The Queen's Journal, Volume 149, Issue 19

the Queen’s University

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journal

Vol. 149, Issue 19

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Friday, February 4, 2022

AMS Election saw a 11.5 per cent voter turnout.

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Situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples.

Since 1873

ILLUSTRATION BY VIOLETTA ZEITLINGER FONTANA

‘Everything counts’: Team ETC voted next AMS executive begun, because “everything counts.”

“We look forward to an incredible year and thank you all again for your support.”

AMS voters have elected Team ETC, comprised of Presidential candidate Eric Sikich, ArtSci ’22, Vice-Presidential (Operations) candidate Tina Hu, ArtSci ’22,

and Vice-Presidential (University Affairs) candidate Callum Robertson, ArtSci. ’22, as the 202223 AMS executives.

The team won a 90.7 per cent vote of confidence.

“We want to start by saying thank you to all students who voted in this election. Whether you voted yes, no, or abstained, we believe the voting process is an essential hallmark of a democratic election,” Team ETC wrote in an email sent to The Journal.

“For those who put their vote of confidence in us we also say thank you. We are beyond excited and passionate about this opportunity and are hoping to continue working with students for consistent communication and change.”

Team ETC added they are “aware” their work has just

Voters elected Presidential candidate Yara Hussein, Vice Presidential (Society Affairs) candidate Emma Farrell, and Vice Presidential (Operations) candidate Aloka Wijesundara, all ArtSci’23, as the next ASUS executive.

“We want to emphasize that all of the consultations, long nights, and many hours we spent working on our platform and campaign [are] only the beginning of what we hope to accomplish for Arts and Science students,” Farrell wrote in an email sent to The Journal.

“Consultations showed that there is so much to be done.

There’s such great work being done through ASUS already, and we’re excited to continue these things while also implementing those ideas and action items that we introduced in our platform as well,” Wijesundara wrote.

Team YEA ran uncontested and secured 91.8 per cent of the vote.

“We’re very happy with the voter turnout and seeing our peers from other faculties cheering us on and wanting to see our team succeed was amazing,” Hussein said.

“I’m most excited to increase our student engagement, I think that’s most important to all of us. Hopefully in the upcoming year, no matter what that looks like with COVID, that’s something that we are able to pursue with our programming,” Wijesundara said.

Talking to student activist Yara Hussein

Arts education limits creativity

A brief history of album art

Leslie Dal Can to retire this spring

The fall of girlboss feminism

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Teams and candidates across faculties received votes of confidence S ydney K o and C assidy M c M ackon Senior News Editor and Opinions Editor As voting closed Wednesday, the AMS election saw an 11.5 per cent voter turnout.

AMS

ASUS

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SGPS Beth Langdon, JD ’23, has been elected as 2022-23 SGPS President.

In an uncontested election, Langdon secured 94.6 per cent vote with a 32.8 per cent turnout.

“I am excited and honoured to have been elected the next SGPS President for the 2022/2023 term. I am thankful to all the individuals that took the time to nominate me, hear from me and vote in this election,” Langdon wrote in an email sent to The Journal.

“I promise to do my best to lead with empathy and be a dedicated student leader. I look forward to working with the rest of the elected executive team and hearing more from SGPS students on how I can best serve them.”

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News

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Friday, February 4, 2022

NEWS

$400,000 donated by former Board of Trustees member under investigation The Ontario Securities Commission’s investigation into Sharpe is ongoing.

David Sharpe alleged to have mismanaged a total of $20.2 million Sydney Ko & Shelby Talbot Senior News Editor and Editor in Chief David Sharpe, Law ’95, resigned from Queen’s Board of Trustees and as chair of the Queen’s Law Dean’s Council in 2021.

Sharpe is currently under investigation by the Ontario Securities Commission

(OSC) for fraud in relation to his company Bridging Finance.

According to the OSC, Bridging Finance mismanaged funds and failed to disclose conflicts of interest. A court document obtained by The Journal shows Sharpe is alleged to have mismanaged a total of $20.2 million.

In said court document, PWC, Bridging Finance’s court-appointed receiver, found a portion of the $9.3 million was “withdrawn in cash or used to make payment to third parties”—part of these funds were given to Queen’s University.

HREO launches Black History Month at Queen’s Opening ceremony ushered in a month of celebration

professionals to fostering Indigenous allyship in self-care and work.

The conversation centered on the health of Black staff, students, and faculty at Queen’s as a predominantly white institution.

Anne Fu “I think, for me, Black wellbeing is Assistant News Editor very much self-preservation and about survival, and about not just surviving, The Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO) but also thriving and doing what you have kicked off Black History Month to do to thrive in whatever space you’re at,” at Queen’s with an opening ceremony on Lijiam said.

Feb. 1.

“Many of us are in roles and Moderated by Jeremiah Marshall, HREO positions within our organizations inclusion & anti-racism advisor, the event because of a lack of representation. It’s a included a panel discussion on Black term that I coined, to be ‘the lonely only,’” health and wellness featuring Celina Costen added.

Caesar-Chavannes, senior advisor of EDI “Wellness is a is a broad, holistic term, initiatives with the Faculty of Health but that is lived down in organizations that Sciences; Wanda Costen, Dean of the Smith have an impact. We’re not in a space where School of Business; Samara Lijiam, Social we legitimately feel welcomed and included.

Issues Commissioner at the AMS; and Ayden All that pressure and angst weighs on Adeyanju-Jackson, EDI student assistant at our bodies.” the Yellow House.

In discussing the supports and resources “When we think about Black health available for Black faculty and learners, and wellness, it means everything,” Caesar- several panelists acknowledged Chavannes said. the need to dismantle the stigma “We need to understand [the importance s u r ro u n d i n g dialogues on of] correcting the disparities that exist in Black mental health and the lack of culturally access in health and wellness for Black competent care. people who are continuously at the fringe of “For a lot of people, [achieving those access points.”

Black wellness] requires During the half-hour discussion unlearning, either from the things session, the panelists touched on that their families taught them topics ranging from the impact of about wellbeing and health, racial trauma on one’s physical and or the messages that we mental health to combatting get from society because burnout as Black learners and they are very often steeped in

PHOTO BY SPENCER HENDRICKSON

Sharpe gifted Queen’s Faculty of Law $150,000 to support Indigenous JD students between 2017 and 2018. In 2019, he donated $250,000 to the Faculty of Law to fund the Indigenous Knowledge Initiative.

The Journal reached out to Melissa McKewn, Sharpe’s lawyer,

for comment, but didn’t receive a response in time for publication.

In an email sent to The Journal, Julie Brown, Queen’s media and relations officer, said the University follows all established philanthropic, governance, and reporting practices in accordance with Queen’s University’s Gift Acceptance Policy.

According to Queen’s gift policy, donations and gifts aim to fulfill the institution’s mission of “teaching, research, and community service.” The policy states the university holds itself to the highest standard of “ethical conduct”.

“Queen’s University values and will protect its integrity, autonomy and academic freedom, and will not accept gifts when a condition of such acceptance would compromise these fundamental principles,” the policy states.

Funds donated by Sharpe have been frozen pending the outcomes of ongoing legal matters.

According to Brown, the University is cognizant of the importance of the initiatives impacted by these frozen funds.

“Queen’s remains committed to the Indigenous Professorship and support for Indigenous students to which funds were directed and has taken steps to ensure those initiatives will continue with no impact to faculty or students,” Brown wrote.

Mandatory Bus-it fee passes at AMS Winter Referendum Referendum saw two per cent increase in voter turnout Sydney Ko Senior News Editor On Feb. 1 and 2, Queen’s students cast their electronic ballots for the AMS winter referendum.

2,273 students voted out of 19,801 electors eligible, resulting in a voter turnout rate of 11.5 per cent, two per cent higher than the fall referendum.

According to AMS Chief Electoral Officer Erica Johnson, in cases where less than 20 per cent of the electorate have cast ballots, approval of each individual fee is subject to a sliding scale based on the total voter turnout. With a 11.5 per cent turnout rate, a fee or question needed 60 per cent support to pass in this referendum.

The Winter referendum saw the passing and continuation of numerous student Eurocentrism and capitalism,” Lijiam said.

“I think it was bell hooks that said, ‘healing is an act of communion,’ and I think that even in my answers today, I can tell that I’ve relied so much on my friends for a lot of the wisdom that I’ve gotten around wellbeing.”

Britta B., an award-winning poet and professor, closed out the evening with a spoken word performance.

She took a moment to recognize the importance of Black History Month as a source of visibility and hope for creatives like her.

“Growing up myself in Kingston, it was hard to see what was possible for me.

