Lifestyle: LSATs and you Page 18 F r i d ay , S e p t e m b e r 2 6 , 2 0 1 4 — I ss u e 7
the journal Queen’s University — Since 1873
CITY OF KINGSTON
Alcohol violations in residence during frosh week:
Skinhead material resurfaces
35
Posters placed outside Stauffer and on Princess St. B y M ishal O mar Assistant News Editor Over the past week, flyers promoting the Southern Ontario Skinheads (SOS) have been seen on and around Queen’s campus. The flyers were also seen earlier around Kingston this year in March and May, and the group was seen and videotaped marching down Princess St. This is the first time that these flyers have been seen on campus. One was posted on a street post outside Stauffer Library. The flyers show quotes from various people, including United States World War II general George S. Patton. One displays the name of the group and a logo of “Oi!” surrounded by a laurel wreath, below which it reads, “Wars may be fought with weapons but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the men [sic] who leads that gains the victory!” The flyers also say “14 words”, a reference to a slogan used by neo-Nazis inspired by an excerpt from Mein Kampf. Const. Steve Koopman, media relations officer for the Kingston Police Force, said the flyers aren’t openly promoting hate speech. “We don’t see this small, loosely affiliated aspect as growing. We haven’t seen anything that reaches into a criminal aspect yet — whether that be verbal, by hate speech, threats, or physical violence,” he said. He added that it can be difficult to draw the line between the right to free speech and the promotion of hate speech. “We need to tread carefully in
Students used COR services
regards to not infringing upon free speech but at the same time weigh that with whether or not it could be a hate-based crime. “If there was a possibility of a criminal offense it would be relegated to a detective and the detective would investigate — and at the point in time we would The University District street sign auction raised more than $17,000.
PHOTO BY ALEX PICKERING
Opinion
Reframing masculinity
Open alcohol write-ups
Page 9
determine whether or not charges would apply.” University Communications officer Kristyn Wallace said in an email to the Journal, sent on behalf of the Human Rights Office, that the issue can be difficult to address because the distributors of flyers are anonymous. “Addressing the distribution of hateful material on or off campus can be very difficult, particularly when the distributor/creator of the material is anonymous. For this reason we encourage people to turn evidence of this kind of activity over to Kingston Police, Campus Security and/or our Office to ensure that a record of the incident is made and that Police have as much information as possible in order to proceed with any subsequent investigation,” she stated. Kayley Pugh found one of the flyers in the Princess and Division See Skinhead on page 7
Senior leaders
CRIME
Two arrested on child porn charges Arrests part of larger provincial strategy
195 total violations, an increase of 2 from last year
Page 2
B y N atasa B ansagi Assistant News Editor
possession of child pornography and one count of making available child pornography. Michael A. Caron and Nathaniel Clark was charged with Clark, two Kingston residents, two counts of accessing child have been charged on child pornography, two of possession pornography-related counts. of child pornography and two of Caron, 38, and Clark, 24, were making available child pornography. arrested by Kingston Police Force Three laptops, one hard drive Internet Child Exploitation (KPF and one iPad were seized as I.C.E.) detectives and charged on evidence. Caron’s next court date Sept. 23 and 24, respectively. is scheduled for Oct. 30. Clark’s is Caron was charged with set for Nov. 6. one count of accessing child The arrests were part of a pornography, two counts of larger online child exploitation provincial strategy investigation, the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet, which began in 2006. Between Aug. 2006 and Aug. 2014, 23,581 investigations were undertaken and 8,750 charges were laid against 2,617 people. The KPF joined the provincial strategy — which now includes
Mac tomorrow PAGE 14
96
See Residents on page 7
Feature
The ins and outs of networking
page 3
Sports
Concussion committee targets awareness
page 14
Lifestyle
Conversations with Kingston’s cab drivers
page 20
News
2 • queensjournal.ca
Friday, September 26, 2014
ORIENTATION WEEK
Drinking violation write-ups drop in residence Write-ups for underage drinking fall by 14, open alcohol by 18 and possession of beer bottles by two B y N atasa B ansagi Assistant News Editor Write-ups filed by dons in residence for underage drinking, open alcohol and possession of beer bottles during Orientation Week have decreased since 2012. Arig al Shaibah, assistant dean of Student Affairs, told the Journal via email that dons issued four write-ups for underage drinking, 96 for open alcohol and one for possession of beer bottles this year. The Journal reported last year that there were 18 write-ups given for underage drinking, 114 for open alcohol and three for the possession of beer bottles. In 2012, there were 46, 134 and seven, respectively. There were a total of 195 in-residence alcohol violations during Orientation Week this year, an increase of two from 2013. The alcohol ban in residence during Orientation Week was implemented in 2011. This followed the death of two first-year students in 2010, which led to a Coroner’s investigation. According to the 2011 Queen’s University Campus Alcohol Strategy report, “As a result of the investigation, the Coroner recommended the university review and make changes to the non-academic student discipline system, alcohol policies and alcohol management in residences, and work to change the ‘culture of drinking on campus.’”
A number of strategies to promote residence rules and “foster a campus culture that endorses healthy, responsible and low-risk drinking practices” were in place this year, al Shaibah said, including Orientation Week’s dry residence policy, communications to students regarding residence rules and training for dons and Residence Society (ResSoc) staff. She added that a debriefing with dons, Residence Life staff and ResSoc will happen in the future to “see if we identify anything further throughout the year that could be applied to the first few weeks in residence.” Kate Humphrys, health promotion coordinator at Health, Counselling and Disability Services (HCDS), said that 35 students used Campus Observation Room (COR) services during Orientation Week. 27 students were assessed and admitted to the COR, of which 19 “self-identified as living in a Queen’s Residence.” Those who were not admitted were referred to advanced care, offered support over the phone or “supported in other ways, such as calling Queen’s First Aid,” she said. COR volunteers spent more than 150 hours participating in Orientation Week outreach activities, including the Sidewalk Sale, Queen’s in the Park, tours and resource fairs. The COR was open every
evening from Monday to Saturday during Orientation Week, but Humphrys said, “Volumes of students using COR each night
actually aren’t higher during Orientation week. “Our operations follow standard procedures each night of
Orientation Week and our usage on each night, to date, has been within our anticipated levels,” she said.
ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAELLA FORTUNE
FAIR TRADE
Week promoting Fair Trade wraps up Engineers Without Borders are looking to make Queen’s a socially conscious Fair Trade campus B y J acob R osen Assistant News Editor Queen’s Engineers Without Borders (EWB) took to the streets around campus to promote equitable coffee cultivation practices as part of Fair Trade Campus Week. The Queen’s Fair Trade committee handed out free Fair Trade products in the ARC and
held an information session to raise awareness. EWB also collected over 250 signatures on a petition for Queen’s to become a Fair Trade campus. Fair Trade is a non-profit organization that works to develop certain social and environmental standards in the farming and agriculture industry. The group’s main focus is to ensure farmers and
agriculture laborers receive proper wages and working conditions, especially in the coffee, chocolate and tea industries, which have recently been under scrutiny for use of child labour. The organization offers universities Fair Trade status if campus cafeterias and student-run stores offer solely Fair Trade coffee and at least three Fair
Engineers Without Borders handed out free products in the ARC throughout the week.
PHOTO BY ALEX PICKERING
Trade tea options. If chocolate bars are sold, they must offer at least one Fair Trade chocolate option. The University must also establish a Fair Trade committee and supply information about Fair Trade where products are being sold. Many Canadian campuses, such as McGill and Brock, have made the transition to gain “Fair Trade Campus” status. Queen’s offers some Fair Trade options but has yet to fully transition, which Ashley Fill, vice president of EWB, said she isn’t satisfied with. Fill, Sci ’16, organized this week’s events. She said the purpose of the week is to raise awareness and encourage Queen’s students to “join the prestigious standard of being Fair Trade and being socially conscious,” like other universities. Just as organic products are often more expensive than non-organics, Fill said the potential price increase for Fair Trade products is “the cost of being socially conscious”. According to the Fair Trade committee, Common Ground and Queen’s cafeterias offer solely Fair Trade coffee, but still need to offer more Fair Trade tea options in order for Queen’s to gain Fair Trade status. The Fair Trade committee’s biggest obstacle now is the Tea Room, she added, which offers
products that aren’t necessarily Fair Trade but meet similar environmental standards. “[The Tea Room] meets [Fair Trade’s] environmental standards, but not necessarily the social standards,” Fill said, adding that this is something she’s looking to change. Cole Halenda, head manager of The Tea Room, said it works to ensure its products are “as environmentally and socially sustainable as possible”. Halenda, Sci ’15, said the Tea Room has a high environmental standard for the products they offer, and makes sure that all suppliers have some variation of Fair Trade certification. The Tea Room and EWB have discussed the possibility of gaining Fair Trade status. “It is difficult for us to find suppliers that maintain the same environmental mantra we do, let alone a specific variety of fair trade certification,” Halenda said. In addition to this week’s events, the Fair Trade committee plans to hold monthly events, collaborating with other Fair Trade initiatives in Kingston such as Ten Thousand Villages, which closed its Kingston location in 2013.
