Volume 51 Issue 9

Volume 51 | Issue 9 | November 21, 2016

Pink Hijab Week and Afrobana at Trent University

INside:

Photos by Samantha Moss

Win This Space!

The music of 2016

NO DAPL Protest

Make Trent Safe Coverage

Editors-in-chief Yumna Leghari & Zara Syed editors@trentarthur.ca @TrentArthur /ArthurNews

Photographer Samantha Moss @MossWorks

CONTENTS Volume 51 Issue 9

Opinion

• Pg 3: Editorial • Pg 3: Letters to the editors • Pg 4: Political expression

Campus • Pg 4: Know your rights • Pg 5: Statement from faculty • Pg 5: Know your rights • Pg 6: Writers Reading • Pg 6: Symons Series • Pg 7: Afrobana • Pg 8: Election fallout at Trent

Copy Editor Purkish Tout Clotter

Board of Directors Chair: Anthony Moniz Treasurer: Josh Skinner Member at Large: • Jordan Porter • Jeffery Moore • Shannon LeBlanc

Contributors • Zara Syed • Shanese Steele • Samantha Moss •Marina Wilke • Berfin Aksoy • Holly Stark • Clay Duncalfe • Mauricio Interiano • Jordan Porter • Josh Skinner • Tyler Majer •Kari Boyd •Annette Pedlar • Trent faculty* •Lubna Sadek •Lesly Lachance

Feature

November 21 2016

• Pg 8: From Trump to Brexit • Pg 9: Ball Hockey for Movember • Pg 10: Yellow is for Hello

Community • Pg 12: Win This Space • Pg 13: No Dakota Pipeline

Pg. 8 & 9: TMSA holds annual Pink Hijab Week

News

• Pg 14: American militarism @ Takae

Arts • Pg 14: The music of 2016 • Pg 15: Open mic with Matt Diamond

* Below are the names of faculty contributors for this issue, as to the open letter titled A Call for faculty support for students organizing to make Trent safe in the wake of the US election on page 5: Dr. May Chazan, Dr. Wendy Hicks, Dr. Haroon Akram-Lodhi, Dr. Sally Chivers, Dr. Feyzi Baban, Dr. Barbara Marsall, Dr. Kelly McGuire, Dr. Suzanne Bailey, Dr. Sylvie Berard, Dr. Kevin Siena, Dr. Charmaine Eddy, Dr. Colleen O’Manique, Dr. Stephanie Rutherford, Dr. Chris Beyers, Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez, Dr. Bari Karaagac, Dr. Nadine Changfoot, Dr. Devin Penner, Dr. Katie Bausch, Dr. James Wilkes, Dr. Paul Schafer, Dr. Elaine Stavro, Dr. Hasmet Uluorta, Dr. Caroline Kay, Dr. Winnie Lem., Dr. Anne Menely, Dr. Joan Sangster.

If faculty would like to add their name to the letter, please email us at editors@trentarthur.ca

Submissions due Thursdays at 12:00 pm Articles should be subitted via email as *.rtf, *.odt, *.odt or *.txt attachment | word limit: 800 words.

Letters to the editor | word limit: 100 words Listings, annoucements | word limit: 100 words Images should be submitted via email, Google Drive, Dropbox or other firesharing site. Images should be sent as attachments in *.jpeg and *.tiff formats with a dpi of no less than 300 pixels Arthur reserves the right to edit for length and clarity.

Opinions expressed in this publication do not reflect those of Arthur staff, volunteers or its Board of Directors.

Advertise with Arthur!

We offer great deals for local businesses!

Contact us for more info at: advertising@trentarthur.ca

2

www.trentarthur.ca

92.7 FM

Keep your ear out for Radio-Free Arthur, every Wednesday at 12:30pm!

Trent Radio

’s r u h t r A on the a irwa v

es!

Editorial: are there safe spaces?

We are proud of Issue 9 for many reasons, and hope that it showcases the hard work that student groups at Trent put into making such successful events possible.

It’s tough to come across a cover like this anywhere, especially in the mainstream media, where this spectrum of diversity is represented to such an extent.

Be proud of what you hold in your hands; it’s beautiful, unique and powerful.

The images speak volumes. The hijab has become a political symbol whether we like it or not. In reclaiming and harnessing its message, we can begin to de-stigmatize the connotations applied to it. The hijab is a cultural and religious symbol that should be celebrated, and we simply do not do that enough in our society, as we are too wrapped up in projecting Western patriarchal assessments upon it.

Our newspaper serves as a balance to the hatred being perpetuated in Trent’s hallways amidst the politically charged climate which has seen the marginalized feel even more unsafe. In this issue you will read about why the recent protest took

place on Symons Campus, along with input from students, faculty and administration. If you look back to last year, you will see that harassment at Trent was alive and well, lurking in Trent Facebook groups where administration and students had to have a similar dialogue on safe spaces and Trent’s accountability, or lack thereof, in ensuring that safe space.

Many people hypothesize that recent acts of violence and hatred stem from Trump’s victory, as the individuals involved feel emboldened due to the election results.

While this certainly has played a part, the behaviours are all too familiar to incidents at Trent that took place pre-election. One only has to look back two years to Volume 49, when editors Matt Rappolt and Pat Reddick created deep controversy by making placing on their cover the story of Braden Freer, ex-TCSA President conspiring with the Trent Conservatives group to disrupt an OPIRG Annual General Meeting, which led to a stream of harassment that the organization and its individual members had to endure for at least a year.

Why is this relevant? Because even though Freer resigned in light of the Arthur exposé, according to his LinkedIn, he went on to work for campus recruitment at Trent University. When people wonder how a supposedly intellectual and civilized student body digressed into ski-masked cowards clamouring for attention on our campus under a pretense of free speech, the answers can often be found in what this newspaper has uncovered.

It is unfortunate that the acts of a few have put the integrity and reputation of this campus into question. The way that students and teachers have come together in response to these activities portrays the values we maintain as an institution that prides itself in the freedom of ideas, and the liberty to express those ideas without fear.

Polarities on campus have called into question the true meaning of free speech and what it entails. Individuals sending mass emails out to students threatening them with lawsuits defeats the purpose of those individuals defending themselves in

OPINION the name of free speech.

Trent University has to consider what a space space truly means. There seems to be a blurring of lines in terms of what is and is not okay to say to someone on campus, and the unenviable task of unpacking this issue is the responsibility of Trent’s leadership.

This does not lessen the impact of what has happened on campus, but rather, leaves us pondering the hashtag #MakeTrentSafe.

Is it even possible to have a safe space anymore? The world is increasingly seeming like a dangerous place. Not a single one of us are free from the fear and intimidation that comes with standing up for what we know is right. Not even this newspaper is immune to the dangers that come with taking a stand, or to try and operate a safe space to express concepts of freedom and truth.

We must evaluate how we will move forward, and ensure that we can partake in respectful discourse without digressing into the hatred and antagonisms that threatens this campus, just as it has threatened humanity since the beginning of time.

Letters to the editors Welcome! Aaniin! I’m so encouraged to see so many friends, and friends soon to be, here this afternoon. As Ysabel announced I have the privilege of being Queer Commissioner for the TCSA and was so honoured to be asked to speak today by these amazing organizers. Before I go any further I think we should all put our hands together to thank Danielle, Ysabel, Shanese, Abby, and the other behind-the-scenes organizers who made this possible [applause].

Make Trent Safe is about the recent events that we have all heard about, but it’s also about the daily discrimination that people in this community have seen, felt and heard that have always been at Trent.

I had a conversation with a Trent student last week who expressed a genuine belief that as a lesbian I do not experience any discrimination. I think she was informed by the glossy image of Canada as a completely inclusive space that welcomes diversity. Let me tell it to you all here first, if you don’t know already: as a queer student I have to deal with feelings of discomfort consistently.

What you might not see is me sitting in class, having to look around and evaluate if I feel comfortable enough to out myself in class participation. What you might not see is me having to decide when I have a group project if I am going to invite people over to the apartment I share with my girlfriend. What you might see is me awkwardly trying to negotiate doctor appointments at Trent where I have to explain both why I’m confident I’m not going to get pregnant but also why I’m not on birth control. What you don’t see is the closeted lesbian, gay, bi, pan, trans and other queer students I talk to on a daily basis, who do not feel like this is a place that they can live openly. You don’t see the people who stare when I put my head on Pippa’s shoulder on the bus going home. I just want to be able to be in love, and be myself, and not have to feel like I’m on display. So don’t you tell me that because it’s 2016, and we live in Canada, that I do not feel discrimination. I do. And don’t you tell me that days like today, events that bring community together, and give us a chance to spark more conversation about how we can make Trent feel more inclusive to all students are not needed or important.

It is no longer enough for the university to remain silent to the injustices that happen on our campus. There comes a point at which silence is aligning one’s self with the oppressor, and I’d encourage you all to begin by looking inward as to what change you can affect in the spaces you navigate,

that can help make people feel more comfortable. I can’t tell you what you should change, but I’m looking forward to hearing what comes from the meeting next week.

Where I’m going is, it’s time for us all to step up as allies. It’s time for us to open up our dorm rooms, class rooms, and board rooms for people who are marginalized to have voices that are not tokenized, but instead respected and sought after. This is the day, event, and the call, for allies. If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines to be called upon, consider this me texting you, or iMessaging you whatever floats your boat; consider yourself called. Leverage your privilege and your skill set to leave no doubt in the minds of those around you as to what you want this campus and community too look like and stand for.

I’d like encourage you all to report anything that you see on campus. Nona Robinson, our Associate VP Students who deals with charter complaints, wants students to know that you can consult with her office if you are unaware of whether or not something would be considered a charter issue.

If you don’t feel comfortable going straight to the administration though, please start by telling someone. Talk to someone from the TCSA, talk to someone in your college office, talk to your don, please just don’t feel like you are alone in confronting the perpetrators. Look around, no one is here alone anymore.

So thank you all for so much for coming today. Believe it or not, I’ve actually never felt more hopeful and more determined that Trent is going to be a place that everyone feels safe at. This is our home and it is everyone’s right to feel safe in their own home and it is up to us here today to make sure that today is the start and not the end.

