Volume 48, Issue 2 by The Medium

The Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Toronto Mississauga since 1974

Issue 2 Volume 48

September 13 2021

themedium.ca

VACCINE MANDATE

BUTT BLITZ

JANELLA VIADO

Vaccinated people can enjoy the luxuries of everyday life, such as attending classes or dining in, freely and safely. It opens up possibilities to meet larger groups of people, socialise more frequently, and attend all the special events we were once denied.

Managing cigarette butt disposal is a significant aspect of waste management. The issue has garnered increased attention in recent years in the form of anti-littering campaigns, such as Butt Blitz, an event organized by A Greener Future.

Janella Viado, starting point guard for the UTM Lady Eagles, spoke with The Medium about life on and off the court. Viado is entering her fourth year and is currently completing a double major in psychology and CCT, as well as a minor in business, science and entrepreneurship.

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NEWS

Conflict arises amongst students and faculty with return of in-person classes Shreya Joshi Contributor

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NEWS

OPINION

Governing Council releases plans for in-person learning

Party leaders and party promises

Larry Lau Associate News Editor

ollowing a year of remote learning, U of T plans to progressively reintroduce students to in-person education by offering both online and in-person courses for the 2021-2022 academic year. On September 9, the Governing Council of the University of Toronto held a brief meeting to discuss the university’s reopening plan regarding student and faculty safety amid the Covid-19 pandemic. All three U of T campuses are moving forward with in-person teaching at various paces and there are two health measures that have been implemented for all students returning to campus. First, during the meeting, members announced that students must complete a Covid-19 self-assessment through the university’s UCheck system before arriving on campus. Second, students are required to be fully vaccinated with a Health Canada-approved vaccine and upload proof through UCheck. The minimum requirement for all students is to receive a first dose by September 13 and a second dose by October 15. Exemptions may be granted in special circumstances, such as religion or medical-related issues with vaccination. >> COUNCIL PLANS continue on page 03

Aia Jaber Contributor

midst the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic that’s devastated our world, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau calls for a snap election two years ahead of its intended date—an act considered selfish and foolish by many. What’s his reason for doing so? Trudeau currently runs a minority government, and minority governments are known to only last two years on average. This means that he, and his Liberal party, are unable to comfortably promote their policies as they please in the House of Commons. They face constant challenges and pressures from other parties who occupy a large portion of the seats, in particular, the Conservatives and the New Democratic Party. In hopes of securing their party’s place at the top of the polls, candidates responded with immediate campaigning, door-to-door canvassing, and sharing narratives that attack other parties. Party leaders need to focus on a variety of hot topics during this upcoming election, including climate change, access to post-secondary education, the housing market, the crisis in Afghanistan, refugees, economic recession and recovery, vaccine roll-out, and Indigenous

reconciliation. Some parties are far better prepared in addressing and capitalizing on individual issues than others. Erin O’Toole, leader of the Conservative party, has included little about anglophone student rights within his party’s extensive campaign platform. Much of what he intends to do for students targets francophone speakers and the public-school system. O’Toole is at a bit of a disadvantage in comparison to the other candidates, since he was only elected in 2020 and hasn’t been able to campaign during the pandemic until now. Other candidates have shared their agendas regarding universities as well. Green Party leader Annamie Paul and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh pledge to strive for free education in the long-term, while the Liberal Party promises to eliminate all interest on student loans. While all parties have expressed the urgency to help evacuate and welcome Afghan refugees as soon as possible, there is no doubt that this unexpected election has slowed down efforts and diverted the spotlight from the crisis overseas. Although Trudeau’s opponents support the Liberal Party’s plan to bring 20,000 refugees to Canada, there is still no definite clarity about who constitutes as a refugee—those who are currently fleeing, or those who have already fled Afghanistan. There is also no clear understanding whether these refugees will be sponsored by private entities, or by the government. >> PARTY PROMISES continue on page 06

NEWS

Editor | May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca

U of T ranks 18th top university in the world for a third consecutive year Students from different programs comment on university’s wide range of courses and resources offered. Anjalli Becharbhai Contributor

he Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022 has ranked the University of Toronto 18th in the world for the third consecutive year. U of T is also ranked first among Canadian universities. The ranking system is based on 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure the performance of universities across five main areas: teaching, research, international outlook, citations, and industry income. U of T sets itself apart from other institutions through its diverse student body. The university has rightfully earned a reputation for its “network of excellence” due to the 630,000 alumni coming from more than 190 countries to study here. The campus is also recognized for having thousands of research collaborations with international partners worldwide. Notably, the tri-system campus ranks first place in the world for industry, innovation, and infrastructure by Times Higher Education. The breadth and depth of its excellence in research stems from the university’s top-tier faculty, students, and industry partners across Canada and the rest of the world. This has led U of T to receive Nobel prize awards for world renowned breakthroughs in health advancements such as discovering insulin.

Furthermore, U of T provides students with diverse areas of study around intimate learning communities. Students can choose from more than 700 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate degree programs, and are offered a plethora of unique courses that are not available in other academic institutions. Parmeet Singh, a fourth-year student specializing in biotechnology with a minor in chemistry, shares his experience with U of T’s courses. “UTM offers a diverse selection of courses with varying degrees of specificity. I’ve seen some courses offered at UTM that are unheard of in other schools. For example, last year I took a course on Sikhism and this year I will be taking a course on Punjabi. [This] shows their commitment to diversity and including minorities.” Steven Taschian, a fifth-year student majoring in classics, discusses how U of T provides an exceptional learning environment. “The school provides an appropriate academic environment by giving us everything we need to succeed as long as you ask for it. Help with research at the library from our many amazing librarians, countless books to take out, and other writing resources such as the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre [is available].” Professors also foster a teaching environment that advocates for the success of the students, whether that is providing flexible office hours, or urgent Zoom appointments. Ayesha

SIMRAH SIDDIQUI/THE MEDIUM

Khan, a fifth-year student majoring in biology and psychology, shares a positive experience. “When I was in second year, I had a paper due in two hours however I was struggling. It was 11 p.m. on a Saturday and I had emailed the instructor explaining my problem. He quickly hopped onto a Zoom call with me for 40 minutes and [clarified] all my mistakes.” U of T demonstrates its candidature not

only by offering several research opportunities, but also through the faculty’s ability to strive for the academic success of students. The quality of support enables students to reach their goals and take on greater challenges that prepare them for the workplace and the world. “I will forever be thankful for professors like him because they make the university life enjoyable,” concludes Khan.

