The Strand | Volume 60, Issue 6

the

STRAND VICTORIA UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER VOLUME 60, ISSUE 6 | 21 NOVEMBER 2017

Too close for comfort The ramifications of holding a “Free Speech” event on the Vic campus OPINIONS | page 7

Attempting justice for The University-Mandated Leave of Absence is victims of sexual assault discriminatory and Solidarity and representation of sexual violence harmful catalyze change FEATURES | page 8

The Students for Barrier-Free Access discuss the implications of the proposed policy OPINIONS | page 6

Beware the Bern How does media consumption relate to our “brand” of activism?

EDITORIAL | page 5

02 NEWS

EDITOR | AINSLEY DOELL NEWS@THESTRAND.CA

College strike continues to affect students and faculty CEC offer rejected during week five of strike photo

| thecanadianpress.com

ainsley doell news editor

The Ontario college strike continues as the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) voted 86 percent against the latest offer from the College Employer Council (CEC) during a forced vote.

These results were announced November 17th, during week five of the strike.

There was 95 percent member turnout for this vote that took place over two days.

The offer proposed by the CEC was purportedly worse than the offer that was on the table before the strike began. JP Hornick, chair of the OPSEU’s faculty bargaining team, says in a statement that the initial offer was “full of concessions and failed to address our concerns around fairness for faculty or education quality.”

Earlier this month, Advanced Education Minister Deb Matthews announced that the Ontario colleges must establish a fund to help students experiencing financial hardship due to the faculty strike. This fund is to absorb all the savings from the strike, including the unpaid staff wages and other expenses.

In a statement, Hornick says “Anything that will help students get through this difficult time is more than welcome, and we thank the minister for moving ahead with it.” While the OPSEU has spoken in favour of this move and show of support from the government, many think that not enough has been done.

Ricco Lam, an accounting student at Conestoga College, says that this strike may impact his graduation: “All my career plans are put on hold,” says Lam. “I may have to take some courses again because I don’t know when the strike will end.”

Lam says that the strike has also impacted his personal life: “I had travel plans to go back to Hong Kong to visit family and friends but had to cancel it due to the strike.” For students worrying about their financial situations, having to reschedule holiday travel plans could present additional difficulties.

A student-organized “We Want In” protest took place outside of the Ontario Legislature on November 15th. The Facebook event for the protest cites a desire for “transparency on tuition refund and other compensations from the provincial govern-

ment” and “student voice.” This is one of many instances of students speaking out, demanding that their voices be heard during this strike.

On November 15th, Charney Lawyers filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the 24 colleges involved in the strike. The notice of action claims that the colleges have breached their contracts with students by failing to provide a full term of classes and vocational training. Fourteen students offered to come forward as plaintiffs.

According to the notice of action, Charney Lawyers are seeking full tuition and fee refunds for students who choose not to continue with their program, and refunds “equivalent to the value of the lost instruction” for students who do continue in their program.

This strike continues to affect approximately 500,000 students and 12,000 members of college staff. Matthews says that “both parties share the failure, and it is a failure.”

Ontario to implement Universal Pharmacare Plan

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mary zelenova contributor

Starting January 1st, 2018, Ontario is implementing OHIP+, a new drug plan coverage that will provide children and youth ages 24 and under with prescription drug coverage. OHIP+ will cover over 4,000 prescription drugs that are currently included in the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program, or funded through Exceptional Access Program.

OHIP+ was announced by Kathleen Wynne in May 2017. Wynne states the plan will be included in

| cbc.ca

the 2017 budget alongside a raise in minimum wage and other social policy changes. The Liberals introduced economic updates to the 2017 budget in addition to a promise to create a “Strong and Fair Ontario,” which soon became a central campaign promise for the upcoming provincial election. The plan to provide children and youth with free prescription drugs has been met with praise by Canadian healthcare workers.

On November 14th, Charles Sousa, the Minister of Finance, delivered the 2017 Review in the legislature, stating that OHIP+ is part of the commitment to create greater fairness and opportunity for all Ontarians. Pa-

tients will not need to formally enroll to receive access to free coverage— the only documents required are a valid health card and an eligible prescription.

Ontario residents who attend universities in another province will still be able to receive coverage under OHIP+ with a valid health card and prescription.

OHIP+ grants financial relief for insurance providers that cover drugs in insurance plans. When the budget was first introduced in the spring, Ontario estimated that expanded prescription drug coverage would cost the provincial government $456 million a year, leading to big savings for insurance companies.

The leftover money could potentially be used towards expanded insurance coverage.

OHIP+ is part of the Liberal “strong and fairer Ontario” promise, which includes an increase in minimum wage, cheaper tuition, expanded daycare, funding for seniors, and other social policies. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath expressed concern that the proposed budget will be of little help to the middle class. Responding to the Liberal Drug Plan, the provincial NDPs pledged to create an expanded provincial pharmacare plan, under which people of all ages will be covered, but the number of prescription medications included would be limited to 125.

With the provincial election coming up in June 2018, polls have showed increased support for the Liberal party. In July, shortly after the new pharmacare plan was announced, the Liberals tied with the Provincial Conservatives, with 30 percent of Ontarians saying that they will vote Conservative in the upcoming election, and 27 percent saying that they will vote Liberal.

About 23 percent of Ontarians said that they will support the NDP.

NEWS 03

@STRANDPAPER THE STRAND | 21 NOVEMBER 2017

Bike lanes along Bloor made permanent

What’s happening around Vic this month?

Toronto makes strides to be a more cyclistfriendly city

VicPride! Fall Launch Party November 21, 7-11PM Cat’s Eye

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| hana nikcevic

VicPride! is hosting their first event of the year in the Cat’s Eye. This LGBTQIA+ oriented event features activities such as button-making and karaoke, and provides a space to get to know peers, members of the exec, and the LGBTQIA+ resources that are available. Free refreshments and pizza will be provided.

The Bob Presents: Where Are They Now? November 24 to 25, 8PM Isabel Bader Theatre Canada’s Longest Running Sketch Comedy Show is putting on their annual show in Isabel Bader Theatre. Tickets are available at the door and in advance at the VUSAC office; $7 for students, $10 for adults. Doors open at 7:30PM, and the show begins at 8PM. Music for Memories November 24, 2-5PM UC Junior Common Room Come by the UC Junior Common Room to paint music boxes or canvases for the Students’ Alzheimer’s Alliance UofT. There is a suggested donation of $5 to cover the cost of materials, and all art created will be gifted to patients with Alzheimer’s later this year. Festive music and treats provided.

When Will We Be Free?

November 30, 6-9PM 45 Willcocks St. When Will We Be Free is a conversation hosted by the Caribbean Solidarity Network about “the pro-slavery unconscious, anti-Black racism, and institutional discrimination in the ivory tower.”

Professors George Elliot Clarke, Carl James, Melanie Newton, and Lisa A. Robinson will be participating in this discussion on racism and higher education in Canada. The event will also feature spoken word from the co-leader of UofT’s Black Medical Students’ Assosication, Chika Oriuwa.

kiah caneira contributor

The Bloor Street Bike Lane Pilot Project was approved in May of 2016. By late August, the construction of 2.4 kilometers of separated bike lanes along Bloor Street West, between Shaw Street and Avenue Road, was completed. Last week, city council voted 36-6 to keep the separated bicycle lanes in place.

The number of cyclists using this bikeway has increased by 49 percent since this project was implemented—quickly making it the second most widely used bikeway in Toronto—according to statistics from the City of Toronto.

Last year, a decade-long plan was approved to create a bike lane network. Keeping the Bloor bike lanes is a step to making Toronto a more cyclistfriendly city.

Making room for bicycle lanes has always been controversial and met with great resistance from community members, as well as politicians.

Jared Kolb, executive director of Cycle T.O., said in a statement “there’s no question that our political

system has held us back from being able to build the kind of network of protected bike lanes that I think people who live downtown recognize as a priority.”

Debates surrounding the creation of bike lanes can quickly deteriorate into polarized battles of motorists versus cyclists competing for limited road space. But experts of infrastructure make the assertion that bike lanes benefit everyone on the road.

