advice column Index
Advice Column p2 Advice Anecdotes and Insights p3 And the Oscar goes to... Stress Advice from your teachers Pokemon Vs. The World What's your study music? Local News p5 Mississauga - Out with the Old and in with the New New Mississauga, New Mayor Local Pipeline at Risk of Rupture Blue Jays : Are we Heading for Another Disappointing Season? International News p9 The News: Fact or Fiction Malaysian Airline Flight MH370 Mysteriously Disappears The Airline Industry - A Flight with no Destination So What's Happening in Venezuela Anyways? Crisis in Ukraine The Amazonian School Editorials p12 10 Places for New Horizons LGBTQ+ in Russia Instagram: A Blessing or a Curse A Pharmaceutical Progress Trap A Look at one of Society's most Unusual Fascinations - Reality TV Lit Crit p13 Masquerading as Males English Class, Inequality, and Backwards Education Spring Reading Ideas Around Town p15 A Trip Down Memory Lane Comics p16
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Advice
Dear
Jack and Jill, There has been this boy that I've had a crush on for the past while. We don't talk much in person, but our online conversations last hours upon hours. He seems fine not talking in person, but I just find it extremely irritating. Our online conversations are great and we're quite close but we can never seem to have a proper face to face conversation! What should I do? Sincerely, Hug Me, I'm Scared
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 2
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ey Hug Me, Firstly, thanks for your bravery in submitting such a personal question. I think that this is a tricky situation, but not impossible to solve. Perhaps you should finish your online conversation, but end it off in a way that almost forces the other person to talk to you at school; maybe by saying something like, “Okay, I’ve got to go, but let’s talk at school.” If he replies with a yes or sure, then it wouldn’t be too awkward to talk to him in person. I think the reason why he talks with you online,but not face to face is probably because he is probably a shy guy. Maybe he gets nervous around you, or you’re so intensely good looking that he gets tongue-tied every time he sees you. A good jump off point for you two to develop from is using your online conversations as topic openers.Talk about your online conversations, and maybe that’ll evolve into you two talking about something else; maybe even about a potential date? Fingers crossed! I hope this helped.
- Jack
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ear Scared, So the main problem, as far as the eye meets, is that your online personas are not able to convert into “real life” conversations. The only solution really here my dear, is that you must talk about it! Yes, I know it sounds strange, that you have to talk about talking, but that’s honestly the only way that you will be able to understand his feelings. You shouldn’t be very confrontational about it, but gently ask him if he would like to spend some one on one time with you, in person. If he says yes then you should pursue that opportunity. If he says that he’d rather not, then you have your answer. And if you are close enough, then you should ask him why he would rather not see you in person. There needs to be a reason why he can’t handle all that awesome-ness in person right? The most probable reason for his hesitation? He's probably just very shy. So once you figure out why he won’t speak to you, then you can brainstorm some ideas on how to overcome that barrier. However, don’t walk away from this relationship, because even the most platonic friendships can be beautiful. Best of luck!
- Jill
Dear
Jack and Jill, I am under too much pressure for getting high marks. My parents migrated to this country and my parents have professional qualifications. They do not put any pressure on me but seeing how difficult it has been for them I want to do well and get into a very good university. I want to make them proud of me. But I keep putting so much pressure on myself that I do not sleep enough or eat properly. This makes them unhappy too. How can I keep them happy and not be under pressure? Sincerely, The Human Pressure Cooker
Teacher Supervisor Mr. Gale
Editors in Chief
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i Human Pressure Cooker, Your worry is understandable, and I hope that you know that this is a concern that many students have; both at Glenforest and at high schools everywhere. Many parents come to this country to have a better future for their children, most likely giving up their livelihood in their home country for their offspring’s future. Your father is an engineer, which is great, considering the fact that many people who immigrate to another country do not have the same jobs they had in their home country. What I want to tell you is that your parents will be proud of you regardless of which university you attend. I know this might sound very cliché, but it’s true! They didn’t immigrate to Canada to force you to work yourself to the bone; they came here to help you succeed in the best possible manner. Plus, I’m confident that your parents would rather that you stay healthy and happy, than constantly overworked and upset. Besides, it is imperative that you get lots of sleep and eat properly in order to succeed, which is another reason why health should always take precedence over your supposed achievements of perfection. Don’t steer your future because you want to make your parents proud, set your own standards (reasonably) and strive for those. Everyone always says, “I want to make my parents proud”, however, what parents take pride in is the fact that their children are respectful, honest, healthy, and always smiling. My advice for you is to get some good sleep, eat well, and do the best you can. Best of luck!
- Jack
Ruchika Gothoskar Nathan Duong
Designers
Molly Lu Suriya Ratnam
Copy Editors
Victoria Le Inori Khan Ming Li Jamey Irwin Sophie Fu Nadia O Vini Clare Stephanie Brook Sophia Xu Milena Cioana Patricia Ly
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ear Pressure Cooker, The first thing I noticed in this question is you saying, “I want to make them proud of me.” Really? I think that any parent would be truly concerned about you as a person more so than what your marks are. Sure, grades are important, but they are not worth sacrificing your personal wellness. Even if they want you to go the best university in the world, they would not want that at the cost of your health. I suggest that you talk to your parents about your perceptions of their true expectations from you. It is not a good idea, for you to pursue something which you might be doing only for the sake of another person, who wouldn’t value it as much, unless you had done it for yourself. I would also like you to reflect upon your own behaviour, in the sense that you are neglecting yourself! I’m sure you’ve heard this many times, but you need to stay healthy, in order to perform at your best. There is no point in you starving yourself, staying up all night, and then going to school first period and writing a unit test. Your night wasn’t productive because you weren’t able to retain all the information due to the lack of energy in your body, and then in the morning because of your sleep deprivation, your test was not as well done as it could have been. So I suggest that first and foremost, sit down with your parents to discuss their expectations, and your situation, and then you should find a happy medium of study and rest. Remember that perceptions are not always facts! You should keep working on your marks, but do not make them a priority if your health is being sacrificed. Every single moment that we are awake is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present. So cherish it and use it wisely.
Layout Executives
- Jill
Kevin Ing Daniel Ku
Photographers
Pri Sharma Nasif Iqbal Molly Lu Julianna Clarke Meruba Sivaselvachandran Miranda Kwok
Cover Design Molly Lu
Send in your questions to talontimesadvice@gmail.com
anecdotes and insights
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 3
“And the Oscar goes to...” by: Farzana Rahman
world. A young musician, and a father of two, the life of author Soloman Northup, is portrayed beautifully, yet chooses to show the ugliest side of humanity; one that unbashedly encourages slavery and racism and exploits innocent and honest men and women. Black slavery has stained our history from the time of kings, proving to be the most controversial, yet crucial topics of discussion. This year, our very own school had once again paid homage to the dark side of history in our annual Black History Month Assembly. From the charming traditional dances to the thought provoking acts, Glenforest's Black History Month performers presented the student body with a truthful and inspiring portrayal of African slavery.
