Volume 47, Issue 7

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

Issue 007 Volume 47 October 26 2020

themedium.ca

CAMPUS MASTER PLAN

WHY WE FEAR

BEASTS OF THE MEDIUM

The University of Toronto has published the draft for the new and updated Master Plan for its Mississauga campus in an effort to maintain the university’s “long-term vision for buildings and open space.”

You are watching a horror movie. The scenes exude an atmosphere of anxiety and fear, created not only by threats of jump scares but also by an intoxicating, dreadful darkness.

In a world unlike our own, where animals possess human qualities and faults, lies a fractured region embroiled in power struggles.

>> MASTER PLAN continued on page 02

>> FEAR continued on page 04

>> BEASTS continued on page 08

NEWS

Global pandemic scares off 2020 Halloween Meghna Parhar Contributor

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ost holidays in 2020 have already been altered by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the scariest holiday of them all is likely to be no different.

Ontario health officials have recommended against the timehonoured Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating this year for residents living in Toronto, Ottawa, Peel, and York Region.

>> HALLOWEEN continued on page 02

SPORTS

ARTS

Trick or treat: The benefits and dangers of black licorice

We rank the scariest movies of all time

Rachel Lord Contributor

Chris Berberian Arts Editor

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lack licorice has been used for years as either a tasty snack or for medicinal purposes, often in the form of tea. However, black licorice tends to be one of those things that you either love or hate.

Licorice contains anethole, which is aromatic and has a strong smell that people often associate with NyQuil. NBC News suggests that the common dislike for licorice is what psychologists refer to as “operant conditioning” or a type of learned behaviour.

Through this, the news outlet argues that our learned sense of smell is stronger than learned taste. This concept of learning and reinforcing associations may explain why so many people have a strong dislike for this NyQuil-smelling snack.

Early scientific research also indicates that despite the acquired taste of black licorice, the candy has great health benefits. Studies found that black licorice aids stomach issues, particularly inflammation and acid reflux. The candy also helps the digestive system, relieves indigestion symptoms, and eases chronic acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).

Black licorice may also be advantageous to those who suffer from hair loss. This is because licorice has mollifying properties, which reduces anxiety or anger. As a result, the candy can open up pores in the scalp and reduce redness and irritation. >> LICORICE continued on page 12

ou lay paralyzed in an ink-black bedroom, eyes glued to the ceiling.

All the insignificant sounds of your world amplify around you—the tick, tick, tick of the kitchen clock, the thumping of the basement washing machine, the slight creaks of the wooden floors. Your house is breathing around you. Leaves crunch outside your window. Is it an animal? Is it human? You won’t know unless you peek.

This scene showcases the power of scary movies, how they linger with you long after the lights come up. Their sounds and images leak their ways under your skin, crawling up your limbs, puncturing your mind when you least expect them.

But listing the best sleep-depriving movies is a frivolous task. Like our preferences between Halloween candies, different horror subtypes will scare different people. While there are thousands of horror films out there, you want to find the ones that truly scare you.

Whether it’s the classics, the new hits, or the gems hidden in between, at least one of these movies is sure to feed your horror appetite. So, grab

>> MOVIES continued on page 09

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NEWS

Global pandemic scares off 2020 Halloween Meghna Parhar Contributor

>> HALLOWEEN continued from page 01 “As Ontarians begin to prepare for Halloween this year, I’d like to remind everyone to take extra precautions to ensure you are keeping yourself and your families safe,” Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health in Ontario, said in a public statement released on October 19.

“Given the high transmission of Covid-19 [cases] in the modified Stage Two of public health unit regions of Ottawa, Peel, Toronto and York Region, traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating is not recommended,” he continued.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford echoed Dr. Williams’ message, saying the cancellation of trick-or-treating is a necessary measure to protect Christmas and the upcoming holiday season.

“We’re trying to make it as safe and simple as possible […] We all know this isn’t going to be a regular Halloween,” Ford shared at a news conference held that same afternoon.

Regions unaffected by the modified Stage Two are being asked to follow a number of guidelines should they continue to plan on going trick-or-treating this Halloween. These guidelines include limiting their “safety bubbles” to members living in the same household and keeping their excursions outdoors, avoiding apartment complexes and condominiums.

Trick-or-treaters and individuals handing out candy are strongly encouraged to wear face masks. Officials have asked trick-or-treaters not to “congregate or linger at doorsteps” and to stay physically distant while waiting for their candy, suggesting that homeowners consider using tongs or other tools to distribute their treats instead of leaving them in communal buckets for visiting children to grab.

“A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make it difficult to breathe,” stated the Ontario Newsroom website.

At a separate news conference, Mayor John Tory acknowledged the “profoundly disappointing” news for children in certain regions across the Greater Toronto Area, but insisted that the measures were necessary in the face of the rising cases in and around the city.

Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch argued that the decision to cancel

trick-or-treating in Ontario’s largest cities “[didn’t] sit right” with him, stating that trick-or-treaters and their parents simply required “situational awareness” to accomplish a successful Halloween.

“The goal should be to find ways to do things safely rather than cancel,” Dr. Bogoch told CTV News. “Halloween shouldn’t be too tough to do safely: outside, wearing masks, restricted to family units, [and staying] distant from others is about as low risk as it gets.”

However, Bogoch also asserted that it was important that residents continue to follow the advice and recommendations made by public health officials.

As the province reported another 704 cases and four deaths over the previous weekend, Premier Ford, following the advice of Dr. Williams, decided to “err on the side of caution” in the case that anything went awry.

“There’s very little control over it,” Dr. Williams shared at City Hall. “It’s far too possible to mix closely with others and let your guard down.”

In the place of trick-or-treating, it has been suggested that families “consider alternative ways to celebrate” Halloween in their households.

Safe activities such as organizing virtual costume parties, plotting an indoor candy hunt with members of the family, hosting a horror movie night or pumpkin carving contests, and decorating front lawns or porches in spirit of the season are encouraged.

Though officials are urging Ontarians to do their part in helping prevent the spread of Covid-19, City of Toronto Spokesperson Brad Ross indicated that the recommendations on trick-or-treating in the city is just a recommendation and that there is “no law or bylaw prohibiting it and, therefore, no law or bylaw to enforce.”

Toronto Police have made it clear that their officers will not be enforcing these rules, nor will they be handing out tickets to trick-or-treaters or their families on October 31.

As of October 22, Ontario has reported 841 new cases, the second highest daily count of cases reported since March.

Forty people have died from Covid-19 in Ontario in the last week, bringing the total tally of virus-related fatalities to 3,071 and the total number of active Covid-19 infections in Ontario to 6,390.

“Things will be different this year, just like many other holidays and special occasions,” said Mayor Tory. “That’s the sad reality of this pandemic.”

Editor | Isik Vera Senel news@themedium.ca

UTM releases draft master plan of future initiatives for the university The 2020 campus master plan emphasizes the preservation of green spaces Nadim Kassymov Contributor

>> MASTER PLAN continued from page 01 The Credit River and the natural landscape surrounding the campus are part of UTM’s identity. The Master Plan aims to strengthen the local flora and fauna through environmentally friendly initiatives.

The new developments detailed in the draft utilize sustainable materials and sitespecific and urban area guidelines to create a renovated design of the campus.

Increasing and maintaining green areas is a priority for the university administration. The updates include adding more landscape and natural systems into open spaces, such as pathways and courtyards; creating all future buildings with a “lightimprint” approach; and adding more of indoor and outdoor campus activities and spaces.

The university is currently prioritizing sustainability through its initiation to reintroduce more green spaces and systems into its infrastructure.

Moreover, the university is planning to reveal additional policies and guidelines about sustainability and campus life efforts, from land and building uses to accessibility and safety.

The consultant team developing the campus Master Plan is led by Brook Mcllroy, an award-winning architecture firm known for its work with indigenous designers. The consultants are experienced in urban design and Indigenous placemaking. For this project, Brook McIlroy is working alongside the U of T planning department and UTM staff.

The project underwent phase one on February 2020. During this phase, which lasted until June, the current campus conditions were examined and re-evaluated.

Phase two spanned from June to September, in which the main principles as well as a vision-draft was presented for the campus.