I didn’t imagine that this lifestyle

fees—including the Camp Outlook’s fee of $1.00, OPRIG Kingston fee of $3.00, QMIND fee of $0.50, Queen’s Healthcare and Business Conference fee of $0.50, World University Services of Canada (WUSC) fee of $1.95, Telephone Aid Line Kingston’s fee of $0.75, MUSE Magazine’s fee of $0.50, and the Queen’s Backing Action on the Climate Crisis’ fee of $0.75.

The referendum also saw the establishment of fees for Queen’s Space Engineering Team, Queen’s Entrepreneurs’ Competition (QEC), Kingston Gets Active Ambassadors Club, and Queen’s Rocket Engineering Team.

Additionally, the three fees introduced by the Social Issues Commission—Mutual Aid Alliance Fund, AMS Equity Grants, and Gender Affirming Assistance Project—all passed.

Voters passed the continuation of the Queen’s Legal Aid m a n d a to r y fe e of $5.50 and Bus-it Pass mandatory fee of $122.

that I now have was possible, and it took a lot of encouragement a took a lot of listening to find the permission to be me,” she said.

“If there’s anything that I could share with my former selves, [it’s] that you are holding that possibility for someone to see who they can be.”

Following the panel discussion, an event calendar highlighting Black History Month celebrations in Kingston was unveiled.

Email News tips to Journal_news@ams.queensu.ca.

News

Friday, February 4, 2022

queensjournal.ca

‘Community, Authenticity, Advocacy, and Celebration’: ComSoc candidates talk change in faculty ‘We understand the value and the importance of involving our students to create a clear action plan’

reducing barriers, and really encouraging more exploration,” Morwick said.

Rezvan said Team RMK has She added existing rhetoric aided in rebuilding the commerce around Commerce experiences image and making “meaningful has been too specific and strides in EDI efforts.” She linear, which the team hopes to added they’re committed to change to encourage students continuing the momentum of to create their own path within the work that has been done the faculty. and institutionalizing it within “We want [to implement] Rida Chaudhry their administration. more exposure to all types of Assistant News Editor “We’re looking at building industry, industry reps, from lots community in the various of different industries, beyond Election season continues as the initiatives. That’s a really big what’s classically been available Commerce Society (ComSoc) piece that we want to emphasize,” in the past.” prepares to elect a new executive.

Rezvan said.

“We want to have a promotion Team RMK, comprised of Rezvan said accessibility is of open dialogue, so thoughts Presidential candidate, Tara integral to the team’s platform. and opinions can really be Rezvan Comm ’23, Vice- They plan to bridge the gaps shared without fear of judgment Presidential candidate (Student that exist in student engagement or combative responses, Affairs) Amanda Morwick and encourage Commerce just because in order for Comm ’23, and Vice-Presidential students to use available resources. everyone to be their candidate (Operations) Ethan authentic selves, as well Kibel Comm ’23, is the sole team Authenticity as for ComSoc to be representative running for ComSoc election of the student body.” this year.

“Another pillar we really wanted Morwick understands In an interview with The Journal, to include in our platform was committing to executive positions the team discussed their four authenticity, which we want within extracurriculars can pillars: community, authenticity, to sort of ingrain through be overwhelming, and RMK advocacy, and celebration. promoting individuality, by plans to expand volunteer Community

positions to facilitate explorative opportunities.

Advocacy The third pillar in RMK’s platform is advocacy. Kibel plans to increase awareness of ComSoc resources to support students in their future careers.

Kibel is committed to working on financial equity and making sure no student feels they can’t reach an opportunity because of financial difficulties.

Within the scope of EDI, the team is determined to bring holistic perspective into classrooms.

“We really want to integrate that into a modern education approach, or the administration taking note of that and integrate that into our classroom learnings,” he said.

Celebration “Our goal with this pillar is to really encourage students to take the time to acknowledge all of their unique contributions

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to the Commerce program into the greater Queens community,” Rezvan said.

According to Rezvan, this includes increasing awareness of burnout and appreciating the extensive work that goes into initiatives—an integral part to creating an environment committed to wellness.

“We’re hoping to introduce a couple of new acknowledgments at the end of the year celebrations for ComSoc that celebrate these students and encourage continued work, hopefully igniting the passion of volunteerism in our students.”

The team believes the variety in their approaches to problem solving and their experiences will aid them in best serving the commerce community.

“I also want to emphasize that, obviously, we have our platform and we have everything but something that we’ve really been kind of stressing to everyone is that a lot of what we hope to do, we don’t even know yet,” Rezvan said.

“We understand the value and the importance of involving our students to create a clear action plan.”

While a one-year term is “relatively short,” Kibel said Team RMK made sure their four pillars are detailed and reachable in the time frame.

“Our four pillars are very detailed in the approach and targets […] our plan will be something that will positively influence the commerce for many years to come.”

Queen’s students speak on return to in-person learning ‘I’m a little bit weary’ Asbah Ahmad Assistant News Editor Queen’s students are returning to in-person classes on Feb. 28. For many students, online coursework posed challenges in the realm of academics, extracurriculars, and social lives.

Rob Hughes, ArtSci ‘22, said the move to online school influenced the way he was could engage with school-based extracurriculars.

“I absolutely hated it. I was very active on campus in first and second year—losing that was really difficult,” Hughes said in an interview with The Journal.

Emahnee Cover, ArtSci ’24, had a similar experience.

“I would say online school at the beginning […] going into year two was very tough.

My grades reflected the fact that I wasn’t learning well,” Cover said in an interview with The Journal.

Cover and Hughes both feel a move to in-person is necessary, though Cover expressed her hesitation.

“I think the approach we should take is one of risk mitigation [...] people don’t realize how little the risk to young people is, that doesn’t mean that

we shouldn’t care about it. I’m not worried about me getting sick,” Hughes said.

“I get to go to class, but I’m also risking other people’s health—my health. It’s a sacrifice,” Cover said.

In Cover’s experience, social distancing was treated as a “joke” when students were attending in-person classes in Fall 2021.

“I’m a little bit weary, as much as we want to say we’re going to be social distancing and we a r i n g m a s ks , it’s not the truth—you can’t social distance with 300 kids in a c l a s s r o o m ,” Cover said.

“Last semester, I was able to do one exam in person, […] I was sitting shoulder to shoulder in an exam room [...] You had people coughing in the front, individuals taking their mask off to drink water in the back.”

Cover added that Queen’s needs to be more proactive when it comes to COVID-19 regulations.

“I was waiting weeks in advance [in December] to see that email saying, okay, COVID numbers are rising in Kingston, we’re going to be proactive, and make your exams online,” Cover said.

For Hughes, the need to connect with professors was a concern, especially considering he wants to write a thesis next year.

“I need to start talking to professors and building those sorts of relationships, that’s impossible in a virtual setting,” Hughes said.

Cover said students also couldn’t access suitable study spaces during the pandemic.

This is something she’s

hopeful will change with the return-to-campus.

“I come from a big family and don’t have a very big house. It was to the point where I started living with my grandma part time,” Cover said.

“I was privileged to be able to do that. Not everybody can say that they have another place to go to study and focus.”

Cover added that access

Students approaching return-to-campus with mixed attitudes.

to academic accommodations has decreased.

“I have a couple of friends who were trying to get accommodations for things, specifically, family members who had passed away due to COVID-19. From what I’ve heard the teachers were not the greatest when it came to accommodating them.”

PHOTO BY CURTIS HEINZL

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FEATURES

Features

Friday, February 4, 2022

FEATURES PHOTO BY DHARMAYU DESAI

Hussein considers her perspective an asset and her position a privilege.

‘Anyone can participate in advocacy’: Queen’s Student Activists, Part One

‘The Journal’ chats with long-time organizer Yara Hussein Aysha Tabassum Editor In Chief Now a passionate and outspoken member of the student community, Yara Hussein, ArtSci ’23, almost didn’t come to Queen’s.

“As a Kingstonian, Queen’s was at the bottom of my list,” Hussein said in an interview with The Journal.

“Looking at what Queen’s is like and the history of it—specifically, the history of the medical school and the experiences of many racialized and marginalized students, I was not sure if it was the place where I would thrive and find my people.”

Fortunately, after receiving scholarships from the university she couldn’t pass up, Hussein became a Gael and has since found a strong, though sometimes hidden, community. In her time at Queen’s, she’s already worked with the Queen’s Student Diversity Project (QSDP), the Student Experience Office (SEO), and the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS).

advocacy started “at My the dinner table with my family, when I was seven years old

“As a Muslim woman and an immigrant, because of my background, I’m able to provide a perspective that maybe has not been shared in committees like this before, which has also been a super great privilege,” Hussein said.

