The Other Press - Mar 16, 2021

Lettitor

JANIS

The Other Press has been Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student union. We are a registered society under the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eight-person board of directors appointed by our staff. Our head office is located in the New Westminster campus.

The Other Press is published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer. We receive our funding from a student levy collected through tuition fees every semester at registration, and from local and national advertising revenue. The Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a syndicate of student newspapers that includes papers from all across Canada.

The Other Press reserves the right to choose what we will publish, and we will not publish material that is hateful, obscene, or condones or promotes illegal activities.

Submissions may be edited for clarity and brevity if necessary. All images used are copyright to their respective owners.

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Janis McMath Editor-in-Chief  editor@theotherpress.ca

Jessica Berget Assistant Editor  assistant@theotherpress.ca

Athena Little Illustrator

Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor  lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca

Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor  arts@theotherpress.ca

Udeshi Seneviratne Illustrator

Richard Dick Senior Columnist

Position Open News Editor  news@theotherpress.ca

Matthew Fraser Opinions Editor  opinions@theotherpress.ca

CJ Sommerfeld Staff Writer

Position Open Staff Reporter

Position Open Entertainment Editor  humour@theotherpress.ca

Craig Allan Business Manager  businessmanager.otherpress @gmail.com

Alexis Zygan Staff Writer

Luana Ross Contributor

Christine Weenk Layout Manager  layout@theotherpress.ca Lauren Kelly Graphics Manager  graphics@theotherpress.ca Nhi 'Jenny' Vo Production Assistant

Jacey Gibb Distribution Manager Joe Ayres Social Media Manager Mo Hussain Sports Reporter

Billy Bui Staff Photographer Arnaldo Fragozo Staff Photographer Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

Cover layout by CJ Sommerfeld and Lauren Kelly Feature layout by CJ Sommerfeld and Christine Weenk

News

Have an idea for a story?  news@theotherpress.ca

news // no. 3 • The newest scam and spam calls and how to avoid them • There will be a vaccine for everyone • What’s going down at Dougie? ...and more

Oh, the books you’ll stop printing!

› Dr. Seuss Enterprises pulls some of their books that have been accused of racism

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r. Seuss Enterprises decided to pull several Dr. Seuss books out of publishing because of imagery that has been called racist appearing within the children’s books. Some have mistaken Biden as the preparator for this recent book banning. A Facebook post stating “Trump took down ISIS, Biden took down Dr. Seuss and Mr. Potato Head” was circulated on the social media platform. This is not true, and neither is the term “book banning” appropriate for this instance.

The well-known and well-loved children’s author makes the second most money out of all dead celebrities. Seuss’ organization cites a preservation of the late writer’s legacy as the main driver in stopping the print of those specific books, and the enterprise mentions that a panel of academics and teachers were consulted in this decision in their statement. They state that are “committed to action” and acknowledge that depictions of certain people in Seuss’ books are “hurtful and wrong.” Even though the organization says these actions are only part of their larger plan, Dr. Seuss Enterprises has yet to take their other heavily criticized titles out of

circulation—like breadwinner The Cat in the Hat. The book is consistently one of Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ best sellers and is a constant focus for criticism—so much so that Was the Cat in the Hat Black? The

Hidden Racism of Children’s Literature, and the Need for Diverse Books was written and published in 2017.

And on the topic of best sellers, after the controversy broke out, Dr. Seuss

Photo by Arnaldo Fragozo

Luana Ross Contributor

books monopolized the best-seller spots in the book section of Amazon. Classics like The Cat in the Hat consistently held first place. USA TODAY also put The Cat at the top of their best-selling book list. A list of the all-time best-selling children’s literature in Publishers Weekly from 2001 features Seuss several times but does not spotlight any of the pulled titles. Other top lists of children’s books found the out-ofcirculation books to be absent as well. A Publishers Weekly article from this year highlights that Seuss books consistently experience a bump in sales during this time of year as Dr Seuss’ March 2 birthday is also a holiday: National Read Across America Day. The publishers use Seuss’ birthday to promote his books. The press release about taking the books out of circulation was published on March 2.

In response to this change, people have also been trying to upsell their old copies of the books that are now out of print. Popular marketplace website eBay saw people trying to sell hardcover copies of If I Ran the Zoo climb to $5,000. A spokesperson for eBay said the website was trying to unlist these books but several of the transactions went through regardless.

Comparing coronavirus vaccines › There will be a vaccine for everyone Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

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year after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic, many people are starting to get vaccinated after the first vaccine was found and approved in England three months ago. Since then, more vaccines have been made available.

Despite the fact that there were fewer shipments in Canada during the early months because of factory renovations and vaccines going through the approval process, it is now starting to speed up.

Four vaccines have been approved so far, and they have different efficacy rates—and some of them need special refrigeration.

What they all have in common is that they work, and each vaccine can be used for a specific age group. You are probably wondering which vaccine to get, and it is recommended to get the vaccine that is offered to you—and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry agrees with this as she mentioned it in a press conference.

Most of the vaccines require two doses including the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines (which are mRNA vaccines).

A mRNA vaccine is a new type of vaccine where cells give instructions on how to make spike proteins to boost the

immune system against the virus. The cells are protected by a lipid nanoparticle to allow it to get inside the body. The Pfizer vaccine (which is developed with Germany’s BioNTech) and the Moderna vaccine both have an efficacy rate of 95

percent and can be used for anyone 18 years and older. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine must be stored at very cold temperatures, but they are currently developing a version of it that can be stored in regular refrigerator temperatures like the Moderna

vaccine.

Two vaccines that are like the Moderna vaccine are the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines which were recently approved. In the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is developed with Oxford University, a non-replicating viral vector uses a coronavirus gene to boost the immune system. The vector is delivered in the form of an adenovirus which is a live virus.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization currently recommends that the AstraZeneca vaccine be only given to those who are under 64 years old though other countries recommend that it can be given to everyone. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine being recently approved on March 5 sped up the amount of people being vaccinated as it only needs one dose.

Although the efficacy rate of both vaccines are 66 percent, it is more effective in elderly patients when they are being hospitalized.

All the vaccines only focus on the originating version of the virus but can also protect from various variants of the coronavirus through booster shots.

Everyone in the province is starting to get vaccinated and with more vaccines arriving and being approved, there is a possible chance that the pandemic will end this summer.

news // no. 4

theotherpress.ca

Photo by Arnaldo Fragozo

New scam call using COVID-19 vaccine to get personal information

› The newest scam and spam calls and how to avoid them

Jessica Berget Assistant Editor

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ith March being Fraud Prevention Month and the rise in scam call reports during this pandemic, it’s important to know what kind of scams are circulating in your area.

Near the beginning of the pandemic in August, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported that reports of scam calls were increasing. In fact, in the first half of 2020, there were more than 23,000 reports in connection with telephone calls asking for people’s money or SIN card number.

Overall, there were 69,411 reports in the year 2020 and the Canadian Government website states that as of the end of February, there were 11,266 reports, 7,646 victims of these frauds, and more than $34.5 million lost

in Canada from these scams (down from $107.5 million last year—but we’re only three months into the year).

Of the many scams that are circulating, some of the most common ones are phone calls, emails, or even text messages claiming to be from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or Service Canada. The scammer then tell potential victims that they either owe money to the government, that they are at risk of being deported or going to jail, or that they won a prize and need to send a gift card to receive said gift. One CTV News article from last month even mentions reports of a new scam posing to be from Amazon and that there is something wrong with your account such as a lost package, unfinished order, or a fraudulent charge. In these cases, consumers report that the callers then asked for their account information,

credit card number, or remote access to their computers. Police remind people that government organizations like Service Canada or CRA will never call you asking for personal or financial information, ask you to send or pay crypto currency, leave threatening messages, use aggressive and insistent language, or threaten you with arrest—and especially never ask for remote access to your computer.

These reports prompted a warning from the Better Business Bureau, who warns about the effects of these calls on businesses. “In December we tracked 28 calls, in January 93 calls, and this week alone 41 calls,” said Karla Laird, manager of community and public relation from BC’s Better Business Bureau in the previously mentioned CTV News article. “The con artists are also spoofing other organizations’ phone numbers to

help disguise their calls and lend them credibility. Some of these numbers have been connected back to Canadian small businesses and even BBB offices in the United States.” Consumers who receive these calls claiming to be from Amazon asking for personal information are advised to ignore them.

But now, many fraudsters are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and using that as ammo for their scams. On newly reported scam from this month asks callers for personal information to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

West Vancouver RCMP reminds people at this stage in the vaccination process no one should be calling anyone to book an appointment and to hang up immediately if you receive this call.

What’s going down at Dougie? › Virtual Health Week events, dog therapy, and more this March Jessica Berget Assistant Editor For the remainder of March, Douglas College will be hosting Virtual Health Week—a series of online events and workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing to aide students during the pandemic. The most anticipated event of the semester will also be coming up this week: therapy dogs! All students interested must register for these events on the college website.

Mental Wellness at Douglas College March 16 at 2 pm and March 18 at 4:30 pm With so many reasons for stress for the average college student, Douglas College is hosting a session for students to get together and to focus on the importance of mental wellness. Participants will do a group activity to anonymously share their barriers and what helps their mental wellness, and those contributions will help to improve how the college supports students, according to the website.

Eating Healthy as a College Student March 16 at 3:30 pm Join this event if you want to learn to cook healthy, quick, and delicious food! The Student Wellness Awareness Network will be giving tips on how to make quick and easy meals for any college student’s taste. Attendees will also have a chance to win a Walmart gift card for $25.

Active Listening Workshop March 16 at 5 pm Active listening is a counselling technique that focuses on fully listening, concentrating, and responding to a speaker. They say it’s a vital part of communicating, and that’s why the college is hosting an event for students to learn non-verbal communication. Attendees also have a chance to win one of two $25 Amazon gift cards.

Study Break Yoga and Mindful Breathing March 17 at 11 am

Resiliency For Your Emotional Health March 18 at 3:30 pm

Take a break from you busy life to breath and stretch as it’s good for your brain and your body! Douglas College’s very own fitness class instructor Amanda will be teaching this online class.

Peer tutors from the college learning centre will be facilitating this interactive workshop to help students create ways to strengthen their emotional resilience.

There’s also a chance to win a $25 Walmart gift card to give you even more resiliency.

Virtual Dog Therapy March 17 at 3pm With classes still being held online, this year’s DSU dog therapy event will be held online. Though it may be sad not to see these dogs in person, the event encourages attendees to also bring their pets so you may see even more adorable pets this year. Volunteers from BC and Alberta Guide Dogs will be showing off their dogs along with some cute stories and tricks and educating attendees about what they do. Prizes for some attendees will also be included at the end.

Communicating in a Virtual World March 18 at 11am Many students might struggle with communicating during this time of not being able to see anyone. To tend to that the college is hosting this one-hour workshop facilitated by Douglas College counsellors to provide ways on improving connection and relationships during this time. Event attendees could also win one of three Amazon gift cards for $25.

Indigenous Wellness Workshop March 18 at 1pm Vancouver Cree actor Shayla Stonechild along with the DSU will be hosting this indigenous-centred wellness workshop. This event will focus on the medicine wheel and the four components of wellness: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Attendees will have a chance to win DSU themed prizes or virtual gift cards.

Mental Health Toolkit March 19 at 10 am You probably have a toolkit in your house, but what about a mental toolkit? This event will highlight how to make your own personalized mental health and wellness toolkit to help students when they may be having a crisis, or just a bad day. Some attendees may even get to add a $25 gift card to WalMart to their toolkit if they’re lucky.

Creating a Campus Culture of Consent March 19 at noon Learn how you can actively use consent, how to become an active bystander, and learn about “cyber consent” in a virtual world. You can also potentially win an Amazon gift card!

How to Have a Productive Day March 19 at 2 pm Douglas College Sports Science instructor Dustin Silvey will be highlighting the importance of exercising between study breaks in this informative workshop. The event will also give examples of healthy eating habits and snack preparation. Or—as you might’ve already guessed—you could give yourself another chance to win a Wal-Mart gift card.