Showing us not only it’s horrors, but more importantly the rich history of African culture. For years, the effects of racism have resonated from generation to generation, and often proving how far we have come. However, this year’s assembly had also presented the fatal truth that racial discrimination still has a strong hold on society. Will we ever overcome racial stereotyping? Can the lessons of our history stand the test of time? As the future, only the youth can tell; as the next generation, we are entitled to keep with us, the voices of our past. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
by: Haris Saud
tin adheres to one principle: “Less is more.” He comments that as a teacher, “it’s very difficult” to cherish this ideology, but high school students should take advantage. He strongly advocates short, focused study sessions over long, mindless work for hours at a time. Take 10 minute breaks every hour you study. When you are studying, you should be keeping distractions out. Your work environment matters. If you embrace this principle, you’ll find you learn more and have more free time as well. So what should you do with your free time? Ask Mr. Martin and he’ll tell you to “take care of your mental and physical health”. In his opinion, sleep is of the utmost importance. “You need [7-9] hours of sleep every night” to function properly. Moreover, nutrition helps you perform your best. Take the time to eat breakfast every
morning. Furthermore, Mr. Martin believes that the importance of exercise is not stressed enough in Glenforest, or in this technology infused centry. Go to the gym, play sports, or walk to school; make sure you’re getting enough exercise. “You’re an animal and you’re designed to keep moving.”
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aw, humble and honest. This year’s Oscar best picture went to the well deserved “12 Years A Slave”. The film is simple, but covers the horribly devastating, and sadly true story of the kidnapping and enslaving of Soloman Northup. It shows viewers a candid and frightening side of Western history. Betrayed by fellow artists, Northup is dragged into utter cruelty and tragedy, a world of slavery, relocated from a farm to a plantation, in a cycle of abuse and mercilessness. Soloman is driven by his own salvation; his will to survive. This heart-wrenching and beautifully savage portrayal of slavery will leave you teary eyed and questioning the morality of our
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tress is something that’s on every student’s mind at one point or another. In the midst of our academic workload, it’s very easy to compartmentalize teachers as a source of that stress, and assume that they can’t possibly begin to fathom our stress. However, we often forget that teachers were students themselves once. I approached three different teachers and asked them what advice they would give to students learning to cope with stress. The following are three different takes from three different teachers on the topic of stress, school, and academic life. Mr. Josh Martin: Less Is More When asked what advice he would give to students to cope with stress, academics, and school in general, Mr. Mar-
Mr. Sanjay Mishra: Work Smart, Not Hard Mr. Mishra has very liberal views on managing an academic life with a social/personal life. His personal mantra, “Work Smart, Not Hard,” which many a students have heard him utter time and time again, is a far cry from a traditional professor’s advice. Let’s face it: What teacher would tell you “Don’t work hard”? Mr. Mishra strongly believes you shouldn’t spend hours doing questions you already know how to do. He advises students
to prioritize their learning. The units that are more important should be given more time. Being an IB SL Mathematics teacher, he cites the course as an example. “Approximately 30% of the [exam] questions come from Calculus and 8-9% from Vectors, so spend more time doing Calculus instead of Vectors.” He further advises his students to make a focused schedule and stick by it. Creating short review notes, which can be reviewed before exams and have the main concepts/ideas of all the units, will do wonders for your understanding and performance. To overcome anxiety and to prevent blanking out during exams, study in an exam type environment with similar time restraints as that of the exam. This will help you overcome the stress of the exams themselves. Lastly, Mr. Mishra urges you to take care of yourself. Get
enough sleep and have confidence in yourself. If you are having trouble with anything, approach your classmates and your teachers. Everyone around you is here to help. Ms. Rachel Luke: Balance If you ask Ms. Luke how to deal with a stressful school life, her advice is very focused: “Manage your time and prioritize.” Ms. Luke believes one should prioritize what’s really important. On top of that, she advocates, “time management is huge and is a skill that I think a lot of students struggle with.” She maintains that students should work to overcome this seemingly difficult skill, as time management is something you’ll need to do for university and for later in life. When you do master this skill, Ms. Luke encourages her students to make time for leisure activities, relaxation, and time with
family. She goes on to say, “I know it’s hard but I really feel it’s important to not just be doing academic work all the time, it’s too much.” Ms. Luke also gives a shout out to those in the International Baccalaureate Program, saying, “Especially the kids in IB, you need to know when to stop [working]”. If you can learn to balance your life, you will be able to deal with stress a lot more easily. However, Ms. Luke warns, “If you’re a procrastinator, you’re not going to be able to do that.” Balance, manage your time (wisely), and don’t procrastinate. And along the way, don’t forget to enjoy life.
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 4
anecdotes and insights
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by: Simo Pajovic
ccording to the Infinite Monkey Theorem, an infinite number of monkeys randomly typing at an infinite number of typewriters, could eventually reproduce the complete works of Shakespeare. By the same logic, an infinite number of monkeys— or gamers—simultaneously playing the exact same copy of Pokémon Red could beat the game, if given enough time.
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by: Serena Chao
hether you prefer dubstep, radio pop, indie rock, or electronic while dancing the night away, the same music doesn't always help when you're trying to study. Cross the lines of the musical spectrum, and maybe you'll discover something better than your all-time favourite. Some people cannot focus with even the slightest
This is the premise of “Twitch Plays Pokémon” (or TPP for short), a channel on the video streaming website, Twitch. Dubbed a “social experiment” by its creator and administrator (whose identity remains a mystery), thousands of viewers type their commands—“up,” “down,” “a,” “b,” etc.—into the channel’s chat room to control the game’s unsuspecting protagonist, Red. The results were unimag-
inably catastrophic. Commands were being inputted at a rate too fast for the game to process. Viewers with a vested interest in succeeding struggled to keep Red headed in the right direction, whilst trolls flooded the channel, attempting to thwart their progress. News of the stream disseminated throughout the Internet as fast as lightning, bringing together surfers from all over the world to watch how the train wreck would slow-
ly and painfully unfold. At one point, the creator added an “anarchy/democracy” feature to try to remedy the disorder. However, this only served to split the viewership into two distinct groups. Although anarchy was the original play style—viewers can input commands as they please—democracy was a new order which involved viewers voting on what the next command should be. The “social experiment” quickly became
a battleground, amplifying the chaos by throwing a clash of ideologies into the mix. Miraculously, early in the morning on March 1st, 2014, after over 390 hours of non-stop playing, Twitch finally beat Pokémon. With extreme speed (pun intended), the news spread far and wide across the Internet. It wasn’t just a victory for Twitch; it was a victory for all mankind. It showed us not only what teamwork can accomplish,
but also the power of sheer will and determination. Yet Twitch hungered still. Within a mere 24 hours of beating Pokémon Red, Twitch began Pokémon Crystal. The plan right now is to beat every single game in the series so long as the stream’s creator allows it. Praise Helix.
background noise, but here are some recommendations for those who crave music; especially when studying. Here's what to listen to if...
