Volume 47, Issue 20 by The Medium

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

Issue 020 Volume 47 March 8 2021

themedium.ca

CHRONIC DISEASE RESEARCH

IS COOKING AN ART FORM?

THE PLACEBO EFFECT

The University of Toronto is collaborating with Danish health company Novo Nordisk to support a healthier future. The collaboration involves a combined investment of $40 million to support...

“This is not an olive.” In 2011, Ferran Adrià came into fame in both the culinary and non-culinary worlds for his latest dish, Olive-S. Using his knowledge of molecular gastronomy, Adrià debuted his Caviaroli Olive Oil caviar...

Many of us have probably heard about placebo treatments and their deceiving effects on patients. While placebos do not have active properties, they may still have the power to alleviate something like pain, for example.

>> RESEARCH continued on page 03

>> COOKING continued on page 07

>> PLACEBO continued on page 12

NEWS

UTM opens Covid-19 mass vaccination clinic Sheryl Gurajada Associate News Editor

n March 1, the University of Toronto Mississauga, in conjunction with Trillium Health Partners (THP), opened a mass vaccination site on campus. The effort is being overseen by Peel Public Health and is part of the university administration’s effort to promote health and safety in the community. The clinic is located at UTM’s Recreation, Athletics, & Wellness Centre (RAWC) and is Mississauga’s first public mass vaccination site. Following the provincial government’s three-phase vaccination plan, THP healthcare professionals will be administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to eligible candidates, starting with priority population groups.

>> VACCINE continued on page 02

NEWS

FEATURES

Celebrating International Women’s Day in Mississauga and beyond

In conversation with women in academia

Sheryl Gurajada Associate News Editor

arch 8 marks International Women’s Day, a celebration of the political, economic, social, and cultural achievements of women. When thinking of the strength and impact women have in society, Mississauga residents don’t need to look any further than the legacy of our former mayor Hazel McCallion. First taking office in 1978, Hazel McCallion has built a tremendous career and made an undeniable mark in making Mississauga the great city it is today. McCallion’s legacy was succeeded by another successful female politician, current Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie. University of Toronto alumna Mayor Crombie took office on December 1, 2014, and was re-elected to serve a second term in the 2018 Mississauga mayoral elections. Mayor Crombie discussed the significance of International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, #ChoosetoChallenge, in a news release on the city’s website. “Equality can only be achieved if we come together, support each other, and choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, and broaden our perception of gender roles,”

stated Mayor Crombie. “Join me in choosing to challenge for gender equality.” According to Mississauga’s census statistics, women account for approximately 43 per cent of all workforce positions. Many are also making strides in traditionally male-dominant roles, such as newly appointed Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi. “I’m pleased to be joining an organization which clearly values the contributions of women and has a history of women in leadership positions,” stated Rizzi. “I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to contribute to the tradition of excellence the City of Mississauga is known for.”

Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady Contributor

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Mayor Crombie announced that she would be hosting a virtual fireside chat with Hazel McCallion as the keynote speaker on March 8, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The event will include discussions surrounding McCallion’s career and her experiences as a woman in politics.

oday, 29 women are heads of their states. In the last 50 years, more than 1500 reforms to empower women have been passed. In 1975, the first world conference on women’s status was held. 1975 was also named “International women’s year” by the United Nations (U.N.). Since then, the U.N. has declared March 8 as the annual day for celebrating women. March 8 marks the 46th International Women’s Day. Throughout history, women have had to fight for their rights. On this special day, we honour women’s accomplishments without bounds. We celebrate triumphs, including economic, linguistic, scientific, and political achievements. We also honour and thank the women in our lives. Associate Professor Sonia Kang from the department of management at UTM is Canada’s Research Chair in Identity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Her research focuses on the intersection of inclusion within business practices. Kang is an influential and successful figure in her field. Her research on “resume whitening” won two best paper awards and was recently ranked third on Financial Times’ global top 100 list of “business school research with social impact.”

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City of Mississauga

NEWS

Editor | Isik Vera Senel news@themedium.ca

UTM opens Covid-19 mass vaccination clinic on campus The clinic will have the capacity to deliver up to 2,000 doses a day by the end of March.

Sheryl Gurajada Associate News Editor

>> VACCINE continued from page 01 Mississauga residents over the age of 80, front-line healthcare personnel, and care home staff are given prioritized access to the vaccine. Other members of the community will be able to receive their vaccinations during the second and third phases of the vaccination program. However, the exact dates for when these phases will launch are yet to be determined. The clinic is said to have the capacity to deliver up to 2,000 doses a day by the end of March and is expected to expand to 4,000 per day in the following months. Multiple government and healthcare officials were present at the opening of the UTM vaccination clinic on March 1, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, General Rick Hillier, Minister of Health Christine Elliott, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, and Peel Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lawrence Loh. Premier Ford delivered a speech at the clinic’s launch, highlighting the importance of the clinic to Ontario residents. “THP’s Covid-19 mass vaccine clinic is now in place and ramping up to deliver the vaccine to Peel residents,” said Premier Ford. “Clinics like this one will play a vital role in our provincial vaccination distribution plan in helping to administer Covid-19 vaccines quickly and safely to the people of Ontario.”

Mayor Crombie also spoke at the launch and thanked both UTM and THP for their roles in establishing the clinic. “It’s an incredible example of our partners working together to support the community at a critical time,” said Mayor Crombie. “It is so important that over the coming weeks we continue to ramp up vaccinations in order to protect our elderly residents, our schools, our hospitals, and other vulnerable residents.” The UTM campus infrastructure, including specialized freezers and accessibility to the facilities, allow for the proper storage and administration of Covid-19 vaccines on a mass scale to the public. Vaccines will be administered by appointment only, which can be scheduled through the phone or on the Peel Public Health website. The Ontario vaccine plan has now expanded to include citizens over 80 years of age, First Nations communities, and front-line healthcare workers. Individuals also need to be residents of Peel or fall within the Trillium Health catchment zone to be eligible to receive the vaccination at the clinic. The clinic is accessible by both bus and driving, with designated free parking zones. The entire vaccination process should take approximately 35 minutes. “The university is pleased to offer its resources for this historic initiative to support residents’ health and well-being, here in Mississauga and in the wider Region of Peel,” stated Professor Alexandra Gillespie, UTM’s principal and vice president.

“We are excited to collaborate with Trillium Health Partners and Peel Public Health and look forward to safely welcoming members of the community.” Professor Gillespie sent out a mass email to the UTM community announcing the launch of the vaccination clinic on March 1. She discussed the role of the UTM community on the development and facilitation of the clinic and thanked them for making it possible. “Many members of our UTM community have played a significant role in making this clinic possible: I’m extremely grateful for their creativity, patience, and effort,” Gillespie continued. “In units and departments across campus, our employees have united to plan, set up, and launch a mass vaccine clinic in a matter of weeks.” The clinic will be open for 12 hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., every day of the week, including weekends. The vaccination capacity of the clinic is expected to increase in the near future, and THP officials hope to eventually administer more than 500,000 doses of the vaccine at the UTM clinic. “Alongside our world-class partners at THP, our UTM team has worked weekends, mornings and nights, organizing an outstanding vaccine site even while ensuring the university’s ongoing success, stated Gillespie. “I can’t thank our community enough for rising to the challenge; for sharing their resources and expertise; and for sacrificing their own convenience for the benefit of others.”

