Queen's Journal, Volume 147, Issue 7

Become a contribu tor : Wr i t e , e d i t, photograph.

the Queen’s University

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journal

Volume 147, issue 7

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Friday, September 27, 2019

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

since 1873

Before divesting, AMS held stake in Canada’s largest emitters Society relinquished investments in oil sands giants, including Suncor, Imperial Oil Sydney Ko, Carolyn Svonkin Journal Staff

The AMS announced on Monday it had completely divested from holdings in companies that produce, transport, and dispense fossil fuels, becoming the first student government in Ontario to do so.

“This is meant to serve as a message and send a message to our industries, to our leaders, to our university, to our community, that students need to see action,” William Greene, AMS vice-president (University Affairs), said in an interview on Wednesday.

According to a statement sent to The Journal on Tuesday, in the year leading up to divestment, seven per cent of the Society’s equity investments were in oil and gas.

After repeated requests for a breakdown of the Society’s oil and gas holdings, the AMS provided a snapshot of investments it held at the time the final decision to divest was made.

The snapshot shows investments in 20 oil and gas companies, and a bond in one.

The companies include Canadian Natural Resource, Ensign Energy Services, Husky Energy, Imperial Oil, Precision Drilling, Suncor Energy, ARC Resources, Enbridge, Inter Pipeline, Keyera, Peyto Exploration, Prairiesky Royalty, TC Energy, Tourmaline Oil, CNOOC, EOG RES, Hong Kong and China Gas, Schlumberger, Chevron, Concophillips, Halliburton Company and Alberta Mtn. Prior to divestment, the AMS held interest in both the largest independent natural gas and heavy crude oil producer in Canada, Canadian Natural Resource, and the s econd-largest Canadian producer of oil, Suncor Energy.

The Society also held an investment in Imperial Oil, which The Journal reported finances more research at Queen’s than Canada’s ten largest fossil fuel companies combined. The company also holds the top spot among Canadian fossil fuel companies for donations provided to Queen’s.

On Sept. 24, the day after the AMS announced divestment, Ensign Energy

Students and residents rally for annual march.

PHOTO BY JODIE GRIEVE

Survivors share stories at Take Back the Night

PAGE 3.

As more than 700 plan to Medical attend, Queen’s won’t close students to for climate strike open clinic As hundreds prepare to gather on campus for Friday’s climate strike, Queen’s will not be closing its doors.

In a statement to The Journal, the University confirmed it wouldn’t cancel classes or cease operations to “facilitate participation” by students in the day’s strike.

“In part, this decision was made in recognition of the challenges an arbitrary cancellation might impose on individual instructors or programs recognizing some programs may already face scheduling pressures or challenges,” the University said.

The statement added that faculty members retain the ability to cancel classes or arrange accommodations for students wishing to participate in the strike.

“The University is committed to taking strong actions on sustainability and has been doing so for years; we recognize more can always be done and we are working diligently towards that end.”

As of Thursday night, 722 students responded to the strike’s Facebook event saying they will attend Friday’s protest, with more than 1.2K indicating their interest in attending.

–Raechel Huizinga

See divestment on page 5

Clinic would be the first of its kind in Kingston with an extra line, or two perhaps Luca Dannetta Assistant News Editor

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

A group of second-year Queen’s medical students are working to create Kingston’s first student-run free health clinic.

The students plan to call the clinic QMedCare, and will seek to provide free health screenings and basic medical care to any resident in Kingston, regardless of their citizenship status or government documentation.

In an interview with The Journal, QMedCare executives, Adam Gabara, Minnie Fu, and Valera Castanov, said the primary goal of the clinic will be providing care to vulnerable populations, like immigrants, refugees, the homeless, and socioeconomically disadvantaged Kingston residents.

“These people don’t have family doctors, they See clinic on page 5

IN THIS ISSUE: A notorious prison revisited, p. 6, Student talks green innovations in Canadian oil, p. 8, Women’s soccer wunderkinds making waves, p. 11, How to have a hot girl year, p. 14. queensjournal.ca

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News

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Friday, September 27, 2019

University moves forward with plan to limit shots at campus pubs Despite AMS efforts, limitations could still be set for shots at campus pubs Luca Dannetta Assistant News Editor Updated for the first time since 2012, the University has published a draft of the campus alcohol policy, which currently seeks to limit the consumption of shots at campus pubs and during popular drinking periods like Homecoming and St. Patrick’s Day. Published on Sept. 23, the new policy outlines changes to the sale, service, and advertising of alcohol on campus.

Despite concerns raised by the AMS Executive, the new policy will include limitations to the sale and consumption of shots.

The policy stipulates that shots be limited

to one per consumer, per transaction, and shall not be served “back to back” without a “reasonable timeframe” between service, suggesting 30 minutes as an appropriate wait time.

In a previous interview with The Journal, William Greene, AMS vice-president (University Affairs), said he was concerned limiting shots at campus bars would push students to more “dangerous” drinking establishments in the Hub. “It has always been our view that we University releases draft of alcohol policy. have the necessary restrictions in place to provide an atmosphere that is both safe and University is seeking to impose with the provides students with choice,” Brendan updated policy.

Robson, AMS director of communications According to the draft, shots won’t be wrote in a statement to The Journal on served on campus during “peak periods Sept. 26. of alcohol consumption,” including The statement also said earlier iterations Homecoming weekend and St. Patrick’s Day. of the policy limited customers to one Further limitations on the sale and total shot per customer, per visit at any service of alcohol include prohibiting the campus pub, and that the new “reasonable sale of pitchers of beer to less than two timeframe” limit reflected the outcome of customers, prohibiting the sale of hard successful negotiations with the University. liquor by the bottle, and a limit of two A timeframe for consuming alcoholic beverages per order, per customer. shots is not the only limitation the The policy will also require on-campus facilities to provide and advertise free non-alcoholic beverages for individuals who identify as a designated driver.

A further AMS concern, as stated by Robson, is the policy’s requirement that Orientation Week events for all students be dry and substance-free, and that any on-campus or off-campus sanctioned events are not permitted to provide, serve, or encourage the consumption of alcohol.

The Society’s statement expressed concern that the policy would also impose a “dry” week for graduate students and NEWTS. “We advocated for NEWTS week to remain as is, as there is one event where students who are of age have the option to consume alcohol.”

Additionally, the Society’s statement

Queen’s asks: Who gets to be a doctor?

School of medicine introducing mandatory education about 1918 colour ban Raechel Huizinga News Editor This October, 107 first-year medical students will spend three hours learning about the racist history of Queen’s School of Medicine.

‘Who gets to be a doctor?’ is a module the

Mandatory education will begin in October.

Queen’s School of Medicine is integrating into one of its required first-year courses, Introduction to Professional Roles.

After Edward Thomas, current associate director of the MacDonald Institute, presented the University’s Senate with historical information about a 1918 colour

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

ban that prohibited Black medical students from being admitted to the School of Medicine last year, the Commission on Black Medical (CBM) students was established.

The CBM promised to educate first-year medical students about the effects of the racist policy.

Jenna Healey, Hannah Chair of the History of Medicine, told The Journal the module will explore both past and present effects the colour ban has had on both Queen’s as an institution and on its students.

“Sometimes you just learned something that happened in the past, and you can be like, well, that happened a long time ago and it has no bearing on what’s happening now,” Healey said. “When I teach history, I want to be very conscious of making that connection to the present explicit.”

Drawing on Thomas’ research, Healey has been working with Dr. Mala Jonejo, chair of the Commission, to develop the modules over the past eight months.

Approved in June, Healey said the first online hour of the module will review the 1918 colour ban itself, as well as the political context during that time at Queen’s. The following day, there will be a two-hour class session.

During the first hour, Healey said students will examine four case studies about exclusions in medical admissions.

The second hour will focus on current

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

reflected concerns regarding restrictions on graduate student alcohol consumption at sanctioned Orientation Week events.

“We are still concerned that graduate students, who are oftentimes ‘mature students,’ will not have the option of consuming alcohol at the various networking and social events designed to welcome them to their new home in an inclusive environment,” Robson wrote in the AMS statement.

The new policy also introduces minor changes to the advertising of alcohol and alcohol-related events or venues.

For example, the new policy prohibits the promotion of drink specials or promotions that explicitly encourage alcohol consumption. The old policy had a similar stipulation, but allowed those advertisements as long as they were “paired with food or menu choice.”

The updated policy will also require on-campus licenced facilities to submit an annual promotion plan for approval by the Liquor Licence Holder Delegate and prohibits advertisements which refer to the price of alcohol, unless they are posted inside a licensed area.

The comments period for the current draft of the alcohol policy will end on Oct. 8.

admissions policies at medical schools in Ontario.

“We really wanted to start brainstorming and thinking through various strategies that can be used to further diversify medical education,” Healey said.

She added students will be required to write a personal reflection following completion of the module.

According to Healey, the first-year students are not completing the modules until the end of October to avoid feelings of dismay about the profession so early in the semester.

“We wanted them to be forward-looking,” she said.

While the module is mandatory for first-year medical students, upper-year students are not required to undergo the program because they have already completed the Introduction to Professional Roles course.

Healey said the School of Medicine will be hosting a public symposium in the spring that will take a “similar approach” to providing all students or community members with educational information about the effects of the 1918 colour ban.

“Queen’s is always very proud of the accomplishments of its alumni,” Healey said.

“By removing the students they were asking to leave, our community’s poorer for it.”

News

Friday, September 27, 2019

queensjournal.ca • 3

“We need each other.”

Survivors of sexual violence stand and share their stories

Take Back the Night returned on Sept. 27.

PHOTO BY JODIE GRIEVE

Sydney Ko Assistant News Editor

After violating six different women, away today than it was a year ago. however, Kelly’s perpetrator was finally arrested and sentenced to eight years As drums boomed across the open area in prison.

“We’ve seen women’s rights of Confederation Basin, students and “If the seriousness of even one of these under attack from coast Kingston residents gathered to rally crimes was considered, this could have to coast, and today, we’re for Take Back the Night, an annual been prevented,” she said. “It’s also been doubling down on just not event protesting sexual and seven years since this happened and even accepting.

