Volume 50, Issue 7 by The Medium

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

Issue 7 Volume 50 October 23 2023

themedium.ca

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Juliana Stacey editor@themedium.ca Managing Editors River Knott & Aidan Thompson managing@themedium.ca & managinginternal@themedium.ca News Larry Lau news@themedium.ca Opinion Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca Features Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca A&E Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca Sports Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca Photo Samira Karimova photos@themedium.ca Design Laura Tovar design@themedium.ca Copy Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes jaros@themedium.ca Maja Ting maja@themedium.ca Social Media & Online Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Video Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

TO CONTRIBUTE & CONNECT: themedium.ca/contact @themediumUTM

@themediumUTM

@themessageUTM

@humansofUTM_

Saving lives through blood and plasma donation Organizations such as Canadian Blood Services and UTM NextGen Lifeline strive to inform communities about the pressing demand for blood donations. Larry Lau News Editor

n October 19, 2023, over a hundred people donated their blood at the On-Campus Blood Drive, organized collaboratively by the Canadian Blood Services and UTM NextGen Lifeline—a student organization that raises awareness on and facilitates blood and plasma donation opportunities for students and faculty. The Medium spoke to Alina Farooq, a community development manager at the Canadian Blood Services, to discuss the blood donation drive and the state of blood donations in Canada. “We had over 108 people present to donate blood […] We collected 84 units of blood, and our goal was actually just 72,” stated Farooq. She noted that 90 of the 108 people were first-time donors, and the blood donation drive was a success. Farooq explained that the Canadian Blood Services works with donors to provide blood products to recipients in need. “Life can change in seconds, whether it’s for yourself or one of your loved ones. [You] might need blood ur-

gently, and there’s no substitute for donated blood or plasma,” stated Farooq. Taking a deeper dive into terminology, donated blood is used for many medical procedures, treatment, and disease management. Plasma is found within blood, and is a “protein-rich liquid” that is important for the immune system and managing bleeding. It is used in various treatments and can be transfused to patients or processed into plasma protein products such as immunoglobulin—which some patients depend on to live. Farooq noted that the Covid-19 pandemic drove changes in donor behaviour. “There were fewer people donating regularly, and even just looking back at this past summer, it was difficult to maintain an ideal blood and plasma supply when donors were out of their regular routine.” She brought up this summer’s emergencies, such as the wildfires, which derailed many donors’ routines. Donors became preoccupied with immediate issues, reducing the number of blood donation bookings and overall attendance. The Medium also spoke to UTM NextGen Lifeline through email. Adding to the statistics re-

lated to the blood donation drive at UTM, the organization revealed that 36 people had registered to join the Canadian Blood Service stem cell registry. Stem cell transplants are vital for the treatment of some types of cancer and immune system-related illnesses. Currently, around 1,000 people in Canada are waiting for stem cell transplants. The organization noted that around two percent of Canada’s eligible population actively donate their blood, which is far from what is needed to meet demands. With the motto “Blood Does Not Discriminate,” the organization emphasized that the community, even when fragmented, may come together to pursue the cause of donating blood to those in need. The organization has also dedicated itself to addressing any concerns and misconceptions about blood and plasma donations. Student donors can contribute so much to addressing blood shortages. The earlier that a student is recruited into regular blood donations, the more blood reaches patients in need. In the same light, the later a student is recruited, the more blood that could have been used to save lives is forgone. “This issue is accentu-

ated for minorities, who often require blood or plasma products from members of the same ethnic group. Since the UTM population is very young and ethnically diverse, our on-campus recruitment efforts are therefore doubly important,” explained UTM Next Gen Lifeline. As a closing thought, the organization stated in their email: “The UTM community’s support was a testament to the strength and unity of campus life, and we look forward to hosting, educating, and continuing the journey of making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. We’ve barely scratched the surface within UTM, and we can’t wait to see where the future takes us as a community.” More information about UTM NextGen Lifeline’s events and initiatives can be found on their Instagram page, and interested individuals are encouraged to sign up as a member. Students interested in blood donation can visit the Canadian Blood Services website to find the closest locations to them and book appointments. This can also be done using the GiveBlood app or calling 1-888-236-6283 directly.

NEWS

Editor | Larry Lau news@themedium.ca

Ontario’s verdant veil: unraveling the Greenbelt debate Ontario’s Greenbelt tensions rise as government changes threaten the region’s ecological balance established in 2005. Karine Alhakim Associate News Editor

“

I made a promise to you that I wouldn’t touch the Greenbelt. I broke that promise. And for that I’m very, very sorry.” Premier Doug Ford’s apology during a Niagara Falls news conference reflects the intense public concern tied to Ontario’s Greenbelt, alongside the broader challenges of policymaking in an environmentally conscious era. The Greenbelt, which has long acted as “the lungs” of Ontario, has recently been at the center of a major controversy following alterations proposed by the Ford government. A report by the Office of the Auditor General Ontario has ignited debates on the government’s transparency and the necessity of these changes. The Greenbelt, as detailed on the Ontario government’s official page, spans 800 thousand hectares and plays a vital role in preserving agricultural lands, forests, wetlands, and watersheds. The Greenbelt Act was established in 2005 to ensure the enduring protection of agricultural and ecologically fragile areas. It not only curtails urban sprawl, but also ensures that Ontario’s residents have access to green spaces, clean air, and water. The Auditor General’s report revealed several concerns with the government’s approach to Greenbelt adjustments. A major point of contention has been the lack of transparency in the land selection process for inclusion or exclusion from the

Greenbelt. The audit also discussed whether it would be justifiable to open parts of the Greenbelt for residential development, asserting that there was no evidence that this move was essential to meeting housing targets. This stance was underlined by the analysis that land outside the Greenbelt or within existing developments was available. The report expressed concerns over the potential environmental impacts and the loss of agricultural lands if development were allowed. The method adopted by the government in selecting lands has drawn criticism from multiple corners. Concerns revolve around potential conflicts of interest and a lack of stakeholder consultation. A CBC report highlighted instances where there were rapid changes in land valuations, raising questions about the integrity of the process and casting doubts over the intent behind these decisions. Such controversies have not been without political repercussions. The Greenbelt’s reconfiguration led to the resignation of two ministers. Their resignations serve as a stark indicator of the gravity of the controversy. Moreover, these departures highlighted the presence of profound disagreements and tensions within the government regarding the issue. Such internal divisions suggest that the Greenbelt’s alterations were not uniformly supported even among the government’s top echelons, raising concerns over the policy-making process and the potential influence of external pressures or interests. Following mounting public pressure and internal disagreements, the Ford government has announced a reversal of its

controversial land swap decision for the Greenbelt. In a recent statement, Premier Doug Ford admitted that the process might have moved “too fast” and that listening to the public’s concerns was paramount. “I want the people of Ontario to know that I’m listening,” the premier said. The Greenbelt controversy underscores the challenges governments face in balancing developmental needs with environmental preservation. The importance of transparency, public consultation, and evidence-based decision-making has been highlighted once again. As the Ford government reverses the controversial land swap, it serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of the Greenbelt, both for the current and future generations.

