Volume 48, Issue 22 by The Medium

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

Issue 22 Volume 48 March 21 2022

themedium.ca

IMPOSTER SYNDROME

PSYCHEDELICS

VITAMIN N(ATURE)

Those who have imposter syndrome find themselves doublechecking their work, working extremely hard, trying to perfect everything, never find themselves satisfied, and constantly look for more ways to train or learn to better themselves.

Microdosing is the act of taking a fraction of a dose of hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, magic mushrooms, or peyote. Small doses of these drugs lead to mood lifts and an overall sense of deeper creativity.

“I often prescribe nature for patients who struggle with chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.” She notes that her patients often report improved clarity, mood, and energy after spending time in nature became part of their daily routine.

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NEWS

Universities to uphold mask mandates until the end of April Anjalli Becharbhai Staff Writer

fter two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ontario government is removing mask mandates on March 21 with a few exceptions. Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced on March 9 that mask mandates will be lifted in indoor public settings such as schools, restaurants, gyms, and grocery stores. However, other enclosed spaces will continue to require masks including jails, shelters, nursing homes, and public transit. The decision to lift the mask mandate has been carefully assessed and evaluated by the provincial government. >> MANDATES continues on page 02

NEWS

OPINION

U of T implements free menstrual hygiene products for students

Can practicing mindfulness cripple your relationships and morals? Maryam Patel Contributor

Razia Saleh Associate News Editor

ast year, the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, announced that the Ontario government will provide schools with free menstrual products to distribute to students. Considering this, the U of T community is offering free menstrual products including tampons and sanitary pads for students at their St. George campus. U of T’s Mississauga and Scarborough campuses are also offering free menstrual products, as endorsed by their student unions. The aim of this movement is to “address stigma around menstruation,” as stated on the U of T website. Free dispensers are now available in 75 washrooms among the St. George campus, including buildings like Robarts Library, Student Commons, and Exam Centre and many more. Meanwhile, the Scarborough campus holds 16 stocked washrooms, and the Mississauga campus has more than 70 stocked washrooms. The project was first proposed in 2019, but due to the pandemic, it was delayed until 2021. Planning resumed when students gradually made the return to campus. >> HYGIENE continues on page 04

uddha once said, “Our life is shaped by our mind, for we become what we think.” But what if our lack of self-aware thinking shapes us into egotistical individuals? Mindfulness is the mental state that emerges from focusing awareness on the present moment by acknowledging one’s thoughts and feelings without criticism or judgment. With roots in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, mindfulness has become an increasingly common practice in the West because of the positive outcomes it yields. Many people, from employers to teachers, recommend mindfulness in their workplace. There are many approaches to mindfulness, the most popular being to focus on breathing or pay intense attention to the sensations in your body. Some benefits of mindful exercises include better sleep, improved attention, and less stress and risk of burnout. According to scientific research, however, there are some undesired effects of mindfulness that we should consider.

Andrew Hafenbrack, assistant professor of Management and Organization at the University of Washington, conducted a study examining whether our mental state at meditation time and our social context might influence the effects of mindfulness on our behaviour. “Cultivating mindfulness can distract people from their own transgressions and interpersonal obligations, occasionally relaxing one’s moral compass,” says Hafenbrack. Hafenbrack designed a series of eight experiments involving a total sample of 1,400 people for his study. In one experiment, participants wrote about a situation that made them feel guilty. Half of the participants practiced a mindful breathing exercise, while the other half let their minds wander. The participants then filled out a questionnaire that measured their feelings of guilt. In addition, participants were told to imagine they had $100. They then recorded how much they’d donate to the person they wronged for their birthday. Participants who had done the mindfulness meditation reported less remorse and generosity. They were willing to donate $33.39 on average, while the other half were willing to give $40.70—a nearly 20 per cent difference. >> MINDFULNESS continues on page 06

NEWS

Editor | May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca

Universities to uphold mask mandates until the end of April The Ontario government scraps mask mandates after careful discussion with health officials. Anjalli Becharbhai Staff Writer

>> MANDATES continued from page 01 Recent trends reveal that Ontario’s Covid-19 positive cases have stabilized along with diminished hospitalizations—enabling hospitals to have greater leeway and less stress. On March 12, a total of 772 patients had tested positive for Covid-19 who required immediate medical assistance in a hospital setting—a 9.3 per cent decline from the previous week. The Council of Ontario Universities has decided that many post-secondary institutions such as U of T, Queen’s University, and Ryerson University will keep the mask mandate in place until the end of the semester—being the end of April 2022. Many students at U of T advocate for mask mandates until the end of this year’s term to ensure optimal health and safety and reduce the number of incoming cases. Alexandra Gikas, a third-year students majoring in Economics at the U of T St. George, expresses her views on the mask mandate. In an interview with The Medium, she states, “Ultimately, the university has an obligation to prioritize the

health and safety of their students during this time of uncertainty, so I am indifferent to the mask mandate being lifted now or towards the end of April.” At the same time, Gikas also feels masks can inhibit a student’s university experience. “I do think students should start experiencing life on campus without the obligation of wearing masks with hopes of returning to a state of normalcy,” continues Gikas. While a few students have no objection to the mandates, others are concerned about what this will mean for their upcoming graduation. Parmeet Singh, a fourth-year Biotechnology major at the University of Toronto Mississauga nearing the end of his studies, discusses his views on the mandate with regards to convocation. “Although as a fourth-year undergrad, I look forward to an in-person convocation and would love to be mask-free, I know that it is important to be mindful that the risk of [contracting] Covid-19 still exists. Wearing masks is one of the most effective ways to protect oneself and stop further spread,” Singh says. “I believe that U of T has

made the right decision to keep the mandate considering that campus is a very densely packed environment with many students commuting making it a high-risk area,” he continues. As many students and faculty are returning to in-person learning environment, the decision to keep masks in universities is a step in the right direction to prevent the spread of the virus.

U of T provides vaccine clinics for students to receive their booster shot Several organizations including the Toronto Public Library and U of T advocate for Covid-19 boosters by offering easy vaccination sights. Larry Lau Associate News Editor

hile Covid-19 restrictions have loosened over the past several months, booster shots are still necessary to safeguard public health. Individuals who have yet to receive their boosters, or who are missing several vaccination doses, can utilize many resources offered in the Greater Toronto Area to their advantage. Many vaccine clinics in Toronto and at U of T are continuing to offer services for students and citizens interested in booking their booster appointments. Students should be aware that there are certain guidelines for vaccination doses to follow. Notably, the third booster dose should only be administered at least 84 days after the second dose. Students residing in Toronto can book a vaccine ap-

pointment on campus at Room 332, 144 College Street, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the U of T St. George campus through Discovery Pharmacy. Ontario health cards are not needed to make these appointments, but the availability of appointments depend on vaccine supplies. However, U of T’s Mississauga and Scarborough campuses will not offer on-campus vaccine appointments. Students should browse for walk-in hours and vaccine appointments on

the Scarborough Health Network and the Peel Public Health websites to find more information. Several off-campus options are also available in downtown Toronto. Students and other Torontonians can book appointments at city immunization clinics. There are five available locations, namely the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Woodbine Mall, Mitchell Field Community Center, Cloverdale Mall, and 1940 Eglinton Avenue East. Appointments can be made on the provincial booking website. Similarly, Ontario health cards are not required, but students opting to visit these clinics will be required to bring some form of government-issued identification document. Recommended documents include passports and student cards. Pop-up immunization clinics are also a valid choice. There are 23 vaccine clinics operating within 11 Toronto Public Library branches as part of the Vax and Read campaign, which ran from March 2 to March 16. Recently, the event was extended to