We’re pushing back.” domestic violence. though I lived with it every single day, I’m okay with it.”

“I know I did nothing wrong.”

—Brea Hutchinson,

executive director of the “I will always live with the Judy Munroe from the Kingston Sexual Assault Center Kingston memories and the fear he left Anti-Violence Advisory Council (KAVAC) also talked about her experience with sexual with me that cold morning.” assault and her journey to recovery.

“Often times, we like to think of history Munroe said she was hurt both physically as some kind of progression towards

—Sara Kelly and emotionally, and while physical

harms will heal with time, she said it’s important for people to “I was never an angel, but the behavior speak up about their emotional scars. that followed this attack was unbelievable,” “I took a while, but I didn’t shut my mouth,” Sara Kelly, a speaker at the Take Back the Night event, said on Thursday night.

“I will always live with the memories “I took awhile, but I didn’t shut and the fear he left with me that my mouth. So everybody here, cold morning,” Kelly told the crowd. we need each other. I need She was sharing personal details you.” of the sexual assault she survived in 2013. After the violence, Kelly said police

—Judy Munroe

“I know I did nothing wrong.”

—Sara Kelly

took little action on her case, and said an officer convinced her that because of an absence of video surveillance and physical evidence, she couldn’t file charges.

she said. “So everybody here, we need each other. I need you.”

This year’s theme for the event, “building and sustaining survivor communities,” was chosen by the Sexual Assault Centre Kingston (SACK).

Brea Hutchinson, executive director of SACK, said this year’s rally is different from the last because sexual violence is further

justice,” she said. “We’ve seen women’s rights under attack from coast to coast, and today, we’re doubling down on just not accepting. We’re pushing back.”

This year, the event didn’t have a sponsored charity, but other groups like Consensual Humans at Queen’s University, were present at the rally.

Maggie Whitmore (ArtiSci, ’20), co-leader of Consensual Humans at Queen’s, said the event has grown each year. She added it’s important that people, especially university students, participate in Take Back the Night.

“It’s extremely important to get the word out and talk about this,” she said.

News

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Friday, September 27, 2019

Campus security reports increased thefts, break and enters in University district Kingston crime mapping tool shows rash of reported incidents raechel huizinga

News Editor

39 reported incidents of theft, B&Es in September, University District.

KINGSTON POLICE CRIME MAPPING

From Aug. 27 to Sept. 26, there were 39 incidents of thefts and break-and-enters reported in the University District from Stuart St. to Queen St. In the month of August, there were approximately 34 reported incidents in the same area.

While there wasn’t a significant surge in thefts and break-and-enters in the district from August to September, the Kingston Police’s crime mapping tool shows the reported incidents are more centralized to the western portion of the University District, along Johnson St. Following an increase in students complaining of thefts and break-and-enters online, campus security tweeted a statement on Sept. 23.

“Campus Security and Emergency Services wishes to advise the campus community of an increase in late night breaking & entering of houses in the University District. Some of these reports indicate that the tenants were home at the time.”

Campus Security advised any students who witness suspicious activity in the University District to call Kingston Police at 613-549-4660, extension 2244, to file a report. journal_news@ams.queensu.ca

Approx. 34 reported incidents of theft, B&Es in August, University District. District.

AMS pursuing a medical amnesty policy Policy would protect students who report substance-related medical emergencies to authorities

AMS working towards medical amnesty policy.

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

KINGSTON POLICE CRIME MAPPING

carolyn svonkin

Assistant News Editor Officially announced at AMS Assembly on Sept. 19, the Society will pursue a policy of medical amnesty for Queen’s students who report substance-related medical emergencies to authorities.

The medical amnesty policy would aim to provide protection for students who seek medical attention as a result of illegal actions. Policies of this sort, which have been implemented at universities including Cornell University and Miami University, usually protect students from the repercussions of activities like underage drinking and use of illegal drugs.

“While students should be held accountable for their actions, they should also not be putting themselves or their peers in harm’s way to avoid punishment and maintain anonymity,” Brendan Robson, AMS director of communications, wrote in a statement to The Journal.

According to the statement, including medical amnesty in the Student Code of Conduct has been a goal of Team AJW’s since the beginning of their campaign. The Society’s aim is to encourage students to report medical emergencies regardless of the existence of illegal drugs or underage drinking, and protect them once they choose to report.

According to Students for Sensible Drug Policy, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the implementation of medical amnesty policies on university campuses worldwide, a full medical

amnesty policy is an “explicitly stated and publicized policy which protects victims, callers, and bystanders in alcohol and drug-related emergencies from legal or school sanctions.”

The Society added there will be a focus on harm reduction education over punishment.

The policy is supposed to ensure there are no reprisals for students who report medical emergencies, which the AMS said will make campus safer.

Vice-President (University Affairs) William Greene reported to Assembly on Sept. 19 that consultations were done with the director of campus security over the summer. “We have taken his comments back to the Queen’s Chapter of Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy,” Greene said.

They are hoping to have a full proposal to the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) before the end of the semester.

The process of drafting the proposal will be a collaboration between David Bath, commissioner of external advocacy, Lucas Borchenko, secretary of internal affairs, and Aaron Bailey, who started the Queen’s Chapter of Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

There will be consultations with all faculty societies.

Greene hopes for “full faculty society support.”

“Our goal is to move the needle towards harm reduction and student safety overall,” Greene said. journal_news@ams.queensu.ca

News

Friday, September 27, 2019

queensjournal.ca • 5

has been operating in Saskatoon since 2005, in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Castanov, executive director of QMedCare, said he had the idea to open a clinic in Kingston while visiting one at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), in Richmond, Virginia.

Physical therapy students from VCU opened the Community Accessible Rehabilitative Services Clinic in 2016 to provide free physical therapy services to uninsured and underinsured people in the Richmond area.

“I went in there to see the clinic, and the work that they do there is absolutely phenomenal,” Castanov said. “So the question was, why not in Kingston?”

When Castanov returned to Kingston, he presented the idea of a student-run health clinic for a collective class project. The class

“Especially if we have QMedCare students are working towards a student-run clinic.

Students working with Street Health to pursue clinic location, support Continued from front. don’t have health care coverage.

Where else do they have to turn to?” said Gabara, the group’s director of internal affairs. “Our aim is to kind of help fill that void for them.”

“There are people who don’t have health cards—maybe they’re visiting, maybe they’re here permanently and they haven’t gotten one yet, maybe they’re

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

are people who have just moved to a new location and they don’t have a family doctor yet,” Fu continued. “So if they want to see someone right away, their only option is sometimes to go into the emergency room.”

‘Why not in Kingston?’

The idea of a student-run free health clinic isn’t a new one.

A free walk-in clinic in Toronto called IMAGINE is staffed by homeless and lost their documents,” student volunteers from the Fu, director of external affairs, University of Toronto. It’s been explained. “There are people who operating in the Queen West have issues accessing healthcare neighbourhood of Toronto in the traditional way.” since 2010. With the support of The group emphasized the volunteer healthcare professionals, clinic is open to anyone who is students from the faculties of seeking care, and that the overall nursing, pharmacy, medicine, objective is to fill gaps in the social work, and physiotherapy existing healthcare system. provide care to patients with “Even people who do have a needs ranging from wound care to health card, sometimes family medication management. doctors are booked up. There A similar clinic called SWITCH

AMS has support and naysayers, executives say Continued from front.

“There were questions about financial returns, we ended up getting projections that the returns wouldn’t have changed.”

While the AMS has divested from companies in the oil and gas sector, the rest of the Society’s portfolio has remained largely the same. Greene said the AMS’ two priorities were to remain invested in Canadian companies and to maintain a relatively lower risk for the portfolio.

“We only have that one-year term, and we believe that leaders at every level need to step up and do all that we can to keep

pushing this needle forward towards a more sustainable future,” Pierce said.

Divestment has been on Team AJW’s agenda since the beginning of their campaign. In January, discussions about divestment were originally brought up at a meeting with Queen’s Backing Action on Climate Change (QBACC).

“Since January, we’ve been on a fact-finding mission,” Pierce said. “We’ve been finding out every single thing [about divestment] that we possibly can so we make the best decision for students.”

While Greene said the announcement has been met mainly with “overwhelming

support,” there are also naysayers.

“Professors are talking about this in the classroom, students are speaking about this on social media, in their residences, in their houses,” said Pierce. “This is exactly what we hoped, that people would start thinking about the environmental implications of our daily lives, because divestment isn’t always the best answer.

Divestment is just a piece of the puzzle.”

While the announcement received significant attention on campus, Pierce called it a “no-brainer.”

“It would have been financially irresponsible for us not to divest.”

the support of Kingston Street Health and the undergraduate medical office, I think it will come a lot quicker than that.”

—Adam Gabara, QMedCare director of internal

of 2022 voted on which project they would pursue, and QMedCare was selected.

Turning an idea into a reality

The QMedCare executives have been in contact with the Kingston Street Health Centre, a harm reduction clinic located on Barrack St., which has agreed to provide training, supervision and a physical space for their clinic to operate.

For now, the focus is on logistical and administrative tasks, like procuring the necessary resources and permits. The group hopes QMedCare could open its doors as early as the spring of 2020.

“Some of these clinics took a few years to start up, and I feel like we

have a lot [fewer] barriers,” Gabara said. “Especially if we have the support of Kingston Street Health and the undergraduate medical office, I think it will come a lot quicker than that.”

A win-win situation

The Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS), of which Queen’s is a member school, published a report in 2018 that found student-led health clinics can have a significant positive impact on their community.

According to the CFMS report, a number of studies demonstrated

“Some of these clinics

took a few years to start up, and I feel like we have a lot [fewer] barriers.”

—Adam Gabara, QMedCare director of internal affairs.

that clinical services provided at these clinics can be of equal or even greater quality than regular care, in many cases demonstrating a greater level of patient satisfaction, greater compliance, increased diagnostic accuracy, and fewer return visits.

