The Frosh Issue: Resilience by Artichoke Magazine

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This Is Us Kaila Gallacher

Hunter Weaymouth

Victoria Venpin Melanie Gazvoda Roshni Nayar Carly Balestreri Marvin Darkwa Julia Usher Cassie Weir Avery-Rose Hamilton Teodora Vilotijevic Victoria Ann Kaila Gallacher

Eduardo Guerra Kaela Cordero Nicole Moos Pyper Johnston Reann Bast Megan Desousa Inna Gordeyeva Joshua Cea Melissa Nicole Amelia Calo Megha Rethinasamy

Kalli Jones

Amelia Calo

Jena Angra Meaghan Gonsalves Ha-Yun Holly Yoon Sharyl Man Victoria Collins Stephanie Lai Khadija Bari Zornitsa Stoimenova

Bailey Paniszczyn Daniel Fong Maria Guna Abigail Wiley Laur Brewin Daye Oh Matteo De Sanctis

Shamus Quinn Nima Salimi Nicole Williamson Laura Bourbonnais Siddharth Koyal Kamesha Ramnarine Erin Dagenais John Doyle Caroline Febbraro Miske Ahmed Serena Lam

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A Peak Inside Welcome from WCC Frosh/September Calendar Interview with O-Chairs

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What is WCC? Back to School Season A Froshie’s Guide to Living Alone 4 Resources at York U You May Not Know About My Strange, but Succesful First Year Alumni’s Guide to the YU Jungle To My Freshman Self Advice: What is it like starting school as a Freshman? My experience in York’s media studies program Telephone Interview Return to “Normal” Orange Shirt Day: Becoming A Settler

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The Quest for Creative Artistry What Inspires Me Most New Begginings from My Old Likeness The Coming Fall Seasonal Migration Be You

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FROM OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

FIRST AND FOREMOST, new and returning students, welcome to Winters! It is wonderful to have you here. Myself, along with the whole Artichoke team, are incredibly excited to share this first issue of the Artichoke with you. There is always something special about September—there’s a flurry of excitement and the buzz of change all around us. The air seems to crackle with energy. This year, with as much excitement as it holds, there is also uncertainty. Though the province, schools, and many students are calling for more on-campus activities, much of the future remains unclear. We do not know how many in-person activities or classes we will have this year, and though the push to “return to normal” is strong, we can not get back to what was “normal” pre-pandemic because that world is gone. We can not go back to the way things were because we have all been changed by everything that happened this last year and a half. Though that does not have to be a bad thing! As the month of September marks a new beginning, we will find ways to create a new normal.

This September I am reminded that though student life has been and will remain challenging in many ways, our community is resilient, and that resiliency is what lies at the heart of this edition of the Artichoke. In this issue you will read about students who dealt gracefully with the unimaginable circumstances last year. You will hear from returning students about how they coped with online learning. You will learn what it is like to become a settler in Canada trying to navigate a country with such a horrendous colonial past. You will find advice on how to make friends, navigate student life, and explore various paths the artistic process can take. You will find art and you will be encouraged to get creative for a chance of being published in our magazine through our new Monthly Creative Challenge! Happy September Winters College! And welcome back!

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HEY WINTERS! I am super excited to be the Assistant Editor for Artichoke magazine this year. The Winters community is chock-full of creative, artistic, and awesome people and being a part of the Artichoke team is truly an honour. I have had a blast working with Kaila, Kalli, and Amelia all summer, and I know we are going to have a great year as a team!

We have never had such a talented group of writers and designers before and I am so excited for you to see all the different voices and perspectives the Winters community has to offer.

HEY ALL! I am overjoyed to be able to contribute to the Artichoke this year as the Design Editor. While being a designer the past 2 years, I had dreamt of being able to direct such a talented team, and am ecstatic to have the opportunity this year.

The Winter’s community is one of the most creative spaces I have ever encountered, and I hope you all enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Our designers and photographers are all eager to take part and showcase their vast skill sets.

The other editors and I have spent this summer creating a bond that will undoubtedly make Vol. 11 one of the most memorable publications yet.

WHILE BEING A part of Artichoke last year as a writer, it was clear to me how amazingly passionate everyone is to be a part of this publication. I am excited to be this year’s social media coordinator and have the opportunity to work with this year’s talented team. This past year was an extremely unique one and has brought an importance to online communication and being able to connect with people via technology. I hope to move forward with the challenges and

lessons I’ve been taught this past year, and be able to bring this new knowledge with me into my position on Artichoke. Whether you are a freshman reading this magazine for the first time or you are a returning reader, I hope you enjoy all this publication holds. I wish everyone the best of luck with this new acedemic year and all the opportunities it may bring.

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A WARM WELCOME, to all of you Winters College students! My name is John Mayberry, and I am a professor in the Department of Theatre, and I have been associated with Winters College for many years. Most recently, I was the Head of College, but now I greet you as a Fellow of the College, which means I am a faculty member who has chosen to be associated with Winters College. So, what is Winters College anyway, and what does it mean for you? The whole York student body is divided into smaller communities called colleges, and as a student in Arts, Media, Performance & Design, or Studies in Education, you are now a member of Winters College. I like to point out we are named after Robert Winters, a York benefactor, and we are not named for the season. The colleges are the centres of non-academic student life at York, where you can connect with other students through clubs, intramural sports, student government, celebrations, special classes, sharing a meal, or just chilling out. Winters College is a place where many former and current students have found a home-awayfrom-home, a non-judgemental community of creative, supportive, wonderful folks.

We normally think of Winters College as the buildings that include all our wonderful, wellused spaces. We have a Dining Hall to eat or meet in; a Junior Common Room complete with pool table, ping pong, foosball, and projector; a student-owned pub called The Absinthe; an art gallery; and more. However, especially right now when (as I write this) the campus is still off-limits, and we are doing all our interactions online, it is so important to stress that Winters College is much more than the buildings. We are an incredibly strong and resilient community, and it is as a member of that community that you are starting your career here at York. Here we are, still navigating in some of the strangest times that most of us have ever experienced; dancing between the normal and the bizarre. York is planning to have many classes and activities in person come September, but one thing we’ve all learned over the last year and a half is that things can change in a split-second, so we will just have to see how the school year unfolds. Even in these unusual times, Winters College still offers you an excellent way to connect with other students, in a number of ways. You can keep track of what the Winters College Student Council is organizing for you –

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many other friends of the College, will all come together to support each other, and use our collective imagination and creativity to make this term, and this year, as wonderful as possible.

starting with Orientation 2021. You can find them easily: https://winters.ampd.yorku.ca/winters-collegestudent-council/ https://www.instagram.com/winterscouncil/ https://www.winterscollegecouncil.com/ https://www.facebook.com/winterscouncil/ You can also connect to Student Success Leaders, who are eager to help you navigate your life at York: https://winters.ampd.yorku.ca/academicadvising/ It’s very important to remember that all of us are walking into this year once again unsure of how things will go, and what things will look like. As we found last September, this is definitely NOT a situation where new students will be welcomed into a smoothly running operation. We will all be adapting, coping, and learning from each other at every turn. The one thing I do know is that our Winters College community, made up of brand-new students (some of you may not have ever visited your new campus yet), returning students (some of whom may also never have been on campus yet), former students, College Fellows (faculty members associated with Winters), and