The Master Plan is currently in phase three, which is anticipated to last until December of this year. During this phase, the consultant team will be evaluating new strategies for open spaces, buildings, parking lots, and transportation connections.

The fourth and final phase will take place between January and April 2021, where the master plan will be finalized and published.

The previous campus master plan developed by UTM was released in 2011 and focused more heavily on expansion and growth rather than sustainability.

The development of new student spaces and parking lots was also a priority in the 2011 plan due to the increasing number of incoming students. With the predicted surge of 11,000 students in 2011 and 18,000 in 2030, the university administration was looking for ways to update campus infrastructure to support all future students and staff.

The 2011 plan proposed 5.7 hectares of additional space, which is calculated to be around 200,000 gross square meters. This increase doubled the UTM campus domain and allowed for more engagement opportunities between students and staff, as well as established a new threshold for future growth.

Both the current master plan and the one chartered in 2011 focus on the general expansion of the campus. However, the university is currently prioritizing sustainability through its initiation to reintroduce more green spaces and systems into its infrastructure.

The campus master plan will begin phase four in January 2021, where the final updates will be presented by the consultant team.

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Covid-19 testing opportunities for Mississauga residents Hana Khan Contributor

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s Covid-19 cases continue to rise, and with the arrival of the flu season, more and more people are beginning to experience cold symptoms. Whether these symptoms are indicative of the novel coronavirus or the seasonal flu, it is vital for everyone who requires it to get tested.

The Medium reached out to Meghna Parhar, a third-year forensics student, who wanted to get tested for Covid-19 after finding out that someone in her social circle had tested positive.

Parhar discussed her experience and the process of reaching out, booking, and getting the Covid-19 test in Mississauga.

“Most [Covid-19 testing areas] near UTM will require you to book an appointment online beforehand,” stated Parhar. “For someone who has no symptoms, you have to meet a certain criterion before they’ll book you for a test.”

Appointments are booked through an online assessment pro-

vided by Trillium Health Partners as well as Maple, a Canadian mobile application that allows users to connect with doctors. “[The Maple app] is to sign up for a pre-consultation with a doctor,” said Parhar. “They’ll either video call you or call you on the phone to ask about why you need or want a Covid-19 test, if you’ve been feeling any symptoms, travelled outside of Canada in the past month, and if you are taking any medication.”

Following the pre-consultation, a representative from either the Mississauga Hospital or the Credit Valley Hospital will contact the patient to book an appointment. The appointments are usually scheduled for the same or following day.

However, the Credit Valley hospital testing only offers drivethru services. Thus, students who do not have access to a vehicle will have to put in a special request to book their appointments at the Mississauga Hospital’s Covid-19 assessment centre, located at 15 Bronte College Court.

As she did not have access to a vehicle at the time, Meghna Parhar scheduled an appointment at the Mississauga Hospital and discussed the on-site safety precautions with a representative.

In the Mississauga Hospital, all visitors are separated by six-feet

distance lines and must wait in tents outdoors. Frontline workers are required to wear scrubs, gloves, shower caps, and face visors.

Hand sanitizer is mandatory upon entry to the facility, and everyone is provided with a brand-new face mask.

Once patients are called into the indoor waiting area, they will find that the seating area is cleaned and sanitized regularly. Moreover, all test administrators change and replace their gowns, gloves, and masks after each test they perform, and re-sanitize their hands.

Once a patient has been tested, the administrator will “give you a pamphlet of what to do next and how to check your results after the test.”

If the test results come back positive, the hospital will call the patient to trace their contacts. However, if the results are negative, visitors will be able to check their status on the Ministry of Health’s website with their health card number at covid-19.ontario.ca.

“The testing centre was easy to find and easy to access,” states Parhar, who has since found out she tested negative for Covid-19.

For anyone experiencing symptoms, please reach out to your general practitioner or book an appointment through the Maple app.

Dr. De Souza-Kenney discusses equitable healthcare access in virtual seminar Sheryl Gurajada Contributor

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n Wednesday, October 21, the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union held a seminar with Dr. Leanne De Souza-Kenney on Inequity and Discrimination in Healthcare. Dr. De Souza-Kenney’s workshop is the latest installment in UTMSU’s monthly seminar series. This month’s seminars have focused on sustainability and encouraging indigenous voices.

Dr. De Souza-Kenney was newly appointed to University College’s Health Studies program as an Assistant Professor this past August. Her research focuses on the socioeconomic disparities in healthcare in regards to race, gender, and other factors. Her latest research project looked at the discrepancy in diabetes rates between non-obese Vietnamese Americans and other ethnic groups.

The seminar followed the arch of Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale Of Two Cities, to illustrate the inequities and disparities across Canadian Healthcare. Dr. De Souza Kenney highlighted the different healthcare experiences between residents of certain cities. She compared their access to resources with the opportunities available to marginalized groups in society, such as Black communities, Indigenous people, POC, women, and people with disabilities.

Dr. De Souza-Kenney’s workshop also discussed the duality in healthcare access, disease rates, fitness, and other well-being aspects. However, her presentation also encouraged change. There is room for a revolution in the sector so that everyone is able to experience fair healthcare service in their communities.

In an email correspondence with The Medium, Dr. De SouzaKenney discussed the objectives behind her seminar.

“The audience should be able to walk away with the understanding that discrimination is rooted in health inequity and access, and the solution lies here as well—in achieving true health equity and removing entrenched, structural barriers to health access,” said Dr. De Souza-Kenney.

In order to communicate this message, the workshop utilized fictional models in addition to real cases.

“The audience is provided with authentic examples of research evidence to support these notions and relevant, realistic examples of the slow turn of the tide toward change,” continued Dr. De Souza-Kenney. “In Dickens’ story, A Tale of Two Cities, he begins famously with the line: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,’ and my talk draws parallels on the pertinence of this statement today—with a revolution before us to fight

discrimination at its roots.”

The topic of healthcare equity is part of the UTMSU’s United for Equity campaign, which strives to shed light on all forms of oppression and discrimination, on-campus and in the broader community.

The Covid-19 pandemic has shed a light on prevailing issues of inequity and disadvantaged communities’ unequal access to health care services and resources. While these problems have become increasingly commonplace, sudden outbreaks, such as the novel coronavirus, further accentuates the unfortunate circumstances marginalized groups face. However, as perspectives begin to change and more organizations and governments lead equity efforts, action is being taken to tackle these issues amid the unprecedented crisis.

Within the U of T community, many new initiatives and projects have been established in the past year to bring awareness to social inequity. The university is also funding increased time and effort into researching related issues.

“In the clinical setting, there is a growing emphasis for documenting and paying attention to ethnicity, country of birth, number of years in host country (immigration year), to consider the impact of these extremely relevant factors to health status,” stated Dr. De SouzaKenney.

The collection of this data will work to create a detailed and

definitive report illustrating healthcare inequity and its impacts in communities.

“In public health research, funding bodies, research programs, and institutional ethics committees are calling for similar details to be collected for and factored into research and analyses,” she continued.

As an immigrant, woman of colour, mother, and female scientist, Dr. De Souza-Kenney is passionate about using her expertise to speak out about the healthcare situation in Canada. “With the privilege to teach in a prestigious academic institution, I believe it is my responsibility—that I undertake with pride, empathy, compassion and sincere commitment for actionable change—to guide my students through practice and to hold space for learning and understanding the way forward.”

She went on to emphasize the importance of case studies when analyzing inequalities in healthcare.

“I believe that true knowledge in any given discipline, especially health-related disciplines, must uphold and intentionally discuss examples, and create assessments with problem-solving [questions] related to race, ethnicity, gender, colonialism, and inequity in health,” she stated.

Dr. De Souza-Kenney currently works in chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health, epidemiology, and public and global health.

“Change is coming, but we must remain steadfast in our commitment to follow through, to play the long game—systemic change requires a systemic response and approach.”

The UTMSU monthly seminar series is available for free by registering for the session. Check UTMSU’s website or social media platforms to see upcoming seminars surrounding community sustainability.

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Paula Cho editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Ali Taha managing@themedium.ca News Isik Vera Senel news@themedium.ca

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COMMENT

The commoditization of horror and why we fear Our most horrific fear is the destruction of our humanity.