Check these artists out: Parachute Adventure Club Mixes Clean Bandit
sic in these odd groups? The playlist websites 8tracks and Songza are your friends. Here's some music to start you off: 2. You need something The XX soothing to the ears, and lyr- The Cinematic Orchestra 1. You need something with ics don't bother you. Augustana a beat. If an underlying, yet faint 3. You need pure instrumenSome beats may be too pulse will keep you on task, tal, because lyrics definitely vigorous for studying music, look in genres like indie folk, bother you. but pre-study motivational mu- alternative, or alternative rock. sic can't do too much harm. Don't know where to find muChoose something ambi-
ent. It'll keep you awake, and it's the perfect tempo to keep your thoughts flowing. Check out artists such as: Covers by the Piano Guys Jon Schmidt Explosions in the Sky
5. A brief list of honourable mentions.
Here is a list of bands that you should check out- whether you use these for reading, or while on the bus ride home, they're yours to keep. 4. Want more suggestions? -Mayday Parade -Daughter Go to StudyMusicProj- -The Paper Kites ect.com. You'll find something -A Rocket to the Moon that suits your taste there. -Five for Fighting -AJ Rafael
VOLUME 23 , ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 5
local news
Mississauga - out with the old and in with the new by:Aza Albogatchieva
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ith 2014 marking Mississauga’s 40th anniversary, and the retirement of Hazel McCallion as the city’s ionic mayor, the young city has embarked on a complete rebranding campaign. Mississauga is now Canada's sixth-largest city with a population of 745,000 and home to 54,000 businesses, 62 Fortune 500 companies, as
well as various hospitals and post-secondary institutions. However, a corporate report issued by the city in 2013 noted that Mississauga is still often seen as little more than a suburban bedroom community. "The time is right for Mississauga to review, revitalize and refresh its visual identity and brand reputation to better reflect and promote the dynamism and change that is taking place in Mississauga,"
the report reads. In an effort to highlight the city’s urban and youthful elements, city officials have begun their rebranding campaign with the unveiling of the municipality's new logo in late February. This new logo – composed of three overlapping triangles that form the letter M – is meant to display the dynamic nature of the city with the open spaces in the design illustrating the possibility for
Mississauga to continue to grow and develop. Regardless, this is only one interpretation of the new abstract logo, as the in-house team that designed the image has ascribed a variety of additional meanings to it. One belief is that the logo is a constellation of map points that mark the communities of Streetsville, Port Credit and Mississauga that form modern-day Mississauga. In another view, the triangles are
New Mississauga, new mayor by: Bhaven Moorthy
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ver the past few months there has been a considerable increase in the popularity of municipal politics in the GTA, and yes, unfortunately, Rob Ford and his antics are a big part of that increase in popularity. However, it seems that because of this rise in municipal interest in government, another mayor’s big news is being overshadowed. Earlier this year, Hazel McCallion announced that she would not be returning in Mississauga’s upcoming municipal election. October 27th, 2014 will mark the first time in over 35 years that the Mayor of Mississauga will not be Hazel McCallion. For the first time in over 35 years, someone else will
have the opportunity to make changes in Mississauga. As of right now, however, the future looks bleak for the city’s next mayor, whoever that may be. During the last twelve terms, a lot of positive changes took place in Mississauga under the watch of Hazel McCallion, so it is only fair that the city’s next mayor has to face constant comparisons to her. When Ms. McCallion originally became mayor, she took over a mostly rural municipality, but now, Mississauga is home to over 750,000 citizens and hundreds of major corporations. Hazel McCallion grew and adapted just as Mississauga did, but now it’s time for a new mayor to steer our city in a positive direction. However,
this will be difficult for the new mayor to do, as he or she will inevitably inherit major challenges; one substantial issue being Mississauga’s room for corporate growth. Mississauga once had an abundant amount of space for development reserves, but it is now lacking in both space, and resources. Hazel McCallion might be retiring just in time, as she leaves the next mayor with a lot of people, a lot of problems, but very little money. It is no surprise that politicians are hesitating to announce themselves for candidacy. Aside from a few incidents over recent years, Hazel McCallion has had a strong run as the city’s mayor, and it will be unequivocally difficult for
anyone to try and fill her shoes. That being said, there is always the potential to improve. The next mayor will have their work cut out for them, but it isn’t impossible for them to help Mississauga the way Ms. McCallion did. Currently, there are no professionals in running for the position of mayor but there are still over 7 months before Mississauga’s municipal election, and that is a lot of time for things to change and people to step up to the challenge. Mississauga will be subject to a lot of change in the near future; only time will tell how much of that change is beneficial.
meant to represent the three “brand ingredients” encompassing Mississauga’s campaign – “welcoming world culture,” “inspiring possibilities,” and “naturally enriching.” While the logo has been praised by the city’s councilors, its price tag of $170,000 sparked outrage online. While social media is rarely a bastion of thoughtful debate, many users – particularly youth in the city – expressed
their dislike of the new brand and its large cost. Nonetheless, the new logo will remain as the image of the city for the next two decades and with the additional elements of the rebranding campaign being released as a multi-year plan, it remains unknown what other changes Mississauga has in store.
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 6
local news
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by: Sundus Zuberi
ecently Mayor Hazel McCallion revealed that she was unaware that the most atrisk portion of the Enbridge Line 9 pipeline was located at Cawthra Road and Highway 403. In fact, more than one third of the top one hundred most at risk sections of the pipeline are in the GTA. De-
spite this, on Thursday March 6th, the National Energy Board of Canada approved a plan to increase and reverse the amount of oil traveling through the Line 9 pipeline. Undeterred by numerous critics and protestors, the decision was made only four months after the proposal's public hearing. The pipeline is nearly eight hundred and thirty-three ki-
lometres long; stretching from Sarnia to Montreal. Now that Enbridge has been permitted to increase the amount of potentially corrosive oil traveling through the pipeline from 240,000 barrels to 300,000 barrels, the likelihood of a leak is even greater. Many indigenous communities were not consulted before the approval of the pipeline, which
runs across their land. Conditions set out by the National Energy Board require that Enbridge take precautions to avoid spills and be held financially accountable for any damage. This is of small comfort, considering that the company is responsible for eight hundred spills between 1999 and 2010, and that pipeline safety experts believe that the
probability of rupture is over 90%. If a spill does occur, no amount of money would reverse the damage caused to the Great Lakes, local ecosystems, and to human health. As Keith Stewart, energy campaign coordinator for Green Peace, stated, "This decision is no surprise, given how the federal government and the oil industry have rewritten our en-
vironmental laws to fast track the approvals of tar sands pipelines. These drastic changes barred thousands of Canadians from participating in decisions that will affect their air, water and health for decades to come and banned any consideration of the climate change impacts of this project."
