The Crusader News | Volume 74 | Issue 4

The Crusader News Official Student Newspaper of St. Paul’s High School Volume 74 Issue 4

AMDG

May 2021

POPE FRANCIS VISITS IRAQ

The Pontiff prays for peace in a country shaken by decades of conflict. Ilia Mehr Bakhsh writes.

Crisis in Myanmar

NBA and NFL season previews

James Brennan

The Royal Family

Eric Fontaine

Sameer Batla, Skyler Griffith, and Kieran Light write.

Earth Month at St. Paul’s

Ilia Mehr Bakhsh

Solo Leveling Oscar Lavitt

Sharif McCurdy

Mice

Sawyer Ramsay

Jackson Gordon

John Ergon Golpe

Donovan Martin

Ramadan

Mario

Anti-Asian Hate

Cultural Appropriation

Yash Varma

Anime

Canadian Politics Nathan Poklar

WandaVision

Baljot Rai writes.

500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines Myles Cesario writes. thecrusadernews.ca

Microprocessors Emmitt Wilson

Olympics Caleb Pereira

Crossword

Myanmar military coup disrupts country’s path to democracy of civilian rule. In recent years, Myanmar’s path to democracy James looked bright, as Aung San Suu Brennan ’21 Kyi appeared to be a leader brave enough to challenge the miChief litary’s power. The daughter of Editor Myanmar’s colonial leader Gen. Aung San and a famous political figure in her own right, Ms. Suu On February 1, 2021, the Kyi served as Myanmar’s state Southeast Asian country of counsellor, a loose equivalent to Myanmar was overtaken by a mi- our prime minister. litary coup d’état that was years in the making. President Win Myint This military coup follows Myanand State Counsellor Aung San mar’s 2020 general election that Suu Kyi were arrested and have saw Ms. Suu Kyi’s party—the remained under house arrest National League for Democracy ever since. The incident has only (NLD)—win a majority in the grown more violent over the past House of Representatives. Since few months, with regular clashes 2011, the military had been soin the streets between protestors mewhat detached from the feand the military that have left at deral government, acting as a seleast 748 dead. parate entity while allowing the governing NLD to retain some Myanmar (also known as Bur- amount of control. But that syma) is a predominantly Buddhist stem crumbled entirely this year, country of 54 million that was as the military rounded up NLD a British colony until its inde- members and installed military pendence in 1948. Since inde- commander-in-chief Gen. Min pendence, it has been in a con- Aung Hlaing as the de facto leastant struggle between military der for one year. After that, elecdictatorships and proponents tions will supposedly be held, but

their integrity is already in doubt.

In recent years, Ms. Suu Kyi’s reputation in the West has been tarnished due to accusations of genocide against Rohingya Muslims in the western Rakhine State. Beginning in 2017, the Burmese military organized raids against Rohingya villages, burning them to the ground and displacing their residents. Many have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, but some remain. While Ms. Suu Kyi was once seen as a beacon of hope and democracy in a troubled nation, many questioned her actions. Even though she had little influence over the actions of the military, her denials of widely reported events in Rakhine raised eyebrows among Western leaders. Many even called for her Nobel Peace Prize to be revoked.

hope to reinstate democracy and bring peace to the country. But the situation is dire. Any attempt at resistance has been met with military force, and the international community isn’t in a position to influence Myanmar’s internal affairs. This military crackdown follows a pattern of similar actions taken by governments under the cover of the pandemic, including in Hong Kong, Belarus, Ethiopia, Thailand, Azerbaijan, and Uganda. Autocrats have decided the world would be too focussed on the pandemic to take action. But we must not let injustices go unnoticed anywhere.

We must support the people of Despite her flaws, Ms. Suu Kyi Myanmar in their fight for peace might just be Myanmar’s best and democracy.

The Conservative Party prepares for a possible election Nathan Poklar ’24 Contributor

It is common knowledge within Canadian politics that a minority government should last around two years before the next election. With the Liberals’ minority government and almost two years

since the last election, it seems that there is a strong possibility of Canadians going back to the polls before 2022 rolls around. If an election were to be called, the Conservatives may find themselves in a golden position to take back the government. According to a recent Angus Reid poll, 49% of Canadians believe that it is time for a change of government in Ottawa. Furthermore, a Maru poll found that 57% feel that they are “politically homeless,” feeling that there was no party that they

Conservative leader Erin O’Toole

had strong feelings for. The Conservatives could use these two factors to their advantage, marketing themselves as a party with its own attractive and inclusive policy that is a sensible alternative to Trudeau and his Liberals.

However, they are facing two obstacles that they will need to clear if they ever hope to form a government: the general dislike of Erin O’Toole and the staunch difference in priorities between the Conservative base and the rest of Canada. A recent poll from Angus Reid reporting on O’Toole’s favourability revealed a startling piece of information that many Canadians have known for a while: O’Toole is an unfavourable candidate. His favourability ratings—now sitting at a measly 29%—have been steadily dropping after his 36% high in November. 51% of Canadians view O’Toole in a negative light, and with damaging accusations—like accusations of being “Trump-lite”—the Conservatives will have to climb a high mountain if they hope to pitch O’Toole as more favourable than Trudeau, a leader

whose approval is 45%.

The Conservatives will also need to accomplish the difficult task of appeasing their base while appealing to other, non-conservative Canadian voters if they hope to get the level of voter turnout needed to win an election. A recently released Angus Reid poll asking respondents to select three of the “top issue[s] facing the country” highlights the wide gap between Conservative and non-conservative voters. Issues such as the deficit and government spending, natural resources, and climate change all revealed the stark differences that plague the two groups that will need to be reconciled if the Conservatives hope to win an election. However, while it may look like the odds are against the Conservatives, if they do manage to successfully sell O’Toole as a likeable alternative to Trudeau and are able to market themselves to the rest of Canada without angering or isolating their conservative base, Canada just may see a Prime Minister O’Toole by the end of the year.

Harry and Meghan: victims or opportunists?