Thanks.

Half of my family still lives in Mexico and after speaking with them about the current post-election situation, it is clear they are worried. The Mexican peso dropped on the first day Trump was named President-Elect and he also threatens the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Mexico, the U.S.A. and Canada, which currently facilitates trade among the three countries. My one uncle said, “as if things in Mexico weren’t bad enough for us to begin with, now this.”

It is difficult for me to talk with them about this because I recognize that I cannot begin to imagine how they are feeling about the future of their country. I am proud to be Canadian and I am thankfully a part of a country whose Prime Minister shares the same values that I believe in. In this I hope our Prime Minister, from the top down, will continue to assure the people how we must be there for one another in times like

these. Also, from the bottom up, we must take the chance to talk about our concerns publicly with one another and remember the similarities among us, not the things that differentiate us. Here in Peterborough, the November 9th solidarity gathering for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline was a prime example of this. More recently, the Make Trent Safe rally held on November 16th was also the right first step in speaking out about the real effects people have experienced since Trump was elected.

I have to remain optimistic in this situation and hope that the small actions I take will create an impact not only for myself but also for others in similar situations.

Only time will tell if my worst fears and concerns will truly come to light.

-Lesly Lachance

-Annette Pedlar, speaking at “Make Trent Safe” protest 16/11/2016 “Time will tell” Back in 2015 when I first heard Donald Trump’s speech on running for President, I was horrified about the way he painted Mexican people with the same negative brush. As a female Mexican-Canadian I felt hurt at the comments he would continually make throughout his campaign, including promises to build a wall on the U.S.A.-Mexico border, making lewd comments about women, his position on environmental issues and many other political stances that impact other communities and organizations.

Volume 51| Issue 9 | November 21 | 2016

3

OPINION

How to be politically expressive in an entitled generation Kari Boyd

I’ve had enough. I’ve had enough of family members contacting me telling me to be safe because news of recent Trent happenings spreading around social media. I’ve had enough of hearing that students feel unsafe leaving their dorms for anything other than to get food, or that they are too scared to go to class. For this reason, I am speaking out.

We come from a generation who believes we are entitled to a lot. Like, a lot.

Because of technological advances that have occurred since the last generation, we feel entitled to live an easier life than our predecessors. We suffer from an I want it, and I want it now mentality that has skewed our view on what is actually our right. It is a mentality that makes us believe we can use anything as an excuse to support what we believe we can do. Recently, Trent students have been using the excuse of “political expression” and “freedom of speech” as justification for their actions— and what’s worse is that Trent is reinforcing this reasoning. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that there is no such thing as freedom of speech or that we should never debate our opinions. I’m saying that while debate is healthy and we all have freedom of speech, there are limitations that are outlined in the law. Debate should never be confused with harassment.

Now, I know that I’m going to get mixed

reviews for using this as an example, but it’s true and needs to pointed out.

Let us discuss those that call themselves Trump supporters. Now, I say that they call themselves Trump supporters as opposed to actually being Trump supporters mostly because a) I think it’s worth questioning the good intentions of anyone who so fervently supports a candidate not actually running in their own country, and b) the label of “Trump supporter” on this campus is being used as a shield for people misusing political expression to fuel their own desire to stir up shit without repercussions.

I’m going to focus on the latter issue.

Without naming names, people on campus who are very expressive about being so-called Trump supporters, i.e. wearing Trump hats or sporting other Trump memorabilia, are the ones that are very aggressively using this identity as a shield for their actions. They claim to be using their freedom of speech to politically express themselves when they terrorize and harass others, disrupt class and make people fearful of a space that once prided itself as being a beacon of acceptance. So it is to those people that I would like to say this: 1. The phrase “freedom of speech” having the word freedom in it does not mean it comes without its limits. To quote the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, “freedom of expression in Canada is not absolute; rather, it can be limited to pro-

mote other values that are considered to be of greater social importance.” Some of these values are limitations of hate propaganda and discrimination, which are made to protect Canadians from being victims of discrimination and hate due to being part of an identifiable group, which is defined in the Charter as “any section of the public distinguished by colour, race, religion, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.” So to those of you thinking that you could use this law as a way to say I’m discriminating against you a) I’m not saying all Trump supporters are like this and b) political party affiliation is not an identifiable group according to the law.

2. Actions are not the same as speech. For example, let us create a hypothetical situation where someone is standing outside of a classroom with a Trump flag. This is an action, not a form of communication as defined in the Charter, meaning that if they were to use the excuse of “I’m simply using my freedom of speech”, not only does it not apply to this situation because it is an action, but it also isn’t an excuse as stated in my first point.

3. Finally, stop believing that just because Donald Trump can get away with it, you can too. The reason you’re experiencing so much backlash is because we as a student body aren’t going to sit back and let you harass us. I’m telling you now: you aren’t going to get away with it. We’re going to make sure of that.

Now that I’ve addressed the Trump supporters, I now speak to Trent administration. When you issue a statement that says “…such freedom does not permit everything, but it does incorporate the freedom of discussion and debate for students and faculty on complex and sometimes difficult issues. The university urges all involved in such debate to pursue it in a respectful and responsible manner,” you are becoming part of the problem. You are confusing debate with harassment and giving bullies an excuse for their actions. You are saying that it is ok to do what they are doing and you are saying that publicly. In no way is following someone, or shouting racist slurs or running through campus promoting sexual assault a “respectful” pursuit of debate. So stop trying to defend it as such.

Now I speak to the victims of this discrimination and those who feel that our campus has become a place where you are not safe. We are with you. We are fighting for you. We are here to protect you and we will not stand by and let this happen anymore. Excuses for this hate will not be tolerated. Disruption of your right to an education will not be tolerated. And most importantly, a disrespect for your safety and how you feel will not be tolerated. We hear your stories and we believe them. Do not think that what you have faced does not matter. You matter. Your safety matters.

CAMPUS

Make Trent Safe protest success on campus

Tyler Majer

4

On November 16th students marched across Trent University’s Symons Campus.

This movement was a reaction to the feelings of many students that Trent was becoming an unsafe place. Trent’s history is rich with political discourse and protest, often mirroring the political issues of the moment.

The most famous event in Trent’s protest history occurred in the late ‘90s under Bonnie Patterson’s reign. Trent’s Board of Governors proposed, then approved a plan with SuperBuild Industries Ltd. that would demolish the downtown colleges of the time (Peter Robinson and Catharine Parr Traill), as well as construct a new residence on the main campus. Students protested by staging a sit-in at Patterson’s office, which led to their controversial arrests. This was highly publicized in the media at the time.

Trent’s history of political discourse and dissent towards dominant ideologies is as rich as its history of protest. This can be seen in recent years through the many reactions to the actions of the Trent Conservatives, starting with former TCSA president Braden Freer’s collusions with Trent Conservatives President Corey Leblanc in 2014-15, to Leblanc’s polarizing TCSA presidential campaign last school year.

The recent protest is building upon an established legacy of protest and dissent.

This rally did not occurring solely because of the election of Donald Trump. Although the events that sparked this protest appear related to Trump’s win, the discrimination involved and reactions to the incidents on campus should not be taken at face value as something that will pass. Recent events are simply an indication of underlying issues within Trent as an institution.

The protest was organized by 1st year student Danielle Duplessis who cited “... discriminatory acts happening the last few months” as a reason for protest. The fact

www.trentarthur.ca

Photos by Samantha Moss

that this protest was successful, and was organized by a student in the beginning of their university career speaks to the atmosphere of our campus and the identity Trent represents. Duplessis also stated that she “wasn’t going to wait until her second or third year to step out against this. It’s a problem now.” This highlights the feelings of many marginalized students, and the fervent outrage at events both past and present.

Another protest organizer, Abbie Summers, stated that it is important to “stand in solidarity with people that feel marginalized and vulnerable.” Furthermore, she asserted that the protest created a statement toward those performing discriminatory acts that Trent students “will not accept any hateful dialogue”.

Shanese Steele, TCSA Anti-Racism Commissioner, stated that “students are coming together right now because we don’t want discrimination on our campus.” Shanese cited both contemporary events, namely “people running around with masks on screaming sexual slurs and pro-Trump stuff,” as well as past events, including a

problematic poster circulating last spring stating that murdered and missing indigenous women did not present a serious problem, as well as swastikas drawn on the bridge during TCSA elections. These events sparked the protest. Shanese summarizes by saying, “There have been acts of discrimination on campus, and students are angry about that.”

Students involved in the protest cited similar concerns. 2nd year protestor Samm Medeiros stated, “This protest is happening because there’s been an idea that our school is safe. An idea that our school promotes justice and equality, but with the past things that have been happening, it looks like we are not actually meeting that idea that everyone shares.” This speaks to the divisiveness of political discourse on campus. Trent’s image as a progressive institution that promotes equity has become tenuous in the current political climate.

Alester Fernandes cited more specific acts of discrimination as reason for protest. “I’ve heard about a girl being attacked [and] there’s been a post that’s been circulating online about some Trump sup-

porters going around with masks which triggered all of this.” This retelling of the reasons for protest adds to the myriad of concerns surrounding the safety of our campus and to the feeling of vulnerability plaguing marginalized groups.

The march was also a reaction to the perceived insufficiency of the response by the Trent administration. The university released a statement on the MyTrent bulletin that stated that “Trent is committed to providing every student with a university experience and environment free from discrimination, harassment and intimidation.” In the same post, the administration writes, “The University upholds academic freedom as another important value. Such freedom does not permit everything, but it does incorporate the freedom of discussion and debate…” To those made to feel unsafe, this response was not sufficient in providing reproach to those acting aggressively on campus. While Trent’s official post denounced hateful acts of discrimination, they implied in the same breath that the incidents reported to them were political discourse rather than simply hateful acts.

Abbie Summers called the reaction of the Trent administration “flimsy” and articulatedi that the university’s apparent aim was to “not take sides on a controversial issue, instead of standing with students to make them feel safe.”

Undergrad Alester Fernandes stated that the admin having “not taken strong action might scare the international student community.”