UTM Career Centre introduces Job Shadowing Program for students The Career Centre enables students to gain insight into their prospective career interests. Razia Saleh Associate News Editor

his year, UTM’s Career Centre is offering a way for students to virtually explore their career interests through the Job Shadowing Program. This program will allow students to experience the workplace prospective to their job interests within the Greater Toronto Area. Students will have the opportunity to shadow an individual for one to two days in their selected field. Students who are currently completing their undergrad, or have graduated in the last two years, will be eligible to partake in this program. Applications will be open from September 20 to September 24. The standard placement period will last from October 11 to November 5, but it may vary depending on each host. Jelena Vulic, Team Lead and Partner Relations for Experiential Learning, discusses what students who are interested in

participating in this program can expect. “The Job Shadow Program is an opportunity for students to [spend] time with a professional who is eager to engage UTM students and inspire the next generation of professionals. It’s an opportunity to observe what a day in a workplace looks like and ask questions that will allow for self-reflection and making those important connections between their academics, passions, and interests.” Students can visit the UTM Career Center online to view available placements. Though the program does not offer financial compensation or an academic credit, students are given the opportunity to enrich their knowledge in what they wish to pursue. Vulic also mentions that “the program is currently pending approval for the Co-Curricular Record.” Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the program will be held online but Vulic wants students to know that this should not deter their interest in the program. “There are no specific working duties or responsibilities that are expected of students that participate as the program is educational in nature.” This means that students placed in

medical-related, biotech, pharmaceuticals, software development, or teaching placements will not be required to know any specific skill sets. Vulic continues to mention that “[students] are able to gain valuable insight into the realities of a specific career and reflect on whether this career path is reflective of their academics, passions, and interests. This can help them inform their own career choices in the future.” Students are to complete an online module, known as Career Exploration 101, in order to be eligible to apply for the program. Once completed, students should expect an email detailing the rest of the application process. “We are very excited about this as employers are keen to learn how student’s stay engaged in co-curricular activities during their time at university in addition to their academics!”

Students can visit the Career Centre website or call (905) 5694455 for more information.

HAYDEN MAK/THE MEDIUM

Conflict arises amongst students and faculty with return of in-person classes Governing Council releases plans for inperson learning Members discuss plans for in-person education, including the mandatory vaccination of students and faculty, mask mandate, and the introduction of the UCheck system. Larry Lau Associate News Editor

>> COUNCIL PLANS continued from page 01 According to data collected by the Governing Council, two days after the portal for uploading proof of vaccination was made available to students, more than 34,245 individuals have uploaded their documentation, with around 94 per cent of respondents confirmed to be fully vaccinated. To bolster vaccination rates on campus, vaccine clinics at the St. George and Scarborough campuses have now introduced drop-in vaccination hours, offering vaccines without prior appointments. Students without health cards may seek vaccination through these clinics if necessary. Apart from going through vaccination mandates and health screening requirements, the Governing Council outlined how inperson classes will take place this fall. Specific to the arts and science department at U of T, from September 9 to 23, students can attend some of their classes online even if the course is labelled as in-person. Starting from September 24, all in-person courses will be strictly in-person unless otherwise specified. This transitional period provides international students with a window of opportunity to arrive at Toronto amid travel restrictions, and for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students to receive their required doses. Free rapid screening kits are available to students who are currently unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, along with those that have been exempted from vaccination by the university. In accordance with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities guidelines on in-person learning, revised on August 31, U of T of St. George and Scarborough will be opening its classrooms at 100 per cent capacity, without physical distancing measures. Ventilation systems for these classrooms have been upgraded to reduce the spread of Covid-19. The University of Toronto Mississauga has decided to maintain two metres of social distancing across all campus spaces. The Governing Council also declares that unlike classrooms, laboratories will remain open at reduced capacity, abiding by the rules outlined in Government of Ontario’s Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen. Dependent on the progression of the Covid-19 pandemic, policies and rules are subject to change over the course of the semester. The Governing Council will be closely monitoring the reopening of campus and the everchanging conditions of the pandemic, adjusting the ongoing reopening plan as need be.

Students and faculty express their concerns as U of T announces new vaccination policy for all parties returning to campus. Shreya Joshi Contributor

arlier last month, U of T announced that all students, staff, faculty, and anyone with an active UTORid must provide proof of vaccination upon returning to campus. Students and faculty must upload evidence of their vaccination on UCheck, a web portal for health screening and vaccination documentation. This recent announcement has led to protests, open letters, and concerns from a small number of U of T faculty and students. Those who do not provide proof of vaccination will not be permitted to participate in in-person activities on any of U of T’s three campuses. However, the university will approve exemptions based on medical grounds or grounds for exemption protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code such as creed or religious belief. The Ontario Ministry of Health outlines only two reasons for medical exemption which are either a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or if myocarditis or pericarditis occurs after the first dose. Any individual who is not fully vaccinated or given an exemption must participate in a rapid antigen test which will be available for free. A negative Covid-19 test result must be uploaded to UCheck prior to arriving on campus. Students among all three campuses appear to be somewhat divided regarding their notions toward this mandatory vaccination mandate. While the majority are in support, some consider it an infringement of their human rights. Twenty students at U of T have organized a stand against the vaccination policy and united with more than 80 other Ontario university students to start an open letter campaign. Several students that are part of the campaign are remaining anonymous.

In addition, U of T’s faculty association has forwarded an open letter to the university’s president, Meric Getler, stating the vaccination policy is “misleading” and “inadequate.” The letter also states that the enforced health and safety plan for the academic year does not set the standard for a safe return. The president of U of T’s faculty association, Terezia Zoric, expresses that the administration has rejected the association’s request for a meeting to discuss health and safety measures. Some faculty members were originally concerned that there was no system to validate vaccination statuses and that self-declaration without proof might make classrooms unsafe. “Today they’re asking us to submit proof of vaccination online. Tomorrow we will be asked before each class and segregated into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups alike. Where does it end?” The Medium spoke with a first-year English student who has mixed feelings regarding the mandate and requested to remain anonymous. While he believes the vaccine is important, he worries that the rules could become “radical.” On the other hand, students like Charlotte Man in the management program at UTM trust in the vaccine and the mandates. “I think that it’s probably safer having all of us being vaccinated and masked. The vaccine mandate is actually a good idea so that we all can protect ourselves.” Tenzin Pema, a life sciences student at the university also states, “I feel that having the vaccine mandatory was a great decision. I can’t speak for everyone, but I feel safer on campus knowing that vaccines are required.” Unvaccinated students are voicing their concerns as they fear any individual can carry and spread the virus and that these mandates might escalate into more and more radical measures. While the mandate has caused controversy amongst U of T students, the university ensures that these newly implemented policies follow provincial guidelines and should make the campus safe for return.