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Editor | Aya Yafaoui comment@themedium.ca

Andrew Paul Contributor

>> FEAR continued from page 01 Even a simple scene of a mother drinking a cup of coffee can be filled to the brim with tension if produced correctly. Why is that?

One of the best horror fiction writers of the 20th century, H.P. Lovecraft, said, “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is the fear of the unknown.” Representations of macabre literature are as old as civilization itself. In its primitive form, the horror tale appeared in rituals to invoke supernatural entities from prehistoric times. To some extent, it was developed by classical authors such as Phlegon of Tralles, who introduced the concept of the “the corpse bride.” In the middle ages, macabre art developed more vivid and unsettling imagery such as the gargoyles on top of Not re Dame and St. Michaels cathedrals.

W h i l e ghoulish figures in folktales, art, and other literature existed primarily in the periphery of the human imagination.

It was not until the advent of the gothic novel that macabre art started entering mainstream literature. By this time, not only were vampires, werewolves, and spectral figures invoked to stimulate fear, but also a trail of blood, ominous sounds, and abandoned castles that enraptured the imagination. This change in macabre visuals caused many to fear the unknown with greater brevity than they had before. However, this does not explain why we find vampires scary or abandoned houses creepy.

The feeling of horror arises when we recognize something is out of place, unnatural, and weird. It conjures up the unknown and the alien.

This feeling evokes a reaction that is primal as much as it is cognitive.

We recognize that something is out of place. There should not be blood on the floor or darkness obscuring our vision and forcing us to use our imagination to see what lies below. The oddities we see in someone’s behaviour or among a space that’s just a little too quiet can evoke strong feelings of uneasiness.

This feeling is exemplified best in characters such as Michael Myers from the Halloween franchise. Apart from the fact that Myers is an unstoppable and ruthless killer, the way he is presented in the films is where the real horror lies. Superhuman strength, seemingly immortal, mute, and masked, Myers’ features amplify his unnatural and alien characteristics. We see that Myers kills, but we have no idea why. I think this is where the feelings of horror arise. When we notice something unnatural and seemingly dangerous, our anxiety gradually evolves into a phobia due to our inability to understand it. And in our attempt to avert it, our primal instincts fill us with fear. It is the fusion of these emotions that contribute to the feeling of horror.

We have turned our greatest fears into an entire industry. Horror movies and the Halloween season allows us to indulge in the thrill of being frightened. It is fun. However, this seeking of fright tempts us to think that this is what contributes to macabre art. There are countless horror movies like The Nun and The Grudge remake that rely on jump scares via soundtracks or the sudden appearance of ghouls to frighten you. These movies may scare you, but they fail to make you feel dreadful.

Movies like Hereditary and the original The Grudge inundate the atmosphere with a distressing aura, emphasizing the films’ dark undertones. In these movies, there is no source of hope.

You see evil tear apart the psyche of the characters. You are not just witnessing people meeting their doom at the hands of an unknown ghost or creature because their curiosity got the better of them. Instead, you see innocent families’ humanity shatter, consumed greedily by some unforeseen evil. I think this is the quintessential ingredient to real horror.

I said before that horror arises when we experience something abnormal that gradually unfolds into a phobia when we do not understand its intention. The aversion and reaction that follows are accompanied by dire emotions such as fear and anxiety. However, this kind of aversion is weak compared to coming face to face with something purely evil yet incomprehensible.

In the painting The Triumph of Death by Peter Bruegel the Elder, you see unending legions of death, destroying people who are futilely trying to escape it. This visualization aspect is where macabre art is most salient.

What makes up the feeling of horror is not merely the aversion to the abnormal and unnatural. It is the knowledge that it can utterly extinguish your humanity. It is this kind of fear that is tucked into your psyche, no matter how wonderful and bright your day might be.

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Witches as feminist icons Aroni Sarkar Contributor

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he witch archetype has been romanticized and commercialized in various mediums, from movies and shows to novels and art. The mysticism and fantasy associated with witches within Western pop culture have spiritually and symbolically resonated with emerging activists challenging patriarchal narratives of gender, politics, and sexuality.

Witches have long been a symbol of immortality, corruption, and societal disruption. The origin of witches has been traced back to when humans first started worshipping deities. Eventually, practices evolved, developing distinctly in different cultures.

Before the 1400s, witches were seen as wise women and healers.

It wasn’t until the rise of andro-Eurocentric Christianity in the middle ages that powerful women engaged in spirituality became demonized, and the term “witch” became derogatory.

First, let’s distinguish between witchcraft and Wicca. Wicca is a neo-pagan religion that draws on a diverse set of ancient pagan and modern 20th-century practices. It is a part of the western esoteric current known as “occultism.” A highly decentralized religious movement, there is often confusion about its exact constitution. However, it is widely known to be a polytheistic religion practiced by Wiccans. Witchcraft, on the other hand, is a practice or lifestyle. It involves the practice of spiritual rituals and other descendants of pagan practices. These two terms are often used interchangeably because many witches are part of Wicca. Yet, many are independent and are mere practitioners to varying degrees.

Chilling tales of powerful women—spiritually, sexually, and socio-economically—sparked fear within earlier societies, resulting in limited opportunities for meaningful social engagement among women. If too many intelligent, single, widowed, or older women spent too much time together socializing, it was

grounds for men to accuse them of being witches. All of this culminated in the general understanding that non-conforming women must be feared and killed.

Recently, particularly after the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, “invoking the witch” was popularized on social media platforms, especially among millennials and Gen Z youths.

How-to guides on becoming modern witches have been plastered on popular magazines. Images of Hillary Clinton wearing a black hat and riding a broom went viral in 2016, and she was named the “Wicked Witch” by her opponents. The same thing happened to many other powerful women within Hollywood, politics, and other influential sectors.

Early feminist manifestos in the 19th and 20th centuries suggested that witchcraft was a way for the church and the state to oppress and control intelligent women and their influence. These women were often the most brilliant within society. The term “witch,” almost exclusively used for women, carries a level of stigma not associated with its male equivalents. Beneath the stereotypical image of the green-skinned woman with sharp yellow teeth is a wide array of diverse women. All of them frightened and oppressed, fighting for their independence and autonomy.

Activists say that a witch is powerful because she gets her strength from within herself rather than other people. This idea is the reason for their endurance throughout time. The message of inner-strength and “invoking the witch” within you has resonated with many marginalized groups, like the LGBTQ+ community, that have had their rights painfully stripped away. This concept of the “witch” has also inspired and empowered women during the Me Too movement.

The romanticized image of witches has transformed the spiritual healers into liberating feminist icons. Not only because they hex corrupt politicians or join protests like the Black Lives Matter movement, but because they challenge heteronormative societal norms and encourage community bonding and freedom of expression. It is a reclamation process for women within societies and a statement of strength and power.

FlwrPowr/Reddit

A glance into what Halloween 2020 will look like Reese Halfyard Contributor

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alloween is an exciting holiday for many. Dressing up and going trick-or-treating is a thrilling and celebratory escape for many Canadian families. Collecting insane amounts of candy and sharing it among friends is a tradition. However, this year Halloween will look differently. With a surge of Covid-19 cases in Ontario, many families, especially those in the GTA, are more skeptical about trick-or-treating. Heeding the government’s advice, some citizens are making their own decisions and getting creative.

Staying within your social bubble and keeping inside is the most reliable way to celebrate.

If people go trick-or-treating, who is to say someone will open the door for them? Recently, areas in Ontario have regressed back to stage two, limiting social gatherings and events. With approximately 800 new cases daily, Canadians are incredibly anxious about going out in public settings. The majority of restaurants are closing dining spaces again, and small businesses are attempting to stay afloat. As a result, government officials recommend that families stay inside this Halloween to avoid risking infection.

Staying apart from others is very important for families in hotspot zones, such as the Peel and York regions. In a news release on October 19, Doug Ford stated his opposition to trick-or-

treating. He said that despite the urge to party and celebrate, there must be restrictions. People have contradicted his motivational speech with the recent government-approved actions throughout Ontario. Why are young children allowed to sit in a classroom with over two dozen students, yet are not allowed to trick-or-treat with their families while maintaining social distancing measures?

