The Queen's Journal, Volume 149, Issue 15

the Queen’s University

—

journal

Vol. 149, Issue 15

—

Friday, November 26, 2021

SGPS and AMS express support for bargaining demands of PSAC 901.

Queen’s rallies for graduate students

the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples.

Since 1873

PHOTO BY CURTIZ HEINZL

other groups on campus,” Hobill said.

Villeneuve said Queen’s will adhere to the collective bargaining process.

“The university values the contributions of its many employees and remains committed to the collective bargaining process,” Villeneuve said.

Hobill hopes all students on campus will get involved and express solidarity with their TAs.

“We are unstoppable! A better Queen’s is possible!”

This was one of the slogans chanted by those attending the rally for Queen’s graduate student workers organized by PSAC 901 on Nov. 25.

The rally started in front of Stauffer Library, where a group of about 100 students walked through campus before speeches were delivered in front of Richardson Hall.

PSAC 901 works to represent graduate student workers on campus.

“PSAC 901 is the union who represents all teaching assistants, research assistants, and teaching fellows. We are the legal bodies[…] if they encounter any issues with their employer,” Astrid Hobill, president of PSAC 901, said in an interview with The Journal.

Hobill said one of the issues graduate student workers face is being overworked during peak seasons in the semester.

“We have been overworked.

We are only supposed to work 10 hours a week. During midterms or exam season we’re working 50, 60, and sometimes I have heard 70 hours per week,” Hobill said.

Queen’s affirms graduate students only work a maximum of 10 hours per week.

“These graduate student

employees work no more than an average of 10 hours per week,” said Michael Villeneuve, director (Faculty Relations), in an email sent to The Journal.

Along with working hours, Hobill says another key concern is mental health pressures —often compounded due to work-related stress.

“There’s a lot of concern around access to mental health support for the [graduate] students, because we only have one graduate counselor for all graduate students,” Hobill said. “Other counselors don’t often understand the difference between being a graduate student and an undergrad student.”

Hobill says paid anti-racism and sexual violence prevention training is also a key demand from the graduate student workers. She said that graduate students of colour are often subject to abuse.

“Members of color are often the frontline for either, unfortunately, abuse or they’re the front line of support for undergrads who identify with their TAs,” Hobill said.

Hobill said Queen’s has argued adequate training already exists, a notion she disagrees with.

“They say that they have enough things in place already, which, given what we’ve seen in the community recently, I disagree with,” Hobill said.

Along with these concerns, Hobill says there’s the looming anxiety associated with graduate school funding packages and the impacts of COVID-19.

For Hobill this is something which hits close to home.

“I have four part time jobs because I’m out of my funding package. It’s one of those things that [sic] you have to find a way to make ends meet,” Hobill said.

Fathima,* MA ’23, agreed with the sentiment.

“I have just started TAing and it’s very uncertain; I don’t know if I will be able to finance my next year. It’s confusing, but I do think this rally will create a speck of impact,” Fathima* said in an interview with The Journal.

Another student expressed they must do a greater amount of teaching due to the online nature of the school year.

“TAing has been interesting. I TA a first-year undergraduate class, and all lectures are online. Only the tutorial is in-person, and I am the only face they see in the course.

I have to do a lot of actual teaching in the course,” Dylyn Reid, MS ’23, said in an interview with The Journal.

Some student organizations attended the rally in support of PSAC 901—including the SGPS and the AMS. In an email sent to The Journal, the SGPS Executive said they wholly support the demands of PSAC 901.

“We believe that meeting every demand that the union has brought forward, including a revised accommodation process that is easier to access and paid, mandatory anti-racism and sexual violence prevention training are important steps in addressing the needs of all graduate and professional student workers,” Anthony Lomax, vice-president (Community)

RTZ shares progress with The Journal

Students talk sports and recreation

Sports media needs investigative journalism

Talking to a former Gael and Olympian

Places I’ve cried on campus

Page 4

Page 5

Page 9

Page 13

Page 15

queensjournal.ca

@queensjournal

@queensjournal

PSAC 901 organizes rally for graduate workers A sbah A hmad Assistant News Editor

of SGPS said on behalf of the executive team.

Hobill said PSAC 901 and its members are optimistic change will come at the bargaining table.

“We are really hoping that the university will see that these issues are really important to both the graduate students community as well as to all

—

Situated on the traditional lands of

Gaels fall to the Mustangs in 113th Yates Cup Queen’s loses to Western 29-0 at Richardson, ends season 7-1 J ack B urnham Contributor The Queen’s Gaels were defeated by the Western Mustangs 29-0 in the 113th Yates Cup on Saturday.

With that loss—their first of the year—the Gaels head into the off-season with a 7-1 overall record for their 2021 campaign.

“We felt good going into it […]

I thought we still had a great chance to win […] we wanted to start fast and take a lead; we didn’t want to play from behind early,” head coach Steve Snyder told The

@queensjournal

Journal in an interview following the game.

“I thought that our youth showed, our youth and our inexperience, because we just played ‘beat-yourself’ football […] we played a ton of it during that first quarter.”

After kicking off to start the game, the Gaels were immediately backed into a corner.

Quarterback James Keenan’s first drive ended with a sack followed by a fumble recovered by Western deep in Queen’s territory.

Shortly after, the Mustangs capitalized on that opportunity with a rushing touchdown from OUA all-star running back Keon Edwards.

To read the full story, visit queeensjournal.ca/sports.

@thequeensjournal

2 • queensjournal.ca

News

Friday, November 26, 2021

Education students concerned about return to in-person learning online classes before switching to an in-person model.

“In August, all courses were online and then in September, Asbah Ahmad all of our courses were also Assistant News Editor all online. This was excluding courses with 25 or fewer students,” Some students in the Faculty Grennan said. of Education have recently “We went on practicum for expressed concerns with the seven weeks, and now that we are return to in-person lectures back, we are being told that these for certain courses, following a 400-person lectures are now return from fall semester in-person. One of these lectures is practicum placements.

PROF 170, which does not have an Students allege lecture material online alternative.” is only available in-person and not Grennan said Faculty of online for Winter 2022, a possible Education students were placed concern due to recent exposures across Ontario and some are to COVID-19. uncomfortable with being back Brittany Lazar, BEd ‘22, is in-person at Queen’s. currently in isolation after being “There is no alternative if you exposed to COVID-19 in her are not comfortable attending,” practicum classroom.

Grennan said.

Lazar said she will be choosing “We have expressed [our not to go to class in-person so concerns] to the Associate Dean if she does test positive other and it feels like we are being told students aren’t impacted. to swallow our discomfort instead “To me, if I have to get tested if of being provided reasonable I was exposed, that should be a alternatives.” part of the SeQure test. I shouldn’t Mark Green, Vice-Principal be allowed to go to a 400-person (Academic), said Queen’s is lecture if I was waiting for a following public health guidelines, [COVID] test,” Lazar said in an including meeting with local interview with The Journal. public health officials.

Jessica Grennan, ConEd ’22, “University leadership told The Journal that the Faculty continues to meet weekly with of Education previously offered local public health experts to

‘Increasing accessibility hurts no one’

monitor community case counts [...] Our efforts are working; to date, KFL&A Public Health has not found evidence of transmission on-campus,” Green wrote in an email to The Journal.

Green said policies and provisions have been instituted to ensure students are treated with compassion.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the university has exercised flexibility and compassion as we navigate teaching and learning during the pandemic,” Green said.

“As outlined in the Fall 2021 “I have a friend who is Protocols for In-Person Classes, if immunocompromised.

Do a student needs to miss a class you just risk everything? or an academic requirement It’s an accessibility concern,” due to COVID-19 illness, Lazar said.

COVID-19 symptoms or a selfGrennan said the crux of the isolation requirement from Public matter is increasing accessibility Health, academic consideration for everyone—which can start to will be granted,” he said. happen if large lectures are once Lazar added that a major again offered online. concern about the policy in “Increasing accessibility hurts question is many students have no one. There is not a single people in their households with situation where making a lecture underlying health conditions, and available online hurts a single the risk of getting COVID-19 is student,” Grennan said. high for them.

Teacher candidates express need to improve COVID-19 safety protocols.

PHOTO BY CURTIS HEINZL

Scarborough Charter aims to address Queen’s colonial past a signatory to the Scarborough “There are intractable problems racism in Canadian universities, Charter on preventing anti- with racism, particularly systemic according to Deane.

Black racism and fostering racism, in institutions like “[This] is a really important Black inclusion. ours and all universities—the historical moment in terms of The Scarborough Charter universities saw the need to take bringing the sector together to is a sector-wide agreement action,” Deane said in an interview look at the impacts of anti-Black designed to move post-secondary with The Journal. racism in many spheres of life,” institutions to build more “It was unclear what individual Stephanie Simpson, associate Sydney Ko meaningful, concrete actions to institutions did. They took v i c e - p r i n c i p a l (Human Senior News Editor address anti-Black racism. The measures that were appropriate Rights, Equity and Inclusion), charter follows commitments to them, and we issued a said in an interview with This article includes descriptions made by partner institutions declaration on anti-Black racism The Journal. of police brutality and anti-Black at the October 2020 National […] but there was no sector“What was great about the effort racism and may be triggering for Dialogues and Action for wide approach [before the was the way in which it made some readers. The Peer Support Inclusive Higher Education Scarborough Charter].” connections between all forms Centre offers drop-in services and and Communities.

The initiative was spearheaded of anti-Black racism […] that the empathetic peer-based support and Principal Patrick Deane by Principal Wisdom Tettey broader community was noticing is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. said the charter was written of University of Toronto in terms of state violence against after the killing of George Floyd (Scarborough). Teti felt the whole Black communities and people On Nov. 18, Queen’s announced and a resurgence of the Black country needed to be “brought through to university structures it has joined 40 universities Lives Matter movement in together” to lay out some and systems.” and colleges across Canada as summer 2020. principles for combating anti-Black As a signatory to the charter, Deane said Queen’s is committed to developing a plan.

“We actually have to look carefully at those areas in which we can actually make a difference, in which work really needs to be done,” Deane said.

While developing a plan is the first step, Deane added that the goals will be a collaborative effort between partnering universities.

“What that means for students and for faculty and staff […] we will see dramatic improvements on some of these systemic and other manifestations of racism,” he said.

According to Simpson, the university will begin by putting together an advisory group of PHOTO BY CURTIS HEINZL key stakeholders to examine the Queen’s joined 40 universities and colleges in signing the Scarborough Charter.

Patrick Deane and Stephanie Simpson talk commitments to anti-racism

recommendations in the charter.

“The process needs to be structured carefully, because we’re in this for the long term,” Simpson said. “This isn’t about a series of checkboxes that we are going to come to some conclusion around within the next few months.”