Friday, September 26, 2014
queensjournal.ca
•3
FEATURE CAREERS
Navigate the network Experts say networking isn’t as difficult as it seems, but you have to be proactive B y R achel H erscovici Staff Writer About 80 per cent of the jobs found today are found through networking, according to Queen’s Career Services. Many employers save themselves the time and money of going through stacks of resumés and rounds of cold interviews when they already have a person from their network in mind to fill the role. Olivia Whittaker, ArtSci ’15, has networked successfully for past summer jobs — but she said she’s unsure how to expand her network. Whittaker has worked for makeup companies like Clinique and Sephora by networking through her mother, Clinique’s education director. “Because I know the people, I was more likely to actually get the job,” she said. In return, she’s helped expand her friend’s employment networks, hooking them up with connections she’s made through her mother. Whittaker said she’s looking to expand her network beyond family members, making a name for herself independent of family expectations. But she isn’t sure what direction she wants to take her career in. “For not knowing what I want to do in the future, I’m not sure what connections to make,” she said. More instruction on how to start conversations and where to go for the right people is something she’s looking for, she added, but doesn’t know where to find it. Networking, for Whittaker, is more than just introducing herself. “It means making connections and introducing yourself to a lot of successful people and hear about new opportunities, expanding your horizons,” she said. But there’s still a big disconnect between this abstract idea of networking, she added, and making it happen. “I just don’t even know,” she said. “What do you do? Go talk
to a prof? Is that networking? I don’t know.” Joe Oswald, principal of Knightsbridge — a company focused on finding people jobs and jobs finding people — said networking is important because of an abundance of jobs that go un-posted and unadvertised. “Our official definition [of networking] … [is] developing and sustaining business relationships with people you know, or would like to know for the purpose of getting and hearing information for mutual gain,” Oswald said. Whether it’s finding your first babysitting job via your mom’s tennis partner or building a lawn mowing business through a friend’s parents, he said, students have networked throughout their lives. “You’ve probably found more of your jobs to date through networking,” he said. “I think everybody’s doing it — they just don’t realize it.
do you do? Go “talkWhat to a prof? Is that networking? ” — Olivia Whittaker, ArtSci ‘15
“Networking is every day, every encounter,” he continued. “It’s happening right now.” Oswald said university students are no different than anyone else seeking employment. There are many different facets to networking, he added, and navigating the job search can be difficult. The first step, Oswald said, is developing a goal. “You have to have some message that you’re delivering in this networking meeting,” Oswald said. Second, he said, should be creating a personal brand — what you stand for and what makes you unique. “Then, you get in front of people you do know, people you’d like to know for the purpose of sharing information,” he said. “And the whole idea is that the people
Researchers say the first step of networking is developing a goal.
Peers are one of the best sources for building a network, according to Miguel Hahn.
PHOTO BY EMILIE RABEAU
you network with will think about truth is asking good open-ended PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) you when they get in front of questions, listening and being Canada in financial services. PwC authentic is the only thing that Canada provides advisory and other people.” According to Oswald, the best will work.” tax services to public, private and While networking can take government clients. way to create these pathways is to the shape of formal gatherings, stand out. “I did networking and recruiting, “One of the biggest pitfalls in career fairs and dinners, it likely that whole process, in the fall of networking is that when you get in occurs every day of a student’s third-year with all the different front of someone and you try and life — even online. accounting firms,” Beaudry said. Social media sites like LinkedIn “They came on the first weekend of sound like everybody else,” he said. “After you finish giving this are commonly used throughout September … they were set up in mission and value and brand to this the business world and job market, BioSci and you dressed up and you person … the next thing you need Oswald said. went for it.” At Queen’s, Career Services to do is [ask] if there is anyone else Beaudry, the president of the they recommend who you should offers workshops throughout the Commerce Society, said networking meet,” he said. “Networking needs school year on how to construct is an opportunity to connect with an online presence, particularly someone you haven’t met, focusing to multiply.” Networkers should ask on LinkedIn. on the personal aspect of things to “You want to think about your make the connection deeper and questions about the people they’ll be meeting, he said, and make digital footprint,” Miguel Hahn, more memorable. personal connections to get a career counselor at Career Services, told the Journal via email. conversations rolling. Networking is every Most importantly, every “Googling yourself is probably a day, every encounter. network meeting should be good idea.” It’s happening In January, Hahn said, Queen’s mutually beneficial. At the end of each, Oswald said, students should will introduce an online forum right now. ask what they can do for the person on LinkedIn to crowd source advice from alumni on career and in front of them. — Joe Oswald, principal of Knightsbridge While networking is common professional development. “I don’t think there’s anyone I’ve to build connections when looking for a job, Oswald said asking ever met that has done things by He’s shared connections everyone you meet for a job can be themselves,” he said. over an interest in books before, “A community has helped you for example. a recipe for disaster. “Sometimes, people think you get to where you are and you have “A lot of people get nervous and have to have some crazy technique been helping each other … Most worked up, but for me it’s always and ask in the right way and have things are accomplished with other been just a discussion,” he said. a hidden agenda,” he said, “but the people and it can be enjoyable to “These people here [to network] help people too.” don’t want to be here anymore that Networking doesn’t just you, so you’re both kind of forced happen, Hahn said. Either online into this position. or in-person, students have to “That’s kind of driven me not to put themselves out there, exploring ask very standardized transactional the possibilities and people that questions and try to break that may connect them to their bubble,” he said. future goals. Beaudry said he initially “I think the most important focuses on asking two serious thing is looking at [networking] questions, spinning off into as a skill you can develop,” he said. questions unrelated to work and “You can learn it by practicing it.” engaging the person in a more Attending events like Queen’s enjoyable conversation. Career Fair — scheduled for Sept. Follow-up emails are 30 in the ARC main gym — can something he uses to stand out, he also be beneficial, Hahn said. said — referring back to books, “You might think networking places of travel or other topics that is talking to a professional,” he were discussed to connect the dots said, “but it can also be developing in the new relationship. relationships with your classmates.” “It’s important to connect on Kyle Beaudry, Comm ’15, more than just your job,” he said. said establishing connections PHOTO BY EMILIE RABEAU helped him land a summer job at
“
”
News
R E E R CA 014 2 R I A F
4 • queensjournal.ca
0 1 0 3 R E B M E T P E S , Y A TUESD TH
Friday, September 26, 2014
C R A E H T N I M P 3 O T M A
DON’T MISS THE BIGGEST CAREER EVENT OF THE YEAR!
Further Education Expo | Employer Showcase | Skills Development Zone
... AND MORE!
Test Drive Your Career Looking for work experience? Consider the DeGroote MBA The DeGroote Co-op program provides students with the opportunity to gain 12 months of valuable paid work experience over the 28 month program. Students in our program earn an average of $45,000 during the three work terms. This program is for you if you are a recent graduate with little or no work experience and you are looking to gain a competitive advantage in the workforce. We are coming to your University Graduate Fair on September 30 please come by and see what the DeGroote MBA has to offer.
degrooteschool.ca/mba
News
Friday, September 26, 2014
UNIVERSITY RANKINGS
Queen’s rises in QS World rankings
University ranks 187th globally; rises two places from 2013 B y M ishal O mar Assistant News Editor The QS World University Rankings have been released and Queen’s ranked 187th, with an overall score of 55.5 out of 100 and a rise of two spots from last year. The rankings are based on several different factors, including academic reputation, where Queen’s scored 60.4 of 100; employer reputation, where Queen’s scored 65.5; and citations per faculty, where Queen’s scored 73.9. Some of the lowest scores that Queen’s had were in international students and faculty-student ratio, which scored 26.80 and 22.40, respectively. Queen’s is seeking to increase its international student population to 10 per cent of the overall undergraduate population. The rankings are also further broken down by the quality of the programs the school has to offer. The highest faculty ranking at Queen’s went to Social Sciences and Management, in comparison to the same faculties in different schools, with a position in 158th place. The lowest-ranked faculty in comparison with other schools was Natural Science, in 281st place. Associate Vice-Principal (International) Kathy O’Brien said Queen’s performs well in some rankings and less well in others. “Every ranking uses a different methodology … fluctuations in the international rankings are to be expected and Queen’s may go up or down a few positions from year to year,” she told the Journal
via email. Despite what some may perceive as a low ranking, O’Brien said Queen’s is doing well. “The rankings do indicate that Queen’s continues to punch above its weight when it comes to research,” she said. In the global context, the University will continue to focus upon building international ties through recruiting students and continuing research. “The University’s success internationally will be built upon its strength domestically,” O’Brien said. “We will continue to leverage our strength as a balanced academy to attract international students and to build on our research prominence around the globe.” O’Brien didn’t specify what positive or negative aspects of Queen’s might have put the University in 187th. “Some rankings, such as QS, rely heavily on global reputational surveys. Globally, Queen’s moved up two spots from last year, which is positive,” she said. “But as I mentioned before, fluctuations in the rankings are to be expected.” O’Brien said it’s difficult for the QS World University Rankings, or any university rankings, to capture the University’s quality. “Delivering a transformative student learning experience in a research-intensive environment is our defining strength, but it does not necessarily help us in international rankings,” she said. “No major ranking captures all of Queen’s strengths, in particular the quality of its student learning experience.”
queensjournal.ca
•5
News
6 • queensjournal.ca
Friday, September 26, 2014
BUSINESS
LiquorNow aims to be charitable and profitable Delivery service looks to prevent drinking and driving while also donating to cancer research B y M ishal O mar Assistant News Editor A new alcohol delivery service in town is aiming to raise money for charity and to prevent drinking and driving. LiquorNow Inc. started running this month and follows the same hours of operation as the local Beer Store and LCBO, where they purchase alcohol for delivery. They deliver liquor, beer and wine
to students’ doors, where they ID before handing over the alcohol. With a $5 flat fee for each delivery, LiquorNow Inc. will donate $0.25 of their profits to the Canadian Cancer Society. Vice-president Mike Thompson said they chose to donate to this charity because cancer affects so many people. “Cancer is definitely a prevalent disease,” he said. “It has touched just about everybody, so
Celebrating 30 Years of Serving Kingstonians and the Queen’s Community • • • • • • • •
Dinner that always pleasantly surprises served 7 days a week, reasonably priced Breakfast and lunch served daily plus all day Saturday & Sunday brunch Gourmet pizzas, local beef burgers, pasta, steak, chicken, fish & seafood Vegetarian/gluten free options Fully licensed dining room and patio Delivery by Just Eats.ca Full or no service catering department for any event Windmills is locally owned by a Queen’s grad
the fine art of fresh. A KINGSTON TRADITION FOR 30 YEARS
Q journal ad AIRPORT 7 flights 2014_airport ad 03/06/14 2:50 PM Page 1 184 Princess Street • 613-544-3948 • www.windmills-café.com WINDMILLS CATERING FULL-SERVICE CATERING FROM THE EXPERTS
Isn’t it time you got on board?
