Vol 124 Issue 3

news 2

thursday october fifth, 2015

THE xaverian Oct 1 2015 Vol 124: Issue 3

OUR STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Julia O’Hanley xw.eic@stfx.ca

EDITOR: IZAAK MACMULLIN xw.news@stfx.ca

Take Back The Night Students and community members stand with survivors of sexualized violence

MANAGING EDITOR Ryan Finn xw.managing@stfx.ca

IZAAK MACMULLIN News Editor

ART IST IC COORDINATOR Devon Chisholm xw.artistic@stfx.ca

The streets of Antigonish became noisy this past week as students and community members gathered for the annual Take Back the Night march. Hundreds of people gathered at the library to hear speeches from activists addressing the issue of sexualized violence and excoriating the systems and norms in our society that they charge allow the exploitation and violation of vulnerable people. The MC for the night, Robyn Bourgeois, spoke eloquently about her personal experience of being sexually abused and trafficked and about the scale of the problem as a whole. Bourgeois, who teaches at the Coady, explained, “Sexual violence is prevalent in all parts of this country. One in four women will experience some form of sexual violence during their lifetime…the really disturbing thing, though, is that 90% of sexual assaults aren’t reported to police.”

Bourgeois addressed an aspect of sexual violence cases that have caused controversy: potential false accusations.

She said, “You’re gonna hear in the media a lot about people making false accusations; false accusations only account for about 2-4% of cases, so it’s very, very rare.

The reality is there is an extremely, extraordinarily high rate of sexual violence against people in this country, especially women and girls. And we may not have been victims, but we all live in fear, every day, of the reality that we can be victims of sexual violence.” Bourgeois, who is of aboriginal heritage, made sure to emphasize the disproportionate occurrence of sexualized violence towards native women, and she also acknowledged several members of the Paqtnkek First Nations reserve who participated in the march and rally. “We see this impact [of sexualized violence] for those of us in the indigenous community. For us we know that 75% of our girls won’t reach age 18 without being sexually abused. Most of them, 51% of our girls, won’t reach age 14 without experiencing some form of sexual violence. In fact, if you get into a room full of indigenous women, chances are, most of us have been violated.”

Another person who

COPY EDITOR Molly Schreiber xw.copy@stfx.ca NEWS EDITOR Izaak MacMullin xw.news@stfx.ca OPINIONS EDITOR Emily Keenan xw.opinion@stfx.ca FEATURES EDITOR Paige Chisholm xw.feature@stfx.ca ARTS&CULTURE EDITOR Rachel Revoy xw.culture@stfx.ca DIST RACT IONS EDITOR Ty Kingston xw.distractions@stfx.ca SPORTS&HEALT H EDITOR Shelbi Kilcollins xw.sports@stfx.ca SENIOR REPORT ER Lauren Agnew xw.reporter1@stfx.ca SENIOR REPORT ER Rachel LeBlanc xw.reporter2@stfx.ca STAFF WRIT ER Aidan Hassell xw.writer1@stfx.ca STAFF WRIT ER Sebastian Jurga xw.writer2@stfx.ca COLUMNIST Lindsay Johnstone xw.columnist1@stfx.ca COLUMNIST Caitlin Vance xw.columnist2@stfx.ca DIST RIBUT IONS MANAGER Devon Chisholm xw.distributions@stfx.ca xw.eic@stfx.ca for general inquiries xw.managing@stfx.ca for advertising The Xaverian Weekly is the official student newspaper of St Francis Xavier University. The Xaverian Weekly is published on Thursdays by the Xaverian Weekly Publications Board and is editorially autonomous.

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helped organize the event is Erin Wynn, who works at the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre. When asked to explain Take Back the Night she said, “It’s not really any one thing; it’s a march against sexualized violence. So it can kind of work however your community wants it. The idea is simply taking back the night [it’s about] standing with survivors, to say we believe you, we’re here, people should have the right to walk on streets whenever they want without feeling afraid.” Wynn, a recent graduate of Dalhousie University, is especially concerned about students, saying, “Right now is the ‘red zone’; that’s something I wanted to mention: the first six weeks back to school on campus have the highest instances of sexual assault in the whole year, and its generally against first year women, just because of all the different combinations of things that are happening for their first times away from home. And also, I think there can be a culture of seeing first year women as exploitable or

‘fresh meat’ - that kind of concept of, these are vulnerable women, they’re in a new place and they’re generally younger then the men they get assaulted by.”

The impressive turnout at Take Back the Night could be indicative of increased concern about sexualized violence. According to Wynn, “The response has been extraordinary. It’s been really, really great… there were 300 or more at the screening of The Hunting Grounds last night, which is a documentary about sexual assault on campus. They’re planning on perhaps having another screening because there was such huge attendance.”

When asked if she felt universities are doing enough to address the problem, Wynn responded, “I would not say universities in general are doing enough to address the problem, I think there are a lot of institutional barriers to reporting, as we saw in the Dalhousie dentistry scandal and other things like that. There are these systems that are put

Photos: Devon Chisholm

in place, that are not intended to victimize people but they do because they make it harder for them to report things and they make it harder for them to come forward, and they often end up hurting the victim or survivor… it just works to protect the perpetrator instead of protecting the victim.

I think because our universities are run as institutions on money, they’re trying to keep these numbers low, rape counts and sexual assault counts, and that comes at the cost of the victim.”

Many of students who came to the rally seemed to view it as way to stand up for survivors of sexual assault, and several students told their own personal stories of experiencing sexual violence at StFX. When ask why she wanted to attend the rally, third year anthropology student Laura Pickersgill explained, “Everybody deserves respect. Sexual violence is a problem on a lot of campuses, even when you think it’s not happening it still could be so it’s important to address it anyways. It definitely has been a problem a StFX and the fact that we are addressing it is really good…what I liked specifically about this event is that it’s all about standing up for people who have had problems or experienced anything, it’s about standing with survivors and showing solidarity.”

Second year business student Andrew Kenzie felt that the event served an important purpose, saying, “I really like the whole idea about raising awareness about sexual assault on campus. I know it is something that people aren’t always willing to talk about, so it’s a great thing for bringing out the frosh here and raising awareness with them…I saw The Hunting Grounds last night and it was shocking, horrifying actually, I was cringing a lot of the time. I think it’s a great idea, I think the campus needs to be aware.”

Second year arts student Rob Haswell felt that it was good and important that men were present at the event, explaining, “This gets labelled as a ‘women’s issue’. It’s not. It’s a societal issue that every needs to work at mending, because it really should not be an issue to begin with. You shouldn’t have to be afraid if you’re walking by yourself at night; no one should have to be worried

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Students react to Sept 22 debate Various viewpoints on the candidates’ performance JULIA O’HANLEY Editor-in-Chief On Tuesday, September 22nd four federal candidates from all major parties took the stage in the Keating Centre to persuade both students and community members to cast their vote in their favor. Following the debate, we entered the packed audience to seek student opinions and get their take on the event. For the most part, students seemed to be confused, often more confused than they were going into the debate. The number of students willing to speak their mind was a representation of an overall attentive crowd.

Alex Miller says he remains undecided on how to cast his vote. “All the candidates were very well spoken. If anything, it’s made it kind of harder for me to make up my mind on who I’m voting for.

I’m going to have to see what the parties have to say before I can make a decision.”

Miller was pleased at the turnout, adding “It was really good to see so many students out, that was really nice. I’m sure it will help guide people to decide who they are voting for and hopefully encourage even more people to get out and vote.”

The topic of parachute candidates brought up by NDP candidate Ross Landry stood out for Miller overall.

“It was particularly interesting when the Liberal candidate

talked about how common it is present in the room. opinions from the Conservafor Nova Scotians to go out of As for the content, tive Party that I really don’t the province to find work and McOstrich said the debate con- agree with, and there are obvihow it shouldn’t be held against fused her voting intentions, al- ously major differences bethem as the NDP candidate though was solid in her stance tween the other three that are tried to use it,” Miller explains. to vote out current Prime Min- less important than getting out Megan Yeandle had reserva- ister Stephen Harper.

Stephen Harper, in my persontions about coming to al opinion. I have the debate. some serious think“I thought I knew ing to do about the who I was going to vote other three parties, for and I didn’t know and especially the how interesting it was f irst-past-the-post going to be. All of the system. The NDP candidates brought up All the candidates were very well spoken. If would get rid of that great points: it was fas- anything, it’s made it kind of harder for me to system, which I think cinating to listen to.” make up my mind on who I’m voting for. is a really good idea Yeandle adds, “If anybecause there are Alex Miller Fourth Year Student thing just encouragelots of parties, like ment for more research the Green Party for on the platforms of the example that I really parties and all the candidates.”