to sustain them through the toughest division but their pitching was an area that needed improvement. This may be because their ace is 39 year old R.A Dickey, who is no longer in his prime years of his baseball career. While Dickey may be a Nation League CY young winner, he still remains a third or fourth rotational starter. I believe that the Jays will not be making it to this season playoffs, but I also believe there will be a monumental
trade that will help bolster the Jays’ starting rotation. The general manager of the Blue Jays needs to focus on rebuilding the team and trade their oldest players for the some young draft picks. Cheers to another terrible season brought to you by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Blue Jays: are we heading for another disappointing season? A
by: Kevin Chung
lthough spring is about to begin, it feels far from it. Spring means that the baseball season is right around the corner. So, you may be wondering if this time, The Toronto Blue Jays are serious about this season. Well, I will tell you how the Blue Jays are looking when up against this year’s competition, and the potential future of this team. Firstly, the Blue Jays rank
7th and 10th in the Grapefruit league of this year’s spring training and they have the third worst record in the Grapefruit league. This is a clear indication that there needs to be a change amongst the players themselves. Last year’s season was one of the most highly anticipated seasons for the Jays since the 1991-1992 season where they won the World Series. Last year, they acquired new players such as: R.A Dickey (National League CY young winner), Jose
Reyes (multiple accolades and one of the premier shortstops in the league), Mark Beuhrle (who had a terrific season with the White Sox in his early years), and Josh Johnson (a strong-armed pitcher). There was so much hype, yet everything died down when the Toronto Blue Jays didn’t make it to the playoffs. I always felt the Blue Jays were in the toughest division of the MLB due to the impressive opposition such as the New York Yankees, Boston
Red Socks, Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays. However, last year was their year to prove to the competition that they are still in the playoffs. Now, with the disappointing season behind us, I feel as if this season will be no better. We are seeing promising numbers from Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista; however these are only two out of the nine players that are in the batting line up. The Blue Jays’ batting was durable enough
international news
The news: fact or fiction? T
by: Inori Khan
he early months of 2014 have seen significant political events take place around the world, with presidencies torn down and entire populations revolting against unjust governments. The revolution in Ukraine, perhaps the most widely reported political story of the year so far, was initially brought to the attention of North America after protests began in late November; the story continued to develop with the fall of then-president Viktor Yanu¬kovych’s regime, and the ever-growing possibility of the Ukrainian region of Crimea becoming a part of Russia. In the South American country of Venezuela, a similarly revolutionary series of protests began in early February. Citizens have been protesting against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s reign, believing him to be a cruel and corrupt dictator who must be removed for the
good of the nation. According to some Venezuelans, Maduro’s perpetuation of late President Hugo Chavez’s ideals has caused more harm than good, and the revolt against Maduro has polarized the nation. Amidst the chaos of Venezuela’s social unrest, and Ukraine’s revolution, it has become hard for outside observers to tell fact from fiction; further still, to tell right from wrong. But majority of the blame for this lies not in the masses. When a revolution unfolds halfway across the world, it becomes the responsibility of the media to provide audiences with the truth. And not just a single truth, but all sides of the story, with all the faces it bears. It has become apparent in the coverage of Ukraine and Venezuela that the media has not stayed true to its purpose. The news is notoriously malleable, and a majority of the ignorance displayed by the public is the result of the media’s gross and often de-
liberate misinformation. The highest bidder determines what the public can and cannot know; there are very few broadcasters that are not influenced by the wishes of their sponsors. When it isn’t money corrupting the truth, it’s the question of what the public wants to see – what will bring in the most viewers, and keep audiences engaged to the highest degree. Audiences are meant to be shocked and riveted by what they’re seeing, what they’re reading, and an issue is only covered so long as it attracts attention. And of course, the last and most powerful factor in determining the information broadcast to audiences: what do those in power want audiences to believe? Perception is a vastly powerful thing: getting audiences to believe in a particular set of facts without revealing the whole truth is what the media seems to do best. Living in the ‘information age’, audiences and coordinators of the media are
Malaysian airline flight MH370 mysteriously disappears I
by: Ming Li
t is an unfortunate time for all of us, as the world continues to search and discover information on the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared on March 8th, 2014, after departing from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, towards its destination in Beijing, China. The aircraft last made contact with air traffic control less than an hour after takeoff, and it carried 239 passengers from 15 different countries. There are numerous
speculations on how this Boeing 777 airplane has vanished without a trace. One suspiciously “coincidental” fact, in particular, is that there were two passengers that got onto the flight using stolen passports. The first day that the plane lost contact with authorities, and was discovered to be missing from the radars, there were many search and rescue efforts in the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea. As days went on, they were moved to the Strait of Malacca and the Andaman Sea. One
of the largest suspicions about the disappearance relates to rebel activity, assuming the plane was hijacked. According to satellite and radar evidence, the communications systems of the airplane were deliberately disabled, and the plane changed course- continuing to fly elsewhere for another seven hours. “The movements seemed consistent with the deliberate action of someone on the plane” says Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak. The Malaysian government claims the plane could pos-
constantly bombarded with information - only some of which may be legitimate. Several news organisations in recent days have displayed their incompetence through broadcasting images which they claimed to be from the Venezuelan protests, but which turned out to be from previous political movements in Brazil and other parts of South America. During the initial weeks of the protests, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had revoked the journalistic rights of three CNN reporters to prevent the spreading of war propaganda against Venezuela – instead, it is apparent that the shifting political atmosphere of the nation has hardly been reported on at all. When it comes to the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the lines between reality and America’s anti-Putin agenda become far more blurry than ever before. The fact that 95.5% of voters in Crimea voted in support of annexation by Russia, sibly be anywhere from Kazakhstan to the Indian Ocean. The family members of passengers are hopeful for the survival of their loved ones. There is public criticism towards the Malaysian government for withholding information on their knowledge of this aircraft, and for the shortcomings of the national passport control, as they allowed two passengers to board with stolen passports. Officials are working to investigate the true identities of the two passengers. At this time, people still continue to look out for good news regarding the aircraft, in hopes that the passengers will reunite with their family and friends very soon.
through the referendum held on the 16th of March casts doubt upon North American governmental disapproval of the referendum. Canadian and American governments have denounced the referendum as illegitimate because of the illegal military presence in Crimea, while certain Ukrainian and Russian sources have declared the presence to be well within constitutional limits. With audiences being bombarded with contradictions, there is hardly any distinction between actions committed for profit and actions committed for the good of a nation. This is certainly not the first time the media has distorted the truth. North America is practised in the art of propaganda, with missions in Afghanistan and Iraq being advertised as humanitarian missions when they were first conducted in the early 2000s. The last of Canada’s troops have begun to withdraw from Afghanistan as of March
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 7
2014, and in an interview with the CBC, Canadian journalist Graeme Smith (who now lives and works in Afghanistan) stated that, “[The] larger point was that we were there chasing shadows, and making a lot of enemies…Actually, I think there was no need to engage in large scale combat against huge percentages of southern Afghanistan.” Of course, this is a truth the media was unwilling to discuss, because the government’s greater interests were at stake. It is near-impossible to have an unbiased nation during a time of political unrest, as the world is experiencing now. But the fourth estate, the media, was created with the intention to exist outside of pre-established power structure. For journalistic media to regress to a state where truth can be auctioned off to the highest bidder, it is a sign of the corrupting nature of money and power in modern society.
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 8
international news
by: Prachir Pasricha
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ver the past few years, there have been countless news reports and articles surrounding the rising cost of the airline industry. Both the media and the general public have recognized the heavy expenses of travelling via air: service that does not seem to be improving and technology still fails passengers.
