Capilano Courier | Vol 54, Issue 4

Alisha Samnani (she/her) Editor-in-Chief

Letter from the Editor’s Desk

Need a class recommendation? Look no further.

One of the best classes I took this semester was WGST 320: Gender and Social Justice Work — otherwise known by the more exciting title, Feminist Killjoys. The class, taught by the iconic Ki Wight, explores “intersectional feminist activism at odds with racism, sexism and colonialism in institutional life.” In other words, it’s one of the rare classes I’ve had where I felt seen. I didn’t have to fight to include a reading where I could find myself represented — I didn’t even have to ask. The main text was written by a WOC. Many of the supplemental readings were also written by BIPOC individuals. I was THRIVING.

Attending this class every week gave me a safe place to recharge. I’ve been burnt out – from school, from work, from life – and I would be lying if I said I no longer was. Although our assignments were fairly open-ended, I took every opportunity to work out my exhaustion and frustrations that I could – from my critical reflection (that I ended up publishing on page xx) to my not-sowell produced video diary autoethnography at the end of term (I never claimed to be a strong videographer – sorry Ki!).

Point being, some incredible reflections arise when you feel seen – and listened to. Would I have written what I did, given the opportunity in a different class? Perhaps. Would producing those assignments have been as cathartic? Probably not.

So thank you, Ki, for helping me feel a little less burnt out — even if only for the semester.

STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Alisha Samnani (she/her) @alishawsamnani editor@capilanocourier.com

NEWS EDITOR

Bridget Stringer-Holden (she/her) @bridget_sh news@capilanocourier.com

INDIGENOUS EDITOR

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Valeriya Kim (she/her) @valerochkim design@capilanocourier.com

PRODUCTION ARTIST

Sara Nguyen (she/her) @sarasnnguyen production@capilanocourier.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Freya Emery (she/her) @freya.emery freyaemery@gmail.com

COMMUNITIES EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGER

Gaby Salas (she/her) business@capilanocourier.com

FEATURES EDITOR

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Andrea Gallardo (she/her) @andreagallardoval communications@capilanocourier.com

CULTURE EDITOR

Emma Mendez (she/her/they/them) culture@capilanocourier.com

OPINIONS EDITOR

Jayde Atchison (she/her) opinions@capilanocourier.com

COLUMNS EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alexis Zygan, Eric Bruce, Gwen Pemberton, Kaileigh Bunting, Matt Shipley, Mayumi

Izumi, Rain Marie, Sarah Rose

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

April dela Noche Milne, Anais Bayle, C. Palomar Robisco, Jason Low, Mikaela Johnson, Michelle Lussier, Natasha Lee, Sharleen Ramos, Talia Rouck

FEATURED ARTISTS

Austin Legg, Cassandra Valenzuela Poon, Maia Madeline, Sarah Haglund

COVER ART

Michelle Lussier

INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING?

Email editor@capilanocourier.com.

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Submit your portfolio or samples of work to design@capilanocourier.com.

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THE CAPILANO STUDENTS’ UNION TURNS 50 SERIES #3

Past members of the executive reflect upon their time at the CSU, how it’s changed, and what they hope for its future

Safari served as the President and Vice-President of Finance and Services from 2017 to 2018. A large part of his portfolio included overseeing the finances of the organization and ensuring responsible spending. “It was a very supportive environment because we're all students at the end of the day and we all need help sometimes,” he said, referring to help with the audit and creating the next year’s budget.

Some tough decisions regarding the health and dental plan were made that year, and Safari ensured that student perspectives and expectations were brought forward to the Services Committee. “Premiums were going up like crazy the following year, and we had to give students the option of whether to pay a little more to get the same coverage or — if I recall correctly — pay the same but get less coverage,” he said.

The services aspect of the position included oversight as well, but Safari was able to be a part of the creation of new services as well, such as the electronic repair service, Device Doctor, which he considers to be the most memorable thing he helped accomplish. “It exists today as a result of what some people did back then — they set their minds to it and worked together to accomplish it,” he said, mentioning how Kate Jarman — who was a staff member, but also a student at the time — and Chris Girodat, were very supportive of Device Doctor.

“It was a very unique executive setup, and being able to work on projects that clearly mattered to us all despite our different backgrounds and different ways of thinking was very rewarding for me,”said Safari, noting that diverse representation is something he hopes will continue to grow and progress at the CSU. Safari made time during his presidency to meet with board members to try to understand their perspectives, especially since he didn’t come from a background of advocacy and nonprofit work.

While he found it rewarding, working with differentminded people was a double edged sword. “One of the challenging things that I had to overcome — and

I'm not even sure if I overcame it, but I just had to work with it — was keeping some level of unison among members of my executive team, and in many cases on the board as well.” He found engagement from the board quite difficult, likely due to a multitude of factors, but challenging nonetheless.

One of the lessons that Safari tries to pass onto others is that “what you put into it, is what you get out of it.” He finds it a simple, but sometimes overlooked concept. “When you have a seat on the Board of Directors, you're representing students, your peers, a constituency, a faculty, and that's that's a big deal.” Thankfully, he feels as if board engagement has improved — at least from his outside perspective. He noted that the subsequent board was smaller but very passionate about what they were doing.

Safari also feels that the sky's the limit in how cohesively a student union and their university can work together, even though during his year he felt that it couldn’t get much better. “As the university is growing, so is the CSU,” he says, excited to see what joint initiatives can be done between the CSU and CapU in the future. “They both have very common goals and initiatives that they strive towards, which creates grounds for great opportunities to work together and to cater to each other’s strengths to service students better.”

In the future, Safari hopes for more awareness about the CSU positions and more people who step up to try out for the positions. “Even if a lot of people feel that they're underqualified, I feel like those are the ones that are often very valuable to these kinds of organizations,” he says, noting that he sees a lot of modest people who don’t realize the strengths they have to offer organizations like the CSU. “You don't need a resume of having done ten years of advocacy — the foundation and the basis of it is caring about your peers and your community.”

Perry Safari (he/him)

This year, the CSU is working especially hard to advocate for mental health, including running activities for Mental Health Awareness Week to combat the stigma against seeking help. “Everyone [looks for help],” states Yamagishi, “and we just want to make it okay for people to reach out and for people to understand that it’s perfectly healthy and acceptable to seek mental health services.”

On the services side of Yamagishi’s portfolio, he makes sure that all services are tailored to students and that they continue in a cost-effective manner that delivers to students what they need in any current time. Examples include the U-Pass hardship fund — which the CSU brought back to help students during the pandemic — the book market, and the housing and volunteer registries.

On the financial side, the VP Finance and Services helps create the budget for the following year, monitoring the current budget, and approving expenses and other budget-related items. The final aspect of Yamagishi’s portfolio includes the student spaces perspective, which he says is “mostly focused on the student union building and trying to finally bring this seven-year project to tangible results we can see and use.”

As part of the push for mental health, Empower Me is the newest addition to the services offered to students 24/7 as of Sept. 2021, through a partnership with Capilano University (CapU). CapU offers counselling services, and the provincial service Here2Talk was implemented last year, but Empower Me is meant to alleviate the strain on the other counselling services and recognize the diversity of the student population and ensure that there aren’t lengthy wait times for students seeking help.

“Here2Talk is a good program, but is very limited in certain factors — especially the cultural and diversity aspect,” said Yamagishi. While Here2Talk

only offers services in English and French, Empower Me offers help in over 180 languages. This was a major factor in the decision to use the service, said Yamagishi, as features that include matching students and counsellors by gender and culture on first contact “make [Empower Me] as far reaching as possible.”

Empower Me also allows for multiple sessions with the same counsellor over web chat, phone calls, video counselling or in person — the latter two of which aren’t offered through Here2Talk.

“If [an] the issue is larger than just that one phone call, they can get down to the root and address the issues to the best of their ability,” said Yamagishi. Empower Me is also able to refer students to specialists if necessary.

The current agreement is until the end of the school year, with unofficial plans to extend it. “We want to see how much buy in there is, how many students have been using it, and really what the impact is,” says Yamagishi. “Are they finding it helpful? Are they finding it better than Here2Talk? We want to collect data on this.”

The psychological benefit within the extended health and dental plan was the most used aspect of the plan last year, according to Yamagishi. While Empower Me is a standalone service that was purchased, the need is there. As of right now, the CSU has no increased fees for students and are covering half the cost of the new service. CapU is paying the other half since they find that it’s a benefit to students and will help alleviate their counselling department.

“The CSU is always going to be there to help you,” states Yamagishi. “We’re happy to answer any questions and help you in any direction, as that's our big goal this year — mental health awareness and combating the stigma.”

“If there is a wait time of a week, that’s too long — the action has to be right now,” says Akira Yamagishi (he/him), the Capilano Students’ Union’s (CSU) Vice-President of Finance and Services.

CAPILANO BLUES WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM WENT TO NATIONALS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2007

After winning the provincial final during overtime, the Blues place fifth at nationals

BRIDGET STRINGER-HOLDEN (SHE/HER) News Editor

VALERIYA KIM (SHE/HER) Design Director

nail-biting provincial final for women’s soccer was held between the Capilano University (CapU) Blues and the Douglas College Royals on their home turf in Coquitlam on Oct. 31.

The Blues won the league — meaning they weren’t required to play in the semi-final. At the beginning of preseason, the team set the goal to make it to nationals, and the provincial finals were the only hurdle left to overcome.

“The tensions were high from the minute we knew we were playing Douglas in the final, especially because they had the home field advantage,” explained Aynsley Hurtado (she/her), who plays centre midfield. “There was a big crowd from the first whistle and you could feel the tension between the players and fans on the sidelines.”

In the first half, the Blues were falling behind, but managed to score a goal. Near the end of the second half, a Douglas player threw a hand ball in the box. Andrea Perrotta buried the ball in the net during the penalty shot, making the score 1-1 and pushing the game into overtime.