The report also argued student-led health clinics can have a positive effect on the overall healthcare system, as they are cost-effective and decrease hospitalization rates.

At the same time, medical students are provided with valuable hands-on experience, the report explained. It suggests students participating in these clinics demonstrated improved clinical knowledge, collaboration skills, attitudes towards inter-professionalism, and increased comfort with underserved populations.

For now, the clinic remains a dream that has yet to be realized, but for the QMedCare executives, there is a massive opportunity.

“There’s a lot of potential,” Gabara said. “We’re hoping that we can capitalize on that.”

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Friday, September 27, 2019

Features

IN-DEPTH STORIES FROM AROUND CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMUNITY

For Kingston Penitentiary, a dark history revisited

The Kingston Penitentiary was the site of human rights abuses throughout the 20th century.

Concert roils divisions about prison’s legacy Andrew Schjerning Features Editor

Canada’s most notorious prison officially closed its doors on Sept.

30, 2013. Now, in 2019, questions surrounding the legacy of the Kingston Penitentiary have risen to a fever pitch.

The closure of the Kingston Penitentiary, previously known as the Provincial Penitentiary of the Province of Upper Canada, marked the end of a 178-year period for a prison notorious for hosting some of Canada’s most recognizable criminals. Wayne Boyden, Clifford Olsen, and Paul Bernardo were chief among them. However, the fame of its constituents isn’t the only thing people consider when discussing the legacy of the prison.

The prison no longer houses inmates. The grounds are now owned and operated by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, a subsidiary of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture. On Sept.

14, 2019, the prison hosted its first open air concert, titled “Rockin’ the Big House.”

The concert was organized by the United Way in collaboration with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. It featured a lineup of exclusively Canadian content, with acts like Headstones, The Trews, Kasador, and Tom Cochrane.

Members of the Tragically Hip were also on site as special guests.

More than 2,500 guests attended.

However, the concert also

sparked backlash from the community. As previously reported

by The Journal, the concert’s ethical standing was called into question when Queen’s PhD student Linda Mussell wrote a piece for The Conversation on Sept. 3, writing, “a prison is no place for a party.”

On Sept. 12, two days before the concert took place, local scholars, residents, and former inmates gathered in the JDUC Atrium for a teach-in to discuss the historical injustices committed by the prison and whether it was a fit location to host a concert.

“This is a party that is being hosted in a prison where many people suffered and lost their lives, and where the intersection between colonialism, capitalism, and incarceration is still very much part of our life now,” Lisa Guenther, a Queen’s University national scholar in political philosophy and critical prison studies, said at the event.

In an interview with The Journal, Jennifer McKendry, an architectural historian and Kingston resident, discussed the penitentiary’s controversial past.

During McKendry’s time as a doctorate student at the University of Toronto, she studied the history of the penitentiary as part of her thesis.

“Historically, the worst thing that happened was there was a rule of silence. The fact that once you entered and you couldn’t talk was devastating ... you can’t talk at all, and if you did you were punished,” she said.

According to McKendry, besides not being allowed to verbally communicate with one another, the prisoners were also restricted from exchanging physical gestures,

like nods or winks. Any breach of these rules was met with lashings from the guards. If breaches of rules were severe enough, inmates were often sentenced to solitary confinement.

While the prison sought to rehabilitate the inmates through these various punishments in order to make them fit to eventually re-enter society, McKendry pointed out the intentions differed dramatically from the results.

“It was supposed to be rehabilitation technique … some of the convicts actually went insane.

It probably was directly related to the inability to communicate,” McKendry said. “It’s very scary when social theory that we dream up as a society with the best possible intentions ends up with the opposite results.”

The mistreatment of adult prisoners was far from the only reason the penitentiary leaves behind a complicated legacy. In its earliest days, it held children as prisoners, with the youngest on record being eight-year-old Antoine Beauche. He was handed a three-year sentence for his role in a pickpocketing operation. During his sentence, Beauche was given 47 lashes for “offences of the most childish character.”

Beauche was not the only child imprisoned there in the 1900s. Others, like 12-year-old Elizabeth Breen, received a total of six “floggings” during her time there. 11-year-old Alex Lafleur suffered the same punishment as Breen, only instead for the crime of speaking in French.

The prison is also notorious for contributing to Canada’s legacy of mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. At the Sept. 12 teach-in,

University of Ottawa professor Justin Piché called the Kingston Penitentiary “Canada’s first colonial prison.”

Piché argued it contributed to efforts by the Canadian government to displace Indigenous peoples from their land and rob them of their culture.

According to McKendry, other humanitarian injustices occurred over the subsequent years. Poor conditions and abuse by guards led to three riots, occurring in 1932, 1954, and 1971 respectively.

While all three led to substantial damages to the prison and required the use of armed intervention to quell, the 1971 riot left the most lasting impact. In the course of four days, two inmates were killed, and six guards were taken hostage, though they were eventually released unharmed. Much of the prison was destroyed as a result.

But the mistreatment of prisoners didn’t end there. In 1989, a report written by the warden of the penitentiary labelled it as a “dumping ground for bad guards.”

According to the report, numerous guards in the prison were prone to terrorizing fellow guards and prisoners alike.

This led to an investigation in 1999 led by the RCMP which used inmates as paid informants.

The investigation, named “Correct Zero,” led to the eventual firing of seven guards who were found to be acting highly unethically. Two of the guards committed suicide before the results of the investigation were made public.

“These are deep humanitarian issues, and it does make you wonder if it is appropriate to have a rock concert in a place that was so devastating for so many

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY JENNIFER MCKENDRY

people,” McKendry said in an interview. “The question is, does it trivialize it?”

Despite this, McKendry recognizes why others might support using the prison as a place to host community-based events.

“I think the negative aspect is, it does trivialize it. It suggests you can have fun and play music in a place that was so terrible. However, if it does preserve money and interest in the site, then I support it.”

Instead of trying to gloss over the legacy the penitentiary leaves, McKendry argued we should maintain it for educational purposes and acknowledge it as part of Canadian history. To dismiss it, some say, would paint a dishonest picture.

“The fact that [injustices] happened is a very strong reason to preserve the buildings, the site, because as a society, we have to acknowledge that we didn’t always act towards an end result that was good,” McKendry said. “When you try to preserve historical buildings in general, people tend to think of city halls, churches, stores. If you do that, you ignore the other side of the coin, which are the penitentiaries and the insane asylums.”

McKendry said it’s important to acknowledge the role of the Kingston Penitentiary in a global context too, adding the institution contributed to a global prison culture that violated human rights.

“The penitentiary is of national importance. It’s not the Kington Penitentiary. It is a national, first-reform penitentiary in an international movement that started of f in France, and went to England, then North America. This is our contribution.”

Friday, September 27, 2019

queensjournal.ca

EDITORIALS

The Journal’s Perspective

THE QUEEN’S JOURNAL

Clinic no-show fees leave struggling students unsupported Ryerson isn’t alone: Queen’s Student Wellness Services operates on a similar policy. Our clinic asks that students cancel at least 24 hours before their scheduled appointment times.

If not, no-show fees range from $30 for a missed 10-minute physician appointment to $180 for longer psychiatry appointments.

These fees are significant, especially for students who often face financial constraints. If a student realizes they need to skip a same-day appointment, the cost could stick around as long as their medical concern does.

We l l n e s s Services’ Seeking medical justification for the or psychiatric exorbitant fees is based help as a on the “considerable delay student can be an in the provision of care” intimidating task. for the student in question, Campus healthcare as well as the “considerable resources don’t make that expense” to the clinic and its any easier by imposing healthcare providers.

ILLUSTRATION steep no-show fees But post-secondary schools’ on vulnerable students BY AMELIA RANKINE clinics shouldn’t rely on late fees as a sometimes forced to cancel significant part of their funding. appointments last-minute.

Universities need to Last week, The Eyeopener reported that compensate for losses from the Ryerson Medical Centre has raised its missed appointments in ways no-show fees drastically, with some going that don’t include taking money up to $150. But increasing the financial from afflicted students’ pockets. penalty for missed appointments doesn’t Most students understand the gravity stop students from cancelling; it discourages of a missed appointment. A costly low-income and at-risk students from fee isn’t a deterrent—it’s prohibitive. reaching out in the first place.

It could discourage students

from ever seeking help again.

Many school clinics leave students waiting for weeks before appointments are available. When students book that early, conflicts are bound to occasionally arise before the visit itself.

Student life is demanding and complicated.

Finding the balance between various practical commitments and unexpected health challenges can necessitate last-minute schedule changes.

Those reaching out for psychiatry appointments might find the day of their appointment coinciding with a difficult time for their mental health, which could prevent them from attending. These students shouldn’t be punished with a $180 fee for reaching out for help, even if they can’t follow through on their first try.

Given the significant wait times for appointments at university health services, those who miss appointments are likely as frustrated as the clinic—if not more so. If a student is forced to cancel on short notice, chances are it’s for reasons outside their control.

Punitive no-show fees for missed appointments deter students from seeking help from on-campus healthcare services.

Queen’s, and all post-secondary institutions, should do away with charging students for last-minute cancellations. They should focus on making their services more accessible and accommodating instead.

—Journal Editorial Board

Social media platforms need to do more to censor hate Andrew Schjerning The Internet is an excellent forum for sharing ideas—until hateful dialogue across social media leads to violence in the real world.

It’s time to hold websites accountable for censoring hate speech.

Social media is a wonderful connective tool. Websites permit the instant exchange of videos, pictures, and messages, bringing people together all over the world.

In a digital age, the Internet has also become a forum for debate. Sites like Facebook and Twitter are now primary platforms for passionate discussion.

Politicians use social media accounts to disseminate their values and rally supporters. Intellectuals and academics wield their profiles to condense complex information into bite-sized chunks for everyone to engage in.

And trolls, bigots, and the prejudiced are granted a platform to freely distribute harmful—and dangerous—rhetoric.

