Mary Ward Planet - Vol.22, Issue 2, Winter 2016-2017

mwplanet.tumblr.com

MARY WARD PLANET

volume 22 || issue 2 || spring edition 2017

S t u d e n t Po w e r | S e m i - Fo r m a l | O s c a r s

tableof of contents contents table

cover

exec team

COLOURED PAGES

LAYOUT DESIGNERS

Aiken Chau & Joyce Giolagon

Nicole Fernandes, JohnVelasco, Jamie Edghill, Serena Singh, KarenTseng, Julia D’silva,YanelleBardhan-Mendonca,MadeleineMacIsaac-Sun,NimmyAyekun,Andrea Nijmeh, Anjuli Joachim,Yanelle Bardhan-Mendonca, Madeleine MacIsaac-Sun, SerenaSingh,NaomiFernandes,JoyceGiolagon,SabrinaPercy,AikenChau,YukiTam

COVER PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Yuki Tam

4

3

EDITORIAL

WORLD ISSUES Pipe it Down The Price of Inequality ANOTEableCanadianWoman Comfortably Numb PresidentTrump: Now What? The Oscars’ Bigger Picture

NATO or Not The Reality of Islamophobia in Canada

LIFE

Following Your Passions Putting Your Best Face Forward Need a Break this March Advice Column

10

COMMUNITY Community Wrap -Up Be the Change

Winter Activity Day Solidarity Sisters Five Shocking Ways Ward Isn’t that TerribleSemi-Formal Protesting Police at Pride

SPORTS

Sports Wrap Up From One Championship to Another Splash That Cash

17

8

LA PETITE PLANETE

22

Le Monde en dehors de la litterature anglaise Le Nationalisme Québécois Syndrome de Paris La métamorphose Requiem pour hier

Have Movies Gotten Worse?

Netflix’s Original Content is the New BlackLa La Land for the Fools Who Dream Your Name’s Claim to Fame Gone RogueONE OK ROCK Concert Review Nintendo Switches it Up

CREATIVE SPACES & FUN AND GAMES

15

WACT

19

Oh, What a World To He it May Concern First Come, Last Served

Allcontent©2016-2017MaryWardCatholicSecondarySchool.Allrightsreserved.Reproductionofthisnewspaper,inpartofwhole,isprohibitedwithouttheapprovalofthePlanetexecutivemembers.

TheMaryWardPlanetistheofficialstudentnewspaperofMaryWardC.S.S.AllmembersoftheMaryWardcommunitymayvoluntarilycontributetothePlanet.Everyoneexhibitsprofessionalism andrespectsoneanotherinallexchangeswhilekeepingChristianvaluesandpractices.Allsubmittedarticles,layouts,andphotographyaresubjecttomoderation.Materialsubmittedissubjectto approvalbytheExecutive,staffmoderators,andadministration.AllmaterialmustpositivelysupporttheideasandspiritofMaryWardCatholicSecondarySchool.MaryWardCatholicSecondary School is a self-directed learning centre located at 3200 Kennedy Road that was founded in 1985. It became a member of the CCSDL (Canadian Coalition of Self-Directed Learning) in 1995.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 02

table of contents

editorial editorial

world issues

TURNING UP THE VOLUME ON STUDENT VOICE Should students be encouraged to speak up?

The word “democratic” stems from Ancient Greek referring to rule by the commoners. In other words, governmental power rests in the hands of the people. And although an individual may seem powerless at first, many individuals working together can achieve the seemingly impossible. Canada is just one of many countries that has a democratic system a system that believes in the value of people having a voice in the way decisions are made.

That same principle applies to many of Canada’s institutions and schools are no exception to this practice.

Throughout the years students have organized in small and large groups in an effort to have their voices heard.

We live in a world wherein students have an almost infinite amount of information at their fingertips and feel empowered to use that knowledge to effect change. Access to information challenges students to think critically about ideas that are presented to them and question the decisions and policies of people in authority. This can be a controversial process whereby some people view it as youth rightfully standing up for themselves and the issues they care about, while others see it as outright disrespect of those in authority.

Regardless of the controversy, access to information allows students to identify and find solutions in the face of institutional obstacles. To do this successfully requires a number of elements: Student need to set a goal, communicate that goal effectively with like-minded people as well as those they are trying to win over, have a number of supporters who stand in solidarity, and commitment within the group. Ultimately this type of activism means students working towards building the school they want rather than simply accepting what is put in place by those in charge.

Throughout Mary Ward’s history, there have been many situations in which students stood up for the greater good and helped make the school better.

In 2012, after learning about workers’ rights and the dignity of workers in the grade 12 religion course, student Isabelle Ng-La inquired into the manufacturing of Ward’s school uniforms.

Isabelle discovered that the uniforms were in fact made in sweatshops, All of Mary Ward’s uniforms at the time were purchased through McCarthy’s, a Canadian company whose clothing items were manufactured in sweatshops in

third world countries. Ng-La, along with other grade twelve students, went to the Toronto Catholic School Board in protest, asking that uniforms be purchased from manufacturers who do not use sweatshop conditions in their factories. As a result, Mary Ward made the switch to Halpern’s School Apparel, a Canadian company that produced some of their clothes within Canada and not sweatshops..

Student activism within Mary Ward has extended to other facets of student life - including extracurricular clubs.

In 2013, the TCDSB proposed a motion which was to be voted on by the School Trustees, a motion that would ban Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs throughout the Board. During the Board Meeting where the motion was to be decided, representatives supporting and against the motion were both in attendance and two members of Mary Ward’s own GSA presented an impassioned speech to the Board. In the end, the motion was defeated. In 2016 students raised concerns to Mary Ward staff members about a non-profit organization that would benefit from a school fundraiser. Nicole Marron, a student who was in grade eleven at the time, described the situation, saying,

that supporting the organization could have, many students came together on their own to spread the word about why it was important to stand against the deceitful organization via social media platforms and talking about it.” The staff members brought those concerns to Admin and meetings were held, leading to a change in the organization.

Most recently a team of seven grade twelve students worked together to advocate for the continuation of “Rep Your Grade” day - a day that was going to be cancelled because safety issues that occurred the previous year. The team of seven grade twelve students took the initiative to ensure that the event would occur and as smoothly as possible. They created a petition that received almost four hundred supporters, as well asked to meet with Principal Magee in order to offer suggestions to make the day a safer activity. Administration listened, and “Rep Your Grade Day” was back in action. Grade twelve student Karen Tseng spoke about what sparked her interest in the cause, ”I helped create this petition as well as worked towards bringing back this day because I believe that it is a pivotal part of the Mary Ward Experience.

Rep your Grade Day is a day that unites

as well as the others that worked with her, made a small yet powerful change.

The line that separates constructive dialogue from destructive disrespect for authority remains blurry for many. Despite this, students should be encouraged to think critically and question authority - even if it means challenging the decisions and actions of school administration. Positive change and the progression of society is achieved through open dialogue between all its members . Students should not be underestimated because of their age or the idea that they are powerless because in reality, students offer a unique perspective to society which should not be ignored. High school occurs at a critical time in a young person’s life where they begin to form their own opinions and beliefs. When students really think about their surroundings - what should be changed or improved, what they should stand up for - they build character and prepare for life after high school. Students that effect change within their school community are leaders in the making; they hold the future of the world in their hands. This sentiment is especially relevant when considering the recent political climate. Instead of bend-

Students in the art department collaborate on a project. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

”I think the protest was a true show of student leadership and capability.

After recognizing the negative impact

the school, and it is definitely a memory that will stick with you when you reminisce about high school.” Karen,

ing to the will of those in positions of power, think critically about the information and when necessary: stand up.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 03

editorial

world issues world issues

The Price of

Inequality

The wealth gap in Canada is leaving more and more low-income homes struggling to make ends meet.

The price of inequality is leaving many Canadians with too little, while a select few have too much. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

By Madeleine MacIsaac-Sun The adage “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer”, out-dated as it seems, has been growing increasingly relevant in recent years. Although some may think that it does not apply to Canada, statistics have shown otherwise.

In fact, the wealth gap between the richest and poorest households in Canada has widened since the turn of the century. The net worth of wealthy households comfortably outpaces gains made by lower-income households. The average net worth of the top 20% of families sorted by income rose by approximately 80% from 1999-2012, compared to a gain of 38% of the bottom 20% of society.

4.5 million people, or 13 per cent of the population, had a low income in 2014, as measured by after-tax income.

According to Statistics Canada, recent immigrants, the disabled, Indigenous people and children in single-parent families were more likely to fall into the low-income category. The implications of such inequality are typically negative, leading to a lower quality of life for the bottom fifth of society.

In Canada, 33 individuals now own a total of $112 billion. The two richest Canadians – David Thomson and Galen Weston Sr. – own $33 billion, which is more than the wealth of the bottom 30% of the Canadian population. “The inequality crisis is bigger than we feared,” Lauren Ravon, director of policy VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 04

and campaigns for Oxfam Canada.

The growing economic equality in countries in North America – as well as other developed nations – is largely attributed to globalisation. Labour markets are being altered and income division is increasing within already established economies.

A large part of the Trudeau administration’s campaign involved making life easier for the middle class – i.e. , taxing those with higher incomes more and those with smaller incomes less. As such, tax cuts have been made for those in the lower income brackets by 1.5%, while they have increased 3% for those who have an annual income of over $200 000. The fact is, highincome earners can pay taxes off and still make ends meet – sometimes, lower income earners can’t. The federal government is also eliminating arts, fitness, education, and textbook tax credits this year in favour of larger-scale benefit programs; they have increased Canada Student Grants, which are higher for students from low-income families.

However, wealth inequality is not inherently harmful. Xuejuan Su, associate professor of economics at the University of Alberta, stated “what economists say is that the trend of income inequality and wealth inequality in the past few decades is alarming. When it gets too bad there are negative consequences”. It is widely agreed that changes to social welfare are needed to combat negative wealth inequality – with that put in motion, a brighter future awaits.

world issues

A NOTEable Woman Viola Desmond will be the first woman, other than the Queen, to be featured on Canadian currency.

By Andrea Nijmeh In January of last year, Finance Minister Bill Moreau publicly announced that it was time a woman was on the front of a banknote. Countries all over the globe such as Syria, the Philippines, Turkey, Mexico, England, and Australia have already recognized female leaders on their currency, and it is about time Canada did the same. On International Women’s Day, months after his announcement, Moreau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began the search for the appropriate woman to depict on the ten-dollar bill. The Bank of Canada accepted submissions, stating that each candidate could not be fictional, had to be a Canadian citizen, and had to have been dead for at least 25 years. Over 26,000 suggestions were submitted and an advisory council narrowed it down to five incredible, high achieving women; E. Pauline Johnson, a first nations Mohawk woman, who was an acclaimed writer, poet, and performer; Elizabeth MacGill, the first woman in the world to work as an aircraft designer, she is most known for her work on the Hawker Hurricane fighter planes used in the Second World War; Idola Saint- Jean, an educator and journalist who fought for women’s right to vote in Quebec.

On December 8 of 2016, it was announced that black activist Viola Desmond will be the first woman, other than the queen, to be featured on a Canadian bank note, which will be issued in 2018. Born in Nova Scotia in 1914, Desmond grew up active in the black community within the province. Throughout her childhood, Desmond noticed the lack of hair and skin products for black women, and set her sights on addressing the need.

However, because she was of African descent, Desmond was not allowed to train to become a beautician in Halifax and had to receive training in Montreal and New York. Upon returning back to Halifax, Desmond opened up her own salon as well as The Desmond School of Beauty Culture so that black women in her area would not have to travel as far as she did to receive proper training. A successful business woman herself, Violas Desmond educated other women on how to build their own business and helped other black women in her community find employment at a time when racial segregation and discrimination was at its peak.