7 scheduled daily flights from/to Toronto & Kingston
kingstonairport.ca
Minutes from Queen’s campus
we figure it’s definitely a worthwhile cause to contribute to.” Curtis Lindsey said he thinks the service is useful. “I have personally used delivery services like these before and found them really useful,” Lindsey, Sci ’17, told the Journal via email. “It’s also cheaper than a similar service [Dial-A-Bottle] that is available, and it’s nice to know they are doing something positive
with their revenue.” In addition to delivering alcohol, LiquorNow Inc. pays to pick up empty bottles — $1 for every dozen. They also deliver for large events that are planned in advance. The business takes orders online through their website, on the phone and through their Facebook page.
Friday, September 26, 2014
News
queensjournal.ca
•7
Skinhead group appears to be nonviolent Continued from page 1
St. area, near Shoppers Drug Mart. “The signs are non-violent, as far as is known,” Pugh, ConEd ’17, said. “I did some research into them and they have very conflicted views within their own group. They say that there’s only 12 members in all of Southern Ontario, so they’re not
anything to worry about.” Pugh said that the group has the right to free speech, but she has the right to take the posters down. “Don’t give them the power to make you feel afraid, but don’t sit there and feel like you have to take it either,” she said. — With files from Chloe Sobel
Residents arrested earlier this week Continued from page 1
26 agencies — in Feb. 2007. Const. Steve Koopman, media relations officer for the KPF, said the investigation into the two individuals began in mid-August. The KPF I.C.E. team is comprised of two detectives, Stephanie Morgan and Mhairi Knapp, who, Koopman said, “are specifically and specially trained to investigate child pornography and online child exploitation.” I.C.E. is a subunit of the Sexual Crimes Unit in the KPF’s Criminal Investigations Division. When IP addresses “that appear to have accessed child pornography” are identified as originating in Kingston, local I.C.E. detectives begin production orders and warrants to locate the subscriber of the address. Koopman said he doesn’t
think there’s an association between the two individuals that were arrested, to his knowledge However, he said there’s the potential that they used similar methods of finding information on accessing, possessing and making child pornography. “We want any suspects or any perpetrators who are doing this to know that we are out there, we are proactively looking for you and that we have the support of the public and that we receive some amazing tips,” he said. “And just because the world wide web makes it global, doesn’t mean that we don’t have a responsibility to do as much as possible to ensure that [children are] safe and that the persons that are committing these crimes are held accountable.” A Southern Ontario Skinheads poster outside Stauffer Library.
PHOTO BY CHLOE SOBEL
Use this Green Bin to lose weight. Lose weight with vegetables, fruit, oatmeal, chicken bones, blueberry pie filling, pizza, uneaten macaroni, gravy, grass clippings, used paper towel and, yes, lard. If it can go in the Green Bin, it’s not garbage. It can be turned into useful compost that will help stuff grow. Garbage can’t do that. Garbage is good for nothing. Cut the weight of useless garbage sent to landfill: put organic waste in your Green Bin. Find out what else can go in the Green Bin at CityofKingston.ca/GreenBin Don’t have a Green Bin? Or is your Green Bin broken? Call 613-546-0000.
Waste less. Green Bin more.
8 • queensjournal.ca
Friday, September 26, 2014
DIALOGUE
Editorials — The Journal’s Perspective
“We need an anthem that reflects our ideals and what we hope this nation will strive for...”
POLITICS
Neutrality a necessity Canada’s current national anthem doesn’t accurately represent the standards of equity we should strive towards. The debate around using gender-neutral language in the national anthem will return to the House of Commons, via a private member’s bill that seeks to change “all thy sons command” to “all of us command”. Gender-neutral language is something Canadians have been striving towards for decades. From policemen who are now police officers to stewardesses who are now flight attendants, there’s an increasing recognition that language reflects society, and that alterations are necessary if we want our society’s ideals of equity to be mirrored by our words. A national anthem
Sebastian Leck
History needs structure The history department needs to be more standardized. Besides a Canadian history credit requirement, there are almost no core courses in the major and medial programs. Upper-level seminars require only a third or fourth-year standing in history, and no prerequisites. For the most part, we take courses that pique our interest until we leave. I take issue with this structure, or lack thereof. I appreciate openness in a program. It allows students to explore their interests. However, the current program provides no common base of knowledge, or even a defined way of approaching history.
Editorial Board Editors in Chief
Nick Faris Vincent Ben Matak
Production Manager News Editor
Sam Koebrich Chloe Sobel
Assistant News Editor
is something to take pride in, and the current version of “O Canada” is
ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAELLA FORTUNE
For a program that values critical thinking skills, it’s hard to justify the arbitrary methods used to teach them. There’s something to be said for learning the basics of studying history — not any specific topic, but the skillset for conducting research and analyzing historical sources. I went until the middle of my third-year without a clear understanding of how to properly conduct research. I chose a thesis beforehand and searched for information to justify my conclusion. Sometimes the essays worked. Often they didn’t. Later, I learned to find the available evidence first and test my ideas based on that information. But I can’t name where or when I learned this method, or whether I learned it in a history class. Even now, I feel my methods are haphazard. Many of my professors have been fantastic, but their primary concern has been teaching students various topics in history, not how to study history. Most programs have mandatory courses on methodologies. Economics has statistics and econometrics courses. Psychology has research methods courses. Political studies has a political theory course and a political Opinions Editor Arts Editors
Olivia Bowden
Olivia Loncar-Bartolini Kashmala Omar
Sports Editor
Sean Sutherland
Assistant Sports Editor
Brent Moore
Lifestyle Editor
Sebastian Leck Laura Russell
Photo Editors
Anisa Rawhani
Assistant Photo Editor (Video)
Editorials Editor
our anthem. But an anthem isn’t just a symbol — it’s a meaningful symbol. At citizenship ceremonies, new citizens are expected to sing “O Canada”. It’s meant to represent their pride in officially becoming Canadian. We need an anthem that reflects our ideals and what we hope this nation will strive for — even just as a gesture that shows our country and government care enough about inclusion that we’ll deal with something that is, to many, seemingly benign. — Journal Editorial Board
HEALTH
Natasa Bansagi Mishal Omar Jacob Rosen
Features Editors
legitimately feels oppressed by the anthem. If you have the opportunity to include everyone, though, why wouldn’t you? The issue at hand isn’t simply inherently exclusionary. one of gender-inclusivity. The Voices against the change national identity that the say it’s pointless, since no one anthem presents is inaccurate on several fronts. The image of Canada that’s painted is male-centric — “all thy sons command” — militaristic — “we stand on guard” — and Christian — “God keep our land”. These characteristics might’ve represented Canada’s ideals in years past, but this is no longer the case. There are far more severe issues of gender, race and oppression within Canada than the status of neutrality of
Chloë Grande
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Kate Meagher Arwin Chan Alex Pickering Emilie Rabeau
research course. A required methodology course — a course on history as a field and different approaches to historical writing and research — would provide a knowledge base for all history students. Other mandatory courses would strengthen the program. A student shouldn’t be able to obtain a history degree without having ever taken a course on a time period before 1800, or get away with taking courses focusing on only one continent. There’s also the question of prerequisites. Most upper-year seminars have a second-year course on the same topic; making them mandatory would allow seminars to deepen our knowledge on familiar topics, rather than continually restarting the learning process. History is a challenging field of study — it’s one of the oldest in existence — and proper historical understanding requires a wide base of knowledge. Our department already does great work, but we can do better. Sebastian is one of the Journal’s Features Editors. He’s a fourth-year history major.
Graphics Editor and Editorial Illustrator Michaella Fortune
Web Developer Copy Editors
Karen Chen
Leigh Cameron Christine Ellis Chandra Erickson
Contributing Staff Staff Writers Michael Green Rachel Herscovici Jaehoon Kim Ryan Pardy
Quest bridges study and recovery
The opening of Canada’s first recovery high school is a solid step in creating resources for youth with substance use disorders. Quest Collegiate and Recovery Centres opened in North Simcoe this month. The high school’s mission “is to provide teens recovering from substance use disorder with an environmental and social configuration that supports and encourages recovery and academic success.” Rehabilitation often forces education and other parts of life to be put on hold. The recovery high school model is an excellent way for youth with substance use disorders to continue to engage in other areas of their life, while recovering in an environment that’s equipped to support their needs. The response of ordinary high schools to substance use is to reprimand rather than support. The lack of support is only made worse by the pervasive stigma surrounding the disorder, making it difficult for youth to continue in their high school during or following rehabilitation. While high schools like Quest Collegiate are taking important Contributors Darren Major
Business Staff Business Manager
David Worsley
Marketing Manager
Hayley Square
Sales Representatives
Fraser Bruce Jacob Rumball Teddy Taggart Flora Wu
Friday, September 26 • Issue 7 • Volume 142
The Queen’s Journal is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University, Kingston. Editorial opinions expressed in the Journal are the sole responsibility of the Queen’s Journal Editorial Board, and are not necessarily those of
strides to learn how to better assist youth with such disorders, more support and education on the nature of substance use disorders needs to be present in the average high school, as well. It’s important to ensure preventative measures are in place to mitigate the number of students who get to the point of needing rehabilitation. This first recovery high school is an important step for Canada. Prior to Quest Collegiate’s opening, youth who wanted to go to such institutions were forced to go to the United States, where tuition is extremely high. One of Quest Collegiate’s limitations is that its admittance capacity is set at 50 students. While it’s important to keep numbers low to ensure that each student receives the necessary amount of attention, this raises questions on how students will be picked. By opening this recovery high school, there’s an acknowledgement that substance use disorders are mental illnesses in need of extra resources. — Journal Editorial Board
the University, the AMS or their officers. Contents © 2014 by the Queen’s Journal; all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the Journal. The Queen’s Journal is printed on a Goss Community press by Performance Group of Companies in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Contributions from all members of the Queen’s and Kingston community are welcome. The Journal reserves the right to edit all submissions. Subscriptions are available for $80.00 per year (plus applicable taxes). Please address complaints and grievances to the Editors in Chief. Please direct editorial, advertising and circulation enquiries to: 190 University Ave., Kingston, ON, K7L 3P4 Telephone: 613-533-2800 (editorial) 613-533-6711 (advertising) Fax: 613-533-6728 Email: journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca The Journal online: www.queensjournal.ca Circulation 6,000 Issue 8 of Volume 142 will be published on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
queensjournal.ca
•9
Talking heads
Opinions — Your perspective
... around campus PHOTOS BY OLIVIA BOWDEN
Is the “man bun” in style?