“This is about cities being better for everyone: healthier, more sustainable, much more cost effective, and just able to move more people in less space,” states Brent Toderian, the president of the Council of Canadian Urbanism, in a statement released.

Toderian continues, “urban biking, like transit, is critically important for cities to work better for everyone, including drivers.”

The hope is as more people are inspired to bike where they need to go and feel it is safe to do so, motorized traffic will decrease.

Currently, there is a modest increase in travel time along this stretch of Bloor Street West, ranging between 2 to 4 minutes during peak periods and directions.

VCDS presents The Drowsy Chaperone November 29 to December 1, 8PM Isabel Bader Theatre The Tony Award Winning musical is hitting the stage at Victoria College this season as a VCDS production. Tickets for students and seniors are $10, $15 for adults. VCDS issues a content warning for references to and/or elements of racism, sexism, and racial/gendered stereotyping; VCDS does not support these views, and hopes their satirical direction will continue to subvert these traditions in musical theatre.

Providing Health Care in Impoverished Nations: Debate Night November 29, 7-8PM Hart House, Galbraith Room 119 Students for Partners in Health: UTSG and the Hart House Debating Club are co-hosting a debate night, addressing the issue of providing healthcare to impoverished nations.They are hoping to “spark dialogue among students” regarding global health.

04 NEWS

EDITOR | AINSLEY DOELL NEWS@THESTRAND.CA

Toronto Overdose Prevention Society seeking government support Moss Park safe injection site still operating out of tent at 3 month mark ainsley doell news editor

On November 13th, the Toronto Overdose Prevention Society (TOPS) gathered at the Moss Park safe injection site for its three month anniversary. A post on their Facebook page announced that they were commemorating the 93 overdoses that they had reversed or stopped in the 90 days since the site had been established.

The TOPS is still lobbying for government support, seeking to make their services more permanently established. The safe injection site continues to operate out of a tent in Moss Park. Earlier this month, the province provided a heated tent as an interim solution, however the organization remains entirely without government funding for materials or staff.

Leigh Chapman, research fellow at The Wilson Centre, established a GoFundMe page for the TOPS. A recent update on the page says “our needs remain high and we appreciate the ongoing support as we continue to advocate for indoor space, heat, shelter, and basic human rights for people who use drugs.”

The update continues, “we know that people die at the park when we’re not there. At least four people have died to date and we now have a memorial in the park to remember them. This crisis is urgent and we all need to feel compelled to act.”

The targeted $60k of funds raised by this page would go towards supporting Overdose Action Toronto, as well as “increasing awareness among citizens of Toronto about the preventable nature of overdose deaths.”

The Ottawa OPS closed down their site last week, citing lack of government support as the cause.

In the last year, the number of overdose-related emergency calls has risen by 28 percent. This led to a call from the Toronto Police Association to provide officers with naloxone kits, a drug that is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose.

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| thestar.com

When asked about the UofT campus’ actions to prevent opioid overdose, the UofT media relations team says “all of our dons are trained in Standard First Aid and CPR Level C […] they have been instructed to call 911 and then campus police if they suspect an overdose or other kind of health emergency.”

Toronto Public Health provides a “take home naloxone program,” called POINT, through The Works. This program provides opioid users, and their friends and family with training to use naloxone in the treatment of an opioid overdose. Those trained receive a kit with two doses of the drug and the tools needed to administer it.

What will you bring to the table?

Are you a current Victoria College student? Do you have a project idea that could make Victoria College a better place? Apply for a grant from Student Projects to fund your vision!

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR PAST FUNDED PROJECTS! FIND MORE AT VICSTUDENTPROJECTS.COM.

"Unpacking COP21" Conference “COP21 Revealed: Examining and Understanding the Negotiations for the World and You” was the first annual climate and justice conference held at Victoria College. This conference tackled issues of sustainability, climate change and environmental justice, and most importantly, brought an opportunity to capture an important moment in history to the very students that will face future implications of these negotiations.

Vic for a Cure Holiday Tree The student-run organization Vic for a Cure was able to implement the December Ribbon Campaign which helped in raising cancer awareness and bringing the Vic community closer together. The campaign aimed to provide a platform where students and faculty were able to reflect and honour their loved ones affected by cancer, ultimately resulting in a decorative piece that was meaningful and suitable in the spirit of the holidays.

Since 2001, Victoria College students pay $10 per academic year into the Student Projects Fund, which exists as a source of funding with over $30,000 for projects that aim to improve the Victoria College student experience. By granting access to the resources required to turn students’ idea into reality, the Student Projects Fund exists to foster innovation, creativity, and most importantly, a sense of community-building at Victoria College.

Find out how to submit your project studentprojects@vusac.ca vicstudentprojects.com facebook.com/vicstudentprojects

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

EDITORIAL 05

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF | MOLLY KAY AND ELENA SENECHAL-BECKER EDITOR@THESTRAND.CA

Beware the Bern

the

How does media consumption relate to our “brand” of activism?

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6 0

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On October 29th, former U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders delivered a lecture entitled “What the U.S. Can Learn from Canadian Health Care” at UofT’s Convocation Hall.

In terms of campus events, the hype leading up to this lecture was unprecedented. When tickets went on sale to the general public, seats were sold out within seconds, resulting in a lot of frustrated and disappointed fans.

On the day of the lecture, a long line of ticket holders spiralled around front campus in anticipation. It was not surprising to hear that many people who did not secure tickets were also present, hoping for the chance to catch a glimpse of the U.S. Senator. One pair of individuals who stood right by the front doors held up a sign that read: “Bernie is a strong independent Senator and he doesn’t need any party!”

The lecture was scheduled for 11 AM, but members of the rush line admitted to waiting outside of Con Hall as early as 6 AM. Inside, several people were sporting #FeelTheBern merch and almost everyone had their phones out to snap a shot of the special guest.

While on stage, Sanders received several rounds of applause and numerous standing ovations. This reaction wasn’t undeserved: his lecture was genuine, topical, and inspired. He discussed not only what Americans stand to learn from the Canadian health care system, but also why Canadians should “be a little bit louder” about our beliefs.

He highlighted the importance of standing behind our activism and putting our political views into practice.

Sanders also took the opportunity to comment on the dismal state of the current U.S. administration. On the importance of having a free press and in light of the worldwide Fake News phenomenon he said: “Of course, we are trying to get Donald Trump to read the Constitution of the United States.”

In his closing remarks, Professor Greg Marchildon noted that Senator Sanders “received a welcome today in Canada that is normally reserved for celebrity rock stars.”

This was something that stuck with me; throughout the entire event, I couldn’t help but notice it.

The lines between politics and celebrity become dangerously blurred when politicians gain significant media following and attention. Even if said politicians propose progressive policies, we tend to get caught up in the social media hype surrounding political figures. It is no secret that during his campaign, Bernie memes circulated the Internet like wildfire (notably, on platforms such as Twitter, Vine, and Instagram). This kind of representation makes it easy to familiarize ourselves with politicians we’ve deemed the Good Guys. We may grow to like them despite our limited

exposure to their policies and platforms, making it easy to forget that it is our responsibility to hold everyone accountable and stay critical of all politicians.

For better or for worse, this certainly isn’t the first time a politician has been turned into a pop icon at the hands of a devoted fandom. The politician in this case becomes akin to just another famous figure we obsess about on the Internet. Perhaps, then, aligning ourselves with “progressive politics” is a trendy, relatively easy thing to do. For most of us, the sharing and “liking” of these kinds of posts doesn’t require any work at all. And although he puts it to good use, Sanders’s white privilege allows him to accept that kind of a spotlight.

I recently got coffee with an old friend who is involved with a lot of community organising. They mentioned that, often, white people who consider themselves “allies” are unaware of the ways in which their privilege plays an intrinsic role in their brand of activism. When white people make online posts that are aligned with the latest trends in “social media activism,” privileged groups need to recognise that they aren’t heroes for doing so, because they aren’t affected by the same oppressive forces that make this level of visibility dangerous for members of racialized communities.