Sports

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sports // no. 5 • Remembering the ‘Richard Riot’ • Billions of dollars are flying around • An interesting next few months to look forward to ...and more

Remembering the ‘Richard Riot’ › The Rocket’s 1955 suspension led to an ugly riot in the Montreal streets

Brandon Yip Senior Columnist his week marks an infamous anniversary in Canadian hockey folklore. On the night of March 17, 1955, an ugly riot referred to as the “Richard Riot” erupted at the Montreal Forum—and later spilled into the streets of Montreal.

Maurice “Rocket” Richard was a hero and an icon in the city of Montreal. His tenacity, grit, and determination made him beloved as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. He could also score goals and became the first NHL player to score 50 goals in one season (1944-45 season).

Prior to the riot, in a game against the Boston Bruins at the Boston Garden on March 13, 1955, Richard was involved in an altercation with Bruins defenceman, Hal Laycoe (who later became the first coach of the Vancouver Canucks in 1970). Laycoe struck Richard over the head with his stick opening a wound that later required stitches.

Richard had a temper that would have made a bull in Spain seem timid. He went after Laycoe swinging his stick and breaking it over Laycoe’s back. While being restrained by linesman Cliff Thompson, Richard would punch the official in the face. Oh mon Dieu! The Rocket was now in big trouble.

A hearing was later held at NHL president Clarence Campbell’s office. He suspended Richard for the rest of the season including the playoffs. Habs fans were outraged; their hero was gone for the rest of the season and the Canadiens were planning to make another playoff drive.

Richard had been in the running for the scoring title before his suspension. Also, there was a clash between language and cultures as many French-Canadians felt the Richard suspension by the NHL (English speaking) was unjust and a sign of prejudice and disrespect towards the Francophone population in Quebec.

Fans in Montreal were irate that Richard was gone for the rest of the season. The bad blood and animosity by Canadiens fans would reach its apex at the Forum on the evening of March 17, 1955: the first game the Canadiens played without Richard. The Rocket watched the game sitting in an unaccustomed seat behind the goal. The late NHL referee, Red Storey, was the official for the Red Wings and Canadiens game. In the 2000 documentary, Fire and Ice: The Rocket Richard Riot, Storey sensed something ominous in the Forum that evening: “The place is loaded [with people]. There was no atmosphere. There was no noise. It was like if somebody lit a match, this building was going to blow up!”

And to add fuel to the fire, Clarence Campbell attended the game but arrived late in the first period.

The wrath of Montreal fans increased immediately after Campbell’s arrival. The tension had been building; clearly something bad would occur and that was inevitable.

The late writer, Red Fisher, was sitting in the stands that evening working his first assignment covering the Habs for The Montreal Star. He believed that Campbell being in attendance with tensions escalating was a mistake. “The terrible thing about that night and the first bad thing about that night really was […] Clarence Campbell,” Fisher said in the same 2000 documentary. “Not only did he come to the game. He made it a point of getting to the game five or six minutes after it [had started]. So, the entire building

Photo of Maurice 'The Rocket' Richard via National Archives of Canada

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saw this NHL president who had suspended the ‘Rocket,’ walking up the stairs to his seats on the aisle. He had his girlfriend with him, his secretary [Phyllis King] he later married her. And this infuriated the crowd.”

On the other hand, Phyllis King defended Campbell’s actions in showing up to the Forum. King felt Campbell was put in a difficult position, explaining in the same 2000 documentary: “We walked into the Forum a few minutes late, which was bad. But you know, it would’ve been just as bad if we’d gone early—because it would’ve given everybody a chance to really boo him. But you know, if he hadn’t gone, he would’ve had to face the music the next time. I mean if he hadn’t gone, a lot of them would’ve called him a coward. It was just a no-win situation.”

The CBC stated that shortly after Campbell had taken his seat inside the Forum, “[garbage] and various fruit rained down on the NHL boss, one man raced up and smeared a tomato on Campbell, and less than a minute later a homemade tear gas bomb went off.” The game was soon canceled with Detroit being declared the winner (Red Wings were leading by a score of 4 to 1).

With the game over, unfortunately, it would not be over for the restless and angry crowd. Many people

had exited the Forum where rioting had ensued in the Montreal streets. The CBC reported that “out on the street, the largest riot since Conscription was passed in 1944 (bringing in the draft for the final year of the Second World War) broke out along a seven-block length of Rue Ste. Catherine, featuring overturned cars, smashed windows, a shot fired from somewhere, and 137 arrests.” The property damage cost approximately $100,000.

After the chaos and rioting in the streets with businesses and storefront windows damaged and cars turned over and set on fire—Maurice Richard appeared on Montreal television. He pleaded for calm and told fans he would accept the suspension—and return next season to help the Canadiens win hockey games. Richard would deliver on his promise. After his return to the Habs lineup the following season, he led the Canadiens to five straight Stanley Cup wins before retiring in 1960 (Richard won a total of eight Stanley Cups). He scored 544 regular season goals, with 422 assists for 966 points in 978 career NHL games. He also won the Hart Trophy in 1947. Since 1999, the NHL has honoured his memory with the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy awarded to the player who scores the most goals during the regular season.

sports // no. 6

theotherpress.ca

Most lucrative sports TV deals › Billions of dollars are flying around Mo Hussain Sports Reporter

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National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA): $19.6 billion While the debate around whether the NCAA should pay its players continues to be a hot topic of discussion in North America, there’s certainly no debate as to whether to NCAA is generating a lot of money.

The NCAA initially agreed to a fourteen year deal worth $10.8 billion with CBS and Turner Sports to broadcast men’s basketball games in 2010. The two parties then reached another agreement close to the middle of their existing deal in 2016 when they agreed to an eight year $8.8 billion extension.

National Basketball Association (NBA): $24 billion As many can tell by now, the sport of basketball is a big money maker.

In 2014, the NBA agreed to a massive

Illustration by Janis McMath

ith the NHL recently agreeing to a multi-year deal with ESPN to broadcast its games starting next season, it’s time to look back at some of the most lucrative sports TV deals in recent memory:

nine-year and $24-billion deal with ESPN and TNT to broadcast its games. The deal had a massive impact on the NBA’s salary cap; the cap went from $70,000,000 to $94,143,000 once the deal was in effect.

National Football League (NFL): $27 billion Although basketball is no joke when it comes to making money, it would only make sense that the highest revenue sports league in the

world has the highest paying TV deals. In 2011, the NFL agreed to a nine-year contract extension with FOX, NBC, and CBS to broadcast its games. This, in addition to other agreements, made the NFL’s cumulative TV deals worth $27 billion. The deal kicked off in 2013 and is coming up in 2022.

The NFL is currently in talks to reportedly finalize another deal relatively soon. It will be interesting to see whether the NFL remains broadcasting many of its games on cable TV, or if digital streaming will have a much bigger and more lucrative presence this time around.

Considering the significant decline in TV viewership combined with the increase in online viewership, the amount of lucrative TV deals like the ones mentioned above will likely decrease in the coming years. As it was said with the NFL, it will be interesting to see if one of the major digital streaming giants will pull the trigger on a massive deal to broadcast live sports in the coming years.

Three stories to look for in the second half of the NBA season › An interesting next few months to look forward to Mo Hussain Sports Reporter

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s we roll into the second half of the NBA season, a lot has changed since December. Star players have been traded, teams have exceeded expectations, and some aren’t getting off to the start that they’d hoped for. The storylines heading into the second half of the season are very intriguing. Here are three developing stories to look out for: Brooklyn Nets 2021 Champions?

The Brooklyn Nets were already projected to be in the title picture before the season started, but that reality looks a lot closer now. In addition to the blockbuster trade that landed the Nets former MVP James Harden earlier this year, they also recently acquired six-time all star Blake Griffin and are in the sweepstakes for picking up Cleveland Cavalier’s big man Andre Drummond if he gets bought out.

A starting lineup including Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant already looks like a scary backcourt for the rest of the league to deal with. Sprinkle

in Blake Griffin and potentially Andre Drummond in your frontcourt, and the Nets are now getting closer and closer to being the full package.

How are the Lakers going to do it again?

Considering how the Los Angeles Lakers were the favourites to win the NBA championship in the beginning of the season, we might have to start asking if that’s currently still the case. With the Nets strengthening their frontcourt and other Western conference teams like the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers at their neck, the Lakers have to get ready for a pretty tough road to the finals.

Add to that having to be delicate with Anthony Davis’ injury that he’s still healing from and how you also have to balance LeBron James’ playing time with making sure you don’t end up losing games; the Lakers are in for something else. However, the team is still looking to improve as they are also in the sweepstakes for picking Andre Drummond. It will be interesting to see how the team will overcome their internal challenges combined with the

external competition getting better.

What is going on in Toronto?

The Toronto Raptors’ consistent success over the last number of years hasn’t necessarily carried over into this year.

A combination of dealing with COVID protocols, having a season record below

.500, and recent trade rumours involving long time Raptor Kyle Lowry has given the team a lot to deal with this year.

The Raptors can potentially turn things around as they’re still in contention for a playoff spot, but it’ll be interesting to see how the team performs and adjusts in the coming months.

sports // no. 7

issue 23// vol 47

Interview with Canuck PA announcer, Al Murdoch

› Canucks on pivotal eastern road trip while still struggling with consistency

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n the 1990 movie, Godfather III, Al Pacino utters the famous line, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!”

And that is what it feels like watching the Vancouver Canucks. When you think they are out, they somehow pull you back in by showing some heart and perseverance— giving you hope instead of heartache.

The first week of March saw the Canucks sweep a two-game series against the first place Toronto Maple Leafs (winning by scores of 3 to 1 and 4 to 2). With how inconsistent the Canucks had been playing prior, many fans would not have predicted the Canucks to sweep a series against the Leafs—and especially doing so without star forward, Elias Pettersson, who is out with an upper body injury. But give the Canucks credit for showing some backbone.

They could have easily quit, gone through the motions, and played out the rest of the season with indifference and apathy.

The Canucks have shown they can be competitive when they play a full 60-minute game, but the only problem is that we have not seen that enough.

Canucks coach, Travis Green, was pleased with his team’s effort after beating the Leafs for the second straight game.

“I think it’ll give us confidence,” Green said during his Zoom post-game press conference with reporters. “I do think our team has been feeling good about their game. They haven’t been getting the results and that’s been probably a mental fight with themselves. Even when you know you’re playing well and you haven’t won, it does get a little bit draining on you mentally. So, this should help, hopefully. But I think our group also believes that they’re a good team and they can play with anyone.”

In the Scotia NHL North Division, which comprises all seven Canadian NHL teams, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs. The Canucks were in fifth place and five points out of a playoff spot

(when this article was submitted). So far, the month of March has seen the Canucks play much better. Their record in March is four wins and two losses. In the last 10 games, they are 4-5-1. Their home record is a fair 8-7-2, in contrast to their road record, which is 4-9-0. On March 8, the Canucks were impressive in a come-from-behind 2 to 1 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens. With the Canucks down by a score of 1 to 0 late in the third period, Adam Gaudette tied the game with 40.5 seconds left on a booming slapshot that clanked off the post and into the net. The sound of the puck hitting the post was loud enough to give the Nine O’Clock Gun at Stanley Park some competition.

And speaking of loud and booming, Canuck PA announcer Al Murdoch returned to his usual perch high above Rogers Arena in January. He is glad and thrilled to be back. “I am very grateful to be back behind the PA mic, I missed it a ton,” Murdoch said in an email interview with the Other Press. “To crack open the mic for that first home game back in January after being away for so long was exciting and I have carried that through to now.”

With no fans inside Rogers Arena, Murdoch admits it has posed some challenges. “We miss the fans more than words can say, they are the reason we do what we do. Without fan interaction and instant feedback, we had to adjust how we do things, but our game presentation team and the NHL has created some great elements for everyone watching from home and for the players too.” However, the absence of fans does not change his preparation before each game. “What I try to do is imagine in my mind that Rogers Arena is sold out, full capacity, the crowd is loud and cheering like crazy, and that helps me. I can wait for that to become a reality.”