“Yes. I like when a man has a little bit of a dirty look.” AVERY PHELPS, CON-ED ’18 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ARWIN CHAN
GENDER
Masculinity re-defined
Why men need feminism in order to change preconceived notions of male identity
Darren Major, MA ’15 In Emma Watson’s recent speech to the United Nations, she asked men to join in the feminist cause. While I don’t believe men needed a formal invitation and should be already engaged in the fight for equality, many of Watson’s points touched on why men need to be engaged with feminism. She argued that equality feminism seeks much more than equal pay for equal work; it’s seeks to deconstruct gender norms and value women as equal human beings. Watson’s speech was also one of the most mainstream evaluations of why men need feminism. Men need feminism because hegemonic gender norms — dominant beliefs about qualities and attributes pertaining to specific genders — are detrimental to everyone. Feminism challenges our conception of masculinity — which is a distorted, destructive conception, as it prescribes itself to values of control, strength and a lack of emotion. Feminism dismantles the idea that men must live up to pre-conceived
When women are devalued notions of a masculine identity. We need to consider a new way in this kind of mindset, it takes to frame masculinity outside of its away from the possibilities of men having meaningful and current paradigm. Historically, and unfortunately emotional relationships. This may not seem like an issue contemporarily, masculinity has been associated with strength and to most, but that’s because an dominance. This association is expression of emotion is viewed especially prevalent when related as a sign of weakness in the current masculine framework. to sex. Men are often not willing to Current conceptions of masculinity force men into a express emotions such as love or sort of competition, where compassion because they’re seen as we’re constantly in a battle to too feminine. Many believe and would “one-up” each other to prove our dominance. In regards to sex, men suggest that a man who holds are encouraged to compare their these traits is not a real man. “conquests” or “kill-count” to prove By framing masculinity this way, we further devalue what is feminine. their worth as men. Earlier this month, I encouraged Needless to say, this devalues women, but it also has detrimental a first-year student — whom I’d known previously from impacts on men. When women are considered home — to take a gender studies “conquests” or “kills”, it devalues course. His reaction was telling, as he asked if I was joking. their worth as sexual partners. It’s likely that he associated When sexual experience is framed within this discourse, gender studies with feminine ideals it suggests that our partners and perceived it as a threat to his are disposable. It encourages masculine identity. It’s exactly this sort of aversion men to have sex with females at to discussions revolving around any cost. It also creates an gender that shows further environment in which this education is required about sort of behaviour is accepted why I‘d encouraged him in the or ignored, as it’s considered first place. This kind of education can “normal” masculine behaviour. As it’s accepted as a norm, it be preventative as it dismantles a creates a culture that allows these “rape culture” that allows certain behaviours to take place unchecked, behaviours to be passable. It can leading to assault. This is what’s help men to recognize problematic behaviour and challenge what’s called “rape culture”.
perceived to be “masculinity.”. Consider the incident this year involving the University of Ottawa’s men’s hockey team, in which the team was suspended and two players were charged with sexual assault. Also examine the sexual assault involving the Stubenville High School football team in 2012, in which players were convicted of rape after photographs of their assault were posted on social media. If bystanders — especially male peers — were willing to speak out against this beahaviour in situations like these, perhaps sexual assault in this context could be prevented. If we reframe masculinity and strength to be about expressing compassion and the willingness to speak out against destructive norms, then men won’t feel compelled to engage in a constant battle to prove their dominance — and women won’t be devalued through sexual relations and discourse. We must not centralize men in feminism, but rather see the deconstruction of hegemonic masculinity as a stepping-stone to achieving gender equality and recognizing women as equal human counterparts. Darren Major is a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Global Development Studies.
“It’s pretty unattractive, to be honest.” ELLEN BEEN , PHEKIN ’18
“I miss mine.” CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON, COMM ’15
“I’m not a big fan of the man bun. Personally, I wouldn’t do it.” BRENT CUNNING, MPT ’15
Follow @QJDialogue on Twitter
LETTER TO THE EDITOR RE: Overheard is Dead My name is Courtney Langton, ConEd '09, creator of the Overheard at Queen's Facebook group. Since several friends have already sent me Sam Koebrich's editorial, I figured it was time for my two cents. I joined Facebook in 2006 while I was supposed to be studying for my Psych 100 midterm. At the beginning, my only Facebook friend was Kevin Fernandes (a claim most '09s and '10s can probably make). Then more and more friends joined — you know the story of Facebook. We didn't have groups
at first, we didn't have Apps and The one legacy I am pleased to you should be able to rely on gone well before Sam Koebrich games; we did not even have have passed down to younger a comedy Facebook group started at Queen's. Time passes. a Newsfeed. generations of Queen's students is providing you with a few funny Things change. Sure, savour a When I started the Overheard the ruthless removal of unrelated comments about entropy or hair sad QP beer in honour of the group a year or so later, partly posts. From the beginning, people scrunchies — nothing else. end of your favourite Queen's inspired by the Journal feature saw a Facebook group with a lot of The incredible things Queen's Facebook group. But when you of the same name, we didn't get members and either asked about or students research, write about, put finish that beer, go out and create notifications when someone posted chose to post without permission the into practice, engage in activism something new. in the group. We had to comment type of unrelated content Koebrich about, create, etc. are draining on Overheard at Queen's posts the mentions frequently. enough; sometimes you just need Courtney Langton old-fashioned way, by logging on It did pain me a bit to decline a haven where things are going to ConEd '09 to Facebook in the library. That when it was a great cause, but if it be light and easy. Not hurtful. Not BEd '10 might be part of Overheard's wasn't a funny overheard it had no necessarily “showcase[ing] a grittier current problem: too much access place on the group wall (yeah, we side of Queen's homogeneity." to a group that didn't used to get still called it a wall back then). Just funny. more than one or two posts a day. So I deleted those posts, The Overheard at Queen's that What Sam does get wrong is because if you only have a quick my generation knew is gone. his criticism of the group admin's study break from six hours of From his comments in the deletion of non-topical posts. writing about Belgian federalism, Journal yesterday, it seems it was
10 •queensjournal.ca
Friday, September 26, 2014
PHOTO
The d
Housing disparities on B y C hloe S obel News Editor When crossing from one part of William St. to the other, over Barrie St. — where William becomes disconnected, rather than running in a straight line — it’s easy to see the stark external differences between houses in the University District and the houses outside. Historically, the student housing area east of Barrie has been known as the “student ghetto”. Catherine Wright, the 2013-14 AMS municipal affairs commissioner, told the Journal last year that there’s little pressure for landlords to renovate their properties within the student housing area because of that name, which suggested low standards. There’s been a lot of debate among students about whether the new “University District” label will stick, but the effort to rebrand the area saw the old street signs replaced. Nothing’s changed with house exteriors, though, and while the signs are new, the houses west of Barrie still look old. The outside of a house doesn’t necessarily say much about the inside. Judy To, who lives inside the University District, said she doesn’t think the outside of a house affects the inside. “I move every year and every year we had different houses that looked different on the outside but we still kept it clean at a certain standard,” To, Comm ’15, said. “There are some really ugly houses on the outside, and on the inside it’s beautiful. And then you see the opposite, where there’s the new Varsity Properties, and the outside’s so nice and you go in and it’s like, ‘oh,
Friday, September 26, 2014
O ESSAY
divide
either side of Barrie St. you’re really messy and really dirty.’” Natalie Kugler said part of the reason houses outside the district might be cleaner is because they’re removed from its social sphere. “Yeah, their houses are cleaner, because they just throw less parties and there’s less damage that’s done,” Kugler, Comm ’15, said. “I feel like Queen’s students don’t have a lot of respect for any of the properties here and everyone just kind of trashes it, like they’re paying for it and stuff. That’s why the ones outside of the ghetto, they are so much nicer, because they respect it throughout the years.” Colby Sharma, who also lives in the district, agreed. “Houses inside the University District are cheaper. They’re meant to be that way — you know, not as nice,” Sharma, ArtSci ’17, said. Alexandra Valeri lives outside the University District and has never lived inside it. “I was warned away from getting inside the university area because I heard a lot of the houses were kind of crappy, like not well taken care of,” Valeri, ArtSci ’15, said. “But some of the places here I hear they’re not that great, so I don’t know. That could just be what I’ve heard.” She lives in an apartment building, and said the exterior is plain, but she’s decorated it nicely. “If the outside of your house is nice, maybe you’re not as motivated to keep the inside nice, but on the same hand sometimes you have kind of a shabby outside and you’re like, ‘well, I’m going to make the inside really nice because I can actually do something about that.’”
queensjournal.ca
• 11
12 •queensjournal.ca
Friday, September 26, 2014
ARTS
SUPPLIED BY ANDREW ROSS
Brunet at the book launch for his first published novel Stinking Rich.