Hate speech on the internet is expressed in countless different ways. Blog posts, Facebook statuses, Tweets, and group chats have all become conventional means of spreading harmful ideas. Groups of various religions, ethnicities, gender identities, and sexual orientations are just a handful of those frequently under attack.

Thanks to social media, these hateful ideas have devastating real-world implications.

In Germany, studies found a direct link between anti-refugee Facebook posts and physical attacks on asylum seekers.

The 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooter was found to be heavily influenced by Gab, a social network notorious for its relaxed regulations around hate speech. In Myanmar, a United Nations investigation found that Buddhist nationalists and military leaders used social media to dehumanize Rohingya Muslims before engaging in a genocidal campaign against them.

It’s true some sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have strict hate-speech regulations to limit accounts engaging in such toxic rhetoric. But very few provisions exist to stop those whose accounts are deleted from creating new ones.

In an age of internet anonymity, often, creating a new email address with a fake name is enough to start up a brand-new profile. Without real accountability, online hate speech ultimately goes unchecked.

•7

Some argue digital hate speech is an unfortunate but unavoidable consequence of the freedom of speech granted by social media. However, this consequence is unacceptable: it puts the already-threatened lives of minority groups in further jeopardy.

Whether it’s requiring users to create accounts linked to government-issued ID or implementing more sophisticated user-identification software, social media platforms need to work harder to eliminate hate speech on their sites.

Online hate speech places vulnerable groups at risk. Social media platforms must be held responsible for censoring that content and reinforcing respect for those groups.

Andrew is The Journal’s Features Editor.

He’s a third-year Philosophy student.

Volume 147 Issue 7 www.queensjournal.ca @queensjournal Publishing since 1873

Editorial Board Editor in Chief Managing Editor Production Manager News Editor Assistant News Editors

Features Editors

Meredith Wilson-Smith Iain Sherriff-Scott Amelia Rankine Raechel Huizinga Luca Dannetta Sydney Ko Carolyn Svonkin Andrew Schjerning Rachel Aiken

Editorials Editor

Shelby Talbot

Opinions Editor

Aysha Tabassum Brittany Giliforte

Arts Editor

Pamoda Wijekoon

Assistant Arts Editor

Jack Rabb

Sports Editor

Alina Yusufzai

Assistant Sports Editor

Ally Mastanuono

Lifestyle Editor

Tegwyn Hughes

Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Tessa Warburton

Photo Editor

Jodie Grieve

Assistant Photo Editor

Jonathon Fisher

Video Editor Assistant Video Editor

Lauren Thomas

Copy Editors

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Contributing Staff Staff Writers Samantha Fink Claudia Rupnik Contributors Emily Elliott Nathan Gallagher Madeleine Henry Saskia Kemsley Chris Kitchen Simone Manning Jeff Misner Connor O’Neil Hannah Willis Ben Wrixton

Business Staff Aidan Chalmers

Business Manager

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PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

8 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, September 27, 2019

OPINIONS Society needs oil and gas, and Canada needs to provide it Your Perspective

Chris Kitchen explores the benefits of taking advantage of Canadian oil reserves.

Our society urgently needs to address the climate crisis, and a big part of that solution involves using Canada’s abundance of oil and gas.

Most people see “oil and gas” as dirty words, whether at Queen’s or on campuses across the continent. But in my view, that stigma warrants a closer look.

First, let’s put the industry in context.

Canada has the third-largest oil reserves in the world and is the fourth-largest oil exporter. Our oil and gas also amount to around 15 per cent of Canada’s total exports.

Altogether, the industry employs hundreds of thousands across the country and supports government services in every province.

Oil and gas are good for Canadians.

Any negative views you still hold warrant an update.

If you compare the top 10 oil exporting nations, you’ll find Canada not only has the most stringent environmental regulations, but the highest standards for transparency, equality and worker safety.

Additionally, the oil and gas industry is the largest national spender in Canada on environmental protection. Many of Canada’s successful clean tech projects—including research and development around solar, wind, geothermal or carbon capture technologies—are supported by oil and gas players like Enbridge, Suncor, and CNRL. These projects nod to Canadian

renewable energy’s proud history, which continues to hold promise as the best way to achieve climate-friendly power generation.

However, it’s crucial to understand that renewables currently only account for five per cent of global energy consumption.

When it comes to reliable and plentiful power, not all energy is created equal.

For the foreseeable future, our only hope is to rely on oil and gas, though it’s up to us to ensure we do so in the greenest way possible.

While coal-fired energy is still king globally, continued Canadian innovation and environmental regulation in oil and gas should place Canada at the forefront of the global energy industry.

We are innovating here in Canada, as evidenced by the findings of a recent Science Magazine article. The piece found that conventional oil production waste gas flaring has increased worldwide since 2010.

This practice burns off gas that is released by pressure relief valves in the process of producing oil and gas, preventing harmful gas leaks.

Waste gas flaring hasn’t increased in Canada, however, due to technological innovations.

If Canada’s ability to minimize such flaring was adopted globally, greenhouse gas emissions per barrel would fall by 23 per cent.

The logic is clear: the world urgently needs to implement climate solutions, and

that extends to the energy we consume.

Renewable energies aren’t powerful enough for us to rely upon. If you concede that most of the world’s electricity is irresponsibly generated by cheap coal, then one of the most immediate and effective solutions to the problem is to substitute coal with cleaner natural gas.

However, Canada’s stringent environmental regulations don’t currently do enough for us, as we lack the pipeline capacity to make this happen across the country. Instead of transporting Canadian oil to meet energy demands in our country and abroad, we still import some of our oil from countries with inferior environmental and human rights records.

In fact, a 2019 National Bank Financial report featuring World Bank data stated 89 per cent of the world’s oil is supplied by countries where greenhouse gas emissions are completely unregulated.

By contrast, Canadian policy on greenhouse emissions reductions, environmental stewardship, and human and worker rights support the fact that Canada is a global energy leader.

Additionally, our country’s lack of pipeline capacity prevents Canadian product from reaching a global market, where it would achieve a competitive price. Instead, we sell our oil and gas at a deep discount— incurring peak losses of up to $3.3 million per hour to a single customer, the US.

“An iced green tea with a shot of lemonade and an everything bagel with top secret."

“A hummus sandwich on a cheddar bagel with honey mustard and lettuce instead of sprouts."

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

Canadians have a shared goal toward increased sustainable development. This includes those who work in, and are advocates for, the oil and gas sector.

Unfortunately, this information is largely left out of mainstream discourse.

Opposing viewpoints advocate for an abrupt end to fossil fuel development, while often failing to acknowledge there’s currently no feasible energy alternative to meet the existing demand.

It’s important to acknowledge that Canadians’ high quality of life is a direct result of our geological fortune and recent innovations to develop the oil and gas industry.

As consumers, we should all seek out credible information to understand more about where our energy comes from, and where it goes. We’re all beneficiaries of the oil and gas industry, yet most of us still fail to recognize this as truth.

Canadian oil and gas can benefit the world’s climate today, our country’s focus on human rights, and the sustainability of Canada’s government-funded education, health, and social programs.

Rather than bashing Canadian oil, we should take pride in the role Canada plays in the world’s energy future.

Chris Kitchen is a fourth-year Engineering student.

Talking heads

... students around campus

PHOTOS BY JODIE GRIEVE

What is your favourite CoGro order?

Sophia Spencer, ArtSci '21

Gretha Conrad, ArtSci '19

“Whole wheat bagel with top secret cream cheese and sprouts."

Bronwyn Vaisey, Comm '20

9 •queensjournal.ca

Friday, September 27, 2019

Union Gallery reopens to pay homage to local art community

Re:Union exhibit at Union Gallery.

Artists, employees, and alumni urged to contribute to Tri-Art’s exhibit

Simone Manning Contributor After closing to the public on Sept.

4, Union Gallery finally welcomed art lovers back through their doors.

Union Gallery, a contemporary public gallery found within Stauffer Library, recently reopened following their September 4 to 20

PHOTO BY JODIE GRIEVE

closure. The momentary shutdown was scheduled to give Union’s team time to install this year’s Re:UNION exhibit.

Re:UNION is a celebration of the gallery’s 25th anniversary, and the show honours a selection of artists that have been involved in some capacity over the years.

Works on display include

Tri-Art Manufacturing still draws a crowd after 25 years in business Anniversary celebration to kick off at local art shop this Friday Saskia Kemsley Contributor After over two decades, Tri-Art Manufacturing is taking the time to celebrate years of supplying artists with the materials they need to succeed.

On Friday, Sept. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m., the local paint-producing company will celebrate their quarter-century milestone at Art Noise, the art supply shop that started it all.

When Tri-Art started, it was a small-scale offshoot project at the back of the Art Noise space. Now it’s a three-tiered business offering services in paint products, audio, and optical coating.

This anniversary celebration however, focuses on the company’s paint supply sector and all it’s done for Kingston artists over the years.

The milestone coincides with Art After Dark, the biannual event during which Kingston galleries

and art-loving businesses open their doors to the public for the evening.

In that mindset, the homegrown company is keen to invite the local community to celebrate with them.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discover pieces from Tri-Art’s factory owners’ private art collection, as well as meet artists the company has worked with in the past.

The show will chronologically feature all the paint products created since the company’s humble beginnings through the art on display.

Titled In Production, the show is meant to celebrate the company’s past and to reflect its continuing journey.

To reflect the width of local talent, In Production will feature a variety of artistic styles.

“Whether abstract and figurative or more muted and toned-down, there’s a range of work for everyone to enjoy,” Tri-Art and Art Noise employee and artist Evan Ginsberg said in an interview.

As a local business, the company is passionate about maintaining a low environmental impact.

All materials utilized by the factory are locally sourced, and their packaging is made in-house.

pieces by Queen’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) alumni, faculty members, and local artists from the Kingston community.

“We put out a call for submissions far and wide and we’ve had a pretty good response back,” said gallery director Jocelyn Purdie in an interview.

During the closure, few alterations were made to the space. The Re:UNION exhibit is primarily a straightforward, traditional art show.

