The Queen's Journal, Volume 148, Issue 2

the journal Queen’s University

Vol. 148, Issue 2

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

Since 1873

Monday, June 29, 2020

QBACC to ban police involvment at future events Page 3

Hooking up at queen’s when you didn’t get ‘the talk’ Page 5

Editorial:Queen’s Should rename Macdonald Hall Page 7

Queen’s has role to play in fighting systemic racism Page 8

Role of art in resisiting racism Page 9

Black student athletes TALK race in sports Page 11

Police television programs promote ‘copaganda’ Page 13

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News

2 • queensjournal.ca

Monday June 29, 2020

De-naming Macdonald Hall: In conversation with Mark Walters The Faculty intends to use an online method to gather student input on the building's name.

Dean of Faculty of Law says community petition led to de-naming consultation Julia Harmsworth Assistant News Editor Mark Walters, dean of the Faculty of Law, said he’s open to new opinions in the consultation process to determine whether the University should de-name John A. Macdonald Hall.

The Faculty of Law announced a formal consultation process on June 25 to review the name of Sir John A. Macdonald Hall. The announcement followed calls from the community to remove Macdonald’s name from the building, including a petition

which has gathered more than 4,000 signatures calling for the University to change the name.

“The issue of the name of the law school […] has been raised a number of times over the past few years,” Walters said in an interview with The Journal. “It came to the forefront about five years ago, and part of that is the public awareness about Macdonald’s role as the architect of the Indian residential school policy that is so hurtful and harmful to Indigenous people.”

The consultation will include a committee of students, faculty, staff, and alumni and will be formed in early July. In late August, a report and recommendation will be submitted to Principal Patrick Deane, who will deliver a formal recommendation on the possible name change to the Board of Trustees, which has the authority to make a decision about the issue.

Though no one has been appointed to the consultation committee yet, Walters said

the Faculty hopes to do so early next week.

Walters acknowledged the complex nature of Macdonald’s legacy. While he was a key figure in the formation of Canada and the country’s first prime minister, he was also the architect of several racist policies, including the Indian Act of 1871 and the creation of residential schools.

“Macdonald did a lot of good things for the country, and was […] the architect not only of Confederation, but of the early building of the country,” Walters said. “So there were good reasons for having his name on the building, but he also was involved in policies that we now understand to be harmful and unjust.”

He noted public awareness on the topic “really arises” from the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which documented the details of the residential school system.

“I think the response of the law school over the years has been to

wish to purchase a coffee, snack, or lunch.”

CoGro, which suspended operations in March, is allowed to reopen because it’s classified as an essential service providing food and beverage to the public.

Thompson explained that, like other businesses navigating provincial COVID-19 regulations, CoGro has adapted its operations in several ways to protect the safety of its patrons and staff during reopening.

“Common Ground will be available for take-out only; the [Student Life Centre] dining area is removed for the time being,” Thompson wrote. “There will be separate lines for mobile order pick-up and in-person ordering with signage indicating where to stand to enable safe physical distancing.”

Staff will also be available

to help answer questions and guide traffic.

For now, CoGro will only be accepting debit, credit, and mobile order transactions and, to The summer menu is available on CoGro's app. PHOTO BY MADDISON ANDREWS allow for the safety of its team, it has also suspended the Huskee will be available,” Thompson Kingston and on campus,” Cup program that was launched wrote, noting while the Thompson wrote. in February. menu will be limited, it will Common Ground follows the CoGro will be following new allow for vegan and AMS Food Bank and the Peer cleaning and sanitation protocol to vegetarian options.

Support Centre (PSC) in reopening increase the frequency of cleaning “We are also excited to to the public. The Food Bank on high touchpoint areas like pin announce that we will be selling resumed operations on June 22 pads, door handles, and water taps. make your own CoGro bagel kits,” with contactless food pick-up Customers are required to wear Thompson added. and the PSC began operating the face coverings for entrance into The full summer menu is PSC x CARED program virtually CoGro, as per the latest regulation available on the Common Ground on Monday, Wednesday, and from KFL&A Public Health. Those Coffeehouse app, which can Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. as of who don't wear a mask will be be downloaded for free from June 17. refused service and asked to leave the app store. CoGro will be open According to Alexandra the building.

Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. Samoyloff, AMS vice-president “Customer favourites such to 4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. (operations), the Society is in as the turkey apple cheddar to 1 p.m. the process of assessing its other sandwich, top-secret bagels, “We are incredibly excited services to determine which build-a-bagel, coffee, tea, espresso to be able to provide ones will be able to resume drinks, smoothies and muffins a service for folks in operations next.

Common Ground reopens with limited take-out menu Campus coffee shop launches mobile order option Claudia Rupnik News Editor Common Ground Coffeehouse (CoGro) is reopening on Monday with a limited, take-out-only menu.

“We have been advocating to University working groups because we wanted to open as soon as possible to provide our services to folks who are already on campus,” Emma Thompson, CoGro head manager, told The Journal. “As well, we wanted to be able to provide an option for those working on campus who may

take these concerns [seriously] and do our best to ensure that what goes on in the law school addresses those concerns in a substantive way, to make improvements in curriculum and make the law school more welcoming to Indigenous people,” Walters said.

Other measures taken by the law school included hiring Ann Deer as an Indigenous Recruitment and Support Officer, bursaries to support Indigenous law students, welcoming Indigenous lecturers to Queen’s, and placing the work of Mohawk artist Hannah Claus at the entrance to John A. Macdonald Hall.

The Faculty is now pursuing the consultation process because, according to Walters, these measures didn't satisfy students’ concerns about the name of the building. The recent public discourse on racism has also contributed to the decision.

“It is an important reminder of how institutions have an obligation

PHOTO BY JODIE GRIEVE

to address these issues, and I think the University feels strongly that this is really a turning point in our understanding of how institutions approach systemic racism,” he said.

Walters also cited Sebastian DeLine’s petition to change the name of the building to Patricia Monture Hall—for the Queen’s alumna and Mohawk lawyer who advocated for Indigenous rights in the practice of law—as the “immediate event” which precipitated the launch of the consultation process.

In the consultation process, the Faculty plans to provide an online method in which students can share their input on the subject. The Faculty also plans to give people the opportunity to speak about this issue in a virtual, town-hall setting.

“We want to make sure people are comfortable with the process,” Walters said. “I personally want to keep an open mind at this point…I am honest in saying that I just want to hear from people.”

News

Monday June 29, 2020

Sobika Ganeshalingam Assistant News Editor

QBACC to ban police involvement at future events

New policy follows Black Lives Matter, earlier criticism of rallies QBACC is pursuing alternative methods of security for events.

PHOTO BY CLAUDIA RUPNIK

Recent grads raise money for Black Lives Matter

Queen’s Backing Action on Climate Change (QBACC) announced an impending policy change on June 5 banning police presence at the club’s future events.

According to QBACC Co-Chair Nick Lorraway, ArtSci ’21, the decision was essential for influencing positive change on campus.

Lorraway said QBACC had been criticized for having a police presence at their previous rallies. He explained there was one police liaison officer in a car at these events, which is a standard procedure in Kingston and at Queen’s.

“We knew there [were] going to be a lot of people coming [to the rally] and were terrified of instigators of violence,” Lorraway said. “The reality is that the decision to have a peaceful rally has very little to do with the planning itself.

Having police there meant that, if something bad happened, the police would throw [out] those instigating violence.”

He also mentioned QBACC would be liable for failing to adequately provide security at large-scale events.

“Now, we’re going to find other ways to provide reliable security, so people can be kept safe—while being conscious of the fact that people of colour do not feel safe around the police,” Lorraway said. “We’re still ironing out the kinks in this policy and we haven't fully released it yet. There are also some other large-scale changes we want to lobby to the University and the Kingston police.”

In support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, Lorraway said QBACC donated $250 to a collection of bail funds and legal teams in the United

queensjournal.ca • 3

States and $250 to the GoFundMe for Regis Korchinski-Paquet. These donations followed the call to action from the Queen’s Black Academic Society asking for student groups to match a donation of $100 to an organization that supports Black lives.

The QBACC team has also been going to BLM rallies and educating themselves about the movement, according to Lorroway.

To help inform their advocacy, QBACC is conducting a survey to gather more information about student experiences with Kingston Police.

“We knew there was also going to be an aspect of lobbying to the University, so we decided to put out a survey to talk to people and [to] understand their experiences,” Lorroway said, adding the survey has been available for “quite some time” since it was posted to the Facebook group Overheard at Queen’s.

“There’s one [experience] that stuck out to me about this guy who was getting harassed for jaywalking to the ARC during [Orientation] week.

He was taken to the station and questioned for four hours because of that,” Lorraway explained. “Anyone who goes to Queen’s knows that’s an outrageous charge, since most students cross that way regularly.”

Lorraway said QBACC will also ensure all internal members complete diversity and advocacy training, along with sensitivity awareness training, as part of onboarding for the upcoming year.

“We’ve made a very large action plan.

We hope other clubs are doing similar initiatives,” Lorroway said. “We hope this is not a singular conversation QBACC has had with itself and looking at ourselves."

'By donation' remote dance classes offered weekly by community dancers despite the support I felt for the cause."

Li and Celotti had previously worked Two recent Queen's graduates have teamed together to choreograph The Olympian for up to raise money for Black Lives Matter the Vogue Charity Fashion Show (VCFS) through remote dance classes. in March.

Dancers Standing for Change (DSC) They reached out to a list of dancers is an initiative run by a group of dancers and dance teachers they knew in the who want to create tangible impact toward community to explain their mission and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. immediately received support. Most DSC DSC offers a series of "by donation" teachers come from Queen's Dance Club, dance classes with 100 per cent of the Queen's Competitive Dance Team, Flow, the proceeds going to two Canadian-based African-Caribbean Students Association, organizations, Black Lives Matter Toronto and VCFS. and Black Health Alliance.

The classes are offered through video Organized by Nina Li, Comm '20, and platform Zoom and feature a range of Bianca Celotti, ArtSci '20, the DSC executive styles, including Afrobeat, Jazz, and Hip Hop. team includes Ampai Thammachack, To sign up for a class, participants can Mariam Anwar, Shayna Buckle, Lauren donate to the DSC GoFundMe page. Li and Johnson, and Alex Moraru.

Celotti grant access to the classes based on "The Black community's contributions the list of donors. to the dance industry have been While there's no minimum donation, the monumentally influential, and we as a recommended amount is $3 per class and dance community feel strongly about each donation grants the individual access celebrating these contributions to all classes offered that evening. while standing as allies during "[This initiative] creates a platform that this difficult time," Li and Celotti incentivizes people to contribute to the told The Journal. cause in a tangible way," Li and Celotti Though Li said she was taking steps to wrote. "By offering dance and workout educate herself about Black Lives Matter, classes, people can [participate] in exchange she felt overwhelmed by the amount for a donation and feel good about where of information and resources and felt alone their money is going." in the process. She partnered with Celotti Regarding the educational aspect of to create a platform for change and the initiative, Li and Celotti are hoping to source a team of individuals to promote new research and information teach classes. through original content on the DSC "Amidst the Black Lives Matter Instagram account. The content is focused movement, I often found myself on celebrating and acknowledging the feeling a sense of helplessness and contributions the Black community has guilt," Li wrote. "I felt as though I was made to the music and dance industries. exhibiting performative allyship and not "[H]istorically, [the Black community has] doing enough as an individual, been unrecognized and unappreciated for Claudia Rupnik News Editor

Some of the DSC executive team meeting over Zoom.

their massive contributions and we wanted to create an opportunity for people to do so through dance," Li and Celotti wrote.

They've been encouraging teachers to use songs from artists in the Black community to teach their classes and present information about the history of the artists, the song, and the style of music to participants. The first 10 minutes of each class are spent acknowledging this information and encouraging participants to educate themselves.

"We had an overwhelmingly successful Launch Day [with] eight classes, successfully raising over $1,000 in one day." Li and Celotti wrote. "Since then, we have been

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY NINA LI

running classes through a weekly schedule and will continue to do so as long as we have interest. We would like to reach our goal of $5,000 by the end of the summer, ideally."

The fundraiser had collected $2,364 at the time of publication.

They added that, even if classes are no longer run due to external factors, the DSC Instagram page will continue to be active. "[T]he publicity that the Black Lives Matter movement has recently [received] is long overdue, and we feel that it's our job as allies to continue propelling this movement forward and standing for change," Li and Celotti wrote.