PHOTO BY SAMIRA KARIMOVA/THE MEDIUM

UTM’s transportation overcrowding: student voices The Medium reached out to students about their experiences commuting by bus or driving to UTM, revealing overcrowding issues with both public transit and parking. Sameera Muna Contributor

s the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) continues to flourish, so does the issue of overcrowded transportation. With over 15,000 students, navigating daily commutes is no small feat. In an email interview with The Medium, a spokesperson from UTM stated that the UTM campus and its parking facilities experience a significant influx of both first-time and recurring visitors at the outset of each academic year. Visitors also stay for longer than typical during this period. Parking spaces are at the highest demand between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The university encourages students, staff, and faculty to allow extra time to find parking and reach their destination. Overflow parking is also available in the P11 and Alumni House parking lots. Julian, a fourth-year economics student, highlighted UTM’s insufficient parking: “I think there should be more parking spots made available for the students. I also think parking can be expensive as well.” He suggested that UTM and MiWay should collaborate to provide extra buses during rush hour

along the same routes, potentially alleviating overcrowding. Faress, a third-year sociology major, provided insights into the challenges faced by those who drive to school, stating, “You would expect, with the amount we pay for a parking pass, to have a spot assured within five to ten minutes—but sometimes it takes 20 minutes to find a spot.” He also pointed out the issues arising from construction and traffic funneled through limited exits, emphasizing the need for better traffic management on campus.

When inquired about whether the digital U-Pass speeds up the boarding process, a third-year student who commutes by bus expressed, “No, it didn’t speed up boarding. I’m never able to scan it well, and other people can’t do it either. Even the bus drivers are now aware that it sometimes struggles to scan.” Several other students echoed this concern. The experiences shared by these commuters provide valuable insights into the daily challenges associated with transportation overcrowding at UTM.

The Medium also interviewed students who commute to UTM by bus. Philandra, a fourth-year microbiology specialist student shared her morning commute experience: “In the mornings [on the 199 route], they bring the larger bus, but in terms of getting home, especially the 5:30 bus—the latest one, they bring the shorter bus, and we do have to stand sometimes on the highway.” Brianna, a molecular biology specialist student, lamented, “I take the 1C west and 1C east, and the worst time is the mornings.” She mentioned that the bus was overcrowded, and she ended up standing during the trip.

PHOTO BY BEATRIZ SIMAS/ THE MEDIUM

A humanitarian crisis unfolds amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict The war between Israel and Hamas has led to mass displacements and extensive civilian casualties, threatening the livelihood of both the Gaza and Israeli populations. Angelina Jaya Siew Contributor

Note: The statistics found in this article are accurate as of its last editing, which occurred on October 22, 2023. At 6:30 a.m. on October 7, 2023—the day of the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah—thousands of rockets, launched from Gaza, rained down on central and southern Israel. Hamas had launched “Operation al-Aqsa Deluge,” a surprise attack on Israel. Hamas fighters breached the security wall between Israel and Gaza and attacked settlements and abducted civilians. Reports state that militants fired upon attendees of the Nova Music Festival and took hostages, leaving at least 260 people dead. Israel responded in retaliation against Hamas with its “Operation Swords of Iron,” which has resulted in a blockade of basic necessities for the people in Gaza. In the midst of this counterattack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against the Hamas. The war has caused over 4,000 Palestinian deaths, of which about 3,400 are civilians. Of these civilian deaths, more than 1,400 are children. The conflict also has caused mass displacements and infrastructural damages, with over 52,000 housing units destroyed. As a result, a humanitarian crisis has arisen and is rapidly worsening with each passing day. The instruction by Israeli military officers calling those living north of Wadi Gaza to move to South Gaza has caused the displacement of over one million people. This has posed a significant obstacle for civilians as the region faces acute water, electricity, gas, and medical supplies shortages. On October 21, the first humanitarian aid convoy containing 20 trucks of food and medicine arrived in Gaza through the Rafah Crossing. A second convoy made its way through the crossing on October 22.

The World Health Organization asked that the order be rescinded as it amounted to a “death sentence” for many. The possible use of white phosphorus in bombs over Gaza poses severe dangers to civilians and violates international humanitarian law. On October 17, a hospital blast killed hundreds, with Gaza officials placing the number of casualties at 471. The blast triggered outrage and protests in the Middle East. Israel declared that the explosion resulted from a misfired rocket from Palestine, while Hamas maintained that the tragedy resulted from Israeli airstrikes. Both claims are currently being disputed. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has long been a divisive international issue. When the conflict escalated on October 7, the US pledged full and “unwavering” support in a statement by President Joe Biden. This includes military support. The European Union and the UK have also stepped forward to show support for Israel.

China and Russia are in contact with both sides, with no condemnation of Hamas, while India stands in solidarity with Israel and condemns terrorism. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement on behalf of the Canadian government condemning the attack on Israel in the “strongest possible terms,” as well as supporting Israel’s right to self-defense. The Prime Minister committed an initial sum of $10 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the war as well as offering consular support and assistance to Canadians who wish to leave the region.

A statement on October 13 stated that “Antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and discrimination of any kind have no place on our campus.” Principal Alexandra Gillespie reaffirmed the importance of remaining compassionate, empathetic, and kind to others, as UTM strives to be an inclusive community with a learning environment where all students are safe and respected.

OPINION

Editor | Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca

As the conflict enters its third week, we continue to express our profound grief for all of the victims and their affected communities. The Medium

s a student publication, we feel a deep responsibility to carry out meaningful conversations on matters relevant to our community. Involved in this commitment is our responsibility to include a diverse range of voices that are representative of our entire student body. There are very few priorities that come before our intent to use our platform to represent the voices of the University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) students. As the conflict between Israel and Palestine escalates, it is also our duty as a news publication to inform and educate the members of our institution, and to do so with respect, integrity, and compassion. This responsibility must be grounded in balanced research and tended to without bias or partiality. It is imperative that our coverage of the conflict accurately represents the devastation and loss endured by both sides. Perhaps our greatest responsibility as a publication lies in ensuring that we do not risk the safety of any members of the UTM community– whether advertently or inadvertently. The Medium is committed to providing detailed coverage of the conflict between Israel and Palestine as well the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, as a publication with a professional responsibility to both the Palestinian and Israeli communities of UTM, we feel a deep sensitivity towards publishing opinion pieces on the conflict. In the midst of this ongoing conflict, the value of objective reporting has become increasingly clear. We have decided that our masthead will limit our coverage of the conflict, and coverage of any war, to our news and features sections. This is intended to ensure that our reporting on the matter is informative, balanced, and thoroughly researched. With this commitment, we recognize that we rely on our writers to carry out this responsibility, so we encourage anyone from our community who feels compelled to report on the conflict to please email us. No part of this decision has been made lightly, and every aspect of it has been guided by empathy, compassion, and respect. There are many nuances that have informed our decision, and each has been heavily considered in the process. We’ve spent the last two weeks trying to figure out what would be best for our writers, our editorial staff, and the UTM community. We have spoken extensively to members of our editorial team and members of our wider academic community in order to inform our decision as best we can. This is a decision made independently from precedents set by previous mastheads. We understand that this is a decision that you may not agree with, and we do respect this and welcome discourse surrounding the decision. We have made the choice that we felt would promote a safe and inclusive space for the entirety of the UTM community. Additionally, we’d like to encourage you, our readers, to continue to educate yourselves and keep updated on what’s going on in the world around us. As university students, it’s our duty to read, scrutinize, and question; it is imperative that we are aware of and understand the intricacies and social implications of sensitive news coverage to avoid the inadvertent spread of misinformation. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about this decision, don’t hesitate to email us with your thoughts. We are a small team, we are constantly learning, and that is all thanks to you, our readers.

