outcome.

“Some of the kids who were here working on the wet felting got really into it and it was incredible. There’s something about the tactility [of felting] that connects to people and allows them to focus and concentrate. It seems to have a therapeutic effect,” said Reitzenstein.

The second piece is a large communal tree drawing done with white gel pens on a black wall. After reflecting on the diversity of languages practiced in the Hamilton area, Reitzenstein

decided to ask community participants to add to the drawing by writing the words ‘tree’ or ‘maple’ in their own languages.

The piece includes approximately 58 different languages and counting. As more and more words in different languages get added to the drawing, the tree visually reflects on the cultural diversity of the Hamilton community.

“I wanted to make it a community project where, again, we do workshops with community groups. I thought it would be great too because of the multicultural aspect of our region now, and to make sure everybody has a voice here,” said Reitzenstein.

The David Braley and Nancy Gordon Sculpture Atrium is also filled with Reitzenstein’s bronze sculptures and other art

pieces from the museum’s permanent collections. Reitzenstein chose the pieces to coincide with his exploration of allegorical minimalism throughout his residency at the AGH. In Residence: Reitzenstein is still a work-in-progress at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (123 King St. West). It will be exhibiting until March 29 and is free to all McMaster students with a valid student card.

@TheSilhouette

@CPAcanada #HelpingHamilton #TaxPrep

Join the Tax Squad!

Where the only super power you need is the ability to make a difference in your McMaster and Hamilton community. By becoming part of the Tax Squad you will volunteer for the Tax Preparation Assistance (TPA) Program.

Learn how to file personal income taxes alongside Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) and other volunteers.

Experience is not required, training will be provided.

The deadline to submit your application is Friday, February 7, 2020.

Registration is now open on OSCARplus.

Email money@mcmaster.ca with questions, comments or for more information. You will receive further information on the program after registration.

Time Commitment: Minimum of 20-25 hours between February and April.

OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Volunteering

16 |

A&C

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan.23, 2020

Thanks for the meme-ories The Hammer Memer is creating a sense of community online, one meme at a time

C/O THE HAMMER MEMER

Lauren O’Donnell A&C Reporter

What is a meme? The Cambridge English Dictionary defines a meme as an “idea, image, video etc. that is spread very quickly on the internet.”

But is that all? Memes are increasingly becoming a mode of communication and community building, particularly among younger generations. The Hammer Memer, a Hamilton-based meme account with over 6,000 followers, describes it as a “virtual handshake”— a fitting description given handshakes are universally recognized as a sign of greeting or agreement, representing the idea of building friendships and connections between people through the medium of the web.

“You can tell that it can bring a community together …

just having these shared experiences, and then laying them out in some sort of comedic visual.

It gives people this sense of collective bonding,” explained the creator of the Hammer Memer, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Each post on the account speaks to that shared experience of Hamiltonians, whether it be the loss of the light-rail transit, a love for the arts or the struggle to stay healthy. There are dozens of comments on each post, with followers tagging their friends to talk to them about it. While the content may be silly, the number of people interacting with it shows how relatable it can be, to friends and strangers alike.

Despite running a relatively successful local meme account, the creator of The Hammer Memer, has had a rocky relationship with social media prior to creating the account.

“My relationship with social media is kind of all over the place, in a way that I don’t really enjoy, but I also know that it can be a lot of fun, and it can be used for a lot of good things.

I just kind of got fed up using it to showcase my personal life because I’m not the most public person, I’m a pretty private person. So I decided, ‘You know what, I’ll start making memes’ because I thought it was a really fun but easy way to use social media for good . . . to make people laugh,” explained the creator of The Hammer Memer.

The response to the page has been overwhelmingly positive, with the account even partnering with the local brand O’s Clothes to sell their own merchandise. While much of the online community and social media has been criticized for becoming increasingly toxic, The Hammer Memer has created a predominantly

C/O THE HAMMER MEMER

positive space for Hamiltonians to gather.

“You hear a lot about the volatility of the interweb, and I was expecting a lot of persistent haters after some particular memes especially, but nobody was really attached to attacking me or anything like that.

Overall, I’ve only received love,” they said.