Simpson said the Scarborough Charter serves as a fundamental challenge to oppression and colonialism within institutions, and Queen’s is currently determining how to make the Charter recommendations “real and meaningful” on campus.

“The charter encourages that institutions look at their own particular history and situation and to think about the present time by making the connections to that wider context,” Simpson said.

Despite Queen’s strong ties to and foundation in colonialism, Deane said the university is focusing on identifying and addressing issues that are “invisible” yet “powerful” in impact.

“The beautiful thing about the charter is it gives us a tool for identifying all these things,” Deane said. “[The charter] has five areas—governance, research, teaching, and learning and community engagement […] What we have to do is essentially take that paradigm, that framework, and look at our institution afresh.”

News

Friday, November 26, 2021

Residences face surge in malicious fire alarm activations

within 15 minutes, resulting in the entire career staff apparatus of Kingston Fire & Rescue being d i s p a tc h e d to the university.

The biggest risk these false alarms pose to the community, Murray said, is diverting Anne Fu essential resources away from Assistant News Editor actual emergencies.

“During [Nov. 19 and 20], we Queen’s residences are currently had seven medicals, two actual facing one of the worst years for fires, one gas leak and an elevator malicious fire alarm pulling to entrapment. The following day, date, with this year on track to we had four motor vehicle beat figures set in 2019-20 and accidents we had to respond 2020-21. to,” Delbert Blakney, Fire From Sept. 1 to Nov. 24, there Inspector at Kingston Fire & were 60 fire alarm activations in Rescue, told The Journal in an residence, 44 of which were due to interview on Nov. 25. student behaviour.

He pointed to these incidents According to Queen’s as examples of real emergencies Residence Life, 30 of these that a false alarm could distract activations—50 per cent overall— firefighters from. were purposeful and malicious “We’re concerned about in nature. complacency. We’re concerned “Many of the malicious alarm about wear and tear on our activations appear to be connected vehicles. And also, we’re concerned to the pursuit of a jacket bar. because most firefighter injuries We absolutely condemn this are [from] car accidents, so we behaviour,” Kate Murray, Director don’t like to be racing down of Residence Life, wrote in the streets when we don’t need an email to The Journal. to be.”

“Tampering with fire equipment According to Blakney, it or pulling an alarm as a prank isn’t just students that can is a Criminal Code offence and a become complacent to fire serious violation of the Residence a l a r m s during an Community Standards that can uptick of false pulls, but lead to eviction.” firefighters too.

On the night of Nov. 20, McNeill, “There’s been firefighters Victoria, Leonard, and Watts in other municipalities where Hall all experienced a false alarm that same kind of mentality

Number of false alarms on track to surpass last two years

has got people hurt, because they’ve gone into a building and then been met with fire conditions they weren’t expecting,” Blakney said.

In response to this year’s increase in false fire alarms, the AMS, Engineering Society (EngSoc), Residence Society (ResSoc), Residence Life, Campus Security, and Environmental Health and Safety have met to develop new strategies for mitigating false alarm activations.

Queen’s is also working with Kingston Fire & Rescue to educate students on the impact false alarms have on students and firefighters.

In 2019, ResSoc installed anti-tamper dye on hundreds of alarms in residence so alarm pullers could be more easily identified.

Those caught triggering fire alarms on purpose may not only face consequences from the university, but criminal charges as well.

“We emphasize with all students that in a communal living environment, the impact of individual behaviour, whether merely careless or wilfully disruptive, can have significant consequences and students are expected to act responsibly and mitigate the impacts of their actions on other residents,” Murray said.

ASUS introduces Appeals Resource Centre Student society hopes to support students facing academic penalties Rida Chaudhry Assistant News Editor The Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) is introducing the ASUS Appeals Resource Centre (AARC) in the hopes of aiding students in the complicated process of submitting academic appeals.

Headed by two co-chairs, Ashanti Francis and David Niddam-Dent, both ArtSci ’22, the AARC will be available for student use starting Nov. 29.

Francis and Dent sat down with The Journal to speak more to what this resource entails.

“We provide support to students who are in the process of making academic appeals, whether those are related to academic integrity or academic regulations,” Francis said in an interview with The Journal.

According to Francis, AARC is the only support currently offered to students navigating the appeals process.

“A lot of the time students know what they want to say within their appeals letter, but they don’t exactly know how to say it, and they don’t know how to fit it within the framework of academic appeals,” she said.

Penalties for failing to adhere to academic regulations can range from failing a class to requiring to withdraw from Queen’s for one to five years. A successful appeal can save a student from these consequences.

“Last year, as ASUS President, I gained firsthand exposure into the appeals process, from the adjudicative perspective, but also in watching students make their case on issues that are really important for academic career when you’re looking at a number of academic regulations, as well as academic integrity,” Niddam-Dent said Niddam-Dent said seeing students struggle to make the best case for themselves inspired him to create a service that provides extra help in the process.

The AARC team is comprised of five trained student volunteers who’ve been working with sample cases every week in preparation to help in the best way they can.

“Seeking support for academic appeals and the nature of academic appeals can be very intimidating,” Francis said.

Francis and Niddam-Dent are committed to building a relationship of trust between

queensjournal.ca

•3

Queen’s Alumni Association introduces new chapter Queer Association was inspired by Black and Indigenous Alumni chapters Sydney Ko Senior News Editor Queen’s Student Alumni Association (QSAA) is introducing Queen’s Queer Alumni (QQA), a chapter that aims to build strong connections between LGBTQ2S+ students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

QQA was inspired by the creation of Queen’s Indigenous Alumni chapters and Queen’s Black Alumni chapter.

Stacy Kelly, ArtSci ’93 and president of QQA, said there have been missing opportunities for the queer community to connect, network, and advocate.

“We thought we should step up and help create opportunities for LGBTQ+ alumni and hold our own admission […] and also let current students and teachers be aware of the chapter,” Kelly said in an interview with The Journal.

“It’s about finding a place where you feel welcome and affirmed.

Queer folks are coming out in all stages of our life.”

According to Kelly, an alumni chapter dedicated to Queer folks to network and socialize with a “chosen family” offers a safe space for Queer alumni to be their true selves.

“Our hope is to be able to students seeking help and students providing it.

“These are trained students who are ready to help in all aspects of the appeal, who’ve seen appeals before in a number of different facets and contexts,” Niddam-Dent added.

Niddam-Dent said that the AARC team has been working closely with the Faculty of Arts and Science to ensure they’re not duplicating existing efforts, nor exceeding the scope of what’s comfortable for a student organization.

“Once students fill out the form, a member of our team will be in touch, and we’ll be setting up our first meeting

The Centre will be a go-to destination for guidance in the appeals process.

create events, communications, activities—a safer environment for people,” Kelly said.

“You’re only a student for a certain amount of time, [but] you’re an alumni for a long time.”

Newly established, QQA is currently based in Ontario.

However, Kelly hopes to bring the network to a global level.

“We’d like to dream big, but we had to start somewhere,” he said.

To mark the launch of QQA, the group will be hosting a panel event on Dec. 1, where students and faculty can attend and build their network.

“Some of the people on the panel are heavily involved with advocacy work,” Kelly said.

With the launch event aiming to engage the student community, Kelly added QQA is also creating student positions for the chapter. “[The student perspective] is incredibly important to us, because we want to be able to introduce leadership for the chapter through the students, but also to connect to […] different student groups,” Kelly said.

Kelly especially wants queer folks, wherever they are, to know that they’re supported.

“We get many folks from wherever to join, and I hope that’s another kind of bridge [for people] who are not ready to come out yet.”

and students can expect […] individualized and personalized a t te n t i o n to their case as our volunteers help them out,” Niddam-Dent said.

Niddam-Dent and Francis said students can seek help from the AARC regardless of the extent of guidance they need—from proofreading to a full walk-through of the appeals process.

AARC volunteers are eager to be of support.

“We hope we’re going to be able to be of service regardless of what students are looking for,” Niddam-Dent said.

PHOTO BY CURTIS HEINZL

News

4 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, November 26, 2021 is the key focus to making the AMS more open.

“The issue is not transparency. The issue is students actually going and accessing the information that we do put out,” Kasim said.

“We will be transparent, but oftentimes students don’t engage.”

Wong added part of transparency is having a fair evaluation system in place for leaders across AMS. This year, Team RTZ is asked for evaluations from their staff, hosted by the HR department.

“They are completely anonymous. We didn’t see any names or direct quotes,” Wong said. “We also have evaluations for the senior management teams.”

Changing the Culture

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

RTZ sat down with The Journal to chat about their progress.

AMS Fall-in-Review Team RTZ recounts Fall 2021 initiatives

The Role of the Rector

When asked if the AMS would facilitate another rector election, Kasim said they Asbah Ahmad & Rida Chaudhry wouldn’t.

Assistant News Editors “The rector position is an unhealthy role. Objectively, it is a role that sets On Nov. 24, AMS President Zaid Kasim, students up for failure that has no support,” Vice President of (Operations) Tiana Wong, Kasim said. and Vice President (University Affairs) “I will not put a student in Ryan Seig sat down with The Journal that position.” to reflect on their progress and discuss Kasim also pointed out to the lack of new initiatives. transition material currently available to a Team RTZ was excited to student entering the Rector role. return to more in-person activities “Right now, students go in and there’s as some COVID-19 restrictions were eased. no transition material.” Kasim said. “I know, “Returning to full operations means we because the transition, they had a hard get to provide a lot more student jobs.” drive—and it got lost.”

Wong said.

Kasim critiqued the University’s “From our services, there’s lack of accountability in ensuring the over 350 Student positions this rector is supported and valued for year and that just wasn’t possible the work they do. He added it’s not last year when the operations were feasible for the AMS to facilitate another so significantly reduced.” election and that responsibility should be on the University.

Student Engagement Homecoming The Compass app is a new initiative introduced this year Regarding the student voices who that allows students to browse spoke up about disproportionate through campus clubs and policing over homecoming weekends, event calendars. the AMS has done little to aid Seig encouraged students students in navigating fines going up to make use of this resource as to $2,000. it’s beneficial for those wanting After the Social Issues Commission to get more involved in the (SIC) released a survey to gather student student community. experiences on policing, the AMS presented “I also really want to note that these findings to the Police and City Council we’re really proud that we now have rather than directly aiding those who the highest number of clubs that suffered the consequences of we’ve ever had ratified the AMS,” unfair treatment.

Kasim added.

“With the donation from the University Sieg said there are now 336 of $350,000, we’re continuing to try AMS-ratified clubs. and follow up at City Council as well as “We’ve really brought back student life, with the principal’s office in tracking close to where it was before COVID-19 hit down exactly how that money is being us,” Kasim said. “I’m really proud of us there.” spent,” Seig said.