Murdoch believes the Canucks are playing better in spite of the challenges the revised NHL schedule has had on the team. “The Canucks had an extremely tough schedule to start this season, so

Photos by Billy Bui

Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

What I try to do is imagine in my mind that Rogers Arena is sold out, full capacity, the crowd is loud and cheering like crazy, and that helps me.”

– Al Murdoch, PA announcer

many games right off the hop, and with little to no practice time, no preseason, it was a challenge.” He highlights their stick-together attitude and that they “are showing the kind of hockey they can play when they can practice more often and get some momentum. String some wins together, confidence builds, and they can beat any team in this league.” ​In addition, Murdoch was joined in the PA booth by Sportsnet 650’s Caroline Frolic who shared PA duties with Murdoch for International Women’s Day on March 8. “It was great having Caroline join me to share the PA duties and yes she did an amazing job,” Murdoch said. “She told me it was a dream come true, which I can relate to. I’m glad the Vancouver Canucks provided an opportunity for her to experience what very few get to do, and it was great meeting her, she’s a real talent!”

Unfortunately, the Canucks were unable to build on their momentum in their second game against the Habs on March 10—losing by a score of 5 to 1.

The Canucks are on the road this week, playing double headers against the Ottawa Senators—and a rematch double header against the Montreal Canadiens. These games are important if the Canucks want to remain in the playoff race as Travis Green said in his media briefing after the

Canucks’ morning skate on March 10: “We’re going into these games knowing / feeling like it’s a big game. We’re into the second half now. We didn’t get as many wins as we wanted in the first half, so every game is important.” That could not be anymore understated.

Other NHL news Washington Capitals tough guy, Tom Wilson, was suspended for seven games for a hit to the head of Boston Bruins defenceman, Brandon Carlo during a game on March 5. Also, Chicago Blackhawks star, Patrick Kane, played in his 1,000th career game on March 9. And lastly, Walter Gretzky (father of Wayne) was laid to rest in Brantford, Ontario, on March 6.

He passed away March 4 at age 82 as a result of Parkinson’s Disease, and other health issues. Wayne paid tribute to his father, delivering a heartfelt eulogy that was transcribed by CTVNews.ca: “He was a remarkable man who loved life, loved family. We’d be a way better world if there [were] so many more people like my dad.

Very special. We’re all hurting, this is a tough time. I’m so proud of the fact that so many people have reached out and given him such great tributes because he deserves it. He has a heart of gold and just wonderful. Thank you.”

Have an idea for a story?  arts@theotherpress.ca

Arts

arts // no. 8 • Rating popular board games • Film review of ‘The Apple’ • Interviewing record collectors: is vinyl the best way to enjoy music? ...and more

‘The Snoopy Show’ review › Charlie Brown as a sitcom

Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

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or over 50 years, audiences have been introduced to the seasons, warmth, and genius humour of Charlie Brown. After the success of the miniseries Snoopy in Space which aired on Apple TV+ in 2019, and the Christmas classic A Charlie Brown Christmas being available on the streaming service last holiday season, the Peanuts gang goes on new adventures with The Snoopy Show. For anyone that is new to Charlie Brown, they will experience the essentials of a classic in a modern way.

The first season consists of six episodes with each episode containing three acts. It takes place through a period of a year where most of the episodes focus on a specific season. In the show’s opening titles, we see Snoopy going through his

neighbourhood as the seasons progress until he gets to his doghouse.

The series premiere shows backstories of how Charlie Brown met Snoopy and how Woodstock came to live with Snoopy. After watching WandaVision, The Snoopy Show’s use of flashbacks reminded me of comedies today, giving the show a modern look. It was surprisingly funny as there was a lot of humour that I would expect from Family Guy. The jazzy mood of Charlie Brown is still present which enhances some gags and makes them more impactful. One character that stands out in the show is Linus’ brother Rerun who says lines that are brilliant because they are honest and true. There is a scene where Snoopy blows objects away and blows them back and Rerun makes comments related to the government while he is building a sandcastle.

Many of the scenes are also imaginative which makes them funny, especially when Snoopy flies his doghouse. There were a few funny acts in the first

four so far. In episode two, there was a scene where Snoopy tries to cool down on a hot summer day and it has everything that you would expect from Charlie Brown.

The fall episode has a lot of fun moments involving Halloween. It begins with Snoopy and Woodstock trying to get back home after watching a scary movie. Next, there is a debate about trick-0rtreating when Snoopy does tricks for everyone at his doghouse and Peppermint Patty tries to get a treat from him. The episode ends with Charlie trying to find a costume to impress the little red headed girl at a school Halloween party and there was a scene where when Snoopy designs a costume that is so bad which is based on the sketch that Snoopy drew (which looks exactly like it).

The Snoopy Show introduces new fans to an honest depiction of topics that happen every day while appealing to younger viewers. The Snoopy Show is available on Apple TV+.

Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne

It was surprisingly funny as there was a lot of humour that I would expect from ‘Family Guy.’

arts // no. 9

issue 23// vol 47

Interviewing record collectors: is vinyl the best way to enjoy music? › Subtitle How Millennials

and Gen Z helped popularize vinyl records in 2021

Alexis Zygan Staff Writer ollecting vinyl records has become a popular hobby among Millennials and Gen Z, causing record sales to skyrocket by 1000 percent in 2018 compared to previous decades. For generations of youth financing a home is a pipe dream—unlikely to be realized unless they grew up in an upper-class household. Record collecting is how they invest in their financial future and support their favourite musicians, especially after Spotify announced that they only pay artists an average of $0.007 per stream. With tours halted until COVID-19 regulations lift, buying LPs and EPs is a guaranteed way to endorse our favourite artists.

Unlike the compact CD and MP3, the sound of vinyl records is of higher quality, according to expert Adam Gonsalves who operates Portland’s Telegraph Mastering. Gonsalves explains to Oregon Live that vinyl records are “fully analog and fully lossless,” which preserves sound data. Though, to experience the superiority, listeners need a proper setup with a stereo and player that is not a Crosley as they will damage your record collection. I use the RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable.

Vinyl records are visually appealing, come in various funky colours and designs, and some are even translucent. The construction of vinyl records is slick and thin for easy storing in a wooden crate or bookshelf. The platform Discogs allows users to display their collection online and calculate its value. Limited edition collector items have a higher resale value; the most expensive vinyl record Choose Your Weapon resold for $41,095.

Clothing retailer Urban Outfitters jumped on the popularity of vinyl records by dedicating a portion of their store to selling records from pop sensations and rock ‘n’ roll legends. The Chief Administrative Officer of Urban Outfitters, Calvin Hollinger, announced in 2014 that they have beat out independent record stores for selling the most vinyl records. Music magazine Billboard retorted with evidence that Amazon has 4.2 percent more of the market share than Urban Outfitters.

The Other Press spoke with Cam Delisle, a twentyyear-old record enthusiast who has been collecting records since his early teens. At first, the few records he owned did not feel like much. Delisle says, “but once you have a bunch, it is going to feel very rewarding. Try to support your local independent record stores rather than Urban Outfitters and Amazon.”

When you purchase a used record from an independent shop, there is a journey that the record went on before arriving in your hands. Maybe it was well-beloved by a local musician or played at someone’s wedding in 1988.

Once at home, you take the vinyl record out of the slip and carefully place it onto the turntable. Then, lastly, you unlatch and drop the needle. What follows is

Photos by Alexis Zygan

C

a blissful experience of harmonious magic for your ears.

Close your eyes and let the music take you on a trip.

Madeline Elise Fraser started working at record stores four years ago. The Other Press visited Fraser at Redrum in New Westminster which is where she currently works. She says, “From [my first job at Underground Music in Kelowna] I was hooked, I never really want to do anything else.” Her favourite part about collecting records is, well, everything. Fraser says that “vinyl slows everything down; you have to be present when you listen. You don’t just toss it on like Spotify and let it wander to a band you don’t know or care about. If you listen to a record enough times, you

start to tell what the next song is supposed to be about.

It’s awesome."

In 2021, the amount of independent record stores in Vancouver and surrounding areas is expanding.

Redrum alone has opened up more than two new record stores in 2020 in the suburbs where jaded youth desperately seek a space to listen to music and jam out for harmless escapism. Fraser encourages folks to “support the scene. Now is a harder time than ever for everyone in it.” Every time someone purchases from an independent shop instead of Urban Outfitters or Amazon, the money supports the local culture.

arts // no. 10

theotherpress.ca

‘Hey, hey, hey! BIM’s on the way!’ › Film review of ‘The Apple’

Craig Allan Business Manager

     ears ago, coming off learning about one of the baddest boys of the so-bad-they’re-good genre of movies—The Rocky Horror Picture Show—I came across a musical that sounded like it was perfect to fit into that Rocky Horror Picture Show mold. That movie is The Apple, a 1980 musical film that seems to have a legendary status as terrible. It’s listed as one of the worst musicals of all time and Wikipedia lists it as one of the worst movies ever.

With claims so strong I knew it was a movie that I had to see, but when I searched online, I could not find it. However, last week as I was looking at a rack of DVDs at a London Drugs I found it for only $5.60 so I knew I had to buy it.

After dusting off my DVD player, I inserted the disk and got ready to experience the wonder of The Apple.

The Apple is a loose musical take of the story of Adam and Eve set in the futuristic dystopia of 1994. Here, the villainous Mr. Boogalow rules with a desire that everyone pledge their loyalty to the BIM. BIM could be the government, but it could also just be a hit song. This song is one that was performed by a band loyal to Boogalow, and they played it to a cheering crowd at the WorldVision Song Contest. Boogalow is confident that no

the song “How to Be a Master” in which he talks about how he is a master with slaves, backed up by his two black servants.

The ending of the movie is either influenced

by Grease, or is just an acid trip the film crew went on. After finding his way to a commune of casted off 1960s hippies and getting Bibi back by just…

I don’t know… being him?—a man comes down from the clouds in a Rolls Royce. This man has the name of Mr. Topps, but he’s basically God. He then says that he will now take Bibi, Alphie, and all the hippies to another planet that’s far away from Boogalow’s tyranny. That’s how the movie ends.

The movie was panned on release. At the Montreal premiere of the movie, the audience disliked the movie so much that they threw promotional vinyl records at the screen. The director even considered killing himself, feeling that his dreams of breaking into the US film system were gone.

Like all bad movies, the film gets better as time goes. Many later reviews praising it for the camp of it all. For fans of Rocky Horror who enjoy dressing up to the movie and yelling jokes at the screen, The Apple is a film that no doubt deserves to be treated with that same level of adoration. So, to The Rio, or any independent theatre looking for a unique movie, slap on a mandatory BIM sticker and bite the apple!

'The Apple’ is a loose musical take of the story of Adam and Eve set in the futuristic dystopia of 1994.

Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne

Y

one would beat the infectious lyrics of the “BIM” song… that is until Bibi and Alphie from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan come up and sing a love ballad that somehow wins the adulations of the crowd.

The first half hour of The Apple is actually pretty good. The musical numbers (while ridiculous) are memorable. Whether it’s the “BIM” song’s constant repeating of “Hey, hey, hey. BIM’s on the way!”, or the “Apple” song, which contains lyrics like “Meet an actual, actual, actual, actual vampire!” as the lead singer sings the song leading Bibi through metaphorical Hell, the songs are bad, non-sensical—but catchy.

The movie drags after Bibi accepts Mr. Boogalow’s contract while Alphie, untrustworthy of Boogalow, refuses. While there are still great moments, like Bibi’s song “Speed” alluding to America as a drug addict, and the hilarious “BIM Hour” in which on duty firefighters, surgeons, and a patient in the middle of surgery, get up for the mandatory one hour a day dance to the “BIM” song, the movie continually goes back to Alphie’s bantering with his landlord, and pining for Bibi to give up her contractual relationship with Boogalow. If a lot of Alphie’s scenes were cut, this movie would be a campy, enjoyable romp.

