Volume 44 issue 15

New Portal on the way

It’s okay to face struggles

The Crucible returns

Homelessness in Toronto

UTM reaches to the finals

News, page 2

Opinion, page 4

Arts, page 5

Features, page 8

Sports, page 11

Residence and parking rates increase Campus Affairs approved the motion to raise residence, food and parking rates effective fall of 2018 FATIMA WASIF ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR The Campus Affairs Committee approved an increase in residence and food rates on campus for the 20182019 ancillary budget as well as reviewed plans for an online tool for the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre.

Susan Senese, UTM’s interim chief administrative officer, stated that the residence rates are expected to change because of general feedback from students. In place of an increase across all residences, newer rates have been designed to reflect the value of offered accommodations. This proposal has resulted in overall residence rates increasing 3.5-to-4 per cent, but Oscar Peterson Hall increasing by 9 per cent, while McGrath Valley decreases by 1.7 per cent.

According to the assessor’s report the new values were determined by, “a market and demand analysis was completed during the during Student Housing Master Plan consultations which evaluated the value of residence style. In 2018-19, the residence rate structure will change to reflect

YASMEEN ALKOKA/THE MEDIUM

The residence rate for Oscar Peterson Hall will increase by 9 per cent. this value.”

According to Senese, the new budgeting plans were proposed based on consultations with multiple advisory groups. The groups are formed by students, staff, and faculty members,

some of which include the residence housing and dining committee, as well as the transportation and parking committee.

According to the meeting’s agenda, “Residence is entering a period of ma-

jor maintenance and capital renewal of its residence. Hospitality struggles to maintain conference groups due to the changing availability of meeting room and accommodation space; and continues to plan for large in-

vestments in food outlets to service the UTM population, including the renovation of the Davis Food Court.

Parking continues to make payments toward the loan received from UTM for the parking deck.”

Approximately 100 beds were taken out of service to accommodate displaced office space for faculty during the construction of the North Building Phase 2. With the completion of the building projected to be completed by August 2018, the 100 beds in Erindale Hall will be placed back in use, whereas Putnam Place will become unavailable due to phased renovations.

Senese also stated that food prices will go up by about three per cent, which would be reflected with increases across Canada. This increase is also a reflection of the increase in minimum wage across Ontario. Hospitality will also fund around two million dollars for planned food court renovations. Other increases include a three per cent hike in parking permit prices, with the pay and display maximum increasing to $15.

Fees continued on page 2

Academic Affairs approves curriculum changes The humanities, social sciences, and the sciences will see new courses and internship opportunities SHARMEEN ABEDI STAFF WRITER WITH NOTES FROM ALICIA BOATTO NEWS EDITOR Curriculum changes for the humanities, social science, and science departments were approved during the Academic Affairs Committee meeting last Monday. The committee also discussed future plans for increasing experiential learning opportunities for UTM students.

A total of 76 new half-courses and two new full-courses were added. Some minor changes passed at the meeting involve prerequisite changes in philosophy, as the new requirements will now include PHL101H5 and PHL102H5 as options. Other changes involve course name and course description changes. The humanities department will also continue hiring new faculty to lower the student to faculty ratio.

According to the item’s proposal, “The new courses being proposed reflect two aspects of UTM teach-

DELANEY ROMBOUGH/THE MEDIUM

The curriculum changes come as part of UTM’s plan to revitalize. ing: first, the generally heightened level of attention to course offerings as a result of curriculum mapping initiatives being undertaken in all UTM units; and second, the contin-

ued hiring of new faculty members to improve student-faculty ratios and fill current gaps in teaching expertise.”

Changes to the sciences depart-

ment consisted of 46 minor program changes, 23 new half-courses, and one full-year course. There were changes in course descriptions and prerequisites, and in admission

requirement changes. Additionally, new internship opportunities have been added, including the introduction of seven new courses , which will be offered on a rotating basis.

“Among the notable changes are new program admission requirements to streamline admissions across all departmental programs, the introduction of experiential learning opportunities (new internship course), and an early computational training course (Introduction to Scientific Computing),” the curriculum report reads.

Proposals for curriculum changes also included calls a potential inter-disciplinary program from the Health Science field from Biology in addition to a new stream in the Medicinal Chemistry program from CPS. Changes to the social science curriculum affected 21 programs.

Changes were made in economics in order to simplify the requirements.

Changes continued on page 2

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THE MEDIUM 01.15.2018

Portal to be retired by fall term The “old system” to be replaced by user friendly “Quercus”

January 4th, 2018 Mischief Campus Police investigated inappropriate remarks on the all-gendered bathrooms in CCT.

January 4th, 2018 Suspicious Vehicle Campus Police were notified of a cat locked in a car in P8. Campus Police cautioned the owner.

January 4th, 2018 Property Damage Campus Police were advised of a broken glass panel.

January 4th, 2018 Drug Offence Campus Police responded to a group of people smoking marijuana in the CCT garage. The group was gone on arrival.

January 5th, 2018 Police Assistance Campus Police attended the RAWC for a male not feeling well. The male was transported to hospital.

January 10th Break and Enter.

A group of people gained access to Coleman Commons and caused damage to property. Campus Police identified the individuals and investigation is ongoing.

January 9th, 2018 Suspicious Person A non-community member was being belligerent in CCT building. Officers spoke with him and he left without incident.

January 10th Suspicious Person A male approached students in the CCT building and was belligerent.

Campus Police attended and Peel Police were also called to attend. The male left campus.

These reports are those that have been released to The Medium from Campus Police and do not necessarily constitute an exhaustive list.

Students can contact the UTM Campus Police at 905 828 5200, Peel Regional Police at 905 453 3311, or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 8477.

TOOLBOXRENEWAL.UTORONTO.CA/PHOTO

The new system will allow administration to add and remove new features and tools in the future.

ALICIA BOATTO NEWS EDITOR The University of Toronto’s Learning Portal is expected to be replaced next academic year for all three campuses with new Canvas software called Quercus. The new system will show a new updated interface and become more user friendly.

“This system is a lot more open and flexible than what we had, and that allows us to build on what we call the academic toolbox which is the sort of notion that this product called Canvas is really our engine now for learning management,” stated Bo Wandschneider, U of T’s chief information officer Quercus will also feature an updated notifications system. Users will be able to link notifications, such as announcements from professors to different outlets like Gmail accounts

or text messages.

Wandshcneider explained that the concept of the academic toolbox would permit the university to add and remove tools and features according to their relevance.

“When faculty and students go out and discover new tools that they think will be really applicable to teaching and learning, we’ll be able to bring those into the system and be able to make them available more broadly,” he explained. “So it gives us a lot more flexibility and it’s a lot more current and I think that the interface is going to be better and it’s just going to create a better allaround experience for faculty and students.”

The name for the new interface was chosen after a naming contest

by U of T students and is Latin for “oak tree.”

“The name was really interesting

because it aligns with the oak that is in our crest and aligns with our motto “As a tree through the ages,” Wandschneider explained.

“The old system that we’re on is over a decade old and is near the end of its useful life, so we need to update the system,” stated Wandschneider.

“A lot has happened in the sector, and it’s really time for us to out again and redefine what our requirements were and see what’s available out in the market. We had a whole bunch of different people on campus, through meetings and consultations, define those requirements.”

Currently only 40 classes are using the Quercus system with the university planning to fully transition

by Fall 2018. According to Wandschneider, once the main functions of Quercus have been fully integrated, then the university will begin to add in additional features.

Assault on the UTM campus Modules to help consent culture

MAHMOUD SAROUJI/THE MEDIUM

This marks the second assault to take place in two months.

ALICIA BOATTO NEWS EDITOR The University of Toronto Mississauga’s Campus Police released an alert on Friday, January 13th detailing the suspect of an alleged assault on campus that took place on Thursday afternoon.

According to the community alert, “The suspect is described as a South Asian male, approximately 30 years of age, 5’ 10”, heavy build, long untrimmed beard, wearing an olive-green jacket, black toque, black jogging pants and carrying a black duffel bag.”

The initial alert does not specify where the alleged assault took place, the nature of the attack, or whether

the alleged assailant is a member of the UTM community.

Campus Police is urging anyone with additional information to contact Peel Regional police.

This marks the second assault to take place on the UTM campus within the past several months. Previously in December, a female student had been sexually assaulted in a Davis stairwell with the suspect apprehended and facing charges.

The Medium reached out to Campus Police on January 13th after a community alert was released.

A representative was unable to respond as of press time. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

KASSANDRA HANGDAAN/THE MEDIUM

The modules comes as part of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Initiative.

Fees continued from cover The committee also reviewed information pertaining to advances in regards to the Tri-Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Initiative.

Under the education and prevention initiative taken by the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre, U of T’s executive director, personal safety, Terry McQuaid outlined draft plans for a Foundational Online Education module. The on-

line tool intends to give participants an understanding of the policy itself, as well as to provide information on consent culture, respectful interactions, responding to trauma disclosure, and ways to intervene in in situations as a bystander.