“I remember when we got the call for the penalty shot, I started crying because I was so excited that we were right back in it,” said Hurtado, who ended up scoring the winning goal by shooting the ball just under the bar, enough to put the Blues in a 2-1 lead. “It was truly the best feeling in the world,” said Hurtado. “I was in shock that the ball had gone in — it was a mix of excitement, adrenaline and exhaustion — that gold medal still feels surreal.”

Hurtado had played in two other provincial finals with the Blues, winning silver both times. As this year’s PACWEST All-Star, she has achieved the goal she set at the start of the season, and worked during the offseason to come back fit and strong.

The

Ever since her parents put her in soccer camp 18 years ago, Hurtado has been playing soccer. “There’s videos of me standing in the goal with a broken elbow,” she remembers. “I guess nothing stopped me.” A competitive player since the age of 12, soccer overtook Hurtado’s life as she found herself training before, during and after school. “Some semesters are harder than others when balancing work, school, social life and soccer,” she explains. “Being around like minded people really helps me stay focused on school because it’s motivating to know that 24 other girls are in the same boat.”

The national championships were held Nov. 10-13 at Humber College in Toronto. While the Blues didn’t take home the gold, it was a new experience for all of them and very different from what the players were used to. “A tournament like this forces you into a different mindset, staying focused on soccer for a couple days straight is a hard thing to do but I think as a team we knew what we wanted to achieve there,” says Hurtado, noting that they won their first game 7-1, which was the confidence boost they needed for the semi-finals against one of the number one seeded teams in Canada, Vanier.

“Although Vanier pushed the whole entire 90 minutes, they couldn’t pass our defending, ending in a 0-0 draw,” explains Ada Babinski (she/her), the Blues’ centre midfielder and captain. Instead, the teams went head-to-head in penalty kicks, where Vanier defeated them 5-4.“Losing in the shootout was one of the most heartbreaking sports moments in my life,” said Babinski, “but I could not be prouder of the amount of energy and teamwork went into that game from my team.”

The team lost the penalty shootouts against the SAIT Trojans in the game leading up to the bronze medal match. “Moving forward, we know what to expect and we are motivated to do the work to come back and win it next year,” said Hurtado. “We left holding our heads high, knowing that we performed well and gave great team performances overall.”

This is the first time the team has gotten to play at nationals in 14 years — something that people may attribute to Babinski’s captaincy. “I wouldn’t say that my leadership is what brought the team success [this season], it was the environment we all created to make everyone feel like they had a voice on the team was what made us move forward,” says Babinski. Other than communicating with the team on behalf of the coach, Babinski feels that her role isn’t more work compared to the other players, as all the older players share responsibilities and leadership on and off the field.

“Playing soccer at a competitive level for most of my life has taught me incredible amounts of discipline and this has translated into my varsity life,” says Babinski, noting the importance of staying organized. Before the week starts, she will schedule the entire week with time allocated for studying, training and commuting.

Despite the time commitment, both Babinski and Hurtado — who have been on the team for multiple years — recommend that those who are passionate about soccer consider joining the team. “I think it’s hard making friends at Cap unless you’re involved in the school,” says Hurtado. “It’s quite the time commitment but it definitely comes with perks and gives you a unique chance to surround yourself with people who share the same passion and drive.”

Although the current season is over for the year, “we would love to make sporting events bigger at Cap, so the more people we can get out the better,” says Hurtado, mentioning that basketball and volleyball are starting soon. “I encourage everyone to get out and watch a game!”

See the CapU Blues website for more information about the Women’s Soccer team schedule and stats.

AN INTRODUCTION TO CAPILANO’S OWN DOREEN MANUEL

ELLIOT WHITE Contributor MICHELLE LUSSIER (SHE/THEY) Illustrator

A young woman sits in the driver’s seat of a red Buick Riviera — she plays with a pack of cigarettes in her hands as the car jitters to a stop in the middle of a gravel path. The back roads are quiet, save for a few chittering sounds of nature. Our protagonist, Mary, gets out of the car. She’s alone. The scene is natural, tense, and the small details are a masterclass in storytelling. From the fringes on the edges of her old denim jacket, to the flicking on and off of a lighter as she calls her mom — every shot feels genuine.

This is the opening scene of Doreen Manuel’s 2012 Crazy8’s short “These Walls” and her track record of authentic storytelling has only developed further over the years. The story follows Mary as she comes across the seemingly abandoned remains of a residential school. On the grounds, she receives visions and the results are both horrifying and poignant. It’s a vision of the past that, though made 9 years ago, feels current and no less relevant than today in 2021. It was rescreened in 2018 at the Imagine Native Film Festival, and the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

“These Walls” may have been Manuel’s first credit directing, but it was not her first time being on set. With over 15 years of art directing, writing and editing, Manuel’s film experience begins all the way back in 2009 — with a producer role on a provocative documentary short entitled “My People Say”, an exploration on the aggression urban development has on wildlife. The throughline with her work

is a deep connection to both her lineage as an Indigenous woman, as well as a strong relationship with the environment.

Manuel’s ideology around culture begins with her own heritage as a female member of the Neskonlith First Nation. The sixth child of the late Grand Chief Dr. George Manuel, an Indigenous political leader, and Marceline Manuel, a spiritual leader, she has continued her connection to community through her art. Not only with filmmaking, but with traditional art as well — being awarded the Fulmer Award in First Nations Art in 2019 for her intricate beading learned from her Ktunaxa grandmother and mother.

The skill of traditional beadwork was initially taught to her as a possible means of employment, when it may be necessary to provide for her family. However, she has since taken up beading now out of sheer love for the art, even working on beading Converse

sneakers with exceptional detail. She views beading almost as a form of painting, manipulating and shaping the beads like strokes of a brush.

A decorated and experienced artist, Manuel still insists on furthering her knowledge. Coming to us as a UBC alumna, a graduate with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film Production, and having graduated from Thompson Rivers University — earning her BA in English back in 2009. She also holds a diploma of Indigenous Film and Television, from none other than Capilano University.

Throughout her life, she has emphasized the importance of recording factual story and preserving culture and language. “The telling of story empowers the visionary with voice. Everyone has a story to tell,” reads her biography on the CapU website. It also details her recognitions and achievements, including the Woman of the Year award from the Spotlight Gala, hosted by Women in Film and Television Vancouver. This achievement is awarded to women who not only have gained success in the film industry, but have also strived to fight for opportunities for other women in film.

Currently Manuel heads not only her own production company, Running Wolf Productions, but has been one of the founders of “Tricksters and Writers,” a program dedicated to helping Indigenous women get their start in film writing. She acts as an advisor and instructor in all topics offered. The program not only teaches women the fundamentals of script writing, but also goes over funding and pitching strategies, so that they can see their projects on the big screen.

The courses were held last year and even had table reads over Zoom.

Doreen has made clear strides to support the women following her in the industry. Working with Women in Film and TV on the board of Equity & Inclusion, as well as cultivating a community working towards creating a more inclusive space for Indigenous female storytellers.

Her newest project, produced in 2019, “Unceded Chiefs,” follows the Indigenous leaders back in the 1960s who unified against the 1969 White Paper Policy — a policy unveiled by Pierre Trudeau in an attempt to abolish the Indian Act. This historic event is captured through interviews and archived audio clips, woven into a story of resilience in a time of oppression by the Canadian government. Manuel not only directed “Unceded Chiefs” but was also an interview subject herself. In her interview portions, she talks about her father, George Manuel, as he was one of the leaders in the fight against this policy. She carries on the legacy of activism in her work, telling the stories of those Indigenous voices who have come before her.

Manuel is the current Director of the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation, the first Indigenous woman ever to head a filmmaking program at a major Canadian institution.

You can also find her artwork, as well as table reads of her projects @doreen.manuel on Instagram.

THE COURIER IS HIRING AN INDIGENOUS EDITOR

Responsible for assigning and editing news stories on a wide variety of topics from an Indigenous lens. Oversees editing and writing quality of the Indigenous section. Requires editing and writing experience, as well as knowledge and interest in a range of local and current topics. Must have the ability to convey information in a clear, concise and conversational manner. Strong research skills, including the ability to navigate online search engines, are mandatory. Must have the ability to interact professionally and build strong relationships with sources. Strong social media skills/experience is preferred. Required to attend Monday staff meetings, Tuesday pitch meetings and Friday proofreading sessions. Position is paid.

Email editor@capilanocourier.com with your resume, cover letter, and writing samples to apply.

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER

CapU chooses inaction on a groundbreaking anti-racist charter

MATT SHIPLEY Contributor

TALIA ROUCK (SHE/HER) Illustrator

Santa Ono joined over 40 universities across Canada in the signing of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education.

Through the Charter, the signing universities commit to four principles that “should guide the letter and spirit of all university and college policy making and action.” (3): Black Flourishing, Inclusive Excellence, Mutuality and Accountability. Surprisingly, given our generally strong focus on equity, diversity and inclusion, Capilano University (CapU) has yet to sign the Scarborough Charter. It’s hard to say what could be behind this decision, but the ripples it created can be felt across CapU’s BIPOC community.

“Part of me thinks it’s not on purpose,” said an African-Canadian second-year student. “It may have been just another paper chucked on an ever-growing pile. It’s still not good, not by any stretch of the imagination. It means that we’ve been forgotten, and especially right now, that’s not okay.”

CapU president Paul Dangerfield did not respond to requests for comment.

Given the amount of publicity put out by UBC concerning the signing of this document, it seems unlikely that the waves did not reach CapU’s beach. The University has, or had, a chance to set a good example and show its support for its burgeoning BIPOC community, and only time can tell whether or not CapU will take this document into its EDI policies, or whether it will leave it behind.