As an ASUS representative in her first year, Hussein was excited to see the power students could hold in activist roles and remains

conscious of her privilege as one of the voices at the table.

“I also recognise that in a lot of those rooms, for instance, there isn’t an Indigenous student representative, a Black student representative, or a queer student representative, and there’s still a pretty big gap that exists.” *** Hussein credits her parents for fostering her passion for advocacy.

She has fond memories of being exposed to protests and mutual aid at a young age.

“My advocacy started at the dinner table with my family, when I was seven years old. My parents would always have the news on, and they’d recoup and bring us into the conversation of what’s happening in different places around the world and to different communities,” she said.

“Any time there was one, we’d sometimes do a trip to Ottawa or wherever to attend a one-hour protest for Syrian refugees or a certain policy that was recently passed.”

She also emphasized her family never dictated her views but encouraged her to form her own. One of the outlets she eventually found to express herself was poetry, which she shared with teachers and classmates.

“I had the power of a pen, the privilege I had, and all these tools at my hand.”

Hussein still remembers her third-grade teacher, who exposed her to literature on the Underground Railroad and other aspects of Canadian and American Black history.

Being fairly new to Canadian literacy and culture, at a young age, Hussein was shocked that so many Canadians were largely unaware of the subject as well as the histories of other marginalized communities. She was excited to contribute to changing that landscape.

*** Once at Queen’s, despite her background in science, Hussein was excited to tackle the great privilege of advocacy.

“As I learn more about the power of this institution, and specifically when it comes to money, […] this is such a great opportunity to participate in something like [advocacy],” she said.

“Despite my background being in the sciences, and [which] what I want to pursue in the future, I feel like [my experience] goes to show that anyone can be an advocate, and anyone can participate in advocacy.”

After family trips to Ottawa to attend protests, Hussein is organizing her own initiatives right here in Kingston. This past summer, inspired by global action, she organized a drive-by rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah.

Hussein was overjoyed at seeing her labour brought to life during the rally, where protestors drove in from as far as Belleville to show their support. Inspired by her parents, racialized authors, and the Palestinian people advocating on the ground, she hoped the rally would provide safety and community on top of being a call to action. “[Protests] also act as a huge form of community therapy and healing. Witnessing that was super cathartic.”

The rally led to a formal meeting between Muslim and Jewish advocates and MP Mark Gerretsen.

“To have someone listen, even though, again, [its usually falls] on deaf ears, it’s still good to have a more actionable piece of the activism happen.”

Now the ASUS equity commissioner, this is the first time Hussein is being paid for equity labour for the first time.

While the most rewarding part of her activism remains community-building,

compensation makes all the difference.

“As much as I do love this work, and as much as I am willing to commit so much time and effort, […] getting paid can sometimes just make everything so much easier.” *** QSDP, a club Hussein joined in her first year, aims to support students from underrepresented communities considering Queen’s for their post-secondary education. Formerly one of those students, and later a source of support for them on QSDP, Hussein envisions a future where community-building can begin right at Orientation Week.

“The first time that [incoming first-years] step foot on campus at Queen’s as a student, making that fulfilling and feeling like a community.”

Hussein also hopes the experience inside the classroom, for all majors, will soon prioritize equitable ways of thinking and equitable Ways of Knowing.

“I’ve found that a lot of student concerns and student issues have arisen because of an old white professor that has said something super inappropriate or has attacked a student directly,” Hussein said.

It’s been truly such a “great feeling to be the

person [students] feel comfortable disclosing these things to and knowing that I do have the power to go and do something about it, or attempt to do something about it As ASUS equity commissioner, she’s currently working on the Equity Grievances project, which will provide an avenue for students to safely and comfortably voice

their concerns to fellow students.

Hussein is collaborating with AMS commissioner of social issues, Samara Lijiam, on the project, which they hope to complete by the end of the semester.

“It’s been truly such a great feeling to be the person [students] feel comfortable disclosing these things to and knowing that I do have the power to go and do something about it, or attempt to do something about it.” *** “The ability to advocate for yourself in rooms with people of authority, and people who you see as higher up than you, takes so much power and so much strength,” Hussein said.

A powerful advocate for her own health and wellness, Hussein finds peace and comfort in her religion. She often looks to her Dīn—an Islamic term encompassing faith—when facing internal battles.

“There’s a lot going on that I can’t control or that’s going against me, and sometimes saying a little prayer or talking to God or praying for the people does go a long way,” she said.

Hussein also believes activism can take many forms and mean something different to everyone.

One underappreciated form of activism she highlighted was being kind to yourself.

“One can be an activist or advocate for themselves. For instance, if someone’s battling depression, getting out of bed one day can be a great activist move,” Hussein said.

“You can be your own activist and that still is a strong and beautiful thing.”

This is the first in a series of articles on Queen’s student activists.

Tune in each week for the rest of the semester to see a new student activist featured! If you know of anyone interested in telling their story, email journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.

Friday, February 4, 2022

Editorials

EDITORIALS

queensjournal.ca

The Journal’s Perspective

We need protections from the ‘freedom convoy’ in Ottawa that don’t involve the police

THE QUEEN’S JOURNAL Volume 149 Issue 19 www.queensjournal.ca @queensjournal Publishing since 1873

Editorial Board Editors in Chief

Aysha Tabassum Shelby Talbot

Production Manager

Canada is failing when it comes to protecting citizens and holding perpetrators accountable without police involvement.

The continuing violence and hatred from those participating in the “freedom convoy” protests outside Parliament Hill is a prime example of our country’s glaring shortcomings.

Beginning on Jan. 28, downtown Ottawa has been the site of a surge of approximately 10,000 protesters calling for the cancellation of mask and vaccination mandates.

Organizers of the movement include those with a history of white nationalism, racism, and Islamophobia.

Protesters have allegedly harassed citizens, taken food from the unhoused, and caused major disruptions on the city streets.

Although attending peaceful protests are a citizen’s legal right, waving Nazi and confederate flags aren’t the actions of a peaceful demonstration—they’re openly hateful and violent. A person can hold personal beliefs about vaccine mandates, but participating in a protest alongside white supremacists should be a clear indicator that you’re doing something wrong.

The actions of protesters instilling fear in the citizens of Ottawa are condemnable and unproductive. Ottawa law enforcement haven’t responded to the protesters with violence, which is a positive step—but there should still be actionable protection in place for innocent citizens who are impacted.

Since police are currently dealing with a largely white crowd, however, their lack of intervention should be taken with a grain of salt. Policing is, after all, a colonial and white supremacist institution.

There’s a significant disparity between how the police are treating the current

Features Editors

Films and TV shows are constantly critiqued for portraying unrealistic characters, plots, and fashion. However, the picture on the big screen is made to entertain—viewers must learn the difference between fiction and reality.

A common genre under fire for its lack of realism is soapy teen dramas. They show the angst of first love and the ambiguity of teen identity, drawing you into the wild lives of these idealistic teens.

The appeal of characters like J.J. from Outer Banks or Otis from Sex Education make the average teen boy pale in comparison.

Their stories are supported by angled lighting, 20 takes, and a perfectly written script. There’s a part to play, and they play it well.

Not many people believe they’ll marry Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl or that their best friend will be Rory from Gilmore Girls.

But maybe some will. It’s possible these beliefs come from young, impressionable teens who want to be swept away in the romance and the excitement of these fictional lives.

Here we come to the heart of the issue.

It’s expected for TV shows to reflect reality. Maybe we’re all a tad egotistical and want to see ourselves in the characters onscreen. But the issue seems to go even deeper.

Due to the recent and long-awaited release of its second season, one show in particular has garnered a huge amount

Sydney Ko Asbah Ahmad Rida Chaudry Anne Fu Kirby Harris Julia Stratton

Editorials Editor Editorials Illustrator Opinions Editor

Anna Fouks Clanny Mugabe Cassidy McMackon

Arts Editor

Ben Wrixon

Assistant Arts Editor Sports Editor

Mackenzie Loveys Angus Merry

Assistant Sports Editor Lifestyle Editor

protesters compared to those attending demonstrations in recent years across North America, including those for the Black Lives Matter movement and Indigenous issues.

Of course, the solution to the Trucker Convoy shouldn’t be a call for police retaliation. Instead, a framework not centred on policing should exist to protect vulnerable individuals affected by the harm this protest poses. It’s frustrating this framework doesn’t exist.

But the police aren’t the only ones to blame.

The root of this issue is our white-centered society that empowers white supremacists, who then feel entitled to disruptive, hate-fuelled behavior because they won’t be held accountable.

