VOLUME 138 ISSUE 5 MARCH 2022
Breaking Barriers since 1895
Interview with the Executive Team of Schwartz Women in Business HALLE CORDINGLEY
With the theme of Women for this month’s paper, I found it to be a perfect time to speak with Maddie Tennant President of the Schwartz Women in the Business society and the executive team. Firstly, I asked what WIB at StFX was all about? They said “WIB was founded in 2010, Schwartz Women in Business (WIB) has grown over the last eleven years and so have our efforts toward the campus and community. Our current executive team is composed of 15 intelligent and hardworking women. This year’s team has shown that with dedication, we can accomplish whatever we set out to do. We are so proud of the time and effort our team has put forth in all our endeavors. Schwartz Women in Business proudly hosts various panels, skill-building workshops, and networking events throughout the year for women in the business community; our goal is to represent diversity as a catalyst in organizational success.” Maddie went on to introduce herself, the executive team, and talked about her role as President in the society. “My name is Maddie Tennant; I am a fourth year Management & Leadership student at the Schwartz School of Business - I am the current President of the WIB society! My partner, Rachel Landry, is also a fourth year Management & Leadership student, and is the Vice President of the WIB society! Together, we motivate & lead an amazing team that consists of 13 strong, resilient, and intelligent women. Liz Delaney and Amy Oickle (VP Conference), Mackenzie Hospodar (VP Finance), Courtney Mckay and Annie Hennessey (VP Sponsorship), Liz Kennedy and Abbey Mombourquette (Fund Managers), Heather Creer and Allie Avard (VP Events), Amanda Johnson (VP Marketing), and Katia Beales-Salovitch and Shannon Ouellette (VP Community Relations).” When talking about their favorite parts of WIB society they said, “I am sure that the rest of my team would agree when I say that my favorite part of WIB is the community of such a strong, resilient, independent, and beautiful group of young ladies. Being a part of WIB as an executive and a member brings so many amazing opportunities to connect with oth-
er members and businesses. I have been able to network with amazing women leaders in the business world and learn more about how they have come to be so successful in male dominated industries. One of the main goals of the Women in Business Society is to build confidence, leadership skills, and networking skills. Throughout my time as a member and an executive member I have been able to build my confidence and have learnt to put myself out there and have the confidence to introduce myself to others and start meaningful conversations. My absolute favorite part of WIB is the amazing lifelong friendships I have built throughout the years. The friendships I have made have been based on other women who are ambitious and share the same aspirations as myself. It is very inspiring to see a group of ladies who strive to be the best in whatever field they are in but not stepping on people as they try and make their way up the ladder. I know these women will be lifelong friends of mine and the memories we have made in the past four years will always hold a special spot in my heart. I cannot wait to see the success of each of these beautiful women in whatever they choose to pursue.” When asked about upcoming events for the society they said, “Although our largest event, the annual conference, has just come to an end, we still have a few events planned for the rest of the school year! Our next event is 10 Days of Giving. Last year, our society celebrated 10 years of WIB, and to celebrate, we decided to take 10 days to give back to our community. The event was such a success last year that we’ve decided to do it all over again! Over the 10 days, our executives and members will participate in initiatives such as a campus clean up, donating to the food bank, supporting local businesses, and more. We are super excited about this event because it is such a great way to show appreciation for our campus community and the town of Antigonish. WIB would not be what it is today without their support, so it always feels good to give back to them in some ways.”
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They also explained what the ‘Make your Mark’ fund was. “The Make Your Mark fund is an easy to access fund dedicated to funding student led initiatives for business students on campus. It is available to any current StFX students enrolled in the business program or student groups featuring at least one business student. These projects should plan to benefit or create a positive impact on the StFX or Antigonish communities. Students can apply for up to $500, to implement their project during the school year. Since launching in January 2021 we have funded various projects from mental health initiatives, programs aimed at graduating student athletes, creating job search resources, and working with seniors in the community. We are excited to see the Make Your Mark fund continue to grow in the future!” When talking about the theme of this month’s paper, ‘women,’ they highlighted just how important WIB society is to StFX, saying “Schwartz Women in Business strives to represent women in the workforce through panels, workshops, and visiting speakers during the year. WIB not only empowers the women within the StFX community, but we also aim to empower women in the workforce. From our hard-working executive team to the numerous visiting professionals, we try our very best to ensure women feel they have a place and are heard in the workforce. To help work toward this, we host networking, panel, and workshop events that showcase women and allow them the space to speak of challenges they have faced in the workplace because of their gender. In doing so, we are opening the discussion of gender inequality and teaching the StFX students that we can make a difference and the power in numbers. Recently, WIB has had the opportunity to host a Breast Cancer Awareness event that taught the importance of recognizing early signs of breast cancer. We had the privilege of welcoming Cathy Novak, founder of Cathy’s Place at Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital, to our event to speak of her experience. This event not only brought forward the struggle that many are going through in silence but shed some light on the dozens of initiatives Cathy has taken over the years. Furthermore, we recently had the opportunity to empower the next generation of women by participating in Enactus’ latest event - Girls Mean Business. This program works to educate & inspire young girls to join the business world by storm. Our exec was able to get involved with this program in different ways & we valued the opportunity to aid in creating a foundation of empowerment within the program participants.” I also learned that students do not need to be a part of the business program at StFX to join the society, they said “Any student can join WIB! At the beginning of each school year our society opens membership sign up for all students in any faculty. Any student who signs up will receive up-todate emails regarding the society and our events. Students can also keep up with events and news through our Facebook and Instagram pages!” To end the conversation, they talked about the meaning of being a Women. They said “The definition of what it means to be a woman is ever evolving and can mean different things to different people. In fact, it means something different to everyone on WIB. Being a part of WIB, you are surrounded by so many like-minded, driven women. I believe that there is a special connection within the society because we all have similar experiences in being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. We are blessed to be able to work with so many women and see all the various hats they hold and the success they achieve.” Ultimately, hearing all about WIB society was perfect for the theme of the paper this month. Both Maddie and her team seem like they are doing great things to encourage women to share their voice and make big changes around campus and in their futures.