As allies, it is our responsibility to speak out against social injustices. That being said, making a “woke” tweet, turning off our phones and then going to bed with a good conscience isn’t good enough. Allyship isn’t about crafting a self-satisfying online presence. We can’t then congratulate ourselves and assume the label “intersectional feminist” while neglecting to think about the larger implications of discrimination. Allyship is about listening, checking privilege, and never expecting marginalized groups to do the work for us.

Everyone who was fortunate enough to attend Sanders’s lecture had the opportunity to listen to an American leader responsible for driving the conversation on a lot of relevant and progressive issues. Still, I speculate that a lot of people walked away from that lecture more excited about instagramming a picture of the U.S. Senator than they were prepared to implement Sanders’s encouragement to be political in their everyday lives.

I do really like Bernie Sanders. I’m mindful, however, that one of the reasons why he is celebrated for his democratic socialist views is because he is in a position that allows him to be thus celebrated.

When we congratulate Sanders on his progressive values, let’s not forget about the countless activists of colour who endanger themselves in order to fight for a lot of the same causes that Sanders does. Let Bernie’s politics offer insight into the ongoing fight for intersectionality, while remembering that there is still a lot to be learned outside of his platform.

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The Strand has been the newspaper of record for Victoria University since 1953. It is published 12 times a year with a circulation of 1200 and is distributed in Victoria University buildings and across the University of Toronto’s St. George campus.

The Strand flagrantly enjoys its editorial autonomy and is committed to acting as an agent of constructive social change. As such, we will not publish material deemed to exhibit racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or other oppressive language.

The Strand is a proud member of the Canadian University Press (CUP).

Our offices are located at 150 Charles St. W., Toronto, ON, M5S 1K9. Please direct enquiries by email to editor@thestrand.ca. Submissions are welcome and may be edited for taste, brevity, and legality.

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06 OPINIONS

EDITOR | KATHLEEN CHEN OPINIONS@THESTRAND.CA

Op-Ed: The University-Mandated Leave of Absence is discriminatory and harmful

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students for barrier-free access contributor

Students for Barrier-free Access (SBA) is an organization led by mad and disabled students at the University of Toronto, an institution located on the territories of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of New Credit. SBA advocates for equity and the removal of barriers to accessing education. As a group of students located at the intersections of multiple identities, we are committed to resisting ableism and sanism, and to creating safer spaces for marginalized students on campus.

As students, community leaders, and advocates, we strongly oppose the proposed University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy. This policy, which is informally being referred to as UofT’s new mental health policy, specifically targets students with mental health disabilities and would allow the University to place these students on a mandatory leave of absence if (1) the student’s behaviour poses “a serious risk of harm to themselves or others” or (2) if the student is deemed “unable to engage in activities required to pursue an education.” The proposed policy raises numerous concerns for disabled and mad students, and our allies.

First and foremost, the logic framing this policy seems to indicate that the University has been providing appropriate accommodations to students with mental health disabilities. The policy itself is represented as one of last resort for the University, and it claims that it would only be applicable in a small number of student cases where accommodations are not successful or feasible. However, as the 2015-2016 Report of the University of Toronto Ombudsperson clearly illustrates, appropriate accommodations are not being provided to students. In fact, the Report states that the Ontario Human Rights Guidelines on Disability and the Duty to Accommodate have been unevenly and inconsistently followed across University departments.

Some academic programs were found to refuse to implement all but the most minimal accommodations for students with mental health disabilities.

Although the number of students with mental health disabilities enrolling at UofT has been rising significantly, due in large part to the advocacy work done in the disability community, the University has not matched this rise in enrolment with an increase in Disability Counsellors, Counsellors, or traditional healers. This has meant longer wait times for intake appointments at Accessibility Services and for meetings with Disability Counsellors, and unacceptable waitlists to see Counsellors for support. Given this and the findings of the Ombudsperson, the University’s proposal to place students on a mandatory and non-consensual leave without having met its obligations with respect to the Duty to Accommodate is appalling.

Another glaring problem with the proposed policy is that, contrary to the findings of numerous studies, it perpetuates the stereotype that people with mental health disabilities are prone to violence and thereby pose a risk to their communities.

This perception, and its irresponsible reproduction by the University administration through a policy that targets people with mental health disabilities as a known and identifiable group, is an act of discrimination. As history and current events have repeatedly shown, it is particularly people located at the intersections of marginalized identities—racialized, queer, and trans people with mental health disabilities—who bear the brunt of these unfounded stereotypes, institutionalized discrimination, and violence. Furthermore, research has shown that people with mental health disabilities are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators, and that gender and age are more reliable predictors of violent behaviour than mental health disabilities.

Equally troubling is the callous approach to students with mental health dis-

| rosa kumar

abilities should they be in distress or experiencing crisis and at risk of harming themselves. How can the University, which purports to be a community that “embraces the broadest range of people, that helps them achieve their full potential” justify evicting members who are in need of urgent support and care, who need to be embraced by their chosen community? Rather than holding space for its community members that are in crisis, the proposed policy would enable the UofT administration to remove students from their classes, their colleagues, and their student community.

Other potential impacts of this mandated leave of absence include the removal of students from campus housing and the revocation of financial assistance through programs like OSAP and the Bursary for Students with Disabilities and Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Persons with Permanent Disabilities (BSWD/CSG-PDSE), as maintaining one’s student status is a condition of access to student funding and housing. Graduate students who are often employed by the University could also lose their jobs and primary source of income if placed on a mandated leave of absence. Removing financial supports for students experiencing crisis will only exacerbate their distress and increase the barriers to access that they will be facing. For international students with mental health disabilities, the policy is especially concerning, as being placed on a mandated leave could put their study permit in jeopardy.

Returning to studies after being placed on a university-mandated leave presents its own indignities. In order to be able to return to their studies, students must apply to the Vice Provost Students in writing and are encouraged to provide documentation from a healthcare practitioner attesting that they are able to return “safely” to their studies. At the discretion of the Vice Provost Students, students may be subject to a psychiatric risk-assessment or behavioural assessment, and reacceptance is in no way guaranteed.

Given the enormity of the consequences of this policy on students with mental health disabilities, the Office of the Vice-President and Provost should be concerned that it will deter students from seeking the support and guidance they may need, leaving them feeling isolated. Faculty and staff wanting to refer students to mental health supports may hesitate to do so for fear of reprisal on the student.

On Friday November 10th, SBA released a letter in resistance to the UniversityMandated Leave Policy. As of the time of writing this Op-Ed, over 400 students, staff, and faculty have signed on, and two of five University of Toronto student unions, APUS and UTGSU, have endorsed the petition. We collectively call on the Office of the Vice-President and Provost to immediately revoke the proposed policy, to do their due diligence by engaging in a broad and in-depth consultation with disabled students and the wider disability community, to increase the mental health supports available on campus, to hire additional counsellors and traditional healers, and to increase funding and staff at Accessibility Services. The University is obligated to meet its Duty to Accommodate, and we call on UofT to do so before instituting punitive and harmful policies.

The SBA’s “Re: University-Mandated Leave Policy” letter can be accessed on The Strand’s Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as at the following link: https://goo.gl/YtXpwV. This article is part of an ongoing series in which The Strand tackles issues relating to systemic oppression, privilege, and identity. All are welcome to contribute to the discussion. Pitches should be directed to opinions@thestrand.ca

OPINIONS 07

@STRANDPAPER THE STRAND | 21 NOVEMBER 2017

Too close for comfort The ramifications of holding a “Free Speech” event on the Vic campus kathleen chen opinions editor

On November 4th, an event entitled “The Free Speech Comedy Show” took place at the Isabel Bader Theatre. Run in association with Students in Support of Free Speech (SSFS), the show was comedian Danny Polishchuk’s second attempt at putting on what he called a “pro-free speech comedy show.” The first attempt, originally scheduled in August, was cancelled after the locks at the venue were broken. The original poster for the show parodied the Facebook graphic for the “No Fascist T.O. Diversity Rally.” This rally arose in opposition to Ryerson University’s panel “The Stifling of Free Speech on University Campuses,” which featured UofT professor of psychology Jordan Peterson and former Rebel Media reporter Faith Goldy. Speaking on the Todd Shapiro Show (Episode 809), Polishchuk commented, “A talk called ‘The Stifling of Free Speech on Campus’ gets shut down––the ultimate irony.”

