The Voice • March 21, 2019 • Volume 51 • Issue 6

ARTS & LIFE

SPORTS

The Life of Tse

Bridge Battle

Calligraphy community celebrates work of late master.

P7

Players at Kerrisdale club prepare for upcoming tournament in May. P8

PRODUCED BY LANGARA JOURNALISM STUDENTS | WWW.LANGARAVOICE.CA

ONLINE SPECIAL

Attack in NZ

In this week's Voice podcast, we discuss New Zealand PM's response. langaravoice.ca

MARCH 21, 2019 • VOL. 51 NO. 6 • VANCOUVER, B.C.

Sick note remedy needed Langara's lack of doctors' note policy, a maze for many teachers  By RENA MEDOW

M

VIGIL FOR NEW ZEALAND

Langara student, Noor Fadel, embraces a vigil attendee on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery shortly after reading a poem about the victims of New Zealand's terrorist attack. LIAM HILL-ALLAN PHOTO

Hope survives hatred

Vancouverites unite in support of Muslim community  By LIAM HILL-ALLAN

H

undreds of people gathered at a somber vigil Sunday at the Vancouver Art Gallery to show solidarity with the victims of New Zealand’s recent terrorist attack, and members of the Muslim

community.

More than 11,000 kilometres from New Zealand, throngs of Vancouverites mourned the deaths of the victims, and pledged intolerance of these targeted attacks.

Langara student Noor Fadel recited a poem to those at the vigil, from the perspective of

the victims to an emotional crowd, leaving many in tears.

“Bodies fall, all around me, screaming loud, I’m down on my knees,” Fadel recited.

“Nowhere to run, no place to hide, I’m stuck in this place, prepared to die.”

On March 15, an Australian white-nationalist armed

with a semi-automatic assault rifle, entered two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch and murdered 50 worshipers before being stopped by police officers. He livestreamed the entire attack.

Please see, Hope survives hatred, page 4, 5

ost doctors’ notes brought in by Langara students are authentic, yet some are forged by students looking to avoid exams or handing in assignments, according to a department chair.

“You start questioning the authenticity of all of them, because you start seeing runs of fake notes.

That’s not really the kind of relationship that I want to have with my students and in my teaching,” said criminal justice department chair Melissa Roberts.

Langara doesn’t have a policy for doctor’s notes, leaving each department to create its own practice around student absences, according to Maggie Ross, director of student conduct and judicial affairs.

“Langara does give consideration to exceptional circumstances beyond a student’s control that significantly affect a student’s ability to meet requirements of a course,” said Ross.

Michelle Bowers, the department chair of counselling, said Langara’s counselling services are always in high demand, especially during exams and forging doctor’s notes is an issue that speaks to the complexity of student life.

“Anxiety is probably the top reason why students book appointments with counselors."

One reason a student might forge a doctor’s note is because it is a service that is not covered by the B.C. Medical Services Plan.

In the Doctors of B.C. fee guide, the recommended charge for a doctor’s note is $43.90.

Some departments in Langara don’t accept doctor’s notes at all, preferring the honour system.

Instructors in the philosophy department believe if a student is desperate enough to fabricate a doctor’s note to get out of class, it will show in their work.

“I have never agreed to even look at one of these notes. I usually tell students, quite pointedly, ‘that was a waste of money,’” said instructor Wayne Henry.

See langaravoice.ca for full story.

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THE VOICE | THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 | EDITOR NATHAN DUREC

B-Line turns toxic Animosity over West Van express bus spills over into vicious personal attacks  By NICK LABA

W

hat began as a series of demonstrations against a plan for an express bus through West Vancouver has turned into a toxic feud that some councillors are working to repair.

Citizens on both sides have reported aggressive phone calls, and a “life-threatening” email sent to a council member has been reported.

“We’ve had some horrible emails with lots of profanities,” Coun.

Sharon Thompson said. “After [Coun. Peter Lambur] passed his motion, he got a really nasty email and I said, ‘You need to send this to the police right away.’”

While the row largely continues with its usual vitriol, Thompson said that proactive efforts are being made to Sharon bring community Thompson members together. WEST VANCOUVER This week, she’s COUNCILLOR arranged for a small group of representatives to meet and share their views.

“A couple of citizens who are antiB-Line, with me, we’re going to sit down with the cycling group and the students and the shop owners, and try to have a civilized discussion amongst all of us — a constructive one about the B-Line and really share ideas,” Thompson said.

“Because, at the end of the day, I think they all want the same thing, right. They want improved transit.

You know, we just need to share their ideas more calmly.”

At the last council meeting on March 11, Coun. Craig Cameron said he’s “never been so disappointed and ashamed of this community as I’ve been during this B-Line debate.”

Morag Keegan-Henry, whose group Force of Nature helped organize some of the B-Line supporters, said that dismissing people’s views has caused a lot of the problems on both sides.