The best performance in the movie has to go to Vladek Sheybal. Sheybal, who plays Mr. Boogalow, chews the scenery as the embodiment of the Devil. One of the most cringeworthy moments of his performance comes when he sings

arts // no. 11

issue 23// vol 47

The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen › ‘Daredevil’ TV show review Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor

I

n 2019, I began a Marvel binge. In timeline order, I watched every movie, every one-shot, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Agent Carter. However, in the last few months, I’ve gone back and started to catch up on all the TV shows I missed. Thus far, I’ve also completed Inhumans, Runaways, Jessica Jones, and some of WandaVision.

Regretful that I did not watch these shows in timeline order, I’ve started the next ones on my list in order so as to properly understand their storylines as they are intertwined. I’ve continued my Marvel binge, now in order, with Daredevil (the first season and four episodes of season two) and the first four episodes of Luke Cage.

Daredevil stars Charlie Cox as the blind lawyer by day and the heightened-senses superhero by night. His best friend and partner in law, Foggy Nelson (played by Elden Henson), is fantastic comedic relief with enough personality to be more than just that, however a greater character arc for Foggy has yet to be explored.

Deborah Ann Woll plays Karen Page, the office manager of Matt and Foggy’s law firm. She is a unique female character in the way that she carries herself. With no super abilities, she is just an average pretty friend of the two, but despite her gentle nature, she finds herself in countless dangerous situations due to her pursuit of the truth. She does not flinch in the face of fear, and this makes her a great addition to the show.

Disappointingly, Karen’s childlike crush on Matt feels forced.

Foggy seems to have a crush on Karen at first, too, which makes for an uneasy love triangle, excluding Matt, who seems to be uninterested. That is, until Karen finally catches Matt, and they get together. It doesn’t feel rushed, but it does feel unnecessary and uncomfortable. Perhaps it is in seeing Karen pine for Matt the entire season with little to no reciprocation until he suddenly does reciprocate that makes the relationship feel surface and like Matt is trying to force himself to have feelings for her. Karen’s crush feels quite surface too. It’s clearly not love and I wish the show hadn’t gone this route. I am hoping for them to realize their incompatibility, or for them to become genuinely in love with one another so it doesn’t feel as cringe-worthy to watch them.

Daredevil feels a little slow in between the action scenes, but this isn’t necessarily a downside. The fast-paced mafia battles often feel hectic so it’s nice to have slower moments to simply breathe, learn about the characters, and gain understanding of their complicated interpersonal relationships.

As with most Marvel superheroes, I enjoy the moral conflict Matt has with who he is, his desires, and who he may become if he gives in to the temptation of killing. Matt is Catholic, compassionate, and finds the good in even the evilest of people (the perfect foil to The Punisher). Matt swears to not kill anyone because he believes life and death is not his call to make, understanding that killing someone takes away their opportunity to try again and be better.

The mercy he bears due to his wisdom on the human condition is refreshing. Not many superheroes have that kind of softness, nor the extreme control it would take to keep from ending a bad guy’s life when they have the full power to do so.

These characteristics make Matt’s superhero personality closest to a mix of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.

The villain, Wilson Fisk—better known as King Pin—is formidable. The show does a remarkable job making him feel undefeatable since he pays off most of the NYPD, media, and anyone else who would be beneficial to him.

The best part of King Pin’s villain character in Daredevil is seeing him through Matt’s eyes—someone who, despite everything, has some good in him. He has love (albeit for only three people: his girlfriend, mother, and best friend), but this makes him relatable and stronger as a character and villain since he has something to fight for, thus making him that much scarier.

Daredevil is a complex superhero who will make you naturally drawn to him due to his compelling and charismatic nature. All in all, the show is worth watching for any Marvel fan out there.

The mercy Daredevil bears due to his wisdom on the human condition is refreshing. These characteristics make Matt’s superhero personality closest to a mix of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.

Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne

    

arts // no. 12

Photo by Arnaldo Fragozo

theotherpress.ca

Rating popular board games › Snakes and Ladders is obviously number one Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor

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oard games need a strong comeback now more than ever. When you can’t go out, and you can’t stay in, what is there to do? Now that gatherings of over 10 people are allowed outdoors and the sun is shining, playing board games (sitting safe distances away) is one way to make these days a little brighter and less boring.

Three personal favourites of mine— Risk, Monopoly, and The Game of Life— are going head-to-head to see which reigns as the best.

Risk Risk is one of my all-time favourite board games. It’s likely I love it due to the sheer nostalgia of creeping past memories that resurface at any mention of the game. I used to play it every Christmas as a child with my family.

The game is extremely competitive, draining, brutal, tantalizing, and agonizingly long. If you think Monopoly has complicated and over-extended gameplay, you’re in for a shock. Risk’s general runtime is around eight hours long!

This is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you can spend all day

living out a vigorous campaign, and the victory will feel much sweeter. However, it is a curse for those who may get wiped out early on and, unable to join back, must hang around bored as the winners continue for a few more decades.

The calculating decisions on the board make you feel part of something bigger which helps the game come to life. Though, another downside is that the rulebook is rather exhaustive and spans 15 pages. This means it’s hard for newcomers to learn, get good at, and it’s also on the harder side for younger children (but this doesn’t mean they won’t still have fun).

Risk is a powerful game of strategic conquest, the battle feels real, the win is much more satisfying—but you need to put a lot of time and energy into it.

Monopoly Monopoly is a family staple. Everyone’s played it, and if someone hasn’t, it doesn’t take long to learn. There’s more chance involved so a newcomer or younger person isn’t bound to lose. The equal opportunity on the board is seductive, as are the sheer number of versions of this game. If you’re not an avid fan of the classic board, there’s about 1144 different versions out there for purchase.

The rules are also a bit long, and they are easy to forget, yet there’s a lot of room to make up your own rules for gameplay as you go.

The downsides to Monopoly include the genuine exhaustive gameplay, the feelings involved, and the gruesome struggle for board domination. The game has a general runtime of 20 minutes to three hours, but for this allotted time, the gameplay is very tiring. It’s not tiring because of extensive brain power involved or even boredom, but rather due to the constant battles and boasting with your friends that makes even the calmest of players hostile. Good luck staying friends after playing this game because the chances are low.

The Game of Life Life is an all-around family friendly (sometimes a little too friendly if you’ve got a car of six) game. It’s easy, simple, and fun.

The rules are easy to quickly pick up and play, and the gameplay can be very short.

There are cute questions on the Action Cards that make for some interesting yet possibly childish conversation among the players. There’s a lot of opportunity to learn unique facts about the people you’re playing with, though. I don’t suppose most

people know what their friends’ favourite rides, zoo animals, or dream cruise would be otherwise.

The downsides are that the gameplay can be over too quickly, the competition isn’t very fulfilling, and it is marketed more to younger children. Also, a lot of the game is up to chance, meaning less of the final score comes from personal choices.

Thus, first place goes to Risk as it is fulfilling and works your brain. It’s not for the faint of heart and it’s too bad that there is a big learning curve, but once you’ve got it, the game can be an incredibly fun and challenging competition. Second place goes to The Game of Life—it’s not the heaviest of games, but sometimes all you need is a quick game on the go to lighten up the group. Third place goes to Monopoly.

I know this is probably a very unpopular opinion, but I’ll just speak on behalf of myself that I actually enjoy not resenting my friends after what is supposed to be a fun and light-hearted game. Overall, Monopoly is a great middle ground. It is light-hearted but challenging fun for anyone, nonetheless the niche games of Risk and The Game of Life deserve their rightful rank.

Have an idea for a story?  lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca

Life & Style

life & style // no. 13 • The history and culture of cherry blossoms • Vancouver’s oldest family-owned restaurant celebrating 95 years ...and more

Why it’s illegal to kill Canada geese even though everyone has considered it › Vancouver Park Board sets out goose birth control plan to curb growing population Jessica Berget Assistant Editor hile many of us have probably thought about killing or fighting a Canada goose after stepping in their poop or being hissed or chased by them, there are laws against that sort of thing.

Canada geese are protected in Canada by something called the Canada Wildlife Act which protects certain species for research or conservation purposes. (The US also protects these creatures.) Canada geese are protected by this act as well as the Migratory Birds Convention Act as they go south in the winter and come back in the spring.

They can only be hunted in certain areas at certain times, and people hunting them need permits and can only hunt 10 at a time. Also, they apparently are delicious. Permits can also be given to farmers to remove geese if they damage crops or property—and permits can also be given to reduce aircraft-related risks in airports as flying geese can get in the way of airplanes.

But despite this, the Canada goose population continues to grow rapidly. According to the Canadian government’s website, there are about seven million geese in North America. A recent article from CBC highlights that the Canada goose population in the city (3500 and growing) is getting out of control and Vancouver Parks Board is taking action with their Canada Geese Management Plan.

Civilians may not be legally allowed to legally kill these geese, but city officials are. To curb the birth rate, Vancouver Park Board is banning the feeding of geese and is sterilizing eggs through something called “egg addling”: a practice that has been in place since the ’90s and is approved by other wildlife and animal advocacy groups. Egg addling means freezing, shaking, or covering the eggs in oil soon after they have been laid to sterilize them. However, the geese have wised up to the city’s plan and started getting better at hiding their nests away from parks and near private homes which can cause property damage. The city is now asking the public to contact the park board if any nests are found so they can be dealt with properly. Given our city’s temperate climate and lack of natural predators for geese, it looks like they won’t be going anywhere anytime soon (except, you know, for migration).

But Canada geese weren’t always a nuisance to our city. They were once nearly an endangered species, but in the 1970s, the birds were re-introduced to the city as a way to boost the population for hunting and consumption.

Humans being humans and wanting to be close with animals began to feed the geese, and this made the birds more comfortable with high traffic areas and, in turn, more capable of laying eggs. The overpopulation and domestication of geese in our busy city make for a precarious concoction as many people in Vancouver have had an experience of being chased, hissed, or harassed by a goose.

Geese usually don’t attack people for no reason, however. They are social, family-oriented birds and will defend their nests from whatever they see as a threat— much like humans do. So, if you see a goose coming at you full speed or acting aggressive, they’re probably trying to protect themselves or their family, so don’t fight back. If you find yourself in this situation, Geese Relief thankfully has a solution. They recommend staring the bird down by maintaining eye contact and facing your body towards the bird while backing away slowly and never acting aggressive or making loud noises toward it. They also mention not to squint your eyes or turn your body away because that will make the goose more likely to attack.

To curb the birth rate, Vancouver Park Board is banning the feeding of geese and is sterilizing eggs through something called “egg addling”: a practice that has been in place since the ’90s and is approved by other wildlife and animal advocacy groups.

Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne

W

The notorious ‘beast of BC’: Clifford Olson Forty years ago, Olson’s murder spree caused panic in our province Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

T

his year marks 40 years from when Canadian serial killer Clifford Olson’s reign of terror ended with his arrest. Olson murdered 11 children (eight girls and three boys) ages ranging from 9 to 18 years.

Olson showed no remorse for his crimes; he took pleasure in taunting the families of his victims.

While in prison he even mailed a letter to one family so he could describe in graphic detail how their son died. He also proudly proclaimed himself “The Beast of BC.” When Olson appeared in a Vancouver courtroom to begin his murder trial in January 1982, he carried himself like he was someone of high rank—turning around to smile at the audience. Some of the people sitting in the crowd were the families of his victims. Over the years, with Olson in jail, he continued to make headlines by stirring controversy and causing further agony.

one had been strangled. He drugged and killed all of them. In August 1981, Olson was arrested on Vancouver Island near Port Alberni under suspicion for attempting to abduct two female hitchhikers in his vehicle. Olson was later taken to Chilliwack for questioning—and two days later he was charged with the murder of Judy Kozma (whose nude body was discovered with multiple stab wounds on July 25).

Olson was 41 years old at the time of his arrest and had been working as a carpenter.