“If anything I think it really agree with, but I don’t know if I Hayley McOstrich found the confused me more on who to would cast my ballot for the debate exciting, and was im- vote for between the NDP, Green Party because I really pressed by the engagement Green Party, and Liberals. I want Stephen Harper out,” she saw in the student body think it made me really realize McOstrich explains. from the number of students too that there are some strong In contrast to McOstrich,

Will Zylmans was concerned most with jobs, the economy, and what he describes as a war on ISIS. With a pin supporting Conservative candidate Fred DeLorey affix his chest, Zylmans voiced his distaste for comments made by Ross Landry.

“I was pretty surprised with the NDP’s take on foreign policy and ISIS. I know they’ve always been against the military mission in Iraq and Syria, but just their position on, you know these comments of ‘we don’t drop bombs on people’ just struck me as, you know we’re fighting ISIS. So his statement on flat out being against fighting ISIS struck me.”

As a fourth year, Zylmans says he was interested to see the candidates’ views on job creation for people like him.

“As a student this year, graduating and going out into the job market, I was really attentive to what the parties have planned for growing the economy, creating jobs, and making sure that I have a strong job market to go into, a job to go to when I want to and that there are options for me. So that was the biggest take away for me, what the parties want to do with the economy,” Zylmans spoke of the debate.

So there you have it. The two hour debate allowed something for everybody, and thus a variety of opinions on what stood out to the audience.

24/7 Bloomfield?

Students’ Union pushes for SUB to stay open overnight RACHEL LEBLANC Senior Reporter Better meeting spaces, room rentals and the possibility of 24/7 operation? The central hub that we know as the Bloomfield may be getting an extreme home makeover. As StFX continues to grow, the Students’ Union is leading an ongoing discussion about the possibility of renovating the beloved SUB in the next few years, where students gather to study, eat, and (on Wednesday Wing Night) socialize.

Among many proposals, the U has pitched the idea of opening the Bloomfield Centre all day, every day. While there have been no decisions made, I sat

down with Troy Mrazek, President of the Student Union, to hear what he had to say about the potential 24-hour operation.

“We have been negotiating this for the past 4 years,” Mrazek says about the 24/7 open hours, “but the answer has always been no.” Over the summer, the Students’ Union advocated for more study space and longer hours of operation, because when peak study season hits, everywhere is packed. When study space hours are extended during exams, the U is paying around four security members, for a period of 5-8 hours. “That adds up to a lot of money, and this money is coming from the stu-

dents.” The idea would be to have StFX hire its own security team to work on a 24-hour basis. What does this mean for the university? It would require regular check-ins with security, controlling any misuse of study space, determining what areas are on or off limits, custodial costs, and accounting for any added risk. What does this mean for the students? “A space of their own,” Mrazek says, “somewhere they feel comfortable, where they aren’t just in any building.”

How are students responding? “I would have no need to go to the SUB in the middle of the night. And if we are going to keep it open, we would need to staff it too. Otherwise, it would

be cool,” Connor Schmidt says, a second year business student.

“It seems excessive,” Michaela Burns, a third year nutrition student, responds. “I wouldn’t open up the SUB every day for twenty four hours.

If we are, we might be promoting an unhealthy amount of studying and poor sleeping habits. During exam period, the 24 hours sounds very useful for many. But otherwise, I think we should stick with extended hours.”

The idea of having a space on campus available for students all day, every day could make some students happy, and go unnoticed for others. The Students’ Union is currently

weighing the good against the challenges it could cause for StFX, a university that has already planted big investments into the campus. “It’s about seeing if the benefits outweigh the costs,” Mrazek says. The Bloomfield committee meeting will be taking place soon, where these kinds of ideas will be brought to the table and unpacked for discussion. Other ideas of Bloomfield’s expansion include better meeting space for societies, room rentals, event space, more services for students, and more programs to offer. Should StFX be investing into yet another renovation? Is this the best move to make for students’ academic achievements?

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thursday october fifth, 2015

Equity at StFX Students, staff, faculty, and administrators get together to try make StFX better for all IZAAK MACMULLIN News Editor StFX is a popular place. You can’t avoid hearing students or professors praising the small class sizes, community atmosphere, or interesting extracurricular opportunities. However, there has been growing concern that not everyone on campus is able to fully experience the joys StFX has to offer, through no fault of their own. Improving the situation for those who face more challenging circumstances was the main topic at the equity conference held in the SUB this past Saturday. An eclectic group of stakeholders gathered to hash out a plan to improve the campus experience for marginalized groups like LGBTQ, Afro-Nova Scotian, Indigenous and disabled students. The focus of the conference was, according to one of the event organizers Olga Gladkikh, “What actions are we doing to embrace the concept of equity, what should we continue doing, what should we stop doing and what should we start doing? So we’re going to get as many ideas as we can from the group that is here about those actions, turning the words into action and the vision into action, and being able to make some commitments.”

When asked to give an example of an area or aspect of StFX that could use improve-

ment to make things more equi- The basic tenet I think is that we participants voted on concrete table, Gladkikh, who teaches at want to promote respect and ac- actions that could happen going the Coady, pointed to a lack of ceptance, and not tolerance. It’s forward. Some of the more popdiversity at StFX. “Certainly di- really horrible to be tolerated, it ular ideas included hiring a full versity is key. It was named by really is!” He personally has time student services advocate several of the groups [during seen a shift when it comes to the to help disadvantaged students group discussion] this morning normality of interracial couples, access services that could help as being key. But not diversity but he cautions problems still them succeed and looking to imjust for show, but recognizing exist, saying, “There is more ac- prove equity when the Bloomthe importance of diversity for ceptance of, for instance, inter- field is renovated by installing our own understanding of each racial couples, then there was. gender neutral bathrooms, imother, that each proved signage, has something to and better wheelcontribute to our chair access. The understanding of idea of creating a the world and why reconciliation cenit is the way it is. tre was also proRecognizing that posed. This would in trying to get be a communitymore diversity into If someone tells you they’re not prejuuniversity alliance our campus we diced, that’s when you want to run screamthat would proneed to create safe ing out of the room because you know it’s mote reconciliaspaces for that, only gonna get worse from here. tion between inand to recognize digenous and our own privilege.

Michael Steinitz | Physics Professor non-indigenous Unfortunately people with edusometimes privication guided by lege is blind to those who have But it’s still pretty hard to be the proposals of the truth and it. So, being open to having part of an interracial couple. It’s reconciliation commission. those discussions, and recog- better, I think, but this is the sort The Xaverian spoke to Stunizing difference and valuing of thing where you see where dent Union VP Hannah Stordy difference, not evaluating it as people’s prejudices are. My line to get her thoughts on the conbeing better or less than who I to the students is always ‘if ference and what she would be am as a person.” someone tells you they’re not working on in terms of equity One of the people present at prejudiced, that’s when you going forward. One of the ways the event who is able to give a want to run screaming out of the she seeks to address the equity long term perspective on how room because you know it’s issue is by “hiring an equity adequity at StFX has evolved is only gonna get worse from vocate, which is under my ofphysics professor Michael here.’ Everybody’s got prejudic- fice, and that’s due October 5th Steinitz. “We’re doing better to- es, the thing is you’ve got to feel at noon. So that’s a position that day than we did 42 years ago like a total ass if you act on those will be doing the bulk of this when I came to StFX,” he says, prejudices.” work, the idea for this year is for “We still have a long way to go.

Towards the end of the event, it to be project-based rather

than purely a liaison or representative. They will be doing projects to make campus more accessible and more inclusive. A more action-based approach to equity under the Students’ Union.” It’s not a new role, but Stordy hopes to make it more engaged in the process.

Another thing she hopes to accomplish is more accessibility, as she explains, “Evaluating the general accessibility of our services, like DriveU for example, people with mobility issues, if they’re in a wheelchair, can DriveU accommodate that?

What can we do about that? Our signage, just making sure that we aren’t offering services that only some students can access, so making sure that the spaces are accessible.” When asked if she felt if StFX as a community has moved forward on equity issues during her time here she replied, “Even if it’s just conversations that are happening, I personally feel that there are conversations happening at a higher level than they used to, so I think it has been taken seriously. We will see if the commitments follow but Dr. MacDonald also made commitments today that there will be further progress from the summit… I might not be a fair person to give a comprehensive picture, but from my perspective, absolutely, there has been. We have a ways to go but I’m looking forward to the future.”

Xaverian Leaders Program An opportunity for first year students to get involved early at StFX LAUREN AGNEW Senior Reporter In keeping with the goal of being at the forefront of leadership and development, StFX is piloting a new certificate program this year targeted toward helping first year students start university off on the right foot, and to “prepare StFX students to discover and develop their leadership capacity.” according to program materials. This program, entitled the Xaverian Leaders Program, will consists of four 75-minute modules, with two conducted during the fall term and two conducted during the winter term.

