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FIRST PEEK
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July 14, 2014 · Volume 147, Issue 11
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CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2014
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FIRST PEEK
In January 2014, SFU launched its comprehensive Zero Waste program on all campuses as another step to achieve the goal of “diverting 70 per cent of landfill waste into recycling and composting by the end of 2015,” according to the SFU Sustainability Office. The Zero Waste Program was designed to help reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, and consists of four containers for different types of materials. By differentiating recyclable materials from non-recyclable waste, it aims to increase the percentage of recycling and reuse of misplaced resources. However, as a fourth-year design and media arts student at SFU Surrey, years of studying user behaviour and product design have led me to notice some of the design flaws of garbage containers, specifically at Surrey campus. During the spring semester, I saw a pile of coffee cups and food containers over-filling
July 14, 2014
the corresponding containers in some high traffic areas. The design of these recycle bins did not meet the demand of garbage disposal from students. The first problem with these garbage bins is that each separate container is of identical size, and, in order to not take up much space, each is very narrow. Their small openings also make them hard to use. Garbage comes in various sizes and shapes, not all of which can easily fit these narrow opening: a flattened box fits in the opening pretty well, but a plastic fruit container does not. When it comes to throwing away garbage, people aren’t prepared for such a difficult process.
The size of each garbage bin does not meet the volume and size factor of particular garbage disposal. It is easy to understand that a thin piece of paper takes less space than an empty plastic bottle — the mixed paper bin is more than roomy enough for paper, but will not hold as many recyclable bottles. This means some bins require more frequent empties otherwise they will easily overfill.
These problems indicate that the design of the receptacles has failed to accommodate students’ garbage disposal demands, and this is where user design plays a vital role to ensure that a product works as expected. Sustainable innovation does not automatically lead to sustainable user behaviour; it is the design that influences users to more sustainable behaviour. If a designer designs a product in such a way — i.e. different sized bins to accommodate different sized waste — it increases the likelihood that students dispose of garbage in environmentally conscious ways, following the instructions and acting greenly. When students see an overfilled Zero Waste collection station with all kinds of misplaced garbage, they aren’t likely to follow any instruction, and simply toss their trash anywhere. Designing bins that make unsustainable behaviour difficult or even impossible, while sustainable behaviour is easy to achieve or even automatic, would boost the effectiveness of the Zero Waste idea: students would not have a hard time disposing of garbage, instead their sense of approval with the Zero Waste program would increase. As a first step, can we at least start by making the recyclable and landfill bins larger on satellite campuses, like they are in Burnaby? And if we have time, let’s consult a new designer.
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NEWS
Board voted to transfer $1 million from the General Fund to the Space Expansion Fund as a partial repayment of the outstanding $2.44 million interfund loan. The money will later be transferred to Build SFU. VP finance Adam Potvin explained that the decision would help Build SFU to obtain loans because having a larger amount of funds would strengthen their equity position.
At large representative Rebecca Langmead was tasked to work with Build SFU general manager on a preliminary stadium investigation. Fellow at large representative Jeremy Pearce was previously tasked to work on the same investigation. Both Langmead and Pearce have been involved with SFU athletics as varsity athletes.
Build SFU general manager Marc Fontaine brought forward the option of including a napping room in the new Student Union Building (SUB). He said, “There are positive implications in terms of mental health and creating spaces that are comfortable for people.” The change in the floor plan would result in a decrease in the number of student organization suites from eight to seven; the number of larger suites would remain the same, while the number of smaller suites would decrease from four to three. At large representative Pearce spoke in favour of the motion, citing student responses to the Build SFU survey that ranked napping space 5th in student preferences. The board approved the modification to the SUB space program.
news editor email / phone
July 14, 2014
Three SFU scientists have made Thomson Reuter’s list of The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds: 2014 (WMISM). The three honourees — Marco Marra, Fiona Brinkman, and Steven Jones — are among 90 Canadians on the list of 3,215 researchers from around the world. This list drew from 21 fields in the sciences and the social sciences, from space to psychology, and was created based on the number of citations each researcher’s papers received in their first year of publication. When a paper is cited, this means that another scientist is using it as a reference. One of the three on the list, Fiona Brinkman, an SFU professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, with cross appointments in the School of Computer Science and Faculty of Health Science, has been recognized for her contributions to computer science. A self-proclaimed “computer-geek,” growing up Brinkman felt that combining her interest in learning about life and using computers was the natural thing to do. Her research focuses on developing more holistic and sustainable approaches to infectious disease control. This means that instead of only
focusing on the disease-causing agent, her lab also looks at the host and disease causing factors in society and the environment. Brinkman’s research supports a trend of more specific treatment in medicine; instead of relying on the ‘shotgun approach’ to treating bacterial infections, which often results in antibiotic resistance, Brinkman wants to “put selective pressure on [bacteria] so that we can coexist without them being able to make us ill.” Her research also hopes to make the tracking and control of infections more efficient. This can have important implications not only for human disease, but also agriculture and aquaculture, and prevent negative economic impacts on affected areas. Another recognized scientist, Steven Jones, is an SFU professor as well as a member of the bioinformatics group at Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre. Jones works alongside the third member of
Leah Bjornson associate news editor news@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
the trio, Marco Marra, researching malignancy in tumors using DNA sequencing and bioinformatics approaches. Marra is an adjunct professor in SFU’s Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; he was the second most cited researcher in Canada in 2014. Using next-generation DNA sequencing technology, their research focuses on unraveling the mutational landscape of cancer. This is accomplished by analyzing the genetic code of tumors to understand the mutations that accumulate over time and result in the formation of cancer.
Jones explained that “colon cancers from two different people might look identical under the microscope,” however they
Melissa Roach
may not respond the same way to a treatment. By looking at the genetic code of the tumor he intends to learn why this may occur. Marra added, “We are not going to sequence a cancer and know everything there is to know about all [of them].” With better understanding of the genetic profile of a patient’s tumor, one can also avoid unnecessary treatments and ensure that the patient receives only the treatment they need, Jones explained. This research supports a change in the way medical practitioners approach the treatment of cancer since there is now clear genetic evidence to suggest that no single treatment can serve as a cure for the disease. Jones noted, “It’s nice that [Thomson Reuter’s list] is based on metric and not on opinions.” He added, “Many of the works that are being cited took many years of hard work.” While Marra does not work specifically in drug development, some of his research has influenced the potential use of therapies that are currently being developed and tested. Marra commented on what it means for him to be acknowledged on the Thomson Reuter’s list: “In some respects, it’s better than an award. It indicates that there is a general appreciation for the work my group publishes. “It means we’ve had an impact, we’ve helped move science in some direction, and that’s to me really what science is all about. Sharing results, sharing information, and stimulating other work elsewhere, so I feel good about that.”