News

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Monday June 29, 2020

According to Alm, the amounted to “a bit more” than University expects most fall work students would have earned had study positions to be remote, so the term ended normally. students will be able to access Larissa Zhong, ArtSci ’22, them from wherever they’re living worked as the receptionist and for the semester. Some on-campus, administrative assistant at the in-person positions may also Department of Electrical and be available if public health and Computer Engineering from University requirements allow October 2019 until the program’s them to continue. cancellation in March. Overall, she Available 2020-21 positions was satisfied with the University’s will be posted in MyCareer starting handling of the situation.

Julia harmsworth the program was also cancelled experiential learning experiences,” on Aug. 12, including roles that “I overall had a really good Assistant News Editor for the 2020 summer term, it’s Teresa Alm, associate university may involve project coordination, experience, I have no complaints,” scheduled to restart in the fall. registrar, wrote in a statement communication support, and Zhong said in an interview with Following sudden cancellations “The Work Study program to The Journal. administrative support.

The Journal. “Everyone at my work in the recent winter term, the was reviewed to confirm that it The program provides “Supports will continue to study position was really nice and University is reviewing details for would be successful for students part-time work opportunities to be available for work-study understanding.” the fall term Work Study program. and employers in the current eligible students during a specified employers and students to assist When the University Due to the COVID-19 work environment and we period of study. The Student them in thriving in the remote announced campus closures on outbreak, Career Services asked quickly determined that it could Awards Office determines eligibility work environment,” Alm said.

March 13, Zhong contacted her offices not to schedule shifts for and would continue to provide based on financial need, and These supports include supervisor to ask if she still had non-essential work study students students and employers with students in the program earn additional Career Services shifts scheduled for the following as of March 20 at 4:00 p.m. Though meaningful work and valuable $14.60 an hour. workshops about remote working. week. She was told the office she The University redefined worked for was closed and that the funds students would have she would be told when she next earned in the summer Work had available shifts.

Study program as a wage subsidy Zhong received an email from for immediate COVID-19-related the Student Awards Office a bursary assistance. week later informing her that her Usually, $110,000 is distributed position had been cut short. to students in the summer “In terms of the work study program, and the University has response, I think a week was disbursed about $3.1 million to pretty fair, especially given how students for COVID-19-related sudden everything was,” she said. emergency bursary assistance, “It was an unprecedented situation, according to Alm. and there was a lot of turbulence.

Students who participated in So, I thought they handled it the 2019-20 program were given pretty well, and I thought the 25 per cent—the equivalent of reimbursement amount was what would be earned in March really fair.” and April—of their year-long Zhong also told The Journal she entitlement. Student Awards was “super uncertain” about what distributed the funds directly would happen in the upcoming to students as bursary fall term following conversations assistance, as opposed to she had with her supervisor about employment income. the possibility of returning to This number resulted her position. in $500 for Canadian “I don’t think they’re hiring work citizens/permanent residents and study students because there’s no $750 for international students. point if the staff are working from PHOTO BY MADDISON ANDREWS Work Study positions for 2020-21 will be posted in MyCareer starting on Aug. 12.

According to Alm, the funds home,” she said.

Work Study program to restart remotely in the fall University gives students enrolled in the program financial reimbursement

Undergraduate acceptances increase 14 per cent for 2020-21 Acceptances among international students drop 13 per cent Julia Harmsworth Assistant News Editor Despite concerns about the possible impact of COVID-19 on enrolment in 2020-21, the University maintains it's on track to meet targets.

For the upcoming school year, Queen’s received more than 46,000 applications for 4,700 first-year spots. As of June 1, the acceptance target for the year has been met—overall acceptances are up 14 per cent from last year and the rate of acceptances for graduate programs have also increased compared to this time last year.

However, acceptances among international students are down 13 per cent from last year. The University, which had identified a possible decrease in international enrolment as a risk to enrolment targets in April, attributes the drop to the pandemic.

“We anticipate a potentially higher summer attrition rate than in past years, due to the ongoing pandemic,” Mark Green, provost and vice-principal

(academic), wrote in a statement to The Journal. “We will not be able to confirm our fall enrolment numbers until early to mid-October, but we are in a fairly good position at the moment.”

According to final numbers released by the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC), 29,219 Ontario students applied to Queen’s undergraduate programs this year. This total reflects a 0.6 per cent increase from last year’s 29,055.

Though the University is still analyzing applicant trends, according to OUAC, acceptances among self-identified Indigenous students are up 23 per cent and acceptances among self-identified First-Generation students are up 51 per cent from last year.

“Students from across Canada and around the world come to Queen’s, and we are taking steps to ensure our campus continues to attract and support students from diverse backgrounds,” Green wrote.

He noted that, in recent years, the University has introduced

new measures to make Queen’s more accessible to Indigenous and First-Generation students.

Residence applications among first-year students are up seven per cent from last year. Due to the physical distancing guidelines expected in September, residences will operate at half capacity in the fall term—only 2,300 students will be accommodated in single rooms.

During the week of July 13, applicants will receive an email confirming whether or not they will be offered a space in residence. Rooms will be offered on a priority basis.

Priority groups include students admitted to programs with on-campus classes or under specialized pathways, 0.6 per cent more students applied for 2020-21. PHOTO BY MADDISON ANDREWS students with personal circumstances creating barriers restrictions on gatherings and regularly with our incoming class to academic success in a remote the virtual delivery of residence and will continue to provide learning context, and those who educational programming. ongoing support, including require access to on-campus According to Green, there are academic and non-academic support services.

78 upper-year students planning transition programming to help Other changes will be made to live in residence in the fall. prepare our first year class to the residence environment Their application process for starting their studies at to ensure public health happened earlier this year.

Queen’s,” the University wrote in guidelines are met, including “We are communicating a statement to The Journal.

Monday June 29, 2020

News

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Board of Trustees welcomes new chair 125 students contacted the Sexual Violence and Prevention Centre in 2019-20.

PHOTO BY MADDISON ANDREWS

Seven formal complaints of sexual violence filed last year, internal report reveals

Queen’s looks to implement more frequent sexual violence surveys on campus Julia Harmsworth Assistant News Editor

one instance of indecent exposure, and one from the survey and from the National instance of voyeurism.

Collegiate Health Assessment In the 2018-19 reporting period, (NCHA) survey.

According to Queen’s annual Sexual Violence 133 students contacted the SVPRC for The Task Force is also reviewing Report, seven formal complaints of sexual support and 31 were given some form of the federal government’s report about violence were made in 2019-20, down from accommodation from the University. gender-based violence on post-secondary 19 the previous year.

The rate of complaints and disclosures campuses in Canada, entitled Courage to Released on April 13, the report may also have been affected by recent Act: Developing a National Framework to contained information from the reporting changes to the Policy on Sexual Address and Prevent Gender-Based Violence, period of Sept. 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020. It Violence Involving Queen’s University that was released on September 11, 2019. revealed seven formal complaints—written Students. The policy, first approved by The Task Force will use the report’s allegations made to invoke the processes the Board of Trustees on December recommendations in their analysis of sexual of the Sexual Violence Policy—of sexual 2, 2016, was revised and approved violence at Queen’s. violence were submitted in this period. on May 10, 2019.

“The Task Force has discussed and The complaints included eight The revised policy changed the will continue to discuss a number of occurrences of sexual assault and three confidentiality of complaints, requiring reports/documents, including Courage occurrences of sexual harassment. As these non-healthcare university employees to to Act, as part of the on-going discussions numbers exceed the number of formal immediately notify the SVPRC of disclosures about sexual violence,” Tierney and complaints, some complaints reported both and provide them with the student’s name, Simpson wrote in a statement to metrics of violence.

The Journal.

“This According to the report, “a includes looking at the range of outcomes” were recommendations in the pursued from the complaints, Courage to Act report and including educational or assessing our programs community focused activities, and services against no-contact directives, those recommendations.” restorative processes, losses The Task Force is also of privilege, suspensions, discussing the possibility of and notices of prohibition a regular, sector-wide survey from campus. similar to the NCHA Student PHOTO CREDIT: SEXUAL VIOLENCE REPORT Students can choose Complaints in 2019-20.

Health and Wellness Survey to make a disclosure, or a to maintain more recent non-formal sharing of information, rather email address and student number. information regarding sexual violence than submit a formal complaint, and In October 2019, the University on campus. still receive support, accommodations, suspended this disclosure requirement. A “Queen’s is committed to or other resources from the Sexual consultation on the policy was underway transparency with respect to incidents Violence Prevention and Response and set to be completed at the end of of sexual violence, and for this reason Coordinator (SVPRC).

March, but was halted by the COVID- has an interest in timely data and statistics During the 2019-20 reporting period, 19 pandemic. The process of writing which are relevant to our campus 125 students contacted the SVPRC for a new policy has been deferred until community,” Tierney and Simpson wrote. information, supports and services. further notice.

“Sexual violence is a sector wide issue where Twenty-seven of these students received The policy added a new clause entitled a broader and more systematic approach to accommodation from the University, “Alternative Resolutions,” allowing the ongoing campus climate surveys would be including academic considerations, support University to informally resolve complaints an ideal strategy.” for academic appeals, exam deferrals, in certain circumstances, with or without The survey would be conducted alternate housing assignments, and the agreement of the complainant. in consultation with Institutional alternate class schedules.

The University’s evaluation of the Policy Research and Planning, similar to other The number of formal complaints is ongoing and largely involves the Sexual campus-wide surveys. According to decreased in comparison to last year; Violence Prevention and Response task Tierney and Simpson, if such a survey isn’t however, the reporting period was force, co-chaired by Ann Tierney, vice adopted in a “desired timeline,” the Task shorter than previous years following provost and dean of student affairs, and Force will review other survey options to direction from the Ministry of Colleges and Stephanie Simpson, associate vice principal recommend an ideal approach.

Universities to change reporting deadlines. (human rights, equity and inclusion). The “We recognize even the best survey The reporting period for 2020-21 will be task force met five times during the 2019-20 data provides only part of the overall May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. academic year. picture, but it is important information The 2018-19 Sexual Violence Report According to the 2018 Student Voices for our community and can provide revealed 19 formal complaints were made on Sexual Violence Survey results released meaningful feedback that we can use in the reporting period from September 1, in February, Queen’s was second-highest to enhance our services and programs.”

2018 to August 31, 2019. The complaints in Ontario for rates of sexual harassment, possible survey options and recommend encompassed nine instances of sexual and fourth for sexual assault. The an ideal approach," Tierney and assault, 11 instances of sexual harassment, Task Force is currently reviewing data Simpson wrote.

Queen's alumna Mary Wilson Trider starts four-year term Simone Manning Assisstant News Editor The Board of Trustees welcomed Mary Wilson Trider as its new chair on June 1.

Wilson Trider, Comm '82, an alumna of Smith School of Business and chief executive officer of Almonte General Hospital and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital, is the first University Council representative to have been elected as Chair of the Board.

The University Council is one of the three governing bodies of Queen's University, alongside the Board and the Senate.

Wilson Trider was first selected by the University Council to sit as one of the six representatives on the Board of Trustees in 2007.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for overall operations at the University, including overseeing financial matters, property, the appointment of vice-principals, and, in conjunction with the Senate, the appointment of the Principal.

Wilson Trider has replaced Donald Raymond as chair of the Board. Raymond, who served as a member of the Board since 2008, served a four-year term from 2016-20. Raymond will stay on to continue overseeing the Board's climate initiatives as chair of the Climate Change Action Task Force.

"I am honoured and humbled by the opportunity to serve my alma mater as its next Board Chair and the first Council Trustee elected to this position," Wilson Trider said in a statement. "Queen's is an institution with a rich history. I look forward to working with Principal Deane and my Board colleagues to shape the University's next chapter and ensuring Queen's continues to be viewed as one of the best universities in Canada."

An experienced healthcare executive, Wilson Trider formerly held the position of Vice-President of both Halton Healthcare Services and Markham Stouffville Hospital, and served as an industry committee member of the Ontario Hospital Association and Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Additionally, she is a chartered accountant with KPMG and a Fellow of CPA Ontario.

At Queen's, she currently chairs the Board's Audit and Risk Committee and is a member of the Capital Assets and Finance Committee.

Chancellor Jim Leech was responsible for leading the review and selection process for Wilson Trider, which was then followed by a nomination to the broader panel of representatives by the Board's Governing and Nominating Committee.