When asked how the AMS will increase The AMS plans to insert themselves student engagement, Wong said Team as key stakeholders in the City Council RTZ has expanded student jobs within the to advocate student interests. RTZ student society. added they’ve actively attempted “It’s a really great way for students to mend relationships with to understand what the AMS does,” Kingston residents.

Wong said.

“We found out about a community Though voter turnout for the Fall member who has a private library in their Referendum has been lower this year front yard that was broken by students than the AMS anticipated, Kasim believes during homecoming,” Seig said. engagement comes in forms other “We reached out individually to best than voting in student government. He support them. We purchased them added the AMS’s social media traction more books because that is what reflects that. they wanted.”

Transparency During the Winter 2021 AMS executive election, RTZ’s platform emphasized transparency. One way they wished to achieve this was through policy papers.

“We are in the process of working through our first policy paper. This will then be run through assembly,” Seig said.

“The key idea is to have assembly’s input on the document, rather than it being an internal position piece.”

The AMS also hopes equity-related events can improve transparency and accountability to students.

“We recently had an equity townhall, and that was a great opportunity for people to ask us questions with regards to equity work,” Seig said.

Kasim said the AMS has been extremely transparent, but student engagement

One of RTZ’s key campaign promises was to reform the culture at AMS. Recent allegations of ‘cliquey culture’ have threatened this goal.

Wong said a permanent HR staff member is working to ensure a safe working environment for AMS employees.

“The introduction of the permanent staff HR position is important because they oversee a lot of sensitive matters,” Wong said. “It is important to have a professional working to guide the HR team.”

Wong said AMS positions being “no experience necessary” could potentially explain the recent resignations.

“Coming into [these positions] with very little knowledge of the position is very difficult when trying to finish a degree,” Wong said.

AMS Fee Referendum RTZ pointed to the importance of the AMS membership fee raise, which was not passed this semester.

“It was very unfortunate that the fee was not passed, we rely on student fees to provide the services that we do,” Wong said. “A good percentage of the operating budget goes to student wages and goes back to student’s pockets.”

Kasim said Queen’s student life is in a dire position due to the fee increase failing.

“The future and security of student life needs the fee .”

r

Features

Friday, November 26, 2021

FEATURES Julia Stratton Features Editor “While it’s challenging to look after your mental health, with all the appointments and all the time it takes to take care of yourself while studying, […] committing to any activities outside of academia will only benefit you in the long run,” Ampai Thammachack, M.Sc. ’22, said in an interview with The Journal.

While many students struggle to balance the academic demands of school with taking care of their health and having a social life, sports and recreational clubs on campus can provide an active social outlet that may have academic benefits.

The Journal sat down with two Queen’s students to discuss the role that sports and recreational clubs have played in their mental health. *** “I was part of the African Caribbean Dance Team for three years and the Queen’s Dance Club,” Thammachack said.

Thammachack said pursuing other goals while at school is important to mitigate stress.

“When you have all your eggs in one basket, and your whole identity is based off of success in one area, [by joining other activities on campus] you’re able to gain community and become successful and grow in another area,” she said. “It helps you weigh things out more evenly in your head.”

Recreation doesn’t only provide students with a distraction from their academics—it can actually improve brain function. Exercise increases blood-flow and oxygen to the brain.

Recent studies have found that exercising is associated with increased grey matter in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These areas are implicated in learning and memory, which students help p e r f o r m well academically.

Doctors suggest that to reap the cognitive benefits of exercise, people should aim to do 20 minutes of

strenuous exercise three times per week.

“Being physically active helped my mental health so much because I can go sweat it out, have a good workout, laugh with my friends, and see my friends,” Thammachack said.

“That had such a positive impact on my mental health.” *** While physical activity is often emphasized for a maintaining healthy lifestyle, neglect many the role of social connections.

Close social ties are associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression, better emotion regulation, higher selfesteem, improvements to the immune system, and reductions in the amount of stress hormones in our bodies. “[Dance clubs] were the best way to stay happy, include my passions, and stay relatively fit […] and then join a community that made me feel more at home,” Thammachack said.

Sports and recreational clubs can provide a sense of belonging, purpose and happiness.

on the same “teamWe’re together. Even if

I’ve never met you, and I just learned your name, immediately I know we have something in common “Some of my best memories have come from funny moments with all my buddies just playing sports,” Alan Dimitriev, CompSci ’23, said in an interview with The Journal.

“When I got to Queen’s in my first

year I played a lot of intramurals. I made like three real friends in my faculty when I was in undergrad, and those were the people I hung out with in class, but a lot of other people I met were through sports.”

Sports can bring together students with common interests and values.

“In sports, there’s immediately a common factor,” Dimitriev said.

“We’re on the same team together. Even if I’ve never met you, and I just learned your name, immediately I know we have something in common.”

While it can be difficult to find common ground when meeting people in class, sports are a fun, low-stress environment for people to strike up a conversation.

“It’s a lot easier to start a conversation if you’re sweating on the same court together than [in class where you] look left and right like, ‘you like computer science too?’,” Dimitriev said.

queensjournal.ca

quality of life for those with diagnoses.

Exercise has been shown to relieve anxiety and act as an antidepressant with fewer side effects than medication. Further, exercise doesn’t carry the same stigma as going to counselling, making it a helpful initial support for those reluctant to seek treatment.

The mechanisms behind exercise’s antidepressant effects are still under investigation, but many studies suggest they might have something to do with neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to form new connections and weaken others.

This phenomenon provides hope that people can have some ability to break free from the distressing symptoms of a mental health condition.

*** m a ny Since students rely on sports campus and recreation for community and mental health, they when struggled these activities were taken away during the pandemic.

“I didn’t realize how I was using sports as a crutch until COVID took them away,” Dimitriev said.

Many studies show regular participation in physical activity can increase self-esteem and provide a buffer against anxiety and depression.

Although exercise isn’t a cure for mental health issues, engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity can prevent individuals from developing mental health conditions, and improves the

What we will “ remember after our

university experience is all the things we did outside of school Exercise has been shown to promote neuroplasticity by stimulating brain cell growth and the formation of new connections. Some researchers believe that by capitalizing on this, it may be possible to alleviate some symptoms of depression and offer hope for longterm remission.

While many people are aware of the benefits of exercise, breaking into the exercise culture on campus can feel daunting.

“All sports have an exercise culture that seems very intimidating until you establish yourself in it,” Dimitriev said.

He added that, initially, approaching exercise culture can be “horrific”.

“Going to the ARC for the first time, you swipe through, you don’t really know what you’re doing, and then there’s just racks and racks and racks and people everywhere,” Dimitriev said.

Since he’s started going to the gym more regularly, Dimitriev

•5

has realized that other people don’t judge him as much as he feared.

“No one’s paying attention to you,” he said. “When you have nervousness or anxiety around sports, you think everyone is looking at you, everyone’s going to judge you, everyone’s going to think like ‘oh this guy he’s not lifting any weight! What is he doing?’”

“Eventually you’ll find your niche or your comfort routine […] you’ll build a rhythm […] and you’ll walk into the gym like you own the place.” *** Dimitriev and Thammachack acknowledge the anxiety associated with getting involved in sports and recreational clubs.

For those looking to participate in intramural sports, Dimitriev said signing up as a free-agent can help you find a team.

“I’ve found that IM leagues free agent stuff works decently well,” Dimitriev said. “We’ve had guys join our team who no one knew because they just shot us a message like, ‘hey can we join?’”

Thammachack added that students don’t have to be experts in their activity of choice to get involved—they can simply choose something that sounds interesting and experiment with it.

“One of the biggest barriers to getting involved with these groups sometimes is not knowing if you’re good enough, not knowing if you’ll enjoy it, not knowing what the outcome is going to be,” Thammachack said.

“Try everything within reason at least once and if you don’t like it, if it doesn’t work for you, then try other things. The beauty of Queen’s is that there are so many options.”

While academics tend to be the primary goal of being at university, it’s important to take a break from school to take care of your health and make memories.

“What we will remember after our university experience is all the things we did outside of school,” Thammachack said.

Sports, community, and mental health Taking the time to be active and find community is essential to welllbeing

Students discuss their experiences getting involved in spots and recreational clubs on campus.

ILLUSTRATION BY SHELBY TALBOT

Features

6 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, November 26, 2021

Unpacking Canada’s fossil fuel industry

Students and faculty speak to the urgency of the climate crsisis.

‘It’s a recipe for climate chaos’ Kirby Harris Features Editor When the Queen’s Finance Association (QFA) hosted RBC CEO David McKay on Nov. 5, protestors stood outside Grant Hall to voice their concerns with RBC’s financing of the fossil fuel industry, particularly their subsidizing of the Line 3 pipeline expansion.

Stephanie Sherman, Con-Ed ’22, is part of the student group that organized the Grant Hall protest.

Since first attending a climate action in Kingston over the summer, Sherman has worked with other Queen’s students to generate climate activism in Kingston. Together, they created Kingston Youth Climate Action.

are currently at a “timeWewhere we have no room left to be burning more fossil fuels.”

“The climate crisis is caused by an increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere which is caused by the burning of fossil fuels,” Sherman said in an interview with The Journal.

“We are currently at a time where we have no room left to be burning more fossil fuels.”

Most climate scientists have agreed for years that the extraction of fossil fuels like coal and oil needs to end as soon as possible to keep climate change manageable. Canadian leaders have acknowledged this problem, first promising to reduce fossil fuel subsides back in 2009.

Despite this promise, Canada is still contributing billions each year to the extraction of fossil fuels.

“Canada is in a position where we are still expanding our fossil fuel industry,” Sherman said.

Despite disapproval from Indigenous and climate activists, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet approved the Trans Mountain Pipeline project in 2019. The controversial decision was called hypocritical, as it was announced only a day

ILLUSTRATION BY VIOLETTA ZEITLINGER FONTANA

after the House of Commons declared Canada was in a “climate emergency.”

The Trans Mountain and Line 3 Pipeline projects have dominated Canada’s climate activism for years, with activists fighting against| these expansions.

“Line 3 will double, and the Trans Mountain Pipeline will triple, the amount of oil being extracted.” Sherman said. “They are going to burn more fossil fuels in a time where we critically need to reduce them. It’s a recipe for climate chaos.” *** Rebecca Hall, assistant professor in Global Development Studies, who studies resource extraction, said Canada is “an extractive giant”.

“The majority of extractive companies in the world are housed in Canada,” Hall said in an interview with The Journal.

In the mining industry alone, Canada had 1,290 companies operating in 2019. Of these, 621 had international operations.