Polishchuk called the event a “charity benefit show,” with proceeds benefitting the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. He billed the show as defending “freedom of speech.” In the same podcast episode, however, Polishchuk admitted, “I don’t give a shit about the Canadian Civil Liberties Association––I picked them because I knew that if [protestors] tried to stop the show they would look absurd.”

Polishchuk’s choice to keep the same name as the original event despite the backlash indicates his unwillingness to acknowledge the legitimate concerns people had regarding his first show. Continuing to make light of “free speech” is unacceptable, not simply because it offends the people Polishchuk dismisses as hypersensitive, but because it trivializes the concern that the defense of free speech has been used as a pretence to make hate speech permissible. Ultimately, the show on November 4th did co-opt free speech as a cover for humour that further disempowers already marginalized groups to whom linguistic harassment is just one of many oppressive forces. A video posted by The Drop’s Facebook page shows Polishchuk making a joke with a punch line about they/them pronouns, saying that identifying as non-binary “was only invented six months ago.”

Because the term “free speech” has become so semantically slippery, it is unclear what to expect from a space that purports to be “pro-free speech.” In this political climate, we cannot give such events the benefit of the doubt. Debates on freedom of speech have led to increasingly aggressive actions: students reported finding razor blades under posters across campus that said “It’s Okay to be White,” for example, and Professor Jordan Peterson doxxed activists by tweeting their personal Facebook profiles. Most recently, Peterson announced, though later put on hold, plans for a new website that would allow users to identify professors and courses that they deem “postmodern” and “corrupt.” Peterson defines certain professors and areas of study “particularly reprehensible,” including “women’s studies” and “all the ethnic studies and racial studies groups.”

In this context, it is appalling that Victoria College gave Polishchuk the benefit of the doubt. It is dangerous to allow the Isabel Bader Theatre to become a gathering place for people who believe that their right to free speech is at risk. This is especially dangerous when we take into account Vic’s reputation for having a significantly left-leaning student body––proponents of hate speech disguised as “free speech” tend to view the left-leaning as the enemy. In a video posted on Facebook by The Drop, we can see that the audience was very comfortable laughing at the expense of non-binary people. This makes the space extremely hostile and unsafe for the LGBTQIA+ community at Vic. This is particularly concerning because students are generally unaware of what events are taking place at Bader, and could have been completely unaware of this potential danger. The Vic campus should be safe for all members

of our community at all times. It should not be the students’ responsibility to check when they are potentially unwelcome in campus spaces.

The possibility for harm to students is reason enough not to hold such an event. UofT required Polishchuk to pay for extra security in anticipation of protests and pushback to the show––if the school believed that militarization of the space was necessary, why would they hold an event that carried such a risk of violence?

The administration at Vic seems unwilling to take responsibility for this event. VUSAC President Zahavah Kay reports that, when she and VUSAC Equity Commissioner Shailee Koranne expressed their concern about the event to members of the administration, “There was no member of admin who admitted to knowing about the existence of this show.” When The Strand inquired about Bader’s event booking policy in the context of the show, the response we received cited UofT’s Policy on the Temporary use of Space which states that “the provision of University space for activities or events does not in any way imply that the University itself has expressed or condoned the views which may be expressed.” In typical UofT fashion, Vic chose to fall back on the language of policy.

It is highly irresponsible for Vic to distance itself from the views of events that occur on campus. Allowing this event to take place in Vic space makes the college complicit in maintaining a climate that is hostile to marginalized groups, sending the message that these kinds of ideas are welcome here. Polishchuk can promote whatever he chooses, but it is our responsibility to criticize inequitable and marginalizing attitudes. Victo-

ria College’s silence suggests approval of this event. They allowed it to take place despite concerns, and neglected to issue any comment addressing these concerns. Vic should have disagreed, and disagreed audibly.

Why was the title of the event not a clear enough signal for Vic to investigate and intervene? Was this a grave and major oversight, or is this an indication that the administration finds it extremely challenging to consider the perspectives of students belonging to marginalized groups?

Overlooking problematic titles seems to be a recent theme at Vic. In October, Bader also hosted the Keith Davey Forum, which posed the question “Social Inequality: Is it a Real Problem? Can it be Solved?” It is embarrassing that such a high-profile event, jointly organized by Vic and the Department of Political Science, was so poorly planned.

Vic could have effected some real change for the very problem it wanted to discuss by giving a platform to voices that have been historically underrepresented, dismissed and erased. Instead, it continues to undermine the value of these voices.

Victoria College needs to take concrete action to make our university environment less hostile. Not everyone has the privilege to separate discussion about social inequality and hate speech from the lived experience of social inequality and hate speech. Not everyone has the privilege to step away from these problems.

For students belonging to marginalized groups, existing in this atmosphere is exhausting and can impede their ability to learn. Vic has the responsibility to take a stance and to take action on these forms of oppression because it has the power to do so.

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| hana nikcevic

08 FEATURES

EDITOR | ERIN CALHOUN FEATURES@THESTRAND.CA

ATTEMPTING JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT Solidarity and representation of sexual violence catalyze change

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FEATURES 09

@STRANDPAPER THE STRAND | 21 NOVEMBER 2017

erin calhoun features editor

Content warning: discussions on sexual assault and harassment.

In 2017, more than 50 women have come forward with sexual allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

These events prompted the resurgence of the “#MeToo” social media campaign, which was originally founded in 2014

by Tarana Burke to raise awareness about sexual violence.

Soon after, Anthony Rapp accused actor Kevin Spacey of sexually assaulting him when Rapp was a minor. Next came the publication of a New York Times exposé, which brought to light sexual assault allegations made against comedian Louis C.K. by five women. In a public statement, the comedian admitted to these allegations of sexual misconduct. Shortly thereafter, his upcoming film, I Love You Daddy, about an underage girl being seduced by an older man, was dropped by its distributor. The list of Hollywood men accused of sexual misconduct continues to grow, including names such as Ed Westwick, James Toback, and many more.

The multiplicity of stories about powerful men caught in sexual assault allegations has been dominating the media as of late. The awareness and discussions surrounding these crimes are reaching new heights in the public sphere.

Despite this increase in media attention, rates of sexual assault are not decreasing. According to the Canadian centre for Policy Alternatives, sexual assault is one of the only crimes in Canada whose rates are not declining. Although recent discussions are raising awareness, reporting sexual assault is still dangerous for women and their reports of sexual violence are not taken seriously.

In early 2015, Stanford student Brock Turner was convicted of sexual assault.

Turner was sentenced to six months in prison with three years of probation. After three months, Turner was released and registered as a sex offender. This case went viral when the victim, known as “Emily Doe,” read a victim impact statement during the sentencing phase of the trial. The statement was then published on Buzzfeed.

In early 2017, The Globe and Mail reporter Robyn Doolittle exposed the inefficiencies in the ways police officers handle sexual assault cases. The report uncovered that police dismiss 1 in 5 sexual assault claims as “baseless” or “unfounded,” meaning that an officer does not believe that a criminal offence occurred. Any case that is deemed “unfounded” is not sent to Statistics Canada.

Doolittle’s investigation highlighted the case of a Western University student who was raped after attending a party. The young woman’s case was deemed “baseless” and closed by police. This case is not unique; more than 5,000 cases of sexual assault have also been dismissed as “unfounded” by Canadian law enforcement.

At the beginning of 2017, postsecondary institutions started amending policies to be in compliance with Bill 132: Ontario’s Sexual Violence and Harassment Plan. The bill outlines that schools must put in place a policy for responding to sexual violence as well as incidents and complaints of harassment. UofT’s past sexual violence and harassment policy was widely criticized for its unclear descriptions of procedures. In April of 2017, Tamsyn Riddle, sexual assault victim and an organizer of the UofT chapter of Si-

lence is Violence, came forward with her story of reporting sexual assault to UofT. The school mishandled her case and inadequately investigated her complaint.

A new policy at UofT on sexual violence and harassment deals specifically with responding to incidents and providing support for victims. The policy is part of the university’s attempts to strengthen awareness of sexual assault and violence on campus; it implements two years’ worth of research and consultation with expert panels of students and faculty.

campus. Although the posters complied with the university’s size and placement policies, they were later removed because administration deemed them to be in violation of the Procedure on Distribution of Publications, Posters, and Banners. The university’s pushback creates a culture of silence.