While on a business trip to sell her own line of beauty products, Vi’s Beauty Products, Viola Desmond’s car broke down in New Glascow. While waiting for her car to be repaired, Desmond decided to pass the time by going to see The Dark Mirror at the Roseland Film Theatre. However, when Desmond purchased a ticket, asking for a seat on the main floor, she was denied and told that it was against their policy to allow a person of colour a seat there and that she must resort to the segregated balcony. Desmond refused to sit in the balcony and was forcibly removed from the theatre and arrested. She was kept in jail overnight and was never informed about her right to legal advice, a lawyer, or bail.

She was charged with tax evasion for failing to pay the one-cent difference in tax between the cheaper balcony and the more expensive main floor tickets.

She paid the $20 fine, which would be equivalent to $270 today, and returned home to Halifax.

Desmond decided to fight the charge and, with the help of her church and the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, she hired a lawyer who represented her trials and unsuccessfully attempted to file a lawsuit against the Roseland Theatre. It was clear that despite the legal claims, the issue was about her ethnicity and the racist seating policy in the theatre; it was not about tax evasion. In taking the matter to court, Viola Desmond’s experience helped to provoke public opinion locally and internationally, and to raise awareness about the reality of Canadian segregation at the time.

On April 15, 2010, the Nova Scotia lieutenant-governor granted her a posthumous pardon and an official apology. The pardon recognized the error in the conviction, and that charges should have never been laid.

So while to the ignorant, the act of putting a woman on the $10 bill may seem trivial, it is a huge step in the right direction. A generation of young black females will be able to grow up with the belief that they can do anything and this portrait of a noteworthy defender of social justice and thriving entrepreneur on a form of media that everyone is exposed to will allow influential young people to see women recognized for their public contributions.

world issues

world issues world issues

world issues

PIPE IT DOWN Aboriginal peoples in Dakota protest the building of a pipeline across their land.

By Kristina Soodhoo The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is an underground oil pipeline project in the United States. The 1,886 km pipeline, extending from North Dakota to Illinois, was created as a cost-effective solution to efficiently transporting natural resources to the market, reducing the price of refined products and enhancing public safety.

DAPL has been a hotly discussed topic amongst activists and regular people alike. Much controversy surrounds it, and protests have taken place in an attempt to bring the potentially environmentally and culturally destructive plan to a halt. The pipeline has stirred controversy in regards to potential environmental damage and the threat it poses to the Meskwaki, a Native American tribe’s way of life.

The Meskwaki tribe has openly expressed their concerns with the Dakota Access Pipeline and a few other Native

American tribes; specifically the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux have also actively opposed the plan. The tribes stated that the construction not only interferes with their way of life through environmental and economic threats, but further impacts sacred sites and significant cultural landscapes. The pipeline was routed

Protesters block highway in Mandan (STEPHANIE KEITH).

beneath Lake Oahe, and therefore constructions could result in damage to the environment and sacred quality of water offered through the lake.

The protests against the project arose

from growing concerns in relation to the aforementioned cultural concerns and the possible environmental impact of the pipeline. The tribes petitioned the U.S. Army Corps Engineers for a more thorough study of the environmental impact. A group of over 200 scientists exhibited support for the Standing Rock Sioux and requested a halt on construction until adequate assessments can take place to estimate the affects of the pipeline on biodiversity and clean water. These scientists signed a descriptive letter referencing their concerns and specifically stated, “To date the potential impacts of DAPL construction, or any potential spills, on aquatic or terrestrial species has not been adequately assessed.”

After months on end of protests, December 4, 2016 became a day of celebration; the construction of the environmentally and culturally damaging Dakota Access Pipeline was paused.

The halt on the project was triggered by the U.S. Army Corps’ decision to deny an easement for the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe. Despite the temporary halt

on the project, Energy Transfer Partners expressed intent to continue construction without a reroute, showing lack of concern for the controversy that has arisen and the damage the pipeline has caused in the lives of thousands.

Despite the threat to the environment and the Native American tribes’ quality of life, Donald Trump signed an executive order permitting Energy Transfer Partners to revive and complete the pipeline as routed. The reason for his decision is evident through his investment in Energy Transfer Partners and the potential profit he can make from the Dakota Access Pipeline. President Donald Trump’s decision epitomizes his self-interest— he is willing to damage the lives of others for his personal gain. One can only hope that this decision is reversed to preserve the environment and Native American’s cultural landscape. This issue, above all, highlights the significance of unity and the progress that can be made when all members of society work together.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: NOW WHAT? In the wake of Trump’s election, many are wondering about the future of their country.

By Naomi Fernandes Donald Trump has now been in office for a few weeks now, dominating headlines globally and raising both protests and cheers from opposing political sides. Following his inauguration, demonstrations of solidarity and unity took place all over the world. While many people rejoiced at his presidency, others have begun to feel fear, and tags such as #notmypresident have become increasingly popular.

Within his first two weeks, Trump has begun to sign many executive orders and also put many of his plans in effect. So far there have been around 19 executive orders, memorandums, and proclamations which have been put into effect, some of the most notable ones are 120 day suspension of the refugee program and a 90-day travel ban to the U.S. from people of seven countries (Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and Libya). However, Judge James Robart has halted the travel ban temporarily, supported by the Federal government. Other orders that Trump has followed through to are the revival of the Keystone XL pipeline and the

Dakota Access pipeline, the authorization of a Mexico-U.S. border wall, and an order to reinstate the “Mexico City Policy”, which is a ban on federal funds to international organizations which lobby for the legalization or provide abortions. This policy has gone in and out of effect depending on who was in office, after being created by former US president Ronald Reagan in 1986.

Some of the other 19 orders also include: withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, a plan to “defeat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria” to be drawn up in 30 days, expansion on the Obama administration's deportation policy, by deporting illegal immigrants who have been charged with crimes, and to “rebuild the US armed forces” and “pursue peace through strength” .

These executive orders have sparked much concern worldwide and in America, countries included in the travel ban like Iran have closed their borders to U.S. citizens in retaliation. However, Russia has been the centre of strengthening international ties especially with Putin's support of Trump. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Donald Trump’s visit to the U.K. has been a hot topic in England, and the decision of whether

or not he should be allowed to speak at parliament is a debated issue. In addition to this, there was a petition which was signed by over 1.5 million people to prevent his visit to the U.K. entirely.

fire several times for his unprofessional public manner and his use of Twitter to criticize people. Many people feel as though his public image reflects badly on America, and many world

Thousands of protestors gather outside JFK airport shortly after Trump’s travel ban was put into place (STEPHANIE KEITH/ THE ATLANTIC )

Australia also joins the list of countries who have had a less than pleasurable interaction with the new U.S. president, following a phone call with the Australian Prime Minister, many people took to twitter to express their disapproval of Trump's demeanor. While there hasn’t been too much comment from our Prime Minister directed at Trump after the inauguration (unless you count the few words of congratulations) Trudeau did say that they would welcome people who were affected by the immigration and travel ban with open arms.

President Trump has also come under

leaders and citizens from other countries have laughed at his expense. He also has been the centre of many satirical skits (which he has taken the time to tweet about) and many comedians.

One thing’s for sure: a Donald Trump presidency is one like never before, and brings about an important message of unity; let no one be divided by their differences and stand in solidarity with one another.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 05

world issues

world issues world issues

world issues

The oscars' Comfortably Numb Bigger Picture An evocative take on the desensitization of violence.

Has the Academy done enough in the way of diversity?

By Julia D’Silva More than a year after #OscarsSoWhite first started trending on Twitter, it seemed as though progress had been made at the Academy Awards: People of colour were nominated in all of the acting categories, including three black women in the Best Supporting Actress category. Acting legends like Denzel Washington were honoured alongside newcomers such as Ruth Negga, and Viola Davis’ nomination for Fences made her the most nominated black woman in Oscars history.

In the Best Supporting Actor category, another victory was won with Dev Patel’s nomination for Lion. This made Patel the third actor of Indian heritage ever to be nominated for an Academy Award, the thirteenth Asian actor to receive a nomination, and the only Asian actor nominated this year.

These statistics point to a large problem that the Academy appears to have ignored: While the Oscars have certainly upped their diversity game, they seem to have forgotten that diversity is not simply a black and white issue.

There is no denying the fact that having six African-American acting nominees is a great improvement from the all-white nominations of 2016. But, yet again, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asians were shut out from the Oscars race. Historically, these groups have been incredibly underrepresented during awards season, with only six Latinos having won an Oscar in an acting category. It took 70 years before a Latina actress was nominated for Best Actress, with Fernanda Montenegro’s nomination in 1998 finally breaking the Academy’s habit of ignoring Latina talent. Unfortunately, it appears that the Academy has returned to its old ways, with no Latino actors receiving nominations since 2011. Alejandro G. Iñarritu became the first Latin American director to win two Oscars in 2016, marking some progress for Latino recognition at the Oscars.

Native Americans have been similarly underappreciated for their work in the film industry. As far back as 1973 people lamented the mistreatment of Native Americans in Hollywood, with VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 06

Marlon Brando’s refusal to accept his award for his work in The Godfather due to the entertainment industry’s treatment of Native Americans shedding light on an issue that was, and still is, largely ignored. In the history of the Academy Awards, only two Native actors have been nominated, with the most recent nomination being Graham Greene’s nod for The Green Mile in 1999, and Buffy St. Marie is the only Native American to ever have won an Oscar, for Best Original Song in 1983. The Academy’s lack of recognition of Native actors and filmmakers is astonishing, but not surprising when you consider the Academy’s aversion to diverse nominations of any sort.

Of these three groups, Asians were the only minority to receive any Academy Award nominations this year, thanks to Dev Patel’s nomination for Lion.

This made Dev Patel the third actor of Indian heritage to ever be nominated for an Oscar, decades after Ben Kingsley was last nominated. Over the Academy Awards’ 89-year history, only 1% of acting nominees have been Asian, with zero nominations for East Asian actors in the Best Actor or Best Actress category. The last time that an Asian actress was nominated for Best Actress was in 1935, when Merle Oberon received a nod for The Dark Angel. In 2005, when Ang Lee won Best Director for Brokeback Mountain, he became not only the first Asian to receive the award, but also the first person of colour to do so. Hollywood’s habit of ignoring the talents of Latinos, Native Americans, Asians, and African-Americans is a tradition as timehonoured as the Oscars themselves.

The Academy Awards’ continued oversight of non-black people of colour should not detract from the deserved praise that black entertainers are receiving. Instead, it should serve as a reminder that there is still work left to do.

The fight for diversity in Hollywood did not end with Moonlight’s triumph over La La Land. Regardless of race, everyone must unite to ensure that people of colour in the entertainment industry receive the recognition they deserve.

Above all else, we must not allow ourselves to become complacent after one year of ‘diverse’ Oscar nominations.

After 89 Academy Awards, the appre-

By Serena Singh

It is not a recent development that violence is prevalent in the media.

For many years, the media has reported on the tragic events that have taken place not only in our own community, but worldwide. From ceaseless wars to the never-ending

kinds of violence. They have verified the following three “consistently disturbing” findings: the public is more likely to become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, fearful of the world around them, and more likely to behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others. This is especially true in the case of young children, as studies have shown that children who

Acts of violence are so prevalent in the media that the young people who are often exposed to it are no longer shocked. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

supply of violent acts that plague society, the media draws its inspiration and fuels its stories. Yet, none notice the effect constant exposure to the darkness of humanity can have on the public.