NEWS
July 14, 2014
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Board voted to approve the 2014 Fall Kickoff budget as recommended by Financial and Administrative Services Committee (FASC). The motion moved to increase the large scale events line item by $25,000 in order to cover expenses such as artists, production, and marketing. The motion also allowed the disbursement of up to $80,000 for the 2014 Fall Kickoff Concert, which will act as a sort of price cap. The budget provided $500 for child care funding, as well as $100 for the net loss of the event. VP finance Adam Potvin was also tasked with disbursement authority for requests under $500.
Concerns regarding the dumping of unwanted pet fish into Burnaby lakes and ponds has been brought to public attention in a recent article published by Burnaby Now. The article stated that a local pet shop has been misinforming customers, claiming that SFU’s Burnaby campus welcomes any unwanted koi fish in the university’s reflection pond. Recalling the release of a predatory snakehead fish into Burnaby Lake in 2012, it is not news that invasive species may pose a detrimental threat to Burnaby’s natural habitat. However, many people still believe they are doing the ‘right thing’ by releasing their unwanted fish into the wild. Stephanie Green, an SFU PhD graduate from the Department of Biological Sciences, told The Peak that although people believe they are doing the right thing, it only takes a few individuals to release
invasive species into the wild before they can “spread out of control.” Green explained that because of the interconnectivity of ponds, lakes and rivers, “once an introduced species takes hold, it is very difficult to eradicate completely because of how quickly they can spread.” Green emphasized how important it is for pet owners to be conscious of the needs of a fish, as well as how large it gets and its dietary needs, before buying it in order to avoid the problem of individuals purchasing a fish that they are unable to care for.
The article in Burnaby Now revealed that staff at a Petsmart in Vancouver were implying that it was acceptable to dump unwanted fish into Coquitlam ponds as well as SFU’s reflection pond. In an attempt to clarify this issue, Keith Horne, superintendent for SFU Mechanical Services, informed The Peak that, “it is NOT permitted to dump fish in any pond at SFU.”
Not only is this illegal, with fines ranging from $2,500 to $250,000, but the introduction of new fish may alter a pond’s fragile ecosystem, leading to issues such as overpopulation or illness among the fish population. During routine draining and cleaning of the reflection pool, the fish are captured and housed at SFU’s Alcan Aquatic Research Centre until the cleaning is complete. Although it is unclear as to whether the fish population has altered due to the dumping of unwanted fish into the reflection pond or by naturally occurring reproduction, one thing is sure: the dumping of unfamiliar fish into the reflection pond poses a detrimental threat to the fish already living there. Bruce Leighton, an associate member of SFU’s Department of Biological Sciences, said, “[The] dumping of fish in the pond at SFU brings a disease risk to the fish that live in the pond.” Leighton added that the reflection pond is “already at capacity [for fish]”, thus adding more could lead to overpopulation, resulting in death for some of its piscine residents. So, if you find yourself developing animosity towards your fishy companion, think twice before discarding it in a local pond. Instead, “find a pet store that will take it in,” as Green suggests.
ƌŝƚŝĐĂů dŚŝŶŬŝŶŐ͕ EĞǁ WĞƌƐƉĞĐƚŝǀĞƐ FALL 2014 Course Offerings > ^d ϭϬϭ /ŶƚƌŽĚƵĐŝŶŐ >ĂďŽƵƌ ^ƚƵĚŝĞƐ ; ƵƌŶĂďLJ Θ ^ƵƌƌĞLJͿ > ^d ϯϬϭ >ĂďŽƵƌ DŽǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ͗ ŽŶƚĞŵƉŽƌĂƌLJ /ƐƐƵĞƐ > ^d ϯϬϴ >ĂďŽƵƌ WƌŽĐĞƐƐ͗ tŽƌŬ ĂŶĚ dĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJ > ^d ϯϬϵ >ĂďŽƵƌ ĂŶĚ ŽůůĞĐƚŝǀĞ ĂƌŐĂŝŶŝŶŐ > ^d ϯϭϬ dŚĞ WŽůŝƚŝĐƐ ŽĨ >ĂďŽƵƌ ŝŶ ĂŶĂĚĂ ;ĞǀĞŶŝŶŐͿ > ^d ϯϭϭ >ĂďŽƵƌ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ > ^d ϯϯϬ ĂŶĂĚŝĂŶ >ĂďŽƵƌ >Ăǁ > ^d ϯϯϬ hŶĨƌĞĞ >ĂďŽƵƌ ĂŶĚ DŽĚĞƌŶͲ ĂLJ ^ůĂǀĞƌLJ > ^d ϯϯϬ >ĂďŽƵƌ ŝŶ ŚŝŶĂ ͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲͲ DE^ ϰϯϳ DĞĚŝĂ ĞŵŽĐƌĂƚŝnjĂƚŝŽŶ͗ &ƌŽŵ ƌŝƚŝƋƵĞ ƚŽ dƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ '^t^ ϯϬϴ tŽŵĞŶ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶŽŵLJ͗ WĂŝĚ Θ hŶƉĂŝĚ >ĂďŽƵƌ
&Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ ŽŶ ĐŽƵƌƐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƐĐŚŽůĂƌƐŚŝƉ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚŝĞƐ ǀŝƐŝƚ ǁǁǁ͘ůĂďŽƵƌ͘ƐĨƵ͘ĐĂ
6 NEWS
July 14, 2014
A study out of SFU shows that kangaroos actually use their tail as a fully functional leg when they are grazing the land. Max Donelan, an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, led the study on kangaroos’ unusual gait. Donelan explained that a kangaroo does “as much mechanical work with their tale as we do when we walk.” Aided by postdoctoral fellow Shawn O’Connor, Donelan’s study focused on the awkward gait kangaroos have when they graze the land, which is unlike the “graceful hop” we picture them
having when we think of the Australian outback. Kangaroos graze with their tail planted on the ground, acting in combination with their short front legs and long hind legs. This motion is known as “pentapedal gait.” The tail acts as a leg in the sense that it pushes off the ground, rather than the front legs,
in order to create the force that starts the cycle of walking. Donelan, whose principal field of research revolves around humans and walking, explained to The Peak, “With humans, we have learned in the course of the past 15 years that a key part of the walking cycle is before your right foot comes in contact with the ground,
A joint consensus recently released by the New York Health Department (NYHD) and the American Heart Association (AHA) brought together SFU health science professor Michel Joffres along with 33 of the world’s leading scientists in the field to affirm the benefits and
importance of reducing sodium intake to combat one of the world’s deadliest diseases. Sodium is an important regulator for the body, necessary for proper nerve conduction, muscle activation, and control in blood pressure and blood volume. However, sodium is also a major contributor to heart disease, because it elevates blood pressure, which is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The news release indicated that many studies and controlled trials have shown that a decrease in sodium intake levels has a positive impact on improving health,