The website is expected to be available online by the week of the 15th of January for use by all staff, students, and faculty. The module itself is voluntary and will take around 40 minutes to complete.

It is expected that additional ad-

vanced modules will be made available for a more in-depth consideration of the same topics of consent and intervention. This online module represents one way in which educational policy is being executed in practical ways by the centre.

Feedback from users who use the module will be used to generate a larger rollout of the online tool in September 2018.

The next Campus Affairs meeting will be held on February 13th.

01.15.2018 THE MEDIUM NEWS

Changes include deletion of courses

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»THOUGHTS ON PORTAL

REPLACEMENT, QUERCUS?

DELANEY ROMBOUGH/THE MEDIUM

Some courses have been removed from the academic calendar due to being out of relevance.

Changes continued from cover “The deleted courses serve to streamline our course offerings as most of these courses have either not been offered in many years, have seen similar course content covered in other existing courses, are no longer required for programs, or do not have faculty teaching support. The suite of proposed courses, on the other hand, will significantly increase course options for our students. The new courses reflect the expertise and interests of new faculty hires as well as new areas proposed by existing faculty.”

Another new course will also be introduced to a new field of study called social coding, which is hoped to be become a program of study in the future.

UTM Abroad has brought forward new opportunities for all three departments in order to increase

the number of international opportunities for students.

“To help students identify courses with international components and further develop their global perspective, new course designators have been introduced in the Academic Calendar. Courses with required and optional international components will now feature the INTLR and INTLO designation, respectively. An additional, standard statement will be included in the course description of these courses to further signal the international component,” the report reads.

Professor Michael Lettieri, UTM’s vice dean of academic experience also presented developments regarding UTM’s opportunities for experiential learning. UTM is planning to increase opportunities in experiential learning in order to give students more hands-on experience.

Amrita Daniere, the vice-principal, academic and dean also remarked on the progress of UTM’s academic plan. The academic plan outlines the focus on literacy, writing, and numeracy skills, as well as sustainability pathways for students.

The plan was meant to give UTM a guide for future development in education and research.

UTM has also started working on an electronic tool called Dashboard, which will allow users to remain updated in real time with different committee meetings and their outcomes. The tools is designed to notify students of any changes that committees make. Daniere stated that this is expected to be up and running by the end of the Winter 2018 term.

The next Academic Affairs committee meeting will take place on February 12, 2018.

U of T faculty given Order of Canada Recipients included current faculty members, as well as alumni

Paulo Gomez 5th year, Psychology

Andrew Wegierak 4th year, Math and Bio

“I don’t like it.”

“If they introduce it gradually it should wok.”

Shanza Ayub 3rd year, Math and Bio

Parnika Celly 4th year, Psychology

“We’re on the other side of the portal now.”

“It might take a while to catch on.”

QSS talks Student Services Fee The fees consist of a dozen categories

SEAN KILPATRICK/THE CANADIAN PRESS

In total, 125 recipients were announced by the Governor General.

SHVETA BHASKER

Numerous notable University of Toronto professors and alumni received the Order of Canada award at the end of December. A total of 125 recipients were announced by Julie Payette, a former astronaut and current Governor General of Canada.

The Order was created in 1967 and is the highest civilian honour in Canada. It was designed to reflect the recipient’s outstanding achievement and dedication to the community and nation.

Several of the recipients are current members of the U of T faculty.

Among the individuals awarded was professor Molly Shoichet. Named an Officer of the Order, she was recognized for her research in biomedical engineering, and her work to promote women in the science field as

well as to advance scientific literacy.

Professor Sajeev John from the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Arts and Science was also named an Officer due to his research in optical sciences. According to U of T News on January 5th, “He is known for his groundbreaking research on the localization of light and the invention and development of what are known as new photonic band gap materials.”

From the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, professor Michael Sefton was named officer for his achievement of launching the field of tissue engineering thanks to his work in biomedical engineering.

From the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, professor Geoffrey Fernie was named a Member of the Order for his work in improving the lives of people with disabilities and older generations.

Fernie is also the senior scientist and

research director at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.

Poet and author, professor Lee Maracle, an Indigenous Elder and instructor at U of T’s Centre for Indigenous Studies was named an Officer for her influential relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Dr. Kathleen Pritchard from the Faculty of Medicine was recognized as a Member for advancing the treatment of breast cancer in women and has lead important clinical trials. According to the article by U of T News, “She was the first to show that tamoxifen, a hormonal drug used to treat breast cancer, is effective in premenopausal women who have cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.”

The rest of the names of U of T alumni and other recipients is available on the U of T news page.

HALAH BUTT/THE MEDIUM

The Student Services Fee includes shuttle bus services.

ALICIA BOATTO NEWS EDITOR The Quality Student Services (QSS) approved recommended fee increases to the Student Services Fee last Wednesday. The recommendation will now be reviewed by Campus Affairs in order to be reviewed.

The Student Services Fee includes sub components such as the shuttle bus services, the career centre, child care support, and the International Education Centre.

The committee discussed that fees will be higher for the shuttle bus services as additional buses will be added to the current routes. The committee also revealed that a mobile tracking app that will show users the

estimated arrival and departure times of the shuttle buses.

All recomendations approved by QSS then go through Campus Affairs for final discussion and approval.

Proposals to increase the subcomponents of the Health and Services fee as the Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Fee were also approved for recommendation.

The Student Services Fee and all of its subcomponents are automatically included in students’ tuitions and can be viewed through their invoices.

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01.15.2018

MASTHEAD EDITORS Editor-in-Chief Mahmoud Sarouji editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Menna Elnaka managing@themedium.ca News Alicia Boatto news@themedium.ca A&E Kassandra Hangdaan arts@themedium.ca Features Mahnoor Ayub features@themedium.ca Sports Vanessa Cesario sports@themedium.ca — Photo Olivia Adamczyk photos@themedium.ca Design Mirabelle Eze design@themedium.ca Copy Ayesha Tak copy@themedium.ca Online Meg Sharpley online@themedium.ca ASSOCIATES News Fatima Wasif A&E Keena Al-Wahaidi Features Jessica Cabral Marium Faisal Sports Amrish Wagle Photo Chen Gong Yasmeen Alkoka Copy TBA

Post-undergrad disappointments You’ll always face struggles and challenges, but you’ll eventually reach your dream I’ve been a UTM alumna for six months now. And I still can’t land a job in my field.

After getting the bachelor’s degree from Canada’s top university, along with work experience, you’d think that landing a job would be easy. I remember writing an op-ed during the last week of classes in the previous academic year that was full of positivity, passion, excitement, and hope, none of which helped in the post-undergrad life.

Let me clarify this first: I’m a journalist, currently working a part-time job as the managing editor here at The Medium. Thus, my end goal is journalism. It’s what I dream of doing and where I see myself in the future. But to get a job in this field at a top news organization—it’s almost impossible, particularly as a recent graduate. I was full of hope and thought I had some experience and internships that would make me stand out as a fresh graduate. But I wasn’t exactly right.

It stressed me and upset me and took me almost the whole first semester to

accept the fact that it takes time.

Many people told me to switch my field, to get a job in a bank or something in public relations, since my specialist was political science, but I’m refusing to let go. I simply don’t believe that taking the easy way out is the solution. I believe if I work for the sake of just having something to do every morning, I’ll eventually hate myself and my life. I always see people who decide to do something else right after their first attempt at following their passion fails. And while that may be okay with them, and while they may become successful in their new jobs, I just can’t seem to understand why someone would let go of their passion. If it’s because of income, I understand. However, how can you push aside your passion to the point where you eventually forget about it?

I may have faced a big disappointment in the beginning of this academic year when I didn’t get my dream job. But I used that to challenge myself more. I’m writing on

my own, talking to editors at different places, and am currently trying to build a portfolio that would make me reach my goal.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Because whether you’re in your first year or last semester, you can still make the best of your university experience. You can join a student club or volunteer for an association. It’s what you’ll remember university with and what will help prepare you for what’s awaiting you outside in the real world. The GPA is important, that’s for sure, but it’s your extra-curricular involvement that will build your resume and highlight your university experience.

Personally, when I look back at my years at UTM, the memory that makes me smile is my time as the news editor here at The Medium, and my involvement with several other social and academic clubs. Though this may have not gotten me where I want to be exactly, I know I learned so much from it.

Before I wrap this up, let me ad-

dress those expecting to graduate in June—don’t expect it to be easy when you graduate. You might face some struggles. You will face struggles, challenges, and disappointments too.

But if you’re set on a certain goal, then never give up on it. Because that’s how it simply works: If you believe in something, you don’t give up on it. And if you do let go, then you’ve taken an easier way out. Don’t be a quitter. If you decide to work in a field other than your goal, then make sure you’re still working on what you want on your own. Follow your passion, dream big, and visualize how you want yourself to be in the future.