Following Ford’s declaration of Halloween safety, many families considered alternative ways to celebrate the holiday. Some are looking to host a socially-distanced costume parade, with the only contact being between children and their families. This opportunity is available for smaller neighborhoods or those living in rural areas where cases are low. Other households are celebrating the holiday through virtual family costume contests or horror movie marathons.

Staying within your social bubble and keeping inside is the most reliable way to celebrate. Moreover, many organizations are providing safe events. Glama Gal, a kids spa business, is hosting a virtual Halloween costume gala. At UofT, the Family Care Centre is hosting a virtual Halloween workshop for families on October 29th.

There are also many themed drive-thru rides in the GTA, such as at the Toronto Zoo or Bingemans park. While many families may be disappointed at the turn of events, parents are doing their best to create a Covid-19-friendly Halloween experience. As provincial officials have stated, there are multiple ways to celebrate the holiday without putting yourself or others at risk.

The urge to continue traditional Halloween activities is especially concerning for teenagers and young adults. Despite the precautions that many schools are attempting to uphold, it is impossible to stop students from holding off-campus events.

When universities first reopened in September, Covid-19 cases rose throughout multiple hotspots in Ontario. One of these

schools includes Western University in London, Ontario, where an off-campus party resulted in more than 30 cases. This reality leaves many concerned about how Halloween will affect the current rate of Covid-19 cases, especially at adrenalized party schools. At this time of crisis, students must be responsible and stay within their social bubble.

Currently, Ontario and Quebec have the highest number of Covid-19 cases, heightening governments’ concern toward Canada’s progress. After making some improvements in the summer, both regions are now back to where they started in April.

Quebec alone stands with almost 100,000 cases, the majority stemming from Montreal. This spike justifies why trick-or-treating should be canceled in the province.

How is the rate of Covid-19 supposed to improve if people are not following infection prevention measures and governmentimplemented restrictions? Quebec’s government is encouraging citizens, particularly Montreal residents, to stay inside this year.

In British Columbia, where cases are much lower, the provincial government is more lenient toward trick-or-treating. However, BC government officials continue to emphasize the importance of social distancing, even amid trick-o-treating. Yet, the novel coronavirus has proven itself unpredictable and is not limited by geography.

No matter how many rules governments’ implement, it is ultimately up to Canadian citizens to stay safe and responsible. We are all still adjusting to the “new norm,” which in itself will take a while to get used to. Celebrating this Halloween season from afar is ultimately the best way to stay safe and protected. While trick-or-treating and public events may be on halt this year, there are still multiple opportunities to have fun in a sociallydistanced setting.

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features

Editor | Elizabeth Provost features@themedium.ca

Canada’s insufficient police training system raises police brutality rates Larry Lau Contributor

I

t takes seconds for a bullet to reach its target. And it takes a split-second decision for a police officer to spare or end a life. The police force’s excessive use of power and restraint strategies has caused many tragedies in the past decades. Today, police brutality occurs at an alarming rate and does not appear to be slowing down. Naturally, investigation into local police forces is needed, but to find the root cause of police brutality, the government must conduct an open investigation on the Canadian police training system.

Dr. Judith Andersen is an associate professor of psychology at UTM. She has done extensive research on Canada’s police training system and how to make it ideal. At the start of her studies, Dr. Andersen explored post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions in military veterans. Following her research, Dr. Andersen transitioned from working with military veterans to police officers. She realized how police officers’ performance and behaviour in the field influenced society. Consequently, Dr. Andersen decided to research police officers’ use of force in relation to stress responses.

“The use of force incidents and potentially conflictual interactions were some of the most stressful events for police and were most likely to be the areas where mistakes were made, and what I noted was that there was no training to address this actively in policing,” states Dr. Andersen on her research. She argues that training police officers to calmly make the correct decision during heated conflicts and deal with workrelated stress will dramatically reduce police brutality.

However, training police officers’ stress response requires much more than just lectures and presentations. Dr. Andersen believes that to effectively combat officers’ stress response and ensure policies and procedures are followed, physical stress response training should be mandatory. The lack of stress response training in current police training systems, combined with the short 12-week training period, makes police officers ill-prepared for active duty. “You are giving people that may have never handled a gun before the power and legal status to potentially take someone’s rights and life,” says Dr. Andersen. She emphasizes that the short training duration of 12 weeks is insufficient for police officers to absorb the skills necessary for active duty.

Regarding the outdated nature of the police training system, Dr. Andersen questions if police training was ever done correctly as police training methods have historically been problematic. Yet, the widespread availability of firearms in the contemporary police forces today means that an officer’s lapse of judgment is deadly and consequential.

In recent weeks, police brutality against Black communities have shaken the world.

While these tragedies are broadcasted more often nowadays thanks to our phones and modern recording technology, there is a long history of these injustices. “I think if you look at the statistics overtime, there have been consistent interactions [between the police and people of colour],” says Dr. Andersen. “There is more media attention right now, but I do not think that [the rate of police brutality against people of colour] was low before and now [suddenly] high.

I believe we had high rates all along.” Like the shortcomings of an outdated police training system, the problem of police brutality against minority groups has always been a prevalent issue. While it may have gone under the radar in the past, it is now resurfacing as an imminent crisis.

When addressing police brutality and structural racism, multiple factors should be considered. “There is no one magic technique of police training that is going to cure this,” continues Dr. Andersen. “I believe there has to be a systematic restructuring of both police training and the legal parameters by which police interact with the community. That takes community involvement in restructuring policing.”

Constant interaction with the community is the cornerstone of a successful policing system. Members of the community should be able to provide feedback and assist in determining the degree of actions police officers can take, unforeseen circumstances excepted. A mutually agreed upon degree of force reduces the chances of officers using lethal force in confrontations. Additionally, mental health support must be available to all police officers in cases involving mental health crises.

“I believe that these things can change quickly. If you look at the civil rights movement, when things began to happen, there was a momentum built. Dramatic change was accomplished within months and years,” says Dr. Andersen. She predicts that we will start seeing a new batch of well-trained police officers in less than a year from the start of a police training reform. Additionally, while police officers trained under the previous system need to be retrained, the entire police force could be retrained within two to three years.

There are successful examples of police training systems worldwide for Canada’s law enforcement to consider for its training reform. In Finland, police officers carry weapons like Canadian police officers, but the use of force is significantly reduced. In particular, the Police University College of Finland facilitates practical police training.

People interested in becoming a police officer must first complete a “three-year-long focused university college degree.” During this time, police cadets get a well-rounded education. Finland cadets must also undertake in-depth training that hones their soft skills, such as interacting with citizens under stress and communicating with local communities.

However, police training reform should also consider countries’ differing needs.

For example, it is not adequate to compare Canada’s lethal force rate to other countries like the U.S. with high crime rates. Instead, it would be more productive to focus on improving the overall Canadian police training system so that regardless of which country Canada is compared to, the reformed system accounts for all citizens. “The U.S. is probably worse than us [in terms of use of lethal force rates], but that does not mean we have the excuse to not do anything,” says Dr. Andersen, emphasizing the vitality of continuously improving the system.

The police training system has failed police officers by not providing them with the necessary skills and experience for active duty. However, research on the current police training system’s flaws is mounting, and reform must be imminent. Researchers like Dr. Andersen have developed mechanisms to pinpoint problems in the current system and how to solve them. With problems and potential solutions to police brutality made clear, there is no reason not to demand change, especially when justice and equality are on the line.

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appropriation and appreciation when deciding on costumes to wear.

On October 20, the International Education Center and the Caribbean Connections Club at the U of T Mississauga conducted an Anti-O Convos on the topic via Zoom.

The event prompted a meaningful discussion about the misappropriation many faces in today’s society. Various activists and members of the UTM community attended the virtual event to understand and spread awareness on issues of cultural appropriation.

The discussion began with the Land acknowledgements, followed by speeches from panelists. Afterward, a poll kickstarted the group discussion, led by Rebecca, one of the event organizers. The first question asked participants how they would describe or define cultural appropriation. While answers differed, the general idea remained the same: it’s a disrespect of minority cultures.

The concept of “power imbalance” was also discussed as it goes hand in hand with the process of appropriation and misrepresentation. Power imbalance typically refers to a situation in which one person or party has more power and influence over the other. One of the attendees raised the concern of branding and power, saying, “cultural appropriation is often talked about, and people just think it’s cheating culture and rebranding something for personal gain. However, it’s mostly about power.”

many Caribbean friends as an excuse for her behaviour.