Medeiros stated that “the administration are the leaders of Trent. They help create what we know as Trent, so to dismiss the feelings of students is bad.”

The protest itself was quite successful. It began with an acknowledgement of Indigenous land spoken by Shari Beaver who urged students that feel unsafe to report incidents to security. Each of the protest’s

CAMPUS

organizers then spoke. Ysabel Tuason outlined the rally’s community guidelines, making sure that all people attending knew the “event is anti-oppressive” and that “any oppressive events of any kind will not be tolerated.” Next, Duplessis thanked all of the people who helped organize, stating that their “actions have created a community of strength and resilience.”

Next, four speakers were invited to share their thoughts. The first was a poet and community member named E.J., who recounted a heartbreaking account of a cup of urine being thrown at her while the words, “nigger, go back to Africa” were shouted. She reminded students throughout that, “Allyship is not a coat you put on”.

Next, poet Niambe Lee recited two of their poems which were met with riotous applause. Their strongest statement, delivered at the end of their address, was “Being human is beautiful enough.”

TCSA’s Queer Commissioner Annette Pedlar spoke next. She reminded students of the issues that queer students face daily, explaining that, “queer students face micro-aggressions on a daily basis.” Annette spoke mostly from personal experience to show how marginalized peoples feel daily.

She told the story of her queerness in order to highlight the difficulties of oppression, and subsequently, the implications of the incidents occurring on campus.

Finally, Farwen Stanley from the Revolu-

tionary Student Movement made a speech on allyship. “Sometimes being an ally is not enough,” he reminded attendees. “Sometimes high morals are not enough.” He later stated, “We must not let discrimination pass unchallenged.”

Following the speeches, students weaving a route across campus from LEC to Champlain, through the Great Hall, then across the Faryon Bridge and through the Science Complex, OC Cafeteria, and into the Gzowski lecture building. The march ended where it started, on Bata Podium.

Finally, protestors hand-delivered a list of demands to both President Leo Groarke and Associate VP Students Nona Robinson, both of which happened to have been absent from their offices at the time. These demands are just the first step towards reconciliation of the recent events on campus.

Further discussion will be taking place, and a more comprehensive list of demands will be delivered to the university at a later date.

This a part of a greater campaign created by the organizers to reach a consensus of fairness and safety on campus Following the protest, Arthur reached out to Nona Robinson for clarification of the university’s stance on the discriminatory events that sparked this protest. After multiple attempts to reach her, and a plethora of complaints by students, Robinson released a statement through the student affairs website containing a firmer tone than

before. “Discrimination, harassment and intimidation have no place here.”

While not dismissing discriminatory incidents as free speech, the statement also clearly stated the problematic nature of reporting incidents stating that, “We also understand that for some students formally reporting incidents to security or to other administrative offices can be intimidating or challenging with respect to power dynamics.” This shows a step in the right direction towards reconciling the problems of discrimination seen on campus recently.

However, the student body’s interpretation of this new response is yet to be seen. The full response can be read on Trent’s Student Affairs web page.

Furthermore, a portion of Trent faculty has also voiced its displeasure at the harassment seen on campus, and are standing in solidarity with those affected.

This started with Professor Feyzi Baban from the departments of International Development Studies and Politics . Provost Jackie Muldoon was chairing the Senate when Dr. Baban demanded that the President come forward and make a strong statement. “The university has to be open about what took place, if not, rumors will fly around and confuse people. The President should make a strong statement clarifying the institution and what is and is not tolerated on campus.”

Dr. May Chazan from the Gender and

Women’s Studies Department subsequently consolidated the demands of the faculty in a statement visible on the previous page. This statement outlines the stance of many faculty members. Political debate is necessary, but when it intersects with hate speech, it ceases to be academic debate.

The protest, the reasons for it, and the reactions to it all indicate a changing political climate at Trent. This article aimed to outline what has happened in the past few weeks regarding discrimination faced on campus, and the subsequent outrage that these incidents incited. The specific events that have occurred recently are only one part of the greater political narrative occurring at Trent, and the coming weeks will surely add to this. On November 27th at Sadleir House, a community meeting will be held from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm to further discuss the what will be necessary to make Trent a fairer, more equitable place to learn.

A call for faculty support for students organizing to make Trent safe in the wake of the U.S. Election This note has been written collaboratively by a small number of professors who would like to invite all faculty to sign on in support of student struggles against discrimination in the wake of the U.S. election.

Open Letter: As faculty, we are aware that many students are feeling fearful following the US election. We feel strongly that Trent, as an institution, should take a strong stand against any and all forms of violence, harassment, discrimination, and intimidation on campus.

Immediately, we ask the Trent administration to consider two points: First, we think Trent should issue a strong and unified statement that recognizes and validates the concerns of students, particularly those from racialized groups, women, and LGBTQ students, in no uncertain terms. We need to let students know that we are aware that there have been reported incidents (on campus, in the community, and in communities across North America) in the wake of the election. More importantly, we need to let students know that we acknowledge that such incidents are targeted at certain groups, serving to reinforce existing power systems in society at large. As a university, we support free speech and critical debate; but we don’t ever support any words or ac-

tions that function to intimidate or marginalize anyone, most especially groups who hold less power and privilege within our society: women, people of colour, racialized groups, Indigenous people, members of LGBTQ communities, people with disabilities, people who do not hold Canadian citizenship, etc. By not making it clear that we, as faculty and administration, recognize this inequality of power and stand with those who are left feeling vulnerable after the election, we become complicit.

This is a position that can be expressed without taking a “side” in the politics. Such a statement also does not require “evidence” of any sort. It just needs us, as an institution, to recognize the reality of who is feeling vulnerable and make clear that we will not put up with any form of harassment, violence, or threat on Trent campus.

Second, as an academic institution, there is a need to recognize the power dynamics involved when women, racialized people, LGBTQ folks, and so on, go forward to a group they see as powerful to report on such issues. We don’t have to look too far to understand that, when it comes to reporting, there is a need for extra sensitivity on the side of the institution and those security staff who are responding from the front line. We need to make it clear that we understand that there is a long history of not being believed, of not being supported, of being further victim-

ized when it comes to reporting incidents of victimization. We are not suggesting this is a history at Trent, but we are suggesting that we don’t exist in a bubble. If we care about the safety and wellbeing of all of our students, it behooves us to also provide some extra support to security staff at this time, explaining the position we take, outlining the power dynamic that is inevitable in the reporting of incidents, and explaining that all reports must be taken seriously and responded to promptly. And students would surely feel safer knowing we were taking such an action. Ideally, we should also be providing some counseling support to those who are reporting, or to those who need it at this time.

In the longer term, we recognize that the feelings unveiled over the past weeks are not new. The election in the United States has brought to the surface a set of dynamics that already existed. Many students already felt unsafe on our campus, and in our community at large. The election and the acts that have followed throughout communities across this continent are a reminder that there is work to do. They are a reminder that racism, homophobia, sexism, transphobia, xenophobia, ableism, and other forms of discrimination exist and thrive. As an institution that strives to create safe and critical spaces for learning, accessible to all, we still have work to do.

This is an opportunity to name the issues,

to have the important conversations, and, ultimately, to stand with our students in their struggles for a fairer and more just education.

Sincerely,

Dr. May Chazan Dr. Wendy Hicks Dr. Haroon Akram-Lodhi Dr. Sally Chivers Dr. Feyzi Baban Dr. Barbara Marsall Dr. Kelly McGuire Dr. Suzanne Bailey Dr. Sylvie Berard Dr. Kevin Siena Dr. Charmaine Eddy Dr. Colleen O’Manique Dr. Stephanie Rutherford Dr. Chris Beyers Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez Dr. Baris Karaagac Dr. Nadine Changfoot Dr. Devin Penner Dr. Katie Bausch Dr. James Wilkes Dr. Paul Schafer Dr. Elaine Stavro Dr. Hasmet Uluorta Dr. Caroline Kay Dr. Winnie Lem. Dr. Anne Menely Dr. Joan Sangster

Volume 51 | Issue 9 | November 21 | 2016

5

CAMPUS

Mauricio Interiano Last Wednesday at Scott House, Trent alumnus Joshua Trotter ‘00 gave an entertaining reading and Q&A session as part of the Writers Reading Series hosted by the English Literature Department. Every year the Writers Reading Series create space for members of the Trent and Peterborough communities to meet and chat with authors of Canada’s favorite poems, essays, short stories, and novels. This is the 28th season

Writers Reading: Joshua Trotter

of the annual event that keeps on growing.

The night was opened by words from Professor Lewis McLeod thanking everyone who makes the event possible. The Barbara Rook Lecture Series, The T.E.W. Nind Fund, the School for the Study of Canada and Indigenous Studies, The Frost Centre, English Literature and Cultural Studies, the Public Texts M.A. program and Traill College. Every one of them make this event happen.

McLeod described Joshua Trotter as “a poet with a fine sense of irony” and in light of recent events south of our border, a good sense of humor was needed that night.

Trotter’s first book, All This Could Be Yours (Biblioasis) was selected by the National Post as one of the top 10 poetry books of 2010. His second book, Mission Creep, was published in 2015 by Coach House Press.

Joshua’s work has been anthologized in Jailbreaks: 99 Canadian Sonnets and The Best Canadian Poetry in English. Living in Montreal, Trotter is a co-founder of littlefishcartpress.

Trotter read snippets and poems from both of his books. The author described his own work as a “white noise burst” that one can read very closely, “or when sitting on the toilet”.

In his first book, All this Could be Yours, Trotter takes lines and snippets from some of the poems he likes. Not to benefit from

or mock other people’s work, but to respond, play, dislocate, transform and create something new. “By doing this I add dimension and history to my work,” Trotter explained.

His second book, Mission Creep, is an extention of the first one, not only using poems, but incorporating other lines, ideas and fragments from radio, books and the internet. He creates a smart, eccentric, allusive, trendy, and original collection of poems to share. My favourite of the night: “Captain Frost at Midnight”. “The Teacher and the Peach” was also read at the request of someone in the audience.

Trotter described how he likes to play with his writing. He uses Google translate, dictation apps and other audio programs to listen to and edit his work. “I like to read my work out loud. The sound of my work is important. It is speakable and listenable”.