March 20 due to March Break opening up the availability of many individuals. All clinics offer walk-in vaccinations with no registration or appointments required. Individual clinics will have different dates and hours of operations. As such, students should visit the City of Toronto’s website to determine which locations to visit. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Vaccination Clinic will also be offering vaccinations to students. Both mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, are available. Located on Queen Street West, the clinic will be open from Tuesdays to Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students may opt to visit this clinic if they feel anxious about vaccinations for any reason, as the vaccination clinic boasts a judgment-free and supportive environment for all individuals. However, walk-in appointments are not available to non-CAMH staff or patients at this location. More information regarding vaccinations is available on the U of T website and the provincial vaccination services website.

Mississauga commemorates underground Indigenous village After locating more than 40,000 artifacts, the City of Mississauga is building a 27-acre park above decommissioned golf course to honour Indigenous territory.

early 30 years ago, between 1992 and 1994, archeologists discovered more than 40,000 artifacts in Mississauga’s Britannia neighbourhood. They were brought in to excavate before developers covered the site with subdivisions and found the remains of what seems to be an Indigenous village. The City of Mississauga announced in February that they will commemorate the area by building a 27-acre park in its place. The site, found in an area of Mississauga that dates to the Late Woodland Period, is called Antrex. Exploration at Antrex revealed artifacts from a village believed to be from the 1300s. It underwent hand excavation of over 760 meters across the land where artifacts–including nine longhouses, thousands of ceramics, smoking pipes, stone artifacts, and floral and faunal remains–were discovered. The excavation took up 75 per cent of a hectare. The land is now located near the decom-

missioned Grand Highland Golf Course, between Hurontario Street and Highway 403 and was bought last year by the city with plans to turn it into a public park. Research reveals the village was once occupied by around 400 to 500 individuals and was highly organized with streets and public areas. It was not until last month that Caro-

lyn Parris, Mississauga’s Ward 5 Councilor, brought forward a motion to commemorate the Indigenous village in the new park. The decision was unanimously passed in council where directors have begun speaking with local Indigenous Peoples to correctly honour the land. Signed in February 2022, the motion will

ASI HERITAGE

Nicole Judd Contributor

hold the city responsible for working toward a “respectful memorial and correct interpretation of this historical, archaeological site while engaging with “Indigenous Communities who have Treaty and Traditional Territory in the city.” According to their website, the City of Mississauga feels it is important to honour Indigenous history and is committed to reconciliation with the Indigenous community. Specifically, they state, “Reconciliation can take the form of reversing erasure of Indigenous history through interpretation.” Currently, these artifacts are sitting at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). They have been housed at Department of Anthropology since 2007. This follows the university’s involvement with the land, as Erindale College students were involved in the initial excavation as a part of the archaeological field school program when the site was first found in 1992. The recovered artifacts are now being used for research and have been instrumental to understanding the pre-colonial settlement patterns and culture of First Nations Peoples.

Canadians witness a huge surge in gasoline prices Oil analysts anticipating an economic slowdown after several countries experience an overwhelming increase in fuel costs. Caroline Mekhaeil Contributor

hroughout the past month, gasoline prices in Canada and other countries are continuing to hit record levels. Due to the invasion in Ukraine, the U.S. has banned imports of Russian oil prompting a surge of gasoline prices. On March 10, Canadians witnessed an all-time high of $1.90 per litre. With Russia being one of the world’s largest oil exporter, oil analysts are expecting the possibility of an economic slowdown. The increase of these prices has raised several concerns among Canadian drivers, where some are already looking toward bicycle options and others to public transit.

LOUIS SCHEFFER/THE MEDIUM

According to the Canadian Automobile Association, gas prices continued to increase during the first week of March and reached an average of 177.3 per litre nationally and 182.0 per litre in Toronto, Ontario. Last month, the average was about 154.5 per litre in Canada and around 157.2 per litre in Toronto. However, other Canadian provinces have seen a much larger increase in gas prices. The average was 194.1 per litre in Montréal, Québec, and 207.6 per litre in Vancouver, British Columbia—the highest prices in the country. On March 14, prices started to drop, sitting at 177.7 per litre in Canada and 176.4 per litre in Toronto. Other nations, such as the U.S., are facing an elevation of $4 per gallon, or nearly $4 per 3.8 litres, and possibly more in the coming weeks.

“Some public transit in Ontario has already seen a two per cent increase in ridership during the first week of March.” Due to these numbers, Canadians are turning to other cost-effective methods to avoid paying for high fuel prices. Some public transit in Ontario has already seen a two per cent increase in ridership during the first week of March. Bicycle shops in Canada are also experiencing an early spring rush due to these staggering costs. Uber and Uber Eats have also announced a temporary fuel surcharge, as the company continues to monitor gasoline prices. For a period of 60 days, there will be a surcharge of 50

cents on every ride and 35 cents on every Uber Eats delivery starting March 16.

“Due to the sanctions against Russia, several businesses and the Canadian police are preparing for an increase in “gasand-dash” thefts.” Due to the sanctions against Russia, several businesses and the Canadian police are preparing for an increase in “gas-and-dash” thefts. Additionally, the Convenience Industry Council of Canada argues that provincial governments should do more to offset costs, as many business are still financially recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Looking at the U.S., police departments in Ohio are relying on bike officers and foot patrol in some regions in order to reserve vehicle use for emergencies. Many departments are also reconsidering their budgets to focus on fuel efficiency practices. The jump in prices is heavily affecting Canadians in several different ways. Taxi drivers are especially taking the hit, as their operating costs rely on gasoline prices. Some drivers are considering raising prices for their rides to combat this surge. Due to the increase in fuel prices, several individuals across the globe are readjusting their lifestyle to reduce inessential costs. Though fuel is not regulated by federal bodies, communities are urging the government to support them in this time of financial stress.