Then, start working on it. Just take a long breath and have some patience.

It will take a lot of time and energy.

You’ll get there eventually.

MENNA ENAKA MANAGING EDITOR

CORRECTION NOTICE The Jan. 8 article “A photographic resume” has been corrected.

Webmaster Florence Cao web@themedium.ca

The many faces of Christianity

Distribution Manager Alison Ross distribution@themedium.ca

Is Christianity a Western religion? A holistic and cultural perspective on the topic

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Nowadays, it seems that pop cultural references to Christianity depict the religion through a Western paradigm. In what follows, I argue that it is misleading to call Christianity a “Western” religion, and this can be seen through (1) who practices Christianity and (2) how it is practiced. Of the first point, historically, Christianity originated in the Jerusalem, and demographically, the practice of Christianity is ubiquitous; that is, Christianity has had practitioners in non-Western parts of the world such as Asia and Africa.

Of the second point, Christianity is molded by socio-cultural circumstances of its practitioners. I cite the cases of missionary works and christians in Kerala to illustrate this.

Here, I discuss who practices Christianity. Historically, Christianity’s conception took place in the Arab world; more specifically, in Jerusalem, which is also known as the Holy Land. As Palestinian Lutheran Minister Mitri Raheb puts it, due to its origins in Jerusalem, Christianity can be said to have a stamp claiming that it was “made in Palestine.”

Further, though modern-day Palestinian christians are becoming an “invisible people”—comprising 11,000 people out of a population of 800,000.It should be noted that

for centuries, this group of people was once a powerful minority shaping the development of the religion.

Thus, one sees that Christianity was initially conceived by, and was influenced by, the Palestinian christians.

Despite the diminishing of Palestinian christians, christians from the West flock Jerusalem and Bethlehem as tourists. Consequently, to call Christianity a Western religion ignores its non-Western origins and influence which suggests otherwise.

Demographics indicate that Christianity has not been solely practiced in the West, and even suggest a growing shift to the predomination of non-Western Christians.

In 1900, the Global Christian population was noticeably European (68 per cent) and North American (14 per cent), with smattering figures of Christians from other parts. However, by 2010, this shifted to a sizeable South American (24 per cent), African (19 per cent), and Asian (17 per cent) group of practitioners.

Particularly in Asia, the practice of Christianity can be roughly dated back to the 1500s. In Japan, this was known as the “Christian century” and ended only by the Tokugawa Shogunate. As one can see, Christianity’s prevalence is growing in nonWestern parts of the world, and as

such, its identification with the West is diminishing as different groups adopt its practice.

Christianity may be dubbed a “missionary religion,” given that its tenets place an emphasis on evangelization. The specific evangelization tenet is Matthew 28:16-20, known as “The Great Commission,” encouraging christians to “make disciples of all nations.” This is exemplified through the works of biblical figures such as Paul and his missionary journeys. In Paul’s case, he traveled to Jewish communities to spread the faith. Additionally, apostle Mark helped the development of Coptic Christianity and many cathedrals bear his name as homage. Feldmeier notes that the apostles spread the faith “to whomever would listen,” and this means that they did not cater to a Western audience. Because of these evangelization missions, christian converts appeared in the Middle East and northern countries such as Russia. Thus, Christianity’s central evangelization mission emphasizes the conversion of a nondescript group of people, and makes no specification that these people must be Western.

The practice of Christianity cannot be divested of its cultural influences, or, as Smith says, “Christian-

ity is never separate from the people who practice it.” For example, St. Thomas christians found in Kerala, India, have developed a unique conception of Christianity. An Indian minister describes St. Thomas christians as “christians in faith,” and “hindus in culture.” Indeed, St. Thomas Christians blend Christian practices with hindu elements: Liturgies are sung in Syriac, the Aramaic language of Christ; manuscripts are written in Syriac and Latin; churches are built deriving inspiration from hindu architecture; and incense, candles, and fires are employed during their ceremonies, akin to those in hindu ceremonies.

It is also important to mention that Christianity arrived in India not via the West, but rather, through the Middle East. Christianity in places like Kerala was not introduced by Westerners; Christianity’s presence in Kerala was established long before Western christians arrived.

Hence, Christianity is heavily influenced by the differing interpretations of cultures that practice it, and for some places, the West did not play an instrumental role in introducing Christianity.

KASSANDRA HANGDAAN A&E EDITOR

01.15.2018

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The secrecy of the Salem witch trials Courtney Lamanna and Melissa Taylor discuss the deception and sorcery saturating The Crucible KASSANDRA HANGDAAN A&E EDITOR

Lies, accusations, and secrecy are themes that shroud Hart House’s upcoming production in an ominous cloak. Kicking off the new year with The Crucible, written by playwright Arthur Miller, and directed by Michael Rubinstein, this timeless classic is set to premiere on January 19.

Broadly speaking, The Crucible is situated in Massachusetts at the time of the Salem witch trials. Miller’s dramatization of the trials directly intends to parallel the McCarthyism of the period—however, this parallel has no expiry date, and extends into the contemporary world.

Courtney Lamanna, who plays seventeen-year-old Abigail Williams, and Melissa Taylor, who plays Elizabeth Proctor, sat down with The Medium and explained the inner workings of the Hart House Theatre’s production of the play. Auditions for the cast took place this past October.

Coming back to Hart House for the second time, after playing Sally Bowles in Caberet, Lamanna empha-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HART HOUSE THEATRE

Lammana and Taylor argue that the play has feminist undercurrent themes. sized her personal maturation in regards to her return.

Since her role as Sally, and in regards to her current undertaking of Abigail, Lamanna said, “I suppose I have six years of life experience. I now have ten years of acting experience, rather three or four. Now that I have more life experience, [I can understand Abigail’s] predicament

from a more mature standpoint— this allows me to portray the role with more grace and empathy.”

For Taylor, The Crucible marks her debut at Hart House Theatre as well as her first production in Toronto.

Taylor expressed excitement for the project.

“It’s has been very professional.

The production quality is incred-

ibly high—which is phenomenal.

I’ve met a lot of great actors and people.” Taylor continued, concerning her interaction with the cast members, “Everyone is well suited to their part. The training programs that people have gone through are impressive. I also enjoyed being part of a show with [cast members] of a diverse age range.”

Roughly, the cast members age bracket ranges from twelve to sixtyyears-old.

The production of the play itself is unique in Rubinstein’s directorial approach. According to Taylor, Rubinstein takes a contemporary approach to the play by interpreting the text in a manner relevant to the audience.

Taylor said, “It’s a very dense script, and a lot of the ways that the text has been laid out is somewhat old-fashioned. There’s been a lot of work to mind that and to figure out what the intent behind the text is, instead of just letting the words come to the surface.”

“The important message is that history repeats itself. The Crucible acts as a warning regarding whatever era we’re talking about. It speaks of the dangerous imbalances of power, a patriarchal system, and pitting women against each other. [Rubinstein] has set it out of a puritan setting to fairy style setting to apply across cultures and background, and this makes it more active and present,” Lamanna added.

Crucible continued on page 6

Apologizing to the land through song Indigenous artists, from the Mississaugas First Nation, draw attention to colonial land settlement PAULA CHO STAFF WRITER

The fourth circuit of the Blackwood Gallery’s Take Care exhibition series focuses on ideas and practices of care in relation to land, territory, and water. The circuit aims to undo hierarchies between human and nonhuman structures in society, and calls attention to how anthropogenic impact has degraded our environment and displaced the voices of many Indigenous peoples.

As part of the exhibit, the Blackwood Gallery hosted an “audio-based endurance performance” by three Indigenous artists: Ursula Johnson, Cherish Violet Blood, and Rosary Spence. Surrounded by a circle of woven tapestries, Johnson explained that it is difficult to bring her project across provinces and “to sing for a land with so much trauma.” Johnson is referring to the numerous Aboriginal land claims in the area, most notably from members of the Mississaugas of the New Credit over 200 years ago.

Recent negotiations with the Federal Government have come to the con-

NESALIN SAMUEL/THE MEDIUM

The Blackwood Gallery artists held a song performance as part of the gallery’s fourth circuit. clusion of a $145 million settlement, with each of the New Credit First Nation members receiving $20,000 in cash as compensation.

Johnson continued to describe the artistic process behind her project, in which she asks her collaborators to

choose a piece of land that holds significant personal value to them. She would then create a line illustration of that land which they would interpret together as a sound wave in the form of their pitch, tempo, or recurrent melody. She hopes to posit her

music as a “force that brings people together.” Nodding in agreement, Spence adds her belief that “song is a universal language and very much alive.” Her main message and purpose for performing is to offer an apology to this land and to heal it through her

song.