The title of his second book, Mission Creep comes from a military term that describes when a mission or project loses it goals but still, unintentionally, continues and broadens.

Arthur had the opportunity to ask Trotter a few questions.

At what point in your life did you decide to share your writing?

At the beginning I wrote because I liked it. I thought everything I wrote was awe-

some, but I quickly learned that it wasn’t awesome. I wrote for many years before showing it to anybody. Eventually I met people whose writing I enjoyed, I met them here at Trent actually, and we edited each other’s work. Through that I gained confidence to share.

What is your advice for young students aspiring to be writers?

Write. Write and read as much as possible. If you want to write poetry, read poetry of all kinds, even poetry that you might not be interested in. If you really want to write; write.

Do you plan on keep writing and sharing your work?

Yes, I am working on new stuff, and I have no idea if I will publish or not but I like the process. I am hoping it will be a book someday but that is not really the point. I enjoy writing. I was very surprised when the publisher took this book. We will see what happens next.

Readings are held almost every week at 7 p.m. in the Scott House Junior Common Room at Catharine Parr Traill College, located at 310 London Street. After each reading authors and audience members are invited to an informal reception at The Trend.

Students and citizens enlightened by Symons Seminar Series

Clay Duncalfe

6

On November 2nd, the latest installment of the Symons Seminar Series was hosted at Bagnani Hall in Traill College. This series, which usually runs from October to April of each school year, gives graduate students a chance to share their research with fellow members of the Trent and Peterborough community. Each session features twentyminute presentations from two student speakers, one from the humanities and one from the sciences, followed by a Q&A with the audience. Of course, refreshments are provided to all in attendance as well.

This month’s forum featured presentations from Theresa Treasure, an M.Sc. candidate in Environmental and Life Sciences, and An Kosurko, an M.A. candidate in Sustainability Studies.

Theresa’s described her research on the effect ‘selection harvesting’ has on geochemical cycling of nutrients in soil and on the regeneration of understory vegetation in south-central Ontario.

Selection harvesting is the practice of cutting trees selectively in a way that emulates the natural aging process of the forest itself, as opposed to clear-cut harvesting, in which vast amounts of trees within a given area are cut down indiscriminately.

Treasure noted that forestry is a major industry in Ontario, providing jobs for

www.trentarthur.ca

over 166,800 residents within the province and raking in profits of over $10 billion a year. Her study took place in Kearney, Ontario and focused on an area in which mostly sugar maple trees had been cut using the selection harvesting method.

In comparing the ecological impacts on uncut areas of forest in this area compared to gaps and skid roads created by selection harvesting, Treasure’s study concluded that significant amounts of soil compaction within the skid roads and gaps created by selection harvesting could pose potential limitations to the regrowth of sugar maple trees in these areas in the future. She measured soil compaction in two different ways: bulk density, which is the amount of soil within a given volume, and infiltration, which refers to the rate at which water is able to pass through the soil.

Treasure suggested that companies make attempts to limit the amount of skid road networks created during the selection harvesting process to help alleviate this problem. She also noted that the removal of competing organic species within these areas has shown to enhance the growth and establishment of sugar maples.

An Kosurko’s presentation showcased her research on the Mount Community Centre, and the non-profit organization that transformed this historical, 10 acre former home of the Sisters of St. Joseph

into a space that offers affordable housing, event venues, and more. Her research was largely done through 23 documentarystyle interviews with community members and volunteers involved in the project.

Korsurko broke down the 2-year trajectory of the development of the Mount Centre into 3 phases: daring, gaining ground, and groundswell.

Daring refers to the process of acquiring the Mount property and forming a new corporation to spearhead the project. In other words, members of the Peterborough were coming together to share a collective risk for the benefit of the community at large.

Gaining ground encompasses the social finance planning involved in the project as well as gaining zoning approval. Another important part of this process was the Erring on the Mount event, an art and performance festival hosted at the Mount in 2014, which many volunteers described as a turning-point in realizing what the center could be capable of in the future.

While describing the process of gaining ground, Korsurko noted the differing perspectives of the volunteers she interviewed.

An example of this can be seen in the approach volunteers had to the community space itself. One volunteer described the future centre as particularly empty, and was excited about how much potential

there was to change the landscape of the property. However, another volunteer perceived the Mount as a “storied place” whose legacy ought to be respected. Despite various conflicting opinions and ideas regarding its path, the group still managed to act in reciprocal ways in order to push the project forward.

Groundswell refers to the opening of the new community center after years of hard work from volunteers and members of the Peterborough community. It also refers to the process of tenants moving into the new space created for them. Korsurko described this as a remarkable achievement, and praised the generosity of the donors and volunteers involved with the project.

The closing Q&A’s main objective was to find a common thread between each of the researchers’ work. One audience member suggested that in their work, both Treasure and Korurko were working towards a better future for society as a whole in building community and sustainability within Canada. They also noted that the two researchers’ work highlighted the importance of recognizing that the actions we make in the present will ultimately impact future generations to come.

The date for the next Seminar Series has is yet to be announced. To keep up to date with upcoming lectures, you can like the Symons Seminar Series page on Facebook.

CAMPUS

Diasporic identities explored and celebrated at Afrobana

Shanese Steele They’ve done it again! The Trent African Caribbean Student Union (TACSU) put on their yearly anticipated showcase of culture, Afrobana, this past Saturday evening at Market Hall. Students and community members were treated to a dazzling event, which pulled culture and music from all over the African continent and the Caribbean.

The theme this year focused on the diaspora and highlighted the differences of being 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation peoples.

With 16 performances and a powerful introduction, TACSU and other student participants transported their audience to a new world filled with vibrant colour and music. From spoken word to dance routines, nothing was missed in their performance of a lifetime. TACSU executives talked about how they felt this year’s theme was relatable for not just the performers but the audience members as well.

TACSU Vice President Najah Mohammed stated, “I think this year’s Afrobana is different than previous years because this was more relatable to the audience as everyone is a part of a diaspora, whether it is the African or Caribbean diaspora. As a result, it was easier for the audience to find pieces of themselves and how they feel about their own diaspora throughout the show.”

Based off of the audience response, this effort seems to have been successful. Many could be heard commenting on how various performances reminded them of their childhood or home life.

President Maryam Rashid agreed with Mohammed: “This year’s Afrobana was different from previous years because it was personal. The whole reason we made diaspora the theme was so the audience and the performers could relate.” Diaspora is defined as being the dispersion of any people from their original homelands.

The show kicked off with a spoken word entitled “Mama Africa and Me” performed

by Jabez Paul and Lola Edward-Ajayi. The poem explored the complexities of the diaspora, exploring the relationship between

the Caribbean and the continent. Up next was a beautiful and upbeat dance group performance called “Bana ya Congo,” featuring students Davina Mukinav, Mariette Nduaya, Dorinda Afriyie & Sylvia Mulowayi.

We got a chance to ask dancer and former TACSU President Mulowayi why this year’s Afrobana was so special. “The acts were different, the spoken word was touching, and the dance performances were so energetic that we shook Market Hall,” she proclaimed.

Interludes between performances were filled with colourful commentary from various volunteers throughout the night, as well as videos of TACSU members shedding a light on what being a part of the diaspora meant to them. Jordan King, highlighting his Bajan roots, skillfully played Rihanna’s “Unfaithful” on the keyboard.

TACSU Events Coordinator Samantha Banton sent chills up the spines of audience members with her spoken word “Who Am I?”, delivering a thought-provoking poem on what it means to be a Caribbean woman living in the diaspora, and what she hopes for her future children to learn from their roots. Banton later explained, “My vision of the diaspora is a community of people who has moved away from their origin but unites in a very diverse community abroad and makes it home.”

Two more group performances followed Banton’s spoken word, the first being a display of dance by 2Crew4U. This preceded a soulful rendition of various songs by Osas Odigie, Kwame Abbagye and Jabez Paul.

Swooning audience members enjoyed a capella melodies from the group of young men who called themselves “Chocolate Lavender.” To end the first half of the event Jessica Ferguson, Micheala Palmer and Dorinda Afriyie performed a skit called “Yes Who?” They hilariously acted out scenes where Ferguson, playing the daughter, tried to weather her mother’s volatile temperament. With Afriyie playing the stereotypical “African” mother and Palmer portraying the stereotypical “Caribbean” mother, each portion of the skit left the audience laughing.

After a 15 minute intermission, where folks could receive small henna designs, the show returned with the “Bongo Flava” group performance, followed by the Trent International Student Association (TISA) Choir singing “Africa” by Toto. Next came the Gumboot Dance, which is known here and in the U.S. as ‘stepping’. The commentator explored different origin stories for stepping, from black sororities in the United States to communities in South Africa.

Joe Ugiomoh executed the third and final spoken word of the night, titled “New Black.” Delving into what it means to be black in the diaspora, Ugiomoh utilized his spoken word to explore black stereotypes, pose questions about blackness and narrate the story of the emergence of a “New Black” era. Events Coordinator Samantha Banton returned to the stage with former TACSU executive Mikeela Shellekie to sing a collection of Caribbean songs across different genres, calling their performance “Caribbean Mashup.” Ferguson, Palmer and Afriyie also returned to continue their skit while another group showcased “Bahamian Dance” using soca songs and upbeat dance moves.

Afrobana ended with two amazing dance performances, the first conducted by the TACSU Rec Dance Team, which was a large group of students dancing to Tanzanian beats. The last group was “AfroNinja,” made up of Esther Ofumelu, Joshua Boateng, Kwame Abbagye and Isi Mafiana featuring drummer Austin Ansah. This last performance really drove home the message that we are all a part of the diaspora.

The stage filled with all of the performers of the night, audience members were invited to come up and dance while others laughed and cheered on from the crowd.

When asked why Afrobana was so important to the Trent community, Shellekie replied, “This show is instrumental to the Trent and Peterborough community in that it allows both performers and the audience to engage in an exchange of culture, to learn something new about someone else, and of course about yourself.”