University of Toronto/Twit

Mykenzie Johnson/unsplash.com. Comb

tter. UTM is joining vaccination efforts by utilizing available campus space.

mbined funding and research efforts will focus on diabetes and public health.

Novo Nordisk announces historic collaboration with U of T The combined investment of $40 million will go toward innovative research on chronic diseases.

Razia Saleh Contributor >> RESEARCH continued from page 01 ...research on type two diabetes, other innovative research projects, and increase public health and community outreach activities. On the 100th anniversary of discovering insulin, U of T President Meric Gertler announced the historic collaboration with Novo Nordisk, which is expected to significantly increase the education and research capacity of the university. The announcement was made via a live webcast on February 24, 2021. “We are thrilled to partner once again with Novo Nordisk,” said President Gertler. “[The investment] will bring together existing expertise from across the university and our health-sector partners in Mississauga and the broader region.” President Gertler believes that the collaboration will bring forth an advanced new era for Canadian residents battling chronic diseases like diabetes and ultimately inspire hope for people across the globe.

Novo Nordisk will be focusing on advancing the awareness, education, and practical research for diabetes. The CEO and President of Novo Nordisk Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen also addressed the importance of this investment in the study of chronic diseases. “Fulfilling our company’s purpose to defeat diabetes, obesity, and other serious chronic diseases requires much more than innovative medicine,” stated Fruergaard Jørgensen. “One hundred years after the discovery of insulin, we’re proud to once again partner with the University of Toronto with the ambition of helping society to address the root causes of type two diabetes and obesity.” Novo Nordisk continues its efforts to answer questions related to chronic diseases with The Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations. This plan of action was developed with the help of the U of T Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. The Dean of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Adalsteinn Brown, acknowledged the need for an innovative approach for chronic diseases in the public health industry.

“With the worldwide rise of chronic diseases such as type two diabetes, we urgently need a new public health approach—one that uses emerging tools such as big data and machine learning—to develop the right interventions at the right time for the right populations,” stated Brown. “I believe the Novo Nordisk Network has the right expertise to lead the world in developing custom approaches that speak to the lived experiences of diverse populations within cities.” With this new investment ahead, new projects and missions are being put to action. As Novo Nordisk and the University of Toronto commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, they will continue to support and find the best solutions to chronic diseases and better public health for Canadians. “As we recognize insulin’s success in saving millions of lives around the world, we are excited to expand our commitment toward the prevention of these serious chronic diseases,” stated Fruergaard Jørgensen, emphasizing the promising future of the momentous collaboration.

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International Women’s Day in Mississauga and beyond Virtual celebrations have been organized for International Women’s Day in the time of Covid-19.

Sheryl Gurajada Associate News Editor >> INTERNATIONAL continued from page 01 “Hear [McCallion’s] reflections on her career and her choices to challenges she embarked on to make her one of the most incredible public figures in Canada,” read the event announcement. “And most importantly, what her advice is for young women and future generations in making their mark in the world.” University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTMSU) The UTMSU will be hosting a virtual soirée to discuss the achievements of women around the world and provide a platform to get to know the female community at UTM better. The soirée is scheduled to take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 8. Women in Science and Engineering (WISE UofT) The WISE club at U of T will also be hosting a virtual gala in honour of the day, themed “Challenging STEMceptions: Rewriting STEM Culture,” which will discuss the advancements, as well as challenges, present for women in the STEM field. Individuals can participate in the gala via virtual conference platforms Hopin and Gather.town. The event will take place on International Women’s Day between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

“The annual gala commemorates the incredible achievements of those who are changing perceptions and challenging misconceptions in STEM within their fields as a day of unity, celebration, reflection, and advocacy,” read the club’s website. “We invite you to spend an evening in the company of outstanding and inspirational individuals across a variety of fields, who will speak about their diverse experiences and the challenges they face striving for equality in STEM.”

“We need women’s representation that reflects all women and girls in their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic, and political situations.” The United Nations’ theme for this year’s Women’s Day is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world” and will focus on the efforts made by women during the pandemic. “We need women’s representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic, and political situations,” said U.N. Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. “This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all.”

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Meet the Gulabi Gang, India’s female vigilante group Their mission of protecting the powerless from abuse has resonated across the country and the world.

Aroni Sakar Associate Comment Editor

othing strikes harder than a bamboo stick in the hands of a woman wearing a pink saree. What is a better way to kick off the celebration of International Women’s Day than by spotlighting India’s very own women’s vigilante group? The Gulabi Gang (aka the Pink Gang) of India is a women’s rights group that fights for justice toward violence against women, especially domestic abuse. The “lathi,” or a heavy stick, has become a symbol for the Gulabi Gang as an alternate method of justice. With more than 200,000 members across 11 districts in Uttar Pradesh, India, the power, progress, and empowerment of the Gulabi Gang has inspired documentaries, a Blockbuster Bollywood movie starring iconic actresses Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla, and many scholarly books such as the Pink Sari Revolution. Founder of the Gulabi Gang Sampat Pal Devi first used the lathi in the 1980s when she witnessed her neighbour abusing his wife. Devi herself was married off at the age of 12 and pregnant with her first child by 15. The province of Uttar Pradesh ranks as one of the most unsafe provinces for women in the country, with a staggering amount of rape, kidnapping, and cases of dowry death. It is also a region that is riddled with police and political corruption, leading to a virtually non-existent support structure for women who are victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

Devi founded the Gulabi Gang in 2006 in response to the lack of police support for women, especially those of lower castes that face extreme poverty and barriers to education. In 2011, she learned about the case of Sheelu Nishad, a 17-year old housemaid for a powerful politician, who was raped by said politician and then thrown in jail under false charges of theft. The Gulabi Gang did not hesitate to interfere and fight against the corrupt justice system by sustaining a strong grassroots campaign that resulted in Nishad’s release and the conviction of the politician. This case and the gang’s interference caught international attention because of how a group of women in pink sarees, aged 18 to 60, stood up against an extremely misogynistic and patriarchal system and won. The gang’s primary tactics are marches, occupations, campaigning, and discussions with NGOs and political organisations. If all fails, then they pick up their bamboo lathis and march to the houses of the men that abuse, rape, and kill women. Devi boasted that “we fight with lathis. If we find the culprit, we thrash him black and blue so he dare not attempt to do wrong to any girl or a woman again.” The Gulabi Gang teaches women selfdefence and how to be economically independent. The gang is also supported by other activist groups across the country that asked to join hands in their movements, such as the Banda farmers protest, food distribution to villagers, and helping the elderly and widows. Each movement developed the group’s reputation and recognition in India.