The performers began the acapella routine by creating a beat with their handheld instruments. Johnson and Blood played small drums while Spence shook a wooden rattle. What followed was a procession of soothing but powerful, and almost cathartic sound.

Spence started a melodic cry and as if it were a call and response. Johnson and Blood joined in by repeating her melody. At times, they would rest their voices but always kept the strong beat going. Halfway through, Johnson began to sing a lyrical refrain. The song consisted only of the repeated phrase: “When you hide away, I know.” Soon, the trio reverted to their original melody, even prompting audience members to join in.

The performance cumulated on a note that I felt was more joyous in tone and celebratory of the land.

Johnson encouraged viewing the current exhibit, #CallResponse, to absorb the Indigenous artwork on display and begin the notion of reconciliation with the natural world. #CallResponse runs at The Blackwood Gallery until January 27.

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THE MEDIUM 01.15.2018

REWIND KEENA AL-WAHAIDI ASSOCIATE A&E EDITOR A holiday isn’t complete without watching a classic holiday film. In this case, a good Charlie Brown special always seems to suffice when I need one more pick-me-up before the holidays are over.

In Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (1986), the film is reliant on the same themes as any other Peanuts special.

We see Charlie Brown struggle with some serious time management issues, and the typical antics of his friends getting in the way of his plans.

Charlie Brown lives in a world that seems to work against him. In reality, it doesn’t always look like the favours are turned against him.

Peppermint Patty invites Charlie Brown to her New Year’s Eve party because, well, she’s Peppermint Patty.

We’re not sure what she may be infatuated with: Charlie Brown’s spineless dispositions or with his lack of attention to social manners. As an audience though, we’ll take it.

There’s only room for lots of oneway love. Charlie Brown’s little sister, who is in love with Linus, will stop at nothing to get a dance from Linus at the party. Between little jumps in the air, she proclaims, “I just know my sweet babboo will ask me.”

“I am not your sweet babboo!”

Linus retorts, “And I wouldn’t invite

you to a chicken race!” Comedy gold, if you ask me.

On top of all this, Charlie Brown is assigned a book reading during the winter break. He has to finish the entirety of War and Peace, a book that seems too vast in vocabulary for a kid of his maturity. You can’t blame him for sulking—and at least procrastination isn’t on his list of things to do this winter break. Charlie Brown, who usually lives up to the name “blockhead”—seems decently prepared this time.

Charlie Brown even makes it so that he arrives at Peppermint Patty’s party with the book in hand. Peppermint Patty, the face of candidness, hits him on the arm and insists that homework doesn’t seem to get in the way of his feelings for her.

Since his intimate emotions for her are non-existent, he has to let her down easy, for which she replies: “Chuck! You drive me crazy!” The ultimate backlash from a woman scorned.

Although it’s Christmas time for the majority of the film’s timeframe, we skip right over it and land on New Year’s at the end. Maybe because what this film is really about is the theme of starting a new year. A new year means new parties, new books, and new ways to solve our problems.

Charlie Brown lives in a world that seems to work against him. In reality though, from the outside, it doesn’t always look like the favours are turned against him. Maybe he’s the symbol of the everyman—a kid who’s aware of his misfortunes. If you can identify your weaknesses, then you’re halfway to solving them.

Abigail is far from evil

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Hart House actresses offer a different interpretation of The Crucible.

Crucible continued from page 5 Previous interpretations of The Crucible have focused on highlighting the callous personalities of the female characters. However, Rubinstein diverges from this norm by working to bring out the humanity in the characters. For example, Abigail is typically portrayed as villainous, vindictive, and manipulative.

Lamanna expressed a kind of distaste for these darker portrayals of the play’s female characters. “[Abigail] is not a monster. I don’t believe she was trying to murder Elizabeth Proctor, she was a teenager in love and jealous. Portraying her as a heartless villain is dangerous because then [the play] becomes a trope of a bunch of women trying to destroy a man’s life,” Lamanna continued, “but John Proctor and Abigail are on the same side. They’re not on the bad side. They are fighting a system that informs every choice they make. Abigail is working a man’s system and does it callously to her own benefit—she works against

the patriarchy. It’s easy to forget this when the conflict develops.”

Ultimately, for Lamanna, the blame lies not on the characters, but in the patriarchal system in which they function. In order to go beyond a one-dimensional understanding of the characters in The Crucible, then, means to that we must understand the circumstances enforced upon them.

“Besides, how much blame can you put on a 17-year-old [Abigail Williams]?” Taylor added as an afterthought.

On her own character, Taylor described Elizabeth as a “bona fide feminist.” She explained that though Elizabeth’s husband John has a temper, and the couple often come into disputes, Elizabeth stands up to her husband by going further than a man would at her time. Taylor herself is a feminist.

Taylor likens Elizabeth to modern-day women such as Hilary Clinton. Taylor said that like Clinton, Elizabeth attempts to prove—rather than show—to her husband, and

men in general, of her capabilities.

As a result of this stereotypically masculine attempt, Elizabeth is often branded as cold. But, as I think Taylor incisively explained, this is not necessarily the case. This attempt, rather, may be a socially keen strategy.

“In order to be a successful woman in this day and age, you must hold your tongue and just prove yourself,” Taylor said.

Despite these callous traits etched into the script, the humanity of Abigail, Elizabeth, and the rest of the women, according to Taylor, is emphasized in Hart House Theatre’s production. Lamanna notes other unique directorial approaches which include a complete underscoring of the show, and a proscenium set. The proscenium setting, specifically, brings a sense of Big Brother’s presence into the production.

“Everyone is watching, and there’s nowhere to run away from the eye of the community,” Lamanna said.

How to host a minimal clothing swap Fourth-year student Florence Cao talks about the benefits of clothing swaps and inspirational bloggers AYESHA TAK COPY EDITOR

During the winter break, many of us tried to use our time wisely by decluttering and organizing our closets.

Ending up with a pile of clothes on our bed, we wondered what we were going to do with all of it.

Some websites, such as Bunz, only allow trading of items instead of monetary exchange. However, it can get hectic meeting up different buyers and sellers. Instead, in the burgeoning Facebook economy, there’s so many Facebook groups for buying and selling nowadays. The last time I checked, UTM had at least four. When you do make a deal, there are many risks in the buyer or seller flaking last minute. Plus, it’s hard to keep up with all these deals from all these different groups. It’s easy to get buyer’s regret if someone bought an item and a person comes along offering a cheaper price for a similar item in another group.

So, what can we—UTM students

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A good way to dispose of unwanted clothing is through a clothing swap. who live and study in a relatively secluded campus—do?

Florence Cao, a fourth-year student studying computer science and professional writing, found a solution—clothing swaps. Cao has held clothing swaps on campus before,

and aims to do it again for a third time this year.

“A clothing swap is an opportunity for people to get rid of clothes that they no longer wear,” says Cao, “Sometimes it’s hard to get rid of clothes. But if you’re giving it to a

friend, you’re more likely to get rid of the items that you don’t want.”

Clothing swaps bring to life the adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” During clothing swaps and trades, you get to see the person who will be giving a new

home to the blouse that didn’t fit you.

It’s easier to part with that blouse knowing how happy you made another person.

When asked if clothing swaps can be expanded to more than just clothing, such as makeup or electronics, Cao mentions, “For my Zero Waste club, we’re thinking of doing an item swap.”

Cao’s main motivation to start the clothing swap was minimalism, a concept popularized by Mari Kondo and various bloggers across the internet, and even websites like Reddit. Another motivation for Cao was the environmental aspect, as trading clothes is a way of reusing instead of contributing to a landfill.

But what happens when more than one person wants a particular item?

“Usually there’s only one person who wants it,” says Cao. However, she mentions that if it does come down to it, they usually do a vote. “Or it’s like a fun ‘Where would you wear this?” thing. Almost like a fun game,” continues Cao, “It always works out.

I can’t explain why.”

01.15.2018 THE MEDIUM ARTS» 7

Seeing the future in a reblink of an eye ReBlink by Alex Mayhew brings paintings on the canvas to life through digitalization and technology DEEMA ABU NASER

Avant-garde exhibitions, like Alex Mayhew’s ReBlink at the Art Gallery of Ontario, aims to mix technology with traditional paintings. Renowned artworks such as the “Mona Lisa” have enraptured generations of art goers.

But what if antiquated works like the “Mona Lisa” came to life in a literal sense? In ReBlink, viewers will see art works move and change in real time.

Imagine this: You stand in front of a painting created in the 1600s, and you blink. Suddenly, you hear sounds emitting from the piece, and see objects flying around in the frame. The people in the painting have suddenly gained the power of movement, like in an animation, and start stretching and yawning.