"... never been so disappointed and ashamed of this community as I've been during this B-Line debate."

— CRAIG CAMERON, WEST VANCOUVER COUNCILLOR

“I think there’s been a lot of unfortunate comments made by folks that are pro-B-Line that have actually served to make the situation worse — a lot of quite ageist comments,” she said.

Keegan-Henry said that a lot of the debate has portrayed a toxic divide, when in fact there are people in both groups with more nuanced perspectives who are afraid to speak because of the highly contentious political atmosphere.

New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Coté pins a wrestler during a training session for the Royal City Rumble, to be held on March 30 at the Royal City Centre.

DARREN AMNER PHOTO

Coté defends city honour

New West mayor's upcoming ring debut a first in Canada  By DARREN AMNER

N

ew Westminster’s mayor will make history this month at Royal City Rumble as the first Canadian mayor to enter a pro wrestling ring.

This is the third time the annual event has taken place at Royal City Centre. Jonathan Coté, once the region’s youngest mayor and not quite 40, will be one of six competitors who have never wrestled before.

Coté was a wrestling fan as a kid.

Although wrestling in New West is relatively new, it’s beginning to develop a significant following.

“We’re expecting about a thousand This will be the first time a mayor people at the Royal City Rumble. To wrestles in a ring as an active particime, it’s about seeing all the kids go pant. In preparation for the match, absolutely crazy when the wrestling Coté has been training with his taghappens, it ’s team partner, just like what Mr. India, who "It's about seeing all you’ve seen on said the mayor TV,” said Coté, is fearless. the kids go absolutely who is a father “It’s not easy of three. to get into crazy when the Coté is servthe ring and ing his second start throwing wrestling happens." term as mayor. yourself back— JONATHAN COTÉ, NEW WESTMINSTER MAYOR Coté will wards, trust participate in me. Everyone a tag-team match as one half of the thinks this ring is like a trampoline, Royal City Defenders, teaming up but it’s not. It’s lots of two-by-four with Mr. India to face Team USA. pieces with metal underneath it and

an inch of padding. Sometimes it’s just easier to fall on the ground,” India said.

When it came to taking bumps (falling) and learning moves (holds), India said Coté is a fast learner and has been training a lot.

India has also been developing Coté’s character, Johnny X, working with him to unleash his inner fighter.

India promises New West fans will see a completely different side to Coté, who is often seen in a pinstripe suit sitting in city hall meetings.

“On March 30, you’ll see Johnny X, the Royal City defender, and his finishing move, the Johnny X stunner,” India said.

Richmond up for 'smart' award Disaster preparedness part of Smart Cities Challenge  By KATHRYN TINDALE

T

he next time a disaster hits this region, Richmond will be readier than most.

It is working on systems to shut down the Massey Tunnel, to warn hospitals to cancel surgeries and to automatically open fire-hall doors so that trucks can get out seconds faster during a flood or earthquake.

Those are some of the strategies that Richmond is working on with local high-tech companies in a competition called the Smart Cities Challenge.

“The benefits back to the city include improved co-ordination of emergency response; safer streets with the reduction of traffic crashes,

congestion and commute times; greater community resiliency for 72-hour post-disaster; early instant detection of flooding, earthquakes and spills; improved communication for our residents; the list goes on,” said Grant Fengstad, Richmond’s director of information technology.

As an island city, Richmond is susceptible to flooding and is located in a seismic-prone region, so its proposal includes upgraded plans in the event of a disaster that will also improve everyday life for residents.

Mark Masongsong, CEO and co-founder of UrbanLogiq, a Vancouver-based data-analysis company, said improving communication to residents, such as an app, is being considered by Richmond in order to preserve data, but also to ensure that information gets to the public quickly.

Another strategy for improving safety during a disaster is new measures for first responders, said Jesal Shah, director of the disaster mitigation unit for Emergency Management BC. Shah said by integrating an early-

warning system for critical infrastructure, like hospitals, police stations and fire halls, Richmond can improve disaster responses with a three- to 90-second head start.

“So then they could shut down critical infrastructure, such as the Massey Tunnel,” he said. “It could open up fire-engine-hall doors, so that fire trucks can leave quickly, because after an earthquake, it may damage the system. Also it could alert hospitals to refrain from doing any surgeries if the effects of a big earthquake are about to be felt.”

Adding sensors on the outside of critical infrastructure can also signal to first responders if it is safe to enter a building if there has been an earthquake, Shah said.

As a finalist in the Smart Cities Challenge, Richmond has a one-infive chance to win $10 million. The challenge is an open competition for all municipalities, governments and communities across Canada to create a proposal incorporating the “smart cities” approach, which reaches solutions for residents by using data and connected technology.

SMARTER CITIES

BY THE NUMBERS

» 200+

Number of communities across Canada that submitted to the Smart Cities Challenge.

» 20

Number of communities shortlisted as a finalist for the Smart Cities Challenge.