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Canadian campaign CAN Fund #150Women presents award to UTM alumna after competing in Tokyo Olympics A history of the CAN Fund #150Women and its persistent account to financially aid female athletes in Canada. Hadeel Rashed Contributor

AN Fund #150Women is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to female Canadian athletes. This enables athletes to complete their training, take part in various sports competitions and compete on the national team. This year, Alicia Brown, UTM alumna who graduated in 2013 with an honours bachelor’s degree in communications, culture and information technology, was awarded $6,000 from CAN Fund #150Women. She placed fourth in the 4x400 relay race in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. In an interview with U of T News, Brown states, “I remember navigating the year and being like, just do it, you’ll figure it out after,” she says. “A lot of the support that I got from CAN Fund #150Women really helps me go back and balance the books in many ways. It’s never too late for that funding.” First established in November 2017, the fund started as a

small campaign to encourage and support female athletes. Due to its leadership and collective vision of supporting female athletes in Canada, the organization immediately evolved into an outsized community. This vision has welcomed over 1,000 women from diverse backgrounds, all of whom share knowledge, networks, and a desire to build a welcoming community with an exquisite purpose. Their intention is to supply opportunities for women to succeed and pursue their passion while alleviating the stress of financial burdens. Recipients of this award are granted $6,000 (up to twice a year) with recognition and opportunities to participate in local public events. Carling Zeeman, another Canadian athlete who also competed in the 2021 Olympics and a recipient of the fund states in an interview with the organizations premier partner, Nicola Wealth, “being a CAN Fund #150Women recipient is a pretty cool thing; you’re part of this group of phenomenal athletes across Canada, some with Olympic medals, some destined to get their medals in the years to come.” Zeeman continues by stating, “you’re brought together by this incredible bond, knowing that other athletes have made

the same commitments to their sport as you have. Knowing that the support comes from women supporting women is even cooler! Sometimes we need reminders that people are behind us and supporting us, and this female initiative is so empowering!” The fund enables many female athletes the opportunity to afford training, coaching, new equipment, a proper diet, travel to training camps, team fees, and to be capable of competing for their country. Due to the harsh winters in Canada, various sports are more difficult to participate in such as cycling, equestrian sports, long marathon races, and track and field. Therefore, they require athletes to move to a more appropriate climate for training which would mean having to spend time abroad and pay more for food, transportation, hotels, and more. CAN Fund #150Women encourages individuals to donate and support female Canadian athletes. With a passion to endorse participants, their mantra states, “BE EPIC! Love yourself, be brave, take risks to get what you want in life, and empower women around you to follow your lead.”

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Provost editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Elisa Nguyen managing@themedium.ca News May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca

Editor | Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca

Unnecessary opinions on an unnecessary election Erin Delaney Satirist

Features Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca

fter a gruelingly long two-year term, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has triggered an early election for September 20, facing off against Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, the guy from Quebec, and whoever is leading the Green Party at this point in time. With students returning back to the classroom, they are also having a hard time figuring out who to vote for and where to vote. Citing both Covid and their own laziness, Elections Canada has decided to not set up voting locations on post-secondary campuses. This decision has forced thousands of students to begin a pilgrimage back to their home addresses to vote. Because nothing says proper public health measures than forcing thousands of people to travel back and forth across the province. Experts agree that the election result could hinge on the youth vote. The Medium spoke with several students to see how this generations’ perspective is fairing. First, we caught up with Conrad Murphy, the President of University of Toronto Mississauga’s Campus Conservatives and a third generation Trudeau hater. “I like O’Toole’s honesty. Even his name is honest to his character,” Murphy said. “He may be a tool, but tools get stuff done! I mean, they may be selfishly serving their own interests at the cost of sacrificing the working class, but that is still technically getting stuff done!” We asked Murphy if there was any chance he’d vote for the NDP, to which he scoffed, “I’d rather be Trudeau’s Attorney General than vote for someone who gets votes through TikTok.” While Trudeau remains a polarizing figure, some are hesitant about voting in the Liberals for a third term. Linda Lisbon, a fourth-year psychology major, gave us her perspective of Trudeau’s electability. “I’ll be honest, I did vote for Trudeau last time. I was just trying to avoid having to look at Andrew Scheer’s face, and to be fair, it did work.” Lisbon explained to The Medium, “But now, I just don’t

A&E Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca Sports Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca Photo Hayden Mak photos@themedium.ca Design Manjot Pabla design@themedium.ca Copy Juliana Stacey juliana@themedium.ca Miguel DaSilva miguel@themedium.ca Social Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Videographer Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

ASSOCIATES & APPOINTED ROLES Larry Lau, News Razia Saleh, News Kareena Kailass, Opinion Dalainey Gervais, Features Prisha Nuckchady, Features Gladys Lou, Photo Simrah Siddiqui, Photo Isik Vera Senel, UTMSU Correspondent Julia Skoczypiec, Theatre Erindale Correspondent Robert Bui, Campus Athletics Correspondent Erin Dalaney, Satirist Helen Yu, Comic Artist

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OPINION

UTM students share their opinions about the upcoming federal election.

Opinion Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca

@themediumUTM

find Trudeau that cute anymore. I mean yeah, the Covid beard was pretty hot, but it made me think, what is he hiding? More scandals and corruption? A bigger budget deficit? His jawline? I’m not sure who or what a SNC-Lavalin is, but all I know is it doesn’t sound good. I just don’t know who to trust anymore.” While some students may not be riding the Orange Wave, some students are “Singh”-ing praises for the NDP. The political party is most often seen as the underdog in Canadian politics, but with socialism slowly on the rise among youth, they may have a chance in the polls. We caught up with Maria Cortez, a member of the NDP Socialist Caucus of U of T, and a volunteer for the NDP campaign. “Singh has everything you would want in a politician—trust-worthy eyes, an awareness of the issues that are truly impacting Canadians, and a hip, cool presence on the internet,” Cortez said. “The last year and a half have shown us just how dire everything is. A national health crisis, provinces on fire, so much unrest and unhappiness. Honestly, none of the leaders are perfect. No one party or person is going to save us from the mess the Liberals and Conservatives have put us in. But if I’m going to be poor and homeless because of an affordable housing crisis and climate change, I’d at least like to have universal dental care and Pharmacare.” Cortez takes a moment and wipes a tear from her eye. “And let’s be real. Its 2021. Singh is far more attractive than Trudeau at this point, both in the polls and in the mirror.” While the party leaders dominate national headlines, we asked a few more students about the local nominees in their riding. “Who?” said Luke, a third-year anthropology major. “Uhhhh, the red one?” said Aliyah, a first-year CCIT student. “My neighbour has a sign in his lawn for the Liberals, and the lady has a nice smile so I might go with her,” said Peter, a fifth-year philosophy major. One student only responded with, “Go Pink!” With polls still too close to say, the result of the election could be anybody’s best guess. Will it be Pretty Boy Trudeau, Buff Baby O’Toole, Sensitive Singh, or could we end up with a Pink Prime Minister?

Editorial Profiting off pain: campus closes for students but opens for other moneymaking parties Filming rentals and rising tuition rates produce steady cash flow for the university. The Medium

niversity of Toronto Mississauga has been a hotspot for prominent filming sites in the last few years. Though for a moment we can boast the list of stars that have walked our floors, it’s important to note where the money to build these sites come from—us. UTM has been shamelessly stripping students of their hard-earned money by capitalizing on their contributions to the development of the campus and generating profit through exploitative streams of income. All while students have been struggling mentally and financially amid the grueling pandemic.