This exciting new program will take place in the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership, a space on the fourth floor of the Gerald Schwartz School of Business, a place that was designed with students in mind; former Student Union President and current StFX Alumni Frank McKenna wished to develop a way for students to become engaged and involved in the StFX community, while learning transferrable skills to also make meaningful contributions to the

world outside of StFX. Students will partake in active exercises, case studies, and reflections designed by a team of StFX faculty, staff, and students, as well as Olympian and author Mark Tewksbury and coach and co-author Debbie Muir. Tewksbury penned his book, Great Traits of Leaders, as an instructional and informative guide about the necessary traits a leader must possess. Many of these traits will be covered over the course of the four modules.

These will be instructed by faculty or staff members and senior students.

Angie Kolen, Jacqueline De Leebeeck, Jeff Orr, Ceili Sims, Peter MacNeil, Brandon Hamilton, and Kay Okafor are those

from the StFX community who will be leading first year students in areas of discovery such as knowing your values, challenging conventions, goal setting, and more.

While StFX is known in the sporting community for its commitment to leadership through the Janssen School of Leadership, the first one of its kind in Canada, the Xaverian program is also highly innovative in and of itself. There is no application process to gain entry to

this invaluable certification; all first years are invited to attend. It is not about creating an elitist group of people, but sharing a set of “high quality and inclusive” skills, says Mary Coyle, Executive Director at the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership. She adds, “The goal is to reach a minimum of 200 first year students, but the ambition is to reach many more.” This ambition includes international students, scholarship students, aboriginal students, visible minority students and anyone else who would like to attend.

Although the program is targeted at first year students, it is the hope if its designers that as it grows and ex-

pands there will be levels added for second and third year students to continue on their quest toward becoming outstanding community leaders.

Ultimately, the Xaverian Leaders Program refers to the pledge signed by all first year students at the beginning of frosh week: “We, the newest members of the StFX community, commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in our academic, social, and spiritual lives. We shall exemplify the Xaverian spirit of honesty, respect in our treatment of one another, and generosity in our contribution to the community.”

In becoming a part of the Xaverian Leaders Program, students are afforded a unique opportunity to ease the transition from high school to university with the added benefit of a senior student’s perspective in the first month of school.

If you are a first year student and are interested in attending, the introductory session will run on Sept 29 and Sept 30 at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM each day, giving students four opportunities to get to the Frank McKenna centre and get involved.

opinions

5 EDITOR: EMILY KEENAN xw.opinion@stfx.ca

The 7 natural wonders of the ‘Nish 7 places in the ‘Nish you need to hit up before it’s too late

AMBER CAMUS Contributor Now that we’ve all survived Frosh week, it’s important to give our livers a rest and spend these last few hot days wisely (trust me, you’re going to miss them). What many of StFX students don’t know is that Antigonish is full of hidden gems. From amazing beaches to waterfalls and hiking trails, I would like to share with you the Seven Natural Wonders of the Nish that I have discovered over the summer.

1) Malig nant Cove I’ll start with my absolute favorite place in Antigonish, what many of us refer to as “the watering hole” or “the dam”. Follow down Hawthorne St. for about 20 kilometers until you reach Malignant Cove. It’s trickier to find, but the path down to the water is near a large green sign for the 337 South.

It’s the perfect place to dingy around in a tube or to jump off of the rocks.

2) James River Falls For those of you who are more adventurous, I’d recommend the James River Falls. Drive 10 minutes to-

Arisaig is about 25 minutes away (and easy to find via Google maps). Be sure to take ‘bae’ to check out the sunset on the water at the Lighthouse for some brownie points.

6) The Landing For those of you who don’t have a car, you definitely have to check out the Landing. If you follow Main Street towards the hospital, there’s a road on the right that you take immediately after the train tracks called Adam

Street. Follow that until the end and it turns into a beautiful walking trail that goes along the water.

7) Fairmont Ridge Hiking Trails If you’re looking for more of a workout, check out the Fairmont hiking trails. Type this into Google maps and you should have no problems finding it. It’s a beautiful set of trails with all different levels of difficulty (and not to mention the amazing views of Mahoney’s Beach).

Arisaig Lighthouse Photo: antigonishphotographersexhibit.com James River Falls Photos: nswaterfalls.blogspot.ca wards New Glasgow and turn off at James River.

There you will find a long dirt road that takes you to a hiking trail. Warning: the hike can be extremely muddy, and takes about 30 minutes.

However, it is all worth it once you reach the falls!

3) Cameron’s Lake For a more relaxed day, head down to Cameron’s Lake. Just type it in to the ever-so-magical Google

Maps and you’ll find it no problem. Cameron’s Lake is great for swimming thanks to its size, but there’s also the infamous log to sit on if you’re nursing a hangover.

4) Pomquet Beach Pomquet Beach is a Provincial Park so all of you tech-savvy people can easily type that into Google maps as well. It’s about 20 minutes away but definitely worth the drive.

5) Arisaig Lighthouse

Do you have super powers?

The manifest potential of collective action LINDSAY JOHNSTONE Columnist Power. The word is in itself is powerful. When you think of massive power, you might think of tidal waves, or hurricanes, or even a huge waterfall, or a thunderstorm - some of the greatest powers in nature. Or you might think of a powerful military force.

These sorts of power are what we typically think of when we hear the word ‘power’. And things like the wind and the sea or a mighty army are indeed powerful; there is no question about it. But what I intend to concentrate on is a different kind of power - a power that we all have but perhaps don’t recognize as easily as those other types of power.

This other type of power is the social power that you may not realize you have. You may not even understand what social power is, but I guarantee that you have previously made use of it and that you

have experienced it from others who are exercising their social power over you.

There are a few different types of social power. There is Power Over, Power With, Power To/For, and Power Within. Let’s start with the type of social power we are probably all most familiar with, power over.

I think we often associate social power with Power Over. Power Over may be oppressive and aggressive. If you have ever felt compelled by someone else to do something or to refrain from doing something, then you have experienced Power Over. Power Over is often frequently found in the workplace, where employers use power over their employees. There is a reason why workers at the beginning of the industrial age described themselves as “wage slaves”, a term that still resonates for many workers today. This is a power that coerces people to do something that they may not

wish to be doing. Power Over is legitimized and institutionally supported by our social systems.

Ordinary folks like you and I may not have a lot of power over, but are we powerless? No! You have access to a power that is even more influential than power over, and that is Power With.

Power With is a type of power that you may not be as familiar with, but it is real power nonetheless. Power With is collective power. It means that you work with all members or parties involved in any given initiative to achieve some objective you agree on. In practicing collective power you get to consider all points of view rather than just one side, and you may be exposed to perspectives that you never even considered before. Collective power is a formidable power tool. Through collective power you get to collaborate ideas and build stronger communities. You can

achieve greater equality and diversity through hearing all voices. Collective power provides the opportunity for discussion, not necessarily discussions to blame one another or said groups but rather to come to a mutual understanding about a matter.

The end goal of exercising collective power is to have cooperation from everyone involved. That means that you should listen to what others have to say. Don’t cut others off before you hear them out, regardless if you disagree with them or not. Collective power is an instrumental tool that is often overlooked when we think that our society has power over certain issues we are concerned about. Collective power can challenge and change that.

Take the historical examples of abolishing slavery or the struggles to gain women’s rights. These movements towards more equitable societ-

ies are by no means complete, but through collective action, people using their power in collaboration with others have helped create a more equitable society. For example, gaining equality for women remains an ongoing struggle even in more progressive countries like Canada, but it is clear that significant gains have been made since the early twentieth century when Canadian women didn’t even have the right to vote. These gains benefit not only females but also society as a whole.

If we continue to organize collectively, listen attentively to the experiences and perspectives of others, especially those seeking improvements in recognition and the removal of barriers, then I think there is a greater chance at resolving at least some of the problems we face.

In the next edition of the Xaverian, stay tuned for more talk about power.

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thursday october fifth, 2015

The trouble with trigger-warnings: TWO perspectives Superheroes can’t use their force fields forever RACHEL LEBLANC Senior Reporter Universities and colleges across the globe are beginning to offer more “safe spaces” for students to escape forms of expression they may find offensive. What was once designed to reduce the impact of homophobia and heterosexism on campus has now grown into an enormous force field to block off any form of sensitive education. Last year, the Minnesota Student Association approved a resolution that asked instructors to add trigger warnings to their syllabi in order to prevent students from being exposed to sensitive material. Similarly, the South Bank University in the UK removed posters for the Atheism society last year because they might have caused religious offence. Educational institutions around the world are surrendering to this censorship by cancelling events, shutting down programs, and even forgoing touchy topics in class.