President Rashid added, “We want Trent to leave the show educated. We want them

to see the diverse cultures that exist in Africa and the Caribbean; from the music and moves of Tanzania, to the sounds of Ghana and all the way to the beautiful melodies of Jamaica and Anguilla.”

Many of us are far away from home or are the children of parents not born to these lands. The diaspora is a collection of all of us, and sometimes it can feel lonely.

Saturday night, however, TACSU and all of the volunteers who participated in Afrobana allowed for audience members to feel like they were part of a community, and in some cases, to get a little taste of home in the process.

Volume 51 | Issue 9 | November 21 | 2016

7

CAMPUS

Pink Hijab weeks raises money for Breast Cancer Awareness

FEATURE

Photos by Samantha Moss

Berfin Aksoy Did you know? Hijab is an Arabic word that means barrier or partition.

The Trent Muslim Students’ Association (TMSA), in honor of breast cancer awareness, holds a Pink Hijab Week in collaboration with BUGS (Biology Undergraduate Society), Trent Pre-Medical Society, Student Health Promoters and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. They call out people to put on pink scarfs, hats, pins, tees or any other pink apparel to show support with. They ran promotional booths in Bata foyer and Otonabee College from November 7 to 10.

It is important that this kind of acceptance exists at Trent for an article of clothing described as having an “unofficial pressure to wear” and “unofficial pressure against wearing” in two separate entries on Wikipedia.

The original Pink Hijab Day was founded by Hend El-Buri and a group of high school students in Columbia, Missouri in 2004. Their goal was to remove stereotypes of Muslim women by having Muslims engage in dialogue about breast cancer awareness. Global Pink Hijab Day was last celebrated in 2011. Global Pink Hijab Day was a global movement, with both men and women participants.

The purposes of Pink Hijab Week are threefold. The first may be seen from the perspective of society. Pink Hijab Week encourages Muslim women to participate in community projects like breast cancer awareness. Another is the benefit towards health, as raising funds for cancer research and encouraging people to maintain their health through the Pink Hijab Week is a great way to built a common sense of healthy living. And lastly the hijab, which has often been an unnecessary source of political argument in many countries, is perhaps the most important thing about the week. The hijab encourages those who are curious about Islam and Muslim women to ask, share, talk and discuss. It signifies

8

www.trentarthur.ca

both modesty and privacy. The colour pink here also is a uniting factor. The colour pink in most art works represents compassion, nurturing and love. It symbolizes unconditional love and understanding and the give-and-take of caring for someone.

Pink is also a bold, yet inviting colour that seeks appreciation, respect and admiration, echoing the modern-day female experience. It is an innocent colour like a child, reminding you that this week asks you to be humble, kind and considerate. It is a colour that reminds us to love and respect everyone, even if they wear something different that you.

The thought behind choosing the colour pink to represent the occasion was simply because it was felt that wearing pink might lessen the tension of how Muslim girls wearing the hijab are perceived. The founders of the initial event hoped that Pink Hijab Day would “encourage people who are curious about women in Islam and hijab to ask questions to dispel misconceptions.”

They also promoted taking preventative action against breast cancer and to donate to various breast cancer foundations to find a cure. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canadian women.

Although breast cancer more often affects women of 40 or older, it is important for everyone to self-examine and learn what their breasts feel like when healthy as to recognize any abnormalities in the future.

In general, Pink Hijab Week aimed for community members to realize their common humanity while raising awareness for breast cancer. TMSA wants to answer questions and dispel the misconceptions people may have about Muslim women wearing the hijab. One cannot deny that misconceptions do exist. The wearing of a hijab does not signify that a woman is forced to adopt a silent or passive role in her family or society. Women who choose to wear the hijab have a voice and they want you to know that you are who you choose to act like, not to be judged by what you wear. The Pink Hijab is important because it gives an opportunity for non-Muslims and Muslims

to engage in conversations where it is okay to ask and it is okay to talk about it. This November, many productive conversations occurred about both hijabs and breast cancer.

TMSA was outside of Bata and OC Cafeteria to promote the event, hand out pamphlets, sell baked goods, and most of all, talk. All proceeds of the Pink Hijab Week went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

We asked students what they associated with the word hijab, and these were some of the most popular answers: Modesty, privacy, freedom, liberating, powerful, objectified, sexuality.

International student from Egypt, 4th year Psychology major Lubna Sadek, gave me her comments. “I believe pink hijab day is a great way to raise awareness towards women in general. It demonstrates that regardless of religion or nationality, women face the same issues. Muslim, Christian, athiest, black, white, and brown women with breast cancer, as well as their families, all experience the similar struggles that

come with sickness, because we are all human. It’s a campaign that emphasizes unity and humanity, rather than segregation and racism, which is what I believe we need more of these days.”

Najah Mohammed, in her 2nd year of International Development Studies, explained the significance of the week to her. “I am a proud African hijabi. It means so much to me that Pink hijab shines a light on the diversity of Muslims here at Trent University. Therefore, it meant a lot to me that this spread was able to portray a little bit of the diversity. Pink Hijab Week here at Trent is a part of the global movement that encourages Muslim women to increase dialogue about breast cancer awareness. Also, to break down the stereotypes surrounding Muslims in general and show people that we are all in this together to fight cancer.”

Biochemistry major Sameha Hamza agreed with Mohammed that an increase in dialogue was important, saying that not only does Pink Hijab Week “bring [about] awareness of breast cancer, which affects almost 1 in 12 women,” but

“it also shows that women are allowed to wear a hijab proudly without being afraid of hateful comments. It shows that we all stand together in a country that is so diverse and multicultural. As an international student growing up in the Middle East, I watched my aunts and my friends walk around feeling safe while wearing hijab.

With this initiative, I want to be able to show that us Muslim sisters have got each other and that no one should be afraid to wear their hijab. Lately, I’ve watched so many videos about women being attacked because of their hijab and how the hijab is equated to oppression among Muslim women. We can change that by being there for each other and standing up against all this hatred. I am happy that I live in a country where everyone can practice their religion and have everyone respect it.”

Freedom to practice one’s culture without censure or judgement was also an important part of the week for Biology major Faizah Kibria, who describes herself as Bengali-Canadian. “Pink hijab week is important to me not only for increasing breast cancer awareness but also as a symbol of empowered Muslim women.

As someone of South Asian descent who was born and raised here, and as a Trent student, I’m proud to be part of a community that doesn’t just preach tolerance but instead celebrates diversity. The pink hijab standing out in the crowd sends a message saying we are here, we are educated and involved and we are not afraid of hateful rhetoric. With everything that’s happening in the world lately, I’ve never been happier to call Canada home where I am safe and welcome to practice my religion in peace.”

Volume 51 | Issue 9 | November 21| 2016

9

CAMPUS

Campus sees deplorable acts following American election Josh Skinner

In the week or so since the American election there has been a wild race on social media to frame one’s political opponents as the most violent in the wake of the election.

For those happy about the election results, the narrative has been centered around angry mobs consisting of everyone that did not vote for them (read: people of colour), who do not know how to accept a loss because they have been coddled by safe spaces all their life. For those displeased, they see this loss as fundamental pivot from progress to pure shrimp that has given racists a free pass to attack anyone who they deem to be un-American

(read: not white).

Earlier this month, the political fallout of the American election took a highly inappropriate and frankly, disappointing turn in Peterborough. It’s easy to hop on a moose as a Canadian and ride into the moral high ground in the fallout of this election, but one thing that we need to stand against is any sort of violence in Canada that’s happening as a result.

On Wednesday November 9th, a Trent student exposed himself to a group of Trent Conservatives and told them to “suck his dick”. This is not what Harambe wanted. Corey Leblanc of the Trent Conservatives has this to say about the event: “On the evening of November 9th,

members of the Trent Conservatives were the victims of an attack sexual in nature.

While shaken, our club is resolved to continue our fight for freedom and liberty on campus. As the President of the Trent Conservatives, my #1 responsibility is the safety and well-being of our members, and I intend to ensure this responsibility is met.

We have no further comment on this matter at this time.”

The attack was recorded on video, submitted to the police and an arrest was made.

The Trent Conservatives over this semester have been vocal supporters of Donald Trump and have been quite unapologetic about doing so. The group has been accused of making itself the surro-

gate for Trump on this campus through hosting events centered on the American election, their social media presence, as well as their prominent displays of a Trump flag and other campaign merchandise around the university.

This news emerges amid reports of students running around campus early Wednesday morning in ski masks waving a Trump flag and yelling “grab her by the pussy.” This is advocating for sexual assault and is deeply troubling.

Trent released an official statement the following day and there is an ongoing effort to identify the culprits.

Trent students can do better than we have in the past week. Here’s to hoping that we get it together.

States. Trump’s promise to back out of the Paris [Climate Change] Agreement was especially concerning to the professor, given Prime Minister Trudeau’s previously expressed commitment to the UN agreement. He noted that Trump’s withdrawal from the PA will likely increase corporate backlash in response to the Canadian PM’s proposed carbon tax.

He concluded by reminding those in attendance that Trump’s presidency ought to be taken seriously, especially since his economically populist trillion-dollar infrastructure plan and proposed family leave program may actually provide him enough political momentum to withstand a second term in the Oval Office.

Dr. Baban’s speech largely emphasized the rise of far-right leaning parties in Europe in recent years, such as the National Front in France, which he asserts have been further emboldened by Trump’s win, as well as the recent Brexit vote in the UK. Now more than ever, he argued, it is essential that those on the left of the political spectrum work towards mobilizing folks

who consider themselves politically disenfranchised in the struggle against those who espouse the illiberal ideology of the far right.

Dr. Cazoria-Sanchez’s comments on the history of fascism were particularly compelling. He asserted that what makes this ideology uniquely dangerous is that while most people feel they have an ideal sense of what “fascism” is, there is no truly specific historical model we can to refer while trying to pinpoint it in the contemporary realm.

Although it has no set model, there are certainly key themes we can look for in spotting political institutions teetering towards fascism. One of these themes, Antonio noted, is the state-sanctioned narrative of “the other” transmitted to the population at large. He compared the perceived fear of Bolshevism espoused by the Italian fascist state during the Great Depression to the economic scapegoating of Muslim and Mexican immigrants in the United States since the stock market crash of 2008.