Violence in the news primarily affects adults, while video games and movies tend to reach children and adolescents.

This leads to desensitization to violence in the public eye. Such desensitization can best be seen in the increasing level of violence in movies; where movies used to contain simple, bloodless murders, they now depict graphic scenes

Images and scenes of violence are common in the media. (CURE VIOLENCE)

of torture and slow, gruesome deaths.

With the steady increase of such uncensored violence in media, the American Psychological Association has found that the public is becoming desensitized to increasingly dangerous

watched a lot of violent media when they were eight years old were more likely to end up arrested and prosecuted for criminal acts as adults. Though it may seem as though society has much time before desensitization to violence becomes a viable problem, the truth is that desensitization is already affecting the way people act in society and the number of violent acts that occur.

An example of this was recently made into a documentary called “The Witness.” The documentary focuses on Kitty Genovese’s stabbing death as she was murdered on a New York City street, while 38 witnesses did nothing. Though all the witnesses could have intervened, they all chose to do nothing instead and a woman lost her life to their desensitized reactions. This shows that desensitization to violence is already a major concern in society; if a woman can be murdered in front of others without receiving aid, then there is surely a problem present that must be dealt with.

Unfortunately, as of today, the media shows no sign of lowering the level of violence they are exposing the public to and it falls upon the public to ensure that no more fall victim to violent acts as a result of desensitization.

world issues

world issues world issues

life

NATO or Not Is NATO still relevant today?

By Julia D’Silva Throughout Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, the nowpresident often referred to NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as an obsolete and costly burden on the United States of America. The president’s comments thrust NATO into the spotlight and under the microscope, leaving member nations like Canada to wonder what the USA’s withdrawal would mean for them. NATO’s newfound prominence has also prompted Canadians to ask some important questions about NATO: What is it? Is it truly obsolete? And how would the United States’ withdrawal impact Canada?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, created in 1949, is a political and military alliance among 28 member states in Europe and North America. It is also the longest-running and most successful military alliance in modern history.

NATO’s purpose is to promote political and military stability in North Atlantic countries while providing an agreement of mutual defense in the event of an attack on any of the member nations. NATO was created in order to provide North Atlantic countries with protection against the Soviet Union, and essentially declared that an attack against one member state was an attack against all. For over 65 years, NATO

had provided security and a promise of defense to its 28 member states. It has been updated periodically to ensure its continued relevance and modernity. In 2010, NATO defined its main tasks as collective defense, crisis management, and cooperative security.

With all the effort NATO has put into ensuring that their principles and values stay relevant in the coming years, it is hard to imagine that there is any basis to Trump’s claim that NATO is obsolete.

Many people say that, since NATO was created in response to the Cold War, it is no longer relevant today. While its supporters claim that the alliance will be useful in the future, with the threat of terror attacks propagated by ISIS occurring across Europe, its detractors claim that NATO cannot evolve fast enough to be effective against modern terrorism, and Americans claim that the USA shoulders too much of the military and financial burden. This last claim may hold some weight, since the United States is the largest military and financial contributor to NATO. However, the cost of the United States’ membership does not prove NATO’s obsolescence, nor the fact that we have not seen a world without the alliance since the end of World War II and the outset of the Cold War. With the Islamic State carrying out more and more terror attacks on European soil, now is likely not a good time to break a 68-year alliance that could prove essential in

alliance treaties in order to ensure that our nation would be supported by allies in case of a large-scale attack. The conflict in Afghanistan seems to have proven that Canada and the United States can rely on each other for military support, but will Donald Trump’s government be interested in another alliance where, due to the sheer magnitude and power of their military, the USA pulls most of the weight?

Polish soldiers conduct a NATO defence exercise. (KACPER KEMPEL)

the face of a major attack. On the other hand, NATO has been largely unsuccessful in stopping conflicts since the end of the Cold War. The question of NATO’s obsolescence is a difficult one, and one that cannot be proven with finality until a situation arises that can test the effectiveness of NATO in a modern era.

For Canadians, the great NATO debate boils down to one simple question: How will the USA’s withdrawal from NATO impact Canada? Ultimately, if Donald Trump did elect to remove the United States from NATO, Canada would either have to step up and increase its financial support of the alliance or withdraw completely. In addition, if Canada were to withdraw from NATO, we would have to consider alternative military

When considering the future of NATO, there are many questions that must remain unanswered until modern experiences can accurately answer them. This includes NATO’s purpose in a modern world, the question of NATO’s obsolescence, and whether or not NATO is necessary for Canada. For opponents of the alliance, it is not worth waiting around to see those questions answered. While NATO could redeem its decades of uselessness in the future, its lack of purpose in this day and age renders it useless in the eyes of its detractors. NATO’s supporters, however, claim that a hasty American withdrawal from the alliance could spell disaster for the other member states, particularly those in Europe who are most threatened by terrorist organizations. NATO’s fate remains to be seen, and one can only hope that the security of the North Atlantic countries will remain stable if the alliance collapses. Much like the Cold War, the future of NATO is currently a waiting game.

THE REALITY OF ISLAMOPHOBIA IN CANADA A mosque attack in Quebec proves that Islamophobia is a pressing issue, even in Canada.

By Anjuli Joachim A well-known grocer, a university professor, a computer scientist, a civil servant, a loving husband, and a father: these were the men killed on January 29th, 2017, in a mass shooting at a Quebec City mosque.

The alleged shooter is Alexandre Bissonnette, a student at Laval University.

He was known in the online world as an internet troll inspired by extreme right-wing French nationalists, who stood up for President Donald Trump and was against Muslims immigrating to Quebec. He faces six counts of murder, and 5 counts of attempted murder.

The maximum sentence is life in prison.

One may never truly understand the reasoning behind such a senseless act of violence, nor can a country ever fully put an end to hate crimes. But what can be controlled is the reaction to a tragedy. This shooting was an act

Vigils were held across the country to honour the slain.

(PAUL CHIASSON)

of terror, intended to strike fear into the hearts of both Muslim Canadians and non-Muslim Canadians alike.

In the days following the shooting, the number of hate crimes reported in Montreal spiked suddenly according to the Montreal police force – largely against those who practiced the Islamic faith. It seemed that many Quebecers had taken the shooting as a sign that this was the beginning of a revolution against “unwelcome immigrants”.

Yet, despite the hate that was erupting, love and acceptance dominated the country. In every single province there was a vigil held in memory of the victims. Thousands took to the streets in in protest of Islamophobia, and to remind those who felt isolated that there were many who would stand by them in the face of adversity. There was a determination to meet hatred with resilience, and a recommitting to diversity in Canada.

This tragic event served as a terrible reminder that Islamophobia is real, and brought the issue of this hatred and fear of Muslims to the forefront of the media and Canadian politics. In the aftermath of the shooting, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in the House of Commons, “This was a group of innocents targeted for practicing their faith. Make no mistake, this was a terrorist attack.” He later added, “We (Canadians) are kind, we are generous and we embrace one another not in spite of our differences but because of them.”

In the weeks, months, and even years after the shooting, when it is no longer actively discussed in the media or in politics, it is important for Canadians to remember that diversity, not hate, is what makes this country special.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 07

world issues

life life

FOLLOWING YOUR PASSIONS Should students chase their dreams?

life

Putting Your Best Face Forward Exploring the wide world of skincare - there’s something for everybody!

By Nimmy Ayekun It’s that time of the year again, where we make the difficult transition from winter to spring.

Whether it’s changing up your closet by dropping the extra layers of clothing, or getting rid of junk that you have accumulated of the winter months a.k.a spring cleaning. This time of the year is all about fresh starts. It is especially important to give your skin a fresh start to. During the winter our skin usually takes a hit. This is because when it’s cold outside there is less moisture in the environment, the lack of moisture in the air combined with central heating results in pretty dry environments and our skin cells begin to lose moisture.

Student Varshaa Raguraman works on her self-portrait. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

By AnjulI Joachim For many high school students, the conflicting opinions and suggestions from teachers, parents, and friends can result in an extreme amount of stress. This can be true for any issue, from fashion choices, to how to spend a Saturday night (who would have thought that parents would be against spending a third weekend night out with friends). But perhaps the greatest cause of conflict is when it comes to deciding your future. It’s not easy to listen to so many opinions. And it’s even harder to remember that the most important opinion of all is yours.

When it comes to thinking about what to do after the final year of high school, many hearts start to race. It can seem impossible to balance all the important ideas when deciding on a university or college program or career path. Almost every high school student struggles with balancing the often polar opposite ideas of doing what you love, and doing what is safe and that makes (a good amount of ) money. This decision has weighed on the minds of teenagers for generations, and each individual faces a truly unique situation.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 08

For those who are the children of immigrants, this can be an especially difficult decision. When a parent or grandparent has made the journey from their country of origin to Canada, they have the best interest of the children and future grandchildren in mind. Most come for a better life, one where later generations can be successful. Therefore, it can be hard for them to accept that their child wishes to have a career in something that may not yield a safe income. This is largely due to a certain stigma existing around some careers, for example chefs or actors, because it is not a career that many believe requires intelligence or a higher level of education.

However, when it comes to deciding what to do after high school, remember that you are the one who is going to have to live with the decision. The rest of your life doesn’t have to be determined by someone else. Listening to the views and perspectives of your parents and teachers is important because they have many valuable insights and years of experience worth hearing. At the same time, take a moment to decide what it is you love, because at the end of the day, the only one who matters in this decision about your life is you.

Recently skincare trends have seem to have taken the internet by storm.

From gold face masks to animal placenta, instagram and youtube have almost seen it all. However don’t worry, this article won’t be featuring anything to drastic. You can look to it to discover more affordable and practical ways to handle your skin.

Learn What Your Skin Type Is This is by far the most important step.

Often times the most common mistake people make when it comes down to facial care is using products that are not right for their skin. Skin type generally falls into 4 different categories: dry, oily, normal or combination. Dry skin is generally associated with small pores, and might flake while oily skin is characterized with large pores and a shine. Normal skin feels supple and smooth and combination skin is a combination of all 3 skin types just listed. In addition to these categories, there are two other problem areas your skin may fall into: sensitive or acne prone. Some skincare products are better designed for oily skin and might leave your skin irritated while others don’t work so well if you have dry or sensitive skin.

The best way to get rid of dry and flaking in skin is to exfoliate! Proper exfoliation removes dead skin cells that are clogging the skin unveiling fresh new ones below. This is especially important because as old skin cells start to build up on the surface of the skin, they

can leave it looking dry and rough. By exfoliating regularly you can expect to see your skin looking fresh and healthy over time. There are a couple different options when it comes to how to exfoliating. Some people prefer to do it manually scrub their skin and other people prefer to exfoliate chemically by using scrubs which contain special acids that remove of the dead skin cells.

Find a Good Cleanser Believe or not, rinsing your face with water is not the most effective way of cleaning your face, and this is why cleansers are great! They help to properly remove any leftover makeup, dirt and/or oil hiding under your skin, ensuring that products you might apply later on are able to work properly. They are also good for everyday day use depending on your skin type and they can also be easily incorporated into both your morning and night routine.

Face Masks Face masks first became popular in Korea before making their way into the North American market. Although the effects only last for a day or 2, they are recommended because they not only because they are packed with vitamins, amino acids and minerals that are good for your skin, they are also one of the best ways to rehydrate your skin. They are very accessible, you can find them at your local Shoppers, Sephora, or The Face Shop. I would only suggest using them once - twice a week because over time they do tend to get a bit pricey.