Now, we are not only stomping on the right to free speech, but are shielding ourselves from the education that was supposed to make us into the superheroes we all want to be.

Let’s look at the issue at large: from speakers disinvited for supporting views unpopular to students to faculty members being punished for “offensive” social media posts, colleges and universities across North America have shown little tolerance for unorthodox beliefs and view points, and it’s not paying off. In 2011, sociologists Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa found that American college graduates had barely improved their critical thinking skills during their years of study. And yet, we are continuing to intellectually isolate students from the ideas they find unpleasant. Early this September an article by Christopher Burns mentioned the Oberlin College in Ohio where professors were asked to include an advisory when assigning Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” because students may be triggered by its portrayal of “racism, colonialism, religious persecution, violence [and] suicide.” So, are students actually getting smarter? Or are we just putting walls up because we can’t handle certain unconventional ideas and are therefore jeopardizing our own opportunity to become the well-educated heroes who really can change the world?

First, what does it mean to “learn”? By definition, to learn means to gain or acquire knowledge by study, experience, or being taught. So, to learn we must gain knowledge, and to gain knowledge we must explore be yond our own frame of mind. Universities and colleges are created for one common purpose - to educate us. Whether that be in the realm of our international community, our past, our future business opportunities or the world of math and science, we are all here for the same purpose. To-

day, this enlightenment reaches beyond classroom desks and into the workings of societies, teams, living conditions and careers. More than ever, we are teaching students about how to apply knowledge in the world [shaped by widespread diversity] we live in through programs like Coop and Service Learning. So, if we are all here to learn, then why can’t we reach beyond what is comfortable and pleasant?

The answer may lie in several places - political polarization, the tremendous amount of activism among youth, and technology and the growth of communication. Student participation in university and college programs is growing, giving us a platform we never had before.

Thus, we are playing a larger role in our own education, which gives us

The fine line between ‘offensive’ and ‘offended’ EMILY KEENAN Opinions Editor The Socratic method is the foundation of Western thought. Socrates often likened himself to a gadfly who went around Athens stinging people, nipping at them until they were forced to admit that the beliefs they held were inconsistent or founded on false principles. We often have no reason to think the things we do other than that it’s the way we were taught, that it’s what we’ve always known, and that we’ve never before had reason or opportunity to question these beliefs.

The university is the platform at which we have the freedom to question these long-held beliefs. It allows us to peel back the layers upon layers of socialization, ignorance, and institutionalization and truly critique

Photo: phaedrustc.deviantart.com the ability to choose what we want to hear and what we don’t.

But here’s the problem: We are young. We have only explored twenty or so years of life, while others have been through it all and more.

As student activists, it is important to refrain from assuming we know what is important and what is not. If we choose to make the uneducated decision to be in charge of what we learn, we will gravitate towards comfort and never learn to face adversity, a critical skill that must be learned.

While students must acknowledge that they do not know everything, teachers must too. Knowledge is an ongoing discussion between people of all ages.

Luckily, evidence shows that this problem is not yet overly prevalent among Canadian schools, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore it. I ask students, faculty members and our community to acknowledge the fact that we do not know everything, but we know some things. And if we can recognize this and knock down the force fields that overprotect us, we can continue to have this ongoing discussion and, eventually, become superheroes.

the world we live in, and also ourselves. Learning is as much a process of self-discovery as it is a discovery of the external world.

This is not always comfortable. In fact, it shouldn’t be comfortable. A professor once said to me, “If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not learning.” While I would not hold this as a constant across the board, I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment that the institution of the university does not exist to coddle you, to make you feel good, and to spoon-feed you more of the same thoughtless propaganda.

The phenomenon that Rachel addresses in her article is real, both insofar as it addresses an alarming trend at the university level and how it denotes an even more alarming shift in the mindset of our generation.

Are we moving farther away from free speech? The evidence seems to suggest we are, but for reasons that run counterintuitive to traditional thought – are we now so ‘open-minded’ and ‘welcoming’ that we are afraid to say anything that may potentially offend fringe groups, minorities, and pretty much everyone except Caucasian males?

I think it’s high time we acknowl-

edge the fine line between ‘offensive’ and ‘offended’. The university is a beacon of free speech. That being said, it must not promote hatred or violence or material that could be objectively deemed offensive. Any reasonable person would grant this, as does our Charter of Rights and Freedoms in its defense of a ‘free and democratic society’. That said, a free and democratic society does not stipulate censorship because certain material may personally offend an individual.

Does learning about genocide horrify you? Does hearing about atrocities committed throughout history make you feel insignificant and useless? What about colonialism?

The slave trade? Capitalism? Do you feel good when you think about Western Christendom and how we’re history’s biggest assholes? Good.

And when you do feel uncomfortable, it’s not your professor’s fault.

The main argument that feeds the fire of the torch of the trigger warning crusade is that exposure to such materials may trigger memories of past trauma. This is most prevalent within the realm of sexualized violence, which is by far the most contentious issue at hand in this debate. The Coddling of the American Mind, an article published in the most recent edition of The Atlantic, tells of movements to remove words such as ‘violate’ from the classroom because they may potentially elicit a traumatic response.

While sexualized violence is without a tragedy and can have enormous repercussions in the aftermath, the onus of recovery lies with you and your loved ones, not with the institutions with which you choose to associate. The healing process cannot be expected to extend to the classroom. Your professor is not your therapist. There are plenty of resources made available by the university to guide you through your recovery process, but professors cannot be expected to operate within these same parameters. Not only does it runs counter to the existential purpose of the institution as a beacon of free speech, but not discussing sexualized violence only serves to contribute to the stigma of silence that was addressed last week in the screening of The Hunting Ground and by Take Back the Night. Not having the conversation is not going to solve the problem.

Moreover, the world after post-secondary will certainly not be bending over backwards and censoring vocabulary and content, so why should we expect a university to do the same?

The world is an ugly place. Nasty things have happened, are happening, and will continue to happen unless we can address these issues like adults and attempt to find solutions through learning and research. If higher institutions are opting to shy away from exposing their students to these truths rather than run the risk of hurting someone’s feelings, then we are in a dire position indeed.

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Homecoming highlights It only happens once a year...

ELEANOR RIGBY Contributor It’s that time of year again, folks. Whether it’s your first homecoming or your fiftieth, you’ll be decking yourself out in white and blue and celebrating the fact that you go to the best damn school in the country. Young and old, X is something we can all take pride in. To add to the hype that’s already escalating all over campus, let’s commemorate some classic homecoming highlights we’re all looking forward to this Saturday.

The early wakeup.

It’s not every day of the year you have an excuse to start drinking at 8am. Other than house cups and maybe St. Patrick’s Day, homecoming is probably the most sanctioned day-drinking event we lay claim to. There’s nothing like waking up to such widespread excitement in your house/residence, cracking a shower beer (and/or 7 Jell-O shots), and getting dressed up with all your roommates.

Some of my favourite homecoming memories have been early on in the day (although in all fairness this might be because the memories start to get hazier as the day goes on, but nevertheless).

The white and blue.

How freaking awesome is StFX? Each and every year on October 3rd the town of Antigonish quite literally paints itself blue and white in honour of our hallowed institution. It’s better than Canada Day, it’s better than burMAC, and it’s sure as hell better than Acadia. Visitors coming up for the weekend know better than to set foot in the county wearing any other colour. Blue paint and tie-dye were even sold out at Dollarama this past weekend. I think I’ve planned out my homecoming attire farther in advance than I have the majority of my papers.

The pancakes.

Pancakes.

Everywhere.

You open up your home for a pancake breakfast in the morning, and the people simply do not stop coming. What was supposed to be a morning get-together suddenly lasts all day, but hey, you’re not complaining.

The residence ritual.

Homecoming is probably one of the only days of the year that actually makes me miss living in residence. Each res has its own unique homecoming ritual, whether it’s going out for breakfast or making the frosh drink until they puke. No better way to start the day than with a power hour at 10am, right? Seriously, if you’ve been blessed with a residence bracelet for the weekend, you are a lucky soul

indeed. While it means you’re likely too young to come out to the Pub or the Inn later, homecoming in residence is an experience that only happens once or twice and is certainly not to be missed.

The afternoon nap.

The post-game nap is an absolute necessity on homecoming (and that’s if you even make it to the game). Wake up, drink from 9-2, go to the game, come home, take a nap, repeat on evening mode.

There’s a science to it, a beautiful, alcohol-induced science.

And remember, beware the dreaded hangover. Pick up a Gatorade or two beforehand and get a good meal into you to make sure you can carry on for round two. Option 2:

skip the nap, pop a Molly. The choice is yours, friends.

The guests.

StFX homecoming is the best and everyone knows it.