According to FoxNews, airfare prices have risen 12% in the last 5 years. This does not include the extra fees that airlines have been piling on to passengers, for things such as purchasing blankets and having extra legroom. As of right now in 2014, one domestic roundtrip ticket costs $363.42; a near $7increase compared to last year. Here in Canada, perhaps
the largest factor that contributes to this dilemma is the falling Canadian dollar, which airlines are attempting to make up for by raising fares. The currency change has severely impacted the cost of jet fuel, which represents one-third of Air Canada’s and WestJet’s expenses. According to the Globe and Mail, these two airlines are the largest in Canada. However, despite the fact
that the industry has been increasing fares, the service provided still does not meet consumer expectations. The 2012 Airline Quality Report stated that 2012 “showed an industry that declined in overall performance quality over the previous year”. 11,445 complaints were filed against the U.S. Department of Transportation, revolving around issues such as mishandled
luggage and late flights. As technology rapidly progresses, it may give the impression that our safety on a plane is progressing along with it. Think twice; the total death toll due to airplane accidents last year is 195. A number that may not be in the tens of thousands, but a number that is substantial enough for concern.The recent Malaysian Airlines flight is proof that today’s
technology does not provide the level of security passengers need. Flying via plane is sometimes the only option, and passengers want to be assured that they will arrive at their destination safe and sound. It will be interesting to see how the airline industry will continue to improve the way we fly, and how fares will change accordingly.
So what's happening in Venezuela anyways by: Nadia Ozzorluoglu
N
ow that Justin Bieber’s DUI is old news, the world seems to have time for more pressing issues, like conflict within the Ukraine and Russia. Although the conflicts in Ukraine are of international importance, one country deserves just as much attention, and doesn’t seem to be receiving any especially from the Western world. Venezuela is facing a crisis of its own,
and with the world focused on Ukraine, it seems like Venezuela will never get its chance to demonstrate their needs to the global audience. So what is happening in Venezuela anyway? Before this question can be answered, a brief history of the current Venezuelan government is required. President Nicolas Maduro, who began his presidency in 2013, has created a socioeconomic crisis in the country. Once Maduro took
power, the economy began to disintegrate; inflation hit a staggering 56% and the budget deficit increased by almost 50% (-14.5% as of 2012). Standard & Poor, the American financial service company, downgraded them to “junk” status; and China has cut back on its $20 billion dollar loan. On top of everything, Venezuela is one of the most violent places on earth, holding a record of approximately one death every 21 minutes.
25,000 murders took place in 2013, and almost 90% of them are still unpunished. The lack of basic goods, the deterioration of institutions and infrastructure, the poor health and the education systems, the government dependency on Cuba, as well as the increasing crime rates are what Venezuelans are fed up with. On February 12th, 2014 – Venezuela’s National Youth Day - millions of students started protesting against the
illegitimate government that plagued the nation with a socio and economic crisis. The main goal was to hold peaceful protests in every major city in Venezuela to throw the corrupt government in the spotlight and demand that the politicians hear their voices. These peaceful marches have now led to riots in the streets, which have become an allout war between the military and the civilians. Gunfire, gas bombs, and police beating
protestor have become normal images throughout the streets of Venezuela. Due to the protected media outlets in Venezuela, little information or coverage has been released. Therefore, students are being murdered in the streets because of forced attacks by the military – with an unknown death toll – the world is sheltered from such news.
international news
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 9
Crisis in Ukraine U
by:Vini Clare
nrest in Ukraine quickly escalated to violent protests when former president Viktor Yanukovych forged closer ties with Russia instead of accepting a trade deal with the European Union. The country is now torn between those favouring alliances with Russia, and those favouring the European Union (EU). On February 22, the parliament of Ukraine ousted Yankovych when it was discovered he was unable to fulfil his duties. He also faces charges, such as abuse of power and murder, paired with an arrest warrant has been issued in his name. Viktor Yanukovych sought refuge in Russia, a close ally, and asked to be protected under Russian president Vladimir Putin. It has since been reported that the former president had fled to “save his life,” as he was under attack from radical political
groups forming in Ukraine. Soon after seeking asylum in Russia, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, deployed 15,000 troops, without a clear motive, into the peninsula of Crimea, an autonomous state in the south eastern region of Ukraine. Crimea is home to the Russia's Black Sea Fleet, as well as over two million citizens, more than half of which identify themselves as Russian. Putin has said the reason behind this military mobilization was to safeguard the lives of the “Russians” living in Crimea from the radical protests that were breaking out in Ukraine; although these protests occurred primarily in Kiev and there was no evidence of attacks against ethnic Russians. Russian forces have now seized parliamentary buildings, military airports and 11 border guard posts all within Crimea. The Russian occupation was seen as a hostile military action and
a threat to national security by Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian military forces, which are smaller than Russia’s, have begun to mobilize and take the precautionary steps in order to ensure full safety. When Ukrainian interim prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, was asked about the Russian military occupation, he stated “this is not a threat: this is actually the declaration of war to my country.” A referendum set on March 16 gave the citizens of Crimea a choice of whether to continue to be a part of Ukraine or become part of Russia. With more than half of the Crimean population identifying as ethnically Russian, it was not a surprise when the region voted to join Russia. Exit polls recorded that nearly 96-98% of voters were in favour of becoming part of Russia. White house spokesman Jay Carney said, “this referendum is contrary
to Ukraine’s constitution and the international community will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law.” Just days before the referendum Russian vetoed a draft declaration prepared by the United Nations, which stated that the international community will not recognize the outcome of such a vote. With Russia now in control of Crimea, the rest of the Ukraine and several of Russia's neighbouring countries are concerned that Russia will not stop after this small victory, and will perhaps make the decision to stake further claim to the Ukraine. The military invasion and referendum has pushed Ukraine to ask for foreign aid, and the country has been the topic of much discussion between several international organizations and countries
around the world. Collectively, western countries and organizations have decided to economically isolate Russia. The EU has announced a string of sanctions in an attempt to deter Russia from pursuing any further action, and have moved to implement travel bans and the freezing of assets of officials and military officers involved in the occupation of Crimea. The United States of America and Canada are implementing similar sanctions. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, called the mobilization of Russian troops a clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty. US President Barack Obama has pledged to stand with Ukraine throughout this ordeal, and has warned Russia of the cost of their actions. US secretary of State, John Kerry, was sent to Ukraine to discuss the growing issue at hand, and provide one billion USD
in aid. Canada along with the US have also pushed to expel Russia from the G8. The tension between Ukraine and Russia, along with international involvement, has grown to a much larger scale than expected. With Crimea now in the hands of Russia, the prospect of further action from Russia threatens the peace and security of Ukraine. The fate of Crimea has been rapidly changing day to day, and with the West's pressure on Russia to back down, the possible stakes could not be higher. Does Russia have the right to protect ethnic Russians within Ukraine, or has this incursion striped Ukraine of its national sovereignty? Is the succession of Crimea to Russia a legal move, and will Russian military aggression stop at Crimea? All these questions remain to be answered.
int'l news / editorials
H
by: Anjali Thatte
idden deep in a fold of the world lies the village of Xixuau. This village is located in the heart of the Amazonian Forest in Brazil, and is a five-day canoe ride from the closest sign of modern civilization. Its villagers grew up in the forest, learning the ways of
the wild, and how to take care of the natural world. In order to receive an education, the children would have to leave their canopy shelter and head out into the world to go to a modern school. In 2002, this village teamed with a group called Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) in order to bring electricity to the community in
the form of solar panels, computers, electronic devices, satellite systems, and internet. The Solar Electric Light Fund also aided this remote society in the construction of a school. The school allowed students to access online Brazilian learning programs, along with other sources of education. The children of Xixu-
au gained a way to communicate with the world outside of their natural paradise without physically commuting. Families can continue to remain intact and pass on the psalms of protecting and caring for the environment, and students can communicate this information to others around the world through technology.