Serums Serums are another great product to consider using. If you have acne prone skin, it is definitely the best choice for you. Unlike moisturizers, serums are water-based which means they absorb much faster without leaving break - out residue behind. Not to mention that serums don’t have occlusive agents like mineral oil and petroleum which can lead to breakouts.

There you have it: a couple tips, tricks and product recommendations to get your skin back on track. Like previously mentioned, they may not be as extreme as some stuff you see on youtube but hopefully they work just as well.

life

life life

community

Fun things to do during your week off from school.

By Naomi Fernandes As the March break is quickly approaching (along with target dates), it often brings me a sense of dread. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that most holidays end up with me watching reruns while eating junk food on the couch or complaining about not going out and doing things. So I present to you a list of March break activities that hopefully won’t break the bank.

1. Visit a museum! I know that this probably isn’t on your bucket list but there are actually some pretty interesting ones in Toronto, if you’re bored to death by the ROM then try visiting the Bata Shoe museum (pay-what-you-can admission, although $5 is recommended, on Thursday’s 5-8pm) on or maybe the Aga Khan Museum (a super cool museum which is all about Islamic culture and history) which also has free admissions on Wednesdays from 4-8pm .

2. If you really don’t like museums, art galleries are always fun, the AGO even offers free admission for students after 3pm on weekdays and free admission for anyone on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 pm. If you’ve been there one too many times, check out The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery which is free all year round. If you prefer photography to contemporary, then visiting the Ryerson Image Centre is a great way to spend a day.

3. Try out a new restaurant, there are tons of places for everyone in Toronto. There’s places everywhere which have pretty much all types of food that you could possibly want.

4. Get some volunteer hours! While it's supposed to be a time for relaxation and fun, this is a great time to get some hours in if you haven’t already finish your 40 (required) hours! There are tons of great chances especially at this time, because there are lots of events and programs which happen during the march break which require volunteers.

Local galleries, such as the Art Gallery of Ontario, are a great place to visit during the break. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

5. See a Movie! Go to your local theatre and see a movie. Some new movies that you might want to check out are Beauty and the Beast or Lion. If you want to see something a little different, definitely check out TIFF because they show a range of films, and

there's really something for everyone.

6. Do some units. Yes, I know that's the last thing you want to be thinking about at this point but it will only help you out when you get back to school, plus it kills time.

Advice Column You ask, we answer!

“Any tips to stay relaxed while trying to manage all these units?”

Being stressed is second nature for most Ward students, but you shouldn’t let stress and anxiety about units run your life! It can be difficult to find time in your schedule for relaxation, especially at this point in the year, but doing so can help you deal with the overwhelming stress Ward incites. If you can find the time, then taking small breaks from doing units is a great idea.

Set goals for yourself: Allow yourself five minutes on Twitter for every task you complete. Avoiding distraction by focusing on a smaller task will put less pressure on you and maybe even make you more productive!

Of course, it’s understandable if taking too many breaks makes you feel even more stressed. There’s a particular type of anxiety you feel when you know you should be doing work but you just can’t bring yourself to do it. Fear not, there is an invaluable resource available right here at Mary Ward to help you deal with that stress: the Mindfulness Ambassador Council, which meets every Friday at lunch in the library, is a club that

will teach you about meditation, living mindfully, and mitigating stress. Even if you are skeptical about the benefits of meditation, you should definitely give Mindfulness a try. It is a great, quick way to relieve stress and acquire tools that will help you be more relaxed.

If you can’t make it to Mindfulness Ambassador Council meetings, there are still ways to practice mindful meditation on your own. There are lots of apps available to download that will lead you through guided meditations for all sorts of situations. A personal favourite of mine is Smiling Mind, an app developed by Australian psychologists that has guided meditations specifically for adolescents and school-related stress.

If you can get past the Australian accents, you will find this app supremely helpful in creating a more relaxed, more mindful you.

Being stressed at Mary Ward is natural—it would be impressive if you weren’t stressed at all! But there is a difference between a healthy, motivational amount of stress and an overwhelming, debilitating sense of anxiety. I hope you can use these tools to

limit the stress that units give you, and I look forward to seeing some blissedout students in the halls!

“I have a hard time making friends with boys, but get along really well with girls. It always feels kind of awkward. How can I connect with people of all genders? I am a guy myself. “ Have you ever felt that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you have to go talk to someone new? Don’t worry that feeling is normal. Talking to people and introducing yourself to people can be really hard, but a great way to calm your nerves is to remember they are human too. They may seem cool, but so are you. When faced with the tough decision of saying hi or running away, remember this human is not much different than you; they probably have similar self doubts and their own feelings of nervousness.

A great way to make friends is to find people that you share similar interests with. One way to do this is to join clubs or sports teams. Extracurriculars often foster close-knit communities. It is also important to remember to be your-

self. A lot of the time, people try to be someone they’re not with new people, but the only way someone can truly get to know you is if you be you.

Regardless of gender, real friends are people who have your back. Don’t feel bad about not having ‘enough’ friends of each gender. People are people and that is important to remember. Humans are not meant to fit into categories: they are meant to be unique and special in their own way.

If you’re having problems with school, relationships, family, or anything else anonymously ask us for advice and we’ll be glad to help you out! Please note that your questions and answers may be published on the mwplanet site or in the newspaper.

mwplanet.tumblr.com/ask

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 09

life

community community

community

COMMUNITY WRAP UP A look at the recent events within Mary Ward.

By Jamie Edghill Mary Ward students sure know how to keep busy during the cold months! The school has been nothing less than warm and inviting, with all the fun activities and events going on. Here is a quick look at all the amazing events going on at the school: January 16: Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Mary Ward's Healthcare SHSM students, led both students and teachers through an obstacle course made for warriors. This obstacle course occurred in the gymnasium and those who were not participating were welcome to watch. The student vs. teacher teams had to shoot hoops, scooters their way across the floor, and endure many more physical activities. The purpose of this fun afternoon was to encourage the Ward community to include physical activity in their everyday lives. In the end we got to see who the real ninjas are- the teachers! They won the amazing prize of bragging rights for being the first ever ninja warriors of Ward as well as SHSM mugs, scrubs and pens.

in Canada, information on who can be affected by poverty, teen pregnancy, the different groups affected, and organizations who work with people living in poverty. On the Friday of the week, they had Covenant House Toronto present as well as activities during lunch giving students the chance to win a pizza lunch or their annual Rumble tickets.

January 23: Mary Ward’s Birthday Celebration Another year, another birthday; this year, students of Mary Ward celebrated our namesakes special day with a cake decorating competition hosted by our very own Student Council. SAC supplied each TA with the resources to make a cake but left it up to them to do so. TAs throughout the school baked their cake and showed off their amazing decorating skills for a chance to win. After cakes were judged, most TAs enjoyed indulging in their creation and a whole lot of fun was had by all.

Special shout out to Mr. Adourian’s TA 39 for winning the cake decorating competition.

TA groups compete in making birthday cakes for Mary Ward’s birthday(CLAIRE LO)

The ninja warrior obstacle course, made by Ward’s very own SHSM students, definitely put even the best to the test. (DEION SQUIRES-ROUSE)

January 16 - 20: OKOF Week Our Kids Our Future used the week to educate the Ward community about poverty and what it may look like.

Events that happened throughout the week, included reflections on poverty VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 10

January 30: Max Eisen Holocaust Survivor Presentation- Mary Ward had the honor of hosting a special presentation by Max Eisen, about his life story and surviving the holocaust.

He spoke of his horrifying experiences during World War II. He shared stories of the gruesome places he was sent and of how he managed to survive.

Many courses within the school including almost all Canadian and World Studies and Religion courses encouraged students to connect it to their course material. Although it was a great way to earn a unit, many students went to this once in a lifetime presentation to hear Mr. Eisen’s story. His presentation and

life story left the full caf quite and there was a lot of emotion from everyone in attendance. This presentation opened students’ eyes to how lucky they are to be living in Canada.

The DECA Provincials competition takes place at the Sheraton Hotel, connecting business students from all over Ontario. (AIKEN CHAU)

Max Eisen giving his inspirational talk in the cafetorium.

(VARSHAA RAGURAMAN)

February 10: DECA Provincials Students who made it to DECA Provincials participated in challenging business activities in the hope of making it to internationals. DECA had been preparing for this competition for weeks, they did mock tests, they practiced their presentations, and rehearsed their role plays. Those competing got insight into the world of business and negotiation.

Members of Mary Ward’s DECA Chapter worked very hard presenting their business pitches, and in the end Ward had many winners. Congratulations to; Lucy Ma who came top 15 for her role play, Robyn Ching who came top 15 for her role play, the team of Jason and David Antao who came top 15 in their role play, the team of Laura Heath and April Aldana who came top 15 in their role play, Aiken Chau who came top 15 in his role play and placed 10th overall, and lastly Nathan Lam who came top 15 in his role play and exam, placing 5th overall. Aiken and Nathan will be competing at DECA Internationals in California this April.

February 20 - 24: Spirit Week SAC sure knows how to promote school spirit. During this year’s spirit week students dressed as tourists, wore outrageous shoes, excessive accessories and repped their grade with bright colours.

From Tuesday to Friday SAC sent out fun interactive TA activities including guess the teacher’s baby photo, guess the SAC positions, word scramble, and Ward trivia. During lunch SAC kept the activities going, there was karaoke in the caf, guess the song, and shrinking island.

Sac’s ‘What are Those? Wednesday’ encourages students to wear crazy footwear.(MILLICENT AMURAO)

The grade 12 students at Mary Ward were over-the-top for “Rep Your Grade” day this Spirit Week. (VARSHAA RAGURAMAN)

community

community community

BE THE CHANGE Catholic student leaders embark on a service trip to the Philippines helping communities in need.

By Karen Tseng On December 28, 2016, four Mary Ward grade 12 students : Sophie Evardome, Milcah Nieto, Kimberley Parro and myself - embarked on an adventure of a lifetime alongside 19 other high school students and four teachers of the TCDSB. After a 21 hour flight to the city of Manila in the Philippines, they headed to the barangay of Don Galo.

We visited the local elementary school, where they played with the students and dropped off school supply donations. The group’s two week service mission revolved around four main objectives: visiting villages, going to an orphanage, building houses, and doing a community clean-up. Each participant was asked to bring a luggage bag filled with various types of donations to to later give to the people they were to meet.

The first week’s focus was on TCDSB students visiting six different villages in Manila and an orphanage. At the villages, we would introduce ourselves, perform a dance, eat and dance with the children and later distribute donations to each child. Some members of the group expressed that the hardest part of the trip was leaving each village because the connections they made in the short time we were on the trip with the kids and locals were genuine and strong. “The kids really inspired me and impacted my life in ways they’ll never know. Even though they may not have much, all the kids are so rich in heart they made me realize the value of being with one another” said Kimberley Parro. The group enjoyed New Year’s Eve in the Mall of Asia watching fireworks and doing general sightseeing.

We finished the week at the Payatas feeding centre.This centre feeds needy malnourished children in the surrounding communities. We walked around the communities and visited the homes of some of the children in the neighbourhood. Visiting the slums was a very eye-opening experience, members of the group mentioned just how lucky they are to live in Canada. Even though the living conditions in Payatas were different, these people were filled with happiness. From that joy many of us learned that it is not materialistic objects that generate happiness, but it is the relationships one develops with family, friends and the sense of community tied in with gratitude.

To start off the second week, we left Manila and headed three hours away to Paniqui, Tarlac, where this year’s build site had been located. The first building day involved numerous tasks which included: transferring mounds of sand in an assembly line to the opposite end of the site, unloading and moving hollow concrete blocks, measuring and cutting rebar. In the days following there was also digging of trenches; then the group helped make support beams out of the rebar, made concrete with sand, water and rocks and transported it into the trenches and began to dig into the ground to create another well. Each day ended off with playing games with local children.