In CapU’s Envisioning 2030 plan, as outlined on their website, they list one of their future goals to be “(to) instill a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion in all of our operations and outreach.” Future plans aside, the chance to make a bold first step towards that goal, alongside over 40 Canadian universities, was presented to them. What they did with that chance, or rather, what they didn’t do, does not inspire confidence in the University’s future EDIrelated plans. While no interviewees had previously heard of the Scarborough Charter, when confronted with the news of CapU’s inaction, supportive words were few and far between.

“It’s a sheet of paper,” said a first-year international student. “Sure, the signing of that sheet holds them to a plan of action, but if they really mean to champion a movement of equity, diversity and inclusion by 2030, they would already be doing what the charter wants them to. The fact that they didn’t participate in the signing of the charter doesn’t just mean that they don’t plan to make steps towards Black inclusion - it means that they might not be doing a lot of other things that we haven’t heard about.”

In the wake of a continuing civil rights movement, little actions like these have a big impact. As a university, where so many students come looking for a home, for a place where they feel seen, heard and cared for, any action (or inaction) that looks to perpetuate the status quo will make a large portion of the student body lose that sense of belonging. There comes a point where one’s actions must be driven not by money or convenience, but by the people around them. CapU has the power to, with a few words, do great good or great harm to its 12,000+ students, and it’s time they accepted that fact.

The ball is in their court, and currently, they’re sprinting it towards their own goal.

On Nov. 18, UBC president

LITTLE MISS ESTRANGED

How I (sort of) learned to be okay with not belonging

ALISHA SAMNANI (SHE/HER) Editor-in-Chief

VALERIYA KIM (SHE/HER) Design Director

I respectfully and gratefully acknowledge that I — a cis-gendered woman of East African and South Asian decent — grew up and live on the unceded, stolen, core traditional territory of the kʷikʷəƛəm, which lies within the shared territories of the səlilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ, sqəciyaɁɬ təməxʷ, šxʷməθkʷəyəmaɁɬ təməxʷ, qiqéyt, Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíxw and S’ólh Téméxw. I am eternally grateful to be cared for by these lands. While I have my own lived experience with racism and colonialism — one of the earliest encounters I remember was around 4 years old — I know that I am also in a position of privilege. As a child, this was something I found myself struggling with on occasion. I was often told that my mixed identity was invalid; that I had to ‘pick a side’; that I couldn’t possibly understand the struggles of racism because I wasn’t “fully” one race — even though my lived experience would say otherwise.

Without getting too graphic, I can summarize my background, sensibilities or experiences as wrapped up in a ribbon of estrangement. In the middle of the word estrangement is strange; I find an odd comfort in that. I feel strange, because I have been made to feel strange. The violence of the world causes me to feel strange in both a literal and figurative sense. I have had a feeling of not belonging for as long as I can remember — not from everywhere, and not always overt. The feeling lurks around corners, and seeps in through cracks in my mental foundation. I have conflicting emotions about my positionality. Relief, shame — numbness, even.

In her book Living A Feminist Life, Sara Ahmed says that “feminism can begin with a body, a body in touch with the world, a body that is not at ease in a world; a body that fidgets and moves around. Things don’t seem right.” I can safely say that things have never felt

quite right, if not only because I was told they weren’t. Was I born anxious before this, or did the estrangement cause my anxiety?

The issues I tend to focus on in my work, my research, and my studies are shaped by my personal lived experiences. I am excited by scholarship rooted in theoretical, intersectional and feminist discourse. I find myself drawn towards research and theories that respectfully honour the experiences of people and communities that are marginalized and minoritized. In other words, I want to see myself in the work I consume and produce — something I didn’t have growing up in a predominantly white settler society. I aim to contribute to the growing fields of research that explore the experiences of people of colour, while simultaneously reclaiming my own marginalized and minoritized identity.

As I am attuned to the complex feelings of estrangement — from society, from spaces, and even from my own body — I find myself trying to build a home within the topic of belonging. Audre Lorde’s essay The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master’s House can be crudely summarized as an exploration of identity, including race, gender and sexuality. Lorde’s original use of the title phrase was to illustrate a cautionary tale: that differences must be celebrated and acknowledged in order to achieve social justice. What does the idea that the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house mean for my own estranged body in the world?

From my first year at university, it was evident that I was unwelcome in the Master’s House. For starters, I am a firstgeneration university student — something that comes with its own set of pressures. While grateful for this, I felt deprived of courses that discussed people of colour. When I would question why there was a lack of representation, I was told that it’s easier for students to learn with examples in which they could see themselves; areas with similar traditions and customs. “It’s just easier” was a phrase I grew accustomed to hearing. Easier than what, exactly?

I quickly grew depressed — I foolishly thought university would be different. What happened to the idea that I could learn whatever I wanted? That I would finally be freed from the confines of the grade-school system? Instead, I was chastised for my criticisms.

Surviving in post-secondary as a person of colour means that sometimes, I must stand alone. I have to fight against microaggressions, ignorance and racism. I often have to dig outside the breadth of the syllabus — and often, outside the confines of academia — to find knowledge that is reflective of my lived experience. I must (and this I am still working on) be unapologetic in this effort. Even after all the violence of the world I have witnessed and experienced, it pains me to stop believing that explaining my point of view to those who uphold these oppressive structures would make everything okay — that I would be heard, and more than that, believed.

I continue to witness these oppressive structures and systems in various aspects of my life, including in my work as a journalist. Too often, in both academia and journalism, I have been told to remain ‘objective’ — that I’m too close to an issue to study or explore an area that has been blatantly ignored. I have simultaneously been told to educate white individuals about our existence, and our differences. Like with academia, it’s tempting to feed into what Lorde calls the “old and primary tool of all oppressors” — but the rare moment I do, it feels like talking to a wall. Instead of improving, my experiences worsen. I become a shell of myself; so occupied with the Master’s concerns that I have gone numb in an attempt to survive.

Perhaps estrangement is in itself, a unique tool to break apart the Master’s house.

Even after all the violence of the world I have witnessed and experienced, it pains me to stop believing that explaining my point of view to those who uphold these oppressive structures would make everything okay — that I would be heard, and more than that, believed.

Unclear policies, concerns over donor exclusion raise questions over the equity of financial aid for international students at Capilano University and across Canada

SARAH ROSE (SHE/HER) Contributor VALERIYA KIM (SHE/HER) Design Director

ISSUES WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FUNDING FEATURES

“I wanted to come to Canada because of discrimination,” says Parneet Kaur. A handful of years ago, Kaur traded her home in Northern India for the occluded forest view from a North Shore rental. The recent Business Administration graduate loves being near the water — fitting, maybe, since she’s spent the last half hour reflecting on the isolation of her experience as an international student at Capilano University (CapU).

Kaur’s the kind of girl who greets her days, often from the tiny square of a Zoom screen, in a “Hello Monday!” t-shirt and a smile. It’s the sort of optimism worn bravely between the milieu of 18-hour days filled with online classes, club responsibilities, peer mentorship and a part-time job at Walmart. It’s also a reminder that, like all immigrants caught in the undertow of adjusting to a new life, Kaur wants to belong, and she’s not simply happy to be here.

The road to academia for international students starts by paying three semesters in advance at a tuition rate roughly five times higher than domestic tuition. Many families like Kaur’s pool together finances, just enough to pass the requisites, before pulling back to make ends meet. “$35 [CAD] is like 500,000 rupees. It’s hard for them, but they’d never tell me that.” *editor's note: $35 CAD is the equivalent of 2073.23 rupees at the time of writing.

When COVID-19 hit, borders closed, and students were left stranded thousands of miles from support networks. For Kaur, that’s when the cracks began to show. Despite working the maximum number of hours she’s allotted by the government, in 2020, Kaur found herself buried under tuition, rent and MSP. She came up short, and like many of her domestic peers, turned to financial aid.

“My friends and I believed that when you get good grades, you’re awarded scholarships,” Kaur explains. Sitting at a 4.0 GPA, her first trip to the Financial Aid office had the same brand of optimism she wears on her sleeve. Until the advisor told her: “we don’t expect international students to apply for scholarships. Your parents should’ve paid three semesters in advance.” Kaur says after this trip, she became aware of four possible scholarships she could apply for — none of which she received.

In the last decade alone, international student enrollment in Canadian universities has more than tripled. In September 2020, international study permits issued in British Columbia increased by 43.9 percent from 2019, compared to the national average increase of 1.7 percent. The figures across other provinces vary widely given how international tuition is generally unregulated, but it highlights a nationwide problem. With international student tuition averaging four times that of domestic students, institutions are becoming increasingly reliant on foreign money while leaving students like Kaur without adequate support once the tuition cheques clear.

CIC News, a national Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship media outlet, reports that international

students add an annual $22 billion to the Canadian economy, a figure which tops Canada’s export of auto parts, lumber and aircrafts. While many, like Kaur, describe feeling excluded and unwelcome — an experience that often begins in the classroom.

As Morgan Poteet and Bianca Gomez write in the study “It’s Both Ways” in The Journal of New Brunswick Studies, “The sense of belonging [that they] developed as international students [was] detached from the local community, and even from Canada.” Gaps in services related to lack of support and resources for international students directly impact integration and academic success. They advocate for long-term policies and programs, including financial aid, for international students.

CapU policy documents call for “equity in competition and distribution” regarding award and scholarship criteria and “fair and wide distribution of funds.” At present, only 17 of the 301 University-wide awards on the Financial Award portal are for international students. There is no reference within official policy documents to the criteria listed on the Financial Aid website pertaining to being a citizen, permanent resident or landed immigrant. CapU includes a specific page for international student funding, however, there are no distinct criteria provided, as it redirects to the general award criteria page.