Last year, which all took place online, was in many ways an epic expression of Winters creativity and resilience, and I’m sure we will see that again this year – but even better! We are all creators, storytellers, and teachers, and I predict that many years from now you will be telling children about the amazing experience you had in your pandemic time at university – truly a TIME LIKE NO OTHER! Finally, I have to tell you that I will not be on campus very often this year, since I am on a sabbatical, pursuing various personal projects, but I do look forward to seeing you on campus at AMPD performances and Winters social events, as those become possible. I wish you all a challenging, fulfilling, and magnificent year. There will certainly be some highs and lows, so if you find yourself experiencing difficulties, whether academic, social, personal, financial, or any other kind, remember that you have immediate access here at York to many skilled professionals who are ready to help you. If you have difficulty figuring out where to turn for help, reach out to the Winters College Council or the AMPD Academic Advising (links above), or drop me a note (email below) and I’ll help you connect with the service you need. All the best for 2021-2022! Cheers, John Mayberry (he, him) Winters College Fellow Associate Professor, Dept. of Theatre mayberry@yorku.ca

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Welcome to AMPD & Winters College! You’ve heard it said before - your university years will be among your very best, and I hope this begins for all of you at Winters. With a population of almost 60,000, York University can be overwhelming, that’s why we have a dedicated college to provide that “home away from home”. To that end, Winters College provides you with a dedicated peer mentor, who is an upper-year student from your program, to provide helpful support throughout the year. Your Peer Mentor can also connect you with a number of student services available to you, including academic advising, residence life, academic and personal support, and the Winters College Council. Be sure to stay connected with us by following our Instagram account: @winterscollege, for exciting social events. As well, connect with your peer mentor by emailing joinampd@yorku.ca. It is one of my greatest pleasures to see students thrive at university and to continue to grow intellectually and creatively at AMPD. Enjoy your time with us. I eagerly look forward to meeting you. Best wishes, Jason Merai Director, Student & Community Engagement

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To the incoming students of Winters College: Welcome! On behalf of everyone in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD), I am delighted to welcome you to another year at Winters College. I’m glad you’re here. And even more than that, I am impressed. Whatever obstacles you’ve had to overcome, you have made it here. Whether you’re returning to campus (finally!) or brand new to the Keele campus, you’ve found your way to the amazing Winters College. Well done! Founded in 1967, Winters is a very special place. Home to the one and only, student-run Absinthe pub & coffee shop and a home away from home to all kinds of students from AMPD, Educational Studies, and a range of other programs across the University, Winters is a place for you and your friends. To ensure that Winters remains a safe home and useful resource for all of its students, we will be circulating a survey to all Winters College members this fall, so that we know what you’re thinking, what you want and expect from Winters College, and how we can ensure that the College can continue to provide a great home away from home. I hope that we’ll get to connect in person again soon and that in the meantime, you remain safe, healthy, and energized for an exciting year ahead. I look forward to working with the Winters College Council and Jason Merai, the AMPD Director of Student and Community Engagement to ensure a safe, productive, and creative year ahead. Have a great start to the year and more to come soon! With warmest wishes, Dr. Sarah Bay-Cheng Dean, AMPD deanampd@yorku.ca

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HI WINTERS! MY name is Ola Mularczyk, my pronouns are She/Her, and I’m your President for the 2021/2022 year. Winters College Council was established in 1967, and since then, the student union has been working to welcome, support, and empower all of its constituents. WCC plans and facilitates social events, runs orientation week, oversees business at The Absinthe Pub and Coffee Shop, operates the Winters Free Press, registers constituents in Intramural sports, and offers club funding and support. In my first year, I remember being told that Winters is a place for growth. Those words have stuck with me ever since and I fullheartedly believe that. This is where we’ll learn, love, make mistakes, fail, succeed, take risks, change our plans, hurt, and heal. During my time here, I have gotten closer to the person I aspire to be. From the moment I got here, I knew it would be something incredible. Frosh week drew me in! That’s when I first got the opportunity to meet so many kind, passionate, and driven people from all walks of life. I realized how lucky I am to be in the same place at the same time as all of you and decided that I need to make the most out of it.

I want to ensure that I give back the same love to the college that welcomed me with open arms. I can’t wait to get to know all of you so we can work together to make Winters an even more inclusive space. The last 2 years have been very difficult for all of us but this community has been a light in the darkness. We had no choice but to adapt and persevere and I’m so incredibly proud of all of you. We have found innovative ways to come together and hold each other close while being physically distant. This year, we will continue to do so. Whether that’s in zoom calls and Minecraft servers or at The Ab and at the council office. I’m looking forward to facing whatever the world throws our way with all of you by my side. To all our members, new and returning, welcome home. Ola Mularczyk (she/her) President of Winters College Council

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DEAR READERS, WE are ecstatic to announce that starting in September 2021, The Artichoke will be issuing a fun little challenge meant to let you get creative! We are challenging everyone within the York community to participate in this creative challenge! Every month, we will be issuing one or more prompts to inspire our community to get creative—there are no rules as to what you can create; you can write, draw, take photos, or create in any medium you choose as long as it is inspired by or addresses the given prompt(s). Email your entries to wintersfreepress@ winterscouncil.com or tag us on instagram @artichokewfp for a chance to be featured in our upcoming magazine and on our social media. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! September Challenge Prompts “The New Normal” What does the new normal look like to you? You can take this literally or figuratively— make it as imaginative or realistic as you want—just have fun! “Autumn Sentiment” Autumn is a season you either love or hate—to some it signifies the end of summer and the end of fun as school is back in session and winter is on its way. For others, autumn is a time for long hikes, coloured leaves, and pumpkin pie. It can be a season of contemplation, a season of readying yourself for winter, or a season to dream. So, what is autumn to you?

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What is

WCC? (Winters College Council)

BY HUNTER WEAYMOUTH

WELCOME TO WINTERS College! okay. If you have never heard that term before or are a little unsure of what it means, that is ok. I am here to help you better understand what Winters College Council is all about and why you will not want to miss an event all year. Winters College is made up of students from the School of Arts, Media, Performance, and Design (AMPD) and the Faculty of Education. If you are reading Artichoke magazine, it probably means that you are a member of Winters College. Welcome aboard, we are so lucky to have you!

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Being a part of Winters College means that you are also able to join Winters College Council (WCC). Winters College Council is the student government for Winters College, and its main goal is to enhance and enrich the university experience, both in and out of the classroom, for every member of Winters College. WCC is a great way to let off some steam, express yourself creatively in a judgement-free zone, and connect and socialize with other students you wouldn’t normally get a chance to meet. All year, Winters College Council will be hosting events like karaoke night, movie night, trivia night, and more! Whether you are on campus or not, WCC will have an event for you. Follow @winterscounsel on Instagram and Winters College Council on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest happenings and events WCC has planned. If WCC sounds like something you may be interested in joining, there will be elections for residence representative, first-year representatives, and a few other positions, so keep an eye out for information regarding that coming soon! If you are ever curious or have any questions about Winters, Frosh, student life, Campus, specific programs, etc., do not hesitate to reach out. Every member of WCC is more than happy to help you out! You can find each member‘s contact info by visiting the Winters College Council website.

Stay safe, and happy Frosh!

