Graffiti Winter 2016

CHEATING SUCCESS

MIDTOWN CAFE

An inside report on how the race to get ahead is damaging students

Where you should go for that $4 caramel non-fat organically sourced macchiato

NT’s insta-star

pg 7

pg 24

pg 15

SPECIAL

SAY CHEESE!

TORONTO MEETS PARIS >> The Climate Conference talks MOURNING THE DECEMBER EXAMS >> An inside look

Baruch Zohar Jessica Bulgutch

editors in chief

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Contents

Features pg 13

Internal

Fay Asimakopoulos Tamar KB

editorial board Arts and Culture Olivia Willows Victoria Stafford

Opinion & Humour Caitlyn Heffernan Logan Midroni

JHR Susi Hermanns Elizabeth Wolfenden

Internal Ajantha Nades Alyssa Joynt

Sports Matt Scace Sam Spodek

Copy Editors Parnian Hossein-Pour Emily Steen Steven Lee Naomi Bargiel Genevieve CrispinFrei Jo Faisman

External Chitta Chowdhury Amy He Features Cassidy Bereskin Jenny Lee Visuals Editors Amy Zhu Alice Liang

Advisors Lucy Wolff Lujayn Mahmoud Anastasia Zaritovskaya

External pg 21

Letter from the

pg Arts & Culture 25

pg 28

Sports

pg Opinion & Humour 32 Contact Email us your submissions at ntcigraffiti@gmail.com fb.com/ntcigraffiti @ntcigraffiti @ntcigraffiti Visit our new website at ntcigraffiti.com

editors...

sophomoric (n): pretentious or juvenile sophomore slump (slang): an instance where the second effort fails to live up to the first It is a truth universally acknowledged that making a sequel to anything is complex. We, the mysterious creatures that sit in the dark of the Graffiti office, are not immune to this law of nature. Creating this issue was, in Tamar’s words, “a joy”, especially because we got to outsmart the learning curve towards the end. But it was also nerve-wracking because, now that we had produced a not-particularly-disappointing first paper, we had a personal standard to compare the second issue to.

For this paper, we tackled some difficult issues. We investigated non-prescription Adderall abuse, reported on high school cheating, talked about child marriage in Bangladesh, and questioned the assumptions we hold about teenage girls. We reached for the big ideas. Our writers were ambitious and delivered. We hope you enjoy.

Sophomore slump or comeback SZN? Your judgement.

Stay restless,

Fay and Tamar

pg 18

JHR

staff advisors Baruch Zohar Jessica Bulgutch

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Community Updates...

AntiViolence Bake Sale

The Orchestra working on Mozart’s Requiem

Grade 9 Art Exhibition: Dirty Stories

N EAT P roduct s

Vocal Retreat

meet your

graffiti

Artist Series: Jason Sohn (video on our website)

2015/16 digital editors ...

For more information on how to get involved with Digital Graffiti visit

ntcigraffiti.com or message us at

fb.com/ntcigraffiti Siobhan Kidd

Liat Fainman-Adelman

Higher(Ed) [ GETTING AHEAD ]

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>> WHAT ARE STUDY DRUGS? >> CHEATING FOR GRADES >> ARE SORORITIES WORTH IT? >> MORE

The Greek System Uncovered

by Victoria Stafford

The Canadian Greek System is a system of sororities and fraternities, and is commonly associated with its American counterpart. This comparison holds true in that both systems are riddled with inequalities that undermine their philanthropic work. Otherwise, the two organizations are strikingly different. I went to the school hosting Canada’s most extensive Greek system, the University of British Columbia (UBC), to see what was really going on behind the passwordlocked doors of sororities and fraternities.

High school and university students tend to either have an active desire to participate in the Greek system, or steadfastly oppose it. When my sister applied to UBC three years ago, we laughed at the sorority girls in the pamphlet, and at the prospect of her joining a sorority. But no more than two weeks into the school year, she called my parents asking for money to rush and pledge a sorority.

There are three basic things you would ever need to know about sororities. Firstly, that you have to rush (or apply) to be in them. In a complicated application process, you have to order your top three, wait for a response from the organization, and, at times, go in for an interview.

has their own set of values. To illustrate, the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at UBC embodies the same ideals as the Alpha Gamma Delta at UCLA. Thirdly, the Greek system is expensive. The UBC sorority website strongly avoids mentioning any specific cost because it is aware that high price tags chase most university students away. Few university students have $1000 to blow off on an annual basis. This price tag puts students in lower-income families at a disadvantage. Although there are subsidy programs to cover the costs of joining, there are additional costs that students suffer from. Expenses such as outfits and alcohol for parties are not included in the $1000 price. Moreover, if a group of sorority girls were to take a trip to Whistler, the Greek system would not pay for it.

Nevertheless, the costs don’t seem to war too many students off. With 9 fraternities and 8 sororities, UBC has a very extensive system. I got

sororities is also the most positive; they are philanthropic organizations.“Each sorority [and fraternity] is associated with a charity, ours is Ronald McDonald house”, said one AD-Pi representative. “We go to the house and cook meals and host events for the kids and the families staying there”.

The entire system is non-for profit, which means that money is not kept by the Greek System.

But how do these keen Greeks blow off steam after all this philanthropy? Sororities are dry organizations; drinking is not permitted at official events. After any event, the president of the sorority must officially announce its closing. After this ritual is achieved, members of the sorority can drink. As a result, pledge week translates to hundreds of girls staying sober at UBC for 168 hours.

Fraternities, in contrast, drink whenever and wherever as they are not dry organizations. I went to a zoo themed party, which, unfortunate-

Under antiquated BC law, the concept of women gathering under one roof is deemed a brothel.

Secondly, contrary to popular belief, the Greek system is not run by a bunch of drunk students.

Although it often contains a bunch of drunk students, it is run by a board referred to as The International. According to the UBC sorority page, each organization is represented by “alumnae, advisor and international support”. The International reserves the rights to shut down sororities and fraternities and isolate members from the Greek Community.

Two members from the UBC sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, spoke to me about their reality. “I was really shocked how isolated and erased you can be ... They delete your name from all records and it’s as if you were never there,” said one of the members. The International also ensures that the sororities and fraternities embody distinctive ideals. Essentially, on a macro level, each group

the chance to sit and talk with members of Phi Gamma Epsilon (Fiji) and Alpha Delta Pi (ADPi) about their involvement in the Greek System.

“I don’t like how my parents watch movies and assume I’m like those boys in those fraternities,” said a member of Fiji, whose fraternity raised money for the “Leukemia Society, because the younger sister of a brother had leukemia.” He maintains that movies about fraternities often gloss over many of the positive activities that their members engage in.

“I’m upset that I have such a positive attitude towards this system and other people don’t.

They’re negative just because they don’t know anything about it and assume the worst,” said an AD-Pi member who expressed similar frustrations.

The most unrecognized aspect of Canadian

ly, was no different than the Mean Girls description of Halloween. Fraternities have houses, but sororities do not. This inequality is primarily due to the unequal funding by alumni. Moreover, under antiquated BC law, the concept of women gathering under one roof is deemed a brothel.

Despite their intimidating governing body and ridiculous costs, sororities and fraternities have won me over. Their philanthropy and ideals of friendship are inspiring, and their parties are entertaining. In no way am I committed to running around in a toga, but if I were to attend UBC, I would rush, just not pick. The sorority and fraternity system is a fast way to meet people in first year who share your interests and ideals.

It gets you to quickly start socializing and is less intimidating than trying to start a conversation with a stranger in the middle of a class. The system is not for everyone, but it’s an option that might be worth considering.

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What’s the deal with Adderall?

by Fay Asimakopoulos

There is a thin line that separates being a student from holding any other job: our success is not determined on the basis how well we can work for a predetermined amount of time, but rather, by how many tasks we can complete in our limited day hours. For a young person aiming for to land somewhere among the obscure ranks of “successful students” finishing one’s biology ISU on time is not enough. There are always other clubs to join, conferences to host, charity week events to plan, and organizations to apply to. There are always more ways to climb up the extracurricular ladder, impress one’s peers, and raise one’s marks.

Drugs such as Adderall and Concerta — which are intended to help people suffering from ADHD improve their focus — are gaining traction with non-ADHD students.

The promise of recreational “study drug” use is deceivingly simple: to painlessly and automatically raise students’ attention spans, work ethics, and productivity. Students’ accounts of taking these drugs certainly corroborate that popular train of thought, with seemingly sensational descriptions of unrivalled productivity and focus.

A grade 12 student who would prefer to stay anonymous described the feeling of taking Concerta, an ADHD drug, in order to finish her grade 12 biology ISU as “similar to getting an assignment extended to over the weekend”. It gave her “comfort and confidence in her abilities”. She was able to sit down for “four hours straight without any distractions” between 1 and 5 AM in order to finish the paper. She doubts this would have been possible, had she relied on the true-and-tested ancient student ritual of sipping coffee and indulging in intermittent napping.

The student, who has never been diagnosed with ADHD or prescribed ADHD medication, obtained the drugs in a typical manner: by paying $5 per pill to a friend’s boyfriend, who carries a prescription. Not only did the deal not carry the dangers typically associated with buying illegal drugs (which she “could never do”), but she has faced no stigma for her actions, prompting, in fact, some of her friends to also make similar choices in the weeks leading up to their own major evaluations. According to a male student in Grade 12, Adderall use is “open and diverse”. He has heard of instances of people taking these drugs “to go on 10 hour study binges”, instead of doing “multiple individual sessions”.

According to the male grade 12 student, this is a common scene at North Toronto and

other schools. Many students with an ADHD prescription can be tempted into selling their pills precisely because of how lucrative this experiment in drug dealing can be. Socially, Adderall and Concerta carry none of the stigma and cartel history of non-prescription, illegal drugs. In that sense, the profit margin is significant and the risk the transaction poses to the dealer is slim. A university student at U of T claims that “Adderall has a sizeable influence on campus” and is especially easy to acquire in the weeks leading up to finals. A business student at the University of Western Ontario, who acquires medication from her ADHD-diagnosed boyfriend, describes the process of business students taking the drug in an almost ritualistic manner, as students “bond over working on difficult projects for extended amounts of time”.

This rise can be in part attributed to how commonplace prescriptions for these drugs are. According to most surveys, in North America upwards of 5% of teenagers are prescribed ADHD medication. While, according to a student who has been diagnosed with ADHD, the diagnosis process can take “up to 10 hours” and is filled with “mental evaluations…that ensure you really need the medication”, there is still no quantifiable diagnosis for the disorder, and the test heavily relies on self-reported tendencies and behaviour observed over a restricted period of time. Thus, there has been an over diagnosis of ADHD over the past decades that has made medical Adderall and Concerta a part of Canadians’ and Americans’ public lives. In short, we don’t see these substances as drugs but rather as a medication that can bring about desirable qualities.

Many of these ideas are more mythological than factual. Address is an amphetamine, and works by increasing neurotransmitters’ activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex.

For students that suffer from ADHD, whose prefrontal cortex is less able to manage executive functions, this increase is necessary in order to allow them to sit down for extended periods of time and control their emotions.

However, in the case of non-ADHD students, this additional stimulation can range from unnecessary to dangerous. In the words of Dr Carolyn Dewa, the Head of the Centre for Research on Workplace Health at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Adderall will not make you “want to sleep less”, but rather “make you less aware of your need for sleep”.

Getting caught selling prescribed medicine to individuals who do not carry the prescription is considered legally equivalent to selling

illegal drugs. And, like all drugs in the amphetamine family, Adderall and Concerta can be chemically addictive.

The same student who raved about her ability to produce work under Concerta called her second time trying the drug “underwhelming”. She suspects the placebo effect might have played a role in her reported productivity burst the first time around, and is unsure about whether she will resort to using it in the future. There is scientific grounding in this observation — habitual use of study drugs by non-ADHD students has been reported to build dependency, as well as dampen the effects of the drug over time.

What is most remarkable about the nature of recreational “study drug” use is that the very students that report taking them would probably also take a D.A.R.E ad seriously. They are punctual, committed, and high achieving.

They shun other forms of recreational drug use. This discrepancy ties back to that dangerous shift in student culture from one where students are expected to excel, to one where students are rewarded on the basis of how many activities they can fit into their human schedules. Many students don’t truly think of taking these drugs as a form of recreation, but rather, as another means of fulfilling their duties as students.

The kind of qualities that are integral to doing important work can’t be improved through “study drug” use. They include, but are not limited to, passion, an open mind, an ability to make interdisciplinary connections, and creativity. Study drugs might cater to the cult of productivity — that nagging social reminder that doing more quantifiable things is always better in the long run — but they all but ignore these other traits. An essay written on Adderall is not a more insightful one — it is merely one that a student had an easier time writing while pulling an all nighter.

Adderall and Concerta serve a medical purpose as prescription drugs, but pulling all nighters on an excessively packed schedule to finish school work is not it. There is something extremely alarming about a culture where students are willing to go to great lengths to ensure they are more capable of doing more things, without paying an equal regard to the values that can make them interesting thinkers and person. Recreational “study drug” use is an offspring of those trends, and, as a community, it is the time to seriously think about the kind of achievement culture we want to foster.