Ilia Mehr Bakhsh ’23 Contributor

On March 7, 2021, a historic interview was aired. Oprah Winfrey, arguably one of the best interviewers in North America, sat down in a beautiful garden in sunny Los Angeles, California, to host a conversation with the former Duke and Duchess of Sussex who had left the Royal Family in the early days of 2020. The former Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, was in the hot seat for most of the interview, with her husband Prince Harry joining much later. When Harry was asked to explain the main reason behind their departure from the Royal Family, he said that he and his wife received a “lack of support.” “Lack of support” became a theme throughout this interview, leading to Meghan Markle’s

shocking claims that left viewers look innocent and lovely. Despite in utter surprise. this, it has been clear that Markle had had a close relationship To look at the interview from a with her father’s family. Markle’s complete perspective, we can’t friend even claims that after Marforget Meghan Markle’s histo- kle divorced her former husband ry. The couple’s marriage was Trevor Engelson, she asked to be a fairy-tale coming to life. A “paired with a rich British boy.” mixed-race woman married into While Prince Harry and Markle a forward-thinking monarchy were in a relationship, Prince and wed her loving husband. She William even warned Harry not went from being an unknown ac- to move too fast into marriage. tress to a princess. Despite Mar- Markle claims the Royal Family kle’s claims, tabloids and news did not stand up to the British sources congratulated her, cel- tabloids, despite the Royal Famebrating her and her marriage. ily complaining and removing As a role model, actress, fashion multiple stories from publicaicon, and now a princess, she was tion. The Royal Family also went well received and respected. Her as far as to break customs to inclaims about the British tabloids vite Markle and her were, in essence, false. mother to gatherings and parties to Additionally, Meghan Markle pay respect to them. has been disloyal. Early on in Markle also implied her life, it was exposed that she in the interview ended relationships after manip- that her son Archie ulating the people in her life. She would lose his title has cut people off—including her as prince due to alfather—selling the narrative that leged racism in the she has a drunken father with Royal Family. Howterrible stepsisters, making her ever, Prince Charles,

long before Prince Harry’s marriage, thought of decreasing the number of princes and princesses in the Royal Family.

After the death of Prince Philip only about a month after this interview, it is difficult to regard Harry and Meghan as innocent victims. Perhaps Meghan Markle did feel overwhelmed being a part of the Royal Family. Maybe there really were concerns about Archie’s skin tone. But going so far as to insult the Royal Family as an institution, the foundation of not only Britain but the entire Commonwealth, is a step too far.

Anti-Asian hate on the rise during pandemic John Ergon Golpe ’24 Contributor

Due to the pandemic, Asian-Americans have become common targets for discrimination and prejudice. From verbal and physical attacks, both on the streets and online, to witnessing blatant displays of xenophobia directed towards them and/or others, this unexpected resurgence in racial discrimination has left many Asian communities in the US on edge. According to a 2021 report published by Stop AAPI Hate, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading awareness of Asian discrimination, Asian-Americans have made nearly 3,800 reports of anti-Asian hate crimes over the past year since the start of the pandemic. This alarming number trumps the previous year’s 2,600 reports. A summary of these statistics states that businesses are the most common sites for Asian

discrimination (35.4%), followed by public streets (25.3%).

Asian-Americans of Chinese descent are the most affected demographic (42.2%), followed

by Koreans (14.8%), Vietnamese (8.5%), and Filipinos (7.9%).

Here in Canada, reports of physical and verbal attacks have also made it to the news headlines.

From March 10, 2020, to February 28, 2021, 1,150 reports have been recorded by researchers as a part of a study funded by the Canadian government. These reports include Asian-Canadians experiencing verbal harassment (73%), physical assault (11%), and unhygienic contact (10%).

Moreover, 44% of these reports come from British Columbia, while 40% of these reports come from Ontario.

Fortunately, the response to the recent resurgence of Asian hate holds just as much of a voice as the resurgence itself. In New York City, famous pop singer and celebrity Rihanna attended a protest against anti-Asian hate wearing a black cap, facemask, and shades while holding a pink sign that read “stop Asian

hate.” This attracted online media outlets to cover the protest.

Meanwhile, other protests have been organized in 60 US cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Portland. The White House has even announced that it would deploy countermeasures to stem the resurgence, redirecting 49.5 million USD (62.3 million CAD) from its COVID relief funds towards community programs tending to victims and ordering the Department of Justice to focus on anti-Asian hate crimes. However, Canada is still yet to respond, as Asian-Canadian community leaders in Mon-

treal have demanded the federal government take action to curb the rise in racism, and that the government complete an overhaul of their 2019 racism strategy because it failed to identify discrimination against Asian-Canadians.

The pandemic and the horrible events that have transpired over the past few years alone have done enough harm to everyone. This recent twisted trend in racism only adds to the harm.

We cannot let Asians become a scapegoat for the virus.

Respecting different cultures: appropriation vs. appreciation Donovan Martin ’22 Deputy Editor It is often stated that the enjoyment of culture has become impossible with claims of cultural appropriation proliferating in today’s society. Though true, more claims of cultural appropriation are coming to light, and their reasoning has merit. Many times, a genuine misunderstanding of the key concepts has led to many people being accused of appropriation. Clearing said misconceptions can be done quite simply, first by defining the necessary terms.

The two main terms a person should know are the following: cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. Cultural appropriation is the adoption of a cultural element from another culture with a lack of understanding of what is being presented, often for personal gain.

Cultural appreciation is seeking to understand and learn about another culture to broaden one’s

worldview. Simply put, appreciation is done to educate oneself while appropriation is done to take advantage of others. In reference to attire, examples of cultural appropriation are often seen in costumes. Wearing traditional clothing and outfits such as an Indigenous headdress, coconuts paired with a Hawaiian luau skirt, a Japanese kimono with Geisha makeup, or African cornrows are express examples of cultural appropriation. Yet appropriation can go beyond cultural attire, including artifacts, food, religious symbols, makeup, hairstyles, tattoos, and many more.

hurt if a person was to use a part of your cultural identity without fully understanding it, ask yourself how the appropriated feel themselves.

Listen and be mindful.

As Williams said, “The greatest way to become knowledgeable and appreciate another culture is by listening and being mindful to those who are a part of the fabric of that culture or society.”

Here, he asks you to learn about the culture of which you are partaking, ensuring that you learn its history and significance, preferably from a member of that This is not to say that other cul- culture. tures cannot participate in cultural events. Cultural exchange is Analyze the conone of the most prominent ways text. to participate in cultural appreci- Ask what a symation. Receiving a Maasai neck- bol or outfit lace as a gift after mission work means to a spein Kenya is different from that of cific culture and purchasing one on Etsy because when and where it looked ‘trendy.’ Dr. Khayree it’s appropriate Williams, a director at Austin to use it.

Community College, asks four things of people: Be open to teach and share your own culture.