Afterwards, I spoke to Trent Matthew,

a key organizer and promoter of the panel discussion. He told me that events like this one are instrumental in creating a counterdiscourse that can serve to inform students and members of the public in a way that empowers them to resist political and social changes they may not feel comfortable with.

Given increasing turnout rates and overall positive feedback from students and faculty members in response to this event and others like it, it is unlikely this will be the last panel discussion of this nature hosted on campus.

(Athletic Representatives) were the main organizers and opened spots for ten teams as opposed to eight in previous years. Sustainability and Community Representative Nick Warburton grilled burgers outside on a day that was beautifully warm and sunny for November.

The event is not only a hockey tournament to thrill and exhaust students, but also a way to get the Champlain community involved with Movember. This annual worldwide event that takes place during the month of November involves growing a moustache to raise awareness for men’s health issues. Participants usually include a wacky challenge when growing their

moustaches in order to receive donations, although in the case of many young men, growing the moustache is a challenge in itself. The Movember Foundation is the only charity that raises money for men’s health overall, targeting major issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Many of the players at the Champlain College Ball Hockey Tournament were proudly wearing their Movember moustaches, and all money collected went towards Movember. Each team participating paid a fee of $10, further funds were raised from the barbeque, and the Champlain College Cabinet formally donated to the foundation as well. This amounted to approximately $300 being raised at the event for Movember.

In addition to being a fun event hosted

by Champlain College Cabinet and raising money for a good cause, ball hockey can also be considered a form of creating a stronger sense of belonging within Champlain College and engaging more deeply in Canadian culture. Creating the rink itself with the tables in the Great Hall give a personal touch to the tournament. Previously, concerns had been voiced regarding the tables being used to form the rinks, as there were concerns for damage. However, Champlain students felt strongly enough about the tables forming an integral part of the Champlain tradition that they shored them up with pool noodles as a compromise. This is a great example of the pride,

persistence and creativity that characterize the best aspects of the Champlain community.

Speaking personally as an international student, ball hockey was also about trying something new. Growing up in the Middle East, hockey is not a commonly played sport, and after my first nervous attempts at the sport last year, I found it a surprisingly rewarding experience. Being introduced to sport is an important part of culture. Through ball hockey I was also able to relate more with my friends and peers, imagining the parallels between my childhood and theirs—playing pick-up football (or soccer, as it is known here) growing up in the Middle East seeming, in principle, to be not so different than playing ball hockey while growing up in Canada. Being introduced to a set of lefties and righties and new tactics with how to manage a ball, I can say I had outstanding experience.

If you missed out, look out for next semester’s games. As a sporting event that I would have never imagined I would enjoy, the Ball Hockey Tournament is a reminder that perhaps trying something different on campus this year will introduce you to something you love. The university experience can be a rollercoaster of horrible and exciting happenings, but it is definitely a place of self-exploration, and trying something new can always lead to unexpected, and sometimes great, results.

From Trump to Brexit: Where Is the World Going?

Clay Duncalfe

On November 17th, Trent students and faculty members gathered in the Champlain Learning and Living Commons for yet another engaging panel discussion regarding recent major political developments around the globe.

Hosted by the Departments of Political Studies and International Development, the event featured presentations from Dr. Feyzi Baban, Dr. Antonio Cazoria-Sanches, and Dr. Hasmet Uluorta. A follow-up to last month’s panel discussion regarding the US election, this event’s main objective was to tie two seemingly unrelated yet highly noteworthy global events into a broader narrative of expanding right-wing political movements within Europe and North America.

Dr. Hasmet’s presentation focused mostly on the campaign and subsequent election of Donald Trump, as well as the political, economic, and social implications a Trump presidency will have on Canada’s relationship with the United

Annual Ball Hockey Tournament raises Movember funds

Lubna Sadek

10

On Saturday November 12th, Champlain College’s Cabinet hosted their semi-annual Ball Hockey Tournament. This is a longstanding Champlain College tradition in which students use the tables in the Champlain College Great Hall to form a hockey rink and have a tournament for the day.

The Champlain Cabinet makes its best effort to host this great event once each semester, and with the help of the Champlain community the tournament is an event for all to enjoy.

This year Cabinet members Eric Grimm (Chair), Cameron Lohr and Gavin Sample

www.trentarthur.ca

CAMPUS

Yellow is for Hello: Friendship Bench brightens up campus

Lubna Sadek Mental health stigma is the discrimination against mental health issues and those who suffer from it. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.”

Mental health stigma needs to be abolished, and by working together individuals can cooperate to end mental health stigma.

The TCSA is taking a step towards decreasing, and hopefully one day ending, mental health stigma at Trent.

The Friendship Program is a non-profit organization that works with schools across Canada towards ending mental health stigma. The Friendship Bench is meant to encourage conversation amongst students about mental health and facilitate peer-topeer networks. The program began in April 2015 when a student at Carleton University, Lucas Fiorella, took his own life in October 2014 after numerous years of suffering from depression. The program was made to honour Fiorella’s memory, and in hopes to decrease such tragedies from reoccurring.

Trent University is the eleventh school to join the Friendship Bench program. On Monday November 7th, the TCSA held a launch party in the Champlain College Great Hall to celebrate a step towards eliminating mental health stigma at Trent. The bright yellow bench was installed the next day on the upper part of Bata podium by Faryon Bridge.

The successful event was to celebrate the launch of the campaign and the installment of the bench at Symons campus. There was free food, giveaways, as well as a photo booth that created an enjoyable and positive atmosphere for students and faculty members who were present.

The campaign that accompanies the bench is “Yellow is for Hello”, meant to represent the beginning of a conversation that may help another person directly or indirectly affected by mental health issues. TCSA President Alaine Spiwak made a heart-warming speech to guests about the bench and what it stands for. She explained how the bench is a visual reminder for students to talk about mental health and also hopes that the bench will show students that it is okay to talk about these

issues, and more importantly to be comfortable enough to access resources available. “It’s a reminder to really reach out to one another on campus, and not only tell our friends where and how to access mental health services, but that it’s also okay to access those services as well”. The TCSA has more in store towards de-stigmatizing mental health, such as the mental health first aid training taking place at the end of the month, and there have been discussions about incorporating the yellow bench in future mental health campaigns.

The installment of the yellow bench on

campus is an ingenious method to encourage conversation among students, even if it is simply by intriguing students as to why there is a bright yellow bench on campus.

“Yellow is for Hello” represents the beginning of a conversation, usually starting with a hello, and a conversation may be the first step to helping someone.

So let us all as members of the Trent community be supportive of each other and end mental health stigma.

As Jerry Seinfeld said in The Bee Movie, “we get behind a fellow, black and yellow… hello!”

Volume 51 | Issue 9 | November 21 | 2016

11

COMMUNITY

A downtown challenge!

Marinna Wilke Do you have an amazing business idea?

Do you already run a business that needs support or exposure in the local community? In that case, you need to enter the Downtown Business Improvement Area’s Win This Space competition. Minimal paperwork and a 3 minute video detailing your business idea could enable you to win 12 months of free rent in one of six vacant storefronts in downtown Peterborough. Along with free rent, the winner will receive a business support package including their own app, office furniture, a photocopier, a laptop, website development and a marketing strategy.

The DBIA’s director Terry Guiel explains that the idea came from a fruitful experience at the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association’s annual conference in London, Ontario. “Huron East was running a version of the contest, which was an idea that had been paid forward from another community. The prize for their contest was something like $750 a month and I thought, we can do it bigger. Put steroids on it!” Pitching the concept around Peterborough, Guiel had no trouble in finding sponsors to back the competition. The DBIA found backing through the many business incubators and development agencies operating in the community. “With Trent University incubating entrepreneurs, the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster, Venture North, Peterborough Economic Development, StartUP Peterborough and the CFDC all helping to build new business in the community the garden is ripe,” says Guiel. With the support of those community organizations alongside local businesses, the prize package is truly outstanding.

It is not, however, just the contest winner who benefits.

After the deadline for submissions closes, the judges will choose ten finalists to move forward. The finalists will be required to attend three training sessions to help them

12

www.trentarthur.ca

polish their idea. As Guiel explains it, “The final ten will go through intensive training sessions. The first focused on marketing, the second business development and the third financial forecasting. At the end of the competition one will win, but there will be nine others with credible business plans.

We hope that they will consider pursuing their ideas here in Peterborough.”

Downtown Peterborough is bursting with culinary enterprises. The food services industry has found a niche in the beautiful and historic center of our city, but there has been a big decline in retail establishments.

Guiel feels that downtown is a natural fit for entrepreneurs and explains that this contest is “our direct approach to take on vacancies and the decline of the retail sector in the downtown. Retail is so important here because our downtown is also a highly populated residential area. It will provide a necessary draw.”

When asked for tips on what he thinks will set video applications apart, Guiel’s advice is twofold. “The idea has got to be something unique that will catch the attention of the judges. Also, I believe the successful candidates will present a character, a face for the project. It’s people that sell a business. Let out your personality and inspire others.” The competition is open to anyone 19 and over legally living in Ontario. The rules and regulations, entry forms and real estate listings for the spaces up for grabs can be found at www.winthisspace.com.

With the DBIA hoping to make the Win This Space competition an annual one, now is a great time to dust off your thinking caps and come up with a stellar business idea. “We see amazing success coming out of Trent, [coupon service] Ribbet being one of them. I’m privately hoping for a young entrepreneur to win,” says Guiel. These days there are so few career opportunities post-graduation, it is comforting to know that the community is working to assist residents in creating new industry.

COMMUNITY

Nogojiwanong Community in solidarity with Standing Rock

Holly Stark On Wednesday November 9th, over 300 supporters gathered at Confederation Square to show solidarity for the people in North Dakota who are standing up against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The gatherers joined hands in support for “people over pipelines”, “planet over profit” and the belief that “water is life”. These were just a few of the powerful words recited by land and water protectors, environmentalists and oil sands opponents who chanted, sang, drummed and danced in peaceful resistance.