» $250,000

Award for each community who makes it to the finalist stage.

» $10 million

Prize for the selected community to implement its submitted Smart Cities Challenge plan.

SOURCE: INFRASTRUCTURE.GC.CA

Campusnews

EDITOR DARREN AMNER | THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 | THE VOICE

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No love for some subjects at Career Week Humanities and social sciences, often tough fields to break into, ignored at job fair The Langara Falcons in their new uniforms at the CCAA Nationals, which they also hosted at Langley Events Centre. DOM GAGNE SUBMITTED PHOTO

Uniforms debut at CCAA Langara College unveils Indigenous name on jerseys

 By JENNIFER BLAKE

L

angara College's Indigenous name s made its launch on a national sporting platform with its debut on the team's basketball uniforms.

This is the first representation of the branding campaign Langara has rolled out since they were given their Musqueam name in 2016, according to Rick Ouellet, the school's director of Aboriginal education.

“Sports is such a face of any college,” said Ouellet. “The idea is to promote the new name that we have.”

Ouellet said he believes it's the first time a college has its Indigenous

name on a sports jersey. to have s on their new really spiritual and it was a good Jake McCallum, director of jerseys. learning experience.” athletics, consulted with OuelEberhardt said the championEberhardt said the team received let and the Musqueam people to ships included a lot of blending the new uniforms days before the create the new uniforms, tournament. P layers which were unveiled at the responded enthusiastiCCAA Men’s Basketball cally to the design and “It's going to be an Championships on Saturthe feel of them. day. The idea was to make Guard Alexa Leynes honour to represent sure the uniforms were of the women’s basketthat jersey in done tastefully, according ball team said the new to Ouellet. uniforms are superior games.”

Ouellet said that he to the previous ones in advised McCallum in the both fit and design. The — ALEXA LEYNES, LANGARA FALCONS process of creating the old uniforms often got ROSTER PHOTO uniforms, but the uniforms in the way during games. were McCallum’s idea. with Indigenous culture, such as Leynes said it’s great that the name “He did a wonderful job,” said drumming during opening ceremo- is displayed on the jerseys.

Ouellet. “It’s an awesome project.” nies and half time.

“It’s going to be an honour to Head coach Paul Eberhardt, said “It was really cool,” said Eber- represent that jersey in games,” Langara’s basketball team is proud hardt. “The guys thought it was she said.

Meaningful feedback a must Students need guidance on where they can improve in class

ies student, who also declined to be identified.

Nathaniel Payne, a mathematics and statistics instructor at Langara, thinks one way to improve feedback is to make sure instructors are available to assist the students, and ensure they have constructive conversations when students need to discuss their progress.

He acknowledged the importance of providing a supportive learning environment to students.

“I think being there to talk to the students is really important. They want to feel that they are supported on their academic journeys,” Payne said.

 By KIM LAU

I

nstructor feedback on assignments, midterms and exams are crucial factors for students’ academic success in college, something not all teachers excel at, say education experts.

In some cases, large classes can make it challenging for instructors to provide the in-depth one-on-one guidance that students need.

“You want to be encouraging. You want to offer meaningful feedback.

You want to give feedback that will give enough information to allow the student to improve,” Jim Rutley, principal of Vancouver Learning Network, said about teachers.

He also said that over the last few years, formative feedback has become an important concept to coaching both staff and students.

“The quality of the feedback, how precise it is and how targeted it is, does make a huge difference how effective that feedback will be,” Rutley said.

A 2017 U.K. study of first-year

STUDENT NEEDS

Instructor Keith Hughes teaches students at Langara. KIM LAU PHOTO

students’ and lecturers’ expectations of university education found that staff considered independent study and critical evaluation as key factors in academic success, whereas students tended to view feedback on drafts of work and support from staff as being more important.

“Sometimes I feel like when you’re in a big class the instructor doesn’t really know you and that might be hard for them to help you,” said Alyssa Kuan, a health sciences student. “If it’s distant, I feel like students have a hard time asking questions and stuff like

that.”

Other students say they want feedback tailored to their individual needs.

“I want actual feedback that I can improve on,” said one Langara psychology student, who asked not to be identified to avoid hurting her relationships with instructors. “I want to know what I’m lacking. If the instructor says ‘It’s a good start’ to everyone, it doesn’t really help. I’m actually struggling.”

“Sometimes instructors are busy and they are always outside of classes,” said one commerce and business stud-

FROM TEACHERS

1. Interesting, fun

Classes that are active can provide a shared responsibility for learning.

2. Passionate

Students want a teacher who loves his or her job.

3. Positive attitude

The teacher has to show a positive attitude to ensure the student learns what they're teaching.

SOURCE: LIFEHACK.ORG

 By TIERNEY GRATTAN

C

o-op and Career Week helps students develop the skills to find employment after college, having a day set aside for most areas of study—noticeably absent is one for social science and humanities.