Examine your own culture.

The most important part of culThrough self-reflection and eval- tural exchange is the dialogue uation, examine your own cul- formed by the expression of culture. If you would be offended or ture. One of the best ways to es-

tablish a difference between appropriation and appreciation is to have a mutual exchange.

All peoples can make the mistake of cultural appropriation, intentionally or not. However, this should not discourage any person from learning about another culture. As long as people are mindful when learning about other cultures, respectfully embracing them rather than making a mockery of them, one is participating in appreciation, not appropriation.

A flagrant example of the appropriation of the traditional Indigenous headdress

Review: Solo Leveling the hunters, he is given an assignment at a D rank gate where he Oscar nearly dies and is knocked unLavitt ’23 conscious. Upon awakening, he gains the strange power of access Contributor to a quest log that only he can see.

This system helps him become a stronger hunter, while also giving him access to better skills. The Solo Leveling is a webtoon adap- series follows his adventures in tation of a light novel of the same pursuit of becoming the world’s name. The series takes place on an strongest hunter.

Earth that has undergone an extreme transformation, becoming I will not go further into depth as a world in which portals called I do not want to spoil the series gates open regularly. From these for potential readers, but I can gates come monsters hellbent on destroying humanity. Humanity’s only line of defence is that of the hunters, people who have awoken with special powers that allow them to combat the monsters. Protagonist Sung Jinwoo is one of humanity’s weakest hunters. Barely stronger than a regular human, he works as a hunter to pay for his mother’s hospital bills. Deeply entrenched in the “E-Rank”, the weakest rank of all

tell you that it is incredible. The best part of the series is the artwork. Every panel is masterfully drawn and coloured, a perfect accompaniment to the storyline.

The story is also intriguing. Following multi-chapter story arcs, each chapter is action-packed and rich from a storytelling perspective.

While Solo Leveling has many strong attributes, there are some gripes that I have. Although the storyline is good, it follows a very generic formula, making it

one-dimensional. Another issue is that while some characters are well-written, others fall to the wayside and into predictability.

Despite these nitpicks that I have, I feel that the good factors strongly outweigh the negatives. The webtoon is currently at around 140 chapters and is ongoing. Do not dive into this series expecting wild plot twists and changes from the left to the right every other chapter, as this is not its strength.

Instead, the series shines with its creative and multilayered world.

Overall, this is a great series: the art style is good, and the story—although nothing revolutionary—is engaging (after picking it up I read it over spring break in less than a week). For those who might want to read it, it can be found at sololeveling.net.

Review: WandaVision Yash Varma ’24 Contributor

With the passing of each episode, we get a better sense of how the Hex compares to the real world.

At a point it seemed like Wanda was the villain; however, it was revealed the Hex was made solely out of Wanda’s grief about her traumatic life having seen the death of her family and her lover Vision. The sitcom stylings of her Hex-world were influenced by the types of shows she watched in her youth which created her vision of a perfect life. She lives this perfect, yet fabricated, life with her fabricated husband and fabricated children.

Beginning Phase Four of the astounding Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), WandaVision offers fans a fun and emotional season of television. With tongue-in-cheek references to old sitcoms to exploring Wanda’s grief, this show offered a lot to casual viewers, and hardcore Marvel fans alike, kicking off a new Each new episode represents a era for Marvel. Spoilers ahead! new decade of sitcoms and television, starting from the first epLet’s be honest, the show was con- isode set in the 1950s and finishfusing at first. Sitcoms? Vision is ing in the sixth episode being in alive? In the third episode, how- the 2000s. The following episode ever, Monica Rambeau, daughter focused on Wanda’s past as Agof Maria Rambeau (first seen in atha Harkness tried to discover Captain Marvel), was thrown out how Wanda was able to use her of Wanda’s reality to the SWORD power to make such a complex retreat base. In the next episode, and unique reality. Harkness finwe get a better understanding of ishes the episode by branding how Monica ended up in Wan- Wanda ‘The Scarlet Witch’ (Wanda’s fake reality (AKA the Hex) da Maximoff ’s alter ego in Maras well as meeting some famil- vel Comics), shortly before the iar faces: Jimmy Woo and Darcy episode concluded with that obLewis. noxious “please stand by” screen.

With the exciting build-up spanning these seven episodes, fans were expecting so much from the last one. Unfortunately, it disappointed many. Key plot elements were either overlooked, altered, or ignored completely. In terms of horrible alterations, take Quicksilver. The most significant example of this was when the ambitious Evan Peters’s Quicksilver was turned into a vulgar joke, disregarding any potential plotline that could have been connected to the X-Men or the Multiverse. Additionally, Darcy Lewis’s presence was also significantly lacking. The final episode of Wanda Vision was not awful, but disappointing to those who expected better. WandaVision, compared to another Disney Plus

show’s season finale, The Mandalorian, failed in all the places that The Mandalorian succeeded.

Overall, this was an amazing show. It outlined that Wanda was indeed a hero, having released the citizens of her reality when she found out they were being tortured, making her give up the life she dreamed of. I am a little bummed out that it may only be receiving one season, but regardless, it was amazing. WandaVision certainly has made a mark on a new era of television, setting a precedent for years to come.

Eric’s Anime Reviews: Part 2 Eric Fontaine ’22 Contributor

Demon Slayer: 10/10 Demon Slayer is one of my favourite anime. Both the story and the animation are unbelievably stellar. You could pause anywhere in any episode, print it, hang it up, and make your house look like an art museum. Stunning swordfights, supernatural powers, high stakes, a lot of heart, and even a fair amount of humor it make it the perfect anime. This anime is great if you want to get started watching anime and I highly recommend it for people who are just starting to explore the anime world.