BEAST BEHIND BARS

In January 1982, Olson’s trial would begin—but it only lasted three days. Olson unexpectedly pivoted from pleading not guilty to pleading guilty to 11 counts of firstdegree murder; he was sentenced to 11 concurrent life sentences. In a packed courtroom, Mr. Justice H.C. McKay stated to Olson (as the mother of one of the victims sobbed in the background): “I do not have the words to adequately describe the enormity of your crimes, or to describe the heartbreak and anguish you have caused.” He further declared that Olson THE BEGINNING never be released and “no According to a Maclean’s One of the parents told me: ‘For years I thought he was a punishment that a civilized article, Olson’s childhood country can impose that monster, but now that I’ve seen him and heard him speak, I was spent in Richmond. would be adequate.” After his realize he’s just a pathetic little man.

Olson became known as trial in February 1982 Olson – Neil Hall, former reporter for the Vancouver a bully, a con artist, and a was sent across the country Sun during the Olson murders thief to his teachers. He was to be incarcerated in Kingston often described as a kid who Penitentiary. enjoyed being the centre of Malcolm Gray, in the previously mentioned Maclean’s article, attention and was regarded as a promising boxer. Crime was part of discussed Olson’s mental state during his trial. Olson was his life from the beginning. At age 17 Olson received his represented at his murder trial by lawyer, Robert Shantz. first jail sentence and spent nine months in jail for “As for Olson’s mental condition, Shantz has had five burglary. He eventually escaped and was later psychiatrists looking at him, and they diagnosed recaptured—and this pattern that would him as a psychopath. Even though he is reoccur at least six times over the next 20 mentally disturbed, Olson never received years. A Globe and Mail piece states he psychiatric care while he was in prison only spent four years in prison during and was not legally insane under Section this period and had with over 90 16 of the Criminal Code. He knew what convictions and seven escapes while he was doing when he killed.” in custody.

Dr. Tony Marcus, head of Forensic From November 1980 to July Psychiatry at the University of BC in 1981, Olson went on a murdering 1982, was one of the five psychiatrists spree while out of prison on who assessed Olson. He reported that mandatory supervision. All of his Olson had “no illusions, delusions, victims lived in the Lower Mainland hallucinations.” Marcus also added in local cities like Burnaby, Coquitlam, that Olson typified “the quintessence Maple Ridge, Surrey, Langley, and New of the incorrigible, amoral, anti-social Westminster (with the exception of one psychopath who does indeed know that who was a German tourist). Olson coerced he has done wrong and does appreciate the his victims with concocted stories about work nature and quality of the act, though he cannot opportunities or other incentives in order to get respond to these acts with the feelings that a normal them into his vehicle. Some victims had been raped and individual would show.” Also, Marcus stated Olson’s sodomized, some bludgeoned, while others were stabbed, and attempt to show remorse for his victims was contrived and “are without

Illustrations by CJ Sommerfeld

depth.” Finally, Marcus summarized Olson, stating “the perpetration ‘With an audience, even death is attractive.’” A few years earlier in of such horror, of such dimension, in such a macabre and horrendous an interview with CBC News in 2006, Worthington stated Olson had way, is so alien that even people never changed: “He knows right who have met individuals who from wrong he just doesn’t care. are called psychopathic or antiEverything is a kind of learned Even though he is mentally disturbed, Olson never social, cannot bring themselves behaviour. He’s a good con man to believe that there may be and he manipulates.” Jon Ferry, received psychiatric care while he was in prison and was individuals of this gross nature. It who co-authored a book about not legally insane under Section 16 of the Criminal Code. is too impossible to accept.”

Olson, stated in an interview with He knew what he was doing when he killed.

CBC that the Olson case revealed THE OTHER PRESS flaws in the way high-profile INTERVIEWS A crime cases were investigated: VANCOUVER SUN “Olson mocked the justice system and exploited it and showed its weaknesses. And [it also] showed the REPORTER FROM THE TIME OF THE MURDERS poor coordination between the police forces.”

Former Vancouver Sun reporter, Neal Hall, covered the trial of another local serial killer, Robert Pickton. Hall also “SOMETHING EVIL WAS covered Clifford Olson’s 1997 “faint AFOOT” hope” parole ineligibility review. “Faint Decades after Olson’s crimes, many hope” referred to section 745 of the REMEMBERING CLIFFORD people still remember the fear Olson Criminal Code that allowed prisoners OLSON’S VICTIMS put into parents. Corinne (last name convicted of murder and serving a withheld) grew up in East Vancouver life sentence to apply for a review of 1) Christine Weller (13 years old) during Olson’s murder spree in 1981. their parole release date. Families of She recalls her parents driving her to 2) Colleen Daignault (13 years old) Olson’s victims were outraged: “It was school immediately when children controversial because Olson didn’t 3) Daryn Johnsrude (16 years old) began to go missing. “Clifford Olson stand a chance of success,” Hall said in took away Vancouver’s innocence in a 4) Sandra Wolfsteiner (16 years old) an email interview with the Other Press. huge way,” she said in the same 2011 “He just wanted attention. But for a lot 5) Ada Court (13 years old) CBC segment. “After Clifford Olson, of the families of his victims, it was the when kids were [being abducted], 6) Simon Partington (9 years old) first time that they got to see Olson in bodies were being found […] It just person (albeit they were separated in 7) Judy Kozma (14 years old) changed the neighbourhood radically. the high-security courtroom in Surrey There was a palpable fear in the 8) Raymond King (15 years old) by a wall of plexiglass). One of the neighbourhood.” parents told me: ‘For years I thought 9) Sigrun Arnd (18 years old) In addition, Neal Hall remembers he was a monster, but now that I’ve the sense of fear and panic when 10) Terri Lyn Carson (15 years old) seen him and heard him speak, I realize children were going missing in the he’s just a pathetic little man.’” Olson’s 11) Louise Chartrand (17 years old) summer of 1981: “There was a sense application would be denied by a judge of panic at the time. Eleven kids had and the law was later revised to exclude disappeared by July 1981. It was every serial killers like Olson. parent’s nightmare. Hitchhiking had been In March 2010, Olson created more controversy when Global News common in those days.

Parents advised their kids not to hitchhike or reported that Olson was receiving more than $1100 per month in accept rides from strangers,” he said in the same email Other Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement Press interview. “But at the time there was still no payments starting in 2005 when he turned 65. The definitive answer about whether a serial killer was CBC reported that the Canadian government on the loose, so I think the public wasn't fully introduced legislation to end pension aware of one person being responsible for payments to some federal prisoners and the missing children. Still, there was a sense the act became law at the start of 2011. In of dread that something evil was afoot.”

November 2010, the CBC reported Olson Olson died in prison of cancer in applied for parole for the third and final September 2011 at age 71. Perhaps, time. According to the National Parole for many of the families of the victims, Board, it announced its decision to there was a sense of justice and deny Olson parole during a one-hour satisfaction that Olson was dead. hearing at Canada’s highest-security Trudy Court, a sister of one of Olson’s institution located in Sainte-Anne-desvictims, told Global News her reaction Plaines, Quebec. Olson told the parole to Olson’s death was bittersweet: board, “This is the final time; never “These are tears of happiness, because again.” Olson declared “and I’m out” justice is done for the children. Our as he left the room. justice system couldn’t do it for them.

Journalist Peter Worthington had But life has.

He’s gone now.” As well, been in periodic contact with Olson Olson’s death will never end the pain and since 1989. In a blog published on the suffering he caused so many families for the Huffington Post the journalist reflected on last 40 years. Sharon Rosenfeldt says Olson’s his association with Olson: “Apart from Bob death does not bring finality for her family—and Shantz, I guess I knew Olson as well as anyone told the CBC in an interview: “There is no closure. can know a homicidal and narcissistic sociopath. He There is a different way of living but there is no closure, it’s was a congenital liar and manipulator. You couldn’t believe an open wound that goes on and on.” a word he said. He relished attention, mindful of the Russian proverb:

life & style // no. 16

theotherpress.ca

Chia seed recipes › They’re like healthy little maxi-pads!

Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor

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hat are chia seeds exactly? According to Healthline, chia seeds are the tiny black seeds of the Salvia Hispanica plant— otherwise known as the Chia plant.

Found in Mexico and Guatemala, chia seeds were a staple in ancient Mayan culture, and in fact, the word “chia” means strength in Mayan.

These tiny treats are highly absorbent and will swell up to 10 to 12 times their weight in liquid. They also contain large quantities of omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, high-quality protein, and essential antioxidants, making them good for you!

Because of these qualities, chia seeds are believed to improve digestive health and to improve blood quality. Another unique quality of chia seeds is that they can be used as an egg replacer and a sauce thickener due to their absorbent nature.

So, what can you make with chia seeds? Here are a couple of recipes to inspire you: Chia Seed Pudding When I made chia seed pudding, I made a cold brew and orange zest flavoured one. If you’d like to try anything with zest in it, I recommend going easy on the zest part—the cold brew chia pudding was amazing, but the layers of zest were

basically inedible. I don’t know if that would’ve been different had I candied the zest or something, or maybe just used far less. Either way, here are the steps to a simple chia seed pudding.

Ingredients: • 1 cup milk (almond, goat, coconut, light, or regular—they all work!) Additionally, feel free to substitute some of the milk for coffee or another liquid for a different flavour.

• 1/2 teaspoon of flavour, whether this be orange zest, crushed raspberries, chocolate shavings—it’s up to you.

• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract (or any kind of extract you’d like) • 3 tablespoons chia seeds • Recommended toppings: drizzle honey or maple syrup, sliced bananas, fresh or defrosted berries, jam, shredded coconut, toasted chopped nuts… the options are endless Method: • In a small jar or bowl, combine the milk, flavouring, and extract. Taste and add more extract if you require more va-vavoom to your pudding. Be sure to always measure any extra extract or flavourings as it’s easier to add than to take away.

• Whisk in the chia seeds. Let the mixture sit for around 15 minutes, then whisk it up again to break apart any clumps (this step is important!). Cover the bowl or jar

and refrigerate the mixture for at least two hours (or overnight) until the chia seeds have absorbed enough moisture to achieve a pudding-like state. And they will, oh, they will. (If you remember, give them a stir sometime along the way to break up any clumps of chia.)

• Before serving, stir once again to break up any clumps. Add toppings at this point, but not before, as they will leech into the pudding itself and change the flavour.

This chia seed pudding will keep well in the refrigerator (covered) for around five days.

amount of yogurt (I prefer a coconut-based vanilla yogurt myself), then sprinkle in a layer of chia seeds to coat the top of the yogurt. Mix that together, then add a bit more chia seeds to the top of the yogurt-chia mixture. You want to ensure you’re getting those health benefits, don’t you? Then add in your favourite chopped up fruits! I recommend banana and/or blueberries. If you’re using plain yogurt or you like it a little sweet, feel free to drizzle some agave syrup, maple syrup, or liquid honey on top.

Yogurt Bowl A super easy, super quick breakfast or lunch delight that is actually really tasty!

All you need is to spoon the desired

Chia Seed Smoothie Basically, just follow the instructions above, but throw it all into a blender and mix it really good. Feel free to add in some spinach or kale for a health boost.

is terrible advice. Many desirable states— happiness, attractiveness, spontaneity—are best pursued indirectly, and conscious thought and effortful striving can actually interfere with their attainment.” For example, when I think about my personal success as a writer and an artist, I tend to plan and overanalyze, and that leads to a lot of talk and little action; the result is often disappointment which only furthers my lack of success. But if I let go of the idea of success and just write or create art simply because I enjoy writing and being creative, then I will find that I have become successful: this is a simple form of wu-wei.

Wu-wei, or the art of trying not to try, isn’t advocacy for resignation and laziness.

Instead, it is mindful growth of tendencies in ourselves that yield results, behaviours, and qualities we wish to pin down for the long run. Slingerland says it almost poetically in his book, “You can cultivate your sprouts: try to identify incipient tendencies of desirable behaviour within you, and then nurture and expand them until they are strong enough to take over.

Or you can just go with the flow: forget about trying, forget about not trying, and just let the values that you want to embrace pick you up and carry you along.”