These degrees also happen to be the most difficult to find related employment with after graduation.

A 2016 Stats Canada report showed people aged 25–34 with a bachelor’s degree in humanities and social science end up being more overqualified for their jobs than any other area of study. They often end up in positions that only require a high school education.

Jennifer Reid, the organizer for Co-op and Career Week, said there is not a set day for these students because critical thinking is too broad a skill.

“You’ve got to keep in mind that the employers are never going to speak directly at one occupation or one discipline,” said Reid. “They’re going to speak in general to the skills that students need to have in that area.”

Accountants, computer programmers, business management professionals and engineering jobs are in high demand in the labour market, according to WorkBC. Employer interest in the business management and computer science programs were actually the catalyst for starting Co-op and Career Week, Reid said.

“You start small and you work with the people who either have some sort of practicum or internship or some sort of work experience already embedded in their programs,” Reid said.

Langara has recently added a 61-credit program called a Diploma in Applied Social Sciences and Humanities with the aim of helping students apply critical thinking skills to the business environment.

Colin Mills, the department chair of DASSH, said it’s a myth all good jobs in the future belong in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

“Initially people that graduate with STEM often get really good jobs and people that graduate in social sciences and humanities often do start off in jobs that are below what their credentials,” Mills said. “In the long run, they continue to move upwards and they will find their place in the world.”

Mills said that maybe the social science and humanities departments need to put more emphasis on the skills students are being taught. “ When I do spiels for the DASSH program, I tell them that we are great at teaching people things, but we are terrible at telling them what we have taught them.”

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THE VOICE | THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 | EDITOR KATHRYN TINDALE

Half a world away, together in mourning Photos and story by Liam Hill-Allan 'Hope survives hatred' continued from P1

F

adel described her anger at the gunman’s racist motives, which he laid out in a manifesto before the

attack.

"Because of our colour, because of our race,” Fadel said. “Because of the fear he hears in the news, he never bothered to ask, so he continued to shoot.”

Adnan Akiel, an organizer from the Bridging Gaps Foundation, said the event was created to draw attention to spread of racist violence. “[The New Zealand terrorist attack] woke us up to the reality of ignorance and hate that exists in our society,” Akiel said. “I wanted to use this as an opportunity to address it.”

The terrorist’s manifesto, which was published on the Internet, referenced many popular alt-right internet personalities, whom he said influenced his ideology.

The event brought both Muslim and non-Muslim supporters together.

“People from all walks of life, from all faiths, all different genders, different lifestyles, they all came here for the same reason, which is to end

ignorance and hate,” Akiel said. heartbreaking and really fearful, so Keegan McIntosh, an event we hope some change can come out attendee, said he showed up, “to be of this.” human and to be supportive.”

Even before the New Zealand “Intolerance really touches us all,” attack, two alt-right personalities he said. say they had their speaking events Organizers at the vigil offered pushed out of various venues after information on activists and Islamic culture city councilors “People from all walks and free copies wrote letters of the Qur’an. expressing of life, from all faiths, N a v e e d their concerns. all different genders, Nadeem, an S t e p h a n organizer Molyneux and different lifestyles, they handing out Lauren Southpamphlets, all came here for the same ern said they said increased eventually had reason, which is to end education on to cancel their Islam could help events after ignorance and hate.” fight hatred. being unable to — ADNAN AKIEL, VIGIL ORGANIZER “ T h e ro o t find any venue cause of these following the acts is ignorance,” Nadeem said. “We attack. are here to answer any questions.”

Metro Vancouver has an active Humza Rai said he and many Muslim population of over 110,000 other Muslims in attendance showed people and over a half-dozen up to express their grief with other mosques in the city alone.

Muslim communities around the Police officers in Vancouver have world. stepped up their patrols of Muslim “If it happened there, it can worship areas to make the commuhappen here,” Rai said. “It was really nity feel safe.

News&Features 5 Excerpts from Noor Fadel's poem Bodies fall, all around me.

Screaming loud, I'm down on my knees, I’ll try and crawl out the door.

But he guards it up, stuck on the floor.

No where to run, no place to hide.

I'm stuck in this place, prepared to die.

I hear the screams, I hear the cries.

Children's lifeless bodies lie all on the floor without a sound.

While their loved ones try to pick them up off the ground.

But he runs out, escapes to hide.

As others come in, he was to hide.

He wore a mask on his face.

He ran away as we picked up the remains.

He knew not one of us.

Not even our names.

But killed us all because of our faith.

Because of our colour.

Because of our race.

Because of the fear he hears in the news.

He never bothered to ask, so he continued to shoot.

What was true and what were lies. He targeted us to take our lives, never trying to ask, he only ever believed, the media against us. To show us as enemies.

He turned with an idea and left with no shame.

Believing we were the villains.

He thought he won this game.

He believed he can succeed by leaving our blood all on the floor and what was left was his crime.