"Mary's appointment as Chair of the Board of Trustees is a testament to the strengths and experience she has demonstrated while a member of both the board and University Council," Chancellor Leech said in a statement. "Our trustees provide a wealth of knowledge and guidance to the university and Queen's will be well-served

by Mary's strategic leadership skills."

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Monday, June 29, 2020

Features

IN-DEPTH STORIES FROM AROUND CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMUNITY

ILLUSTRATION BY ALISON ANDRADE

Sex, university hookup culture, and ‘The Talk’ Learning about sexual health and desire starts in the home and carries through to university Aysha Tabassum Features Editor This piece uses “Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC)” to refer to the experiences of racialized students. We acknowledge this term is not universal.

Alysha Mohamed, ArtSci ’22, grew up in a household where sexual health and desire weren’t openly discussed.

“My parents had a conversation with me which wasn’t really a conversation—they gave me a book. I remember reading it on my green living room couch and thinking that I already know half of this stuff.”

Both of Mohamed’s parents grew up in Nairobi but attended university in Canada, which she thinks made them more progressive than people generally expect immigrant families to be. Yet, sex was still a touchy subject.

The Journal spoke with four students and an alumnus who experienced a lack of at-home sex education which—for those who grew up in households with immigrant parents—was often limited to the basics. Some of them felt this delayed their development in sex and relationships—in part during their time at Queen’s. ***

Zainab Naqvi, ArtSci ’23, grew up in a Pakistani household. As her parents were b ro u g h t up in a d i f f e re n t e nv i ro n m e n t than she was, Naqvi questioned whether the information

she received from them was tinged with cultural bias.

Similarly, Jane Mao, ArtSci ‘20, a Chinese-Canadian, remembers lacking confidence in their at-home sex-ed. When sex and relationships were discussed, ideas could be interlaced with anti-blackness or fatphobia. The at-home sex-ed they received was heteronormative, as it was for all those interviewed.

Gage Benyon, ArtSci ’19, identifies as a gay man. In his household, sex-ed wasn’t discussed in the context of different sexualities.

“When you hear the talk and you only hear about male-female sexual experiences, that furthers alienation. It embeds in you that [homosexuality] is not what’s normal.”

This isn’t to say Benyon’s parents were homophobic—discussing experiences outside of heterosexuality just wasn’t normalized, he said.

None of those interviewed said a lack of non-heterosexual sex-ed indicated homophobia in their households.

Sexual pleasure also wasn’t openly discussed at home for any of the students.

Mohamed detailed feeling uncomfortable discussing sex at home in any capacity. When it came up, she said her parents made it clear it should only happen between married people for the purpose of having children.

Lily,* a third-year ArtSci student, had similar experiences as a young adult.

“Sexual exploration was kind of a ‘don’t speak’ topic […] and sexual pleasure was described as being within marriage.”

Aside from school, many said they relied heavily on the internet to learn more about sexual exploration.

Some turned to pornography, but ultimately decided it wasn’t the best course of action.

Mao was frustrated by it, detailing it consisted mostly

of “trained performers that could do certain things that most bodies aren’t capable of.”

“Porn is the most accessible for individuals, which sucks because porn is literally inaccessible,” they said. ***

In the Tinder age, hookup culture thrives at Queen’s.

While that can be empowering for many across a spectrum of identities, it also comes with unwelcome pressure.

“When I was in first year and we’d go out, a lot of the goals would be ‘I just want to meet a cute guy and hook up with him,’” Naqvi said.

Three students said they had negative initial experiences with hookup culture, which may have been driven by an implicit expectation for Queen’s students to engage in casual relationships.

Mohamed eventually decided hookup culture wasn’t right for her, but the realization came after feeling pressure to partake in it during first year.

“Everywhere at Queen’s, everyone was on Tinder and hooking up. Every joke was about sex.”

For Lily, instances of toxic behaviour associated with hookup culture influenced how she viewed consent, creating confusion.

She detailed a night while she was living in residence when an individual came to her room at a late hour, knocking at her door as she pretended not to be there. Prior to that point, that person had continually made unwanted romantic advances toward her.

Lily was unsure whether she could immediately find a support system to help cope with the situation.

“I felt that I couldn’t approach people about it because this individual was well-liked on the floor, seemed to be good friends with our don, and I didn’t know if this crossed a line or not at the time.”

She also wondered if her at-home sex-ed contributed to her uncertainty.

“I tried to give the impression that I was not interested, but I felt very ill-equipped to deal with the situation because of the lack of education I had received up until that point.”

Regarding embarking on new relationships, Naqvi also felt her experiences were influenced by a lack of at-home sex-ed.

Growing up, Naqvi’s mom asserted she shouldn’t depend on a significant other, but she viewed her parents as traditional and wondered if this idea was only meant to hold her back from experimenting with sex.

As such, coming to Queen’s she felt a need to prove to herself that she could be in a relationship and still have self-worth. ***

The pressure students feel to engage in hookup culture is amplified for those who occupy marginalized identities.

Mohamed, who came from a diverse high school, found it shocking being exposed to a mostly white dating pool. She knew she looked different than her peers and, as a result, sometimes felt she needed to appear attractive specifically to white men.

“I was trying to validate a group that I never needed validation from to begin with.”

Naqvi echoed the sentiment.

As a brown girl, she felt a desire to prove her beauty, and she saw attracting white men as a way to do so.

“Being in an environment with only one race does make you question your self-worth.”

Mao felt the need to appeal sexually to her white peers starting at home as a result of family pressure.

“I was trained to essentially mold myself to whiteness, but also be okay when [white people] only see me as a person of colour.”

This idea carried through to the relationships they’d go on to have.

Regardless of the nature of their relationships, they feared they’d be both fetishized as an Asian person and simultaneously not be white enough to their partners.

In addition, Mao also felt somewhat isolated by the leading voices in sex research at Queen’s.

“My professors are only cis white women. My textbooks only contain pink vulvas.”

While thankful for both queer white researchers and the few BIPOC sex researchers they’ve been exposed to, Mao feels there’s still work to be done in sex research to sufficiently study and speak to the experiences of BIPOC. On hookup culture and the Queer community, Mao found the connection unsettling at first, although their discovery of this community was ultimately a positive part of their time at Queen’s.

“The Queer community at Queen’s is very hypersexual, in my experience.”

Mao said discourse surrounding sexual positions, polyamory, and kink culture can be commonplace—but that’s not necessarily a comfortable environment for all Queer students, especially those who identify as asexual or aromantic.

Considering what advice they’d give to an incoming first-year, Mao emphasized that “there are really, really great thriving communities at Queen’s. But recognize that there is potential to hurt within these communities.”

Benyon, who also felt pressure to engage with the gay community, said “sex is something that shouldn’t be rushed into at any point.”

Mohamed agreed, emphasizing the importance of treating sex as an individual decision.

“You’re only gonna be happy and fulfilled in your sex life if you’re doing things because you actually want to do them.”

*Name changed for anonymity due to safety reasons.

Monday, JUNE 29, 2020

queensjournal.ca • 7

EDITORIALS

THE QUEEN’S JOURNAL

The Journal’s Perspective

Renaming Sir John A. Macdonald Hall won’t erase history, but acknowledge it

Last week, the Faculty of Law launched consultations on the naming of the Sir John A. Macdonald Hall building.

The Journal Editorial Board feels this is a step in the right direction, but that the University should ultimately change the building’s name.

Macdonald still plays an essential role in Canadian textbooks; removing his name from a building won’t change that or make us forget him. What it will do, however, is acknowledge

the violence against Indigenous peoples he is responsible for.

If the University decides to keep the former prime minister’s name—in spite of the petition urging it to do otherwise—Queen’s will show that it prioritizes a history fueled by residential schools over the Indigenous peoples who suffered because of them.

There’s no reason not to remove Macdonald’s name.

Besides living in Kingston, he has no ties to the law school or

ILLUSTRATION BY ALISON ANDRADE

even the university. While some have suggested representing his “complicated legacy” instead—both the good and bad—this idea is subjective. For Indigenous peoples, his legacy isn’t complicated at all—it’s a legacy of genocide and abuse.

The Faculty of Law was quick to launch consultations following the petition’s circulation, and this is a positive thing. But Sir John A. Macdonald Hall is not the only on-campus building named after a controversial

The reaction to the ‘intoxication’ ruling is overblown. It still needs to be appealed.

The Ontario Court of Appeal struck down Section 33.1 of the Canadian Criminal Code on June 3 on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. Since then, there has been an outpouring of concern about the effects this ruling could have on cases of sexual assault and violence against women, including a petition with over 300,000 signatures.

This reaction is overblown.

Most lawyers have come out in support of the Court of Appeal’s legal reasoning which, upon reading, is sound.

However, the ruling still needs to be appealed.

Headlines shouting that defendants charged with sexual violence will now be able to use simple intoxication as a court defense are understandably alarming—but they also get the facts of Section 33.1 wrong. Section 33.1 refers to automatism: intoxication so extreme the person enters a state of total unconsciousness, like sleepwalking. It’s notoriously difficult to prove in court, requiring medical experts to

support the diagnosis, and is thus used rarely.

It doesn’t apply to a guy at a bar after a few drinks.

However, the automatist state of an involuntary sleepwalker

Carolyn Svonkin

is not the same as someone who has consciously drank or used drugs. It’s reasonable to assume people know that, while intoxicated, they may act in a way they wouldn’t act when sober. Violence may have been perpetrated in a state of automatism, but since the individual chose to enter that state, they should still be held responsible for

their actions—actions that, statistically, are more likely to be made against women.

In fact, the problem with this decision is not whether people accused of sexual violence will

JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

be acquitted simply because they claim they were drunk. That won’t happen. The issue is that this ruling will disproportionately affect women, mainly in the form of sexual violence cases—the only kind of violent crime in Canada that is not declining.

Canadian law is supposed to ensure equality, but women are seven times more likely

figure. If the University truly wants to make a difference, it should proactively evaluate other halls as well, instead of waiting for the next petition to surface.

Doing so would be a step in the right direction and might even prompt the City of Kingston to look introspectively at its own plaques and statues.

In terms of the consultation process, the University should ensure it is prioritizing feedback from Indigenous students and Four Directions—the communities this issue affects.

Even further, it should hold open consultations so more than just a select few can voice their opinions.

Holding these consultations shows the University is willing to listen, but listening is one thing; acting on student feedback is another, and the Editorial Board hopes Queen’s decision will genuinely reflect the concerns raised by its students.

At the end of the day, names can be changed; history cannot. Removing Macdonald’s name won’t make us forget him or reconcile the pain he caused Indigenous peoples.

It will, however, stop memorializing him as a figure to be celebrated. Canada has enough plaques dedicated to Sir John A. Macdonald—it can live with one less.

—Journal Editorial Board

to be sexually assaulted than men. Allowing this defense will not affect Canadians equally and, therefore, it shouldn’t be available to defendants.

It’s extremely difficult and courageous for survivors of sexual violence to come forward.

It’s my hope that our justice system looks for ways to give survivors more legal resources, instead of their assaulters. It’s also important to recognize that it’s the law’s job to place boundaries on criminal proceedings, and measuring constitutional rights against one another is a delicate balancing act.

The fact that we’re talking about how the law affects women and survivors of sexual violence differently is a sign of progress. Hopefully, the discussion continues as the case moves forward.

Once it does, I also hope the Justices of the Supreme Court think carefully about the message they send to survivors of sexual violence—and to every girl like me—about how much our safety and equality matters.

Carolyn is one of The Journal’s Features Editors.

She’s a third-year Political Studies student.

Volume 148 Issue 1 www.queensjournal.ca @queensjournal Publishing since 1873

Editorial Board Editor in Chief Managing Editor Production Manager

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News Editor Assistant News Editors

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Features Editors

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Editorials Editor

Chloe Sarrazin Ben Wrixon

Opinions Editor

Nathan Gallagher

Arts Editor

Matt Funk

Sports Editor Assistant Sports Editor

Daniel Green

Lifestyle Editor

Shelby Talbot

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Photo Editor

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Assistant Photo Editor

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Video Editor Assistant Video Editor

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Want to contribute?

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

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

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

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

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

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8 • queensjournal.ca

OPINIONS

OPINIONS

Monday, June 29, 2020

Editors' Note: Our commitment to BIPOC students

Your Perspective

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY SMRITI SHYAM

Combatting racism in Kingston Anti-racism means implementing systemic changes—to the police and our institutions Queen’s University’s mission statement highlights three values it deems to be of great importance: people, professional excellence, and communication.