Earlier this year, UTM rented campus to several televisions series and films, including The Handmaid’s Tale, Zombies 3, Good Sam, and The Boys, all while students were at home taking attendance at Zoom University. Rather than granting students access to amenities they pay for, or lowering their cost when they are unavailable, the university instead offered them to directors and producers. Additionally, UTM increased tuition rates for students this year and last year. Students have protested, both online and in-person, but have been denied the option to remove incidental fees. Predictably, the Office of the Registrar has also reduced their hours and services to avoid an angry crowd of students. Though some buildings are open to students

now, the campus also requires parking permits, which are approximately $700 for the campus and over $1,000 for students on residence. Otherwise, people are expected to pay an outrageous $2.50 per half hour without the pass. Students are overcharged in every aspect of their university experience, even down to the overpriced $8 water bottles in the Davis building. The challenges that students have faced during the pandemic, and the toll online schooling has had on them, is being exploited by the university for lucrative profiting opportunities. If the university is making so much money from filming, why charge us, the students, at all? Where’s our return on our investments?

Party leaders and party promises Federal election candidates rush campaigning for the upcoming snap election. Aia Jaber Contributor

>> PARTY PROMISES continued from page 01 Jagmeet Singh promises to make Afghanistan and its people a priority if elected and has encouraged parliament to expedite the process of bringing refugees into Canada. His attempt to illuminate and broadcast the importance of Afghan lives is a refreshing take on humanitarianism—some-

thing that can’t be said for many candidates. Regarding reconciliation, each party highlights their plan to support Indigenous communities across Canada; each plan is filled with empty promises comprised of empty words followed by empty actions. The Liberal, Conservative, NDP, and Green parties have all consistently declared their desire to provide First Nations with proper funding, housing and schooling—a dream that’s not been realised in the past. We’ve seen parties claim to help Indigenous communities many times, but the majority of them continue to have poor living conditions and little to no access to clean water. Mental health systems in First Nation communities

Trudeau’s famous pandemic beard bids farewell Trudeau shaved off his beard, announcing to the world that his barber is back in business. Aya Yafaoui Contributor

ear reader, remember a time when masks were not mandatory, hand sanitizer wasn’t essential, and vaccines were only administered in doctors’ offices and around flu season? Yes, the pre-pandemic era, when we had much easier concerns such as the climate crisis, terrorist attacks, and mass shootings. But there was one issue that the pandemic actually solved: Justin Trudeau’s beard. On January 6, 2020, I wrote an article for The Medium discussing my opinions on our beloved Prime Minister’s beard. In the briefest of terms, I hated it. I felt the beard aged the already late 40-something PM and made him look weathered and tired. I wasn’t the only Canadian with a negative opinion of the new look either. A petition that amassed 51 signatures on Change. org jokingly called on the Prime Minister to shave off his beard. The decision to have a beard has certain political implications that exude a specific image to both citizens and other political actors abroad. How effective this image was at conveying that tonal change is a different question. Regardless, many commentators, including myself, expected the beard to be used as a tool to reinforce Trudeau’s maturity, veterancy in government, and statesmanship as he worked his way through his second term. And what a second term it was. The beard and long hair became a staple in the Prime Minister’s Covid-19 briefings, reflecting the state of many people during lockdown—dishev-

eled—and a reminder that salons and barbers were shut down too. Frankly, I was amazed that Trudeau kept the beard for that long. The rare times I would check the news during the pandemic, there it would be: patchy and as gray as ever, reminding me that we now live our lives in fishbowls. And so, for nearly a year and a half, Trudeau’s beard sat on his face, silently mocking me, until rumours of an election began to surface early in the summer. On June 30, Trudeau shaved off his beard and cut his hair, an act that on the surface may have seemed like a way to promote the fact that businesses, such as hair services, had reopened in Ontario. Yet, some interpreted the image change as a sign that an election was “imminent.” Well, we’re less than two weeks away from election day and I’d say those people were right. How helpful that clean shaven face is for Trudeau’s popularity is debatable. It seems that Canada may be tired of seeing that jawline and instead be looking for a different face and future. As Trudeau falls behind in the polls, the weight and pitfalls of his past six years in office—and the anger that voters have being forced into an election now—currently prove to be more important and powerful than any charm that face could hope to radiate. As unnecessary and risky as holding an election during a pandemic is, I am thankful that the situation has led to that awful beard being shaved off. Whether it was abandoned because Trudeau wanted to revert back to his youthful image, or because he knew he couldn’t compete with Jagmeet Singh, at least this citizen can finally watch the news without having to stare at that unpleasant gray mess.

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are underfunded, resulting in consistently high suicide rates. Support and protection services for women are scarce and ineffective. A responsible and successful leader is an individual who ensures they can meaningfully tackle the issues that matter the most to Canadian citizens. They should be aware of global issues and be prepared to help innocent people around the world who need the support of a superpower like Canada. There is no loophole within the Canadian governing system where a Prime Minister is exempted from fulfilling such duties. If there was, then no person should be granted the title at all since no one would deserve it.

Yes, U of T’s vaccine mandate is good and necessary

I go t m y COVID19 vaccin e

C OV I D -19 Va c c i n e

The safest step towards normalcy. Kareena Kailass Associate Opinion Editor

fter careful consideration by the University of Toronto, it was announced, on August 11, that all three campuses require students, staff, and visitors to be fully vaccinated in order to enter school grounds. They are further required to provide proof of vaccination to the university’s UCheck system. Despite various petitions and protests that have arisen against the recent decision, I believe that a vaccine mandate on campus is extremely beneficial and important to everyone. Aside from the obvious benefit of being protected against Covid-19, imposing a vaccine mandate across the campuses ensures the safe return of in-person activities. Extra-curriculars, sports, clubs, cafeterias, in-person classes, and much more can resume soon if students are safe and secure. Additionally, the certainty that everyone on campus will be vaccinated creates a safe space and protects those who are medically unable to be vaccinated but need to be on site. Mandating vaccines isn’t a new strategy. Children are required to be vaccinated against many viruses and diseases, such as tetanus, polio, measles, and chicken pox. This ensures the safety of all students within schools. It is through the practice of mandating vaccines and mass immunization that diseases like measles and polio have been endemically eliminated. This is a critical decision for the institution, faculty, students, and those in contact with these individuals, as it not only affects those who attend the campuses, but their close contacts as well. Although many protestors argue that this mandate takes away their liberties and freedom of choice, I’d argue that it rather opens up more freedoms and choices for individuals to partake in as they can safely go back to their normal lives. Vaccinated people can enjoy the luxuries of everyday life, such as attending classes or dining in, freely and safely. It opens up possibilities to meet larger groups of people, socialise more frequently, and attend all the special events we were once denied. And so, imposing a Covid-19 vaccine mandate is the most feasible plan of action and holds the greatest progressive potential for the community.

features

Editor | Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca

Butt Blitz 2021: Cigarette clean-up event looks towards “A Greener Future” Cigarette butts are more harmful to the environment than we originally thought. Kiara Senanayake Contributor

n 2014, Rochelle Byrne organized a local shoreline clean-up in her community and found that the annual