A sitting member of a CapU Department Scholarship Committee who wishes to remain anonymous out of respect for the award process explains, “we nominated multiple students [for an internal scholarship] who were declined on the basis that they were international students.” Another anonymous internal source claimed in an email that the Patsy & Crissy George entrance bursary meant for female students of African descent has not been awarded for years, if ever.

Both Associate Registrar Harb Johal and Registrar Kyle Vuorinen report that it’s typical for donors to exclude international students. “The criteria is established based on the donor’s wishes and intent of whom the award will support. This practice is not unique to Canada,” said Johal. “The Capilano excellence scholarship [and] athletic entrance award is available to international students,” Vuorinen added, stating that in 2020 and 2021, 215 international students received funding through the CapU Cares Student Fund.

In April 2020, CapU announced a $242,000 grant from the Ministry of Advanced Education to assist students experiencing financial hardship exacerbated by the pandemic. The grant consisted of $140,000 in supplemental emergency financial assistance to students and an additional $38,000 to supplement Indigenous emergency assistance while encouraging international students to “pursue alternative sources,” including government scholarships.

In response, the Capilano Students Union (CSU) introduced the Student Society Emergency Assistance Fund (SSEA) with $75,000 of emergency funding for both domestic and international students. “One of my coworkers got [SSEA],” said Kaur, who adds that she didn’t meet the criteria herself. “You have to show them you really need it. There’s nothing [CapU] can do besides provide us scholarships, but they don’t.”

“Financial Aid told [the CSU] they had to be classified as emergency funding,” explains former CSU President Emily Bridge. If there is no wording in internal policy to restrict international students from awards, Bridge, like many, is left to wonder where — or from whom — the exclusion originates. “If it’s not a policy [issue], if it’s coming from donors, [we need to] encourage the opening of criteria.”

Bridge encourages any students struggling financially or with finding appropriate answers and resources through Financial Aid to contact the CSU. The more students reach out, the more they help strengthen CSU advocacy and open doors for challenging inequitable practices for international students. Bridge emphasizes the importance of the role domestic students can play in pushing the conversation on equity for their international peers. “If international students are the only ones speaking up, it’s easier for people to not take it seriously,” she said. “We try [to] get people to see [that] these issues are bad for all students, it benefits all of us to see a more equitable process.”

Today, Kaur still lives in North Vancouver. Since graduating last summer, Kaur is still floating in the in-between of a resident and a temporary visitor with a work permit. Eventually, she landed a job in the insurance industry — the kind of job that can be used to apply for permanent residency. Although Kaur hasn’t seen her family in India for over two years, between flight bans and the ongoing pandemic, she tells me how thankful she is that they’re okay — she’s just glad I asked.

“One of my coworkers got [SSEA],” said Kaur, who adds that she didn’t meet the criteria herself. “You have to show them you really need it. There’s nothing [CapU] can do besides provide us scholarships, but they don’t.”

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: AS TOLD BY THE STARS

Cosmic astrology-based gift giving guidance

ALEXIS ZYGAN (SHE/HER) Contributor

TALIA ROUCK (SHE/HER) Illustrator

POV: The holidays are quickly approaching, and you're unsure what to purchase your pal as a way to say thank you for listening to your gripes about dating, school and work. An avid hobbyist western astrologist, I provide gift suggestions that reject cisnormativity based on the twelve zodiac signs. The dates listed beside each astrological sign reflect a person’s sun sign. When taking into consideration gift ideas ask a friend for an in-depth look at their birth chart so you can also identify their moon and rising.

Aries

(March 21 - April 19)

For the headstrong and bold Aries, buy them a book that'll help manage their anger. It won't work in the heat of the moment, but will appeal to their playful side. Let Your Shit Go: A Book of Intricate and Detailed Swear Words featuring drawings intertwined with filthy words that are sure to have you labelled a potty mouth if you utter them out loud.

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20)

Taurus is known for leading a hedonistic lifestyle where they indulge in soothing scents—until you disagree with them on an issue and their stubborn nature is revealed. An ideal gift for a Taurus is the Stone Diffuser in the colour blush paired with a warm yet passionate aroma such as Fireside by Vitruvi—perfect for cozy nights at home. After all, Taurus is a homebody.

Leo

(July 23 - August 22)

A Leo would appreciate it if you purchased them a compact mirror. They would carry it with them always and utilize it to touch up makeup on the go because how dare a person perceive a Leo when they're not looking their best. Pair the compact mirror with a personalized letter featuring ten reasons why they are the best friend ever!

Virgo

(August 23 - September 22)

I have never met a Virgo who isn't excited about brand new office supplies to organize their workspace. A journal is a perfect gift to curb anxiety and bring a sense of happiness. Because a Virgo is a firm believer that if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail, and preparedness may as well be their love language— potential lovers take note.

Gemini

(May 21- June 20)

The twins tend to dominate a conversation. Mercury, the planet of communication, rules Gemini, so it's no surprise they're social butterflies. Buy them a minimicrophone to go out into the world and record their conversations and share them on TikTok. Again, it shouldn't shock anyone that according to Lickd, the most popular star sign among social media influencers is Gemini.

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22)

Purchase the Cancer in your life a weighted blanket, so they have another excuse to stay in bed snuggled up in a protective layer that emulates the shell of a crab. If a Cancer has welcomed you into their lives, they likely care about you deeply. So keep them nearby but don't ever surprise them unless you want to see their pincers in action.

Libra

(September 23 - October 22)

For this idealistic and bubbly air sign, purchase them a gift to encourage relaxation. Libra is probably exhausted after overbooking their social calendar and could benefit from a night at home chatting with friends on FaceTime. Consider purchasing them the intergalactic bath bomb from Lush. Even though they'll be at home, their bath will transform into a starry night sky. As a sign who values justice, they'll love that you supported a company that doesn't test their beauty products on animals.

Scorpio

(October 23 - November 22)

Scorpios rule sex organs, making them the most erotic sign of the zodiac. So for the passionate, mysterious, and horny Scorpio, buy them a gift certificate to Intamo Pleasurables. A boutique sex shop that recently opened up in Gastown emphasizes inclusive sex education and consent, and sells products designed to make sex more enjoyable.

Sagittarius

(November 22 - December 21)

For the free-spirited fire sign, buy them a plane ticket, but that may be too outlandish, so maybe instead give them the gift of experience through Whistler Bungee. They would be delighted to live life to the fullest by jumping from a bridge 160 feet above ground just above the Cheakamus River and then bouncing back up.

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 19)

For the determined Capricorn in your life who has a hard time having fun, give them a back and spine massager because they're also probably stressed from overworking for not enough pay — capitalism, am I right? Alternatively, book them a massage at Breathing Space Bodywork.

Aquarius

(January 20 - February 18)

Aquarius, the water bearer, is often mistaken for a water sign. But their unapologetically quirky personality radiates air sign energy. Encourage their creativity by purchasing a disposable film camera, and you'll likely be surprised by what adventures they take it on.

Pisces

(February 19 - March 20)

The final sign of the zodiac, Pisces, is constantly shifting between fantasy and reality—depicted by two fish swimming in two different directions. Allow them to connect their subconscious to their conscious mind by purchasing a Dream Journal by Annie Tarasova. The journal also features bedtime rituals to encourage tranquillity before entering the dream world.

DECEMBER AESTHETICS

Entertainment for every flavour of winter

MATT SHIPLEY (HE/HIM) Contributor

C. PALOMAR ROBISCO Illustrator

By the Fireside

Not all of us see the winter holiday as three weeks to run around throwing piles of snow at each other. Sometimes, all we really want are calm, warm evenings with family and friends, sharing hot chocolate, marshmallows and stories. This is a chill collection fit for any Christmas occasion, featuring family-friendly movies, wellknown shows to watch with your little cousins, light-hearted reads and a healthy dose of jazz.

Movies:

Klaus (2019)

A wonderful, imaginative animated story that doesn’t laser-focus on Christmas as a holiday.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

This one’s a classic. Tim Burton strikes again with this bright, family-friendly Christmas/Halloween merger.

The Polar Express (2004)

Arguably the most well-known story of the three, The Polar Express is your classic animated Christmas story.

Books:

Girls Made of Snow and Glass

by Melissa Bashardoust

This one will keep you on the couch long

after the fire dies down. Fantasy, found family, forbidden love. What more could you want?

I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Mason Deaver

A wonderful short story filled with family, commitment and golden retrievers. You’ll get as much enjoyment out of it as the kids you’ll read to sleep.

One Way Or Another by Kara McDowell

Another all-nighter, this story follows an anxious teen as she struggles with the decision: How will she spend the holidays?

Shows:

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)

We all know it, we all love it. The kids want to watch something? Here’s the answer. Still one of the greatest TV shows of all time, ATLA is enjoyable for the whole family.

Last Exile (2005)

This one takes itself more seriously than ATLA, but there are themes that are understandable to all audiences. This is the show you put on to pretend you’re appeasing the kids, when you’re really the one having a blast.

She-Ra (2018)

The only show that any LGBTQ+ or

questioning kids will ever want. The storyline is good, the whimsicality is a huge plus, and, once again, it’s enjoyable for all ages.

Music:

O Tannenbaum - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Straight from A Charlie Brown Christmas, this is my favourite track off of one of the most well-known jazz records of all time. It’s easy, it’s chill, it’s great for every occasion.

The First Noel - Chet Baker

Chet’s trumpet playing is just So Good. Another smoother jazz tune, this is the quintessential Christmas Morning listen.

Greensleeves - John Coltrane

Better known for his intricate, lightningfast bebop tunes, Greensleeves is a cool, loving tribute to the original tune. I listen to this one on repeat whenever I’m puttering around the kitchen, rushing to get Christmas dinner together in time.