if you want to see a lot of action and great fight scenes. In Black Bullet you see people who are treated differently based on their traits at birth, and despite this, they still protect the city which cast them aside. The creators of the anime were going to make a second season in 2020 but unfortunately, it was delayed due to COVID and still has not been released. Overall, this anime had a good story but it’s still unfinBlack Bullet: 8.5/10 ished, so you’ll be waiting for Black Bullet is an excellent watch the second season for the story

to continue. Its lack of finality named Hiyori who can jump out makes it hard to give it a higher of her body and interact with the ranking. gods who are invisible to normal humans. Yato’s weapon is Yukine, Tokyo Ghoul: 7.5/10 a rebellious child who never got Tokyo Ghoul: what a mess! The to experience life because he died Frist season of Tokyo Ghoul was as a child. Overall, the story is a masterpiece, and it is the only filled with comedy, action, and a thing that keeps this anime from bit of romance, but sometimes it being a 4/10. The first season had can get a bit confusing. such an amazing story, and the fight scenes were phenomenal. Assassination Classroom: 9.5/10 The first season itself was a 10/10. Assassination Classroom has The other seasons have the same some of my favorite characters of great fight scenes, but the story all time. Every single one of the is awful. There is no exposition characters is lovable—and I mean and no interesting events; it’s just every single one. The concept of bland. If you want to watch To- the story is enthralling. A class of kyo Ghoul, I suggest watching kids must assassinate their teachthe first season then stopping or er, but by the end of the anime read the manga, since the manga you come to like the teacher so is far superior to the post-fresh- much since he brought a class man season of the show. of kids rejected by the school to becoming the best students and Noragami: 8.5/10 great assassins. This anime is This anime is the story of a minor comedic and is hilarious for all god named Yato who wishes to ages. I would highly recommend be a major god. On this journey, that you put this anime on your he runs into a special young girl watch list.

The pilgrim of peace: Pope Francis visits Iraq Christians. Pope Francis believed he was “duty bound” to make Ilia Mehr this historic visit to Iraq, despite Bakhsh ’23 both the COVID-19 and security fears that made this visit his Contributor riskiest yet. Pope Francis believes that Iraq’s Christian community should have a more prominent role as citizens with full rights, “Peace does not demand winners freedoms, and responsibilities. or losers, but rather brothers and sisters who, for all the misunder- On his second day in Iraq, Pope standings and hurts of the past, Francis traveled to the city of Naare journeying from conflict to jaf to make a visit to the Grand unity.” These are the words of Pope Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, the most Francis on the occasion of his revered Shia Muslim cleric, to historic visit to Iraq. On March 4, have a conversation about peace Pope Francis left the Vatican for between faiths, in which they a four-day visit to Iraq in which found much common ground. he was described as “a pilgrim of Despite the fact that Ayatolpeace.” This visit was the pontiff ’s lah Al-Sistani rarely makes his first international visit since the opinions known, he expressed start of the pandemic more than that Christians should be able to a year ago, and the first ever pa- live in peace with other Iraqis. pal visit to Iraq. Iraq holds some This forty-minute-long converof the oldest Christian commu- sation was necessary to address nities, which have unfortunately the great deal of persecution toseen troubles over the past twen- wards Christians in the East and ty years due to terrorist attacks discrimination against Muslims that killed and misplaced Iraqi in the West. The Pope’s visit re-

minded all Catholics and Muslims to take note and understand the great roots at the foundation of the two Abrahamic faiths. This conversation will go down in history as it represents a step towards reform and a more peaceful, respectful world for all.

‘Beautiful’ would be an understatement to describe the Mass held in Irbil which hundreds of Iraqi residents attended. Muslims and Christians joined together to celebrate their worship of God. The terrorist group known as ISIS had previously threatened to kill the Pope in Mosul, the very city in which the Pope decided to visit on his third day. In Mosul, the Pope paid respect to the ruins of churches and the Christian martyrs who were persecuted by an Iraqi terrorist group. Standing in historic Mesopotamia, the land known as the birthplace of civilization,

Pope Francis said, “How cruel it is that this country, the cradle of civilization, should have been afflicted by so barbarous a blow, with ancient places of worship destroyed and many thousands of people: Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, and others forcibly displaced or killed.” The Pope made his mark by paying respect to the dwindling Iraqi Christian communities, and with the assistance of Ayatollah Al-Sistani, the Pope initiated the first step towards peace between the Shia Muslim and Catholic faiths. These four days would forever change the world’s viewpoint towards faith and what religion truly stands for: love and peace.

Gifted to Give: 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines Myles Cesario ’21 Religion Editor

were baptized and Christened with the names Carlos and Huana, respectively. The evangelization of the Filipino people would continue under the Augustinian friars, the Franciscans, and the Jesuits. The first bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila was Bishop Domingo de Salazar. During Salazar’s time as bishop, his synod “condemned slavery and resolved to spread the Gospel using the native languages, a key decision that preserved the local tongues.” The synod also recommended that the Spanish must exert political control to continue the evangelization process in the Philippines as mandated by the pope.

and justice using the funds they acquire fairly. The Church promoted a “true inculturation by retaining native practices while rejecting pagan ways,” which is why Filipino traditions like Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass), and the Pasyong Mahal of Gaspar (Passion of Christ) still exist in the Philippines and are major cultural events. The religious groups in the Philippines did not only focus on the spiritual health of the population but their physical health and social wellbeing. The friars built roads and bridges and improved farming practices with the native populations; hospitals and schools were built too. The Augustinians, Franciscans, and Jesuits built some of Asia’s oldest universities, many of which still exist today. One school, the Colegio de Santa Isabel is one of the oldest schools for women in the world. The Catholic Church would be a key witness in many aspects of Filipino life, from the Philippine Revolution to the American and Japanese occupations.

2021 marks the 500th anniversary of the Christianization of the Philippine Nation. The process began as most Christianization processes did, with the colonization of the native populations to a colonial power; the Philippines’ colonial overlord was the Spanish Empire. On March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed on the island of Cebu. On March 31 of that year, the first Philippine converts Rajah (monarch) Humabon The actual process of Christianand his consort Harah Amihan ization was different than the e v ange l i z a tion of the Americas.

The Synod of Manila had made it clear that the missionaries and missions must exer- Jamie Cardinal Sin was the Archcise evan- bishop of Manila and the most g e l i z a t i o n senior churchmen in the country

from 1974-2003. Leading up to the 1986 People Power Revolution, Sin had seen the corruption of the Marcos dictatorship, and in February of 1986, spoke out against Marcos and in support of Corazon Aquino and Gen. Fidel Ramos. In response, the Filipino people took to the streets led by nuns singing songs and praying the Rosary, a sight at which no Catholic soldier would dare shoot. History sees Cardinal Sin’s words as a key reason why the Marcos dictatorship fell and democracy was restored. This short example of fighting for freedom is what defines the Church in the Philippines today: the Church is not perfect, but it takes a serious role in the life of its flock.