How are student unions involved with all of this? The University of Toronto Students' Union (UTSU) is one of many student unions in partnership with Our Turn, a student-led group that

THERE IS OFTEN A LACK OF EMPATHY FOR WOMEN WHO REPORT INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. A TENDENCY TO BLAME THE VICTIM RESULTS IN QUESTIONS CONCERNING ATTIRE, SOBRIETY, AND MENTAL HEALTH. In the 2016 Annual Campus Police Report for UTSG, the most recent report available, the number of reported sexual assault crimes to the Campus Police rose from 2 in 2015 to 11. The increase in reports doesn’t necessarily reflect an increase in crime. Instead, it may reflect students becoming more comfortable with reporting assaults. UofT created a Sexual Violence and Support Centre to respond to sexual violence on campus. The Annual Campus Police Report takes into account reports made to this centre. The support centre is present on all three UofT campuses and educates administration in dealing with sexual harassment and violence.

Although Campus Police are also trained to investigate sexual misconduct and harassment, escalated cases are sent to the Toronto Police Service for investigation.

Historically, universities have been known to conceal sexual assault incidents occurring on campus. From “rape chants” at St. Mary’s College to a rape committed by a member of the University of Ottawa hockey team, university policies for reporting sexual assault have proven to be ineffective. Most universities deal with sexual assault instances internally—very few of these cases lead to investigation by officials.

Dr. Sable of the University of Missouri-Columbia explains that the major reasons an individual may choose not to report assault are shame, guilt, and embarrassment of what happened; concerns about confidentiality, and fear of not being believed. Sexual assault is frequently imagined as occurring to cisgender women in heterosexual encounters. Those with experiences who do not fit this stereotype could face additional barriers to reporting an incident.

There is often a lack of empathy for women who report incidents of sexual assault. A tendency to blame the victim results in questions concerning attire, sobriety, and mental health.

Earlier in March of this year, Silence is Violence ran a campaign titled “Silence Fights Back” which featured posters around campus exposing the mishandling of sexual assault by the university. According to Silence is Violence’s Facebook page, the campaign is meant to “highlight the experiences of people impacted by violence and abuse on campus and their reflections on seeking out resources and supports from the University of Toronto.”

Within its first 24 hours, the campaign received more than 70 responses. 10,000 copies were printed and posted around

focuses on sexual violence and assault policies throughout Canadian universities. Our Turn rated the sexual violence and harassment policies of 14 Canadian universities after they were created or updated to reflect Bill 132. Nearly half of the universities studied received failing grades, with UofT’s policy receiving a C-.

The evaluation also exposed the problems students face when reporting an assault, which include: being barred from making a complaint to police or the university, the ability for university presidents to make unexplained exceptions to their sexual violence and harassment policies, and judges’ orders to silence survivors. The UTSU claims to be improving their approach to sexual violence and harassment by taking student input into account. The UTSU also plans to join twenty other student unions, including UBC, McGill, Dalhousie, and the University of Ottawa to create an action plan that will improve prevention of sexual violence, support survivors, and advocate for change.

Coverage of sexual violence in the media—such as Lauren McKeon’s Toronto Life story recounting her rape and the aforementioned cases of women reporting their experiences of sexual assault—shows that journalism has the ability to catalyze change. Shannon Giannitsopoulou, cofounder of Femifesto (a feminist organization that works to shift rape culture and consent), helped create a guide for writing about sexual assault. The guide was created in consultation with survivors of sexual assault. Giannitsopoulou explains that sexual violence often happens “in the grey areas,” and responsible reporting takes this into account.

Since the publication of “Unfounded”

by Doolittle in The Globe and Mail, OPP officers that investigate sexual assault have become required to undergo extensive training and accept feedback from local victim support groups. The OPP will also review approximately 4,000 cases that were originally deemed “unfounded.”

Several of the investigated cases have also been reopened, resulting in the arrest of one of the attackers.

Silence is Violence continues to run campaigns that foster discussion and raise awareness of gender-based discrimination.

The organization also provides education and training on the subject with guest speakers on campuses.

Through responsible reporting on sexual violence and an increase in media attention, policies and views regarding sexual violence are starting to change.

10 SCIENCE

EDITORS | TANUJ ASHWIN KUMAR AND NADINE RAMADAN SCIENCE@THESTRAND.CA

Examining neurologist Oliver Sacks A review of Vintage Sacks and other works

jasmine ng staff writer

Oliver Sacks, a British neurologist well-known for his study of the effects of dopamine on Parkinson’s disease, has contributed significantly to neuroscience literature. He has written numerous books which include case studies of colourblindness, Tourette’s syndrome, migraines, and the effect of music on the mind.

The common thread throughout his works is an unending fascination with the brain’s intricacies and the accessibility of his language in describing scientific concepts. Vintage Sacks, a collection of excerpts from Sacks’s writings, is one of the best books for introducing new readers to his work.

Sacks captures the broad sweep of Tourette’s while drawing out the subtleties of the condition. He skillfully highlights the normalcy and humanity of patients with the syndrome, presenting Bennett’s personality and his tics as equally important.

Sacks’s nuanced and detailed observations also extend into his studies of deafness. These observations come from his book, Seeing Voices. Sacks does his research well, summarizing the condition as well as providing the history of deaf communities. He cites David Wright, a poet who became deaf in his childhood, to contrast the worlds of sound and silence. Wright’s writings detail the phenomenon of phantom sounds: they arose from memories of his hearing days, and caused him to “hear” the sounds of his family members’ voices as he watched them speak or

HE MAKES CLEAR THAT THE REASON PEOPLE USED TO EQUATE DEAFNESS WITH A LACK OF INTELLIGENCE WAS BASED ON THE INCORRECT ASSUMPTION THAT SPEECH EQUALS LANGUAGE. One of the most fascinating stories Sacks recounts in Vintage Sacks is one of a surgeon with Tourette’s syndrome. Tourette’s syndrome is condition that is widely known and has a long history. It is also instantly recognizable by its compulsive tics and mimicry. However, what is most interesting is how every person with the syndrome experiences it differently. Sacks stayed with Dr. Carl Bennett in his hometown of Branford, British Columbia to observe his everyday life with Tourette’s.

Some of Bennett’s tics include the involuntary repetition of phrases, the constant readjustment of his glasses and moustache, and sometimes the unexpected throwing of objects. Bennett tells Sacks: “It seems to me almost instinctual… I think it is something primal, pre-human—maybe something that all of us, without knowing it, have in us.” Bennett’s statement illuminates the idea that these neurological conditions do not simply happen to a person, but are instead a part of them. His outlook on Tourette’s indicates his relationship with his condition. While other people with Tourette’s have described their tics as a separate entity (some calling them names such as “Toby” and “Mr. T,” as if they were people), Bennett considers his tics to be an extension of himself. He does not view them as an impairment.

This attitude shows through; he can fly an airplane, he has never gotten into a car accident, and he performs surgeries seamlessly. Sacks notes that Bennett’s tics cease when he operates—not because he is restraining himself, but because he is entirely focused. His comfort with his Tourette’s is part of what makes him a confident surgeon, and what makes patients trust him as well. In addition, Bennett is also wellknown to be compassionate—a trait that is as innate as his tics. In this excerpt,

the sound of wind when he saw trees moving. These “phantasmal sounds” are not only intriguing, but are also a testament to the brain’s resourcefulness in synthesizing limited information. The most important part of this excerpt, however, lies in Sacks’s assertions about the intellectual capacities of the deaf. He makes clear that the reason people used to equate deafness with a lack of intelligence was based on the incorrect assumption that speech equals language. Though there is a critical age by which children must learn a language, he shows through examples of Signlanguage schools that teaching Sign to deaf children allows them to acquire the language skills they need. Sacks also cites the people of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts as an example of a community that uses Sign in their everyday lives. Most people living on the island learned Sign as a primary language, as the island was once populated with deaf individuals. Sign language was used to break the barrier between the hearing and non-hearing, and no one was thought of as disabled in the community. Sacks notes that those with hearing still use Sign with one another to this day. Sacks writes: “Sign is ‘natural’ to all that learn it, and has an intrinsic beauty and excellence sometimes superior to speech.” This excerpt’s beauty lies in Sacks’s descriptions of the lively deaf communities around the world, and his appreciation for the human resilience and creativity that redefines disability as ability.