JULIA ENGEL/UNSPLASH

event would be an insufficient solution to the area’s environmental pollution. That’s when she funded A Greener Future, an aptly named community-based environmental conservation effort that combats waste generation and mismanagement. Chelsea Brash, the communications coordinator at A Greener Future, states that the “clean-up inspired Rochelle to embark on a journey to raise awareness about the plastic pollution problem, educate people, and advocate for a greener future for years to come.” When we think of environmental degradation and pollution, the images that first emerge in our minds are felled trees, o i l

leaks, and forest fires. While these sorts of events have a significant impact on the environment, it is important to consider factors that are believed by many to be insignificant contributors to pollution—such as cigarette litter. Every year, 4.5 trillion cigarette filters—the leftover product of the cigarette that does not disintegrate during smoking—are casually flicked out onto streets or crushed underfoot at outdoor cafes and parks. One study found that nearly 75 per cent of smokers “simply dropped [cigarette butts] on the ground, or out of their car.” These filters, also known as cigarette butts, are extremely harmful to the environment despite their size. According to Brash, they account for 78 per cent of litter found at shoreline clean-ups. In broader terms, managing cigarette butt disposal is a significant aspect of waste management. The issue has garnered increased attention in recent years in the form of anti-littering campaigns, such as Butt Blitz, an event organized by A Greener Future. Professor David Passmore teaches ENV320: Managing Our Waste, a course that addresses the philosophical, social, and management challenges associated with waste disposal worldwide. He identifies waste generation and waste management as “one of the four great environmental concerns of our time,” along with “climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification.” According to Professor Passmore, part of the ongoing pollution and waste generation crisis includes the increasing issue of “non-essential use and discard of plastics,” including plastics such as those found in cigarette butts. But how exactly do cigarette butts impact the environment? Cigarette litter is primarily made of a plastic material called cellulose acetate. As the butts break down, they become microplastics, which can be ingested by wildlife. Cigarette butts also contain more than 130 chemicals, according to Brash. When discarded, the chemicals from filters contaminate water and soil, inhibit plant growth, and create toxic conditions for the surrounding wildlife. Another

study found that the presence of cigarette butts in soil affect germination success, shoot length, and root biomass. In 2019, a National Geographic article on cigarette waste stated that the microplastics present in cigarette filters “are an increasing hazard in waterways and oceans,” with evidence suggesting that a cigarette butt discarded in a litre of water “kills half the fish.” To address the sources of plastic pollution, A Greener Future organizes events that involve the community in cleaning the environment and raising awareness of the harmful effects of plastic litter. The latest of their events, Butt Blitz 2021, is a nationwide initiative focused on cigarette waste clean-up and recycling with the help of volunteers, as well as highlighting the harmful effects of cigarette waste. First held in 2015, Butt Blitz has been responsible for the removal of over 2.1 million cigarette butts from the environment. However, as with all public events, the pandemic forced organizations to change their traditions and adapt to changes. The same was true for Butt Blitz 2021. The event, which was previously held on a single day with volunteers joining together to clean up cigarette waste, now involves an independent online component, which allow volunteers to participate across Canada, creating “an even greater impact.” The goal is to remove a million cigarette butts from the environment by the end of September. Brash states that, once the cigarette waste is collected, it is given a “second life.” Millions of discarded cigarette butts are collected by volunteers and sent to TerraCycle, an organization that recycles the “non-recyclable.” The tobacco and paper found in cigarette butts are separated from the cellulose acetate and composted. The plastic remainder is melted and formed into pellets, which are then used to make plastic lumber. “The lumber can be used for a variety of things such as park benches, picnic tables, decks, playground equipment, and much more,” explains Brash. The future of Butt Blitz looks bright. When asked about future initiatives, Brash states that there are plans to “operate a hybrid version of the [initiative] through a mix of in-person and online volunteer opportunities.” This will allow them to reach a wider part of the community. A Greener Future also expresses their hopes to establish long-term initiatives, such as a “cigarette butt recycling drop-off that will operate year-round.” Readers can support A Greener Future and Butt Blitz 2021 by keeping up to date with the progress made throughout the month of September through Instagram (@agreenerfuture) and the progress dashboard on their site. Readers can also share the initiative with others to spread awareness. Updates are also available through A Greener Future’s newsletter on their website, which readers can sign up for to receive notifications of the next Butt Blitz event.

SIMRAH SIDDIQUI/THE MEDIUM

The effectiveness of social media activism Social media platforms help raise awareness on important issues worldwide. Dalainey Gervais Associate Features Editor

he internet has given us unlimited access to information that we would otherwise not learn about through traditional news platforms. Daily, we learn about devastating environmental issues and mass human rights violations through the social media accounts of individuals actively facing calamity. As a result, many have taken advantage of the accessibility of social media, using it to promote and advocate for charities and movements they are passionate about. This had led to a dependency on an emerging form of social justice: social media activism. The recent discovery of mass grave sites on former residential school grounds sparked social media activists across the country. Hashtags like #everychildmatters and accounts advocating for Indigenous rights were trending and could be found on a lot of Instagram stories. The strong social media presence created by passionate activists around the world led to the incorporation of a new Canadian federal statutory holiday on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a day of reflection to honour Indigenous children lost during the residential school era. The question now becomes: is sharing informative posts and using hashtags on our social media pages as effective as fundraising, protesting, or lobbying? “Social media activism has really given us unprecedented access to democratize information because the majority of young people get their news from social media,” says Jillian Sunderland, a sociology PhD student in the SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Studies Program at the University of Toronto. Reflecting on her use of social media, Sunderland confirms that she also utilizes her platform to share important information with her followers. Access to the internet allows an opportunity for everyone to become allies in important causes and movements. Social media activism helps communities understand their own histories and brings attention to important conversations around the world. Following the murder of George Floyd and the intense social media coverage of the Black Lives Matters

(BLM) movement during the summer of 2020, Americans used their social media platforms to expose the deep-rooted racism of the country that is not an issue of the past. The movement also allowed Canadians to reflect on histories of slavery and racism. “I realized that Canadians didn’t know the extent of antiblack racism and our history of prejudicial treatment in Canada,” adds Sunderland. “When I asked my friends why they weren’t sharing resources on their platforms, they told me that it was just an American problem.” After Floyd’s murder, Sunderland put together lists of helpful resources and informative books to share with her social media followers. She suggested the book Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present by Robyn Maynard on her Instagram for those who want to learn more about Canada’s history with anti-blackness and slavery. Social media activism also gives a platform for individuals who wouldn’t typically have a voice to address important social conversations. “Social media has given us the unique ability for people to speak truth to power, particularly for marginalized communities to put their narratives out there,” states Sunderland. Rather than hearing from monitored corporations about social crises, social media activism allows the world to hear directly from communities facing adversity. It is our collective responsibility to give minorities the platform to speak, so that real issues can be addressed. While social media activism brings many benefits, it does not come without downfalls. “With sharing and re-sharing, sometimes we can get in the habit of reactionary activism, where people are just responding to the next crisis,” notes Sunderland, explaining that social media activism may lead people to express an opinion before being informed on the topic. Sunderland additionally warns that reactionary activism may lead to compassion fatigue, where individuals become desensitized to others’ pain because they are passively sharing every crisis they see on social media. “We need to move beyond finding out about injustices only when they become popular on social media,” continues Sunderland. Sharing information regarding mutual aid networks, organizations where community members work together to address