All panelists also agreed that she appropriated the culture and highlighted that while she is South Asian, she is not Black or Caribbean, and thus, should not be using its cultural practices the way she does. Today, there is little to no awareness about intra-racial appropriation. Being friends with a person of colour or being married to them does not entitle someone the right to exploit other cultures. Intraracial appropriation emphasizes that the relationship or relatability of two cultures or races does not give a person a pass for appropriation.

Socio-economic differences were also brought up in the discussion. Participants stated that Drake, as an artist and a person who always had financial privilege, does not truly know what the Black community experiences. Many activists also point out that celebrities use the culture as a mask that they wear when convenient and advantageous for them, not caring about the culture or the community it belongs to when it is of no use to them. Yet, the people who are part of that culture cannot change who they are or alter their identity.

It is a fine line that separates the appreciation and appropriation of a culture. However, it is vital to understand and respect all cultures and recognize that each is equally valuable.

Appropriation vs. appreciation, a discussion During this Halloween season, it is essential to respect cultures and not misappropriate.

Chakrika Burra Contributor

C

ultural appropriation is a relatively new term invented in the 1980s during an academic discussion to describe the inappropriate adoption of another culture’s fashion, customs, or practices. It is a concept that is often brushed off by Western societies and influential figures.

There are many Hollywood events and figures deemed controversial on the grounds of cultural appropriation.

This Halloween season, communities in the GTA, and across the world, will face the fine line between cultural

Soon the discussion turned local, addressing popular Toronto celebrities like Drake and how appropriation exists in Toronto. Many of the participants expressed their belief that Drake, being the famous personality that he is, “overtakes” cultures. The majority of the panel agreed that Drake has been using other culture’s practices and slang to gain greater fame, therefore becoming associated with that culture.

One of the attendees drove this point further by saying, “people argue that because he’s biracial—because he’s Black—these things are mutually acceptable things. [Similar to] Caribbean culture or the Caribbean language that just becomes accessible to everyone and particularly those who have a mutual identification with race or ethnicity.”

The discussion then moved to Kim Kardashian’s 2018 cornrows hairstyle to emphasize how the hairstyle was not an accessory that could be used in such a way. “That was an example of white people stealing Black culture and calling it their own, while not paying their respects to where it actually originated from,” reiterated the event speaker.

The battle of power and colonization has left a scar on many communities across the globe. “The colonizers are stealing almost everything from Black people,” said one of the speakers. As such, colonization was also discussed during the Zoom event in terms of the discrimination Black and minority groups have endured for decades.

Many activists have addressed the concept of Intra-racial cultural appropriation. A few years back, there was a false assumption that it was acceptable for non-white people to use other cultures’ fashion and customs as accessories.

However, it is not about skin colour, but the disrespect and ignorance of different cultures’ values and identification. On this point, attendees referred to the Toronto YouTube star and late-night talk show host Lily Singh who has been repeatedly called out for using Caribbean slang and dance in her videos. One panelist also highlighted how Singh tends to use her roots in the GTA area and her

Kim Kardashian/Snapchat

Many activists also point out that celebrities use the culture as a mask that they wear when convenient and advantageous for them, not caring about the culture of the community it belongs to when it is of no use to them.

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Name: Maxi as Count Maximilian of Transsiberia Name: Larry as Poseidon

A Midnight Snack Chris Berberian Arts Editor

W Name: Murphy as Thanos from The Avengers

'Snap' and they're mine Julia Healy Photo Editor

O

nce I snap my fingers, half of all living beings in the universe will cease to exist. The universe will be grateful for my interference and I will be revered as a King. Then, all the dog treats will be mine.

beta shark Elizabeth Provost Features Editor

hen nighttime hits, I can’t tame this insatiable murmur gnawing inside my belly. My eyes sting; my teeth ache; and, do I smell blood? Red mist hovers above the kitchen skylight. My bowl remains, as it has all night, empty. It’s too late to turn back now. With each passing minute, the sun slowly rises. Master is sound asleep in his room. He will do.

I

n this vast ocean, I am the biggest marine creature. I am the ruler. I am in control. I am the great white shark. I swim all day, surrounded by lesser creatures that I feed upon.

Call me Poseidon.

Rawr xd Name: Maeve as The Imperial Lion

Aya Yafaoui Comment Editor

>> BEASTS continued from page 01 Animalia, the ancestral home to four tribes, Rodentia, Canidae, Pisces, and Feelyne, has been warred over for decades, each tribe claiming it as their true birthright. Each Chief passes on the fight to

their heir, continuing the cycle of destruction. Yet, in a small village, at the border of Feelyne and Canidae, lives a cat plotting to change that.

Maeve stands over Angela and Jack Barker’s tombstone. She is haunted by the day that Feelyne-sanctioned rogues killed her adopted family in their attempt to take Spottington for the Feelynes. Maeve fled to the woods, once again a scared and orphaned kitten. She emerged a feline determined to avenge her canine family’s mur-

der and end this bloody conflict for good.

A paw touches Maeve’s shoulder. Her advisor, Nico Meowchiavelli, signals it’s time.

Maeve nods. Their plan to purge Animalia of its dictators requires her to be strategic and logical. She can’t afford to show weakness. Rivers of blood will flow from the lords’ castles in Feelyne, Pisces, Rodentia, and Canidae. And once the smoke settles, Maeve will take the throne as the sole ruler of Animalia. A queen whose reign will bring peace—at any cost.

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Arts

Editor | Chris Berberian arts@themedium.ca

The M List: the scariest movies From creepy classics to modern hair raisers, of all time these films are destined to spook.

Chris Berberian Arts Editor

>> MOVIES continued from page 01 a handful of Halloween candy and bundle up under the covers, because it’s about to get spooky.

DREAD Dread is the feeling of tension and paranoia you get when you know something sinister awaits. It’s the wait that keeps you on edge, like the rumbling thunder before the piercing lightning strikes.

Classic – Rosemary’s Baby (1968) Strange things happen when Rosemary (Mia Farrow) moves into a New York City apartment with her husband. The previous tenant died mysteriously, a neighbour jumps to her death, and then there are the Castevets—a nosey couple who smile a bit too much and serve chalky-tasting desserts.

Eventually, Rosemary becomes pregnant, and that’s when the apartment walls close in on her—and us—as the tension tightens like a spider wrapping its prey. Something wicked is coming, and it’s only a matter of time until it pops up to bite.

Modern – It Comes at Night (2017) There’s an invisible killer lurking in the woods, and it’s creeping into our homes. Set in a dystopian world that’s strangely familiar, the story follows Paul (Joel Edgerton) and his family in their seclusive cabin. The outside world is bare and food is scarce. But these are the least of their fears.

Soon, another family stumbles upon the cabin, offering to trade food for shelter. Mounting paranoia rips through the characters, pitting them against each other. Something lies beyond the cabin’s red door, which stays locked all the time. Until one night, it isn’t.

Hidden Gem – Lake Mungo (2008) This Australian mockumentary tracks the Palmers, a family grieving after their 16-year-old daughter, Sarah, drowned. Alice Palmer, the mother, thinks she sees ghosts around the house, and so her son sets up cameras to capture them on film. And what the family finds in the recordings, and in Sarah’s recovered cellphone, is sure turn your skin inside out.

Directed by Joel Anderson, Lake Mungo depicts some of the bleakest horror ever put to film. You’ll be arms folded, elbows squeezed into your ribs, for most of the movie.

TERROR If dread is the thunder, then terror is the lightning, where our fears come into clear focus. It’s the wide-eyed man running toward you with a knife or, in the case of our first film, a chainsaw.

Classic – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Directed by horror icon Tobe Hooper, this movie follows a pack of twentysomethings as they trek across the scorching Texas coun-

tryside to investigate a recent grave robbing. Sweat seeps through their clothes and pools on their necks, so the group stops to cool off and find gas. What they find, or what finds them, is anything but cool.

From the first scene to the deranged hitchhiker to the not-soabandoned house, this movie gives you little room to breathe. Everything feels real, as if the most horrific things could happen. And the scariest part of all, most of them do happen—mercilessly.

recurring mermaid who may or may not be real.