U of T implements free menstrual hygiene products for students

After years of stigma and controversy, sanitary pads and tampons are now available among all U of T campuses for students to access for free. Razia Saleh Associate News Editor

>> HYGIENE continued from page 01 The St. George campus will continue to monitor product demands over the coming months to ensure optimal use for students. This new change will enable several students and faculty on campus to easily access hygiene products in convenient locations. Data from 2019 reveals that women often sacrifice their budget in order to afford these products and, many times, are not able to access them in proper facilities. As stated on Plan International Canada, “63 [per cent] of women and girls regularly have or occasionally missed an activity because of their period and concerns about not being able to access menstrual hygiene products or proper facilities.” This prompted several organizations to consider equipping free hygiene products for women to easily access. For instance, schools in British Columbia, Canada, were ordered to provide free menstrual products by the end of 2019. In September 2019, Education Minister Rob Fleming of British Columbia said in a public announcement, “As a government we believe it’s time to normalize and equalize access right across the province to menstrual products in schools.” In an online joint statement on March 8, the Toronto Youth Cabinet, along with 44 other university student unions, calls on the Ontario government to address the issue of menstrual products for young people. In this letter signed by the 45 organizations, including all three U of T campus student unions, they write, “We are also asking that all Colleges and Universities ensure that this initiative is in place by 2022.” The letter is specifically addressed to the Minister of Colleges and Universities, Jill Dunlop. With Menstrual Hygiene Day approaching on May 28, it is no surprise that the stigma of talking about menstruation is still apparent today. Research presented by Plan International Canada reveals six in 10 women feel prompted to lie or hide menstrual products. Loridee de Villa, a second-year student majoring in biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus, shares her thoughts on the topic. She states, “I have not heard of it before. I think it’s a good initiative to ensure equity among students. Menstrual products are essential, so this project will benefit those who cannot afford them.” Regarding the project, de Villa is optimistic that this initiative will start bringing people to be open about women’s health for all genders. In order to ensure equal resources for students, U of T and other universities continue to monitor these projects for students. Students can find more information on which washrooms have access to these products on U of T’s interactive campus map.

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Provost editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Elisa Nguyen managing@themedium.ca News May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca Opinion Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca Features Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca A&E Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca Sports Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca Photo Hayden Mak photos@themedium.ca Design Manjot Pabla design@themedium.ca Copy Juliana Stacey juliana@themedium.ca Miguel DaSilva miguel@themedium.ca Social Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Videographer Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

ASSOCIATES & APPOINTED ROLES Larry Lau, News Razia Saleh, News Haya Abu Ghosh, Opinion Kareena Kailass, Opinion Dalainey Gervais, Features Prisha Nuckchady, Features Aidan Thompson, Arts Ciera Couto, Arts Dellannia Segreti, Sports Gladys Lou, Photo Simrah Siddiqui, Photo Isik Vera Senel, UTMSU Correspondent Julia Skoczypiec, Theatre Erindale Correspondent Robert Bui, Campus Athletics Correspondent Erin Delaney, Satirist Helen Yu, Comic Artist

TO CONTRI BUTE & CONNECT: themedium.ca/contact @themediumUTM

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OPINION

Editor | Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca

Editorial

A taxonomy of Gen Z mannerisms

NICOLE JUDD/THE MEDIUM

MASTHEAD

A ponderance on the consciousness of social media The Medium

ocial media is a major influencer on the English language. Not only does social media create its own stars, it also spawns its own language. Since TikTok’s rise to fame, many articles have noted a shift in Gen Z’s mannerisms. A Vox article notes that teens are creating a visual language of their own that mimics actions they see in trending videos, from dramatically slapping a hand over their mouth to tucking hair behind your ear and pursing their lips. Aside from gestures, there has been an uptick in verbal and behavioural changes. If you’ve heard anyone say, “It is what it is,” or “You’re done, you’re done,” you might be experiencing the aftermath of this effect. The content and language of TikTok is so contagious that immersing yourself for a long period of time can induce this effect. What makes these TikTok audios so popular, after all, is their catchiness. A quick search online will also produce articles on how some teens reportedly developed tic-like symptoms after watching TikTokers with Tourette Syndrome. German psychologists

dubbed this phenomenon, “Mass Social Media-induced Illness”. Although the psychological effects are both frightening and fascinating, what is particularly interesting is how social media, specifically TikTok, is homogenizing a whole generation. When the separation of TikTok linguistics and real-world linguistics blurs, we find ourselves in a sea of sameness. The more videos the mass consumes, the more it affects their speech, behaviour, and psyche. Possibly what is most concerning is the implications on a large issue: media does not solely influence how we speak and behave, but it can also affect the causes we stand for. When users model online behaviour, language, and beliefs without dispute, certain ideologies can make it to the mainstream. Blindly following trends makes users more susceptible to falling for misinformation or disinformation. For example, reposting posts on Instagram without verifying information or fact-checking. Our generation, while intelligent, passionate, and resilient, are just as susceptible as boomers when falling prey to misinformation. By approaching media, even fun, entertainment-driven videos, with caution and a bit of critical thinking, we can do our part to encourage diversity in thought and expression.

Could Imposter Syndrome be a good thing? Imposter Syndrome affects a vast amount of the population and often goes unnoticed or undiagnosed, despite its potentially risky outcomes. Kareena Kailass Associate Opinion Editor

ave you ever felt a disconnect between how you envision yourself and how you think the public views you? Imposter syndrome is exactly that feeling of disconnect. Despite sounding quite negative, imposter syndrome is now being considered a good thing, acting as a potential strength toward achieving a goal. But beware, it can be detrimental if it becomes too intense. Imposter syndrome is believed to have three main elements: a belief that other individuals have a differing, or inflated, view of your abilities and skills; you experience an intense fear that you will be exposed as a “fake”; and you constantly attribute your success to external factors, neglecting your abilities and talents. Those who have imposter syndrome find themselves double-checking their work, working extremely hard, trying to perfect everything, never find themselves satisfied, and constantly look for more ways to train or learn to better themselves. Many childhood factors may contribute to imposter syndrome, such as when children are pedestalized but fail to meet the expectations they are subjected to by their parents. Many times, children develop imposter syndrome in attempts to live up to these golden standards. The BBC reports that around 70 per cent of people have imposter syndrome, and we find numbers rising with social media. As we are constantly presented with the “successful” lives of many, we tend to compare ourselves and draw the conclusion that we cannot measure up. A proposed solution to this syndrome is simply to objectively look at your successes and hold yourself accountable for your own

wins. This reality check can really help you accept both wins and losses and become more comfortable with the notion of not being “perfect.” There’s another caveat: the syndrome was originally thought to only affect women. I disagree, wholly. Anyone can be vulnerable to imposter syndrome. We tend to associate women with imposter syndrome-like behaviours—for example, being subjected to “body goals” or standards of life that they feel compelled to achieve through mediums like social media. But men are also very vulnerable to these issues as well. Everyone, for that fact, is vulnerable. I also think that although the syndrome may superficially be presented as productive or healthy, the line between healthy and unhealthy is extremely thin and it is very easy to cross these boundaries. This syndrome can quickly reach a very detrimental point—a point where you no longer appreciate yourself or consistently self-doubt yourself so much that you put yourself down. It is one of the easiest downfalls that one can foresee if this is taken too intensely. That being said, there is a lot more we can learn about this issue, and we have only scratched the surface of really understanding the ins and outs of imposter syndrome—that is, how it occurs, when it occurs, and why. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that imposter syndrome is not a one-size-fits-all sort of phenomenon. It varies vastly from person to person and will be manifested differently, something else we must keep in mind. The key takeaway is that if you’re self-conscious enough and doubt yourself a healthy amount, this may do you better, however, it can quickly become a discouraging fear that breaks you down instead of building you up. Appreciating yourself and holding yourself accountable for the great things you do (and learning from the low points) is one of the biggest pieces in our puzzle of life.