NEWS
Editor: Halle Cordingley Contact: xw.eic@stfx.ca
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Stories of Transformation with Jane and Jane: An Inspirational Look at how Women can Empower Others and Support Change KRISTINA DANYK
In celebration of International Women’s Week, the Coady Institute has organized a webinar named, “Women Planting Seeds of Change: Stories of Transformation with Jane and Jane.” The webinar is about how all around the world Indigenous women are working to create change for the future of women’s rights and gender injustice. In the session both Jane Meader, an Elder in Residence in the circle of abundance at the Coady Institute, and Jane Naini Meriwas, the director of Samburu Women Trust in Kenya, will share their personal and professional stories about planting seeds of change. The moderator of the webinar, a first year Cree student in human kinetics named Julia Baniak, introduces the first speaker of the night, Jane Meader. Meader is a pipe carrier, spiritual leader and works to preserve and promote her Mi’kmaw language and heritage. She begins by greeting the audience in four Indigenous languages, starting with that of her own nation. She then starts the webinar with an opening prayer. Meader states that ceremony has been “what has given her life,” expressing of how these ceremonies create connections with others. After being asked to share a story that highlights a significant moment for Indigenous women’s leadership for change, Meader states that now is a good time for young women. Her culture is matrilineal, and women used to have control over who they were before the devastating effects of European colonization. She speaks with hope, about
how past ceremonies, such as one for the comingof-age for young women, are beginning again and helping many young women to take places of leadership. The spiritual leader ends by saying ceremonies like these are important because they feed the soul, build connections with each other and the nature around us. When asked about seeds of change, Meader speaks about her realization that change begins in the mind before it “comes down to the heart [and] into the spirit.” Even if it hasn’t yet travelled down to the heart, the important aspect is that actions reflect what is in the head because that will end up being what creates the most change. Julia Baniak introduces the next speaker, Jane Meriwas, a woman who has worked as a human rights defender for over 20 years, promoting women’s rights and policies in Indigenous communities. The director speaks about her background in coming from a patriarchal society that designates girls as second-class citizens. Although she was first not allowed to pursue an education, her father eventually put her into a catholic school. She states that this is the moment her “life turned around and [she] never looked back.” Her first job out of university was involved in women empowerment and supporting other women’s rights to civic education. Meriwas wants to change the narrative and empower girls to believe they can break barriers and find their power. She speaks on how telling stories can empower others to make change in their own lives. Speaking on how “nobody
should make you nobody.” Meriwas believes that even if she wasn’t here today, there is still the “continuity of mind for those small lives that have changed in [her] own smallest way.” When asked about a wish list about the opportunity for space for international and intergenerational exchange and learning for all Indigenous women, Jane Meriwas speaks about how even across cultures, they are all women. She says they should emphasize the use of that commonality to share their cultures and stories. Jane Meader speaks about her wish list next. She says her wish is for women to “be honored, be respected, to be loved, and … to not live in fear or violence.” She expresses that women should understand the beautiful gifts they are to creation, saying most do not realize the divinity and infinite value of each other. The theme of the night’s webinar was seeds of transformation: feminists organizing change and growth of consideration of the changes past, present, and future for women’s rights. An emphasis was also placed on gender injustice and ending the patriarchy, recognizing both the ordinary and extraordinary women who do this work. Jane Meader and Jane Naini Meriwas are both phenomenal women who are committed to bringing change to families and communities. As recognized in both of their stories, any effort, no matter how small, can influence and empower other women to fight for their own power, safety, and rights.
Impressions from the Contextualizing the Invasion of Ukraine Discussion Panel ZOEY PHILLIPS
On March 30th at 7:30 pm, inquiring students, faculty, and community members filed into Schwartz ready to watch the panel discussion entitled Contextualizing the Invasion of Ukraine. While the event was organized by the StFX History Society, the three panelists represented a variety of departments. From the Political Science department, Dr. Stan opened the discussion with a vivacious analysis of Putin’s behavior. Dr. Stan tackled the question at the center of this conflict: Why the heck is Putin invading Ukraine? After entertaining the theory that Putin is a malignant narcissist, Dr. Stan offered a comprehensive background to Russia’s close history with Ukraine, explaining how the Russian identity was founded in modern-day Ukraine. Dr. Stan described how the collapse of the Soviet Union was traumatic for Russians and even Putin personally, having the same devastating effect as an unwanted divorce. Indeed, with 25 million ethnic Russians living in former-soviet countries, referred to by Moscow as the “near-abroad,” Russia has lost a great deal of their political, cultural, and economic importance. As Dr. Stan described the nation’s intense desire to return to their “glory days,” it provided valuable context for the conflict. Analysis continued, and Dr. Stan stressed the pattern in Putin’s behavior. It appears that after successfully overtaking Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, as well as several other states, Putin is a petulant child in need of proper discipline and the West is a push-over parent. Dr. Stan’s predictions were bittersweet. “I’m a very optimistic person by nature,” she said, “I think Putin will go down in history as the man who united Europe.” It appears that way after she pointed out that Sweden and Germany, countries that were unlikely to get involved in a war, have joined many of the other European countries that
seem to be united against a common enemy.
ciency of economic sanctions, Russian media bans, Putin’s exit plan, the safety of the Baltic States, and several other issues.
Dr. Neustaeter from the Coady Institute and Adult Education department spoke next. Her speech opened with a land acknowledgment, stressing the heightened importance of recognizing land rights at this time. An audio recording of an air raid siren was also played to help invite the audience to understand the lived experiences of millions of Ukraine. Dr. Neustaeter spoke of the Ukrainian violent and non-violent civil resistance, highlighting the efforts of women and mothers specifically. A historical account of effective protests, brought about by women’s desperation throughout warfare, highlighted the tenacity and resilience of the Ukrainian people as well as those affected by war throughout history.