Criminal charges of illegal rioting and demonstrations are not uncommon for the Gulabi Gang, but even local police agree that they do good work in resolving deeply rooted social issues. One of the commanders of the gang, Suman Sigh, said that “when a woman seeks the membership of Gulabi Gang, it is because she has suffered injustice, has been oppressed, and does not see any other recourse.” The colour pink was chosen as their symbol because it has no political or religious associations in India, allowing them to transcend caste, religion, gender, and economic status when fighting for justice. They pressure police to investigate cases, organize protests, and capture international attention to their cause. It is because of their continued efforts for justice and women’s rights in India’s rural regions that the Gulabi Gang earned the Kelvinator 11th GR8. Women Award by the Indian Television Academy and the Godfrey Phillips Bravery Award for social bravery offered in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. They even received several corporate partnerships with companies like Vitalect and Social Solution India. The story of the Gulabi Gang is one that originates from the abuse of women. It is this traumatic context that empowers these women to put on their pink sarees and fight violence against women, child marriages, dowry, and female illiteracy. Above all, the Gulabi Gang works to ensure the most impoverished populations in India maintain their basic human rights. Their mission to “protect the powerless from abuse and fight corruption” has resonated across India and the world.

features Celebratin

Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady Contributor >> ACADEMIA continued from page 01 “International Women’s Day represents the work that has been done by women who created the environment that we are currently able to enjoy, which is relatively better than back then,” says Professor Kang. International Women’s Day is the perfect time to reflect upon the progress that has been made by civil rights activists pushing for women’s rights and the empowerment of women. One of the pioneers of the civil rights movement was Dorothy Irene Height. Height was an inspiring civil and women rights activist. She was born on March 24, 1912 and passed away on April 20, 2010. Dorothy Height is known as the first leader in the civil rights movement to posit that inequality for women and African Americans should be recognized as an interconnected issue, which initiated the rise of intersectional feminism. Height was rightfully appointed as the president of the National Council of Negro (NCNW) women for four decades. She helped the NCNW win grants to train and assist women in opening businesses. Today, about 40 per cent of U.S. businesses are owned by women, whereas, in the 1970s, only about five per cent did. Height devoted her entire life to fighting for equality. Even during her last days, she continued fighting for inclusivity. Professor Kang emphasizes that apart from celebrating the achievements of women, International Women’s Day is also about acknowledging gender disparities that continue to persist. “We’re still in a situation where there are massive inequalities that ex-

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International

ist along gender lines and so, we need to be realistic about where we still need to go.” Major inequalities and prejudices surrounding gender and identity still prevail, especially in the workplace. Many industries, including academia, are male-dominated. Only 46.7 per cent of women participate in the labour force, as opposed to 74.0 per cent of men. Professor Kang maintains that using an intersectional feminist approach when reflecting upon gender inequality is essential in our era. “It is particularly important to think about different challenges that women face when their gender identity intersects with factors like race, or disability, or indigeneity, or different kinds of sexual identities,” explains Professor Kang. This is because different groups of women experience different types and degrees of inequality. She highlights how transgender women, for instance, experience different inequalities as compared to other women. We should, therefore, “be mindful of the unique challenges each group of people faces and be grateful for the privileges that we have.” During Covid-19, women have been disproportionately affected by the virus’ socioeconomic consequences in comparison to men. “During the pandemic, a lot of women take a step back in their career and [decline job opportunities] to take on different roles due to increased childcare responsibilities. Unfortunately, even now, these [domestic roles] are disproportionately [taken on] by women.” As such, many might fear the pandemic will set back the progress already made in creating an equal playing field between genders. As a woman in academia, and like many others, Professor Kang faced challenges, prejudices, and gender stereotypes as she built her career. “I think that all women do

Women’s Day

experience challenges such as not being taken seriously and not feeling like you belong in this male-dominated world,” she points out. As an academic working in the management department—a field traditionally maledominated—Professor Kang feels like “there definitely is not enough representation of women, particularly women of color, which is in itself is a challenge since you don’t see yourself represented in your space.” For Professor Kang, one of her biggest challenges was “constantly blaming herself.” As a woman, it is important to realize that existing gender inequalities are not your cross to bear. Although women continue to face significant challenges today, there are ways to try and combat them. Among many other methods, Professor Kang believes that “finding a community is important and something that everyone should seek out.” Having people to turn to can help women understand that they are not the only ones facing injustice imposed by society. Martha Balaguera is a reputable professor from UTM’s political science department. Her research focuses on collective political struggles and transborder activism in the Americas from a feminist viewpoint. Professor Balaguera is moderating an event via Zoom on March 10 on reproductive justice and protests in Latin America. The event is entitled: “The Green Tide: Abortion Protests and Struggles for Reproductive Justice in Latin America.” For Professor Balaguera, International Women’s Day is also about recognizing the vast gender inequalities present in society. “It is also an opportunity to celebrate women’s struggles to change that,” she adds. As a feminist, Professor Balaguera recognizes how understanding the intersection be-

tween the oppression of women and other marginalized groups is vital. She emphasizes that “for different communities, the stakes vary widely.” “Women’s contributions in the workplace and society at large continue to be less valued than those of men,” Professor Balaguera notes. Similar to Professor Kang, Professor Balaguera struggled with representation in the field of academia. For Professor Balaguera, feminism has been key to helping her persevere and conquer. Feminist frameworks helped her understand and characterize issues surrounding women’s rights, among others. In understanding them, she was able to fight for change. “Feminism has provided me with a foundation to understand and a language to name them,” explains Professor Balaguera, “as well as a framework by which to seek meaningful change through my research, teaching, and activism.” Professor Balaguera also found that building community was important to her success. She advises female students to “build community, engage in your local communities to confront structures of oppression. That said, not everyone’s path is the same, and there may be many other ways to create a fulfilling life and career.” Women have worked hard to fight the systemic oppression they face in society. With the help of many civil and women rights activists, tremendous progress has been made since patriarchal times. However, it would be unfair to neglect the gender inequality that still haunts our society. Now more than ever, there is a need for reform. Every day should be International Women’s Day—a day to thank and acknowledge women of the past, and an opportunity to fight for a better future.

Lecture Me! On how cooking is art Dalainey Gervais Contributor >> COOKING continued from page 01 ...made by dropping Spanish olive oil into a bath of sodium alginate to create a thin film around the oil. Olive-S was served to look like a regular green olive and surprise guests. What was expected was a firm, salty green olive; however, guests received a pleasant surprise when the taste of pure Spanish olive oil filled their mouths instead. Are Adrià’s liquid olives a fancy culinary trick or works of art? UTM Professor Mohan Matthen tends to agree with the latter, using a philosophical perspective to define “art” and how cooking should be considered an art. Professor Matthen of UTM’s philosophy department specializes in research on aesthetic pleasure, the philosophy of perspective, and the philosophy of the mind. Having graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of Delhi, Professor Matthen decided to shift his focus to philosophy. He earned his M.A. in the subject from the University of Delhi and his Ph.D. from Stanford. In 2007, Professor Matthen released his first book, Seeing, Doing, and Knowing: A Philosophical Theory of Sense Perception, and is currently working on his second, with the tentative title, Sensing Space. He also currently holds a senior Canada Research Chair at the University of Toronto. Hosted monthly by the Mississauga Library, the virtual “Lecture Me” series invites UTM