You can’t put a price tag on quality documentaries, or can you? Documentaries can inspire radical, social change if its made accessible to all. Serena Uribe Contributor

come from a household of avid documentary-watchers. For as long as I can remember, the television has always been set on a channel featuring some kind of documentary, whether it be via TVO, or the History Channel. I recall not understanding certain documentaries as a child. I always thought my mom, who attended the University of Toronto, was so smart because she grasped things I didn’t. Over the last couple of years, my mom has continuously asked me where she can find documentaries about particular subjects. I’ll respond with Netflix or Amazon Prime but to no avail, there is a limited selection, and, in my opinion, the majority lack in quality and authenticity. Discouraged and disappointed, we settle for what’s available.

“In our contemporary climate where online streaming platforms exist, and given the current global crises, why are relevant and renowned documentaries so inaccessible?” In our contemporary climate where online streaming platforms exist, and given the current global crises, why are relevant and renowned documentaries so inaccessible? Why are the best documentaries only accessible to those who have the means to access them, like exclusive film festivals?

Unlike other informational platforms such as news channels like the BBC or academic platforms, documentaries often approach their reportage through a neutral, unbiased, lens. The documentary style evokes candid, in-situ (on-site), and natural filmography. They may be observational, argumentative, poetic, or participatory. Despite their multi-faceted nature, viewer interest is not as universal. Hot Docs, an international documentary film festival, surveyed an audience of 3,607 Canadian documentary enthusiasts in 2018. Of the 3,607 participants, 76 per cent held university degrees, 18 per cent held college diplomas, and the remainder had no higher education. So, why do documentaries seem so niche? Why is it that most viewers maintain university level education? In my opinion, it’s because of their inaccessible nature. Firstly, the average consumer may not gravitate toward certain subjects or themes which are not meant to simply entertain. Secondly, available content may be hard to follow, confusing, or inadequate. Thirdly, the enforced paywalls via subscription services are an added monthly cost that consumers don’t want, or can’t, add to their list of necessary expenses, especially when inflation has racked up the cost of living.

“The lack of universal access has created an exclusive, almost elitist, niched culture.” The lack of universal access has created an exclusive, almost elitist, niched culture. Audiences feel like documentaries are out of reach, both figuratively and literally. Media collectives like VICE have launched online initia-

tives to release free documentaries to combat the pretentious narratives and inaccessibility that surround documentaries. The goal is to create an online archive of subscriptionfree, educational, content, that explores a range of topics and issues in a digestible manner. In a new series called The Shortlist with Suroosh Alvi, the co-founder of Vice Media and accredited journalist, renowned documentaries air as episodes that are accessible to all. Alongside each airing of these festival-featured documentaries, Alvi features segments where he interviews the filmmakers and other interviewees. Now, I believe that documentaries are a fundamental outlet for information and relevant discourse. Education through filmography allows for more appeal because let’s be real, not everyone enjoys reading the way they do watching. People enjoy watching films. Many people are visual learners. Images may resonate more than words. That’s why VICE’s initiatives are vital to break down inaccessibility barriers. Viewers should be able to access documentary content for free, especially good and relevant content. Documentaries shouldn’t be withheld from the general public just because of paywalls, or lack of higher education, or because film-festivals say so. Documentaries call attention to international concerns, bringing relevant matters to light, and can inspire radical, social change. If VICE can release free, renowned documentaries, other collectives will be inspired to follow suit, and more people will gravitate toward documentaries. After all, you can’t put a price tag on dedicated, well-researched, quality information and education, although film industries and institutions say you can.

Can practicing mindfulness cripple your relationships and morals? To experience the best that mindfulness has to offer, when and how you do it matters. Maryam Patel Contributor >> MINDFULNESS continued from page 01 In another experiment, Hafenbrack divided participants into three groups. Some participants practiced mindful breathing, others let their minds wander, and a third group browsed the web. Two independent judges rated apology letters written by participants to people they had wronged. The results found that people who practiced mindfulness offered less sincere apologies than those in the other two groups. These results signify that mindful meditation muted their willingness to make amends and feelings of guilt. The remaining experiments suggest that this is true in various scenarios. It is important to remember that the Buddhist and Hindu origins of mindfulness came with ethical guidance and collectivist ideas that are largely ignored in the West, which is largely individualistic. The results of this study, and others like it, are exemplified in many everyday situations.

Consider some of your favourite influencers or celebrities. At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, many celebrities preached mindfulness as a way to relieve stress during lockdowns. One may argue that this technique only made them more self-centred and closed off from reality. As celebrities and influencers are notorious for being tonedeaf concerning real-world issues, practicing mindfulness may contribute to their lack of conscientiousness. This meditation may play a role in disconnecting them from the uncomfortable feelings that come from learning about the harsh truths of the pandemic. Furthermore, people who are on a journey of self-betterment may practice mindfulness to drown out the noise in their lives. The downside could be that such individuals may become less likely to take accountability for their harmful actions and behaviours. In being mindful of one’s positive thoughts and feelings, we may overlook the unfavourable qualities we possess that are hurting our relationships. According to Hafenbrack, “If we ‘artificially’ reduce our guilt by meditating it away, we may end up with worse or even fewer relationships.”

But this is only a potential side-effect based on studies involving specific contexts. For instance, Hafenbrack’s studies were conducted when participants had guilt on their minds. “We shouldn’t over-generalize and conclude that mindfulness makes you a worse person,” he says. He suggests that the results of his study shouldn’t discourage us from meditating but rather when and how we do so. Self-awareness is a very important trait that may be dimmed by practicing mindfulness at certain times. For example, try to avoid engaging in such exercises after you argued with a friend. Mindfulness may make you feel less guilt, remorse, and consequently more selfish re-

garding that situation. Thus, it may be helpful to turn to other techniques during times of interpersonal conflict. Hafenbrack suspects the practice of mindfulness can be useful based on factors such as the meditator’s personality, motivation, and beliefs. He examined a technique called “loving-kindness meditation” which is inspired by the Buddhist practice of Metta Bhavana. It involves contemplating the people in your life and sending them good wishes. He found that it increased people’s intentions to right their wrongs. “It can help people feel less bad and focus on the present moment, without having the risk of reducing the desire to repair relationships,” he says. Mindfulness is a helpful technique that can bring about peace and relaxation in your life. But to experience the best that this meditation has to offer, it is crucial to be more mindful of when and how you do it. IAN STAUFFER/UNSPLASH

All play and no work? The anti-work movement is a refreshing change from the status quo Revolutionizing the dehumanising and exploitative capitalist work culture. Faiza Sattar Contributor