After spending six days in this village, we felt like we were part of the community. With each day, our bond with the community strengthened: both with the children and adults who lived there. On the final evening, there was a huge celebration with traditional Filipino food and we said our final goodbyes. Although it was devastating to leave, Paniqui, Tarlac will forever hold a special place in the hearts and minds of those of us who experienced it. On January 11, the group headed to the airport and left a country which left us with unforgettable memories and a broadened perspective.

community

SOLIDARITY SISTERS!

Women all over the world march in a peaceful protest for human rights.

By Aloka Mahadurage & Myaah Farrell

Donald Trump’s inauguration sparked a revolutionary flame among many Americans and even many non-Americans. They have come to realize that the 45th president of the United States does not stand for their beliefs on the treatment of women and other oppressed groups.

On January 21st 2017, thousands of people in Washington D.C. responded to the inauguration of United States President Donald Trump by marching for their rights. This march and many other sister marches around the world brought together millions of people of

right thing to do. Her choice to march, she acknowledges, was not to change the situation but so that in the future, “they know that we didn’t go without a fight.”

As she reflects on her time in a present day civil rights movement, she recalls the sense of unity she felt among the protesters. There were people of all walks of life present, but as always the question of, “Is this a white person’s feminism?” was asked. The worries of white centrism are not easily dispelled, especially in an era where people of colour are so often discriminated against.

During this march, however, an effort really was made by the organizers to include all minority groups, and to give them a reason to march together as one. With 680,000 protesters in D.C alone, and millions more in other states, this may very easily have been

680,000 protesters in Washington D.C, and millions more around the world, advocate for women’s rights (MAUREEN MCANDREW)

Student leaders interacting with children of San Mateo (MILCAH NIETO)

This TCDSB mission was in association with two organizations called ANCOP and Adventure Learning Experiences.

The mission allowed us to learn, to experience and to journey through an adventure with places and people that are truly memorable. “Being able to go to my own country and help those who are most in need was a truly a life changing and humbling experience” said Milcah Nieto. If you have any questions or are interested in putting your faith into action, feel free to contact any of the four leaders mentioned in this article. For more information about this once in a lifetime opportunity, head to www.catholicstudentleadership.com, get involved!

different races, religions, genders and economic backgrounds, all unified under one goal: awareness for civil, reproductive, immigrant, women’s, and LGTBQ rights using peaceful protest. The crowds gathered with signs protesting and mocking the new president’s campaign slogans and policy proposals.

A member of our own Mary Ward community, Maureen McAndrew, a history teacher, made the choice to march.

She decided to walk alongside thousands of other activists and ordinary citizens taking a stand who took to the streets to protest the looming shadow that President Trump’s inauguration has cast over the treatment of women and the growing threat to their rights.

Although it may seem to be a big decision to some, Ms. McAndrew claims that the choice was a no-brainer - for her, realising that she needed to be there was not hard as she felt it was the

America’s largest protest - not to mention the mass protests in large cities like Paris and even here in Toronto. The feat of mobilizing such a huge group of people for a single cause, is, with the lack of representation duly noted, still a step in the right direction.

This has not been the first time women have marched for their rights, and it will also not be the last. Time and time again, those oppressed have fought back against their oppressors and have made their voices heard. After the protests of January 21st, it did not matter if no ground-shaking changes were made. The sense of unity brought on by the threat of a common enemy surges through the hearts of the millions of protestors while they stand together with their sisters: differences not forgotten but looking for justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation, all whilst standing as one.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 11

community

Winter Activity Day

community community

community

PHOTO BY DENICA YEO

By Jamie Edghill While some may dread the cold season, Ward students look forward to a special day that it brings; Winter Activity Day. Students chose from a large number of activities to partake in ranging from ice fishing to BMX biking. Ward students are faced with many choices everyday from what area they should go to work to what unit they should work on, but for a lot of students picking an activity was harder than any of those decisions. However, no matter where students decided to go they were in for a fun day and got a chance to unwind.

PHOTO BY ANDREA NIJMEH

PHOTO BY J.P. DABBAGH

PHOTO BY NATALIE ALMOSA PHOTO BY JOANNA TOROSSION

PHOTO BY VARSHAA RAGURAMAN

PHOTO BY VANESSA DAQUIPIL PHOTO BY VARSHAA RAGURAMAN

PHOTO BY RYAN BUCAO

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 12

community

community community

community

THE GREAT GATSBY

MARY WARD SEMI FORMAL

By Andrea Nijmeh On February 16, Mary Ward had its annual semi formal as the Scarborough Convention Centre. This years theme was The Great Gatsby, and the event was a huge hit with tickets selling out almost immediately. Students danced and dined into the night and fun was had by all. A huge thanks goes out to Student Council and all Staff volunteers who helped make it an unforgettable evening.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 13

community

community community

PRIDE IS POLITICAL Should police be allowed at Pride Toronto?

By Jamie Edghill July 3rd, 2016 marks the day that Black Lives Matter Toronto (BLM TO) staged a sit-in at the annual Pride Toronto. The protest, which lasted thirty minutes, created anger and confusion within the LGBTQ+ community and the media. BLM TO had given Pride TO a list of demands outlining problems within the community and within Pride Toronto itself. Their demands included “Continued space, including stage and tents, funding and logistical support for Black Queer Youth. Self-determination for all community spaces at Pride, allowing community groups full control over hiring, content and structure of their stages.

Full and adequate funding for community stages, including logistical, technical and personnel support. Doubling of funding for Blockorama to $13,000. Reinstatement of the South Asian stage.

Prioritizing of the hiring of Black transwomen, Indigenous people and others from vulnerable communities at Pride Toronto. More Black deaf and hearing sign language interpreters for the festival. Removal of police floats in the Pride marches and parades. A town hall organized in conjunction with groups from marginalized communities, including but not limited to Black Lives Matter – Toronto, Blackness Yes and Black Queer Youth, in six months, where Pride Toronto will present an update and action plan on BLM TO’s demands.”(listed directly from Black Lives Matter’s site).

A young child at the Pride Toronto parade. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

During the sit in, Pride TO’s executive director Mathieu Chantelois tried to solve the ‘problems’ and get the parade moving again by signing their list. However, Chantelois recanted the promises the next day and said, “My priority yesterday was to make the parade move.” BLM TO and the community were outraged by his actions and asked Pride Toronto to look to the community for their wants and feelings.

Chantelois resigned shortly after an email containing ‘serious allegations’ was leaked and an investigation was started. Hoping to revamp their imVOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 14

age, Pride Toronto decided to do as requested and hosted a town hall meeting and annual general meeting (AGM).

At the most recent AGM of Pride Toronto, participants voted to limit the involvement of the Toronto Police in their annual Pride parade. This sparked controversy as people wondered why a parade about inclusiveness is excluding the police, but the community continues to remind people of the abuse they have faced from the Toronto Police. People must remember that Toronto’s Pride march was originally started in protest to police brutality and unfair treatment. It all started in 1981, when the police launched “Operation Soap.” They raided 4 bathhouses and arrested around 300 men; an angering and frightening time for the LGBTQ+ community. The community banded together to protest the police and their homophobic actions. Pride TO started as such a protest and, as they continue to remind the world, Pride started as a political act and continues to be so.

It was especially important that the community acknowledged the struggle and biases faced by a white cisgender

On-lookers observe the Pride Toronto parade through a window. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

gay man is different from a black transgender woman. People of colour who are also part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum face not only homophobia, but racism as well. Pride Month, including the parade, is meant to be a safe space for everyone of the community regardless of race, gender and sexuality. By having police at the parade, people of colour were reminded of the brutality they have faced, and continue to face, from the police. It is important to remember systemic racism and homophobia within the police service continues to afflict people of the LGBTQ+ community. The community is asking that if police officers want to participate in the parade, they march as civilians and not as representatives of an institution that holds weapons of oppression. Pride is a place for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identity, and for many people that includes race. The chief of police, Mark Sanders, acknowledged the decisions by Pride TO was a move towards a more inclusive Toronto.

sports

Five Shocking Ways Ward Isn’t That Terrible Mary Ward has a lot to offer, despite what some may think.

By Sabrina Percy “These units are too long.” “My teacher is never on floor.” “Conditional zeroes suck.”

At any other school these types of complaints would be unusual, but here at Ward students hear them so much that they aren’t that big of a deal. You’ve probably even said some of these things too. While going to a school like Mary Ward is tough, maybe it is time that students stop complaining and instead start to appreciate the perks of going to such a unique school. Here are a few reasons why Ward really isn’t that bad after all: Quest Units: One thing to be grateful for when it comes to going to Mary Ward is quest units. At Ward students have the opportunity to create our own assignments. These quest units encourage creativity and allow us to work on what we want and how we want to learn it. It is doubtful that many other kids could say that they got to make a cute little diorama instead of writing a mini essay about the causes and effects of the increasing greenhouse gases.

It’s Self Paced: The second thing that people sometimes seem to take for granted at Ward, is the fact that students have the ability to pace themselves.This means that we can focus more on the units that we do not understand, or finish our courses early and relax. Also this prepares us very much for post-secondary options. Our work ethic and time-management skills that we learned from Ward also distinguish us from others.

Teacher and student engage in conversation. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

TA: One of the best things that differentiates Ward from other schools is the fact that we have Teacher Advisors. The TA is the family outside of home that we can always rely on. It’s a chance for us to have friends from other grades. The grade barriers are forgotten in TA, where grade 9’s can ask grade 12’s for help or grade 11’s can give grade 10’s advice. It brings us closer with our TA teacher too and gives us a special relationship with them. Every

student has at least one trusting person they can always turn to. Our TA’s are also a strong positive influence on our future choices. The relationships we make with our TA groups will stay with us for many years after Ward!

Being able to go where we want, when we want: Most importantly, we can choose where to go depending on what we want. Other students have the same class at the same time every day. Luckily, we don’t have to stick to a repetitive routine. Choosing where we go teaches us freedom and how to regulate it, independence, and how to know ourselves and what we are capable of. We’re so used to having this freedom that we’ve probably forgotten to appreciate it.

The People: Mary Ward is more of a community than a school because it’s full of nice and welcoming people. The students here are respectful and easy to talk to, and our reputation of being a friendly and safe school is consistent.

Along with our TA’s, we also have helpful teachers and students that we can trust too. The self-directed system has definitely shaped us to be more mature and responsible, as well as more prepared for post-secondary options.

Teachers that were former students at Ward are proof that Ward has always been a good school, and that sometimes it’s so good that they can’t help but come back. The head of the Mary Ward Planet herself, Ms. Powell, used to be a Ward student, “I came back to teach here because Mary Ward is such a unique and different school. From the way a student can learn to the Teacher Advisor program, both are such a great thing to be a part of. My Teacher Advisor was actually the one got me into my teaching career and influenced me to be the TA and Teacher I am today. My TA and I were so close, we still keep in touch. Teaching here at Ward is 10 times more rewarding than any other school.

I strongly believe in the education system here.” Ms Powell proves that here at Ward will help you out in the long run.

So although it’s easy to let the negatives overpower the positives, we should always take a minute to appreciate Mary Ward. It is a school that shapes hundreds of students each year into responsible and intelligent people as well as being a self-directed school with a new approach to learning. It’s so easy to get caught up with work and get angry, but when it comes down to it, Mary Ward really isn’t that bad.

community

sports sports

sports

WE’RE IN THIS FOR WARD winter sports wrap up

The Senior Girls Volleyball team in a huddle. (MACKENZY MIRANDA)

By Nicole Fernandes Senior Girls Volleyball Coaches: Wong, Emer, Murphy Record: 5-5 The Senior Girls Volleyball team had a great season. They managed five wins which saw them finish second in their tier, qualifying them for the playoffs.