Greater changes to the main gallery will occur during the year when more installation works are on display. This will start in November, when BFA student contributors will be given the space to exhibit their works.

As it stands, the main gallery consists of a large white room filled with a number of hanging pieces across a wide range of media types.

These include sculptures, videos, textiles, prints, and paintings.

The pieces are colourful and vibrant, visually diverse enough to appeal to all audiences regardless of their artistic preferences.

The works on display have all been created within the last few years, and many represent the artistic growth of former students as they’ve become established artists.

Several contributors are based across Canada, from Vancouver to Saskatchewan to Ontario. However, other contributing artists live in places as farflung as London, England and New York City.

Though these artists aren’t able to make it to the gallery in person, they represent the international reach of the Queen’s Fine Arts alumni.

“In terms of the [artists] themselves, the furthest back we go is 1994 with an artist with an early connection to the gallery, so a p p r o x i m a t e ly every five years, there’s representation,” Purdie said on the time span of the collection.

In addition to the Re:UNION exhibit itself, Purdie mentioned a publication would be offered containing both an essay and a timeline of the events that have taken place over the years. This will be released shortly to accompany the collection.

On display in the Vitrine project space in Union Gallery are past works that were completed by students in collaboration with established members of the Kingston art scene, as well as artists on campus. The first installation project in the Vitrine was established in the early 2000s in partnership with the local Tett Centre, and later projects were implemented in the gallery by Purdie herself.

The gallery director explained that “students applied for a proposal outlining [...]

In addition to this, Tri-Art Manufacturing pioneered the first closed-water system of its kind in the art manufacturing industry.

“There’s absolutely no water that’s leaving the factory, it’s all recycled,” said Ginsberg.

All water used is collected into a A display at Art Noise as part of Art After Dark. tank, purified and reused.

As well as being sustainable, the process helps prevent the paint’s chemicals from entering local water sources.

From this innovation, Tri-Art additionally developed a paint called “sludge.” During the water purification process, a mixture of pigment and acrylic polymer is filtered out of the system.

This filtered material is then used to produce an entirely original palette of muted colors, from greens to blues and purples.

Kim Doreland, a Canadian artist featured in the show, reflects this environmental aspect in his most recent collection, Same Old Future, through the nature scenes he paints.

“We hope [attendees] will love looking at artwork produced

by Canadian artists, with Canadian products, as well as a diverse range of practices and works that together form a cohesive and beautiful show,” said Ginsberg.

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

Friday. September 27, 2019

CONCERT

queensjournal.ca

doesn’t ring true for him.

When on the road—in his Honda Civic—Yates said most of his social life consists of the audience interaction he engages in when performing.

However, that didn’t impact his natural stage presence on Wednesday as he transitioned between story and song.

His folk-rock lineup featured original songs “Keep Your Head Down” and “Sarah Don’t Shoot,” vignettes of long weeks on the road and relationship disputes.

“Most of my songs start with the music first, and then [often] the music dictates what kind of vibe the song might have,” said Yates in an interview with The Journal.

Ken Yates bares all in new album’s revealing lyricism Folk singer-songwriter leads new concert series at Stone City Ales Pamoda Wijekoon, Brittany Giliforte Journal Staff For Stone City Ales’ first show in their ongoing concert series, the restaurant was host to an intimate performance by Canadian singer-songwriter Ken Yates.

The local brewery and kitchen was transformed for the night, with restaurant seating shifted aside to make room for rows of chairs gathered around a small stage.

The room was lit with vintage lightbulbs and filled with patrons and the performers’ friends and family.

The show was presented in partnership with North of Princess Recording Studio, where Yates recorded his 2016 album Huntsville. Opening for Yates was fellow North of Princess artist, Time Victim.

Her eclectic set featured a covered track

from 80s Russian music sensation Alexander Malinin, a sung rendition of T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” and original song “Master of the Mouth,” performed with her husband on keyboard.

Yates then took to the stage and began his show with “Fairweather,” a new song featured on his third album Quiet Talkers, which is set to be released in 2020.

The album’s titular song reflects the artist’s readiness to share his life with his listeners. “Quiet Talkers” came from an idea Yates had about a specific experience he hopes is universal.

“You know when you’re out late at night with somebody and it feels like you can kind of solve the world’s problems in that moment?” asked Yates. “Then, the next day, it all goes away.”

Yates says Quiet Talkers is a step forward from Huntsville in both musical ability and emotional maturity.

On stage, his self-deprecating humour charmed the audience along with his plainspoken music that told everyday stories of work, travel, and love. Whenever he wasn’t singing, Yates had the audience laughing, in a stark contrast from the night’s quiet start.

The singer broke down the typical image of a glamourous rockstar lifestyle, which Ken Yates performing at Stone City Ales.

GALLERY

Art After Dark festival brings attention to local art and businesses Kingston’s artists and shops team up for a gallery walk Nathan Gallagher Contributor Back again for the second time this year, community event Art After Dark will set up in shops downtown to bring local art to Kingstonians.

This Friday, Sept. 27, a selection of local businesses will host local artists from 7 to 10 p.m.

The festival sees local businesses and artists teaming up to provide a public gallery walk experience where people can browse and purchase art on the walls of downtown businesses.

You can also fill out a ballot to win $500 from host, business improvement area Downtown Kingston, toward the purchase of artwork from one of the 29 participating locations.

Below, see a sample of just some of the spots available to tour during the evening art event: Ars Libri Bookbinding and Book Restoration 60 Brock Street

Ars Libri Bookbinding and Book Restoration, owned by Ksenia Kopystynska, will be displaying Kopystynska’s own selection of one-of-a-kind designer leather belts and bracelets. The shop-owner conserves and restores old leather book covers. Kopystynska has been operating in Kingston for three years, but before that, she lived in Edmonton for almost 30 years.

Salon 296 296 Bagot Street Next, swing by Salon 296. They offer a variety of haircuts for men, women and children, and have been open in Kingston under their current name for five years now.

On Friday, Salon 296 will feature Donna Cheryl Brown’s art on their walls.

Brown is a client of theirs, and Salon 296 makes a point of supporting a circulating collection of artists who have also supported their business. All the art sales’ proceeds will go directly to the artists.

Donna specializes in abstracts, still-lives, and portraits.

Limestone Eyecare 215 Princess Street

Another participating business is Limestone Eyecare, an optometry office offering eye exams and selling glasses and contact lenses for adults and children. They’ll be hosting Queen’s alum and artist Matthew Poirer. His work uses colour and texture to depict movement. Other than Kingston, Poirier’s work has also taken him to Montreal and Boston.

Kingston FrameWorks 198 Princess Street

Kingston FrameWorks will also participate in the gallery walk. They’re a local business that does custom frames for photographs, artwork, jerseys, and just about anything their customers request.

FrameWorks is also host to a gallery of artists even when the Art After Dark Festival isn’t taking place.

On Friday, Kingston FrameWorks will feature the photography work of Andrée Anna Thorpe and her recent project Fields of Hope: A Farmer’s Celebration and Their Way

• 10

“Sometimes there’s this particular story I want to write about, [or] sometimes it’s the title that I like.”

While Huntsville was largely inspired by his experiences touring and retellings of friends’ stories, Yates describes Quiet Talkers as a more honest offering, and notes his growth toward a contemporary, layered sound.

“The new stuff is quite a bit more personal than the old stuff I was writing. I used to write a lot about other people’s experiences.”

Now, later in his music career, Yates feels ready to start telling his own story. Through his growth as an artist, his songs have taken on a more mature sound and spoken more personal truths.

“I’d say [it’s] a little darker, a little more personal.”

PHOTO BY PAMODA WIJEKOON

Something Else Records 207A Wellington Street

Something Else Records is owned and operated by Matthew and Tanya Robinson, who began operations last November. They boast roughly 7,000 records, but also sell books and accessories. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their personal collection, which of Life, which captures the hard includes complete LP and 7” vinyl of some of work and commitment of farmers. their favourite bands, like Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, and Stereolab.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Sports

Rasheed Tucker stiff arms a Toronto defender out of his way en route to being named OUA offensive player of the week.

queensjournal.ca

• 11

PHOTO BY JEFF CHAN

Gaels stun nationally-ranked Varsity Blues Queen’s wins second straight in a shootout, 37-33 Connor O'Neil Contributor The Gaels travelled to Toronto on Sept. 21 to take on the number 10 nationally-ranked Toronto Varsity Blues.

Coming into the match, Blues quarterback Clay Sequeira lead the nation in passing yards (1257) and passing touchdowns (14). The collection of talent amassed on the Varsity Blues offence looked as if it might be a challenge, even for a strong Queen’s defence.

The game featured a new starting quarterback for the Gaels—Ryan Licandro got his first start under centre.

It was a shootout right from the opening kickoff. Both teams traded offensive scores and defensive blows like Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali. Toronto received the opening kickoff and returned it 88 yards to Queen’s

15-yard line. Two plays later, the Blues fumbled a QB sneak, and defensive lineman Gabriel Boucher recovered it.

Then, on the Gaels’ first offensive play, Rasheed Tucker ran for a 34-yard gain.

The Gaels marched downfield and kicker Ben Hadley—replacing his fellow Nova Scotian Nick Liberatore, who is out with a knee injury—hit a field goal to give the Gaels a 3-0 lead.

After a Licandro interception and a Toronto punt, the Gaels strung together a nicely called five-play, 62-yard drive, which culminated in a Tucker touchdown.

Hadley got a rouge on the kickoff to make the game 11-0. The Blues answered back with a six-yard touchdown pass to Michael Lehman. The first quarter ended with the Gaels leading the Blues 11-7.

Toronto started the second quarter with possession of the ball in the Gaels’ red zone.

Sequeira dropped back to pass, looking towards the end zone. What Sequeira couldn’t see was a blitzing Anthony Frederico, who hammered him in the backfield for a sack.

On the next play, Sequeira sailed his pass and it was intercepted by Gaels defensive back Thompson McCallum, forcing Sequeira

to throw just his second interception all season.