This panel discussion continues a 7-year tradition of contextualizing current events. Past topics have included Donald Trump and the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
According to the closing speaker, History professor Dr. Lalande, Russia’s invasion poses a devastating assault on the economy, environment, and most importantly, human life. He also called out President Joe Biden for not being outspoken enough regarding the conflict. Dr. Lalande’s historical analysis included several examples of the West abandoning eastern countries to attack, calling on them to get involved in the name of civilian life. “Being a pacifist, my hope is that the UN will show some energy, for a change, and bring an end to this war.” After the panelists had made their contributions, a Q&A period addressed topics ranging from the effi-
4th-year history student Shannon Wong thanked the speakers and concluded the event. As the audience shuffled into the hallway, many to continue their conversation, it was clear that the legacy of the war, regardless of the result, will entail a devastating price for Russia’s image and many Ukrainian lives.
OPINIONS
Editor: Sarah Laffin Contact: xw.eic@stfx.ca
Paying Attention to the Parallels: How Little Women Frames Female Empowerment Today
Album Review: Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
GRACE STILL
Females today are more empowered than ever. Through books and films, media, and public figures, females both young and old can look up to women seen through a public lens. As a female who grew up with the privilege of perceiving powerful heroines on paper and through screens, the most notable piece I’ve perceived is the novel and film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s, Little Women. I’m sure you have heard of the 1800’s feminist novel and the award-winning 2019 adaptation; if not, I encourage you to grab some popcorn or curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea and hear out the stories of the March sisters. The story highlights a family of sisters postcivil war, each sister struggling to break the boundaries of what was deemed traditional or reasonable for the time period. Jo is attempting to become a writer, Amy aims to travel the world and study painting, Meg marries whom she loves, but is not economically stable, and Beth suffers from an illness that changes the sister’s lives. What makes the story of Little Women so profound, specifically in empowering females are the parallels portrayed from the 1800s compared to modern-day societal struggles. Although not complex, the lives of these women are of value. In fact, their simple societal problems of the time are still worth sharing. When the film was released in 2019, it reinforced the message that was prevalent when the novel was first released: all women have a purpose and a value. These women in particular share their life struggles to create a story with sharing. These struggles include marriage, money, and attempting to achieve one’s passions through a female lens in a time period where society was often male dominated. This story not only encapsulates the notion of overcoming struggle but provides women of older and younger generations to feel as though their stories can be heard. Despite the clashes of complexity within these women’s lives, each woman becomes successful
AIDAN AHERN
in breaking the boundaries of marriage, money, and pursuing passions. Although the novel has been around for over a century, the film adaptation resurfaced the timeless, female embodiment that the initial story elicits. Truly, I did watch the movie before reading the novel. The simplicity in the struggles they faced in what would have been (at the time) complex issues, inspired me to later read the novel. When comparing the two, the message is the same, still portraying these feminist and social parallels. The story allowed me to think about how yes, not only were women at a disadvantage at the time but the story showed the audience that women are, in fact, able to overcome those struggles. At the time the novel was released, this idea was groundbreaking. Now, watching the stories of the sisters unfold on the screen shows the progress and evolution of the customs and traditions that no longer limit most women. Not only is this story relevant to women of the 1800s, but centralizing on the theme of overcoming struggle, specifically through a feminist lens can be seen through any aspect of our lives today. I know that films and novels such as this are not for everyone, so if I haven’t convinced you to watch or read Little Women, I encourage you to pay attention to the parallels found within your life. Next time you scroll on social media or watch your favorite movie, focus on the foundations that have formed and how, as a society, we have evolved and overcome social obstacles to get where we are today. By no means is the world perfect but paying attention to these parallels can push us forward.
Horror Films: A Brief Analysis CRAWFORD HENDERSON
Horror films have always diagnosed a society’s fears. The more successful the horror film is the more accurately it maps these fears onto an identity or villain. A trend arose in the early ‘70s that located horror onto the female body. In this period, male directors took symbols of femininity and transformed them into grotesque spectacles. In this body horror genre, directors paired the female’s role as the passive victim with the mystique of their bodies. Films such as Rosemary’s Baby and Alien viewed pregnancy as a site of horror. Rosemary’s Baby features the devil impregnating Mia Farrow and a cult forcing her to birth his child. On the other hand, Alien created a monster that could impregnate males or females. Here, horror exists in the act of impregnation, which the film compliments through the mother’s lack of control. While these films communicated horror through a woman’s lack of autonomy, a feminist perspective, it also mystified the female anatomy in the process. This perspective left female audiences only one way to view their bodies: disgusting.
Gender Representation in Film Done Right
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Big Thief is one of the most salient bands to come out of the 2010s. Adrianne Lenker’s song-writing is genius, and in a way unparalleled by her Brooklyn contemporaries. Lenker offers throughout Dragon a lyrical prowess that surmounts most of the highest points off of Parquet Courts’ 2018 Wide Awake! through its consistency, and impeccable range. As Andy Cush puts in his review on Pitchfork: “Lenker’s subject matter, stated as briefly as possible, is everything”. Indeed, from trauma that we inflict on the environment to that crazy circus-tented internet, along with vape pens and wild hairdos, Dragon brings mature poise together with childlike exploration and play, asking twenty times through its twenty songs “What do we do now?”. The album starts off with “Change”, Lenker’s walking-paced, open invitation for Dragon’s unbarred themes of transience and existential wonder to play out. The song’s rustic acoustic quality gives the impression, along with the album’s visual (a loosely drawn image of a group of eclectic creatures with instruments) of something like a folk revival album. And, although tracks such as “Dried Roses” and “Certainty” deliver this with dignity and magic, the more progressive sonic leaps that the album takes are humbling as well as marvellous. Tracks including “Little Things” and “Heavy Bend” sound like nothing else currently being produced in folk-rock – they are fresh and exciting. I have not since the release of Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 DAMN heard sounds off of a current album as new and inventive as these moments. Considering how there is probably enough 1980s pastiche around now to short-circuit a pair of air pods (possibly sparking up neon), Dragon meanwhile presents a whole new kaleidoscope. Even “Spud Infinity”, the ‘spirit animal’ of the album cover you might say, with what sounds like a rubber-band playing over acoustic harmony – although not innovative in the formally progressive sense like on “Heavy Bend” – is delightfully fresh. Overall, listening to Big Thief ’s new album brings to mind what listening to Patti Smith in the 1970s would have been like, or Hank Williams in the 1940s. Adrianne Lenker and the band uncover patches of fresh grass on their way through America’s sonic frontier, trekking its expanses with lyrical charm matching the greatest. “Blue Lightening” is unbeatable.