professors to present their research to the community on the Virtual Library Webex platform. Topics have ranged from “Pathologizing Iran and Islam” with Historical Studies’ Professor Tavakoli-Targhi to “Tales of Three Women Authors from Quebec” with Language Studies’ Professor Hong. This month, Professor Mohan Matthen presented “How Cooking is Art,” a philosophical perspective on culinary art that questioned the boundary between identifying as an artist and a cook. Traditionalists in the culinary and art worlds have struggled to declare intersectionality, with many claiming that art is not something you should taste. But why is that? Can’t the act of cooking be seen through its complexity and aesthetics? Cooking is a primal way of expressing love and creativity. Is the expression of love and creativity not a key characteristic of art? Art may be difficult to define; however, most would describe it as a form of creativity that expresses some kind of cultural or emotional meaning through aesthetics that can be experienced through our senses. More questions arise when involving our senses in the discussion of art. Why is the use of our senses limited when it comes to cooking? “Flavour is richer than taste,” says Professor Matthen. The term “flavour” holds much more complexity in its definition than you may think. Professor Matthen explains that we should not use the terms “flavour” and “taste” interchangeably, as many do, because they are not the same thing. Taste is merely a sense that enhances a food’s flavour. It is only the sensation we feel on

our tongues. Our tongue can only perceive fives tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. But how can we recognize foods if our tongue can only perceive these characteristics? Professor Matthen proposes the following activity to discover how your other senses influence the way you perceive flavour. With your eyes closed and your nose pinched, reach into a bowl of assorted jellybeans, and chew one. Most likely, you will not be able to decipher the flavour of the jellybean right away and may only perceive its sweetness. Don’t worry, though; this is completely normal! Now, un-pinching your nose while still chewing the jellybean, can you identify the flavour you chose? The rush of flavour you may experience is due to your retronasal olfaction — the perception of smell that emanates from the back of the mouth and up into your nasal cavity when eating. This suggests that multiple senses, in this case, your sense of taste and smell, work together to develop flavour. However, taste and smell are not the only senses at work when you are eating. You may anticipate the flavour of a particular food by seeing it, and your sense of touch can decipher temperature and texture. Cooking cannot and should not be reduced to such a simple notion of being something to experience through taste. This is insulting to modern culinary chefs, like Ferran Adrià, who dedicate their lives to give others life-changing experiences through food. Rather, cooking should be seen as an art form that is heightened through culminating senses. Like art, the meaning and aesthetics of cooking will be appreciated differently by individu-

als. Professor Matthen presents three types of eaters that may help in deciphering those who see cooking as an art and those who just eat to sustain themselves. The first type of eater is the ascetic eater, who eats only to satisfy hunger and ignores any flavourful components of the dish. This is essentially the equivalent of people who will hang up a random painting purely to fill in blank space. Next is the voluptuary eater, who eats to feel the joy that good food brings, and the equivalent to those who have art in their lives to brighten their day. And finally, the foodie, who eats to wholly concentrate on the flavour of food, similar to a critic who visits a new art installation to write a review. Now, a final question remains. Can your family’s humble yet traditional home-cooked meal be considered a work of art? Absolutely. What makes art beautiful is its complexity and its ability to reference things in the outside world. Your mother’s traditional curry or your father’s pho recipe passed down through generations holds cultural reference and allows for aesthetic appreciation. The complexity of flavour in these traditional meals is an art in itself. The last scheduled “Lecture Me” event of the academic year will be hosted by recently appointed Vice-Principle, Academic and Dean of the University of Toronto Mississauga, and Professor of New Media & Communications Dr. Rhonda McEwen. She will present her lecture, “Communicating during COVID-19: China and the diaspora,” discussing people’s uses of technologies during a pandemic. The event will be held online on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Professor Mohan Matthen speaks on the intersectionality between art and food.

Myanmar political crisis: Democracy’s stand against the military The military’s coup d’état points to an uncertain future and a threat to Myanmar’s youth.

Larry Lau Contributor

n February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s democratic government fell to a coup d’état organized by the Myanmar military. The leader of the National League of Democracy (NLD), Aung San Suu Kyi, was detained, along with many other democratic officials including President Win Myint. In response to the crisis, Myanmar’s citizens have taken to the streets amid the Covid-19 pandemic, calling for the release of the detained officials and the reinstatement of a democratic government. With the detainment of Myanmar’s democratic beacon, the future of democracy in this Southeast Asian country is uncertain.

“Democracy has entered a period of decline as institutions in democratic regimes are losing credibility.” Yet, a deeper dive into Myanmar’s politics reveals that the coup and political crisis we are seeing today was inevitable. Dr. Jacques Bertrand from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto shares his views on Myanmar’s democratic fall. He says, “In many ways, [the coup] was surprising in terms of timing. We did not think the military would step in so dramatically and definitively earlier this month. On the other hand, we all thought that it would happen. The military had always operated relatively independently from Suu Kyi’s government.” In essence, the military government and civilian government led by Suu Kyi were separate. As tensions rose between the two parties, the civil instability in Myanmar became predicted. The Burmese constitutional referendum of 2008 declared Myanmar as a democratic state. In the early stages of democratization, the military had already concocted a plan to realize their vision of Myanmar. “[Through the 2008 Constitution], the armed forces had in mind a strategy to transition Myanmar toward liberalization, and economic opening—which was their primary objective,” says Dr. Bertrand. The transition from an authoritarian regime to a democracy are thought to have been a planned move by the military. After all, the military’s grasp over Myanmar’s government had never faltered. Notably, the 2008 constitution maintained that the military was to hold 25% of all seats in the Parliament. “The whole time that the NLD was in power, they had a lot of difficulty chipping at any of the preserved powers or prerogatives that the military was keeping for itself,” explains Dr. Bertrand. In many ways,

the NLD’s successful transition to democracy occurred because the military allowed it and controlled its advances. The utter defeat of the military-backed political party in the 2020 Myanmar General Elections put Suu Kyi and the NLD on the crosshairs of the military, hence sparking the military takeover. Tension is rising across Myanmar. Protests in Yangon, the largest city and economic center of Myanmar, have shed the first drop of blood, as demonstrations and protests have become imbued with violence and un-lawful military persecution. “[Based on the past and the military’s current positioning], it is quite likely that [the military] would keep incrementally increasing the level of repression and try to draw down the crowds in the next few weeks,” says Dr. Bertrand. He adds that it is incredibly unlikely that the military would peacefully step down, and to force them to do so would require immense pressure. Despite lurking dangers and numerous obstacles ahead, the Burmese people are determined to fight for a democratic future. “The real surprise is the determination and outpouring of Burmese [people] across the country, which takes a lot of courage. They are facing the military, which in the past, has not hesitated to be extremely repressive and violent,” says Dr. Bertrand. Against a government known to “shoot first and ask questions later,” the Burmese citizens’ courageous movement against the military is posing an unprecedented threat against the military’s rule. The commitment to democracy in Myanmar extends past the ethnic Burmese group. Minority groups such as members of the LGBTQ2S+ community have also joined the fray. Moreover, Rohingyas are also standing by the Burmese people, despite the fact that Rohingyas were persecuted and massacred during the Rohingya Crisis, perpetuated by the Myanmar army, and supported by Suu Kyi and the NLD. Jaivet Ealom, a Rohingya political science and economics student at the University of Toronto, stated that while there are groups of Rohingyas who oppose all Burmese parties and are indifferent to Myanmar’s political condition due to political, cultural, and religious difference, there are Rohingyas hoping to prove their citizenship in Myanmar by fighting for democracy alongside the Burmese ethnic majority. Dr. Bertrand believes that the intentions of Mynamar’s military are clear: “[The Myanmar military] is trying to do essentially what the Thai government has done. They are trying to delegitimize the NLD, keep Aung San Suu Kyi out of elections, and hold an election to see what happens.” Dr. Bertrand refers to the 2014 Thai Coup D’état, a successful military takeover of the government that resulted in the dissolution of democratic institutions and installation of Thailand’s current authoritarian ruler. Many believe Myanmar’s military is look-