The Queen’s community prides itself on treating others with honesty, fairness, and understanding.

These respectable values appear to embody an academic community built on inclusivity, however Queen’s—and Kingston as a whole—does not uphold this standard.

The Kingston Police department has a long unaddressed history of racial profiling against locals and students. True adherence to these values requires justice in the form of top-down systemic changes.

Data supports the presence of heavy racial profiling in Kingston. One published study found that Black people are more likely to be stopped by Kingston police. This was in 2005, but another study from 2017 examined police stops in Kingston and still found astronomical racial disparities: the stop rate for Black people was 284.7 per 1,000 people, compared to 114.2 per 1,000 white people.

George Floyd—and the courageous acts of support for the Black Lives Matter Movement—a survey was created in conjunction with Nick Lorraway, co-president of the Queen’s Backing Action on Climate Change (QBACC) club. This survey allowed BIPOC students at Queen’s to anonymously share their experiences with Kingston police while offering suggestions for improvements to policing.

"These proposed solutions, paired with conducted research, will become the foundations of an information booklet linked to a future QBACC advocacy campaign."

across Kingston. At Queen’s specifically, QBACC “is aiming to uphold the integrity of Queen’s University campus clubs missions while reflecting the need to combat oppressiveness,” according to Lorraway.

In demanding accountability and justice, Lorraway also said QBACC plans to lobby on campus to limit contracted services of Kingston Police for campus-run events and require the presence of always-on body cameras. To ensure safety for all students, police presence on campus and Queen’s events must be limited—if not outright eliminated—in favour of student constables who lack the authority to discipline through legal citations, arrest, or handle weapons.

"To ensure safety for all students, police presence on campus and Queen's events must be limited—if not outright eliminated—in favour of student constables who lack the authority to discipline through legal citations, arrest, or handle weapons."

The Journal stands in solidarity with the protests against anti-Black racism and police brutality. We are committed to amplifying the voices of Queen’s students. If you would like a platform to speak on these issues, please contact journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.

The Journal has been operating since 1873 and is not without blame in perpetuating Canadian colonialism. The Journal has also, at points throughout its history, acted as a platform for racist and discriminatory views. In that, we acknowledge it hasn’t always been a welcoming place for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) students.

We also understand we would not be able to improve without the continuous hard work of BIPOC students who educate and hold us accountable, while also acknowledging they should not be responsible for educating The Journal or the Queen’s community. We thank the BIPOC students who have written for The Journal, especially about subjects of race and discrimination at Queen’s.

We understand in doing so, you open yourselves up to hostility. The Journal understands that not all students have the privilege of safely contributing to our platform.

We would also like to acknowledge that, following the death of George Floyd and continent-wide anti-racism protests, we did not begin reposting articles about and written by BIPOC students until after a call from a member of the BIPOC community.

We thank that individual for holding us accountable.

It is not enough to simply say we will strive to better our coverage of BIPOC issues and amplify the voices of BIPOC students. Below is a list of seven action items The Journal will take, as a starting point, to accomplish these goals:

The Journal has matched a $100 These proposed solutions, paired with donation to the Black Visions Collective in conducted research, will become the response to a call from the Queen’s Black foundations of an information booklet linked Academic Society (QBAS). to a future QBACC advocacy campaign. The The Journal will produce a Black goal is to distance police from campus while History Month issue in February, similar forcing the city of Kingston to recognize and to our Climate Crisis issue in September. rectify the institutionalized racism saturating This issue will feature content about and, "These respectable values its criminal justice system. as much as possible, created by BIPOC Queen’s has a role to play in developing students. This does not mean The Journal appear to embody an a solution, as well as in the city-wide will not strive to regularly include this academic community built implementation of meaningful systemic content across every issue, it simply on inclusivity, however changes. Queen’s has a responsibility to put means The Journal will also dedicate this Queen's—and Kingston as a its values into action. This means providing Racial education must also be part specific space to BIPOC students. all students with the necessary resources of the solution. The implementation of The Journal will introduce a new whole—does not uphold to stay informed while supporting its equity-informed training on sensitivity “column” in its Lifestyle section in which this standard." marginalized students both on and off and awareness should become mandatory BIPOC students may publish personal campus. The burden cannot fall entirely for the entire student body, and be essays, opinions, artwork, poetry, and on the students to correct systemic completed prior to undergraduate any other appropriate content. We will This data suggests police stops might injustices within high-level institutions graduation. According to Lorraway, also actively create additional avenues for be a means to surveil marginalized groups like universities.

QBACC will undergo this certification other marginalized voices, who have also rather than a method of crime prevention.

Responses to QBACC’s anonymous themselves and encourage others to follow been underrepresented, to contribute, This racially-skewed data also contradicts a survey produced consistent suggestions its lead. including reaching out to marginalized for how policing can be improved. Police Queen’s students represent the school’s groups with opportunities to contribute should undergo specialized non-violent values. They are the faces behind “People,” rather than waiting for them to come to us.

"They cannot "stand united conflict resolution training and, preferably, the voices behind “Communication,” and the However, the responsibility to create antihave an academic background in law. Body strength behind “Professional Excellence.” racism content, which aims to educate in solidarity" without the cameras should be mandatory for all police The embodiment of these involves being and inform the Queen’s community, will implementation of officers—and punishments severe for any authentic and maintaining integrity. not solely rest with BIPOC students and tangible changes." who may turn them off. Data collection needs Step one is recognizing the cracks in the other marginalized voices. White folks to become more transparent and accurate system. Next, we must unite in solidarity will also be accountable for creating regarding racial arrests. to fix society for those after us. All Queen’s this content. recent statement by the Kingston The police should no longer have the students should implement QBACC’s efforts In addition to its annual training Chief of Police about how the power to interfere in situations beyond into their daily lives and in their push from the Social Issues Commission, The department is committed to being their area of expertise. During a mental towards becoming better allies.

Journal will also have mandatory cultural part of “this culture of change.” They health crisis, trained social workers are Becoming anti-racist means demanding safety training for its staff through cannot “stand united in solidarity” better equipped to handle the situation. better from our institutions.

Four Directions. without the implementation of Their academic background specializes in tangible changes. treatment of mental health, unlike the police. Smriti Shyam graduated from the Faculty of Read the rest online at queensjournal.ca.

In response to the horrific murder of These changes should be implemented Arts and Science in 2020.

Arts

Monday, June 29, 2020

Arts

The art of resistance.

SOCIAL COMMENTARY

queensjournal.ca • 9

ILLUSTRATION BY ALISON ANDRADE

Art is integral to Black Lives Matter: a conversation with Dr. Kristin Moriah Queen’s professor discusses role of art in resisting systemic racism

Nathan Gallagher Arts Editor While social media activism is surging in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, art can be more crucial to the Black Lives Matter movement than Instagram stories.

Floyd was publicly lynched on a street in Minneapolis by the police on May 25. The scene

became a horrific tableau for the reality of systemic racism against Black people: a white officer kneeling on the neck of an innocent Black man.

Floyd’s murder was caught on video and viewed across the world, provoking powerful feelings of anger and sadness, and inspiring some to create art to express those feelings.

CURRENT EVENTS

Skeleton Park Arts Fest adapts to COVID-19 with ‘Next Door’ exhibit Local artists inspired by pandemic restrictions

Talia Nicholson Contributor Rather than let the pandemic overwhelm them, the artists of Skeleton Park let COVID-19 inform their work in this year’s “Next Door” exhibit.

A decorated house.

Typically, the Skeleton Park Arts Festival (SPAF) takes place on the weekend of the summer solstice every year, but to maintain safe distancing rules, the pieces of “Next Door” will be on display around the Skeleton Park neighbourhood from June 17 until Aug. 17.

PHOTO BY MADDISON ANDREWS

On the topic of art and its role as a catalyst for social change, The Journal spoke to Queen’s English professor Dr. Kristin Moriah, who teaches African American literature.

“Art has played a particularly important role in the development of Black Lives Matter – Toronto (BLMTO), maybe more so than in other places,” Moriah said.

“Several of BLMTO’s founding members are arts practitioners, and one of the BLMTO actions which first drew public attention was the 2016 demonstration at the Toronto Pride Parade in which they momentarily stopped the parade in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s float.”

Moriah is referring to an event in which members of BLMTO halted the Toronto Pride Parade for about 30 minutes and asked Pride’s Executive Director Mathieu Chantelois to sign a list of action items including disallowing the police to join subsequent parades with the SPAF collaborated with Union Gallery, a student-run group at Queen’s, for the first time to create the “Next Door” project, which aims to celebrate community artists during a time of physical separation.

The Journal spoke with Greg Tilson, a representative from SPAF, and Carina Magazzeni, the director of Union Gallery, about how the project came together.

They that explained the exhibit features a series of original art works created by local artists who reside in the Skeleton Park area, who integrated the pieces into the architecture of their homes— on their porches, front doors, and windows.

The name “Next Door” was given to the project with the intention of focusing on local artists—our next door neighbours—who’ve taken extensive efforts to adapt to the public health changes. Each piece was a personal reflection of what was on the artists’ minds during these times.

“Certainly, in the early stages of this project, the pandemic was the

intention of making Pride a safe space for Black and Indigenous people.

“It was an unforgettable act,” Moriah added. “I remember the frenzy of news coverage then—imagine that just four years ago it was controversial to suggest that police brutality was a Canadian issue.”

Moriah pointed out what the news coverage at the time missed, which was that stopping the parade was also a “choreographed piece of performance art.”

Rodney Diverlus, a co-founder of BLMTO, was one of the creative minds behind the act, according to Moriah. “He has written about that protest from a theoretical perspective for the academic journal Canadian Theatre Review in “Black Lives Matter Toronto: Urgency as Choreographic Necessity,” which can be accessed through Queen’s online library.”

Moriah said founding BLMTO members Syrus Marcus Ware and Sandy Hudson have written more

motivator,” Tilson told The Journal.

“It was certainly an initial lens the artists were considering when they started to create their work.”

The two collaborators said they viewed COVID-19 limitations as an opportunity to explore public art exhibitions. They said the hope was to allow people to keep a safe distance while exploring the art at their own pace.

“The exhibition was very much something that could have only been produced during this time, as it was very much responding to the fact that we are all adapting to recent changes, which includes coping with a lack of communal gatherings, spending more time at home, and artists not having access to studios that they normally rely on,” Magazzeni said.

Many of the works went beyond the theme of COVID-19 to address other elements of the Kingston cultural moment, including pieces that comment on the recent Skeleton Park Black Lives Matter Vigil and gentrification in Kingston.

Tilson said that, due to the

extensively about the BLMTO movement in their recent edited collection Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada (2020), which is also available online.

“Contributors to that collection include several established and up-and-coming poets and artists, [including] Leanne Betasamosake Simpson; Anique Jordan, Naila Keleta Mae, Rayvn Wyngz, and El Jones who was actually a visitor at Queen’s last semester and came to speak to my class,” she said.

In 2016, some met BLMTO’s Pride demonstration with apathy and disdain, but after Floyd’s death and the explosion of attention to issues of systemic racism, some people are finally listening and learning. Paying attention to what these Black artists have produced is an important step on the path to change.

“Speaking to this particular moment, in some ways it feels like suddenly, just a few weeks ago, white Canadians began caring about anti-Blackness in Canada and what Black people had written about it,” Moriah said.

“Lists were made to determine just what was said and what needed to be known. The lists began circulating at the end of May and, by mid-June, reached a fever pitch shortly after. So many books flew off shelves.”

Moriah also said art and literature add deeper dimensions to our lives.

“They are some of the most important ways of understanding the human condition and rallying people towards political action.”

Where tragic public events like Floyd’s death spark anger and sadness, Moriah emphasized that engaging with Black art provides a way for those who don’t know the lived experience of a Black person to deepen their awareness, empathy, and understanding.

“Black artists and activists have long understood this, from the authors of nineteenth-century slave narratives to the poets and playwrights of the Black Arts Movement like Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez,” she said. “And while we live in very difficult times, I know that this moment will push Canadian art and literature in new directions, too. We are ready for change.” extensive collaboration of the artists, they were still able to put on “what seems to be a really well received exhibition” in spite of the limited time and resources.