sustaining lives, and reducing healthcare costs. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports heart disease as the leading cause of death in the US, while a Statistics Canada report had it down as the second leading cause of death in Canada, after cancer. The CDC currently recommends that individuals under the age of 50 consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day—for those over 50, that number drops to less than 1,500 mg. Nevertheless, Joffres told The Peak that humans require as little as 200 mg of sodium per day for their basic physiological needs. However, he said, “We are consuming about 3,400 mg [of sodium] per day, and young people consume even more.” Joffres explained that, “We have an appetite for sodium as we did not have high sources of sodium in our evolution. [. . .] Now this appetite has been exploited by industries that make low quality food and use salt to enhance taste.” Sodium occurs naturally in most foods — milk, beets, celery, and even water, according to the National Institute of Health. Sodium chloride, or table salt, is the most common derivative of sodium and makes up a large percentage of sodium consumed. However, “[about] 80 per cent of sodium we eat comes from
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you have to push off the ground with your left foot. This movement is really important in saving energy that is required for walking.” Kangaroos’ unique anatomy restricts them from using their short front legs as a means to push off the ground; thus, their tail becomes key in this essential push needed to commence the walking cycle.
Donelan believes that studying the “pentapedal gait” of kangaroos, as well as the unusual gaits of other animals, sheds light on the general principles of biomechanical motion and offers insight into the solutions available to biomechanical problems. Donelan noted, “A key aspect of covering this is the question: Why are Canadians studying this interesting, yet possibly irrelevant form of locomotion? What this really gets across is that it is helpful for us to understand the basic principles of locomotion, which works into the bigger picture of understanding humans.” Donelan has also studied the movements of cats, shrews, crocodiles, elephants, and giraffes. As interesting as these animals are, Donelan’s research is not driven by the type of animal he gets to study; rather, he says, it is driven by the important questions and the insights that can be gained in order to better understand the biological movements of humans.
Lily Li / The Peak
processed food,” said Joffres. Examples include breads, cold meats cuts, pizza slices, and canned soups and vegetables. Other lesser known products that contain sodium are laxatives, aspirin, mouthwash, and toothpaste, according to the Household Products Database. The best way to avoid unexpected sodium intake is to cook meals at home, emphasizing low sodium, and consuming more fruits and vegetables, advised Joffres. Care should also be taken when reading labels and choosing what is to be eaten.
While Joffres acknowledges that the reduction of sodium intake levels is important, he says that the regulation of sodium usage within food industries and distribution locations is just as integral to the health of the world’s populations. For now, Joffres hopes to raise awareness of the deadliness of sodium. “You may see the negative effects of high sodium diets much later,” Joffres told The Peak. “It is like a very slow acting poison and is a silent killer.”
NEWS
SFU was well represented at a conference in Edinburgh from July 4 to 6 that looked at the Scottish diaspora, and its effects both in the world and in Scotland. The executive director of SFU’s Harbour Centre campus, Laurie Anderson, was a panelist at a talk titled “The Global Migrations of the Scottish People since c. 1600: Issues, Debates, Controversies,” along with former coordinator of SFU’s Centre for Scottish Studies (CSS), Harry McGrath. Also in attendance was the dean of SFU’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, John Craig. Anderson, a first generation member of the Scottish diaspora, who moved to Canada from Scotland in his youth, describes
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diaspora as being “essentially about the ‘scattering’ or movement of peoples from their original home or country of birth. “It is studied a lot in Scotland because the Scots have migrated around the globe since medieval times, and is one of the most significant diasporas in the world,” Anderson explained. One of the main themes of the conference revolved around the ongoing dissemination of Scots over the past 700 years. As a result, the Scottish diaspora has had a large influence on our modern world, particularly in North America. However, McGrath pointed out that not all of its effects have been positive. Over the three days of the conference, participants attempted to take a balanced view of the effect the Scottish diaspora has had on the world, McGrath stated in an email. “So, for instance, while there was some focus on Scottish achievements, there was an equal, perhaps greater, focus on issues like the Scottish connection to the slave trade, which has often been neglected or deliberately ignored,” he explained.
Starting in January, students at the University of Victoria will be able to study the pop singer Beyonce. This new music department course will be taught by Melissa Avdeeff, a musicology researcher who has lectured at both the University of Alberta and the University of Edinburgh. Avdeeff has written on how women are portrayed in popular music, specifically focusing on Beyonce, for her MA thesis at Hamilton’s McMaster University. For the course, Avdeef considered other singers such as Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber, but eventually picked Beyonce since a variety of pop-music studies could be included.
According to Anderson, part of the importance of the diaspora aligns with Scotland’s upcoming referendum for independence. “The economy of the country is a very important aspect of being independent,” he said. “[And there are] many, many more people with Scottish connections outside of the country than in the country. If they can promote business ties, cultural ties with the diaspora, it can support the cause of the country becoming independent.”