Queen’s then turned to their run game, wearing down the Toronto defence with a grinding 14-play, 88-yard drive, giving the Gaels an 18-9 lead over Toronto.

Toronto’s next possession ended with a fumble by Matt Duffy, a former Gael. The ball was scooped up by Queen’s, and the Gaels hit a 10-yard field goal to increase their lead to 21-9.

After a Queen’s safety, the Varsity Blues’ offence hit the field with 00:53 remaining in the first half. On third and ten, Christopher MacLean faked the punt and ran it 25 yards to the Gaels’ 50. An unnecessary roughness penalty on Queen’s brought Toronto to the 35.

Sequeira hit Will Corby for 11 yards, and then made a 23-yard run himself to get Toronto to the one-yard line. The Gaels defence stiffened, stuffing a draw play, and Toronto settled for a field goal.

The Gaels received to start the second half and Ben Arhen returned the kick for a touchdown, but for the second time this season, it was called back on a penalty.

Arhen kept his composure and caught a 20-yard pass, and then Marco Xidos hauled in an 18-yard completion. Licandro then found Richard Burton for a 24-yard

touchdown to extend the Gaels lead over the Blues.

Queen’s added a safety and the Blues hit a field goal to close out the third quarter with the Gaels still on top, 30-24.

In the fourth quarter, both teams buckled down defensively. Queen’s was able to break the détente with an 86-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard carry for a touchdown from Tucker.

Sequeira and Nolan Lovegrove caught fire on the next drive, connecting twice for 46 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown reception, cutting the Gaels lead to just six points.

The Blues got the ball back for a final offensive with 2:16 left in the game. Sequeira found Daniel Diodati for a 19-yard pick-up then rushed for 15 yards.

Queen’s secondary came up large to end the game—the Blues went on to throw three straight incompletions to end the drive and give the Gaels their second victory of the season in upset fashion.

The win over the nationally-ranked Blues puts the Gaels at a 2-3 record on the season.

The Gaels now sit tied with Toronto for the sixth and final playoff spot.

The Gaels will travel to Kitchener this Saturday to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks.

Queen’s rugby yet to lose

Captain Josh Engelbrecht lugs the ball upfield.

PHOTO BY PETRUS ENGELBRECHT

Queen’s rugby made a pair of successful business trips this weekend.

The women went to St. Catharines and took on the Brock Badgers, besting them in an 82-7 romp. Lizzie Gibson scored 15 points in the win. The Badgers haven’t been able to beat Queen’s since 2008.

The Gaels maintained their status as first ranked in the country with the win.

As first seed in the OUA Shiels Division, the women receive a bye through the first round, so they’ll have to wait until Oct. 5 to find out who they’re hosting in the semis.

They have a tune-up exhibition game against Ottawa in the meantime.

The men bussed into Guelph to do battle with the Gryphons, and came away

victorious by a final score of 21-10, their smallest margin of victory to date this season.

Guelph kept the game within a try until the 56th minute when lock Trevor Helgason scored to put the match out of reach.

Through three games, the men have scored the most points in the OUA (153), and allowed the fewest (36).

The women will try to keep the rust off as they wait for the semi-finals, and the men will look to round the regular season out in top form.

—Jack Rabb

12 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, September 27, 2019

Make Way for Cecilia Rookie striker is turning heads with her torrid start Ben Wrixon Contributor Queen’s newest soccer sensation Cecilia Way has one thing on her mind: winning.

The first-year striker’s red-hot start to the season has helped push the Queen’s women's team to second in the OUA East standings with five wins, two ties, and no losses through their first seven games.

Way’s individual numbers are incredible—she currently sits third in the province with six goals scored—but in an interview with The Journal, she insisted on keeping the focus team-centric.

“Becoming a Gael was like finding an instant family.”

A Victoria, British Columbia native, Way began playing soccer at age seven. Her time spent on highlevel Canadian teams and playing internationally in France, has shown Way the impact a team’s rapport can have on its performance.

She raved about the special bond between her current teammates and suggested the positivity of their locker room as the driving force behind both her individual triumphs and Queen’s undefeated start.

“The team atmosphere is amazing, it has given us a lot of success,” Way said. She cited the lack of stigma between the starters and bench players as a big reason why the women have come together so quickly, especially considering how young the team is.

The instantaneous bonding between teammates came as no surprise to Way, since she came to Queen’s specifically for its sense of comradery. Despite having other options—many of which were closer to home—she settled on Queen’s based on its unique reputation and glowing track record of both academic and athletic success.

While acknowledging the difficulty of leaving her family

Matsukubo storming OUA

Rookie striker is making a name for herself with highlight plays

behind, Way desired to branch out and play with new teammates. “I knew I wanted to leave Victoria.

It’s small, and you always see the same people.”

Becoming a Gael certainly has paid early dividends for Way. Not only has she met new people, but she has made connections with her new teammates that extend beyond the pitch. The support system they provide has helped Way overcome a potential limitation: overthinking.

“I used to be bad about overthinking, but I’ve learned to just live in the now,” she said.

Way is a natural competitor who has always pushed herself to be the best, and it seems the support of her teammates provides Way the freedom needed to elevate her play even further.

“I want to win, but I won’t overthink,” Way explained. “Either success will follow, or it won’t.”

More than anything, an unwavering love for the sport Cecilia Way (bottom) and Jenna Matsukubo of soccer is what motivates Way (top). PHOTO: ALINA YUSUFZAI. to persevere through tough times and to make the most of her victories.

“I play because I love the sport,” Way said without hesitation. “It’s a stress reliever, and when I’m playing I have no anxious feelings.”

This self-assurance guides Way on the pitch, and will undoubtedly be central in the team’s impending march towards —Jenna Matsukubo, the playoffs. Should recent trends Gaels striker continue, the playoffs may only be the beginning; this special group of women will go as far as their bond will take them.

Rookies Matsukubo (right) and Way (left) have been integral parts of an undefeated team.

"I was on the screens at the ARC and I was like, ‘Whoa.’"

PHOTO BY ALINA YUSUFZAI

Alina Yusufzai Assistant Sports Editor Jenna Matsukubo’s soccer career experienced a seismic shift when she came to Queen’s—how could she know that within a month of her rookie season, she would be a star?

For Matsukubo, playing at Queen’s was a new adventure. In high school, her schedule wasn’t nearly as stringent. Now, she’s practicing on the field four days a week.

“It was a shock to me to be on the field, [the other teams are] extremely physical,” Matsukubo said in an interview with The Journal.

All that nervous energy didn’t last long. Or if it did, it didn’t affect her.

She scored the gamewinner in her first regular season game.

Matsukubo’s success came in the Gaels’ opening weekend game against the Ryerson Rams where she scored the second goal of the game and her first U SPORTS goal, leading the Gaels with a 2-1 win.

In the same weekend, against the U of T Varsity Blues, Matsukubo skillfully assisted her teammate Christie Gray in the first and eventually deciding goal of the game, securing a 1-0 victory over Toronto.

Her best moment came in her fourth game when she scored a highlight-reel goal against Toronto, running half the length of the field, between two Toronto defenders, and finally curling a perfect strike over the goaltender.

“That one goal against U of T, I was on the screens at the ARC and I was like, ‘Whoa.’”

The success has been a long

time coming. Matsukubo has been playing soccer since she was four, but she’s never been on a winning team. “[The feeling] is indescribable.

I love being at every practice, getting touches on the ball.

Within the game, setting personal goals for myself and being able to accomplish those goals is a great feeling,” she said.

This year has been a significant adjustment for Matsukubo.

Coming into Queen’s, she was concerned about the speed of the game, and she wasn’t sure whether she would start.

She’s proven to be a fast player, owing to her background in soccer and track. Her speed paired with her observant attitude on the field makes her a dynamic player and a great communicator.

Despite her strengths, Matsukubo consistently searches for improvement on the field. She came to Queen’s with personal goals. She hopes to become a more physical player to adapt to the demands of Queen’s soccer.

“I want to go to nationals,” Matsukubo explained. “But for now, I am not used to much of the physical game—that, I am working on.”

Matsukubo’s determination and strong will allow her to succeed on the field and push her to be better off of it. She goes to practices an hour early to work on techniques with Head Coach Dave McDowell.

She’s looking forward to the next four years and everything they have to offer, from honing her skills to making memories with new teammates.

Matsukubo is ready. She wants to win a national championship in a Queen’s jersey.

“Soccer has to be your passion to pursue it at university.

I can’t wait for the next four years.”

LIFESTYLE

Friday, September 27, 2019

queensjournal.ca

CULTURAL COMMENTARY

What Trump’s proposed ban on flavoured vaping products should mean for Canadians Why the White House’s stance on e-cigarettes is misguided Nathan Gallagher Contributor

I still remember when a big vape cloud descended over my high school. The nicotine vaping trend was everywhere: in bathrooms, on walks home, and of course, all over social media.

In hindsight, the huge spike in vaping among adolescents seems inevitable. It was fun. All you had to do was take a big puff of something sweet to get a nice, tingly head rush. With the now-outdated big box vapes, you could even do tricks like blowing rings of smoke.

Many teens started vaping with innocent enough intentions—just one or two puffs at a party. There wasn’t any proof of known health risks at the time, and at least we weren’t smoking cigarettes like generations before us did.

But only a few years later, the hype around vaping has exploded. Currently, at least 805 vaping-related illnesses and 12 deaths have been reported in the US. A teen in London, Ontario is recovering from a near-fatal

Stories like The Big Sick make it harder for South Asian women to find their place Aysha Tabassum Opinions Editor

Across North American TV and film, a prevailing theme proves everyone has the right to love who they want, regardless of race. But when you take a closer look at these instances as they apply to interracial relationships, a troubling

vaping-related illness.

Everyone who’s inhaled flavoured nicotine clouds is being urged by cross-country health associations to put their e-cigarettes down.

In the U.S., the Trump administration and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are preparing to ban all flavoured e-cigarette products other than those simulating tobacco flavours.