Some of the posts touch on more serious topics, like the Chedoke water crisis and coverup, in order to draw attention to them. The Hammer Memer says that, increasingly, they’ve noticed that younger audiences are turning away from traditional media sources in favour of online content, like memes.

“I do know that a lot of media sources don’t appeal to younger crowds especially. I guess it’s a generational thing, but I think the [former] reliance on getting information from major networks, I feel like some

people have lost confidence in them, or trust in them. I know that I do have a younger crowd following me, and when it comes to sharing information to the public about relevant information that affects our community . . . I do get to help certain groups of our community to be informed and stay informed,” they said.

So what is a meme? Is it just an image to be shared? In many ways, that simplicity is what makes memes appealing; they’re easy to access and they’re relatable. At the end of the day, memes are what you get out of them, whether that be a laugh shared with friends, or a slightly forceful exhale as you laugh on your own. @mcmastersilhouette

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A&C

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan.23, 2020

Rewriting history

Deanna Bowen’s A Harlem Nocturne turns the invisible into the visible

Lauren O’Donnell A&C Reporter

It’s no secret that Canada has a long history of systemic racism and injustice. However, much of that history has been buried deep, locked away in old filing cabinets in disused archives.

Deanna Bowen’s exhibit, A Harlem Nocturne, seeks to break open those cabinets and reveal that history to the world.

Deanna Bowen is an interdisciplinary artist based out of Toronto. Her work explores race, migration, historical writing and authorship. In creating A Harlem Nocturne, she spent three years combing through public and personal archives to uncover the truths of institutionalized racism that have been long forgotten or ignored.

A Harlem Nocturne takes its name from the nightclub that Bowen’s family owned and operated in Vancouver in the 1950s and 60s. It was the only Black-owned nightclub in Vancouver at the time and was subjected to repeated police raids and violence. The exhibit explores the institutionalized racism of the Canadian entertainment industry — and the country as a whole — through

the stories of her family members, and others in the industry, from the 1940s through to the 1970s.

Kimberly Phillips, a curator at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Vancouver, where A Harlem Nocturne was first exhibited, curated the exhibition for the McMaster Museum of Art. Phillips describes Bowen’s work as an effort to expose the past by transforming it into something that’s impossible to ignore or overlook. “[Bowen] starts with the archival material itself, and so each [artwork] will find its own form, a new form in the world that’s very much through a process of extraction from the archive, a kind of translation, often an enlargement and kind of bringing it forward in a different form than you would’ve encountered it originally,” said Phillips.

One of the more literal ways that this is done is through the physical enlargement of a newspaper ad for the nightclub, Harlem Nocturne. The ad was originally the size of a postage stamp, but is now larger-thanlife, taking up much of the gallery wall. By sizing up the ad, Bowen is calling attention to the club, inviting the audience to interact with the document

and the history behind it that might have otherwise been overlooked. “[T]here’s no point in having these documents around unless you do something with them … the document existing in and of itself is not is not meaningful. It’s like we have to take them up, and in order to take them up, we need to make them visible,” said Phillips.

Several of the pieces in the exhibit are hidden or obscured by black fabric, or are set up to be viewed at a distance. Phillips says that these varying levels of visibility reflect the difficulties that Bowen experienced while compiling her research.

“Deanna and I talked a little bit about how those registers of blackness does a number of things. One, which is speaking towards a kind of sense of opacity, or the kind of difficulty in … actually reaching some of this material, not because it doesn’t exist or it’s hard to find, but because of the blockages that [Bowen] experienced in the form of archivists and trauma, and other things that you know, different members of the community gatekeeping who gets to tell what story. But it’s also a measure of protection as well of not over exposing bodies who have been subjected to discrim-

ination and hyper visibility in certain ways,” said Phillips.

“[Bowen] starts with the archival material itself, and so each [artwork] will find its own form, a new form in the world that’s very much through a process of extraction from the archive, a kind of translation, often an enlargement and kind of bringing it forward in a different form than you would’ve encountered it originally,” Kimberly Phillips Curator at the Contemporary Art Gallery

Each aspect of the show is intentional and purposeful, even choosing where to exhibit the show. When choosing where A Harlem Nocturne would be shown, both Phillips and Bowen emphasized the importance of working with other women curators. The McMaster Museum of Art’s Senior Curator is Pamela Edmonds, which is part of the reason why the show is being exhibited there.