These companies generate profit margins in the hundreds of billions—drawing funders like RBC to invest and keep the fossil fuel industry thriving.

“RBC particularly has contributed 9 billion USD to funding Line 3’s construction.

Without money like that, it wouldn’t be happening,” Sherman said.

While fossil fuel extraction may be profitable in the short term, the ethics of the industry are questionable. This goes deeper than the impact of fossil fuels on the climate.

In Latin America, where Canadian companies control most mining operations, antimining organizers have been active for years. In countries like Guatemala, Canadian mining companies are notorious for both human rights abuses and dispossession of Indigenous lands.

According to Hall, Canadians are often oblivious to these injustices.

“Canada often likes to see ourselves [sic] as a very to neighbor friendly the but world, the truth is Canadian extractive operations have created huge levels of devastation and social harms in the countries in which they operate,” Hall said.

The ethical problems with fossil fuels are not unique to overseas operations. The Line 3 expansion has been criticized for violating the treaty rights of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.

There is no one magic “bullet to transitioning

away from fossil fuels.

Removing public money is one thing, but we can’t take our eyes off of corporate operations

“The Line 3 pipeline passes through treaty territories of the Anishinaabe peoples in northern Minnesota,” Sherman said.

Sherman said he Line 3 expansion is certain to damage Indigenous land, as it travels through wetlands that Anishinaabe peoples use to grow food.

“Pipelines are almost guaranteed to spill, which causes awful destruction and contamination of the land—including in this particular case, the contamination of what would be their best lakes and their wild rice watershed,” Sherman said. *** On Nov. 4, Canada signed an agreement along with 23 other countries and institutions to end the public financing of fossil fuels overseas by the end of 2022.

“If Canada actually upholds that promise, that would be a big change, and I really hope that we do. Canada heavily subsidizes resource extraction in general, and fossil fuels in particular,” Hall said.

From 2018-20, Canada contributed somewhere between 2 billion and 5 billion CAD to international fossil fuel support.

Although private companies invest huge amounts in fossil fuel extraction, a large portion of funding for fossil fuel extraction comes directly from the Canadian government.

When companies can no longer afford projects like pipelines, it’s up to government money to bail them out.

“There’s been this downturn in

the oil industry in the last decade and it’s only been able to continue its operations in the way that it has because of financial support from the Canadian government,” Hall said.

“The most widely publicized example of that is the Trans Mountain Pipeline, which was saved by public money.”

While it’s true that public money is a huge part of the fossil fuel industry, Hall said it’s important to continue looking at all parties involved.

“There is no one magic bullet to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Removing public money is one thing, but we can’t take our eyes off of corporate operations,” Hall said.

As world leaders debate the future of fossil fuels, the public must think about what a future without fossil fuels might look like. People who work in the fossil fuel industry the that argue often livelihoods of entire towns are dependent on the extraction of fossil fuels.

“When people worry about us lowering our investment in fossil fuels, we hear the argument that our economy will fall apart,” Hall said.

“

Canadian institutions, including banks, including the government, should be investing their money in renewable energy sources “While it’s certainly true that Canada has a long history of using resource extraction, including fossil fuels as a major pillar of economic development, I don’t think it means it has to be that way.”

The alternative proposed by activists is to invest in clean energy.

Embracing and investing in new energy forms like solar power, and e n e r g y, wind hydroelectricity would create new industries in Canada to support workers. institutions, “Canadian including banks, including the government, should be investing their money in

renewable energy Sherman said.

sources,”

Start by talking to “ people around you and talk about these issues, because if people don’t know about them, nothing can be done

“Building those industries so that we have the infrastructure, the technology, and the foundation to transition to renewable energy sources and shift away from fossil fuels.” *** Looking forward, it’s important to remember that public engagement can shape the future of our climate. In a climate crisis, the use of fossil fuels affects us all. If we don’t engage with these issues as individuals, the future of the global climate is solely in the hands of governments and corporations.

The easiest way to engage is simply by staying informed.

“Start by talking to people around you and talk about these issues, because if people don’t know about them, nothing can be done,” Sherman said.

“So many people did not know that Canadian banks have such a huge role to play in the fossil fuel industry survival into [sic] this point.”

The future of fossil fuels is not yet set in stone—whatever decisions we make will define the future of not only Canada’s climate, but the world’s climate.

Investing in fossil fuels might make money, but each person must ask themselves if that money is worth the environmental and human rights disasters that come with it.

“When we think about where our money goes, we want to be thinking about the world that we want to create,” Hall said. “[Divesting from fossil fuels] is saying that we care about more than just the bottom line, but about the world that we’re making.”

This story was originally published online Nov. 19, 2021.

Friday, November 26, 2021

queensjournal.ca

•7

8 • queensjournal.ca

Editorials

EDITORIALS

Friday, November 26, 2021

The Journal’s Perspective

Transparency and accountability is a must for student leadership—and RTZ doesn’t deliver Student government leaders must be honest and transparent when addressing problems within their institutions—and team RTZ is no exception.

Since the beginning of their term, four members of the AMS senior management team have resigned—three of whom are women of colour. In interviews with The Journal, two former members alleged an overwhelming workload, racial bias, and cliques in the work culture as reasons motivating their resignations.

During an equity town hall meeting on Nov. 16, when asked about the resignations, RTZ—consisting of AMS President Zaid Kasim, AMS Vice-President (Operations) Tianna Wong, and AMS Vice-President (University Affairs) Ryan Sieg—implied it was a coincidence three major resignations were women of colour.

Only after some probing did Kasim admit it likely wasn’t “completely coincidental.”

Understandably, the workload of a student politician role is large—especially when coupled with the daily responsibilities of being a university student. However, this doesn’t explain or excuse the still-prevailing ‘cliquey’ culture within the AMS or the concerns of senior management members who’ve resigned.

RTZ has proposed a new “whistleblower policy,” an opportunity for racialized students to flag discrimination within the AMS without repercussions. Even so, the current AMS team failed to do what every good student government should—protect the students that work for them.

RTZ’s failure to openly address their shortcomings is an even bigger problem.

When RTZ was campaigning to be elected AMS executive, they made promises of activism and advocating for the student

In the past few months, I have used the term “anticolonialism” about 367 times. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve explained Edward Said’s “East vs. West dichotomy” to an unsuspecting econ major, I’d probably have 10 cents—and that’s two too many.

I love political theories as much as the next person who loves political theory, but I can’t help but realize how disconnected they are from everyday life.

From a policy standpoint, political theories are difficult to implement in

PHOTO BY SPENCER HENDRICKSON

Volume 149 Issue 15 www.queensjournal.ca @queensjournal Publishing since 1873

Editorial Board Editors in Chief

Aysha Tabassum Shelby Talbot

Production Manager

Violetta Zeitlinger Fontana

News Editor Assistant News Editors

Features Editors

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 Photo Editor Video Editor

body. They said they believed their experiences external to AMS would help to “fix” the issues within the organization.

Student leaders are inevitably going to fall short sometimes, and they deserve the chance to learn and grow. They also don’t inherently owe students activism—unless they promised it.

RTZ’s commitment to activism is what made voters—and The Journal—believe RTZ would be able to provide solutions to these same issues that have plagued the institution for years. Their current performance is disappointing in comparison to their buzzworthy promises made last winter.

The AMS has been unable to foster an inclusive or accessible environment for years, and it’s unrealistic to expect a group of students to find a solution to every problem within a one-year term. But even though RTZ didn’t create the problems, they sure are continuing to perpetuate them.

It’s okay to acknowledge a lack of resources to bring about change in an inherently flawed institution.

Transparency about obstacles to equity would at least validate students’ experiences—and perhaps instigate a long-overdue discussion about what needs to be done to overhaul the institution as a whole.

It’s difficult to be publicly confronted with one’s own mistakes, but accountability is important. Team RTZ should’ve been honest about their failings instead of pretending the problems don’t exist.

RTZ has a semester ahead of them to reaffirm their commitment to their original platform instead of continuing performative leadership, paying lip service to their values without the actions to back them up.

The Board hopes RTZ is up to it.

—Journal Editorial Board

our society today. Aside from engaging in discourses with our professors, writing tedious academic papers, and perhaps a few drunken debates with an unsuspecting econ major at a bar, there’s only so much we can do with Marx’s theory of labour.

Outside of a politics lecture, you’d be hard pressed to find people who are familiar enough with political theory to begin to apply it.

Attending university is a privilege, and obtaining a higher education means being surrounded with like-minded people. Often, we find ourselves stuck in a vacuum where similar ideas are continuously bounced back and forth with each other, and we forget that’s not what real life is like.

The privilege of higher education isn’t accessible to everyone. As a result, access to information and learning can be limited, despite us living in a world where a quick Google search can answer even the most specific questions.

It’s like we have circle-jerked into a thesaurus-like contest of who can use the most efficacious word. We’ll get two high fives from the university department in the meantime, but we haven’t made any meaningful change.

Even learning through other avenues, such as academic journals or media outlets, is prevented when their contents are locked behind a paywall—another barrier

that drives many away from expanding their knowledge of political science from credible sources.

Additionally, access to our campus libraries and databases will be revoked once we graduate from university.

These financial barriers not only bar people from accessing important and accurate information—they also perpetuate the spread of misinformation when people turn to easily-accessible non-credible sources. This is why people reject important political theories in favour of ones that have no real foundation—and it’s dangerous.

Obviously, I don’t mean to denounce any of the vital material university students have the chance to learn. Rather, I call on us academics to find better ways to reach those with different educational backgrounds from our own and make learning more accessible.

Instead of hiding behind theories and buzzwords, it’s time to re-evaluate the elitism we pride ourselves on. Let’s use the academic validation we’ve earned for the betterment of the world—not just to sound smart.

Sydney is a fourth-year political studies student and The Journal’s Senior News Editor.

Madeleine McCormick Spencer Hendrickson

Assistant Photo Editor

ILLUSTRATION BY CLANNY MUGABE

Natara Ng Alysha Mohamed

Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Let’s make academics more accessible & less elitist Sydney Ko

THE QUEEN’S JOURNAL

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

Sarah Brodmann Davis Legree

Staff Writers

Jack Burnham Sam Goodale

Business Staff Business Manager Sales Representatives Fundraising Representative Social Media Coordinator

Yoli Wang Medhavi Maurya Will Stewart Riya Shah Francesca Lim

Want to contribute?

For information visit: www.queensjournal.ca/contribute or email the Editor in Chief at journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca Contributions from all members of the Queen’s and Kingston community are welcome. The Journal reserves the right to edit all submissions.

The Queen’s Journal is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University, Kingston.

Situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. The Journal’s Editorial Board acknowledges the traditional territories our newspaper is situated on have allowed us to pursue our mandate.

We recognize our responsibility to understand the truth of our history.

Editorial opinions expressed in The Journal are the sole responsibility of The Queen’s Journal Editorial Board, and are not necessarily those of the University, the AMS or their officers.

190 University Ave., Kingston, ON, K7L 3P4 Editorial Office: 613-533-2800 Business Office: 613-533-6711 Fax: 613-533-6728 Email: journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca Please address complaints and grievances to the Editor in Chief and/or Managing Editor.

The Queen’s Journal is printed on a Goss Community press by by Metroland Media in Toronto, Ontario.

Contents © 2021 by The Queen’s Journal; all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of The Journal.

Opinions

Friday, November 26, 2021 Davis Legree Contributor This article discusses sexual assault and may be triggering for some readers. The Kingston Sexual Assault Centre’s 24-hour crisis and support phone line can be reached at 613-544-6424 / 1-800-544-6424.

Last month, the hockey world experienced a day of reckoning when Kyle Beach, a professional hockey player, revealed himself as John Doe — the plaintiff in an ongoing sexual assault lawsuit against the Chicago Blackhawks.

This story identified an urgent need for in-depth, investigative journalism in the sports world.

Beach identified himself during an interview with TSN’s Rick Westhead, the journalist whose determination and persistence brought this 10-year-old scandal into the public eye.

Those who follow the sports world closely are likely already familiar with the story. In 2010, as the Blackhawks were in the middle of a playoff run that would end with a Stanley Cup win, Beach was called up to join the team as a Black Ace —an emergency substitute unlikely to see game action but with the ability to compete at the game’s highest level.

During these playoffs, Beach was sexually assaulted by Brad Aldrich, the Blackhawks’ video coach at the time. In May 2021, Beach brought forward a lawsuit against the team, with a full report on the incident from law firm Jenner and Block detailing the events.

In Beach’s interview with Westhead, he said he was subjected to homophobic slurs from teammates after word of his assault spread quickly throughout the Blackhawks organization.

The investigation found Blackhawks executives, including General Manager Stan Bowman and Head Coach Joel Quenneville, met shortly following the assault to discuss what, if any, action was required.

Ultimately, the executives determined no action should be taken in the middle of a playoff run. Aldrich left the team in June the same year, and even got a day to celebrate with the Stanley Cup in his hometown before being hired by Miami University in 2012.

The saga, which was never publicized by the team, could have ended there.

Aldrich was gone.

Beach returned to the minors, where he played for another four years in the Blackhawks organization b e f o r e pursuing other opportunities in Europe, where he continues to play.

Enter Rick Westhead, a senior c o r re s p o n d e n t at TSN and an awardwinning investigative

reporter—in otherwords, a‘capital-j’ journalist.

Westhead isn’t the most well-known reporter in the sports realm. His Twitter following stands at 55 thousand, paling in comparison to more recognizable hockey "insiders" like Darren Dreger and Elliotte Friedman, each of whom have over six hundred thousand followers.

Yet, it was Westhead’s hard work that brought this decade-old cover-up to light.

Westhead began writing about an alleged sexual assault lawsuit

independent review, which eventually turned into an investigation by Jenner and Block.

The findings of this investigation contradicted with the Blackhawks’ initial statement.

Not only did the sexual assault claims have merit, but Bowman and Quenneville participated in the meeting that determined no further action was required at the time of the incident.

The hockey world was shaken.

Although Beach’s identity was not made known until his interview with Westhead,

queensjournal.ca

decorated and well-respected coaches in the sport, was revealed as someone who views hockey players not as people, but as vehicles for winning hockey games.

Last month, he resigned from his role as head coach of the Florida Panthers following the scandal’s uncovering.

Maybe this incident would have been handled differently if it didn’t take place during playoffs. However, the idea that a team’s on-ice success should ever take precedence over a player’s

OPINIONS Chicago Blackhawk’s scandal shows need for better investigative journalism in sports In a landscape filled with highlight reels, there has to be more meaningful reporting against the Blackhawks early in 2021. The team responded to these allegations with a statement that said an internal investigation had already been conducted and the claims were “meritless.”

Westhead’s persistence on the subject resulted in the Blackhawks agreeing to an

many felt Westhead’s individual well-being reveals the exposure of the Blackhawks need for a culture shift. represented a culture shift of Westhead recognized this. epic proportions.

Kyle Beach’s story extends "Toughness" and "winning far beyond the hockey world. at all costs"—two of the NHL’s It demonstrates a significant hallmarks—had blinded problem in a world driven by Blackhawks executives. "content," and illuminates the Westhead’s exposure of the ongoing need for real journalism. organization indicated the Bringing this story to light lack of an ethics of care was the product of Westhead between teams and picking up a real phone to players. People didn’t contact real people and perform matter; winning hockey actual reporting. games mattered.

Westhead was not required Q u e n n e v i l l e , to pursue this story as one of the most fervently as he did.

•9

He could have taken the route of many other hockey "journalists’" and spent this summer writing about free agent signings and player power rankings. While those stories are fun to read, they don’t enact change.

Westhead’s work was rewarded through the attention his interview with Beach received.

The interview also provided an embarrassing moment for Sportsnet, a rival network, which was forced to air Westhead’s interview in its entirety, as none of their journalists were diligently following the story.

Westhead’s initiative and hard work provided much needed support for Beach, who was forced to suffer alone for over a decade.

It will also hopefully prevent other major sports teams from covering up incidents of sexual assault in the future.

Westhead’s deeply emotional interviews with Beach demonstrates the importance and impact of quality journalism in sports media.

Social media has given people instant access to news from across the world and these platforms are littered with so-called journalists.

As a result of this, the sports media landscape has transitioned to a point where attention and "clicks" are prioritized over important human-interest stories that can’t be adequately communicated via a TikTok—quality investigative journalism is often lost amongst the clickbait and highlight reels.

The fact that this scandal was covered-up for over a decade points to the need for more investigative journalism in sports.

Reporters like Westhead provide a critical service by unearthing meaningful stories that, while perhaps less conducive to the current media landscape, provide value to readers and incite changes.

Thankfully, last month Westhead got his due. His hard work was noticed by the masses and, most importantly, Kyle Beach’s story was told.

Davis is a first-year Master’s student in Environmental Studies.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DHARMAYU DESAI

10 • queensjournal.ca

Arts

ARTS

Friday, November 26, 2021

Muse releases 23rd issue Content is rooted in personal experiences and self-reflection Ben Wrixon Senior Arts Editor The 23rd issue of Muse comes out Friday, Nov. 26.

Since its inception in 2011, Muse has been an outlet for creatives at Queen’s.

The student-run magazine releases a print issue once per semester—the wide variety of topics covered includes fashion, writing, music, and visual arts.

Megan Fanjoy, editor in chief of Muse, spoke with The Journal about all the hard work that was involved in creating the newest issue.

“For a lot of people, they might see [the pandemic] as having stunted their growth or creativity, but what’s been amazing is to watch our team members truly rise to the occasion,” she said.

As a result, the work featured in Issue 23 is highly personal.

“I really tried to push [my team] to think about ‘what can we learn from our experiences?’ and for a lot of people, that’s meant a lot of reflection, whether it’s by themselves or with their roommates or their families if they were living at home.”

Issue 23 features 16 written articles ranging from serious to speculative.

Readers should expect to be challenged by moving pieces detailing writers’ personal experiences with religious trauma and sexual violence. Some of the more light hearted pieces discuss the fashion industry’s future and how TikTok is changing music.

“I think what you’ll find with our

23rd issue is that our writers are taking everything they’ve learned and reflected on within themselves, and [projecting that] onto the art,” Fanjoy said.

“Obviously, there’s a lot there, and there’s a lot of different content, but I think that really speaks to how thoughtful everyone on our team has been. It speaks to how much growth there has been, and how our writers are willing to step up to the plate.”

As editor in chief, Fanjoy oversees the publication’s 105 staff members who are split between five portfolios: business, marketing, the print team, the online team, and, of course, the creative team. Each of these subdivisions is led by a director.

“My five directors do amazing work to oversee all of our contributors, all of our writers, our illustrators, our creative assistants, creative directors, makeup artists, models—it truly is a whole production,” Fanjoy explained.

Issues of Muse had a centralized theme back in its early days. However, the publication has done away with thematic restrictions over the last few years.

“From what I’ve learned from past Editors in Chief and people involved with Muse is that sometimes [themes] are a bit of a hindrance to creativity,” Fanjoy explained. “[Now], the theme and cohesion within each issue emerge from the layout designers.”

Their process is working—Muse took home a silver medal last year in the “academic” category of the Canadian Online Publishing Awards.

SUPPLIED BY MUSE

The cover is visually striking.

Fanjoy said that Issue 23 has been pre-selected for consideration in both the academic and business-to-business divisions.

“It is a pretty big deal for those that are hoping to get into independent publishing,” Fanjoy said. “The experience that people

gain from working at Muse really does lend them to working the creative field postundergraduate.”

Free print copies of the 23rd issue will be available in January.

Follow Muse on Instagram to keep up with all their content.

Queen’s Players deliver humour-filled night

PHOTO BY SPENCER HENDRICKSON

Queen’s comedy group performs in-person for the first time in two years.

Players sold out six shows Mackenzie Loveys Assisstant Arts Editor The Queen’s Players cast, crew, and band gave a crowd of energetic students and alumni a night of laughter, live music, sketch comedy, and—of course—alcohol.

The Players returned to The Mansion to perform “A Car is Bourne III: No TAM to Die-ry of a Goopy Kid!” on Nov. 17-20 and 23-24.

Their show was in high demand. Overwhelming interest

caused The Mansion’s website to crash when tickets went up for sale, with all six shows selling out in just a few hours.

The show featured a variety of funny performances and raunchy jokes delivered by a cast of 12 Queen’s students who formed the eclectic “task force” of characters selected to steal a TAM—one of many integrations of Queen’s lingo into the production.

Each cast member was assigned the role of a well-known fictional character or pop culture icon, forming an unlikely group of hilarious personas who somehow complimented each other in strange yet seamless ways.

The show had plenty of pop culture references, from Gwyneth Paltrow’s infamous ‘Goop’ products, to James Corden’s career flops of Carpool Karaoke and Cats, and Fairy Godmother’s unhealthy relationship with her son in Shrek 2.

Cindy Co’s Frosh character delivered many relatable references to Queen’s culture that made the audience laugh and cringe, including the supposed rancid smell of Morris Hall and the awkwardly scripted self-introductions of O-Week.

The Kingston community also received several roasts, with references made toward the police

horses at homecoming and the huge eyesore that is the Burger King sign on Princess Street.