Director Robert Eggers clearly took notes in Kubrick class, as The Lighthouse is equal parts hallucinatory and horrifying, and blurring the lines between the natural and supernatural. Sure, things are dark and murky, but it’s when Winslow “spills his beans” that the true darkness emerges. And we can’t escape it.

Modern – Kill List (2011)

Betty Elms (Naomi Watts) is bubbly, ambitious, and ready to start her acting career in Los Angeles. But that all changes when she comes home and finds a woman (Laura Harring) who can’t remember who she is or how she got there. Trying to uncover the woman’s identity, Betty mines the city’s sprawling underbelly, soon unearthing her own repressed secrets.

David Lynch’s dreamlike film isn’t conventionally scary. There aren’t any murders or monsters. There are, however, characters who speak with eerie cadence; a cryptic cowboy; a seedy nightclub, and a bifurcating narrative that questions everything we see.

Mulholland Drive is a puzzle with broken and duplicate pieces, and we’re left to jam it all together.

In Ben Wheatley’s heart-imploding movie, Jay (Neil Maskell), a soldier discharged with PTSD, quarrels with his wife as their finances dwindle. Desperate for money, Jay and his friend become hitmen and descend into its gruesome lifestyle. Somehow, murder isn’t the scariest thing going on.

For most of its runtime, Kill List is unsettling but not terrifying.

Then, the infamous third act hits and more than makes up for it.

You’ll be digging your fingers deep into your pillow.

Hidden Gem – Audition (1999) Like Kill List, Audition starts off slow. Shigeharu (Ryo Ishibashi) is a middle-aged widower who sets up a fake movie audition to find his next love. Here, he meets Asami (Eihi Shiina), a soft-spoken young woman who averts her eyes and bows with grace. The two get closer and soon spend the night together. But by morning, Asami has vanished. Or did she?

Shigeharu tries tracking down anyone who knows about Asami’s shady past, but only gets more questions in return. From the twisted mind of Takashi Miike, this film is at times a psychosexual drama, and other times, an excruciating piece of torture, sure to roil your stomach.

THE UNCANNY

Hidden Gem – Mulholland Drive (2001)

BEST OF THE REST Here’s some extra film fodder to replace your midterm stress with jump-scare stress.

Cosmic Horror – Alien (1979) Cosmic, Lovecraftian, existential—whichever term you use, Alien explores the darkest subject of all: our fleeting existence. All while featuring cinema’s most badass female hero. As the film’s tagline reads: in space, no one can hear you scream.

Gothic Horror – The Innocents (1961)

This is a unique kind of tension. Coined by Sigmund Freud, the uncanny—from the German term for “unhomely”—is the eeriness we feel when the familiar becomes unfamiliar, or when repressed secrets come out into the open. Doppelgängers, humanoid figures, and reoccurring objects are all uncanny and chip away at our subconscious.

A new governess (Deborah Kerr) moves into Bly Manor to care for Miles and Flora, two children who play strange games and hide wicked secrets. Every shadow, creak, and candleflame is fine-tuned in this film, and will leave fingernail rake marks in your palms.

Classic – The Shining (1980)

We’re wrapped within the psyche of Madame Delassalle (Véra Clouzot), a schoolteacher who drowns her abusive husband.

There’s only one problem: his body has disappeared.

During the frigid Colorado winter, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes the caretaker for the ominous Overlook Hotel, a place where people appear and disappear within its walls. It doesn’t take long before Jack becomes unhinged, threatening the lives of his wife and young son.

By now, everyone has seen, or at least knows, The Shining. Stanley Kubrick’s seminal horror film has seared our minds with uncanny images, music, and dialogue. Everyday objects—tennis balls, baseball bats, typewriters, and elevators—become symbols of violence and intrinsic fears. It’s the creepiest kind of scary, the kind that makes you shiver in warm weather and feel trapped in open spaces.

Modern – The Lighthouse (2019) Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson) and Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) are “wickies” tasked to oversee a lighthouse on a tiny island. There’s a one-eyed seagull terrorizing our protagonist, and a

Psychological Horror – Les Diaboliques (1955)

Slasher – The Strangers (2008) Everyone and their mothers know that Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is the crown jewel of slashers. So, let’s be different and try this cult-favourite in which two lovers, in their secluded home, get a strange knock in the still of the night.

Supernatural – Carrie (1976) Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) is a 16-year-old girl shamed by her classmates and her oppressive mother. Adapted from Stephen King’s first-ever novel, Carrie takes you through a prom prank gone horribly wrong. Let’s just say things become very, very, very bloody.

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The tragic beauty and inspiration behind Corpse Bride

Netflix’s The Exploring the Haunting of Bly twisting worlds of Manor is actually a Junji Ito love story

Paige France Associate Arts Editor

Alexandria Ramoutar Contributor

Danica Teng Associate Arts Editor

“Y

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our cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.” These foreboding vows begin Corpse Bride, a haunting film in which a man accidentally endows a corpse with his engagement ring.

Directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson, this animated gothic romance from the aughts takes place in a gloomy Victorian-era village. Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp) and Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson) meet for a wedding rehearsal on the eve of their arranged marriage. Victoria’s parents are high-class yet penniless, while Victor’s parents are nouveau riche fishmongers.

The plan is to settle the engagement, provide Victor’s family with status, and keep Victoria’s financially sound.

Upon first blush, the shy bride and groom are surprised that they’re attracted to each other. But Victor forgets his vows, and so, humiliated, he retreats into the foggy woods to practice.

Stumbling over a graveyard and slipping the ring onto what seems like a twig, he unknowingly marries the Corpse Bride (Helena Bonham Carter), a rotting woman named Emily who was murdered on her wedding night long ago and has since awaited her prospective groom. Upon being revived, she whisks him to the Land of the Dead.

Victor struggles to find his way back into the living arms of Victoria—who’s left to wed her next suitor, the repulsive Barkis Bittern (Richard E. Grant)—without breaking the undead heart of the lovely hero, Emily. Enchanting and villainous, only Burton can craft such a pensive piece of Halloween that breathes life into its skeletons.

Corpse Bride marks the eighth collaboration between Burton and Depp, a welcome reunion as no other pair could bring these odd characters to life on the big screen. Over the past 26 years, Burton and Depp have devoted their careers to making the morbid blithely beautiful, creating neurotic Edward Scissorhandslike outcasts who seek love and acceptance in drab worlds.

In Corpse Bride, this drabness represents the film’s irony—the jarring contrast between the bitter monochromatic Land of the Living and the boisterous, colourful Land of the Dead, showing how elements detached from society can conversely be more civil. In this world where vitality is characteristic of demise, Burton challenges conventional ways of thinking about life and death.

The production team used painstaking stop-motion animation to achieve the film’s staggering aesthetic, manually moving foot-tall puppets half a millimetre per shot. From this, each 12-hour workday produced only a second of usable footage, or merely three minutes of animation per week. Filmmaking spanned 52 weeks, giving this feature its sentimental, albeit laborious timelessness that’s far more immersive than digital animation.

Beneath the surface of a family film, Burton weaves dark eroticism and tragedy throughout its warped storyline. Guided by an anti-Semitic Russian folktale, Corpse Bride is about real eighteenth-century riots in which Russian nationalists murdered thousands of Jewish citizens, burning their homes, stealing their possessions, and raping women. Meanwhile, the folklore is that they hijacked wedding carriages, murdering the bride so she wouldn’t bear Jewish children. These women were then buried in shallow graves, still donning their wedding gowns.

In the film, Emily wasn’t laid to rest but crawled into her own shallow purgatory until Victor gave his hand in marriage. While the folklore inspiration is grisly, Corpse Bride forgoes its grotesquerie for romanticized misery. This misery furthers a trademark of Tim Burton fare, as seen in Edward Scissorhands (1990), >> BRIDE continued on page 11

ondon, 1987. Dani Clayton (Victoria Pedretti) is an American teacher turned au pair. After answering a job advertisement, Dani moves into the infamous Bly Manor to care for the Wingrave children. Flora Wingrave (Amelie Bea Smith) is an upbeat and “perfectly splendid” child, while her brother, Miles (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), is leery and secretive. Both children are hiding things—handmade dolls move around the house in the day and fresh muddy footprints line the halls each night.