Media outlets showing pictures of smiling attendees from the protest are sending the wrong message. Celebrating the event ignores the harm suffered by Ottawa citizens and the hate behind some protesters’ actions.

Now isn’t the time for MPs from the Conservative Party to use the convoy to send encouraging messages to protesters on Twitter. The government has a collective responsibility to challenge white supremacy—members of all political parties should be working towards the best and safest way to control vitriol over muchneed vaccination mandates rather than placating this large-scale tantrum founded and funded by hate.

In the meantime, the citizens of Ottawa are to support each other through structured mutual aid—an incredibly meaningful form of activism. But it’s a shame this solution isn’t coming from the government.

When it comes to the convoy and movements like it, policing and violence aren’t the solution. It’s time to focus on mitigating the consequences now and planning for a better, safer future.

—Journal Editorial Board

of popularity in the past weeks: Euphoria.

Euphoria’s unique style of glitter, colour, and individuality has produced a new cultural aesthetic among teens and young adults.

However, because it’s flashy, seductive, and dark, Euphoria has accumulated critique for not portraying the true lives of teens.

And this would be correct. It isn’t meant to be an authentic experience— shows are meant to invoke excitement and emotion because they’re overtly dramatic, not because you’re seeing your life through a glass screen.

Shows are labelled as bad, inadequate, substandard, or second rate because they don’t seem “real.” The illusion’s been broken—three men won’t actually be fighting for your hand in marriage, you won’t be caught in a storm and have your

friends think you’ve been dead for months, and, sadly, witches aren’t real.

We shouldn’t think less of a show for showing us what most likely won’t happen.

We also shouldn’t always blame film for glorifying violence, drug abuse, and sex.

It’s our responsibility as viewers to know these are only stories. They’re created purely for the viewer’s entertainment.

Whether a film or show is good or bad, it’s a fictional story. They exist as a fantasy to bring delight and entertainment to the viewer. It isn’t going to resemble real life, nor does it owe it to the viewer to do so.

Suzy is a third-year English-History medial student and one of The Journal’s Copy Editors.

PHOTO BY SPENCER HENDRICKSON

Natara Ng Alysha Mohamed

Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Movies and TV shows shouldn’t have to apologize for creating unrealistic fantasies Suzy Leinster

Violetta Zeitlinger Fontana

News Editor Assistant News Editors

ILLUSTRATION BY CLANNY MUGABE

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Photo Editor

Madeleine McCormick Spencer Hendrickson

Assistant Photo Editor Video Editor

Curtis Heinzl Nathan Carter

Assistant Video Editor Copy Editors

Leah Smithson Martin Hayes Suzy Leinster

Graphics Editor

Dharmayu Desai

Podcast Coordinator BIPOC Advisory Board Members

Lauren Thomas Alysha Ahmad Anya D’Souza Yvonne Tan

Contributing Staff Contributors

Alexa Bartels Paige La Fraugh Ethan Silver

Staff Writers

Jack Burnham

Business Staff Business Manager Sales Representatives Social Media Coordinator

Yoli Wang Medhavi Maurya Will Stewart Francesca Lim

Want to contribute?

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Opinions

6 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, February 4, 2022

OPINIONS

Your Perspective

PHOTO BY SPENCER HENDRICKSON

Paige believes students shouldn’t be bound by structure in the arts.

Classrooms leave no room for creativity in arts education Current arts curriculums limit students Paige La Fraugh Contributor Modern arts education is highly problematic because the focus on theory and structure in arts education has made creativity start to fade in the classroom.

In theatre, music, or musical theatre, I’m always trying to keep my creativity flowing. However, art has a way of being anything but easy when it comes to the historical, systematic, and restrictive criteria for what it means to create something artistic.

Arts education has been something I struggled with because there’s a fine line between what is creativity and what is structured. Giving students direction as opposed to letting them create what their heart desires is the debate I constantly have when considering my future career in education.

In university education, we’re often given templates to follow, which can be limiting when we consider all the possibilities students can bring to the table.

When students are allowed to let their imaginations run freely, it allows them to have a deeper connection with their work.

Students should have the liberty to create freely because this allows them to find their own creative voice and grow into a unique artistic identity. We must accept our students for all their “artistic flaws” and abilities, because it makes each piece of work their own.

What educators think is a flaw may be a form of self-expression students use to tackle the greatest challenges of life. Providing students with templates or guidelines in art limits the possibilities of what kind of art they want to create and how they want to connect with creativity.

The curriculum in arts "education in university involves phasing out creativity to let structure control our lives. It tries to define what it means to make art, or define what is and isn't art

As a creator in university, when I'm told to be artistic and creative in my drama and music courses. I constantly turn to theory and structure at the centre of my work because that’s what I believe is correct, despite there being no right or wrong when it comes to art.

Art is what comes from the heart and our emotions—-that’s what makes it art.

It’s been so long since I’ve been allowed to use my own ideas about artistic expression that I don’t know how to get in touch with that part of myself anymore.

The things I create in my classes aren't creative in nature, but is rather a by-product of

what my professors want to see in their respective medium.

The curriculum in Arts education in university involves phasing out creativity to let structure control our lives. It tries to define what it means to make art, or define what is and isn't art.

The whole point of creativity is to produce something that’s new, exciting, and connects with each person individually to tell a unique story.

This becomes an issue when, in my concurrent education classes, I’m told to create lesson plans that are interesting for students.

Sparking student interest requires educators to tap into their own creativity when cultivating engaging classroom content.

There are many flaws in the Ontario curriculum for the arts at every medium—whether it’s drama, music, dance, or visual arts.

The curriculum tries to actively define and restrict what art is. This becomes a more pressing matter when the curriculum we base our learning from is only Westernized canonical material.

My creativity will not reach every child in my classroom because not every student has the same artistic interests. Making my lessons opportunistic and allowing each student to flourish thus becomes the better end goal.

My idea of teaching isn't consistent with other teachers, but neither are the abilities nor needs of every student. Letting each student explore art at their

own pace and in their own way is how we spark that interest in every student.

Every year, students are expected to learn about the same few composers, artists, and writers across art forms. This cannot be the only definition of art that we provide to our students.

Shakespeare cannot be the only dramatic writer of tragedy and comedy. Mozart cannot be the only genius of classical music, and Van Gogh cannot be the only master of painting.

There's a wide variety of techniques, timbres, and stories students can use to express themselves. Each culture and artist throughout history brings new opportunities to the creative table. Students in turn should have access to each of these voices.

Bringing creativity "back to students and

giving it space in classrooms means we must break from a pedagogy of structure and biased rules of creation in the arts

Such a narrow scope of materials limits student imagination the possibilities about what they can create.

It tells both children and future educators there’s a

right or wrong in academia, which should be open-ended.

The outdated curriculum poses an even greater issue as it further limits the diversity and inclusivity of the art we bring to our students.

When there’s limited cultural representation in arts, it leaves no room for representation in our classrooms, too.

Bringing creativity back to students and giving it space in classrooms means we must break from a pedagogy of structure and biased rules of creation in the arts. It means encouraging students to create work regardless of guidelines, teaching young artists to seek approval of their art by asking themselves ‘is it enough?’, and teaching them to create regardless of approval from others.

Let students look at all kinds of art, canonical or not. Diversify the content in curriculums so every student can find something in art that speaks to them and what they call art.

Art is vast and art is for everyone.

It’s time to let creativity run free again after years of sitting back while theory and format controls our self-expression. Creativity belongs in the classroom, and arts education needs to let it sit with its students.

Paige is a third-year Concurrent Education student.

Friday, February 4, 2022

ARTS ARTS

Arts

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DHARMAYU

Some album artwork is made to last.

A brief history of album art

Exploring how cover art has evolved through the decades Ben Wrixon Senior Arts Editor There’s nothing quite like a great album cover. When done right, these images often become inseparable from the music they represent.

However, as streaming has grown into the predominant way to consume music, ‘the album’ has become less important to artists and consumers. It’s worth wondering if album art still matters now that the industry has shifted in favour of singles.

Before Music Television (MTV) ushered in a generation of music videos in 1981, artists could only engage their fans visually through album art. Whatever image a band printed on their record sleeve acted as both a sales pitch and an artistic statement.

Album art mattered back then. It’s no coincidence covers from pre-1981 have stood the test of time, remaining culturally relevant images even into 2022.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t recognize The Dark Side of the Moon or The Beatles’ Abbey Road.

While those albums are packed with classic songs, their artwork has contributed significantly to them attaining legendary status.

The 1980s opened new doors for music with the immediate popularity of televised music videos and the rise of the cassette tape.