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Battle Hymn of the Tiger Child

by Jenny Lee

Living as an Asian child can be demanding, especially if you have a dysfunctional family with unreasonable expectations. Neither of my parents is a tiger parent, nor are my grandparents stereotypical Asian elders who yell at you for not working hard enough; their demands are expressed in more cunning ways, like a teenager flattering her parents for a new iPhone. Rice is not the only thing cooked in my house; “a genius” is too. Although growing up as an Asian child has placed a lot of pressure on me, it has helped me to excel in academic pursuits and taught me to use my assets to my benefit.

Visuals by Olivia Song The family pressure showed its seedling when I was in Grade 1. On my first math midterm, I received an 84 and came home with a big, yellow happy face. However, my parents were full of disappointment and began to blame each other for the bad genes I had inherited. The next morning, they called the universities they had graduated from to order their transcripts and prove who was the culprit behind my lack of intelligence. The tension in my house lasted for two days until the hardcopies arrived at our doorstep. The verdict? My mom was the winner. From then on, my dad was the scapegoat for any of my indecent grades. Before disowning me for my academic failure, my mother decided to give me another chance.

She expected me to slave over math questions whenever time permitted, so I ended up solving about 400 questions per day. That’s

2800 questions per week, 11,200 questions per month, and 146,000 questions per year. Once my parents started seeing 95s and 100s on my tests, they begrudgingly accepted me as their genetic offspring. Soon, their criticism began to dwindle.

In my final year of high school, however, family pressure has managed to revive itself.

The biggest source of pressure is my grandmother. As the only Christian in my family, she prays for 8 hours a day. Of course, she prays for the health and welfare of my family, but that’s only for half an hour. The remaining 7.5 hours are dedicated towards my academic success. Aware of the desiccation her incessant praying has wrought on her tongue, I can rarely do anything unrelated to academics without my guilty conscience whispering, “Hey, your grandmother is praying day and night. Studying biology will do you more good than the movies. It doesn’t cost you anything, and might even give you a 97 on your report card.” As a result, my knowledge of anything that’s not academically related is minimal. I have not watched a single Star Wars movie. I have only gone to Canada’s Wonderland once - to study Newtonian physics, of course - and parties are a foreign concept.

I have only gone to Canada's Wondeland once -to study Newtonian physics, of course -- and parties are a foreign concept Despite my losing what’s considered to be the most fundamental part of any teenager’s life, there have been some amazing perks. The consistent pressure has led me to become academically successful through my own will, and develop self-discipline. Moreover, I am now able to sit at a desk for as long as I have to and concentrate without logging onto Facebook every three minutes to check up on my newsfeed. It is like having the willpower to resist the temptation of taking a bite of bittersweet chocolate fudge brownie sitting before me when I am on a diet to shed a last two pounds.

Having recognized the degree of effort I have been making towards my success, my grandmother instilled a new rule in her house: “no cracking eggs when Jenny has something im-

portant coming up.” My grandmother believes that cracking eggs will bring bad luck and hinder my success. She has strictly and mercilessly forbidden anyone in the family from cracking eggs until my exams and university applications are completed. For example, my cousin who lives with my grandmother loves to bake. The major shortfall in his life right now is that the eggs have been mysteriously disappearing no matter how many there were the last time he had checked. Whenever he comes close to the family secret, my grandparents shrewdly steer him off course.

Not only has my grandmother enforced this new temporary custom, but she has also started to rub a “success stone.” A while ago, a friend gave me a stone that has ‘success’ engraved on it. To my surprise, many stories exist about people who saw their wishes come true after they have rubbed the stone. I told myself the idea was foolish, yet still found myself rubbing the stone, and continued until my mother approached me with an alternative.

She said it would be more practical for me to memorize obscure SAT vocabulary words and pass the stone onto my grandmother. Now, stone rubbing has been added to my grandmother’s list of mundane activities. When she is cooking or taking a nice bubble bath, my grandfather takes over as if he’s the next runner in the relay race. When both of my grandparents are re-energizing their hands for more effective rubbing, the baton gets handed over to my cousin. Everyone in that household is running the relay race, a race in which I am the designated hero. At the finish line is the perfect combo meal of pressure: pressure to do well in school, pressure to get into an Ivy League School, and pressure to have a successful life.

I was pretty obedient as a child, and I still am.

I use the last joules of my kinetic and potential energy to try to meet my family’s skyscraper expectations. Saying no to my family and insisting I be allowed to do everything my way never was or ever will be on my agenda.

The English lessons on Sundays and the daily math questions might have been unnecessary, but they helped to build my mental stamina and good work habits. My dysfunctional family can be irritating, demanding, and annoying at times, but I still have to live with them. Although I allow myself to occasional minor teenage rebellion, I still get back on the track and continue to run my own race, always with my cheering section beside me.

Top 10 #1: Muse at the AGO

by Amy He

Do you crave fine art? Do you want to update your Instagram followers on your artistic taste? This one is hard to miss.

From afar, you can identify the AGO by its conspicuous monumental glass and titanium facade designed by Frank Gehry hovering over the main building. Near the entrance, you can spot visitor of all ages climbing in and around the iconic Two Forms sculpture by Henry Moore. Inside, you can find collections ranging from renaissance, neoclassical, to postmodern. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed, curated and maintained. There is plenty of space to wander and get lose without disrupting visitors around you. The hallways direct you to entrance of multiple exhibits with a teaser enough to get you curious without giving away any details. The myriad of exhibits offers the opportunity to discover something new on each visit. My favourite discovery is the staircase of hyper-realistic sculptures from Evan Penny in the basement. AGO also showcases major works by northern lights such as Emily Carr, Tom Thomson, Lawren Harris, Group of Seven, and many more. To end this on a high note, AGO is open to high school students for free after 3pm from Tuesday to Friday. Two tokens and a student ID are all that’s required for an afternoon escapade.

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THE CHEATING CODE

by Matt Scace

Visuals by Fay Asimakopoulos & Tamar KB Cheating has its own book. Perhaps not in a physical form, but everybody knows about it.

It’s implemented almost daily within our halls, and it leaves teachers grinding their teeth in rage. In a sense, this book is like the dictionary. Every year, when people think that the dictionary is finally complete, nearly 4,000 new words are introduced. This book on cheating, which we are all-too-familiar with, is no different. People become inventive and creative; the innovative cheating marketplace now stupefies teachers.

Today, we are seeing cheating in classrooms reach entirely new levels of creativity. Of course, the Internet has brought this sudden onset of extraordinary cheating schemes never seen before. Enter Time Zone Cheating.

It’s the night before your exams. You’re hungry, angry, or worse, both. Life is miserable. All you want to do is run outside and hangout with your friends. On the bright side, there is a proverbial cushion that you can rest on. See, you have friends in Melbourne who live in a time zone thirteen hours ahead of you; the exam they write today is identical to the one that you write tomorrow. After they complete the exam, by 11:00pm your time, they are heading home to tell their parents how it went. And if you’re in the IB program like many private school students, they are also probably going home to tell you what was on the exam. Feast on that.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program has been adopted by a number of private schools in Ontario and around the world. The highly academic and rigorous program teaches students how to be professionals in a global-

izing world. Ironically, students are using these innovative lessons to their advantage.

dreamy 95%, and are on their way to a glorious summer.

The IB program implements consistent curricula across 4,000 schools worldwide. The program rests on the assumption that, by the end of one’s IB education, one will have acquired the same degree of knowledge as everyone else in the program. When May of the grade twelve year rolls around, all of the program’s students will complete a final exam. These exams are identical. Admittedly, the world does not live in the same time zone. Kids are smart. If cheating did not ensue, it would be safe to assume that we would be living in a world where babies were born in packages sent through the mail, and Donald Trump wasn’t a jackass. It would be an impossible world.

In some cases, students take time zone cheating to the next level. In a specific example given by the interviewee, the student didn’t contact a fellow IB student; instead, he decided to get in contact with a “shanty” Australian school, and negotiated with a teacher who accepted an offer of $200 in exchange for the answers. Now, the student is enjoying an education at a renowned American Ivy League school.

The innovative cheating marketplace now stupefies teachers Because there is a 24-hour timeframe for the exams to take place, there is a flurry of activity going on. An IB student, who wished to keep his identity and school withheld from the article, explains that at his school, he is aware of approximately four students engaging in this type of cheating each year. Essentially, these students find students from other countries, who complete the test before them and are willing to memorize its content. There are usually monetary incentives involved in the process of the exchange. Once the first exam is taken, the answers are sent from the students in the leading time zone, to the students in the time zone proceeding behind it. The next day, the latter students take the exam, get the

According to the student, time zone cheaters tend to get off the hook “because [schools] don’t have proof [of time zone cheating]”.

Many teachers either halfheartedly praise them for being “smart”, or are simply too lazy to even attempt to set things right.

At the end of the day, the teacher is right; the student is smart. To avoid timezone cheating, perhaps it is time for IB to rethink its methods.

To uphold its reputation as a program that has received so much global recognition, the IB board needs to create multiple exams, and, in turn, create, at least, a mild sense of unpredictability for its students. Blaming students for time zone cheating would be akin to a mom punishing her son for eating a cookie that was sitting on his plate.

For better or for worse, NT students have not had the opportunity to take advantage of time zone cheating. However, with a technologically revolutionizing world, this innovative form of cheating (which is already overused to a fault) is only one new addition to the book of cheating. Chances are it will be far from the last.

Top 10 #2: Ice-Skating

by Parnian Hossein Pour

There may be very little snow on the ground, but winter holds true in our hearts. A Toronto classic for cheap activities during the winter is skating in Nathan Phillips Square. The problem with this is that because it’s a classic, Nathan Phillips is insanely crowded by tourists and not-so-cute 5 year olds. But don’t worry, because you have many other opportunities to get your glide on, such as Mel Lastman Square in North York. Named after Toronto mayor Mel Lastman, you can find the square directly next to North York Centre subway station, a 10 minute ride north of Eglinton. Besides having a fantastic rink when it’s cold, during the summer it holds a ton of festivals and free concerts. The grounds are also beautiful to simply stroll through, if you’re not that into skating. Be sure to check it out because nothing says fun like laughing with your friends as you fall butt-first on ice.

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No Late Starts

By Cassidy Bereskin and Ajantha Nadesalignam As chalk scratches painfully against the board, a single thought struggles through your sleepdeprived, groggy mind: “It’s too early for math.”

With this thought, you unlock your smartphone. Your teacher’s voice fades away as you become absorbed by the void of possibilities; your finger hovers over the myriad of social media apps scattered throughout your phone, before you open Facebook. A classic.

With the tap of a finger, you pull up your notifications, your attention piqued by a post in an NT Facebook group. The group, which reads #theystrikewestrike, strongly condemns the TDSB secondary school teacher sanction, lamenting the cancellation of late starts and early dismissals. As you linger on the Facebook status, it quickly gains momentum. As evident by the divisive comment section below the post, several students have expressed support for the cause; others are indifferent to it.

Responsible for the initial Facebook post, grade 11 NT student, Ari Tal, has been at the fore-

In other schools and communities across the TDSB, the implications of the sanction have been more unfortunate. Marc Garneau C.I is a Muslim-heavy school in the East York neighbourhood. Grade 11 student, Khalida Elsadati, explains that the school previously granted Friday afternoon dismissals to Muslim students so that they could leave early to pray at the mosque. According to Elsadati, Friday’s early dismissals also served to facilitate staff meetings, which “allowed less strain on the office staff and administration.” MCGI teachers have since withdrawn from Friday afternoon staff meetings; in response, Friday afternoon’s early dismissals have been cancelled.

The axing of Friday’s early dismissals has developed into a deeper problem for Marc Garneau’s Muslim community. Rafia Akbar is a grade 11 Muslim student at MGCI. Although MGCI’s administration pushed to give Akbar permission to leave school early on Friday afternoons, immediately after teachers withdrew

staff meetings were.”

And yet there is light, even in the darkest places.

In addition to feeling minimal impact from the cancellation of late starts, Charlie Littler empathizes with teachers such as Mr. Zohar.

Littler maintains that many middle-upper class NT families fail to recognize that teachers are underpaid and mistreated. Littler says what needs to ensue “is cooperation from all parties, and for [students] to look beyond [themselves].”

Moreover, while students place overwhelming blame of the axing of late starts on the sanction, it remains unclear who bears responsibility. As

Much finger pointing has occurred, coupled with an unconcealed “student vs teacher” mentality front of a student-led movement in response to the 2015-2016 TDSB secondary school teacher sanction. Tal, who spearheaded the advocacy effort, urges students to arrive late to the NT building on school days that were originally allocated to late starts. Tal gives resentful students a coherent voice and aims to provide students a conscious awareness of the fact that “an education system where students are punished for the flaws in the ways in which teachers are treated is a flawed education system.”

from meetings, the effort to help the student faded. Influenced by a backlash from the community, Marc Garneau C.I now welcomes a “local worship leader to assist with leading lunchtime prayers.” Despite this small seed of improvement, until the sanction subsides, Akbar says the unrest at the school will continue.

Students are not the only stakeholders that have been adversely affected by the sanction.

Mr. Mack, NT’s vice principal, continues to be particularly inconvenienced by the lack of staff meetings. These meetings were implemented to strengthen communication between NT teachers and administrators. However, since teachers have withdrawn from staff meetings, Mr. Mack neither has a forum for sharing information, nor a captive audience.