“The word that I used to define all the people that we’re working with is that they’re all co-conspirators, feminist co-conspirators. And that’s something that I think is super important. I liked the idea that we could generate something, a project that could span over many years and many institutions and all of it being done with women. It maybe speaks to an unspoken reality that more often than not, it is women doing this hard labour,” said Bowen.

A Harlem Nocturne blends the personal with the public.

One of the pieces is a transcription of an interview between Bowen and her mother, and the exhibit itself is named after a building that was integral to her family. She says that A Harlem Nocturne is a homecoming for her, and in some ways a form of

The Silhouette

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23 2020

healing. “[G]rowing up in Vancouver, my family was not always well regarded. And so if anything, I hope that people come away and feel the compassion and love that I have for these people, my family, especially for the hard edges that they have and the rough and tumble-ness of their story. These are beautiful people that have persevered over generations of resistance and discrimination and I hope that people really come to see and value their strength and importance,” said Bowen.

Bowen’s work also applies more broadly, underscoring the realities of life for Black Canadians and the injustices they continue to face today. She emphasizes the idea of perseverance in the face of adversity, and the refusal to be silenced.

“The project also helps to push against... Vancouver’s old narrative about [how] ‘they used to have a Black community and now it’s gone.’ This show for me is about affirming ‘there used to be a Black community, and we’re still here,’ and really trying to undermine this notion of again, the demise of a Black community, locally, and then of course, nationally,” said Bowen.

Bowen hopes that viewers

“The project also helps to push against...

Vancouver’s old narrative about [how] ‘they used to have a Black community and now it’s gone.’

This show for me is about affirming ‘there used to be a Black community, and we’re still here,’ and really trying to undermine this notion of again, the demise of a Black community, locally, and then of course, nationally,” said Bowen.

Kimberly Phillips Curator at the Contemporary Art Gallery

| 19

will leave the exhibit with new curiosity, and a desire to explore their own family history.

“I would encourage people to see themselves in what I’m doing. There’s so much rich history in our own family histories. And I think it’s important to emphasize that everybody’s family story has some impact on the making of a nation … You know, it’s about recognizing that the power to create our history and our personal and our national narrative really does kind of boil down to people like you and I,” said Bowen.

A Harlem Nocturne will be exhibiting for free at the McMaster Museum of Art from Jan.16 - May 9, 2020.

Deanna Bowen’s artworks that uncover the truth of institutionalized racism. @TheSilhouette

MATTY FLADER / PHOTO REPORTER

Try our new express to go service!

ANOTHER SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE MSU

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23 2020

The Silhouette

| 21

Sports Women’s hockey looks to cool their opponents’ hot offence A confident Marauders squad prepares to play their hardest opponents yet

The Marauders play the Hamilton Hawks on Jan. 12 C/O Mike Marasco

Kyle West Sports Reporter

Although the women’s hockey team has been struggling these past few years, they’ve been making efforts to concentrate on the future. Their main focus for the rest of the season is to finish with a positive win total and perform well at the upcoming tournaments. While not being an official McMaster Varsity team, they play in the ever-competitive senior “A” level Golden Horseshoe Women’s Hockey League.

Currently sitting with six wins, eight losses and two ties with another 11 games remaining on the schedule, a winning season is still well within their reach. The team is quite competitive with several high point players creating opportunities at every end of the ice. Some of the top scorers being Tiffany Nega-

ta, who leads the team with ten goals scored across the season while Katie Wilkinson leads the team in assists with five.

Even though the Marauders show promise, the other teams in the GHWHL are also well built. No matter the competition, Sara Valentini noted that the team is setting their sights to gold in the GHWHL year-end tournament as well as placing within the Ontario Women’s Hockey League Provincials tournament. The Marauders set these goals to show a fighting spirit and a relentless thirst for success, these traits indicate that they will not go down without a fight.

The schedule going forward will have its challenges as the women’s hockey team faces hard opponents and make it a priority to end the season with more wins, earning them a

greater shot at the final tournament. With momentum on the Marauders side, having just crushed the Ancaster Avalanche four to nothing, they hope to ride the wave of this dominant performance into their next matchup against the St. Catharines Jets.