Nonetheless, without the Internet album art still mattered even when printed on a smaller package.

Today, covers from the era’s biggest stars—like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Bruce Springsteen—are still immediately recognizable. Thriller was certified 34 times platinum in 2021. Jackson’s sparkling white jacket on the cover is irrefutably iconic.

CDs made the cassette tape obsolete in the 1990s and their packaging offered a larger

5.59 inch by 4.92 inch canvas to show off album artwork.

Moody photographs replaced the more colourful and artistic images of the 1980s.

The cover of Nirvana’s Nevermind may have inspired this shift—the swimming baby reaching for a dollar bill on its cover is a still-relevant image that defined an era.

While the 2000s brought us no shortage of classics, the number of new and memorable album covers has dwindled since the beginning of the 2010s.

This is no coincidence—non-collectors haven’t been buying physical copies of their favourite albums since the iPod and iTunes turned the industry digital. Musicians know this and many have stopped caring about album art because it doesn’t affect their sales.

People used to walk into stores and buy records because an album cover caught their eye. Now, people discover new music when Spotify generates a playlist or their preferred online reviewer recommends it.

This neglect toward album art has peaked in the last five years.

Since photoshopping himself atop the CN Tower for 2016’s Views, Drake, the most popular artist in the world, has pumped out several low-effort covers in a row.

Kanye West, once known for his eye-catching and creative covers—XXL wrote an entire story about his beloved bear mascot—released Donda last year with a black square as its artwork. Even those who loathe him for his antics cannot deny the lazy step-down.

Unfortunately, this lack of passion going into the artwork for albums and singles is one reason why contemporary music feels so disposable.

In this current age of over-stimulation with too much music at our fingertips, a great album cover can be something to latch onto.

People need images that stay in their minds.

Maybe songs are temporary, but great art is forever.

Brianne Franklin appointed Tett Centre director Queen’s alum plans to continue building community relationships Ben Wrixon Senior Arts Editor The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning has appointed Brianne Franklin, ArtSci ’17, as their director.

After her undergraduate studies, Franklin, completed her Masters of Arts Leadership in 2020 at the Dan School of Drama and Music.

In an interview with The Journal, she discussed her vision for the Tett and how she plans to continue growing their relationship with Queen’s students.

“My position as director [is] twofold: I am the director of the charity operation, but I’m also working as the facility manager of the building,” Franklin said.

The Tett building is owned by the City of Kingston, but Franklin will oversee the facility’s four rental spaces and their tenants.

“It’s an all-encompassing job, to be honest. It’s exciting because I get to work with the community very closely—[including] our eight arts organizations and eight studio artists—and then we have the Juniper Café, as well. I’m really excited for this opportunity.”

Franklin has worked as the Tett’s interim director since Nadine Baker stepped

down from the position last October.

Her journey into this full-time leadership role began in April 2021 upon being hired as the programming and communications coordinator.

By her own account, everything fell into place for Franklin.

“When [I took the job as programming and communications coordinator], I was trying to find a way back into the Kingston community. Thankfully, that worked out.”

The Tett has grown into a foundational part of the Kingston art scene since its 2015 inception. Franklin is determined to maintain the relationship the organization has built over the last seven years while continuing to form new ones, too. “[The Tett] works to support artists across all disciplines and levels of experience. The organization exists as a site of creative incubation and exchange,” she said.

“Since that foundation has been built so strong, I think [we] are in a position to leverage those strengths and grow in ways that will enhance community impact.”

Franklin’s desire extends to the current and future Queen’s community.

“Finding ways to engage students

Franklin is passionate about art education.

is important. Some groups come to the Tett and rent some of the spaces for different projects—we try to make it accessible as possible.”

With the Tett being “a little bit off the beaten path,” Franklin mentioned how the Juniper Café has helped make many students aware of their facility.

She also touched on how their ongoing relationship with the Isabel Bader Centre has helped them offer more opportunities for students.

“The Isabel and the Tett exist

SUPPLIED BY BRIANNE FRANKLIN

together as a creative hub. [In] leveraging that partnership, [we find] ways to support, whether it’s internship opportunities or [having students] do their practicum placement at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning.”

Overall, Franklin believes she can bring a lot to her new role.

“I think that, for me specifically, what I can bring to the organization is a relationshipbuilding component, and build on what has already been done.”

Arts

8 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, February 4, 2022

ReelOut Queer Film Festival delivers diverse short films ‘Darling Buds of May’ is fun for the whole family

Mackenzie Loveys Assisstant Arts Editor ReelOut Queer Film Festival’s ‘Darling Buds of May’ is a collection of family-friendly shorts, offering fun watches for kids and nostalgic experiences for adults.

The collection features five films from India, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Some involve emotionally moving topics like gender and grief, while others deliver funny, joyful stories featuring playful narratives, costumes, and humour.

Dal Bhat by Nemil Shah

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Feature includes five LGBTQ+ shorts.

‘The Skin We’re In’ challenges white supremacy Desmond Cole’s work demands change Ethan Silver Contributor This article includes descriptions of violence and may be triggering for some readers. The Peer Support Centre offers drop-in services and empathetic peer-based support and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On Jan. 28, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted “#WelcomeToCanada” to greet immigrants and celebrate diversity.

However, as The Skin We’re In investigates, 2017 was not a year of acceptance in Canada, but another year that necessitated Black resistance and power.

Journalist Desmond Cole tells the story of 2017 as a year of continued Black struggle in Canada, highlighting the crucial role of Black LGBTQ+ activists, the lack of transparency in the Toronto municipal government, and human rights violations at the provincial and federal level.

Cole previously had a column in the Toronto Star but resigned in 2017 after being discouraged from discussing anti-Black racism in Toronto, and for being reprimanded after protesting the Toronto Police sharing historical “carding” data with the RCMP. The Skin We’re In details some of the activism Cole has engaged in since his resignation, including continued opposition to police powers and racial profiling by police. Cole recalls being stopped by police more than 50 times without justification despite having no criminal history.

The book is structured by month, beginning in January of 2017 and ending in January of 2018. Each month analyzes a different aspect of the white supremacist roots of policing and the racism prevalent across all levels of government.

The first act of police violence Cole discusses in the book is a raid on a Black-owned art gallery on New Year’s back in 2017.

Through this incident and beyond, Cole dissects how police abuse their power over Black citizens—including physical

and verbal abuse, assault and even murder.

While The Skin We’re In focuses heavily on state violence, Cole also addresses other issues.

“

The persistent discrimination experienced by immigrants and people of colour, Black folks especially, show the infamous “#WelcomeToCanada” tweet embodies a lie of acceptance and diversity that white Canadians continue to tell themselves One of these topics is the harmful effect police presence can have on Black and Indigenous youth. Cole explains that in Toronto, School Resource Officers—armed police in Ontario schools—were implemented in the Toronto District School Board without community input.

While Cole and other activists successfully pressured trustees to end that policy in Toronto, Resource Officers are still in the city’s Catholic schools and in Kingston schools too.

Another issue Cole discusses is the lack of representation of Black LGBTQ+ people in Pride Toronto, which came to a head in 2016 and 2017, when Black Lives Matter Toronto, which represents an intersectional group of Black activists, stalled the Toronto Pride Parade.

The ultimate idea behind The Skin We’re In is everyone has the right to equality, safety, and representation, not only white people.

The persistent discrimination experienced by immigrants and people of colour, Black folks especially, show how the infamous “#WelcomeToCanada” tweet embodies a lie of acceptance and diversity that white Canadians continue to tell themselves.

Made in India, this film tells the story of Muktida as he struggles to understand his gender identity upon realizing his biology doesn’t match his male friends.

The film does well in portraying the emotional pain experienced by many LGTBQ+ individuals, through the ostracization of Muktida and his priest father by their community.

The conclusion is touching—Muktida finds the strength to live in his own body and go swimming in the nearby lake. While it’s clear Muktida’s struggles are far from over, this moment of self-acceptance gives the film a powerful, moving end.

I Am Leo by Tajo Hurrie This film is told through the perspective of Leo and explores the distress associated with getting your period, specifically for some members of the LGBTQ+ community.

I Am Leo handles gender identity in a subtle yet impactful way, as viewers can feel Leo’s discomfort, confusion, and frustration while experiencing the trauma of their first period and being viewed as a woman.

Inertia by Mat Johns This short film explores the painful

The book is a must-read.

emotions that surround loss and grief.

While the story is told from the perspective of naïve but kind-hearted Rabia, the film is really about her teacher, Maddie, struggling to cope with the loss of her partner.