Among heated disagreement, many believe that the effects of the sanction are a significant hindrance to the quality of life for any affected persons, and thus casts a dark shadow across the TDSB community. However, other individuals beg to differ; they find the light amidst the darkness, citing that late starts are a privilege.

Visuals by Graffiti Digital The cancellation of late starts and early dismissals are not the only measures that have taken a toll on students. Charlie Littler is just one example of an NT student who uses report card comments as a mechanism for self-improvement. For Littler, “receiving comments is important, as it justifies [their] grades and gives students steps moving for moving forward” Since the removal of comments, Littler has felt “unable to find concrete areas for improvement.”

One such individual is NT’s English Department head, Mr. Zohar, who believes that the sanction has “barely affected students.” According to Mr. Zohar, “students should be glad to get that extra hour of education...an hour that otherwise would have been denied to them.”

A cohort of NT students agree with Mr. Zohar’s sentiment, and feel as though their lives are largely unaffected by the sanction. Such a student is Henry Wilson, who is in the eleventh grade at NT. Wilson concedes the loss of late starts as the only substantial effect of the sanction, and, even then, considers late starts a privilege, not a right. Wilson states that “[students] only have late starts because the teachers are in staff meetings”, and goes on to say that “[providing] late starts [was] never the [aim] here, the

of now, among certain students, much finger pointing has occurred, coupled with an unconcealed ‘us vs. them’, ‘student vs. teacher’ mentality. However, according to the OSSTF Toronto district, the cancellation of late starts is a boardlevel concern that, despite popular belief, has not been driven directly by the teacher sanction.

Although the TDSB did not deliver a clear message to NT’s administration regarding what action to take in response to the sanction, Mr. Mack upholds that “there is an equal understanding between the Board and NT’s admin.”

After teachers withdrew from staff meetings, the school’s administration responded by cancelling late starts. By their logic, staff meetings created a disruption to the regular-timed school day, and when the disruption is eliminated by the sanction, there is a need for the system to revert back to the status quo. While the cancellation of late starts has garnered backlash, administrators such as Mr. Mack considers it a pragmatic response.

So, you. Yeah, you. You, sitting in the back row of your math class; you who succumbed to boredom in the face of math. What are you going to do? Are you going to read the Facebook post and comment section in entirety? After doing so, will you analyze the roots of the issue and form a concrete opinion on it? Or, will the evershortening attention span of the human mind in a fast-paced society compel you to scroll down to the next post?

9

Features [ FEATURES]

>> WHAT ARE STUDY DRUGS? >> CHEATING FOR GRADES >> ARE SORORITIES WORTH IT? >> MORE

Best Friends for Life?

by Naomi Barghiel

You’re sitting on the big couch in your basement, as you share a bag of fresh popcorn with your five best friends. You choose to watch Sharknado for the eighth time on Netflix because of all the inside jokes you have with your squad. Admittedly, you almost snort out that Sprite you’re drinking when your friends tell the joke as if it was the first time. Of course, you don’t actually watch the movie because you’re too busy talking and laughing with your best friends to pay attention. You talk about your math teacher’s crazy hair day and laugh over the Instagram picture that strange kid in your biology class posted the other day. As you spend the last hours of the night chatting away, you stop and think to yourself, ‘these are my best friends for life.’ But are they?

As a high school student, you’re inclined to think that your best friends will stick by your side forever — that when you’re reminiscing about my life at eighty, your best friends will be right next to you on the squeaky wooden porch swing . It’s not to say that the possibility of this happening is completely out of question, but it likely is. See, underlying our friendships, there is a nagging notion that students push aside that their high school friendships will not last after graduation.

Grade 11 NT student, Kyla Ion says, “when I was six I thought I would keep those friends for the rest of my life, just like I do now with my new ones. What’s to say my friends at 16 aren’t going to fade away like my friends at six?

I worry about that sometimes.”

The fact that we probably won’t be sipping cocktails with our high school friends at forty every Sunday irks us enough to make us dwell on that mysterious difference between high school and post-graduation. We were struck with a discovery that we hadn’t thought of before, one that made us realize that perhaps the future isn’t one to dread, but that the reality is bittersweet.

Mr. Zohar, NT’s English department head, recalls his experience of high school friendships and the transition after graduation. He claims he was happy not to be in touch with his high school friends anymore. Zohar believes that the person you are in high school is completely different to that in university, and that friendships are bound to crumble.

“It is natural for your interests and values from high school to change in university. It will mean having less in common with your high school friends and drifting apart, but that is ultimately what is best,” Zohar explains.

My father has a similar story. He recalls that his high school best friend, who had very much in common with him, went to university, and changed the nature of the friendship.

My father moved to another country, where he found new people and interests.

After a while, he “felt like [they] had nothing in common anymore … Living by yourself in a completely new environment forces you to grow up quickly, and I was surrounded by

Top Results, No Marks

people from everywhere around the world with all new kinds of hobbies and life experiences that rubbed off on me.”.

When he looks back his high school best friend, he still feels sentimental towards him because of the past they shared; they occasionally grab a cup of coffee when he is back in the country, but according to my father, “the past is the past.” We’re completely different people now.” Today, my father’s best friends are the ones he made in university.

In a survey conducted through social media, 40 of the 70 participants said the people who they deem their best friends are not people who they met many years ago. In fact, 52 of the 70 participants were still in high school, so there is proof that people and their interests constantly change, and losing and making new friends isn’t unusual. Sure, it isn’t pleasant to lose a friend, but it also isn’t unheard of.

If you’re going to university soon, remember that it is not unexpected for your high school friendships to change and possibly fade away. Gaining and losing friendships over time is just one facet of change, and expected throughout human life. Usually, changes in friendship are for the better. Sure, it’ll be a little heart-rending to realize that you haven’t spoken to your high school friends for two months, but you will understand that they have moved on and so will you. So don’t worry.

One day, when you’re thirty-five and laughing with your new friends in the Caribbean, you’ll be just as happy.

by Elizabeth Wolfenden The North American education system is decidedly based on tests and essays, with all emphasis on the red ink writing at the top of the page. Marks, marks, and more marks are put above all else, and the pressure to see that red ink spelling out ‘A’ is debilitating.

Out of 101 NT students, 82.8% said they felt pressure to do well in school, and 60.6% said marks are highly important to them. Is this a good way to think about your education? Will the pursuit of “good marks” really lead you to success?

In North America, there is a widespread cultural belief that academic success equates to a high level of competence, and academic failure equates to intellectual inferiority.

The argument holds that failure in school means the equivalent failure in life. This attitude is harmful to students’ mental and

physical health, and, ironically, academic success.

Overwhelming pressure causes increased stress and an obsession for achievement in students. They stand in a long tunnel; on the other side is an A, and that’s all they can see. This ultimately results in the ignorance of health factors, and detracts from their opportunity to truly learn. The emphasis should be on what is painted on the walls of the tunnel, and not what is at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

The pressure for grades adversely affects students with the highest marks, and students with the lowest. High achievers feel tremendous pressure to maintain their high marks, whereas low achievers feel inclined to stop trying altogether.

In contrast to America, in the Finnish education system, kids don’t

start school until the age of 6; they are not evaluated until the age of 12; and there is no standardized testing throughout school. The result? The differences between the weakest and strongest students are negligible, and among the smallest in the world, according to the most recent survey by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Because they don’t receive marks, they don’t receive labels, and resultantly don’t feel pressure to either strive, or stop trying.

There is very little correlation between performance in school and performance in the workplace. Laszlo Bock, the senior vice president for peoples’ operations at Google, stated that “G.P.A.’s are worthless as a criteria for hiring, and test scores are worthless… Google famously used to

ask everyone for a transcript and G.P.A.’s and test scores, but we don’t anymore… We found that they don’t predict anything.”

As Google has discovered, a multiple-choice test doesn’t speak for a person’s overall emotional intelligence. No one can objectively numerate one’s motivation or empathy for others, nor tell if one is open to new ideas, or even capable of recovering from disappointment.

The path to academic success should not be stressful or damaging to the health of a student.

There should be emphasis on learning, hard work, and the importance of driving natural curiosity. Marks and evaluations are not necessary, and North America’s obsession with them is ineffective.

As Mark Twain famously said, “don’t let schooling get in the way of your education.”

Dead Fish and Other Things: The Tinder Experience

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By Jo Faisman & Parnian Hossein Pour It’s 7pm on a Thursday night and you’re at home staring at the blank screen that will eventually become your English essay. You should start working on it… but instead you start talking to your friend about her latest Tinder shenanigans. In a fit of boredom and impulsiveness, you decide to try the app out. You download it onto your phone, connect to Facebook, and commit to a hardcore night of swiping.

(with-one-T), the potential soulmate of a female NT student. The guy was witty, smart, and not exclusively after nudes. Unfortunately, Mathew was forever lost to her when she deleted her account in a fit of Tinder angst. The app might mostly be made up of guys asking if you’re “dtf?” (down to...fornicate), but every once in awhile, you’ll find yourself wondering if meeting up with them would be worth it.

Three hours later, you’ve seen too many dead fish to count, enough hockey players to start a league, and several hot urinal selfies. Besides being a f*ckboy’s paradise, Tinder is a popular dating app used by teens and adults. If you’re under 18, however, you’re confined to using the kiddie version overflowing with guys toting guns and fish. Tinder is essentially Hot or Not; you swipe right for hot and left for not. Mutual right swipes lead to a match. After that, the two people are free to awkwardly initiate hook ups, make useless small talk, and exchange Tumblr pick up lines.

Sometimes you do end up meeting. One NT student found herself liking Jason, a guy who was cute, smart(ish), funny, and totally not a serial killer, which immediately made him more appealing than the average teenage guy. Two dates in, he definitely wasn’t a serial killer, and even turned out to be a pretty nice guy. Not “The One” for her, but great nonetheless. Just remember that not every guy is going to be like Jason; if you’re meeting someone in person for the first time, be sure to check them out first.

Exchange snapchats, Skype; make sure that they’re who they claim to be, and always meet in public. Have fun, but be safe.

There are many dedicated Tinder veterans at NT who were willing to share their stories. In fact, of 175 NT students surveyed, 59 percent of students have had a Tinder account at some point in the past, while only 34 percent have active accounts. NT students have spent hours trudging through snow, been recruited into USSR-affiliated youth groups (communism and chill, am I right?), and braved awkward first dates with potential serial killers, all for the promise of a casual hookup.

Contrary to popular belief, Tinder isn’t solely comprised of trash guys and weird experiences.

Funny and interesting people can occasionally come along to surprise you. Take Mathew

But let’s be honest, we’re not actually here for the occasional hook up and thrilling conversation. Tinder bios are treasure troves of humor and wisdom. You have dead fish on display (because seafood is always sexy) next to urinal selfies, and endearing declarations of “I eat ass”

alongside the classic “You’re on Tinder to make friends? Cool, I’m on pornhub to see if the plumber manages to fix the sink.”

Your profile is a place to express yourself, and many people have chosen it as an outlet for their wants and insecurities. With charming statements like, “Unlike my couch, I don’t pull out”, or “Don’t judge me for what I look like”, and “I get 50% at McDonalds”, it’s unbelievable that these guys are single to begin with.

The Tinder experience isn’t the same for everyone. Guys, who tend to go in looking for casual sex, are usually less picky with who they choose to swipe right for. They generally get far fewer matches per right swipes than the average girl.

Girls, on the other hand, typically go on Tinder for a fun time and an easy ego boost with minimal effort, as it’s usually relatively easy for them to get matches. One female NT student has over 400 matches and enough requests for sex to start a brothel (or an 80s rock band).

Whether you get one match or a hundred, Tinder is an almost respectable way to waste an afternoon. The next time you’re hanging out with your friends, try making a profile and see what happens. You might not meet a nice partner to take home to your parents, but you will have more than enough awkward stories to last you a lifetime.

Visuals by Alice Liang

Netflix Needs to Chill

By Kyla Ion

To those of you who haven’t heard of the term Netflix and Chill, brace yourself. It’s inevitable that the bubble of innocence you’ve surrounded yourself in will be popped. Netflix and Chill is yet another term for two people hooking up. Is your mind blown? Just wait, there’s more.

If you look back to the modern history of human romantic relations, you’ll come to an important realization. Since the movie theatre and television weaved into western society, romantic dates have commonly taken place in front of the screen. Today, Netflix and Chill cements this phenomenon.

Drive-In Complex, or the theory that teens are increasingly more likely to zip through a drivein restaurant in a car as compared to walk into the store. Let’s face it, as teens of ages 14-17, we’re at an interesting point of our lives. We are starting to be taken seriously as we start considering what we want to do with our lives. Within a few years we’ll get to drive an actual car. Our parents won’t loom over our shoulders anymore and our teachers might stop treating us like fetuses.

This doesn’t mean every date you’re ever going to experience is inevitably going to include Rachel McAdams professing her love for whoever it is Visuals by Alexandra Beck this time in the background, but at least a few But with all this freedom comes something else: will. Of course, comfort over memorability is a laziness. We slack and procrastinate, and have new fad. developed a new appreciation for short-cuts.