They will be playing their hardest opponents, the St. Catherine’s Jets, on Friday Jan. 24. The team is firing on all cylinders to prepare for this crucial matchup. Having only lost their last matchup by one goal, for a final score of three to two, Valentini is confident they will be able to pull off the win as long as they stick to the game plan and shut down key attackers on the Jets.

Given the Jets placed first overall in the GHWHL, largely due to their offensive prowess, the game plan is to have a strong defensive line. If the

Marauders can cool down the Jets’ league-leading hot offence with solid defensive positional hockey, Valentini says, this will shut down attacking opportunities for the Jets. On the offensive side of the puck, the Marauders are looking to take an aggressive approach utilizing key team leaders, such as Negata, Wilkinson and Miller, to create scoring opportunities.

Valentini was quite confident in the team’s ability to come out on top of this matchup and if the game script is effectively employed they should have no problem in doing so.

One of the most important things in sports is a strong mentality and positive outlook, something co-president and team member Sara Valentini clearly embodies. With sights set on the horizon, the women’s hockey team has a tall peak to climb. The journey to the top is

always a long and difficult trip.

With the right team attitude, a clear competence in goal scoring and the opportunity making assist leaders, this trip may play out a little more in their favour.

@TheSilhouette

22 |

SPORTS

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

The Marauders compete for philanthropy McMaster Athletes Cares reflects on this year’s Think Pink initiative and reimagines it for the future

Kyle West Sports Reporter

Breast cancer awareness campaigns are common throughout many North American professional and collegiate sports.

Joining the ranks of the National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and National Collegiate Athletic Association, McMaster Athletes Cares hosts an annual Think Pink initiative.

The student group is made up of current athletes and regularly participates in community service and fundraising initiatives within campus and the greater Hamilton community.

McMaster Athletes Cares runs several campaigns during the year such as clothing drives, McMaster Children’s hospital visits, Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton and Think Pink, a week-long breast cancer awareness campaign. High-

lights from last week’s events include a range of events, from raffle fundraisers giving away McMaster branded gear and exercise classes, to competitions like Spike Ball tournaments.

Think Pink, with support from the Royal Bank of Canada, aims to raise awareness while also raising funds for the Juravinski Cancer Centre and Bright Run, an annual non-competitive walk or run fundraiser supporting breast cancer research at the JCC. By participating in charitable efforts, McMaster Athletes Cares has shown a soft side complementary to the competitive edge of McMaster athletics. This is a step in the right direction as McMaster’s athletes prioritize creating an impact both on and off the courts.

This grassroots effort was specifically chosen to financially support local causes. McMaster Athletes Care felt it would be more effective to donate to local

institutions that would invest the funds back into the Hamilton community.

McMaster Athletes Care felt it would be more effective to donate to local institutions that would invest the funds back into the Hamilton community.

Claudia Continenza, a fifth year defenceman for the women’s soccer team and Think Pink organizer, noted that the group’s decision to support JCC and Bright Run was made to ensure that there was transparency regarding where funds are allocated.

Continenza’s vision for Think Pink goes further than just how the initiative went this year. She would like to see Think Pink include not only the promotion of breast cancer awareness and research but to support other causes, such as other types of cancer.

This past April, McMaster Athletics faced the realities of cancer when Joe Valvasori, the head coach of the women’s soccer team passed away following a long battle with stomach cancer. Following this loss, McMaster Athletes Cares reflects on expanding on its initiatives and fundraising efforts to include other areas of cancer research to widen its support to the Hamilton community.

“I think actually one of my hopes, and it might not be the hope of whoever takes over for me next year, but one of my hopes would be that we can expand our horizons beyond just breast cancer research and

awareness. Our former head coach Joe [Valvasori] passed from stomach cancer so it’s something that’s really close to our team and we’re putting all this into supporting breast cancer but any progress in cancer is great and a goal of mine is to expand this initiative past just breast cancer,” Continenza said.

In the experience of participating students and community members, Think Pink is a valuable initiative that creates an opportunity for athletes to actively engage in supporting healthcare and charitable causes in the Hamilton community.