Powder Chasers

This winter’s meant to be a La Niña year, meaning we’ll get generally cooler temperatures and more snowfall. If that gives you the itch to grab your skis off the wall and go climb a mountain, this section’s definitely for you. Featuring ski/ snowboard films, books by professional athletes, and some music to make you feel like the fastest skier in the world, this is sure to get you stoked for the winter season!

Movies:

Jeremy Jones’ Higher (2014)

The culmination of Jeremy Jones’s award-winning Deeper, Further, Higher trilogy, the mood straight from the first shot is that of gigantic mountains and tiny people. Plus, the opening sequence is Fantastic.

Blank Canvas (2020)

A new film follows an ex-pro female snowboard racer dropping into the backcountry scene, and sending lines that even the best in the world have never attempted. A true success story for women in sport.

The Continuum (1996)

Old but gold. I always love the nostalgia that those old films bring, watching the outtakes and seeing the gigantic pieces of video-recording machinery they managed to lug way back into the Tetons. The old generation was the true send dynasty.

Books:

Brave Enough by Jessie Diggins

A riveting read from one of cross-country skiing’s top female athletes. You definitely don’t need to be a cross-country skier to find this book enjoyable.

The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America by Chris Davenport, Penn Newhard and Art Burrows

The inspiration behind Cody Townsend’s The Fifty is this legendary coffee-table book. Featuring beautiful, full-page spread photos of each line, as well as good backcountry stories to go along with each of them, this book will stoke your fire like nothing else.

Every Crushing Stroke by Scott Shipley

I kind of cheated on this one, because it’s written by my uncle, but hey, it’s really good. He follows his entire career and training, through his double-digit world championship appearances to his experiences at the Olympics. I always feel a bit uncool, comparatively, when I read it, but that’s just me looking up to my uncle.

Shows:

Cody Townsend’s The Fifty (YouTube) Diving into the logic, process and danger of attempting to ski and climb all fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America (see book section), Cody Townsend immerses you in this project with a really great, light-hearted viewpoint.

Shred Hacks (Red Bull TV)

For those who picked up a snowsport within the last few years, whether it was to appease a partner or to try something new, this series has everything from beginner tutorials to advanced, ridewith-the-pros episodes.

Michelle Parker’s Originate (Red Bull TV)

The story of a winning Freeride World Tour athlete is bound to be action-packed, and this series delivers. Deep powder, good stories, and inside looks on the athlete’s life make for an intriguing watch.

Music:

Coldplay - People Of The Pride

Hype music time!! Whether you’re shredding inbounds with headphones in, or sitting at the computer trying to find the perfect tune for your latest backcountry edit, this one’s sure to get you started!

Volbeat - My Body

“My body tells me no, but I won’t quit, ‘cause I want more.” This is the One More Lap mantra. Tired? Maybe feeling a blister coming on? Take another lap anyway and make the most of that season’s pass!

daysormay - Just Existing

A local Vernon band made up of young ex-ski racers? Yes please. Their unique alternative music has been acclaimed across the country, and it just so happens that it’s also a great playlist to shred to!

Maybe it’s just not your day. Maybe you had plans, but it’s pouring rain outside and everyone else bailed. Maybe you just hate winter in general. Either way, if you’re looking for some slow, kind-of-sad music, movies and shows that will keep you in your own space no matter how many times the fam asks you to go skiing with them, and books rife with heartburn, look no further.

Movies:

Frozen (2010)

Hailed as the Jaws of skiing, this horror film follows a group of people trapped on a chairlift in a storm, making every possible wrong decision. Perfect for if you don’t like the winter.

Arctic (2018)

A pilot crashes in the middle of the Arctic, and has to go to extreme lengths to make sure his injured passenger survives. It’s hard to make a film with such a small cast work, but the director pulls it off with style.

Fargo (1996)

Dark, bloody comedy. This rust-belt winter film has everything you could possibly want, from endless gallows humor to grisly action.

Books:

Girls Of Paper And Fire by Natasha Ngan

This is the first book in, down pat, my favourite trilogy in the world. It takes a well-used trope and spins it into a lyrical, poetic saga of tragedy, trauma and love. The second book hits even harder, and the third one released on November 23rd! (Still waiting for my copy though.)

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Young writers unite! This book is a NYT bestseller for good reason. A gory, yet beautiful homage to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this book follows a number of gangsters dueling it out in 1920s Shanghai as a mysterious threat looms beneath the waves of the Huangpu River. Fraught with a heart-burning love story and family tragedy galore, this one will keep you up all night.

The Infinity Courts by Akemi Dawn Bowman Betrayal! Betrayal! The characters leap off the page in this novel filled with uncertainty. The girlboss trope thrives here, and we’re here for it.

Shows:

Cardinal (2017)

One of two murder mysteries on this list, this one follows a Canadian detective (home turf, baby!). Winter true crime? Good. Canadian winter true crime? Even better.

Snowpiercer (2021)

An incredible take on modern dystopia, Snowpiercer follows the last bastion of humanity: a single train that circles the globe. Themes of rampant inequality, class struggle, and oligarchy make this a more than binge-worthy show.

The Bridge (2011)

Another murder mystery, this one is a critically acclaimed Swedish hit. Apparently, Sweden is the place to look for good murder mysteries, because this one blew me off my feet. If you don’t watch the whole thing in one go, you’re either sleepy or deranged.

Music:

Mumford & Sons - After The Storm

With the B.C. flooding still fresh, this tune has taken on a new meaning. Sad, quiet, and reflective, it’s the perfect I-don’twant-to-get-up anthem.

Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

Summer loving’s over, and if that all left you behind, here’s a scintillating ballad that you could learn on the piano and play for your ex if that’s your style.

Dala - Crushed

Another sad one, though for me this is more of a “I had a bad day and I’m just trying to sleep” kind of tune. A few more of the tunes off of their album carry the same vibe, but this one takes the cake.

Deck The Hallmarks

We all know the good old Hallmark vibe. Sappy, predictable romances to laugh along with, long, expensive trips to the mall and those ever-present glittery cards. This is a great soup of popular Christmas tunes, romance films and books, and shows to make fun of once the kids have gone to bed. Important note: A lot of these movies and shows aren’t just corny, they’re actively bad. If you’re not one who laughs at accidental cringe comedy, you’d probably rather skip them altogether.

Movies:

A Very Merry Mix-Up (2013)

This has constantly been listed on the Top 10 Worst Hallmark Films of All Time, and let me tell you, those lists are NOT wrong. I’m not much of a laugh-atother-people’s-downfall kind of guy, but did I ever have cruel tears in my eyes ten minutes into this one.

Stop The Wedding (2016)

Another Top Ten Worst contender, and you can already tell by the title that it’s going to be a long couple of hours. But, I mean, if you’re putting on a Hallmark flick, it’s because you already know how it ends and just want to laugh at the ups and downs of a predictable romance story. Well worth a watch.

Coming Home For Christmas (2017)

This one’s on the less-terrible end of Hallmark films. I’m not entirely sure if that disqualifies it from this aesthetic, but at least this one’s watchable with

the whole family! If you want a break from overdramatic Christmas flicks, or whatever horror film your older cousin’s watching too loudly downstairs, this one’s for you.

Books:

Ex-Mas by Kate Brian

The longing-for-the-ex trope has been beaten to death, but isn’t that what the Hallmark vibe is all about? Every reader will find a bit of themselves in this joyful, tear-filled YA novel.

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny

Bayliss

This one is a Hallmark movie waiting to happen. The title gives it away, and if that interests you, the book will blow away your expectations.

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

With a main plotline straight out of Juno, this rom-com follows two twins as they switch lives in the days preceding Christmas. What could possibly go wrong?

Shows:

The Office (especially the holiday episodes) (2005) Again - we all know it, we all love it. The Office hits the nail on the head once again with Christmas stories full of hijinks, laughs and tears.

M*A*S*H ( especially the holiday episodes) (1972) I grew up on DVDs of this show, and

I can only hope that this article draws more of you into it. It is a masterpiece of comedy. The holiday episodes are just the beginning - you’ll be laughing at every episode no matter what time of year it is.

Home For Christmas (2019)

Full of laughs and tickled with absurdity, this good old holiday doomed-romantic story follows a perpetually-single girl who is determined to bring home a boyfriend for Christmas.

Music:

Josh Groban - Little Drummer Boy

Most people will recognize this, even if they don’t know it. Josh Groban is as much of a Christmas staple as Michael Buble and Mariah Carey, though a lot of his tunes involve a twist of comedy and a refreshing step away from the lovesickness of Buble and Carey.

Pentatonix - Mary, Did You Know?

Ah, the good old Pentatonix. Another group that I grew up with, they spun their own Christmas tune a few years back and absolutely smashed it. If you’re sick of the same seven Christmas tunes playing over and over and over by different artists, this tune is a welcome breath of fresh air.

Bing Crosby - Do You Hear What I Hear?

This one’s more of a personal favorite, but I had to include it here. It’s another tune that more of you may recognize without knowing it, and it does a wonderful job of mixing the Christian elements of Christmas with the wider, more open dialogue of a deep winter night.

HOLIDAY SELF-CARE TIPS

A guide to fighting the winter blues

JAYDE ATCHISON (SHE/HER) Opinions Editor

NATASHA LEE (SHE/HER) Illustrator

December barrels into our lives with a suitcase filled with less daylight, the pressure of gift-giving, familial obligations and, of course, exam stress. December throws that suitcase at you as if you are a bellhop, expecting you to carry it for all 31 days — plus an extended vacation into the new year. The weight seems manageable for the first couple days, but suddenly your arms get tired and you begin to feel the weight of things start to drag you down. Keeping yourself mentally and physically healthy during this time is crucial — and this requires ensuring you’re taking time to practice self-care.