This is where the Drive-In Complex comes into It started back with watching silent movies in play. There is no date more convenient than one the park. Now it comes in the form of Netflix of Netflix and Chill. Most of the time you don’t and Chill, or rather paying $8 a month for a even have to leave the house for it. booty-call. Even as this occurs, a recent survey taken by the students of NT shows that over 70% Picture it, you’re on your first date with a special of teens prefer a fun date to an easy one. someone, and you’re stressed because O.M.G they’re sitting right there, and did it get hotter Why are easy Netflix and Chill dates trumping in here or is it just you? If it was a dinner date, the fun dates? The answer is referred to as the you’d be wondering the entire night if you have

lettuce stuck in your teeth.

According to an NT student who chose to remain anonymous, “First dates are terrifying and awkward. If there’s anything that can make it easier, then that’s what I’m going to make sure happens.” Movie and television dates are easy.

If you’re stomach is full of butterflies and you’ve forgotten how the english language works, that’s fine, and that’s the heart of the Drive-In Complex.

If you know you’re going to spend the majority of the night blushing, sitting in a dark theatre and munching on popcorn doesn’t sound so bad. Netflix takes convenience to a whole new level. You get to sit on a comfy couch and eat free food. In addition, there is a whole selection of movies and T.V. shows right at the click of a button.

Nevertheless, Netflix and Chill means goodbye to fun family-style entertainment, and hello to hooking up. Au revoir to the safe “Hey wanna come over and watch The Office,” and holla to scandalous “Hello lover, let’s say we’re watching the new season of Orange is the New Black and make out instead.” At the end of the day, Netflix had the potential to revolutionize first dates, but as a result of the Drive-In Complex, it’s taken a completely different turn.

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Illusionary Stereotypes

By Madelaine Fischer-Bernhut There will always be moments when you can’t help but feel awkward. It doesn’t matter if you are with close friends or acquaintances, there will always be some topics in a conversation that completely elude you. You care not for Prada bags or the “epically” cute new line of Crackle nail polish from OPI. And, that party last Friday night? What can you say? You weren’t there and you don’t care. But you can’t say that. You don’t want to be seen as clueless or dampen the conversation. So, all you can do is awkwardly try to chime in, echo someone who seems in the know, or just stay silent under the expectant gazes of your peers, waiting on pins and needles for a change of topic.

After the conversation, you can’t help but fervently research or ask other people about which idol really had plastic surgery for that K-POP video or why everyone hates Donald Trump.

All this in the hope of preventing another awkward discussion from happening again. Do the topics have relevance? Do they impact you in any way? Probably not. It isn’t about the content of the topics, but the stereotypes that are attached to them.

These stereotypes are unsaid expectations that certain ideas or behaviors should be common sense for the person you and others see yourself to be. Some stereotypes may seem harmless, but others can be obstructive and create extreme expectations that negatively impact selfidentity, relationships, and opportunities.

I have had those awkward moments. Many of them in fact. I’m Asian. I’m adopted. And I’ve been raised in an all Canadian white Jewish home. Madelaine Fischer is hard to define. So, many aspects of myself, including background, when brought up in conversation, mystify other people. Most people tend to say “sorry” and “you are doing well” after finding out I’m not a Canadian native nor a Fischer-Bernhut family native, almost as if the thought that I was left at an orphanage gave me an emotional complex.

As a one and a half year-old, there is no difference between birth family or adoptive family; you take all the love you can get. But the comments, although sincere, still make me feel as if I should care more about my adoption than I actually do.

It isn’t about the content of the topics, but the stereotypes that are attached to them.

In middle school, nothing became as apparent as the culture divide between me and other Asian kids in my class. Conversations with Asian friends (with Asian Parents) left me lost whenever the discussion turned to “how my parents are a stereotypical Asian couple” or “you speak mandarin? I speak mandarin? Let’s speak mandarin together!” Granted, I have had mandarin lessons in primary school, but they weren’t immersive enough to stick. Once more, against the grain, I’m not your average Asian linguist. And the fact still hurts. The more expectations to talk in a certain way, to be able

to do something you can’t, and to fit a label can really cloud your reflection in the mirror.

Despite the fact that 40% of students in a survey disseminated through Facebook said they did not identify with a stereotype, almost all of them were able to describe in detail how others stereotyped them. For some people, they are the “wild” one in the group, the “Asian that is whitewashed”, and most commonly “the glasses wearing geek”. We might say that we can’t define ourselves with labels but just the fact that we are aware of them twists the way we see and present ourselves.

The biggest problem with stereotyping is that it has become habitual. It is no longer the inyour-face bullying, crass remarks, and tactless prejudices, but the underlying expectations you give others and yourself that impact how you approach life in both negative and positive ways. Just over one third of the people surveyed mentioned that the topic of stereotypes made them uncomfortable, yet they were the ones who seemed to provide the most sincere answers.

As it stands, 37% of people surveyed hang around like-minded people, but the remaining students showed no real inclination towards any group of people in particular. So it should be natural that cluelessness during a conversion won’t get you excommunicated from the group. Expectation is, more often than not, an unconscious thought and stereotypes are both as fragile and sharp as glass.

Antiheroes of a New World

By David Staley

The dark and brooding protagonist has managed to worm his way into so much of our modern media that it has become difficult to find the traditionally good hero. We have come to prefer sitting at home in the dark, watching with morbid fascination as Don Draper, Dexter Morgan, Walter White, and Tony Soprano lie, steal, and murder their way through their illustrious lives. Netflix is our friend, TV is our friend, and evil protagonists are our friends. So what if some of them are monsters? It’s not that we approve of their evil actions; good people are just so boring.

antihero lacks what makes the standard hero ‘good’. This antihero lacks heroism for whatever reason, whether it’s needing to use amoral methods to reach their goal or simply lacking purpose. While we certainly see Superman as a fundamentally good and moral person, we also see him as unrealistic.

Are we supposed to believe that a person can always only do good? No, certainly not. And that’s why there are far fewer characters like that around these days.

In our modern world we see more truth in antiheroes than heroes. As an NT student says, “our world, it doesn’t have a good or bad. There is no good or bad. [Antiheroes] are a personification of this.” “It’s more relatable,” said another NT student. This cynicism seems to thrive on itself. The more evil we see in our world, the more likely we are to believe it; we’re less bothered by it. If we’re less bothered by a lack of heroism, in turn, we’re more willing to emulate it.

The more evil we see in our world, the more likely we are to believe it Superman is the archetypal heroic character; designed to be cool, powerful, attractive, confident, selfless, with one hidden weakness and no obvious flaws. So what is the standard antihero like? Prior to the 90s, an antihero had more flaws than strengths. They tended to be cowardly, selfish, buried in self doubt, unattractive, or even stupid. Now, a hero with no flaws has become uncool, even unbelievable. Instead of lacking what makes a hero ‘cool’, the new

Even family movies have begun to create antiheroes. The beloved hero of the Shrek movies is motivated by nothing other than his own selfish desires; his every moral action is done for his own benefit. Take an original fairy tale like Beauty and the Beast; Beast is assuredly an antihero at the beginning of the story, treating Belle like a prisoner, but by the end of the story he is able to reach redemption through love.

No such redemption exists for Shrek, and it has become painfully clear that tales of redemption are now seen as contrived and naive. Even childhood tales that lay the moral ground for children’s lives have been corrupted by this change in thinking.

This love for antiheroes is changing us. Are these the kinds of people we want our children to emulate? That would mean growing up thinking that heroism is unrealistic, and that succumbing to doing whatever you want is best. If high school students are able to relate to antiheroes so easily, what does this say about what is happening to our culture? It’s not that antiheroes don’t have their place; they do. But that place is within a social criticism, one that is sorely needed.

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More Than Just a Pretty Voice: A Plea for Music to Be Heard

by Ajantha Nadesalingham I remember the darkness, beads of sweat trickling down my neck, my palms clammy from fear, hearing nothing but my own heartbeat thundering, as if attempting to escape the confines of my ribcage. I remember holding my breath as I heard the floorboards creaking above. It was time. I had counted to ten six times, as much as any five-year-old could manage. The door cracked open and a shadow loomed in the doorway. “Do you understand what you did that made mummy and daddy unhappy?” I nodded vaguely, remembering what this was all about, what I had done to warrant a timeout. “Okay then, you can go back to playing, but play nicely. No hitting your brother on the head!”

Timeouts became a popular form of punishment when corporal punishment fell out of fashion. Not too long ago, spankings and swats across the head were regularly used to instill discipline in children. Even within schools, teachers used rulers to punish misbehaving students. In the domestic discipline era, fathers used belts, as mothers used a slipper. My own father claims his mother once clubbed him on the head with the heel of her stiletto, and my grandmother was made to kneel on a grater or on dried peas.

According to Dr. Haim G. Ginott, author of Between Parent and Child, “[Punishment] didn’t work…it was a distraction. Instead of the child feeling sorry for what he has done and thinking about how he can make amends, he becomes preoccupied with revenge fantasies.”

Approximately 78% of kids between the ages 12-14 don’t tell their parents about their friend gossip because they fear how their parents will react. However, parents are constantly trying to figure us out. They read Parenting books and attend Parenting seminars. They learn how to “listen,” “empathize,” “shadow,” “mirror,” and

how to effectively discipline us. They spend many years and dollars learning how to be an optimal Parent. But how do we figure them out?

It has always been Parents versus Children.

With a dearth of guides on how to parent parents, what are we supposed to do when our moms tells us to set the table when we are upstairs watching Grey’s Anatomy? How are we supposed to deal with the incessant nagging and whining telling us to clean our rooms and do our homework? By using our psychic mental powers?

So why all the constant bugging? Why do they need to know what you got on that Physics test?

Many teens and young adults are experiencing Parental Anxiety Disorder, and without any “Parenting guidelines” we are under diaper loads of stress. According to one NT student, “It is unfair that parenting revolves around the children and not the parents themselves. Children will listen to parents and try to be good, but parents need to be aware that they have to follow the rules that they themselves have set out for their children in order to justify their method of leadership.”

Can I get a hallelujah? Your mom scolds you for watching so much Netflix and then proceeds to watch four episodes of Breaking Bad in one sitting. You pick your last strand of spaghetti with your fingers during dinner and your Dad tells you to “eat properly” and then continues to pick individual strands of spaghetti off of his plate.

How is this hypocrisy proper leadership?

Parents constantly concede that raising a teenager who is undergoing puberty is frustrating, however, raising a Mother going through menopause is more difficult. Imagine a momzilla stomping through the house raging on about the “difficulties of being a woman” and somehow, every kind word you say to her is manipulated and thrown against you. Doesn’t this sound just like what our parents say about us?

Workshops and seminars on a host of subjects ranging from anxiety, university, puberty, high school years, and substance abuse are all very popular with parents. My parents attend seminars almost weekly. They are excited when they come home full of knowledge, and assume that they finally understand kidspeak.

Are there seminars out there that guide teens through their mom’s menopause? It’s pretty unlikely.

So why all the constant bugging? The constant knocking on your door? Why do they need to know what we got on that last Physics test, or how much time we spend texting or on Facebook?

A survey asked a cohort of parents what they wanted most from their children. 96% of them responded with “to love [them] no matter what” and for their kids “to be content.” The only thing they want from us is love; this happens to be the same thing we want from them. We can all agree that more effective communication is essential. Parents try their best, but sometimes we just need some slack.

Parenting has to work in both directions, and it’s time that our parents realize it. Although there are no books or seminars on how to parent our moms and dads, we need to speak up.

We will be heard eventually.

Top 10 #4: The Centre for Social Innovation

by Tamar KB

“Our mission is to catalyze social innovation around the world.”

Only half an hour south of NT, lies the greatest place ever. Mr Zohar’s favourite cafe and hangout spot, the Centre for Social Innovation is a dynamic space that’s bursting at the seams with creative and entrepreneurial energy. Brittney Drysdale,

CSI Community Animator, defines the centre as “ a community and launchpad for people and organizations trying to make the world a better place, turning social, environmental, economic and cultural challenges into opportunities to make the world a better place.”

The community is home to 1,000 nonprofits, charities and social ventures in Toronto alone, and employs over 2,500 people and generates combined annual revenues of $250 million.

who are trying to make the world better in some way- this can be for or nonprofit, and across all sectors. Once people come together in these spaces, they can collaborate with one another and improve the work. CSI even has a staff-sharing program; Drysdale found work at the CSI working for an organization called The Concerned Kids who were a tenant of CSI Annex at the time.

For Drysdale, CSI is “a community, a second home, a gathering place for some of the best people I know all under one roof who are all trying to better the world.”

What can the Centre for Social Innovation offer you? “Right now we have a work exchange program that can work for students who want to be involved in our community, depending on their schedule. How it works is you help CSI out one day a week, on a variety of projects in the building: answering the phone, booking meeting rooms, helping people find their way, and in return you get access to the workspace and community. As a student, it is a fantastic opportunity for you to develop some work experience and skills.

CSI at its core is a co-working space, providing space for rent to people and resources that organizations can share. This is the centre’s basis for innovation - “the serendipity that happens when you mix the right people, the right values and the right environment; when you set the conditions for social innovation emergence.” The results are unpredictable. And often astonishing. All members are people

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Meet Your Custodial Team!

by Lauren Kim

Peter Wisnioski was born in Toronto. He loves both cats and dogs and owns two pet cats (a tabby and a domestic long hair) that he loves very much. He is a devout Christian who likes to attend his local churches bible classes and volunteer at his church as well. If he could go anywhere in the world, he would travel to Israel, and the person who he admires the most is the Messiah. If Peter could pick any superpower, it would be to bring peace to the world.