As Filipinos everywhere embark this year in the celebration of the centennial of their faith, now is the time to reflect on the years and the deeds that the Catholic Church has done for the Filipino people. It is also a time to listen and to prepare for the future of the church in the Philippines and to live by the motto “Gifted to Give.” Our Lady of the Philippines, namin rena, ipanalangin mo kami!

Called to the Frontiers: Jesuit Leadership Summit James Brennan ’21, Donovan Martin ’22, and Myles Cesario ’21

where we live. The next week, we began work on our projects, and on the third week, we presented the projects. Many thanks to all On March 13, 20, and 27 of this those who organized this great year, the three of us participated experience. in the 2021 Jesuit Global Activism Leadership Summit, which In discussing the root causes was hosted by a group of Jesuit and symptoms of hunger, it was schools across the world. This interesting to note not only the event consisted of three Saturday differences between our counmornings spent with students tries, but the similar underlying from Canada, the United States, factors across borders. In ColomColombia, Chile, Argentina, bia, many of the hungry are VenZimbabwe, Ireland, Poland, Ita- ezuelan refugees who experience ly, Egypt, Russia, and India. Our hatred from the native Colomgoal was to discuss and create bians for ‘stealing’ their resourcprojects concerning three of the es. In Chile, unhealthy eating United Nations’ Sustainable De- habits lead to high obesity rates. velopment Goals (SDGs): zero The same is true in Poland and hunger, gender equality, and af- Ireland. In Zimbabwe, climate fordable and clean energy. All change has made growing food the students were divided into difficult, especially as corrupt six-person groups; the three of us politicians preferred importing were split up but we all worked instead of supporting local farmon zero hunger. The first week, ers. But the greatest factor by far we heard from a variety of speak- is poverty. Realizing these shared ers who offered their insights problems made me realize how on global issues and activism. interconnected we all really are.

We met our group members and shared some fun info about - James

From countries all over the world and every habitable continent, the issue of hunger remains prevalent. With my SDG group, Jesuit school students came together to analyze one of the root causes of hunger: food waste. Millions of kilograms of food spoil to a lack of proper refrigeration and storage in Kenya and Egypt. Food fails to reach grocery stores—and subsequently homes—in Colombia and Argentina. And so much food is thrown away, despite still being edible, due to confusion between “best before” and “expiration” dates, or that it simply looks unconventional. This was the case in Italy, the United States, and Canada. Foods marked with a “best before” date can be eaten after that date; it might not taste as good, but it remains entirely edible. The ability to not only discuss these issues with a variety of perspectives but attempt to solve them was a formidable and unforgettable experience.

It was interesting to see Jesuit schools come together in realizing that the problems that concern us are not defined by borders or even defined as West vs.

East. But every issue, but more specifically hunger, affects every nation, on every continent.

When people suffer from hunger, whether that is malnutrition or starvation, it affects a country’s ability to be competitive and hinders that country’s ability to achieve the other SDGs. Overall, this conference was a great experience as it opened my mind to the more complex realities that face our world.

- Myles Thanks to Mr. Dainard ’88 for being a part of the organizing team.

This conference will be happening again next year, hopefully in person in St. Louis, Missouri. If you’d like to participate, keep it in mind and keep your ears open!

- Donovan

Ramadan: the holiest month of the year perhaps you will be guided.”

Sharif McCurdy ’22 Contributor

Ramadan is an important time of the year for all Muslims. Religious and non-religious, we all take part in the holy month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Muslim calendar. During the month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk.

As the Quran says, “The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights the new moon of the month, let him fast in it, and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of days.

Allah intends for you ease and does not intend hardship and wants for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that to which He has guided you; and

- Quran 2:185.

This was said to the Prophet Mohamed (peace and blessings be upon him), and in following what was asked of him, we continue this beautiful tradition. Muslims wake up early in the morning for suhoor: to eat around 4:30 in the morning and pray. Then we can go back to bed or continue on with our day. When fasting, you are not permitted to be lazy or sit around all day and neglect your duties. You must continue on with your day, stay clean, and not complain. You should abstain from sinning of all kinds while fasting. You can also not have sex while the sun is out. If you are ill, pregnant, or on your menstrual cycle, you cannot fast. You can also abstain from fasting if you’re on a journey, but with modern day travel and technology that is not usually necessary. If for any of these reasons you have missed a day of fasting, you can make up the day or days another time.

signifies the fast ending, usually around 8:30 PM. It is tradition to break your fast with three dates and water. Then you must pray before having a light meal. The purpose of fasting is to teach Muslims sacrifice and understanding of those less fortunate.

At the end of the month of Ramadan, there is a large celebration called Eid—a feast and three days filled with food, family, and how it sounds, it truly is a great prayer. experience that most Muslims look forward to and enjoy.

Throughout the month, Muslims are encouraged to donate and Iftar is marked by sunset and pray as much as possible. Despite

The Great Australian Mouse Plague of 2020-21 Sawyer Ramsay ’24 Contributor

Australia has overcome many challenges throughout its history, from economic issues to environmental ones. Citizens of Australia have been keeping their doors closed and calling the exterminators with the arrival of a new problem: an infestation of mice across eastern Australia. Beginning in mid-2020 and still persisting, this plague is considered one of the largest mouse plagues the country has seen since 1993.

This infestation is causing many problems for the country, especially for farmers. Although, the extermination business is thriving!

have a pretty good idea. It began in mid-2020 when farmers were bringing in large amounts of grain early in the farming season.

Researchers believe that this early increase in grain imports was what began this plague because it attracted mice sooner than expected. With the mice arriving so early, they were able to start breeding earlier, which resulted in an abnormally large population. These mice also breed fast, producing one litter every three weeks. In addition to this, there are around seven mice in each litter which can amount to a lot after the process repeats every three weeks. It is clear how fast these mice can multiply, and it gives us a pretty good idea why there are so many today.

their entire crop to them. These mice affect not only farmers, but institutions like hotels as well.

Many hotels have become so infested that they had to shut their doors. Businesses are ordering exterminators daily to deal with all these mice. In addition to this, mice have begun to appear in water tanks, which can potentially pollute the water, depriving citizens of clean drinking water.