Trying not to try › Ancient Chinese form of Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor

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here’s something to be said about making a plan and ironing out all the steps along the way, but it’s not always the ideal approach to getting things done. You see, when you try to organize every aspect of your life, you’ll find yourself overworked and disappointed when things inevitably don’t play out the way you anticipated, or rather, planned.

In his book, Trying Not To Try, Edward Slingerland talks about how “we too often devote ourselves to pushing harder or moving faster in areas of our life where effort and striving are, in fact, profoundly counterproductive.” If we gave in a little bit to the idea of spontaneity or flow we’d find ourselves achieving our goals much easier.

People often struggle to obtain broad states of being, such as happiness and spontaneity, which means they’re likely trying too hard to be spontaneous—seems like a paradox, doesn’t it? There’s an ancient Chinese concept that Slingerland elaborates in his book, called wu-wei (pronounced oooo-way). Wu-wei means “no trying” or “no doing,” but it isn’t about apathy or negligence. “[Wu-wei] refers to the dynamic, effortless, and unselfconscious state of mind of a person who is optimally active and effective.

People in wu-wei feel as if they are doing nothing, while at the same time they might

be creating a brilliant work of art, smoothly negotiating a complex social situation, or even bringing the entire world into harmonious order” explains Slingerland.

To experience wu-wei would be to feel a deep immersion in life or creativity—the point at which you forget about time and physical needs such as hunger.

To achieve wu-wei, you need to let go.

You have to be open to the possibility of nothing happening, which is easier said than done—especially in our busy, loud, hectic lives. But spontaneity is hard to fake, and therefore we are drawn to people who possess this authentic skill. Western culture teaches us to be disembodied and alone but learning wu-wei will not only allow us to be more authentic, peaceful versions of ourselves, it will also empower us to achieve our goals in an effortless, spontaneous fashion. Slingerland puts it best when he says, “We have been taught to believe that the best way to achieve our goals is to reason about them carefully and strive consciously to reach them.

Unfortunately, in many areas of life this

Illustration by Sonam Kaloti

authentic spontaneity

issue 23// vol 47

life & style // no. 17

Pretty flowers to remind me of my mortality › The history and culture of cherry blossoms

Janis McMath Editor-in-Chief veryone and their mother loves cherry blossoms, so we British Columbians should count ourselves lucky this time of year. Our province is a part of the temperate Pacific Northwest, and our mild weather allows for cherry blossoms of all kinds. Vancouver’s first exposure to cherry blossom trees came in the 1930s as a gift from the mayors of Kobe and Yokohama, according to the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s website. The Japanese mayors gave Vancouver 500 trees to plant at the Japanese-Canadian war memorial in Stanley Park. Many brave Japanese-Canadian soldiers fought in WWI in battles like Vimy Ridge and Arras Front, so a cenotaph was erected in their honour.

A cenotaph, which is also known as an empty tomb, is a monument made for a deceased person or group whose remains lie elsewhere.

The gift of cherry blossoms from the Japanese mayors comes with substantial significance as their culture (strongly influenced by Buddhism) views the short flowering season of these vibrant trees as a sombre simile for our brief human lives. In WWII, cherry blossoms were intimately tied to pilots who performed kamikaze missions (suicidal crashes into enemies). The blossoms were painted onto planes, and pilots were often compared to the flowers.

While Japan has a history of emperors having cherry blossom picnics as far back as 812, Vancouver only really began to go blossom crazy in the 1950s. The city was looking to absolve issues created by elms and maples, so the mayor announced that flowering cherry, plum, and crabapple trees would fix the problem. By 1990, the most common flowering tree they planted was the Kwazan cherry tree. While cherry trees were touted as the solution, these Kwazan trees brought many issues with them like brown rot, damaged sidewalks, and destructive pests like aphids and cherry bark tortrix. (They also aren’t very aesthetically appealing for roughly 50 out of the 52 weeks of the year.) Now it is known that Akebonos are the number one cherry tree for the wet Pacific Northwest climate we live in.

Cherry blossom is the common term used when referring to these trees, but this is somewhat of a misconception as not all these commonly Instragrammed trees are cherry trees. As previously mentioned, many of these pastel trees are plum or crabapple trees, and they haven’t really been afforded any recognition here in Canada. Some posit that cherry blossoms are more widely beloved as they bloom when the weather warms up.

Without the several types of flowering trees, however, the blossom season would be pitifully short; plums generally blossom from February to March, cherries come to party during the warm part of March and April, and crabapples show off their flowers from mid-April to early June. Plum trees are also known to have a strong and lovely fragrance while cherry blossoms usually don’t smell like much of anything. Crabapple trees smell sweet!

Here are a few other tips in identifying the different blossoming tree types so you can impress your friends.

Only the petals on cherry tree flowers have a small split.

Crabapple trees typically have very light-coloured bark with vertical cracks, cherry trees have light grey bark and horizontal lines, and plum trees have dark bark with no fissures whatsoever. Look at the shape of the tree: does it have spread branches at the top and look like an umbrella fit for our rainy climate? Then it is likely a cherry blossom.

Plum trees are round and oval, much like plums. Now armed with your new knowledge of flowering trees, go out there and contemplate life and death under a cherry, plum, or crabapple tree!

Photos by Billy Bui

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life & style // no. 18

theotherpress.ca

Interview with the owner of Tomahawk Restaurant in North Van: Chuck Chamberlain › Vancouver’s oldest family-owned restaurant celebrating 95 years

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he word “retro” conjures up glossy images from the past—and is especially reminiscent of restaurants. One cannot find anything more retro than the Tomahawk Restaurant: one of Vancouver’s oldest family-operated establishments.

The restaurant has become a North Vancouver institution. Yes, a young Bryan Adams once worked at the Tomahawk as a dishwasher before achieving worldwide fame as a recording artist. Outside the main entrance, the location is accentuated by the beauty of its wonderfully carved totem poles. Upon entering, you will understand why the restaurant is also known for its extensive collection of North Shore and West Coast First Nations artifacts. The Tomahawk has been profiled in multiple newspaper articles and news and television segments. In September 2011, Guy Fieri made a trip to the restaurant to film an episode for his popular Food Network television series Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (Tomahawk appears in season 13, episode 2 and originally aired in 2011).

The Tomahawk first opened in 1926 by founder Chick Chamberlain who had been in the restaurant business in the North Shore. According to their official website, Chick admitted he did not know how to cook when the restaurant first opened. But he practiced and learned and eventually improved his culinary skills. Chick grew his own mushrooms, made homemade pickles, created his own unique syrup

for milkshakes, and even raised his own chickens. The website also notes, “And get these prices! A barbecued beef sandwich, 10 cents, and a barbecued chicken sandwich, 10 cents. What a deal!”

In 1986, Chick’s son, Chuck, took over the restaurant. It is currently open during the pandemic with limited seating to maintain social distancing. The main page of the Tomahawk website states its safety and health protocols implemented to welcome back customers safely. On the restaurant turning 95 years old, Chuck Chamberlain says he is proud of the milestone anniversary—telling the Other Press in a phone interview: “It is very difficult to put into words what the restaurant means to me. Obviously, it being a third generation and family-owned [business] is something to be very proud of.”

The Tomahawk is proud of its quality, freshness, and preparation of its food and state such on their website: “The preparation of each item is amazing.

Roasting whole turkeys in the oven for sandwiches, slicing fresh whole mushrooms, cutting loaves of bread into cubes to make croutons for salads, mincing certified organic [ground] beef, for his Tomahawk hamburgers, straining large vats to make cheese sauce, or perhaps creating a new dish, freshness, quality, and authenticity remains a constant.”

Despite the pandemic, the Tomahawk Restaurant continues to serve its traditional favourites to its customers. Their famous burgers are named after some of the First Nations chiefs Chick befriended over the

years as a tribute to honour their memory: Skookum Chief, Chief Capilano, Chief Dominic Charlie, Chief Simon Baker, Chief Mathias Joe, and Chief August Jack.

As well, the Tomahawk takes pride in its dessert offerings such as their pies, which is a secret family recipe as their website states.

Customers can order a pie and choose between seasonal fresh fruit or traditional flavours. If you are not craving pie, you can order some ice cream (vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate).

The North Shore News reported on September 7, 2011, Guy Fieri appeared at the Tomahawk six days earlier to film scenes for his Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives show. About 25 people were allowed to enter the restaurant during filming, and a few were selected to be interviewed. Few of those chosen were North Vancouver residents Terry and Joyce Mulligan. The Mulligans said they enjoyed the experience of being part of the show. But Terry recalls Fieri’s food choices being quite odd as Fieri had selected the Organic Roast Beef Dinner, Tomahawk Style Beef Dip, Steak and Mushroom Pie, and Yorkshire Pudding (included with the Organic Roast Beef Dinner). Terry told the North Shore News, “This was surprising to us. That place was famous for two things: its hamburgers— huge hamburgers—and the Yukon breakfast. I think he thought it was a twist to have a place like that serving Yorkshire pudding, cause that’s… foreign to them.”

Ariadne Ava Butalid, a North Vancouver resident, made a trip to the Tomahawk in early March 2020 before

the start of the pandemic. She had heard a lot about the place from her friends and coworkers. And when Butalid finally went, she did not regret it—telling the Other Press in an interview about her experience: “I ordered the Chief Mathias Joe Burger, the tender juicy ground beef patty with Yukon-style bacon and sliced fresh sautéed mushrooms made it out of this world.

The restaurant is filled with First Nations artifacts that are dated a long time ago.

That itself made my dining experience enjoyable. I had heard rumours of a musteat place to go to in North Vancouver.

And I would recommend the Tomahawk in a heartbeat. And of course, I did not go home without trying their delicious traditional homemade blueberry pie with the ice cream, of course.”

Finally, Chamberlain is very appreciative of his loyal customers, and it is something he does not take for granted.

He believes in treating his customers with respect stating: “When they walk through the door, it’s important to treat them as people first, not as a dollar sign.”

As for retirement, Chamberlain declines to state when he will give up the restaurant.

“Let’s just make it to 100 years, and then we will see what will happen.” He is also grateful for all the support he has received from customers who continue to patron his restaurant during the pandemic: “Especially during COVID-19, our customers have been really important to us. And I just want to thank them for supporting us. It means so much.”

Illustration by Athena Little

Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

Opinions

Have an idea for a story?  opinions@theotherpress.ca

opinions // no. 19 • The counterrevolution of cancel culture has arrived • Running cover for Cuomo and everyone else on your team ...and more

The counterrevolution of cancel culture has arrived › The trajectory of polarization has further divided the right and left

CJ Sommerfeld Staff Writer e are living in a time where cancel culture—a social revolution of sorts—looms. This grants the canceller the ability to quickly transform how the public perceives an individual. The thing with mass change, however, is that after most a counterrevolution will follow. What will the counterrevolution of this cancel culture look like, or has it already begun?

In brief, a counterrevolution is “a revolution directed toward overthrowing a government or social system established by a previous revolution; a movement to counteract revolutionary trends.” In the context of this article, a revolution is defined as “a fundamental change in political organization; activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation; a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something: a change of paradigm.”

While people often equate revolutions and counterrevolutions to something they have read about in history books, these uprisings are still occurring in present day. I think an example of this is the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Its presence changed the conversation regarding racial injustices, unapologetically consuming those who previously were ill-informed about the topic, but also shifted social parameters which were earlier established as normal. Right-leaning media outlets began expressing the possibility of a counterrevolution as a revolt against the much-needed attention the movement was getting.

To answer my above question, yes, it seems that counterrevolution to the cancel culture movement has begun, and it is sending us on a trajectory towards further polarization. Let’s take the recent firing of Mandalorian star Gina Carano from Lucasfilm as an example. In February she was let go from both the production company as well as her talent agency following a series of rightleaning social media posts. One in particular, comparing present-day Republicans to Jewish people during the Holocaust, seems to have been the final straw. After this post a spokesperson from Lucasfilm publicly stated that “her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable.” In short, she had been cancelled.