When he is not at church or working, he likes to play hockey, write verse poetry, and listen to his favorite band, U2.

Visuals by Alice Liang

Shannon Rea is Canadian and Irish. Shannon owns a pet cat and likes to go to the library and read post-apocalyptic books in her spare time. She also likes to do arts and crafts. The superpower she would choose for herself would be to be able to read minds. The person she admires most in the world is her grandmother. Her pet peeve is when people cut her off when she is talking. She likes to listen to Hozier and her favorite food is pasta. Shannon also worked with a boy who had cancer for a few years, which she found to be a very rewarding experience.

She hopes to get her driver’s license by the end of this year.

Calvin Bingham, who also goes by Maestro, is from Jamaica. He likes to go to the mall or watch movies during his free time and if he could have a superpower, he would become Superman. He wants to travel to the Barbados. After a long day at work, he likes to read and meditate. If Calvin won a million dollars, he would go home to Jamaica and enjoy life. His hobbies are boxing, soccer, track and field, and other sports or athletic activities. He likes to listen to R&B music by his favorite artist Sam Cook or watch his favorite TV shows Big Bang and Empire. During this year, he would like to live life to the fullest and save up a lot of money.

Mathan Tharmarajah who people sometimes call Matt, is from Sri Lanka. He likes that North Toronto is a new building and he enjoys the good people he works with as well as the cleanliness of the school. If he could travel anywhere in the world, he would go to India and sightsee. When he is not working, he likes to go to the mall, watch movies and relax, or play cricket. His pet peeve is when people don’t listen to him when he is talking. In terms of music, he likes reggae and hip-hop music.

His favorite food is pizza and his secret talent is his ability to DJ.

Ike Cristobal is the caretakers’ shift leader, who directs the other caretakers through their daily routines. Ike is from the Philippines and likes that North Toronto has good students, staff, and is a clean school (a result of the caretakers’ hard work). He has 5 daughters who always think that they are right but take care of him well. If he could go anywhere in the world, Ike would travel to Hawaii and try Samoan dancing. He likes to go to the racetrack or to Yonge and Eglinton on his free time. He admires Ronaldo and his hobbies include sports such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer. His favorite foods are spaghetti and fried chicken and he likes to listen to rock music like Led Zeppelin or Taylor Swift, which, as Shannon Rea pointed out, he will jam out to while cleaning.

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Uros Crnomarkovic is from Serbia. He likes to go to the movies, play sports, and hang out with friends when he is not working. If Uros could go anywhere in the world, he would travel to the Philippines where he would look for Ike and go sightseeing.

If he could have one superpower, he would like to have the ability to fly. His hobbies are playing and watching sports and he admires his coworker Mathan. Uros’ favorite colour is blue and he likes sharks. His pet peeve is people who always talk on the phone and he likes to eat pizza and Italian food.

Paul Zylstra is the Chief Caretaker at North Toronto. He is of Dutch descent; however, he has never been to the Netherlands. Paul has been to numerous places such as Europe and has gone on many Caribbean cruises but the one place that he would like to go to is Holland, so that he could see all his family who live there. His favorite place to go is the cottage and he is an avid walker who likes to hike and dive. His super power would be to have the ability to dive as deep as he likes. His pet peeve is uncleanliness as he is a very meticulous person.

His favorite thing to eat is Tony’s mom’s Italian home cooking. He likes to listen to country western music and watched the TV shows big Bang, Bones, NCIS, and MASH.

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Tony Ceravolo is from Italy. He likes North Toronto because of the students and the building. He owns a sweet, 9 year old German shepherd that he likes to take on walks in Hyde Park. If he could travel anywhere in the world, he would go to Italy. He likes to go to the gym every once in awhile to help him relax. If he won a million dollars, he would use it to buy real estate as an investment so he could make more money. If he could have one superpower, he would want to be able to fly. His favorite food is pasta and his favorite type of music is rock and roll. His goal for this year is to become more fit using his hobbies of playing sports like soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

What Are You Doing To Yourself?

By Victoria Stafford

It’s been said and heard in the halls of NT, dozens of times over: health tips, tricks and myths. Rumours and trends that we – as teenagers – pick up and try, for a variety of reasons.

Possibly because you’re caving to the popular NYE resolution of eating healthier, you ate your weight’s worth in gingerbread cookies over the break and are feeling vaguely guilty for it, or simply because the Kardashians tried it. Despite the fact that pop culture has become health obsessed, is it possible that we are doing more damage to our bodies than before?

Our world is shaped around having the perfect body; it’s full of self-loathing and unattainable goals, because very few of us live the lifestyle of green smoothies in the morning, bikini photos on the beach and tanned legs in the winter.

Diet fads are thrown around like t-shirts on Boxing Day, and even tried and tested, just as quickly. But by doing this and depriving yourself of the nutrients our bodies have been conditioned to have, the negative effects of unmonitored diets considerably outweigh the supposed positives of these fads.

Naturopathic doctor Elizabeth Mingay specialises in diet-related lifestyle changes; she clarifies repeatedly that a healthy lifestyle consists of 75% food intake, and 25% exercise. This unproportioned distribution of exercise vs.

diet magnifies the effects of a chosen diet on the body. The damages of eating too little, too much, or too irregularly from keeping up with pop culture are not worth the physical strain on the body. Fatigue and mood swings during class are the least of immediate problems; while eating too much inflames the digestive tract, eating too little can cause irregular periods. At first, this may seem like nothing more than a little inconvenience, as irregular periods in youth lower chances of getting pregnant as an adult. I have personally seen people cause infertility through malnutrition, simply because “skinny and fit” were prioritised in their mind. Eating irregularly can offset an individual’s metabolism permanently, and cause the involuntary gain or loss of unhealthy amounts of weight. Even worse, teens who don’t eat enough, or attempt to adapt their diet to consume less “without using the guidance of a naturopathic doctor or holistic nutritionist... are at risk of causing kidney and muscle damage”, says Dr. Mingay.

But this leaves the unanswered question of ‘what should you be doing?’ According to Dr. Mingay, you should “Always pair your carbohydrates with a protein”, as “too [many fruits and vegetables] will be stored as fat”. And yes, eating balanced seems like the obvious solution, but there is another side to this healthy-

eating coin: orthorexia nervosa. Recently recognised by the National Eating Disorder Association, orthorexics consume themselves with healthy eating. If no healthy food is available, they will choose to fast, as slip-ups can result in self-punishment. Food quality – free of MSG, organic, free range – is obsessed about until, similar to OCD, nothing else can be thought about.

I am not a licensed dietician, nor am I a nutritionist, so I recognise that all this advice needs to be taken with a grain of salt. But I have seen many classmates and friends decide to go “vegan” just to try it out, who then go on to lose unhealthy amounts of weight. Some may call this hypocritical, as I am gluten free, but it is a recommendation from a doctor and not a personal choice. It’s important to recognise the difference between the nutrients that a body needs, in comparison to what is actually being given. Before making the decision to be a vegetarian, Google the differences between a pollotarian, flexitarian, or lacto-vegetarian (only a short snippet into the full list). What must be consumed to compensate the protein that’s lost? Are iron supplements necessary for not eating red meat? Ultimately, this is your body we’re talking about, not your friends’ or your parents’; they shouldn’t get to decide what you do or don’t eat.

Top 10 #5: Black Market

By Elizabeth Wolfenden

Tired of spending $50 at Urban Outfitters for one shirt? So is everyone. But it’s impossible to look cool and updated without emptying your wallet, right? Absolutely not. The solution to your fashion-funding problem is simple: Black Market. No, we’re not talking about the illegal trade; we’re talking about the vintage clothing store on Queen Street West that is guaranteed to transform your shopping routine. Just like traditional thrift shops such as Value Village or Salvation Army, everything in the store is vintage and second-hand. But Black Market kicks it up a notch because the clothing is curated – meaning they have already picked out the good stuff that people actually want (ie. No ugly blouses to sift through). At Black Market, you will find jeans, shorts, jean jackets, flannels, t-shirts, shoes, sweaters, and much more. The best part – everything is $10 or less. That’s right, we can all look like a million bucks. Plus it will give you a chance to explore Queen West, which is one of the coolest parts of the city. Happy thrifting!

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The Insta-Star: Sophi Knight Interviewed by Amanda Worwick In four short years, North Toronto’s own Sophi Knight has achieved on Instagram what few her age have done. Reaching 22.5K followers (and counting), this Grade 12 student has become a representative for some of her favourite swimsuit and clothing lines. While she enjoys the opportunity to act as a sponsor for these brands, what Sophi really finds fulfilling is the connections and community that her success on Instagram has brought to her life. She shared her experiences with Graffiti and hopes that others can have the same positive experiences online as she has.

How did you first get into Instagram?

Like most people, I just saw a couple of friends on Instagram and decided to join. That was four years ago though.

When did you start gaining such a large following on Instagram?

In the last year or so I’d say. It’s hard to pinpoint since it was so gradual.

How long do you have to spend on social media a day to maintain and grow the number of followers you have?

Overall I’d say about an hour, I’m constantly checking my Instagram feed throughout the day.

Do you have sponsors? If so, who sponsors you and, how did you get these sponsors?

I do! Some companies (primarily swim and clothing) have contacted me to do sponsorships with them in the past year. I don’t always say yes unless I personally like the brand and would actually use it. I recently accepted a sponsorship from @stellyclothing who sent me some really cute outfits I selected. I have also received sponsorships from Triangl, Boutine LA and Teame.

What do you consider your brand to be?

My brand is just me, it’s constantly evolving and changing as I am.

What would be your advice to people looking to build up their own social media presence?

Be yourself, post the things you like and don’t over think it, you are already interesting and authentic.

What positives and negatives do you experiences through having this large social media following?

A positive experience I have had with social media is being able to connect with people that I never would have had the chance to. People feel a lot more comfortable asking for advice or just sending a friendly message online rather than in person. I love giving advice and social media lets me do that! The negative side to social media, particularly Instagram, is that it can make people feel like they always need to be the best version of themselves, or that they have to live up the standards of those they see online. Recently Essena O’Neal quit social media for this reason and she brings up a very good point. However, I believe that as long as you can see social media as merely a tool to share who you are with others and keep things in perspective, it will be a positive thing.

Overall, has your experience with social media been a good one?

Overall my experiences with social media have been very positive. It has allowed me to work with companies, brands, and photographers that I otherwise never could have. Being able to connect with those around us so quickly and in any given place and time is a blessing in disguise. I think it’s easy to paint social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter in a negative light. I hope people read this and see that social media can actually be a really helpful and positive outlet for personal growth.

“Ideas Worth Spreading”: Is Yours “Worth” it?

By Lucy Ma

Potential and enthusiasm, sometimes it is astonishing how such simple ingredients can create boundless change . In reality,

how many of those world-changing ideas are actually appreciated? The TED conference is one that hopes to prevent an underappreciation of worthwhile ideas. But what does it mean when it says, “worth” spreading? Who is to say which ideas are unique and “worth” it? You see, an impressive idea isn’t enough for it to be significant per se, it is remarkable when coupled with an individual that isn’t afraid to pursue passions and dedications. TED conferences reinforces the notion that an individual’s ideas shouldn’t be limited to the tangible, and to dive into your passions.

Ajantha Nadesalingam, a grade 11 North Toronto student, has brought TEDx to NT in the form of a club. In this club, mind blowing TED talks are being shown, with a chance for audiences to have open conversation about their ideas and opinions in relation to the talk. In addition, the club is organizing a TEDx event at North Toronto, which will occur later this year.

If there is one thing to take away from TED, it is that you don’t need to have a reason such as an earth-shattering realization, or have an algorithm that defines life, to be given the right to express your mind. You have an opinion, an idea; protect it and share it, because no one else can tell you how much it is worth, and no one else can speak those words on your lips.

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A Change For the Worse

by Jimmy Yang

Almost every grade 12 this year would tell you that December was hell. The unfortunate cause was the removal of the December exams. Now, before you juniors begin to dance with joy at the news, let me just tell you that you are not as lucky as you think. In fact, the cancellation of the December exams has stirred up much controversy among the staff and students. Some have downright condemned it, while others have lauded it.

Mr. Gorenkoff explained the background behind the removal of the exams in more detail.

“It really wasn’t anyone’s fault”, he said. He referred to the green Growing Success book published by the TDSB and the Ministry of Education. “We are simply following what the TDSB directs us to do.” No doubt, it is there in print, page 41: for the final report card, “[s] eventy per cent of the grade will be based on evaluation conducted throughout the course.

Thirty per cent of the grade will be based on a final evaluation administered at or towards the end of the course.” The decision, as well as the planning, was made and done just last year. There were meetings held with teachers to allow them to adjust their courses to meet curriculum. There were also consultations held

retain everything. And if there is any student who can’t do that, then of course they will have trouble”, he said. Marks, in his opinion, will not be affected.

While other teachers also welcomed the extra school time available, they are less enthusiastic about the change overall. Some teachers feel that student marks will drop. Others feel that without the December exams, students will have a harder time maintaining their workload.

Exams are “a chance for everyoneSome, like Mr. Zohar, are even concerned that students and their parents may take advantage change and enjoy the beaches earlier. to write the same assessment” ofSuretheenough, the classrooms and halls were with other non-semestered schools within the TDSB, like Lawrence Park and Northern, which have only one exam. Mr. Gorenkoff says that the change should not impact student success and commitment to studies, as students will have already had “lots of exposure” to different types of assignments. In the end, he tells us not to worry.