In ReBlink, historical paintings are brought to life through the all too modern skills of digitization. These moving images remind me of a similar conception by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter world. Through Alex Mayhew’s wizardry in digital artistry, paintings that have been stuck in their time period now have the ability to move. The exhibition includes Cana-

SAHIBA SHAH

The Hate U Give (2017), Angie Thomas’ debut young adult novel, explores issues of police violence and racism in the United States. The novel amplifies the message of the Black Lives Matter movement that sheds light on a deep-rooted, systemic problem in American society.

The novel follows 16-year-old Starr Carter who witnesses the murder of her friend, Khalil, at the hands of a police officer. Amidst public outrage and a heavily publicized trial, Starr struggles to balance her life between the neighbourhood she grew up in and her predominantly white, suburban prep school several miles away.

With The Hate U Give, Thomas highlights the many instances of police brutality against unarmed black men and women in America, as well as the continued injustice that often results. The novel’s title comes from rapper Tupac Shakur’s concept of “THUG LIFE,” which stands for “The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody.” Thomas emphasizes how early on societal structures of oppression affect the lives of black children. Khalil’s death echoes the fatal police shootings of black children in recent years, including 12-year old

DEEMA ABU NASER/THE MEDIUM

ReBlink is an avant-garde exhibition blending traditional art with the digital world. dian and Dutch Classics, pieces from the Baroque Era and more.

When you enter the gallery, there is an open room painted in a rich, dark royal blue. Each painting is hung on its own wall, giving each piece the power to create its own atmosphere, and later, experience. Each piece has its own iPad attached to the wall below it. To digitize the paintings, you

Tamir Rice, and 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, the latter who died over his height, the colour of his skin, and a pack of Skittles.

The Hate U Give explores identity amongst other themes. The novel weaves in a coming-of-age narrative as it follows Starr in her journey to find her own voice and to accept all aspects of her personality regardless of other people’s expectations. We follow Starr as she undergoes tests of friendship with Hailey and Maya, her prep school friends, and navigates through a relationship with her white boyfriend, Chris.

Thomas incorporates a perfect blend of micro and macro-level themes in the novel. On a micro level, the novel also explores family dynamics and bonds within communities. It also explores socioeconomic disparity within a single family, such as with Starr and her Uncle Carlos, who lives in a house in the suburbs.

The Hate U Give also includes a multitude of pop culture references, emphasizes the ever-expanding power of social media, as well as the increasing involvement of youth in social activism. This is a novel not only for young adults, but also for anyone who holds justice and equality as the fundamental principles of a society.

can either download an application on your digital device or use the exhibition’s iPad. Once the app has downloaded, or if you use the iPad, all you have to do is point the device at the painting as if you were taking the picture. There are a total of six paintings in the gallery.

Each piece has a different target audience, such as “Drawing Lots,”

by George Agnew Reid, which is an oil on canvas painting made from the years 1888 to 1902. In the original piece, three boys dressed in dull farming clothing are huddled on a brick wall in the middle of a field. In the digitized version, they separate to their own little part of the painting, tapping on their phones, with the skyline of Toronto and trucks pass by in

the background. Here, I think some of the questions asked surround contemporary society’s fixation on the digital world.

What also makes the exhibition a unique one is the added meaning conveyed through the use of sound.

When we view a painting, we never attribute a particular sound to it, unless the painting has brought upon inspiration of some kind onto the individual. However, in this case, Mayhew has added distinct sounds, such as phones tapping, the sound of sipping coffee, the voices and music that abruptly change as you change a channel on TV. The original paintings often depict a sense of serenity and inflexibility, as if they are stuck in their own time.

Through the digitization process, the original meanings are converted to topics that are relevant today, such as environmentalism and pollution.

Each painting has the potential to open up a conversation that is completely new, and all together familiar to us today.

ReBlink by Alex Mayhew is on display at Art Gallery of Ontario until April 8.

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01.15.2018

The search for warmth and shelter UTM professor Alison Smith speaks to The Medium about Toronto’s fight against homelessness MARYAM FAISAL ASSOCIATE FEATURES EDITOR

Last October, a Toronto Star article

by City Hall bureau chief David Rider, reported at least 70 homeless people in Toronto had died in 2017, with numbers increasing in the city’s extreme cold December weather, where temperatures dropped to a low of -17 C, with a wind chill of -25. Last year was the first time Toronto tried to accurately record the number of homeless people who had died. The article states that although councilors were expecting a larger toll this year, due to statistics being reported by not only city shelter officials but also other social-service agencies and hospitals, they were not expecting the number to be as high as it was.

With homelessness being one of the issues increasingly at the forefront of policy discussion, The Medium sat down with Dr. Alison Smith, an assistant professor in political science at the University of Toronto Mississauga, to learn more about her current research on chronic homelessness in Canada’s major cities, and

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Toronto saw an unprecedented number of homeless deaths in 2017. to gain insight about policies surrounding homelessness and the current capacity of the welfare state.

Chronic homelessness, as Smith described, is a smaller part of the much larger issue of homelessness.

She explains that in some definitions, a person living in a shelter wouldn’t be considered homeless because technically, they have a roof over their head. The issue however, with operationalizing a label, is more

complicated than simply drawing a line of separation, because often, the manifestations overlap and intersect.

In Smith’s research, she focuses more on what having a home means. “A home is generally a legal space […]

you have rights to. It’s a private space you have some type of control over, […] a social space that you have access to.” In that sense, there are some people who may not necessarily be identified as homeless, but who don’t have one of those aspects of a home.

For example, Smith added, “They’re living in an overcrowded environment, couch surfing [or] they’re in a vulnerable and at-risk situation.”

However, she continues saying that, “There are also some people who do consider a shelter environment to be a home [because] they feel safe, they feel like they have a community.”

The political science professor specifies that, in Toronto, the chronically homeless are people the media focuses on, the “very visible” people we walk past on the streets, the people who are negatively perceived as “making people uncomfortable or viewed as using up a lot of resources.”

Five per cent of the homeless population who use a shelter at a given night have been homeless for a year or more, while the majority has been either in and out of homelessness, or are temporarily homeless.

Shelter continued on page 9

Time to speak up about mental health Expanding into UTM, a new Jack.org chapter hopes to encourage conversations about mental health SHARMEEN ABEDI STAFF WRITER

Whereas one in five young Canadians are affected by a mental health issue, only one in four will find help, according to the Jack.org organization’s website. Created with the goal of erasing the stigma around discussing mental health among young people, Jack.org aims to reach communities through student leaders and hopes to establish a UTM chapter this January.

The organization’s goal is to reduce the youth suicide rate in Canada and help initiate a healthy conversation about mental health. There are Jack.org chapters in every Canadian province, as well as trained Jack Talk Speakers who deliver talks in high schools. There are also national and regional Jack Summits held annually.

Speaking to The Medium, UTM alumnus Nolan Anderson who has been involved with Jack.org during his undergrad, shared how Jack. org opened up a conversation about mental health for young people.

Anderson, the valedictorian for the 2017 UTM graduating class, was

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One of Jack.org’s goals is to reduce the youth suicide rate in Canada. also a network representative and was one of the few chosen to meet with the British royal family while speaking about mental health. He got involved with Jack.org after attending the national summit called Reaching the Noise in Toronto. The summit involved splitting people into

groups and brainstorming answers.

Following the summit, Anderson became involved with the Jack Talks program and became a speaker. The Jack Talks program involved training student speakers about mental health education, allowing them to give talks at high schools. Anderson

thought it was a good learning experience which made him a better public speaker. Although the talks were personalized with the speaker’s own stories, Anderson said they have since then become more of an educational piece. “You have to learn to do it the right way,” he said.

He stated how having a Jack.org chapter at UTM would be a great idea. “I think it could have a really positive impact on UTM students because it is run by students themselves. It’s hard enough to talk about mental health but you can do it in fun ways.” He remarked how mental health education is not just for people diagnosed with an issue, it is for everybody. “We can all have mental health issues. Jack.org does not provide support or counselling but it can help students feel more comfortable in reaching out for help.”

Melanie Asselin, the president of Jack.org at UTM described the organization to The Medium, saying that, “Jack.org is a network of post-secondary students who are supporting mental health advocacy and breaking stigma around mental health.” Asselin stated that the goal of bringing Jack.org to UTM was to start a conversation about mental health by introducing different activities and opportunities for students. Most of the planning is still in the works as of now.

Support continued on page 10

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Entrepreneurialism at UTM with ICUBE After their launch in the February of 2015, ICUBE UTM discusses support available to startups SHAYNA JAN STAFF WRITER Are you sitting on a business idea you believe has serious potential?

Or are you perhaps tired of watching Dragons’ Den from your couch and are thirsting for some real-life entrepreneurial entertainment?

If you nodded yes to any of these questions, then you might consider jotting down your business proposal. Created with the motivation of providing startups at UTM the support they require, the ICUBE team speaks to The Medium about their plans for the year.