the needs of the community, is a great way to become actively involved in advocating for social crises. “They are fostered on the basis of solidarity, rather than charity, and have been incredibly beneficial in crisis relief projects,” adds Sunderland, sharing that The People’s Pantry, Toronto Mutual Aid Network, and the Toronto Prisoner’s Rights Project are her favourite mutual aid networks. “It takes time to pass policies, and [the process happens] so much quicker when community members come together to directly address problems,” explains Sunderland. Social media activists, like you and I, hold a responsibility to search credible sources before sharing on our platforms. “We have to be conscious that while social media activism is a great thing, there is a corporate capitalist interest that shapes what gets promoted,” says Sunderland, while referencing the 2020 TikTok scandal, where internal documents were released stating that the company would prioritize conventionally attractive influencers over “obese or too thin people” and filming in an environment that is “shabby and dilapidated.” Mass corporations who own these social media platforms can choose who and what to promote. Reputable social justice accounts are a good place to look for credible activist sources: “They don’t usually follow people who are part of these big conglomerates, but they usually follow smaller local activists that actively help their mission,” explains Sunderland. Examples include the BLM Canada Instagram page. Searching for local groups and joining their community outreach may be helpful, such as your closest BLM chapter. Students can also reach out to social activist groups on campus for resources on important topics like the Opioid Awareness Club or UNICEF UTM. As we live and grow in a community so reliant on social media, it is important for individuals to learn about its benefits and use it to their advantage—all while keeping in mind the platforms’ possible downfalls. Participating in social media activism is simple at first glance, however it’s important not passively re-share posts before forming an informed opinion on the matter. We must be mindful of what we post to ensure that we are giving voice to the right activists.

Music therapy: the benefits of music and why it makes us feel good Listening to music can be a treatment that boosts well-being. Hema Ramnarine Contributor

bop, a jam, a banger, a tune—no matter what you call it, there’s no denying this near-universal truth: we all love music. Whether you prefer listening to heavy metal, or soft, smooth classical music, there’s something out there for everyone. But have you ever wondered why we love music so much, or why it makes us feel so good? There could be many reasons as to why humans have a strong emotional response to music. A possible answer may lie within the chemicals of the brain. In a study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers found that dopamine—a feel good chemical—is released in our brains while listening to music. Dopamine, a hormone that is also responsible for sleep, mood, and memory, is what signals the brain that we’re having a good time. It’s what makes our brains go “yes please, more of this” when we eat our favourite food or watch a well-loved movie. Hearing an opening theme song is enough to raise levels of dopamine. This can help explain why humans love music. Music is made up of patterns; a series of melodies and rhythms blended into a song where—consciously or unconsciously—we can predict what’s coming next. It’s why we tend to have favourite artists and genres: we know what we like, and we like to hear it. As the song builds to a crescendo, so does our

emotional response, and the dopamine we receive at the peak encourages us to keep listening. Is this why music is so enduring across so many cultures? And how can we use music to help us? Music therapy, a form of treatment wherein a qualified music therapist uses music and their own skills as a therapist to help a client satisfy a need or achieve their own individualized goals, may be our answer. Dr. Amy Clements-Cortes of the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, whose research has spanned music, health, and wellness across many different areas, gives an insight into music therapy. “[Music] can be a cognitive need, a physical need, a spiritual need, an emotional need,” explains Dr. Clements-Cortes. “Music therapists work very holistically.” Music therapy is not age restricted. It can be a treatment for anyone—from premature infants to those in end-of-life or palliative care. The flexibility of music therapy is another benefit. Treatment can be finely tuned to be most effective for each client. Sessions include movement in time to a beat, playing an instrument, listening to meaningful or evocative music, writing songs, or singing. “When [patients experience] heavy emotions or difficult feelings, music offers a different way of expressing or exploring them,” adds Dr. Clements-Cortes. For those who may not be comfortable verbalizing their emotions or difficult experiences, engaging with music can be a helpful stepping-stone. People with dementia benefit greatly from

music therapy, according to Dr. ClementsCortes. To them, music can be a way of evoking memories or fostering a connection to their identity through cultural music or songs from their youth. Music can also reshape our brains, with new pathways forming in different regions, which is highly beneficial for those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Music therapy can help victims relearn motor and verbal skills as well. Part of being a music therapist, other than needing a formal knowledge of music, is having the ability to improvise. Therapists must be able to provide their patients with music that will be most helpful to them or be able to help them create it on their own. Singing also holds enormous benefits, which can start before birth—such as mothers talking or singing to their baby in the womb. “Singing really creates bonding and attachment early in life. [Parents] are really encouraged to sing to their babies,” says Dr. Clements-Cortes. As we get older, singing continues to be beneficial to development as it helps us learn concepts. We’ve all sung the ABCs, and most children sing good morning and good night songs in school. In her own studies with older patients, Dr. Clements-Cortes has seen great benefits from singing. In one study, she found that when patients with dementia take part in weekly choir, their anxiety and pain decreased while their mood and energy increased. They also felt a stronger sense of bonding with others. “Singing fosters this

sense of connecting and being more aware of others in the space,” states Dr. ClementsCortes. This affirms the findings of another study published in Evolution and Human Behaviour, which found that children who made music together showed an increase in “spontaneous cooperative and helpful behaviour.” In other words, music-making awarded a tactile representation of shared goals and cooperation. So, how can we use music for our own health and wellness? Dr. Clements-Cortes recommends taking daily music breaks: “I encourage people to create a playlist that is purposeful. A playlist that is set for a specific amount of time, and a specific purpose,” she says. “Whether it’s to pump yourself up for a workout or wind down after a long day, having just a five-minute music break is enough to reap the benefits.” Music breaks can be a good alternative for those who may not have access to music therapy, which is an issue in the field according to Dr. Clements-Cortes. Because the music therapy industry does not receive financial support from the government and is not reimbursed by insurance, people who could benefit from it are not able to utilize it. “We need more sponsorship or government funding to be able to provide [music therapy] for more people.” Music is far more beneficial than many of us realize. Whether you’re dealing with the stress of university life, or managing your physical or mental health, music is a great way to take care of your well-being.