When he stepped out, the moment he ran, drove away from the scene, as far removed threw the mask out the window.

Threw gun out the car he didn't care about the details he only cared they were dead.

Clockwise from bottom right: A group of women bow their heads outside during the vigil at the Vancouver Art Gallery on March 17. A group kneels in prayer at the vigil. A young girl speaks to the crowd at the vigil. A group of men bow their heads during the vigil.

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Businessnews

THE VOICE | THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 | EDITOR KIRSTEN CLARKE

Students juggle two hats From high school to uni, non-profit bosses struggle with work load  By CHELSEA LIU

S

tudents managing a non-profit organization that advocates for responsible food waste say balancing school and work can be stressful.

Kitchen on a Mission president Ishmam Bhuiyan and vice-president Stephanie Siu took on the executive management positions after the founder went to college in the U.S. The two, who are now first year UBC students, but have been involved with KOM since high school, said it’s been tough balancing two roles at once.

Bhuiyan said despite balancing full time school and work, his passion for the cause is worth the struggle.

“It’s been harder than I thought and it’s gotten progressively harder,” Bhuiyan said.

With a core team of 20 and a volunteer team of around 100, KOM is a non-profit organization jointly managed

by Bhuiyan and Siu. KOM works to bridge the gap between resource Stephanie Siu divisions, said Bhuiyan. This VICE-PRESIDENT, KITCHEN ON A means that the MISSION company works with local businesses, shelters and organizations on gathering food and hygiene supplies that would otherwise be thrown out.

The supplies are distributed to local shelters for those in need.

“We are conscious that [the] work we’re doing is normalizing the fact that we don’t have equitable food systems,” Bhuiyan said.

Siu, who oversees volunteer recruitment and communicates with local businesses and shelters for supplies, said her job is to make sure everything runs smoothly for the organization.

Due to her leadership role within KOM, Siu maintains regular contact with the younger executives, which she said is hard to maintain contact while she’s in class.

“If there is a new problem, they come to me. I come up with solution(s). I get involved quite often,” Siu said.

Bhuiyan credits the success of KOM to its volunteers. “It’s a team effort.”

Sir Winston Churchill Grade 11 student Zainab Sayedain, the volunteer coordinator for the Churchill branch, said people put in the time because they are passionate about the cause.

“I would never go back or sacrifice any of it because it’s what I truly believe in,” Sayedain said.

The Voice is published by Langara College’s journalism department. Editorial opinions are those of the staff and are independent of views of the student

government and administration. We welcome letters to the editor. They may be edited for brevity.

Your letter must include your name and phone number.

Networking in a new age

Social media can make a big impact on finding a new job  By AUSTIN EVERETT

S

tudents are urged to be mindful of their social media footprint as employers may screen them for future jobs, said the chair of Langara’s Co-op and Career Development Centre.

Heather Workman said that people can be found online through a system of mutual interests, skills and connections, which is a great opportunity. The amount of followers you have is not the most important thing, as quality of followers is preferred over quantity, Workman said.

“LinkedIn can boost your reputation and help people who are looking for you, it’s free buzz,” Workman said.

A 2018 survey by CareerBuilder, a bad effect on you in the future,” a job-posting website, reported that Wright said, adding that he has up to 70 per cent of employers in the friends that have posted images of U.S. screen applicants, 48 per cent themselves smoking weed, but who check up on h a ve s i n c e their employthose “Show your personality, removed ees throughphotos as they out their search for but use your platforms careers and 34 employment. to highlight things that per cent have Wright fired employsaid that past reflect positively on you.” ees because of posts aren’t a — STEPHANIE KOONAR, LANGARA MARKETING social media great measure MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTOR related activity. of someone’s Andrew character, but Wright, a business student at Lang- still have weight for employers. ara, said he is aware of posts on his Networking is now a combinasocial media as he moves towards a tion of face-to-face conversations professional career. and a good social media presence, “If you’re posting something that according to Stephanie Koonar, a makes you look bad, it could have marketing management instructor at

World leaders, take note of Jacinda Ardern J

acinda Ardern is sincere. Her response as prime minister of New Zealand to the two terror attacks in Christchurch left no doubt that she mourns with her country.

When a tragedy occurs, politicians feel the need to respond — fast. But this tactic often results in their words feeling empty, their statements rote and generic. You expect them to hit the same talking points: c o m m u n i t y, resilience, compassion.

Thoughts and prayers.

KIRSTEN But thoughts CLARKE and prayers are on the same level as asking for Facebook likes.

It’s become a joke.

In her statements delivered in the minutes and hours after the attacks, Ardern denounced the attacks as “terrorism.” She vowed to overhaul the country’s gun control laws. She stressed that the victims were New Zealanders.

She was speaking, not just as a leader addressing her nation, but as someone who was actively grieved and appalled by what had taken place in Christchurch.

On Saturday, the day after the attacks, Ardern wore hijab and mourned with the Christchurch

victims and the city’s Muslim and refugee community. She was one of them, not just a figurehead.