That was until right-wing media smothered her with adoration. Many right-leaning outlets began using Carano’s story to fight against what they call “the leftist narrative in Hollywood.” They excused her posts, noting that her intentions were misinterpreted and praising her for being a strong woman who stood up for herself after the initial #FireGinaCarano backlash. These media sources enticed the hashtag, #dropDisneyplus which not only brought more awareness to her getting fired, but also highlighted the different value systems and political stances that divided America.

Carano’s cancellation quickly gained momentum as the general right began to support her. Right-wingers deduced the situation to be the censorship of conservative voices that were unwelcome in Hollywood. Whereas left-leaning folk kept their feet down, acknowledging that sharing posts that could be considered transphobic and anti-Semitic ideas is not okay and if she had not intended her social media posts to have been interpreted in the way that they had, why did she not offer an apology to those groups who were seemingly targeted? Regardless, this debate about Carano’s cancellation being caused by the perpetuation of a liberal narrative surrounding hate speech in Hollywood is further dividing the right from the left.

Illustration by CJ Sommerfeld

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The debate about Carano’s cancellation being caused by the perpetuation of a liberal narrative surrounding hate speech in Hollywood is further dividing the right from the left.

Cancel culture is relatively new and until recently when an individual was dismissed by the public, they were left alone to pick up the pieces. Let’s use the 2016 example of Colin Kaepernick. I believe Kaepernick was unrightfully cancelled after taking a knee instead of standing for the United States anthem. “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he explained post-game. Regardless of many people on the left siding with him, he was dropped from the NFL and has yet to be resigned. Not to mention, in 2018 Nike endorsed an ad featuring Kaepernick for their 30th anniversary only to be met with backlash. Social media became swamped with people burning their Nike apparel in response to the “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything” ad featuring Kaepernick’s

face. The hashtag #BoycottNike erupted. In contrast, only weeks after Carano was dropped by Lucasfilm, she was invited to work alongside right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro’s The Daily Wire to produce her own film. The dynamics of cancel culture have changed.

While many who have gotten cancelled had it done for good reason—this is not the case for all. People are getting fed-up; instead of letting them drop like flies alone we are beginning to take sides and revolt. I think those who are left-leaning are straying further left and right-leaning people are straying further right; the divide between the two becomes more and more prominent. What is to come?

What will an even more polarized society look like?

opinions // no. 20

theotherpress.ca

Today’s ‘Whitey on the Moon’ is far distanced from the poor › Money will take you to the stars but won’t be used to feed the hungry

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should probably first say that I’m not the biggest fan of identity politics. All too often it serves as a distractor from the issues that we should be united on; other times, identity politics can be used to shield bad faith actors from legitimate and well-deserved criticism. It is overwhelmingly in the best interest of progress that we make good arguments that address the problems specific to an identity without crushing those whose identities are not part of the injured class.

Simultaneously, there are times when identity politics really do get to the nexus of the issue and must be used to address the problem. In 1970 when Gil Scott-Heron wrote “Whitey on the Moon,” identity was at the very center of the story he told. If you haven’t heard the poem yet I suggest you take a moment to hear it now.

Heron wrote then about a black problem that was largely forgotten and unmentioned in the fervor of the space race. He narrates the bewilderment of those left to fend off rats and suffer without healthcare while the government builds rockets using their tax dollars. Speaking to the frustrations of the poor masses in the forgotten ghettos, Heron synthesized the quiet rage of poverty with the humorous refrain of “Whiteys on the Moon,” hammering home the absurdity of sending a few

men to space while millions more starve.

Let me break here from what I believe to be the intention of Gil Scott-Heron in naming “Whitey” as solely the white man.

In his time that was largely true, but I would argue that the “Whitey” he spoke of is now a political and economic class more so than a group determined by complexion.

The “Whitey” of today is separated by a wealth chasm so large that they may as well be as far away as the moon.

Here, in our time, these absurdities are unchanged. At first my mind was blown when I heard that the production cost of Interstellar was more than the budget of India’s entire space mission Chandrayaan 2—and then I remembered that India is still one of the world’s poorest

countries (Global Finance ranks it 124 out of 191).

Just the other day when I saw that a space hotel might be launched in 2027, I remembered Heron saying: “A rat done bit my sister Nell with Whitey on the Moon.”

Exactly 51 years have gone by since Heron’s words were first spoke, but millions of Americans lost their healthcare at the start of this pandemic and Whitey will soon be packing for the moon. More people in BC died from an overdose than COVID (Gil Scott-Heron said then “The Junkies make me a nervous wreck”) and over 35 First Nations communities lack running water, but a mighty strong telescope can show it all to the modern Whiteys as they float up high.

Then again,

when Texas froze and a few folks died of hypothermia, Tim Boyd, a representative of that political class told them to “Quit crying and looking for a handout! Get off your ass and take care of your own family!”

Gil Scott- Heron wrote: “I can’t pay no doctor bills, but Whiteys on the moon. In ten years I’ll be paying still, while Whiteys on the moon.” Now a man gets a $16,000 electric bill and William W. Hogan says “the system is working as designed.” Hell, I don’t need to crane my neck and look as far as the moon, sometimes Whitey goes as close as Cancun.

Though I’m all for advancements in technology and I’m fully aware that the private space hotels are an important leap in exploration, we may as well be on the right side of Mother Earth before we vacation elsewhere. I hold no illusions as to Elon Musk dropping SpaceX and cleaning up Appalachia and the inner cities (let alone the ghettos of his birthland, South Africa), but I wish the government would at least try.

Generations have come and gone, technology has made leaps and bounds, some melanated people have been welcomed into the Whitey class since Heron wrote this poem. It’s a different world with the same problems, but it sounds about right to say: “I’ve just about had my fill of Whitey on the moon. I think I’ll send these doctor bills, airmail special, to Whitey on the moon.”

Illustration by Janis McMath

Matthew Fraser Opinions Editor

Hell, I don’t need to crane my neck and look as far as the moon, sometimes Whitey goes as close as Cancun.

opinions // no. 21

issue 23// vol 47

Holding influencers to account › To be uncancelled, one must first exemplify changed behaviour Alexis Zygan Staff Writer ne user-generated definition on Urban Dictionary defines “cancelled” as “You are over with. Done for. No redemption.

Be gone.” In most cases, there is no coming back after screenshots or other evidence revealing a person’s bigotry and/or corrupt tendencies is publicly shared on social media. What follows cancellation is the demise of social status and ostracization.

For some, there is a chance to be uncancelled—but only if they have taken measures towards redemption by recognizing their mistake, apologizing, and exemplifying changed behaviour.

Humans are fallible; we make mistakes.

Some slips are feasible to forgive, primarily when learning and growth arise after the situation. Repeat offenders often lose the trust of their community; the chance of ever being uncancelled quickly becomes unpropitious.

Cancel culture emerged in public discourse during 2017 and was first aimed at celebrities. Now, it has expanded so that brands and companies also risk being cancelled and boycotted. When protests in the name of Black Lives Matter swept the world, many companies were cancelled for

Illustration by Athena Little

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their treatment of BIPOC employees and racial stereotypes that they had spread. To prevent profit loss, many companies gave public apologies and managed their image through rebranding.

Influencers are a group of aspiring celebrities who gained prominence through social media. Their follower count grants them the title of influencer while

their influence is used through hashtagsponsored advertisements. Often these people rise to fame due to a combination of pretty privilege (privilege garnered for being perceived as attractive to others) and putting on display a life that others dream they could have. A big part of the influencer lifestyle is partying with other influencers and creating content together.

When COVID-19 regulations restricting the number of people in gatherings came into place, many influencers treated them as mere suggestions rather than explicit measures to keep others (predominately seniors and vulnerable citizens) safe.

Too many influencers chose to continue hosting parties to create content for social media instead of following governmental guidelines. People responded to the influencers with outrage; the public was frustrated with their lack of empathy, unwillingness to wear a mask, and failure to stop partying like the rest of us had. Once public opinion spread, influencers responded with apology videos asking for forgiveness from their fans and telling them to be smarter than they had been. Influencers who failed to show changed behaviour do not deserve to be uncancelled. Youtuber D’Angelo Wallace made an in-depth video called “Influencer-19” discussing the behaviour of influencers during COVID-19.

Only once a person or company exemplifies changed behaviour can they be uncancelled. An apology is only the beginning in the process of regaining the trust of their community. Mistakes are inevitable, but once mistakes become a pattern of behaviour, it is hard for anyone to be sympathetic.

What I learned from the Meghan and Harry interview › Couple’s interview reveals Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

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he Royal Family has been involved in a lot of controversies over the past few centuries. Recently, strict protocols guiding what happens behind the scenes led to members in the family stepping away from their royal duties. After Prince Harry and Suits star Meghan Markle were married in 2018, there was promise that change was coming to the Royal Family and their marriage would hopefully lead to more inclusive behaviour.

Three years later, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the Royal Family after claiming to be mistreated by the staff, other family members, and the British tabloid newspapers covering them as well. They told their side of the story on what happened with the Royal Family in a two-hour interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Roughly 17-million viewers tuned in that day with an additional 12-million viewers in the UK the following day. It was like an episode of Oprah’s Next Chapter with a disclaimer that Meghan and Harry were not paid for the interview and were free to express themselves.

There were a lot of revelations after Meghan addressed the tabloid reported controversy that she made the Duchess of Cambridge cry during consultations.

Markle claims that it was the opposite, and

it might have been leaked during one of the frequent media parties at Buckingham Palace. As always, tabloid misinformation can lead to bigger consequences, and if the Royal Family is not being transparent about what happens at work that can add even more confusion and lies.

Meghan Markle still gets along with Queen Elizabeth and confirmed that she is not racist. The biggest moment in the interview was when Meghan talked about a meeting that she and the Duke had where staff talked openly about the skin colour of their soon to be son Archie. The staff talking about Archie’s skin colour could be a sign of racist and outdated policies or ideas whose end is long overdue. Winfrey responded to that with “What?” and it got more interesting when she found out that Archie will not have protection when going around since he will not have a royal title.

Current and former world leaders have security guards protecting them and I think everyone in the Royal Family (including former members) should have protection as well since they may be important in the future. Also, they did a bad job handling mental health and like Princess Diana, Meghan claims she was depressed enough to consider suicide even though she looked happy. She asked the head of staff to get her institutional help, but they did not accept her request. These events led to Harry realizing how black

Illustration by Athena Little

mismanagement in the Royal Family

people were treated in the Royal Family and he supported Meghan the entire time.

Originally, they were going to reduce their royal duties and work in Canada; instead, archaic rules and the coronavirus pandemic made them flee to the United States and pay for their own security.

Since leaving the Royal Family, Harry has not talked to his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, William—or his father Prince Charles. I think the interview showed that if royal protocols were updated, then

Meghan and Harry would still have been in the Royal Family.

Mental health and racism issues happens not only in the Royal Family but also in the government and the entertainment industry. This shows that the system must be fixed, and everyone should have access to support services to resolve their problems. The interview will not only create change in the Royal Family but also possibly in the Commonwealth and around the world.

opinions // no. 22

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When did the media forget that they are impartial? › Running cover for Cuomo and everyone else on your team Matthew Fraser Opinions Editor

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he goal of the journalism should be to interrogate power and seek the truth. Therefore, freedom of inquiry and expression are important to a thriving democracy—so they are the first to go when democracy is truly threatened. The era of Donald Trump was filled with long journalistic endeavors into “Russiagate” and for the past four years these types of stories codified what we would call the “Resistance.” It was glorious for a moment to be a journalist standing proud in the fight against fascism and staring down the hoard of deplorables. But in all this effort to throw themselves on to the anti-Trump team, journalists forgot how to universally oppose and interrogate power. With “orange man bad” being the energy du jour, it became acceptable to turn a blind eye to the missteps of the Democratic party. Worse still, it became acceptable for journalists to have a biased hand when they began to write and a deeper bias when they didn’t write.

