Link46-11 by BCITSA BCITSA

ITCHY ANSWERS BCIT hosts Dragon’s Den hopefuls • pg 4

You have a human duty to educate against discrimination • pg 11

February 23rd, 2011 • Issue 46-11

Bullying: It’s not just a kid thing • pg 6

2 Editorial

BCIT Link • Feb 23 to Mar 9

Adult Bullying It’s a problem that sadly still exists across all Canadian campuses Brenna Temple Editor

ebruary 23rd, is Anti-Bullying Day: keep your eye out pink shirts around campus. The act of donning a pink shirt is part of an incredible movement for raising awareness about bullying. However, nowadays, this demeaning form of harassment isn’t limited to the child population anymore. With the advent of texting, Face-

book, and Twitter, adult bullying has become an experience that’s becoming increasingly common—and right now, it shows no signs of stopping. Perhaps one of the biggest problems with bullies is that they believe they won’t face consequences when they harass people online. Of course, for the victim, suffering at the hands of this type of harassment is the equivalent of a slap across the face. But let’s not forget the usual kinds of bullying we’re so used to hearing about too, the sorts that we deal with in person or indirectly through gossip and rumors. While reading this you might be thinking, “So what? Can’t these victims just do something about the problem?” It’s not that easy. According to research conducted in 2005 called Workplace Bullying in Academia: A Cana-

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flected the same attitude, meaning they likely attempted to sit out the problem while being forced to suffer. The matter was not that resources weren’t available, but rather that they weren’t effective enough in aiding students suffering from the afflictions of bullies. But let’s get back to one of the fastest growing forms of harassment that’s facilitated by the ever glorified world wide web: cyberbullying. According to a Microsoft Canada survey released in 2009, one in four young people in British Columbia have suffered at the hands of cyber-bullies while one in five admitted to bullying others online. The whopping amount of 40 per cent of Canadian youth who participated in the survey said they had been victimized by online bullying, up from the 2004 statistic of 25 per cent. BCIT has resources that can

Campus Query What are some solutions to bullying in schools today? Chad Klassen | Assistant Editor

www.bcitstudentnewspaper.ca

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dian Study by Ruth Mckay, Diane Huberman, Arnold, Jae Fratzi and Roland Thomas, student victims might be worried their college won’t take their problems seriously. The research of this study was conducted at a mid-sized Canadian university and according to its results, “a recurring theme among the respondents [was] a lack of action by the university administration to deal with the problem.” One comment received by a participant that stands out reads, “The issues just hang there—I don’t know where it’s going—if anywhere at all, and that feels very alienating and grossly unfair. It seems that the university doesn’t like to deal with these issues and I am left to deal with it on my own.” Many of the additional comments by other participants re-

bcit_link

Phone: 604.456.1167 Ads: 604.432.8974 Fax: 604.431.7619 The Link is the student newspaper of the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Published bi-weekly by the BCIT Student Association (BCITSA), The Link circulates 3,000

copies to over 16,000 students, faculty and staff. Publications Manager: Alicia Agarrabeitia publications@bcitsa.ca 604.456.1167 Editor: Brenna Temple linkeditor@bcitsa.ca AssistantEditor: Chad Klassen linkassistanteditor @bcitsa.ca

Joel Ellis Mechanical Engineering

People seem to get along at BCIT. In high school there’s definitely bullying, but I don’t know what they could do to prevent that. Maybe the lunch monitors can try to break stuff up.

Colin Burton Marketing

Kim Boothe Marketing Management

Dan Butler International Business

Charlene Anderson Human Resources

A lot of kids are affected negatively by it. I didn’t get bullied, but I saw lots of it and I didn’t really do anything about it because I didn’t want to get bullied myself.

Education and having assemblies and teaching it in classrooms would be good ideas.

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help victims like these deal with their problems. However, there’s no saying they won’t suffer the way students cited in the survey mentioned above. They wanted help from college resources, but doing so just didn’t help. There’s no saying as to whether BCIT’s inevitable bullying victims will overcome their demons or suffer from permanent scars instead. There is hope though. Check out our feature to find valuable information in regards to bullying—if you aren’t experiencing the problem yourself then perhaps you can pass it on to a friend who is. There are plenty of ways to confidentially deal with being bullied and you should feel confident knowing that being able to feel secure and safe in your every day environment isn’t just a nice thought: it’s a human right.

Culture Coordinator: Sarah Massah linkcultureeditor @bcitsa.ca

Dom Audette Luvia Petersen Mana Mansour Nathan Lowther Sonia Stirling

Link Writers: Caley Ramsay Jessica Rivers Julia Montague Justin Morissette

Advertising Sales: Dan Close marketing@bcitsa.ca 604.432.8974

Contributors: Amy Wilding

The views in The Link are not necessarily those of BCIT, BCITSA, the

I haven’t been bullied myself, but just spreading the awareness is really important. But it needs to begin in elementary school, not in high school because kids are already set in their ways.