Artificial Intelligence: What’s the worst that can happen? The dangers of advancing artificial intelligence loom over us. Omar Khan Sports and Health Editor

rtificial intelligence (AI) has been at the forefront of discourse and debates surrounding the future of technology and, ultimately, the human race. AI is slowly integrating itself into every aspect of our lives, making us more efficient, and in some cases, obsolete. The promise of productivity and convenience seems to come at the cost of transparency, jobs, privacy, and other issues surrounding the advancement of such technologies. This double-edged sword forces many to question the efficacy of AI and what it brings. A recent study by Stanford concluded that the vast majority of AI companies do not disclose the amount of copyright materials their models leverage. This lack of transparency brings to light the potential bias AI can have, the lack of accountability, and many ethical issues these technologies entail. AI and automation also threaten the displacement of many jobs. ChatGPT alone will likely replace hundreds of jobs in the future, including computer programmers, data analysts, graphic designers and more. In an already depleted economy, more people losing their jobs to AI will only compound the issue. The pervasive integration of AI into the workplace has already caused harm to the job market as, since 2000, automation systems have rendered approximately 1.7 million jobs obsolete and by 2030, up to 20 million manufacturing jobs could disappear. Privacy is another issue brought upon us by the advancement of AI technology. In order to function, AI systems use extensive personal data, and because of this, the nature of the collection and analysis of this data has the potential to breach the privacy and security of its users. An example of this breach in privacy and security is facial recognition technology. This technology can not only track individuals but also monitor their movement and potentially leverage this data to access sensitive information with no consent at all. When it comes to the advancement of AI, many ask if we can when they should be asking if we should. When considering our future and navigating the dynamic space of technological advancement, it is essential to strike a balance between efficiency, convenience and prioritizing transparency, jobs, and privacy. AI advancement presents many dangers and issues, but also an opportunity to define the best way to go about progress and innovation through an ethical lens.

The Knotty Corner: Sexual health and wellness made easy A brief guide to the sexual healthcare resources available to U of T students. River Knott Managing Editor

Universities are a breeding ground (no pun intended) for sexual exploration and development. Most of us here at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) are young adults who, with a newfound freedom from the prying eyes of parents and guardians, are experiencing unprecedented expanses of agency. Students may choose to realize their own bodily sovereignty via sexual expression and experimentation. After all, intimacy is a lot more enjoyable when your mom isn’t watching Bridgerton just a few rooms over. Still, getting into the swing of things when it comes to intimacy and sexual health can be a real learning curve… and one with some high stakes. Luckily, UTM students have a slew of affordable sexual health resources available to them directly through the university, so long as they know where to look. But look no further! For I have done the research for you! A great first stop for any sexual concerns you may have is the Health & Counselling Centre, which can be found in the William G. Davis Building, right around the corner from UTM’s Bookstore. Call 905-828-5255 to schedule an appointment with one of UTM’s very own medical professionals. The Health & Counselling Centre offers sexual health resources, including birth control and pregnancy testing, along with education and care for those who have contracted sexually transmitted infections. The centre is also a great place to pick up some free condoms! Because the only thing better than sexual healthcare is free sexual healthcare. UTM students should also feel free to make use of resources available at the St. George campus. The Student Life Health and Wellness website details a variety of valuable services that they offer. Birth control counselling is available to students who are looking to learn about which kinds of birth control may be best suited to them. The insertion of “nonemergency” intrauterine devices (IUDs) is also an available service, along with the provision of emergency contraception if needed, in the form of Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) and the insertion of emergency IUDs, though it should be noted that the “same-day IUD insertion program is currently on pause due to COVID-19.” Pregnancy support is also available through physicians at the Health and Wellness Centre along with the Family Care Office, both at the St. George campus. Remember, if you ever find yourself in an acute health situation of any sort, you ought to seek immediate medical attention. UTM’s Health and Counselling Centre provides same-day care for patients who are in crisis, and they can help you navigate the next steps in your medical journey. If you ever suffer from any instance of sexual assault or sexual violence, contact the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre, which “provides confidential, non-judgmental” services and support for victims of sexual violence, on an urgent basis for students in acute need of help.

On physical closeness and friendships Why intimacy should not always be specific to romantic relationships. Mashiyat Ahmed Associate Opinion Editor

s far back as my memory will take me, I have always been a romantic and sentimental creature. I love stargazing on the hills of Erindale Park; I love catching strangers off guard by complimenting their eyes; I write poems for people who will never read them; and I barely go a day without noticing the spectacularly ordinary details of the natural world around me. So, on a mundane Friday evening, sitting on my friend’s bed while their postered walls cave in on us, I feel a sense of oceanic boundlessness erupt in my chest. It’s a difficult feeling to describe. Your ordinary conceptions of past and future vanish, and you are suspended in the heaviness and drama of the moment, even if nothing particularly dramatic is happening. It feels like eternity and a split second all at once, even though I am simply lying in bed with my friend. After a while, I glance over at them and notice details otherwise forgotten by the hurried pace of life: the roughness of their hands, how the air around them smells like a mix of citrus and smoke, and the unpredictability of their next words. In this moment, I want to reach out and unapologetically hold their hand, or to lean on them and kiss their shoulder. But I do not. This friend, who I have not known for long, has challenged me, inspired me, and somehow made me more confident in my weirdness.

The pursuance of platonic intimacy makes two other very worthy acknowledgements about the human experience. First is the idea that engaging in platonic forms of love reminds us that intimacy is not always driven by sex or romance, which is also an important concept needed to validate the experiences of asexual or aromantic people. The other acknowledgement is that intimacy is a spectrum, entirely flexible, and that where and how intimacy is being expressed has no bearing on its worthiness as long as its genuine. I think that sometimes the “realities” portrayed on social media can instill us with very narrow ideas of what intimacy is or what qualifies as a relationship. Sometimes, social media erases the subtleties or nuances of what defines real intimacy, in the sense that it’s only exclusive to romance, which can diminish our confidence from truly showing love to our most cherished friends. Not being afraid to show physical intimacy in our lived experience with friends can put pressure on what social media deems worthy or normal. I try my best to hold on to good friends, but ultimately, I succumb to the eventual impermanence of certain friendships and that my sense of self is always changing—and so are my friends. This makes me afraid of giving into moments of intimacy because I am not always sure what the person will do with my vulnerabilities or whether I will always have them to share with in the first place. But I truly believe that the worthiness of intimacy and shared connection is independent of whether that person will be there forever or whether they are friends or lovers. I tend to measure the quality of my life based on who I am around my friends, so if I can love my friends and not be afraid to show it, that is the ultimate triumph for me.

I think back to that Friday evening and realize that the reason I felt such hesitancy in pursuing a small act of physical intimacy is because of the potential for it to be misinterpreted as romantic interest. Undoubtedly, we are made aware from the very beginning that physical and even certain types of emotional intimacy are only reserved for romantic partners. Because of this normalization, we are sometimes misguided into assuming that our romantic partners are the ones that deserve our utmost vulnerabilities or highest selves. And even though our friends remain important, they are never the center of our hearts the way romantic partners are, and therefore, we must not express our love to them through our touch. But this misconception needs to be challenged. In romantic contexts, I often think that when someone has experienced your body and shared a physical intimacy, it automatically translates into trust or mutual understanding. But this is a common fallacy. Sometimes, our closest friends understand us in a way that romantic partners never will, and all without having ever shared physical closeness with us. And that is perfectly valid. But, as long as enthusiastic consent is given, nothing should be stopping us from celebrating and appreciating our friendships with physical intimacy, such as cuddling, stroking each other’s hair, or holding hands.