Her reaction has been lauded around the world. Iranian-American journalist Negar Mortazavi tweeted that Ardern was telling victims, “You are us.”

This was not a response to devastation that felt formulaic. Other global leaders would do well to follow Ardern’s example.

In January 2017, a shooter killed six people and injured 19 more shortly after evening prayer at a Quebec City mosque. Trudeau condemned the attack as a terrorist act against all of Canada.

But his tone felt detached, his words carefully crafted. There was usual talk of how Canada is a diverse society, how the nation would stand together, would unify and that an entire nation of hearts was breaking. While the intention might have been genuine, his delivery missed the mark.

Unlike Ardern, who addressed her nation directly, Trudeau’s response to the Quebec City mosque attack was read before the House of Commons, his peers, not the victims and all Canadians.

Ardern’s genuine response and concrete actions — her cabinet will announce reforms to the country's gun laws within 10 days of the attacks — are what’s needed from world leaders. Not just thoughts and prayers.

HOW TO REACH US

PAGE EDITORS PAGE 1 Patrick Penner PAGE 2 Nathan Durec PAGE 3 Darren Amner PAGE 4 & 5 Kathryn Tindale PAGE 6 Kirsten Clarke

OPINION

PHONE 604-323-5396 E-MAIL thevoice@langara. bc.ca WEBSITE langaravoice.ca

DROP-IN Room A226 Langara College SNAIL MAIL The Voice 100 West 49th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 2Z6 INSTRUCTOR Erica Bulman

PAGE 7 Roxanne Egan-Elliott PAGE 8 Nick Laba MANAGING EDITOR Nathan Durec MANAGING WEB EDITOR Taesa Hodel

Langara. “There must be a balance,” she said.

“Show your personality, but use your platforms to highlight things that reflect positively on you,” Koonar said.

Bhav Dhillon, a Langara nursing student, said after reading a Facebook job post shared by a friend, he contacted the company's human resources about the posts and later was hired.

“We exchanged emails following a telephone interview, and then in person,” Dhillon said.

Using social media by putting your brand out for anyone to see is the ideal method for networking in 2019, and may lead to future meaningful career conversations, according to Workman.

Viewpoints

Jacinda Ardern spent March 16, the day after the attacks, in Christchurch with victims and the city's Muslim and refugee community.

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Arts&life

EDITOR ROXANNE EGAN-ELLIOTT | THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 | THE VOICE

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Vegan eating sans angst

Counter-clockwise from top left: A young Yim Tse practises calligraphy; An older Yim Tse wields his brush; An example of Yim Tse's work. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAWN TSE. Top: A man looks at Yim Tse's work at the event on March 16. MISSY JOHNSON PHOTO

Night market tries to show plant-based diet not as difficult as many people often think  By KRISTIAN TREVENA

A

'Idiosyncratically unique'

Exhibition honours late calligrapher's impact on art form  By MISSY JOHNSON

A

year after the death of Yim Tse, the Vancouver calligraphy community celebrates the lasting contribution the famed Chinese calligrapher made to the art form.

Fans, admirers and former students gathered on March 16 in the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden to commemorate the man they say has left a significant imprint on calligraphy and Vancouver’s cultural life.

“His style and talent was idiosyncratically unique,” said Andrew Yang, Yim Tse’s student.

Calligraphy in China is considered a “supreme visual art form” and the importance of the art form

in Chinese culture is “unmatched,” according to the website of the Asia Society.

Margo Palmer, the current president of the Canadian Society of Asian Arts, said the calligrapher’s work has a lasting legacy.

“What shines forth also is the experience, the knowledge, the spiritual energy and the artistic refinement of a man who contributed enormously to the cultural life of Vancouver,” Palmer said. “And we are richer for that.”

“Yim devoted a great deal of energy to promote the appreciation of Chinese calligraphy in mainstream Western culture,” said Yim Tse’s daughter, Dawn Tse. “It is so meaningful that the opening is taking place on the anniversary of

his passing.”

Students of the master said they hope to carry on his traditions.

Yang said he believes Yim Tse’s students learned more than just techniques, but also to appreciate the interactions among the strokes that form characters, which then form a piece of work.

“The language and culture behind a piece of calligraphy comes not only from books and wisdom of ancient sages, but from observing life around you and being fully mindful,” he said.

Dawn Tse said her father started to learn calligraphy after his mother's death.

“At the age of 29, he took up calligraphy as his way to channel his grief,” she said.

Dawn Tse said her father began

by teaching himself at first, and then two years later, he found a calligraphy teacher.

Another legacy is the continuing work from students. Dawn Tse said she recently found a pile of letters from students her father taught from around the world.

They “expressed gratitude for the gift of the calligraphy,” she said.

Jan Walls, past president for the Canadian Society of Asian Arts, said that Chinese calligraphy isn’t just an art.