Some teachers applauded the change. Mr. O’Connell feels that the December exams should be dropped. For one, we were the only semestered school in the TDSB which still had two exams in a year. If students from other schools can make do with one exam, why can’t we? Also, it gives teachers more time to teach the curriculum. In addition, due to the heavier weighting on tests and assignments throughout the year, students are compelled to put effort into every test, rather than only exams. “It forces students to organize themselves so that their notes are complete, so that they can study from them a little bit all the time, and by June,

almost empty on December 18th, the last day of school before the break.

The most common concern from teachers are that the absence of the December Exams will negatively impact the students in terms of exam readiness and stress. The most pressing issue surrounding the removal of the December exams is its impact on student exam preparedness. If you didn’t know already, university marks are very much exam-based.

According to Mr. Jones, “some [university] courses exams are worth 100% [of the overall mark]”. Taking into account our school’s high post-secondary admission rate, many teachers, especially department heads Mr. Kinoshita and Mr. Roche, feel that students will be much less prepared for university exams. Mr. Kinoshita also noted that no matter how small, December exams should be put in place for the sole purpose of preparing students for university exams. By writing more exams, “you will [become] very used to [it]”, he pointed out.

This also means less stress over exams when going into university. Around this time of the year, especially for grade twelves, the pressure to collect good grades is increasing exponentially. It will eventually peak during March and April, when the fate-determining marks are sent to university. As each test is worth a lot more on the report card, Mr. Zohar is worried that students may skip classes to prepare for tests. Once again, his fears came true: during a chemistry class in one of the busiest weeks in December, more than a fifth of the class went missing. In addition, with the removal of the December exams, 30% of the overall mark will be based solely off of a summative evaluation and/or a June exam, both of which happen after the March Break. Mr. Kinoshita explains that “after your marks have gone into university, potentially 50% of your marks could be awarded to you”. He also suspects that, due to the extreme emphasis on marks in such a short period, there will be many more students losing their acceptances to university than ever before, as they will be unable to maintain a particular average.

Another major issue following the removal of the exams lies in the ability to maintain teaching consistency. The December exams traditionally served as a checkpoint for teachers to compare their teaching. Without the exams, we are likely to see larger difficulty gaps between different teachers. As Mr. Zohar noted, “exams are the one chance for everyone to write the same [assessment].” If each class were to write a different test on the same topic, the tests would be guaranteed to vary in difficulty. This also puts more work on teachers, as they need to ensure that the variation in difficulty will be kept to a minimum. Mr. Roche and Ms. Rowland are both going to be extra vigilant this year to make sure that their evaluations are consistent.

December exams are crucial for standardized testing of important knowledge, especially in a course like English, where a crucial skill such as reading needs to be tested.

While the decision to cancel December exams has both positive and negative aspects, it unfortunately does more harm than good. It leaves students unprepared for university with little time to make up for a lot marks, and it gives teachers a difficult time to maintain a teaching standard. The cancellation of the December exams is a poor decision which should be reversed.

Eye See What You Did There

By Leia Kook-Chun

Have you noticed the eyes popping up around the school? Watching you as you move from class to class?

Some may find them creepy, but they certainly have caught some peoples’ attention.

Angela Miljanovic began adding the vibrant eyes to the plane of NT as she is “obsessed [with] graffiti,” and wanted to create some herself. The artist expresses her love for graffiti by explaining how she “liked the whole idea [of] how people appreciate the art… [without knowing] who the artist [is].” Miljanovic adds that her inspiration, and consequently favourite street artist, is Banksy; an unidentified, politically motivated activist who demonstrates key and meaningful issues through his unique artwork. Similar to Banksy, Miljanovic’s graffiti has value. “I believe you can see a lot in people by looking [into] their eyes”.

The artist further explains that the eyes are meant “to keep an ‘eye’ on the school and keep it safe.” Miljanovic expands on her conceptualisations with the explanation that “the eyes [she puts] around school all look the same, but are different in their own ways [whether] it is the colour or the design”. So if you ever have a worry, you’ll know someone’s keeping an eye out for you. As we say in Graffiti - the writing is on the walls.

Keep an eye out for them.

Visuals by Leia Kook-Chun

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Social Media Assembly

by Hana Sharifi & Joshua Chong On November 30, all the grade 9 students were filed into the auditorium to be lectured on something we’re very familiar with: social media. For years, many of us have experienced these assemblies. Ever since grade 6, when social media started to be more widely adapted, our elementary, middle, and now high schools have brought a speaker in to teach us about the rights and wrongs on the internet. When we were younger, it was pretty terrifying. In middle school it was alarming at most. And now, in the social media obsessed world of high school, it’s like, whatever. Ms. Bacchus, the teacher who organized this assembly, advocates for its continued existence. She wants students to understand how to use social media, which is an almost inevitable part of the adolescent life, and how to use it effectively. She wants “students to learn from the...assembly how to use social media effectively, and that they have to be very careful what they post.” She emphasizes that “once you post something on the internet, it’s there forever. Even though you can quickly delete it or edit it, it is still out there and it can be easily recovered. I want students to really think about what they post before posting it on their Twitter page or Facebook profile.”

Promptly after the assembly, there was a debrief held in each class. In one English class,

the PALs first asked, “So now that you know some of the risks of social media, are you going to change anything about the way you act on it?” To that there were a few murmured, “No’s,” accompanied by scattered groans and chuckles.

Was the assembly really that bad? Do we not care about the dangers? Or are we simply too lazy? Reality, like it so often is, is more complex than a definite answer to one of the aforementioned questions. Instead, it’s likely a combination of all three.

The things you post on social media, you can’t ever take back, and that’s what makes it so important to be careful.

Mark Sivolap, a grade 9 student, is an avid user of social media and started when he was 8 years old. Sivolap, who uses social media on his phone, has “Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twenty 20, Snapchat, and others.”

Sivolap adds that “the assembly shocked [him] with some facts but most of the information [he] already knew”. Many students said the assembly was not needed, but when Sivolap

went home, he looked over the apps he had on his phone and disabled several that very night.

He also deleted some unnecessary social media accounts, such as his Tumblr. In addition, he disabled the locations services for apps that he didn’t use.

Social media, without a doubt, is a wonderful thing. But it is also a very powerful thing, and it has a lot more control over us than you’d think. Think of how difficult it is to peel your eyes away from your phone when it blinks with a new Snapchat, or a new text. The things you post on social media, you can’t ever take back, and that’s what makes it so important to be careful.

Ms. De Braux, the head of the North Toronto guidance department, says “social media is a great way to connect with people who are busy or far away from each other. I know that in the old days before social media, it was really hard to get people together…on social media I find it quite useful to accomplish group tasks and things like that.” However, De Braux continues, “I think you guys need a safe space where you can explore different things and where you can correct mistakes. I think the permanence of cyberspace doesn’t always allow us to move beyond our mistakes.”

Do Welcome Initiatives Affect Freshmen’s Lives?

By Leia Kook-Chun

We’ve all been there – the start of high school.

That nervous feeling as you enter the unknown, wishing for it to be less nerve-racking and intimidating. Typically, North Toronto does a fairly good job of easing the transition between elementary school and high school through the use of programs such as PALs and Grade 9 Welcome Night. However, this year a handful of grade nines didn’t receive some of these opportunities, specifically the grade nines who were accepted into the grade ten enriched French home form.

One major impact on these freshmen was that they did not receive the benefit of PAL mentors at the beginning of the school year. Joshua Chong shared how he heard stories about how his friends in other home forms were receiving help and advice from their PALs “along with participating in activities to settle into NT,” such as the icebreakers the PALs lead on the first day of school. Hana Sharifi, a grade nine student who received a PAL, really enjoyed all of the grade nine welcoming opportunities, “especially the PALs.” She felt it was fantastic how a new student could “learn about the high school process

and feel comfortable even before entering high school”. She mentioned how high school can seem complicated and intimidating to freshmen and how NT’s programs are extremely helpful in guiding the transition process. Another grade nine says that the “PALs made grade nines feel like the transition is not [as] hard as it seems.”

Sharifi elaborates that her PAL was “extremely helpful,” as she informed Sharifi by answering her many questions about high school and NT, thus making Sharifi less nervous and more confident about the first day of high school.

She felt it was fantastic how a new student could learn about the high school process...before entering high school From hearing all of this news from his friends, Chong felt as though he was missing out on these opportunities. However, the grade tens in his home form, along with their teacher, guided these newcomers through their start of high school. Chong feels as though they “assumed the

role of the PALs.” After a month into the school year, the freshmen in this home form did get their own official PALs, but by then these grade nines had already grown accustom to their new school environment.

When asked if they felt that the lack of welcoming opportunities continued to affect their lives today, Chong responded with “I don’t think this has affected my life today at all,” even though the first couple of weeks were “quite difficult.”

Similarly, when Sharifi and another student were asked whether the welcoming opportunities continued to affect their lives, they replied with approximately the same answer as Chong. A grade nine student said the opportunities “were helpful in the beginning, but [once] you’re in the swing of things, you can figure out the rest on your own pretty easily,” while Sharifi added that the initiatives “definitely made [her] initial transition easier.”

The welcoming activities set a strong foundation at the beginning of the freshmens’ high school career.

Top 10 #3: MUJI

By Cassidy Bereskin MUJI is an international Japanese retailer that carries a vast array of houseware, clothing, and stationery products. The company is known for its minimalist aesthetic, eco-friendly packaging, and affordable pricing. The first of its kind in Canada, MUJI’s Toronto Dundas West location is a hub for NT’s budget-conscious students and teachers. All too often, fads that weave into our marketplace are short-lived — but not MUJI stationery. I unearthed MUJI’s smooth gel ink pens and phosphorescent highlighters months ago, but still continue to revel in them. Richly netted in detail, MUJI’s products serve to meet the demands of everyday life. With a limited assortment of garments, MUJI’s clothing line fosters simplicity and the idea that life’s essentials hold more value than its luxuries. MUJI is more than just IKEA’s Japanese counterpart; it is a dazzling store that is worth trekking to from cozy Yonge and Eglinton. If you ever find yourself walking on Dundas West while fervently staring into MUJI’s window, prepare to lose at least two hours in the store flirting with its clean-cut, zen, and above all, sensibly priced merchandise.

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External [EXTERNAL]

>> CHILD MARRIAGE IN BANGLADESH >> LIVING ON MARS >> TRUE THOUGH, TRUDEAU >> MORE

Child Marriage in Bangladesh

by Chitta Chowdhury Note: All interviews are translated from Bengali to English Child marriage shouldn’t be a thing. Most people would agree with the idea that a minor should not be legally allowed to marry, and thankfully so would most governments. Despite efforts by both international organizations and governments, child marriage rates haven’t dropped significantly.

Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of child marriage. Although the government has implemented tougher laws and increasingly severe punishments in order to reduce child marriage rates, like 2 years of prison and a fine of 50 000 taka (equivalent to $630, and have promised to end child marriage completely, unlawful marriage rates remain at a high. 65% of Bangladeshi women between the ages 18 to 24 were married before the age of 18, and about 1/3 of girls are married before the age of 15.

Social activist Jisan Iqbal runs a union called Nayantara village, which for the most made up of young men who aim to “mend [their] village by building up a library and starting a cottage industry.” Members of Nayantara are concerned by the occurrence of child marriage in their village.

Iqbal claims that most of the marriages were taking place in secret.

Last month 12 year old Jorah Akhtar was forcibly married off to a man over 30 years of age.

Although multiple attempts had been made by Nayantara to prevent this marriage from taking place, police and local government violently protected this marriage.

Members of Nayantara “tried to stop [the marriage]. [They] tried to go inside, they were protected by police, some of them were beaten by police. The reason i, the Subdivision Chairman, Ali Ashraf Patoary gave Jorah a false birth

certificate to allow her to marry.

The police department listened to him because of the false certificate.” says Iqbal.

the girl to her in laws house till she turns 18 years old. On the other hand her in laws have to bear the expenditure.” says Iqbal.

age. No one else will marry her after this. Her family has no other option but to send her back to her in-laws once she’s 18”

Although marriage below the age of 18 for women is technically illegal in Bangladesh, laws concerning the matter are rarely enforced.

In this case, the marriage was more than just acceptable-it was protected by police and made possible by the head of the village.

Child marriage isn’t simply cultural norm, it’s almost as if it was considered the family’s right to force their daughter into a marriage.

Jorah’s family claims to have agreed to this marriage for financial reasons. “they found a well off family, and a good groom.

Stricken by poverty, they thought they had no other choice.” says Iqbal.

Rubina Chowdhury, a Bangla-

As a result, Jorahs problems were not completely solved. When she is 18, she will be placed in the exact same position she was put it a few months ago: a young girl about to live the rest of her life in a forced marriage with a man much older than her.

deshi woman who comes from an upper-middle class background, claims that “marrying your daughter off as a child was thought of as immoral by my family and community, but was thought of as an inevitability when it came to our servants and their children, or villagers.”

Visuals by Chitta Chowdhury

Prior to the wedding, Iqbal attempted to call Bangladeshi NGOs focused on preventing child marriages.