Why I quit drinking in my twenties A story of sobriety that doesn’t involve rehab, police, or addiction. Aidan Thompson Managing Editor-Internal

embarrassing at the moment, they routinely cite them as proof that—despite their sensible footwear and Toyota Sienna—they were, at one point, wild and fun.

stopped drinking alcohol a few months ago; and in the time since, many friends have questioned my decision—some out of curiosity and others out of concern. To their point, people often talk about sobriety as a consequence of some wildly unsustainable lifestyle. It’s a decision that people come to after they wake up naked on a golf course in Louisiana or pass out in a ditch on their way home from Applebee’s. It’s not the sort of life decision you expect a 22-year-old to suddenly embrace— particularly when their relationship with alcohol was, by most standards, completely healthy.

My decision to quit drinking wasn’t inspired by some emotional intervention or criminal record. I didn’t get a DUI or wake up naked on a golf course in Louisiana (it was Brampton, and I had my socks on). I just realized that the consequences of alcohol weighed heavier on me than most other 22-year-olds. In retrospect, the three-day panic-inducing hangovers should have clarified this for me, but despite the obvious warning signs I never considered quitting as the solution; if you had suggested it at the time, I would’ve looked at you as though you just advised someone who’s choking on a chicken bone to “spit it out.”

Sure, I got kicked out of a bar once for using a guard rail as a stripper pole, and yes, I complained and left a horrible Yelp review at 3 a.m., but those experiences are as fundamental to your 20s as learning to do your taxes or sleeping on a futon. Even the most reserved people in my family have a brand of liquor that they’ve sworn off because at some point in college they “took it a bit too far” and passed out on the football field. But while those experiences were painful and

Part of this oversight was because my relationship with alcohol was framed by representations in popular media, so my idea of an “alcohol problem” was characterized by police stations and abusive parenting. What I later realized, however, is that alcohol problems can also be subtle and individual. You don’t need to be dependent, abusive, or dying of liver failure to have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. In fact, if it poses even the smallest challenge to your general well-being,

surprise, your relationship with alcohol isn’t healthy. But because drinking is so ingrained in western society, you’re only encouraged to quit after you’ve hit rock bottom—but what about preventative changes? If anything is a testament to alcohol’s entrenchment in western society, it’s that you can’t stop drinking without people asking questions. Imagine if whenever someone announced that they started a new workout or tried a new diet, people were genuinely confused and demanded to know why. I’m certain that fewer people would make either of those changes if they felt like they required a signed doctor’s note to excuse their behaviour. When you assemble an inquisition into someone’s sobriety, you’re treating their decision as atypical, which is maybe not the wisest in a world where alcohol kills more people than guns and car crashes combined. People reacted this way because when I announced I stopped drinking, they felt involved in my decision; even if they were entirely supportive, a part of them heard, “I don’t want to go for drinks with you anymore, and you can forget about me giving a toast at your wedding.” To be fair, almost every social relationship in my life involved alcohol, so people worried, naturally, that my decision to

stop drinking would disrupt these relationships. And to be honest, I worried about that too. How would I catch the attention of my future wife by twerking at a nightclub if I wasn’t absolutely hammered? And how would I talk to her without at least three shots of whisky to ensure I didn’t default to talking about how Revenge of the Sith is criminally underrated? How would I continue to make memories with my friends if all the ones we cherish required twelve shots of Jager and a 6 a.m. bedtime? Popular media suggests that relationships—romantic or otherwise—depend on alcohol, so when I stopped drinking, I worried I’d given those up too. But it’s now been four months since I spent a morning with my forehead on a toilet seat. Four months since I starfished on the living room floor because, well, I wasn’t in the shape to do anything else. For four months since I had had an unrelenting hangover, an abusive bar tab, or a moment of sober regret. I feel I’ve found consistency in sobriety. And if you’re like me, and your hangovers insist on also involving panic attacks—because headaches and nausea aren’t enough—consider maybe taking a break. You never know, it might be a welcome change.

features

Editor | Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca

Dr. Anne Innis Dagg: The Woman Who Loves Giraffes Dr. Dagg shares her passion for giraffes and her experience battling sexism alongside her daughter, Mary Dagg. Zainab Khalil Contributor

working in all these areas. “I could talk to them and find out what they thought were the important papers. That enabled me to write a new book on the science of giraffes,” shared Dr. Dagg in the film screening.

Mary Dagg and Dr. Dagg also discussed the importance of mentorship, specifically for young female scholars and scientists who may face gender discrimination in their professional lives. She talked about her experience with sexism and explained that the mentors available today can help to provide support and guidance for the next generation of female scientists.

magine a woman who, in the 1950s, embarked on a journey to observe and document the lives of giraffes in their natural habitat in South Africa at the start of the apartheid. This is the story of Dr. Anne Innis Dagg—a prominent figure in the world of zoology—who was a guest at the 2023 annual Snider Lecture hosted by the University of Toronto Mississauga. Her story is the definition of determination and showcases how passion can make anything possible. I had the privilege of attending the online screening of her documentary, The Woman Who Loves Giraffes, and the Q&A session between Dr. Dagg and her daughter Mary Dagg. Dr. Dagg’s remarkable story was made uniquely immersive through the integration of her actual letters to family, friends, and partners, and how her personal life, love life, and scientific life intersected with her research journey. Over her career, Dr. Dagg wrote more than 85 papers and books combined, especially about giraffes. Her fascination with giraffes began with visits to the zoo at the age of three. “These are just wonderful animals. I just couldn’t believe they were so beautiful. And I kept [asking] my parents, couldn’t we go and see some more giraffes?” shared Dr. Dagg. When Dr. Dagg was completing her undergrad at the University of Toronto, she joined the environmental club. Students in the club came from a wide variety of disciplines but were united under a common interest in animals and their environments. “I think you said every Saturday or Sunday you’d find somewhere in Toronto and go and look at the birds,” Mary Dagg said to her mother. Dr. Dagg noted, however, that she never saw a giraffe there, so after graduating, courageously, she embarked on a journey to South Africa to study giraffes in the wild. Dr. Dagg’s research was not only focused on the behavioural aspect of giraffes but also on the anatomy of the animals. She studied their intestines, hearts, and stomachs. “No one had ever really studied an African animal in the wild or pretty well any animal in the wild. So, I was sort of breaking ground without realizing,” she explained. The documentary highlighted how her journals, observations, and photographs captured various giraffe behaviours such as fights and even how male giraffes tested female urine to assess their readiness to mate. In the documentary, Dr. Dagg noted that “a terrific wall upon the chest is the most spectacular display. It is much better to watch than human boxing because no one ever seems to get very badly hurt,” she continued. Nevertheless, her journey coming back to Canada was far from smooth. After earning her PhD and briefly working at a university, her dream was to become a professor, but this was challenged because she was a woman. She applied for jobs in universities all over Canada. However, she kept getting rejected, either because she was married or for the sole reason of her gender. In response, she took legal action to fight for her rights and those of other women.