However, a counter-movement arose in the 2000s, spearheaded by female directors that reinterpreted how feminist horror should look. Overall, these films had similar premises in that their horror centered around the lack of control females experienced in society. Yet, they did not degrade the female body. Instead, these directors mapped body horror onto the protagonist’s mind, showcasing how their position in society drove females to insanity. Body horror then became a way to visualize this loss, as protagonists began committing bodily injury onto themselves. This alteration exists in several female-directed horror films of the 2010s, such as Jennifer Kent’s Babadook. The Babadook showcases that the stress of single motherhood causes the protagonist to conjure up a figure to justify her abuse against her child. Another example includes 2019’s, Saint Maud. In this film, the protagonist’s difficulties in being respected at the workplace, coupled with past experiences with sexual assault, push her towards committing selfimmolation. It is easy to see how these instances of horror are deeply rooted in our present-day cultural issues in both examples. These films deal with genderbased poverty, sexual violence, and misogyny in a woman’s life. Through their films’ horrific events, directors can communicate the fears experienced by women through a unique perspective. As a result, male viewers can see the world’s injustices through the direction of a woman, hopefully pushing them to advocate for change.
AIDAN AHERN
Gender representation is a going concern in contemporary culture, and, at the most paramount level, in film. When gender representation is done badly, it makes for a bad social experience, and also as bad movie experience. James Bond films from the 1960s – synonymous as they are with the smooth male gender representation – make for so many not-smooth moments watching them today that even the ‘cinematic’ experience feels contrived. Please look no further than Goldfinger, Octopusssy, or Thunderbore (Thunderball) to feel lousy as a guy and badly represented as a woman. The ‘Bond women’ were objectified as prizes, without agency, or presence of mind. Margaret Atwood once stated in a 1994 interview that much of the issue of under-representation in Hollywood is its lack of onscreen women themselves capable ‘running the show’ through mental fortitude, and deception – things usually restricted to male characters. Although these traits in femme fatale appeared mainstay in the 1930s-50s, Atwood suggests their disappearance has problematically produced more and more complicit female roles in popular film. In recent year, the ‘solution’ tends toward a superficial power trade between capable male and dependent female characters. Consequently, Black
Widow’s role in the Avengers movies feels like more of a gesture than it feels purposeful; probably leaving some to walk out of the theatre with images of Harvard graduate film committees. It is important that women are shown to be as capable as men in films, but what differentiates a gesture from a statement is that the former is complicit whereas the latter is initiative. So, where do we find the right balance between the femme fatales whom Atwood celebrates, and the more benign female roles appearing more often onscreen? I would say that Charlize Theron in Mad Max Fury Road, and Margot Robbie in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are excellent cases of both ends of the spectrum done right. The former is unquestionably – and moreover unselfconsciously – exuding agency throughout the events of the film as its deuteragonist. The latter – just-asunselfconsciously – exudes agency in a way that candidly does not bother with masculine and feminine power dialectics; simply because she has other things on-thego. Although gender anachronisms linger undoubtedly in Hollywood, these two films offer valuable precedents in the sociocultural, as well as cinematic spheres, just as well.
HOROSCOPES Aries (March 20-April 19) Dear Aries, someone who has offered you advice may not have all the right answers you need this week; however, it does not mean that they don’t have anything to offer you. You are smart enough to decipher which bits of wisdom to consider and which ones to discard. If you can get help for a project you are currently working on, take it. You will feel more sensitive this week and more vulnerable to criticisms and comments that you may interpret as having malicious intentions. Just be more aware of that this week and you can still have a pretty good week. Think before you speak out in a defensive or angry manner. Someone who could be of romantic interest may extend an appealing invitation this week and this could be a good break from some of the intense things you are working on. You might argue with a family member about something valuable this week and this might be someone you’re not very fond of, however, still listen to what they have to say as they may have a solution that will solve the issue. Taurus (April 19-May 20) Your emotions may be brimming over at the beginning of the week and that’s not common for you Taurus. You feel more inclined to hide what you’re feeling behind a brave façade. Try and fight the urge to do this. Let it all out—even if you just sit alone in the living room and say whatever you need to say to just yourself. A lighter mood should follow. This is a good week to break away from your routine in general. If there are tendencies you have that you aren’t particularly fond of, try breaking away from them. A friend might try to incite an argument over something you don’t want to do. They may want you to join them in something—a trip somewhere, a night out, or something else that doesn’t appeal to you. They could feel resentful if you’re not interested. To compromise, try to find something you can both enjoy.