’ll admit that as the end of my final year looms closer and the prospect of entering the job market becomes increasingly inevitable, I often find myself thinking, “At this point, unemployment might be preferable to the job search,”—a sentiment I know plenty of graduating students share. But unlike the odd pessimistic undergrad student like myself, the anti-work movement, which has garnered unexpected mainstream resonance within the last two years, is not a product of a just few disgruntled employees. Drawing inspiration from a rich history of socialist and anarchist thought, the contemporary anti-work movement is a critique of both the concept of labour itself, and its inherently exploitative iteration under capitalism. While opposition to labour within this movement can take multiple forms, it is well encapsulated by three main criticisms: (1) the dehumanising and exploitative nature of work under capitalism, (2) the overproduction enabled by the emphasis on productivity in our culture, and (3) the negative effects of work on human health and happiness. Despite being a largely fringe phenomenon for most of its existence, the anti-work move-

ment attained newfound popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic when the ‘r/antiwork’ subreddit experienced unprecedented growth to become one of the fastest growing communities on Reddit in 2020. It’s hard not to see why. When the pandemic hit, minimum wage workers, who had previously been regarded as unskilled, abruptly transformed into essential workers overnight, exposing the dependence of employers on the blood, sweat, and tears of their underpaid and overworked employees. Immediately, it became clear that investments into a safe work environment, paid sick leave, and better pay were being withheld from workers, not because employers were financially incapable but because they lacked the incentive. This major shake-up in the labour market prompted many aggrieved workers to re-evaluate the place of work in their lives. Record numbers of workers exited the

labour market in the “Great Resignation” and found refuge amongst the anti-work community online. For those who have faced the miserable realities of the labour market for five, 10, or more than 15 years, the enthusiastic embrace of the anti-work movement is understandable. But for many university students at the brink of entering the job market, the premise of the anti-work movement may be hard to stomach. After all, most of us grew up being told that to be a productive member of society equates with joining the labour force. The anti-work movement urges us to question this assumption. It might be easy to dismiss the movement’s critiques as fuss or an exaggeration, after all, you might argue that we are better off than the pre-industrial revolution workers, for whom labour protections like the eight-hour workday and weekends

were non-existent. Yet, despite more than a century of labour movement progress, working conditions remain overwhelmingly abysmal for workers in the Global South and the “working poor” in the West. Even the socalled cushy white-collar jobs that we all strive for require us to sacrifice a significant chunk of our time, energy, and in many cases, happiness, to generate profit for a stranger. Whether you subscribe to the anti-work movement’s beliefs or not, the movement is a good thing for all workers. It means that workers are actively demanding their due—better pay, benefits, and labour protections that prevent routine violations of a worker’s dignity. Just this past December, in an incredible display of working class solidarity that would have made Karl Marx proud, the anti-work movement on Reddit successfully mobilised to aid the Kellogg workers strike in negotiating for better working conditions and pay. It remains to be seen whether the anti-work movement can sustain its momentum beyond the pandemic and make the stance against work more readily accepted in the popular discourse. But for now, the class consciousness it is encouraging amongst workers is, in my view, impressive enough. It suggests that this may be the first step in eliminating the inhumane working conditions employees are subject to in a system that incentivizes the ruthless pursuit of profit.

Three Criticisms of Labour By the Anti-work Movement

Helen Yu Comic Artist

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Editor | Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca

Pitch with a Twist 2022: A pitch competition by women, for women This event celebrates great ideas from diverse voices that break down barriers. Hamna Riaz Staff Writer

s part of U of T’s Entrepreneurship Week, Pitch with a Twist returned for its third annual pitch competition. “Your idea has value, it’s important, you belong in the space of entrepreneurship,” says Kayla Sousa, the programs lead at ICUBE, the University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) in-house career incubator, in an interview with The Medium. U of T’s Entrepreneurship Week highlights its entrepreneurial community and campus accelerators that bring innovation to the global economy and health. In partnership with UTM’s Institute of Communication, Culture, Information, and Technology; the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office; and the International Education Centre, Pitch with a Twist commemorates International Women’s Day. In this competition, female entrepreneurs in various sectors are invited to pitch their businesses for cash prizes and in-kind support. It is open to any female U of T student or alumni, any women connected to ICUBE, as well as any of U of T’s other eleven campus accelerators. With a panel of women-identifying judges, Pitch with a Twist is divided into two categories: early-stage, for businesses in the pre-launch phase, and laterstage, for businesses who currently have a product or service in the market.

Salem, the executive director of York Angels; and Donna Heslin, manager at the Mississauga Business Entrepreneur Centre.

“We think these events are critical in supporting marginalized entrepreneurs.”

“We, at ICUBE, want women to know that there is a space for them—an entity for them to go to with a great idea no matter which field.” “We, at ICUBE, want women to know that there is a space for them—an entity for them to go to with a great idea no matter which field,” shares Sousa. “We want to encourage them to see entrepreneurship as a path and know the support for them exists.” The event highlights female representation and visibility in entrepreneurship and showcases ICUBE’s support to female entrepreneurs through its intellectual and financial guidance. The early-stage judges were Tilly Gray, a partner from Canadian law firm Cassels; Veronica Vasquez, the International Education Centre director at UTM; and Diana Al Dajani, the founder and CEO of Arabic literacy teaching and learning centre Edutechnoz. For the later-stage pitches, the judges were Emmanuelle Coppinger, the CEO of Front Row Ventures; Katie

“We think these events are critical in supporting marginalized entrepreneurs,” adds Sousa, reflecting on the importance of the all-female panel as a form of representation. “Having them see themselves reflected in these positions [offers] insight and advice.”

In order to apply, all pitches had to align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. These goals serve as a blueprint to improve a sustainable future and address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The five finalists for the early-stage pitches aligned with these goals, carrying ideas such as the improvement of healthcare, education, cosmetics, and animal care. “As a fully women-led team with a focus on building a better tomorrow and addressing a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals, Pitch with a Twist was a perfect fit for us,” states Kasey Dunn, one of the competitors and co-founder of HOPE Pet Foods, in an interview with The Medium. This year’s panel consisted of Justine Abigail Yu, the founder of Living Hyphen; Gina El Kattan, the cofounder of Nuba; and Michelle Johnston, the specialist and founder of Workplace Wellness. Alongside Sousa, the panel was co-moderated by Marie-Philippe Généreux, a third-year student in the Digital Enterprise Management program, and Ashley Mutasa, a fourth-year Neuroscience specialist minoring in Statistics and Biology. The winners for the early and later stage pitches were determined by the judges, the panelists, and the audience at the end of the event. The first-place winner for the early-stage pitches was HDAX Therapeutics, a business focused on the development of targeted therapeutics for the safe and efficacious treatment of brain diseases. As for the later-stage pitches, the winner was HOPE Pet Foods, a business that uses science and kindness to make radically better, more sustainable pet food with alternative proteins. They each received a $3,000 cash prize, a startup package worth $5,000 with the legal firm, Cassels, and $700 worth of services from the accounting firm, Optinum. “We are bootstrapping, so any cash prize is great,” says Sofia Bonilla, the co-founder and CEO of HOPE Pet Foods. “But winning first place and the People’s Choice award means so much more to us. Our all-women team is being recognized for our mission of creating better, sustainable pet food products and that is hugely validating and motivating!” Pitch with a Twist is an event held by women, for women, but the representation does not stop there. On International Women’s Day, and every other day, women should know that their gender does not limit their capacity to succeed. No matter who you are, if you have an idea, bring it to life by submitting your application to ICUBE’s Ideation Lab before May 2, 2022. For a full list of winners, please visit ICUBE’s Pitch with a Twist website.

Microdosing on psychedelics: Are there any benefits? Previous studies show the benefits of microdosing on mental health, but there’s still a lot more to discover. Dalainey Gervais Associate Features Editor

sychedelics, alongside other drugs, have always been an area of interest, as they’re publicized through the media in popular television series like Skins and Euphoria. Often advertised through such means to young adults, the conversation on the use of psychedelics like magic mushrooms are dismissive due to the potential harms and illegality of the drugs. Most recently, there has been an increase in discussion over individual experiences with microdosing psychedelics in the scientific community. Microdosing is the act of taking a fraction of a dose of hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, magic mushrooms, or peyote. Small doses of these drugs lead to mood lifts and an overall sense of deeper creativity. This is relative to full dosing, which can lead to severe hallucinations, panic, paranoia, and psychosis symptoms.