Magazzeni was enthusiastic about the instrumental work of Union Gallery members, including Elise Ngo, Dominique Holmes, Maggie Whitmore, Rebecca van Gennip, and SPAF Assistant Director, Neil Bettney, whose extensive work was imperative during the creation and execution of the project.

Both Tilson and Magazzeni commented on how it was an exceptional experience for the two organizations to collaborate, as their specialized talents and experiences complemented each other nicely.

“I learned a ton and so did the volunteers and organization in general,” Tilson said. “I have got to say that’s one of the things that’s shining brightly during these times, the collaborative efforts of people.”

10 • queensjournal.ca

MUSIC

Arts

Bader Centre teams up with CBC Music to host online cello competition COVID-19 restrictions expand the reach of eight Canadian cellists Nathan Gallagher Arts Editor In response to quarantine measures, the Bader Centre teamed up with CBC Music to broadcast its Cello Competition online.

The Bader and Overton Canadian Cello Competition took place on June 24, 25, and 27 with the eight participants broadcasting live from their homes in seven different cities across three different countries: Canada, the United States, and Germany.

The jury chose three finalists: Bryan Cheng, Leland Ko, and Andreas Schmalhofer.

The Journal spoke to the Isabel Bader Centre’s director Tricia Baldwin about the experience collaborating with CBC and the eight cellists to live-stream

classical music to the world.

Baldwin said this year’s event was a follow-up to Bader’s 2017 Violin Competition, which took place at the Isabel in Kingston.

However, when quarantine measures and travel restrictions took effect, it became impossible to host the cellists in-person.

“We could have said COVID’s here [so] let’s just cancel everything, but we wanted to champion these young artists,” Baldwin said. “These eight cellists are fabulous.”

According to Baldwin, the challenge then was “to show the musicians at their full strength” and produce the best possible sound quality for the judges and listeners.

To do so, the team at the Bader Centre and CBC had to ensure each of the musicians

had access to reliable recording equipment.

This involved sending each of the competitors two stereo microphones and setting them up with Studio6 recording software.

“We did a lot of experimentation to get a great sound,” Baldwin said.

She explained the team

Monday, June 29, 2020 needed to make sure not to compress the sound too much while streaming “because that’s what makes [audio] sound like a bad car radio.”

To prevent this, Baldwin consulted with experts in the field, including Bader’s Technical Director Aaron Holmberg, who was the recording producer for The Tragically Hip for 20 years.

Baldwin was enthusiastic about how the Bader Centre’s foray into live-streaming has opened up new possibilities for emerging artists. Ironically, the stay-at-home order inspired the Isabel to expand the reach of its artists far beyond the walls of its venue.

“They can go away with high-fidelity sound and highdefinition filming that they can use for other [streaming] opportunities,” she said. “Some of the greatest innovations from the Arts have happened during hard times.”

One of the challenges of COVID19 for performers, Baldwin continued, is the anguish caused by not being able to perform.

“That urgency of ‘Gotta play’ or if you’re a dancer ‘Gotta dance’ – it’s a real urgency for performance,” she said.

In that vein, the virtue of a performing arts competition is to prevent stagnation and to provide artists with a benchmark to aspire to, enabling them to further develop their talents.

The Bader’s first live-streamed music competition recently took place in Kingston.

COMMENTARY

ILLUSTRATION BY ALISON ANDRADE

Balancing media consumption with artistic production Why it’s so hard to create in a digital world

Nathan Gallagher Arts Editor In the digital age, it’s easy to conjure up reasons not to make art and a lot harder to call yourself an artist.

Despite spending an average of five hours and 37 minutes on my phone every day, I have nothing to show for it. In all that time on my screen, I’ve hardly learned anything new or created anything valuable.

What’s more, amidst all the distraction, I don’t feel particularly entertained or fulfilled. Even though my media consumption is distracting me from more noble pursuits, I can’t help but keep scrolling.

After all, in the same way that advertisers use psychological tricks to manipulate you, smartphones and social media apps are designed to be addictive. That viral video of the chimpanzee using Instagram was eye-opening. He’s not that different from us.

Understandably, it’s hard to withdraw from a social media addiction. Even Hollywood is capitalizing on the explosion of bite-sized content we see on the likes of TikTok and the now-defunct Vine.

On April 6, 2020, Jeffrey Katzenberg, former chairman of Walt Disney Studios and co-founder of Dreamworks Animation,

Giving time to popular media and the arts can be a difficult balancing act.

launched a mobile streaming app called Quibi.

Quibi’s slogan promises “Quick Bites. Big Stories.” It’s a new streaming service that tells longform narrative stories in short episodes of seven to 10 minutes to be viewed on your smartphone.

It remains to be seen if Quibi will succeed, but its existence suggests our troubling trend towards shorter attention spans.

Auteurs like Martin Scorsese, who urged people not to watch The Irishman on their iPhones, are losing the culture war against

shorter content. To use another example, Quentin Tarantino, champion of the authentic cinema experience, repackaged The Hateful Eight as a four-part mini-series for Netflix.

With theatre-going in decline, perhaps directors will join the ranks of novelists, who have long been fighting a losing battle against declining readership.

Late American author David Foster Wallace spoke about this phenomenon in a 2003 interview.

Speaking even before internet culture had reached its current

ILLUSTRATION BY ALISON ANDRADE

heights, Wallace argued our constant distractions in the modern world have made us live in dread of quiet.

“It becomes more and more difficult to ask people to read or look at a piece of art for an hour or to listen to a piece of music that’s complicated and that takes work to understand,” he said.

According to Wallace, we are neglecting our thoughtful, expressive side for the sake of the side that wants instant gratification.

“Particularly now in the

computer and internet culture,” Wallace said, “everything is so fast and the faster things go, the more we feed that part of ourselves but don’t feed the part of ourselves that likes quiet, that can live in quiet… without any kind of stimulation.”

Wallace makes a powerful argument. Many of us have forgotten how to sit in comfortable silence or appreciate higher forms of art. Without that ability, it’s difficult to create anything of our own. Your mind is like a canvas—it must be clear to leave space for creative thoughts.

I’ve gone through my old notebooks from elementary school, a time before I had Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

My notes are filled with poems, drawings, and stories that I used to make daily. Of course, not all of them are good, but I remember there was an intrinsic joy in the process.

You don’t have to be Van Gogh, Hemingway, or Michelangelo to call yourself an artist. All you need is to make art. Creative expression is a way of knowing yourself in greater depth, and making art is a rewarding challenge and a delightful act of self-discovery.

Considering this, you have two choices: spend your whole life as a consumer of media, glued to your iPhone, or clear your mind and produce your own art.

Monday, June 29, 2020

Sports

queensjournal.ca •11

SPORTS

Queen’s Black student athletes address race in sport Jaden Lindo, Jaren Burke, and Rachel Hickson share their experiences and hopes for the future Matt Funk Sports Editor One might think that having parents who immigrated to Canada from Jamaica, hated the cold, and didn’t know how to skate would make hockey an unlikely sporting choice for their son.

But why not?

From the moment Jaden Lindo started seeing hockey on TV as a kid, he knew it was a sport he wanted to play. His dad enrolled him in skating lessons, and his love for the game only grew from there. When it came time to choose between fully committing to soccer or hockey, he set aside his cleats in favour of skates.

Lindo has no regrets about the decision, and for good reason.

The fourth-year went on to play Left to right: Rachel Hickson, Jaden Lindo, and Jaren Burke. in the OHL for the Owen Sound Attack and the Sarnia Sting before because you know how rare it is,” explored how discrimination being drafted by the Pittsburgh Lindo said. can be better prevented in hockey.

Penguins in the sixth round of the Lindo noted the lack of diversity Jaren Burke, Lindo’s teammate 2014 National Hockey League on most of his teams throughout on the Queen’s men’s hockey team, (NHL) draft. his career, often being one of the also discussed the challenges Lindo’s passion spread only Black players on the ice. arising from a lack of diversity on throughout his family, even “It’s tough at times obviously, his teams. The fourth-year forward converting his mom, who was at because when something believes this has contributed first reluctant at the prospect of happens, or you feel like you’re both positively and negatively to sitting in a frigid arena to watch discriminated against on the ice his experience. her son play one of the roughest or any kind of situation, there’s no “From a positive perspective, sports around. one really else on the team that I think it kind of helps you “Now sometimes I come home understands or knows what it push through some of that and my mom’s watching it on the feels like,” he said. adversity when people might not TV, like the Leafs and stuff, not that “You kind of feel like you’re on understand why you’re frustrated she knows anyone that’s playing an island out there,” the forward or you know, you might have but she just likes the game. Now said. “Your teammates are to deal with a couple different it’s just become a part of her and always there for you, or you hope experiences that I think made me same with my dad, they just love that they’re always there for a better person and hockey player,” the game,” the Brampton, Ontario you, but it’s obviously different Burke said. native told The Journal. when you can’t relate to “From like a negative side, yeah, Although hockey is marketed the scenario.” you don’t have someone there as a game for everyone, it may Despite having a low who’s going through the same not be perceived that way for representation in the NHL, Black experiences as you. Sometimes many minority athletes. Currently, players have made significant you don’t know if you’re being 97 per cent of NHL players are contributions to the game. treated a certain way based on white, which is a dominant barrier Recently, Lindo was featured on your play or based on some for BIPOC athletes to conquer, Soul on Ice, a movie about Black different factors.” according to Lindo. players’ experiences and Burke said there have been “Especially like when you’re contributions to the sport, instances, however, where racism a kid and you’re looking up to which also covered NHL is unmistakable. be inspired by guys that are stars Wayne Simmons and “I’ve had experiences where playing in the NHL, like for me Georges Laraque. it has been overt and I’ve had there wasn’t many Black athletes.

Lindo also participated teammates that have called […] There aren’t many people in the Roundtable on me the N-word, or I’ve had to look up to and that kind of Racism in Hockey, which teammates be like ‘why aren’t you sets a bit of a challenge for you, was hosted at Queen’s last year, and playing basketball?’”

Claire Meadows named women’s basketball head coach Queen’s announced on May 14 that Claire Meadows (B.PhE ‘07) will take up the position of women’s basketball head coach starting in 2021.

Meanwhile, former bench boss Dave Wilson will return as the Head Coach for the 2020-2021 season despite announcing his retirement following the

Burke said these incidents have been rare, but they’re common enough to affect nearly every Black hockey player.

“Stuff like that has happened, but fortunately I’ve had a lot more positive experiences playing hockey,” he said.

“Fortunately I haven’t had like a ton of mistreatment, it has happened to me, absolutely, just like I think it’s happened to every Black hockey player. I’m fortunate to play for Queen’s and Coach [Brett] Gibson who treats me and Jaden just like every other player on the team.”

The Journal also spoke with Rachel Hickson, a third-year wing on the women’s rugby team.

Unlike Burke and Lindo, Hickson was a late bloomer for her sport, playing rugby for the first time in her final year of high school.

The fourth-year engineering student hit the pace of the game in phenomenal stride; she led the team in points in only her second season and was a pivotal member in the Gaels’ OUA Gold and U Sports silver medals this past season.

Hickson said she’s enjoyed an inclusive atmosphere in her time on the rugby team, but being one of the few minority female athletes can create a lack of awareness and place undue pressure on minority athletes to be spokespeople for their entire demographic.

to the University of Victoria to complete her Master of Education in coaching.

Meadows has been coaching professionally since 2011 as Assistant Coach at the University 2018-19 season. He ran Year in 2017. of Alberta. Since, she’s been Head the program for 38 years, From 2002-2007, Meadows Coach of the Basketball Alberta racking up a career record of was an acclaimed shooting Centre for Performance, Assistant 385-333, appearing in five guard for the Queen’s women’s Coach at University of Lethbridge, OUA East Championships/ basketball team while pursuing Head Coach at University of British Final Four, winning three OUA bachelor’s degrees in kinesiology Columbia Okanagan, Assistant East Division Championships, and education. During her time as Coach for Canada Junior Women’s one OUA Championship, and a Gael, she received the University National Team, and Head Coach making four U Sports Award of Merit, finished second all- of the Canadian National Junior Championship appearances. time in scoring, was an OUA first- Women’s Basketball Team.