They fought off Michael Powers in the quarterfinals by three sets, but came short against Bishop Allen in the semifinals. Overall, the girls had a good run. The coaches would like to congratulate and thank the girls for all their hard work this season. Also, on behalf of all the students of the Mary Ward community, the Mary Ward Planet would like to wish Karen Marco a speedy recovery.

Nathalie Peralta goes in to spike the ball. (MACKENZY MIRANDA)

Junior Girls Volleyball Coaches: Loconte, Walker Record: 7-3 The Junior Girls Volleyball team had an outstanding season this year.

They only lost two games during the regular season, which were to Senator O’Connor, and finished second in their tier to qualify for playoffs. They brushed off Michael Powers by three sets to none

in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, the girls bowed out against Father Redmond in the semi finals, losing by just one set. The girls showed great teamwork this season to manage seven wins in total and the coaches would like to congratulate them all for a great run.

snowboarding tournaments on February Varsity Swim Team Coaches: M. Kennedy, Coleman, Peets 14th.

Mary Ward’s swim team participated in the TDCAA swim championships on February 16th. It was an exciting day for all, with 66 events taking place. The team showed great spirit, cheering on one another throughout the day.

Student flies down the slopes. (NATALIE ALMOSA)

The team comes together in a huddle. (RECCA BENOSA)

Varsity Boys Basketball Coach: Buck Record: 3-6 Despite managing only three wins this season, the Varsity Boys Basketball team showed great character throughout the season. Although their standing in their tier was not the highest, the boys still had a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, they fell to Newman and did not progress.

Still, the boys should be proud of their accomplishments this season. Coach Buck would like to thank the all the boys for their efforts shown.

Adrian Espinase takes a shot from the free-throw line.

(VANESSA DAQUIPIL)

Notable mentions go to Robyn Vandenberg for placing 35th in Level 1 Girls alpine and Daniela Diaz for placing 18th in Level 1 Girls snowboarding. On Heidi Escobal competing in the butterfly event. (CIAN behalf of all coaches, Mr. Kennedy would HRABI) like to thank all the athletes for their Notable athletes that the coaches dedication to practice and their efforts would like to highlight are Heidi during the championship meet!

Escobal and David Ku. Heidi, grade 12, placed 2nd and 3rd in her respective events. David, grade 9, placed 7th in both the Mens 1-14 50 SC Meter Breaststroke and Mens 1-14 50 SC Meter Freestyle, and 6th in the Mens 1-14 50 SC Meter Butterfly. On behalf of all the coaches, Coach Kennedy would like to thank all the athletes for their dedication to practice and their efforts at the championship. He also issues a special thank you to Heidi for her assistance in preparing practice sessions and in the organization of placing the entries for the events.

The ski team held their own against the tough competiVarsity Ski and Snowboard tion. (NATALIE ALMOSA) Coach: M. Kennedy, Adourian, Congratulations to all the Ward Murphy The Ski and Snowboard team sports teams for their hard work and determination this season! suffered injuries this season, but still managed to have Mary Ward represented in both alpine and

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 15

sports

sports sports

FROM ONE CHAMPIONSHIP TO ANOTHER Seniors Gold at Canadian The Nationals!

By Kimberly Vuong Canada’s prized athletes skated at the TD Place in Ottawa from January 1622, 2017 for the National Skating Championships. Focused on the fan favourite athletes within the senior division, Canadians eagerly awaited for the return of the skaters.

Winning gold for each division were Patrick Chan for men’s, Duhamel and Radford for pairs, Virtue and Moir for ice dancing, and Katelyn Osmond for women’s figure skating. All athletes proved their hard work through their ability to yet again receive a national title.

Tessa Virtue, Scott Moir, Kaetlyn Osmond, Patrick Chan, Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford celebrate success at the Canandian Tire Nationals. (DANIELLE EARL)

Patrick Chan won his ninth national championship after his year long hiatus. Regrettably, in Chan’s short program he suffered many step outs on his jumps. Although receiving low marks for his G.O.E (grade of execution) he placed first in the short with a score of 91.50. For his long program, Chan added a quad salchow, which was first inputted at the Grand Prix finals, and landed beautifully. He earned a free skate score of 174.01, earning a total of 205.36 points.

For the 6th consecutive time, Duhamel and Radford won the title in the pairs division. The pair had their trademark element, a side by side triple lutz planned for the short program. The jump had a degree of technical difficulty of 6.0 but due to unstable landing, Duhamel and Radford received a G.O.E that ranged from -1 to 1.

Their overall short program score was 80.72. Duhamel and Radford’s long program suffered a deducVOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 16

tion but still managed to place first with 146.51 points. When questioned about the choice of music for the free skate, Duhamel answered, “Julie (choreographer) had set the music aside hoping that we would use it for the Olympics. We came to conclusion that why would we hold onto something that was this great, we’ll find something better to do next year.” Clearly, this choice led them to their 6th gold title with a total score of 227.23 points.

Moir and Virtue have successfully won their 7th Canadian title at this competition. In an interview with Skate Canada’s All Access Pass, Virtue commented, “We have a fresh perspective after two years of not competing and I think that serves us well.” The duo presented a clean skate receiving a score of 84.36 points. Their long program was rockier with a 1 point deduction, but the duo were still able to come in 1st for the free. Their overall total score of 203.15 saw Virtue and Moir win gold.

Katelyn Osmond returned to the new season after healing from a leg injury. Her short program was a clean skate, granting her 81.01 points. She set a new Canadian record and held a 6 point lead. The free program was poorly skated as Osmond fell twice, which resulted in a 2 point deduction. Regardless of the deduction, with the 6 point lead and high scores in all of her program elements, Osmond obtained a total of 219.66 points, thus allowing her to win her 3rd national title.

With the top ranking athletes of each skating discipline, they were separated into three different upcoming ISU championship events. Gold medalists Chan, Osmond, Duhamel, Radford, Virtue and Moir will head to the Four Continents from February 14 to 19 in Gangneung and the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland from March 29 to April 2.

Congratulations to all the skaters who represented Canada during the championship and good luck to those competing in Helsinki!

petite planète

SPLASH THAT CASH Is the Chinese Super League Ruining or Helping Soccer?

By Nicole Fernandes Money can’t happiness,

buy right?

It can, however, buy soccer players. This isn’t a secret to the Chinese Super League, who are luring in players from all over the world with their staggering wage offers.

Founded in 2004, the Chinese Super League consists of 16 teams and three trophies to play for.

The teams in the CSL are definitely not afraid to splash the cash in order to strengthen their teams. They’re willing to spend ridiculous amounts of money to bring in foreign players from different leagues around the world.

There’s a limit to how many international players they can bring in. The league only allows five foreign players per team, one of which has to be from an Asian Football Confederation country, and none can be goalkeepers.

Each team can only field a maximum of three international players per game.

Even though this is seen as a restriction, it certainly isn’t stopping the CSL teams from bringing in some great players.

One player who made a move to the Chinese Super League this year is Oscar. He joined his compatriot Hulk, at the Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea during the January transfer window this season for an assumed £60 million. He is reportedly making £400,000/week, even after tax, which makes him the second highest-paid soccer player in the world.

Oscar recieving a lively reception after touching down in Shanghai. (GETTY IMAGES)

Some would argue that these kinds of transfers, that deal with large sums of money, are ruining soccer and taking away the true spirit of the game.

Think about Oscar’s situation, however.

He was warming the bench for Chelsea this season, when he moved to the CSL he was criticized, but China offered him something beyond just money: to keep playing the game he loves while being able to support his fam-

ily. With more playing time, he’ll be able to develop himself more, rather than sit on the bench for Chelsea.

Speaking of Chelsea, they’ll also be pleased. They made a good profit.

The move gave them a chance to load off some “dead weight” and the money to potentially buy other players.

It’s a win-win situation for everyone. Oscar gets his playing time, Shanghai SIPG gets a great player, and Chelsea gets their profit.

But what happens when a team from the Chinese Super League comes knocking on the door with their blank cheque for a top team’s star player, or a player that has the interest of teams from Europe’s top five leagues? Top players may reject these big name teams for the wages that the CSL teams are offering.

The spending ability of the Chinese Super League is a danger to other leagues around the world, especially Europe’s top five leagues. The teams of the CSL are now the new pacesetters in terms of money. Teams from Europe’s top five leagues are struggling to match the wage offers that Chinese teams are offering, and are thus losing transfer targets and players.

A danger that players may face when successfully moving to China is the risk of not being called up to play for their national team.

Big name forwards can score as many goals as they want in the CSL, but the national team coaches will look at the type of players they’re up against. They’re not playing against defenders like Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva or Gerard Pique. In fact, they’re playing against defenders who are nowhere near the quality of the aforementioned players.

With that being said, the Chinese Super League seems to be helping soccer more than it is ruining it. Although their wage offers may seem unrealistic, players are able to support themselves and their families, and begin a new adventure rather than warming a bench or playing in reserve teams.

Whether it’s a new chapter in their career or a fresh start, the Chinese Super League will continue to present players and managers with new opportunities in the years to come.

sports

la petite planète la petite planète

petite planète

Le nationalisme québécois Est-ce que le Québec peut survivre comme pays souvérain?

par Julia D’Silva Depuis l’enfance, on apprend que le Canada est composé de dix provinces et trois territoires. Mais il y a plusieurs personnes québécoises qui croient que leur province pourrait être un état souverain. Ce sentiment, qu’on appelle le nationalisme québécois, a existé depuis des siècles. C’est basé sur l’idée que la province du Québec est culturellement distincte du reste du Canada. Même qu’on rejette parfois l’idée du nationalisme québécois comme quelque chose du passé qui s’est terminé avec la fin du Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), c’est important de noter que le nationalisme québécois existe encore aujourd’hui.

De nos jours, le mouvement du nationalisme québécois est continué par les groupes politiques comme le Bloc québécois et le Parti québécois.

Ces deux groupes n’ont pas beaucoup

de pouvoir politique, mais ils ont de nombreux partisans. Le Bloc québécois est un parti politique fédéral et le Parti québécois est un parti politique provincial. Les deux partis ont le but d’atteindre la souveraineté québécoise et leurs idées politiques sont contre celles du Parti libéral. Dans l’élection de 2015, le Bloc québécois a gagné 10 sièges du Sénat avec l’aide du chef Gilles Duceppe. Le Parti québécois a 30 sièges dans le Conseil National. Ces partis politiques ne sont pas aussi petit qu’on les considère, et même qu’ils n’ont pas autant de pouvoir que les grands partis, ils ont encore une voix politique qu’ils pouvaient utiliser pour s’assurer que leur message passe.

Il existe de gens qui croient que le mouvement du nationalisme québécois est raciste. Cette idée vient largement du fait que le nationalisme québécois promouvoir un Québec qui est seulement composé des québécois francophones. Ça peut exclure beaucoup

leur plan pour achever la souveraineté.

Avec le nouveau contexte global du Brexit, les nationalistes québécois croit qu’il est possible que la souveraineté québécoise puisse être atteinte. Mais avant que le Québec puisse se séparer du Canada, il y a plusieurs problèmes économiques et politiques qu’ils doivent résoudre. Le Québec n’a pas leur propre constitution et leur économie est directement liée à celle du reste du Canada. La province du Québec ne peut pas devenir un pays souverain s’il ne peut pas trouver une façon de séparer leur économie et leur système politique de ceux du Canada.