Among the examined topics was whether the number of Scots that have left Scotland was detrimental or beneficial to the country. Anderson said, “When you have a country with so many people leaving all the time [. . .] you’re losing your best and brightest [. . .] However, one of
Five university-colleges in Alberta have received provincial permission to name themselves universities. Recently renamed schools such as Concordia University and The King’s University have already started making plans to change billboards and letterhead. Concordia President Gerald Krispin noted that these post-secondary institutes have been pushing to get their names changed for years. Bill Diepeveen, chair of King’s board of governors, believes this will help with campus recruitment: “You are coming to a university. Don’t have any doubt in your mind.” With files from Edmonton Journal
the things that [was] also talked about was the fact that many people who left the country made a lot of money overseas. “Some people left by choice for better opportunities, and some people were forced to leave during different political uprisings.” The three-day conference concluded with the panel, “Scotland Today: Perspectives from the Diaspora,” which was chaired by McGrath and featured Anderson as a panelist. McGrath said of the CSS, where he worked from 2003 to 2007, “One thing I took away from the conference was the fact that the Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University is an unusual and precious resource. There are very few such centres outside of Scotland and I would like to see it develop into a true international research hub for the Scots in Canada in general and those of Western Canada in particular.” He concluded, “I would very much like to see the Scottish diaspora find its place in the great upsurge of interest there has been recently in diasporas from all countries.”
The former leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and a professor at University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs, Michael Ignatieff, is leaving the university to pursue another post at Harvard University. At Harvard, he will teach a variety of topics ranging from human rights, to sovereignty and interventions, to political life, to responsibility and representation as the Edward R. Murrow Chair of Press, Politics, and Public Policy. “[Harvard] is an exciting and dynamic place where our future leaders are engaged in the very real process of gaining a greater understanding of the challenges they will face and the tools they will need to confront them,” said Ignatieff.
Communications student Caroline Brown and her team are researching youth political engagement for their CMNS 362: Qualitative Research Methods class, and invited participants out on Wednesday, July 9 to participate in a focus group. Brown explained that the research seeks to understand the relationship between youth political engagement and social media, specifically in Canada. “Social media is undoubtedly a very powerful force in today’s society, yet it is questionable whether or not Canadian politics, politicians and parties use it to the best extent to engage with youths,” Brown said.
Vancouver Speaker Series presented David Andolfatto, SFU professor of economics, last Monday, July 7 in a talk entitled, “Cryptocurrencies – Bitcoin & Beyond.” He discussed the nature of money, payments, and monetary policy and how they influence and are influenced by cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. Following the lecture, Andolfatto joined cryptocurrency commentators Stephen Hui and Michael Yeung, founder of SFU Bitcoin Club, for a moderated discussion.
With files from The Varsity
With files from The Globe and Mail
Graduation Photos by Robin Wong
Emind Photo Studio.com
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3580 East Hastings St, Vancouver (604) 618-8200 www.RobinWongPhotos.com
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OPINIONS
In Seneca’s sixth letter to Lucilius, he writes that the behaviour of a teacher could instruct more than any moral lesson they taught, noting that Plato and Aristotle “derived more from Socrates’ character than from his words.’’ Encapsulated in Mandela Day, July 18, is the recognition of Mandela’s life, one that offered the same sort of example. The purpose of the day is twofold: to celebrate Mandela’s life, and to inspire us to try to emulate some of his best efforts. The day asks people to dedicate 67 minutes of their day to community service — the number being derived from the years Mandela spent in service of his own. With his passing having occurred so recently, it’s likely that this year’s celebration will have more of a pulse around it and will, perhaps, also motivate more people to learn from Mandela’s life and character. His autobiography can be particularly informative in
this respect. Reading through it, one never encounters the type of solipsism guaranteed to those who are victims of oppression and injustice. If I had to offer the briefest synopsis of it, I would try to include some declarative statement about the importance of dignity and its relation to freedom. When the prison guards would tell him to run to his jail cell, he would walk; when given shorts to wear, he would ask for pants. These small acts prove that even the smallest acts of rebellion are essentially attempts at freedom. Mandela’s forgiving nature is especially highlighted by his actions after his prison release. He was forced to walk and meet with politicians, many of whom only wanted to absolve themselves of their complicit involvement in his, and South Africa’s, subjugation. Seneca’s greatest contribution to the Stoic philosophy was his definition of it. He saw it as a philosophy
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teaching people not how to live life, but how to deal with the sea of troubles that accompanied it. In life, Mandela often quoted Shakespeare, one of his favourite sayings being that “the ready is everything.’’ He spent decades in prison for trying to oppose an evident injustice. He lost his freedom and was relegated to the company of criminals on a secluded and destitute island. But, he dealt with these trials in such a way that only inspires the mind, and acts as a perpetual source of inspiration for those who are facing hardships in their own lives. If Mandela Day can act a catalyst for people to help their own communities, then perhaps it can also entice people to study the life of Mandela and learn much from it.
Sincerely, Michael Johnson, SFU Student
Fall 2014 Courses GSWS 101-‐3: Gender Talk (B-‐Soc) Instructor: Lucas Crawford
Thursdays 17:30 – 19:20
It seems that “gender” is more and more knowable at our current moment: we have viral campaigns such as “slut walk” and #YesAllWomen; we celebrate transgender actresses such as Laverne Cox; Van-‐ couver is very close to requiring explicitly transgender-‐friendly signage on the locker room doors of ŝƚƐ ƉƵďůŝĐ ƌĞĐƌĞĂƟŽŶ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ͖ ^&h ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ ĐƌĞĂƚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ůĂƵĚĞĚ ͞,ĂƌĂƐƐŵĞŶƚ ŽŶ dƌĂŶƐŝƚ͟ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ůĂƐƚ LJĞĂƌ͖ ĂŶĚ͕ ĞǀĞƌLJ ƉŽƉƵůĂƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ĨƌŽŵ ,ƵīWŽ ƚŽ ƵnjnjĨĞĞĚ ƐĞĞŵƐ ƉŽŝƐĞĚ ƚŽ ĐƌŝƟĐĂůůLJ ĂŶĂůLJnjĞ ŐĞŶĚĞƌ ŝŶ ĮůŵƐ͕ ds͕ ƉŽůŝƟĐƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ůŝƚĞƌĂƚƵƌĞ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŝŵĂƟŶŐ ƋƵĞƐƟŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ 'ĞŶĚĞƌ dĂůŬ ĂƌĞ ĚĞĐĞƉƟǀĞůLJ ƐŝŵƉůLJ͗ ŚŽǁ ĚŝĚ ǁĞ ŐĞƚ ŚĞƌĞ͍ tŚĞƌĞ ĞůƐĞ ŵŝŐŚƚ ǁĞ ŚĂǀĞ ĞŶĚĞĚ ƵƉ͍ tŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ǁĞ ŚĞĂĚĞĚ͍ WĞƌŚĂƉƐ ŵŽƐƚ importantly: what are we missing?