As Dani starts to unravel the estate’s troubled past, the children’s strange outbursts and behaviours are revealed. But something else lurks within the halls of Bly Manor. Dani doesn’t know who or what it is—but she will soon.

Created by Mike Flanagan, the mind behind Doctor Sleep and Oculus, The Haunting of Bly Manor currently tops Netflix’s most popular watchlist in Canada. The show is based on the terrifying work of Henry James, including the classic novella, The Turn of the Screw. Fans of the novella will appreciate the framing narrative and the estate’s infamous lake.

While Flanagan peppers some horrific elements throughout the episodes, The Haunting of Bly Manor often feels like a scary soap opera. Dani offers us the nervous, confused, and shocked character we can relate to, but the soft lighting and three romantic plotlines make the show less horrific and more dramatic.

Like in James’ novella, Dani depicts the complexities of the human mind, confronting fear, panic, and the unfamiliar. Our hero knows exactly what she sees but is frequently gaslit by the children’s feigned ignorance and her own hauntings. She’s the show’s moral compass and sacrificial lamb.

Jamie (Amelia Eve), the gardener, offers Dani a shoulder to cry on, while Hannah Grose (T’Nia Miller), the housekeeper, performs her tasks with dignity and stamina, leaving the novella’s gullible Grose in the dust. All the while, Owen (Rahul Kohli), the silly, charming cook, comforts everyone in the manor, even in their darkest moments.

For the first few episodes, Peter Quint (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and Miss Rebecca Jessel (Tahirah Sharif), the previous au pair, are elusive. Peter’s a hotshot lawyer, with good looks and sharp suits concealing his harrowing childhood, while Rebecca’s smart and pursuing a law career. Both are transient in this world. We aren’t sure whether they’re evading arrest from stealing Wingrave money or if they’re even truly there.

As the story unfolds, we see Bly Manor as a refuge for its many inhabitants. Miss Jessel joins Bly Manor to gain pupilage with its owner, Henry Wingrave. Peter stays for comfort and romance with Miss Jessel. Hannah Grose flees to the Manor with nowhere else to go to, while Dani seeks to escape her guilt and the ghost that haunts her life in America.

Meanwhile, Miles and Flora offer complex perspectives on the relationship between the living and the dead through their foreboding singing, strange games, and shifting personalities.

The show minimizes the novella’s themes of obsession and mental deterioration, while the romances dilute many of its frightening moments. Instead of feeling increasingly isolated with Dani, we become more connected with other characters such as Jamie, who gives Dani constant attention and respect.

Unfortunately, despite the ghouls and the characters’ fascination with their presence, The Haunting of Bly Manor has the stereotypical drama you’d expect from Days of Our Lives and The Vampire Diaries.

As the grown-up Flora says in the show, this is a “love story.” >> BLY continued on page 11

orror has its many ways of stirring up fear. In movies, it’s the frightening scenes that startle the audience, while in books, it’s the unfolding stories that creep terror into the mind.

Japanese graphic novels, or more commonly known as manga, combine the best of both mediums. The genre has immersive worlds to explore, and none are more horrific than the ones created by the artist Junji Ito. Junji Ito is a Japanese mangaka, a manga artist, who specializes in the horror genre. Ito’s distinct art style is often unsettling and unforgettable. The black and white colouring of manga complements Ito’s art as the black ink shadows and highlights every dark crevice on the body. And the body is where the darkest fears can be found.

Ito’s work focuses on body horror and the supernatural. He fills his panels with body parts shifting into something monstrous. The turn of a page holds so much power as you await what nightmares lie on the other side. His work feeds on human flaws and anxieties, eliciting fears from deep within our psyches.

“I wasn’t consciously aiming for body horror, but I believe the human mind is the scariest part of oneself,” Ito said in an interview with Viz Media. “When the body manifests those fears, the body becomes the scariest part, so I drew a lot of transformations.”

These hauntingly beautiful visuals aren’t the only things that make Ito the master of horror manga. Ito’s strangling stories stir dread from the unexpected. He takes seemingly ordinary body parts and everyday objects and twists them until they disturb and disgust you. Ito offers no explanations for these odd happenings, holding your attention on the horrific instead of reality. As a result, you’re left feeling hopeless and helpless, like Ito’s characters.

The mangaka was exposed to horror at a young age and has credited much of his influence to other creators like Kazuo Umezu, Hideshi Hino, and H. P. Lovecraft. Some of Ito’s most popular works include Tomie, Uzumaki, and Gyo. Tomie was Ito’s first series, published in 1987 in Gekkan Halloween, a monthly magazine. This series won an honourable mention for the Kazuo Umezu Prize, an award for best horror manga.

Ito also has short stories in other collections such as Slug Girl, Glyceride, Fashion Model, and Long Dream, among others. If you prefer to watch rather than read his work, many of Ito’s stories have been adapted into the anime Junji Ito Collection.

Ito has also published a personal manga about his wife, Ayako Ishiguro, and their two cats, called Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu. This understated work landed a place on The New York Times’ weekly list of the 10 bestselling manga volumes. Meanwhile, in 2019, Ito’s manga adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein won an Eisner Award for the best adaptation from another medium. These achievements, alongside the many translations of Ito’s work, testify to manga’s rising popularity outside of Japan.

Ito reign of terror seems never-ending, as he continues to captivate fans. Even though the project was eventually cancelled, Ito worked with director Guillermo del Toro and game designer Hideo Kojima on the horror game Silent Hill. However, you can still find Ito’s likeness as an engineer in Kojima’s game, Death Stranding. He even made his first North American appearance at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) in 2019.

In August, Ito released Venus in the Blind Spot, a collection of his best short stories. You can also find more of his twisted creations in Remina, a sci-fi manga, which will be available in December. But until then, there’s plenty of Ito’s previous manga to sink your teeth into. If horror is what you’re looking for, horror is what you’ll find in the worlds of Junji Ito, among twisting bodies and warped psyches.

11 >> BRIDE continued from page 10 Beetlejuice (1988), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).

Sadly, the folklore inspiration isn’t the only tragedy behind this film. Joe Ranft, the executive producer for the film, died in a car crash just weeks before its release date. While most people yearn to forget tragic histories, the superstitious believe the film awakened a curse, a way to expose a buried injustice. Its dark backstory tragically lands Corpse Bride on cinema’s most haunted list, alongside Poltergeist (1982) and The Exorcist (1973).

The music is meticulous and amplifies the film’s tragic beauty.

Danny Elfman, Burton’s go-to composer, creates folly and pain

through melodic strings suites and haunting jazz-infused numbers. The song “Tear to Shed” depicts a sorrowful Emily wishing away the qualities that make up her decomposing self. Emily’s pain is both physical and emotional as she battles with her own resting heart to save Victor’s meandering one. Burton’s depiction of Emily is devastating, but her humanity, like the film’s love triangle, is blooming.

Corpse Bride is a soul-wrenching story about a woman murdered before reaching the altar and the ethereal beauty of life after death. Only Burton can capture the humanity that flourishes once the flesh decomposes, breaking film conventions unconventionally, and making this film a Halloween essential.

>> BLY continued from page 10 Not so nightmarish.

The Haunting of Bly Manor offers picturesque views of the English countryside and lighter scenes along the characters’ journeys. While it may be unnecessarily romantic and warm for the horror genre, the isolated spooks will have you questioning the sanity and existence of each character.

Six spooky stories for this Halloween season

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piders, ghosts, witches. Oh my! As the leaves change colour and the nights become cooler, we can all sense the Halloween season falling upon us. And with Covid-19 weighing heavily on our minds, Halloween festivities may look a little different this year.

Hana Khan Contributor

Instead of costume parties and haunted houses, here are six spooky reads for this Halloween season. Each story will have you peeking over your shoulder.

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Our first book recommendation is a title that has also become a popular Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Jackson is infamous for her gothic horror novels, and The Haunting of Hill House is no exception.

The story follows the lives of Dr. Montague, Theodora, Eleanor, and Luke. Dr. Montague is obsessed with the supernatural and is determined to find evidence of such activities at Hill House, an ancient sprawling estate. So, he rents the house for the summer and invites Eleanor and Theodora as his guests, both of whom have experiences with the supernatural. Luke, the heir to the house, hosts the three visitors. While the quartet expects to experience some ghostly happenings, they don’t yet realize that Hill House is harvesting its powers to entrap one of the four victims.