In this fight, she formed various committees and wrote feminist books about sexism in Canadian academia. “I kept writing, and I wrote scientific books on animals, but much of the rest of my life was fighting to get fairness for women,” she highlighted in the documentary. She also wrote books about her research on giraffes and shared her passion with the world, bridging the gap in the scientific world when it came to the study of this animal. However, Mary Dagg noted that her mother struggled to receive tenure. At that point, Dr. Dagg shared: “I read as many books as I could, but really there wasn’t anything about Africa. Small things, but nothing very big because nobody had really gone and seen what was going on.” Although she wasn’t well known to the public, Dr. Dagg’s name started to receive the recognition it deserved years later, as she won awards and invitations to giraffe-related conferences. These opportunities allowed her to return to South Africa, which reignited her passion for giraffes. Because of this, she was able to talk with other scientists in the field, which inspired her to write another book called Giraffe: Biology, Behaviour and Conservation: When Cambridge University Press wanted to publish an updated edition of a book on giraffes, Dr. Dagg knew individuals

“One thing that a lot of women scientists have now is mentors, people that have ideas and can maybe do some strategizing about how to deal with situations where you might be impacted through some form of discrimination,” Mary Dagg explains. In [my mother’s] case it was gender, but there’s so much more of a network than there was back in [her] day,” stressed Mary Dagg. They emphasized the importance of studying, conserving wildlife, and appreciating and protecting the creatures that live alongside us on this planet. The giraffe is slowly going extinct; the population is decreasing rapidly because of hunting and various other environmental factors. Unfortunately, people are not paying attention to this. So, in 2020, Dr. Dagg made her lifelong dream come true by starting the Anne Innis Dagg (AID) Foundation. The AID Foundation engages communities as caretakers of their environment and advocates for sustainability and biodiversity. The purpose of the mission is to draw attention to the challenges wild giraffes are facing in Africa and encourage more people to support conservation. “I think part of what we’re trying to do with our foundation is make things easier for people going forward, especially kids. [We’re] trying to engage children in education and conservation,” explained Mary Dagg. Dr. Dagg’s story is a remarkable illustration of the spirit of those who dedicate their lives to understanding the treasures that enrich our planet. Her legacy extends beyond her groundbreaking work in the study of giraffes—her role as a feminist and advocate for women’s rights in academics has also made her a pioneer. Dr Dagg’s research, conducted without the modern technology or communication tools we have today, helped pave the way for the study of animals in their natural habitat.

How does living in the city effect our mental health? Dr Benjamin Wolfe on how the features of our physical world can be better designed to accommodate our mental health. Mashiyat Ahmed Associate Opinion Editor

n overwhelming majority of the world’s population, especially students, live in cities. For most of us, we can’t even remember a time before we lived in a city or a suburb. For some of us, the city we live in is intimately tied to our identities. The structure and atmosphere of big cities like Toronto, Shanghai, and New York City support the diverse need of an increasingly heterogenous population and is a place for individuals to pursue their dreams and expand their horizons more than their ancestors could have ever hoped. Yet, living in cities comes with its own difficulties, such as crowding, a lack of nature, and pollution—just to name a few. A city is a place where a myriad of factors and individual differences unite to create unique challenges for each of us. More and more people find themselves isolated, unfulfilled, and struggling with poor mental health as an indirect consequence of living in a city. What does neuroscience and psychology tell us about cities and mental health? The Medium spoke with Dr. Benjamin Wolfe, an assistant professor in the department of psychology whose present research focuses on the intersection of cognitive psychology and human factors. According to Dr. Wolfe, human factors is the intersection of engineering and psychology, focusing on the needs and requirements of the people who will use and interact with a device, technology or environment. Human factors take principles from psychology such as perception, information processing, attention, and memory to increase the utility of our built world. Insights from human factors psychology help to understand how our man-made world works to support or suppress mental health. Studies in the past have suggested possible links between psychiatric disorders and the environmental profile of cities (which are characterized by fast-paced dense spaces), distance from greenery, and socioeconomic deprivation. Though many studies have looked at isolated and microenvironmental factors to investigate how they pose mental health risks, the scientific literature on how multiple urban factors relate to emotional and mood disorders is sparse. Due to the complexity of the psychosocial-environment-brain interactions, even fewer studies have rigorously investigated brain health and urbanization. The social complexity of cities and the unique genetic variation of each individual are likely contributing factors that predispose individuals to bouts of loneliness, disconnection, mood instability, and anxiety. A robust study from 2022 found that an association between environmental factors—air pollution, distance from nature, and urban infrastructure—as well as anxiety symptoms, correlated with reduced brain size in key regions involved in emotional information processing. The study also found a link between differences in brain size and affective disorders in the context of industrial and social stress, which are rampant in urban spaces.

PHOTO BY A. KOSOVICHEVA COURTESY OF DR.BENAJMIN WOLFE

Dr. Wolfe says he’s “fundamentally interested in how we think and perceive the world.” “Insights from human factors can influence urban design, and in particular, affordances, or the degree to which how something is designed guides or discourages a specific behaviour,” which Dr. Wolfe defines as the “degree to which a particular piece of design guides you to useful behavior or discourages you from not useful behavior.” As busy university students, we may not pay close attention to how the physical profile of our cities is built to influence our behavior. “Asking why the world is designed the way it is,” Dr. Wolfe continues, “and how does this encourage or discourage what I would want to [accomplish here] is an interesting thing to think about.” This question also guides current research in architectural psychology— insights that are critical in understanding the mental health profiles of city residents, and more importantly, what psychosocial interventions to utilize to help cope with the day-to-day stress of cities. Depression and anxiety are cited as the most common mental health illnesses that correlate to living in a city, and new studies are corroborating the association between urbanicity and mental health struggles, as well as specific brain health factors. A study using data on urbanicity and common mental disorders from 191 countries found a positive, non-linear relationship between urban factors and depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Though an increasing amount of research points towards links between psychological health and urbanization, Dr. Wolfe says it is “unlikely” that we will see “decisions we have made at the level of how we build cities or roads or sidewalks [having] specific mental health consequences.” However, what can be stated unquestionably is that the city is a complex and diverse ecosystem that serves as both an appealing and challenging environment for the human mind. For some, it is a place to thrive and seek boundless opportunities. For others, the city is akin to an urban cage that represses freedom or poses unique mental health challenges. The hope is that as urbanization increases, pursuing an interdisciplinary lens into psychological health in the city will improve the lives of those at risk and influence how cities themselves are built. More research is needed to strengthen and better define the relationship between urbanization and mental health. Pursuing an intersectional investigative lens can be helpful in clarifying why mental health risks might be more prominent in the city as opposed to more rural areas. For example, how does the competition and social stress inherent in cities influence people differently? After all, a single-parent household living below the poverty line will handle the social stress of cities differently than an upper-class middle-aged couple with no kids. More robust research in this area can help identify unique personalized psychosocial risk factors that may influence how individuals react to social and environmental stress, and therefore, to cities as well.

Arts

Editor | Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca

Films and TV shows filmed at the University of Toronto Mississauga If you’re on campus, you might be able to spot some familiar faces and places in the backgrounds of these eight productions. Kuicmar Phot Contributor

f you’ve wandered around the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) campus during summer months, you’ve probably seen blue signs decorating the school hallways with the words: “Please excuse our appearance while we’re part of making movie magic.” In recent years, UTM has become its own little Hollywood as the host of on-set locations to numerous television and film productions. Its scenic nature and modern architecture have been featured and transformed into hospitals, zombie high schools, and superhero training grounds.

Gen V (2023-present) Amazon Prime’s Gen V follows a group of crime-fighting college students as they navigate their powers and train with one another for the top rank at their superhero university. As a spin-off of The Boys, this TV show is riddled with moral dilemmas and unexpected plot twists that the characters are forced to grapple with. The Maanjiwe Nendamowinan (MN) building is the main featured location of UTM in Gen V, as it was turned into “The School of Crimefighting” with banners of the main characters and statues of superheroes erected at the entrance. Production occurred during the summer 2022 semester, so be sure to ask around and see if anyone on campus has any Hollywood anecdotes.