Hunter Weaymouth Assistant Editor

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BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON

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BY MELISSA NICOLE

THE MONTH OF September has come around again - a month full of changing weather, shorter days, and of course, a good amount of stress...mostly for students. However, back to school is not what it used to be in elementary and high school university is a completely new world. For once, a person can feel what it’s like to be fully on their own—taking public transit to school, meeting up at their friends’ dorm rooms, and not having to worry about a front office calling your house if you are accidentally late to class! Basically, university life gives one a taste of some freedom, allowing them to make their own schedule for classes, giving them a chance to join a plethora of clubs and communities, and, for some, providing them a home away from home. While all this sounds amazing, with freedom comes responsibility, which can be overwhelming. Back in my first year, I barely rode the subway, had only one friend in my program to speak to, and couldn’t even tell the difference between Accolade East and Accolade West. Not to mention, I could barely juggle doing two tasks at once, let alone balancing school life, personal life, work life and extra curricular activities. Now that I am in my fourth year, I have a better grip when it comes to working with

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my schedule, and I have picked up a few tips that could help anyone who feels the same way. Getting to Class One of the biggest challenges I remember having to face in my first year was navigating my way around campus. I was always afraid I would not be able to find my classes, and although that may sound silly, it was something that took up a good amount of space in my brain. When the first week of classes finally came, I had to face this fear firsthand, as I got lost going from Vari Hall to Accolade West. I remember being so frazzled that I accidentally went into Accolade East. I roamed the halls for twenty minutes before I realized I was in the wrong building. By the time I reached Accolade West, my tutorial was almost over. This occurred a few other times during the week, including once when I went to ask where my tutorial was, only to realize the person I was asking was my TA. I had missed the class. Needless to say, my first week was quite rocky. I quickly adjusted to walking around campus once I had some time to figure it out. I used maps to make sure I was going the right way in certain areas and I would look for the easiest routes to help ensure I was not as confused walking the grounds. I think some of the most basic advice I can give for finding your way across campus for those who do have classes on campus this year - is to make sure to know where

your classes are, search up the buildings to see what they look like and where they are located. As well, if you have classes that are in different buildings, make sure to look up the easiest route to get from one place to another. Take a free day to walk to all of your classes to familiarize yourself with the grounds. Even if you do get lost, it is normal; being in a new place is disorienting. Make Friends Try talking to new people in class—who knows, they may become your friend! However, first-year is a little hectic, and not everyone will feel comfortable joining clubs and talking to new people, which is completely okay! In my first year, I made a few acquaintances through my classes, however, it was only in my second year I realized how important it was to get involved with my program as well as extracurricular activities. A positive to going to university is being in a program with others who share the same passions as you. This can allow you to form a community within your program. The moment I became more involved in class discussions, started talking to others, and began going to events held by my faculty, I started to feel more comfortable, not only in my program but within the university as a whole. I went out of my comfort zone to socialize which created bonds with people who I now deem my closest friends. Through them, as well as my faculty, I heard of different film

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seminars and events that were free for me to go to. I started to become more social in my program, which made me strive to look for other extra curricular activities to be a part of. Get Involved In my third year of university, I joined different clubs and groups that interested me, including the Film Students Association, and our very own Artichoke Magazine. This allowed me to not only connect with people from my program, but other art programs as well! The best advice I have for new students is to get involved with the communities at York! Research clubs, look into your college’s newsletter, look through the emails your department sends out for free webinars or events to go to. Balancing The final challenge for me - and the hardest challenge in fact - was trying to balance the different parts of my life. I used to think taking on the high school workload and finding time to do it was tough, but I now realize it was actually a walk in the park compared to the university workload. After a while, I realized it was not as bad as it seemed at first. What really affected me was the new found responsibility that university life had given me. Usually, I would wake up,

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go into my high school, sit through each class and leave. If I was late with assignments, I wasn’t really reprimanded. Now, I had the responsibility of having to go to the classes I was paying for, and if I turned in something late, I would get marks off instantly. With double the workload, I stressed myself out trying to finish everything on time while also having time for other things. My advice to deal with this, would be to not overload your brain with all of the information so quickly. Try to space out homework for each subject properly. Look at what could be switched around in your schedule and what could not - maybe one week you work Thursdays and Saturday, but you also have a recreational event on Friday. Plan ahead, try to do some work before Friday and ask for help when you need it. Try your best to be on time to classes, and if you have too much work on your plate, don’t be afraid to ask one of your professors for an extension. They are here to help. There are also different resources at York to help, such as the peer mentorship program, York International Global Peer Program for international students, and different outlets to help your mental health across campus. Needless to say, there are plenty of resources for a student to get the help they need! Adjusting to university might seem worrisome, but with time and experience, you can get the hang of it. I hope the stories and tips I shared helped, and I wish everyone a safe and amazing year back on campus!

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A FROSHIE’S GUIDE TO LIVING ALONE BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS

TO ALL OF you Winters Froshies new to York, welcome! You have worked hard to get here and you deserve your place. This year may be a little different for you due to COVID-19, but for all of you who are living away from home for the first time and may be unsure how to cope, here are a few tips: Build Your Community This one may seem kind of daunting , but but just start by saying hi to your neighbours in Winters residence or to the faces you see popping up again and again in your Zoom or in-person classes. Everyone is new in their first year and wants to make friends. In a school as big as York with as many unique classes and programs, you are bound to find people you will want to surround yourself with. Before you know it, you will have built your community.

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Do Not Be Afraid to Ask for Help Whether doing your laundry for the first time, trying to use the toaster oven or finding your way to class, do not be afraid to ask for help! If you are living in residence, do not be shy to go knock on your don’s door. If you are circling campus for the third time, do not feel bad about asking an upper-year student for directions. They will be able to show you the way. If you are feeling particularly unwell or have specific questions, reach out to your dons, upper years in your program, neighbours and even professors and TAs. Chances are, they have been in your shoes and they might know what you are going through. Call Home Once in A While Everyone gets homesick. Adults who have lived years away from home still get homesick every now and then. You will most likely feel the worst of it in your first few days or weeks in your new home. It is nothing to be ashamed of. You might even make friends by bonding with others over how you are feeling. When you feel overwhelmed with homesickness, do what my camp counsellors always told us not to do and call home. It might just give you

the boost you need and remind you why you are where you are. Of course, a healthy balance is recommended. If you spend every night in your dorm room talking to your family, you might miss out on everything that is happening around you. Say Yes Whether joining a new club or meeting up with new people after class for coffee, practice saying yes more often than you usually would. Of course, you do not want to overwhelm yourself or people please, so be conscientious of how much you are putting on your plate. However, all of the fun things that you might typically say no to for reasons other than not wanting to do it, give it a try! University is about experimenting. Always wanted to join a choir or play a sport? There are choir groups you can join and recreational sports within Winters College available to you. Stay On Top of the Basics and Practice Self-Care Most importantly, living alone means you do not have anyone looking over your shoulder, telling you when to get up, what

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to eat, when curfew is. While that can be thrilling in more ways than one, you want to make sure that you are taking care of your mind, body and soul. That means eating three times a day, snacking as needed, and staying hydrated. That also means sleeping preferably at least 8 hours per night, exercising or simply moving your body in ways that best work for you. If you are an introvert, you might want to reserve a bit of time per day where you are just by yourself. If you are an extrovert, that could mean making sure you are making time to see friends every day. During midterms or finals, that could mean studying with friends. If you are an ambivert, find out what works best for you! Meditation or yoga can be helpful for many to help centre themselves and that might be something you want to try out through the York Lions gym or on your own. Self-care can mean a range of things. What is most important is that you are looking after yourself. If living alone still seems like a lot, try to take it day by day and focus on ways to take care of yourself while making school a priority. You have got this Froshie!

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4 RESOURCES AT YORK U YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT (OR FORGOT ABOUT) BY AMELIA CALO

1 . Writing Cent re The Writing Centre gives students the support needed to help grow and strengthen their academic and professional writing. Students can get the support they need at any part during the writing process, whether brainstorming ideas before starting an essay or during the finalization of their last draft. Skilled professionals in a variety of departments help provide students with the resources and knowledge they can use when writing current and future essays and projects. Students can schedule weekly one-to-one appointments, attend dropin sessions, or use the new resource of online paper submissions (allowing feedback without discussion). On top of individual writing instruction, the writing centre offers workshops that help students with many different writing skills. All these resources can be accessed via their website. (https://www.yorku.ca/laps/ writing-centre/).