Described as “a great way to showcase teams to investors and organizations that can propel startups forward,” on Thursday, January 18th, ICUBE will be hosting their second annual pitch competition for start-up businesses. PITCH18 will feature five different groups competing for a total of $13,000 that will be divided among the top three contestants. These groups will have the opportunity to present their business ideas before a panel of four judges comprised of entrepreneurs, investors, and experts in the field of business. Each group will have four minutes to make their pitch in front of the judges and an open audience. The event will be hosted in the Blind Duck Pub from 5:30 to

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Dubbed an “acceleration incubator,” ICUBE provides mentorship and networking opportunities.

7:30 p.m. The event also hopes to be a networking opportunity for those interested in business and for those who are unfamiliar with the industry alike.

Since its launch in February of 2015, ICUBE UTM has offered mentorship programs, workshops, and financial opportunities for students and community members hoping to turn an idea into a business. As a

division of the Institute of Management and Innovation, ICUBE functions as an “acceleration incubator,” which, as described to The Medium by its operations coordinator, Taylor Walker, is “just a complicated way of saying we support startups.”

At the beginning of every school year, applications open, but as noted by program lead Sam Dumcum, only five of these teams are cho-

sen to compete in the competition.

This year 68 teams applied, which is significantly greater than previous years. Dumcum explained the process of support given to these applicants through a six-part program that includes determining a market for the potential product, as well as establishing a specific business plan. ICUBE offers these startups working space, expert speaker ses-

sions, and connections to external support and resources.

ICUBE has seen much progress over the years in supporting students and faculty at U of T, including teams like Just Vertical, whose founders have recently installed a wall-mounted hydroponic farm system in OPH, which grows vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Although these founders are U of T students, opportunities are open to all community members.

While sitting in with Dumcum and Walker, The Medium had the opportunity to speak with Dorian Wilson of Nise Tech. Nise Tech, a start-up that came in third place at last year’s pitch competition, focuses on smart cooking devices and since launching in July, their revenue has reached an astonishing $420,000, greatly surpassing their original goal of $35,000. Wilson insisted that “if we didn’t have Sam [Dumcum’s] help, it would’ve taken us much longer.”

ICUBE continues to expand and has recently launched research opportunity programs in connection with professors at UTM, as well as workshops associated with various CCIT, management, computer science, and chemistry classes. The ICUBE team looks forward to the PITCH18 competition.

Finding a way out of the shelter system Shelter continued from page 8 The chronically homeless are a small minority within that spectrum, as Smith highlighted.

While the city has been criticized continuously for not taking enough action, Smith said that the Holy Trinity in Toronto has been conducting a homeless memorial every month for years where they publicly announce and present the names of the homeless people who have died that month. A lot of the names are Jane or John Doe but it is a service conducted in their memory to highlight the people who are more than just a number or an abstract concept in the public’s mind.

When asked about the increase in homelessness, Smith commented that the increase was seen following federal and provincial level cutbacks of social program funding in the 1980s and 1990s. The housing policy was essentially eliminated by the federal government. While British Columbia and Quebec continued to build social housing, it was happening at a much slower rate due to the lack of federal involvement. “Ontario had a 20 per cent cut across the board [and so] there were people already living in situations of poverty and after that, the benefits they received further reduced,” she explained. This also meant there was less housing being brought into the market. The policy

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“You’d be surprised by how much it costs to run a shelter,” says UTM professor Alison Smith. researcher also commended David Hulchanski, a professor at U of T’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, for his “pioneering” research which has contributed towards a better shift towards social housing after the 90s.

The 1960s were considered the “boom” of housing production and while Smith acknowledges that in no way are we back to where it was then, “there is now a national housing strategy that’s been released that includes some prioritization of

homelessness” as local governments, the private sector and non-profit actors stitched together “funding, expertise and networks” to put together some programs. “I think we see some sort of corrections for the decisions that were taking in the 80s and 90s,” she added.

While discussing some of the challenges that accompany shelters in cities like Toronto, Smith describes how a part of the challenge is just making sure there’s even enough space, because homeless people get

turned away all the time due to shelters being full. Toronto has also taken initiative to open shelters specifically for the LGBTQ+ community as well, along with women-only and safe places for Indigenous people.

Frequently, when people hear of shelters, they assume it’s always a warm and comforting place but, as Smith explained, “A reality of [these places] is that shelters can be really barebone and regimented but the people who run these places know this and are working very hard,” said

Smith. “You’d be surprised by how much it costs to run a shelter. [These are] the realities of that space.”

Another crucial dilemma, Smith explained, is ensuring that people who are in the shelter system have a way out because for the shelter system to work and play its part, people need to have housing that people can move into so they can get out of the system. The shelter system is an emergency service. If there isn’t housing available for people to aspire to move into, the shelter system becomes a place that is relied on far heavily than it is equipped to be.

Upon asking her about laws and policies that are in place specifically to help the homeless during extreme weather conditions, she mentioned that in Montreal, the largest shelter runs a bus around the city to go and pick up people on the streets to make sure they can safely get to the shelter. The protocols, often, are in place by service providers themselves. Sometimes, emergency services are involved and they will go out and find people to take into shelters. “Often, cities will try to open extra spaces during extreme heat or cold and by definition, they’re more short-term solutions,” she added.

“But I think what we saw in Toronto was that there’s limits to what can be done whether those [limits] are political, imagined or real.”

Shelter continued on page 10

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THE MEDIUM 01.15.2018

Learning by listening New traditions Exploring Queer and Victorian literature AMBER MITCHELL

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While progress is being made, lack of resources remains the largest barrier to providing shelter.

Shelter continued from page 9 When asked why there aren’t enough resources to end the problem of chronic homelessness, she laughed and said, “I think we need to ask the prime minister, our mayor and our premier these questions.” She continued on to say that she thinks, “A part of it is that it’s just not enough of a priority. I do recognize that there are limits on public resources and chronic homelessness is a complex problem that requires a lot of people to work together and for those people to agree [on solutions].

There can be disagreements that can create barriers to moving forward which is hugely unfortunate when we’re in a situation where people are dying or even living on the streets.”

Although substantial resources are needed to run homeless shelters, these are emergency responses that need to be there. “We can’t eliminate [emergency response] but there is a lot of money that is currently tied up in that system whether it’s police or the hospitals or the shelter system. And so, some people say if we took all that money and reallocated it to the housing portion, we could end homelessness but it’s not that easy because you can’t shut down all those shelters since there has to be an emergency system in place,” she explained. “I was cold in my house when it was minus 40 out and I have heating so I can’t imagine being in an inadequate space or outside. We need to have that emergency system, and that system is expensive, which ties up a lot of public resources that can’t then be put into longer term solutions. Governments are aware of this and are trying to figure out a way to do both things at the same time. But it does mean it’s very slow progress moving forward.”

When asked which one of the four cities she’s researching—Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Toronto—that has got it right when it comes to fighting homelessness, Smith said there is no one city that

is doing everything right but that there is innovation in all four. “It’s amazing to see what people do so with very few resources and a lot of people who are doing this kind of volunteer work on the side have very little to work with.” From Vancouver introducing programs to support Indigenous folks, to Montreal’s facilities for women, and Toronto’s Street to Home initiative, Smith commended the efforts but added, “The barriers are the lack of consistent funding; the fact that infrastructure is so expensive, that medical services are costly and it is hard to access [front-line workers] when needed.

It’s about a lack of resources more than anything else.”

“It has nothing to do with for example, addiction, and talking to them about their story [...] can be such a source of information.”

In terms of next steps, the professor highlighted: “There’s some things that I know as someone who has never experienced homelessness and has never been in a shelter.

I know that a history of trauma and violence and abuse tends to make someone more likely to become homeless. I know that a lack of affordable housing inadequate housing contributes to homelessness. We know that untreated mental health or addictions contributes to homelessness. But when it comes to the person who you see on the street, who you walk past every day and you think why that person is there, the only person who knows that is that person who is homeless.”

While government officials might genuinely be well-intentioned and feel responsible for tackling this problem, Smith said, “All of this is a way of saying that the voice of those people who are experiencing home-

lessness or who have experienced homelessness, those people are the experts in what’s going on and what’s not working and so bringing those voices of those perspectives really directly into the planning process is […] an important step to making sure that the needs, that you don’t even necessarily realize, may be needs that are addressed through policy, and that those people have a genuine voice and say in what’s happening with them or what hurt them […]. You just can’t even imagine all the reasons why people find themselves in the street. And so, if you have a policy response that just sort of assumes it’s one thing or another series, it’s a problem because there are so many people who experience homelessness for no reason. It has nothing to do with for example, addiction and talking to them about their story and about their lived experience can be such a source of information.”

She ended by saying, “70 people dying in Toronto is absolutely preventable and should be unconscionable. I do sometimes think we’re just a few good decisions from our solution but we need a little bit more of housing, of resources, of people helping and we have got to be able to figure this out.”