I think you build awareness and teach it early on. Kindergarteners should be learning about not bullying.

Editorial Staff, or the Publications Manager. As a member of Canadian University Press (CUP), The Link adheres to the CUP code of ethics and will not publish any material deemed by the editors to be sexist, racist, homo/hetero phobic or in poor taste.

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News in brief Brenna Temple Editor

News

BCIT Link • Feb 23 to Mar 9

BCIT Associate Dean Publishes Book

Top Calgary Business Leader Hits the Big Time at BCIT

BCIT Named Top Employer in British Columbia

CIT’s associate dean Dr. Robert Stevens has published a book about mineral exploration and mining essentials. The book talks about many aspects of the mining industry. “This richly illustrated book provides a thorough overview of the industry from the exploration phase to mine closure and reclamation,” says the BCIT website. The book began at BCIT as a learning tool in Stevens’ classes. “The book was developed out of a manual that Dr. Robert Stevens prepared for a BCIT course on the exploration and mining industry for the business and investment community,” adds the BCIT website.

alented business leader Pommashea Noel-Bentley can now be recognized as BCIT’s Vice President of Alumni and Development and CEO as well as the CEO of the BCIT Foundation. Noel-Bentley has a variety of achievements under her belt. “Pommashea was previously recognized as one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 business leaders,” and “she is the only Canadian to be awarded the U.S. Council for Advancement in Education’s (CASE) prestigious Warwick Award for Outstanding Master’s Thesis for her study focused on the creation of a model to measure stakeholder accountability,” says the BCIT website.

BCIT host Dragon’s Den hopefuls Aspiring businesspeople converged on BCIT’s downtown campus hoping their innovative idea resonates with dragons Chad Klassen Assistant Editor

ancouver entrepreneurs got a chance to pitch their business concept at BCIT’s downtown campus on Saturday, February 19th. Producers of CBC’s rapidly-growing reality show Dragons’ Den visited the downtown campus and listened intently as people took their best shot to persuade them. Every idea, from social media campaigns to sprinkler systems to hot dog stands, was put forth as people hope to take one step closer to the dragons. Dragons’ Den, which launched in 2006, has provided Canadians a unique opportunity to present their idea with the hope of partnering up with one of the five millionaires judges. The Vancouver auditions were the show’s fifth stop on their 38-city tour across the country, following up on their visit to Victoria last Thursday. Producers launched their journey February 12th in Toronto before making their way out West, and for the next month and a half they’ll bounce back and forth, from coast to coast. This is the build-up to the sixth season and with over two million now tuning in, associate producer Michelle MacMillan says the dragons are dying for fresh ideas – and passion – from Canadians. “The viewers have really got on board

with the show, and now that two million watch every week, we’ve got to please them. We’ve got to find new, more amazing things for them – bigger and better every year,” says MacMillan, who expects to see more than 3,000 people on their Canada-wide journey. “You have to remember we’re making a TV show about business, not just business on TV,” added MacMillan. “You have to start getting creative; that’s something a lot of people don’t understand.” The Dragons’ Den accepts people of all different business background. There are some who have no experience but want to share their idea, while others already run successful businesses and want to increase revenue flow, says MacMillan. But unique concepts the dragons would want to buy into takes precedent over experience, according to MacMillan. Applicants from Saturday’s show-off will find out their fate at the end of March. That’s when the successful will pitch their concepts again and find out whether they’ll be on camera when CBC begins filming of season six in April and May. The Dragons’ Den production team will make six different trips around the province, including a March 19th return to the BCIT downtown campus. Two days later, they’ll make their final B.C. stop in Abbotsford.

hen it comes to exceptional jobs, BCIT is doing a great job. Employers in the BC’s Top Employers competition were judges from different areas according to the BCIT website. “BCIT’s maternity and parental leave top-up payments for new mothers (to 95% of salary for 52 weeks) as well as parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 85% of salary for 37 weeks) are listed as two of the reasons the Institute was selected as a Top Employer,” says the BCIT website. BCIT was also recognized for providing its employees with a work-life balance, professional development opportuities, and a pension plan according to the press release.

4 News

BCIT Link • Feb 23 to Mar 9

Growing local food produces security B.C. community groups are looking to increase local food production Nathan Lowther The Martlet (University of Victoria)

s a province, B.C. imports more than half of its food. Canada as a whole imported about $24 billion worth of food in 2007. And when you live on one of the small Gulf Islands between Victoria and Vancouver, just about all your food comes from somewhere else. A report recently released by the Islands Trust recognizes this and wants local food production to be considered when determining land use priorities. The Islands Trust is essentially the municipal government for the Gulf Islands, with a specific mandate on land use issues. Their report, titled “Exploring Food Security in the Islands Trust Area,” highlights some of the challenges farmers and other food producers in the Trust Area face. “Really the intent of it is to make a case that when you plan for food, you’re really planning for everyone, because everyone eats,” said Kaitlin Kazmierowski, a planner with the Islands Trust and co-author the report. “It’s a simple way of thinking about it, but it’s really true because if you can incorporate food into all your long-term planning considerations for how land is being used, you’re going to wind up with a very holistic, diverse community.” Kazmierowski hopes the report will create discussion around some of the barriers that exist for local food producers. She cites the rising cost of land as one key barrier, noting that arable land is increasingly worth more developed than planted with crops. This places food security for Trust Area residents at risk. “I know Salt Spring produces maybe five per cent of what it eats, and it’s by far the largest island in the Trust Area, and probably with the most infrastructure for local food and local producing,” Kazmierowski said. “And then when you factor in things like ferries and peak oil and climate change you start to see it’s quite precarious.” Read the rest of this article at www.bcitstudentnewspaper.ca