It can also cause economic issues These mice pose a huge prob- because it costs the government lem for rural Australia in several millions to attempt to get rid of ways. Overall, the people most them and repair the damage. affected by this plague are the Australian farmers. Their crops There are two ways that mouse Nobody knows exactly how this are becoming overrun by mice plagues can diminish: naturalplague began, but researchers and some farmers have even lost ly and by force. Usually, these

mouse plagues end in the winter—which in Australia begins in June and ends in August— because there is less food in the colder weather. Another natural factor that can affect the populations of the mice is hard rains which make it difficult for them to survive. Farmers and the government also have methods to prevent damage and reduce the number of mice. The main method of controlling these mice is by using poison, but there are many other methods, including traps and depriving mice of a food source. Hopefully, this plague won’t last long and farmers can reclaim their land from these small, but vicious, beasts.

Mario’s 35th Anniversary Jackson Gordon ’22 Science & Tech Editor Mario Mario, one of Nintendo’s most beloved characters, recently celebrated his 35th anniversary, making him almost twice as old as the oldest student at St. Paul’s. Mario was first introduced as “Jumpman” in the 1981 game Donkey Kong and became so popular that he received a standalone game: Mario Bros. This game also introduced Mario’s twin brother, Luigi Mario. Mario has appeared in over 200 games since, and together these games have sold over 600 million units.

The Mario franchise is the bestselling video game franchise of all time, it has sold more units than the Call of Duty, Minecraft, and the NBA 2K franchises combined.

Mario almost missed out on all this fame because his creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, did not think

he would be a popular character. Miyamoto originally named him “Mr. Video” and planned on using him exclusively as a cameo character. Mr. Video was renamed Mario after the landlord of Nintendo of America’s warehouse, Mario Segale. Segale came to the warehouse and confronted then-president of Nintendo Minoru Arakawa, demanding back rent. After a heated argument, Nintendo employees convinced Segale he would be paid and decided to name Mr. Video after him. Mario’s name is not the only notable characteristic that changed about him, as his profession also changed from a con-

struction worker to the lovable Italian plumber we know today.

Mario’s original profession was chosen to fit the scene of Donkey Kong, which takes place at a construction site. When one of Miyamoto’s colleagues suggested that Mario looked more like a plumber, he decided to change Mario’s profession and created Mario Bros., which takes place in the sewers of New York City.

Mario is a pop culture icon who has received seven world records in the book series Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition.

He also appeared at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Summer

Olympics to promote the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. A 1990 survey found that Mario was more recognizable among American children than Mickey Mouse. This is an old survey, but Mario’s popularity has increased greatly, especially in the past year. In the past two months alone, Mario World opened at Universal Studios in Japan, the fifth official Mario Day (Mar. 10) occurred, and it was the 35th anniversary of Mario himself. Mario is one of the world’s biggest pop culture icons and will likely retain this title for a long time.

Global Microprocessor Supplies Remain Low Emmitt Wilson ’22 Politics Editor Computers are the base of almost everything in modern society.

They coordinate the intricate global trade networks that keep us fed and clothed, they control the electrical grids, and we use them in work, transportation, and entertainment. So, what happens when we cannot make enough of them? That has already

been the case for several months with no end in sight. When we were forced to rapidly make changes last March to respond to COVID, demand for computers soared as people’s school and work lives moved online. Even a year later, demand is still up and many companies that stopped manufacturing during the pandemic are reopening, driving demand even higher. This is being felt most by car manufacturers, many of whom cancelled orders for the computer chips that power the entertainment systems and high-tech semi-automation that are in many new vehicles.

As demand picks up again, they are replacing their orders, but the orders cannot be filled quick enough, leading to companies like General Motors having thousands of

almost finished cars just waiting get components for PC gaming for computers clogging up their and has even forced companies manufacturing plants. like Dell to suspend production of some products due to lack of These delays are complicated be- supply. cause of the way the semiconductor industry is structured. While The shortage, which some industhere are dozens of companies try analysts predict will last more that design microprocessors, than a year, is being treated as a like Apple and Samsung, there threat to national security by the are only a handful of companies US. The White House recently that actually have the technology hosted a summit with industry to produce them. This leads to leaders to try and address the competition for limited produc- issues and plans to host another tion capacity and skyrocketing soon. This is because the shortprices and wait times. This is also age has resulted in the tempowhy the new Xbox Series X and rary loss of over 10,000 jobs in PS5 are constantly out of stock, the US. Many in the US have also as Sony and Microsoft can only pointed out that the country has get so many of the processors almost no local capacity to prothat power the new consoles. The duce modern microprocessors increasing price of cryptocurren- and imports the vast majority cies like Bitcoin also plays a role from Taiwan and South Korea. in the shortages. Mining cryp- Whether the White House can tocurrency is extremely profit- make a difference remains to be able but also requires immense seen, but it is safe to presume amounts of processing power, so that the repercussions from this miners buy any available stock shortage will affect the economy from manufacturers. This has for a significant amount of time. made it practically impossible to

Earth Month at St. Paul’s Baljot Rai ’24 Contributor

This year, the St. Paul’s High School Environmental Action Committee (EAC) organized its first-ever Earth Month campaign! Founded in 2020 by Mr. Oliver Capko S.J., the EAC is one of the newest extracurricular activities available to the students of St. Paul’s and has quickly grown to a group of 26 dedicated students and staff. The committee strives to make St. Paul’s an environmental-friendly facility through education, awareness, school engagement, and sustainability. This April, the committee organized many initiatives for the Earth Month campaign.

To increase student engagement and awareness, the EAC informed students about recycling through a variety of methods.

First, posters were on display on the Jesuit wall, featuring in-

formation regarding recycling procedures, contamination, recycling tips, and what items are recyclable. Members of the committee also conducted in-class presentations to inform students about recycling and the environment. On Earth Day, we played a school-wide Kahoot to test students on their recycling knowledge. On Earth Day, all students were permitted to be in casual dress if they brought batteries or electronics to recycle. The “Meatless Mondays” initiative also took place to highlight carbon emissions caused by meat products. Through a partnership with Gene’s Place, no meat was served in the cafeteria on Mondays.

As a part of the Earth Month campaign, the committee is implementing an electronic recycling program at St. Paul’s. Electronic recycling bins have been placed in the gym link. We encourage students to recycle electronic objects such as batteries, old phones, computer hardware, and cables through this program.

Students are also encouraged to recycle ink cartridges and writing instruments—bins for these can

be found in the library. The EAC is also working towards reducing recycling contamination through student awareness. Posters have been placed in classrooms and high-traffic areas showing what items are and are not recyclable. The committee continues to track recycling contamination rates in the school. The EAC also conducted a tab-collection competition among class cohorts. The tabs collected through this competition will be recycled and go towards providing Manitobans

in need with wheelchairs. Additionally, the committee aims to paint the large recycling bin located near the staff parking area, colouring it blue to distinguish it from the garbage.