ing to preserve the country’s current degree of economic openness, but eliminate political oppositions, chiefly, Suu Kyi and the NLD. However, the military’s objectives are still unclear and up for debate. However, there are several predictions. Zaceu Lian, a Ph.D. student at the University of Toronto states that the current momentum of protests could be enough to stop the military from achieving its goals. As such, possibility for Myanmar to continue to be a democracy arises. This would be considered the ideal resolution. Yet, there is also a grim outlook on how the protests could end. Lian states that the military could use severe repression to completely overpower the citizens, silencing the voice of the opposition and sealing the fate of democracy in Myanmar. Additionally, as the majority of protestors are young adults proficient with digital technology, information dissemination may occur, increasing the scale of protests and civil awareness. Although this can be seen as an advantage, in reality, it can increase the measures that the military may choose to take. “If the military is going to crackdown on this generation, it is probably going to be bigger than 1988s and 2007s crackdowns,” says Ealom as he explains the implications of the military using violence as a means to an end. Nearly 40 protestors have lost their lives since February 1.

“Now, democracy in Myanmar is making its stand against the military, a fight that if won, preserves and strengthens democracy, and if lost, plunges myanmar into another period of military rule.” Speculations aside, Dr. Walton points out an alarming revelation, “If the privileges given to the military in the 2008 constitution were not enough, it is hard to see what negotiations with civilians might produce over the coming months. If [the military] was not content with control over the administration, unbreakable veto over constitutional reforms, and a civilian government that largely dampened its critiques, even defending it against allegations of [the Rohingya] genocide, it is really hard for me to imagine what an acceptable revised [governmental] structure would look like.” The question is: what degree of control does the military needs to satisfy its lust for power? Democracy has entered a period of decline as institutions in democratic regimes are losing credibility. Now, democracy in Myanmar is making its stand against the military, a fight that if won, preserves and strengthens democracy, and if lost, plunges Myanmar into another period of military rule. Only time can tell what the future holds for Myanmar.

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COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED Arif

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Covid-19 vaccination in marginalized communities

n December of 2019, the first case of SARSCoV-2 emerged in Wuhan, China. The disease quickly spread and escalated into a global pandemic. As of March 6, 2021, there are a total of 884,086 cases in Canada and 22,213 deaths. These numbers have damaged communities far and wide. However, the consequences of the pandemic have spread beyond Covid-19’s severe health effects to deepening societal disparities. The pandemic has perpetuated the systemic social and racial inequalities facing marginalized populations. Indigenous communities have faced a higher prevalence of health issues due to limited access to resources, elevating the average death rate due to Covid-19. Among First Nations and Métis adults, a higher incidence of asthma, diabetes, arthritis, and obesity has been observed compared to non-Indigenous adults. Indigenous Peoples living on reserves have restricted access to consistent health care and struggle with obtaining adequate housing and dependable social services—making them vulnerable to highly contagious diseases such as Covid-19. Additionally, the lack of proper network services has made communicating with healthcare professionals, who have switched to providing services virtually amid the pandemic, a challenge. Public measures set out by the government, such as social distancing and regular handwashing, are difficult for some Indigenous communities to follow due to the lack of clean water and overcrowding in residences. These communities also do not always have available designated spaces for selfisolation when an individual tests positive for the virus—putting others in danger and promoting community spread. The cumulation of the systemic inequalities and racism experienced by Indigenous Peoples has been magnified during the pandemic, showing how these communities are disproportionately affected by the virus compared to the rest of the population. On March 4, 2021, the Indigenous Services Canada reported 21,836 total cases of Covid-19 in the Indigenous communities and 245 total deaths. The Government of Canada has delivered two million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna/NIAID vaccines countrywide. The vaccination plan set out by the Government of Canada is divided into various stages, where each stage prioritizes the vaccination of differ-

ent key populations and vulnerable groups. In the first stage of the vaccination plan, the residents and staff of long care homes, seniors over the age of 70, and front-line healthcare workers will be prioritized. The government has also given priority of vaccination to the adults of the Indigenous communities at this time. Indigenous communities are also prioritized in the second stage of vaccination, where adults not vaccinated in stage one will receive the vaccine. Additionally, adults living in racialized communities are also prioritized in stage two. The Indigenous Service of Canada has reported that vaccination is underway in more than 480 Indigenous communities, including all the communities in the territories and the First Nations and Inuit communities living in the provinces. The extra efforts taken to ensure proper vaccination of the vulnerable Indigenous communities have allowed for rapid immunization. In fact, due to the additional planning, the rate of vaccination in the Indigenous communities is six times higher than in the rest of Canada. However, while the vaccination plan prioritizes the vaccination of Indigenous adults living on reserve, there are limited plans for the vaccination of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals living off the reserve in urban areas. This lack of a proper vaccination plan for those living in urban areas resulted in the National Association of Friendship Centres urging for a vaccine rollout plan specific to Indigenous communities. Indigenous Peoples living beyond reserve land are unable to travel back to the reserves to receive vaccination as the doses supplied to the reserves are only in enough quantity to immunize the permanent residents of the reserves. The Assembly of First Nations suggests a possible solution by providing the vaccines to clinics serving the Indigenous Community in urban areas. Currently, the Indigenous Services of Canada reports that Indigenous adults living in urban areas will be vaccinated by their respective provinces and territories’ health services. The Black community has also been disproportionately affected by Covid-19 in Canada. It is statistically more likely to be infected by the virus due to risk factors such as greater frontline work, overcrowded and multigenerational living conditions, and medical conditions prevalent in the community, such as higher incidence of obesity and diabetes. Not to men-