BOOK LAUNCH
Tales of troubled youth Author Rob Brunet releases a crime-comedy novel B y K ashmala O mar Arts Editor It’s easy to hold an audience’s attention when the first thing you say involves high-school students joking about hiding the body of someone who’s face has been chewed off by a dog. Rob Brunet, accompanied by supportive fellow authors Liz Strange and Ryan Aldred, held a book launch for his first comedy-crime novel Stinking Rich on Tuesday. The launch, hosted by The Brew Pub in downtown Kingston, kicked off with chapter readings from each author. Strange, a
10-time published author, and Aldred, who’s currently working on a series of fiction novels, each read samples from their work to the small gathering of people. Brunet went last, exclusively reading a section from Stinking Rich — gathered from the segment he read, the book puts a light-hearted twist on the dark nature of murder. More specifically, the book is about what occurs when a backwoods biker gang in Kawartha hires a high-school dropout to take charge of a high-grade marijuana-growing operation. From there, the book focuses on the problems that ensue when there’s a lot of drug money for
the dropouts, but also a lot of people who are willing to go to any lengths to take it from them. After the readings, there was a question period where the authors gave their thoughts on acquiring a publisher, the act of self-publishing and experiencing launches for the first time. Aldred started off by comparing the concept of self-publishing to heroin users. “I look at self-publishing the way a heroin addict looks like a needle — it’s very tempting,” he
said. “Sometimes people are very successful with it, but I’m holding off partly because I’m writing a series, and I’m not convinced I can do that myself.” Brunet went after this, emphasizing the fact that publishers play a significant role in getting the public interested and aware of new authors’ works. “With publishers, they get more involved in the process,” Brunet said in reference to book launches. “We focused on booking independent book stores at first. When I landed a couple of bookings, I got a lot more traction after that.” Although acquiring a publisher makes things easier, Brunet said, as the author it’s best to get involved with the process of booking appearances. “For what it’s worth, I knew that getting involved is important.
Whether the publisher is big or small, you’ve got to dig in and do it [yourself], as well,” he said. “I’ve got friends who are on their fourth novel, and left their appearances to the hands of the publicist without getting involved, and it didn’t end up working out.” Brunet has been writing on and off for years. The process of writing Stinking Rich to being published, started a couple of years ago when he finally decided that writing wasn’t just going to be his hobby. “It was the classic case of spending your life thinking you’re going to be a writer and not actually starting,” he said. “So I literally looked in the mirror one day and I told myself that this could either just be a hobby, or I could throw myself at it. And that’s what I decided to do — just go for it.”
HORROR MOVIE FESTIVAL
Creepy crawly cinema Slimebone City Horror Festival returns next month B y O livia L oncar -B artolini Arts Editor
Poster for Slimebone Horror Festival.
SUPPLIED
With October looming, it’s primetime for scary movies, and Kingston’s Slimebone City Horror Film Festival is just around the corner. “The festival is totally dedicated to horror, and this is only the second year we’ve done it through a grant from the city,” said Liz Strange, the festival’s communications director. “It all started from a conversation where we were noticing over the years that the age of the audience coming to film festivals was going up,” Strange said. “We were trying to brainstorm about ways to maybe get students and younger folks out to film festivals, so this is what we came up with.” When most people think of horror movies, big names such as The Exorcist and Paranormal Activity trilogy might come to mind. But according to Strange, there are plenty of lesser known horror and thriller flicks just waiting to send shivers down the spines of 2000 festival goers. “The focus is just to kind of broaden people’s ideas about what horror is, that it’s not just all slasher
films and there’s lots of different sub-genres in horror. We want to bring people out to see stuff that they probably wouldn’t ever get a chance to see anywhere else and maybe never even hear about,” Strange said. Although cinema is at the root of the event, movie screenings aren’t the only fun activity the festival has to offer. “We’re having our opening night gala which is in honour of the four-year anniversary of Black Christmas, which is a great Canadian classic. So we’re having a Black Christmas themed opening gala party,” Strange said. In its second year of operation, the festival — which takes place at “The Screaming Room” on the second floor at 120 Princess St. — will run for four days and showcase 11 feature-length horror films and six shorts. In addition, some of the featured film’s creators including Allyson Mitchell, Mark Pariselli and David Dollard will be in attendance to meet with audience members at the opening gala and the closing party taking place at The Toucan. The festival will include some special features from a range of different languages and
styles such as Dead Snow 2 and Killjoy’s Castle. “I can’t choose a favourite, but I’m a big fan of Dead Snow which we’re having a sequel to at the festival this year so I’m probably most excited to go and see that one,” said Strange when asked which film she’s the most enthusiastic about. Slimebone City Horror Film Festival runs from October 8 to 11.
Follow us on Twitter: @QJArts
Arts
Friday, September 26, 2014
queensjournal.ca
• 13
CURATOR INTERVIEW
Vorano’s developmental endeavours Canadian art professor assumes role as the curator of indigenous art at Agnes Etherington B y K ashmala O mar Arts Editor With plans to form ties with Indigenous communities and teaching in the gallery space, Norman Vorano well-prepared to assume the role of curator of Indigenous art at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre (AEAC). As well as occupying the curator position, Vorano will be teaching North American Indigenous art in the Queen’s art history department this upcoming year. He acquired his PhD from the University of Rochester in New York, after which he gained field experience in the Canadian arctic with a specific focus on Inuit art work in the 20th century. He also worked at the Canadian Museum of History where he also held a position as curator of contemporary Inuit art. One of Vorano’s main goals as curator is to incorporate his teachings of Inuit art with the Indigenous galleries present in the AEAC. “What I’d like to be doing at the Agnes is developing future classes and holding them right here in the
gallery space,” he said. “Classes could be on different aspects of curatorial practice, particularly when it comes to working with Indigenous material. That’s definitely on the horizon.” The scholar recognized the significance of bringing a wider variety of Indigenous art to students’ attention. “I have to shed light on the Agnes’ own collection because the gallery does have Indigenous art already,” he said. “I’d like to have the Indigenous communities around Queen’s to have a little more presence in the gallery — that could be through collections or anything else.” There will be opportunities to build more Indigenous art collections, programs and exhibitions, Vorano said. The AEAC has expertise in exhibiting contemporary art and his presence will enhance what they’re already doing, he added. As well as implementing teachings within the arts centre, his main focus will be on forming mutually-beneficial partnerships with Indigenous communities surrounding the Kingston area.
FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Annual Kingston WritersFest returns Literature arts festival comes back for a fifth year of cultural entertainment B y K ashmala O mar Arts Editor The Kingston WritersFest has arrived and promises to provide a celebratory discussion of literature, performance art, workshops and more held by a wide range of authors. The festival launched in 2006, but became a professionalized annual event in 2009. It consists of 57 events that began on Wednesday and will occur until this Sunday. Artistic director Barbara Bell started off as a festival volunteer in 2009 and spent all of last year as associate director, which is a preparatory job for the role of artistic director. “Basically, the artistic director is the hub of the wheel,” Bell said. “It’s a big job, and [the festival] takes all year to get ready. There’s 57 events and different writers coming and going daily, with each event having its own shape and features.” The goal of the WritersFest, apart from highlighting the literary works of dozens of respected authors, is to ensure that every person involved in either the organization or viewing of the festival leaves with a feeling of fulfilment. “One of my main aims is that everybody who’s been involved with the festival in any way, goes
away feeling like they’ve been enriched by the experience,” she said. “It has to be a positive experience for everyone.” This year, projected attendance is 7-8000 people. The positive experiences that come out of the festival have led to its substantial growth over the years, Bell added. “Things are never going to be 100 per cent perfect, but we never want to send anyone away dissatisfied or unhappy,” Bell said. “That’s why it grows to the size it is and the level of support from the community shows that we’re doing things right, and authors love to attend.” Bell’s responsibilities include negotiating with publishers to get authors to the event and finalizing the financial reports. She also
Vorano said he hopes to work on this in order to remain informed by Indigenous communities that play a significant role in the presence of the art, and any policies and protocols surrounding it. “In broad strokes, I want to develop some good partnerships with Indigenous communities in Canada, as well as museums here, to help the development of the collections,” he said. “In that case it would be very appropriate to get the input from the appropriate elders and knowledgeable people from communities nearby.” Having grown up in northern Ontario, where he was exposed to a lot of Indigenous art, Vorano’s interest in the topic sparked at an early age. A lack of teaching based on Inuit art in the university curriculum made him want to study it even more, he said. “I’ve had an interest in it since Vorano has led art projects in the arctic. I was young. When I went to university there was really no place Vorano felt as if he could to study it,” he said. “I found that relate to this form of art, having the fact that they weren’t teaching grown up around it. This led to it was unfortunate because it was his education and experience such a popular art form — that undertaking research projects in right there was enough for me to the arctic related to the history of Indigenous art. pursue it.” monitors the budget and oversees the portfolios of the production, education and volunteer workers that report back to her. “It’s basically a global oversight,” Bell said. “There’s pressure there for me to see that everybody else is carrying on the way they’re supposed to, but I have a great team that’s been a huge help.” One of the best parts of the event, Bell said, is that even though it expands every year there’s still a feeling of intimacy within the festival. “You meet so many great people, and our festival has grown a lot but it still has a very intimate feeling. I’m getting to know the writers and audience members really well,” she said. “It’s just a family that keeps growing and growing.” Some of the key events include “The State of a Nation” which incorporates the discussion of politics in literature, “Identity: Either/Or/Neither” with Caribbean-native author Shani Mootoo and an all-new French-based dialogue with Kim Thuy. Bell spoke of the implementation of the French program and the importance of inclusivity. “For the first time ever we’ve programmed a French event,” she
said. “We definitely want to be as inclusive as we can in our program. We want to try to serve as many constituencies as we can and every age group — that’s our mandate to the community, to provide this literary opportunity to learn, listen and be enriched.” Bell also stressed that Queen’s students are a large part of Kingston’s community, and hopes they’ll participate in the festival, especially as they’re eligible to receive free tickets to onstage events with the presentation of a valid student ID card. The role of the artistic director is to make the event recognizable, so Bell said she didn’t stray from
SUPPLIED BY NORMAN VORANO
“I’ve always been interested in this form of art, so I decided to pursue and study it based on that,” he said. “I think we all want to study things that relate to our own experiences.”
the usual activities. “Overall it was part of my personal plan to not change too many things,” she said. “I want to make sure the people who love it recognize it and think it’s the same — we’ve definitely achieved that. The event has an amazing reputation amongst the writer’s community as well. There’s lots of positive buzz about it.” The Kingston WritersFest occurs at the Holiday Inn Kingston until Sunday. See queensjournal.ca/arts on Tuesday for a recap of the festival.