“It was right alongside poetry as a means of self expression and cultivation,” he said.

The garden is holding another event on Sunday, March 31, to discuss and demonstrate calligraphy.

See langaravoice.ca for full story.

local vegan organization that started as a challenge between friends is hoping to show people that being vegan isn’t hard.

Several studies have shown that plant-based diets are more sustainable for the planet, and the new Canada Food Guide emphasizes eating plant-based proteins over meat. At the same time, many people can’t imagine life without meat and dairy.

The Vegan Project held its third Vegan Night Market on March 14, in collaboration with Peaces, a Canadian-based sustainable lifestyle brand.

John Wever, a founder of Wholly Veggie and a vendor at the night market, said events like this are important to help people realize that eating vegan is not as daunting as it might seem.

“The vegan individual will bring a friend who’s a carnivore and they’ll come try products that they’ve never seen or tasted before and they realize that maybe it’s not so scary,” he said.

Bridget Burns, founder of The Vegan Project, said a main reason people don’t choose veganism is that they think it’s too hard.

“At the end of the day, it’s just fruits, veggies and grains,” she said.

“Everyone eats those foods already.

It’s just eliminating meat and dairy.”

Burns said The Vegan Project started nine and a half years ago when she and her friends opted to go vegan for 30 days.

“We just started blogging about it, sharing our trials and tribulations,” Burns said.

The Vegan Project is hosting the Vancouver Vegan Festival this summer, the first of its kind.

Unconscious bias excludes black voices Workshop gives tools to become better allies

 By CHRISTINA DOMMER

A

growing number of people are interested in the Black Lives Matter movement in Vancouver and want to know how they can be allies, says a member of the Vancouver chapter.

Cicely Blain, who is also a workplace consultant for racial issues, said that many people consume stereotypes about black people in American media that causes them to “exotify” the black community. The unconscious bias created by these stereotypes leads to the exclusion of black voices.

“They have this very, like, stereo-

typed image of a black person, and therefore, they don’t know how to relate to you,” Blain said. “That has deeper consequences, especially in the workplace, because of the belief that you’re less capable or less equipped or less intelligent as well.”

Blain co-organized a workshop on March 13 called Unlearning AntiBlackness to educate people about anti-black racism in Vancouver and how they can be allies.

Addressing and understanding one’s unconscious bias and making sure to include black voices are important steps people can take to combat discrimination, Blain said.

Blain said the most common things people do that diminish black people without realizing are microaggressions, like asking if someone can rap or twerk, or to touch someone's hair.

Ivan Leonce, who co-organized the workshop with Blain, has experienced overt forms of discrimination.

“This usually happens at street clubs, like, white guy, white guy, white guy goes in, like, same jacket, everything, and I go in, let’s do a patdown. Like to me, that’s like a clear example of profiling,” he said.

Blain said that she hopes the workshop doesn’t come across as a l e c t u re s h a m ing non-blac k participants.

“I think there’s a lot of people who Cicely Blain MEMBER OF BLACK are very compassionate and they LIVES MATTER VANCOUVER care a lot about tr ying to end racism, but they don’t really know, like, the larger historical context. Especially within a Canadian context,” Blain said.

Blain and co-organizer Ivan Leonce used a timeline of Canadian black history to help people under-

stand what anti-blackness looks like in Canada. The timeline gives special attention to the destruction of Hogan’s Alley, a once predominantly black neighbourhood in Vancouver that was cleared to make way for the Georgia viaduct in the 1960s, effectively destroying the community.

Artist and writer Alli Hayes, who attended the workshop, said she came to gain a better understanding of black history in Vancouver.

“The ongoing conversation about appropriation really resonates with me,” Hayes said.

She said she understands the issues are complex and aren’t easily resolved.

“It’s something that isn’t fixed overnight,” she said.

Blain said she hopes the workshop gives participants the confidence to speak out when they see racism.

“We want them to feel empowered and inspired to do something about it,” Blain said.

BLACK HISTORY

A CANADIAN TIMELINE

1628 First slave in Canada is recorded. Olivier LeJeune, 6, is captured in Africa and brought to Canada.

1793 The Upper Canada Abolition Act frees any slave who enters what is now Ontario.

1850 Common Schools Act passes, allowing segregated schools. Last school closes in 1983 in Nova Scotia.

1911 Wilfred Laurier's cabi-

net approves order to ban black immigrants to Canada. Repeals it two months later.

SOURCE: ONTLA.ON.CA

8

Sportsnews

THE VOICE | THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 | EDITOR NICK LABA

Falcons flop at nationals Men's basketball team finishes last, but point guard named all-star  By JOSHUA REY

T

Unit 430, an American Contract Bridge League team, plays out of the Vancouver Bridge Centre. Bridge is one of the world's most popular card games with millions of players worldwide. Billionaires Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are both competitive bridge players. AUSTIN EVERETT PHOTO

Bridge to championships

Competitors tighten teamwork for May national tournament  By AUSTIN EVERETT

L

ike for many other sports, competitive bridge players need stamina, concentration and strategic skills, says the proprietor of a local bridge centre. More specific to the centuryold card game, played in teams of two, is the need for high-level communication.