Friends, significant others, family, and alumni make the trek out east for what is by far one of the best weekends of the year. Even if this year is your guest’s first homecoming, they’re guaranteed to be infected with X pride and be cheering like a madman among the masses by the end of the day. Everyone’s house is full to capacity, and I for one would not be surprised if I woke up on Sunday morning to a stranger or two passed out on the couch.

The alumni.

Having hundreds of alumni

return every year just reiterates how awesome this school is. You get the opportunity to talk to people you would never otherwise meet and maybe do some networking, provided you have your wits about you. Besides, thinking about yourself however many years down the road as an alumnus coming back to the best place on earth is pretty cool too.

The party.

While I can’t exactly attest to the novelty of partying until the early morn on homecoming as I’ve never actually made it out to the Inn or the Pub, there’s a pretty good chance I won’t have any memories of it this year either.

Here’s to another fantastic homecoming, everyone.

Photo: michelle-campbell.ca

A record lost in time

The demise and possible ressurection of the Xaverian Annual DEVON CHISHOLM Artistic Coordinator Every post you make is impermanent. Your texts, tweets, Facebook and Instagram posts may continue to exist in some far-off digital land, but accidental deletions still happen and memories get erased. To my great disappointment, StFX’s yearbook, the Xaveri-

an Annual, was shutdown in 2010 due to economic and environmental sustainability issues.

What I find most disturbing is how passive our current student body seems to be about this, and how naïve we are about the idea that our digital memories will last. How many of you remember your email password from elementary

school? I thought so. In my mind, the only way to truly preserve the majestic four years we spend here together is in print, bound in hardcover.

Growing up the child of two StFX alumni, I’ve experienced firsthand how valuable yearbooks can be when recalling the memories and excitement of this place ten, twenty, or thirty years down

the road. Over the years, I can remember my parents and their alumni friends pulling out the five yearbooks neatly stacked on a shelf in my basement. They were able to glimpse back into the exciting and joyfilled years they spent here.

I can’t imagine graduating, leaving this place, and twenty-five years from now having nothing but a few

low quality iPhone pictures to remember the times and people that I’ve grown to call family. I don’t think I’m alone in thinking this. If you would like to look into a possible re-launch of the Xaverian Annual for the 2016-2017 school year, or if you have any thoughts, opinions, or comments, feel free to contact xav.annual@ g mail.com.

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culture

EDITOR: RACHEL REVOY xw.culture@stfx.ca

Untangling heart strings

‘...and they might even conquer the world together.’

Alejandra Torres Contributor Through a window on a sunny afternoon you can observe two young adults on an attempt to find happiness. Sitting on the corner with no one else by their side, their eyes are searching for something true amidst the lies that this world provides. They aren’t strangers, but they do not have a conventional friendship either. She was hurt by a young man who swore to love her once. Her heart is cracked, an issue caused by hurtful words and selfish actions.

He is not a simple man; he lives his life disturbed by society’s pressure. His past

haunts him, constantly creating tangled mental webs that inhibit him from showing who he truly is. She doubted his character due to his negative reputation and he didn’t know she even existed - until now. But life decided to shamelessly laugh at both of them and joined them in the most unexpected circumstances.

From there blossomed a friendship that the world couldn’t quite comprehend.

She went through every wall he had built and he filled her life with genuine joy and constant peace. Like in any other fantasy she began to feel butterflies for him but he wasn’t looking for any type of relationship. Their friendship kept growing and

causing confusion in themselves and in others. A long period of time passed in which each of them lived different adventures while taking unlikey paths. They fell, got up, laughed, grieved and ended up getting to know who they really were. All of a sudden, in the most ironic way, life decided to laugh at them once again.

He realized he had feelings for her but the clock conspired against them. She had found a young man and he respected that, therefore he kept his feeling undercover. But destiny, with an unusual plan, took their lives in its hands to remove almost every obstacle, setting them face to face with their hearts on their sleeves. He con-

fessed to her what she had imprinted onto his heart and she thanked God for enlightening him after so long.

The unforgiving clock continued to conspire against them since she had only a definite amount of time that she could spend by his side.

One month and a week was all she could offer and without hesitation he accepted.

And so that is how this couple sat face to face in the corner booth of a gelato shop on a Thursday afternoon, revealing their secrets and dreams while their hands trembled and their hearts would not stop running. Though they were like two teenagers on a first date, nervous and oversmiling, this couple was a

bit old for those types of fantasies. And even though it looked completely crazy to the eyes of everyone else, to them it didn’t matter because the writers of this story were essentially themselves.

So they muted every prejudice and absurd comment.

She got into his car and never looked back. He drove confidently believing that everything would be fine and she begged God that this adventure would turn out beautiful in surprising ways.

Even though they are blind to what the future might hold they travel hand in hand wherever this life might lead them - and they might even conquering the world together, beginning in their own hometown.

Craft beer and good company A Townhouse review SEBASTIAN JURGA Staff Writer Most people who go to StFX rarely venture out of the Pub-Splitties-Inn routine that takes place every weekend. The nights-in-Antigonish routine is fun, but sometimes I feel like the country night, wing night, pub life cycle gets a little dry after a while.

Maybe that’s just me, but one night at the pub satisfies me for a lifetime. If you’re feeling the same way, then take a weekend and break the cycle by checking out one of this town’s greatest gems: the Townhouse.

Wouldn’t you rather just spend my night sipping a cold craft beer at the Townhouse instead?

Located just down the street from Piper’s and beside Town Hall, the Townhouse is not a far venture from campus.

Even with its proximity to campus, the majority of regulars there seem to be locals. Which doesn’t surprise me, since the atmosphere at the other bars are geared towards the students.

So what separates the Townhouse from the Pub, and why do I prefer it? Well, I find the Pub, and especially the Inn, to be loud and often times overcrowded. The atmosphere at the Townhouse is more laid back and chill,

and the staff seems to overall enjoy being there and making your experience pleasant.

Even at its busiest, you’ll still see the staff chatting with customers nonchalantly. Another perk: it doesn’t feel like you’re only there to get drunk.

the atmosphere quite well.

Another wonderful part about it is the variety of local music played at the Townhouse. On Thursdays and Sundays there are local musicians from town and the surrounding areas performing,

are still thoroughly enjoyable.

For instance, Monday night when I ate dinner there, Bob Marley was playing softly in the background the entire time, which surprisingly worked in this Irish-themed pub.

Photo: Devon Chisholm The Townhouse attracts a far different kind of social circle than the other bars in town.

With the theme being mostly Irish, there is a rustic, oldtimey feel to the place. Lots of varnished, high-seated wooden tables, dim lighting, and a pleasantly erratic array of artwork and novelty items hanging around the walls set

giving the pub a more vibrant, alive feel. Their proximity to the dining area and bar also gives the place a livelier feel than that of the pub. Thursday night features StFX jazz students at 9 PM, while on Sunday they offer a wide array of Irish acoustic starting at 6:30 PM. Even when the music isn’t live, the track lists

Speaking of the food, I would much rather drop $20 on a meal at the Townhouse rather than spend it on cover and two drinks at any other bar in town. The menu offers a wide variety, from Mexicanstyle chorizo pizza to more classic pub choices like mussels (which are awesome), bacon-wrapped scallops,

Bombay hummus, and some tasty trout pate with homemade soda bread. Also, all meat and vegetables are locally sourced and organic!

There are a wide variety of specials, including Lani’s daily curry, which is cooked a little differently every time and is simmered fabulously on a bed of rice.

On Sundays, they also have a roast, featuring locally raised meats - usually lamb, chicken, or beef. I highly recommend it, as they also have live music that day. It goes well together with one of their delicious craft beers.

On the subject of the beers, Terry’s Best Bitter is brewed on site and offers a very malty, hoppy taste to it. There are also a few other craft beers from other areas of the province, with the Propeller Pilsner from Halifax being a pretty good choice as well for those who enjoy lager. My favourite would have to be the Smoked Porter, brewed in Pictou. It offers a very light chocolaty flavour, with a powerful smoky aroma and musk to it. It is a very smooth beer, and 20 ounces for $7 is pretty worth it.

So why not change it up a little, and venture down to one of their upcoming live shows? You won’t be disappointed - I know I never have been.

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How do you solve a problem like Maria?

The winner of the Allurd Tobin Memorial Scholarship’s journey experiencing cultural diversity in Europe MARIA RIZZETTO Contributor

advice circulating the Internet on 'how to quit you job and travel for free' in your 20s.