You’re the only guaranteed person throughout your life and it’s important to take care of yourself in the one life you have. Selfcare looks different for everyone, because one person’s treasure is another person’s trash. What’s important is to keep your passions in check and unapologetically do things that make you happy — even if others tell you that doesn’t work for them. Test any of these healthy coping mechanisms to help relieve some of the holiday blues, or take an idea and mould it into your own practice.

The classic bubble bath and candle combo:

For some, to escape from the constant socializing, decompressing at the end of the day in a soothing bubble bath with their favourite feel-good movie on is an easy step into self-care. Let yourself soak into the hot water, turn off your phone and wait for the water to reach a tepid temperature (and if that’s not enough, drain some water, refill and repeat).

Move your body:

You do not need to be an Olympic athlete to feel the benefits of exercise. Even if you take ten minutes out of your day to stretch out your muscles, you can feel more in tune with your body. Students have a habit of foregoing a fitness routine because they are overwhelmed with time management — it’s understandable! If fitness makes you happy, give that gift to yourself and enjoy that endorphin rush.

Remind yourself you are not alone:

If you’re out of your hometown for the holidays, it’s easy to feel homesick and miss the experiences that came with being in a familiar setting. For some, it may be comforting to sit in a coffee shop, look out the window and see that there are others going through the same motions that you are.

Throw on a cheesy movie with a festive drink:

There’s something heartwarming about holiday films, especially if they’re made by Hallmark. When things are feeling too heavy in the real world, it can be nice to get lost in a guaranteed happy outcome for a few hours. Light a festive candle, throw on a ridiculous themed sweater and give into the happier side of the holidays.

Speak to a counsellor or therapist:

Mental health issues start to bubble up and make themselves more obvious during the darker days of the year, and being obligated to spend time with relatives can be triggering to some folks. There are therapy and counselling options for all budgets, and it helps to get your emotions and experiences out to someone that is trained to assist you through them. Find solace in knowing that there is always someone to hear you.

Whatever brings you a spark of joy, hold onto it and give yourself permission to step away from the holiday hustle. Little moments of peace go a long way — finding a healthy outlet this season may help the time go by faster and smoother than previous years. Remember that you are worthy of a break, and December’s baggage can wait while you take one.

LETTERS OF GRATITUDE

Open expressions of gratitude and love for the December holidays that ignite joy within us

EMMA MENDEZ (SHE/HER/THEY/THEM) Culture Editor

MAYUMI IZUMI (SHE/HER) Contributor

JAYDE ATCHISON (SHE/HER) Opinions Editor

My beloved Winter Solstice, I hold such a soft spot in my heart for you. I used to see you as just words on a calendar, unaware of all you had to offer. Now I think back to the first time I honoured you and I’m overflowing with love and gratitude. You gave me the opportunity to hold space for myself when I felt so alone in my grief. You also remind me of the blessings of rest and receiving.

You are so underappreciated, and I truly don’t understand why! You invite us to gather in magical community to feast, laugh, dance, love, without the weight of capitalism. You truly encourage us to celebrate ourselves, our rest, and the land, in a way not many days do.

Winter is usually such a hard time for me, especially with Christmas and New Year’s — both of which always make me sad. But you embraced me with open arms, a day just for me, the land, my community, and my healing. Nothing else. In the numbing lonely roar that is winter, you have a beacon of light for me. For that I am eternally grateful.

With much love, Emma

Dear Father Christmas,

I thank you for your many gifts. Since I was a little girl, I have enjoyed your holiday cheer, colourful decorations, Christmas tree, and most of all, the spirit of joy that you bring with you every year.

It’s not just about receiving presents under the tree on Christmas morning. I love you because of the time we spend with family, friends, and neighbours in our community. And the act of giving that goes hand in hand with Dec. 25. Giving our loved ones yummy baked cookies and cakes, exchanging pretty cards, sharing delight by singing your sweet carols and showing love in many different forms.

For those of us that live close to the mountains, you also bring us joy in the form of beautiful white snow to play in. It allows us to build snowmen with our friends, as well as act on our desire for adventure through skiing and snowboarding.

You provide us the opportunity for all of this and so much more, and for that I am grateful to you.

Love, Mayumi

Dear New Year’s Day,

I know deep down in my heart that time is a construct, and that when you come around, the world doesn’t hit a reset button. I promise, I know. However, at the end of every calendar year, I can’t help but feel a buzz of excitement coursing through my body. I want to thank you for giving me new inspiration to create yearly goals, and a renewed round of motivation.

Sometimes you may feel overshadowed by the gift-giving showstopper that is Christmas, but I think you are a much more lovely holiday. I thrive on buying new stationary decked out in your latest name (I think 2022 has a wonderful ring to it by the way). Your holiday is cheery and filled with people surrounded by their loved ones, dressed to impress. The feeling of finally letting go of the negative energy brought about during the last twelve months is contagious and heartwarming. Counting down to your shining midnight moment is fun for people of all ages, and I love the range, from banging pots and pans to popping champagne. You are an icon whose diversity knows no bounds.

Thank you for giving me hope and a first-day-of-seventh-grade feeling every single Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. I love that I can enjoy being with you, no matter how I decide to spend the evening — drinking bubbly with pals or soaking alone in the bath.

I look forward to celebrating your day again, and I can’t wait to see what you bring to the table in 2022.

With love and gratitude,

Jayde

BEING UNORIGINAL IS BEAUTIFUL

How I learned to love peppermint mochas and stopped worrying

GWEN PEMBERTON (SHE/HER) Contributor

SHARLEEN RAMOS (SHE/HER) Illustrator

On the surface, “basic,” or “basic bitch” can seem like a harmless word, used to point out predictable buying patterns and an interest in pop culture. Often it feels like you’re making fun of things, not people. And every year, the holiday season brings with it a tide of traditions, mostly involving gingerbread and snowball fights, there is always one tradition that isn’t quite as cheery as the others. As soon as Christmas carols and eggnog lattes make their debut, the backlash begins. Backlash centered around the so-called “basic bitches,” an appropriated and commonly used AAVE term (African-American Vernacular English), and everything they enjoy. But why do so many people feel the need to tear others down for enjoying what’s simply popular? Being predictable doesn’t hurt anybody, and people spending their time “calling out” others often ends up depriving themselves for fear of being called generic as well.

Everyone pictures a certain type of person when they talk about a basic bitch, and more than likely they look something like Cher from Clueless. Women who are unapologetically feminine are prime candidates for the basic badge of honour. The term basic bitch is just another way for society to express its not so thinly veiled contempt for the interests and pastimes of girls, especially adolescent ones. Many people will jump at the chance to denounce pop music, reality TV, rom-coms and, of course, Friends. The trick is, basic is a word that hides its misogyny just enough to fly under the radar. If you react to being called basic, you just can’t take a joke.

Many women fear being shamed for their interests so much that they are willing to make fun of others to save themselves from the spotlight. I’ve been guilty of this many times in my life, and it’s something that I constantly have to self-monitor. Misogyny is not an easy thing to unlearn, for anyone, but what do we lose when we reject what brings us joy, just to prove to others that we are different? Automatically dismissing people for their surface level traits, and refusing to treat them as people with a wide range of interests and experiences flattens them down to superficial stereotypes, and enables patriarchal systems to continue to devalue anything labelled “feminine.”

Basic, like any other stereotype, has become weaponized against others, the majority of them women, in order to reduce them to a label, and elevate the person doing the labelling. Calling someone predictable is a way to signal your own

unpredictableness; a way to declare to others that you order black coffee, not peppermint mochas. What we tend to forget, in the race to call out others, is that peppermint mochas actually taste good. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean that it’s bad. If someone likes something that a lot of other people also enjoy, that doesn’t automatically make them a boring, one dimensional person. No one wants to be predictable, but it is possible to swing too far in the other direction and spend more energy tearing down others than we do enjoying ourselves.

In recent years, it seems like the beginning of the end has come for the term “basic bitch.” At least as an insult. Many people are starting to reclaim the term, taking pride in liking what is considered conventional. In reclaiming it, it’s important to note that the word was taken by the masses and is widely appropriated by people outside of the Black community who are asking nonBlack people to go beyond being aware of the appropriation of AAVE, something which is deemed “undesirable” when used by Black people, but to simply steer clear from it. Instead non-Black individuals can reclaim being deemed predictable, because calling someone boring has ironically become pretty boring itself.

Happily, a more accepting atmosphere seems to be taking hold. One where people are able to love what they love without fear of being put in a box. Of course “basic” things will always exist. The goalposts move constantly, and what is popular will always be seen as gauche by a certain sector of the population, but that doesn’t have to change how you or anyone else feels about the things that bring you joy. The bottom line is, boring is not a bad word. So, if you find yourself fighting the urge to order an eggnog latte this winter season, remember that there is no shame in enjoying the simple, the pretty, or the popular things in life.

Basic, like any other stereotype, has become weaponized against others, the majority of them women, in order to reduce them to a label, and elevate the person doing the labelling.

DO WHAT YOU CAN BUT DON’T TAKE ON TOO MUCH

Saying no as a form of self preservation

ALEXIS ZYGAN (SHE/HER) Contributor

JASON LOW (THEY/THEM) Illustrator

Mainly because I have a history of not standing up for myself and acting like a pushover, even though denying my needs has only resulted in elevated stress and anxiety.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) adversely impacts my mood as the temperature drops and the hours of sunlight rapidly diminish. The vitamin D our bodies desperately depend on to produce serotonin becomes inaccessible until springtime. Sad lamps are no match for the blazing hot warmth of the sunshine. Himalayan salt lamps provide my basement suite bedroom with a warm glow but fail to enhance my mood.