While breast cancer researcher remained a focus of this year’s Think Pink campaign, there’s interest in expanding the initiative in the coming year to reflect the evolving needs of our local community. @TheSilhouette

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23 2020

The Silhouette

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CINDY CUI/ PHOTO EDITOR

24 |

SPORTS

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

Big win gives the women’s basketball team newfound confidence The women’s basketball team has run into a small championship hangover, but look to turn things around the second half of the season

The McMaster Marauders Women’s Basketball team plays against the University of Winsor Lancers at McMaster University on Jan. 15, 2020 CINDY CUI/ PHOTO EDITOR Jovan Popovic Contributor

The McMaster 2019-2020 women’s basketball team is halfway through their current season, sitting at a record of seven wins and seven losses, a stark difference from last year where they acheived a record of 11 wins and three losses by the midway point.

They achieved a big win against the extremely challenging University of Windsor Lancers on January 15. Thirdyear guard, Sarah Gates led the team with 30 points en route to their 70-52 victory. The game mostly came down to the second quarter, where the Marauders outscored the Lancers 27-9.

This run came mostly from the incredible second-quarter outburst from Christina Buttenham, who knocked down four three-pointers, on the way to 18 points for the quarter. This was an impressive effort leading the Marauders to victory as the Lancers lose their second game of the season and take their record to 11 wins and two losses.

One of the key factors that led to the Marauders’ win over

the highly ranked Lancers was bringing what they do in practice to the court.

“I feel like our team really stepped up big in the Windsor game. We have been having great practices, and struggled to bring it to games, but we took a huge step this past Wednesday [Jan15]. We have a solid team, and I hope that win gives us some confidence. It’s very important for us to stay together like we did against Windsor,” Buttenham said.

Third-year guard Mia Spadafora shared a similar perspective on the importance of that game and how it will influence the team going forward.

“I feel as though our team has been making great strides in the past couple of games. There is a fight that has been so visible and very needed in order for our team to become successful.

It is so important for us to be playing in unison and for each other,” Spadafora said.

“I feel that this needs to be ramped up even more in order for this success to continue from the Windsor game we played on Wednesday [January 15], especially because of the

toughness of this semester’s schedule. We beat a top ten team, and that’s something we need to hold onto and grow from.”

The 18 point win against the strong Lancers is a reflection of the women’s basketball team’s capabilities. Even though a record of seven wins and seven losses might not show it, the team is capable of more wins if they strategically harness their newfound momentum. Due to a large graduating class last year, star forward Buttenham had to step into a more demanding role this season.

“My biggest focus this season is to become more of a leader. With losing [veteran teammates] Hilary, Linnaea, Erin and Evie, we lost some big voices on and off the court. I think I have come a long way, but there is definitely more I can do to be vocal on the court,” said Butternham.

Buttenham’s progression as a player has seen her focus on being an effective two-way player.

“When I was younger, I put so much focus on scoring. As I continued playing, I turned my

focus to defence and noticed that allowed me the chance to let the game come to me instead of trying to force things. There are so many important pieces to a game, so when one may not be working for me I shift my focus to the other aspects of the game,” Buttenham said.

Clearly, defense has become a priority when training, as it is crucial for the team’s success to have players that can maintain high levels of play at both ends of the court.

As shown in the last game, Buttenham is becoming a three and D type player, after showing high levels of defensive play, as well as four threes in the game. Three-point shooting is becoming a much needed skill as well to adjust to modern day basketball. As proven by the Golden State Warriors dynasty in the National Basketball Association, the ability to shoot the long ball is a significant advantage.

Spadafora had some similar thoughts when asked about her three-point shooting ability.

“A three-point shot has always been a huge weapon for myself, and the style of play that

we inhibit and exhibit at Mac. Our team is known for a fast pace, so it becomes extremely difficult to try to defend everything. Three-point play is dangerous, daggers like that can change the game through one shot,” Spadafora said.

“Being able to have the range opens up your offence, not only for yourself but for your teammates. When I think of Sarah Gates, she is extremely difficult to guard, if you give her room, that shot is going up. If you overplay, it’s a hard contested drive with a perfect finish. As long as they get twos and you get threes, the game is yours.”

With a playstyle developing a modern touch, the Marauders look poised to finish strong.

They remain confident that they have the ability to go on a strong run to close out the season and if they maintain the aggression and balance in their play, they look likely to do it.