“Psychedelics help dissolve these constraints by pushing you into a different world.” “In my late teens and twenties, I experimented myself, and I saw how much our experiences can be constrained by the ways we grew up and the mindsets created by our parents and early teachers,” says Dr. Norman Farb, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. “Psychedelics help dissolve these constraints by pushing you into a different world.” While always being interested in the mind and consciousness, Dr. Farb began his undergraduate education in computer engineering. “After the first year, I switched from studying computer engineering to focusing on psychology and philosophy,” he explains. His new area of study included existentialism, which puts the mind at the forefront of the experience while also learning about practical research methods and design. In Dr. Farb’s courses, students were noticing forums on Reddit holding several subscribers to subforums about psychedelics and microdosing. These communities were growing exponentially, leaving space for researchers to question the benefits and drawbacks of microdosing psychedelics. As a result, Dr. Farb and his students gathered more than 1,000 respondents from those online forums and published an observational study in Psychopharmacology in 2019. The study explored the effects of microdosing psychedelics on personality, mental health, and creativity. Users who participated reported former or current use of psychedelics in microdoses. Dr. Farb and his students found

that those who microdosed scored higher on wisdom, open-mindedness, and creativity as compared to those who didn’t. Microdosing also led to lower scores on dysfunctional attitudes and negative emotionality. “I already knew there was a very strong transformative potential for these drugs,” adds Dr. Farb. “I was excited to help my students put together some survey-based research to respectfully enter these communities that are already going on these personal transformations with psychedelics to see if they wanted to put this information into a more formal setting.” These publications have led to an increased interest on the benefits of microdosing. Initial interest in the topic of the study was well received by those in the microdosing community, who gladly completed surveys in hopes of leading more research on the topic. However, the challenges in conducting any clinical studies using psychedelics come in the form of approvals. Dr. Farb’s application process to undergo his clinical research

has taken almost five years—from getting approvals for the University of Toronto, to accepting donations and getting special consideration for the clinical use of an illegal drug by

Health Canada. In addition, Health Canada does not grant these types of drug exemptions if the study does not address a specific societal issue. They must know that there is the possible treatment of existing health issues using the drug. In Dr. Farb’s research, the drug waiting for approval is psilocybin, the active psychedelic ingredient in magic mushrooms.

“Psychedelics are very illegal, maybe more illegal than they should be given their potential harm compared to other drugs.” “Psychedelics are very illegal, maybe more illegal than they should be given their potential harm compared to other drugs,” he explains while reflecting on the risks associated with the criminalization of drugs in Canada. Researchers must go through a submission process to Health Canada to receive an exemption to use illegal drugs in a clinical trial; they want to know the practicalities of the research. The process must also outline how the drug is going to be cultivated and manufactured, and how researchers will maintain the quality control of the production of the drug.

“It looks like we will be ready to start running these clinical trials this summer.” “The sweet spot we were able to find was by saying that we would be recruiting people with persistent depressive disorder, which is almost like a depressive personality as opposed to being in an acute phased depression where your function might be altered,” states Dr. Farb. “The good news is that, if there are no more hiccups in the process, it looks like we will be ready to start running these clinical trials this summer.” Dr. Farb teaches PSY240: Introduction to Abnormal Psychology, a class where students learn about mental health disorders and the most common treatments for them. Typically, this course is the first exposure students have to the formal definitions of different mental health issues. Reflecting on courses and resources for current undergraduate students in the field of psychology, Dr. Farb states there’s still a lot of room for improvement. “My goal is to make a difference in the lives of students who were like me who wanted a chance to try research to see if it’s something they really want to do with their future,” he concludes.

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Editor | Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca

Joan Jett—the Blackheart of rock and roll history Without a care for her “Bad Reputation,” the singer became the face of the genre in the ’80s. Karissa Harrypersad Contributor

“I

Love Rock ‘N Roll” “Bad Reputation” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You” are all popular songs that have changed the rock and roll industry forever. The voice behind these songs is the rebel bad girl, Joan Jett, who created, wrote, and produced all these songs while facing the harsh reality of sexism and misogyny as a female rock musician in the ’70s and ’80s. She challenged society’s norms as she became a fighter for women’s rights. Jett started to create music at the young age of 13. She always wanted to pursue her musical interests, which reflected on the glam rock style. She embodied the glamourous rock star life since she was a teen living in West Covina, California in Los Angeles County. In August of 1975, at 16 years old, she formed a band called The Runaways. The classic lineup consisted of Jett (who played

rhythm guitar, shared lead vocals, and wrote some original songs), Sandy West (Drummer), Lita Ford (Lead Guitarist), Cherie Currie (Lead Singer), and Jackie Fox (Bass Player). The Runaways was one of the first all-female rock bands to emerge from the male-dominant ’70s rock era. Jett learned quickly about sexism within the rock and roll genre and lifestyle. Facing the many challenges of being a female hard rock musician, she fought for equality within the community and proved that she and her band were skilled, professional musicians. However, The Runaways struggled to gain any support. When they performed on stage, people would spit and throw garbage at them. In seeing the injustice within the industry, she gained a bad girl image, which she played to her advantage. After The Runaways broke up, Jett started her solo career and sang about freedom, sex, and reality. She rose to fame and was able to showcase her skills as a female musician. The rock band Joan Jett & the Black-

hearts was created in 1981 but her challenges as a female rockstar did not stop, which gave her the strength to continue to change rock music forever. Jett was rejected 23 times by other record labels and judged constantly. She ended up creating her own record label called Blackheart Label and became the first female artist to do so. This influenced other female musicians to pursue their careers within the hard rock and punk rock genres in a time when rock bands did not treat women with respect and did not think they were good enough to play.

The queen of rock and roll’s success soared in 1982 by producing the biggest songs of the ’80s. She topped Billboard charts for weeks, which helped her gain a huge fan base. From her success in Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, she was recognized for her talent and named one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists” in Rolling Stone. She was also introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Jett was not afraid to be different and challenged the double standard of women in music and society. By breaking down barriers and being a role model for strong, independent women, Jett has paved a way for women in the music industry and changed rock and roll forever.

A sneak peek of Maschere Duemondi’s Le Vedove Scaltre Celebrating the upcoming play and Italian culture with cast members Elisa Schembre and Jennifer Hughes. Julia Skoczypiec Theatre Erindale Correspondent

ithin the Department of Language Studies at UTM, the Italian programs stand out for their artful approaches to Italian language and culture. As they learn the essentials of communication, writing, and translation, the upper-year students can act in an all-Italian production. Through theatrical studies, students are encouraged to practice their speaking, reading, and performing skills while diving into Italian history and traditions. In 1992, the theatre group “Maschere Duemondi” was formed at UTM. The name translates to “Two-World Players” and aims to represent the dualities that exist between Canadian and Italian cultures. As a part of the course Italian Theatre: Text and Performance (ITA413Y), upper-year students can work with the group and perform a traditional piece of Italian theatre. In the past, the shows they performed were comedies set in Canada to demonstrate the many hardships that immigrants continue to face within a “new world.” Fourth-year students Elisa Schembre and Jennifer Hughes share some insights as cast members in their upcoming play, Le Vedove Scaltre, directed by Teresa Lobalsamo. “Le Vedove Scaltre roughly translates to The Artful Widows,” says Schembre. “It’s about three women who are competing for the love of one man.