Inertia’s most resonant scene is when the students hold a memorial to show Maddie how much they love and support her. It’s a touching and necessary reminder to support those you care about rather than allow them to grieve alone.

Dracudate by Rhael McGregor Canadian-made, Dracudate tells a cute story of a vampire named Lilith, who nervously goes on a date. The animation follows Lilith as she tries to impress the girl she admires while simultaneously avoiding a determined monster hunter.

By the conclusion, Lilith finds love in a fellow monster who appreciates her as she is. For humans, perhaps especially for LGBTQ+ viewers, it’s a welcome sight to see self-worth prevailing fears of society’s constructed expectations.

Once Upon a Drag Storytime—Going for the Gold by Stephan Nicolazzo Once Upon a Drag Storytime’s cheerfully theatrical acting, storyline, and colourful aesthetic are reminiscent of this generation’s childhood television shows.

The humour used throughout the film helps deliver the story’s message in an entertaining way while also showing the importance of friendship, compassion, and teamwork.

As characters Keith and Mohinder use the book Peanut Goes for the Gold by Jonathan van Ness to inspire their friend Gavin, viewers learn the importance of never giving up on their goals— even if pursuing them involves a few embarrassing mistakes.

SUPPLIED BY ETHAN SILVER

Sports

Friday, February 4, 2022

Pipchuk, Walc, and Yantha each demonstrated a holistic brand of excellence last year.

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A conversation with Nixon Academic Leadership Award recipients

Alex Pipchuk, Azalea Walc, and Laura Yantha discuss recognition for their work in the classroom, on the field, and in the Kingston community Angus Merry Senior Sports Editor

team’s community outreach lead, a volunteer for the Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine On Jan. 27, this year’s Nixon team, and participated in the Academic Leadership Award Motionball Marathon of Sport, recipients were announced by an event which supports Special Queen’s Athletics and Recreation.

Olympics Canada.

The award, given to varsity Despite his singular recognition, athletes who demonstrate however, Pipchuk said many exceptionalism in academics, of those around him are community service, and fair play equally deserving of distinction in sport, was received by Men’s for their efforts.

Rugby’s Alex Pipchuk, Cross “A lot of my teammates have Country’s Laura Yantha, Fencing’s played a large role in some of the Rory McEwen, and the Queen’s contributions that I was recognized Triathlon team’s Azalea Walc for for. Namely, John Varriano, Ruaridh their achievements during the Macphail, Stephan Zuliani, Matt 2020-21 academic year.

Spanton, Josh Engelbrecht, and The Journal corresponded many more athletes on the rugby with Pipchuk, Walc, and Yantha team,” he said. about their thoughts on receiving “Everyone on the team the honour. contributes to our cultural “I’m grateful for the recognition,” environment in their own way, Pipchuk wrote in an email to so it felt odd to be recognized for The Journal. “My teammates and some contributions that are better friends seemed to be genuinely attributed to the organization that happy for me, which was I’m a part of.” very uplifting.”

For Yantha, a fourth-year Pipchuk, a second-year MSc Biology major and member of student, has been one of the Queen’s Cross Country and Track coordinators for Men’s Rugby’s & Field teams, receiving the Nixon participation in Run for the Cure Academic Leadership award since 2018, during which the team served as a welcome validation for has raised more than $80,000 for her longstanding commitment to the Canadian Cancer Society. her extracurriculars.

He has also served as the “For me, this award serves as

positive reinforcement for the teammates have inspired me hard work, dedication and passion with their ability to handle high I have invested in my academics mileage, heavy school schedules, and athletics throughout my time and even squeeze a social life here at Queen’s,” she told The into the mix […] Meanwhile, my Journal in an email. coaches have infused me with “Upon hearing that I won the the self-confidence, motivation Nixon Academic Leadership and passion required to Award, I was (and still am) in succeed athletically.” shock […] I don’t think of myself as “Being surrounded by such a leader in the traditional sense—I exceptional people who have been am certainly not the loudest rewarded for their hard work person in the room, nor do I often time and again has driven me to take charge—but after receiving put 110% into everything I do,” this award, I recognized the value she said. in quiet modes of leadership.”

Walc, a third-year MSc student, In her time at Queen’s, saw her recognition for the Nixon Yantha has been an instructor Academic Leadership Award as for Swimming With A Mission, confirmation of adherence to her an organisation dedicated own personal values. to providing affordable “Good sportsmanship, academic swimming lessons for children rigour, athletic discipline, and with disabilities, as well as an community involvement are orientation leader during Frosh incredibly important to me, and I Week. She has also volunteered for am thrilled to have been recognized Martha’s Table, the Earth Centre for my accomplishments in all at Queen’s, the Ontario Turtle these areas,” she wrote in an Conservation Centre, Hope for email to The Journal.

Wildlife, and Jecara farms.

“It was very touching to read Yantha also wrote that her that I have been considered a family, teammates, and coaches role model for fellow athletes, as have been the biggest drivers being a good teammate, bringing behind her exceptionalism. a positive attitude, and working “My parents have continually hard towards my goals are all fueled my fierce passion for qualities I strive for.” learning and competing. My Throughout her time at the

university, Walc has worked in numerous settings which support the physically and cognitively disabled. She has worked as a personal trainer with Revved Up, a physical activity coach for Get in Motion, event facilitator for the Winter Adapted Games, and a participant in Motionball Marathon of Sport.

On Campus, Walc has also been heavily involved with Step Above Stigma for Mental Health, the Project Red Charity Fashion Show, and the Queen’s Dancearama for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, as well as serving as the Triathlon team’s representative on the Varsity Leadership Council.

“Throughout my Queen’s experience I have kept busy with research, work, volunteering, and internships, and have had to make numerous personal sacrifices to keep up with this schedule,” she said.

“Being rewarded for these commitments really proves to me that these initiatives have made a meaningful impact and motivates me to continue pursuing these endeavors.”

Leslie Dal Cin announces retirement

Athletics and Recreation’s Executive Director will leave her post May 31 Angus Merry Senior Sports Editor Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation , Leslie Dal Cin, has announced her intention to retire this spring.

According to a Jan. 27 press release, Dal Cin will step down from her post on May 31, coinciding with the end of the winter term. Her career in sports administration has spanned nearly 36 years and included positions at numerous Ontario universities, as well as the International Basketball

Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Pan Am games, and Canada Basketball.

“I’m extremely proud of our incredible people and the amazing programs, facilities and milestones achieved together that enrich the student-athlete and student experience, and that complement Queen’s outstanding academic reputation,” Dal Cin wrote in an email to The Journal.

“In many ways 15 years have passed in the blink of an eye.”

The first woman athletics director in Queen’s history, Dal Cin was hired as the executive director of Athletics and Recreation in 2006. During her tenure, she has overseen the establishment and expansion of numerous athletics outreach initiatives including the Varsity Leadership Council, the Junior Gaels, and Q-Camp.

Dal Cin was also a principal actor in the redevelopment of Queen’s Athletics facilities, most notably the ARC in 2009 and Richardson Stadium in 2016.

In her correspondence, Dal Cin described her overall experience at Queen’s as both “challenging” and “rewarding,” and said she’s ultimately enjoyed every moment of her time at the university.

“Through sport I have had the good fortunate to have travelled all over the world and can say with confidence that Queen’s is truly a very special place, but it is the incredibly talented, caring and inspiring people that I have met along the way that I will miss the most, and that will always hold a special place in my heart.”

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Sports

10 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, February 4, 2022

Women’s Basketball raises $4,900 for 15th annual Shoot for the Cure The Gaels hold virtual edition of yearly breast cancer fundraiser Natara ng Assistant Sports Editor With games cancelled for the month of January, the women’s basketball team kept busy off the hardcourt by capturing a win in the fight against cancer.

From Jan. 17 to 30, the Gaels took part in the 15th edition of U Sports women’s basketball Shoot for the Cure.

The nation-wide campaign raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society and other local and provincial charities to support breast cancer research and awareness.

Since its launch in 2007, Shoot for the Cure has raised over $1.59

million from U Sports women’s basketball programs across Canada.

Typically, Queen’s holds an annual Shoot for the Cure game.

Due to the month-long pause on university sport, the team was forced to hosted a virtual edition of the event instead.

Despite not being able to get out on the court, veteran guard Emma Ritcey, MSc ’22, said the digital campaign was a success.

“Our goal was to raise 3000 and we’ve raised just short of five thousand so far,” Ritcey told The Journal in an interview.

“It’s been really good thanks to a lot of people being generous with their donations.”

‘An absolute sprint’: Inside the 2018-19 Queen’s Men’s Hockey season, part two An eight-part series on the Gaels’ Queen’s Cup victory Jack Burnham Staff Writer “Our league is an absolute sprint.