Oh so, you're going to be a It started when I got an email a teacher then? Most people would month before me graduation. I take that as an insult. Personally, it was in a dark place. The one does not insult me in the slightest where you are trying to keep since I have been continuously trucking along while savoring the supported by teachers and then last bit of time you have with your professors at all levels of my edu- friends before they disperse cation, and now some of my best across the globe upon graduation. friends are taking on that role. It's I was full of anticipation to finish not the teaching part that feels like but terrified of the inevitability of a slap in the face, it's the 'oh, so…' the arguably nonexistent job marOh, so I'm working as a waitress ket that is the Maritimes, especialin Halifax. The sting of the ‘nice x ly Nova Scotia. The articles conring' with a glance down at my tinue to flood my newsfeed about slightly stained apron back to my how Generation Y is basically glistening forehead from sprinting screwed. I was so close to the finup and down flights of stairs with ish line but couldn't see the light at my hands full of entrée plates. 'At the end of the tunnel. What's an least you'll meet some interesting English degree today anyway? I connections here.’ It only took me am finding out that living in Halitwo shifts after being hired to fax it's called working a restauknow I came to the right spot to rant until I annoy the 'right people' work my supposed 'glorious' to give me a chance or get a couple years off trying to figure out what more degrees, at least. I’ve worked it is I want to do with my life, or in in bars in Cape Breton, Antigonother words what I ‘could possi- ish, Ottawa, and for awhile out

bly do with my English degree besides teach.’

So how did I become a 23-yearold English major who can talk about Temple Bar in Ireland with the man here on business from Dublin? Discuss walking the battlefields of Vimy where my Canadian ancestors lost their lives fighting for our country with veterans off a cruise ship drinking Arnold Palmers? Or discuss the words on Shakespeare’s grave with an Israeli-Canadian female backpacking group touring the Maritimes? How about discussing the red light district with a vegan mother of five? How I could I have all these adventures already?

Well, I didn't take the ridiculous

West, and Halifax without a doubt has the most educated wait staff perhaps in the world. On one hand my job becomes easier and more rewarding because I am surrounded by people in the same boat as me, girls who are working on their second and third degrees right now. It is the ‘oh, so’ that leaves the underlying fear, doubt, and anxiety about what is happening next. Assumption is the problem.

Anyway, I remember logging into my email the next morning after dreaming about eating gelato in Florence writing in a leatherback journal I picked up at a market. I was thinking no way that email was real but hoping with

my entirety that I hadn’t dreamt what I had read. But it was still there in big bold letters: "How would you like $9000 to travel Europe this summer????” And I quote (still have the screenshot),"The purpose of this award if to provide the recipient with a unique chance to experience a sampling of European culture.” I remember being confused.

You know when you win a cruise in a pop-up and it is just so well written you think maybe, just maybe, it could be real. I remember thinking should I even call my Mom and tell her about this yet? I mean she won't even believe me.

What is this for? How would I explain it? There HAS to be more to it. I remember reading the name Allard in passing. Allard Tobin... sounds like some guy who has too much money lying around and maybe wants his name in the paper. It's telling enough that I don't even remember what I thought.

Regardless, $9000 to travel? Game on.

After I won—by way of a proposed travel plan catered to me degree, an essay of ‘why me,’ my resume, transcript, and two references— I wanted to start writing immediately. But I couldn't. I just keeping thinking of Allard.

Who is this guy? I searched, I got my answers, which sparked more questions. I found out that Allard was involved in the performing arts while at StFX, singing in the choir and performing in plays.

When he graduated, unsure of what to do with his life, he left for Europe. He has a successful career in theatre, film, dance, and costume design. He lived mostly in the UK and Paris where he found the love his of life, a man.

Tragically, Allard died of AIDS in the early 90s. What is the problem here? His sexual orientation? No. The stigma surrounding the disease that took his life? Perhaps then it was. Being gay at a white middle-class catholic university in rural Nova Scotia in the 1960’s?

Well... I'll leave that thought with you. Guess what? None of this is the problem. The problem is that I had to search far and wide for the most important aspect of the man whose family generously donates this scholarship in his memory.

His identity.

After finding more and more out I started thinking that instead

of talking about food and history in my application I would have focused on my passion for piano or the time my creative writing class (myself and three others) wrote, casted, and produced a play in the one act play festival at StFX. I won

in the most surreal park I've ever been in. I'm looking around and I see couples mostly. They're young, they're old, they're big and they're small, some are smoking some are drinking, some have babies and others have books. Some

the scholarship anyway, good for me. But I am willing to bet that if this information, what Allard himself encompasses, was at the forefront while advertising this scholarship instead of a dollar signs the selection committee would have some pretty unique stories and essays to choose from (love you Wendy; and I know I deserved it).

I am willing to bet that Allard left Nova Scotia to live somewhere that he was more accepted for who he was. I think the fact it has taken a straight white middle class Catholic girl and fifty years to bring this to light speaks for itself.

This time a couple years ago some of you may have been reading a snarky column about broke bartender to broke student etiquette written by yours truly...

Now this could just be my over active English major imagination but it's easy for me to think Allard was shaking his head way back when, smirking and pegging me from right there, 'now there's a girl that will come out on top.'

“After spending the day in the Roman baths we decided we better cool in on the cash flow until we get out of one of the most expensive city in Europe. I learned from some local guys that nobody can afford to live here anymore because of the price of housing and lack of jobs even if they grew up here.

Sound familiar?!?! Cough*Cape Breton*cough. Now we are laying

are clearly locals with their expensive looking wooden chairs tanning while others look like usa mess of bags, souvenirs and coffee stained shirts. This takes me back to the baths when I was learning about daily paradise and daily pampering. This is a paradise, sitting here looking up at the clear blue sky in the middle of the most English park on the face of the earth. But at the same time, so is Cape Breton and I know it will be a long time before the two of us with our liberal arts degrees will get to sit on a deck overlooking the Bras D’or and reminisce about when we were in and out of sleep on the perfectly kept grass in Bath.”

“The city where girls bike in heels and skirts, where lipstick is never smeared, where even the worst dressed men have nicer clothes than you do. Parisian women are chiseled but what makes them distinct is their poker faces. Drinking, biking, waiting in queue, they almost stare through you... Some consider this rudeness, but I see it as confidence.

The striking thing about Parisian women, the contrast in personality of those alone- more of them than less- and those walking with a man. Most couples are arm in arm, step for step from what I've seen, these women exert never ending smiles stretching from ear Continued on page 12

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Continued from page 11 to ear, their heads fall back and forth laughing adorable laughs.

But the thing I noticed is the older the couples get, the more likely the man is linked onto the woman's arm. The young women cling to the man hanging on their every word. While the older women walk smiling, but stand with that same confidence, knowing that they are the prize. It seems as though all these couples are still in the honeymoon stage... that’s impossible. All couples of all ages can't possibly all be in the honeymoon stage, or perhaps here under the moonlight and the eiffel tower they can.”

“Sometimes I put dresses on, ones I have bought, ones I tried on in a store probably by myself (since that is the way I like to shop) and thought damn this looks good, so I bought it. Sometimes I put these same dresses on,

that I then own, and then I take them off. I take them off because I am scared someone will tell me to 'put some clothes on.' I take them off because I am scared the looks I attract will offend Josh. Sometimes I take them off because I don't want to look like 'I am asking for it' because god forbid something happened to me when I am wearing something revealing over here travelling... Unfortunately, we all know how that scenario plays out. Sometimes I take them off because I convince myself it doesn't look as good as it did that day I was in the store, because I was slimmer t hen, it looked nicer when I was more tanned, or maybe just because I felt better about myself that particular day. Everyone talks about wearing what you want, but nobody talks about buying what you want and then not wearing it. It’s like eating half your dessert, or watching three quar-

ters of a movie. Usually the end results are the best part, the finished products, like not taking the dress off. If there is one thing travelling in Europe has taught me is that these women don't take them off, and neither do the men, so why should I neglect half the wardrobe I packed that I wanted and planned to wear? People here wear what they want if it's covered from head to toe or letting everything hang out, all shapes, all sizes, and all ages. It is not confined by body ideals as far as I can see. I'm sure some places, London for example, they are simply more conservative just like places in North America. But on average, I question myself everyday why I didn't wear what I packed.”

“I don't think we are in Kansas anymore... The red light district is unlike anything I could imagine.

Every street and alley is lit up in red. As you walk past the women can be seen through the windows

in their own cubicle. Them, a chair, a bed. They are attractive for anywhere, a lot of it visibly fake but undeniably sexy. They almost take on personalities in the windows. Some fix their hair or lipstick in the mirrors, others are texting, I even saw one reading and wondered if she is really reading or playing the role complete with her glasses and all.