The team is hopeful to make a playoff run this year, and they look as ready as ever to do it. @TheSilhouette

25

|

GAMES

ACROSS 1- Roseanne, once; 5- Shoe tool; 8- Large wading bird; 12- Caesar’s wings; 13- Chirp; 15- Lady of Sp.; 16- Chuck; 17- Thick-skinned charger; 18- Wanting; 19- Dominance; 22- Pond fish; 23- Pen point; 24- Bern’s river;

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

26- Chemical indicator; 29- Nutlike kernel; 31- Devoted follower; 32- Lost a lap; 34- Hawkins of Dogpatch; 36- Chip in; 38- Taken in; 40- Actress Downey; 41- Distorts; 43- Warsaw residents; 45- Armed conflict; 46- Places of contest; 48- Sick;

50- Greek goddess of strife; 51- Bronze component; 52- T.G.I.F. part; 54- Inconsiderate; 61- Soak leather in base solution; 63- ___ nous; 64- Smell ___; 65- Skater’s leap; 66- Campaign tactic; 67- Egypt’s river; 68- Disencumbers; 69- Self starter?; 70- Consider

20- Wheel parts; 21- Edible roots; 25- Laugh heartily; 26- Sri ___; 27- Concerned; 28- Lathers; 29- Journalist ___ Rogers St. Johns; 30- Joltin’ Joe; 31- Scale notes; 33- Siouan speaker; 35- Musical aptitude; 37Large jug or pitcher; 39Nor’s partner;

42- Irritated state; 44- Split; 47- Barbecue leftovers?; 49- Upcountry; 52- Girder type; 53- Prepare for takeoff; 55- Treater’s words; 56- Western Native Americans; 57- Mardi ___; 58- Ashtabula’s lake; 59- Cut-price retail event; 60- Meerschaum part; 62- Overhead trains

DOWN 1- Cricket equipment; 2- Baseball family name; 3- Coarse file, angry tone of voice; 4- Take as an affront; 5- Horton Hears ___; 6- Small dam; 7- Filmmaker Riefenstahl; 8- AOL, e.g.; 9- Dilapidated; 10- Langston Hughes poem; 11- Delhi wrap; 13- Testimonial; 14- Bottom line;

www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

The Silhouette | 26 SPORTS

Surprise, more games!!

ACROSS 1- Body of salt water; 6- Brace; 11- Shoshone language member; 14- Like Loki; 15- Big name in copiers; 16- “Pygmalion” monogram; 17- Shinto temple gateway; 18- Accumulation of fluids; 19- Hack off; 20- Cookbook amts.; 22- Coming down; 24- Excavating machine; 28- Commendation; 30- Resounds; 31- Earlier; 32- Flight segment; 33- Appetizing; 37- Goddess of dawn in Greek mythology; 38- Pigs;

39- Slender metal fastener; 40- Tremulant; 43- 9 to 5; 45- Praying figure; 46- Caper; 47- Bind morally; 49- Kelp; 50- Sidestep, circumvent; 51- Fine and delicate; 52- ___ darn tootin’!; 53- Unborn child; 56- Adored ones; 61- Work unit; 62- Dens; 63- Connected series of rooms; 64- Numbered rd.; 65- Disgusting; 66- Grasps

DOWN 1- N.Y. neighbor; 2- Dove’s sound; 3- Mess up; 4- ___ see it...; 5- Nor’s partner; 6- Fancy pancake; 7- Covers; 8- King topper; 9- May honoree; 10- Ancient Egyptian king; 11- Citrus hybrids; 12- Steak order; 13- Catch sight of; 21- Mayday!; 23- Melodies; 24- Attack on all sides; 25- Bogie, e.g.; 26- Pursue; 27- Pond fish; 28- Tine; 29- Ceremonial act; 31- Sharp end; 33- Strong string;

34- Suppose; 35- Chop into small pieces; 36- Broke off; 38- Smelting waste; 41- Shape; 42- Momentarily; 43- Like grandpa’s hair?; 44- Uncooked; 46- Delt neighbor; 47- Not concealed; 48- Vessel; 49- Pert; 50- Observer; 51- Hide in the shadows; 54- Seine contents; 55- Personal quirk; 57- Pair; 58- Lubricate; 59- Inc., overseas; 60- Paris possessive;