You only play 28 games, and if you lose one here or there, that can be the difference between hosting the Queen’s Cup and not.”

shift to intercollegiate play exciting.

“I think it’s better hockey […] we’re a lot bigger, we’re a lot stronger,” Sanvido said when describing the difference between the leagues.

There was another change Sanvido recalled vividly—the end of his first OUA season after a tough playoff loss in 2017-18 against Concordia.

“That first year was probably the most heartbreaking I’ve ever been a part of,” he noted.

“I was on the ice when they scored, and I think that we were inches away from having our best forward going in on a breakaway

For Patrick Sanvido, a fifth-year defenceman for the Gaels, the 2018-19 Men’s Hockey season started in the summer, when most students headed home after a long, dreary winter semester.

Naturally, Kingston gets noticeably quieter during the summer. Yet, according to Sanvido, that’s just the way he likes it.

“I moved to Kingston in June, spent the summer here leading up to my first year, and I haven’t left since […] It’s a nice change of pace,” Sanvido said in an interview with The Journal.

Sanvido discussed his memories from that season, including the leadup to the 201819 campaign and the team’s first string of games.

As the story of 2018-19 unfolded in earnest, Patrick Sanvido was in the middle of it, scoring the second goal of his OUA career in the home opener against the RMC Paladins.

Coming from the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Sanvido was no stranger to playing at a high level. Yet, in spite his professional experience, Sanvido still found the The next part in an exciting story.

As of Feb. 3, Queen’s has raised $4,906.16—the second-highest amount among all participating teams in the OUA. All proceeds will go toward the Canadian Cancer Society.

The Gaels’ main fundraising effort was a virtual “Power Hour” on Jan. 28, which consisted of the Women’s Basketball team acquiring sponsors and choosing an exercise to perform for a one-hour period. For the number of reps or distance

each athlete performed, sponsors donated a relative amount of dollars.

Throughout the campaign, team members also reached out for donations to friends, family, and the local community over social media.

“With [Shoot for the Cure] being online, it’s more about the donations. We’re just trying to do what we can. It is quite a bit different, but still very successful,” Ritcey said.

Emma Ritcey discusses virtual cancer fundraiser.

the other way.”

The Gaels lost in overtime.

Despite their grueling exit to Concordia, the beginning of the 2018-19 season signaled a fresh start and Sanvido was eager to build on the progress that he and the team had developed the year before.

“There was a lot up in the air; there were some guys that were coming back, but we knew we still had a good team […]

We still had Spencer Abraham, we still had Slater Doggett […] we knew we still had a shot,” Sanvido said.

“We had such a good mix of young guys and older guys that were dominant. It was another exciting year.”

In the ramp-up to the regular season, the Gaels had a perfect record, notching a 6-0 statement

Ritcey expressed her gratitude to everyone who has donated to the team’s campaign and stated that it’s important for the Queen’s women’s basketball team to use their platform for raising funds and bringing awareness to the fight against breast cancer.

“So many people are affected by cancer directly and indirectly,” Ritcey said. “It’s important to a lot of people in the program, in the past and currently.”

PHOTO BY ROBIN KASEM

win over RMC, as well as victories “I don’t score many goals at over Waterloo and Western. all. If I have five blocks in a game, “Exhibition games and camp that’s just as good as scoring a goal. here is a little bit more about Anytime I score, it’s almost like a just getting that touch back, […] surprise, a surprised excitement,” getting your legs back under Sanvido explained. you and getting back into “For me to be able to score at shape,” he explained. the [Memorial Centre], especially In the season opener, the Gaels looking back at it now, how much I went on the road to Montreal, love the Memorial Centre […] it’s a beating McGill 2-1 in overtime pretty neat feeling.” with goals from defenceman The Gaels went on to win that Nevin Guy and forward Duncan game, shutting out the Paladins Campbell. First-year goaltender 4-0.

Justin Fazio also made 32 saves, That victory was followed up including a tough stop to keep the by another shut-out against the Gaels alive in overtime.

Ontario Tech Ridgebacks before Returning home to the the Gaels suffered a lopsided loss Memorial Centre, the Gaels faced to Guelph at home. off against the RMC Paladins once After that loss, the Gaels went more. For Sanvido, that game was on a winning road trip west, particularly special, as he netted a beating the University of Waterloo wrist shot from just inside the blue and Laurier by a combined score line early in the second period. of 12-4.

For Sanvido, however, there’s truly no place like home.

“I’ve played in games in the OHL where we’re playing London in front of 10,000 people, and you play RMC on a Friday night […] in front of 200 people, and the intensity is [greater].”

That intensity would be greater still in a few weeks’ time as the Gaels faced their most formidable foe yet, a team that would define the mid-point of their season: the Carleton Ravens.

This article was first published online on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at queensjournal.ca/sports PHOTO BY VIOLETTA ZEITLINGER FONTANA

Lifestyle

Friday, February 4, 2022

The Disney film beautifully navigates family dynamics,

queensjournal.ca

LIFESTYLE

culture, and destiny Alysha Mohamed Lifestyle Editor When I watched Disney’s Encanto, I felt like the movie was designed for me.

The film follows the Madrigal family, who live in their enchanted “casita” in a lush Colombian village. Every Madrigal child has been granted a gift from a miraculous candle that blessed Alma Madrigal—the matriarch of the family—upon losing her husband, Pedro.

Every child except the movie’s heroine, Mirabel.

The beauty of Encanto is it’s so unapologetically Lin Manuel Miranda. His genius brings each character’s stories to life, and the moments where storylines intersect are magical.

In addition to songs that will get stuck in your head for days on end, the film also highlights the complex realities of the side characters.

In their own way, each of them is suffocated by their powers and Abuela’s expectations.

Luisa, the eldest sister, is blessed with super strength.

She’s incredibly muscular and traditionally feminine— physically powerful with a selfless interiority. Not only is she breaking down gender binaries by simply existing, but her song, “Surface Pressure,”

The new Disney movie made me feel seen.

ILLUSTRATION BY DHARMAYU DESAI

As an older sister, ‘Encanto’ felt like a love letter has become an anthem for older siblings.

The song is visually stunning, but the lyrics resonated more deeply than I ever could have expected from a Disney movie.

Luisa sings, “Give it to your sister, your sister's older/ Give her all the heavy things we can't shoulder.”

“Surface Pressure” highlights the pressure naturally placed on the eldest sibling in almost every family, especially

immigrant families, to handle the weight of expected excellence, family burdens, and leadership.

Luisa’s exterior strength coupled with her internal pain teaches a powerful lesson—even the strongest of us can crumble because of emotional expectations.

Isabela, the golden child of the family, also has a powerful transformation. I first saw this

movie with my childhood best friend, who pointed to Isabela on the screen and said, “that’s you.”

I immediately shut her down, rolling my eyes at Isabela’s perfect exterior and air of superiority. However, as the film progressed, I realized how much of my self-worth is tied to my attractiveness, and how much time I spend trying to be “perfect.”

Though Isabela is a hyperbolic

Girlbossing too close to the sun

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representation of the golden child syndrome, I saw myself in her—and I recognized her struggle as my own.

In her song, “What Else Can I Do,” Isabela ties her attempts at perfection to her familial inheritance. As she begins to explore her passion, anger, and rebellion she asks, “How far do these roots go down?”

On its surface, Isabela’s solo is reminiscent of the Disney hit “Let it Go.” The heroine breaks free from expectations and searches for something real, rather than something pretty.

However, Encanto’s version is backed by Colombian rhythm and sprinkles in the idea of generational trauma and family history—which is what makes it so meaningful.

Though “Surface Pressure” and “What Else Can I Do” have my heart, the aspect of the film that broke me was the ending.

Abuela realizes her shortcoming has been prioritizing her family’s gifts, rather than their c omplex identities.

In “All of You,” the Madrigal family sings, “The miracle is not some magic that you've got / The miracle is you, not some gift, just you.”

My entire existence has been linked to my “gifts,” from writing and advocacy to my perceived beauty. I spend so much time performing and perfecting that I forget to untangle the core of who I am from what I give to the world.

The pressure to capitalize on my hobbies, hustle, and become “that girl” doesn’t help my warped sense of self-worth.

Abuela’s acceptance of her family for who they are, rather than what their gifts are, was profound.

I felt like she was speaking to me—like she was accepting me, Alysha, for the flawed and imperfect individual I am.

After watching Encanto, I felt like I could be loved for my complexity, rather than my metaphorical “powers.”