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BCITSA Info & News

Executive Weigh In Message from your Aerospace Technology Campus Chair: Dom Audette

S Would you be interested in designing the 2011-2012 student agenda cover? The BCITSA is looking for a student to design the cover for next year’s agenda. Design specs are as follows: Info: • Anyone interested is allowed to submit up to 3 designs maximum. • The candidate that is chosen will receive $150, a credit in the agenda, and copies for their portfolio. • Student must be willing to make slight modifications to the file upon request to do so (such as adding the BCITSA logo, etc). Specs: • 6.75x9.25inches (plus 0.25 bleed) • Full Colour (CMYK) • Required Copy: 2011-2012 BCITSA Student Agenda • Must include space at bottom right for the BCITSA logo • Files must be in pdf format

pring time is on the way! It has been a cold, wet, and gray winter, but thedays are getting longer, brighter and warmer, and pretty soon the BCIT Student Association is going to hold their annual Executive Election. Perhaps you’ve seen the BCITSA around? Gotten a BCIT t-shirt at Geared Up, enjoyed a frosty beverage at Professor Mugs, or a hot one from The Stand? Maybe you read articles in this very publication, or like to attend events like LAN Parties, Pool Tournaments, Airplane building contests, and themed educational events on campus? The BCITSA is responsible for a very broad range of things, these included. If you need something printed in a professional manner, Ctrl P is there, or if you need help because you are being unjustly treated in any way, there exists a super-hero called the Advocate whom you can call for help. There are too many facets for me to list, but they’re all an integral part of our school life. Do you like what you see? Do you want to be a part of it? Do you want to help fuel the awesome machine that is the BCITSA? Keep your eyes peeled, and when the time comes, jump into the race to be an Elected Executive.

Social media: BCITSA

Deadline is April 4th, 2010 at 12 noon. All submissions and/or questions can be emailed to publications@bcitsa.ca

Fill out the survey at the back of your student agenda and be entered into a draw to win a $250 Gap Adventures Travel Voucher! Deadline is March 4th! Drop it off at the Uconnect in SE2. * The BCITSA Info & News Page is designed for the BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) to showcase the Association’s projects or events. The advertising on this page does not necessarily reflect the views of the Link or its staff.

6 Feature

BCIT Link • Feb 23 to Mar 9

Bullying: It's not just a kid thing How to deal with bullys Brenna Temple Editor

ong past are the days when bullying was considered a problem isolated to children and teens. Unfortunately some kids never really grow up, so bullying may well be something that’s followed you into your work place or school scene. But not to worry—there are ways to deal with bullying that don’t involve using your fists.

the way you’re treating me. Please stop or I’ll have to take this problem to upper management.” • Record each event, email, comment, or whatever else you receive from your bully. • Keep your boss updated on the situation as they have a legal obligation to provide you with a healthy and safe work environment.

portunity to fully participate in their learning environment and understand their rights and responsibilities • Let your teachers know what’s up if you’re comfortable doing so. They have an obligation to make sure your learning environment is healthy and safe. • Check out BCIT’s online guide to dealing with bullying at www.bcit.ca/harassment

Different Types of Bullying and How to Deal

Textism

Useful phone lines

Cyber-bullying

With the advent of the web, it’s becoming easier for people to bully each other for various reasons. For the most part, people have an easier time confronting others on websites like Facebook or Twitter than they do in person. Here’s how to deal: • Become accustomed to using the block button. Forget limiting that person from your wall; if they’re not nice enough to keep the mean comments from coming, then they don’t deserve to be on your “friends” list. It’s time to block them and move on. • If the person is someone you feel you absolutely can’t block or delete because you’re worried it will make your life worse, then resort to sticking them on your limited Facebook list. But don’t stop there—make sure you report their actions to a school counselor or even the police. • Make sure you record every single sign of harassment in a notebook. If the problem escalates to the max then you’ll have proof to put against them—which will be especially handy if they try to delete their nasty behavior from the web.