As for what you, as an individual can do, VolunteerToronto has a list of seven ways you can volunteer to help the homeless. Guest blogger for VolunteerToronto Mia Naylor, writes that it doesn’t have to only be about volunteering at a soup kitchen, you can volunteer to help keep shelters’ offices running smoothly by being an administrative assistant.

You can also volunteer as a tutor, as a mentor, or if you have a special skill that you would like to offer for free, such as knowing how to cut hair, there are opportunities for you to help in ways that are not seemingly conventional, and enhance someone’s quality of life just a little bit more.

Traditionally, academic English programs have focused their studies on literature that is a part of the Western canon, a body of books, music, and art that scholars generally accept as the most important and influential in shaping Western culture. Although the Western canon is comprised of works commendable of major artistic merit and that continue to boast their influence today, it has often excluded diverse voices and experiences that can limit one’s literary understanding. Daniel Wright, an assistant professor in the Department of English and Drama at UTM, is introducing the traditions of the LGBTQ+ literary community into his curriculum to explore their rich and extensive history while also analyzing and appreciating their modern works.

Recently, as Wright explains, the English department revamped their course offerings to modernize curriculum. Queer Writing is a new course, which as Wright says, ecstatically teaches: “Interesting things are happening with the English curriculum. We’re modernizing the curriculum in order to re-conceptualize and keep up with the current moment.” Wright was “enthusiastic” to teach such a course as he said it was a “long awaited course by students.”

Queer Writing introduces a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer tradition in literature and theory, and explores texts from a variety of historical periods from classical to contemporary. Literature studied in the Queer Writing course include: Dionne Brand’s In Another Place, Not Here, Sarah Waters’ Tipping the Velvet and Alexander Chee’s Edinburgh.

The Victorian Novel is another English course that Wright teaches, which focuses on realism, the marriage plot, and sexuality. “There is a real connection between Queer

Writing and The Victorian Novel,” the professor says. “Queer history is privileged at the end of the Victorian era and allows us to think about queer identity.” Both Queer Writing and The Victorian Novel provide an interesting insight into where we are now in regards to gender, sexuality, and identity. Literature studied in The Victorian Novel include: Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, and George Eliot’s Middlemarch.

“Queer history is privileged at the end of the Victorian era and allows us to think about queer identity” - Prof. Daniel Wright Although Wright’s current research focuses on gender and sexuality, and the relationship between literature and philosophy, especially ethics and the philosophy of language, he says he was a “late convert to the Victorian Novel” and became interested in Victorian literature in graduate school. He has a keen interest in 20th century Victorian novels and incorporates them into both his teaching and research. Wright also has an interest in exploring the history and theory of psychoanalysis.

The English professor’s first book, Bad Logic: Reasoning about Desire in the Victorian Novel is being released March 2018. It focuses on both historical and theoretical frameworks of analyzing Victorian Literature.

Wright is also currently working on two new projects: Being and nonbeing in the Victorian novel and exploring the theorization and practice of creativity in Victorian literature, along with understanding and contemporary literary theory.

A space to talk against stigma Support continued from page 8 “A lot of what we are working on right now is starting a conversation about mental health,” she said.

“This year, we are focused on a lot of collaboration with the St. George campus.” Asselin added that the regional GTA-wide Jack.org summit is the main event for this year. Regional Jack summits are youth led summits.

The summit welcoms young leaders from local schools or community groups to share resources and learn. The official website also states that the organization has con-

ducted 18 youth led Jack Regional Summits all across the country.

Highlighting the importance of encouraging awareness about mental health issues, the organization’s website states, “1 in 5 young Canadians are affected by mental illness.

But only 1 in 4 of those affected will get the help they need. Jack.org programs are designed to reach them all. We work to reach the 5 in 5.”

Asselin emphasized the importance of having these resources on campus by saying, “Mental health is something that everyone has, and so Jack.org is something that everyone can take part in.”

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Eagles place second at first tournament The UTM women’s soccer team had their first indoor tournament this past weekend in Pickering VANESSA CESARIO SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR The UTM women’s varsity soccer team had their first tournament of the season last Saturday, January 13.

The tournament was hosted by Centennial College but took place at the Pickering Soccer Centre. The women originally had five teams in their division, including UTM, though St. Lawrence removed themselves from the tournament—leaving them with only four teams.

The women had an early start to their day—departing UTM at 6:45 a.m. to be in Pickering before their first game at 9:00 a.m. against the Sheridan Bruins. From the start of the game, the women were not mentally focused. Perhaps the early bus departure played a role in the women not playing well. Sheridan came out hard, giving UTM hardly any opportunities to take shots on the net. Four minutes into the match, Sheridan scored their first goal of the tournament. An unfortunate fumble by UTM goal keeper, Nida Zaidi, led to a turnover by UTM. Sheridan took their opportunity to score and buried the ball into the back of the net. UTM was forced to

WALEED AUMEERALLY/UTM ATHLETICS

A promising season lies ahead for the women’s soccer team after the past weekend’s tournament. defend against many counterattacks

by Sheridan and did well to shut them down—by not allowing Sheridan anymore goals in the first half. The half rested at 1-0 with UTM still having a chance to come back and win the game. However, an unfortunate defensive breakdown led to Sheridan’s

second goal of the game. UTM had more chances in the second-half but could not seem to find the back of the net. The score ended 2-0 for Sheridan, giving UTM their first loss of the indoor season.

Up next was the Centennial College Colts—the hosts of the tournament.

Unlike the first game, UTM came out ready to win. UTM was playing well and making several connecting passes and overlapping runs. Team captain, Christina Rico, worked hard to keep the ball in play which created a scoring opportunity for UTM. Rico passed it off to newcomer, Kat Savin,

where she made a perfect pass to fellow new addition, Kristy Mlakar, in front of the Colts net. Mlakar took a rocket shot and it travelled into the bottom left corner. The women won the game 1-0, giving them their first win of the day.

Seeing as the women both lost and won a game, they had no choice but to win their final game if they wanted to advance to the finals of the tournament. Their last outdoor game of the season ended with their first Varsity win against the George Brown College Huskies (GBC). Hoping to mirror this pattern once more, UTM was mentally engaged in the game. The women came out hard from the start and didn’t back down the whole way through. Mlakar was first to put UTM on the scoreboard by taking her nowsignature rocket shot. It deflected off a GBC player’s stomach and into the back of the net. UTM used the adrenaline brought on by this goal for the rest of the game. Graduating player, Teagan Maier-Downing, made a beautiful cross field pass to Rico, where she one-timed it into the net with ease.

Soccer continued on page 12

Battle against the flu this winter season Protect yourself against the cold this winter through sleep, hand sanitizer, and dressing warm HALEY WEST This year, we are having the stereotypical Canadian Winter. Lots of snow and temperatures well below freezing. The recent temperature plunge and snowy weather should only emphasize the importance of staying healthy and avoiding any viruses going into the winter season. As most students learn when first coming to university, missing one class because you’re sick can put you far behind the rest of your peers and it is not easy to catch up.

Your chances of staying healthy and avoiding getting sick can be improved by ensuring your body has what it needs to give your immune system the chance to fight any viruses off. The basic elements of health apply, including eating healthy and exercising. According to the Centre for Disease Control, getting the recommended eight hours of sleep per night, along with managing stress, can help your body fight off viruses you may come in contact with.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is important to exercise. While opportunities for exercise may be restricted to indoor environments, especially considering the recent freezing temperatures, exercising is an important

AIMEN ALI/THE MEDIUM

One should ensure that their body is receiving what is needs to support the immune system. aspect of fighting off a cold. Should you come in contact with a virus, exercising can also help you recover more quickly. Dressing warmly is also important.

Wearing the appropriate clothing for the weather is the first step to protecting yourself from getting sick.

While it can be tempting to leave your bulky coat behind when having a full

day of classes, or to wear your gym shorts to class when planning to head to the gym afterwards, it is important to keep your body warm and protected from the harsh winter weather.

Medical researchers, including the Mayo Clinic, have shown that your body burns through resources when you are exposed to cold temperatures to keep you warm. Burning through

those resources means that your immune system has less resources to fight off any attacks.

If you are living or working in a high traffic environment where your chances of coming into contact with objects or people who may spread the flu or common cold virus are likely, you should try to wash your hands often, especially before eating, cooking

and before making contact with your face. Especially after contact with items likely to carry bacteria, including smart phones and devices, public computers, money, or touching pin pads on payment terminals.

While regularly washing your hands can help to prevent the spread of germs, hand sanitizer can be an alternative solution. According to professor James Scott, a professor in the Division of Occupational & Environmental Health at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, hand sanitizer can be an effective measure against cold and flu viruses when you don’t have the time to wash your hands. Professor Scott explains, “Hand sanitizer doesn’t replace soap and water if your hands are dirty, but along with regular hand washing, it definitely helps fight many important germs.”