58 C en te nn ia l Pk w y N | 98 0 U pp er J am es St .

S T A G S H O P. C O M

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PRESIDENTIALS HAVE BEGUN Prepare for class talks, y ’all S5

THURSDAY

THE

HAMILTON SPECULATOR AWAITING COMMENT SINCE 1934

NOTSPEC.COM

JANUARY 23, 2020

Why I loved the film adaptation of Cats Only Old Deuteronomy can judge me

TANYA TEMPEH All alone in the moonlight

Warning: Spoilers for Cats (2019) I freely, without coercion, bought a ticket for the New Year’s Eve showing of Cats. Judge me if you will, but I chose to ring in the new decade serenaded by Jennifer Hudson’s tragic, moving rendition of the Andrew Lloyd Weber classic, ‘Memory’.

Nothing could have prepared me for the defining cinematic moment of the year.

The film is an experience unlike any other. In speaking to those who saw it, one Silhouette staffer only said, “I apologized to my cat after.”

In short, Cats is a film

adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical from the 80s. The source material for the Broadway mainstay is a book of poems by T.S Elliot. Much of Cats’ strangeness can be blamed on Elliot and his cat-themed religious allegory, while Lloyd Weber is responsible for the infectious songs and any musical-related mistakes. The newest adaptation goes where the source material hadn’t dared. With director Tom Hooper (Tenderness (2009), To Die For (1995)) at the helm, audiences were in for a bumpy ride.

One of the largest narrative flaws of the movie is the introduction of a new character not in the original musical. Before the Broadway purists think I’m one of them: I never expected an exact reproduction and always hoped

for an inventive interpretation. The filmmakers took their license and created Victoria, a former house cat cast off into the Jellicle world, to lead the audience through the, albeit minimal, plot. As a cat lover, I am ashamed to say I hated that cat. Victoria is bland and sadly underdeveloped. The audience expects that Victoria will embark on an arc of self-discovery that never arrives. The new cat on the street doesn’t contribute to the plot at all, and that’s saying something when the source material is known for its plotlessness.

Still, my real question is: If they have boobs, then where are the nipples?

The CGI cats sit somewhere between the blue humanoid aliens from Avatar and renaissance-era painting cats. This is horrifying

to watch, but made worse when you add human anatomy into the mix. Some of the cats look almost acceptable, but others are oversexualized. Taylor Swift (who appears for a single song, despite dominating the trailers) plays the seductive songstress cat, Bombalurina. After watching Swift on screen you’ll never look at your family cat the same. Sorry, Fluffy.

I can forgive Swift’s creepy cat body. What I can’t forgive is when Rebel Wilson unzips her skin. The entire theatre erupted into communal revulsion at the Australian comedian removing her cat skin to reveal another skin suit in a dance costume. There are some things you just can’t unsee.

Thinking more abstractly about Wilson’s scenes, I came to wonder: if cats have emotions and

Disclaimer: The Hamilton Speculator is a work of satire and fiction and should not under any circumstances be taken seriously. @Andrew Lloyd Weber please don’t sue us.

consciousness, and the cockroaches similarly sing, dance and react to the world around them, then is Wilson’s character committing murder when she eats her insect back-up dancers mid-song?

The movie’s world-building is limited to religious metaphor without considering the philosophical underpinnings of its many musical numbers. Further, and more horrifying, is that the mice depicted in the film are distinctly characterized as children.

Therefore, it would be easy to assume that the cats of the film, being the natural predators, would eat the mice. The film has already established that Wilson’s character would happily eat her cockroach counterparts, making the appearance of the childlike mice morbid.

What were they thinking? This is supposed to be a family movie; however, by the end of the film, I envision Wilson’s feline character to be remembered with the likes of Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees.

Between the flubbed CGI, the meandering plot, and the self-congratulatory celebrity-studded cast, it isn’t hard to see why critics have lambasted the film. Yet I loved it. As a fable of nostalgic filmmaking and the follies of derision, it is a great movie. Cats sits with the likes of ‘The Room’ and Rocky Horror Picture Show at the pinnacle of camp film classics just waiting for an adoring cult following.

Score: 4.5 out of 5 dancing cockroaches

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