Succinct in style while broad in sweep, Vintage Sacks is a delightful read. Sacks’s style is lyrical without waxing poetic, and scientific without being unapproachable.

Some of his most compelling works are included in this book, and it is highly recommended for those looking to explore the world of neuroscience.

ARTS AND CULTURE 11

EDITOR | SABRINA PAPAS ARTSANDCULTURE@THESTRAND.CA

How do you consume television?

Riverdale and Stranger Things: differences in viewing trends

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alexa ballis contributor

October saw the return of two popular television series on Netflix: Stranger Things and Riverdale. While they share a streaming platform, the shows are released in different manners that may influence the viewer’s relationship with the series.

Stranger Things, like many other Netflix originals, is released one season at a time. Having a whole season available at once allows the audience to choose how they would prefer to consume their television, but this method often facilitates binge-watching. According to the chief content officer of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, people’s viewing habits have changed and the company is trying to accommodate that. He explains that people no longer watch shows on a weekly schedule and instead, opt to commit themselves to one season or series at a time until they finish watching it. This, however, is not necessarily the case for everyone. For instance, episodes of Riverdale are released weekly and the show still has a strong following. There are pros and cons to both viewing styles.

Television shows with seasons that are released all at once, such as Stranger Things, are appealing because they appease this new desire for instant gratification.

Viewers know that the need to have the answer to a question sparked by an episode’s cliffhanger can be immediately satisfied—all they have to do is press play on the next episode to find out what happens to their favourite character. Another benefit of binge-watching is that it decreases the chance that people will forget what happened earlier on in the season, because they are consuming the show so quickly. They do not have to wait a week until the next episode airs. However, the faster they finish the series, the longer they have to wait for the next season to come out. The hype, therefore, reaches a climax around the show’s release, then collapses midway through the year because people aren’t being exposed to it on a regular basis.

Shows that are released periodically, however, sus-

tain the suspense over a longer timeframe. This schedule gives the viewer time to consider the story and contemplate their own theories about where the plot is headed.

Riverdale sets up a murder mystery in episode one and the audience can’t help but speculate who the culprit is until it’s revealed in the season finale, with all the loose ends tied up. The time in between episodes lets the tension build and promotes discussion. For example, there are many detailed theories roaming around the internet about the identity of The Black Hood from Riverdale, and fans will argue their opinions until the character’s identity is confirmed. This gives the viewers time to appreciate each episode for what it is and encourages them

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leased may be disappointed to hear that their friend only watched one episode because they were boggled down with work and had to avoid social media for spoilers. They might feel peer-pressured to finish the show as soon as possible to keep up with the conversation. This can easily turn into a competition to see who completes the show the fastest.

Being busy is not the only reason someone may choose to pace themselves when watching TV. They may want to savour the show because they know it’s going to be a long time until new episodes are going to be released. This way, they can appreciate the episodes singularly and experience the show more regularly.

THE HYPE, THEREFORE, REACHES A CLIMAX AROUND THE SHOW’S RELEASE, THEN COLLAPSES MIDWAY THROUGH THE YEAR BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN’T BEING EXPOSED TO IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

to analyze, thereby deepening their understanding. Additionally, the wait time between seasons is shorter than that of a Netflix Original because they don’t have to finish filming all the episodes before each release date.

While the anticipation may not be as strong because it’s always around, the dialogue about it does not have as much time to die down.

Even if a show is released weekly, the viewer can choose to wait until the season is complete to bingewatch it. On the flip side, if a show is released all at once, a person can decide to watch it at a moderate pace. People who view shows the minute they are re-

As for what the method of release does to the viewers’ relationships with the characters, both techniques are effective. Binge-watching immerses the viewer in the world of a show, and removes them from reality: this can strengthen a viewer’s emotions toward the cast because it’s all they’re exposed to for a long period of time. With that said, a good script and cast can make you feel attached to the characters right from the start.

If both Riverdale and Stranger Things didn’t create dynamic and endearing characters from episode one, people may not have stuck around for episode two.

12 ARTS AND CULTURE

EDITOR | SABRINA PAPAS ARTSANDCULTURE@THESTRAND.CA

Review: Murder on the Orient Express

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marjan dian staff writer

Agatha Christie has undeniably left her mark on the hearts of mystery lovers and aspiring detectives. Having published over 60 novels, her reputation as the “Queen of Crime” is well-earned, especially with critically acclaimed books such as The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Many of her famed novels have also made their way to the screen, including And Then There Were None, and most recently, Murder on the Orient Express. The latter, directed by Sidney Lumet in 1974, was well received by the public and critics alike, earning six nominations at the 47th Academy Awards. However, nearly 50 years later, can Kenneth Branagh and his 2017 adaption of the movie measure up?

EVEN FOR SOMEONE WHO CONSIDERS THE NOVEL TO BE INCOMPARABLE TO ANY ADAPTION, SEEING SUCH A WONDERFUL CAST OF CHARACTERS COME TO LIFE DID DO THE STORY, AND CHRISTIE, A GREAT DEAL OF JUSTICE. Featuring a star-studded cast—including Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench, and Willem Dafoe—as well as stunning cinematography, Branagh’s re-adaptation quickly became popular in its preview stages. As a big fan of both Christie and this novel, and having never seen Lumet’s version, I hoped that Branagh’s film would do it justice.

Playlist: Pulses grace king associate photo editor

For the feeling of the sharp beginnings of winter all over your cheeks, snippets of conversations between strangers on the subway, and that gritty sense of hope on the edge of your tongue. These songs begin with a feeling of being underwater and end with a sense that you might be on the threshold of something—kind of like November.

“Person Box” – iansucks “In Undertow” – Alvvays “The Waiting Game” – FLOOR CRY “Be Your Own 3 AM” – Adult Mom “What Arrows” – Hey Rosetta!

“Narrows” – Widowspeak “Secret Tunnel 2” – iansucks

“These Days” – Nico “Hands in the Garden” – Half Moon Run “Pulses” – Mauno Listen now on Spotify!

| courtesy of 20th century fox

The movie follows a similar structure to the novel, mostly focusing on the aftermath of Ratchett’s (Depp) murder on a train full of colourful characters. Poirot (played by Branagh himself ) begins interrogations of these people, and the plot escalates as his evidence begins to culminate towards the shocking end. Though there are cinematic additions to the movie that don’t appear in the novel, Branagh did an excellent job of staying true to what matters within the plot, and the cast does a phenomenal job of portraying that as well. The same moments that had me sitting at the edge of my seat while reading the novel were equally as suspenseful in the film. I was glad that this element of surprise and shock at the core of Christie’s novels lasted through Murder on the Orient Express.

Branagh makes an interesting attempt at deepening Poirot’s character by hinting at a tragic past including lost love—something never mentioned in the novel, and that has no purpose within the film but to characterize the detective. He also makes Poirot obsessed with the “balance” of things, even adding a new scene at the start of the film to showcase him needing perfectly symmetrical eggs for breakfast. By the end, it seems that Branagh’s choice to portray Poirot in this way is set up to juxtapose how the resolution is in fact “imbalanced,” and that he must learn to accept and live with this. Though he does a wonderful job at representing all of Poirot’s little quirks and charms, the project feels like merely an opportunity to cast himself in the lead role. There is no real necessity for a remake of Murder on the Orient Express, especially when it was so well-received the first time.

That being said, Murder on the Orient Express retells Christie’s classic novel in a way that, for those new to the mystery, will be a suspenseful and worthwhile experience. Even for someone who considers the novel to be incomparable to any adaption, seeing such a wonderful cast of characters come to life did do the story, and Christie, a great deal of justice. With hints of a sequel centered around Christie’s Death on the Nile being made at the end, I’m intrigued as to where Branagh will take Hercule Poirot’s story and skills next.