The Boys (2019-present) Just like its spin-off, The Boys focuses on a group of secretly morally corrupt superheroes who work for the superhero corporation Vought International. The show follows a group of civilians, some who have been personally wronged by these heroes, as they take steps to expose their misconduct. The Boys is an entertaining spin on the “perfect superhero” trope, showing the heroic personas of the superheroes slowly crumble as they abuse their powers. Although not featured as much compared to Gen V, The Boys utilized the signature round interior of the Kaneff Centre and the Innovation Complex joint-buildings, where the Blackwood Art Gallery is located.

portray a university setting.

Flatliners (2017) Flatliners is a horror film focusing on five medical school students as they embark into lifealtering self-experiments that force them to experience death and the afterlife for a single minute before being brought back to life. The film features the Instructional Centre (IB), known for its sleek and modern metallic interior. The building is perfect as the scientific facility in which the students’ dangerous experiments occur.

In the Shadow of the Moon (2019) This Netflix film is set in Philadelphia in the 1980s. It chronicles a law enforcement officer’s attempts to identify an unknown serial killer. The Innovation Complex building is featured as the futuristic scientific research lab that the main characters frequent as they attempt to solve their murder mystery.

Heroes Reborn (2015-2016) This TV mini-series follows the struggles of individuals with superpowers as they hide from the government after being scapegoated for a terrorist attack. The show focuses on hidden heroes as they attempt to uncover the truth of the terrorist attack that uprooted their lives and safety. The show ran for one season and featured buildings on campus such as the HSC, the UTM Library, and IB. If you’ve got some downtime this weekend, check out some of the films and TV shows on this list to see if you can spot your favourite spots on campus!

Downsizing (2017) Downsizing is a dramedy film following a couple and their journey through a downsizing procedure, in which a human can choose to shrink their bodies to a microscopic size and live in a community with other shrunken humans. The film follows Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and the difficulties that arise from his choice to downsize without his wife, Audrey Safranek (Kristen Wiig). As the film progresses, Paul realizes that the experiment is not as utopic as it seems. UTM’s Library is featured in this film as the fictional Norwegian Edvadsen Institute. The Communication, Culture, and Technology (CCT) Building is also seen briefly at the beginning of the movie. Production occurred in the spring of 2016.

Zombies 2 (2020) and Zombies 3 (2022) Directed by Paul Hoen, Zombies has been Disney Channel’s newest musical trilogy. The trilogy follows cheerleader Addison (Meg Donnelly) and ambitious zombie football player Zed (Milo Manheim) as they navigate their identities, romance, discrimination, and high school after the mass transferring of zombie students to Seabrook High School. The addition of aliens in the third film adds to the tension as the main characters gear up for college. The trilogy features a colourfully adorned MN, as well as the field adjacent to it, as settings for Seabrook High School.

The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present) Based on the book written by U of T alumna, Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale is an acclaimed drama TV series set in a dystopian society where women of child-bearing age are forced to birth children for the privileged class. The Kaneff Centre, CCT Building, and the Health Sciences Complex (HSC) are featured in multiple seasons of the show. Kaneff is used as a courtroom while the CCT and HSC buildings

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/ THE MEDIUM

11 10

This Lovesick Thing — My Heart Maryam Uddin

It was when you’d make the surface of my heart sting, Tingle the way gentle goosebumps do on smooth skin, A mystery it was if this is what love is, if it’s coined passion, Or if it’s the gradual eradication, evaporation of my heart Like the split seashells that scarcely scatter along the seashore, There is an animalistic aching that lines the edges of my ribs, Just as scarcely — but oh, it’s there for you, like a constant sore, Your knuckles, your hands — the ones that shape me, When will they turn a clump of clay like me into pottery? I sit in the wilderness where my heart is prowling in the bushes, And my forsaken beloved, I really do not mind if we’re a fling, That may last as fleeting, as brief as the breeze from a bird’s flapping wing, As long as my veins flow with any fine melody you will sing, As long as your mountain-like knuckles know the mighty cliffs On which my hips rest, my hips that a woolen shawl drapes, I feel like I can breathe, be able to tame the beast in my chest, this lovesick thing

I Don’t Have the Jaw to Be Famous Aidan Thompson

nor the tongue. for words fall out of me untwisted ugly and brutish stubbing toes, i’m stubborn and messy i make mistakes as bad as my meals and prefer to fall to my knees rather than from the heavens perhaps i could be famous one day, by some mistake on fate’s part or a stroke of luck on mine i’d drive around in fancy cars with holes in my pockets and crocodiles around my waist and snakes on my shoes i’d go to fancy restaurants and order overpriced meals that taste just as bad as they cost i’d be good friends with benjamin franklin and i’d forget about george, i’d leave him in my pockets and throw my pants in the washer and i’d make friends who are also famous. we’d smile at cameras, and in the tabloids i’d forget about normalcy and maybe lose my sanity and in the quiet hours in the lonely mansion with the depressed wife whose obsessions nearly cost the dream i’d tell myself that no one one really wants normalcy and i’d tell myself I believe it But instead, maybe I’ll stay normal. i’ll buy my own groceries, and fall asleep in front of the tv i’ll have friends who care about me and family who love me. i’ll know truth and i’ll know sanity i may be poor or i may not. but no matter what I won’t be broke.

transcendent Charlie Cichoszewski

Is it the days of grog and a runny nose that matter most or least? I sit in the sun, unsure if it can awaken me. You see, I forgot how to breathe for a moment. The air was not knocked out of me, my feet planted firmly on the concrete. I shall try to make a friend of my lungs, I hope my eyes can widen out of their droop. There’s a million things to say, a million ways to pick up energy I’ve found it feels best when you create it. Shuffle or wiggle your feet, Shake or turn or comfort yourself with a small twitch, but when you realize safety, There is calm in every agreement, breath, to free the eyes of dullness, To see instead an array of colour and vibrancy in every material

Concert prices are skyrocketing When live music costs the average person a small mortgage, what would you do to see your favourite artist? Drashti Patel Contributor

oncert tickets for A-list musicians like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Beyoncé, and Bruce Springsteen have steadily risen over the past year. With minimal royalties off streaming platforms like Spotify, some artists can earn more in a couple of shows than they do from album sales over an entire year.

According to Billboard, Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour grossed $127.6 million in a month, establishing her show as the highest-grossing tour by a female artist in history. A Harry Styles fan, intent on buying tickets to see her favourite artist, found herself looking at floor tickets priced as high as US$1,500, with tickets in the nose-bleeds still costing up to US$900.

In addition to the rise in ticket prices at the behest of the artists themselves, platforms such as Ticketmaster have adopted a “dynamic pricing model,” which sets ticket prices using historical attendance trends, daily quotas that need to be met, expected demand, and artist popularity. As time goes on, prices will increase or decrease (rarely the latter as this year’s trend shows).

These ticket-selling platforms and the artists themselves, however, are not the only cause of the inflation in prices. “Scalpers,” who buy a large number of tickets at lower prices and resell them at outrageous costs, also contribute to the crisis. In spite of changing circumstances though, some fans are staying loyal to their favourite celebrities and artists, just like Pink’s fan Bex Paul. She chose to go to Pink’s concert 11 times in 2019. How did she afford it? She opened a bank account with her girlfriend in 2014 and has been saving up ever since. The dozens of background performers that add to Pink’s highly acrobatic show created an unforgettable experience. Ethical pay, costumes, set design, and all the additional performance add-ons seemingly justify the increasing costs of her concert tickets. On the other hand, some fans do not think it’s worth it. Adam Zhang, who bought a last-minute Billy Talent resale ticket for C$160 questioned his purchase. He considered alternating between digital shows (like Travis Scott’s Astronomical tour on Fortnite) and live shows, simply to have the experience but also save a buck. Others are opting for alternative ways, like presales and credit cards, to afford concert tickets to their favourite artists. American Express provides its customers with its Front Of The Line program, allowing them to purchase presale and reserved tickets for selected entertainment events including big-ticket concerts. Regardless of what path you choose, if you’re planning to buy sought-after concert tickets, ensure you can verify the reliability of your seller. Ask for proof of the tickets, ID, and where they bought it from.