Wilson was OUA Coach team all-star, and was nominated Most recently, the Queen’s of the Year in 1993, 1998, as a U Sports All-Canadian. alumna is coming off of a flawless 2014, and 2017, and was After completing her degrees run as an associate head coach U Sports Coach of the at Queen’s, she ventured out west for the Saskatchewan Huskies,

Former Gael will become Queen’s only female head coach Daniel Green Assistant Sports Editor

PHOTO BY JODIE GRIEVE

“Everyone learns from an environment where there is more diversity, and understanding that not a single black voice, not my experiences, not who I am—that does not represent all Black opinions [...] And that’s a big challenge that you face coming to an environment like this, is permanently being the one everyone looks to for those answers.”

In 2019-20, the women’s rugby team was the only female varsity team at Queen’s that had any Black athletes.

“As someone coming to Queen’s, you understand the situation that you’re putting yourself in. […]

However, I’m very thankful for the support I’ve had from leadership and my teammates, because my team is awesome and I love them,” she said.

“That doesn’t mean that they can’t be better and that I can’t be better and that we all shouldn’t be doing more to reach out when there’s issues at hand, whether it’s about race or about another minority group or any sort of difference that arises between people.”

Hickson, along with Burke and Lindo, all agreed that positive steps could be taken to raise awareness within Canadian athletics that Black athletes face unique experiences and challenges, along with increasing the dialogue about race-related issues.

“I think that the University is very receptive right now. Those are conversations that I’m starting to have with certain individuals, and it’s definitely something that they’re aware of,” Hickson said.

Hickson responded with cautious optimism on whether she expects to see real change occur within sports and at Queen’s in the near future.

“I wouldn’t say I expect—I hope.

I hope to see positive change from this, but I don’t expect it in the sense the sense of something that’s just going to happen. […]

There’s a lot more work to be done, and it’s a very long road to making those changes happen,” Hickson said.

“I think right now there’s a lot of opportunity for that, and there are people trying to do that in different ways and a lot of different places.” a position which she’s held since 2018.

In her two seasons there, she helped the team win two Canada West championships and most recently, the 2019-20 U Sports National Championship.

After being out west for years, the Brantford, Ontario native is excited for her return to Kingston.

“You can sum it up as a dream come true […] I love Kingston. It’s such a great city,” Meadows told The Journal.

Meadows’s hiring marks a progressive shift in Queen’s athletics, as she will be the only female head coach of a Queen’s varsity team. continued on page 12.

Sports

12 • queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 29, 2020

CROSS COUNTRY

In internal emails, former Provost Tom Harris referred to cross country team member’s email as ‘cult behaviour’ Emails obtained by The Journal detail the University administration’s response to fallout over Boyd’s firing Matt Funk Sports Editor

the future of the team and who was responsible for Boyd’s firing.

Following this meeting and others, Former provost Tom Harris called a cross Team Captain Miles Brackenbury told country team member’s response to the The Journal the team still didn’t feel they forced removal of former coach Steve received a satisfactory answer about why Boyd from the OUA Championships “cult Boyd was fired and why it had to take place behaviour,” according to dozens of emails with such haste. obtained by The Journal through a freedom “In the initial meeting with the athletic of information request. directors, we were told that this was a firing The University declined The Journal’s because our coach swayed from Queen’s request for comment. values and was given multiple warnings,” The Queen’s track and cross country he said. “And then the next week when team was at York University on Feb. 21 we go to meet with the Provost […] he competing in the OUA championships. Boyd starts pulling out phrases like ‘bullying and arrived as a spectator, sitting in the public berated’ student athletes and that he was gallery to watch his former athletes compete. victim blaming.”

Shortly after, the recently fired coach was “And now they’ve changed the narrative approached by York security guards who to years of bullying and berating, but they PHOTO BY ALISON ANDRADE asked him to leave on the grounds that Boyd was fired two days before the OUA championships haven’t really provided any examples of that.”

Guelph parents had complained to the York The team captain also pointed out Athletics Director, Jennifer Myers.

“I usually don’t respond to obnoxious university has a comprehensive freedom of that many of the Guelph runners spoke Boyd refused to leave the public viewing and belligerent emails immediately,” Harris expression policy and is committed to open out against the firing, including former area until security called the police. The wrote. “I am worried about her. This looks debate. […] The dismissal was based on Olympian Reid Coolsaet, who was engaged events transpired while one of Boyd’s like cult behavior. Any insight you have on persistent and pervasive on-line harassment. with Boyd on the Facebook discussion about former athletes was competing in a race. how I might frame my correspondence with What Mr. Boyd engaged in has nothing to do Scott Thomas. He also signed the petition to Later that day, a cross country her on Tuesday would be appreciated.” with protected speech.” have Boyd reinstated, which now has nearly team-member wrote an email to Myers, Other emails obtained by The Journal Steve Boyd was released on Feb. 19 4,500 signatures.

York President Rhonda Lenton, OUA detail the administration’s response to the for what the University claimed were Brackenbury contends that the firing President Gord Grace, as well as Principal aftermath of Boyd’s firing. “numerous statements on social media does violate the University’s freedom of Patrick Deane, Provost Harris, and other On Feb. 23, following an editorial in The berating and blaming student athletes who expression policy and wonders why such Queen’s Athletics and OUA staff. In the Toronto Star criticizing the University, Harris were themselves victims.” strong action was taken if complainants email, she detailed her frustration both over expressed his disappointment in an email Boyd had commented on the story of were against the firing. the firing of Boyd and his forced removal to communications and HR staff, including alleged predator and former Coach of “[Boyd] was asking tough questions about from the event.

Dean of Student Affairs Ann Tierney and Guelph cross country, David Scott-Thomas. a tough situation, but [by] no means was The student called the removal of Deputy Provost Terri Shearer, regarding The same day of Boyd’s firing, on the he ever bullying or ever intended to bully Boyd “disgraceful,” questioning how York both The Star and The Globe Friday of reading week, Executive Director people. He was just seeking the truth, and University justified the forced exit. and Mail for publishing pieces of Athletics and Recreation Leslie Dal he shouldn’t be punished for that.”

“I write to you to [sic] Ms. Myers and Ms. when they did “no homework” Cin met with the cross country team to Principal Deane conducted a review Lenton disgusted and ashamed that you on the issue. announce he had been terminated. Sean of Boyd’s firing which culminated in would allow a man attending a public event “The least balanced [sic] was the Scott, high performance director, noted the the decision not to reinstate the coach. to be unjustly embarrassed and humiliated Globe. They didn’t do any homework and unideal timing of the firing in an email to the While the Principal stood by the former on your university grounds,” her email read. reported from the ex-coach,” the email team, but Dal Cin’s speaking notes claimed provost’s decision, he noted in a May 22 “I am sure this cannot possibly be legal; read. “We issued a forceful statement last “immediate action was required.” statement that the decision could have Mr. Boyd had every single right to attend week on this—perhaps the most forceful In a Feb. 20 internal email to Dal Cin, been better timed and the reasons for firing as a spectator. I demand you answer for I have seen Queen’s ever do. Today the Tierney, AVP of Communications Brenda Boyd more transparent. yourselves as to how this could happen at a Toronto Star had an editorial condemning Paul, and HR Director Heather Shields, public event.” us— again, no homework, and today they Provost Tom Harris defended the decision to Editor’s Note She finished the email by asking the posted our response.” terminate Boyd’s contract against coverage recipients which side of history they wished The next day, Principal Deane wrote a he had read in The Globe and Mail and a At The Journal, it is our mandate to to belong to. memo to the Board of Trustees expressing Canadian cross country blog, trackie.ca. collect, edit, and distribute information in an “Will you be a part of the corrupt his support for Harris’ decision to fire “I have been following coverage in impartial, objective manner. institutions that force people into silence or Coach Boyd.

[The Globe and Mail] and on Trackie.ca.

As a member of the Queen’s Cross Country will you join me in fighting for what is right “The decision to end his contract was It is clear from latter posts, the SB was team at the time of Steve Boyd’s firing, I and just?” made by the provost and supported by me. a polarizing figure, while recognized for represent a significant conflict of interest in The next morning on Feb. 22, Harris This was not a decision made hastily.” his ‘technical coaching abilities’,” Harris the coverage of his dismissal and its fallout. forwarded the student’s note to incoming He added the issue was in no way related wrote. “We were well aware of potential As a result, I have recused myself from the Provost Mark Green, asking for advice to free speech, but rather harassment. consequences, but we needed to editing process of all stories related to the about how to reply and expressing “Some of the media has attempted to follow a path that was based on matter. It is my belief that this decision reflects concern over what he called the student’s portray this matter as an issue of freedom of certain principles.”

The Journal’s devotion to publishing impartial, “incendiary tone.” expression. Let me be clear that it is not. The On Feb. 25, the cross country factual information. and track team met with Harris and Deputy Provost Teri Shearer — Matt Scace, Managing Editor to ask questions about

‘A dream come true’

Continued from page 11 ...

“I always say, if you can’t see it, you can’t be it […] Without women in coaching developing these women, if [female players] don’t see it, if they don’t see women in coaching, they’re not going to want to be it. They’re not going to be inspired to be it.”

“I think this is a huge step. I think it’s an important step.”

Meadows took note of the importance of Athletics Director Leslie Dal Cin’s entry into Queen’s back in 2007 and her vision for female coaches.

“I know that Leslie is doing a lot and has done a lot to support the development of female coaches. She has a lot of things in place in the department to get more female coaches in coaching. So, I’m excited to be that first person,” she said.

“Hopefully, we can continue to see more come along and come through to the program.”

Meadows also expressed excitement about the upgrade in facilities since she was a student athlete, and for the players and staff that Queen’s has in place for her to work with.

“I think that there’s a lot of great pieces already in place. And for me, it’s coming in, it’s building off of those pieces, adding obviously a few to fill some gaps that I see,” she said.

“At the end of the day, we got to get in the gym. We got to get to work. And, yeah, just really understand, you know, what it’s going to take to get to that next step. We’re close.

We’ve been close. But we got to take, you Meadows has been the head coach of the Canadian Juniors know, a bigger step.”

Women’s national team.

SUPPLIED BY QUEEN’S ATHLETICS

LIFESTYLE

Monday, JUNE 29, 2020

TV COMMENTARY

queensjournal.ca •13

Lifestyle

How police television shows contribute to ‘copaganda’

Even when cop shows discuss anti-Black racism in the force—which they rarely do—they frame the issue as solvable by so-called ‘good cops.’

But North American policing will be racist and colonial regardless of the number of good cops there Shows about cops can be entertaining, but ultimately quite harmful. ILLUSTRATION BY SHELBY TALBOT Aysha Tabassum are. Setting aside the fact that Features Editor policing attracts violent and privileged vilifies the marginalized.

Jake and Amy compete for who can make people, systemic racism thrives regardless Think back to any TV interrogation the most arrests, allowing us to accept Cop media wrongly idealizes the police, of whether or not there are racists in the you’ve seen. When someone exercises a that the goal of policing is to imprison, regardless of how diverse it gets. system itself. basic right—refusing to speak without not aid communities.

Though as a non-Black POC I cannot That’s why it’s, you know, systemic. presence of a lawyer, for example—they’re Copaganda will make it seem speak directly to the experiences of Black In Canada, policing began to aid in the painted as suspicious. okay for racists to take justice in their individuals who are exposed to pro-cop colonization of Indigenous folks. When Think about how anytime a cop violates own hands. Copaganda will make media—known as ‘copaganda’—there’s no slavery was abolished after 200 years, the basic rights, like lying to suspects or making this seem rational. It will make this doubt its presence in mainstream media RCMP took on the duty of “exerting control” an untimely arrest, they’re portrayed as a seem commendable. contributes to public perception of the over Black Canadians, whom they viewed as hero who’s justified in breaking the rules That’s true regardless of whether that police as untouchable heroes. inherently criminal. that exist to protect citizens. cop on screen is gay or Black or a proud The hit comedy series Brooklyn At its roots, policing perpetuates the Moreover, copaganda humanizes Latina woman.