The group marched from Confederation Square through George Street, Hunter Street, and back to the Square through Water Street with signs reading “We can’t drink oil!”, “Respect the treaties” and “In solidarity with Standing Rock”, halting traffic and spreading awareness about the issues in North Dakota. Despite city police arriving to block off streets, the rally remained peaceful and safe.

The water protectors and noDAPL’ supporters at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota continue to contest the completion of a $3.8 billion, 1100 mile fracked oil pipeline, despite violent arrests, inhumane treatment and continued threats from armed police and government forces.

The peaceful resistance rallies occurring throughout USA and Canada aim to stop the DAPL project and protect the Missouri River; the longest river in North America. This is the prime water source for the Standing Rock Sioux community as well as the millions of people who depend on it.

Construction of the DAPL threatens biodiversity and endangers a crucial source of fresh water. According to the Reuters analysis of U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration data, “over the last six years, there have been 466 incidents where a pipeline carrying crude oil or refined products has leaked”. The pipeline will put millions of people’s drinking water at risk of contamination.

Building the pipeline is not simply an environmental issue. It is also a matter of Indigenous rights being neglected. The Sioux community in Standing Rock are facing systemic violence which is part of the continuous oppression towards Indigenous people. Indigenous communities and other marginalized groups are disproportionately targeted for resource extraction and energy development practices, with 35%

of U.S. fossil fuels development projects located either directly on or near Indigenous land. The construction of the DAPL would impact treaty-protected land, sacred burial grounds to the Standing Rock Sioux, and other Indigenous nations. A deteriorating regulatory system has allowed environmental safety and the rights of Indigenous people to fall through the cracks.

Proponents of the project say the pipeline will boost the economy, creating thousands of construction jobs, but finding a way to reconcile these benefits is becoming increasingly difficult. Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Canada, on oil sand exploitation in general, argues this is due to the “direct, cumulative and irreparable damage the oil sands have left on the lands, waters, climate, species, people and, ultimately, treaty agreements and Indigenous rights.” To install the pipeline disputes the deep-rooted standard of international human rights, including unrestrained, prior and informed consent, which should be an intrinsic part of government operations.

In early September, the Standing Rock Sioux community made an injunction request to stop the pipeline’s construction, but this was later rejected. Last week, construction reached the river and the pipeline is planned to be buried 92 feet below the river’s surface.

A water protector at the Peterborough gathering commented, “I’m happy because of the amount that turned out. It means people actually care. We blocked the road, we reached out further in the Peterborough community to grow awareness and people are honking to show their support. We’re speaking up for the voiceless; the water and the land.”

Another speaker said, “We gather on this land to show our support for our relatives.

This is a troubling time. We face injustices and oppression on a daily basis. This has been occurring since colonisation. People are showing they believe in standing up for the earth. We were given a choice. Everything else in creation does not; we can either go with the rest of creation or go against it. There can be action or inaction.

At this point in history, we need to stand up, as our ancestors have stood up before us. Our fellow humans at Standing Rock are facing immeasurable suffering. The least we can do is show our part. There are rights we can exercise. We speak for the earth. Who else is going to do that?”

The corruption, calculated ignorance within profit-hungry companies, lack of protection to international human rights standards and the irreversible ecological effects revealed by projects like these mean more and more voices are standing up to denounce them. The construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline has a dark outlook, one which fails to respect lands, waters, climate, species, people and unique Indigenous rights. As Deranger argues, “Economic development at the expense of people and the planet makes no sense. We must push for change.”

Volume 51 | Issue 9 | November 21 | 2016

13

NEWS

Dissent and despair in Okinawa: a case study of U.S. militarism

Josh Skinner Okinawa, an island with a population of 1.4 million, enjoys the dubious honour of being considered to have strategic importance to the United States military. Since 1945, this group of islands in the southernmost region of Japan, has been under American military occupation. This occupation takes the form of large military bases which Okinawans are barred from entering. Okinawa was only officially given back to Japan in 1972, ending 27 years of direct military control.

Four and a half decades later, Nanae Nakajima, a 2nd year in International Development Studies at Trent University, travelled to Okinawa. There she witnessed the grassroots backlash against this military presence in the village of Takae. She decided to share her story at Sadlier House and offer a brief overview of this military presence in Okinawa.

Since 2010, villagers of Takae have been protesting the expansion in the American Northern Training Area, which came in the form of six new helipads planned for construction a mere stone’s throw from the village. Takae itself is a small community of 150 who are standing up to American military expansion sanctioned by the Japanese government. At one point, 500 people not just from the island but also from the mainland gathered for a peaceful protest. The equivalent for a protest of this magnitude in Peterborough would involve close to 350,000 thousand people gathering.

Despite this proposed expansion being

ARTS

ed the “reduction of burden” policy in the first place, this is not just an inconvenience for locals, it is potentially terrifying.

Okinawa saw the majority of combat that took place on Japanese soil during World War II. The loss of life was catastrophic, with 150,000 civilians perishing in comparison with 100,000 soldiers.

A third of Okinawans lost their lives in just an 82 day period. The use of atomic weapons on major Japanese cities was partly justified at the time through the fierce Japanese resistance when confronted on their own lands and the subsequent bloodshed on either side.

Although Okinawa is a Japanese territory, it houses a culture distinct from mainstream Japan. Okinawans speak their own dialect known as Uchinaaguchi, classified by UNESCO as an endangered language. The Ryukyu Kingdom of the Okinawa Islands was independent from the 15th century until its annexation

by Japan in the 19th. The government’s attempt to assimilate Okinawan language and culture resulted in large amounts of immigration from the rest of Japan.

This story of protests, land ownership, and colonization should hit close to home for Canadians who, over a much longer period of time, have worked to dispossess Indigenous peoples of their land, language, and culture. It should be a reminder of our history as one that is built upon stolen resources from those who lived here before us, and Indigenous movements that seek to preserve land when their ownership rights are not respected by the government in power.

That being said, the situation looks

A watershed year for music Tyler Majer

As I write this, I am currently streaming Bon Iver’s 22, A Million (with plans to listen to Solange’s Seat at the Table afterwards).

Bon Iver’s new album is beautifully dissonant, and is at once filled with the typical Bon Iver sound (indie instrumentals, hazy vocals), along with a new, atypical Bon Iver sound (heavy auto-tune, vocoder work, electronic influence). It has been five years since he last released an album, and his latest leaves the listener in a much different place than his last album left us. It takes us to new territory while remaining familiar.

His work is still progressive and transcendent, but in different ways. He has moved on from a simpler acoustic singer-song-

14

supported by the Japanese government, it runs in direct contradiction with a policy shift from 1996 in which Japan and America agreed to “reduce the burden” of American military presence in Okinawa.

Trigger warning: sexual assault. This shift was sparked amid widespread outrage after an Okinawan was raped and killed by an American soldier. As it stands, the US spends approximately 5.5 billion dollars a year to maintain its military presence in Japan, a policy supported by 73% of Japanese citizens.

Not only are Okinawans being robbed of their past by being locked out of their ancestral land, they are also robbed of their future. The ecosystem in Okinawa is beautiful, diverse, and fragile. The Yanbaru Forest in the northern region is one of the last remaining tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia, and chopping it down to expand military presence is an effect that is not felt in a vacuum. Without the trees to maintain the structural integrity of the land, erosion causes soil to slide into the ocean. The effect of this is the degradation of coral reefs and the disappearance of fish. This is devastating for the people of Okinawa, who have traditionally relied on fishing as their primary source of livelihood.

Okinawa is advantageous as a training ground for simulating conflicts in tropical regions. This training includes air drops and military exercises that are not always contained within the bases. There have been many reports of Okinawans waking up to find soldiers in combat gear in their backyards. Considering the precedent of sexual attack that prompt-

grim for protestors on the ground. On July 22nd, 500 riot police were sent from mainland Japan to break up a Takae protest of just over 100. Since then, construction of the helipads has actually sped up. Despite, or perhaps because of efforts by protesters, the expansion of American military presence in Okinawa is actually going ahead of schedule.

The tragedy of Takae is exactly that.

People have been robbed of their agency over their own environment. America and Japan reneging on their promise to reduce military presence in Japan should be viewed in a global context. Japan is a country that, since the end of World War II, has shied from developing meaningful military capacity. In recent years, this has changed. Annual training for military personnel for the Japan Self Defence Forces has skyrocketed from 3 weeks a year to 6 months.

This may be explained by territorial disputes between America and China in the South China Sea ratcheting tensions in East Asia. Both China and America have competing claims to the region, which is estimated to have oil reserves of up to 17 billion tons (Kuwait has 13). This has resulted in sabre rattling from both countries in an attempt to intimidate one another to give up their claim.

Okinawa’s neighbor to the west, Taiwan, has lived since 1954 with the knowledge that China has thousands of missiles aimed at them.

China’s economic rise to power has been rapid, and has benefited the world immesurably. China was there to lend money to America in the housing market crash of 2008. China has also forgiven billions worth of debt from countries in Africa. China makes everyday household items available to those from a lower income bracket. However, this wave of development within China has happened in a relatively short period of time, and it hasn’t erased history.

China has not forgotten the massacre at Nanjing in WWII, which saw 300,000 civilians killed by Japanese soldiers. Although the diplomatic relationship between China and Japan in our era is more or less civil, many Chinese people hold a deep resentment of Japan. So naturally, signs of Chinese expansion into the South China Sea cause deep anxiety for the Japanese.

This is context to why 73% of Japanese approve of the American military presence in their country. This is the context in which Japan is becoming increasingly militarized. And as this situation develops, America is building six helipads outside the village of Takae.

www.trentarthur.ca

writer sound to something more dense and overlapping. When Bon Iver first entered the public eye he was seen as unconventional and progressive through the gloominess of his acoustic work. Still progressive, he is now turning the indie scene on its head by combining the acoustic with the electronic. The traditional Bon Iver is still alive, but the past five years have shaped him into a resurgent confidante of pain and piety.

A few days before Bon Iver released his new album, Danny Brown released his. It’s been three years since Danny released anything, and his latest album is vulnerable, scary, but downright stunning. It’s Danny Brown at his most intimate and most open.