'^t^ ϯϮϭͲϰ͗ dŚĞ ƌĞĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ZĞͲĐƌĞĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŽǁŶƚŽǁŶ ĂƐƚƐŝĚĞ Instructor: Willeen Keough
DŽŶĚĂLJƐ ϭϯ͗ϯϬ ʹ ϭϳ͗ϮϬ͕ ,ĂƌďŽƵƌ ĞŶƚƌĞ
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opinions editor email / phone
Joel MacKenzie opinions@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
The Supreme Court has chosen religion over human rights in the case of Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby. On June 30, the Court ruled that certain for-profit companies cannot be required to pay for specific types of contraceptives for their employees. The complaint over the Affordable Care Act’s requirement was made by Hobby Lobby, an Oklahoma arts and crafts retail store operated by Southern Baptists, and Conestoga Wood Specialties of Pennsylvania, which is owned by a Mennonite family. They argued that this requirement violates their religious freedom as it requires them to pay for two types of morningafter pills and intrauterine devices, which they believe are the same as abortion. The company had also rejected a compromise made by the government, which would see their insurers, or third party administrators, pay for the contraceptives; they argued that the insurers and third party administrators are complicit in offending their religious beliefs. The Supreme Court’s decision promotes the connection between the church and state: it imposes religious beliefs on the companies’ employees who may not share them. Indeed, many supporters of the ruling have called it a victory for religious freedom, but it is a violation of the First Amendment of the American Constitution. In addition to the free exercise of religion, the amendment also says that the state is not allowed to make laws that respect a religious establishment.
The ruling has also violated the Equal Rights Amendment of the Constitution, which protects women’s rights, as a company has no right to control the reproductive rights of their female employees. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was against the companies’ claims, argues that the ruling would “deny legions of women who do not hold their employers’ beliefs access to contraceptive coverage,” and noting that the Affordable Care Act requirement is important to women who work minimum wage jobs, as an IUD without coverage costs a month’s pay. Eliana Dockertman, writer for Time, also brings up the important point that most women who are economically and geographically restricted cannot choose their place of employment in order to obtain coverage.
Furthermore, if the exemption is made on religious grounds for health care coverage of contraption, then who is to say that it could not extend to objections by companies run by Jehovah’s Witnesses to blood transfusions, Scientologists to antidepressants, Jews to medication derived from nonkosher animals, and various religious groups to vaccines? A broader consequence is that the Supreme Court’s granting religious freedom rights to companies could affect laws on employment, safety, and civil rights. The most alarming consequence is that the Supreme Court’s granting of religious accommodation could extend to other laws not related to health care or employment. By then, the union of church and state will have been complete.
OPINIONS
July 14, 2014
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to blackout [. . .] because we don’t support it,” essentially moving for a motion of government sponsored censorship. One might ask if there were any voices of dissent during this meeting, and indeed a single voice, that of Councillor Bill McKay, stood against the ban and questioned why neither representatives of the conference nor the church were invited to the meetJust over two months ago, Na- ing. Pattje responded by claiming naimo’s city council made a de- that their presence at the meetcision, the controversy of which ing was irrelevant, but in reality it was only matched by the lack of amounted to nothing more than reporting on the issue. This lack a trial where the defence was not was impressive, as in the space even present. of 20 minutes, the council managed to deny a group of Nanaimo residents four of their basic rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canadian journalist Ezra Levant went so far as to call the act the “most disgraceful act of discrimination I can recall in Canada in my life.” So what was this act? A church group was planning to Only three days before the simulcaste an American leader- conference was scheduled to ship conference whose sponsors broadcast, ordinary residents of included Chick-fil-A, a company the city who had paid $60 a perwhose chief operating officer son to attend were informed that made public statements oppos- the event would not be taking ing same-sex marriage two years place. Worse than that, the counago. In response, council mem- cil’s decision labelled them as ber Fred Pattje proposed a reso- hate-mongers and violated many lution banning “any events that of their basic human rights as are associated with organizations guaranteed by Canadian law. or people that promote or have Section 2 of the Charter of a history of divisiveness, ho- Rights and Freedoms guarantees mophobia, or other expressions freedom of conscience and reliof hate” from the Vancouver Is- gion, freedom of peaceful assemland Conference Centre. bly, and freedom of association. Over the next 20 minutes, all All of these rights were violated of which can be viewed on the city by the city council’s decision. of Nanaimo’s website, the coun- Even if we accept their premise cil made no effort to debate the regarding the Chick-fil-A posiissue, and appeared to dedicate tion on same-sex marriage as the time to how they would im- justification for the ban, this ban plement the ban and why it was still violates the freedom of asimportant. This was done despite sociation of those who wished the fact that, as mentioned, the to attend, as one cannot be punconference was not of a religious ished for the actions or opinions nature, but a leadership confer- of those they associate with. ence, and past speakers have inIn the name of tolerance cluded renowned social rights ac- and inclusiveness, Nanaimo city tivist Archbishop Desmond Tutu. council has chosen to become inOne councillor, Jim Kipp, was tolerant and exclusive. One canin favour of the motion because not guarantee the rights of one he “[would not] accept if a crimi- group at the cost of another. To do nal organization wants to come so undermines the equality that into our community” and com- is a necessary prerequisite of our pared the strong Christian organi- democratic tradition. Perhaps the zation to the terrorist kidnapping city council should add itself to of Nigerian girls by Boko Haran. the list of groups banned for proCouncillor Bill Bestwick believed moting divisiveness, because they that “it would be more effective have done exactly that.
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July 14, 2014
ARTS
The ethereal beauty of Prospero’s deserted island and Ariel’s spritely magical powers make The Tempest a unique exploration of identity and longing. Meg Roe is back to direct this remount of her 2008 production as it moves from the studio stage to the larger main stage. Some of the actors have also returned — most notably Jennifer Lines as Ariel. Although Prospero (Allan Morgan) is our protagonist, his servant Ariel and her sprites control much of the action with their spells. She creates the tempest that shipwrecks Alonso, King of Naples; Antonio, Duke of Milan; and their entourage. Prospero has asked Ariel to raise the storm in order to seek revenge on his brother, Antonio, who cast him away years earlier. Prospero and his daughter Miranda ended up on the island and managed to survive.
arts editor email / phone
July 14, 2014
Also on board the ship is the king’s son, Ferdinand (Daniel Doheny), who captures Miranda’s affections. Stephana (Naomi Wright) and Trincula (Luisa Jojic), ladies of the court of Naples also find themselves shipwrecked but make the most of it drinking themselves silly. They provide most of the comedy, especially in the scene where they come across Caliban, Prospero’s slave. Caliban falls in love with Stephana, licking her feet and submitting to her every whim.