10 places for new horizons Maldives also offer a one-of-akind diving experience—clear aint Augustine once said waters, 3000 coral reefs, free that “the world is a book, flowing tides and monsoons, and those who do not travel fish, stingrays and turtles! read only a page”. Travelling is said to be part of education, as Angel Falls, Venezueit brings together people from la: This is the highest wadifferent places, and it allows terfall in the world, with a for different cultures to inter- height of 979m! Located act. If choosing one perfect in an isolated jungle, tourplace is what’s hard for you, ists can see the beautiful here is a list of some of the most vista and go on extraordiamazing places to visit: nary hiking experiences.
S
by: Milena Cioana
Maldives: This is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with beautiful beaches and an exotic atmosphere. Known as the sunny side of life, the
Venice, Italy: Ever wondered how travelling by boat everyday would feel? Venice is a city in northeastern Italy made up of 118 small islands
linked by an intricate system of canals and bridges. It The Giza Plateau, Egypt: is a World Heritage Site ap- Explore one of the survivpreciated for its beauty, art- ing wonders of the Ancient work, and architecture. World, alongside other spectacular archeological sites Petra, Jordan: Embark and museums, in the adon a historical and archeo- venture of a lifetime. logical adventure in a city carved in stone! Petra has Taj Mahal, India: Standbeen said to be "one of the ing as a mausoleum of white most precious properties of marble, this beautiful specman's cultural heritage." tacle is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in Mount Everest, Nepal: India, and one of the univerNoted as the highest mountain sally admired masterpieces in the world, Mount Everest of the world's heritage." is guaranteed to be one of the most exciting and challenging Waitomo Glow-worm experiences of a lifetime. Caves, New Zealand: How
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 10
This technological endeavour brings children of the world together, uniting them through a shared curiosity for knowledge of our world till date. There are many unique schools such as this one around the world- the Nomadic School of Siberia, the Hazelwood School for sensory impairments in Scotland, and
even the David Suzuki Public School for eco-friendliness located right here in Ontario. You can investigate further into the values of the rainforest, the lives of this unique Brazilian society, and the bridges technology has helped us cross, through going online and visiting the Solar Electric Light Fund Group sources.
does a boat ride under thousands of magical glow-worms sound? The Waitomo Glowworm Caves were built 30 million years ago and consist of two levels—one of which is known as the Cathedral for its superb acoustics, where many artists have performed.
sinkhole about 300m across and 124m deep, originally formed as a limestone cave by glaciation when the sea levels were much lower. This is one of the greatest scuba diving sites in the world! A perfect trip varies from person to person, as it depends on hobbies, interests, and tastes. Travelling can help you understand the idea of living and open new horizons, so never hesitate to get out there and see what the world has in store for you!
ICEHOTEL, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden: This is the world’s first and largest ice hotel, which holds 50,000 visitors each winter in its artist-designed luxurious rooms. A cool stay! Great Blue Hole, Belize: As the name suggest, the Great Blue Hole is a large submarine
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 11
editorials
by: Anonymous Writer
However, it should be noted that Germany still does not allow same-sex marriage or joint adoptions for samesex couples. Additionally, around the same time as the Olympics, Kansas was voting on a bill that would allow agencies, businesses, and individuals to deny services to LGBTQ+ individuals. It seems that often, the defiant cries of straight allies against homophobia in other parts of the world drown out the voices of the LGBTQ+ individuals suf-
fering right next to them. Now, this is not to suggest that a grave injustice isn’t being committed against LGBTQ+ Russians or that this injustice shouldn’t be called out. However, when countries condemn homophobia elsewhere and condone it within their own border it suggests that they are only calling out this injustice to place themselves on a podium. This combination of self-interest and irresponsibility can have destructive consequences. For instance,
Uganda recently criminalized “LGBTQ+ activity,” an act for which it rightly received condemnation from many Western countries, including the United States. However, it shouldn’t go unnoted that major proponents of the bill and one of the primary cultivators of homophobic sentiments within Uganda are American evangelist. These people have delivered multiple speeches, all around the nation, comparing same-sex activity to pedophilia and have attempted to
shape policies with donations from American religious organizations. Yet, there has been no response from the America, no “Google doodle” condemning their role in the development of this event, supposedly because doing so may just remind the world that that America isn’t completely star-spangled wonderful. America’s guarantee of “liberty and freedom for all” comes with a terms and conditions. A common argument used during the Olympics was
that it was hypocritical of Russia to have this law in effect while hosting an event that promotes equality. However, we should not forget that the Olympics also promote leadership and integrity - both of which are inconsistent with a brand of activism which places symbolism over action and national image over cause.
by: Monisha Ambwani
works, which indicates where our society is going? I can’t say for sure. However, today I want to talk to you about one social media application in particular. To spark an idea in your head regarding the implications of Instagram on our world of photography. Instagram - for those of you who need a brief synopsis is a photo-sharing application which allows users to shoot, edit and share photos with their “followers”. From there, users are able to express feedback in the form of “likes” or comments. Professional photographers, amateurs and regular individuals hope to share their life through images to their “followers” on Instagram.
It allows users to share their work with a community of people in a single click, which enables a whole new form of media for photographers. It is an interesting phenomenon that is possibly changing the world of photography as we know it. The question is, is Instagram destroying the value of the photography industry, or is it creating an entirely new community? Essentially, the issue present asks whether this particular social network is a blessing or a curse. When looking at an issue like this, we must look with an open-mind; at the pros and the cons. Some positive aspects are that Instagram allows users to share their pho-
tographs immediately, and with convenience and flexibility. Some may argue that it is lowering the value, standard and quality of photography, but could also bring the art and culture of photography to places and people who were not originally exposed to it. Also, the convenient nature of the application allows for Instagram users to take advantage of in-the-moment inspiration. It provides a medium to share photos with your friends and followers. It creates a community of photographers. But, businesses have begun to build their brand on particular social networks, as this is the medium to advertise and come into contact with a tar-
get audience. So, in order to discover the effects of Instagram on our society, one must explore the effects it has on the marketplace and economy. There are always two sides to the story. One major con is that it may in fact be lowering the quality, standards and value of photography, as the easy nature of the application eliminates quality-ensuring aspects such as camera, lights, and editing. Furthermore, it provides a limited scope for presentation. There is one designated photo size, 20 designated filters, a preplanned way of presentation – these standards inhibit our creativity, thus having an effect on the world of photogra-
phy that we aim to enhance. Overall, this photo-sharing social network raises many controversial questions in regard to the implications on the world of photography. My opinion is that Instagram’s convenient and flexible nature takes the world of photography in a different direction, and like any form of art, reflects the society in which we live. However, I believe that traditional photography is still essential to the art community, and that we can’t have one without the other.