Nine-Nine is widely regarded as a idea that enacting violence against racial police to garner sympathy for this We can’t afford to look at cops as heroes progressive piece of media. It’s been minorities is excusable and, worse, a oppressive group. It shows you that cops anymore. Even if they’re otherwise lovely rightfully praised for its diverse cast and necessary side effect to solving some of are ordinary people with children and people, they’re part of a system that only ability to handle sensitive issues—like society’s most pressing issues. dreams—but it will never show exists to oppress racial minorities. racial profiling and the harsh realities of the So, why do we still view police as heroes? you that those who are wrongfully Copaganda has to go. And if that makes American prison system—in a comedic and Part of the problem can be attributed imprisoned for non-violent offenses are you upset—if it makes you feel like you ‘can’t thoughtful manner. to copaganda, which makes us believe also human. enjoy anything anymore’—ask yourself why But the core issue with Brooklyn that cops are mostly good people Copaganda will tell you the war on a piece of entertainment is so important Nine-Nine, and any other self-aware capable of good things, to whom we drugs is effective when someone with no to you. copaganda, is that it neglects to address that owe gratitude. other choices in life is given an excessive Ask yourself why it’s more ‘good cops’ are a rarity.

Copaganda idealizes the police and sentence for dealing. It will paint the important than taking down a system poor as delinquents that need to be that both directly and indirectly SOCIAL COMMENTARY kept in check. decimates Black and Indigenous lives Copaganda will make it seem okay when every day.

Confronting Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s role in promoting a pro-police agenda

Harry Potter and the anti-trans author

Navigating what it means to be a Harry Potter fan in the face of J.K. Rowling’s transphobic comments Shelby Talbot Lifestyle Editor When authors reveal themselves to be problematic people, it’s difficult for fans of their works to know how they should proceed.

For fans of Harry Potter, an essay recently posted by author J.K. Rowling to her website displaying trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF) views has tainted their perception of both the author and the beloved book series.

This is far from the first time Rowling has come under fire for spreading transphobic rhetoric. In 2018, she ‘accidentally’ liked an anti-trans essay on Twitter; later that year, it was discovered that she was following an outspoken transphobe’s Twitter account; at the end of last year, she tweeted her support for a woman who was fired over her anti-trans comments.

Rowling has displayed a pattern of anti-trans behaviour on social media in the past. And while she’s tried to sweep some of these moments under the rug as accidental gaffes or middle-aged blunders, there’s no excuse for her inability to learn and grow from her mistakes.

As a prominent author and supposed feminist, Rowling’s words and actions

are particularly damaging to the trans community. Her concerns about trans activism position the inclusion of trans women in feminism as a threat to cisgender women, perpetuating the harmful and false narrative that the existence of trans women presents danger for their cis counterparts.

Trans-inclusive feminism doesn’t detract from the issues facing cis women—it includes tackling the disproportionate issues facing trans women in the feminist fight for equality. In neglecting to confront her transphobic views time and time again, Rowling has solidified herself as a textbook example of a TERF, whether she likes it or not.

The overarching themes of the Harry Potter books are bound to attract a fanbase concerned with activism and social justice. The series’ villains perpetuate discrimination and bigotry, while its heroes advocate for a Wizarding World that doesn’t look down on others based on their biology.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the same fans who were drawn to Harry Potter for its messages are rejecting Rowling over her assertion that trans women are distinct from cis women over their biological differences.

While Rowling attempts to paint herself as the victim of a harsh and unforgiving internet cancel culture in her essay, she fails to acknowledge the validity of much of the criticism she’s facing. Social media can be a blunt and cruel breeding ground for criticism, but trolls and misogynists are far from the only ones speaking out against Rowling’s anti-trans rhetoric.

Many of the stars from the Harry Potter film franchise have made public statements

denouncing Rowling’s transphobic views and advocating in support of the trans community. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry in the eight-movie series, released a statement reaffirming his support for trans women and addressing fans of the series who were impacted by Rowling’s transphobia. In his statement, he said: “If you found anything in [the Harry Potter novels] that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life—then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred.”

Many fans were understandably hurt by Rowling’s transphobic comments. For some, rejecting both the author and her works is the appropriate step forward; others have opted to separate their love of the Harry Potter books from its author.

It’s important to recognize that the Harry Potter series is riddled with its own flaws.

Readers have pointed out that the Gringotts Bank goblins play on harmful Jewish stereotypes; the portrayal of the series’ only

J.K. Rowling.

Asian minor character has been criticized as being two-dimensional and reductive.

Those who remain dedicated fans of the series can make a distinction between their appreciation of the books and disapproval of Rowling, but shouldn’t separate the series from its problematicity. The conversation about Harry Potter must be one that addresses and challenges transphobia, as well as the issues directly rooted within the series.

While next steps for Rowling are pretty clear—she should get off of Twitter and educate herself on trans-inclusive feminism—the path for fans of Harry Potter is a bit more ambiguous.

The Harry Potter books were never perfect, but they’ve meant a lot to their readers nonetheless. Condemning Rowling’s transphobia doesn’t have to mean cancelling her books along with her, but it does mean confronting her problematic views should now be a part of the discourse surrounding the novels.

GRAPHIC BY JODIE GRIEVE

LIFESTYLE

14• queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 29, 2020

TV REVIEW

The ups and downs of 13 Reasons Why’s queer representation Reflecting on the triumphs and pitfalls of the controversial Netflix show’s portrayal of queer issues ILLUSTRATION BY SHELBY TALBOT

Shelby Talbot Lifestyle Editor 13 Reasons Why wrapped up its run a lot like it started: angering conservative parents and making headlines.

But parents aren’t the only ones with concerns. In its fourth season, the Netflix original show has stirred up mixed opinions surrounding its depiction of queer issues.

13 Reasons has always been controversial, to say the least. While it pushes important boundaries in its depictions of some social issues facing contemporary teenagers, the series unsuccessfully toes the line between bold and problematic in its depiction of others.

From a dangerously empathetic portrayal of an almost-school shooter to a redemption storyline for a serial rapist, 13 Reasons has seriously misstepped a number of times in its attempted counterculture approach to the perils of high school. While the first season of the show successfully adhered

to a tight storyline, its following seasons have too often relied on sensationalizing social issues to inspire wobbly plots.

Among some of the things it’s done well, 13 Reasons has never shied away from LGBTQIA+ characters. However, as with many of the demographics represented in the show, queer storylines aren’t safe from harmful rhetoric.

With the inclusion of the show’s first bisexual+ couple and a deadly AIDS diagnosis, the series’ fourth and final season presents yet another conundrum: what should viewers take away from 13 Reasons’ queer representation?

Bi+ representation in mainstream media is difficult to come by, and innocuous representation even more so.

A 2018 GLAAD study found that of 109 film releases from major studios in 2017, only 23 contained LGBTQIA+ characters. Of those 23 films, only two featured characters who identify as bisexual.

Whether it’s labelling bi+ characters as licentious cheaters, treating bisexuality as a mile

marker on the road to coming out as gay, or neglecting to portray them at all, people who identify outside the binary of straight and gay are too often underserved in film and television.

13 Reasons’ Charlie St. George is a reprieve from bi+ stereotypes: he’s the quarterback of the high school football team, a doting boyfriend, and a well-rounded character. He isn’t fraught with self-doubt, he’s accepted by his friends and teammates, and comes out to his supportive father over a cup of coffee.

Whereas Charlie’s character was a later addition to the show, his boyfriend, Alex Standall, has been a main character all four seasons. Speculation about Alex’s sexuality has circulated among fans since the first season. And after three seasons of an on-again, off-again relationship with his ex-girlfriend, season four sees Alex explore his sexuality.

13 Reasons deftly avoids a number of tired tropes in its depiction of Alex and Charlie’s relationship. Neither character is held back by internalized

CULTURAL COMMENTARY

What we can learn about white celebrity activism from Lea Michele Debate over labeling Michele a racist is detracting from vital conversation Aysha Tabassum Features Editor The death of George Floyd has forced even the most privileged people to confront the realities and persistence of anti-Black racism.

The mainstream focus on #BlackLivesMatter (BLM) has

pressured everyone from political leaders to social media influencers to publicly state their support for the movement. Celebrities have proven no exception.

Lea Michele, former Glee star, chose to speak up about Floyd’s death on Twitter in a brief and boilerplate statement at the end of May. Soon after, she was accused by former Glee co-star Samantha Marie Ware of subjecting her Black peers to “traumatic microaggressions.”

This impacted the news cycle dramatically: for a few days, rather than pouring limited resources into BLM coverage, outlets from BBC to Global News were investigating numerous claims of Lea Michele clashing with co-workers.

Throughout June, everyone was asking if Lea Michele was racist.

That’s not a question worth asking about anyone, celebrity or not. Everyone is influenced by racism, and we all have a responsibility to continually unlearn it.

Still, there’s an idea that celebrities like Michele are victims when they’re called out for their racism or the shortcomings of their ‘activism.’

That’s ridiculous.

No one is forcing Michele to tweet for a movement she’ll likely never put any real work into. She has privilege that has allowed her to be racist without consequence, and she’ll likely continue to find work in her industry regardless.

homophobia, their past relationships with women are never called into question, and, in Alex’s case, labelling their sexuality is not a priority.

Of course, both Charlie and Alex’s experiences are privileged, white portrayals of coming out.

But for a show that sometimes misses the mark in its representation of marginalized groups and sensitive issues, Alex and Charlie feel like a solid—if a little safe—place to start.

Despite its bi+ inclusion, 13 Reasons’ positive queer representation in its final season is significantly undercut by its depiction of HIV. In a shocking twist in the series’ final episode, one of the main characters, Justin Foley, is diagnosed with HIV which has progressed into full-blown AIDS. Justin, who struggled with drug addiction throughout the show, dies before graduating high school.

Justin’s death comes across as a cheap exploitation of HIV for shock value with serious

disregard for its promotion of AIDS-related stigma.

The show could have used the plotline as an opportunity to show that an AIDS diagnosis is no longer a death sentence; instead, it wielded HIV as a tool to kill off a character who struggled with substance abuse, homelessness, and engaged in same-sex sex work.

The stigmatization of AIDS has a long, intersecting history with the queer community; HIV continues to disproportionately affect segments of the LGBTQIA+ community today.

In line with several harmful stereotypes, 13 Reasons killed off a fan-favourite character—played by a gay actor—with an inaccurate representation of HIV related to his sex work with men, culminating in an emotionally manipulative attempt at a tear-jerker finale.

The queer representation in the fourth season of 13 Reasons Why is illustrative of how the show often tackles sensitive issues: intrepidly and with seemingly little forethought toward the consequences.

She shouldn’t be praised for her original statement on Twitter or subsequent lackluster apology, in which she refused to acknowledge that she was ever racist.

Anyone who remains silent about BLM, or who only supports the movement superficially, shouldn’t be shielded from being called compliant in the many social factors that went into facilitating the deaths of George Floyd, Chantel Moore, Regis Korchinski-Paquet, and countless others.

Their compliance should be taken as fact.

Powerful people should be called out and held accountable when they perpetuate discrimination, but in the midst of an unprecedented wave of the civil rights movement, we can’t afford to argue over whether white celebrities are racist, or track how not-racist they are and subsequently celebrate them for it.

As with the rest of the BLM movement, we need to put that energy into uplifting and listening to Black voices.

That doesn’t necessarily mean we should discount celebrity activism altogether. There are plenty of Black celebrities who

have always been vocal about BLM and are risking their lives and careers by continuing to support the movement.

We need to appreciate the way they’re using their platform, and we need to protect them from the criticism that they’re being and have been bombarded with long before this past week, as a result of advocating for their own communities.

Forget about Ariana Grande and Harry Styles.

Let’s listen to John Boyega’s calls to “take care of our black women.”

Let’s commend and support the other Black celebrities who are brave enough to march in protests–Tessa Thompson, Michael B. Jordan, Nick Cannon, J. Cole, Kendrick Sampson, and many more.

Let’s make sure they’re not punished for speaking out while their white peers are worshipped for doing the bare minimum.

To all white people watching history unfold, and to all non-Black POC, let’s shut up. Let’s listen. Let’s make sure we’re using our privilege for good—not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we simply cannot do otherwise without being on the wrong side of history.

Monday, June29, 2020

queensjournal.ca • 15

The impact of a return to play on Black Lives Matter and the spread of COVID-19 remains unclear Daniel Green Assistant Sports Editor The NBA’s plan for returning to play has proven to be no simple mission.

On June 3, the NBA announced its plan for 22 of its 30 teams to return in a ‘bubble’ environment in Orlando, Florida, where professional sports have been deemed an “essential service.” With COVID-19 and social justice issues taking the globe by storm, many players and members of the NBA have different—and often opposing—mindsets.

Whether it’s fear of COVID-19, concerns about the implications for social justice, a drive for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, or some combination, players’ views are now clashing regarding the league’s decision to return to play.