Sameer’s NBA Playoff Predictions Sameer Batla ’22 Contributor

With the 2020-21 NBA Playoffs approaching toward the end of May, there are currently several questions that have fans across the globe wondering which team will overcome all odds and win the title. Will LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers become repeat champions? Will the Brooklyn Nets super team demolish every opponent? Will the Los Angeles Clippers redeem their reputation after last year’s humiliating blowout? Let’s begin by exploring some 2021 NBA Finals-worthy teams.

In the Eastern Conference, there are currently three teams which I believe have the best shot at reaching the final playoff round and potentially winning the championship. The Philadelphia 76ers hold the second seed in the Eastern Conference and the Milwaukee Bucks stand in third. Both teams were met with immense disappointment last post-season, being handed first and second round exits. Nevertheless, the 76ers, led by star center and MVP candidate Joel Embiid are amid a breakout sea-

son. The team has acquired a new head coach and numerous assets this year. Additionally, thanks to their heart-crushing defence, they shut down their opponents night in and night out. On the other hand, the Bucks, led by reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo, are also thriving.

After signing point guard Jrue Holiday, the team is shaping up exceptionally and there is no doubt that a healthy Bucks team is one to fear. However, the clear “talk of the town” in the Eastern Conference is truly about the team being deemed the “villains of the NBA”: the Brooklyn Nets.

As if stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving weren’t enough, the Nets have managed to acquire James Harden, Blake Griffin, and Lamarcus Aldridge since last season and look more like an allstar lineup than a franchise team.

Ranked first in the east with one of the best offensive ratings in the league, this squad can score effortlessly due to their sheer skill.

Kevin Durant

Regardless of their lack of team chemistry due to several missed games from their star players, the Nets have high expectations to crush anyone in their path.

The Western Conference, on the other hand, seems to be experiencing an entirely different scenario. It contains numerous teams that are playing extremely well and holds various ‘underdog’ teams. However, the teams which I believe to have the best potential are the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets, led by star center and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, played exceptionally well during last year’s playoffs and have acquired some highly beneficial players before the trade deadline; they have a great opportunity to bring home the hardware this season. However, the true debate of this conference is “the battle of Los Angeles.” Despite their struggles during the last playoffs, the Clippers are shaping out to be a lethal team this season under the lead of their star forwards, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Clippers also possess the highest offensive rating in the league. On the flipside, there are the Lakers, who are the reigning NBA Champions and the clear favourites for this reason. However, their number-one obstacle is the injuries of their star duo, Lebron James and Anthony Davis. A healthy Lakers

LeBron James

team has arguably the best chance in the west to win the Finals and become repeat champions. However, they currently face one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league. Without their stars, they risk losing a top seed and consequently falling into the play-in tournament, where they may face elimination.

With all that being said, I predict that in a seven-game series, the Brooklyn Nets will defeat every Eastern Conference team they face in the playoffs once their ‘big three’ returns altogether. As far as the west goes, if the Lakers overcome their current injury stretch and secure a spot in the playoffs, I predict that they will outplay all other conference opponents and meet the Nets in the Finals.

I believe the Lakers would win a Nets-Lakers finals due to the pure dominance possessed by their stars, as well as their strong defensive ability—a skill the Nets lack.

New stars emerge ahead of NFL Draft Skyler Griffith ’21 Sports Editor Every year, top NFL prospects wait in anticipation of the league’s annual draft. As a direct gateway to the world’s most competitive stage of American football, the draft features the biggest young names in the sport. Although these top college athletes are already competing against the best for a roster spot, this year’s draft class is particularly strong.

All eyes have been focused on the draft’s top five quarterbacks:

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, BYU’s Zach Wilson, OSU’s Justin Fields, Alabama’s Mac Jones, and NDSU’s Trey Lance, all of whom are projected to be top 10 picks.

These gunslingers have soaked up most of the spotlight from other notable draft prospects.

However, top non-quarterback prospects, such as Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith, have still managed to draw considerable attention to themselves. Harris and Smith became fan favourites after winning this year’s national championship as members of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Below are draft profiles and grades for these non-quarterback NFL prospects who are bound to spark the most excitement in their rookie year.

Najee Harris (A+) RB | University of Alabama Simply put, no other 6’2” 230 lb athlete has ever matched Najee Harris’s athletic abilities. He might be the biggest running back to have ever hurdled de-

fenders with such ease. Harris’s versatile play knows no limits.

He is a dual-threat running back, having proved that he can both run and receive the ball proficiently. After racking up 1,891 total yards and 30 total touchdowns in the 2020 season, it is no mystery as to why Harris

Najee Harris

received the Doak Walker Award (awarded annually to America’s top college football RB). As an unusually large running back, Harris is comparable to Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans. Although Henry outweighs Harris by nearly 20 lbs, Harris’s athleticism blows Henry’s out of the water. Considering that Derrick Henry just became the 8th player in NFL history to rush for over 2000 yards in a season, the

sky’s the limit for Najee Harris.

The draft’s best quarterbacks will certainly give him a run for his money, but I expect Najee Harris to be named the 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

DeVonta Smith (B+) WR | University of Alabama DeVonta Smith might be the most intriguing prospect of the draft. This year, he was the first

DeVonta Smith

wide receiver to be awarded the Heisman Trophy (awarded annually to the most outstanding college football player) in 30 years.

Despite being named this year’s top player in college football, he is projected to be the third WR selected in the draft. Now why would a Heisman winner’s draft stock be so low? In this case, it’s because he weighs a mere 170lbs.

Teams are hesitant to draft Smith because the skills of players his size don’t usually translate well

into the NFL. However, Smith believes playing professionally won’t be any different from college. Either Smith’s exceptional route-running and IQ will be his saving grace, or he will follow the likes of Johnny Manziel and become another Heisman bust. However, because DeVonta Smith outperformed every other college receiver last year, I expect him to beat the odds and hush the nay-sayers.

tegral piece in their offence. Even the more recent tight ends like Will Dissly, a washed-up Greg Olsen, and Luke Wilson all got a good number of targets. I believe that Everett is much more talented than these three players, so I think he’ll break out this season.

with him. Despite all that, for the first two games, he was good and he even beat the league’s best defence—the Rams—in just his first game as a starter. Now he actually gets a preseason to learn the offence and marinate. And to help out, the Fins front office signed the speedy deep threat receiver Will Fuller V from Houston to bolster his weapons. Furthermore, the Dolphins also hold the 6th pick in this year’s draft after having made a few amazing trades over the past two years.