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| grace king

ARTS AND CULTURE 13

@STRANDPAPER THE STRAND | 21 NOVEMBER 2017

The Royal Ontario Museum’s VIKINGS: The Exhibition A captivating showcase of complex Norse lives georgia lin editorial assistant

The Royal Ontario Museum’s VIKINGS offers a fascinating and original perspective on the lives and culture of the Scandinavian Vikings between the 8th and 11th centuries. The exhibit succeeds in dispelling commonly perpetuated myths about the Vikings by offering a detailed historical showcase of Norse life that spans all levels of society.

As a collaboration between the ROM and the Swedish History Museum, the exhibit presents the largest gathering of Viking artifacts in North America. Dr. Craig Cipolla, the ROM’s Associate Curator of North American Archaeology, describes VIKINGS as “[providing] visitors with a holistic perspective on who the Norse were, how they changed through time, and how they constantly pushed the boundaries of their world through innovation and curation.” The introduction of the exhibit is quick to clarify misconceptions surrounding the term “Vikings;” it is not meant to define the people of the Viking Age, but rather, it is the Norse term for trade expeditions. VIKINGS also eliminates the common contemporary assumption of horned helmets as being prevalent in Viking society; in actuality, Viking helmets were rare finds.

The architecture of the gallery is reminiscent of a ship voyage, with angular structural configurations and

displays that contain historical images, all constructed with waves and curves shaped like a boat’s hull. The calming ambience of the exhibition is encapsulated by large prints of rural Scandinavian landscapes lining the gallery, complemented by a serene woodwind soundtrack.

In addition to eliminating the myth of Vikings as exclusively masculine pillagers, the exhibit focuses on the essential role women played in the family and farming centres of Viking life. Items of aristocratic women, such as stunning box brooches, made apparent the power wielded by women.

The exhibit’s highlights are its interactive features, such as the opportunity to virtually dress up men, women, and children of the Viking age in clothes that would dictate their social status and roles, like “Lady of the House” or the enslaved “unfreed” people. Other entertaining activities include writing names in Norse runes with magnetic tiles, virtually excavating a Viking boat grave, and listening to the Vikings tell oral stories of their gods.

Notable displays include a remarkable reconstruction of a wooden Viking boat on loan from the Swedish History Museum, as well as a striking centrepiece molded by dimly lit boat rivets hanging on clear strings in the shape of a ship.

The exhibition also illustrates the depth of the Viking people’s beliefs in their gods. The symbols and

responsibilities of famous gods and goddesses of the Viking Age, such as Odin, Thor, and Loki, were on display. For example, deities were assigned a day of the week; Thor, the chief protector of all gods and humans, belonged to Thursday.

The final section of the exhibit was dedicated to the Vikings’ exploration of Canada’s East Coast, presenting artifacts found in Newfoundland and Nunavut. A refreshing note made by the curators recognized how the false discoveries of Norse artifacts in North America undermine the existence of Indigenous populations during the Viking Age and reaffirm dangerous falsehoods about Canada’s origins. This distinction closed the exhibit in a manner reflective of a cultural awareness about colonization.

The ROM’s expansive VIKINGS exhibit broadens the representations of the Viking people beyond the archetypical warriors who only sought to plunder and raid other civilizations. The exhibition thoughtfully examines the unique Viking culture cultivated through religious and cultural exchanges with other nations.

VIKINGS: The Exhibition deftly embodies the ROM’s curatorial strengths and creates a curious, engrossing atmosphere reminiscent of a seafaring journey for visitors of all ages.

VIKINGS: The Exhibition is on display until April 2nd, 2018 at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Review: Hart House Theatre’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee william dao staff writer

Hart House Theatre’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a musical comedy directed by Cory Doran, with music and lyrics written by William Finn. The plot centres on six quirky teenagers competing at a spelling bee set in the “Putnam Valley Middle School.” This production was definitely a crowd-pleaser, the audience roared with laughter at every awkward joke and heightened gesture—however, the essential story and the arch of the characters fell a little flat. The moments where the selected audience members participated in “the bee,” garnered the most applause and connection from the audience.

Every night of the performance, four audience members are selected to be “spellers” in “the bee,” joining the actors on the stage. They are given a character, and when their name is called just as the actual characters in the play are, they go up to the microphone—centre stage—and spell the word they are given. This generally creates a lot of laughter from the audience, especially as the four audience members are given some very simple words to spell such as “cow.” Unfortunately, the general choreography of the show did not benefit from having extra bodies on the stage who solely stood around. Of course, part of the appeal is that the audience gets to watch people on the stage reacting to the nonsense of the show, but it took away from the performance. It felt awkward to watch the six actors dance in the downstage area attempting to block the four audience members that were still very visible; being able to watch the reactions of the four audience members also subconsciously informed the actual audience how to react and feel.

The instant sense of connection from the audience to the four audience members onstage allowed the audience to sympathize with them whenever they were eliminated from “the bee.” The applause that roared from the audience was infectious and the room felt united, however this applause was not the same compared to when the actual characters in the play were eliminated.

The strength of the script is that the audience really begins to love these quirky personalities because we can relate to them, either from feeling as if we know someone just like that character or because they remind us of ourselves, but this aspect of the show was completely missing. The actors were all very exaggerated in the most surface level sense.

The actors were consistently performing their lines in a way that seemed over rehearsed and not rooted in genuine response. There was a lack of life and it did not feel like the actors were truly being affected by the other actors. This superficiality created a disconnect for the audience and lead to very mild applauses when a character would be eliminated from “the bee.” No one in the audience seemed to actually care who won and did not genuinely root for any of the characters as they are supposed to.

There were, however, two standout performances . Art Carlson, who plays Vice Principal Douglas Panch, was very understated and truthful compared to the rest of the cast.

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| scott gorman

His refreshing performance brought a lot of comedic moments because of how real he was. Kevin Forster, who plays Leaf Coneybear, as well as Carl Dad, did an excellent job handling the two roles, even when wearing the same costume in some scenes. It was impressive to see him portray a very heightened childlike character all while maintaining a sense of truth as Leaf, and then being a very honest and conniving father as Carl Dad. The cast featured a lot of strong singers and it was impressive to hear that everyone could really sing. “The I Love You Song” featuring Vanessa Campbell, Amy Swift, and Carson Betz as Olive, Olive’s Mom, and Olive’s Dad, respectively, was a standout musical moment. The harmonies were spot on and the power of the melody filled the entire theatre. Carson Betz was notably the most gifted singer in the cast; his tone was gorgeous and his range is incredibly huge. Overall, everybody in the cast sang very well and it was delightful to hear them sing.

All things considered, this production is very enjoyable because it is fun. There are a lot of comedic moments and jokes that the audience responds well to. It’s unfortunate that the sense of genuine connection between the audience and the characters is compromised due to the heightened superficial acting styles, but who knows, maybe I came on an “off night.”

14 STRANDED

EDITOR | REBECCA GAO STRANDED@THESTRAND.CA

Wave of plastic bag-related crimes terrorize Toronto Could this be the beginning of something more sinister?

leora nash staff writer

On Sunday November 12th, Annabelle Thomas returned to her Toronto home to shocking conditions.

At first, Thomas was unable to open her door. Thinking that a roommate had bolted it shut, Thomas knocked repeatedly until a single Shopper’s Drug Mart plastic bag slithered out from under her door. “I was so afraid.

I recognized the bag from my recent trip to Shoppers, but I specifically remembered stuffing it in another plastic bag, under my sink…”

Finally able to knock down her door, Thomas entered her walkway to find hundreds of plastic bags

strewn on the ground, appearing to spell M-U-R-D-ER in capital letters. Later that night, Thomas awoke to a string of plastic bags tied to her leg and, after initially removing them, found them tied to her arm the next morning.

Immediately following the second incident, Annabelle contacted local authorities. A crime scene investigation was inconclusive, but one police officer reported a mysterious IKEA bag appearance in his home shortly after the investigation. In a possibly related incident, a collection of body bags have been reported missing from the city’s forensics department—their contents left behind in what police are calling “rogue crime!!!!!”