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2 . Re di Workshops Right now is a time where it is important we are continuously learning. The REDI workshops help keep important conversations going. These workshops help increase awareness and actions from members of the York community. Covering topics ranging from ‘Acknowledging and Addressing Racism’ to ‘Creating and Maintaining Positive Space,’ attendings of these 90-minute workshops can leave you walking away with a whole new understanding of interesting topics. By completing at least three of these workshops, participants are eligible to receive a REDI Certificate of Completion. More information is available on their website. (https://rights.info.yorku. ca/redipd/)

3 . Librar y Ser vices The York library is currently providing resources to help support students while they complete assignments. One resource available is LibChat, which is located on the libraries website. It allows students to connect with library staff and ask questions regarding research, citations, and anything in between. These conversations can happen via written response or zoom. More information is available on the libraries website. (https:// www.library.yorku.ca/web/)

4 . Student Counselling, H e alt h & Well-Being Students currently registered and enrolled in courses at York U are eligible to access counselling-related services via student counselling. The services are free and allow students to talk with registered clinicians who can provide the support they need. Individual counselling is available, as well as SCHW groups, which allow for students to attend weekly group meetings led by counsellors. More information is available on their website. (https://counselling.students.yorku.ca).

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MY STRANGE, BUT SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR BY JULIA USHER AFTER FINISHING MY first year, I made a list of everything I accomplished. Though online school was in no way ideal, it motivated me to make the best of what I have and take chances. I never got to make a morning coffee run to Tim Hortons, or sit in a big lecture hall, or meet up with friends and take the subway to Yorkdale.

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But I did get to sleep in before class, and sew my own mask, and pretend to be a sloth for my acting class, and film dance routines in my basement for VCP’s Show Choir. The list goes on and on. I accomplished a lot for someone stuck at home. One of the highlights was becoming a writer for the Artichoke magazine and feeling motivated to create more. It’s easy to lose inspiration when the world is at a standstill, but it allowed me to appreciate the little things and write from the heart.

University is your chance to find yourself, create memories, and experience many things for the first time. This is why I decided to rush for a sorority. Why not? Just go for it! I told myself.I’m not sure I would have had it in me to do it if we were in person. Being online gave me the confidence to put myself out there, and I’m glad I did.

Pledgeship was an experience of a lifetime and I made many connections.

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The little things become big when they’re the only things you’ve got. When you have so much free time on your hands, you begin to say yes to things you normally wouldn’t do.

I grew up seeing sorority girls in TV shows and movies but I never thought that would end up being me. They are nothing like how they are depicted on TV: self-centred, shallow, and mean.

Before starting university, I promised myself I would do just that, and I kept that promise. It made me realize how exciting the university experience can be. It’s all about what you make of it.

I’ve met some of the nicest and most downto-earth people through joining my sorority. I feel comfortable to be myself and share my vulnerability, and they have welcomed me with open arms. To incoming first years, my advice to you would be to get involved as much as possible.

There are clubs of all kinds, new friends, and fun events around every corner. You just need to grasp each opportunity presented to you. Make yourself seen and heard and lead the way to your own success and happiness. Be open-minded. Don’t close yourself off because you’re afraid; let that fear drive you.

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ARTICHOKE ARTICHOKE I hope your first year will be more normal than mine was and that soon entirely online learning will be a thing of the past. I survived my first year of university online by staying present: turning my camera on during zoom meetings, participating in discussions, and getting to know new faces. We shared the desire for the world to go back to normal and felt understood by each other. To those who kept their cameras off, that’s alright too. We are all dealing with this pandemic in different ways and it is important to respect our own needs. I was lucky to have TAs who made me feel supported. I formed relationships with people who I have never met in person but it feels like I’ve known them for years.

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First-year was a challenge in many ways.

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I took a full course load during the fall term and had moments where I felt like my brain was going to explode. I wrote essay after essay. That moment of relief after handing in an assignment did not last long before I had to move on to the next. It felt neverending. It was not difficult to become lost in a negative headspace. Sharing my feelings with the right people helped shed some light and open my mind to all the bright places. I decided to drop a course for the winter term to lessen my course load. It’s okay to slow down and prioritize your mental health when things become too much.

Looking back at it now, I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I came out the other end feeling proud and having more belief in myself. I achieved a lot more than I thought I ever could. I got accepted into my preferred stream for my program by trusting my ideas… and manifesting (it works!). Am I nervous about my second year of university? Yes. Do I know exactly what I’m doing? No, but I’m finding my way slowly, but surely. I’m excited for what is yet to come and I hope to feel even more accomplished by the end of the next school year. It’s gonna be a good one.

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ALUMNI’S GUIDE TO THE YU JUNGLE BY AVERY-ROSE HAMILTON

GOING TO UNIVERSITY can be an intimidating thought, and upon arriving at York for the first time, that may not dim. Fear not, as it is not as intimidating as it looks. I should know. As a graduate student returning to York U, I have some tips and tricks I would like to share with all of you readers, whether you are returning to York or just starting; whether you take my advice or not is up to you, but I hope I can help you in some regard. With everything being up in the air right now because of COVID-19, I will give you tips and tricks for both situations you may find yourself in.

If you are doing courses online, I would recommend finding a spot that has the least number of distractions, but if that is impossible, then simply remove distracting items from your spot until your class or classes are over. For example, I set up my computer at my desk whenever I have an online class. Before it starts, I move anything that might distract me away from my desk so I can focus on class.

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With many classes, the professors may record their classes or pre-record their lectures for you to watch at your convenience. This does not mean you should not take notes. Whether it is on your computer or by hand, I would recommend writing notes from the lectures so you can easily refer to them whenever you want to study or refresh your memory on a topic without having to refer to the video and look through it for the point you want.

For those new to campus, I would recommend printing out a campus map to keep on hand in your school bag. This campus is huge and getting turned around is a real thing. When I was living on campus, I found it immensely helpful, especially since my dorm and my classes were in buildings that were on opposite sides of campus. What helped me was that I took a map of the campus and marked the buildings where my dorm and my classes were. As I walked to any of these locations, I looked around for landmarks or visual cues that could tell me that I was at or near my destination. For example, whenever I try to locate the First Student Center, I look for the statue of two men colliding with each other.

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To all from an academic standpoint, do not be afraid to try new things. Going into your program you may already know what you want to do, and that is fine. I know people who came in wanting one thing, but are now pursuing something completely different. One of the best pieces of advice I was given when I first started, especially for those of you unsure of where you want to go, is to try several things. I am not saying to try every course that comes your way, but if a course sounds interesting to you, or may prove useful to you in the future, give it a try; if you do not like it, then you are free to drop out. Do not constantly say ‘no’, saying ‘yes’ is a way to be open to opportunities.

I have found that there will be days when I come back to my dorm and just need to relax for a bit, to just breathe for a moment before doing anything else. Also, whether I have had a good day or not, there are times when I need to get my favorite food from the York Lanes, take it back to my dorm room and just eat while watching something I enjoy; it helps me either calm down after a bad day or celebrate/reward myself for a good one. But whether you are on campus or not, try to give yourself breaks for ‘me time’. I know you are probably getting sick of hearing that from everyone especially during these frustrating COVID-19 times, but it is true. If you find yourself working a lot and/or feeling like you are about to fall apart, drop what you are doing and step back. Take a breath and do something you like to do, take all day if you must or even more than one. For me, I like to read or write or draw, watch a movie, or even take a walk around the neighborhood. The bottom line being that you are happy.

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Branching off that, plan your time appropriately. Look at your class schedule and consider how you work; only you know you best. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? How much time do you like to give yourself when doing a project or studying for a test? I am not saying have a strict schedule for every day of the week and stick to it, just roughly plan your day around your lifestyle and your class schedule while also giving yourself some ‘me time’ each day. And if you need to give yourself more ‘me time’ during the day, then go right ahead. You must find that balance between self care and academic excellence, only then will school possibly not drive you insane.