R
ussia was met with a plethora of international criticism for its anti-gay/LGBTQ+ propaganda law during the time of the Olympics. At the time, many countries and businesses took a symbolic stand against this legislation which promotes the silencing of an already marginalized group – for example, Germany showed up to the opening ceremony in rainbow attire, and Google brought out a new doodle.
S
ocial media - an essential component in the world we teenagers live in today. There is a plethora of different networks, with so many varying applications, just waiting for us on the World Wide Web: from Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, to tumblr, Google Hangout, Instagram, and more. To an extent, it is overwhelming. We’ve undergone a rapid transition from barely using the computer as kids to practically spending hours on it every single night. Are there implications of our societal obsession with social media? Are there benefits? Is there a clearly demonstrated direction on these net-
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 12
editorials
M
by: JueHua He
any activist groups are denouncing the products of progress that modern society has reaped from years of research, including addiction to the internet where instead of "how are you?" many business and even home owners are greeted with "what's your WiFi password?" However, one of the less acknowledged dangers of human ingenuity is the pharmaceutical progress trap: a very possible post-antibiotic era.
Usually looking for the quick fix, due to the ever efficient mind of human nature, both physicians and patients alike often unnecessarily choose medication as the solution for mild maladies. Although common drugs such as antibiotics have obvious benefits, including preventing the spread of disease and bettering quality of life, overuse could lead to detrimental results. In the past, a simple scrape from falling on the pavement could lead to a fatal infection if not for the devel-
opment of penicillin. However, in a largely urbanized society, the overuse of these medications provide infinite opportunities for bacterial resistance such as in the agricultural industry where masses of cattle are fed antibiotics to sure a sickness they don’t have. Penicillin is already ineffective against several strains of very common illnesses, such as strep throat. The obvious solution is to bring forth more advanced pharmaceutical research and production of medication, however it is
here that we see the progress trap. Urbanization demands the use of medication in many processes, including the food industry and everyday life, which increase chances of bacterial immunity to these medications. If the microbe is not killed, it is given a chance to mutate. Mutation brings new diseases, which require new antibiotics. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to develop new drugs if their effectiveness stops at a faster rate after synthesis, due to overuse of medications. Pharmaceu-
tical industries would become more focused on medications for chronic illnesses that do not change or change very slowly – such as diabetes – instead of fast-changing antibiotic development that demands large amounts of resources in its production, leading to a fruitless market. The possibility of losing the effectiveness of antibiotics all together is foreseeable and demands resolution. However, preventing such an outcome would require cooperation of numerous factions including
medical and pharmaceutical professionals, and members of society. For example, more thorough examination of patients through fluid testing would increase accuracy of diagnosis, however time consuming this may be. Also, laws regarding antibiotic use in agriculture can be revisited and made less flexible to reduce unnecessary application. A massive work of cooperation is necessary to prevent falling into a pharmaceutical progress trap.
A look at one of society’s most unusual fascinations
Reality TV by: Jovana Pajovic
W
e all know the drill: You race home only to grab a bowl of popcorn, turn on the television, and start watching the new episode of Real Housewives, or any sort of reality show that you’re hooked on this time. The experience that these shows provide is unlike any other - our emotions go from a high to a low countless times in a mere hour. It’s all thanks to the world of reality TV - the love, the lies, the deception, the chaos, and more. But, why are we so fascinated with watching others’ lives, instead of living our own? Perhaps it is a way to ignore the struggles that we face ourselves, by watching others deal with their own difficulties. Stuart Murphy has been producing reality television for over a decade, and he certainly seems agree. “When we see real people behaving in unexpected, contradictory ways it can make us more comfortable
with our own complicated natures.” So there we have it - reality TV serves as a self-esteem boost. Because we feel so connected to the characters, we feel better about our own lives. Although, that’s not to say that the shows are all real. It’s hard to believe that reality TV even portrays half of the truth about celebrity lives. But just how real are these shows that we watch? The ‘stars’ of reality television might be just average citizens off-camera, but when the spotlight hits, it’s a whole other story. People will do just about anything for fame and attention, including manufacturing a whole new personality that is nothing like their real persona. Nonetheless, we see them as people just like us. In fact, many viewers watch reality TV to fantasize about becoming celebrities. We see ‘ordinary people’ rise to fame through television, and imagine that we could too. However, no matter how
deceptive reality TV is, we still seem to be captivated. For one, it’s becoming hard to avoid. The media thrives off of the shocking twists and turns that we watch - it’s like winning the lottery to them. Magazines, newspapers, and radio stations cover everything from the ‘heartbreaking fallout’ between The Bachelor and one of his many ‘future wives’, to the latest altercation on Jersey Shore. The fact is that real life just can’t keep up with the eventfulness of reality television, so instead we decide to indulge ourselves in watching others live their more exciting lives. Until something new and comparable comes along, we’ll still be spending our Thursday nights hoping our favourite American Idol contestant will survive this week’s elimination round.
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 13
lit crit
English class, inequality, and backwards education: Why Canadian values can only regress with our current linguistic schooling by: Jamey Irwin
I
n three semesters of English at Glenforest, I have yet to read a novel on the required reading list written by a woman, or with a strong, successful female character (i.e. did not die a gruesome death, insinuating the absolute and control of the patriarchal society). Sure, the stories I read “taught” me about the steps of the monomyth, the im-
portance of faith, the balance between good and evil. But what will I and other female students really gain from novels in which the only heroes are men, and in which women who express their opinions are considered better off dead? Nothing. This is the sort of thing that prohibits societal evolution from gender inequality. In a country that supposedly has equal opportunity for men and women,
our standard English courses still present a horrible bias. When I spoke to a Glenforest English teacher about this, I was told that the same books are taught over and over again because it is cheaper for the school to buy a few copies of a book every few years, then starting from scratch and buying a new set of books. A school shouldn’t reject equality because of the price. They have the ability to sup-
port half the economy, bring in half the family income, and fulfill half of the country’s job positions. And that is just at the minimum! Women are much more than the literature that rejects their opinions. There is no lack in outstanding female characters or authors that teach us the values that schools still clutch so tightly. JK Rowling spent more than a decade penning a monomyth-styled journey
Spring reading ideas by: Stephanie Brook
D
ivergent Veronica
Roth
There has been a lot of hype around this book since the movie came out, and rightfully so. It is set in a dystopian future, where society is divided up into 5 “Factions,” or groups of people who live and work together based on mutual values. At 16, everyone must decide which faction they want to spend the rest of their life in- a choice which is difficult for Tris, a girl who has the possibility of belonging to more than one faction. Divergent has a bit of a slow start, as the first half is mainly about the development of Tris as a character and the unusual world in which she lives. However, later on the plot does get very exciting, as factions start going at odds with each other and romance starts to
develop. Filled with excitement, danger and the ongoing dilemma of family vs. faction, this book is easy to read and difficult to put down. The End of Elsewhere-Travels among the Tourists Taras Grescoe This book is the story of Grescoe’s adventures across Europe and Asia, following the most frequented paths of tourists. By striving not to experience the unknown and unexplored regions of the earth, and instead gravitating to “Tourist Traps”, he offers a relevant and honest take on the tourism industry- where “authenticity” can be packaged and sold. This novel tells stories of phenomena around the world such as flawed French travel guides, untold stories of cruise ships, and the frighteningly artificial Thai underground sex industry. Grescoe’s witty narrative
and controversial backstory keep readers interested the entire time. However, this novel not only offers a current perspective on the tourism industry, but also on its history; from the first people who walked religious pilgrimages to the tomb of the Apostle James in Santiago, Spain, to the hippies of the 70’s who journeyed to India in search of a spiritual connection. Although Grescoe wrote this book in 2003, the places he travels remain largely unchanged. The End of Elsewhere offers an enlightening historical and present-day view of the dark side of tourism, and does so with a provocative and humorous approach.