Workplace bullying

There’s nothing worse than having your work life ruined by some loser who needs to ruin your career life to feel better about themselves. Here are a few ways to deal with those who are capable of making your work day go from hot to cold: • Deal with the problem when you notice it beginning. Don’t be afraid to confront them privately and say, “I’ve noticed you have a problem with me and I don’t appreciate

Unfortunately bullies are using their cell phones to get on your nerves. There is something you can do about it: • Report the problem to a BCIT counselor, your cell phone carrier, and the police. It’s a serious form of harassment that can go to court just like other alternative modes of bullying. • Don’t respond to the other person. They’re trying to get a reaction from you so don’t let them have it. • Don’t delete any of the demeaning text messages as tempting as it may be. It’s important to keep them on your phone for the sake of using them for evidence should a court case arise. Yes, it can get that bad!

Bullying Resources Unfortunately bullying can result in emotional scars that can last for years or even your entire life. To prevent this from happening it’s important that you deal with the emotional ramifications as soon as possible using the following resources.

BCIT’s Harassment Services

• Visit BCIT’s Harassment and Discrimination Office. They’ll try to help you deal with the problem and provide you with important resources. • Check out BCIT’s counseling services located in the BCIT Student Health Services Office. The staff are incredibly nice and they’ll keep your information confidential. The counselors can help you work through the emotions you’re experiencing. • Contact the BCITSA Advocate in SE2. The Advocacy office represents the academic and non-academic interests and works to ensure that all BCIT students have the op-

• If you’re experiencing anti-queer violence or even samesex relationship violence then call Vancouver’s Bashline for Anti-Queer Violence at 604-889-6203. Operators can provide you with counseling and referrals for help. • If you need help at any time then contact the British Columbia’s VictimLINK phone line, which provides help in all of the province’s major languages. Operators can help provide you with referrals in the midst of being the victim of any kind of crisis. Call 1-800-563-0808. • Call Vancouver’s Crisis Centre at any time for confidential advice and support if you’re having trouble coping with the affects of bullying. These guys can help you out with anything from suicidal feelings to a quality talk. Call 604-872-3311.

Self-Help Books

If you’re a little shy and you’re not ready to talk to someone then try reading some of these books that can steer you in the right direction. • Adult Bullying: Perpetrators and Victims by Peter Randall. This author is more than just an writer but a psychologist who can give you insight into adult bullies. He explains why people are slow to seek help when it comes to being bullied and how you can fix the problem whether it’s occurring in your personal life or workplace. • Bullying in Adulthood: Assessing the Bullies and their Victims. Another book by Peter Randall, this book focuses on workplace bullying more than the one listed above, explaining why bullies seek victims. • Shadows in the Mirror by Cameron Nunn. If you’re looking for fiction when it comes to a book about bullying then you won’t be able to put this one down. Set at a picture perfect college, young men brutally bully each other, only to learn that the consequences are horrendous.

Sports

BCIT Link • Feb 23 to Mar 9

Canucks ought to be front-runners for next Heritage Classic Despite mild winters, Vancouver deserves to host the next outdoor game. But will the NHL actually make it happen? Chad Klassen Assistant Editor

t seems fitting that after Calgary’s day in the spotlight, hosting the Heritage Classic on Sunday, Vancouver would be next in line to host the outdoor game. The National Hockey League insists on showing off the sport’s best talent, and a lot of it rests on the West Coast with the Canucks. They’ve got a slew of rising stars that have continued to evolve and get better, leading to the franchise’s best season in 40 years. The Sedin twins and Alex Burrows, Ryan Kesler and Mikael Samuelsson, Robert Luongo and his talented group of defenseman (when they’re healthy, of course) have all contributed to the longest stretch of first-place hockey in franchise history, and they’re here to stay. With the core locked up for the next num-

ber of years, it seems there are only great things to come in Vancouver – regardless if they win the Cup or not this spring. But beyond segments of the Western Conference, few fans are aware of how good the Canucks actually are. The first time some so-called “hockey fans” heard about the Sedin twins was when Henrik captured the Hart Trophy over Crosby and Ovechkin. What would be better for national attention and appreciation than the Canucks facing off against Detroit at the open-aired BC Place on a Saturday night. The mild winter could create ice problems, as it did during the Olympics last year, but welcoming the Red Wings back for another classic battle would be fantastic if they could make it work. It would also suffice the U.S.’s demand for some American greatness. There isn’t another match-up that would rival it, besides maybe Calgary; the Flames at their best have always given the Canucks

great games. The one nemesis in the whole deal would be the Commissioner himself, Gary Bettman. Even with the biggest American hockey markets involved, it probably wouldn’t be enough unless, of course, the game was played in the Motor City. The only reason Calgary was granted this year’s game was CBC’s constant nagging at the league regarding a lack of Canadian content in the outdoor classics.

And because Hockey Night in Canada pays $100 million a season to air two games every Saturday – plus special events like the Heritage Classic – Bettman figured he’d do them one favor. But beyond accommodating CBC a few times every decade, it’s all about the NBC and its programming preference. And unless the Canucks are given the green light by NBC Sports execs, Vancouver won’t get to host another big event it deserves.