The on-stage band provided the perfect musical accompaniment to the action in beautiful chairs made of branches, and I was impressed by the grand set design and the contrasting costumes of the islanders and mariners. I thought that the larger theatre demanded something more to fill the space — perhaps some special effects or larger set pieces would have done the trick.
There was one scene that hinted at this: Ariel descended the steps from the back of the stage with massive outstretched wings. Her presence filled the whole tent, and when Ariel sang her melancholy songs, the whole tent went silent in awe. The performances of Wright as Stephana and Jojic as Trincula were a huge highlight of the show as they bumbled about the stage, their hair and clothing becoming more and more bedraggled. Prospero was magnanimous in his flowing blue and green robe and had a presence befitting his power, but his performance could have used even more gravity and seriousness. In the end, Prospero must decide if he will use his powers for good or evil now that he has his enemies under his control on his island, and he must also decide if he will he give Caliban and Ariel their freedom. Take a trip to this magical island to find out the outcome for yourself.
Tessa Perkins arts@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
I think it’s a safe bet to say that electronic R&B duo, Rhye, can be labeled as elusive chanteurs. Comprised of lead singer Milosh and producer Robin Hannibal, the two have set out to create sensuous sounds with airy, androgynous vocals, laced with groovy beats. Thus, one’s curiosity is piqued with the dangerous cocktail combination of mystery and talent that Rhye possesses. An introduction to their music could be best described as a serendipitous meeting with a sexy stranger. On tour to promote their 2013 ten-track debut album, Woman, Rhye manages to maintain their enigmatic persona and still sound so focused on their musical style. Performing at the Commodore Ballroom on July 4, their pared down sets and stage productions were refreshing in an age of visual inundation in mainstream music. This kept the focus on their sound and craft, creating a metaphysical plane of intimacy with the audience. The music eased into the atmosphere. Milosh created a live harmony, building up the layers of his ethereal alto one at a time with Robin Hannibal’s funky synth beats anchoring the arrangement. Then the rest of the band phased in: the plucking of the cello strings welcomed the cadence of the percussion, and with a bow’s caress to the violin, “Woman” started playing. It was sensual sonic foreplay. Rhye kept the pace slow, serving slow jams, “Verse” and “3 Days,” to build up anticipation for the climax, as Milosh slightly teased the audience saying, “It always takes three songs to warm up.” Further baiting the
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audience, Rhye played “The Fall” to much cheering and applause. The crowd was given a taste of release, and the song was extended with a wild piano solo before transitioning into another slow tempo track, “One of those Summer Days.” It was then that Milosh’s soulful vocals and the smooth bellow of the horn ached for a climax.
It wasn’t until the latter half of the set that the tension of aural eroticism was rewarded. Rhye brought down the house with the nu disco track, “Last Dance” — a song so sensual, gyration is the only autonomous bodily response acceptable upon hearing it. In keeping with the momentum of climax, the up-tempo groovy “Hunger” followed, with a surprisingly vampy keyboard solo. The cooldown was equally rewarding, as the strings that accompanied “Major Minor Love” were so lush in their sound. After an hour of play, Milosh apologised to the audience, saying “We don’t have anymore songs . . .” and closed the show with an a capella rendition of “It’s Over” from his 2006 solo album, Meme. It seemed apt as he crooned, “Everything’s so temporary/I should have known.” The lyrics were a thoughtful match to the ephemeral quality of his voice as he sang in the darkness, “It’s over . . .” As Milosh phased out, the band members walked away. Then silence. That night, Rhye’s musical offerings and performance were sensual and erotic to the core — the aural equivalent of the best one night stand you’ve ever had.
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“There’s always a beautiful veneer with a grisly underbelly,” explained director Tariq Leslie. Like the dark side of the moon, The Duchess of Malfi delves into the deepest hollows of humanity and questions the bare truth of what lies within our souls. This season, the Ensemble Theatre Company has lined up three plays: The Duchess of Malfi, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and The Normal Heart. “The wonderful thing about this season is that all of these plays are investigating human rights [and] how society treats people,” says Alison Raine who plays the Duchess. As Leslie explains, the majority of the ensemble within the company are also in one of the other two pieces; it takes tremendous focus to switch between the characters and the different settings of each play. Raine, for example, plays the Duchess in the historical setting of The Duchess of Malfi and is also performing in The Cripple of Inishmaan, a play set in the modern world. She states that the important thing is managing both your own energy level and that of other people. In theatre, unlike film, the cast is able to form a deeper sense of connection and community due to the larger number of rehearsal hours.
July 14, 2014
The Duchess is based on the story of Giovanna d’Aragona, containing a fine mixture of historical facts and fictional embellishments. It follows a young widow who secretly marries her steward, much to the disapproval of her two brothers. In the heat of madness and jealousy they seek their revenge, enacting a macabre tragedy that tears each character apart. Raine says her character is a strong woman. She is a mother who chooses a man out of love, which was revolutionary at the time. “She was noble, not in the sense of aristocracy, but noble in spirit, honourable, and passionate,” says Raine. For her, the play is about the Duchess’ journey to find grace; she’s a woman who, amidst imprisonment and torture, is able to find meaning in life and accept death gracefully.
The notable distinguishing feature of this production is the time period shift from Jacobean to a pseudo-Victorian era. Leslie wanted an era that wasn’t terribly forlorn; he also saw that many of the original stations and positions would have made it harder for the modern audience to relate to. He stresses that he did not “change the Webster language” and tries to the best of his ability to match the intentions of the playwright. The playwright, John Webster, was one of the greatest Jacobean dramatists and was
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also a contemporary of Shakespeare. T.S. Eliot once wrote, “Webster was much possessed by death, and saw the skull beneath the skin.” According to Leslie, both Webster and Shakespeare wrote beautifully poetic plays and often drew attention to political
matters, but Webster’s dialogue is faster and looser than Shakespeare’s. “It is also more concise [and] that is the beauty of it,” says Leslie. Apart from Shakespeare, those who enjoy the fast-paced drama of Alfred Hitchcock or Quentin Tarantino, or the
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complexity found in Game of Thrones, may find The Duchess of Malfi just as enticing.