The cast and crew also couldn’t escape the jokes—many participated in a rap battle that playfully made fun of their fellow Players.

On the musical side, cast members performed their own monologues and solo covers ranging from “Like a Prayer”

by Madonna to “Kiss Me More”

by Doja Cat. As with all Queen’s Players shows, the focus was on comedy and drinking more than the storyline—made obvious by the

clearly drunk cast, crew, and band.

Spectators enjoyed this lively atmosphere. Many were eager to dance and sing along with the cast.

The performance carried on the traditions of audience interaction.

Spectators yelled “seamless” whenever a performer messed up or technical difficulties occurred.

Queen’s Players novices were also taught the importance of yelling “sing” when a song title was mentioned, and the meaning of “tarps off”—a cue for the cast to take off their shirts.

The audience was happy to attend such a spirited event, which gave the Players an enthusiastic, supportive crowd to entertain.

Arts

Friday, November 26, 2021

queensjournal.ca

• 11

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DHARMAYU DESAI

Themes of family are explored across all genres.

Exploring the meaning of family in fiction Four books that take on important relationships Anna Fouks Editorials Editor As a live-at-home Kingstonian, the end of exam season has always been awkward for me.

I’ve listened to my friends excitedly plan elaborate journeys to return to their loved ones. Meanwhile, my “elaborate journey” involves closing my laptop, descending a set of stairs, and hugging my mom in the kitchen.

Now that I’m half-done my last undergraduate year at Queen’s, I know around this time next year I’ll also be packing my bags, eager to return to my spot at the family dinner table.

I’ve always been curious about what is it that pulls us back to our childhood homes, even after we’ve started living independently on university campus.

The following books have offered me hints. Each includes its own interpretation of the meaning of family. I hope readers will find something on this list that reminds them of home.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee This three-generation family saga is set in Korea and Japan during the 20th century.

The story starts with Sunja Baek—pregnant at seventeen from a wealthy fish broker—and ends with her grandson coming to terms with his family legacy while trying to find a future in America.

The characters are splendidly fleshed out. As the Baek family struggles with assimilation in Japan, their story becomes one of loyalty and making sacrifices for their loved ones.

Here, family means support.

Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan In Of Bees and Mist, Meridia escapes her cold home by marrying Daniel at 16, then moves in with his family in hopes of finding a brighter future.

But all homes have their own secrets and rules.

As Meridia struggles to make peace with her mother-in-law, she reflects on her feelings for the mother she left behind,

wondering how she can make her own family secure.

The subtle presence of magic in the novel gives the prose its spark, weaving wonderfully with the characters’ emotions to show the reader the physical consequences of words and actions. In the world of Of Bees and Mist, magic can both heal and destroy.

Here, family means forgiveness.

A Field Guide to the North American Family by Garth Risk Hallberg As a “choose-your-own-adventure” type novella, each page in A Field Guide to the North American Family features descriptive entries of family values like “Optimism”, “Intimacy”, and “Security”, with accompanying illustrations.

The book can be read in order of the alphabetized entries, by picking the next entry based on primary cross-references, or by skipping randomly between the pages.

The narrative is different every time you open the book.

The result is a series of snapshots about two neighbouring families: the Harrisons and the Hungates. The novella documents the death of one of the families’ paternal figures, and the

events that came before and what comes afterward.

The moments within the book, though disjointed, paint a picture of sorrow and the struggle to understand life’s cruel turns. The connections between the family members are often unseen, but undeniably present, showing their strength at the toughest times.

Here, family means unity.

Good As Gone by Amy Gentry In Good as Gone, 13 year-old Julie is kidnapped from her home in the middle of the night. Eight years later, her mother, Anna, struggles with the lost hope of finding her missing child while trying to connect with her husband and youngest daughter.

Everything changes when a young woman appears and claims to be the missing girl.

Anna’s struggle to understand how time spent apart has turned her daughter into a stranger reminded me of how our parents can find us changed when we come back home after being away at school.

Mystery thrillers don’t usually devote much time to dissecting the meaning of family, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Here, family means acceptance.

Queen’s professors win Panorama Award Karen Dubinsky and Susan Lord widen students’ understanding of Cuba

Professors discuss their program.

Mackenzie Loveys Assisstant Arts Editor On Nov. 17, Queen’s professors Karen Dubinsky and Susan Lord were awarded the Panorama Award from the Canadian Bureau for International Education. The professors received the award for their work with the Cuban Culture and Society program, which they helped develop approximately 15 years ago.

Dubinsky, a Professor in the Department of Global Development and History, and

SUPPLIED BY QUEEN’S FILM AND MEDIA

Lord, a Professor in the Department of Film and Media, spoke to The Journal about the program’s success.

“I was just so pleased for the course, and really surprised because we know how many amazing courses there are [relating to] international education in Canada,” Lord said.

“I was really thrilled for the course to be recognized.”

The Cuban Culture and Society program is a course dedicated to teaching the history of Cuba from 1959 to the present, including

social and cultural challenges, successes, and innovations.

The course’s partnership with the University of Havana enables students to travel to Havana, Cuba to experience the city’s culture, art, music, architecture, and historic monuments.

“We bring filmmakers, artists, and musicians to the course when we’re in Havana,” Lord said.

“The students are able to get a sense of both the history and current conversations that artists are having about their country and about their society.”

The program has also brought Cuban philosophers, historians, sociologists, filmmakers, and musicians to Canada to interact with the Queen’s community.

“The work [our invited speakers] do tells us stories that are so moving, meaningful, and complicated,” Lord said.

“[The speakers generate] so much questioning and discussion about what it means for them to live in Cuba, if that’s where they’re still living, but also what it means to tell the story and history of a country and a society that has been under radical transformation for so many years.”

Dubinsky and Lord say the Cuban Culture and Society program has significantly evolved thanks to the establishment of strong professional connections.

“We go back every year, we maintain strong friendships and relationships with people,” Dubinsky said.

“We are sometimes able to invite people to come back with us and give talks at Queen’s.”

The course is meant to provide students with an understanding of Cuban history and culture through readings and film screenings.

The five-day exchange trip

serves as an opportunity for students to then explore the material in person.

“We take them by the hand and [they] get to go to the place that they’ve been learning about,” Dubinsky said. “It’s so satisfying to watch students respond to that as well.”

Much to the disappointment of Dubinsky and Lord, the program has been paused due to COVID-19. However, they’re hopeful it will return in the near future.

“The kind of learning that we do there is not just about Cuba, it’s also about our place in the world,” Lord explained.

“The students are often really amazed by how much they come back changed and able to see their own country in a different way.”

12 • queensjournal.ca

Women’s soccer caps 2021 with win over Cape Breton in U Sports Consolation Finals

Angus Merry Senior Sports Editor After dropping their first contest against MacEwan University last Thursday, the Queen’s Women’s Soccer team came back to finish in fifth place at the 2021 U Sports Women’s Soccer Championships after beating the tournament hosts, Cape Breton University, 3-0 on Sunday.

The match, the tournament’s consolation final, was a textbook shutout from this

year’s Gaels—with third-year striker Jenna Matsukubo and first year fullback Hannah Melchiorre leading the scoresheet. With the win, the Gaels finish their season as the fifth-ranked team in the nation and an OUA Championship to their credit. “[I’m] just super proud of our group,” Head coach, Dave McDowell, said in an interview with The Journal following Sunday’s game.

“We’ve won national championships and not played as

Sports

Friday, November 26, 2021

Gaels striker Christie Gray heading for a goal during Sunday’s win

The Gaels bested the U Sports Championship hosts 3-0 in their match on Sunday

well as we did this weekend.”

Although not an ideal result from what McDowell believes is one of his greatest teams he has ever coached, the Gaels fifth-place finish at the tournament comes with a 2-1 record at the championship—the only blemish being their firstround loss to MacEwan.

Speaking to that result, McDowell expressed his admiration of their opponent for capitalizing on what was their first national appearance in school

history, but he still maintains Queen’s was the better team.

“All credit to MacEwan who beat us in the first game and then went on to win the national title, but for us, through most of that game, we were very comfortable.”

Tied at 1-1 until the 81st minute of play, an unexpected push by a MacEwan forward resulted in a goal that ended up costing the Gaels the match nine minutes later.

Up for elimination in their following game—a contest against Acadia—the Gaels were able to

PHOTO BY CURTIS HEINZL

The Gaels celebrating a gained possession during Wednesday ‘s game

Queen’s topples Concordia in first round of Men’s Rugby Nationals Angus Merry Senior Sports Editor The Men’s Rugby Team returned to play on Wednesday evening, coming away with a 38-22 win over the Concordia Stingers in the first round of the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship.

With the victory, the Gaels head into the tournament’s winning bracket and are set to face off against the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday evening.

Head coach, David Butcher, spoke to The Journal post-game about his thoughts on the match.

“We knew Concordia would be really good. They’re very intense, they have great line speed, so we didn’t expect anything less from them,” he said.

True to Butcher’s word, the Stingers were a hard-fought team and gave the Gaels reason to be focused. At the call for halftime, Queen’s was up just two points, 14-12.

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY ATHLETICS AND RECRE�

Coming off a loss in the OUA championship on Nov. 6 against Guelph, Butcher believes the team’s play in the first half was reflective of the pressure they put on themselves to come out on top after an uncharacteristic loss.

“I think we were a little bit nervous,” he remarked.

“But then we went, started going through all the phases [in the second half], I thought we looked really good and I thought the boys bounced back really well.”.

After play resumed, the Gaels inhabited a more aggressive posture and proceeded to outscore the Stingers 24-10 throughout the game’s second half—ultimately securing a win that will place them in contest with the nationally ranked number one UBC Thunderbirds on Friday.

Musing on the prospect of facing a bona fide contender, Butcher mentioned that as therank-based underdogs, Queen’s is nonetheless looking

edge out the Axewomen with a 1-0 win after a round of penalty kicks, and in doing so punched their ticket for a possible fifth-place finish on Sunday. They were able to capitalize on the opportunity, dousing the Cape Breton Capers 3-0.

Looking back on the year, McDowell believes his squad boasted a characteristic ubiquity in their commitment to achieving high performance results, and he’s perfectly happy with the way they performed. Although they couldn’t seal a national title, the Gaels were nonetheless able to capture their first OUA Championship since 2015—no mean feat for a team with a predominantly younger roster.

“I think we’re pretty happy with what we did this year and would be quite happy to come back and do that all again,” he said.

“But we [are losing] some players who have had an incredible impact on our program both on the field and off the field […] I think for me, that’s the most pressing thing […] to make sure that we’re developing players to take their places.”