Crippled defense will be in good spot for spring Devastating injuries might hurt the Canucks’ Presidents Trophy chances, but their key blueliners will return fresh for the playoffs. Chad Klassen Assistant Editor

ancouver’s one of those NHL cities that’s all about the playoffs. Even in the doldrums of October, fans can’t wait for the spring, putting the rash of defensive injuries in perspective. Yes it’s not every day a team loses its top four defenseman in five games. But they may have come at the right time – if there’s such a thing. The Canucks have 20 games until the real season begins, and their comfortable lead atop the Northwest Division affords them plenty of time to rest up. Besides, Dan Hamhuis has been passed concussion tests and cleared to play, while Keith Ballard’s starting to skate after spraining his MCL on February 7. Kevin Bieksa, the most recent casualty with the fracture in his foot, is only expected to miss the next month. When he and his defensive teammates return to game action, they’ll be ready to go for that two-month stretch of playoff

hockey. It’s what it’ll take for the Canucks to hoist the Cup, and they will likely be the most rested team entering the grueling journey. Of course it can work both ways. While the playoffs have started for every other Western team battling for a spot, half of Vancouver’s defensive core will be sitting idol; and we all know it’s never easy to turn the dial to playoff mode immediately. Alex Edler’s back could take a while to fully heal, even when he works his way back. The Canucks’ top defenseman will be ready just in time for the playoffs, but it’s hard to predict how long it’ll take Edler to get back to 100 per cent. Back injuries can become chronic and rehab is a steep hill to climb, especially if haven’t played in 33 games. Edler will have missed nearly three months of game action when Vancouver opens the playoffs at Rogers Arena. It’s not going to be easy to elevate his game when he’s been watching the last one-third of the year. But while rest could serve as a setback,

the injuries have given younger defensemen fantastic opportunities to gain experience in the big leagues. Chris Tanev has been a standout among the young defenseman inserted into the lineup, quickly proving himself as a top four defenseman. In 15 games, the 21-year-old has been more than solid, with an even plus/minus,

and this game experience will be invaluable not only for this spring but also for years to come in a Canuck uniform. What coach Alain Vigneault does with his young defenseman, no one really knows. But when all six defensemen return healthy and fresh for the opening round, it will be a great problem to have for the Canucks bench boss.

8 Culture

BCIT Link • Feb 23 to Mar 9

Death of a Salesman Theatre Review Mana Mansour The Link

he greek philosopher Demosthenes once said, “The easiest thing of all is to deceive one’s self; for what a man wishes he generally believes to be true.” Demosthenes wrote this some 2000 years before playwright Arthur Miller introduced Willy Loman to the world in 1949’s Death of a Salesman, and yet he described Willy, otherwise known as one of modern literature’s most tragic characters, perfectly. Willy Loman is the victim of the American dream, a dream that he spends his entire life trying to achieve. At the start of the play, Willy’s 63, exhausted, and still working day and night as a traveling

Kevin K. James, Tom McBeath, Bob Frazer. Photo by Emily Cooper.

salesman. The audience later learns that he has been reduced to working only on commission, while the mounting bills he can no longer pay overshadow his home life. And yet, Willy still tries to obtain the American dream…the success, the riches, and the accolades that he believes defines a man. He pushes this ideal on his two sons Biff and Happy, who as a result, become handicapped by their father’s constant inflation of their physical and superficial attractiveness, rather than the true content of their character. Biff is 34, with no steady job and a criminal record to boot, and the younger brother Happy has become a lying and cheating snake. So it is Willy’s idea of success, ironically,

that brings about his failure as a husband, father and career man. In the Vancouver Playhouse production, director John Cooper has captured the desperation and tragedy that plagues Death of a Salesman beautifully. His cast, led by Tom McBeath as Willy, gets under the skin of the characters, personifying them in a way that is heartbreakingly real and honest. The flashbacks to Biff and Happy’s youth, or the early days of Willy’s career go in and out of the present timeline. Cooper’s cast go seamlessly between both, never underplaying the script’s nuances and symbolism present in every one those scenes, present or past. In one of the final scenes, when Biff can

no longer take his father’s false expectations, Biff (portrayed by the talented Bob Frazer) sobs at his father’s feet and movingly delivers, “You’re going to hear the truth- what you are and what I am.” Finally it is at this point that Willy is able to assess the truth of his existence, and in turn by watching this, the entire audience at the Vancouver Playhouse on opening night had chills. When such a strong production of Death of a Salesman comes along, it is easy to see how it has become one of the most famous plays in history. Plus, there’s a Willy Loman in all of us…hoping for that something, which seems always a little bit out of reach.