Blanche Pagobo
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uation is affecting you, and you will be able to get that challenging individual to back off. If you have trouble letting go and relaxing after that encounter, try letting off some steam with a physical activity. By Wednesday, you should be in the right state of mind for focusing on your bigger dreams. In fact, this could bring you a great wave of hope and relief. You need to see your goals realistically and start creating a plan for manifesting what you want. You have put off certain ideas for too long, and you owe it to yourself to get started. Indulging in fantasies and taking first steps towards this should be a priority for you now. A burst of confidence may come to you late in the week through someone’s public flattery. Soak it all up and take the time to recognize that you deserve it. Libra (September 22-October 23) A higher-up at work or in an organization you belong to may reach out to you this week with a special request. While this could surely be a great compliment and a big boost to your ego, Libra, it might also feel a bit intimidating. You want to live up to that person’s assessment of you, and that’s a lot of pressure. Don’t approach it, though, with those thoughts in mind. Don’t even allow that kind of worry to enter your thoughts. Just picture yourself doing a great job and envision yourself receiving praise and accolades. You may find yourself confused by a conversation that occurs with a colleague or a neighbor this week. You might have no idea how they formed certain ideas they express to you. It may even surprise you to learn that they have harbored incorrect ideas for some time. But this is the chance to set the record straight, so be sure to make a thorough correction of their misconceptions. Late in the week, someone may bombard you with attention. They may want the pleasure of your company, but they could come on too strong. Sometimes people try too hard when they want to impress, and it isn’t always an indicator that they won’t be any fun to spend time with. Give this overzealous person a chance. Scorpio (October 23-November 22)
Gemini (May 20-June 21) You may be able to accomplish at least twice as much as you think you can this week. Your energy is flowing over the top, and you are eager to get certain important things done. You can do that as long as you have a plan and you pace yourself. Just be sure to stay focused so you don’t get drawn away from the right path as you sometimes do. It might help to run your ideas to a professional or someone you know who has some experience. Be prepared for any possible pitfalls. Friction between someone on a team you belong to could reach to a boiling point this week. However, if you have a mature conversation where you both get a chance to air your grievances privately, you may be able to peacefully resolve it. Try not to involve other people in your conversation, for if they start taking sides, it could easily escalate again. Cancer (June 21-July 22) A big change is unfolding, and at first, you were probably very apprehensive about it. Now, though, you can see that some of your hopes are being fulfilled, and it’s all starting to work out quite well. Keep believing in the goodness of this change, and it will blossom beautifully. You may be concerned because you aren’t getting praise for something you have worked on from someone whose opinion is important to you. This is not a reflection of your talents; this is just a matter of perception. Your efforts will be well-received if you work purely from your own creative instincts. Don’t tailor what you do to someone else’s preferences. You may be concerned that even one step in the wrong direction with a new project you’re working on will spell disaster. That’s highly unlikely. Just continue to do your best and continue to be open to learning, and you will quickly refine your abilities. There is no magic spell for love, if that’s something you’ve been wondering. Loving yourself first is the secret and being true to your nature. When that happens, you might “magically” attract the right energy into your life. Leo (July 22-August 22) A family member may be trying to make you feel responsible for helping them out in some way. You are someone who takes great pride in protecting and providing for your loved ones, Leo, and you are vulnerable to someone who uses a guilt trip to get your attention. But you are also a very smart cookie, and you can probably see that this is a ruse. Don’t bow down to anyone who tries to manipulate you this week. You need to recognize it for what it is, and you will teach them to be more responsible! Another challenge may come to you around the middle of the week when someone keeps looking over your shoulder to assess your progress on a matter that affects them in some way. That’s not a good way to work, so seek out a private place so you can concentrate. The week should get much better by Thursday when your social life picks up quite a bit. You may get to spend some romantic time with someone special, and you may also have the chance to catch up with special friends. Try to put off making any concrete plans, though, so that you can go with the flow and maximize your enjoyment of the weekend! Virgo (August 22-September 22) As the week begins, Virgo, you may feel as though you are running on empty in your capacity for dealing with a difficult person. You are a very patient person, but even you have your limits. This is not a time to handle this person with kid gloves. Be straightforward in expressing how this sit-
An educational opportunity could come your way this week, but it might not involve a conventional way of learning. This may be more of a chance to learn something in a hands-on fashion, and it could be quite fun as well as valuable to you. This will be worth saying yes to, even if you have to rearrange a few things. You may be about to start planning something you have wanted to do for a long time, dear Scorpio, but you may see that there are a few bumps in the road. But even if you have to wait for a little while, you shouldn’t have to compromise in getting what you want. Be patient and it will all come together as you envision. Aim high. Someone’s brazen approach this week might indicate a misunderstanding, rather than anything you have done or said wrong. Don’t get engaged in an argument. Start out by figuring out what the fuss is all about, rather than just feeling defensive. You may not yet have proof that some endeavor you’re considering is worth the investment of your time and whatever else it might cost, but you can feel it in your bones. That’s a good sign. Even so, you should back up that feeling with a bit of research, especially if you need to involve other people who might require more than just a good vibe. Sagittarius (November 23-December 21) A race car that takes a curve at too high a speed could spin out and crash. The same thing can happen to a person who races forward too fast because they have t h e sense that they are trying to outrun failure. You may be pushing yourself to work faster at something that really requires more time, more thought, and greater concentration, Sagittarius. Although it may seem like you’re going faster, you could actually be creating trouble that will set you back. This week, make a determined point to slow down and concentrate on what you’re doing. You can make your dream come true if you don’t rush it unrealistically. You have come a long way in your efforts with another endeavor as well. But again, it is your tenacity rather than speed that will win this for you. Take good care of yourself through the process, because the stronger you feel, the more formidable you will be. You may feel you have the right to make a formal complaint about some incompetence you witnessed recently. You do, of course, but handling it more gracefully than that will make everyone feel better. Capricorn (December 21-January 21) You may notice that someone is paying a lot of attention to you this week, dear Capricorn, and it may have romantic overtones. This could be significant, even if you aren’t especially interested. That may be because this was someone who either once rejected you, or because there is some strange connection you share with the past. Either way, be clear about how you should respond or it could result in confusion. Your physical health should be a priority this week. Not because there is some sign of something being wrong, but because you probably haven’t been getting the greatest sleep lately, eating the healthiest meals, or exercising as you should. This is a reminder to make your health top of mind and get back into a healthy groove. Sometimes just a change of scenery can send your thoughts in better directions and make you feel better. Find the time to do that at least twice this week. An unexpected visitor toward the weekend could make you feel like you’ve been caught off guard. Make the best of it, anyway. Don’t stand on formality. Just relax and savor the chance to spend time with someone you enjoy. Aquarius (January 21-February 18) Don’t let an internal struggle lead to a conflict with someone you love this week, Aquarius. You may feel agitated about something you are trying to work through in your personal life and that could put you in an irritable mood. But try to keep that separate from everything else, so it doesn’t influence your relationships. This is something that will pass once you figure it out and put it in perspective, so don’t let a temporary concern have a permanent impact. The rewards may finally begin to
flow in for something you have put a lot of time and effort into. This recognition will be a huge boost to your morale and your confidence. A change at work or in some other area that is a big part of your life may feel concerning. However, once you learn more about what’s happening, you will see that it’s actually a pretty exciting development that will be quite good for you. You may even find that there will be a special role for you that will allow you to evolve in your abilities. On the weekend, be sure to check in with someone who has been on your mind. They may have something wonderful to share with you that you will find quite inspiring. Pisces (February 19-March 20) An emotional avalanche has been building and is about to break in your personal life. And it isn’t just you that needs to get something out there, dear Pisces. The vibes between you and someone you care about have been intense lately because you both know that you have to discuss an important matter you have been brushing aside. This week, the circumstances will finally be right to talk about it, and when you do, you should see that you are more on the same wavelength than you realize. This may bring such a feeling of closure that you may wonder why you didn’t get it out there sooner. You may find it difficult this week to see eye to eye with someone you really need to agree with. This could involve an investment or some other kind of dins intensive avenue. You have to work together on something, but until you unify your vision, you can’t do so comfortably. A candid talk can help you to get on the same page. You may want ignore someone in your life who just doesn’t seem happy about a choice you’re making. You could talk until you’re blue in an effort to justify what you’re doing, but it may be better to just agree to disagree for the time being. In time, it will become obvious that you were right, bringing the validation you hope for.