This policy is meant to decrease the amount of youths using vapes for fun while still enabling adults to use them as tools to quit smoking.

Taken at face value, this ban makes sense. However, in my view, a deeper look reveals that it will likely only increase the harm vaping does.

One major point of misinformation in this crisis results from the use of “e-cig” and “vape” as blanket terms. This typically leads to the failure to differentiate between nicotine vapes and their THC counterparts.

So far, the most likely cause of

frequent vapers’ lung damage is vitamin E acetate, an oil used to cut black-market THC cartridges. The acetate cools down once inhaled, turning from a vapour back into an oil and coating your lungs.

This causes the cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain that characterizes these cases, similar to pneumonia.

Many of those with reported lung injuries said they vaped THC oil, while some claimed they only vaped nicotine. However, marijuana is still illegal in most states. Those who didn’t report using THC could be lying to protect themselves. Either way, investigations have yet to identify any harmful compounds in nicotine juices that could be causing some illnesses and deaths, while the danger of vitamin E acetate in THC oil has been identified.

MOVIE REVIEW

e l y t s e if

L

This means that Trump banning flavoured nicotine products is like banning planes because the Hindenburg zeppelin exploded. It doesn’t make anybody safer. On the contrary, banning these products will only increase the illegal black-market sales and unregulated mixing that caused this crisis in the first place.

Beyond that, the fearmongering and misinformation now surrounding vapes might even push nicotine addicts back toward cigarettes—including youth.

Since cigarettes remain legal, the move seems even more nonsensical. Instead of banning these products, states

Interracial relationships in the media fail to celebrate women of colour pattern emerges.

In many of these movies and TV shows, it’s seen as perfectly acceptable for people of different races to be together—as long as one of them is white.

B eyo n d l i g h t h e a r te d entertainment (like I Love Lucy in its pre-Loving-v.-Virginia defiance) even media focused on the complexities of interracial relationships often isn’t brave enough to have a person of colour fall in love with someone else who isn’t white.

West Side Story (1961) centres on a Latina woman falling in love with a white man (never mind that the Latina woman is portrayed by

In many movies, heroes push aside women of colour.

a Russian actress). Jungle Fever (1991), directed by a Black man, depicts a Black man falling in love with a white woman.

It’s unsurprising when white filmmakers explore interracial relationships in this way. In a lot of cases, it probably allows them to explore a perspective they’re better equipped to understand, which in turn makes for more realistic content.

The real mystery is why racialized filmmakers and content creators—particularly men—follow the same practice. So often, they create heroes that push aside Black or brown women to prove they can score a white blonde.

I can only effectively explore the impact of their choices from the perspective of a South Asian woman.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALLY MASTANTUONO

• 13

I’m not part of a group well-represented in the media.

Naturally, my heart jumped when I heard Aziz Ansari was getting his own Netflix show, Master of None.

I was ready to see people like me take charge of the narratives in which they exist.

I wasn’t disappointed. The show centres around a diverse cast and explores a wide array of sensitive topics while remaining humorous and uplifting. There was only one downside.

Though I was used to being pushed aside by straight brown men, it hurt when Aziz’s character fell in love with a white woman on the show. This is especially true of a character who represents the bubbly manic pixie dream girl so many Desi boys fantasize about.

This hurt only made me feel guilty. I felt I should have been supporting the people who looked like me, including Ansari and his show.

But then I watched The Big Sick, and I realized brown men in films and TV are not on my side.

The Big Sick was championed as a groundbreaking depiction of interracial relationships. To be fair, it’s one of the first Hollywood films to depict such a relationship involving a South Asian American.

But this fact seems to incorrectly excuse its depiction of brown women. In The Big Sick,

should consider legalizing marijuana and regulating THC vapes. This would keep harmful additives out of the oils and out of people’s lungs, while at the same allowing them to profit off the sales. Research and regulations, not bans, make people safer.

Maybe it’s because we’re in the midst of a federal election, but e-cigarette use is not top of mind for Canadians or party leaders right now. That said, all Canadian party leaders agree adolescents should be prevented from vaping, while none are on record supporting an outright ban.

They instead choose to focus on better research around the devices before jumping to any conclusions.

Considering these facts, there’s no need to panic if you currently vape nicotine or have done it in the past. While that we don’t know much yet about the long-term effects of using the devices, there’s still a high probability that it’s safer than smoking cigarettes. But of course, abstaining from vaping is the best way to ensure you won’t be harmed by it.

In general, it’s best to stay informed about what you’re putting into your body. Don’t inhale anything if you don’t know what it is.

However, if the uncertainty surrounding vaping has still got you scared, it might be time to re-evaluate your need for nicotine. the central love story comes at the expense of our dignity.

The protagonist, Kumail, starts off the film describing the parade of Pakistani women his parents constantly urge him to consider marrying. Kumail is a low-income comedian who’s struggling with his religious beliefs, yet his worst problem seems to be that he can’t stand brown women. They are doctors, lawyers, and future presidents—and somehow all the same brand of annoying.

This all culminates in his attraction to white graduate student Emily, who is outspoken, supportive of his dreams, and sexually liberated. These are traits the film implies he can only find in white women.

Kumail ultimately ends up with Emily, his true love, and lives happily ever after. Even Kumail’s whiny roommates, who aren’t nearly interesting enough to deserve their fictional careers in comedy, get to follow their dreams.

To read the rest of this article, go to queensjournal.ca/ lifestyle

LIFESTYLE

14 • queensjournal.ca

Friday, September 27, 2019

LIFE HACKS

Turning your hot girl summer into a hot girl year Why female love and positivity is cross-seasonal Tessa Warburton Photo Editor

With classes getting back into full swing and the official first day of fall having come and gone, students are beginning to mourn the end of pier season, wearing shorts to class, and above all else, the phenomenon that is the “hot girl summer.”

The idea of a hot girl summer took the Internet by storm this past season. It was simultaneously a mentality, a meme, and a way of being.

The term originated from rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who calls her carefree alter ego Hot Girl Meg, and her fans, Hotties. The cover art of her album Fever—released this summer—includes the line, “she’s thee HOT GIRL and she’s bringing thee HEAT.” This led fans to post photos of themselves paying respect to Megan’s recent release and claiming, in celebration of her self-confidence and

self-love, that it was officially a hot girl summer.

While the concept grew from Megan and her fans, it quickly snowballed, and soon the whole internet jumped on board. The sentiment was used in a range of ways, from people posting everything from selfies and swimsuit pics showing off their confidence to self-deprecating jokes.

Celebrities even hopped on the bandwagon. Jada Pinkett Smith, Miley Cyrus, and Jordyn Woods have all used the phrase in some iteration as captions on their Instagrams.

In a tweet, Megan explained, “being a Hot Girl is about being unapologetically YOU, having fun, being confident, living YOUR truth, being the life of the party etc.” It’s a feminist mindset that embraces the idea that women can have sex, love their bodies, make money, and be proud of those accomplishments. It tells women to go after what they want regardless of their age, status, or personality.

The sentiment at its core centres around self-love and owning one’s choices. There is no specific way to be a “hot girl.” It’s not about outward beauty in the traditional

Even though summer is coming to an end, it`s always trendy to love yourself.

sense, or even about the season of summer. It’s a viewpoint anyone can adopt.

The end of summer shouldn’t—and won’t—mean the end of this mantra of positivity.

Some have jokingly asserted that the beginning of fall should signify the beginning of “sad boi autumn,” but loving oneself is a concept that like, blue jeans, should stick around regardless of the season.

Just because the weather’s getting colder and our tans are fading doesn’t mean we have to turn down our own heat. In fact, the darker days and upcoming winter blues call for even more positivity and confidence.

Assignments and grades can have us doubting our self-worth and comparing ourselves to others.

The answer to these feelings of inadequacy are clear: channel your inner hot girl and say f—k it to the expectations of others. When the only person you have to answer to is yourself, life becomes a lot more enjoyable.

It’s time for hot girl autumn, or better yet a hot girl year.

Celebrating female positivity doesn’t go out of style.

And if you need a little extra push to inspire you to channel this mindset year-round don’t worry, because Megan recently dropped her song “Hot Girl Summer” as an ode to

ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH WILLIS

what she began.

In celebration of this newfound mentality, do what makes you happy. Whether you show up to class in your cutest outfit or five minutes late with a coffee in hand, what matters is that you’re doing what feels best for you. You’d be surprised by how much the little things can boost your sense of self-love.

Follow the Lifestyle section on Twitter at @QJLifestyle

LIFESTYLE

Friday, September 27, 2019

queensjournal.ca

Ally Mastantuono & Tegwyn Hughes Journal Staff

While it’s clichéd to say, Mondays truly are the worst. The idea of returning to campus after a weekend of fun, facing those readings you put off, and sitting through another handful of monotonous lectures can sour anybody’s day.

At the same time, no matter how much you wish they wouldn’t, Mondays happen every week. It can be cathartic to indulge your inner Garfield and permanently write off Monday as a bad day, but then you’d be wasting almost 15 per cent of your week—and life— angry at the world.

With a little work, you can turn Mondays from crappy to happy by using a few of these tricks from fellow Queen’s students: ***

“My cure for Monday mornings is admitting I love pop music.

Every other day of the week, I put on that alternative music by those bands I know I’m supposed to talk about on dates, and pretend I love those slow, passionate instrumental sounds.

On Mondays, I know it’s going be impossible to get out of bed without Lady Gaga’s help. I put on “Telephone” by Beyoncé and Lady Gaga before I even get out of bed, and “No Air” by Jordin Sparks is playing by the time I get back from the bathroom.

These Queen`s students have got the fix for your Monday blues.

STUDENT LIFE

—Sam Fink, ConEd ’20

“Monday-itis—the feeling of distress you get on Mondays—is a mindset. I believe you should wake up with the mentality of

POP CULTURE

self-improvement, and then there won’t be a better day of the week.

Personally, I deadlift on Mondays. Start the week by lifting the heaviest thing you can; it breeds confidence. It's not easy, but there's something positive about getting the hardest thing done at the beginning.