ARTS
Matt Palmer has never played a character quite like Shrek. “It feels very large, very green, very grumpy,” laughed Palmer. Even just getting into costume is a unique experience. It takes him one and a half to two hours to make the transformation into the lovable ogre, and the process involves prosthetics along with tons of green make-up. Shrek, playing in repertory with the return of Legally Blonde, should be a popular show for all ages. Just as the animated film cleverly included many jokes that only adults would understand, the musical will be entertaining for the whole family. The adaptation follows the story pretty closely, said Palmer, with a few additions of some characters’ backstories. The score, however, is completely original except for the inclusion of “I’m a Believer” during curtain call.
July 14, 2014
Palmer said that the music is clever and very entertaining, with many standout songs. “I get to sing ‘Who’d I Be,’” said Palmer. “Donkey asks Shrek, ‘Who would you be if you could be anything?’” Donkey gets his moment to shine when he sings “Don’t Let Me Go,” and Fiona also has some great songs, including “Morning Song.” These songs tell the story in a powerful way and help the audience understand Shrek’s struggle.
“The message at the heart of Shrek is that just because you’re not necessarily beautiful and you may be framed as an outcast or freak,” explained Palmer, “you have beauty on the inside and you’re capable of love and being loved.” The show features many characters that are considered to be freaks, and feeling
like an outcast is something most people can relate to in some way. Another aspect of the story that is endearing, explained Palmer, is the relationship between Shrek and Donkey. “Shrek has never known friendship or love until Donkey insists on being his friend. It’s a complete surprise to him.” Palmer said that Donkey and Farquad will get the most laughs from the audience, although Shrek has his moments as well. “Shrek is the straight man; you would never expect to have a big green ogre as the straight man,” he laughed. Along with the laughs, “the audience will leave feeling uplifted, happy, and touched by the journey of these characters,” said Palmer. “I don’t see how they could leave feeling any other way.”
When Lana Del Rey sings “Being a mistress on the side / It might not appeal to fools like you / We been around on the side / Wanna be somethin’ you would do” on “Sad Girl” and “Guns and summer time / Chica, cherry, cola, lime / Prison isn’t nothin’ to me / If you’ll be by my side” on “Florida Kilos,” it’s not immediately obvious what she’s saying, but the lyrics are pretty clear once spelled out. Listening to lyrics such as these off Del Rey’s newest album, Ultraviolence, her voice — that doesn’t enunciate 98 per cent of the time — shows how she continues to appeal to critics and fans with recycled material in a sultry voice, over slightly different melodies. Her third studio album provides the charm needed to win listeners over, but it’s nothing we haven’t heard (or could barely hear) from her before. Ultraviolence is hypnotic. Songs such as “Brooklyn Baby,” “Money Power Glory,” and the title track are sung in a passive voice, asking you to subconsciously tap a finger or start bobbing your head. It’s probably how she does it, actually: sneaks into your ears with that subtly sexy voice, accompanied by rhythmic snares and guitars. Yeah, you’re swaying, but you don’t know what the heck to. That’s what’s problematic about the album. Without paying attention to lyrics, or
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knowing which song is on exactly, you can’t differentiate when the album is on its next track. It essentially all sounds the same. As moments are repeated throughout the album, you can pick out sections that you could’ve sworn you’d heard before during a previous song. It’s not just melodies that are cut-and-pasted, but images as well. The image of an innocent girl falling apart appears in multiple forms, and the words “little,” “red,” “party,” and “dress” have been arranged into her past albums. Her repetitiveness shows the limits of her creativity. We get it, Lana, you’re a sad girl in a cute little dress. Can we see another party trick now? Yet, the album has been positively reviewed with comments such as Del Rey is growing more into her voice. And that’s probably the only thing we can unanimously agree on. Despite how boring and hauntingly monotonous her voice is, the girl’s got a set of golden, old Hollywood pipes on her. It’s a shame she may be getting too comfortable in this persona, instead of trying out new forms of singing and songwriting. I like to think the album is a success because it’s consistent with Del Rey’s work, which is why I can’t stop listening to it and trying to decipher what she’s saying. But I was expecting more from her — perhaps for her to dabble in different genres, or to hear a different vocal style. Then again, it’s only her third album so there’s not much to differentiate from. Ultraviolence has me torn, hoping to uncover another “Summertime Sadness” on the album. Maybe Lana just won’t be my summertime jam this year.
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COMMUNITY PHOTOS July 14, 2014
photo editor email / phone
Anderson Wang photos@the-peak.ca
HUMOUR
BURNABY — The architects contracted by Build SFU to build a new SUB and stadium for SFU released their incredibly ambitious plans for a new stadium this week, but according to Build SFU the design is a mistake. The proposed stadium, which is set to be 10 times larger than an average football field and built on top of four 200 meter high columns, is apparently the result of a simple miscommunication. “When we were presenting the new SUB ideas, we made a scale model of what it would look like to show to students,” explained a representative for Perkins+Will, the project’s architects. “When we got to the Build SFU Think Tank we saw that they had done the same for the stadium so we decided to get a jump start on planning that.” Not realizing that the scalemodel stadium was actually just a foosball table set up to draw students into their offices, the architects got to work on the blueprints for the new stadium immediately. “Sure it seemed infeasible, outrageously expensive, and downright insane, but we didn’t want to offend them,” the architect told The Peak. “It took weeks to come up with a design that was even remotely structurally sound but we got there eventually.” In a surprise unveiling on Friday, the architects showed
humour editor email / phone
July 14, 2014
off the new stadium plans to students who were much less excited than they had anticipated. Instead of being carried out of the room on shoulders and sung praises, the architects were simply met with perplexed reactions and questions about how much the new stadium would cost.
Unfortunately, the architects say they’re too far into the project now to go with a different, less ridiculous design and that, due to the complex nature of the stadium, they no longer have the funds to complete the SUB building. “It’s a real shame about the mix-up but even though the SUB isn’t going to happen, I still
Brad McLeod humour@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
think everyone’s going to love the new stadium,” continued the architect. “Yeah, there might not be any room for seating and it’s so high up that no one can even get to the field but still those giant number cubes for keeping score are pretty cool.” Construction on the stadium is supposed to commence in the fall and be completed in
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2027. While no sports teams will be able to use the stadium, it is expected to bring tourism to SFU with people eager to witness the “world’s biggest waste of money.”