ARTS& COMMUNITY
Editor: Sarah Laffin Contact: xw.eic@stfx.ca
The History of International Women’s Day: A Fight in the Past, Present, and Future KRISTINA DANYK
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women’s and girl’s cultural, social, economic, and political achievements. It is important to commemorate how far we have progressed in achieving gender equality, and to unite to continue the work that needs to be done.
March 19, 1911. On this day, more than one million women campaigned for labour, voting, and social rights. Less than a week later a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory took the lives of more than 140 women due to the poor working and safety conditions. This tragic event took the focus of many later campaigns and drew focus to women’s poor labour conditions.
As the population expanded during the 1900s, so did the rise of radical ideologies. One of these ideologies was the call for women’s equal participation in society. Women became more vocal in their campaigns for change, and in 1908, 15 000 women marched through the streets of New York demanding improved labour rights.
Since that day, women and their supporters have continued to fight for their rights. In 1918, Canadian Women received the right to vote. In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. In 1955 Rosa Parks helped launch the civil rights movement. In 1960 the first birth control pill was approved by the FDA, giving women control over their reproductive rights. In 1938, Betty Friedan helped found the National Organization for Women. In 1975, the United Nations celebrates International Women’s Day for the first time. By 2000, activism for women was occurring in almost all countries.
The idea of an international women’s day was first proposed in 1910 by Clara Zetkin at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. At the conference were over 100 women from 17 different countries. The day was first honoured in Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and Germany on
So many steps have been taken to reduce discrimination and improve gender inequality, and we owe many of these advancements to the brave women of our past. They have written the previous chapters on the journey to equality, and it is up to the women of today to write the future.
SPORTS& HEALTH
Editor: Jack Milbank Contact: xw.eic@stfx.ca
Resilience at Play: The PHF and Defying Expectations ALEXANDER LAMBOURNE
Public discourses about women’s sports leagues, namely on social media, do not portray those leagues as particularly resilient. Many label women’s leagues as being ‘hanger ons’ of larger men’s leagues. The WNBA for example, draws a considerable amount of unjust ridicule on social media for their reliance on financial and promotional support from the NBA. This perception of the league as being dependent and reliant on others is indicative of the larger public perception of professional women’s sports. However, there is one league that defies all expectations and perceptions regarding women’s sports. The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) is an independently owned and operated professional women’s hockey league that operates with franchises in both Canada and the United States. Few people, outside of avid women’s hockey fans, know about this league, I am here to argue that you should. Founded in 2015, the PHF as of 2022 is home to six independently owned and operated franchises. Those being the Buffalo Beauts, Boston Pride, Metropolitan Riveters, Toronto Six, Connecticut Whale, and the Minnesota Whitecaps. The league was previously known as the National Women’s Hockey League, but in a bid to make themselves distinct from the well-known NHL, and to establish themselves as a professional hockey league, not just a women’s league, rebranded as the PHF in 2021. At the time of their conception in 2015, the PHF received a five-hundred-thousand-dollar deal from the NHL to grow their league and the sport of women’s hockey at large. To date, this is the only external financial support (apart from
sponsorships of course) that the PHF has received. Independence as a sports league is highly valued by the PHF, as their mission statement affirms, one of their core values is to: “Maintain our independence while partnering across the hockey ecosystem.” This claim is substantiated by the PHF’s move to adopt a joint venture model for their franchises, as opposed to their previous single entity structure. What this means is that instead of the PHF themselves owning and governing each team internally, ownership and operation of each franchise is instead sold off to individual, external owners who are interested in owning a franchise. The move to localize ownership of teams has set up the PHF to be able to support itself for years to come, as well as entrenching these franchises as an integral part of the local culture of their given area. However, if there is one area where the PHF and its franchises have excelled and displayed their incredible resilience, it has been how they have handled the pandemic. When COVID first entered our lives, all professional sports leagues shut down entirely, and scrambled to figure out what to do next. Some leagues ceased operations until the pandemic calmed down, but some leagues opted to form a bubble, and resume operations through that model. Bubble leagues under COVID are incredibly costly and resource intensive and require an immense amount of funding to operate for an extended period. The only leagues to successfully pull a bubble off were leagues that are incredibly popular and wealthy, namely the
NHL and NBA. The PHF, a league less than a tenth the size of the above-mentioned leagues pulled off their own bubble in 2021. The fact that a relatively small league was successfully able to resume play using the bubble format, whilst other sports leagues, like the much more popular CFL, nearly folded and almost required bailouts from the federal government, speaks volumes to the resilience of the PHF. As far as independent professional sports leagues go, the PHF is one of the most intelligently ran, and formidable forces in the field. Through its prudent management, the PHF can punch well above its weight class, equaling and surpassing more popular leagues in resilience and independence. But most importantly, the PHF defies all expectations and preconceived notions about professional women’s sports in 2022. The quality of play is one of the highest in the world, and they are a premier destination for some of the best talent hockey has to offer. And at the same time, they are able to maintain independence and autonomy as a league. The PHF is not just for hockey fans, it is for anyone who values and advocates for women and their independence and self-determination in sport. In the words of former Israeli President Chaim Weizmann: “Independence is never given...it has to be earned; and once earned, must be defended..” And no league defends their independence better than the PHF.