Tegwyn Hughes Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Bachelor in Paradise had its sixth season finale last week, and it was mostly business as usual onscreen: steamy Fantasy Suite visits, dramatic fights in the sand, and unnecessarily long reunion scenes. However, in between these Bachelor spin-off staples was a groundbreaking moment that had fans bursting with excitement.

On a s a n d y platform facing an ocean view,

Paradise participant Demi Burnett got down on one knee to ask for her fellow contestant Kristian Haggerty’s hand in marriage, cementing the couple as The Bachelor’s very first same-gender engagement.

“I came here to find myself,” Burnett said, as she pulled out a ring, “but I found myself in you.”

Now, most couples on shows in the Bachelor franchise have a cult following on social media, especially on Paradise, where multiple couples get together and split up over the course of a season.

More than others, though, Burnett and Haggerty’s engagement has been thrust into the spotlight because of their significance in reality TV history.

For Burnett, this season was an

emotional one. From coming out as a bisexual woman on reality TV to having her on-again off-again girlfriend, Kristian, brought on as a surprise mid-season contestant, the Bachelor alum’s had to contend with her sexuality under the world’s watchful gaze.

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres after the show’s finale, Burnett admitted she felt “a lot of fear” about coming out, and fear “of judgement [...] of disappointing people in my life [and] making them uncomfortable.”

This fear is valid, considering the less-than-pristine reputation The Bachelor has gained when it comes to breaking down barriers.

The Bachelor is arguably one of the most heteronormative franchises out there, pitting groups of men or women against each other in a bid to win the heart of each season’s star. The women don flawless makeup and dresses, the men try to get into fistfights and everyone is expected to conform to gendered stereotypes. It’s reality TV—some things never change.

That’s w hy a season featuring a same-gender relationship is so refreshing to see for the show. With a history of homophobia, racism, and sex-shaming, The Bachelor

—Madeleine Henry, ArtSci ’20

If you’ve ever eaten broccoli before your steak, it’s the same mindset.

Also, maybe it’s just me, but there's no better way to improve your mood than treating yourself to a delicious fruit smoothie. I usually drink one to cheer myself up after watching the Steelers lose another game. I recommend mixing in a scoop of ALLMAX amino acids and some frozen bananas.” has a long way to go before it can come close to being considered progressive, but Burnett and Haggerty’s acceptance from the franchise shows there’s been improvement.

While people who don’t actively follow the franchise might not understand the weight of Burnett and Haggerty’s engagement, it represents a turning point on reality TV that’s been a long time coming.

One episode of the show even devoted screen time to exploring

Burnett’s self-consciousness about same-gender public displays of affection and openly discussing her bisexuality. Instead of sensationalizing her feelings, the show treated Burnett’s feelings with the gravity they deserved.

Fro m MTV’s first sexually-fluid dating show to more LGBTQ+ contestants appearing on shows like Big Brother and Survivor to this groundbreaking season of Bachelor in Paradise, things are looking up for representation on reality TV.

Get the most out of the week’s worst day This is the only way the happiness from my dreams from the night before can continue.”

“Nobody likes Monday mornings, especially if you’re the unfortunate one who has an 8:30 a.m. class. There are two things I do every Monday morning to make the worst day of the week a little special.

The first thing I do is wake up 10 minutes earlier than I usually would and blast my favourite song on repeat until I dare to get out of bed. The second, and most important, thing I do is pre-order a venti chai latte from Starbucks to grab on my way to class.

I find treating myself on a dreaded day such as Monday makes it just that much better.”

“Given that I have a Monday 8:30 a.m. seminar to attend, followed by a full day of classes, you would think Monday would be my least favourite day of the week, but it’s one of my favourites.

I allow myself to get a full night’s rest every Sunday so that I can wake up and have a homemade breakfast.

Often, I find myself spending too much money on a campus breakfast (it’s not like I can just make my own top secret bagel—Common Ground keeps their secrets for a reason). But on Mondays, I treat myself.

I wake up 20 minutes early so I can be fully awake for my 8:30 with a stomach full of my favourite breakfast and at least one cup of coffee. It makes waking up something to look forward to, and it sets me up for an excellent day.”

Queen’s students’ cures for Monday mornings

Bachelor in Paradise’s history-making match What the show’s first same-gender engagement means for representation

PHOTO BY TESSA WARBURTON

• 15

—Jeff Misner, Commerce ’20

—Emily Elliott, ArtSci ’20

Friday, September 27, 2019

queensjournal.ca

• 16

POSTSCRIPT

Navigating my long-distance relationship with my brother Physical distance can bring loved ones closer

With the academic year starting, everyone has had to say goodbye to someone they love.

Claudia Rupnik Staff Writer

When students returned to Queen’s for the new school year, everyone fell back into familiar Kingston routines. But while they did so, it’s certain everyone also entered into some kind of long-distance relationship.

With friends studying at post-secondary institutions scattered across the globe and family members staying at home, everyone has had to say goodbye to someone they love when they headed to school for the semester—including me.

While not often framed as such, any type of relationship—between friends, siblings, or partners—can become long distance. When you reach a certain age, it’s inevitable to find friends and family members packing their bags for different time zones. Long-distance relationships are a normal part of life.

For me, the last weekend of August marks the start of the annual separation between me and my older brother. For the last four years, he’s been studying in the U.S. There’s something charming about having a sibling who lives in a different country—the notion brings to mind whirlwind getaways to foreign cities, warm embraces in the airport, and enthusiastic video calls. But there’s nothing charming about the heartbreak you’re bound to experience when you’re separated from someone you love.

I was devastated when my brother left for school. After moving him into his residence, I said goodbye and drove back to Canada with my parents. I was

alone in the backseat of the car for the first time in my life.

Despite being surrounded by my closest friends and family at home, there wasn’t a single person who could fill the gap he left in my daily life when he moved away. I felt abandoned, and I was lonely in a way I’d never experienced before.

[T]here wasn’t a “single person who could fill the gap he left [...]

”

Constantly aware of how disconnected I’d become from his existence, a quick scroll through social media triggered irrational jealousy of anyone who shared in his new life. For months, I hopelessly tried to understand how any relationship could survive such a vast separation. It felt impossible it would ever resemble anything close to what it was before he left.

A sibling moving away for school might seem mundane, but it taught me a critical truth about long-distance relationships: distance breeds insecurity among the closest companions because it guarantees things will change between them.

In the years since he moved away, our lives carried on in each other’s absence. I graduated high school and started university, and he finished his undergrad and started his master’s degree.

We both continued to grow as individuals.

As he establishes more permanent roots abroad, I’ve accepted distance as our new normal (although I still resent it on occasion).

I’ve spent numerous afternoons on layover in Chicago O’Hare, paid premium prices for international postage, and cursed every weak Wi-Fi connection across Kingston. When a friend casually mentioned meeting his sister for sushi earlier this year, I remembered that’s not an option I have with my brother.

In spite of the challenges, I can also see that it’s made our relationship stronger than it was before. We don’t take each other for granted, and we support each other through all of the special moments and disappointments we experience along the way.

While university life keeps us busy, we make sure to send quick updates on any major life events: breakups, birthdays, or new jobs.

At the end of every phone call, we remember to tell one another how much we love each other.

Personally, I’ve learned long-distance relationships offer their own suite of unique benefits. I don’t think proximity should determine who we surround ourselves with, as relationships of convenience often lack the complexity of those that withstand obstacles, like distance. There’s something special about a bond that isn’t determined by a shared class or a shift at work, but an intangible and less circumstantial fondness.

Whether you’re the one who has left someone behind, or the one waiting around for someone who’s moved away, long-distance relationships are difficult.

When I asked my brother—via WhatsApp—how he felt about them, he succinctly said, “They suck, and they rock.”

That’s to say the negative parts of long-distance relationships need

to be accepted for what they are so you can enjoy all of the positives.

Relationships naturally become long distance when both parties choose to chase their independent dreams and ambitions, fearlessly following their own paths wherever they might lead. When my brother and I are apart, it means we’re both pursuing our ideal lives.

This semester, I’m on exchange in Paris, suddenly living a life seven hours ahead of his.

There’s an impossible balance in understanding I won’t see him until the winter holidays at the earliest, but also that I’m lucky enough to live in France until that time.

It’s uncomfortable to grow alongside someone when you’re physically removed from their life.

I’m always trying to understand who my brother is becoming, without ever really knowing the minute details of his life. That’s a task which requires me to be a patient, empathetic, and supportive person, even when I don’t feel like it.

As well, I’m always trying to tell him about who I’m becoming while we’re apart, and expect him to take the same interest in the vague rendering of my day I’m able to provide over the phone.

In spite of the inconvenient flights and sporadic calls, the right relationships continue to exist from a distance. Not by some force of magic, but as a result of the small and large efforts you’re willing to put in because it keeps you close to someone you love and who loves you in return.

Maybe it’s been a few weeks since you’ve seen your best friend from home, or spoken to the younger sibling you couldn’t stop

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY CLAUDIA RUPNIK

fighting with all summer long, and you’re missing them in between all the good times you’re having at school. That’s a normal response to being physically separated from someone you love, and you’re not alone in feeling that way.

Today, I drank a beer in Brussels and thought about how much my brother would love to be sitting across from me in the bar, putting back a few pints and laughing about something unimportant. A long-distance relationship doesn’t have to be with a romantic partner to be emotionally difficult.

Regardless of who you’re missing, it’s not easy territory to navigate. Every day, I’m reminded of the distance between me and my loved ones, and simultaneously, the support I get from this network of people across the globe.

A long-distance “ relationship doesn’t

have to be with a romantic partner to be emotionally difficult.

”

For now, my brother and I have been pulled in different directions—and it both sucks and rocks. Before we know it, school will be on break, and I’ll be waiting in arrivals at Pearson Airport holding up a handwritten sign with his name on it.

Long distance has changed a lot of things about how we interact with each other, but he’s still my best friend. Soon enough, we’ll be back to fighting over the food in the fridge or the keys to the car, like we’ve never been apart.