what the FUCK is Death of Democracy? Unlike death, we want our democracy to not be faded out in an instant. Instead, if our democracy is dying, we want Written by Abdeali Saherwala it to erode at a slower pace. So, we can hopefully save it. However, the death of democracy can be at such The death of democracy is a clique phrase that is minuscule steps that we as the public do not even notice. passed around in daily conversations, and Instead, we have become accustomed to hearing it, newsfeeds. But what does the death of seeing it, talking about it and even, feeling it. Now when democracy entail? The phrase itself is a chilling someone calls something fake news or alternative facts, statement, which brings our bodies to a dead we do not even flinch. Why would we? We have been stop. It makes our minds’ go numb... We avoid hearing these statements for the past years. When this conversation at all costs. democratic nations or free nations fall into the trappings nationalists, white supremacists, neo Nazis and bigots, In the spirit of Halloween, lets talk about one of we do not literally give a shit. “Fake news” CNN pays the most frightening phrases to be uttered in attention to seismic power changes in Europe with the English language: Death of Democracy. maybe two full news cycles. That is not enough for anyone to understand how profound the impacts of Usually, this phrase entails the end of these seismic changes will be to international and local democracy through some totalitarian politics of those nations. occupation or the eventual occupation of complete power through democratic means, When we as a province elect someone, who mimics other while eroding the pillars of democracy. Death of world leaders that have attempted to crush the media anything can come quickly or can come at a and is an open racist. We do not flinch. We do not painfully slow rate. It’s like being hit by a car or protest. We do not raise our voices or even, raise being slowly poisoned. Both will eventually awareness of what that individual is doing. We just share, result in death, but one will take a really long like or tweet about it in front of our like-minded friends. time. We do not go to town halls or talk to people who have different political affiliations from us. We do not talk Nevertheless, in the spirit of Halloween about why those individuals voted for that certain we must talk about the literal death of politician, and what they think they will gain from that democracy on a global scale because if individual from becoming a premier, president or prime minister. we do not do anything about it. The
ghouls, goblins, witches and monsters of our imagination will become a reality in forms which we have not even imagined.
So, when someone asks you what needs to be done in order to prevent the collapse of democracy. You say “FUCKING ANYTHING”. PAGE 5
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
This film is a classic and I will not tolerate any slander against it. Not only is it super quotable, but it has all the good of a horror film mashed with an excellent dash of suspense and a sprinkle of psychological terror. The film follows Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee, who must turn to a brilliant yet cannibalistic psychiatrist known as Dr. Hannibal Lecter to help her catch another serial killer who skins his victims.
HALLOWEENTOWN That’s all I have to say. You can’t talk about Halloween without mentioning what is (arguably) a cult classic when it comes to a Disney Channel Original Movie. Halloweentown is perfect for those of us who love Halloween, but don’t feel like watching anything too scary. For the purpose of this list, I’m only including the first one (because it’s the best one). The Piper siblings, comprised of Marnie (13), Dylan (12) and Sophie (7) discover they come form a family of witches. The following sequels are equally as good (just stop after the trilogy).
NO PLANS? FILM AND BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HALLOWEEN
Saran Dhindsa
Halloween is fast approaching and one of my favorite things to do is curl up with a novel or watch one of the several Halloween films on television; often with my grandma who does not understand English comes up with her own plotlines. As an English major, I’ve read my fair share of “scary” novels, and some of them are on this list. As for the films – well, I have absolutely no social life, and this is what I do to pass my time. Disclaimer: I do not endorse binge watching or reading, but I totally understand it, so do what you do Without further ado, let us start with the films.
GET OUT I’m pretty sure many of you have heard enough about this film. It has all the makings of a classic, but it’s so new and disruptive to the genre especially as it touches on some very interesting social phenomena. It centers on a young black man named Chris Washington,who goes to visit his Caucasian girlfriend’s family, and really needs to get out. I’d rate it an 11/10, because you really have no clue what’s going to happen.