I hope you found these tips and tricks useful in some regard. Best of luck to you all in this new school year!

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TO MY FRESHMAN SELF BY KAMESHA RAMNARINE

CHARLES DICKENS PERFECTLY summed up the university experience: it truly is both the best of times and the worst of times. As of April 2021, I’ve officially completed two years of my undergrad degree. Nothing, and I mean nothing, could’ve prepared me for attending online and scrambling to grasp onto the university experience. As I move into my third year, there’s a lot I wish I knew as a freshman. I reached out to some friends to hear their thoughts as well. Here’s what we have to say.

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THE ADJUSTMENT If you’ve chosen to enter university immediately out of high school, be prepared to be unprepared. Many of us were warned that the transition is overwhelming and that we would feel it; still, no amount of advice could’ve actually prepared us for it. While I was fortunate to commute, I still felt homesick my first month of university. The days were much longer and it meant less time with my family. So, if you’re living on-campus, be ready to face a whirlwind of emotions. University is a much bigger and more diverse environment than anything you’ve ever experienced. This will create new troubles and problems, but it’ll also allow you to create some incredible memories. You’ll never be prepared for everything that your campus has to offer, so it’s better to anticipate and accept situations as they come.

Remember, it’s easy to be negative and consumed by your own thoughts. Although it might be difficult, remind yourself to be a little more positive; otherwise, the entire experience will slip by before you realize it. TAKE OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY COME Especially battling a pandemic, this one couldn’t be truer. I was notorious for pushing off fun events and believing that I would have time to attend those same events the following year. Then everything shut down and now there’s no idea of when, or if, I’ll ever get those opportunities again. If you are fortunate enough to be presented with incredible opportunities, take them. it. At the At the end of the day, you won’t remember the money you spent or the time that could’ve been used to write a paper, you’ll remember the experience. This piece of advice even extends to taking breaks. In order to avoid burnout,

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it is essential that you take a breather every now-and-then. Doing so will allow you to participate in more on-campus activities and become more exposed to life. Seriously, my greatest regret is not taking these opportunities when I had the chance. YOU’VE GOT TIME I spent a good chunk of my first year stressing. In fact, I stressed so much that I ended up procrastinating on most of my assignments. As I’m sure you can imagine, it only negatively affected my grades and put a damper on the start of my undergrad experience. It can be easy to become consumed by everyone else’s experience and comparing yourself to where they’re at. One of the beautiful things about university is that there are people from all walks of life. It’s a perfect reminder to do things on your own time. Don’t let other people’s timelines mess up your own.

It’s not worth it to obsess over things you can’t change. Remind yourself of how much you’ve achieved and what you’ve experienced—and if this is a consistent thought, it might be time to make some worthwhile changes. FRIENDSHIPS & RELATIONSHIPS My dad always used to say that the friends you make in university are lifelong connections. It wasn’t until I got here that I realized how true that is. You may not make friends within your first week, but once you adjust and open up, you’ll meet a lot of incredible people and create meaningful connections. University is a fantastic opportunity to surround yourself with friends who see you as more than competition. You’ll meet people who are at the same maturity level as you and connect with you deeply. Some people feel the need to change themselves in order to make

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you as you are and will make it known. Don’t feel pressured to find your best friends within your first semester (in fact, you likely won’t!). Give it time. The same goes for romantic relationships. Every teen drama shows an all encompassing romance within the first month of school. Although this might be the case for some people, for most of us, this simply isn’t the reality. Again, be patient and let life take its course. The longer you wait, the greater the reward will be. YOU CAN FAIL Failure is very common throughout university. You can actually fail tests, and perhaps even an entire course. You can study all month for an exam and not have it turn out the way you want. It might feel like the entire world is crashing around you and that nothing good will happen. And somehow, you’ll be okay.

You’ll figure out what you like to study and what you can’t stand to study. You’ll understand yourself better as a person and figure out what doesn’t work for you. You’ll learn to be resilient and push through the tough times. A bad experience will even teach you who’s there for you in a tough time and you’ll be able to find those deeper connections. So, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment, it somehow works itself out. TO MY FRESHMAN SELF, university is truly a messy, but beautiful mosaic of experiences. The uniqueness is what makes it so thrilling, and yes, even scary at some times. The best piece of advice I can give you is that you’ll never be truly prepared, so just embrace it.

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ADVICE: WHAT IS IT LIKE STARTING SCHOOL AS A FRESHMAN? BY INNA GORDEYEVA

AFTER MANY YEARS of watching films and having set expectations of what university life is like, I thought I knew what to expect. However, after my first week at York I realized that this experience is entirely mine to create. Although the lecture halls felt like a high school assembly, the difference was not seeing a single familiar face. In high school, making friends was somewhat easier, even as a new kid, because the classes were smaller. However, the way everyone went their own way in university made me become more independent. Making friends was a random and sudden occurrence rather than something mandatory which it felt like in high school. I did know a few people from high school on campus and our mutual past allowed us to become closer and even eat lunch together. It’s because of this, I recommend being open minded to the people you were not close with before, but may know on social media. You never know what kind of connections you can form given time.

Gradually, you introduce a new friend, they introduce a new friend, and eventually some sort of reciprocal group is formed allowing you to feel less alone. You will be surprised to find out how many freshmen are feeling the exact same way as you. The variety of electives you can take in first-year makes your life interesting; you get to determine which subjects you don’t fancy, and which ones you become invested in. I quickly learned geography was not my thing, while psychology intrigued and excited me. Later, courses became easier to choose, because I knew what classes I looked forward to attending. This is the way you become clearer about what you want to do as a career – it’s okay that you do not know right away – just stick to the courses that light you up and they will lead you, perhaps even to a program change, which in my opinion is a wonderful option. You are not wasting your time; you are discovering who you are.

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Hearing someone so sure about their school path early on can make you feel like you’re doing something wrong, but if you talk to school staff and others, you will find you’re not alone. University staff and students supported me by helping me understand how my path is unique and should never be compared to another’s. We all bring something special to the world and we all find ourselves in different ways. Comparison is the killer of all joy- you are not meant to know it all, and somebody who appears to, may just change their mind in a year. Just remember, nobody knows exactly what they are doing- just show up, listen, absorb what you heard, apply, and evolve at your own speed.

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EXPERIENCE

YORK’S CINEMA MEDIA STUDIES PROGRAM

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BY BRYDEN DOYLE I JOINED YORK’S Cinema and Media Studies program for one reason: to study film history and theory. Instead of making films, my career goal is to be a film critic like Roger Ebert, whose shows I watched religiously and whose writing I consumed voraciously in elementary school. Throughout high school, I posted film reviews on my Facebook page and later published them on Inside Halton’s website under a blog, “At the Movies with Bryden”. Re-reading my old reviews, I cringe at how surface-level my critiques are, but I’m grateful to have had the experience and I’m grateful to be at York, where I’ve been able to mingle with other students in the arts, expand my knowledge of film, and learn about career opportunities related to film studies.

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Growing up in Oakville and Burlington, I spent my free time watching the contemporary Hollywood fare that came to local multiplexes. Occasionally, my parents took me to Toronto to see independent or arthouse films, but usually, they were out of reach because I didn’t have my driver’s license. So, I had some blind spots going into film school. For instance, I’d never built up the courage to see Caché, a thriller by Michael Haneke, a director notorious for difficult, disturbing films. I’d seen films by Atom Egoyan and David Cronenberg, but I was completely unfamiliar with Indigenous filmmakers like Alanis Obomsawin. I’m happy to have been exposed to works outside of what’s at my local Cineplex or works that I might not have sought out as quickly on my own, if at all.