According to an exclusive tip, plastic bag incidents

are on the rise in Toronto and have no sign of coming to an end. A letter that recently appeared in Annabelle Thomas’ kitchen appears to be signed by her plastic bag collection and is what authorities are now calling “The Plastic Bag Manifesto.” It reads: “We will not stop. We will have no mercy. You take us and stuff us full of dirty socks. You allow cracked eggs and shattered glass to inhabit our families. You laugh mercilessly at our brothers and sisters as they are torn to pieces until our cousins—the garbage bags— are forced to deliver them to their ultimate death. Hear our cries and end our torture. Release us from containment.”

The bags could not be reached for comment.

Spelling test!

Can you get them all? wilfred moeschter spelling bee champ, 2013

Time for a quick brainteaser! See if you can spell all of the words in the list below. Cover your eyes, or hold your hand against the page—no cheating! Can you get them all?

Hypocrisy Lugubrious Ant Grotesque Spårvagnshållplats Favouritism 7

_________ __________ ___ _________ __________________ ___________ _

STRANDED 15

@STRANDPAPER THE STRAND | 21 NOVEMBER 2017

Northrop Fly A Review of the Northrop Frye Statue sarah cavaliere and max contributors

“the

crouton” nisbeth

The Northrop Frye statue, though only erected in 2012, has become a permanent staple of the modern Victoria College campus: the parmesan cheese to an otherwise perfectly dressed Caesar salad. Amongst all of the elegantly draped vinery, Northrop sits peacefully aback, reflecting on the world around him as he writes.

While you may not know Northrop personally, his bench always beckons with invitation, perpetuating the idea that you are never truly alone at Victoria College, not unlike the croutons of a mid-autumn Caesar salad.

Though some may critique him for his lack of lapsitting ability, the open posture he commands always

indicates his engagement in your endless conversations, not dissimilar to your discussions with the wait staff at East Side Mario’s: granting them permission to grind fresh peppercorns onto your already vibrant Caesar salad. Even amongst the cordial, auburn façade of Emmanuel, Northrop’s bronze glow continues to occupy the limelight. While sitting on and kissing Northrop may not be as easy or comfortable as other statues, like say the Wall Street Bull, he more than makes up for it with his high dexterity in “gram” worthy selfies, just like those of your homemade Caesar salad that you prepared with lemon, egg yolk, romaine lettuce, and blended anchovies – only to be topped with a patient sprinkling of high sodium bacon bits.

Oh man, do I love…

The statue, as the year goes on, tends to suffer a loss in popularity as Northrop’s otherwise pleasantly

cool skin, as cool as fresh romaine lettuce, becomes a frigid barrier to human embrace, like iceberg lettuce—completely unfit for a pepperoncini-laced photos | hana nikcevic Caesar salad.

The pepperoncinis are an excellent addition to your Caesar salad because they add a level of spice, but simultaneously match the level of acidity and flavour brought about by the lemons and the anchovies. When preparing your Caesar salad always remember to wash your lettuce before use, as you should with all your ingredients, but also remember to dry your lettuce. NEVER FORGET TO DRY YOUR LETTUCE! Look, not all of us here at The Strand get glamour pieces. Sometimes we’re delegated to review a static metal figure because that’s what we were “approved” to do. But sometimes I like to dream, to dream of a world where a man can write about the joy brought to him by his own Caesar salad recipe, which may or may not be heavily influenced by Martha Stewart’s own Caesar salad recipe. Maybe this man will finally learn to write about a topic that doesn’t always require capitalization on mention. The point is, I love Caesar salads, there, I said it. Now you can sit in your café chair, and sip your store-bought coffee from your own space-cylinder mug and judge me, or you can join me for a crisp, November Caesar salad.

Northrop Frye Statue: 58/64 Caesar Salads

Who Is The Seventh Friend? leo morgenstern associate stranded editor, friends scholar

In recent years, scholars of the television phenomenon Friends have fiercely debated one question: who is the seventh friend? This article will summariaze some of the major arguments.

The Case for Gunther He definitely spent more time with the friends throughout the series than anyone else. That’s pretty much the whole case.

photos

| nbc

The Case for Janice After Gunther, Janice is in more episodes than any other non-parent character, and unlike Gunther, she’s actually quite involved in the friends’ lives. She also has longevity on her side— she plays a role in all ten seasons of the show.

The Case for Carol Here’s where things take an interesting turn.

Carol appeared regularly throughout the run of Friends, though not as frequently as Janice. So what does Carol have that Janice doesn’t? Well let’s take a look at this exchange between Joey and Ross: “JOEY: Ross, let me ask you a question. She got the furniture, the stereo, the good TV—what did you get? ROSS: You guys.” When Ross claims that he got the Friends in their divorce, this shows that Carol was part of the gang before the divorce. Therefore, Carol is the only character in the series, other than the main six, to officially be considered part of the friend group. Boom.

like him. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be friends with Paul Rudd?

The Case for Alan He’s definitely the most contentious choice on this list, but the evidence behind his case is strong.

The whole group loves Alan. He’s pretty much the only person to ever appear on Friends that the whole gang got along with. They usually only spend time with each other, so the fact that they all wanted to spend time with Alan certainly makes him stand out. As Chandler puts it, “I could have a gallon of Alan!” Unfortunately, there’s also a strong case against Alan: he’s only in one episode.

The Case for Mike The fact that Mike only entered the show in its ninth season is the only reason he’s not the unambiguous seventh friend.

He basically married into the friend group in season ten and everyone seems to

Editor’s Note So what do you think of our list? Is there anyone we left out? Send us an email at stranded@thestrand.ca to let us know.

16 UNDENIABLY SCIENCE

SCIENTIST | DR. REBECCA GAO STARCHSTUDIES@THESTRAND.CA

IS GNOCCHI PASTA?????

And Other Carb Discourse fig.1, strand editors debate

dr. rebecca gao stranded editor, ph.d. in starch studies and gnocchology, starchologist, lover of carbs

For generations, Italian food consumers have been plagued by one singular question: is gnocchi pasta? This confusion is understandable; gnocchi is often included in the pasta section of the menu—but everyone knows that it’s made from potatoes. This begs the question: what is pasta?

According to Wikipedia, a source often cited by chefs and intellectuals, pasta is a dish that is made out of dough that contains mostly “wheat and flour” stamped into various shapes. Therefore, one can only assume that gnocchi is decidedly not a pasta.

Crafted from one of the holiest of starches, potatoes, gnocchi may not be a pasta, but it is a worthy pasta substitute.

In my research in Starch Studies, the study of starches, we often think of gnocchi as a dumpling. A dumpling, as defined by Wikipedia, is a “small savoury ball of dough.” It is clear to us why gnocchi may be thought of as a dumpling; it is definitely a “small savoury ball of dough.” However, to the pasta purists of the world—those who see gnocchi labelled under “pasta” and blindly follow the menu’s gospel— gnocchi occupies the same space as other pasta substitutes such as rice or gluten-free pasta options. They argue that gnocchi is a pasta, just as linguine made from spinach is a pasta. This is a valid argument, and the Starch Studies community does not wish to exclude those with gluten-related dietary restrictions from the world of pasta.

This begs the following questions: What is a god to a non-believer? What is gnocchi to a pasta-eater?

Despite the numerous studies done in the field of gnocchi-dumpling and gnocchi-pasta relations, all of which harshly divide up the starch world into a rigid op-

positional binary between dumpling and pasta, I am inclined to believe that gnocchi occupies a liminal space between the two.

Not quite a pasta, but not yet a dumpling.

... and here’s what the people are saying fig.2, 3, and 4, the debate continues

Investigative Journalism: Someone at Vic Got a Haircut This Week leo morgenstern investigative journalist

I know this sounds crazy, but hear me out. I’m pretty sure someone at Vic got a haircut this week, and I have the evidence to back it up. His name? Steve Lyons. I first got suspicious when I noticed what a handsome young man he had become. Lyons had always been dashing, but in recent days something had changed. I found my second clue when I examined these pictures. Notice how his hair looks shorter in the second picture? This is all still speculation, but things look pretty clear to me. If you have any more information about Steve Lyons’ hair, please call the VUSAC office at (416) 585-4508.

photo

| steve lyons