14 •queensjournal.ca
Friday, September 26, 2014
ATHLETE PROFILE
Fifth-year duo guns for playoff run As their time as Gaels ends, Billy McPhee and Alex Carroll take on leadership role with youthful team B y J aehoon K im Staff Writer With their young squad struggling through a winless stretch, Queen’s football has looked to a pair of veterans for leadership. Quarterback Billy McPhee and receiver Alex Carroll are two of only three fifth-year seniors on a team laden with first- and secondyear players, as a result of all but six starters from last season departing. While their final season with the Gaels isn’t going as planned — the team is currently 0-4, tied for last in the OUA — both said they’ve enjoyed taking on a leadership role. In his final season donning
Queen’s golden jersey, McPhee has quietly put together a solid campaign, ranking second in the OUA with 1018 passing yards. He gave credit to head coach Pat Sheahan for developing his football career and helping him get to a stage where he can help younger players. That mentorship role is something McPhee said he’ll try to continue after his time at Queen’s finishes. He was invited to the CFL regional combine this year, but if the professional game doesn’t work out, he expressed an interest in staying in football as a coach. “I’ve been playing football since I was six years old. I’ve had
Billy McPhee led the Gaels to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons as starting quaterback.
SUPPLIED BY ALEX PICKERING
FOOTBALL
Key road game Gaels look to avoid dropping to 0-5 B y B rent M oore Assistant Sports Editor Losing to the McMaster Marauders tomorrow would drop Gaels football to their worst start since 2000. That was head coach Pat Sheahan’s first season at the helm, when Queen’s finished 1-7. Sheahan said his current team isn’t happy about their performance so far this season, including last week’s 66-0 loss to the Guelph Gryphons. “I think at a certain point in the game last week, it became kind of a pandemic,” Sheahan said at a press conference yesterday. “It was sort of one thing led to another thing led to another thing.” Part of the problem against the Gryphons was the Gaels’ inability to hold on to the ball; they fumbled six times in the loss. Ball control will be key against the Marauders, as will capitalizing on McMaster’s mistakes. “Against Mac, let’s stay away from the big-play blunder,” Sheahan said. “Let’s cash in on the opportunities that we get.” On top of that, Sheahan said his players will need to exhibit
more passion. “We’ve got to scrap a little bit harder than we did last week,” he said. Through four games, McMaster has racked up 186 points and held their opponents to 46. Queen’s has scored a cumulative 81 points, allowing 147.
SPORTS
many great coaches and I think I really want to give back,” McPhee said. “That’s the great thing about sports — even when you’re done playing, you can still make an impact as a coach. But if I get a call from the CFL, I’d love that too.” Despite McPhee’s individual success this year, the Gaels have struggled so far, starting the season winless after forfeiting their lone victory due to eligibility issues. Despite the losses, McPhee is still holding out hope. “Statistically, any time you can keep the interceptions down, it’s good for a quarterback, but we still haven’t technically won a game,” he said. “I’m never really satisfied, especially when we don’t win. Obviously, I wish we could have played better in some of these games, but the season’s only halfway over and we still have an opportunity to grow as a team.” Starting 0-4 is just the latest challenge Carroll has faced Two years after tearing his ACL, Alex Carroll is leading all JOURNAL FILE PHOTO at Queen’s. Two years ago, he Gaels receivers with 22 receptions for 260 yards. suffered a severe knee injury, tearing his ACL returning a kick in so I think that could be something with the team. After losing 66-0 to Guelph last the Gaels’ OUA semi-final loss to to work towards, making the week, the pair is looking ahead winter Olympics.” the Guelph Gryphons. A native of Victoria B.C., to Saturday’s game against the After returning last season, he’s broken out this year, hauling in 22 Carroll travelled across the country McMaster Marauders. Ending their careers with passes for 260 yards and becoming to suit up for the Gaels, originally lured in part by Queen’s prestigious a playoff appearance is now a McPhee’s top target. daunting task, but Carroll said “I feel great this season. It’s football tradition. As his best season and time with he’s confident the Gaels can still been a long time coming for me,” Carroll said. “I always thought that the tricolour nears a close, Carroll make it. “I believe in our team’s ability I could be a top-calibre receiver, said he’ll remember the Richardson to win games — it’s just we’ve but things like having the knee Stadium experience fondly. “I’m going to miss the energy underperformed at times and we’re injury held me back the last couple of the fans here,” he said. “I know still learning how to finish,” he of years.” Carroll has another chance to that this team means a lot to this said. “Hopefully this week goes the make the CFL after this year — but school and this team doing well way we want and we’ll have a shot if his goal falls short, he’s eyeing means a lot to this school. It’s at the end of the year.” an amazing feeling to go out to another sporting career. “Once my football career is Richardson, make a big play, and over, I think it’ll be cool to explore hear the crowd explode. There’s HEALTH my bobsledding career,” he said. nothing else like it and I’ll always “My athletic typing is applicable to remember it.” He pointed to the Gaels’ that sport and I went to a bobsled identification camp a few years OUA semi-final victory over the ago. Football isn’t a sport that’s Gryphons last year as the standout represented at the Olympic level moment for him in his five years
Invisible Injuries
Queen’s defence will be called on to keep tomorrow’s road game close. They’ve struggled at several points during the year, having given up over 600 yards a game — second-most in the OUA. The defence’s relative inexperience has been a problem,
The Gaels have yet to win at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium, but Queen’s pulled off a win at home last year.
JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
New club aims to discuss concussions
with 10 new starters entering the fold this year. A baptism by fire may bring these young players closer together and give them a taste of something they don’t want to repeat, Sheahan said. “I believe adverse conditions do make you better — it just takes a while to bear fruit,” he said. The Gaels withered on kick returns in last week’s game, leaving their offence disadvantaged before they even stepped on the field. “Managing the field became an issue,” Sheahan said. “There were over 200 yards in returns, which means a short field for them and a long field for us. “Last week was a step back, but you’re going to have these steps in a season,” he added. Like the Guelph game, tomorrow’s tilt is a Homecoming showdown — at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium, a building the Gaels have never won in. In the two team’s most recent meeting last September, Queen’s beat the Marauders 31-24, a clumsy season opener in which
Steph Nanos had to give up sports in high school because of concussions. Now, she’s heading up a group intent on changing perceptions. Nanos, ArtSci ’16, is one of two co-presidents of the Queen’s Concussion Awareness Committee, a club founded last year to lend support to students who have suffered a concussion — and challenge any misunderstandings about the injury. Nanos and Co-President Julia Hamer started the club last year, and while Hamer hasn’t suffered concussions, she’s had several people she knows deal with them. “We just aim to bring awareness to an invisible injury, where a lot of people feel alone because there are so many misconceptions,” Nanos said. “We just want to act as a breath of fresh air — making sure
See Winless on page 17
See Community on page 17
B y S ean S utherland Sports Editor
Friday, September 26, 2014
Sports
queensjournal.ca
• 15
Sports
16 •queensjournal.ca
Friday, September 26, 2014
MUSIC 4 EYES & EARS
Friday, September 26, 2014 at 8pm Music for Piano and Multimedia Megumi Masaki, piano Adults | Seniors | Students Pre-Concert Chat at 7:15 on the stage $20 $15 $10
OTTAWA TORONTO THURSDAY SATURDAY - SUNDAY
OCTOBER 2 OCTOBER 4-5 OTTAWA METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE CONVENTION CENTRE Expo : 2 pm - 6 pm
Expo : 1 pm - 5 pm
www.studyandgoabroad.com
SEMINARS start one hour before the fair opens
Sports
Friday, September 26, 2014
queensjournal.ca
• 17
Community-wide reach Continued from page 14
people know there are resources on campus, that they’re not alone.” The club is the first on campus to deal with the day-to-day impact concussions have on individuals. Unlike injuries like fractures or sprains, concussions don’t have obvious physical symptoms, making them more difficult to notice. Nanos’ concussions occurred when she was playing hockey — a sport she eventually had to quit due to multiple head injuries — and caused her to suffer from brain damage and mood disorders. At the time, rest was the prevailing treatment for dealing with a concussion. While Nanos did this, she noticed changes in her behaviour, mood and her general cognitive functions. As she did more research on the topic, she found out that depression, anxiety and other long-term effects could arise from concussions. “With some people, especially we’ve noticed on campus, they’ll say ‘I’m feeling sad after my concussion, is that normal?’ Yes, it’s normal,” Nanos said. “But not a lot of people would know that. So it’s really, really important to put up personal stories because it kind of challenges the stigma.” Nanos said one thing the club wants to work on is creating resources — such as tips on what do after suffering a
concussion — to allow injured students to return to day-to-day life “The entire concept is how to return to a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “How to contact your TAs and professors, should you be drinking. Things that would involve a university student’s lifestyle because that’s what we’re dealing with. “I just genuinely hope [the committee] has a positive effect on people’s lives and that people don’t feel so alone,” Nanos said. “I felt alone when I had mine and I just don’t want other people to feel alone.” Last March, the club held a speaker event — something the group is seeking to do again this year, involving students, medical staff and former professional athletes. As well they help point people in the right direction towards getting help. The committee isn’t connected to Athletics and Recreation, but on an individual level, several varsity athletes have supported the club, including current vice-president and former men’s hockey player Jordan Auld. While athletes are often at risk for concussions, Hamer said the club is for anyone who might suffer a concussion. “We hope to reach all the Queen’s community,” Hamer, ArtSci ’15, said. “That includes Queen’s varsity athletes, or athletes in general who might be at higher risk of concussions. It includes
Winless at Joyce Continued from page 14
both offences struggled. McMaster committed 13 penalties, something the Gaels might not be able to count on again. Quarterback Billy McPhee was held to 114 yards and a 48 per cent completion rate last year. The Gaels’ offence as a whole mustered just 227 yards total. Defensive back Yann Dika-Balotoken picked off a pair
of passes for touchdowns, giving the Gaels the points they needed to separate themselves from McMaster on the scoreboard. As for this season, Sheahan said he had reasonable expectations for the team in August. “I thought that 5-3, 4-4 was obtainable,” he said. “A few things have happened that are going to make 5-3 a problem. “We’re a team that really needs a win,” he added. “Winning is the great elixir in this business.”
non-athletes who might not think if they fall and hit their head on the curb they could be concussed. They need to think about that the same way a football or hockey player would. “I would love for us to be sustainable enough to keep going, to keep having the strength we have now,” she added. “And to eventually be able to make a chip in the mentality that exists now. I think we’re off to a good start there.”