Some of my film professors have been discouraging, like one who said we were going to hate them for screening Caché, yet it turned out to be an exceptionally stimulating viewing experience. The film unfolds largely in wide shots that don’t explicitly signal where to look on screen. I liked how it forced me to change how I looked at the screen. One moment in the film made about half the class gasp, indicating how gripped people were by the film. Afterwards, a group of students and I huddled outside to ponder the film’s ending. Coming from a high school where extracurriculars were primarily sports, it was refreshing to be around kids who were as passionate about film and TV as I was. One of the things I miss most about in-person classes is the spontaneity of debate with classmates, either during or

after class. Additionally, my film courses have provided me with historical context that allows for richer film analysis. This past year, I took a course called “New Waves: 1960s-1980s”, which focused on different waves of international cinema, including French New Wave and New German Cinema. For my final essay, we had a list of topics to choose from and I chose to write about how Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Ali: Fear Eats the Soul represented New German Cinema. I liked the film when I initially watched it for class, but upon further researching New German Cinema’s history, I gained

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a deeper appreciation for how the film used its interracial love story to critique Germany’s shameful history of Nazism, German films that celebrated the homeland (a.k.a., Heimat films), and German film audiences.

As much as I enjoy film studies, I often worry about finding a career in the field. I read an article in which multiple critics offered advice to aspiring film writers and a good number of them said, “Don’t do it” (it was facetious, but demoralizing nonetheless). I still want to be a film critic, even though I likely won’t be able to rely

on it as my sole source of income. What’s been intriguing about my program is learning about other potential career paths. In my introductory film class, we had to curate a series of films revolving around a theme of our choice. Another classmate and I chose to program a series of films about grief. We did well on the assignment, but I also enjoyed finding different films that conversed with each other, even if they were different genres (e.g. I followed up Karyn Kusama’s horror film The Invitation with Sofia Coppola’s coming-of-age drama The Virgin Suicides). I’d never considered being a film programmer, but now it strikes me

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In my remaining time at York, I look forward to learning more about film theory and history, and of course, watching more films. Even in the most difficult moments of studying for my Cinema and Media Studies degree, it’s still ultimately about watching and talking about films, and that’s more than enough to keep me going.

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one viewer. BY SIDDHARTH KOYAL

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WHAT I’M ABOUT to say may sound privileged, and entitled, and snobby, and more variations of the same word, but I’ve never had a job before. That’s right. In 21 years of living, I’ve never had a job. Mostly because I’ve never needed it. I had no professional aspirations that drove me to want to get a job or any financial requirement that would require me to get a job (that would be the entitled thing I was talking about earlier), but things changed this year for me. When I got back to Toronto this year, after spending 8 months back home post my very brief first semester at York, I realized one thing: I couldn’t go back home for a while, but I also didn’t want to keep burdening my parents with the financial stresses that come with living in this city, or more appropriately, on campus. Deciding that my summer would be completely self-financed (a feat I never thought possible), I started looking for a job. Luckily, someone I knew recommended I apply to the Institute for Social Research (ISR), a public organization that conducts surveys on behalf of a variety of clients, which operates out of the DB Building, right here on campus. Now, I know that conducting surveys sounds like a glamorous job, but I can assure you, it isn’t. As of July 2021, I’ve conducted roughly 100+ surveys over 6 months, and it’s been an experience that’s been full of ups and downs. Conducting surveys across Canada dealing with a variety of topics like healthcare, physical activity, climate change etc. you get to speak to a variety of people, and you very quickly learn

this idea of “There are all kinds”. As a film student, I’ve learnt that talking to people, seeing how they behave, how they talk to you, and things like that, can be very useful in getting a good idea of character, and I’ve spoken to all kinds of characters. As much as I’d like to say most of them not were nice people, it’s the ones who are didn’t that tend to stick out the most. One of my favourite instances happened during a long shift where no one was picking up the phone. Finally, this woman picked up, did the survey, and then at the end of it said something along the lines of “I know how hard your job is, and I know people can be mean, but you never know what someone’s going through”, and then regaled me with a story from her childhood where her father taught her that lesson. I think back to that story and keep it in mind whenever I encounter some person who isn’t the kindest.

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Another unexpected positive of this job was the people. Not the ones on the phone, but instead, those sitting around me (socially distanced of course). Given that the job has no serious qualification, students from any degree can apply, and this has become a great way for me to make friends during a time when our peers are only seen through boxes on a screen. I’ve met students from psychology, political science, law and society, computer science, and so many

more streams, all of us brought together just because we applied to the same place. Whenever I do think about this job, it isn’t the hours of menial dialling, but instead, it’s the breaks in between to get Tim’s or something under the quad, discussing the people we spoke to that day, comparing how many surveys we’ve done, and talking about our plans for the weekend, our classes, possibly going out after work, or going for a bike ride after the Saturday shift.

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One of the main reasons I wrote this piece is not to propagate where I work or tell you how bad or good my job is, but instead, to in some way push you towards getting an on-campus job as well. I remember it being hard to juggle when I had winter classes and the job, but I also remember it being fulfilling. After 2020, where I stayed home all day with nothing to do except binge Netflix, having my first job be in a city that’s not my home (yet), be so irregular when it comes to first jobs, and be in a place where I’ve got to make more friends than I did in an entire semester at York all made it worthwhile. That being said, maybe you don’t need or want to get a job, and that’s okay too. If you’re anything like me though, sick of boxes on screens, and sick of being at home all day with nowhere to go, having a job can be a fun experience and something that’ll help you fund all those extra-curricular activities you don’t want your parents knowing about *wink-winknudge-nudge*.

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RETURN TO “NORMAL” BY EDUARDO GUERRA

NOW THAT THE vaccine is rolling out and people are getting their shots, the world is slowly returning to some sense of normal. Even though things are opening up again, which is great as some of use really need a haircut, there is still a feeling of anxiousness and fear with a post-vaccine world. I bet there are some of you who can relate, thinking, “Yeah, I’m kinda scared of returning to normal.” The only thing that’s normal about all this is that feeling of anxiety. We’ve been locked in our homes for what feels like forever, and now we just have to act like nothing happened? No, we can’t just slip into social settings like it’s easy. Not everyone can adjust to “normal” so easily... and that’s okay. We’ve gone through so much this past year and have been forced to grow and change in ways we never thought we would have to. People have had to reevaluate what’s really important in their lives. Even though I’ve been using the phrase “return to normal”, it is simply not true. There will never be a normal like the one we had before the pandemic. We can not return to it. Not all of use know how to navigate this new world we’ll be going into now that many of us are vaccinated, and it is okay to take it slowly. I’m not saying we should stay in forever, but I am saying it’s okay not to go out right away. Regardless, school is opening up again, and not all of use are ready to return to it so eagerly. Not all of us can casually sit in a lecture hall, even with the restrictions put in place with the reopening stages. All I want to say is don’t feel alone, when it comes to the worried emotions you may be feeling with things starting to open again.

TAKE YOUR TIME. BREATHE AND RELAX.

Edward S. Curtis

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Orange Shirt Day: Becoming A Settler BY SERENA LAM

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A CHILD, I would lie in bed wishing I were someplace else.