Additionally, for the 2017/2018 flu season, the Centre for Disease Control recommends the flu shot or the recombinant influenza vaccine as a preventive measure. However, people should not rely solely on the flu vaccine. Ensuring that the appropriate clothing is being worn and that hand sanitizer is being used is imperative when trying to avoid getting sick.

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«SPORTS

THE MEDIUM 01.15.2018

Eagles advance Oil of oregano: a healer to championship Oil of oregano is known to be a natural antibiotic that fights viruses

MAJDA TALIC

Soccer continued from page 11

Frustration was clearly setting in for GBC as UTM was shutting down every chance they had. Towards the end of the game, GBC had possession of the ball in the UTM zone.

The GBC goalie was caught too far up in the play and not anticipating any counterattacks that may take place. The ball was passed to Maier-Downing and as the GBC goalie was running back to her net, MaierDowning made the smart decision of making a hard pass towards the net from half. A perfectly placed ball rolled straight into the back of the night, leading UTM to take the game 3-0 over GBC and advancing to the finals of the tournament. The women have never made it to the finals of any tournament at the Varsity level so, this was a huge accomplishment for them.

UTM played the Sheridan Bruins for the second time that day in the championship game. Both teams came ready to win. Unfortunately, it was Sheridan who was destined to score first. Near the start of the game, Sheridan scored two goals but this was followed by a UTM goal.

Maier-Downing fought through the midfielder and defender on the left side and took a wicked shot to the bottom corner of the net. This left UTM to only be down by one goal.

Towards the end of the first half, a Sheridan player took an incredible toe punted shot towards the UTM net. The ball was placed perfectly in the top right corner, making it almost impossible for Zaidi to save it.

This allowed the score to end 3-1 at halftime but UTM did not give up.

UTM coaches, Damian Yearwood and Sonia Rocha, made the decision to put Noor Aldoori in net for Zaidi.

Towards the start of the second half, Sheridan arguably scored the luckiest goal of the day. Aldoori went to clear the ball out of the UTM zone but, unfortunately, it deflected off of a Sheridan player, took a few odd bounces, and ended up in the back of the net. Despite the score being 4-1, UTM maintained their level of intensity and aggression. During the last six minutes of the game, Rico passed the ball to defender, Jayde Forde, where she shot the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.

This made the score 4-2 for Sheridan. With three minutes left to play, UTM was pressing and working hard to score. Unfortunately, time was not on their side as they did not have enough of it. Sheridan ended up taking the game 4-2.

Despite the hard loss against Sheridan in the finals, UTM has much to be proud of. Seeing as this was their first tournament of the season and they placed second, it is looking like a promising season ahead for UTM.

Oregano is a flowering plant in the mint family which, when dried, is well-known for adding an enhanced flavour to a variety of culinary dishes. Its numerous varieties, which range in taste from slightly bitter to pungent and peppery, are used in dishes from the Mediterranean to Mexico. The use of oregano for medicinal purposes dates back to the ancient Greeks, and its antibacterial properties have since been used to support healing worldwide.

While oregano can be prepared as a tea or used in aromatic therapy for the treatment of physical or psychological ailments, oil of oregano has been particularly noted by researchers in recent years for its ability to support immunity and prevent a great deal of illnesses.

Oil of oregano is made by steam distilling the flowers and leaves of the oregano plant—which produces oregano essential oils—then diluted in a carrier oil, such as olive oil. To disambiguate, oil of oregano differs from oregano oil which is oregano infused into an oil, though the two terms are at times used interchangeably.

Of its vast array of uses, oil of oregano is most commonly noted for its ability to support the prevention and healing of respiratory infections. The abundance of thymol and caravcrol in oregano inhibit the growth of bacteria such as, Klebsi-

ella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus which are frequently responsible for respiratory issues.

Therefore, those prone to or suffering from colds, flus, coughs, sore throats, or bronchitis can benefit from the consumption of oil of oregano.

Digestive disorders are often overlooked as health issues despite their prevalence in our society. Oil of oregano can improve the digestive process by stimulating the flow of bile into the digestive organs which also keeps cholesterol levels down and helps to prevent gallstones. Nutrient absorption increases as the body is better able to break foods down due to the increase in secretion of digestive enzymes. In turn, oil of oregano helps to alleviate bowel issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.

The presence of carvacrol is also key in promoting digestion since it suppresses between 97-to-100 per cent of harmful pathogens compared to a mere three-to-five per cent of probiotic species, also known as good bacteria. This advantage over antibiotics illustrates what is perhaps most notable about oil of oregano. Unlike antibiotics, bacteria are unable to grow resistant to oil of oregano since essential oils interfere with the bacteria’s ability to breathe. When bacteria grow resistant to an antibiotic, new generations need to be developed which wreak more havoc on the digestive system. Although antibiotics are

arguably of use in certain medical situations, their side effects include the destruction of probiotics and the reduction of vitamin absorption as they damage the digestive lining.

Oil of oregano’s antibacterial properties allow it to inhibit the growth of bacteria which causes ailments ranging from athlete’s foot to urinary tract infections. Its addition to food can prevent food poisoning, and can be used to reduce existing food poisoning symptoms. Additionally, studies have shown its effectiveness against parasites, like Giardia, while also being more effective in treatment than antibiotics such as Tinidazol. Externally, the oil offers protection from parasites such as mosquitos and lice.

The rosmarinic acid present in the oil is an antioxidant that prevents free radical damage which is crucial to inhibiting the aging process. Rosmarinic acid is also beneficial for those suffering from allergies and works as an antihistamine to reduce symptoms of allergy attacks.

The two species of oregano effective for healing are Origanum vulgare and Thymus capitatus. Appropriate dosage amounts vary for chronic illnesses, however acute infections are typically treated for no more than 10 days in a row. As with any remedy, individuals are advised to seek the support of a healthcare practitioner and read the manufacturer’s instructions as active ingredients will vary.

Does the sun give us enough vitamin D? Vitamin D can be received through natural sunlight exposure and through foods we ingest AMRISH WAGLE S&H ASSOCIATE EDITOR Vitamin D, or the “sunlight vitamin,” is a prominent constituent of a healthy lifestyle. During these harsh months of winter, however, sunlight is in short supply and most Canadians tend to leave home early while it’s still dark out, and return when it’s even darker. Unfortunately, this leads to very little intake of vitamin D. When the human skin is exposed to sunlight, it synthesizes vitamin D through the use of cholesterol, and stores any surplus in the form of fat.

This source accounts for 80-to-90 per cent of the total intake, although some styles of food and dietary supplements can also be an alternative.

Since vitamin D can be produced by mammals within their bodies and is not a necessary dietary factor, it acts more as a hormone than a vitamin.

Vitamin D is crucial for regulating the absorption of calcium. When the bloodstream lacks calcium, the body will extract it from the bones. Vitamin D doesn’t just help prevent this but also keeps bones, teeth, and muscles healthy and strong. The adverse effects of a lack of vitamin D can result in rickets within children where bones can be softened or distorted.

Moreover, vitamin D can also be used

JULIA HEALY/THE MEDIUM

Vitamin D is present in foods such as cheese, eggs, and among others. for treating weak bones, a condition known as osteoporosis, as well as bone pain, known as osteomalacia. In certain diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, where bones are especially brittle or easily broken, vitamin D is recommended to take. Not to mention, it can be a useful treatment for individuals at risk of falls or fractures

and even other diseases such as kidney failure that may cause bone loss.

Muscles also require calcium to prevent chronic muscle aches, cramping, and weakening over time.

The required amount for the vitamin depends on the age of the individual, as well as other medical factors. The recommendation of

around 600 IU (international units) or 15 micrograms per day is the recommended dose for the majority of people. For undergraduate students, the daily upper level for vitamin D intake is around 4,000 IU and 2,500 mg for calcium. However, some studies, when taking into account the amount of sunlight exposure, recommend a

higher daily intake of 1000-to-4000 IU or 25-to-100 micrograms. Vitamin D intake is recommended to be received through the food you eat because sunlight may cause additional harmful side effects due to UV rays.

There are two types of vitamin D that are necessary for the body. The D3 variant is found in abundance within the flesh of fatty fish, fish liver oils, and in small amounts within beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks. The D2 variant can be mostly found within mushrooms. There are also certain types of foods that are fortified with vitamin D, including milk, salmon, tuna, egg yolks, and sardines.

Options in food are usually limited, especially on UTM’s campus.

As an alternative, renowned dietician Nazima Qureshi states that, “With minimal sunshine, and not too many foods with vitamin D, supplements can be a smart option.” Dietary supplements containing vitamin D can always be consumed by adding it to food or taken in the form of pills.

It’s also important to realize that too much of anything, including vitamins, can be harmful to your health.

Staying within your recommended limit is important. If you are not sure what your recommended limit is then, perhaps, a trip to the doctor’s office is necessary to find out.