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July 14, 2014
Fans of the Bible rejoiced this week after God unexpectedly dropped a new story on his website featuring all their favourite characters revealing what they’ve been up to since “Revelations.” The story, in which everyone from Jesus to Moses and even Judas reunite to watch a leg of the Tour de France in Montpellier, almost crashed God’s website due to the heavy traffic it caused.
Much like JK Rowling’s new Harry Potter story which was released last Tuesday, the new Bible update satisfies the thirst passionate readers had to find out what has become of the characters in the past 200 years. According to the story, Jesus is still very much a famous figure in the world with cyclists who saw him apparently “falling off their bicycles in disbelief.” Although the writing suggests that Christ is “still the same old prankster,” his turning water into wine routine has been replaced with a “water into grape soda” miracle.
Many fans have interpreted this as a potential hint by God that his own son has had to deal with some problems with alcoholism in the years following his resurrection, although there is no actual evidence that this is really the case. Moses also appears to not have changed much since his sea-parting days, but his beard is mentioned to be “even greyer than it once was.” While the quality of writing of the new story has been questioned, as it does not seem to match the rest of God’s work in terms of its style, message, and language, hardcore Bible fans have eaten up the new entry in the series.
“I’ll read anything Biblerelated so I was thrilled when this came out,” explained Rachel Henry, a young Canadian Bible fan. “It really gives me hope that maybe he’ll come out with a whole new book at some point. You know, I always thought that Jebediah could’ve used a spin-off, I have so many unanswered questions about that guy.” Although God has neither confirmed nor denied that he is working on a new Bible adventure, sources close to him have said that he has no plans for a new book in the series and that he’s actually really interested in writing non-fiction for a change.
DIVERSIONS / ETC
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Max Hill features@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
July 14, 2014
hough most of us think of fascism as a relic of the past, right wing extremist movements in Europe and North America have seen a steady surge in popularity over the last few years. This may be due many current global conditions similar to those that gave birth to Hitler’s Third Reich, including unemployment, global financial crises, and massive government debt and inflation. The recent European Union elections illustrate just how much support these radical parties have gained in the face of these issues. Though they may seem like fringe parties, it’s nonetheless crucial to recognize them and be aware of their ascent to power on the world stage. Here are five of the most prominent parties in the growing fascist movement.
In the recent European Parliament elections, the National Front took over 25 per cent of the popular vote in the country, beating out both the ruling Socialists and the opposing Union for a Popular Movement. They also came in second in the 2002 presidential election, which became the first presidential runoff without a leftist candidate in the second round in French history. The man who ran in that election, founder of the party and father of current leader JeanMarie Le Pen, referred to the Nazi gas chambers as “a point of detail of the history of the Second World War,” hinting at the problematic views of the party. Among the party’s other beliefs are support for harsher sentencing for criminals and the deportation of certain groups of immigrants, along with halting the migration of Muslim peoples. They are highly protectionist, and have criticized the European Union as a “puppet of the New World Order.”
Another shock to come out of the recent European Parliamentary election was the performance of Nigel Farage’s United Kingdom Independence Party, which took 27 per cent of the nation’s votes, marking the first time in over a hundred years that neither Labour nor the Conservatives won the most votes in a nationwide election. Like the National Front, the UKIP are very strongly anti-EU, believing that money spent on EU membership would be better spent at home. Furthermore, they believe that the massive waves of immigrants from the Union — most recently from Bulgaria and Romania — are responsible for Britain’s debt, and have expressed an intention to reintroduce border controls which the EU forced the nation to abandon. While they have distanced themselves from the far more extreme and openly fascist British National Party, the group’s far right views don’t exactly inspire confidence. It remains to be seen how they will fare in Britain’s upcoming general election next year.
Of all the groups on this watchlist, Golden Dawn is likely the best known. The Greek nationalist party, known for its xenophobic and racist tendencies, has been making headlines in Europe for several years. Despite rejecting labels such as neo-Nazi and fascist, this group has made use of Nazi symbolism and praised the figures of Nazi Germany in the past. The party has also been accused of carrying out acts of violence against immigrants, political opponents, and ethnic minorities. Clashes in the streets between anarchists and Golden Dawn members have become commonplace in Greece, and investigations proved that many police have aided the latter party by providing weapons and ammunition. Citizens have also joined in, as many native Greeks view the Golden Dawn party as heroes. Unlike other parties on this list, Golden Dawn is also spreading outside of their native country. The party has now set out to establish cells wherever there are Greeks, opening offices in Germany, Australia, the United States, and even here in Canada.
Though they only managed to win one per cent of the German vote in the European Parliamentary elections, that one per cent was enough to earn the National Democratic Party of Germany one seat in that assembly. Unlike Golden Dawn, which attempts to deny its neo-Nazi traits, this group is openly neo-Nazi, and were labelled by Chancellor Merkel as an “anti-democratic, xenophobic, anti-Semitic, anti-constitutional party.” Given that the party is the spiritual successor to the actual Nazi Party, having been founded by former party mevvmbers in 1964, their far right views should come as no surprise. They have announced their belief that “Europe is a continent of white people,” and that it should stay that way. They’ve backed up this belief by calling for the expulsion of Jews, Turks, and immigrants in general from Germany. Udo Voigt, the party’s former leader, will represent them in their new European parliament seat. Voigt is well known within German political circles for inciting violence in 1998 after he called for voters to engage in “armed combat,” and was found guilty in 2004 of promoting Nazism after he referred to Hitler as “a great man.”
Potentially the most prominent party on this list, the Tea Party has managed to infiltrate and hijack the United States’ Republican Party, moving the already conservative group even further towards the right. They may not be as radical as Golden Dawn or the National Front, but trust me when I say they are just as dangerous. The Tea Party has also managed to take control of the United States House of Representatives, which has given them an incredible amount of influence on American politics; after all, it was the Tea Party Republicans who were responsible for the shutdown of the United States government last year, in protest of the passage of Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act — and of Obama in general. Support for the party continues to grow as America’s debt continues to skyrocket, as the Tea Party promises cuts to spending and lowered taxes for citizens. These are noble goals, but the party’s tendency to blame America’s problems on immigrants (legal and illegal) and the social policies of liberal governments undermine their value as a political faction.