Another book that centres on the supernatural is Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. The dark fantasy novel follows 13-year-old Jim Nightshade and William Halloway. When Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show arrives in Midwestern Green Town, the two best friends cross paths with Mr. Dark, the leader of the mysterious carnival. They discover that he wields the power to grant the people of Green Town their deepest desires. But Mr. Dark isn’t what he appears to be. In fact, there are malevolent and evil forces at work behind his powers.

Bradbury wrote this book based on his encounter with a carnival magician in his childhood. His experiences bleed into his writing, and, as a result, he presents a spine-chilling mix of fantasy and horror.

While Bradbury intertwines genres, Stephen King digs into pure horror in The Shining. This classic novel takes place at the Overlook Hotel, an isolated resort with a haunting backstory. One winter, Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny— who has psychic powers—move into the hotel after Jack receives a caretaker position. After a troubling past with alcoholism and anger, Jack hopes this opportunity will allow his family to reconnect once again. However, the family doesn’t know the powers the Overlook Hotel possesses. Danny’s visions become more disturbing and Jack becomes tormented by the hotel’s deranged past. A trip that was meant to bring the family together becomes a gruesome fight for survival.

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Just as King is known for his horror novels, our next writer is famous for his gothic tales. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe is unlike our other recommendations. This one is a short story— perfect for those seeking a quick fright. We begin with an unnamed narrator approaching the house of Usher to help his distressed friend, Roderick, who’s become weak and fearful of his house. His sister Madeline has also become mysteriously ill. Despite the narrator’s best efforts to lift his spirits, Rodrick becomes increasingly fearful. As the story develops, we see the mysterious hold the house has on our three characters crash down around them.

From poetry to prose, Poe has many classics and must-reads. If The Fall of the House of Usher is not to your taste, we also recommend looking through his other short story and poetry collections.

Our fifth book, another classic up our sleeves, is Dracula by Bram Stoker. We follow Jonathan Harker who travels to a Transylvanian castle to conduct business with Count Dracula. Little does he know the horrors that await him. At first, Jonathan sees the Count as an educated gentleman. However, as the days go on, he realizes three things: one, he is a prisoner in the castle; two, the Count possesses powers beyond human understanding; and three, the Count has vicious plans for Jonathan. As the novel begins to unravel further, we meet the notorious Van Helsing, who unites with other men to pursue the Count and end his terrifying reign.

Stoker was enthralled with theatre, having worked at London’s Lyceum Theatre for over 20 years. It’s no surprise that his love for the theatre remains in his writing, making Dracula a gothic horror with a dramatic flair.

Our last recommendation is Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, which tackles the psychological horror genre. The eponymous Tom Ripley grew up poor in New York City and developed an envy for the rich and their luxurious lifestyles. When the father of an old acquaintance offers Tom payment to convince his son, Dickie Greenleaf, to return home from Italy, Tom accepts the offer and sails off to Europe. Once in Italy, Tom becomes enthralled with the lavish life that Dickie and his friend Marge are living.

As the two men become closer, Tom begins to imitate Dickie, wearing his clothing and copying his mannerisms. Marge dislikes the closeness between the two men and tells Dickie that Tom may have unrequited feelings for him. This worries Dickie, and so he distances himself, leaving Tom infuriated by the thought of losing his newfound lifestyle. But maybe Tom can truly assume Dickie’s identity.

Highsmith is an American novelist best known for her psychological thrillers and short stories.

As a woman in the LGBTQ+ community, she made quite a progressive shift in literature and The Talented Mr. Ripley is no different.

On Halloween, there’s nothing like setting the scene with a rattling read. Although our recommendations come during the spooky season, these books are must reads year-round. Halloween may look different for all of us this year, but there are still safe and fun ways to embrace the season. Whether it be a small outdoor gathering, or eating candy from the comfort of your couch, The Medium wishes you a safe and happy Halloween.

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sports & health

The valuable benefits of journaling Massa Mohamed Ali Contributor

Editor | Sarah-May Edwardo-Oldfield sports@themedium.ca

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hat is journaling? Journaling is the act of keeping a record of personal experiences, reflections, thoughts, and feelings. This record does not have to follow any specific rules or format; it can be handwritten or typed —whichever is more comfortable.

It is a private record, where words flow freely, and free from judgement of others. capped. Journaling can be done anytime during the day. Most importantly, journaling allows you to express yourself, set time aside to de-stress, and make sense of your thoughts.

According to an article published in Intermountain Healthcare, journaling has been shown to improve individuals’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is also one of the easiest and cheapest self-care practices. Its benefits are endless and can vary from person to person. Here are some of the most common ways in which journaling has helped others:

Journaling allows for selfreflection.

Journaling helps you organize thoughts and feelings.

Journaling allows room for growth.

Self-reflection is essential for self-awareness and discovery. Journals allow you to develop and confirm your personality, identity, beliefs, likes, dislikes, roles, purpose, and values away from societal influences. You can make sense of what goes on around you and formulate your opinions on matters without others’ direct influence. This helps you set your priorities in a way that makes you happy.

When you put all your thoughts and feelings into words, they may seem more straightforward than you previously thought. Even if they are not, writing thoughts and feelings helps you notice patterns and can act as the first step in reducing the chaos in your mind. Moreover, according to an article by Rachel Grate of Mic, studies show that this kind of expressive writing reduces stress and improves immune function.

Since journaling helps you identify patterns, it allows for personal growth and improves your problem-solving skills. Once you place an issue that needs to be solved, you can journal to brainstorm solutions, determine its advantages and disadvantages, and its consequences. Journaling can also act as a reminder of your mistakes and help you find ways to avoid repeating them. It can be a way to reflect on good and bad memories, appreciate the things you are grateful for, analyze problems you encountered and solved, notice patterns and habits, and determine personal goals and priorities. Your journal will remind you of these reflective moments, and you will steadily learn from them.

Through journaling, you will notice what worked for you and what did not. For example, this can involve study habits, friends, relationships, eating patterns, anxiety triggers, and mood changes.

Hayden Mak/The Medium

Journaling can act as a source of inspiration and motivation.

A journal can also be a space to store inspirational quotes or notes from all kinds of media, such as books, TV shows, and TED talks. It can be a place to write affirmations, sketch freely, and just be creative. Ideas, plans, dreams, and visions for your future can be written down as well and can remind you of your interests, goals, and purpose.

Your journal can be a source of motivation, especially if you imagine yourself looking back at your journal years from now and seeing improvement in your lifestyle, thinking, writing, and behaviour patterns.

Journaling is one of the most helpful and de-stressing kinds of writing for your mind and body. While it is not necessarily for everyone, you should give it a try and see how it works for you; its benefits are numerous!

Rachel Lord Contributor

Exploring the benefits and dangers of black licorice

>> LICORICE continued from page 01

Additionally, black licorice relieves joint pain as its anti-inflammatory properties serve as the body’s natural corticosteroids, which assists the body’s release of cortisol, suppresses the immune system, and reduces pain.

Although the treat has many health benefits, moderation is key as overeating black licorice can have severe consequences. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) informs the public that this Halloween season, candylovers should avoid eating large quantities of licorice at one time as it may cause arrhythmia, among other heart complications.

According to The New York Times, a fifty-four-year-old construction worker died in September 2020 after eating one to two bags of licorice every day for three weeks. Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital stated that the man’s overindulgence in

the candy created imbalances in essential nutrients and skyrocketed his blood pressure. The autopsy also found that the man had dangerously low potassium levels, which contributed to his sudden cardiac arrest.

Black licorice also contains glycyrrhizin, a sweetener derived from licorice root. However, if licorice is consumed in large quantities, glycyrrhizin can lead to extremely low potassium levels in the body. Furthermore, glycyrrhizin causes electrolyte imbalances, heightened blood pressure, lethargy, and swelling.

If you enjoy black licorice and its health benefits, be sure to keep portion sizes low this Halloween, and remember these recommendations by the FDA: • Licorice may negatively react to some drugs, such as aspirin and oral contraceptives. As such, consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms while taking these medications.

• Contact your physician immediately if you experience muscle weakness or irregular heart rhythm after consuming black licorice