tion, overcrowded and multigenerational housing conditions make it difficult to isolate sick individuals and practice social distancing. In Toronto, the Black community, along with other individuals of colour, have accounted for 83 per cent of Covid-19 cases between the onset of the pandemic and July 2020, while contributing to only 50 per cent of the city’s population. In addition to the high number of cases in the Black community, there is also greater vaccine hesitancy observed in the community. Toronto Public Health reported that among the Black community, 30 per cent were hesitant to take the Covid-19 vaccine. This apprehension exists largely due to the history of racial injustices experienced by the Black community at the hand of scientific experiments. Examples such as the case of Henrietta Lacks and the Tuskegee Syphilis show the understandable hesitancy the community has about the vaccine. Henrietta Lack was a Black woman whose cancerous cells were used for research without her consent, and the profits made from the advances were never given back to her family. In the Tuskegee Syphilis study, Black men with and without syphilis were enrolled; however, the true purpose of the study was not revealed to them, and consent was never granted. As a response to the apprehension observed, the City of Toronto developed a Black Community Covid-19 Response Plan in December 2020. This plan addresses concerns surrounding vaccination and raises awareness about Covid-19 health and safety to support Black Torontonians. Covid-19 has unleashed devastating effects worldwide. However, marginalized communities, such as the Indigenous community and the Black community, have been, and continue to be disproportionately affected by the disease and its consequences. There have been numerous efforts to ensure effective vaccine delivery to these communities and to account for apprehensions surrounding vaccination. However, awareness needs to be raised about how social and racial disparities manage to disrupt these communities in a time of great risk. Covid-19 is not selective based on race, so the only way to explain the suffering of the Black and Indigenous communities is by the lack of support from health networks and governments. It is imperative to minimize racial disparities in the Canadian health care systems—for now, and for forever.

Arts

Editor | Chris Berberian arts@themedium.ca

Why women’s representation in media matters Bringing subliminal barriers to the forefront. Danica Teng Associate Arts Editor

irl in trouble; boy to the rescue. Chances are you’ve seen this trope countless times. Whether it’s in a book, a play, or a movie, the damsel in distress has been reused and re-purposed for seemingly every other story. On the surface, it looks like a simple and harmless plot device. But what happens when we start to view fiction as nonfiction? Suddenly, the trope isn’t so harmless. What we watch in media can often influence our views, both consciously and subconsciously. Tropes such as the damsel in distress or the love interest can reinforce negative beliefs, often portraying women as weak, dependent, or undeserving of autonomy. Depicting empowered female characters helps break through these limitations, which is why it continues to be a prevalent talking-point in contemporary media criticism and the future of sto-

rytelling. It’s also why representation is so vital. Women’s empowerment in media isn’t a novel concept. While progress has been made, more truthful, nuanced, and diverse female representation is still needed in a society where patriarchal views persist. Whether in entertainment or the news, it’s a comfort for many young girls and adult women to see others like them go beyond the expectations of society. Pushing sociocultural perspectives forward through media fuels confidence and offers hope. It also demonstrates the possibility for change. It’s why there’s a rush of excitement when we watch Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) battling xenomorphs in Alien or Mulan taking down the Huns in the eponymous Disney film; why listening to Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” or Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” instills confidence; or why characters like Matilda in Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book or Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games become inspirational. Society has made strides in promoting gender equality, but there’s still room to grow. Alongside overt hatred, there are underlying stereotypes in

the media, which have their ways of doing covert, subliminal damage. From how a woman’s character is written to inappropriate celebrity interview questions, these subtle comments continue to limit women in various facets of life. These beliefs are damaging because they don’t allow women the chance to be anything more than the false images they see. In essence, disempowered representation silences women, taking away their power, self-esteem, and freedom. With times changing, we’re seeing more and more iconic women rise throughout media. Women like Chloé Zhao, who won a Golden Globe for Best Director, are deservedly getting greater recognition as the innovative and inspirational storytellers they are. Similarly, seeing all the women of the Marvel Cinematic Universe fight together is enough to give chills. Meanwhile, remakes are booming as they can update classics such as Ghostbusters (2016) or Ocean’s 8 (2018) with female representation. But reaction isn’t always embraced.

Even before its release, Ghostbusters (2016) and its predominantly female cast of Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones received immediate backlash. Without giving the movie a chance, the reaction online was to complain about the gender swap. Whether the remake itself was good or bad is unimportant. What is important is its change from Hollywood conventions. We want to see more women’s empowerment that isn’t just in skintight clothes, that isn’t just waiting around for a man, or that isn’t fixated on love above everything. Seeing women change society’s expectations isn’t only fun, it’s inspiring. The empowerment of women in media creates endless possibilities, showing girls or women of any age that they can be more than what society tells them. The point is to have a choice and be confident in it. Whether we want to be like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde (2001) or Merida from Brave (2012), or be nothing like them, diverse and progressive representations of women empower us to be who we want and help advance acceptance for generations to come.

A big night at the 78th Golden Globes for women and people of colour Siu Ching Chan Contributor

n 2020, while many of us slouched in bed all day watching Netflix, thousands of actors and filmmakers produced new movies for our entertainment. On February 28, 2021, the 78th annual Golden Globe Awards celebrated the pandemic-era contributions of these cast and crew members. Celebrities dressed up in snazzy suits and shimmering dresses for the virtual red-carpet ceremony, while I had the privilege to do the same but in my less glamourous pyjamas. For decades, the Golden Globes has celebrated brilliant filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Spielberg. These men headline a long list of honoured directors. But few women. In fact, since the Golden Globes debuted in 1943, only four women have been nominated, with Barbra Streisand being the sole woman to win for her 1983 feature, Yentl. That all changed this year. Beijing-born Chloé Zhao, director of Nomadland, became the second woman ever to win the Golden Globe for Best Director, 38 years after Streisand’s feat. Nomadland—a story of a widow who loses her job and decides to live out of her van—also won the award for Best Motion Picture, Drama.

But Zhao wasn’t the only female director recognized during the night. In fact, three of the five Best Director nominees were women: Zhao, alongside directorial newcomers Regina King and Emerald Fennell. It’s a remarkable achievement given the last woman nominated for best director was Ava DuVernay in 2014. In the opening monologue, co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler wryly labelled the male directors as “two other people” and skipped their mentioning because “[they] were out of time.” Indeed, it was finally time to share and shine the spotlight on women behind the cameras. Diversity was also on display that evening. Zhao, the winner of Nomadland, is Chinese; Regina King, nominated for One Night in Miami, is Black; and Emerald Fennell, nominated for Promising Young Woman, is Caucasian. The diverse colour palette on-screen was beautiful and inspiring. On the surface, the Globe’s legacy of stark gender and racial imbalance shifted overnight. Zhao made history by becoming the first woman of colour to win Best Director. Her win meant a lot to the Asian community. On-screen, she brought hope to Asian actors and actresses, who rarely get cast for lead roles and are often confined to stereotypical characters. Off-screen, amid the growing hatred and hate crimes against Asian Americans due to the pandemic, Zhao also

brought attention to Asians and their tremendous contributions to the world. As Zhao said in her acceptance speech: “Compassion is the breakdown of all the barriers between us. A heart-to-heart bonding. Your pain is my pain. It’s mingled and shared between us.” Prior to this year, no female nominee had competed against another woman in the same category. When presenting the award, Bryce Dallas Howard noted the unprecedented number of female nominees, and wished: “May there be many, many more.” Although there have only been eight female director nominees in the Globe’s 78-year history, adding Zhao, Fennell, and King to the list is nonetheless a moment to rejoice and celebrate. To bring change is an every-day grind, and we look forward to more first-time wins. Speaking of first-time honourees, actress Andra Day had her first Best Actress win for her role in The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Day was the first Black woman to win the Best Actress for the genre of Drama since Whoopi Goldberg’s The Color Purple 35 years ago. Another Black actor, Chadwick Boseman, was recognized with his first Best Actor win for his role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom—a true story of a blues legend. Boseman privately battled with colon can-