This means they can go get him more young weapons like his old college teammate DaVonta Smith, LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, or Kyle Pitts, the tight end who most scouts believe will be one of the league’s best in just his rookie year. Clearly, Tua has all the pieces and all the talent necessary to succeed, so why don’t we just give him a shot?

NFL Season Preview Kieran Light ’21 Contributor

yelling and jumping around on the sideline. This enthusiasm is what Lawson said made him sign in the Big Apple. What does this say? It says that Lawson is completely bought into Saleh’s system. Lawson will also have young stud Quinnen Williams on the d line with him to relieve some pressure. Lawson has shown great potential in Cincinnati before signing in New York, having had many seasons where he had some of the highest recorded QB hits, QB pressures, and pass rush percentage. This will be his year.

Every NFL offseason features an abundance of acquisitions and moves. Big name players move all around the league, coaches change teams, etc. All these different moves create different opportunities for different players and coaches. Having now been through the majority of Gerald Everett free agency, I’d like to share three TE | Seattle Seahawks players that I believe are primed to break out next season.

Everett is a relatively unknown name. He spent the last four Carl Lawson years playing for the LA Rams, DE | New York Jets not getting much spotlight due to injuries and the fact that he Lawson is one of the many new was in an offence that heavily additions the Jets made in free leaned on players like Cooper agency this year and he’s a play- Kupp, Robert Woods, and the er that I think can thrive in new- then MVP candidate Todd Gurly-appointed head coach Robert ley. Furthermore, this past year Saleh’s defence. For those who the team became more focused don’t know, Saleh was previously on its defence, having built the the defensive coordinator for the best in the league. Now he’s in Se49ers and was a critical piece in attle under head coach Pete Carmaking one of the league’s best rol. Carrol is a coach that loves to defensive units. This unit got the use his tight ends in the passing 49ers to a Super Bowl and the game and whose offence has beNFC’s best record just last year. come more passing-centric. In He’s a defensive genius. Saleh is years past, the Hawks had one also known for his passion for the of the league’s best tight ends in game and can frequently be seen Jimmy Graham, who was an in-

Tua Tagovailoa QB | Miami Dolphins How about we actually give Tua a chance. It’s crazy to me how fast fans went from saying he was rookie of the year to trash. Take a step back and look at his situation. Rookie playing the most intellectually challenging position, no preseason with his new team, and coming off the same injury that ended Bo Jackson’s career.

He was also thrown into the starter spot in week seven, and for the better part of the season, didn’t have his Pro Bowl-caliber receiver DaVante Parker on the field

Tua Tagovailoa

Two rounds of Olympic Games are coming soon...or are they? ready delayed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. HowCaleb ever, these games have been Pereira ’23 met with large amounts of controversy from Japanese citizens Contributor over whether the games should be postponed again or even cancelled. This controversy comes in response to the still ongoing The Olympics are always a time pandemic, where many countries of excitement. Athletes from across the world are experiencing across the world from a pletho- new waves of COVID-19. ra of sports train incredibly hard in hopes of representing their The International Olympic Comcountry at either the summer or mittee and the Japanese governwinter games. People from all na- ment have been making great tions are brought together as they attempts to keep the Olympics cheer on their countries in hope running. International fans have of success. The Olympic Games already been barred from the never cease to live up to their games and athletes and will be excitement, but controversy and subject to strict protocols during challenges over the upcoming their time in Tokyo. It makes Olympics in Tokyo and Beijing sense that both parties are trying that stem away from sports might their best to keep these games put their fate into jeopardy. going. The Olympics in Tokyo is set to be the most expensive Tokyo, Japan is set to host the summer games yet at 12.6 billion Olympic Summer Games this USD (15.8 billion CAD). The summer. These games have been postponement of the games to long overdue, as they were al- this year has also increased this

cost by 22% to 15.4 billion USD (19.4 billion CAD). The Tokyo Olympics are currently set to begin on July 23, but time will tell whether these games will go on.

the Olympics. The winter games in Beijing are still almost a year away, but the following months have the potential to drastically change the landscape of these Olympics come February of next The 2022 Winter Olympic Games year. in Beijing, China are also experiencing controversy in response to The uncertainty regarding the ongoing allegations of human whether these Olympics will go rights abuse of Uyghur Muslims on remains; there is enough time against the Chinese government. for decisions to be made for eiMany countries, including the ther one of the upcoming games.

United States of America and However, if we have learned anyCanada, have already spoken thing from the last year, we know out about the situation in China, that anything can happen. So as which has inspired the talk for the Olympic Games approach, a boycott of some sort of these we can only hope that nothing winter games. Whether these further unexpected that would rumoured boycotts are only alter the execution of the games diplomatic, or a full-on athletic happens. boycott barring any athlete from attending, is still unknown. However, the Chinese government continues to deny the claims of human rights abuse and has threatened to enact political sanctions on any country that does boycott

Answers online at thecrusadernews.ca/ maycrossword

Photo Credits Myanmar: Lauren Decicca/GETTY Conservative Party: The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick Harry and Meghan: Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese Anti-Asian Hate: Alexandra Wimley/AP Cultural Appropriation: Ollie Millington/Getty Images Solo Leveling: Dubu (Redice Studio) WandaVision: Disney Studios Anime: IMDb Pope Francis: REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily Philippines: Tiziana FABI / POOL / AFP Ramadan: iStock/Getty Images (Candle), iStock/ Getty Images Mice: WILDLIFE/picture alliance Mario: Nintendo Microprocessors: ABC.net.au /Getty Images Earth Month: Matthew Ouelette NBA: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images NFL 1: Alabama Athletics (Najee Harris) Todd Kirkland/Getty Images (DeVonta Smith), https://www. profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-order/ (NFL Draft) NFL 2: https://www.skysports.com/nfl/ news/12118/12081936/tua-tagovailoa-can-learnfrom-ryan-fitzpatrick-recklessness-for-miami-dolphins (Tua Tagovaila) Olympics: https://www.creativebloq.com/news/isthis-tokyo-2020-logo-better-than-the-official-design

Crossword by Alec Compton ’22

Comic by Toe Toe Moo ’24