PG . 13
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Which of course is a classic, especially for those who frequent Hot Topic. Before you say anything, I would just like to say that this is a Halloween and Christmas film, so lets just put the debate to rest, shall we? The film is shot entirely in stop-motion, which is an impressive feature seeing as it has a run time of over an hour. The film tells the story of Jack Skellington, who wants to do more than be the King of Halloween Town. When he steps through a portal into Christmas Town, he becomes enthralled with the holiday, and attempts to join it, which leads to disastrous consequences.
AMERICAN HORROR STORY It is an anthology TV series, with each season focusing on some kind of horror trope from haunted houses to a coven of witches to a hotel of serial killers. Each season contains 13 episodes and is long enough to enjoy during our reading week – because no one reads during Reading Week. It also contains some amazing female actors such as Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange and the incredible Lady Gaga.
STEPHEN KING Now, this article wouldn’t be complete without an appearance, which has several films based on his novels, with the most recent being It. But if clowns aren’t your forte, there are several others including Carrie, The Shining, Cujo and the recently released Castle Rock (television show)- which contains an amalgamation of various characters that have appeared in King’s stories. PG . 14
MR. MERCEDES As it is without a doubt one of the most suspenseful novels I have read, and well worth the read. It falls within the realm of detective fiction, but is just so twisted it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Hopefully this comprehensive list of films and novels/short stories will sustain our readers until Halloween has passed. If you have exhausted all of these before the 31st , then I guess you’ll have no choice but to watch the Nun.
THRILLERS S. J. Watson’s “Before I Go To Sleep”, “The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena fall under the category of thrillers and have the suspense of Gone Girl, but not the inherent goriness of Gone Girl. All three have female leads who are essentially unreliable narrators, and the stories are inherently plotdriven with excellent narratives as well as imagery. They’re also sure to give psych students a nice laugh, as they all touch upon the inner workings of the mind.
CIRQUE DU FREAK BY DARREN SHAN It is a series of 12 novels, each less than 200 pages, and it is all about vampires. But not the sparkly, Twilight or Ann Rice kind, but rather really aggressive, violent and wellrounded vampires, all of which with interesting back stories. The novels are incredibly crafted and each one brings you closer to the characters, as well as being a quick read whenever you need a break from journal articles.
PG . 15
WHY FEAR HALLOWEEN WHEN WE FACE THE DOOM OF DEMOCRACY? ALYSSA OFFENHEIM October rolls around and suddenly everyone is talking about Halloween. “I’m afraid my costume won’t fit!”, “My girlfriend wants to go to a haunted house but I’m scared of the dark!”, “I’m scared I might wake up the next morning and not remember my last name!” While Halloween might be something to get nervous about, what we really have to fear is not gaining five pounds of chocolate weight or the four weeks of reoccurring “Halloween Night” commercials on TV, but the end of democracy and all the values it holds strong and true. After all, the president of the “Free World” is more a source of laughs than applause for his constituents than any of his predecessors, yet he still remains flush with power as ever. Just recently, despite rulings of unconstitutionality from the Supreme Court, the Ford government invoked the notwithstanding clause to justify the shrinkage of Toronto City Council. When the mockery of citizens and the will of a Constitution are not enough to prevent politicians from executing their own agendas, we have every reason to fear for the doom of democracy.
Democracy is not only understood as the longstanding Western institution in which elected representatives make decisions for society; indeed, it is perhaps better comprehended and appreciated for its values of equality of opportunity and access to services, political participation, and respect for human differences. The loss of these values in government once seemed untouchable for their sensibility and obvious connection to a life of liberty. But when the frequency of political disrespect for legal traditions and responsible governance increases at such a pace as recently witnessed, the one-time fantastical Halloween tales of apocalypses and alternative universes no longer seem so implausible.
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Yes, the loss of the entrenched values of democracy in government could lead to the conclusion of life as we know it. I mean, the only alternatives of governance, which bodies of intellect have really considered include authoritarianism, totalitarianism, and communism and none of the three, have made great impressions on citizens involved. As such, the breakdown of democratic functioning could mean a free for all, a battle between powerful societal groups, a racial war, environmental destruction beyond comprehension! And while it might not be as much fun to imagine as fairy creatures or wolverines, the reality is that our real world might be shaken in a manner way more terrifying than we’ve ever imagined.