Self-exploration in the long-awaited Piranesi The fiction book is a raw, haunting, and vivid narration on the aspects of human identity that shatter in the face of time and trauma, and the ones that persevere. Zainab Hassan Contributor

s an avid lover of all things fantasy, I absolutely had to read Piranesi, English author Susanna Clarke’s award-winning book. Written as a series of journal entries, Piranesi follows the dayto-day life of its supposedly titular protagonist. Through a simplistic first-person narrative and imagery of a world that teeters on the edge of destroyed and divine, the reader is guided step-by-methodical-step through the intricacies of Piranesi’s mind. Piranesi is a smart man, a curious man, and, most importantly, a kind man. A steady empathy prevails in him for all living creatures, and to him everything in this world is living in one way or the other. This aspect of his personality marks him as distinct from almost all the other characters we meet. Piranesi establishes himself as a scientist, studying this phantasmagorical world he inhabits, yet quickly demonstrates that he is an unreliable narrator. Throughout the novel, we are exposed to two constants: Piranesi remembers everything about the place he lives in called the House, and he forgets many things about himself. As the story progresses, we find ourselves in the world that has crafted Piranesi into the man he is in the novel. A labyrinth that goes on forever, statues that seem to hold infinite wisdom and safety, birds that impart prophetic messages, an ocean that is deadly and dependable, and a man who is friend and foe. Throughout it all, there is the House—a world that is not a world, a God that is not a God, an entity too great to comprehend. Supposedly. Clarke is generous in her use of irony and foreshadowing to hint that all is not well, even as Piranesi himself clings to the identity he constructed inside the House. As early as the opening chapter, it is revealed that, though all refer to him as Piranesi, “that is not my name.” The House can be seen as an allegory for many things, and in this instance, it is an allegory of the self. In much the same way that Piranesi’s faith and love in the House is unshakeable, “The House is valuable because it is the House,” says the narrator. “It is enough in and of Itself. It is not the means to an end,” as are aspects of his identity that remain consistent even in the face of adversity. As Piranesi uncovers the traumatic series of events that led to where he is today, we see the identity he built for himself begin to fracture. No longer is the House endless and infinite, it has a door to a different real world. No longer is he only “a child of the House,” he is someone who was once trapped there. No longer is he just Piranesi, he has found what his name once was. And yet, even the maddening anguish and rage our protagonist experiences cannot change certain aspects of him. His empathy and the care he holds for all living things perseveres even for his captors. He holds on to it just as he holds on to the House. So too, does his writing. Though there is a gradual change in tone over the course of the book, Piranesi’s writing remains methodical and consistent. By the end of the book, the version of our protagonist known as Piranesi is no longer there. He has been reshaped by the knowledge of who he once was, his time in the House, and the choices he made. Yet, Piranesi is not gone. Our protagonist keeps him within himself, and so we end with a man who is not the same but is similar enough to be recognized. He does not think as Piranesi does, but the two write in much the same way. He is not as fervid in his reverence of the House, but he reveres it nonetheless, and still considers it kind and beautiful. Our protagonist regards the House as we might regard him. To us, he is “enough in and of [himself],” whoever that might be. Overall, Clarke creates a stunning and haunting allegory on the juxtaposition of the human self—how delicate it is, and yet how durable.

Biiskaabe Zaa’emaanag (Return of the Salmon): A reflection on the sanctity of land and tradition The collaborative art installation honoured community arts, Indigenous cultures, and the resurgence of salmon in Toronto’s waters. Lydia C. Rehman Contributor

hose who visited Spadina Museum for the Red Pepper Spectacle Arts’ latest project, entitled Biiskaabe Zaa’emaanag (Return of the Salmon), not only witnessed a captivating art installation but also participated in a larger narrative about culture, history, and future aspirations.

From October 14 to 21, 2o23, Biiskaabe Zaa’emaanag embodied and presented tales of resilience, renewal, the power of community-grounded arts, and collaboration between various artists, workshop facilitators, and production team members. At its heart were seven salmon lanterns, crafted under the guidance of Anishnaabe Lead Artist Joseph Sagaj of the Sturgeon Clan. With frameworks of steam-bent cedar strips, sealed with tissue paper cuts resembling fish scales, each salmon had been uniquely designed. Every salmon lantern narrated a story, inviting spectators to engage with the profound journey of the salmon’s life cycle—an endeavour to eulogize the loss of natural habitats, but also a celebration of the salmon’s return to Tkaronto waterways after a century’s absence. But why the salmon, and why now? Toronto’s riverine legacy stems from glacial ice sheets feeding into the ancient Niigaani-gichigami (Lake Ontario). These lands have been cherished by Indigenous Peoples for thousands of years. However, settler colonization in the 1700s marked a destructive era of deforestation, pollution, and the installation of dams—factors that devastated the aquatic ecosystem. The salmon, once emblematic of the land’s vitality, saw their spawning grounds obstructed and their existence threatened. Biiskaabe Zaa’emaanag wasn’t merely focused on the past. It envisaged a brighter future for both the land and its inhabitants, calling for harmony between Indigenous traditions, community gathering, and environmental sustainability for next generations. Red Pepper Spectacle Arts and the Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health, located at the University of Toronto, have partnered, blending community-grounded arts with Indigenous Health Research, to measure the impact of Biiskaabe Zaa’emaanag on the mental, spiritual, and emotional health and well-being of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations living in Toronto. The data collection, retrieved through a talking circle/ survey after the event, is currently being evaluated to capture the experience of those involved in the art project as well. By merging creativity with academic insight, the Red Pepper Spectacle Arts and the Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health aim to support Indigenous self-determination and enhance services for Indigenous communities while spotlighting the community art’s potential to be a transformative tool for healing, empowerment, and reconciliation.

PHOTO BY LYDIA C. REHMAN COURTESY OF ALISA SAMUEL

sports & health

Editor | Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca

Reds Sees Reds Rumors of an anti-Liverpool agenda by the Premier League Football Association. Ahmad Kubbar Contributor

n September 30, 2023, Liverpool F.C. played against Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. For the third time this Premier League season, a Liverpool player received a red card in a game, followed by the issuance of an additional red card in the second half. Although Liverpool had won the two previous games, playing with a man down in this game resulted in an unfortunate loss. Four red cards in a single season is unheard of, especially considering that Liverpool received only eight across seven previous Premier League seasons, excluding red cards accrued this season One of the red cards this season was overturned following the game by the Football Association (FA), and the one received in the first half of the game against Tottenham was also appealed, though this case was lost. All four red cards issued this season have been deemed controversial by fans and the media. While there are arguments for and against the issuing of the cards, the FA does not appreciate it when their refereeing is questioned for appeal. To add insult to injury, in the game against Tottenham, left winger Luis Diaz scored a goal shortly after the issuing of the red card to put Liverpool up 1-0, only for the goal to be deemed offside minutes later, further upsetting fans. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admitted they failed to apply the correct rules to this game, an admission acknowledged by Liverpool as well, making it obvious that the refereeing was sub-par throughout the Tottenham game. This situation was somehow made even more problematic by yet another controversial call made by the referees. The issuing of the red card was controversial, but negating Diaz’s goal by calling offside is one of the biggest mistakes made by Premier League referees since the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR). Upon Liverpool’s request, (PGMOL) released an audio recording of the dialogue held when discussing the off-side call on the goal. In the recording, we hear the replay operator confirm that the goal is on-side and should count, though the VAR fails to inform the referee to overturn the no-goal call, and then claim they “can’t do anything” after the players had resumed play. The game ended 2-1 following an unfortunate own goal in minute 96.