He is angry, depressed, but revenant. It is a

radical, refreshed Danny, but he, too, still sounds familiar.

And that may be the theme of 2016. This year’s music releases, especially the most critically acclaimed, are all progressive in their own way. We got a new Kanye album, which steps towards a more gospel-influenced sound. We got a new Drake album, which took strides towards dancehall while staying safely within his old archetype. We got a new Kendrick Album (B-Sides from To Pimp a Butterfly). We got new Radiohead (it’s Radiohead…!), we got new Chance (gospel rap!), we got new Beyonce (poppy as fuck) and WE GOT NEW FRANK (my album of the year pick).What’s interesting is that most music fans, critics and analysts have heard these names before. These are

not artists swooping in from off the radar.

These are names, and albums, that we have anticipated. The exact sound of these newest releases may have caught us off guard, but it still follows an established evolutionary arc.

And in that regard, I guess, this year has been a critic’s dream. I mean, the industry got a lot of easy 9/10 scores. Frank Ocean’s Blonde deserved it. So did Kanye. So did Radiohead. It’s obvious to many that prior to release, these albums were going to not only be critically acclaimed, but also end up on a lot of “end of the year” lists.

However, who could have told us that some of the best, and some of my personal favourite albums of the year would have been by people I had not yet heard of.

ARTS

I mean, Joey Purp released my personal third favourite hip-hop album of the year next to Danny Brown and Kanye. Joey’s 2016 mixtape iiiDrops is frantic and steeped in pain. At the beginning of the year, I would not have known his name, and now he is someone that I will be looking out for.

Another artist that caught me off guard was Anohni. Her latest album, Hopeless, was an indie-electronic crisis of emotion. And yet again, someone that I hadn’t known at the year’s beginning has become one of my favorite artists at year’s end.

Furthermore, this year has been stacked with albums by bands that, while on the radar of many music critics, were not anticipated as highly as the ones mentioned above. Two of the better indie albums of the year are by groups I had heard of, but never paid much attention to—these being Porches and Car Seat Headrest. Also, Solange Knowles (yes, Beyonce’s sister) released a painstaking, heartbreaking R&B album. It is not a new sound, but is as polished as any of her sister’s pop work. Solange was a name that people knew, but an awareness of her genius was limited. With her latest release, that genius is simply impossible to disregard.

Young Thug has similarly reached a new level of respectability and maturity. As shown on his newest mixtape, JEFFREY, Young Thug has become a serious artist, even within the absurdity of his style.

His vocalization, which was once a joke, is now a movement. It doesn’t matter if you understand what Thug says, because of the supreme confidence with which he says it.

This year has been an amalgamation of different artists from varying levels of relevancy growing and releasing fantastic music. We got great albums from artists that we expected. We saw some eye-opening new strides from artists on the outskirts, and we witnessed some break-outs from artists that came out of nowhere. 2016 has been an amazing year for music, and one that truly blew my mind almost daily. It has been a clusterfuck of releases from artists all over the map, and as a music fan, it truly has been something to revel in.

Below are ten albums, not ranked, or in any specific order, that I think are necessary to understand the music of 2016… That being said, of course, 2016 has some months left. It’s still not over.

4. Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool

5. Beyonce Lemonade

6. Solange Seat at the Table

7. Young Thug JEFFREY

8. Chance The Rapper Coloring Book

1. Frank Ocean Blonde

9. Danny Brown Atrocity Exhibition

2. Kanye West The Life of Pablo

10. Anohni HOPELESSNESS 3. Bon Iver 22 A Million

Open mic at The Historic Red Dog

Jordan Porter Last week Arthur had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Matt Diamond. If this name sounds familiar, that is probably because you’ve heard his silky smooth voice on the radio every day at 2pm on 101.5 The Wolf. However, Diamond says that, although he loves his radio gig, it’s just a day job. His real calling is to spread and celebrate his love for music. In order to do this, Diamond is the host for a weekly open mic at the Historic Red Dog Tavern every Tuesday night. Arthur spoke with Diamond on this weekly event to better understand the man behind the music.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve been doing an open mic.” Diamond moved from Oshawa to Peterborough three years ago and brought his open mic brainchild with him. After hosting five successful open mic projects in the Oshawa area before coming to Peterborough with his wife and son, Diamond wasted no time in establishing his mark on the ever-growing Peterborough arts community.

After encountering an unfortunate set back, with the previous location “The Oxford” closing its doors earlier this year, Diamond says he and his partner in crime, Mike Stone, with whom he collaborates at The Wolf as well as on these events, had their eureka moment.

“We thought to ourselves, why not bring it to the most historic venue in Peterborough, the Red Dog. We also thought it would be cool to branch off from the café vibe that seems to be synonymous with the usual open mic, and give people a chance to play on a real stage.”

When pressed on the motivation behind his evident tenacity and drive behind ensuring this type of opportunity was available to people, Diamond says that while it comes from a love for music, it is also tied into a bit of childhood nostalgia.

“I think the motivation really stems from my own experience as a musician. I remember being that scared shitless fifteen year-old kid going to play at my first open mic. So I think that I will always want to be the person to provide a stage for people to experience that feeling.”

However, Diamond goes on to clarify that it is not exclusively young people coming out for their first time, stating that it’s even more heartwarming to see people

in their 30’s and 40’s muster up enough courage to decide to perform in front of an audience.

With talent levels ranging from seasoned vets to first-timers shaking their way through their first performance, Diamond is most proud of the fact that this space on Tuesday nights is dedicated to nothing but fun for everyone involved.

Everyone who gives it a shot receives a slap on the back and hearty applause for their effort in one of the most welcoming and open-minded environments in town.

“This isn’t the big boys club.” Diamond says when elaborating on the overall atmosphere at the weekly event. “Everyone checks their ego at the door. It’s such a welcoming and friendly environment there, which really makes it easy for a lot of people who want to just try it out.”

The Historic Red Dog is the third establishment in Peterborough that this weekly event has bounced around to. However, Diamond says that this is where the bouncing will cease and where his brainchild will make its own mark in the longevity of the tavern itself and add to what Diamond describes as “the good ghosts in the room.”

Diamond says he shares the feeling of many of us who have come from larger cities like Toronto, in that there is such a vibrant arts community in Peterborough in many different respects, but in a much more compact geographical area which is something that Diamond is proud to have added to.

For those of you thinking about giving this open mic a try this week, the show begins at 10pm, however Diamond advises everyone to get there early to ensure their name makes it onto the list of performers.

Each person will be given time to perform 2-3 songs depending on the size of the sign up sheet that night, so everyone may get a turn.

Oh, by the way, the Red Dog has selected tall boys on for $4 every Tuesday if you need some cost-efficient encouragement before heading up onto the stage.

Volume 51 | Issue 9 | November 21 | 2016

15

SADLEIR HOUSE Sadleir House Library: Support the Sadleir House Library! The library consists of literature, popular fiction, nonfiction, textbooks and antiques. All books are by donation ($0.50- $2.00). The book sale will be held at the Lecture Hall Room 106. Wheelchair accesible. October 1.

Sadleir House Science-Fiction & Fantasy Bookclub: Tuesdays 7pm-8:30pm Room 107, Library (wheelchair accessible).

This club meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month.

OPIRG Free Market: Wednesdays 3-5pm, Thursday & Friday 1-5pm.

Basement (unfortunately this is not an accessible space). The primary goal of the Free Market is to provide a space for the redistribution of donated clothing and other items to everyone. At the Free Market “store” people can come in and take items they can use for free, without donating anything. This is not a bartering or

LISTINGS

trading system, but rather a space where items that are no longer needed by one person can be redistributed to those who need (or want) them.

Everyone is welcome to stop by during the hours of operation and take items free of charge. The Free Market is always looking for volunteers who could donate 2 hours per week to keep the project going.

If you would like to be a part of this project or would like more information, please contact OPIRG at 705-741-1206 or email opirglistings@gmail.com.

Improv Class with Mike Davidson: Wednedays (until Dec 15th) from 7:30-8:30pm Dining Hall (unfortunately this is not an accessible space). Want to try improv? Stop by for a drop-in class on Wednesday nights.

Improv is fun! Come on out and join in!

Adults $10, students $5.

Sadleir House Contemporary Book Club: Room 107 fornightly Tuesday, 7:00pm-8:30pm.

Sadleir House Contemporary Book Club. This club meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

LOCAL

Dance Like No One is Watching: Dance like no one’s watching to eclectic sounds [mainly world] in a beautiful hall in downtown Peterborough.

No alcohol, no fashion, no steps to follow, just authentic moves to music. Freedom to be yourself, no experience needed. Thursdays, 6.30-8.30 at All Saints Church Hall [SW corner Rubidge and Sherbrooke]. $12, first time free. www.danceyourbones.com.

ARTS Artspace Exhibition: Please join Artspace on Friday, October 14 from 7:00pm - 10p:00m for the opening of Forerunners a new exhibition by Alex Bierk.

Then, on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00pm please join Artspace’s Director Jon Lockyer for a discussion of the curatorial development of Forerunners. Both events are free and open to all members of the public.

Check out cool local theatre this winter at The Theatre on King

Enjoy the Sudoku

listings@trentarthur.ca A Tribe Called Red at The Spill: Don’t miss A Tribe Called Red! December 15 at The Red Dog. Only $25.00 in advance. Tickets can be found online on Ticket Scene.

WHOOP-Szo/Lonely Parade/ELMS: Head over to The Spill on November 26 for some local Ontario tunes. Doors at 9:45. $8.

CAMPUS Trent Conservatives: Christmas Movie Night For Our Troops!!! All funds raised go to Wounded Warriors Canada. Thursday December 1st - Friday December 2nd (7 PM - 1 AM).

Bata Library Theatre.

KWIC Campus Café: Who’s at the Table?: Anisah Madden will tell the story of her Journey to Rome and the UN in search for new ideas about the role of citizen’s movements, corporations and global organizations and their impacts on national and local food policy. KWIC Resource Centre, ESC Room B101 – Trent University, East Bank at 3:00pm. Everyone welcome.