Artist Spotlight: Nicki Minaj Sarah Massah The Link

or those who don’t remember, the last big female rapper was Lil’ Kim. Then she went to jail and something happened to her face. Enter: Nicki Minaj. The Trinidad and Tobago native edged her way into the hip-hop scene slowly. But despite Minaj’s gradual ascent to super-stardom, these days I dare you to turn the radio on for ten minutes and not hear her. She recently dropped her first album, Pink Friday, and it’s a goody. I admit that I’m not the most knowledgeable about hip-hop. But recently, thanks to my boyfriend, I’ve been listening to it non-stop. Minaj’s songs are clever, blunt and graphic, everything you would expect from someone like Lil’ Wayne or Rick Ross. From the album, her song “Roman’s Revenge” which she collaborated with Eminem for, takes a jab at Lil’ Kim who Minaj has been feuding with (that’s when you know you’ve made it). Regardless, she does it with the clever styling of someone who has been a superstar for years. Moving on to a song that you can actually dance to, “Massive Attack” which features Sean Garrett is a must listen and a great song to work out to. Her song with Kanye West and Jay-Z, “Monster” which is technically on West’s new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, takes the cake. Despite collaborating with two of the great musical artists of our time, it’s pretty obvious that Minaj steals the show. Having said all that, I don’t feel that the album in its entirety is amazing. Out of the album, there are five songs that I have added to my play list when I drive, and those songs are the ones where Minaj is doing what she does best: rapping. In other songs, she’s singing and she no doubt has a great voice, but it’s a bit blah for me. Regardless, she’s worth a trip to the Itunes store for the songs I’ve mentioned above, at the very least. Having garnered the respect of both females and males demands a lot of talent, which Minaj has in excess. She will be visiting Vancouver April 29th at Rogers Arena with Lil’ Wayne and Rick Ross.

Culture

BCIT Link • Feb 23 to Mar 9

From Prada to Nada Movie Review Sonia Stirling The Link

nfortunately, the new comedy based on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, From Prada to Nada, doesn’t have much going for it, except the Latin twist. I mean, it is really, loosely based on Jane Austen’s (more charming) sister characters. This movie is about the spoiled Dominguez sisters, Nora (Camilla Belle) and Mary (Alexa Vega). The two girls end up broke after their bankrupt father dies, leaving them nothing. At their father’s funeral they find out they have an illegitimate older brother who swoops in with his gold digging girlfriend, only to buy their father’s

Unknown Movie Review

Mana Mansour The Link

ake Bourne Identity and mix it with the mind trips of Memento, and you have Liam Neeson’s new film Unknown. Directed by French director Jaume Collet-Serra, known mostly for this previous B-list horror endeavors House of Wax and Orphan, Unknown is definitely Collet-Serra’s most sophisticated work to date.

house out from under them, forcing them to live with their aunt in east LA. The non-Mexican speaking Latinas find themselves having to adapt to a rougher, poorer Mexican neighborhood, sharing a small room in their aunt’s house, and giving up their Mercedes SUV for a 1970s Toyota hatchback. While the older, wiser, law student Nora seems to adapt and get by, the younger Rodeo Drive obsessed Mary, is petulant and overly dramatic at the thought of having to work for anything, and go without her manicures. Soon enough, true to the Jane Austen storyline, the girls find themselves unwittingly attracting the males to save them from their situation. One sister attracts Mr. Right, and is oblivious, the other falls head over heels for Mr. Wrong, ending up in a life altering

situation. Blah blah, typical, predictable and only mildly amusing. This movie is almost insulting to anyone with an IQ over 50. I found Camilla Belle to be so bland, and way too pretty for this role. The director tried unsuccessfully to make her look like a bit of an ugly duckling, but the girl is a natural stunner. I couldn’t stand actress Alexa Vega for the first half of the movie, but she redeemed herself near the end when she managed to show a bit of emotional depth. The only character I found to be remotely entertaining was their crazy aunt, played by actress Adriana Barraza. It’s too bad she was so blatantly type cast into this traditional, self righteous, illegal Mexican immigrant role.

What can you expect when the film is directed by Angel Gracia, a man with very few film credits? The lack of writing experience between the screenplay writers is sorely evident here. Fina Torres, Craig Fernandez and Luis Alfaro don’t have much more than a couple major motion picture credits in the 90s, and a handful of short films and documentaries behind them. This may explain why the dialogue and pace was so simplistic and …yawn…..boring. Need I even mention the lame movie title?? Even actor Wilmer Valderrama (That 70s Show) who plays the gangster looking, east LA neighbor, can’t give this movie any cred. Seriously, don’t waste your time on this flick unless you’re doing research on how to make a really bad sitcom movie.

The film repeatedly plays with the audience with its surprising twists and turns throughout, which for the most part, are hard to predict (something of a rarity in action thrillers such as Unknown). Add some heavy-duty car chases and action sequences, and let’s just say I had bitten off a good number of nails by the film’s end. Unknown follows Dr. Martin Harris (Neeson), who after a horrific car accident while on vacation with his wife in Berlin, ends up in a coma for four days. He awakes to find his wife is nowhere to be found, and that his memory is seriously dodgy. Harris finally finds her at a hotel, only to realize that someone has taken his identity and that his wife no longer recognizes him, but rath-