There are a bunch of twists and turns and different stories. It is also very funny—definitely a comedy.” Additionally, the female characters in the play possess an agency that is empowering and relatable. Hughes explained that the play is an adaptation of La Vedova Scaltra by Carlo Goldoni. “[Goldoni’s] title is singular, so it was about one widow [who] was looking to remarry. We originally thought about staging that play, but when we started table reads, we came to realize that there were so many opportunities for female characters. That is where the idea came to switch the play around a little bit,” says Hughes. “In Carlo Goldoni’s play, the one widow held a lot of feminine power. We wanted to keep these feminist ideas in our adaptation.” Hughes also mentions the play’s efforts to display cultural clashes in a respectful yet humorous manner. “The play takes place in Venice,” she says. “The three women come from different countries to meet their love interest in

MASCHERE DUEMONDI

Italy. One is from England, the other from France, and the last one is from another part of Italy. Everyone is just trying to find love. Think about it almost like The Bachelor.” The play is entirely spoken in Italian, but audiences will have English subtitles present during online streaming. While it was challenging for Schembre and Hughes to memorize and perfect the delivery of their Italian lines, they are both grateful for the rehearsal and performance process. “In first year, I took Italian just because my family is Italian, and I wanted to speak more with them,” says Schembre. “But being involved in the Italian specialist [program] and in the play has opened up so many more career opportunities. By being immersed in the language of the play for such a long period of time, [the cast members and I] find ourselves reciting lines of the play in our everyday conversations. It has definitely made us more comfortable with the language.” Hughes, on the other hand, comes from a non-Italian family. She discusses how the play has taught her not only about the language but also about Italian culture. “I don’t have any Italian family background,” says Hughes. “But there is a pedagogical value that comes with being in the play. The vocabulary just gets stuck in your mind through memorization and repetition. We also kept the Renaissance values from the original play.” Le Vedove Scaltre will be available to stream on April 8, 2022. Keep an eye out for more updates on Maschere Duemondi’s Instagram page @utmvedovescaltre. You do not want to miss this conflict-filled Italian comedy.

The best and worst book-to-film adaptations While The Great Gatsby was iconic in both book and film, The Mortal Instruments failed to translate on the big screen. Best Adaptation—The Great Gatsby (2013) Serena Uribe Staff Writer

Worst Adaptation—The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) Dagale Mohammed Contributor

“A

little party never killed nobody,” sings Fergie in a song from one of the best book-to-film adaptations. I know a lot of people might disagree, but in my opinion, Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 rendition of The Great Gatsby is the best version. Starring a stellar cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton, The Great Gatsby reworks the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald through a flamboyant, vivacious, lens. The adaptation follows the original storyline of the novel and hardly misses a beat. Though the book has been adapted four times, it is Luhrmann’s unique style of cinematography and directing that draws viewers in. Unlike its subdued counterparts, Luhrmann’s version is fastpaced, colourful, and glamorous. The deliberate choice of this lively film style evokes the splendor and decadence of the roaring twenties and art-deco style. The film’s parties, drama, mystery, and cinematography keep you in awe, and of course, everyone loves a good love story. Featuring a contemporary soundtrack that is also part of the plot’s ensemble, the adaptation takes a modernized twist. Songs by Jay-Z and Lana Del Ray are embedded in party scenes or dramatic encounters. This addition of contemporary music contributes to the film’s vivacity and heightens the desired effect of visual excess and grandeur. Good narration and inner dialogue are always appreciated, and like the novel, the film uses first-person narration by the protagonist, Nick Carraway (played by Maguire). The speed and moments in which Nick narrates the events of his 1922 summer magnify the drama while inviting us within his psychic space. The performances of the cast are also applaud-worthy, as they truly maximize the potential of their roles. No actor draws their character down. The Great Gatsby’s already tangled plot engenders much intrigue, making it an ideal novel to write for the big screen. Luhrmann’s adaptation elevates every aspect of the plot and leaves no room for dullness. While the film has been criticized for over-exaggeration, I think it livens and enhances the storyline. After all, a little party never killed nobody, right?

ould you like to learn a not-so-fun fact? The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare is based on Harry Potter fanfiction that Clare wrote herself, which got her banned from fanfiction.net. I do not know about you, but I have read some gnarly fanfiction and never heard of a fanfiction author being kicked off fanfiction.net. Clare’s first foray into original writing is The City of Bones, the first book in the series, which was adapted into The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones film, a boring mess. In the story, Clary Fray (played by not-redhead-enough Lily Collins in the movie) spends an evening in New York City with her best friend who is totally not in love with her, Simon (Robert Sheehan). They head to Club Pandemonium where Clary witnesses a murder. The strange thing is, there is no body and no one else can see the murderer except her. Clary is then drawn further into the magical world of the Shadowhunters by bad boy Jace Wayland (Jaime Campbell Bower). The plot has all the fixings of your run-of the-mill YA fantasy venture: Angels! Demons! Vampires! Maybe incest! It is a fun, flawed romp around the magical underworld of New York City. The author includes a lot in this novel from random side quests to a lot—and I do mean a lot—of lore. This, though, can be forgiven because the book is engaging. As an alumna of the YA wave of the late 2000s, City of Bones remains one of the more memorable reads. However, the film’s dialogue is clunky, particularly when world-building. Even worse, Clary feels like an onlooker in a story where she is the main character. In Harry Potter, there is no denying that Harry is average, but he still actively participates in the story by making decisions that move the plot forward. Similarly, Clary’s character drives the book’s plot, but she fails to do so in the film; she takes a backseat because of the poor dialogue, decent Computer-Generated Imagery, and weird plotline. This adaption was poorly made, and it is no surprise that the sequel was cancelled. If the plot entices you, just read the book.

A mosaic of womanhood in Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties The English and Drama Student Society’s cast pours their hearts into their characters to show the beauty of change. Ciera Couto Associate Arts & Entertainment Editor

etty is mad, Betty is confused, Betty is inspired, Betty is hurt, and Betty is everything. On March 11 and 12, UTM’s English and Drama Student Society presented a production of Jen Silverman’s 2018 play, Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties, with both an in-person and virtual audience. Co-directed by Reena Goze and Sydney Scott, the show successfully confronted its audience with womanhood in all its glory. The directors took the vibrant script and brought it to life in an exciting and intimate way, in a way that could both intimidate an audience as well as pull them in. The play follows five women, all named Betty, over a short amount of time as their lives change rapidly and dramatically. Each Betty represents a version of womanhood that is unique, expressing all at once different levels of femininity, masculinity, vul-

nerability, and strength. It feels like flawless casting as every one of the young actors fully embodied their Betty with heart. Chelsea Mathieu as Betty 1 shows us the power of rage and the importance of channelling it properly. Her character feels betrayed by the world she lives in and unsafe in most situations, so much that she is willing to change her life to feel in control. Marissa Monk as Betty 2 gives us comic relief throughout the production as she is a woman who fears her own femininity; it takes the women around her to show her the strength it brings. Although Betty 2 is comical, Monk reveals a side of her that is melancholic at times and shows that loneliness is a powerful tool for change. Nasim Sedaghat-Ramirez comes in blazing as Betty 3. Her character is headstrong and confident, showing a woman on a mission to change her life for herself and not for anyone else. Sedaghat-Ramirez lets us know that Betty 3 is serious, even when not taken seriously.