“None of them picked up, some of them didn’t even have real addresses. We couldn’t call the police because we knew they supported the marriage.” says Iqbal.

Assuming international organizations might have a better response, I called and emailed several relevant organizations informing them of Jorah Akhtar’s situation.

These organizations include Girls Not Brides and CARE. Few of them responded, and those who did said that they could not work on specific cases.

After the marriage, a Naytara was able to contact a female government worker, who was able to handle the situation. “One of our member managed a cell phone number of Subdivision Executive officer, Farzana Islam. I called her, she came with police force, and investigated her marriage ceremony.

She gave the order to arrest the girl’s father, Sultan Khan, and he was in jail for three days. Then, for the reason of socio economic condition she gave order not to send

There is an unacceptability of child marriage reserved to a certain class, but this doesn’t translate to rural areas or slums, which makes up the majority of the country. This cultural separation in relation to marriage results in the passivity of upper-middle class Bangladeshi’s, who disapprove of child marriage, yet don’t do anything about it. Even those with authority, like Farzana Islam, understood that Jorah’s marriage was considered religiously binding, even though it was not legally.

Islam says “People consider the marriage legitimate, despite her

This case reveals the systematic and cultural upholding of an outdated and damaging practice.

Although laws are in place to prevent child marriage and punish those who facilitate child marriages, they are rarely enforced.

Local governments have a greater control over what occurs in villages, and they often succumb to bribery and corruption. Changes in laws will not make a significant difference, as this is not a problem of legality, but of cultural mindset.

A culture where child marriage is unacceptable and considered illegitimate among all classes and areas needs to be developed to truly end child marriage.

Top 10 #6: Looking in Record Shops

By Olivia Willow

There is something highly entertaining about flipping through a bin of old vinyls in a vintage record shop. Even if you don’t have intentions of making a purchase, you can waste hours looking at the full size, 12 inch by 12 inch cover art of your favourite artists and taking artsy pictures to fit your Instagram aesthetic. If you are lucky enough to own a turntable, you can find great deals on records at vintage stores, saving you a ton of money compared to shopping for your vinyl’s at Urban Outfitters or HMV. So, head downtown on a dreary weekend afternoon and spend some time in one of the following well known Toronto record shops: Vortex Records on Yonge (right down the street from NT), Kops Records on Queen West, and Sonic Boom on Spadina.

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The Next Giant Leap for Humankind

by Allison Suba

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on another planet? A planet with different gravity and different stars in a different sky? To many of us, it seems like an unlikely fantasy belonging in science fiction. But thanks to a multinational team of scientists and engineers, this dream will become reality in ten years.

The Mars One program is a nonprofit foundation planning to colonize Mars. Crew selection began two years later, and six teams of four were chosen. New trainees are chosen every year to replenish the training pool. Full-time training begins this year for those chosen and will continue until the

first shuttle launch in 2026. Training includes repair and maintenance of equipment, medical procedures, agriculture, and coping strategies for isolation.

The exciting stuff starts in 2020, when a demonstration mission and communications satellite will be launched. The goal is to prove that the [OP5] technology is viable, as well as to establish [OP6] constant communication between the two planets. Through this link, scientists will eventually exchange pictures, videos, data and more across space.

A robotic rover will be sent to the planet to find a suitable settlement

area in 2022. Once it finds an area that’s flat enough for settlement building with enough water and solar exposure, it will begin preparations for the arrival of cargo missions four years later. The cargo will include another rover, life support systems, and supply and living units. The rovers will then begin to set up the colony, so it will be ready for the arrival of the first human settlers in 2026.

The journey will take almost an entire year. A second crew will leave in 2028.

The program is an international effort. Instead of a race between world powers, like the moon landings in 1969, it will be a co-oper-

ative, global effort to expand our knowledge and push back the final frontier. Mars-One wants this to be “everyone’s mission to Mars.”

You would be alone, in cramped quarters with no fresh air and the same few people for the rest of your life. You also have to be over 18, which poses a problem for most people at North Toronto.

However, if you think you have the resilience, adaptability, creativity, and curiosity to go live on another planet, (four of the five required characteristics of astronauts listed by the Mars-One program), go for it. It will be competitive though; the program is accepting applicants from anywhere in the world.

Toronto at the Paris Climate Conference

by Lucy Wolff

While the media’s spotlight focused on the meetings involving Prime Ministers and Presidents, city leaders were also having important discussions in Paris. Mayor John Tory and Environment and Energy Division Director Jim Baxter were in Paris during the talks to represent Toronto in the C40 group, an association of the world’s largest cities. They attended meetings with 1,000 other international city leaders to discuss the environmental status across the globe. These meetings were basically an international idea swap.

Cities across the planet are having similar problems. Money. There is simply not enough to, as Baxter said, “do everything you want to do”. Many of the discussions centered around how to overcome the monetary limitations. The meetings also shared a lot of climate related information and, as a result, cities don’t have to sponsor repeated data collection.

While the Earth’s bad atmosphere was the topic of discussion, the atmosphere of the conference was forward-looking and constructive. Matthew Hoffman, a U of T professor who attended parts of the conference said, “The meeting had really good energy and was much more positive than climate summits [he had] been to before”.

Baxter said that, at his meetings, there was “huge solidarity...between mayors” due to the recent Paris bombings. He said each speaker closed with a reminder that they were “with Paris”. He claimed there was an unspoken feeling that “we cannot let terrorism get in the way of this [conference]. Baxter even went so far as to say that the terrorism contributed to the conference’s overall success as the “solidarity between the countries around the terrorist

attack expanded into climate” . Baxter also noted an urgent vibe at the talks. He said that everyone agreed about “need[ing] to act now” and believed that “climate change is real”, not “bogus”.

Toronto brought to Paris a goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emission by 30% While comparing cities during the meetings, Toronto seemed to lead the middle of the pack.

Baxter said some cities are certainly ahead of Toronto with their environmental efforts, but he also listed many ways in which Toronto innovatively limits its CO2 emissions. For example, Toronto has the world’s greenest air conditioning system downtown. Air conditioning is usually guilty of consuming massive quantities of electricity. Toronto has a system which pulls cold water from Ontario and pipes it around down to buildings downtown, cooling them with significantly less electricity used.

This arrangement is not unique to Toronto, however Toronto’s system is the largest.

Toronto also left Paris with an award. The Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) was recognized by the C40 group for its success in helping cut the city’s emissions. 25 years ago, the city sold an old jail and used the money to create the fund. Baxter explained the “circular” nature of the fund. Organization take money out of the fund to set up energy efficient and renewable energy systems. With the money the organization then saves on energy, they pay the fund back. The TAF actually sponsored the cooling system mentioned earlier.

Every national government came to the conference with their own carbon emissions goal which contributed the overall success in Paris.

As Hoffman said, it made the final agreement “more realistic” because countries were committing to things “that they had already determined they could achieve”. While these national goals are important, Baxter repeated the fact that “cities are where it has to happen, cities have to deliver the result”. Municipal governments deal directly with home and business owners, with the people who use energy. Basically, as he said, “national governments have money, [but] cities have contact”.

At the national level, Canada brought to Paris a goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emission by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. Part of what will make that happen depends on Toronto achieving their own goal, set before Paris, of reducing emission by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. From 2002-2012, Toronto cut five million tons of carbon out, achieving about 25% of the goal. Going forward, 15 million more tons need to be removed, and each ton gets harder and harder to eliminate. Ontario already removed burning coal as an electricity source, it’s all hydro, nuclear, and renewable energy now, so individual’s behavior will play a big role in further reducing emissions.

The media followed around the national governments, celebrating their big, fancy agreement in Paris. However, climate change is a global problem that needs to be solved on a local scale. The success of countries depends on the efforts of cities, and the success of cities depends on individuals.

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Trudeaumania 2.0

by Charlie Littler

No Prime Minister, in all of Canadian history, had sparked national political engagement at the level Pierre Elliott Trudeau had. Trudeaumania referred to the excitement created during Trudeau’s early years on the political stage, and has seen a rebirth with the election of his son.

Looking back, such excitement generated by a political figure seems unfathomable. Nowadays, celebrity is only awarded to those with british accents and cool haircuts, with some exceptions. Yet, somehow, Pierre Trudeau sparked a frenzy punctuating the early 70s in Canada.

Trudeaumania was contagious, striking even the most unlikely of demographics. Youth. A politically engaged youth population was a thing of dreams. A dream brought to life by Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Trudeau’s campaign saw the rebirth of awareness amongst youth. Albeit, it was in the form of propagandic songs and copious amounts of screaming. Still, engagement none the less.

The energy that Trudeau created was phenomenal and unprecedented. He was able to generate interest that took the form of a mania rivaling that awarded to the Beatles.

Justin Trudeau has been at the forefront of Canadian politics since the 2015 federal election, and, through that, the same spark that ignited the interests of Canadians in 1968 is beginning to do the same in 2015. When examining the causes of Trudeaumania, a recurring theme is the open media coverage provided for both men during and after their campaigns. For Pierre it was his ability to connect with people through

Anonymously Yours

media that interested Canadians. Today, transparency and accessibility have become the face of the Liberal platform. It seems that both politicians have the profound ability to instill hope in the lives of Canadians.

What differs Justin from his father is the exceptional global coverage that this new trudeaumania has received. When the utter devotion of teenage girls is concerned, political leaders typically don’t play a role. The Philippines, however, have been challenging that notion. In a country where political leaders tend to be older, and generally less dreamy, Trudeau has captured the interests of many; particularly young girls.

With newspapers running headlines such as “Girls only have eyes for Trudeau”, Trudeau captivated the country on his recent visit to attend the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit in November. And he did so in a way that has had obvious benefits. Online publication GlobalPost tweeted that “The Internet has found a reason to care about the APEC summit”.

Trudeau has captured the interests of many, particularly young girls While there have been numerous pros to having a charismatic and young leader, there is an ever present issue with objectifying Political Leaders to the degree that Justin Trudeau is subject to. Vogue magazine recently named Trudeau

on their annual sexiest men alive list, bringing him to the level of actors like Benedict Cumberbatch. It is fathomable that the attention payed to Trudeau is in keeping with the, “there’s no such thing as bad publicity “rule; however, in recent weeks that statement has proven untrue.

The problem with sexualizing political leaders is that it can, to a degree, discredit their authority. Essentially, it is the same as the conservative government capitalizing on his youth in attack ads by repeatedly using his first name to delegitimize him. The last thing that Canada needs in the wake of an almost decade long conservative reign is a Prime MInister that can’t be taken seriously.

It has been little over two months since Justin Trudeau’s election and there has been a dramatic increase in Canadians talking about politics.

We see this in the creation of a Trudeau youtube channel and in the amount of attention paid to watching to the acceptance of 25,000 refugees into the country. However, the attention to Pierre Trudeau faded after the first years of his governance, due, of course, to the frank realization that charm does little to actually aid in running a country. The next few months will be a pivotal time for Justin Trudeau. The liberal government must now attempt to take that energy created during his campaign and transform it into trust.

No easy feat for a country acclimated to political scandal and corruption. Trudeau’s success will now rely on his competence rather than charm, but, as always, Canada will be watching.

by Shreya Anand

Visuals by Amy Zhu We are Anonymous. We are legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.

Social media ranges from being a medium for communication with friends to a loudspeaker for radical ideas and calls to action. It’s no surprise terrorists use it to reach out to sympathizers around the world in order to further their causes.

Social media is a universal and easy way of gathering followers and supporters, making it perfect for terrorist groups to attract others with similar ideals.

‘Hacktivist’ group Anonymous believes that if social media is essential for bringing together radicalized individuals and spreading chaos, it can also bring about the opposite effect.

Anonymous is an ‘international hacking collective’ seeking to rectify universal wrongs through cyber hacking. Following the Paris attacks, Anonymous released a video declaring war on ISIS. They warned Isis to expect many cyberattacks as a part of the largest operation Anonymous have initiated thus far. They claim to have exposed thousands of pro-ISIS twitter accounts and revealed personal information of many ISIS members. They called the public to action by asking them to report accounts that are affiliated with the terrorist group so they can shut down this method of communication.

ISIS responded to these threats with public name calling. However, an offshoot (ISIL) did release guidelines to sympathizers on how to protect their social media accounts from being hacked.

On November 26, 2015 another ‘hactivist’ collective called GhostSec (closely affiliated with Anonymous) managed to takeover Isadarat, a website believed to propagate pro-ISIS news. A banner ad for an online Prozac and Viagra pharmacy was displayed. It was accompanied with a mocking message stating, “Too Much ISIS. Enhance your calm. Too many people are into this ISIS-stuff. Please gaze upon this lovely ad so we can upgrade our infrastructure to give you ISIS content you all so desperately crave.”

This was followed by an announcement stating that an international “trolling day” would to take place on December 11, 2015. It is exactly as it sounds, to make fun of ISIS by posting mocking videos or tagging them in photos of goats while

referring to them as “Daeshbags”; anything that shows the world is unafraid.

Anonymous has the means and ability to fight terrorism through nonviolent initiatives. But can they be relied upon to effectively expose corruption and dismantle harmful communication systems without being held accountable? Anonymous is scattered and does not work under one leader, but rather as a series of affiliated social media accounts. They have shown a strong abhorrence towards all kinds of discrimination and take care to say that their members come from all races, religions, sexualities and walks of life.