Follow @QJSports. Steph Nanos (left) and Julia Hamer are the co-presidents of the Queen’s Concussion Awareness Committee.
PHOTO BY ARWIN CHAN
A Personal Concussion Story When I suffered what I believe was my only concussion, I wasn’t even aware of it. I was in grade 12 at the time and was clearing pucks out of the net during warm-ups for my hockey team. A teammate of mine fired a shot that hit my helmet and dented my protective cage. Not once did I think about the possibility of a concussion. After all, the shot didn’t seem like it did any damage. I’d been knocked woozy from hits before while playing hockey, but that time, I hadn’t suffered any injury. I played the remainder of the game, taking an elbow to the side of the head in the first period, but never felt like I was injured. The next morning, I suffered from a pounding
headache and felt sluggish throughout the day. While others were concerned about the possibility of a concussion, I strongly believed I was fine. Simply put, I wasn’t. I was hit on a Sunday; on Tuesday, I was nauseous, dizzy and sensitive to light. I missed three days of school, and still only felt about 90 per cent healthy when I came back. I took a week off hockey, and while I was healthy enough to return at that time, I probably would have done so regardless. I strongly believed in playing through pain, whether it’s a broken ankle or a concussion. My physical symptoms went away quickly, but the invisible symptoms that come along with concussions remained. My memory hasn’t been quite the same since I was hit, and I still struggle to maintain my
focus today. At my worst, I occasionally blank on simple things, such as what a blender is called. It’s a scary thing to go through, especially because there aren’t a lot of places to get help when these things happen. I’m lucky that my concussion wasn’t as severe as those of many others, and that I don’t suffer from my symptoms to the extent where I can no longer deal with day-to-day life. That said, I know the risk exists for additional concussions in my future. I hope I’m fortunate enough to avoid that situation. More than any broken bone, a brain injury is much harder to fix. — Sean Sutherland
LIFESTYLE
18 •queensjournal.ca
Friday, September 26, 2014
LIFESTYLE GRADUATE STUDIES
Looking into law Options for undergraduate students interested in law are widely available, from conferences to clubs B y K ate M eagher Assistant Lifestyle Editor
“[T]here’s access to people student to pursue. That’s where resources like the who have created a career for Queen’s Pre-Law Society (QPLS) themselves with a legal degree Sept. 27 may be just another and Queen’s Model Court (QMC) and a direct opportunity to ask questions and engage with them in Saturday for most, but for a come in. These on-campus groups are the whatever manner they see fit.” handful of Queen’s students, the Cameron also provided date represents the culmination of labour of passionate undergrads months and weeks of preparation. that seek to make law more further information about the conference’s goals. This Saturday, myself and many accessible to their peers. “It’s the whole process from The QPLS is primarily a of my classmates will write the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), networking opportunity through them getting the cases, them trying an exam that demands borderline which students hoping to break into to find a flaw or something in it obsessive behaviour from hopeful law can get to know one another, so that they can essentially win collaborate on preparations for the case in the end,” Cameron, law students. As well as being a necessary the LSAT and access speakers and ArtSci’16, said. “And we have judges that come in requirement to further legal studies, students working in law. By contrast, QMC provides the test represents a kind of unifying right of passage to undergrads with students with the chance to flex their legal skills in a more their eye on law. However, the LSAT lacks any practical setting. Sitting down with Gillian relevance in content to law or law Cameron and Brendon Dawson, school whatsoever. The LSAT asks primarily co-presidents of QMC, helped to for logical skills and reading shed light on what QMC can offer comprehension, with reference to undergrads, whether law school is in their immediate future or not. actual laws conspicuously absent. “We’re exposing all of our This makes the test accessible to students from a variety of academic delegates to professionals in the backgrounds, but also provides industry, people who have quite little indication of whether law is distinguished careers,” Dawson, the right subject matter for a given ArtSci ’15, said.
so they can judge the cases at the end and so I just think it’s a very realistic perception of what it might be like eventually.” Dawson and Cameron both added that despite the conference’s emphasis on law and legal proceedings, students from all faculties are likely to attend. “We see engineers, commerce students, we’ve had nurses inquire about coming, arts and science. It’s really everyone, which is what’s so great about it,” Cameron said. Whether through resources like QMC, QPLS, Queen’s Model
United Nations or other groups on campus, students should strive to keep in mind that regardless of their post-grad aspirations, there are opportunities on campus to try them out in an inclusive environment. Take it from me: preparing for the LSAT is daunting enough even when you’re sure it’s an avenue you want to pursue. Before you sign up for the test and everything it entails, take the time to reach out to students in similar circumstances and ensure that it’s the right choice for you.
QJ COLUMNS — SCIENCE
Winter woes ahead Farmer’s Almanac predicts chilly season
B y R yan P ardy Staff Writer
seems this upcoming winter might be particularly harsh. Be warned: this coming winter When students choose to come to has been described as the “T-Rex Queen’s, it usually isn’t because of of winters” by the Old Farmer’s the weather. In the summer, it’s Almanac’s editor. humid. In the winter, it’s frigid Recent predictions made by the and snowy. Old Farmer’s Almanac, a reference And in the months in between, book that contains weather it rains enough to make sure the forecasts, are anticapating this Campus Bookstore will never lose winter will be longer, colder and money on its “10 per cent off snowier than last year. umbrellas when it’s raining” deal. The predictions indicate that Unfortunately for us Canadians, it anyone living across Ontario and
Law school appeals to many undergraduate students, but it can’t be done on a whim.
right through to Quebec should prepare for bitterly cold winter. The only optimistic part of the Almanac’s predictions is that the snow should be fluffier than last year. The Old Farmer’s Almanac makes predictions of events such as sunrise and sunset times, high and low tides and weather based on
Although this winter may be colder than normal, there’s a chance the snow will be fluffier.
SUPPLIED BY ARWIN CHAN
PHOTO BY ALEX PICKERING
are quite secretive about their temporal patterns and past events. Using these patterns, the authors methods, claiming to use a of the Almanac claim to be able top-secret mathematical and to accurately predict the weather astronomical formula. However, anyone who has many months into the future. Already it seems we may be worn rain boots on bright, sunny experiencing some of what’s day that the weather man promised to come. The temperatures in would be a thunderstorm knows Kingston at the start of September even the Weather Network isn’t have been much lower than last infallible — and they have the year, dropping low enough to benefit of radar and satellites. Predicting weather is a difficult make some students reach for their science, and the further ahead you winter jackets. That being said, it could be try and predict, the less accurate worse. In Calgary, Alta., residents your predictions will be. Saying that the upcoming had their first significant snowfall of the year on Sept. 8. Though winter will be worse than last it’s not a record snowfall for that year’s is also a very general and date, it’s only a small comfort “safe” prediction. There’s also a lot of room for considering it was technically a interpretation. When the Almanac summer snowfall. In Kingston, however, we have predicts a colder winter, does that the added benefit of being in mean there’ll be one day during close proximity to Lake Ontario, which the temperature will be providing us with an extra layer lower than every day of last year’s of “lake-effect snow”. Lake-effect winter? Or does it mean every day snow is created when a mass of this winter will be colder? Short of having a mild, cold winter air moves over warmer significantly warmer winter, it’s water, creating clouds. When these clouds move over likely there’llbe at least some land, the drop in temperature evidence that the Almanac’s makes it snow. Since winter winds predictions are partially correct. So for us students, it may be typically blow from the west, this sends the lake-effect snow directly best to start preparing for another winter of bundling up and skating at us. All things considered, the to class on icy sidewalks. Even if temperatures feel warm Old Farmer’s Almanac isn’t the most scientific source for at the moment, don’t forget: winter weather predictions. The writers is coming.
LIFESTYLE
Friday, September 26, 2014
queensjournal.ca
• 19
COLUMN – QJ SEX
All about the SHRC
From sex questions to information, QJ Sex has you covered B y T he E xpert S expert Contributor Looking for sex advice? One of the best-kept secrets of Queen’s is the Sexual Health Resource Centre, better known as the SHRC. While the SHRC may be known for teach-ins and the dancing condom suit, we also have a wide variety of services which are often overlooked. The SHRC is a confidential, non-judgmental, sex positive, pro-choice, queer positive, non-heterosexist and feminist information and referral service for
questions regarding sex, sexuality and sexual health. Our office is staffed by trained volunteers who are able to respond to inquiries made in-person or by telephone. The SHRC operates year-round and services Queen’s University and the broader Kingston community. What can you look forward to with the SHRC in the Journal? We’ll be publishing QJ Sex columns every three weeks online, with intermittent appearances in print when we’ve got special things happening. The column will be a source of information about sexy happenings
in the Queen’s and Kingston communities that will keep you up to date on current issues. Sexperts (that’s us) will actively participate in ongoing debates about hot political, ethical, scientific and advocacy-related topics. And now, for the first time in print, sexperts will respond directly to your queries. That’s right — we want to hear directly from students. You’ll be able to anonymously submit questions on the SHRC website (www. shrckingston.org) and have our brilliant expert-sexperts weigh in on the answer.