cer while shooting this Netflix film and passed away in August 2020. His wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, gave an emotional, heartfelt speech on behalf of the late star. Arguably the most powerful speech of the night came from Jane Fonda. The 83-yearold actress, producer, and documentarian—as well as entrepreneur, activist, and author—dedicated her speech to the night’s diverse nominees, calling on the Hollywood industry to further “expand the tent.” “There’s a story we’ve been afraid to see and hear about ourselves in this industry. A story about which voices we respect and elevate and which we tune out, a story about who’s offered a seat at the table and who’s kept out of the rooms where decisions are made.” Fonda’s message serves as a poignant reminder that the Golden Globes’ voting body and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have no Black members. Fonda hopes that, soon, “Everyone’s story will have a chance to be seen and heard.” It was heartwarming to see Fonda using her airtime to advocate for inclusivity rather than the typical routine of thanking the producers or walking down memory lane. She’s the woman of our time for her unrelenting fight for women’s rights, social justice, and climate change. And may there be many, many more.

Untamed: A dose of feminist self-help Glennon Doyle inspires us to break free from society’s cages. Paige France Associate Arts Editor

n Untamed, author-philanthropist Glennon Doyle breaks free from her cage and inspires us to do the same. Brimming with intimate wake-up calls and eye-opening anecdotes, this memoir is perfect for anyone looking for inspiration in life. A #1 New York Times bestseller, Untamed is Doyle’s most recent—and most revealing—memoir yet as she navigates the murky waters of conformity, using an unhappy marriage as a backdrop. Following her ex-husband’s infidelities and her crumbling marriage, Doyle concludes: “Hell hath no fury like a memoirist whose husband just fucked up her story.” And does the memoirist ever deliver. Doyle opens Untamed with a scene of her and her children visiting the zoo. She recalls watching the cheetahs, resigned to their cages, and likens their experiences to the experiences of women being bound by societal expectation and patriarchal systems. Doyle illustrates her caging through internalized misogyny, religious doctrine, an eating disorder, homophobia, alcoholism, and an unfaithful marriage.

Empowering Hana Khan Staff Writer

or centuries, the road toward gender equality has been—and still is—rocky. In Canada, it wasn’t until 1916 that women could vote in provincial and federal elections. By 1929, Canadian women were finally recognized as “persons.” Kim Campbell became the first and only female Prime Minister in 1993, while it was only in 2017 that Canada took formal action against gender-based violence. Although our society has made great strides to improve gender equality, women and female-identifying people still don’t have the same opportunities in many facets of life. On March 8, to bring attention to those gaps in society where women, especially marginalized women, are left out of the narrative, we recognize International Women’s Day. And one of the most honest and enriching ways to recognize the experiences of women is through literature. With that in mind, here are five inspirational books all genders should read in honour of International Women’s Day. The first on our list is among the most well-known and groundbreaking pieces of feminist literature: The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Written in 1963, the book

women

explores the term “feminine mystique” and its implications in society, particularly the assumption that women are most fulfilled, and considered most feminine, when they’re doing the natural work of a woman: maintaining the home, their marriage, and their children. Women weren’t (and sometimes, still aren’t) expected to have political opinions or an interest in education. Controversial at the time of its publication, The Feminine Mystique is a foundational book that analyzes the societal expectations forced upon women, and promotes the idea that women can find fulfillment outside the home. While full-length novels facilitate indepth explorations, it’s often difficult to fit a long book into our busy schedules. That’s where short stories come in. Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a short story collection that follows the lives of Indian women who push and pull between cultural traditions and modern values. Navigating topics such as divorce, familial commitments, and finding your true self in another country, Divakaruni’s stories provide a raw, honest perspective of the conflicts that South Asian women experience every day. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi is another novel written by a South Asian author. The book follows Lakshmi, a seventeenyear-old Indian girl who’s forced to escape her abusive marriage. To do so, Lakshmi

In the beginning, Doyle has no answers. Instead, readers follow a misguided teen as she grows into adulthood and wrestles with life’s emerging quandaries. On her struggles with body image and bulimia, Doyle writes: “She must leave no outward evidence of her hunger. Good girls aren’t hungry, furious, or wild. All of the things that make a woman human are a good girl’s dirty secret.” These ruminations of her past are ultimately left incomplete. Meanwhile, in an exhilaratingly truthful sequence, Doyle uses her daughters to portray the muzzle that society places on young girls. During a movie night in which her daughter asks her friends whether they’re hungry, the young boys look inwardly at their physiological desires to determine they are, while the girls looked outwardly at others to conclude—untruthfully—they were all full. She writes: “When a woman learned that pleasing the world is impossible, she becomes free to learn how to please herself.” As the book progresses, and Doyle opens up about her struggles, we see her slowly break free from the cages that used to bind her. Perhaps Doyle’s most freeing discovery came after recognizing her sexuality that she suppressed for

through must leave her hometown, where she eventually grows her career as a henna artist to some of the wealthiest upper-class women. But her newfound stability collapses when she comes across her ex-husband and a young girl who claims to be her younger sister. Now, Lakshmi must acknowledge her trauma and learn to forgive yourself. The Henna Artist is Joshi’s first novel. In it, the author captures a complex character who uses her perception and experiences to take charge of her narrative, all in an environment that works to do the opposite. The Henna Artist is a powerful story about endless determination and a woman who tries to do what’s right for herself. While Joshi explores the experiences of a woman in India, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie sets her stories in her native country of Nigeria. Her 2017 book, Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, is a captivating read that provides suggestions on how to inspire and empower young women. Brief at a mere 63 pages, but packed with wisdom, Dear Ijeawele covers topics ranging from domestic duties and feminist ideals to the importance of open conversation between mother and daughter. Adichie is a Nigerian author whose work often touches upon the intersectionality aspect of feminism. Dear Ijeawele is no different, as Adichie emphasizes the unique barriers that women of colour, specifically

far too long. Doyle, a former Christian blogger, publicly outed herself following her second book tour: “There is no glory except through your story.” This Adele-approved and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick is about many things. It’s about a hardened woman who’s infuriated after years of denying her own discontent. It’s about a mother slowly dying for her children by showing them how to fully live. Untamed is also about newfound love, the enigmatic moment Doyle saw soccer player (and wife-to-be), Abby Wambach, across the room and thought: There she is. Doyle concludes that faith and the gentle persuasion of others mustn’t extinguish internal desires. Referencing the biblical Eve, the scapegoat for the humanity’s evil, the author pens a feminist message: “Own your wanting… Eat the apple… Let it burn.” Powerful and disenthralling—Untamed uncovers how society absentmindedly defines what women should strive to become or value in life. Doyle’s “slow growth” is as much a poignant invitation to the author as it is to the reader. We watch as she explores the cages that people build around themselves— and then dismantles them in this blindsiding piece of her heart.