Arts

Editor | Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca

The mistreatment of celebrities behind the scenes Revealing the price of fame as musician David Krzecko discusses distress within the industry. Dalainey Gervais Associate Features Editor

he New York Times’ recent documentary on Britney Spears’ conservatorship sparked conversations across the world about a celebrity’s well-being and responsibilities in the industry. Looking deeper into celebrity life, certain trends show how issues of over-exhaustion and lack of freedom are often associated with some celebrities that are labelled “crazy,” when really, the fault lies within the demands of Hollywood. Over the years, numerous celebrities have suffered due to the dangers of being in the limelight. We put celebrities on a pedestal, but we often forget they are humans too. It is stressful to have every aspect of your life out in

public, and anxiety follows when agencies own your brand and image. Spears is a current example of how these different factors can impact a celebrity’s health. In 2009, sources revealed through FreeBritney.net that Spears, her children, and her money were controlled by her father, Jamie Spears, under court-ordered conservatorship. This led her fans to wonder about her well-being, as well as her mental state, as Britney’s recent videos on TikTok often looked forced. In recent years, other celebrities also advocated to push for Britney’s release from her father’s control. Media coverage of the scandal forced Jamie to file for the end of the 13-year conservatorship last week. The road to success, whether in the world of music or acting, isn’t easy. “I wish there was a cookie-cutter formula, but [even] cre-

ating music is a really sporadic process,” says David Krzecko, a rapper under the name Szef. As a third-year criminology student at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), Krzecko immerses himself in the world of hip-hop through his creative writing process and has learned about some of the concerns of fame. He reminds us of the strenuous work that comes with creating a name for yourself. Even when you manage to make it, the struggles do not end. “These artists are brought in by producers, exploited for their talent, and left with nothing in the end if they aren’t careful,” explains Krzecko. The movie industry is no stranger to this problem. Child actors are especially susceptible to falling from fame as the industry often takes advantage of them. One famous example would be Lindsay Lohan, whose childhood fame did not lead to a

successful career later in life, as Hollywood failed to support her and her endeavours. With his journey in the music industry in mind, Krzecko hopes to leave us with one word of advice: “Whether you are going [into a field that’s] artistic or not, keep your intentions pure and whatever you’re working towards will come to fruition.” Krzecko’s newest project was released in July 2021—a complete album titled Nothing Gold Can Stay. You can purchase physical copies of the album through his Instagram @szefmusic. “I lost my mom to breast cancer about two years ago and all the sales will be donated to an avenue to help families that have been affected by cancer,” says Krzecko, who currently conducts local drop-offs for the album. You can also find Szef ’s music on any streaming service.

He’s All That: Netflix’s latest experiment with ’90s nostalgia and TikTok stars A remake that failed to live up to its original but succeeded in its social commentary. Olivia Sierakowski Contributor

hen rumours began that the ’90s teen classic She’s All That would be remade, the news stirred up mixed reviews. Some audiences hoped that it would be a nice tribute to the original, and others foresaw a disaster with the movie’s approach of throwing in social media stars to dazzle Generation Z. Netflix marketed He’s All That (2021) to be different from other ’90s reboots, as the original movie’s gender roles have been swapped. The film also casted TikTok star Addison Rae as Padgett Sawyer, a popular student turned loser when she discovers her influencer-rapper boyfriend, Jordan Van Draanen (Peyton Meyer), with a backup dancer on a live stream. This causes Padgett to lose her social media sponsor, Jessica (played by real-life best friend Kourtney Kardashian), setting up the infamous “zero to hero” bet with her trust fund friends. Opposite Addison Rae, Cobra Kai’s Tanner Buchanan plays Cameron Kweller—the social pariah of high school, complete with a beanie, grungy hair, and a signature plaid button down as he carries the torch from Laney Boggs in the original film. Like Laney, Cameron has a passion that makes him the target of bullying. Laney was “closed off and artistically talented,” and Cameron is portrayed as a “horse lover” who works part-time at a stable giving riding lessons. His interests don’t seem to give off “loser vibes,” but hey, Netflix makes the rules. As much as this film showed potential, it fell short with

IMDb.com

its cheesy product placements throughout the film (who really says, “don’t touch my Bose”?), which brought up a debate shared between all terrible films—was it the writing or just bad acting at play here? Buchanan tries his best to add chemistry as the leading man, though singing a duet of “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry was still not enough. Additionally, Rae’s hand disappearing during the karaoke set shows how editing was low priority. Rae seems to rush her lines but nails the “dance-off ” during the Prom scene. This remake couldn’t even be saved by featuring other popular names, such as Disney star Madison Pettis, who plays one of Padgett’s trust fund friends and eventually becomes the film’s antagonist. Newer fans of the film might also be surprised to learn that Rachel Leigh Cook, Padgett’s mom, used to star as Laney in the original movie. Matthew Lillard appears as well, as the high school principal who tries to be the comic relief. Despite all the cheesiness, the most relatable aspect of this film was the irony behind Jordan Van Draanen’s success. His character evokes the stereotype of wannabe influencers and rappers with hit songs such as “Turf War in the 424” and “On the Mean Streets of Pali”—as in the Pacific Palisades where most Hollywood celebrities live in their humble mansions. Jordan Van Draanen satirizes real-life influencers that claim to come from humble beginnings or preach of a “broken past” narrative while flaunting their privilege. To say the least, I recommend this film for students who need a break from exam studying, or for people in need of some mindless content to save those last two brain cells on a bad day. He’s All That gets a generous rating of two out of five stars.

A Second Chance

Kisan

My Pendulous Ways

Summer has come to an end And the autumn colours descend Leaves slowly trickle to the lands Marking the changing seasons And the changing tides And the changing year With some excitement and fear It is sometimes hard to endure Facing challenges that are obscure But one thing is for sure Even if we crumble We still can rise and bundle Like a phoenix from ashes Flying like an eagle Soaring amongst the clouds

Zorawar, is it you? my farmer son returns, I am sipping the warm tea, running to the door my cracked feet collect soil, udasi in his two eyes, he is too skinny now the kettle turns on, flaming under to make heat, the warmth dries my lips I hold my words in, and roll my tongue in my mouth, blinking my two eyes into the teacup, I am looking at my old face, trying to smile big clove and cardamom, they swirl around my wrinkled mouth, I sip the warm tea I tug the silvers off his beard, Zorawar’s face reminds me, bent backs, mustard fields moist, damp, turban sweat, collecting crops in sunlight, dirt houses itself into my palms mud houses melting, I light oil lamps in the monsoon, I need to feed them the rivers are dry, orange sky now vermilion, I need to feed them farmers hang from trees, my feet giving up on me, I need to feed them I sip the cold tea, I am fading and crumbling, like fine wheat powder blown away with wind, Zorawar touches my hand, I shake and sit down I cannot leave here, taking a sip from warm tea, We need to feed them my farmer son waves, I give him mango pickle and corn bread, his apparition fades

What key shall resolve my pendulous ways? Here I reside like a foe to my soul Bearing the heat of Caeser’s purple blaze, And the mystic’s trance, truer than our goal. I, wandering far from the common fold, And became caged by truth—my limbs grew stale, Fair-faced Eros saw I had grown so pale. And pricked my flesh with his arrow of gold. With fervent joys I boarded the train back. The fresh pulse of my heart broke old shackles, Climbing out of the abyss’ jaws of regret. Heaven slept as I gladly drank cognac. My renewed youth, and lofty debacles, Lock hands in seas of promising lanterns Even though I am alone I hear fine tales Of once dazed lads commanding godly gales.