Members of the competitive Unit 430 from the Vancouver Bridge Centre, are currently training for upcoming tournaments — including the 2019 Canadian Bridge Championships in Burnaby, May 4-12.

Winners will go on to represent Canada on the world stage.

Preparing for nationals means contract bridge players must ensure they are in total sync with

their partners. the high card.

Unit 430 vice-president Nick Bidding in contract bridge is done Stock, who will be competing in at the beginning of a set, and allows Burnaby, said in contract bridge it partners to cryptically exchange is crucial that informaplayers know, tion about the “You have to trust and strengths and understand each communicate weaknesses of well with their their current other's bidding so you hand. partner.

“PreparaJane Gray, can try to defeat the tion is really a Langara being sure alumna who opponents as much you enter the is now retired, tournament said bidding as possible .” with a partner with a part— JANE GRAY, LANGARA ALUMNA or team,” said ner during the Stock. game is similar to double sets Bridge is a two-on-two card game in tennis. where players bid and win “tricks,” “You have to understand each which are plays within a set. One of other's bidding so you can try to three ways to win a trick is by playing defeat the opponents as much as

City gets women golfing Women seen as key demographic to fill tee times  By MAXIM FOSSEY

T

he City of Vancouver is expanding its programming to attract more women to the game of golf in an effort to rekindle interest in the sport — and boost attendance at its three championship golf courses, which are all located in south Vancouver.

Over the past decade, play has declined in all age demographics except among boomers (above age 52). Last year, Vancouver city council considered rezoning part of

Langara Golf course into general park land and sports fields to meet the needs of more residents.

But an increasing interest among women golfers was identified as opportunity to sell more green fees.

Sev Araujo, manager of commercial operations at Vancouver Park Board, said that for the past year and a half, the city has been really trying to promote the sport among women.

“For many years it was an old boys’ network. For someone who hasn’t played golf, it can be a bit intimidating – we want to get rid of that perception,” said Araujo.

Park Board super visor of commercial operations Joan Probert said it’s the perfect time to target the female demographic.

“Specifically for this year in 2019, but also moving forward because

there is a new charter that’s being adopted by B.C. Golf this year that’s called the Women in Golf Charter,” Probert said. “One of the commitments in that charter is to support women getting more involved in the sport and that’s something we’re heavily invested in.”

She said that they are planning to hold the first city-sponsored women’s golf tournament this August.

Derek Thornley, director of instruction at Fraserview Golf Course, said that 75 per cent of new entrants into Fraserview’s adult golf programs are women.

Carol Nanat, a student who takes lessons at Fraserview, said that it’s great to get more women into the sport.

See langaravoice.ca for full story.

possible,” Gray said.

Stock, who has won six club trophies, said training is necessary to stay sharp and play against the many rivals he will soon face in the upcoming tournaments.

Ken Lochang, proprietor of the Vancouver Bridge Centre, said people all over the world are invited to compete in May’s national championship.

“It ’s fun, and quite prestigious to win the national games,” Lochang said.

Unit 430 is part of the American Contract Bridge League, which schedules many tournaments across North America. Winners of the Canadian Bridge Championships will go on to represent at the 2019 World Team Championships in Wuhan, China.

he Langara Falcons were unable to repeat their success from the 2014 men’s national basketball championships, finishing last at this year’s Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships in Langley.

Over the course of the tournament, the Falcons lost 77-120 to the Holland Hurricanes, 92-98 to the Nomades de Montmorency and 99-114 to the SAIT Trojans.

But starting point guard Royce Sargeant—who scored 22, 29 and 28 points in the three games—was awarded all-star honours.

Despite entering the tournament as the last seeded team, the coach of the host Falcons had told The Voice he was optimistic his players might be able to leverage their underdog status and surprise some of the topranked teams.

Paul Eberhardt, who was ejected from the SAIT Trojans game after receiving his second technical foul, said his players got the opportunity to see the athleticism at that level.

“For those players that are returning, it will be a positive because they realize now the things they have to do to get better,” he said.

Eberhardt gave huge thanks to athletics director Jake McCallum, Langara College and the Langley Events Centre for hosting the event.

The VIU Mariners were crowned national champions, defeating the Sheridan Bruins in a tight game that ended 85-82. The Humber Hawks defeated Nomades de Montmorency 84-76 to take the bronze medal.

FALCONS' TALLY VS. HOLLAND HURRICANES

77-120

VS. NOMADES DE MONT.

92-98

VS. SAIT TROJANS

99-114

Carol Nanat taking one of her first golf lessons at Fraserview Golf Course.

She started playing earlier this month. MAXIM FOSSEY PHOTO