Others are right at the window, breasts against the glass, making eye contact with you as you walk by. I just think of how much money they are making as I watch men walk in and others walk out, and look at some covered in tattoos which I know are ridiculously expensive here. This gives a lot more depth to the question, can money ever buy happiness? I always believed that money doesn't buy happiness but it can buy you peace of mind... But now I just think about them, how did they end up in these windows. who

are they working for? Themselves? Their families? Or are they a product of being exempt of choice for so long when it comes to surviving these windows are actually success? What type of happiness or peace of mind is being brought to them with the money from these tourists? Even more, are they happy? It sure wouldn't seem that way...”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Maria at rizzmaria@gmail.com or add Maria Rizzetto on Facebook

X-Veg president’s journey to veganism Maddie Burton’s ethical lifestyle AIDAN HASSELL Staff Writer “In order to change the world you have to pay attention to the world around you,” says Maddie Burton, president of StFX’s X Veg society. She is passionate about her life as a vegan. What makes her so passionate? Not only is she an advocate for living an ethical lifestyle, she is aiming high by working her vegan ethics into her senior research paper for her advanced major in philosophy.

Maddie’s first experience to veganism was through her realization that she was uncomfortable with how animals and the environment were being treated.

So she allowed her discomfort to push her to an existential crisis which ultimately taught her that she needed to drastically change her life.

“I always want to help people, so I want to be passionate about

this. I want people to care about it. It’s about compassion,” says Maddie.

Being a vegan is all about the connection between all things on earth. This ideology and belief greatly influenced Maddie in her life-changing decision to become a vegan. “Everything is deeply connected to one another, and I want to do what is best for that connection. To refrain from harm; to refrain from killing, for yourself and for society and all other animals, so everything can be balanced. It’s out of whack right now,” she says. In order to restore the balance, Maddie believes that veganism is the best way to allow for the connection between all things on earth to become sustainable.

Many people believe that eating a raw food diet is similar to veganism, and Maddie states her opinion on the nutritional difference between the two dietary choices: “I started pay more at-

tention this summer on what I was eating, too, and I’ve never felt better. I was trying for two weeks a raw food diet, and it wasn’t for me. There’s actually not a lot of research that supports a fully raw diet. Not a lot of people have that kind of access to raw foods, and don’t have that time to make it all. It takes like 15 minutes to eat four peaches, and sometimes you’re just really impatient. You definitely should be having lots of raw food, but cooked food is not the devil. Go for the whole foods, the rice and the pasta, what you want to look for is 80% carbs 10% fat and 10% protein, which is the opposite of what people will tell you.”

In being a vegan, Maddie’s ethical choices have been challenged. She describes one particular instance, saying, “Christmas dinner meant so much to me that I was willing to give up my ethics. That was something that I really had to learn that you

shouldn’t do. Although you should pick your battles, when things are convenient and when you know you’re going to give into your side, you should never have to give up your ethical stance. That’s going to eat you up inside, and that’s going to keep you from being confident in your position.” Maddie also finds her experience in going to restaurants an ethical challenge. She conquers this challenge by being vocal through asking the restaurant questions about their goals in order to make a change. Being a vegan is about spreading the positive message, and by not being passive and quiet Maddie is creating change.

X Veg society is all about support. The purpose is to give StFX students a place to be vocal about something that is important to them. In being a vegan, Maddie has found that the best way to create change is to be vocal without being harsh. “Nobody wants

to listen to you yelling at them,” says Maddie, “I always try and convince my friends to eat more vegetables, and to try and eat less meat, to eat healthier. That’s the thing about veganism: it’s contagious. Everytime you’re around someone, they have to question what they’re doing because of what you’re doing. Then you explain to them, calmly and passionately, and you say ‘yep, this is what veganism is.’ The more this happens, the more people will make changes in their life. I’m down for baby steps.”

Support is essential to leading a vegan lifestyle. Maddie’s advice to new vegans? “Just be gentle with yourself through the whole process, that’s the only way you’re going to succeed.” Growing angry over your mistakes is not the answer, and therefore patience is paramount.

For more information, check out X Veg’s Facebook page for upcoming events.

This season: florals for fall fashion

Pack up your summer style for this autumn’s looks ALYSSA HILTZ Contributor Summer is now officially over; time to switch out the sandals, shorts, and tank tops for boots, pants, and comfy coats.

But don’t pack up all your summer clothes just yet. Deep floral print is in this season to add a pop of color to the world around you. Instead of wearing layer upon layer of solid color, add some flowers into your warm attire. Not only is floral print staying in our wardrobes this season, some previous trending items are making their way back into our closets as well.

Ruffles, high necklines,

ribbed pattern knitwear, leather and suede, geometric shapes, black and white checkered print, and big buckle belts are coming back and we welcome them with open arms. For at least a third season in a row plaid print is also showing itself and it’s more popular than ever before. The colors to look out for this season are royal blue, orchid purple, light rose, canary yellow, cherry red, and sunset orange. According to entrepreneur Faye Wetzel, dried herb, a neutral tone, is “the number one color in the entire season.” White and grey are also very popular neutral colors this season. Of course you can always throw solid black and

brown in the mix to balance out your already decorative palette.

Some examples of designers and brands who showed off these trends are: Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Fendi, Dior, and Valentino. Of course these designer clothes aren’t exactly in a university student’s budget, but you can still get what is in this season in a much lower price range. Get good quality, trendy clothes that fit a budget at Eclipse, H&M, Forever 21, Pseudio, Bluenotes, and Winners. If you’re like me and you love to shop for unique gems then there is absolutely nothing wrong with going to thrift shops. The three in the Antigonish area are

Encore Consignment Emporium on Main Street, The Opportunity Shop on Main Street, and Fashion Frenzies on Post Road.

There are three types of people in the world when it comes to fashion: people who don’t pay attention to the trends, people who incorporate some trends into their wardrobe, and people who always wear the newest trends.

Everyone loves to get new things and show them off, but you have to remember to have fun and be comfortable when shopping and finding what fits you, not just physically but style-wise as well.

As Rachel Zoe says, “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”

Try new things. For example, you might think ruffles are too old or that plaid is over but once you try it, it might become one of your favorite things to wear.

Don’t be afraid of starting trends as well. Do you have something that you absolutely love but it is stuffed in the back of your closet because it is not trendy or has never been? Don’t be afraid to wear it! Anna Wintour says, “Create your own style…let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” Wear what makes you happy, and who knows, maybe your favourite style will be part of the next fall/ winter season.

distractions

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EDITOR: TY KINGSTON xw.distractions@stfx.ca

Join the movement to change StFX’s official religion from Roman Catholicism to a Cult of Beyoncé

"I woke up like this flawless" quoth the Yoncé “Your Breastesses are my breakfast” saith the prophet Jay-Z “I sneezed on the beat, and the beat got sicker” quoth the Yoncé “I’ve been drinking, watermelon” quoth the Yoncé

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thursday thursday october october fifth, fifth, 2015 2015

sports and health

EDITOR: SHELBI KILCOLLINS xw.sports@stfx.ca

Perception versus reality: The true story of the university athlete SIERRA PAIGE Contributer The perception of studentathletes on college and university campuses around North America is a widely stereotyped role that can get more and more unfavourable depending on who you ask. But how much of the stereotypes are true? Most of what you’ve heard is probably exaggerated, so here are some of the biggest athlete myths debunked.

What their friends think: Ask any friend of a university athlete what it’s like to hang out with an athlete and the unanimous answer is that they are no fun at all. They can never go out and drink, they’re always tired, they’re never up for late-night McDonald’s runs, and the only clothes they own are sweatpants, so how are they supposed to share fun outfits?

The Truth: Okay, most of this is true. But since they can’t drink anyway, athletes make excellent designated drivers. And let’s be serious everyone wants late night McDonald’s, and if your friends dress only in sweatpants it just makes you look that much better when you’re standing next to them. So, on behalf of all the athletes, you’re welcome.

What their parents think: Every parent who sends a kid to university likes to think their child is the next Bill Gates or Sheryl Sandberg - if

you don’t know who that is, Google it now - but parents of university athletes are on a whole new level. If you come into contact with one, prepare yourself for a play-by-play of their latest game - it probably wasn’t as great as they think followed by a list of all the accolades they’ve collected probably not even that many - followed by how quickly they’re going to go pro - probably they actually won’t. You may also need to brace yourself for a trip down memory lane via pictures in their wallet, and more than one mention of the glory days that were high school.

The Truth: Athlete parents have seen the struggle firsthand and know how much effort went into their sport both on and off the field. They also likely feel a little responsible for their child’s success, given the countless hours and dollars they spent on making sure their budding superstar had the best opportunities possible. Their child may not quite be God’s Gift to Athletics, but

we can just let them have this one.

What the school/coaches think: We own you.

The Truth: It’s an absolute honour to wear that team crest on your chest and a number on your back, and any athlete wouldn’t hesitate to make that known. But there is so much responsibility that comes with

representing an institution.