I find myself overwhelmed by everyday tasks, despite my inability to maintain a schedule. I succumb to the pressure to achieve — because I have yet to unlearn that productivity does not equate to my worth. This leaves me winding up in a state of chronic overwhelm. This winter, I plan to act in my own best interest by preventing stress. Instead of jam-packing my schedule with activities, I aim to step into my power by checking in with myself before solidifying plans — while also showing gratitude to my social circle when I honour the introverted side of an ambivert. Friends who genuinely care about you will still be there even after you reject plans for a month, as long as you explain that it’s necessary for self-preservation.

Spoon theory, named in an essay by Christine Miserandino, is a metaphor often used by people with chronic illness to describe the amount of energy someone has for tasks. Low spoons equate to low energy. In the winter months, my energy depletes, and I need to prioritize my well-being, resulting in isolation to prevent spiralling into a worsened emotional state. I take time to heal, and re-enter society when I am more robust and ready to tackle whatever life throws at me. Or, once I have the spoons.

I encourage you to prioritize your wellbeing, particularly if you tend to exceed your limits and overcommit. Have clear boundaries when engaging with people who tend to trigger uncomfortable feelings. Saying no may be a struggle at first, especially if you’ve been gaslit in the past. I know it was for me. Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation when someone denies your reality to the extent that you question your validity. Even though I often fear the reaction of setting a boundary, I know that it’s worth standing up for myself and protecting my limited energy from vultures. Reject the “yes day” mentality and embrace saying no. In the end, you may develop stronger self-confidence, a greater trust in your own judgment, and a better understanding of who your true friends are.

I am a firm believer in prioritizing my needs above all else. A friend once told me that it’s important to “put your oxygen mask on first.” A sentiment that encourages taking care of oneself before attending to the needs of others. An action I once thought of as selfish, I now view as necessary in managing my mental health.

DON’T SETTLE FOR SEASONAL LOVE

Don’t drop your standards just because it’s dark outside

MATT SHIPLEY (HE/HIM) Contributor

ANAIS BAYLE (SHE/HER) Illustrator

A good bunch of us are subconsciously spending more time on Tinder, wondering if anyone else is shivering violently enough to settle for us. Even in class, there are always a couple of people in the room that make the tension fly like radiation, their eyes flicking less-than-subtly over their classmates’ faces. All in all, it’s a rough time to be single.

With that said, it’s also unequivocally the worst time of the year to look for a partner, and I speak from extensive personal experience. As toxic as it sounds, being proud to present our partners to our families and friends is a huge part of a relationship, and guess what? If we’re living away from our families in the Vancouverian winter, chances are we won’t be seeing them very often. We won’t be going out to the beach, or to the trails, and we’ll be spending much more time at home watching Netflix. In the winter, we’re less worried about finding someone who fills in our blanks, and more worried about finding anyone who can replace the six empty microwave popcorn bags next to us on the couch.

These days, with the rise of online dating apps, cuffing season can easily turn into an all-out minefield. Dating becomes more of a stock-market-esque trading ritual, but with an added twist: trading up, or managing to land a relationship with someone out of our league, isn’t a good thing, because as we trade up, they’re trading down. Essentially, we’re setting ourselves up for heartbreak when the sun comes back out in April. On the other side of the coin, if we trade down, we’re putting ourselves in a tremendously awkward situation. Nobody in their right mind likes to break hearts because of mistakes they made, but it always seems to happen.

To all of the classmate dreamers out there, let me remind you of something before you take that step. That person you’re looking at? That’s your classmate! You’re trapped together for the semester at least, if not the year and beyond. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be forced to stare daggers across the room at each other until what feels like the end of time. In the absolute worst case, you’ll try something with someone in your friend group, then when it blows up in your face, your friends will devolve into disarray as a turf war breaks out over who killed who. It sounds ridiculous, and maybe it is, but I’ve seen it happen. Actually, it was definitely my fault. Don’t ask.

As difficult as it is, it’s so important to sit down with yourself and take some time to think before you leap headfirst into a relationship this season. Ask yourself if they will make you happy. Ask yourself if you’re only doing it to have some much-needed physical closeness, or if you’re genuinely looking for something special. Most importantly, ask yourself two questions:Is this someone I would be ecstatic to share the foreseeable future with?And, almost more importantly, do they see me the same way? If not, well, grab yourself a weighted blanket and revel in the blissful simplicity that comes with being single. It’s a blessing in disguise, I guarantee it.

It’s impulse dating season! Mercury’s slowly descending towards zero, the wind and rain are turning our skin into Braille novels, and the sun’s cheating on us with our friends south of the Equator.

IS SQUID GAME WORTH THE HYPE?

Netflix’s hit show has more to it than just big budget violence

ERIC BRUCE (HE/HIM) Contributor

So you recently heard about a new South Korean Netflix show called Squid Game. Your friends are begging you to watch it, you've seen about 75 TikTok videos referencing it, and your algorithm is dominated by Squid Game memes that you don't quite understand. But you're a busy person; between work, school, and re-watching The Office, do you really have time to binge another streaming show? Is Squid Game actually worth the hype? Why is it so popular?

Squid Game follows the story of Seong Gi-hun, a down and out man who can't seem to get his act together. He's broke, owes some pretty hefty gambling debts, and is struggling to maintain a relationship with his daughter. But that all changes when Gi-hun meets a stranger who offers him an opportunity to make some fast cash. Play in a series of children's games, against a group of other money hungry competitors, with the grand prize being billions of dollars. Gi-hun quickly realizes there is a catch however: the losers of the game get brutally murdered.

So why has this show captured the culture zeitgeist with such veracity? One of the main reasons that the show is so popular is because of the timing of its release, and its relevance to current politics.

What some may have not garnered from my description of the plotline, is that Squid Game is actually a giant metaphor for economic disparity. We see in Squid Game, an assortment of characters who have been discarded by a society that has no use for people who don't fit into its capitalistic structure. These people are then thrust into the middle of a murderous game for cash where your best chance at survival is to step on your fellow contestants to get to the top. Meanwhile a group of masked ultra rich people who are running the game, laugh at the contestants, and take great pleasure and amusement from their completely unnecessary pain and strife.

Does this strike a chord with you? It should. We are living in a time where we are beginning to awaken to the fact that most of the world's wealth is controlled by the elite 1% of the population. Most

people are greatly underpaid and mistreated in their workplaces, and not everyone gets a fair shake at the capitalistic game we play. Squid Game holds a mirror up to the brutal reality we are currently living in. This is one of the key factors as to why the show has gained a massive following, whether its viewers realize it on a conscious level or not.

Aside from the show's important metaphor, it also has the benefit of featuring some of the best actors from South Korea; a nation that is now producing some of the world's best works of film. Actor Lee Jung-jae does a masterful job of playing our protagonist Gi-hun, and we also get to witness stand out performances from every other cast member.

We are also treated to masterful pacing and cinematography in a form that we don't often see in North American television. Yes, obviously we get to witness some very unique and bloody scenes of murder and mayhem in this show, executed in big budget glory. But I paid particular note to simple transitional scenes. Skip ahead to 42:10ish in Episode 2. In this scene we take a beat to just hear the rain fall in a narrow Korean street, as our protagonist sits outside and drinks a glass of soju. The shot is gorgeous, and establishes tone, and we get to learn more about our character’s life through this simple moment. Sure, we are all tuning into this show to see what horrific games our characters are going to have to face, but it's the amazing nuance that director Hwang Dong-hyuk brings to this show that has made it so popular.

This isn't just some B-level horror movie. Squid Game has heart and soul, and its viewers can connect to it on a deep level. Rather than just re-watching The Office on loop while eating overpriced meals brought to you by underpaid Uber Eats drivers, you can watch Gi-hun trying to navigate a world that rewards cutthroat behavior, and punishes acts of love and kindness. A world that we can, unfortunately, kind of relate to.

Is Squid Game worth the hype? Definitely.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE OF ALL TIME

Jim Carrey’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas will never get old — don’t bother changing my mind

Every Christmas season, holiday movies overtake TV channels and streaming services as everyone scrambles for their fix of festive entertainment. From Christmas themed horror movies to frosty Hallmark romantic comedies, there really is a holiday screening for everyone. When it comes to the best holiday movie of all time, it can be tricky to decide between all the classics, as well as the new films that come out every year hoping to join the holiday hall of fame. Personally, only one holiday movie keeps me entertained year after year without fault: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Based on the children's book by Dr. Seuss, this live action film bridges comedy and Christmas spirit with the importance of kindness, compassion and inclusivity, all while giving you the laughing ab workout you didn’t know you needed.

Played by Jim Carrey, the Grinch’s story begins with his plans to ruin Christmas for the town of Whoville through a number of hilarious avenues. From destroying the town’s gift delivery service to stealing the individual Christmas lights from each house, we see the Grinch’s character grow along with his scruffy dog sidekick Max as Christmas day fast approaches. The saving grace in the movie comes in the form of a young girl, Cindy Lou Who, who tries to befriend the Grinch and convince him to open his heart to forgiveness and holiday cheer. This relationship continues to grow, and ultimately Cindy Lou Who shows the Grinch the importance of Christmas beyond material gifts — qualities like friendship, joy and compassion.

One of my favourite scenes is when the Grinch, disguising himself as Santa Claus, attaches a single antler to his dog’s head to disguise him as a reindeer in preparation for his crusaid into Whoville. As he does this, Jim Carrey proceeds with a monologue to motivate Max to get into his reindeer character — just as a movie director would pep talk a movie star before a big scene. When I was younger, I remember thinking the dog in this scene was cute and silly, and rewatching it as an adult, I find myself laughing at the premise of the whole scene, especially the Grinch’s monologue. Long story short, anyone who hasn't seen this movie is missing out on Jim Carrey’s interpretation of the Grinch as he embodies the character in true Jim Carrey fashion — outrageously silly and over the top in every scene.