If we analyze these various instances as isolated events, it could be chalked up to bad luck, however, the growing pattern of game-by-game punishment received by Liverpool appears malicious to many fans. If we rewind to April 30, 2022, we can see when the tides seem to have shifted against Liverpool. This was another Liverpool-Tottenham game, high in both tempo and intensity. Liverpool went up 3-0 in the first half. Then, at halftime, Liverpool Leftback Andy Robertson made a comment to the linesman, who reacted by elbowing him in the jaw. By minute 93, Tottenham equalized, followed by a winner scored in minute 94 by Diogo Jota to seal the game for Liverpool. There was a huge uproar surrounding this altercation during the game and even more discourse related to the incident following the match. Liverpool’s team manager Jurgen Klopp expressed his outrage at the situation publicly numerous times. He was fined £75,000 and banned from two matches for claiming that the referee, Paul Tierney, had an agenda against Liverpool, a statement Klopp later retracted. Having lost the Premier League by a single point on three occasions in the past 10 years, all three of which had controversial refereeing decisions made against Liverpool’s favor, this season has been nothing but disheartening following the continued controversial refereeing decisions thus far. In the face of these recurring injustices, Liverpool has done its best to persevere to victory, coming close at times. Fans must continue to endure these injustices and hold out hope that the referees will change their ways and their team will succeed.

New Potentials Scottie Barnes shines as the Toronto Raptors blaze through the preseason. Justyn Aleluia Columnist

he Toronto Raptors are back in NBA action this week after a scorching start to their preseason. The Raptors won their first three preseason games, and the stats show that it isn’t just a fluke. The Raps started with a 112-99 win against the Sacramento Kings, where new head coach Darko Rajakovic debuted the Raptor’s new starting lineup. As expected, Pascal Siakam is back as the team’s starting power forward alongside OG Anunoby at small forward and Jakob Poeltl at centre. The guard position is where things look different this year, as Scottie Barnes looks to be the new starting guard for the Raptors alongside newly acquired Denis Schroder. The new squad showed no signs of rustiness in their first game. Barnes led the starters with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Gary Trent Jr. sunk 22 points along with three steals off the bench. The next game against Australia’s Cairns Taipans proved no different. Scottie Barnes dropped another 14 points with a block, two steals, four assists, five rebounds, and a promising 66 per cent accuracy score from three-point range. If Barnes, who has struggled with his three-point shot thus far in his career, can maintain a steady efficiency from beyond the arch, he will be a serious threat in the league. The Raptors lack a star player, but the front office is banking on Barnes developing into one. The Raptors reportedly

made him “untouchable” in trade talks for superstars Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard. Their third preseason win against the Chicago Bulls may have just showcased why this was the case. Barnes dropped 22 points with an absurd four blocks, two steals, six rebounds, and three assists. The 22-year-old point forward did it all on both sides of the court, showing flashes of his potential throughout the game. Throughout the three preseason games, Barnes is averaging 17 points, six rebounds, nearly four assists, one steal, and one block while shooting at a whopping 50 per cent from the three-point range. Barnes isn’t the only one shining so far. Rajakovic shared high praise for new Raptor Jalen McDaniels: “I really like his defense, his ability to get deflections, ability to get over the screens, to change shots. […] I think that he can be a very good cutter, especially inside of our system. […] I think he’s already a really good player, but I expect him to take it to another level.” Rookie Gradey Dick hasn’t given fans what they expected so far. A sharpshooter in college, Dick averaged only six points in preseason action on 33% field-goal percentage. His performance shouldn’t be alarming, though. Dick needs more time to adjust to the NBA skill level, and he has already shown some glimpses of doing so in his limited playing time. Dick should take a bench role this year, and if he can shoot even close to as well as promised, the Raptors will be very happy. Fans have a lot to look forward to this season. How will the new squad play together? Will Scottie Barnes take a leap to stardom? How will Darko Rajakovic’s new coaching tactics fair for the team? Can the Raptors contend this season? All the answers will come as the Raptors kick off their season at home on Wednesday, October 25, against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Puzzle Corner

Editor | Laura Tovar design@themedium.ca

Sudoku! Instructions: Fill in the spaces with numbers 1–9. No numbers can be repeated in the same row, column or box.

Medium

8 5

1 4

1 9 2 5 9 6 4 2

7 3

1 5

9 5 3 4

Medium solution- Don’t peek until you’re finished your puzzle! This Solution will be shown upside-down.

7 3

Puzzle by websudoku.com

5 8

6 3 9 7 1 5 8 4 2 1 4 5 3 2 8 7 9 6 8 7 2 6 4 9 3 5 1 5 8 1 9 7 6 2 3 4 7 6 4 5 3 2 1 8 9 9 2 3 1 8 4 5 6 7 4 5 7 8 9 1 6 2 3 3 9 8 2 6 7 4 1 5 2 1 6 4 5 3 9 7 8

7 3

Puzzle by websudoku.com

Evil

9 5 Evil solution- Don’t peek until you’re finished your puzzle! This Solution will be shown upside-down.

1 5 3 2 8 6 1 7 3 6

2 6 3 9

9 6

Puzzle by websudoku.com

6 9 5 7 4 2 8 3 1

1 7 3 9 5 8 6 4 2

2 8 4 1 3 6 5 7 9

7 2 8 4 6 9 1 5 3

Puzzle by websudoku.com

3 5 9 2 1 7 4 8 6

4 6 1 5 8 3 2 9 7

9 1 6 8 7 4 3 2 5

8 3 2 6 9 5 7 1 4

5 4 7 3 2 1 9 6 8

Fruit Themed Word Search! Instructions: See if you can find the words in our Fruit words list in the puzzle below! 10/23/23, 7:10 AM

fruit - Word Search Labs

fruit H J X D U K W I S D J Y V N Q Z J M S U M E W B L U E B E R R Y R A K T F C U J G C W B A J E K N V D G O V G W X Y D S F R O W A G N T W T E E G S D O X Q P J X W E V S I B L A C K B E R R Y I K U N H Z D L K Q Q Y R R E B W A R T S P K O X M C J P K E S G V E A S A Q V I F T L S O M U V P D M U H D H T A O N K Z E E H P U D Z G A B G E L B K H E Z H Z Q M Y P Y N J M M F M O S P W A G J J W N R Q O P A R P Y Y R R E B P S A R P S L E F H C A E P R V W X O P M Z Z W E L F T M Z Y S V V R B B D L A F X T P E B V A P Y N P P F E U F E L T E W A R G Z O W H T P E O F H Y G X X X Y R I W N Q K Q E E A B N Q C T N F Y J G Q R C A U T W T R S Q Q S W D T X D S S P A X R B U O A W J Q C T M H O S Q Q P L X W O U X O G G X B A N A N A G Y L U U H I W I K J X Y V S U A N O I X U K M M B Q M K A X 1. banana 8. grapes

2. strawberry 9. raspberry

3. apple

4. blueberry

10. blackberry 14. orange

https://wordsearchlabs.com/view/437048

5. pear

11. pineapple

6. plum

12. cherry

7. peach

13. watermelon

15. kiwi

1/1