Encanto is a love letter in so many ways—transcending generational and cultural boundaries to highlight the magic within each of us. It’s a must-watch for older siblings everywhere, and it will undoubtedly make you feel seen.

ILLUSTRATION BY DHARMAYU DESAI

How contemporary feminism has evolved with the help of the pandemic and social media transparency Rida Chaudhry Assistant News Editor Since the eruption of the #girlboss era, I’ve seen the term emerge as a driving force for feminism and die as a meme making fun of a capitalist-propagated attempt for equality.

Sophia Amoruso, CEO and founder of NastyGal, coined the term ‘girlboss’ in 2014.

It was defined by corporate success and a righteous strive for gender equality.

Amoruso c o n s e q u e n t ly released #Girlboss, her novel commemorating her journey

from an eBay retail shop to corporate success.

The girlboss mentality prioritizes claiming positions of power traditionally held by men, and its mission is reinforced by female-forward companies. The movement was grounded in a hustle culture, encouraging women’s desires to break professional glass ceilings.

However, it came with a sour flip side—a glaring ignorance towards intersectionality, ethical practices, and inclusive environments for anyone who wasn’t a white woman.

The awe of girlbossing didn’t last long.

In 2022, we see a different approach to feminism, one that is more genuine and raw. It’s honest and, at times, destructive.

The pandemic has allowed us to look inwards and become more comfortable with our shortcomings.

Emerging transparency on

social media has transcended the bounds of what we are used to sharing—people are becoming more real about their challenges and habits. There’s a sense of community that’s formed virtually over the confusing and nearly existential time we’re living in.

Where the girlboss era pushed us to be poster children for capitalist feminism, wearing suits and red lipstick and adopting traditionally masculine personality traits, present-day feminism gives us room to breathe, fail, and make mistakes.

After the girlboss era we’ve entered a niche type of feminism, wherein we’re more comfortable with selfdestruction. It’s our flop era, it’s our year of rest and relaxation, it’s our Fleabag era.

Social justice movements that have defined the last few years, like Black Lives Matter, have opened the door for equality efforts to be

genuinely inclusive. This stands in stark contrast to the comfortable image of second-wave feminism, reinforced by the whitewashed girlboss mentality.

Moreover, the climate crisis has challenged the sustainability of consumerism and resulted in a growing rejection of the fast fashion production plaguing our environment. The socially-driven image of success is exposed as a facade that comes at the exploitation of others.

By calling out inequality and unethical production practices, we are learning to be more familiar with not conforming to the capitalist mindset perpetuated by hustle culture.

In lockdown, when we have been sitting at home and questioning when the pandemic will release its tight grip on us, it’s normal to feel a little uninspired and a lot unproductive. I know I have.

People relishing in their flop

eras online is comforting, and also serves as the antithesis to the girlboss mentality. Instead of prioritizing the CEO “boss” mentality, we’ve entered a phase of oversharing our downfalls to connect with others who are also going through a period of un-exceptionalism.

We’re no longer ashamed of our shortcomings, and this allows us to reclaim our humanity.

We’re breaking free from the performative expectations that have been forced down our throats since girlboss feminism erupted, and taking the time to redefine what feminism and equality means for us on a more inclusive, real level.

As a light was cast on those who girlbossed a bit too close to the sun and teetered on the fine line of performed perfectionism, we are moving to an era of collective societal upbringing.

Lifestyle

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Friday, February 4, 2022

PHOTO BY SPENCER HENDRICKSON

Anna refects on finding the balance between Russian and English.

Finding a language I can call my own Becoming bilingual helped shape my worldview Anna Fouks Editorials Editor Ever since my family immigrated to Canada, I’ve been trying to find the perfect balance between Russian, the language of my family, and English, the language of my new home.

When I was young, I used to peruse the jokes section in the Chirp and Chickadee magazines.

Each joke was like a riddle to me.

At the time, I didn’t know they were called puns. All I knew was English-speaking people them funny—and I was determined to figure out why.

"

Without having concrete grammar lessons in elementary school, puns taught me how English worked "Why did the banana stay home from school? He wasn’t peeling well!"

Oh, I get it! Bananas have peels, and ‘peeling’ sounds like "feeling!"

I would laugh every time I figured out the punchline, even if I didn’t find it funny. Understanding was a step closer to understanding this foreign culture.

I remember when I tried to create my own joke, thinking about it all day in the school yard. Finally, I pulled my friend to the side for the experiment.

"What did the paper say to the scissors? Cut it out!"

When my friend laughed,

I was elated. I’d cracked the code! I wasn’t an English newbie anymore—I was now a member of an elite club.

These jokes are direct applications of how language conventions create meaning.

Without having concrete grammar lessons in elementary school, puns taught me how English worked.

Meanwhile, the Russian language has a popular form of riddles called "ребусы," pronounced "rebusy."

languages is " Knowing a privilege They usually involve three pictures side by side. The words describing the pictures can combine to form one longer word or a common phrase.

Commas before or after a picture take a letter off the word, and other symbols may force you to completely rearrange the letters.

Although often less humorous, these riddles allow to make connections and to think critically about word meaning.

Thus, English puns focus on sound associations and context, while Russian ‘ребусы’ focus on spelling associations and hidden words within words. Each is a perfect representation of how differently the languages work.

What’s fascinating to me is how, despite the contrast, they both can create the same meaning. *** Knowing languages is a privilege.

As I continued to learn English, I developed a deep appreciation for its rules. It was almost an obsession to understand and correctly use conjunctions, the Oxford comma, and proper spelling. It

still feels like I’m honoring those who’ve created the language by using appropriate grammar in my texts.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come, yet it’s difficult to ignore the roots of where I came from. On paper, I can write stellar essays, but I still have an accent.

Although by now I feel like I was born speaking English, I’ll always be reminded it’s only one of the languages I speak, and that’s okay. It’s part of what makes me unique.

When I visited my grandparents in Russia five years ago, I experienced a stark culture shock.

Sure, I knew the language, but I sometimes had a surprisingly hard time understanding those around me. Even peers my age told me my Russian was "old-fashioned," with most modern slang flying high over my head.

Part of me was proud I was able to retain the ‘old-fashioned’ Russian vocabulary by indulging in classic literature. I felt like I was preserving a certain piece of the language that was slowly ebbing away.

The other part of me was conflicted. I was losing the chance to participate in the language’s evolution.

Russian is always going to be a personal language for me—it’s the language of my family.

is a language "ofIfmyEnglish accomplishments, Russian is a language of my intimate thoughts and feelings

It’ll always remind me of home because it played a key part in many memories which I hold dear. For that reason, it’s hard for me sometimes to teach a Russian

phrase to a stranger—it’s like I’m sharing something private.

If English is a language of my accomplishments, Russian is a language of my intimate thoughts and feelings. I’m worried if I ever lose my proficiency in it, I’ll lose my connection to my sense of self. *** The prospect of learning a new language was never an obstacle—young me always thought of it as an exciting challenge.

I started my journey by devouring books written in English and in Russian—and sometimes the same book in both languages.

I wanted to see whether the idea remained the same, and more importantly, in which language I understood it better.

were times when "IThere would enter my house and change to thinking in Russian mid-sentence

As I went about my day between home and school, I felt like there was a physical switch turning on and off in my head.

There were times when I would enter my house and change to thinking in Russian mid-sentence.

I hadn't given this versatility much thought until later, when I realized the languages started blending within my thought process. With this change, I’ve felt the connection between my personal and public life become more fluid.

No language is better than the other. Knowing more of them simply gives you more options to express yourself.

I prefer to write in English, but I like to read out loud in Russian.

I think Russian translations are generally better, but I’m more likely to have a verbal discussion about that in English.

By this point, I don’t need that physical switch in my brain—I’ve found the balance makes me the most comfortable.

feel like I’ve become "aI chimera—not fully

an expert in either language, but proficient in the tongue of my own I’ve developed when combining the two My message won’t change whether it’s written in the Latin or the Cyrillic alphabets, but I can choose now who can understand it. I have more control over how my voice can be interpreted and perceived by society.

Even though the two languages and cultures are vastly different, I shouldn’t be putting a divide between two significant parts of who I am.

I feel like I’ve become a chimera—not fully an expert in either language, but proficient in the tongue of my own I’ve developed when combining the two. I don’t fully understand the intricacies of English verb tenses, nor the proper use of Russian punctuation.

But I don’t need to be an expert.

Whatever I’m missing in one language I can easily fill in with the other. I have access to two vast and evolving cultures, each with its own morals, beliefs, and values.

Combining the two within me gives me a richer understanding of the human condition and a unique voice to interact with it.

This is the lens through which I view my world. I’m glad I’ve been able to accept it.