Gaels sting the Stingers 38-22, set to face first-ranked UBC on Friday forward to playing such an accomplished team. dharm“UBC have got to be the favourites. They’re a very, very good team. Huge pack. Play very confrontational rugby,” he said.

“I think we’ll look at our game, put a couple of tweaks in, but I think it’ll be a great game of Rugby.”

For more rugby coverage, visit queensjournal.ca/sports

Sports

Friday, November 26, 2021

queensjournal.ca

• 13

Former Gael, current Olympian Julie-Anne Staehli slows down to catch up with ‘The Journal’ Queen’s star cross-country alumnus sits down to discuss her journey from Queen’s to the Olympics, and what she’s learned along the way Natara Ng Assistant Sports Editor Even with years of race wins and success under her belt, numbers are only half the story for Olympian and Queen’s alum Julie-Anne Staehli.

Hailing from Lucknow, Ont., Staehli ran cross country and track for Queen’s from 2012 - 16.

Despite completing her degree in Health Studies, she was in a class all of her own as far as her performances were concerned.

Throughout her tenure as a Gael, Staehli became the first Queen’s athlete to receive five consecutive U Sports All-Canadian honors. In her first season, she was named U Sports Rookie of the Year, and she was also an OUA All-Star for each of her five seasons in the Golden Gael Jersey.

No stranger to medals, Staehli stood on the podium 12 times at both the OUA and National levels in her five years as a student athlete. In 2013, she won U Sports MVP after placing first overall at t h e National Championship.

Reflecting on her Queen’s career in an interview with The Journal, Staehli said it was a time when she could make mistakes and learn the hard lessons of her

sport—she looks back on those years humbly and fondly.

“I think it is pretty unique to have that time in your life where you’re around 18 to 24 year[s] old [and] you get to travel on weekends and go to races,” she said.

“I just soaked that all up.”

From a developmental standpoint, Queen’s was the launch point for Staehli’s running career.

Her success as a Gael planted the seed for a what became at first a figurative and then literal run at the Olympics.

“In university, of course, that’s when you start to meet more elite athletes and you get opportunities to travel and train and go to different places,” she said.

“That sort of opens these doors.”

After completing her undergrad, Staehli followed her passion for education and obtained a Masters in Sport Psychology from the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s.

Her research focused on how university coaches can orchestrate the success of a student athlete, a domain she had first-hand experience in and something she hopes to continue exploring in her future career.

“I think a big piece of it coming away was just resources and support, and how we manage the

stresses of that student-athlete lifestyle,” she explained.

Much of Staehli’s own success was shaped by Steve Boyd, Queen’s former cross-country head coach and Staehli’s decade-running personal mentor.

Looking back, she recalls a piece of advice Boyd gave her years ago that resonates with her to this day, “I think, maybe my third year or fourth year, he had said to me, ‘I just want you to be healthy and happy, and then running fast. In that order,’” she said.

“I think it just saved me at that point.”

Those same words inform Staehli’s own piece of advice for others hoping to run at an elite level.

“I think the big takeaway is just enjoying it before success,” she said. “If you’re enjoying what you’re doing, the success will follow.”

Turning to the Olympics, Staehli said she was on a path to Tokyo 2020 rather unexpectedly during her post-collegiate career.

“It was always this thought I had of ‘Okay, it is possible, but there’s certainly a lot of things that have to fall into place in order for that to happen.’”

After running the 5,000 meters under the Olympic standard three

times, Staehli found out from Athletics Canada that she had been selected to compete in Tokyo from an Instagram post, of all things.

“It was just a wave of emotion because I think all have that nervousness and adrenaline and excitement and this build up, all of that had just sort of left me,” she said on finding out about her selection.

At the Olympics, Staehli raced the 5,000 meters and came 17th in her heat, placing just shy of the top 15 who advance to the finals.

Staehli said it was tough walking away from the stadium that day, but she remained proud of her effort.

“When I stepped off that track, I was proud of how I performed on that day. It wasn’t my best moment, but it was the best [experience] that [I’d ever] had.”

“One of my roommates had given me really good advice. She said, ‘Just enter into the stadium before you get onto the start. Take a moment to take it all in, because you won’t remember anything from the race. But you’re going to remember that moment of just stepping into that stadium.’”

Evidently, lessons learned from running have spilled over into other aspects of Staehli’s life.

Not only has running taught her how to work hard,

maintain consistency, and have conviction, but also how to keep her head above water when things get difficult.

“That’s the essence of running.

You go out and you run and then tomorrow you do the same thing and then the next day you go out again, and it continues and it’s getting through and figuring out how you’re going to be able to do that,” she explained.

“I think that translates to any craft, any career.”

Staehli, who has been sponsored

by New Balance for the past five years, signed her first professional running contract with a Boston based team immediately following this year’s Summer Games. She is currently training with them in the US as she sets her sights on Paris in 2024.

Being immersed in the world of elite running, Staehli emphasized how crucial it is to see worth and value outside of what’s being done on the track—to have other pieces of life to love and lean on, especially when navigating injury or mental setbacks.

“No matter your performance, your value as a person does not change your worth […] At the end of the day, it’s who you are as a person and that’s nothing to do with the numbers.”

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY JULIE-ANNE STAEHLI

Lifestyle

14 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, November 26, 2021

LIFESTYLE

Adele’s ‘30’ is an album I can listen to with my mom

'30' captures love in various forms.

Analyzing why ‘30’ is such a good listen Asbah Ahmad Assistant News Editor 30 reminds me of why I fell in love with Adele in the first place.

On Nov. 19, Adele released her new album, 30, after a six-year hiatus. Following the 2015 release of her critically acclaimed album 25, 30 continues to cement Adele’s legacy of powerful vocals and bold storytelling.

ILLUSTRATION BY DHARMAYU DESAI

Over the years, Adele’s music has allowed me to connect with my loved ones—particularly my mother.

As an immigrant to Canada, my mom carries her Indian identity with pride and still listens to her favourite Bollywoodesque tunes from the 80s and 90s. She loves slow-paced, “meaningful” music.

Adele’s 25 was a turning point for us, marking the first time my mom and I could connect over music in a meaningful way. In the months leading up to my move to Kingston, listening to “Hello” and “River Lea” was a way for us to accept

the impending change in both our lives.

30 is about change, metamorphosis, and finding yourself. My relationship with my mother aside, I think 30 is exactly what I need right now.

The album emphasizes being authentically yourself while still trying to figure out what authenticity means. 30 may be rooted in heartbreak, but it’s about so much more than one singular theme.

In “My Little Love,” Adele’s relationship with her son is central, and the song is grounded in motherly love. For obvious

reasons, the song hits home for me.

The lyrics “I feel so bad to be here when I’m so guilty,” express the songwriter’s feelings about divorce, emphasizing how a traumatic event like divorce impact both her individual journey and the journey of her son.

The chorus of the song beautifully illustrates how reconciling one’s past causes moments of great despair. Adele sings, “I feel very paranoid, I feel very stressed.”

Adele’s vulnerability is important because she normalizes the fact that just because you have

friends, a coping mechanism, and a support system, it doesn’t mean you can’t feel lonely and dejected.

Another personal favourite of mine is “I Drink Wine,” a gospel and R&B pairing. Adele rhymes out, “so I hope I learn to get over myself, stop trying to be somebody else,” showing us that we need to limit comparisons to unattainable standards and let go of judgment.

Finally, Adele closes the album with one of her strongest tracks, “Love is A Game.”

The opening reminds me of a movie from the 50s—and Adele’s unique vocal range shines through.

Her delivery is superb.

“Love is A Game” concludes 30 on a high note, and is in direct contrast to the opening track, “Strangers By Nature.” Adele has reflected on her growth and she’s ready to call out her past hesitancies.

I’ve heard a lot of criticism about 30—many have described it as “novel-like” and difficult to belt out—but I think storytelling is the album’s main strength.

This is an album you can listen to and connect with another person. It's an album filled with reflection and sentimentalism.

30 has the potential to transcend generational lines, like many of Adele’s pieces—her universality is a true marker of powerful song writing.

30 is inherently an album about love in different forms. Mom, I miss you, and I can’t wait to listen to this album together.

Unpacking the ‘written by a woman’ TikTok trend

Why I let go of my expectations for an idealized partner

Madeleine McCormick Assistant Lifestyle Editor A recent TikTok trend celebrates real-life men who are "written by a woman" and criticizes women who are "written by a man."

This trend is inspired by fictional characters from books and films, characters women writers have crafted as male protagonists or love interests and are the embodiment of an ideal man.

Think Timothee Chalamet in Little Women, Henry Golding in Crazy Rich Asians, and John Krasinski from The Office—sweet-hearted, respectful characters you would want to bring home to your family.

TikTok has adopted these terms to celebrate men who meet every checkpoint for a women and simultaneously to critique women who change the way they act to cater to men.

A man "written by a

ILLUSTRATION BY DHARMAYU DESAI

There is no ideal romantic partner.

woman" can be understood as a product of the "female gaze.”

This character is typically tall, handsome, introspective, apologetic, and respectful towards his mother. He’s the kind of man who you can introduce to your parents and who will give your friends relationship advice. He shows up on time for dates, expresses his feelings eloquently, listens earnestly, and hates golf.

On the other hand, a woman "written by a man" is unbelievably

beautiful, endlessly laid back, knows about sports, and can shotgun a Bud Light like it’s nothing. She can hang with the guys, but also has a perpetual air of sexual allure.

You may recognize these traits as evocative of the "pick-me girl" trope, which also garnered popularity on TikTok a few months ago.

As a young adult, I used the characteristics of pick-me girls and soft boys as reference points for my ideal relationship.

I thought these meticulously curated, idealized roles would let me finally achieve a love story that would make Jane Austen proud.

In my first mature relationship, I was shocked to learn that the same person who made time for my family and friends and listened to me earnestly also made mistakes and actually enjoyed playing golf.

I was equally refreshed to learn that my partner didn’t expect me to sensually prepare

a French pressed coffee in a silk nightdress with my hair in a perfect updo—I could just throw in a K-Cup in my plaid pajama set instead.

I quickly found that understanding and loving a partner for their complexities and imperfections was vastly more fulfilling than the Ryan Gosling-Jude Law hybrid character I’d formulated in my head since the seventh grade.

Equally as comforting was realizing someone would accept me without being disappointed that I wasn’t Margot Robbie from The Wolf of Wall Street.

Once I came to this realization and let go of my idealized expectations, I was pleased to find my relationship exponentially improved. I stopped being disappointed by the inane standards I’d developed in my head.

While there are certainly aspects of the "written by’" characters that are beneficial and important, like showing up on time and being respectful, I’ve learned that bringing unrealistic, predetermined standards into a relationship serves no one.