Irish Politicians Stand Up for Human Rights? Again? KEGAN CRAWFORD
This month several politicians from Ireland quite dastardly used the war in Ukraine to promote their own political agendas. Ireland, a first world country with a third world memory, has a history of pointing out Western hypocrisy, and the on-going Ukraine crisis is no exception. Clare Daly, an Irish Member of the European Parliament, gave a speech in which she noted the lack Western coverage for humanitarian crises beyond Europe. Focusing on Afghanistan, Daly stated at the EU Plenary for Ukraine: “[...] Afghani citizens have been forced to flee in search of food and safety, 5 million children face famine, an agonizing and painful death, a 500% increase in child marriages and children being sold just so they can survive.”1 She then notes the Western media bias towards Ukraine, she lambasted the fact that there is no mention of the humanitarian crises in the Middle East: “Not here, not anywhere. No wall-to-wall TV coverage, no emergency humanitarian response.” Although she did not include Yemen, we could easily acknowledge the genocide watch in Yemen2, and the 85, 000 children that have already starved3 to death in a conflict funded in part by the US. Echoing Chomsky’s notion of ‘unworthy victims,’ Daly said “My God, they must be wondering what makes their humanitarian crisis is so unimportant. Is it the colour of their skin? Is it that they are not white? They’re not European?” She continued: “That their problems come from a US gun or US invasion? Is it that the decision to rob their
country’s wealth was taken by a despotic US president rather than a Russian one? Because my God, all wars are evil, and all victims deserve support.” Daly poignantly finished by noting the continued oddity of Western focal points, stating that “until we get on that page, we have no credibility whatsoever.” A similar point was made regarding the state of humanitarian crisis in Palestine and Gaza. Richard Boyd Barret, an Irish Teachta Dála and member of the People Before Profit electoral alliance in the Republic of Ireland, stated the severe hyposcrisy in Westerners appropriate “strength of language” used against Vladimir Putin, but decried the lack of similarly appropriate language to describe the humanitarian problems that Palestinian civilians are facing4. This is an ongoing debate in Ireland, with Senator David Norris attracting international attention with his speech regarding Israel5 in which he said “you will not resolve this problem until, as we did in this country, you involve both of the participants, there’s no point in having any kind of alleged truce if there’s only one side in it.” These words are appropriate to apply to Ukraine, as the West did not take the Minsk agreement seriously enough and had no desire to enforce the ceasefire proposed in the East of Ukraine. These points, among many others, necessarily make the West culpable in promoting conflict in Ukraine. As Barret stated: “If you’re going to have moral standards, those standards have to be consistent. Otherwise, they are not standards at all. They are just cynicism.”
SIONA CHISHOLM ROCKS THE RECORD BOOKS IN HER ROOKIE SEASON KALI BEATON
Siona Chisholm is an Antigonish Local, who graduated from Dr. JH Gillis Highschool last spring. Siona has broken two Track school record and finished as an all-Canadian athlete (meaning she finished top 14 at Nationals this fall)! Siona broke the StFX 3000m record at Boston University, she SMASHED the record by almost 20 seconds clocking in at 9:25.4 for the 3000m. To put that into something that the average person can visualize, 3km is just one lap of the track short of the distance from Mcdonald’s on James Street to Pipes pub and back. At the beginning of this month on March 5th Siona broke the school record for the 1500m and came in at 4:28!! 1500m is equal to 3 and 4 quarter laps of the track. I got to ask this star athlete some questions as she heads into AUS Championships this weekend: Firstly, I asked What made you choose X and what is your favourite part about your experience here so far this year? In high school I was able to practice with the cross country and track team as I am from Antigonish, and the positive and strong group of girls, along with the supportive coaching and training environment made me excited about becoming an X-Woman. The small community and the opportunities that come with being a student at X were also key in the decision. So far what I love about X is the experience of being a student athlete, the friendships I’ve made and being close to family. How did you first get into running? I am the youngest of 5 older siblings who are all runners. So, for as long as I could remember I’ve been in the running community, from watching their cross country and track meets or running alongside them down the road. When the opportunity came in elementary school to join my first run club, I was immediately hooked and haven’t stopped running since!
What drives you? I believe I am a very self-driven individual. I love to train hard and push myself in workouts and races to see where my running abilities can take me. However, I am also driven by my team in both cross country and track, as it is motivating to know that you are running and racing for a greater purpose other than yourself and success feels even better as a team. What advice would you give to younger athletes looking up to you today? Advice I’d give to younger athletes in the sport is to have fun first! Running is both a physically and mentally demanding sport, and to progress and have longevity you need to make sure that you are having fun to have a positive experience training and racing. What is something your looking forward to with running? I look forward to the new experiences that come with furthering my running career. The best thing about challenging myself and striving towards new goals in my running are the opportunities that come with the progression, on and off the track. Lastly, I asked If Siona had anything else she wanted to add. “I would like to give a shoutout to the X-Women and X-Men track team. I am so proud of everyone’s relentless
dedication and strength throughout the season, in both a delayed start because of covid and training in any stormy winter condition. I am so excited to see what we can achieve as a team at the AUS championship meet this weekend and watch everyone’s hard work pay off. Go X Go!” I was lucky enough to be teammates with Siona last semester, and she is such a great person and one of the humblest people I have ever met. Five months here Siona has finished as a All- Canadian in Cross country and broke two school records!! Remember the name everyone!!! Wishing the best of luck to all the StFX Athletes competing at AUS this weekend in New Brunswick!!
CREATIVE PIECES That Red Rocking Chair CATHERINE POAG
Your favorite red rocking chair. The one that makes the room looks elegant.