STUDENT LIFE
Get real about your goals
Realistic goal-setting is about small steps, not end results B y C handra E rickson Copy Editor
Make a schedule and allocate are higher. To avoid the lure of Mac-Corry time for your activity, by designating an appropriate amount of work to burgers, try preparing a healthy dinner ahead of time. Have you ever started a diet or be completed each day. Remember progress is gradual, exercise program, but didn’t stick Make it fun with it? Or set out after your goals not a dramatic change. Learning with the best intentions, but failed Strategies also has helpful workshops, such as Balance If you don’t enjoy doing something, to keep the momentum going? We all know how to be Schoolwork and Life: Draft Your you aren’t likely to stay with it in the long run. So find ways that productive, get our work done, Weekly Schedule. will make your lifestyle change as exercise and eat healthy, yet enjoyable as possible. Stay consistent we’re not any closer to achieving The easiest way is to get a our goals than we were nine The frequency isn’t as important buddy — someone who will not months ago. Our tendency to form grand as actually performing the habit; only join you, but also keep you plans is no help — it leaves us however, once you start, it’s motivated. Start a study group, try feeling intimidated by our own important to keep with it so the a group workout class at the ARC or join the Healthy Cooking Club. expectations. Simply, ‘we habit will become a routine. If you want to start exercising, bite off more than we can Use your resources chew’ and get overwhelmed for example, try going at the same time at the same place for a month. too quickly. Remember that your goals Alternatively, you could commit There are various resources made are the larger items that you yourself to a 30-day challenge. The available to help keep you on pace wish to someday accomplish. ARC’s free fitness classes are a great with your goals this year. Don’t Most importantly, they starting point to check out classes feel shy — a little help and outside motivation goes a long way. should be SMART: specific, such as pilates, spin and Zumba. These are only a few of the measurable, achievable, realistic services offered at Queen’s that you Do it early and time-bound. should check out. For academics, Therefore, in order to be Queen’s Learning successful in establishing good You know best whether you’re a there’s habits this school year, we morning person or a night owl; Commons, located in Stauffer, as must find a balance between however, it’s important to start well as ASUS Peer Tutoring and Arts and Science Q Success. For our need to dream big and our your day off right, so do it early. Study in the morning (or before health and wellness, the AMS Food day-to-day activities. Whether you’re hoping to class), for example, when your Centre, the ARC and HCDS are all improve your study, exercise or motivation and willpower levels great, on-campus resources. eating habits, these tips and tricks will help you make them stick this school year. Start simple Setting big goals is exciting, but starting with smaller, potentially boring, goals are more likely to lead you to success. A small, but still SMART goal would be to run for 10 minutes each day by the lake, replace one unhealthy snack with raw veggies or study for 30 minutes before class at Stauffer. Once the action becomes easy, you can build on that goal. Make it convenient Don’t try to completely revamp your life in a single day. The more difficult and time-consuming it is to take action, the less likely you will do it.
ACROSS 1 Marshland 4 Trusty horse 9 Easter entree 12 “Hail, Caesar!” 13 Individually owned apartment 14 Exist 15 Scary party time 17 Allow 18 Summer (Fr.) 19 Simoleons 21 Angora yarn 24 Upper limbs 25 Lawyers’ org. 26 —Lingus 28 Wait patiently 31 Game played on horseback 33 Newcomer to society 35 Poi base 36 Alabama city 38 Evergreen type 40 Greek cross 41 Crumbly earth 43 Teen’s wall decoration 45 Opportunity 47 Tribute in verse 48 That woman 49 Spice Girl Geri 54 Noah’s boat
Last Issue’s Answers
55 Bottled water brand 56 Storm center 57 Two (Sp.) 58 Prognosticators 59 Small barrel 52 Opposite of “oui” 53 Spud state 54 Golf prop 55 — and outs 56 Male and female 57 Raw rock 58 Favorable vote DOWN 1 ‘Humbug!’ 2 Eggs 3 Come together 4 Nova — 5 Rose to great heights 6 Away from WSW 7 Plant swelling 8 Philanthropists, e.g. 9 Austrian city important in the Iron Age 10 Neigh-borhood 11 Christian denom. 16 Meadow 20 Leave out 21 Charts 22 Reed instrument 23 Distinguishing characteristics 27 Ump 29 Scottish hillside 30 Thy 32 Muscat’s country 34 Manic-depressive 37 McDonald’s logo 39 ‘The Thinker’ and ‘The Kiss,’ e.g. 42 Go 44 Stitch 45 African nation 46 Medal earner 50 Falsehood 51 ‘A mouse!’ 52 Caustic solution 53 Journey segment
20 •queensjournal.ca
LIFESTYLE
Friday, September 26, 2014
POSTSCRIPT
A ride to remember The conversations between students and taxi drivers in Kingston reveal the openness of both parties B y M ichael G reen Staff Writer Taxi drivers are a group of storytellers that often go unacknowledged in this city. In my experience, you’re able to hear a driver’s life story, learn a few of their dreams and get to the train station for about $15. The taxicab is a place where we hear stories they never would reveal in the grocery store line-up, let alone any other public space, but why? It may be something about the space of a taxi cab itself. It’s a temporary human connection that’s over in a matter of minutes. There’s a freedom in knowing that you’ll never see that person again. Starting in the mid-1990s, an HBO show called Taxicab Confessions filmed passengers in New York cabs. The show managed to go on for 11 seasons, owing to the sheer amount of stories people told in Kingston taxi drivers are a seemingly inexhaustable resource for great stories and conversation. PHOTOS BY ARWIN CHAN the average taxi cab. Whatever influenced the I was rattled. I just asked for knife and stabbed him back! You’ll current dog. passengers of Taxicab Confessions a cool story, I wasn’t expecting a find it in his leg.’” “She went into detail about how to share their most intimate stories stranger to reveal their deepest Lepp said the driver started she saved her baby husky from with cab drivers influences the secrets and character flaws. laughing a lot at this point, but still being drowned by a farmer. She drivers here in Kingston, as well. I went on my way and told continued his story. took it home and raised it,” Sauve, Over the last four years, I’ve the story at Thanksgiving supper, “The driver admitted to us that ArtSci ’15, said. met a variety of drivers, all of much to my parents’ horror. the cops convicted him with an “I will never forget how sweet whom were different — except in This isn’t an irregular excessive use of force. that story was.” their willingness to talk. occurrence, either. Evan Lepp “But he laughed as he told us Cab drivers have overheard The longer I stayed in Kingston, recalled a story just this month about his conviction and kept their fair share of stories from the more stories I started to when he was getting a taxi back looking at us to laugh with him,” students as well. gather. Others experienced them from laser tag. Lepp said. John Copus has only been too. When we started sharing “The conversation started so “We were looking at each other driving with Amey’s for a mere these stories both horrifying and innocently. The driver asked where with wide eyes, laughing out six months, yet he already has a life-affirming tales came out. our residence was, we told him of fear.” collection of stories under his belt. My most notable experience and we were talking about Stories like Lepp’s may serve as He claims the most interesting with an honest cab driver was the weather,” Lepp, warnings against chatting with your experience that took place in his during a ride to the VIA Rail ConEd ’18, said. taxi drivers, but there’s an equally cab was a squabbling couple. station in my second year. “But then it all changed when positive side to this Kingston brand “I’ve had a couple have a fight The cab ride started off great. the driver started telling us a story of honesty too. in the back seat, over another We had a friendly conversation about how a student tried to I once had a driver who was full woman,” Copus said. “That would about how happy he was to get stab him.” of knowledge of Kingston. have to be the most dramatic thing all these Thanksgiving fares and I The cab driver described in My girlfriend at the time and I that’s happened.” talked about my dog. detail the way he got excited to be spent a 20-minute cab ride learning He’s even considered writing That’s when I asked him what able to defend himself. the stories behind every sign and about all the stories he’s heard his craziest experience as a cab “The man said that he was a road within the University District from clients. driver was. security guard before becoming from this well-informed man. “To be honest with you, I The driver smiled, looked me a driver so he used all of his Near the end of our trip, the thought about writing a book on in the eyes and told me he’d been skills when defending himself,” man revealed why he told us all of the most interesting thing people cheating on his wife in the cab for Lepp said. these facts. have done in their lives every time the past three years. “He told us he broke the man’s Plain and simple, he loves they get in a cab. I wouldn’t believe what some jaw, his nose and was punching Kingston’s history. For that reason, “I’ve been debating about people did to pay off their fares, him for 20 minutes before calling he said he tries to share it with each whether to do that, to ask people he added. the police.” student that enters his cab. what’s the most interesting thing I was floored. My eyes went To finish his story, the man Drew Sauve remembers another they’ve done in their lives,” he said. wide and I took a deep breath, not played it off as a joke. positive experience of a driver who “It’d be amazing. You get people sure how to react. “The driver then told us that told him from all over the world, who have He saw the worry in my eyes the cops were confused when about how been all over the world, been in as he went on to reassure me they arrived. she saved all sorts of that what his wife didn’t know, They wanted to know where h e r wouldn’t hurt her. the knife was if the student was I told him I didn’t think that trying to stab him. was true. The driver told the He just smiled and reminded cops, ‘I took the me that he’s older, so he would know. Laughing to himself as we pulled up to the train station, he wished me a good day and gave a wave as he drove off.
different occupations.” Rose Walker works with City Taxi and in the close to 30 years she’s been driving, she’s heard an innumerable amount of awkwardly personal stories. “Because I’m older,” she said. “I think that does help in a lot of cases … maybe because they relate to the mother, the grandmother.” Joan Sutherland, another Kingston driver, remembered a particular connection she unexpectedly had with a group of students. “[T]here were three girls, women, that I drove to the police station because they needed to get a police check for the work that they were doing and somebody had forgotten something, so we drove back and then we had to go back out again and then I dropped them,” Sutherland said. “[S]o it was a long time and we discovered that a couple of them and I had been to the same high school in Toronto and we chatted about that for a bit.” Before we parted ways, Sutherland left me with one last thing to consider. “For 40 years I was a violinist in the symphony orchestra, so my career was not taxi driving. Most … taxi drivers have a background in something else that involved their passions, their skills.” Her comment was a welcome reminder that taxi drivers can’t be understood entirely by the service they provide. Perhaps the reason drivers want to talk is that they have something valuable to share about themselves. For better or for worse, I’ve found that you’ll gain a new perspective with every ride. — With files from Chloë Grande and Kate Meagher
Follow @QJLifestyle for movie reviews, recipes & fashion.