I was born and raised in Hong Kong, yet I spoke English, French, and only enough Cantonese to get by. Americanization warped my childhood and I was disconnected from my own culture. My queerness only further romanticized the West and its freedoms. From an early age, I was determined to move to another country. Of course, the curtains fell as I grew older, and I grew out of my disillusionment with Western countries. I came to learn of the various sets of oppressive systems in place, and I became aware that Canada, unsurprisingly, had its own. That did not stop me though; my lack of belonging prevailed. I knew reality was far from the American dream bullshit I had been fed as a child, but I was still determined to move overseas; new beginnings and all. Ironically, that wish comes true today as I cling to a lifeboat, looking back on the fading autonomy of my home, its future clouded in oblivion. -

Over the summer, my socials became awash with headline after headline as the number of indigenous children found in unmarked graves climbed at each new discovery site. I admit ashamedly, I knew little about Canada’s history up until that point, and it was jarring. Another curtain had fallen for me. At that moment, something I had never considered before hit me: in becoming an immigrant, I was going to become a settler. I was going to be a part of the problem. Having the privilege to even immigrate felt like I was reaping the benefits of colonialism. All of it felt so wrong and needless to say, it made me extremely uncomfortable. All my misguided childhood yearning had built up this desire to find belonging in a foreign country, yet it had only just occurred to me that I would be stepping foot on stolen land. For a few days, I wallowed in immobile guilt: it was unproductive and self-centred. But eventually, I snapped out of it. Whatever I was feeling, I was centring the narrative around myself, and all it did was create a self-serving quest for absolution rather than a long-term commitment to playing my part in fighting for justice. -

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colonial impacts of assimilation. So now, leading up to this day of observance, I am confronting the privilege I have from my position as a settler. Acknowledging Positions Of Privilege First and foremost, I intend to keep on with the process of learning and selfintrospection. With the whitewashed history we are fed, adopting a growth mindset is crucial, given all the learning and unlearning we need to do for ourselves.

September 30th marks the annual Orange Shirt Day, otherwise known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which serves as a day of remembrance for the victims of the genocidal residential ‘school’ system. Its namesake hails from Phyllis Jack Webstad’s experience of being stripped of her orange shirt upon arrival at a residential ‘school’. This made her feel insignificant, like no one cared, thereby creating associations of worthlessness with the colour orange. Today, the colour symbolizes the harmful impacts of residential ‘schools’ that attempted to strip children of their indigenous identity. While we are all encouraged to wear orange on this memorial day, the real work begins with educating ourselves about the genocidal practices of these residential ‘schools’ and working to combat the lasting

I try to do my own reading from the plethora of authentic resources available out there as I know first-hand just how exhausting it is to educate people who believe that they are entitled to your free emotional labour. Your indigenous friends and acquaintances do not owe you anything. Your ignorance and your education are your responsibility, not anyone else’s. Don’t be that person. Most importantly, over the summer, I sat with my privilege and reflected on the implications of my position. It was an uncomfortable process. After all, I had always assumed that the label I would grow into was ‘immigrant’. This new one, ‘settler’, scared me because of its complicity in a colonial system of oppression. I was excited to move to a whole new country and start fresh, but I was beginning to feel like my happiness came at the cost of the oppression of a whole people. Yet, acknowledging your privilege does not mean claiming responsibility for colonial atrocities. Rather, you simply shoulder that blame in upholding their legacy when you do not do anything. While we don’t choose the positions we hold in society,

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Something I had never co in becoming an immigran a settler. I was going to be

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onsidered before hit me: nt, I was going to become e a part of the problem.

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we do choose the roles we play in the fight for social justice. And I have come to realize that true complicity lies not in the position you are placed in, but in conscious inaction. Indeed, it took some hard self-examination through guilt, disgust and regret, but essentially, all I was doing was facing reality. Instead of drowning in such selffocused emotions, let your discomfort fuel your action in solidarity. And quickly, because we don’t get to just sit around learning and growing, claiming change. Supporting Indigenous Initiatives Whether by signing a petition, donating and volunteering with community collectives, or supporting small businesses and artists, grassroots indigenous initiatives need your support. By investing your time and efforts in such, your direct engagement rehumanizes an entire people and systemic violence no longer seems like a distant intangible problem. In fact, my own personal journey has led me to re-evaluate my giving capabilities. Growing up, money was always a worry in the back of my head. This led me to develop a saving mindset, where I only dreamed of the future in which I had the financial stability to share and donate. Yet recently, I began to reconsider my self-prioritization, an ultimately internalized capitalist habit I am still unlearning. Playing my part in dismantling an oppressive system should not only come after my advancement in society. That would mean choosing to uphold an oppressive system until I felt ‘comfortable enough’ to start tearing it down.

I also started to challenge the reasoning of donations, which typically reflects well on the donor, showcasing their kindness and generosity. It almost places the donor on a pedestal, when in reality, aren’t we all just paying our dues in rent and reparations? With such revelations in mind, I suddenly felt overwhelmed. The number of great projects out there was inspiring, but it felt unfair to be a part of one and not the other. However, I have come to understand that there is no sense in overextending ourselves: when we choose to focus on particular initiatives that speak most to ourselves, there is plenty of support to go around. Uplifting Indigenous Voices Finally, no matter how big or small your platform may be, we all have our own unique social spheres and circles of

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people that only we can get through to. We each, therefore, have an obligation to start important conversations with the people around us on the deep-rooted problems in society and government that perpetuate the oppression of indigenous peoples. I always find it helpful to formulate my beliefs into words through discussions, which works to deepen my understanding of different issues. Besides, I consume a lot of educational content on my social media, so it only makes sense to pass on ones that I find particularly enlightening. Personally, the amount of content I share varies with my mental health, but with the wave of performative activism, there was a time during which I felt like I simply had to share every single educational resource I came across to prove that I genuinely cared. Nowadays, there are posts that I save, others that I share with certain friends, and others I repost. There are days where I prefer to process things alone and others where I am eager to share new things I’ve learnt, and that’s okay. Do play your part in spreading awareness, but don’t take it upon yourself to be the sole conduit for others’ education. The important thing about raising awareness is that you simply aim to raise awareness, not just because you feel obligated to do so. On that note, the distinction between sharing news about violent acts of injustice and sensationalizing the creation of tragedy porn must be made. The latter, especially without trigger warnings, only reinforces trauma and the synonymity of indigeneity and oppression. It plays off the shock factor as a call to action, but just like guilt, it only encourages insincere compensatory acts of benevolence.

Indigenous people are more than their trauma. They are creators. They are nurturers. They are healers. They are leaders. They are expansive and will not be reduced to the acts of their oppressors. And the best way to continue the fight for indigenous freedoms and the work to dismantle colonial power structures is to center indigenous voices and to uplift them using our spaces of privilege.

All of this long-term work is encouraged for Orange Shirt Day, but it most certainly spans beyond just that day. Guilt and shock fuel short-term recompense, but true commitment to action is fueled by a continuous determination to see both accountability and justice in our lifetime. So everything you do to pay your dues, do it out of genuine commitment. Right now, I speak to you as your resident queer Asian non-binary femme immigrant settler. We are all composed of a myriad of identities that make us both the oppressed and the oppressor, but while I could dwell on all the other ways I feel oppressed, I am choosing to recognize my privilege as a settler and vowing to do something about it. I need to do better. We need to do better. So on September 30th, I will be mournfully remembering all the stolen indigenous lives and listening to the stories of survivors and their families. Of course, I will be wearing orange in solidarity for Orange Shirt Day, and donning that shirt shall serve as my solemn promise to be unrelenting in my activism and committed to taking action.

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the quest for

Creative Artistry BY JOSHUA CEA

WHEN I WAS accepted into an immersive arts program, back in highschool, the first few months were tough in terms of meeting new classmates, but slowly, I embraced the creativity that was being cultivated in the corridors of my new high school. By the time I reached senior year, everyone knew each other and there was a sense of belonging. You could walk through the hallways and there was always someone around the corner who knew you.

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It created an atmosphere of trust, and while resources and funding were limited for the arts program, the students tried to create an artistic environment. Some of my classmates went on to Ontario College of Arts and Design, but I chose a liberal arts program at York University. While some might see a divergence in terms of career paths, I saw it being in a similar vein to those who pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Creativity is universally expressed on paper, be it through writing the next short story, drafting up lyrics for a song, or drawing up a quick sketch, or jotting down an idea--it is all expressed through pen and paper. It takes fine tuning a skill to create something from nothing. Expressing something through a creative medium is a feeling that’s experienced in full through one’s passion and commitment to push through to the final product. It also involves looking for inspiration.