The chair that no one can have.
The one that your eager to get home to sit in.
Your favorite red rocking chair.
The one that stands tall in your living room. The one that everyone compliments for its soft upholstered seat. The one that creaks as you gently slide back and forth.
The one that sways gently as your read your favorite book.
The chair that will be in the family forever. The one that perfectly complements the cream coloring on the wall.
The one that has the delightful smell of old wood. The one that has the bright red paint chipping off its arm. The one that is mounted on rockers.
The chair that is not just a chair.
The chair that means the world to you.
The one that makes you sleepy.
The chair that will never be empty.
Your favorite red rocking chair.
The chair that brings family together.
The chair that was handcrafted by your grandfather.
The chair that has never been repainted. The chair that will eventually be to old to be used.
The one that is a little rickety.
The chair that sits in the antique shop.
The one that is always comfortable.
The chair that sits with a permanent sold sign on
The chair that you love. it.
Your favorite red rocking chair.
Your favorite red rocking chair. The chair that you want to inherit. The one that you have your lazy afternoons in. The chair that often gets in the way. The one that is perfect for putting a jolly baby right to sleep. The one that makes the whole house feel quaint.
The chair that makes a noise as it sways. The chair that everyone wants.
Silence
SHARMILA GHANEKAR Nobody ever talks about the difference between silence and numbness. Silence, can be a virtue or a vice. It can be comfortable or not, awkward or safe. But most importantly, silence can be quiet. Numbness is loud. Not in an explicit sense, more of an intrinsic roar. It’s deafening. Deafening silence, is more of an expression, one that refers to shock value or surprise.
a comfortable silence, with my mind always yearning to fill the empty space with something, anything. I like to dream that one day I’ll wake up and it’ll all be over, and you know what I’ll hear? Nothing. It would be glorious. It would be quiet. That’s all I want, is quiet. Not external silence but internal. The kind of quiet that I don’t feel the need to fill with nonsense. The kind of quiet that brings with it an underlying sense of peace, nostalgia.
Deafening numbness is excruciating, and it feels inescapable. It crawls into your skin and burrows in your soul, uncomfortably coating your body Iike a cold sweat. Until one day, you can’t remember what you felt like before. It’s terrifying, but it’s also comfortable. At a certain point you can make peace with the numbness, the absence of life. You can resign yourself to this horrible feeling and eventually reach a grim form of acceptance. I never liked silence. I find it difficult to achieve
The Song of Shield Maidens ETHAN SABATELLA
Of course that is practically unachievable and hence foolish to dream of, but I’ve always been a bit foolish. I used to think that if you dream big, nothing can stand in your way. I was naive, but then again I was a child. In many ways I still am a child, just not the one I used to be.
enced cruelty first hand, often finding myself on both the giving and receiving end simultaneously. It’s torture, knowing that I’ve lost that childlike innocence. It was stolen from me. It’s even worse knowing it’s my fault. I wish I could blame it on someone else. I wish I could, it’s morbid but it’s true. At least then I’d understand why. My mind is a living hell that I have been sentenced to for eternity. There are no chances of finding my euphoric quiet anytime soon, no matter how much I dream. So I chase the numbness, because at least then everything is less. Of course the highs aren’t as high, and the lows are incredibly low, but at least I don’t have to feel all the time. Silence is not an option for me. Numbness is slowly becoming the only option left.
I’m no longer a child filled with hope and joy for the future. I’m no longer the child with big aspirations and goals. I’m a child that’s seen and experi-
Go Figure
AIDAN AHERN
Old Pilowcases AIDAN AHERN
Five-score raked by ravens Rot ‘neath the dark lot of Gore-stained men a-marching, Maddened, bloody cad-beasts. Greedy eyes gawk, thirsting At the gates of late-foes Where stand maidens stoic Stocked with shields all locking
I want to own a revolver
Summer still breathes and hums by
love it like Lennon loved Yoko
boys who frowned and cursed out loud
and keep it with me on my trip to Paris
and girls who screamed as their parents dreamed
Sworn to take swords glinting Surmounting the warding Of clan and their kindred; Cold is the path holding True towards Hel’s howling. Hard they stand doom-branded By Norns’ cold nets entwinned, The knife of fate—life-thief.
I want to cut my hair
for they are the many who in spite of
burn it all up—to hell with it
their battles and their outcries
and look more like my dying little sister
dared shout summer’s name
Lo! forth come the foe-men Frothing mad, hearts wroth-flamed. Spear and sword seek victims, Battle-singing wards guard; Women of blood warring But there waits no slain-hall, Ice and night wait alone ‘Yond the sword-path bonded.
I want to break some ties
as they lit their school notes aflame
listen more to what my aunt said
and faced her gaze in the stars above
and leave my friends’ cadences back at West-high
for this, at night she still hums
I want my revolver to be magnetic
one day things will be okay.
So ends the Shield Maidens’ song in shadow.
bring it up the Eifel Tower and throw it somewhere where it’ll stick for good.
4 LINES FREE
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Don’t go bacon my heart I couldn’t if I fried There was a plane crash on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Where do you bury the survivors? WTF is hookup culture? Write me poems then die in a war. When I get sick I become a frail victorian child asking mother for permission to be carried into the garden to see the sun one last time before the consumption takes hold. Breaking news from the Xaverian! The Swim Team is hosting their next meet at Piper’s Pub, after all, there’s no bigger dive in town. There are two types of students: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data and Is it weird that “instant” and “overnight” are synonymous as descriptions of celebrity success but antonyms as descriptions of oats? I am NEVER drinking again. Shoes are required to eat at Morrison. Socks can eat wherever they want. Only a genius can say these four words aloud four times: Eye, Yam, Stew, Peed. Congratulations! You are a genius. People who take care of chickens are literally chicken tenders Eve was the first person to ignore Apple terms and conditions I bought the world’s worst thesaurus yesterday. Not only is it terrible, it’s terrible. Here’s some free car advice: If you notice a clunking sound, turn your speakers up. The louder the clunk the louder the volume. I thought St. Patrick banished all the snakes? Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.