er recognizes the imposter as her true husband. He then sets out on a quest to prove who he his, before the police and everyone around him concludes that he’s insane. Although Unknown is engaging from the pretty much the very first scene, Neeson was allowed to be the only real star of this film. An honorable mention should go out to Diane Krugar’s portrayal of the young Ukranian girl that helps Dr. Harris find his way, but most of the secondary characters were under developed and only briefly introduced, not allowing for the actors portraying them to bite their teeth into really anything. Heavyweight actors like Frank Langella come out of nowhere, and leave just as quickly as they arrived, which didn’t

give the audience really get any sort of connection with the character to even care they’re were in the story. It was only Neeson’s protagonist Dr. Martin Harris that the audience really gets to know, and still many questions go unanswered, even when the truth of his identity finally comes out at the finale of the film. Perhaps that’s what Unknown was meant to do….leave you puzzled with it’s lack of information, so that you can make your own conclusions. My conclusion of Unknown? Unlike it’s counterparts Memento or Bourne Identity, once I left the theatre, my entire bag of questions were left there as well, quickly forgotten like my bag of popcorn.

Bright Eyes

Evolving 20 - February 19th, 2011 1. David Vertesi - Mountainside 2. Hollerado - Americanarama 3. Karkwa - L’Acouphene 4. Rubik - Wasteland 5. Aidan Knight - Friendly Fires 6. Belle & Sebastien - I Want The World To Stop 7. Henry & The Nightcrawlers - Amberly 8. Jonsi - Go Do 9. Sufjan Stevens - I Walked 10. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountain Beyong Mountains) 11. Steph Macpherson - Listen 12. Mother Mother - The Stand 13. The Decemberists - Down by the Water 14. Free Energy - Bang Pop 15. The Dears - Omega Dog 16. Destroyer - Chinatown 17. Dead Child Star - This Is Easy 18. The Black Keys - She’s Long Gone 19. We Are The City - Happy New Year 20. Jets Overhead - Bystander

The People’s Key album review Sarah Massah Culture Editor

onor Oberst has returned to his roots with the latest Bright Eyes album, The People’s Key, but with some big changes. It’s been four years of waiting since Cassadaga from 2007, but the indie band is back where it belongs: on my Ipod. Although the introspective Oberst sticks to using spiritual images and mysticism in his songs, the feel is a bit different this time. It’s like being reunited with a long lost friend; you recognize their face, but there’s something different in

the way they act. There is a more mature feel to the music this time around; it’s less confessional, more insightful, with stories unfolding as Oberst’s creaky, honest voice sings the lyrics. Oberst went full circle with this album, going to his native Omaha to record with producer Mike Mogis the band including the multi-talented Nate Walcott who plays everything from the trumpet to the keyboard. This is not the best Bright Eyes album, that’s for sure, but

there are definite gems in The People’s Key including “The Ladder Song” where Oberst sings “welcome new age/covered in warrior paint/lights from the jungle to the sky” and ends with a reassurance, “you’re not alone in anything/you’re not alone in trying to be.” For first time Bright Eyes listeners, if this album is appealing, don’t expect the rest of them to be, it’s a departure from the old, a little less risky, not as personal, but a solid album nonetheless.

British Columbia, Vancouver, BCIT épreuve à

« Donner des ordres, ça ne suffit pas à donner confiance à un groupe d’hommes et de femmes qui doit se frayer un chemin à travers un terrain miné. Prendre les bonnes décisions, gérer les situations de stress et combattre aux côtés de mon équipe, c’est ça, le véritable leadership. » Capitaine MICHAEL GODARD

D.A.

“It takes more than orders to command a group of men and women to bridge a gap. Making the right calls, working in stressful situations and fighting alongside my team, that’s real leadership.” Captain MICHAEL GODARD

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Culture/Views BCIT Link • Feb 23 to Mar 9

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf Theatre Review Julia Montague The Link

hat is it with the Arts Club this time of year? It’s becoming increasingly difficult to feel engaged in television or movies with the outstanding calibre of theatre available in this city. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is classic theatre by Edward Albee. It’s a true love story under the intense microscope of reality. If you haven’t seen it, see it. If you have, see it again. This production is fantastic. What happens to passion when youth fades away? And what happens to youth when passion is nonexistent, replaced instead by responsibility and complacency? Combine both couples in one room and watch the drama unfold.

Meg Roe, Craig Erickson, Gabrielle Rose, Kevin McNulty. Photo by David Cooper.