Sherry Eskander

Komalroop Kaler

Andrew Paul

The Chair fails to get a perfect grade The division of screen time in The Chair exemplifies the show’s idea in an unintentional way. Mahera Islam Contributor

IMDb.com

s a student specializing in English, and a fan of Sandra Oh, I was interested to see a combination of the two in Netflix’s new comedy-drama The Chair. For the first time, I watched fictional characters casually mention names like Geoffrey Chaucer and Audre Lorde, in the same way I encountered them in my university classroom. While The Chair is by no means a flawless show, it hits the mark in its depiction of women’s experience—specifically women of colour in academia. The show follows Oh’s character Ji-Yoon Kim, the first woman to be appointed chair of the English department at the fictional University of Pembroke, as she does her best to keep everything afloat while the department faces various crises. The series does a decent job of showing viewers the various levels of aggressions and microaggressions women face in a field dominated by white men. Ji-Yoon is under constant pressure to meet the demands of the dean and her department, while aiming to make progressive changes, such as trying to secure a distinguished lectureship for Yasmin ‘Yaz’ McKay (Nana Mensah)—a brilliant and popular professor who is also the only Black woman in the English department. At one point, Ji-Yoon says to Yaz, “I don’t feel like I inherited an English department. I feel like someone handed me a ticking time bomb because they wanted to make sure a woman was holding it when it exploded.” While Yaz’s character is a supporting role, who could have been given more screen time, her storyline accurately shows audiences the difficulties Black women face in academia, especially in gaining tenure. Yaz’s tenure case is chaired by a senior white

male professor who disapproves of her teaching style and does not treat her as an equal. But these characters challenge racist myths about who is or is not suited for English by depicting women of colour who are passionate about teaching literature and poetry.

While The Chair is by no means a flawless show, it hits the mark in its depiction of women’s experience—specifically women of colour in academia. Another female character of the show is Joan Hambling (Holland Taylor), a white woman who has taught at Pembroke for over 30 years. Despite her seniority, her office is moved to a basement, separating her from the nice offices given to her male colleagues. At one point, Joan shares that when she first started as an assistant professor, the dean offered her a lesser salary than her male colleague who started in the same year. Joan stays silent to avoid being seen as “that woman,” presenting a situation that may resonate with many female viewers. While the struggles three characters face are fairly accurate and brilliantly portrayed, ironically, the show does them a disservice by focusing so much on the white men. Much of the storyline comes back to Bill Dobson (Jay Duplass), Ji-Yoon’s predecessor as department chair and love interest. While Duplass offers a comedic performance as Bill, he has a lot of screen time which should have gone to Oh and Mensah. It also does not help that Duplass and Oh lack chemistry. Ultimately, while the show could have done a better job fleshing out the storylines of these women and their experiences, The Chair is definitely worth the watch for Sandra Oh alone.

sports & health

Editor | Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca

An interview with Janella Viado UTM Lady Eagles’ starting point guard discusses her athletic roots, her role models, her experience at UTM, and her plans for the future. Robert Bui Athletics Correspondent

anella Viado, starting point guard for the UTM Lady Eagles, spoke with The Medium about life on and off the court. Viado is entering her fourth year and is currently completing a double major in psychology and CCT, as well as a minor in business, science and entrepreneurship. Viado hopes to one day open her own sports clinic to help athletes who need assistance. Viado’s Filipino community and supportive family helped expose her to basketball from an early age. Her family “understood the importance of athletics,” and when accompanying her older brother to his own basketball practices, Viado was always itching to play. “I was an active kid. Even now, whenever I don’t have anything to do, I just get so bored.” Viado started off playing house league basketball but she was ambitious. She remembers watching the NBA in 2012 and being inspired by the Miami Heat’s big three. “Watching players like LeBron dominate the game, I wanted to be like him, and it made me want to push what I was doing with basketball further,” she says. “Around 2018 is when I was considering which university to attend,” says Viado. Although the programs offered at UTM were unique and garnered her attention, the basketball team was a big factor in her decision. “UTM has the best opportunity […] to both compete and study,” says Viado. “It felt right for me,” she continues, “and the coaching staff is so great, I don’t know how they do it.” With the unfortunate timing of the Covid-19 pandemic, athletes have long been starved of the competi-

tion they desire. Some of the Lady Eagles’ key players have now graduated and moved on from basketball and Viado feels their absence. “They helped my confidence a lot. They could tell when I was thinking about it too much and would reassure me that I can play, and play well,” says Viado on the impact of her senior teammates. “They helped me get involved with things around campus instead of just being on the team. When it comes to how the team is going to look moving forward, Viado believes the new players have really good work ethic. “I feel like I became sort of like an accidental mentor. It wasn’t on purpose, but I think I rub off some of the things that I learned from the people I look up to.” Viado hopes that the combination of a good work ethic and strong role models will prepare the team to succeed in their upcoming seasons. A welcoming place for newcomers, and a place to call home for the people who return, the UTM community is one of the strongest assets of this school. “[My] overall experience with the UTM Athletics community has been great,” says Viado. Janella Viado gives thanks to the basketball and athletics community that she’s been apart of. Also working part-time as a lifeguard, the combination of employment, school, and athletics have forced her to manage her time efficiently and stay organized. When Viado completes her undergraduate degree, she looks forward to pursuing her masters in counselling and/or clinical psychology. We wish Janella and all the student athletes on campus the best of luck for this school year and the years to come! UTM ATHLETICS/FACEBOOK

WEEKLY EXERCISE SERIES: Resistance Training RAWC’s Virtual Fitness Studio offers resistance training classes for students looking to build strength from the comfort of their homes. Anjalli Becharbhai Contributor

esistance training encompasses exercises that focus on your muscles overcoming oppositional force, whether from equipment (dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands), or from bodyweight. Exercises such as HIIT, plyometrics, Pilates, and yoga all count as resistance training. Some of these exercises focus on building strength while others improve muscular endurance, speed, agility, power, or reaction times. The benefits of these exercises include improved heart health, reduced risk of osteoporosis, and enhanced performance in everyday tasks. This fall, the Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre (RAWC) will be offering a Virtual Fitness Studio which includes a wide range of classes such as Bodyweight

360, Total Body Burn, Yogilates, Plyo HIIT, Boot Camp, and more. These classes focus on challenging your stamina and are available to students at any fitness level. Students can register for the Virtual Fitness Studio and see class schedules on the RAWC’s website. The Medium spoke to Alexandra Gikas, a second-year student majoring in economics with a double minor in math and French. She shares how attending lectures for hours and focusing on academics led her to feel burnt out without much time for herself. “I’ve found in the past, I solely focused on my studies and left little to no time for myself. This just left me feeling burnt out and a lack of excitement to start my day,” explains Gikas. Engaging in short but frequent bodyweight exercises helped Gikas feel a sense of achievement which motivated and energized her to start tasks for school. “I personally find a short, steady pace

jog, followed by 10 minutes of bodyweight exercises like pushups and planks, is enough to re-energize me, without leaving my body feeling overly fatigued,” says Gikas “As a student who is sedentary and studies for most of the day,” Gikas continues, “it is important to prioritize strength/resistance training to challenge your muscles which are resting for most of the day.” The Virtual Fitness Studio will offer classes seven days a week at no additional costs for students paying incidental fees. U of T staff, faculty, alumni, or the public are welcome to purchase a membership to join virtual classes, which provides access to on-demand recordings for classes they can’t attend. “I strongly encourage students to find a form of activity that leaves your body feeling motivated and energized, and to engage in 20 minutes of movement every day,” shares Gikas.