However, as the sun rises, so too shall it set and when evening draws near— chickens come home to roost. Now, after Trump has been ushered offstage, it is time for the journalists to return to the journalism that pays their bills. In early February, Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the NY governor Andrew Cuomo, admitted that they hid the number of COVID deaths to prevent scrutiny from the Republican government. Additionally, Governor Cuomo spearheaded legislation that would shield long-term care facilities from the legal consequences they deserved for allowing infected patients back into their general population. These actions were so egregious that they prompted assemblyman Ron Kim to take 70 pages of his report to the UN to file a human rights violation.

While one part of the government lied to another, soliloquies and roses were heaped on Andrew Cuomo, culminating with Rachel Maddow dubbing him “The President of the Coronavirus” as if his leadership was what the country so desperately needed. While some decried the constant lying of Trump, Andrew Cuomo was awarded an Emmy for his “news briefings.” Apparently, the cantankerous rage with which Trump abused reporters was worth sacrificing thousands of lives to avert. Strangely enough, Governor Cuomo is well known for his own barrel-chested New York bullying in a manner not unlike the reality-mogulturned-president whose ire he so wanted to avoid.

But worst of all, as grandparents needlessly died, Chris Cuomo shielded his brother (the Governor) by comparing nose sizes. Thankfully, the charges are so grand he can no longer run cover for his older sibling by soft balling interviews and arguing about who is mom’s favorite.

Though he would like to tuck his tail and claim integrity now, someone must point out that journalists like David Sirota had been working to expose the obvious untruths and lies that Chris Cuomo helped conceal.

It became acceptable for journalists to have a biased hand when they began to write and a deeper bias when they didn’t write.

Although the FBI and Cuomoappointed Attorney General Letitia James are launching the thorough investigations Andrew Cuomo had likely hoped to avoid, the thing that might actually end Governor Cuomo may not be the killing of grandma and the subsequent coverup, but his Trumpian sexual harassment allegations.

At the time of writing, six separate women have come forward alleging sexual misconduct against Governor Cuomo— plus one recently resurfaced video of him cajoling reporter Bethany Cefalu to “Eat the whole sausage” (though the Cefalu

has stated that it was all in mutual fun).

Where the normal anger at needless death fails, #metoo may continue to bring down the mighty. Ironically, though Cuomo has vowed to not step down, the second Trump impeachment has shown that even if he did, he can (and should) still be held accountable for actions done while in office.

However, the real question is simple: will the media ecosystem remain partisan and divided, happily shielding its own while denigrating the other side? Given the trend of growing political division and

mutual distrust, it seems all too likely.

Add the fact that news engagement has been dropping steadily since the ouster of Trump, it might be that the only profits available to the corporate news world will come from the team sports politics that made the Cuomo coverup possible.

Sadly, his recently published leadership book shows that the world can and will sensationalize even the illusion of good work for temporary profits. Let’s hope that the independent journalists continue to do their jobs.

Have an idea for a story?  humour@theotherpress.ca

Humour

humour // no. 23 • OTHER PRESS LIB • Comic: Gun Safety • Comic: Graffiti ...and that's everything!

OTHER PRESS LIB CJ Sommerfeld Staff Writer

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU HANG WITH—YOU TOO MAY VERY WELL GET CANCELLED! Everyone turn on your ____________ to channel _____!! ___________________________, better known as PLURAL NOUN

NUMBER

FIRST AND LAST NAME

ADJECTIVE Mr. ____________ from cult film The Big _________, is the most recent victim of cancel culture!! His NOUN

association to ____________’s dog, ____________, has resulted in vicarious cancellation. As many know, last NAME OF PERSON

DOG NAME

PERIOD OF TIME _______________ a picture of ____________ was released on popular social media platform, SAME DOG NAME ANIMAL SOUND ____________ This photo included him at tourist hot spot, _________________, _____________… the GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

VERB-ING

audacity!? While this was not offensive to any group of persons, nor perpetuated ________, nor was morally NOUN

outrageous, the bigwigs do not agree, so the ____________ thing to do is cancel them. How unfortunate that ADJECTIVE

___________________________ publicly enjoyed ____________ the dog. The association between the two has THE SAME FIRST AND LAST NAME AS PREVIOUS

VERB-ING

unfortunately cost the great actor his ________

! So, remember _____________ and _____________, cease

NOUN

PLURAL NOUN

PLURAL NOUN

all existing ____________, isolate oneself, and ____________ associate yourselves with anyone from this day PLURAL NOUN

ADVERB

forward—you never know who is going to get cancelled next! Not to mention, conform and ____________!

VERB

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD THINGS COVID CONSPIRACY A recent study has found that COVID does not ________ through respiratory vapours, but instead through VERB

everyday ____________. How unfortunate that humans have been surrounded by these ____________ PLURAL NOUN

ADJECTIVE

things for _______________. Yet only now, they have begun to ________ our lungs. Despite humans having AMOUNT OF TIME

VERB

interacted with these for some time, the recent introduction of ____________ in our diets is negatively PLURAL NOUN VERB-ING ____________ us. But do not fret, ______________ has been found to ________ 99.9 percent of this newfound ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE

VERB

virus-inducer. What has Dr. Angry-face Henry suggested? Try including ______________ into all your recipes, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE

including ______________, ______________, and grandma’s favorite ______________. Under 19? That’s TYPE OF BAKED GOOD

PASTA DISH

SOMETHING DISGUSTING

okay! Alcohol taxes are at _____ percent anyways—you're investing in your future payment for all alcohol NUMBER

induced problems such as ____________ failure, or perhaps ______________ loss. We are living in a time of TYPE OF ORGAN

TYPE OF LIMB

_______________________, how far-fetched is adding a ________ of virus-killing ______________ into our ADJECTIVE PLURAL NOUN

already debauchery-filled lives?

QUANTITY

TYPE OF ALCOHOL

Comic by Richard Dick

Comics Gun Safety

Comic by Richard Dick

Comics Graffiti

Creative Works home Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor diagnose this. twist my arm, pull my ear, I have all the power here. try me once I’ll decide you have lived enough. don’t turn around, a demon with pink hair stands her ground. better frown, lest you smile— she’ll slice your vile grin and go.

Illustration by Sonam Kaloti

the smell of matchsticks burns in the backyard piles of my last six up in smoke. make yourself at home, all the ghosts, all the crazies. look inside the mirror what I fear stands behind me.

I am not alone, I have bones in my closet. make yourself at home, we are not alone.

Nature Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor I can remember running through tall dry grass in my shorts with hair flying as wildly as a kite caught in the wind.

The tail tickles my nose and I stop and let go watching as my kite surfs the wind like a dancer.

A waterfall at the edge drips with a noise like that of a koi fish singing and I squish my toes deep into cold mud to ground myself before the sun sets.

Bright bursts of oranges pinks and my kite sail above my head.

The world slowly rocking back and forth the whistle of the wind the soft purring of a fish tank and the smell of dried grass.

Because now I can’t see nature but I can remember it.

Photo by Morgan Hannah

Hair still wild, eyes faded and milky I can remember that day but now it is behind glass and stuffed away in drawers.

Creative Works CJ Sommerfeld Staff Writer

Have you ever brought a calathea into your home just to watch it wither like sweating when it’s 10 below, your jacket too stout to put in the wash: the onion aroma lingers, it only surfaces after leaving home, unable to glean expecting the night to bring diminished sevenths but lusting for one major and jazzy corrosive and dark: bromine We fight class like the queen Have you ever been pried from your sleep by a kraken?

Reminders organized on top of chaos: Philip Glass evidence of cracks in the meditative minimalism seeps through, ascending like lava in its rifts grow a begonia or ten, robust and viscid (you'll see when you see) when we hasten to the Templo Romano in Vic, Catalonia fights her pneumonia: Have you bought a lamp from the ether just to talk?

Or bartered to augment the interaction, could they tell?

The echoes reverberating the SRO’s dirty lath and plaster walls are cable television, are the wealthy this entertaining? In the alley I hear her say “The cigarette is stuck to my lip!”

I reminisce the raindrops putting-out mine, and wonder how they met. Attributed authorship whisper roughhoused by a quip, Have you ever wanted to Smithsonian Folkways?

Have you Smithsonian Folkways?

As hopeful as a half-diminished seventh is it sanguine or death on the tracks?

The ethos of anthology off the beaten path A-list untouched soil, kissed it could curve it could be curve if elsewhere would alter V-vi deceptive, not yet dismissed taut face softened with a fist.

Illustration by CJ Sommerfeld

Lath and plaster

We fight classy like the queen fights her pneumonia: whisper roughhoused by a quip, taut face softened with a fist. —Robin Richardson

Illustration by Morgan Hannah

Creative Works

Space Geographer Returns: Part 7 Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor

“I

t sure would’ve been helpful for me to pack a universal translator…” I sigh, adjusting my boots and tightening the utility belt around my waist. In my rush to land on planet Xexon, it seems I’ve made a good number of possibly fatal mistakes—ones that never should’ve been made at my rank especially!

The plan isn’t to wander too far from the ship, but I should make some simple discoveries, like usual resources such as fuel, food, water… just in case the rescue mission takes longer than anticipated. Although, I don’t even have a length of time in mind. Without having sent out a beacon, it could take hours, possibly days!

My thoughts keep drifting back to that pickle-like

alien, and how it acted entirely human. Perhaps it was just saying hello. Or perhaps it was trying to attack. I don’t even know what the creature eats!

Leaving the relative safety of the ship’s wreck, I place a hand against my brow to shield out the bright sun and look in all directions. There’s nothing but bright limitless sand and a couple of rocks blooming out of the sand. From space, there were dark mountains, but I must be too far away, or the atmosphere is too thick for me to make them out from where I stand. Suddenly, I can’t help but feel as though my sister was here at some point! It’s a strange sensation like menthol rubbing on my brain.

“Malory, are you here? Did you come into contact with those, those things?” There’s no response. Just wind.

Obviously. But I can’t shake the feeling. What is it that Malory would’ve done if she crash-landed here?

Out of the corner of my eye, crouched behind one of the rocks, is the creature from before. Its long, spindly fingers curl around the dark purple stone, contrasting mightily. These creatures sure do stand out from their environment, almost as if they aren’t really from here…

It’s an interesting remark; could it be possible that these aliens were brought here? Or perhaps they also crashlanded?

“I wonder what you would tell me if you could understand me…” I say to the creature, my voice barely louder than the wind.

Continuation of this exciting adventure next week!

Crossword

Weekly Crossword

OnlineCrosswords.net

DOWN 1. Give off 2. Distance measure 3. Hay bundle 4. Aussie bird 5. Disagreement 6. Unbleached color 7. Informal talk 8. Inn 9. Have creditors 10. Rembrandt, e.g.

11. Fort ____, FL 12. Tick's kin 13. Defame 18. Cab 22. Feels remorse 23. Broadway award 25. Not shut 26. Autumn bloom 27. Backbone 28. Cut of meat 29. Noticed 30. Angels' headgear 32. Deposes 33. Minimum 36. Classify 39. Average skirt

40. Wine valley 42. Liquefy 43. Sleazier 45. Eyed slyly 47. Gazed upon 49. Narrow boat 51. 15th of March 52. Tender 54. Traffic barrier 55. Ambush 56. Hurt 57. Stride 58. Turner and Kennedy 60. Rascal 61. Gun owners' org.

Previous solution

ACROSS 1. Implant 6. Mimic 10. Charity 14. Florida metropolis 15. Grub 16. Banister 17. Draw pictures for a book 19. Ballerina's skirt 20. Golfer's need 21. Fry lightly 22. Passenger 23. ____-Mex cuisine 24. Certain parasite 26. Amaze 31. Gasoline, in England 34. Paid out 35. Alleviates 37. Payable now 38. Very little 39. Honeydew, e.g.

40. Space gp.

41. Finale 42. Trivial 43. Epsom ____ 44. Staggered 46. Most sharply inclined 48. Ancient object 50. Positive vote 51. Small landmass 53. Pretended 56. Truman's monogram 59. Entrance 60. Excessive 62. ____ Canal 63. Da Vinci's "____ Lisa" 64. Was mistaken 65. Post 66. Chirp 67. Highway entrances

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