If you plan on watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas this season, I find it pairs well with warm blankets, friends, and the house dog all squished on one couch, sipping hot chocolate (now with Bailey’s) sometime in the nights leading up to Christmas day. It is the melodramatic tone of the Dr. Seuss genre and the over the top acting that allows me to enjoy the film year after year. Every time I re-watch the film, I discover something new, or make a connection I haven’t seen before, which is a quality that makes this classical story continuously entertaining for everyone. For those who have yet to watch this amazing festive film, get ready to laugh like you never have before while you fall in love with a character well beyond what you thought possible.

KAILEIGH BUNTING (SHE/HER) Contributor VALERIYA KIM (SHE/HER) Design Director

COLUMNS

THE UNBEATEN PATH

See more at Mount Elsay

MATT SHIPLEY (HE/HIM) Columnist

No matter how long I spend here, Vancouver never ceases to amaze me. Everybody loves a quick trip to Quarry Rock, or a little hike around Grouse Mountain or Mount Seymour. Consequently, those places draw massive crowds. The suspension bridges are mobbed; the Cut on Grouse Mountain is thronged. If all you see is those well-trodden places, you might be discouraged from adventuring around Vancouver at all.

But what if I told you that if you walked just a little further, you could be the only person on the mountain? You don’t have to wake up at five in the morning to get a crowd-free shot of the skyline from four thousand feet up. In fact, I doubt anyone would bat an eye if you brought a tent and spent the night on a few of these peaks.

Just to the north of the Mount Seymour ski hill lies a series of peaks that culminate in the angular skyscraper that is the resort’s namesake. A well-known backcountry ski destination, it still gets a few visits in the summer, but not nearly as many as its subpeaks. Soaring in at an impressive 4754 feet above sea level, this beautiful beast is made more manageable by its proximity to the Mount Seymour parking lot and the well-maintained trail leading more or less directly to the summit.

If you’ve summited Mount Seymour, and it’s still early in the day, you have a choice. Either go back and have lunch at your car, or keep on pushing one peak further. This peak is one of my personal favourites, and I’ve hiked it multiple times over the past two summers. Mount Elsay, named after the lake that you won’t see until you look over the north side of the wide, spacious peak, is one of the most interesting mountains I’ve ever tried to find. The trail, for one, is hard to distinguish — just barely a hole in the woods off of the main Mount Seymour trail. I spent three hours on the short trek between Seymour and Elsay on my first time out, constantly checking GPS coordinates, backtracking, and frowning at a nearly marking-free boulder field.

The summit, though, is worth the effort. The trail is threadbare for a reason — nearly nobody knows about it, and even fewer take the extra two hours to scramble out to Elsay and back. The few people you will meet — and only on a very popular day — will all be kind, interesting people with a penchant for adventure. They’ll get out of the way for a picture, take your picture for you, and share their stories with you, if you work up the courage to ask.

Another mountain with a similar, if not even more eccentric, sect of hikers is Crown Mountain, a jutting, bare-rock scramble above Grouse Mountain. Again, this one has a trail leading all the way to it, and it’s much better marked than the Elsay trail, but from a technical standpoint it’s much more difficult. You’ll hike a wide, well-trodden trail up past Tim Jones Peak towards Goat Mountain, but before you reach that peak, you’ll tear off to a side trail that leads across a small saddle and seemingly straight up to a knife-edge ridge that marks the summit of Crown Mountain.

The feeling of standing on a five-foot-wide ridge, with moderately forgiving falls on either side, is something that can only be described by the experience itself. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but, luckily for us, all of the subpeaks between the parking lot and Crown Mountain are stellar. It works kind of like a ladder: it’s totally okay to take one step, then call it a day. The next time, you take a second step, then a third, and so on. None of those adventures will feel like failures. Just the ecstasy of clean, crisp air, sparse crowds and new personal roads is more than enough of a reward for the effort.

Also, the couloirs off of the northeast face of Crown Mountain, while mega-sketchy in terms of avalanche conditions, look like heaven for late-season backcountry skiing. If that mission ends up succeeding, I’ll definitely write about it here.

QUEERIES

Allowing space for gender and sexuality exploration in the isolation of the pandemic

RAIN MARIE (SHE/THEY) Columnist

March 2020 changed the world in a way that we never would have imagined. Going into quarantine, we all experienced a strong sense of isolation. For young people especially, this change was drastic. Quarantine, whether for better or for worse, forced us all to spend a lot of time with ourselves, naturally promoting self reflection and introspection. We were prompted to reflect on part of ourselves we’ve never looked at — or maybe parts of ourselves we’ve avoided.

Despite the struggles and pain that quarantine presents, in our society we are given few chances to sit with ourselves and our thoughts. We rush to get to the next event, milestone, or achievement. Our western world is structured around the capitalist idea of our worth equalling material and societal achievement. This constant motion wasn’t stopped by lockdown, but like a rest stop on a long hike, it’s nice to take a break and absorb the view around us.

For young people struggling with their sexuality or gender, quarantine allowed space for safe exploration of that. Despite being a natural human instinct, our own thoughts of romance and desire are often repressed — even more so in the mind of a young queer person. In an attempt to survive we will bottle these feelings deep down inside us. Maybe they come up sometimes, maybe we tell ourselves we’ll deal with them later, but the structure of our society really doesn’t allow for proper digestion of these issues.

Gender is a massive spectrum of emotions. It’s a personal and deep journey that people experience in multiple ways. Quarantine allows for a space to self explore, lets us see the parts of us and our gender that may have previously been uncomfortable. The discomfort and societal pressure to stick to the norm still exists, but exploration has become more private and safe when that only person you are spending time with is yourself.

The feelings of isolation that the pandemic created also brought forward the feeling of not wanting to miss out on any future connections. What’s most important to us has been brought to the forefront, and for many of us that something is our connections to other people. Isolation — both caused by emotional repression and the pandemic — is difficult for anyone to experience, and brings forward questions like ‘what am I missing?’ or ‘how much longer do I have to make these connections?’ The fear of coming out is outweighed by the feelings of wanting to connect.

It makes sense that quarantine has led to the growth of online communities; particularly online queer communities. I was very lucky to be exposed to some informative online queer resources and supportive communities in my teens, but many people haven’t had the opportunity until now. As online spaces grow, so do these safe spaces for queer identifying people and people who may be exploring their gender and sexuality. Websites such as TikTok, Discord, Tumblr, and Reddit have allowed these communities to flourish during the pandemic. People can find informative groups and communities in a click and can start exploring these issues within themselves.

Despite all the great things that can come from the internet, there are also conflicts, predators, and misinformation. The internet is a wonderful and helpful thing, but it can also be dangerous and uncontrolled. Diving into these online communities, one may find themselves surrounded by a bunch of scary and unexpected things. Toxic behavior including, but not limited to, gatekeeping, transphobia, homophobia and biphobia, TERF’s (Trans Exclusionary Feminists), and bullying can run rampant in some communities.

Unsafe and inaccurate sex education can be an issue, as many young people go online to find information the school system failed to teach them. Unfortunately, that information is often given to them by other people who were failed by the same system. Safe sex and STI prevention is often mistaught and glossed over for queer people.

As we consume more media and internet pornography, we should acknowledge that many depictions of queer relations are inaccurate. Lots of queer media is either written by cisgendered straight people or is aimed towards a straight audience — meaning that queer media can sometimes fail to represent us accurately. It’s hard to depict queer relationships without the oversight of multiple queer voices. Luckily we can still find good resources, helpful people, and positive information within these communities.

It is no surprise that over the course of lockdown, coming out and self exploration has flourished. With the growth of online communities, time for self reflection, and slightly less societal pressure, queer communities have flourished and grown. Proper research and keeping space to keep yourself safe is essential to keep in mind when entering this journey. Always put yourself first and remember that everyone goes on this journey at their own pace.

Check your sun (the sign everyone knows, identity, ego), moon (emotional), & rising (how you come off to others).

Dates for sun sign:

VIRGO

(Aug. 23 – Sep. 22)

Virgo! Slow down, will you? Not everything has to be a flurry of productivity. Play exists for a reason, chill out.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

Being broody and mysterious can be nice, but have you tried letting people appreciate you? It might just make you feel a little less lonely.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Hoarding your emotions is the opposite of helpful. Allow yourself to receive support from others, you are not a burden.

LIBRA (Sep. 23 – Oct. 22)

Be gentle with yourself this holiday season. You don’t always have to do everyone’s personal growth work for them, nor should you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Be proud of yourself for choosing to prioritize your joy! You deserve to laugh no matter what others say to you. Keep going.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Your spark and innovative spirit make you the life of the party wherever you go, dear Aquarius! In times where you feel as if no one understands you, know that love is present. Just not in the way you wish it would be, and that’s okay.

PISCES

(Feb. 19 – Mar. 20)

Dreams are sacred and even if only you feel that, know that you are simply just ahead of your time. Not everyone who enters your sphere should have access to them. Curate your friends.

TAURUS (Apr. 20 – May 20)

December is all about rejuvenating your spirit and heart. Allow yourself to retreat into the silence of the winter woods in order to find the answers you’ve been searching for. You won’t find them anywhere else.

CANCER (Jun. 21 – Jul. 22)

Cancer, things are slow this season for a reason. Enjoy the beauty of winter, the wonder that looms around every forest nook. Once spring comes you will be itching to go back to a simpler time.

ARIES (Mar. 21 – Apr. 19)

Aries, this month remember that you are capable of overcoming the challenges before you. Your sense of self and deep rooted values keep you grounded. Have faith.

GEMINI (May 21 – Jun. 20)

Your talent for recognizing beauty in others and in life is one of the things that people love about you. But are you seeing it within yourself? Realize that your growth is a process of beauty in itself.

LEO (Jul. 23 – Aug 22)

Your fiery passion is ignited for a reason! Don’t deny your desires any longer, or else you’ll be forced to face them. It’s now or never.