Le journal de Montréal après Charles de Gaulle a crié “Vive le Québec libre!” (JOURNAL DE MONTREAL)

d’immigrants québécois et aussi des gens autochtones, qui ont le même droit que tous les autres québécois. Le Québec doit certainement apaiser ces accusations s’ils veulent continuer avec

Ça fait 50 ans que Charles de Gaulle a crié « Vive le Québec libre! », mais le sentiment du nationalisme québécois existe encore. Les partis politiques comme le Bloc québécois et le parti québécois, ensemble avec les mouvements comme Brexit, assurent que l’idée de la souveraineté québécoise continue.

Le monde en dehor s de la li ttérature anglai se Les auteurs francophones d’autour du monde

par Madeleine MacIsaac-Sun La contribution française au monde de la littérature est souvent négligée par les anglophones. Souvent, quand on pense à la littérature française, on pense aux classiques: Hugo, Balzac, Camus, etc. En réalité, la littérature française contemporaine est riche en culture et en contenu.

Les auteurs francophones sont répartis dans le monde entier et sont capables d’atteindre un grand succès!

Alain Mabanckou est né à Pointe-Noire, République du Congo, le 24 février 1966. Il est un romancier et enseignant; il écrit des romans, la poésie, des essais, et des livres pour la jeunesse. Son premier roman, Bleu-Blanc-Rouge (1998), a illustré l’état d’esprit que beaucoup de jeunes Africains partageaient : une illusion qui a idéalisé Paris comme une terre d’opportunité. Le roman explore la réalité des Africains en France et les luttes qu’ils rencontrent. L’année suivante, Mabanckou a gagné le Grand prix littéraire d’Afrique noire pour Bleu-Blanc-Rouge. Ses autres romans, poèmes et essais lui ont gagne le Prix de la Société des poètes français, le

Prix du roman Ouest-France Étonnants voyageurs, le Prix des cinq continents de la francophonie, et beaucoup plus.

Calixthe Beyala est née à Duala, Cameroun en 1961. Elle a fait ses études à Paris et a passé du temps en France, en Espagne et au Cameroun. Initialement, elle poursuivit des carrières différentes, mais elle a décidé de devenir un écrivain à temps plein après la publication de son premier roman.

C’est le soleil qui m’a brûlée a été publié en 1987, et elle a continué à écrire beaucoup plus de livres. Elle est bien connue pour être une féministe, dont ses écrits reflètent. Ses romans traitent souvent des difficultés auxquelles sont confrontées les femmes et les enfants africains dans une société à prédominance masculine. Elle a gagné le Grand prix littéraire d’Afrique noire, le Grand prix du roman de l’Académie française, et le Grand prix de l’Unicef.

Patrick Chamoiseau est né à Fort-deFrance, Martinique, le 3 décembre 1953. Après des études de droit à Paris, il retourne à Martinique et s’inspire de la culture créole. Il est largement connu pour sa contribution au mouvement littéraire créolité, qui a tenté de décrire la culture des Caraïbes françaises. Son

Il y a beaucoup de livres francais à Mary Ward. (VANESSA LUK)

style d’écriture implique un mélange de français et patois; beaucoup de gens apprécient son caractère unique. Il gagne le Prix Goncourt pour son roman Texaco, publié en 1992. En plus d’écrire des romans, Chamoiseau écrit des pièces de théâtre, des bandes dessinées, des livres pour la jeunesse et des essais.

Maryse Condé est née à Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, le 11 février 1937. Elle a obtenu un doctorat dans la littérature caribéenne à la Sorbonne, et est un professeur à l’université Columbia. Condé est surtout connue pour sa fiction historique, notamment Segu (1985). Ses ro-

mans explorent les questions raciales, culturelles et de genre dans le contexte du passé. Bien qu’elle n’ait jamais rejoint le mouvement créolité, elle détient de fortes croyances féministes et affirme qu’elle ne pourrait jamais écrire sans être politique. Elle a gagné Le Grand Prix Litteraire de la Femme et Le Prix de L’Académie Française pour ses œuvres.

Le monde de la littérature est diversifié dans la culture, le langage et la nationalité. Lire les œuvres d’auteurs internationaux peut ouvrir l’esprit!

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 17

Le syndrome de Paris

petite planète

la petite planète la petite planète

wact

Comment la réalité de Paris est différent de ce qu’on imagine? par Anjuli Joachim Les médias occidentaux peignent souvent une image étonnante de Paris, France. Des scènes stéréotypées de films romantiques incluent des couples amoureux sous l’ombre de la Tour Eiffel, l’odeur des croissants fraîchement cuisinés qui remplissent constamment l’air et des Parisiens bourdonnants qui s’affairent autour de la ville.

En conséquence, sur l’avion à Paris, de nombreux touristes de pays étrangers rêvent de la beauté qui les attend avec une féroce excitation. Cependant, quand leur image de Paris se heurte à une dure dose de réalité - bien, de mauvaises choses peuvent se produire.

Une rencontre avec un personnel impoli, ou un propriétaire de magasin parisien qui crie à des clients qui ne parlent pas couramment le français, pourrait être simplement brossé par ceux

physiques du choc culturel extrême.

Professeur Hiroaki Ota, un psychiatre japonais travaillant en France, est crédité comme la première personne à diagnostiquer l’état en 1986, en inventant le terme «syndrome de Paris». Les symptômes peuvent inclure des états délirants, des hallucinations, de l’anxiété, de l’agressivité et des vomissements.

En moyenne, jusqu’à 12w touristes japonais par an y sont victimes, principalement des femmes dans la fin de la vingtaine et la trentaine qui ont des attentes élevées de ce qui peut être leur premier voyage à l’étranger.

Le syndrome de Paris affecte environ 12 touristes chaque année. (VANESSA LUK)

d’autres cultures occidentales en raison de leur expérience personnelle avec la rudesse dans leur pays d’origine. Mais pour les Japonais - qui sont habitués à une société plus polie dans laquelle les voix sont rarement soulevées pour une raison quelconque - l’expérience

La métamorphose

de leur ville de rêve de se transformer en cauchemar peut être trop.

Ces touristes japonais éprouvent une surcharge d’information si opposée aux croyances originales qu’ils commencent à éprouver des symptômes

Récemment, l’ambassade du Japon à Paris a créé une ligne téléphonique ouverte 24 heures sur 24 pour les personnes souffrant de cette affection et dirige les gens vers les hôpitaux pour y être soigné si nécessaire.

La seule cure permanente, cependant, est de simplement retourner au Japon et ne jamais revenir.

Requiem pour hie r

par Michelle Tang

Les pétales s’ouvrent Et elle sorte, déshabillée Sauf qu’un froncement.

Les ailes bleues, rouges, Simples, rayées, à motifs S’allongent partout, non souhaitées.

Seulement les plus belles, les meilleures— Les ailes irisées, Elle veut les porter.

Elle les cherche toujours, Restant sans racines ni ancre.

Sa fierté reste constante, Une roche dans la rivière Du temps coulant.

Mais l’orgueil Aura amené la chute. Et Quand la roche ne sera plus Restée, quand elle aura été Vaincue, par le temps Ou par éléments, Elle fera ouvrir Sa chrysalide.

PHOTO PAR CIAN HRABI

par Julia D’Silva Écoute, ma fille, c’est important : Avant qu’il soit trop tard, Vous devez comprendre que vous êtes vivante Car bientôt vous serez une vieillarde.

Votre beauté ne peut pas durer, La jeunesse vous quittera vite.

Quand la fin arrive, vous allez pleurer; De votre destin, il n’y a pas une fuite.

Ce que vous valorisez maintenant; L’argent, l’apparence, la popularité, Ces choses ne sont pas aussi importantes Que l’amour et l’amitié.

Alors, profitez de vos temps au monde, Faites tout ce que vous voulez faire.

La vie ne dure qu’une seule seconde, Puis vous allez vous plaindre pour hier.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 18

petite planète

wact wact

wact

La La Land: For the Fools Who Dream

HAVE MOVIES

A Review About A Soon To be Classic

GOTTEN WORSE? A closer look at the possible decline of good film.

By Nimmy Ayekun Cinema has definitely changed over time. For one, movies have become darker, faster, and more advanced in quite a lot of areas.

In many ways one could say that they have actually improved over the course of the last 50 years. I mean it’s no lie that with the help of technological advances such as CGI to the switch from Super Parvo cameras to DSLR, that the film industry have been able to create movies that are more realistic and surreal than ever before. (Just check out the visuals in Jungle Book or Rogue One, 2 possible runners for Oscars this year) However while imagery in films has improved, can the same really be said for content?

Let’s put it this way. If I were to ask you if you have seen the film about a guy who meets a girl. The girl isn’t the guy’s typically type, she is usually the complete opposite, but soon they realize that they are much more alike than they thought and a relationship forms.

The girl finds out that it was all a dare or a misunderstanding or he is getting back with his ex-girlfriend but then he comes back and tells her that he actually loves. Finally, the movie ends with them back together, kissing laughing or doing something of that sort.

How many different movies would you say came to mind? Alot right?

that movies have become boring and often times directors, producers and writers completely abandon the sanctity of creating a good film in an effort to appeal to mass audiences and rake in some more cash. Just take for instance Suicide Squad or even the Hunger Games. Despite being highly anticipated films by fans and critics alike, both movies ended up with a lot of disappointed fans and negative reviews from critics. Each film relied on its cast of alist actors and large franchise to make up for what seemed like a subpar plot with no real character development or direction. In the case of Hunger Games, where directors had the chance to focus on the corruption of government and the dangers of living in a dystopian society, they instead chose to put too much emphasis on a generic love triangle.

What separates movies from and now, is that back then the ies being made were able to ture emotion, personality, and acter dimension through a

then movcapcharlens.

When it boils down to it, movies are an art. However, unlike 50 years ago, film is being treated less and less like it is. It’s the only reason that could explain why we are seeing more and more movies like The Interview which are devoid of emotion, not remotely funny, and confusing. Alfred Hitchcock’s The Trouble with Harry is just an example of how it is not impossible to create It’s hard to disagree that in recent years, comedies that are funny and entertainmovies have become plagued with an ing without just violence and vulgarity. unappealing similarity in both plot and structure. It’s almost as if everyone in Yes, not everyone wants to see super Hollywood is using the same “How To” intense movies all the time, but Holmanual for making movies and in a lywood has greatly underestimated way, they kinda are. In an article writ- how successful non-traditional films ten by Peter Suderman for Slate, he can be. A good example of this are explains how many big screen films the films Inception or La La Land that follow a 3 part structure that success- was released just earlier this year. ful screenwriter Blake Snyder outlines in his book, Save the Cat! The Last Book Today the movie going experience for You’ll Ever Need On Screenwriting. the most part has been reduced from moments of visceral excitement and It makes sense that filmmakers prefer to suspense to a mediocre two hours of create narratives that they know from sitting in a dark room watching easy to past movies will be successful, no one swallow entertainment. So yes, in way wants to spend upwards of 200 mil- movies have gotten worse but hopelion dollars on a film only to have it be fully 2017 has some better stuff in store. a bust. The issue with this however is

Actors sing and dance under the moonlight. (CHRIS GASH)

By Alyssa Bravo 2016’s musical romantic comedy La La Land has swept the film industry’s awards season, scoring seven Golden Globe awards and 14 Academy Award nominations. Con-

La La Land is an old Hollywood style love story capturing the hearts of all (PINTEREST)

(played by Emma Stone) is an actress jumping from audition to audition. The two characters are dismissed at various opportunities to pursue their dreams.