SYDNEY SCOTT

Juliet Spizzirri is the perfect Betty 4, soft-spoken but sincere. Here, we see a woman who doubts herself and her relationships but never strays from what she feels. Spizzirri understood that Betty 4 is not a passive character, instead, she is a character that leads with her heart all the way to clarity. Finally, Nell Senkevich is the abrasive and charming Betty 5. Betty 5 is a character who seems so sure of herself that you would not expect change, yet Senkevich gives her so much nuance and room for

growth that is brought out beautifully in the performance. Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties is about womanhood in all its forms, but this production really highlights the ability to change. Every single one of our Betties goes through a transformation of sorts and grows from their experiences. The entire show feels therapeutic as it allows the audience to experience the lives of all five Betties. It was a great combination of comedy, melancholy, and most importantly, heart.

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Editor | Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca

When words aren’t enough How the therapeutic power of dance may help those with mental illness. Alisa Samuel Contributor

hun-Li, a 56-year-old woman, wears high heels and sways her hips from side-toside as she walks across the activity room of a psychological service centre in Taiwan. “I see your legs and hips moving,” says her therapist, Tsung-Chin Lee. Lee, the founder and honorary president of Taiwan Dance Therapy Association and board member of Taiwan Association of Psychotherapy, jots down notes during each session. Lee discusses these notes with the psychiatrist who referred Chun-Li to her services after she had been hospitalized for severe mental illness (SMI). Right now, she sees her client embody the desire to look sexy and be seen. As their work together continues over the course of two years, Chun-Li grows more and more comfortable in the therapeutic space until she angrily and violently dances out the personal experiences and memories that cause her so much pain. These include finding out about her husband’s extramarital affair as a young wife, ongoing symptoms of major depression (physical fatigue, body aches, lost energy and appetite, and insomnia), and the absence of security she once felt under the

instruction of her ballroom dance t e a c h e r 30 years prior.

What is dancemovement therapy? Dance-movement therapy (DMT) integrates “the creative and expressive characteristics of dance, as well as the knowledge and methods of psychotherapy” to intentionally connect the mind to the body. This uncovers all the unspoken thoughts and troublesome feelings the body traps. In her healing work with DMT, Chun-Li voiced her annoyances when she couldn’t connect to her body which probed conversations between her and Lee as to why this might be the case. What emotion or thought discouraged her from taking off her high heels and dancing barefoot to experience “groundedness”? Why had she become addicted to performing the Flying Dance, a traditional Chinese folk dance, in times of despair, so

much so that she entered dissociative trances and developed psychosis? Chun-Li danced with delusions that made her believe she was, at times, a beloved, dignified mother or wife in some ancient fairyland, and the truth of who she really was ultimately emerged for her to accept: a lonely, heart-broken woman with psychotic depression.

DMT as a recoveryfocused intervention In a 2021 study of 52 adults with SMI, published in The Arts of Psychotherapy, Talia Bendel-Rozow, a DMT therapist and psychiatric rehabilitation specialist, examined the use of DMT as a tool for mental health recovery. She developed and tested the novel Recovery-oriented dance movement therapy (RODMT) program. “It was designed to foster recovery goals, physically engage participants in their personal and group process, and use creative means to deliver recovery topics,” says Bendel-Rozow. “The program leans on theories in the fields of

embodied psychotherapy and transformative learning.” She compared 29 participants in the RODMT program to 23 participants in a standardized Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) program. IMR involves traditional approaches to SMI like relapse prevention strategies and coping-skills education. It lacks the movement-based activities that increase “clients’ awareness of their mind-body connections, nonverbal expressions, and emotional elements of daily life experiences.” According to pre- and post-treatment data supported by the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), a 13-item questionnaire that the participants completed in order to assess the knowledge, skill, and confidence they have in managing their health and health care, Bendal-Rozow found no significant differences between the results of the RODMT and IMR groups: “That is, the IMR participation do not show more change in measures of recovery than do the RODMT participants.” Free-form dancing, like Lee suggests in her report of Chun-Li, makes physical manifestations of the psychic world to allow better mental health treatment outcomes for those who may not be in tune with their internal experiences or lack the vocabulary needed to articulate them.

Vitamin N(ature) is just what the doctor ordered Doctors in Canada can now provide nature prescriptions to patients. Lexey Burns Staff Writer

ntario Parks published a piece on the benefits of getting outdoors for your mental health. But what do you do when you’ve walked the trails at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) a million times and have seen all the nature the campus has to offer? A new medical concept has been gaining popularity over the last couple of years. According to Park Prescriptions (PaRx), nature prescriptions were named one of the top eight global wellness trends in 2019, listing side effects such as living longer, increased energy and mood, and pain reduction. PaRx is an initiative created by the BC Parks Foundation and managed by health-care professionals who wish to improve patients’ health by connecting them to nature. PaRx recently partnered with Parks Canada to benefit even more prescribers, calling the prescription the Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Park passes can cost upward of $100, so these free prescriptions enable anyone, despite their financial situation, to have more access to nature spots. PaRx recommends spending at least two hours a week in nature, in 20-minute intervals, for noticeable benefits. When talking about the Parks Canada Discovery Pass, Re-

becca Phillips, a licensed professional counsellor and therapist says, “I often prescribe nature for patients who struggle with chronic stress, anxiety, and depression.” She notes that her patients often report improved clarity, mood, and energy after spending time in nature became part of their daily routine. With the last couple weeks of the semester sneaking up, it’s hard to not feel guilty when taking a little time for yourself. PaRx suggests tiny “green tweaks” to your routine, including switching up your commute to work or school, prioritising cardio on a trail rather than on a treadmill, or planning a lunchtime walk with one of your friends or classmates. If none of these work, try writing it down, the way you would a doctor’s appointment, so you prioritise it. Doctors should be reminding prescribed participants to practice responsible outdoor recreation. The seven Leave No Trace principles include planning ahead and properly preparing, travelling and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, minimising campfire impacts (and being careful with fire), respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. Leave No Trace encourages people to minimise site alterations by avoiding actions such as digging tent trenches, cutting branches from live trees, hammering nails into trees, permanently clearing an area of rocks or twigs, or removing other natural items. Bronte Creek is a 15-minute drive from the UTM campus,

currently open for day use. Overnight camping will open in April, but until then you can still hike the ravine. Rogue National Urban Park, one of Ontario’s national parks is a 45-minute drive from the UTM campus. Not only are you able to hike through the park throughout the year, but you can also grab some buddies and pitch a tent. Other nature-based initiatives, similar to this, are being considered in countries like New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, and the United States.