Lifestyle

Friday, November 26, 2021

Ranking places I’ve cried on Queen’s campus

What’s the best spot to have a breakdown?

1. Cogro Since second year, Cogro has been my go-to coffee shop to work—and cry—at. As a former cash employee, I’m a little biased,

4. Upper Year Seminar

for my exchange in Northern Ireland Sarah Brodmann Contributor It’s been a dream of mine since high school to study abroad.

Now, I’m preparing to go on exchange at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. While this is a really exciting time for me and many others who will be going on exchange in the winter, it is also quite stressful—and feeling lost and confused seems to be the norm.

Everyone I’ve spoken to who has gone on exchange with Queen’s has given me the same feedback: exchange is an incredible opportunity that should be taken advantage of, if you have the privilege to do so.

I know I’m going to have a wonderful time and I’m grateful to have this experience, but preparing to move across the ocean alone for several months has proven to be overwhelming.

To prepare for exchange, I’ve been researching courses to take at my host university. This has been exciting since I’ll be able to take courses that are unavailable at Queen’s, such as ‘The Archeology of Historic Ireland.”

I’ve also been browsing

ILLUSTRATION BY DHARMAYU DESAI

From Cogro to upper year seminars.

but Cogro’s energy has always been incredibly relaxed.

Because Cogro obviously passes the vibe check, it was undoubtedly the best place for me to have my first breakdown of the year.

The people working around me were the perfect combination of well-dressed and non-judgmental.

I only shed a few tears, but the two girls who did see immediately looked away and started talking about which seasonal drink they

Preparing for my biggest adventure yet—a semester abroad How I’m planning

• 15

seeing a flood of business students in suits come down those dreaded stairs as you’re trying to hold in a sob is slightly terrifying.

Other than judgmental glances and too many briefcases to count, the biggest downfall of crying at Goodes is that you won’t get your coffee order quickly, and you’ll have to interact with other students as you try to decipher whose vanilla latte is whose.

Alysha Mohamed Senior Lifestyle Editor For the past few weeks, I’ve felt the existential dread of graduation creeping up my spine.

I’m an overachiever who has never not had a plan—and for the first time in my life, I feel completely and utterly lost. My newfound anxiety had led me to a few embarrassing breakdowns on Queen’s campus. And, because I won’t stop listening to “20 Something” by SZA and “Nothing New” by Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers, I know more tears are coming.

Here's my comprehensive list, from best to worst, of places I’ve cried on campus.

queensjournal.ca

accommodation options since I hope to live in residence.

Most host universities will guarantee you a spot in residence, which seems to be the best option if you want to meet other students.

The local transportation in Belfast is also very accessible, as with most cities in Europe, and there are many options for travelling by train or bus.

My favourite research to do is for sightseeing options in Belfast

were going to order.

Another plus of having a breakdown at Cogro is that there’s a cheddar top secret waiting for you when you’re done.

2. Stauffer Library Crying at Stauffer is dehumanizing, but because it’s so normalized, you won’t feel out of place. I had a little anxiety attack a few weeks ago that culminated in tears that would not stop flowing for 10 minutes, regardless of the fact I was on the third floor of the library during one of the busiest study sessions I’ve seen all year.

I strangely felt that it was my rite of passage to cry at the library before graduating from and Northern Ireland, but I’ve also been creating a packing list, booking flights, and finding someone to sublet my room in Kingston.

The list is extensive, and I still have more to do to be fully prepared.

Once I arrive in my host country, I will also have to think about cell phone and banking, since the currency is different. On top of all this work is the added complicating layer of COVID-19.

Although vaccinations are helping in keeping people

Breaking down the planning process of exchange.

Queen’s—so I can check that off my bucket list and hopefully never experience it again.

My saving grace was the fact that everyone was too consumed by their own stress to pay any attention to me. I was invisible in the best way possible, making the breakdown embarrassing, but not too embarrassing to laugh off the next day.

3. Goodes Hall Starbucks If there is one place I feel judged on campus, it’s the Starbucks in Goodes Hall. The line is always out the door—regardless of whether you want a coffee at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m.

I’m not going to feed into the stereotypes of Commerce kids, but safe, rising case numbers are worrisome for students hoping to leave for exchange in January.

If rising case numbers don’t affect our ability to leave, I’m worried about travel restrictions and whether restrictions on campus will make it difficult to make friends. I’m also hoping we aren’t forced to come home early like some were in 2020.

Since they are out of my control, I try not to think about these concerns too much. Instead, I’m focusing on the things I can do to prepare for exchange, as well as making sure I enjoy the final part

The absolute worst place to have a breakdown, surpassing even the toxic energy from the Goodes Starbucks, is in an upper-year seminar.

I want my peers and professors to see me as the intelligent, academically driven young woman that I am. To me, even one tear shed in the back of a seminar undermines the nuanced points I’ve made in every other class.

Because arts seminars in fourth year are usually around 15 people, there’s no escaping the constant perception of others. The fact that I was masked and my only visible features were my big eyes, welling with tears, only made my vulnerability more pronounced.

If you’re on the cusp of showing emotion and have a seminar approaching, my advice is to skip the class and wait it out in the comfort of your own home—with a pit stop to Cogro for a much-needed slice of cake first.

of this semester at Queen’s.

Although I realize I’m very lucky to be stressing over something like going on exchange, it’s still important to take care of myself.

Talking to others who are going through the same process is really comforting, and I’m looking forward to living on my own in a new country and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

I think that exchange will give me the chance to become more sure of myself and my abilities, and doing so in a setting as beautiful as Northern Ireland is going to be incredible.

ILLUSTRATION BY VIOLETTA ZEITLINGER FONTANA

Lifestyle

16 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, November 26, 2021

POSTSCRIPT

PHOTO BY SPENCER HENDRICKSON

Cassidy on navigating a nuanced relationship with her hometown.

Parting with my roots is more difficult than I expected

There will always be a little bit of the County with me Cassidy McMackon Opinions Editor

In April of 2019, I moved back to Prince Edward County for the final time.

That summer, I settled into the spare bedroom of my aunt’s apartment, which was filled with nothing but a mattress on the floor, a suitcase full of clothing I had yet to put into a closet, and a fake Christmas tree that was meant to supplement the lack of overhead lighting in the room.

the day I left, I took " Ona wordless car-ride with my mom before she dropped me off on the porch of my new house.

The next day, I was ready to settle back into my typical County routine of working two serving jobs before heading back to Queen’s at the end of the summer.

By the time August finally rolled around, I was tired and ready to say my final goodbyes.

Returning home for the summer has always been lucrative for me, but this time I was met with the undue stress of navigating some very strained family relationships. The familiar space I inhibited was associated with the turbulence of my home life,

which had long tainted my view of my hometown.

On the day I left, I took a wordless car-ride with my mom before she dropped me off on the porch of my new house. I was holding the same bags I brought with me just months earlier.

turning the key " Upon in the lock, I made a conscious decision to not look back.

I waited to unlock the front door until I knew she had gone; I wanted this new space to be free of any tension between us. Upon turning the key in the lock, I made a conscious decision to not look back. I needed to cut the ties of toxic relationships, and in doing so, I elected to simultaneously say goodbye to the place I felt them the most.

However, two years later, I find myself yearning to be in better touch with my hometown roots. *** I hated my hometown growing up.

I was your typical angsty kid in high school, eager to carve my own path in the world. I thought I belonged roaming the streets of Montreal or Toronto, taking the Metro or TTC to and from the city centre.

Instead, I rode a big yellow school bus every day from Cherry Valley, the village where I lived, into Picton, the town where my high school was. I didn’t belong in

the cycle of school, part-time jobs, and the same group of people who didn’t understand me.

I certainly didn’t feel like I belonged in my mom and step-dad’s house.

Bound to a strict, daily 10 p.m. curfew, I would return home to retreat to my basement bedroom, bumping my head on the low ceiling and maintaining my privacy only thanks to a curtain I had pinned over my bedroom doorframe.

The few nights I spent at home were tense.

Dinners were largely wordless, and my mom and step-dad spent most of their time confined to their office, far away from myself and my younger brother. Any positive stories I shared would be met with snide remarks, while shortcomings would be met with immense criticism.

As a high school student attempting to finance my own university education, I spent a lot of time working.

My step-dad loved to berate me by pointing to the delicate nature of my routine. He also loved to point to the burden I put on my mom by having these goals.

Her consistent silence in these conversations signified, both to my step-dad and myself, solidarity with his ideas.

In the time that "followed my final

departure from home, I created a beautiful life for myself.

The more I languished in the loveless space I was thrust into,

the more important it became for me to leave. I made it a habit to pick up as much work as I possibly could, maximize time with the few friends I had, and keep my head down at home as much as possible.

By the time I was in undergrad, leaving the County to come to Kingston was a breath of fresh air.

Despite only being an hour’s drive away, my world opened up.

I felt I had the space necessary to cultivate an identity I would be proud to carry into adulthood. *** In the time that followed my final departure from home, I created a beautiful life for myself.

I adopted two cats. I nurtured friendships. I flourished in school and extracurriculars, found an immense passion for writing and revelled at the thought of pursuing graduate studies. I took great pleasure in living in a more urban setting, though Kingston isn’t quite to scale with the cities I’d initially set my hopes on.

Even more impressive—to myself, anyway—I survived a global pandemic as a self-sufficient woman.

The separation I’d achieved allowed me to flourish in ways I didn’t know I could. I appreciated Kingston, felt a more comfortable grasp on my own independence, and could navigate the world around me without being completely constrained by discomfort.

Despite the separation I’ve so thankfully achieved, parts of me are nostalgic for what I’ve left behind.

My hometown provided me with a lot of trauma, but there are

many parts of it that are deeply ingrained in me and that I love very much.

Every time I make use of any shortcuts I’ve learned when running late to a meeting, it reminds me of the ways my friends would navigate downtown Picton in the middle of summer, trying to avoid the congested traffic. When I hear early 2010’s country music, I’m nostalgic for my high school job at Sobey’s where I worked with one of my best friends.

When I came to miss "certain aspects of my

former home, I felt I was cheating on my desire to be free of the place.

This nostalgia initially came as a shock to me. I spent so much time thinking about moving on from the County that when I came to miss certain aspects of my former home, I felt I was cheating on my desire to be free of the place.

When I was about to graduate from high school, one of my favourite teachers told me that no matter how far I made it away from home, I would feel a pull to come back. Though I laughed when she originally told me this, I understand it now.

Prince Edward County was a place where I felt lost, confused, and unloved, but I’ve come to terms with it also being the place that shaped a large part of my identity.

No matter where I move in the future, I think there will always be a little bit of the County with me, and that’s okay.