This affects not only the intuition in their passions, but also inevitably puts a couple bumps in their relationship.

The first act of the film establishes Sebastian’s and Mia’s professional struggles as well as the beginning of their relationship. The final act mirrors this— despite having both achieved their goals, they have also lost an important piece of themselves that they’d realized they wanted to keep along the way.

Reality isn’t downplayed to a thematic extent in a movie that at first suggests a classic “Hollywood ending.” It is both

tributing to the film’s success is its stylistic nostalgia: a romance between a man and a woman, all while accompanied by colourful imagery and catchy music. The film sometimes even recognizes its Ryanclassical roots, poking fun at the idea of romantic destiny, fantasy, and happy endings. Unlike most old-school musiMia and Sebestian played by Ryan Gosling and Emma cals however, La La Land does not su Stone. (POPSUGAR) garcoat one of its main themes—the struggles of being an aspiring artist. refreshing and astonishing to see the reality of someone with large, creative The film’s production had a rough start, ambitions presented so accurately. Evironically reflecting not only its success, ery painter, poet, musician, or actor has but its subject matter as well. Direc- experienced rejection. They know what tor and screenwriter Damien Chazelle it’s like for a loved one to be affected calls the film his “passion project,” after by their self-doubt, too. They recognize having it in development for years. He found that no film studio wanted to that success does not always guarantee fund a contemporary original musical. having everything you had hoped for.

It wasn’t until he received further recognition for his 2014 motion picture Whip- La La Land can be enjoyable for those lash, that Summit Entertainment agreed who appreciate old-school musicals to invest in and distribute La La Land. and those who feel as if the struggles of being an artist are underestimated La La Land is set in Los Angeles, which is in reality. The film accurately portrays a notoriously prestigious setting to pur- common hardships: what strains these sue artistic careers. Sebastian (played obstacles put on personal relation

by Ryan Gosling) is a pianist who hopes ships, being told “no” repeatedto open a jazz club in the city. Mia ly, and succumbing to self-doubt.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 19

wact wact

wact

Gone Rogue Rogue One joins the much loved Star War’s films.

By Geena De Los Reyes One year following the release of The Force Awakens comes the release of Rogue One, an all new Star Wars film separate from the main series. Taking place in between the events of Episodes III and IV, Rogue One tells the story of Jyn Erso, daughter of former scientist Galen Erso. Until Galen was captured and forced to work for the Empire, Jyn lived a peaceful life with her family.

Many years later, and as a member of the rebellion, Jyn learns of the Death Star–an Empire-owned weapon powerful enough to destroy entire planets. Filled with vengeance against the Empire, Jyn and the other members of the resistance go to steal the plans for the Death Star so it can be destroyed Many fans of the original series were concerned with how Rogue One would fare, especially after how well received The Force Awakens was.

However, Rogue One does an excel lent job of being good as a standalone while still staying true to its roots as a Star Wars movie. Unlike most movies in the franchise, it doesn’t focus on a lightsaber-wielding protagonist or place a heavy emphasis on the Force. It is different from what fans are used to, but it makes up for its uniqueness by giving a story that is new and fresh, and not just a copy of the standard Star Wars formula.

The plot of the film mixes drama, com

In addition to having a good storyline, the movie also has a strong cast of characters. The main characters are well developed and memorable. They all have strengths, but also flaws that make them relatable rather than dislikable. Not to mention the cast that plays them is not only talented but diverse. Chirrut Îmwe is played by Donnie Yen, who is from Hong Kong. Baze Malbus is played by Jiang Wen from China, and his character breaks the usual Asian samurai stereotype by wielding a gun. A very notable casting choice is the actor for Cassian Andor, the main male protagonist. He is played by Diego Luna from Mexico, despite the fact that Mexican actors are rarely chosen to play lead roles in blockbuster films. Alongside being talented, Rogue One’s cast is broader than the usual norm.

Your Name’s Claim To Fame Why this anime became a global senastion.

By Kimberly Vuong The Oscar nominated movie, Kimi no na wa also known as Your Name in English has created a commotionthroughout the world. The movie was directed by Makoto Shinkai who has created other award-winning films such as The Garden of Words and 5 Centimetres Per Second. From the outstanding art to the spellbinding soundtrack, the film has made over $435.4 million CAD.

film to express his thought of, “A di saster could strike at any moment.”

A review from The Guardian was electronically published online. The movie critic, Kermode spoke about the thrilling animation and the scenes in the film putting many live-action blockbusters to shame. He also expressed the humour found within certain scenes and how the film can be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences. Notoriously known critics, Rotten Tomatoes, rated the film with a glorious 97%!

Even though the movie makes a lot of references to past films, it can still be enjoyed by those who have never seen a Star Wars film in their life. It is easy to comprehend, and succeeds at being accessible to newcomers while still being rewarding for long time fans.

So, despite Rogue One not being a traditional Star Wars film, it is a very strong film on it’s own. It looks gorgeous, it’s story is compelling, and the characters are as relatable as they are likeable. Its story is easy to follow even for those who have never seen a Star Wars film, but is also satisfying to those who have. It takes advantage of its status as

‘Rogue One’ can be enjoyed by people who haven’t seen the past films. (DENOFGEEKS)

edy, and action together to create a movie that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The stakes are high, and its most intense scenes are terrifying to watch. The action is exciting and well choreographed, and helps make the film all the more dramatic.

creative spaces

a standalone to bring something different to the Star Wars franchise. Whether you are new to Star Wars or a longtime fan, Rogue One will lead you through an out of this world experience.

A still of Makoto Shinikai’s hit animated film ‘Your Name’ . (TOHO)

Your Name revolved around high school students Taki from the city and Mitsuha from the country side. From a simple wish to become a handsome boy from Tokyo, Mitsuha and Taki began to experience a series of sudden body swaps. Initially believing the happenings were all a dream, the two strangers began to realize their reality.

Curious to learn about each other, they began to search for answers by leaving messages for one another. With unpredictable complications, Taki and Mitsuha attempted to close the distance until one day everything once again changed. While impacting one another’s lives, the two began to feel something more than just the desire to meet.

The film stressed a historical happening that took place in Japan in 2011.

The 3.11 disaster took the country by surprise with the terrible 9.0 magnitude earthquake. Shinkai used the

With the content received globally, the movie has been set to show in theatres in many countries.

The film is set to be released on April 7, 2017 in Canadian theatres. Radwimps, the band that supplied the music has rewritten the songs in English. Voicing the protagonists courtesy of the English dub are Michael Sinterniklaas as Taki and Stephanie Sheh as Mitsuha. Sinterniklaas has provided his voice to the roles of Nathaniel from Miraculous Ladybug, Riven from Winx Club, and Dagger from Black Butler. A few of the characters Sheh has voiced include Serena from Sailor Moon, Rebecca from the Resident Evil games, and Duchess from Ever After High.

Catch the movie in theatres to show support and experience a whole new hilarious supernatural love story!

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 21

wact

creative spaces creative spaces

TIGER LINES by Aiken Chau

creative spaces

Puppy Love byJamie Edghill

SKILLS COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS

By Aiken Chau On March 5, twelve media arts students competed in the TCDSB SKILLS Ontario competition, simulating the experience of working during a day in the creative industry. During this event they represented Mary Ward and showcased their artistic abilities through animation, photography, film, and more. Here are some of their works:

Graphic Design Presentation 3rd Place (YUKI TAM)

Photography Competition (DEION SQUIRES-ROUSE)

Photography Competition (KATHRIEL RIVERA)

Animation students at work. (NICOLE POWELL)

Mary Ward Skills team. (NICOLE POWELL)

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 22

Graphic Design Presentation 5th Place (CAITLYN REYES)

Photography Competition (NATALIE ALMOSA)

creative spaces

creative spaces creative spaces

Oh, What a World

fun and games

TO HE IT MAY CONCERN

By Nicole Marron

By Jason Samocino

My visible breaths match that of the roaring engines around me another puff comes as my lungs fill with their toxic exhale and I grip my textbook tighter.

It speaks of a subject I’m sure to fail but my parents tell me that engineers are good at this stuff (honestly though, I’d rather be finger-painting).

Am I strange as normal can be told?

For what is unique if He is our view?

My ego shattered though covered in gold.

My glasses clear though my vision untrue.

Please forgive me as my light has fell thin, The end of my line I grasp with a plea.

Awaiting for my last day to begin, So I ask in life who I am to He? Normal I am as right equals to wrong.

His words are the only words that I hear.

In His love, a new man I came along, My loving blessings I know not to fear.

For He have I seen the world of my own, As my crown sit triumphant on His throne.

I stayed up with the book late into the night so my sunrise will be filled with the stream tendrils of caffeine. The melody of my coins’ jingle and the beat of my shoes slapping the sidewalk comes to a halt as a snowflake lands light on my nose.

I look around in alarm; the trees are still ablaze but too soon I find myself saying “winter’s arrived.”

I look quickly at the whirling vehicles and quietly curse them for welcoming the cold so early.

“Oh, what a world,” I think as my breaths dissolve into those of the coffee.

The odour shows me as forced hospitality as the motors and the winter.

PHOTO BY NATALIE ALMOSA PHOTO BY CIAN HRABI

FIRST COME, LAST SERVED

By Andrea Nijmeh

“Go back to your country,” he yells, His mouth spurring complaints about immigrants.

But since when was this his land?

Since when was he not an immigrant?

First come, last served.

“It is time for a renewed, relationship with First Nations peoples,” Trudeau says.

But the government is shutting their eyes, Falling sound asleep every night, Despite the loud sound of protest from the aboriginal people.

Stripping them of their cultural identities, governance, and lands.

First come, last served.

“Over 4 000 indigenous women have gone missing or been murdered,” the man on TV blares.

But what is being done?

Trudeau’s false promises echoes the cries of the families, “If we were white they would do something.”

First come, last served.

“Oh Canada, our home ON native land,” the students sing.

Trudeau signs off on the Site C dam, Bulldozing over their homes, Bulldozing over aboriginal rights.

First come, last served. a“Give us back our country!” they protest, “We are not the immigrants!”

Those in power need to listen.

Those in power need to cooperate.

First come, first served.

“It is time for a renewed, relationship with First Nations peoples” Trudeau says.

The government needs to open their eyes, Reconcile for their past struggle, Allow them their cultural identities, governance, and lands.

First come, first served.

“Over 4 000 indigenous women have gone missing or been murdered,” the man on TV blares.

“And we will find every single one,” Trudeau announces.

The cases are reopened; the families get the answers they deserve.

No more stolen sisters.

First come, first served.

“Oh Canada, our home ON native land” The students sing.

The government does not allow the Site C dam to be built.

Their homes are protected.

Their rights are protected.

First come, first served.

The human rights of those who were here before, Is an issue our government has trained us Our entire lives to ignore.

Not anymore.

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 23

creative spaces

funand and games fun games

CROSSWORD

By Yuki Tam Across 1. 20 to the power of 6 isn’t 1000?

Sorry, that was a ________.

2. When an actor makes a mistake, the take may be put into this section of the film 3. Timbaland ft. One Republic 4. good, _______, best 5. software issue 6. A tragic hero has one 7. sometimes ________ is more 8. teachers mark these in red Down 1. the word Canadians are pinned for using too much 2. _________404, Page Not Found 3. “I thought the meeting was Thursday. I must’ve _________ the email.”

4. There were so many ________ in the last crossword.

5. to pardon 6. “My dog ate my homework” is one 7. what one must do from one’s mistakes 8. make better in quality 9. “Houston, we have a _________.”

10. “It’s the ________ that counts.”

Out of Uniform

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 2 mwplanet 24

By Francis David