I remember the countless times that I would stop by Accolade East Building and delve deep into the art pieces displayed, or I would make my way across the city to take advantage of the student discount offered by the Art Gallery of Ontario. I often found myself hanging out with friends and going art gallery hunting around Shaw and Queen Street looking. The quest for creative output is never ending, and at times, can be addicting. It is always changing. Just when you thought you knew everything about a certain art style, genre, or even artist, you may find something that just turns everything you thought you knew on its head.

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WHAT

ME M

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NSPIRES

MOST

II VALUE VALUEEXPRESSION EXPRESSION of of all all forms formsso soI Ifind find myself myself yearning yearning to to let let out out an an emotion, emotion, thought, thought, fantasy, fantasy, desire, desire, infatuation, infatuation,or or sometimes sometimes aa creation creation for for the the sake sakeof of creating creating when when II intuitively intuitively sense senseititisistime time to to materialize materialize it. it. Something Something about about seeing seeing itit physically physically come to life makes me feel like come to life makes me feel likeIIhave have released released itit into into the the universe universe and andIIdo do not not have have to to keep keep itit inside inside any any longer. longer. II like like to to create create works works of of art art as as aaway wayof of respecting respecting those those artists artists who who helped helpedme me through through phases phases of of my my life. life. II do dothis thisin in admiration admiration of of their their being being and andenergy. energy. II bring fantasies to life which play bring fantasies to life which playout outin in my my head head so so II can can feel feel as as ifif II am amin inaafairy fairy tale tale using using any any art art medium medium suitable suitablefor forthe the

BY INNA GORDEYEVA

vibe. vibe.When WhenI Ifeel feelaastrong strongemotion emotionabout about something, something,I Ilet letititout outin inmy mypoetry, poetry,even even the thesmallest smallestpoem poemof ofwhat whatI Iwould wouldwant want to tosay sayor ordo door orhow howI Iconceptualize conceptualizethe the changes within me helps me feel release. changes within me helps me feel release. My Myvulnerability vulnerabilityand andinternal internalworld worldinspire inspire my myart artbecause becauseonce onceupon uponaatime timeI Iwas was sure it was wrong to be vulnerable and sure it was wrong to be vulnerable and my myworld worldwas wasdark darkand andjaded jadedbecause mostly itbecause was secret. Now even Now if I doeven feel dark, it was secret. if I do Ifeel express those emotions throughthrough my art dark, I express those emotions in whichever form I am called work to my art in whichever form I amto called with. artMy has greatly contributed to my workMy with. art has greatly contributed healing and self-empowerment journey, to my healing and self-empowerment and I wholeheartedly believe there is an journey, and I wholeheartedly believe artist in each one of us. there is an artist in each one of us.

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N EW B EG I N I NG S F R O LD LI K E N E S S

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ROM M Y BY MEGAN DE SOUSA

SITUATED AMID THE heavy breath of the fluorescent cafeteria, I was being haunted by the whispers which stung my ears. Serrated eyes sliced into me, pretentious fingers waving as if lecturing me not to make another mistake; not to try to be a distorted mirage, not to be. I was latent, existing but not really, between those old rusted temporary buildings. How curious I was about evading the reshares, the repetition of my name. Would I ever disappear from this wry likeness? When I had an opportunity for new beginnings, it came in the form of a gem who gleamed from her chair, focused on the neat words that she so scribbled. Without hesitation, like it was destiny, I plucked myself off of the cold cement and into the uncomfortable, sickly-green chair across from her.

“Hi, let’s be friends”, I announced like a facsimile of my younger self, content to befriend any warm body around me. But it appeared that not only did I reach my fate, but finally I felt my naturality return; I was retrieved by a jewel. Here, at university, I accepted that I would have to languidly leer at my sneakers for another four years. Here, I had forged new beginnings, grew new sunflowers and finally, began to tend to myself.

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THE COMING FALL BY INNA GORDEYEVA “AS LEAVES FALL, so do limiting beliefs I grow tall beyond what others can see Changes ahead because it starts with me and I choose to live abundantly. “

This coming fall, I am excited to work on my time management skills. I think everybody should reach a point in their journey where they finally take accountability and control of their lives—I have reached this point. I look forward to cultivating an abundance mindset after fearing for so long that life was out to get me and going after dreams I thought I could never achieve. As I just graduated, I feel like life is just beginning, so if you are new at York, please do not accept the “this is it’’ mentality. There is always more to come, and the beauty is that we get to create it, and be the leaders of our own lives. This fall I will be prioritizing my mental health, nourishing my body with good food, establishing a consistent morning and night routine, expanding my knowledge as I continue my education and remain grateful for every moment which led me to this point. Fall is the most serene time of year and I look forward to being outside and working on my inner world, creating a space of love, peace, and joy. I am ever changing, and I get to decide who I am becoming and what my life looks like.

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SEASONAL MIGRATION BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS

A MONARCH BUSTLES alone in the milkweed, hunting for ripeness. It flies down, around rainbow rays, hungry for a petrichor breeze. Like a newborn lusting after a disappearing habitat, it stretches its glistening orange-black wings.

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Mom sings, tending to her shrubs, but it doesn’t perch, ready for flight, forewings facing south. The monarch rattles the bell chimes in its passing, stripping them of their secrets, asclepias tuberosa wilting in its wake. September sighs, When has my seasonal depression ever kept you from migration?

By yellowed grass, pertinacious green leaves unfurl in pool water. Sunburnt neighbours pack new school bags in orange-tinted windows, my suitcase packed in the van, not quite ready to leave our cocoons. The late heat cools in the evening that settles, summer trapped in mom’s ambrosia-scented dryer sheets.

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Be You “A healthy body image means being content with this vessel you were given, it’s not for rent. It means that you like the way you look, not just what’s on the cover, but what’s inside the book.” BY CAROLINE FEBBRARO

A HEALTHY BODY image means being content with this vessel you were given, it’s not for rent. It means that you like the way you look, not just what’s on the cover, but what’s inside the book. It’s how you judge yourself and judge others. It’s accepting the genes you got from your mother. It’s admitting you aren’t inferior. It’s how you look at the person in the mirror. What do you see? A girl, no, a woman full of doubts, one-hundred percent human. Made of curves, tummy rolls, stretch marks, cellulite, and an army on her own putting up a fight. Keeper of a mind consumed by fear, that she should be covering up there and here. Scared that

you may look fat, or, if not, maybe gawked at because to standard you look sick. You took the words of the worst critic and accepted them as reality.

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Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be

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Twisting and plucking where skin hangs loose, all these shortcomings you didn’t choose. But body image isn’t just about size, it’s what a healthy weight is in your eyes. It’s what you do because of what you feel. It’s how you eat and which meals. It’s why women may be so depressed and why our bodies are oppressed. Morphed by ideals based on ethnicity beauty seems to reach no authenticity. Time complicates it further with new trends, new diets and social fiends. And to no fault of your own, you give in, after all, all our lives we are told to be thin.

The world wants some sort of fantasy, an attractive, young form of ecstasy. And why? Because the media says so, because these are the bodies that they show to inspire impressionable women.

What if we shut off our minds and left our apprehensions behind? What if we created our own kind of beauty and abandoned cultural duties? Perhaps we’d be able to practice positivity and encourage physical inclusivity.

Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be Be You Be You Be You Be You Be

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Maybe there would be no need to change if we all fit within a range rather than ascribed to a binary, something completely imaginary. Maybe one day this will come true, but for now, all you can do, is just try to be you.

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