Athletes are expected to be perfect role models both on and off the field, as well as a living, breathing, marketing tool for prospective students and athletes. They are constantly reminded that all eyes are on them, and whether that’s true or not, there is a constant pressure placed on athletes to perform well on the field (“That’s why were paying for your school!”), in the classroom (“Come on we’re paying for this!”) and in the communi-

ty (“We are not paying you to do this but you have to anyway!”).

What the general population thinks: This is where the majority of athlete stereotypes stem from. Athletes all wear the same clothes so they know who they should hang out with at any given time, they travel everywhere in packs, they cut the line at the bar, they fall asleep in class and ask for extensions on assig nments and they think they world owes them something because they can kick a ball or shoot a puck.

T h e Truth: Whether it’s the assumption that those football players falling asleep in class aren’t paying attention because they’re just not that smart, or the assumption that athletes only hang out with each other because they think they’re better than everyone else, non-athletes can sometimes miss the bigger picture.

The football player falling asleep probably had meetings and game film during the day, followed by a late-night practice, followed by an early-

morning practice, and was still expected to perform as well, if not better than, the average student. And they do that every day. Athletes are consistently held to the highest standard, both on the field and off, and that can be difficult to maintain. Imagine eliminating roughly 40 hours - the equivalent of a full time job from your week and still trying to get a degree! They travel together because no one else understands a ridiculous schedule better than a fellow athlete. And to be honest they all wear the same thing because jeans are the world’s most uncomfortable invention, they were absolutely not made with athletic body types in mind, and trying to put on jeans after a sweaty practice is literally next to impossible.

What athletes think: I’m so tired. Why does everything hurt? When was the last time I slept? Is this shirt clean? Probably not. I don’t even care.

The truth: Athletes are their own toughest critics, and are fully away of the fact that they look like a basket-case with a touch of homelessness for most of the week. Practice is stressful, games are stressful, school is stressful, and finding time to sleep is stressful, so we’re going to just go ahead and say keep on keeping on athletes, the season will end eventually!

Photos: Devon Chisholm

Striking A Balance A student’s guide to maintaining your sanity CAITLIN VANCE Nutrition Columnist As we start the new school year complete with new schedules, opportunities, and friends, it is important to remember to take care of the person experiencing all of this. In other words, it’s important to take care of yourself. But what does taking care of yourself even mean?

Does it mean working out every day and eating salads for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Does it

mean going to bed early and keeping a journal? Or does it mean none of these things?

Truthfully, there is no one thing that in and of itself is going to make you healthy. Taking care of yourself means taking into consideration your physical, emotional, and social health and not neglecting one aspect to make room for another. It means finding balance.

Let’s face it: a student’s life can get very busy, especially around midterms and final ex-

ams. But the reality is that we need to make time for ourselves to ensure that we can successfully live happy, efficient, and fulfilling lives. By leading a healthy lifestyle we will be much more equipped to deal with stressful life events when we do come across them. So how can we do this? There are three major aspects of health to discuss when looking at the overall health of individuals.

Physical health. This pertains to the health of the physical body.

We can keep our bodies healthy by eating nutritious foods, getting sufficient sleep, and getting enough exercise. The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology recommends that we get 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise per week. This could come in the form of jogging, brisk walking, bike riding, or anything else that gets the heart pumping. You can keep it interesting by playing a sport such as soccer or basketball, or joining any aerobics club

or society. The recommended 150 minutes per week can be broken down however you want to incorporate the time into your schedule. Keep it fun and start small for beginners and the amount of time won’t seem so daunting! It is also recommended that we perform muscle and bone strengthening exercises targeted at the major muscle groups at least two days per week to experience greater health benefits.

Social health. We are all hu-

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cont’d from page 14 man, so by nature we are all social beings. Consequently we need human contact and connection in order to feel at peace in our lives. We can protect our social health by making time to spend with our family and friends. It’s not always the amount of people we have in our lives, but the quality of these friendships that we do have that count. Do you feel respected and trusted in your friendships? One should feel a sense of enjoyment and acceptance in a friendship and provide these things in return. If you currently do not have many friends, you can take small steps to change this. Join a club, society, or team where individuals share a common interest with you to meet new people. Volun-

teering is another great social opportunity to simultaneously give back to the community.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to old friends or acquaintances that you may have unintentionally lost touch with and make plans for coffee or lunch. Small talk is also a great thing to incorporate into everyday life. By simply asking someone at the coffee shop how their day is going or thanking someone at the gym, you’ll soon feel like a social butterfly!

Mental health. Mental health is described as a state of psychological well being where one is able to successfully adapt to the everyday demands and stresses of life. Staying mentally healthy means finding a balance in all aspects of life including physical, social, environmental, and spiritual dimensions. Finding ways to cope with stress is a big part of

mental health. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or simply taking time out of your busy schedule to just relax and read a book are all examples of ways to decrease stress levels. I think that as a whole we all need to learn to not be so hard on ourselves. The endless strive for improvement and perfection that we experience, though at times beneficial, can be very detrimental to our mental health if all we ever dwell on are the negatives. There are multiple ways to get help on campus if you feel that extra support would be beneficial for you. Aspiria is a phone app that StFX has partnered with to provide services to students, including personal counseling. The app allows you to make appointments and also gives self-help tools for anyone interested.

By taking action and making

small changes in our health today, we can greatly affect our tomorrows. Too often people solely concentrate on one aspect of health and neglect the others. In our pursuit of health and happiness it is key to remember that all of these different aspects come together to ensure a well-balanced lifestyle. Taking care of our physical, social, and mental health in our busy lifestyles will always prove to be beneficial in the end. Strive for balance. er under white and blue on the court and in the stands.

Flying High Blue Jays attempt to rebuild Toronto’s reputation in the world of sports SHELBI KILCOLLINS Sports and Health Editor There is no denying Toronto athletic franchises have lacked some serious luck in the trophy department: the Leafs has yet to hoist a Stanley Cup since ’93, the Raptors have never won a seven game playoff series since joining the NBA and the Jays didn’t see the post season in over two decades, since winning back to back World Series in ’92 and ’93. However this shameful draught recently came to an end when the Toronto Blue Jays clinched a post season berth following their sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays.

On September 27th in the bottom of the 9th during a tied game, Jay’s third baseman Josh Donaldson finished the game against the Rays with a mindblowing walk off home run.

The Jays success this season has returned some positivity on behalf of Torontonians after being handed a pitiful group of Maple Leafs, that appeared uninterested and emotionally unattached from the city in the 2014-2015 NHL season. Contrary to Phil Kessel and David Booth of the Maple Leafs whose tempers lead to inter squad fights at practice, the Jays ros-

ter appears fervently connected, while maintaining a calm, cool temperament on and off the diamond.

This passionate “brotherhood,” that has attributed to their success is made clear when watching

Sportsnet’s Gotta See It: The Best of the Blue Jays Celebrating. In the video the players

who hail from a variety of countries dance and infatuate one another in beer soaked shirts to the song Trap Queen.

Undoubtedly Bautista, Dickey and even Kawasaki have played a role in the rebranding of the Jays as a star team, but the driving factor that has lead to an increase in both wins and game attendance-Rogers Stadium hit a record of 2,794,891 this year- is Florida native Josh Donaldson. It is rare that this third baseman anomaly isn’t featured on Sport Center’s top ten plays of the week for his incredible defensive play. He currently holds 41 home runs and 122 RBIs just in the 2015 season.

Donaldson’s stats and charming personality certainly won over not only Toronto but the Canadian population as he possessed the highest number of votes selected by fans, of any players in the 2015 MLB All Star Game. His undeniable ability to read plays,

Mike Babcock: timescolonist.com

Photo: sportnets.ca aggressive attack of the ball on base and consistency to hit it out of the park leaves the Jays a promising chance in playoffs.

Although celebration followed Sunday’s win, many of the players are already focused on their next challenge, winning the division title as outfielder Kevin Pillar told the Toronto Sun: “We still have some work to do. You think we’re wet now, wait until we win the division,” referring to the alcohol tossing party. For now, Toronto

Toronto Raptors: cbc.ca/sports

citizens can breath a sigh of relief and relish in the country’s celebration of its current athletic achievements. Baseball is America’s “greatest pass time,” but with the Six being the only Canadian city to own an MLB team, its fan base stretch from Vancouver to Halifax-all attired in royal blue and whiteand should prove competition to die hard Yankee and Sox enthusiasts in the post season.

With the Leaf’s acquisition of no nonsense coach Mike

Babcock and recent physical transformation of Raptor’s Kyle Lowry it appears that there is strong groundwork in place for the rebirth of professional sports in Toronto. Of course it will be hard to escape the plague of owning the “worst sports franchise in North America,” (Maple Leafs according to ESPN) but the Jays season thus far has lent some much needed faith to Toronto’s previously suffering sports culture.

Josh Donaldson: mlb.nbcsports.com

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The White Lotus

thursday october fifth, 2015

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