This is a story of marriage. George (Kevin McNulty) is an aging history professor. His wife Martha (Gabrielle Rose) is the overthe-top and spoiled daughter of the Dean. The entire play happens almost in real time. After a dinner party, they invite a young couple who is new to town, over to their house for a nightcap. This nightcap turns into an all-night psychological mind bender. In the first act, George and Martha’s banter feels a bit absurd and over the top, but by the second you realize that you are witnessing reality. Reality fueled by booze. A dangerous thing. The years have taken their toll on this couple. Theirs is a love so passionate that it

would have made everyone envious in their youth. Now it’s fraught with jealousy, the passion of hatred and disappointment. Its only means of expression are games. These are played so well that it’s next to impossible to know where the farce ends and reality begins. They themselves don’t seem entirely sure. The entrance of their guests breathes new life into their torture and brings it to a whole new level. The newcomers are the young and seemingly innocent Nick (Craig Erickson) and Honey (Meg Roe). We watch as, like an onion, the layers are stripped away through glass after glass of booze. It peels down to a layer of reality, eventually reaching a core of

absurdity. This is why you come to the theatre. In no way can a feeling this strong ever translate from any other medium. An absolute credit to all four actors. The set is simple and unchanging. The intensity of the lighting is the only embellishment required. In the final scene, the morning glow comes through the window as the party ends. George and Martha are left with their wreckage, and whatever vestiges of themselves remain after years of replaying this scenario. It was emotionally exhausting but exhilarating watching this. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to play this twice a day. Truly fantastic.

ITCHY ANSWERS Answers to all your burning Sex and Relationship questions Drake Winters & Olivia Starling The Link I’m a gay, early-20’s dude who lives in residence at school. I’ve recently started hooking up casually with a closeted guy who lives in a different building in res. I don’t mind screwing a closeted guy, but he completely ignores me if I say ‘hi’ to him around campus and I’ve heard him use gay slurs at residence events, but then he’ll send me totally racy texts. Does this guy have a major case of homophobic self-hate? I don’t really mind, but I feel I have a gay-duty or something. Should I stop seeing him? Okay, we are going to step out of our fun loving/sarcastic/ cheeky/razor sharp wit suits and put on something a little more conservative for this answer...(Shuffle, shuffle, zip, tuck, ouch!) Not only do you have a gay duty, you have a human duty to educate Mr. Self-hate against discrimination. You can’t be sure he will respond well or even listen. However, by not saying anything the message you are leaving is loud and clear:

“go ahead, discriminate.” It’s like a snowball effect. If one ignorant self-hating person gets to spew off discriminatory comments without repercussion, it won’t be long before that snowball is careening down the hill picking up more people along the way. One turns into two, turns into four, turns into eight, and then so and so is saying ‘that’s so gay’, giving a green light to bigotry and hate. You’re not just educating Mr. Self-hate, you are educating whomever is in the room. Those not spewing hate, (who are listening silently), those are the people you have the true potential of reaching. Don’t get us wrong, this guy needs help and hopefully he gets it. Putting your foot down and saying NO, that language is NOT okay is exactly what he needs to hear. He is slandering himself which is a cry for help! Like you said, he is self-hating so he is screaming for someone to say that gay people are beautiful humans who deserve equal treatment. Unfortunately, the rest of the world isn’t on par yet either. That is to say until it is legal for same-sex couples to be married all over the world the message is loud and clear: gay people don’t deserve equal rights.

Have you ever walked down main street and seen this on the wall of The Foundation: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”? You have an opportunity to put this mentality into practice. To truly effect change and promote equality in the world it has to start now, with situations like these. You said “you don’t really mind…” but we urge you to think about what our existence would be like if people always stood by when minorities were being wronged. If no one took the first step, would you even have the luxury of ‘not really minding?’ We are fortunate to live in a country where same-sex marriage is recognized. But who had to take the first step in order for us to get here? Who had to put their foot down? You need to put your foot down and tell this guy he needs to learn to love himself before he gets any loving from you again. We love hearing from you. Email us your scratchy questions at: itchyanswers@hotmail.com

12 Fun

BCIT Link â&#x20AC;˘ Feb 23 to Mar 9

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

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Biffy Clyro @ Venue

27 26 Vancouver Heart @ QE Theatre Canuck Superskills _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

25 Eric Clapton @ Rogers Arena

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24 Vancouver Canucks vs St Louis Blues

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FEBRUARY

23 Link 46-11 on stands!

Vancouver Vancouver Giants vs Tri-City Canucks vs Americans Boston Bruins

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1 Vancouver Canucks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

MARCH

2 Goo Goo Dolls @Commodore

3 Morcheeba @ Commodore

Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators

4 Content deadline for Link 46-12 David Gray @ the Center

5 The Dears @ Venue Vancouver Giants vs Portland Winter Hawks

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7 Student Council Meeting @530pm Council Chambers Crystal Castles @ Commodore

9 Link 46-12 on stands!

Vancouver Giants vs Chilliwack Bruins

12 11 Civil Twilight @ 2011-2012 Student the Media Club Executive Nominations Begin (to noon March 25) Vancouver Giants vs Chilliwack Bruins

13 Daylight Savings Ends

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14 Spring Break (to March 18th) Vancouver Canucks vs Minnesota Wild

SUDOKU

16 Vancouver Canucks vs Colorado Avalanche

18 17 St. Patricks Day! Content deadline for Link 46-13 The Philanderer @ Vancouver Stanley Theatre Canucks vs (to April 17) Phoenix Coyotes

20 First Day of Spring

Use your logic to fill in the boxes, rows and columns with the numbers 1-9. Puzzle must be accompanied by the copyright notice.

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