The NBA has given players the option to opt out of participating in the remainder of the season.

Los Angeles Lakers key piece Avery Bradley is the most notable opt-out so far. July 1 is the hard deadline for any players to let the NBA know they won’t be playing.

Meanwhile, on June 26, Florida reported 8,942 new cases of coronavirus, a new daily record.

That same day, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver held a conference call and answered various questions about the safety and effectiveness of the bubble environment, which entails frequent COVID-19 testing,

Being anti-racist starts with putting in the work to understand privilege Ben Wrixon Opinions Editor To be born white is to be born into the path of least resistance. To be born white is to be born historically ‘Canadian.’ This perception needs to change. To become true allies to racialized groups, white people must recognize their privilege as a problem only they can solve.

Canada’s institutions stand on a foundation of racist bricks. To combat the systemic injustices plaguing our society, we, as white people, must challenge our privilege by acknowledging how skin tone dictates opportunity and safety.

Ask yourself: if you couldn’t breathe, would the police listen?

White privilege is security in knowing this country’s law enforcement protects and serves you. It’s being confident police won’t target you when minding your own business. It’s knowing

The NBA's return to play is dividing players and fans.

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Is now the right time to bring back the NBA? self-isolation, and approval to leave.

Life on the Orlando campus won’t exactly be purgatory, though.

The league will be hosting movie screenings, DJ sets, boating, bowling, fishing, and golf. Barbers, manicurists, and pedicurists will also be available. And, a limited number of players, media members, executives, league personnel, and sponsors will be able to attend games.

Silver said significant spread of COVID-19 within the bubble could lead the league to stop play again but in the meantime, there will

be daily virus testing on the premises.

Despite precautions, it feels like every other day a new NBA player tests positive with the virus.

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association released a statement on June 26 reporting that 16 players tested positive for virus.

While the global pandemic remains a main deterrent to returning to play, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and protests across the United States

are making the return even more contentious.

In a league where 81.1 per cent of players are Black, supporting BLM is of primary importance.

When it comes to the best way to accomplish this, players are seemingly divided into two camps.

On one hand, players like Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and Lou Williams of the Los Angeles Clippers believe a return to play would take away the spotlight from social justice issues.

"We are fighting for a radical

Confronting your white privilege requires self-reflection

you won’t be the next George White privilege is the freedom We, as white people, have the Floyd, Regis Korchinski-Paquet, or to engage with Black culture on privilege to enjoy Black creativity Trayvon Martin. a surface level. It’s cheering for independently from Black lived White privilege is being LeBron James on the basketball experiences. But for many Black favoured in the eyes of the law. court but grumpily asking, “who’s artists, their creations and harsh Canada’s criminal justice system going to pay for this?” when he realities are inseparable. disproportionately sentences opens a school for inner-city Fellow white people, are Black people. Black Canadians kids off the court. It’s listening you angry yet? You should be. make up three per cent of the to Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp You should be furious. We can’t country’s population, yet they a Butterfly” and complaining turn a blind eye to injustice and account for over 10 per cent of that it isn’t party music. It’s oppression because it doesn’t Canada’s prison inmates. believing there to be no racism disadvantage us. Instead, we must As it stands, justice is non- behind the Oscars 'accidentally' evaluate how we’ve benefited from existent for Black people in awarding La-La Land best picture white privilege, then turn that North America. over Moonlight. knowledge into action. Putting Our education systems also Black culture is deep-rooted in in the work is hard, but valuable facilitate white privilege. In 2016, sports, music, and art. We readily change never comes easy. a study found that while 94 per idolize Black celebrities but are Resist the urge to hop on trends. cent of Black youth aged 15 to 25 quick to ignore their history. Racism won’t be ‘solved’ by sharing reported wanting Instagram posts. to obtain a If we, as white university people, are to be degree, only true allies, we 60 per cent must be better believed they than trends. could obtain one.

Systemic issues A coincidence? require systemic Yo u ’ d be solutions. privileged to You might not think so. The be ‘racist,’ but C a n a d i a n you may know education someone who system hasn’t is. Instead of shown itself being silent, use to be a kind or your privilege to inspiring place Allyship is every white ILLUSTRATION BY SHELBY TALBOT challenge their for Black people. Canadian's responsibility. racist behaviour.

change. Sports has been a healing factor, there we agree. In this climate [...] it's a distraction. […] You're dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop opposed to being outside fighting for your equality,” Williams wrote in a response to a comment on Instagram.

On the other, some players like LeBron James believe a return to play would only amplify the BLM movement. James’ belief is that playing won’t detract from his ability to inspire change off the court.

The gargantuan platform the NBA provides could bring increased attention to BLM, especially with it being one of the only soon-to-be-active live sports.

But refusing to play might make an even more powerful statement and avoid detracting from media attention that’s currently dedicated to vital social justice work.

It’s difficult to say what the right move is—ultimately, it’s up to each player to decide how advocating for Black lives and playing for the NBA intersect for them.

It was reported on June 27 that the NBA and NBPA will allow players to put a statement about social justice on their jerseys where their names would usually be.

Will Nike ads, shoes, and t-shirts do the trick this time?

Or will players and owners need to look beyond their place in the league to take appropriate meaningful action?

There’s no overnight fix to racism or a global pandemic.

Only time will tell if the NBA’s return goes down as a triumphant moment for social justice and athletics, or as one of the worst decisions made by a pro sports organization in history.

What matters most right now is preventing the spread of coronavirus and continuing to push for social change—basketball or no basketball.

When it comes time, weaponize your privilege to fight for good.

For example, your vote has always mattered at the polls, so use it wisely. Elect politicians who recognize white privilege and will take meaningful action against systemic racism.

Vote for longer tables, not higher barriers.

Stop saying “all lives matter,” because as a white Canadian, your life has always mattered to those in power—that’s never been questioned. Becoming anti-racist means being intolerant to racist language and correcting racist behaviour. Defy any whitewashed perception of normal.

I’m committing myself to becoming a better ally. I want to be part of a necessary shift in society by holding myself accountable and learning from my past mistakes.

No one is perfect, and now isn’t the time to be sorry; it’s the time to be better. It’s long past time to use our white privilege to support the voices of Black people.

This should sound like a call to action. It is. How will you answer it?

You should start by saying Black Lives Matter.

16 • queensjournal.ca

Monday, June 29, 2020

POSTSCRIPT

Learning to outrun anxiety

Carolyn taught herself to love running instead of fearing it.

How struggles with running helped me overcome struggles with mental health Carolyn Svonkin Features Editor A lot of people hate running. It’s not the easiest sport to like—it can feel boring, interminable, and even painful. However, growing up, my dislike of running went a bit deeper than most.

I wasn’t an athletic kid. I had thick glasses by the first grade and spent my recesses inside furiously scribbling down stories instead of playing tag. I matured young, and while my friends stayed prepubescent throughout middle school, any girl who hit puberty early can tell you that nothing about looking 18 at 12 makes you want to run in a sports bra at a crowded track meet.

I was also an anxious kid. I worried constantly, anticipating stressful events months ahead of time with dread that sat in my stomach like stones. I remember sitting on the floor of my room one afternoon crying because I couldn’t imagine shouldering anxiety’s weight any longer. By the time I was 10, I knew the thoughts in my head weren’t the same as the ones that occupied my friends’.

I knew anxiety before I knew it had a name.

In middle school, my aversion to sports and my anxiety collided.

Anxiety began to manifest in athletics: I wasn’t good enough because I wasn’t fast enough, I wasn’t popular enough because I wasn’t fit enough.

At my school, being skilled at sports meant people admired you, creating a sense of belonging.

When everyone put on identical uniforms, differences were erased.

I associated athletics with what I longed to be: easygoing, popular, and effortlessly skilled.

The worst part of athletics was running. The building block of so many sports, I was pathetically bad at it. I watched my classmates complete lap after lap without breaking a sweat in gym class while I trailed behind, praying I wasn’t the slowest.

I began to dread even the prospect of running, convincing myself that I was incapable of keeping up with my classmates.

That’s what anxiety does: it makes challenges insurmountable. What’s a rolling hill to those around you becomes Everest in your mind.

That’s what "anxiety does: it

makes challenges insurmountable. What’s a rolling hill to those around you becomes Everest in your mind.

In the eighth grade, our gym curriculum included the beep test.

None of my classmates thought much about it, but it preoccupied me for months, a sickening feeling rolling beneath my skin like seasickness. My parents took me to a therapist who had me draw maps of my thoughts, hoping to prove the brittleness of the links between them. It didn’t help. I knew what I was thinking didn’t make sense, but the paths my anxious thoughts took were too well-tread at that point to be re-mapped.

The morning of the beep test didn’t feel like morning because

I hadn’t slept. As my mom drove me to school, I started shaking. We turned around and went home.

When I went to school the next day, no one mentioned that I’d missed anything important.

In the ninth grade, I had to complete a triathlon. The thoughts I’d left with the beep test came back, happy to dig into the grooves they’d left. I spent the entire year obsessed with the three-kilometre run, unable to get it out of my head. My dad practiced with me on weekends, hoping to make it easier. It didn’t matter. The obstacle was inside my head, not beneath my feet.

After that, I avoided running until I came to Queen’s. In Kingston, I didn’t have dance classes or gym appointments like at home.

However, I'd come to realize that, ironically, exercise quieted my anxiety more than medication or therapy.

I started with 20 minutes of running on the treadmill at a time, building to 30, then 40. For a year, I woke up on running days feeling sick with anxiety. But eventually, things changed. I thought my anxiety was made of titanium, but every time I ran, I felt like I was grabbing it and tearing it apart as easily as paper.

I started to become a decent runner. I would wipe down the treadmill afterward and feel athletic. I went off my anxiety medication, and instead of using them to chase off anxious thoughts, I began to outrun them.

When campuses and gyms were shuttered due to the coronavirus, I realized I'd lost access to a treadmill. I’d never run outside before; it felt like starting over completely. My anxiety rushed back—it had been waiting in the wings.

I spent the first weeks back at home doing other workouts, but

I itched to lace up my running shoes. Anxiety necessitates coping mechanisms, and once you find one, it’s almost impossible to quit.

Running had become mine.

On one of the few sunny days in March, I dragged myself to a trail near my house and started to run.

I needed something underneath my feet to calm the anxiety in my head.

That run was hard. It was stressful to replace the steady treadmill clock with uneven road.

But as I neared the end of the path, I began to enjoy the feeling of the sun on my shoulders and the breeze in my ears. That was enough to make me run again the next day.

My treadmill running had trained me well, and I began to push myself to run distances I never would’ve thought possible.

I signed up for the May 50K Challenge to raise money for multiple sclerosis research, and challenged myself to double the distance to 100 kilometres—97 more than the triathlon that consumed me in the ninth grade.

I finished 100 kilometres in two weeks, and I then kept going.

I’m not the best or the fastest runner. By the tenth kilometre, I don’t look pretty or carefree like my classmates did in high school.

Some days I hate every single step, and I feel just as unathletic as I did growing up.

I don’t let myself "But turn around and go home anymore.

But I don’t let myself turn around and go home anymore.

I was terrified to restart with outdoor running, but I’ve fallen in love with it. Instead of staring at a

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY: CAROLYN SVONKIN

clock, I can enjoy the world around me, watching as winter turns to spring, and spring to summer.

Mostly, I spend my runs thinking. Running is an unusually quiet sport—there are no yelling teammates or balls to hit. When your body’s on autopilot, all there is to do is think.

I spend my "Mostly, runs thinking [...]

When your body’s on autopilot, all there is to do is think.

Once, I was terrified of that.

Anxiety makes your thoughts something you want to run from, not towards. It used to be that the longer I was in my own head, the more I’d spiral. Sometimes it’s still like that—I’m never going to outrun how much I overthink. Even with music blasting in my ears, my thoughts are louder. But if I drew a thought map for a therapist now, it’d have pathways anyone could follow. I think about family, friends, and what I’m having for dinner. I try not to think about how many kilometres I have left.

More than anything else, I think about the anxious kid I used to be, and how proud she would be now.

I laugh at how, if she saw me, she’d think I’m cool and popular and at ease—traits I associated with athleticism when I was younger— when I’m really just taking one step at a time. Left foot, right foot, a little longer than I think I can, a little farther than yesterday. Turns out, despite years of stress about running, it’s just like anxiety: it takes practice and patience. And all you can do is put one foot in front of the other.