Doyle’s works are essential reading. Subtle connections from the stories to the show are everywhere and it is interesting to see how the original characters have been adapted to modern times. If you aren’t a fan of Sherlock, or have never watched it, these stories are still a great choice. Sherlock Holmes is smart, cocky and always one step ahead of the villain, and his adventures are fast-paced and unpredictable. This book is a collection of most of the original stories, written in the late 19th to early 20th century. The captivating world of Sherlock Holmes, told from the point of view of his sidekick/friend John Watson, is difficult to Sherlock Holmes- The Com- escape from. However, some plete Novels and Stories Vol- readers may be put off by the ume 1 old vocabulary and language Sir Arthur Conan Doyle used; if you are looking for a light read, this is probably For fans of the popular not the right book for you. BBC television series Sherlock,
about humanity’s battle with good and evil. Katniss Everdeen led a revolution against a government with absolute control. Jane Eyre rejected the faith she was forced to believe in, and used her principles and judgments to create her own faith. Mariam and Laila in A Thousand Splendid Suns were opressed by the Taliban, and endured their harsh reality in order to set their family free. Women have the right to
be equal. So why is our education system still oppressing them? Reformation begins with education, and there will never be equality for the genders if Canadian schools, and schools all over the world, continue to teach students archaic, patriarchal values.
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 14
lit crit
Masquerading as males B
by: Srobona Podder
ooks have the power to transform you; they take you to places you simply could not have imagined on your own. Authors have a gift, in that sense, so the question comes as this: should it matter who the author is? Or specifically, what their gender is? Unfortunately, not much has changed in the past century and a half regarding this matter. The Brontë sisters, who were famous authors in
the mid-19th century, masqueraded as the Bell Brothers in order to sell their books because female authors at the time were not widely accepted. Now, over a hundred years later, authors like J.K. Rowling, responsible for the Harry Potter Series, and J.D. Robb who penned the In Death Series, used male pseudonyms because they were told that few people would buy adventure or mystery books written by female authors. These women later revealed their real names,
and still managed to keep their status as successful writers. But the question remains: was it necessary for them to write as males in order to be accepted by all readers, or is that just an age old stereotype that still remains in modern day publishing companies? A lot of a writer’s success depends on critics and their reviews; which is also, unfortunately, a male-dominated field. Many have argued that male critics are more sympathetic to male writers, and this
is not because male writers are better than female writers. It is simply that male critics have been found to be uncomfortable with the issues which many women write about. 2001 Nobel laureate, V.S. Naipul, was rather straight forward during his interview with the National Geographic Society. When asked whether there was any female writer he believed to be his equal, he answered, “I don’t think so.” He went on to say how he was far superior to even Jane Austen
because he didn’t think her sentimental ambitions of the world were an important subject to be covered. That wasn’t all; he even stated that, “inevitably for a woman, she is not a complete master of a house, so that comes over in her writing too.” All of a sudden, it’s not just that females are too “sentimental” about the wrong things, but that by being suppressed by men and given a less dominant role in society has led to “poor” writing. Since the suffrage move-
ment and the development of female rights, it has been believed that women are finally being treated as equals to males; however that was just brushing the surface. The audience has to ignore the sexist comments of authors and critics, and remember to keep an open mind when delving into new literature. After all, you pick up a book and read it because of the story, not because of the gender of the author.
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 15
around town
A trip down memory lane I
by: Patricia Ly
t’s no surprise that history teaches us things we didn’t get to experience in our time, but what if we could? History isn’t just about reading textbooks; it’s about understanding and appreciating, by putting yourself in the position of those who lived through that era. A trip to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is a great way to help you understand cultures all over the world and
appreciate the people and innovations that have brought us to all that we see today. As of March 8th, a new spectacle called “The Forbidden City” was introduced to the ROM. The exhibit shows the inner and outer court of the Forbidden City, located in present-day Beijing, China. The Forbidden City was an imperial palace where emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) Dynasty resided during their reign.
It was named the “Forbidden City” because it was a very closely guarded and secluded area, exclusive only to those who were in the royal family and those who worked for the royal family. The Forbidden City is split into two sections, the inner court and the outer court. The inner court is where state affair meetings were held and it was also the so-called “playground” of the royal family. The inner court was home to many grand,
one-of-a-kind pieces that were made in honour of the ruling emperor. The inner court also housed a plethora of the emperor’s own work including (and not limited to) poems and paintings. The outer court was typically used for ceremonial purposes; foreign rulers would gather and have tea in the outer court. The “Forbidden City” exhibit at the ROM displays many rare pieces, some of which have never left China
before. Some artifacts presented, include the emperor’s dining ware, the empress’ accessories, men’s armor, resting attire, ceremonial attire, and much more! In this exhibit, an honorary spotlight is put on Empress Dowager Cixi, “The Dragon Lady,” and “The Last Emperor,” Puyi. Empress Dowager Cixi was known as a powerful woman who unofficially ruled the Qing Dynasty for 47 years. The ROM exhibit also leads visitors through the
journey of Puyi, the last emperor of imperial China. In addition to the rare treasures of imperial China, there are many artifacts from all around the world. A countless amount of exhibits are open to the public all year around; “The Forbidden City” exhibit runs until September. If you’re tired of learning things by the books, take the subway down to Toronto, and enjoy a day of valuable learning at the Royal Ontario Museum!
comics by: Amanda Yang
by: Jeffrey Xu
by: Lena Phan
by: Victoria Le & Suriya Ratnam
Look on the backside of this page!
by: Bernadette Abalos & Hellen Ngo
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 3 SPRING 2014 PAGE 1
For the students, by the students.