literature Black women, face and the ways we can help raise young girls to overcome and challenge these barriers. For our last recommendation, we turn to another piece of classic feminist literature: Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. Set in the early 1900s, the story follows Celie, a motherless 14-year-old girl who’s forced to face her abusive father and a loveless marriage. Walker writes poignantly about Celie’s experiences navigating her young life in a world where her gender and race are her defining characteristics. The Color Purple is a heart-wrenching novel about the gruesome truths of being born a Black woman, and the resiliency required to overcome devastating environmental circumstances. Walker’s story beautifully intertwines the narratives of multiple women, showcasing their enduring connection through their love, hardships, and families. Literature is only one of the many ways we can become more aware and empathetic of the unique and complex struggles that women face. To make further strides in equality, it’s important to remember how marginalized and racialized women are impacted by societal structures and the significance of intersectionality. International Women’s Day is a beautiful way to celebrate the strengths that women bring to our world, and to reflect upon ways that we can all do better.

sports & health

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

Do Placebo Treatments Actually Work? Evidence from Neuroimaging Studies People are finally worried about climate change Recent study finds most Americans believe climate change is the most relevant social issue today.

Dalainey Gervais Contributor

pending time outdoors is often suggested by health professionals to promote good physical and mental health, especially in our recent times of isolation. A study from 2019 published by Nature Research suggests that only two hours of outdoor time per week has positive impacts on both the health and wellbeing. Recently, however, individual’s relationship with the environment is changing, with over two-thirds of adults having felt a strong sense of anxiety when thinking about the current state of our climate. The fear that our elementary school teachers instilled in us years ago are coming to life. With record breaking temperatures, late rainy seasons threatening more deadly wildfires, and a predicted one million species to go extinct within the decade, ecoanxiety within adults is at an all-time high. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines eco-anxiety as “a chronic fear of environmental doom”. This newfound anxiety is demonstrated through results of a recent survey conducted by the APA in February 2020, indicating that 56 per cent of adults in the U.S. believe that climate change is the most relevant social issue we face today. How has this fear influenced people’s environmental behaviour? Fear of worsening the climate crisis has motivated the majority of American adults to recycle, properly insulate their homes, transition to more sustainable energy sources, and consume less. Although a good start, some individuals neglect their environmental responsibilities at the expense of those who suffer from severe eco-anxiety. The same APA study suggests that 40 per cent of Americans have not or are unwilling to modify their behaviour to better the environment. What will it take for these individuals to take the climate crisis seriously? Many claim the change to a more sustainable lifestyle is simply unaffordable or too time consuming. Possibly, if the effects climate change hold on mental health are more wide-

ly discussed, people would be increasingly willing to make behaviour changes to lessen their contributions to the climate crisis. Quickly accelerating weather changes in our environment can affect mental health in many capacities, with the APA stating that extreme weather conditions caused by climate change may lead to long term emotional trauma, PTSD, depression, and even substance abuse. Take, for example, the winter storm devastating the lives of Texans, leaving many without power, and the homeless to fend for themselves. Left freezing in their homes and neglected by their government, Texans will carry this emotional trauma for the rest of their lives, which may lead to deeper anxieties regarding future environmental disasters and the worsening of the climate crisis. Eco-anxiety is taking over Generation Z as well. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a study in 2015, stating that children’s mental health is at risk with worsening environmental stability. Greta Thunberg’s 2018 environmental protests reminded us that it is time to take responsibility and make a change. But how much more can this generation take? With low living wages and increasingly competitive work culture already on our consciousness, how can we take the environmental crisis head on without further harming our mental health? People of our generation are pushing for change, and calling for government action in more environmental regulation, however, the responsibility to better our environment should not lay in the hands of a single generation. Rising tension and anxieties can lead to other mental health crises, physical illnesses, and higher rates of crime and violence, suggesting that the hopelessness many feel when imagining a tree-less future is not an isolated event. In order to reduce eco-anxiety, the fear must be taken seriously, and discussed amongst communities while addressing other factors depleting our mental health. 2021 is our year to change. It is time to replenish our home, and in doing so, reduce the feeling of despair that many feel when thinking about the future of our planet.

A meta-analysis study located areas of reduced brain activity in participants taking placebos and reporting less pain

Massa Mohamed Ali Contributor

>> PLACEBO continued from page 01 Many of us have probably heard about placebo treatments and their deceiving effects on patients. While placebos do not have active properties, they may still have the power to alleviate something like pain, for example. An estimated one-third of people who take placebos will report an end to their symptoms if they believe the cause of that relief to be the medication. Some may believe that a patient’s illness must have been “imaginary” if they benefitted from a placebo drug. However, recent research shows otherwise. By changing an individual’s mindset and beliefs, placebo treatments may actually help create some changes in the brain as well. This would explain the reduced symptoms. How does this happen? What is the scientific evidence to prove it? And what neural changes occur? Most studies conducted to date have small samples and are therefore not enough to fully understand the neural mechanisms behind placebo effects. A recent study published in the Nature Communications journal conducted the first large-scale mega-analysis of these small-scale neuroimaging studies about placebo effects. Researchers Matthias Zunhammer, Tamas Spisak, Tor Wager, and Ulrike Bingel analyzed 20 fMRI studies with over 600 healthy participants who were all tested for their brain’s pain-related activity after taking a placebo treatment. Participants who reported feeling less pain across the studies were found to actually show signs of this in their brain activity. Researchers noted the analgesia (inability to feel pain) a participant reported along with their fMRI brain scans. They found negative correlations for several brain areas; the less brain activity, the more analgesia a participant reported.

The thalamus, which is a gateway for all sensory motor input to the brain, was the area most strongly affected by placebo treatments. The posterior insula in the brain’s pain pathway also showed decreased activity with placebo treatments. The basal ganglia, which is vital for motivation and connecting experiences to actions, was affected as well. Therefore, the placebo may actually be affecting the brain’s pain construction pathway and “changing the circuitry that’s important for motivation,” as the lead researcher, Wager, said. The prefrontal cortex, however, varied the most in its activity across studies. No certain areas were found to be associated with pain-related placebo effects. This may be explained by the different effects of unique thoughts and mindsets that each participant had. For instance, “other work in Wager’s laboratory has found that rethinking pain by using imagery and storytelling typically activates the prefrontal cortex, but mindful acceptance does not.” This suggests that placebo effects on the prefrontal cortex vary from person to person, depending on their thinking and attitude. Overall, researchers concluded that “placebo treatments affect pain-related activity in multiple brain areas, which may reflect changes in perception and/ or other affective and decision-making processes surrounding pain.” This suggests that something as simple as changing one’s mindsets/beliefs can have enough power to reduce feelings of pain as a direct result of reducing brain activity. These findings have several implications for patient care, drug-development, and research in neuroscience. The regions of the brain that showed the least activity and correlated strongly with the participants’ analgesia could be studied further to assess pain pathways in the brain. Additionally, placebo treatments may be considered as an option to enhance the recovery of some patients and reduce their reliance on pain medication.