Also, they do not affiliate with any one government, eliminating bias. Ghost Security Systems is an offshoot of Anonymous that provides information to the US government in exchange for money. The divide between the two was created because of Anonymous’ unwillingness to associate with any government. This keeps them separate from political agendas, however, it also makes them a floating entity who answers to no one.

Social media can be a weapon, and, like all weapons, it can be used to attack or to protect.

Anonymous has the power to wield this weapon in any way they see fit. Though the organization has so far proved itself to do more good than harm, it still holds a frightening position of unchecked authority. As bystanders to the ultimate social media showdown, all we can hope is that Anonymous members use their influence wisely and in a manner that benefits the world’s population as a whole.

Journalism for Human Rights [JHR]

21

>> The Plight of the Teenage Girl >> The Paris Myth >> Reverse Sexism >> MORE

The Plight of the Teenage Girl

by Grace Pawliw-Fry

A little while ago, my sister and I were watching Jimmy Fallon’s late night TV show when his segment “Ew!” came onto screen. Throughout the segment, Fallon dresses up as a teen girl called Sara (Thawt’s S-A-R-A with no ecH because ecHs awr Ewugh).

She (Fallon as Sara) wears a blinding blond wig, a sparkly dress fit for barbie, and a floppy pink bow that would suit a cocker spaniel, all while speaking in a thick fake teenage girl accent. Accompanied by a guest (usually another male dressed like a teenaged girl), he explores topics ranging from One Direction (“Ewugh, I lauve One Direction!”) to Instagram likes (“Ewugh! Thaut’s lauke not a laut of laukes!”) to the new Miley Cyrus video (“We should do some tweurkung!”).

I couldn’t believe my eyes. The humor supposed to stem from a grown man ridiculing a teenage girl. However, instead of laughing, I found myself become offended by the way he embodied her.

What have teen girls ever done to deserve such derision, belittlement, and mockery? According to western media and public opinion, young women are superficial, materialistic, unable to contemplate the wider world, and talk ‘funny’. The only crime of ours I can see is that we are female and young.

So, why are young women treated this way?

Here’s the point: Fallon’s rendition of Sara is a classic example of bullying. Bullies always pick on smaller and less powerful people in a com-

munity. To an adult male, who’s the smallest and therefore easiest target? The teenage girl.

As Caitlin Heffernan, grade 11 NT student said “[young women] have historically been the most vulnerable (...) this is why they’d usually be married off and forced to have children so it was a pretty powerless age in the past.”

At the core of this ill treatment of young women lies an insidious sexism silencing our voices and denying women power. We are seen as weak, irrational and impressionable, and mocked in order to keep us that way.

Covert insidious sexism can do a lot of damage. Young women are still powerless, especially when men like Jimmy Fallon use them casually as cheap jokes.

Have you ever gotten mad only to be told to “calm down” or “chill”? Well, many women in politics are not immune to this condescending response. In 2011, during an exchange in the house of commons, English Prime Minister David Cameron told Labour MP Angela Eagle to “calm down, dear, calm down”. By claiming our anger and power is just us being hysterical or unjustifiably mad is a way of keeping young women powerless.

Our love of popular media is also seen as us

being weak. Young women’s enthusiasms are thought of as impressionable and following the mob instead of their own desires.

Stanford educated, Brigitte Pawliw-Fry thinks that teen girls’ “passions are dismissed as “hysterical” or obsessive. Rarely are they thought of as authentic, rebellious, and earnest, unlike our perception of teenage boys.”

Moreover, young women should not be picked upon for the way they communicate. As a study conducted at the University of Helsinki found, young women are the innovators of language. In 6,000 personal letters, 11 out of 14 linguistic changes were led and picked up more quickly by women than men. Why does Shakespeare get praised for the same thing young women criticized and mocked for? This is because the things we are saying are not considered worth hearing.

Covert insidious sexism can do a lot of damage. Young women are still powerless, especially when prominent people such as Jimmy Fallon use them casually as cheap jokes. Today, sexism and hysteria towards teen girls manifest in the form of humour and ridicule. Next time you make fun of yourself by saying ‘I was screaming like a teen fangirl at a Justin Bieber concert’, realize you are damaging and bullying young women. The derision, patronizing, and mockery of young women is just plain old sexism. And in the 21st century, when we are painfully conscious of other forms of discrimination, it is time we understand the harm of this one.

Top 10 #7: Baking with (Stupid) Friends

by Alyssa Joynt

After you have done all of the other inexpensive things to do highlighted in this issue, you may want to stay in for a day. But what can you do with your friends when you are hanging out at home? Use what you’ve got. Hop online (Pinterest is a great place to look) and find a recipe for some yummy-looking baked good that only requires food items and utensils that you already have. Put on a Disney movie or a favourite TV show and you can sing, laugh, and hopelessly mis-measure the flour to your heart’s content! If you are a slightly more talented baker, then your food will probably turn out well, in which case you can enjoy the finished product. Once you have finished your masterpiece, you can engage in a rambunctious game of Twister, Charades, or Pictionary. Old school fun might not be the first thing that pops into your head, but if you have the ingredients at home and own a couple of board games, you can have a fun and memorable afternoon without spending a penny.

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22

The Paris Myth

by Charlie Littler In the aftermath of the Paris attacks this November, there has been an overwhelming retaliation on social media. With messages of condolence and disbelief crowding media outlets like Twitter and Facebook, a common theme began to emerge. Disbelief that something so terrible could happen in such a beautiful city punctuated the majority of these messages. However, this form of coverage exemplifies North America’s toxic habit of stereotyping the remainder of the world. Namely, Paris. Simply put, we’ve evolved into a culture that treats Paris as a synonym for love, and it’s time we put a stop to it.

The American film industry has, over the course of many years, created a name for Paris as an archetype for romance. Film after film has idealized the city to the point where it can no longer be more than the Eiffel tower, cute cafes and hopeless romantics. These movies range from the well made “How to Steal a Million” to such linguistic atrocities as “Le Divorce” and the not French but no less offensive “French Kiss”. While these movies may seem to be a harmless objectification of Paris, or even an assist in boosting tourism, they have only perpetuated ignorance by neglecting to recognize the problems faced by Parisians.

In the endeavor to see only what is desireable about Paris lies a gap in knowledge about some of the darker aspects to the “City of Lights”. La Courneuve is one of France’s oldest slums. It is home to over 30,000 people, yet it goes unmentioned in North American news. The New York Times featured a total of seven articles about it between 2011 and 2015, while the Toronto Star tallied in with a resounding zero articles. This compared to a quick search of the word “Kardashian” which brought up 1,336 and 810 results respectively. These figures not only present the concerning amount of media attention dedicated to what is insignificant, but it also presents another question: why is it that throughout countless films, songs, and jewelry commercials, we have failed to notice the suffering of these people? The answer is that North America has failed to rise above their predisposed notions of Paris and address the real issues its citizens face. This outright denial has stemmed from a media that does not see the suffering of 30,000 human beings as newsworthy nor beneficial to their parent companies - many of which own the greater part of the film industry. These people are not considered worth the money spent on media coverage.

North American media has amplified the myth

that Paris is a place of dreams. That in Paris love trumps all. There is no photograph that deconstructs this notion faster than the one taken of Wilfred de Bruijn after a homophobic attack.

The photograph reveals the double standard western culture has for Paris. It would seem impossible to people that a city of love would condone such senseless acts of violence against what is a desire to love.

However, in examining the social climate in Paris, it is no surprise. Homophobia is on the rise, as reported by many gay rights groups in France and it has led to a rise in homophobic groups within France and in Paris. It might come as a shock to North America, which has been living in a proverbial bubble for the greater part of the 20th and 21st centuries, but to Parisians it is a reality that they face everyday.

In light of the recent attacks, it is easy to revert to our romantic notions of Paris as a way of coping with the tragedy. It is even easier to write the incident off as a purely external threat. But to do so denies Paris the aid that Canada and America can give in rebuilding a better nation.

If we continue blindly on this path of denial, then we are doing nothing to aid in the issues faced by these people.

Reverse Sexism

by Hodman Abukar

It would be pretty difficult not to write an article about our new (and handsome) prime minister, Justin Trudeau. Women everywhere have been swooning over the father-of-three, and the son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau. The original ‘Trudeaumania’ concept began back in the 60s when a young Pierre Trudeau attracted women with his charm and good looks. There’s nothing wrong with referring to Justin as attractive, right? But groups of modern feminists have been claiming ‘Trudeaumania’ is degrading, sexist and an example of reversesexism.

At this point you are thinking “...what is reverse-sexism?” Many believe that the term ‘sexism’ refers solely to discrimination against women. Hence, the expression ‘reverse-sexism’ refers solely to discrimination against men.

This, being completely wrong, further complicates things. First fallacy: sexism only applies to women. Sexism applies to both men and women, being defined as “prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.” Note the term ‘typically.’

Does the undeniable fact that women are faced with sexism more often than men mean that sexism against men should be disregarded and treated as insignificant? Absolutely not! Second fallacy: Reverse-sexism exists. Sexism exists for both sexes, and that’s it.

Regarding this ‘Trudeaumania’ that dominates the internet - has it gotten to the point where it is degrading to Justin Trudeau as a man, as a father? If so, is the way people have been treating ‘Trudeaumania’ acceptable in a

feminist society? Imagine if Justin Trudeau was actually Justine Trudeau. Would it be the same if men called Justine “sexy” and “fit?” Probably not. There would be an international outcry if Justine was the face of ‘Trudeaumania;’ “why not focus on her policies and her reputation as a professional, as a politician? Why is her appearance so important?” There has merely been a whisper about people freaking out over Justin Trudeau’s face.

Men rarely experience over-sexualization while females in the public eye experience it all the time. Does this mean that men are never oversexualized? No. Men can be sexualized just as much as women. The difference is that when a male is sexualized, he can use it to his advantage. He can use it for power, for status, and for fame. When a female is sexualized, rumours and lies start to spread about the type of woman she really is, doubt starts to linger in the minds of society about whether this woman is qualified to do the job that she happens to be doing.

Terms like ‘slut’ are used to describe the female, but no one has called Justin Trudeau a ‘manslut’ yet. In fact, ‘Trudeaumania’ has only made Trudeau more popular, with the countless “I’m moving to Canada” statements made on Twitter.

Should this ‘Trudeaumania’ craze be treated the same as if Justin Trudeau were a woman? Yes. Sexism and oversexualization is unacceptable when applied to any gender. But, unfortunately, since Mr. Trudeau is a man, he will not feel the same effects from ‘Trudeaumania’ as a woman would. People are still paying attention to him as a politician and as a professional; something

that would not happen if he were a woman.

Women in the public eye are constantly oversexualized no matter what position they hold.

However, it can be said that progress has been made on the issue of sexism.

But there could be a downside to this success - society has become so politically correct that as soon as the country talks about more than a person’s politics, it is seen as sexism. Calling someone attractive is not sexism and it wouldn’t be if Trudeau were a woman either. The situation becomes sexist when one’s appearance is so over-sexualized and so emphasised that it becomes more significant than one’s professional career. The people on Twitter calling Justin Trudeau ‘attractive’ should not be considered sexist. However, those who have failed to educate themselves on Trudeau as a politician and degrade Trudeau by treating him as more of an appealing object rather than a human being should feel ashamed.

Reducing anybody (whether they are male or female or anything in-between) to a mere body or face is not okay. Appreciating one’s beauty is different than disregarding their policies and career completely. To the people who decide to cross the line on social media and use degrading terms towards our prime minister, please stop. It is ignorant to focus more on a person’s appearance rather than the person themself. To the people like my friends’ married mothers, who think that Justin Trudeau is handsome, you have done no wrong. Just make sure you take note of not only what he looks like, but the kind of leader he will become.

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Gender Roles

by Susi Hermanns Challenging violence against women is a fundamental component of feminist activism at North Toronto. From social justice clubs at school, to the white ribbon campaign, and to our upcoming charity week, addressing gender motivated violence within the walls of NT is a growing movement. With Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter being the next organization to represent North Toronto Charity Week, the discussion of sexism in our lives has been put forward.

Gender persistently shapes human behaviour.

It dictates what will be our interests, our opportunities, and the way we interact with each other. People are constantly pressured to mold themselves into their gender appointed to them at birth. They are to take on their presumed parts in the scheme of gender roles.

“It’s unfair that gender roles are a barrier towards our freedom of expression. Men who have interests that are considered feminine are frowned upon. The same goes for women who have typical masculine features or interests,” said Cailey Marshall, grade 12 student at North Toronto.

Gender roles are directed into a variety of social categories in which each gender is expected to perform. In the false dichotomy that is manhood and womanhood, there is little opportunity for exploration beyond what is perceived as socially acceptable. As well as alienating those outside the gender binary, gender roles create inherent power imbalances amongst its contrived parts.

They act as a catalyst towards hierarchical society. Inequalities seen in the world are reproduced within gender roles. Individuals are socialized into accepting their given role in the community. People are taught to ultimately accept that

JHR Dispatch

the role they are given at birth is the only option they have. This socialization helps in justifying the further exploitation and oppression that exists in society.

passes physical, psychological, or sexual harm.

It includes any threats, coercion, or restriction of independence, whether this happens in the public or private life of the victim.

In understanding this notion that gender is a relationship between the male and female identity, women are considered to be subordinate.

This ideology is sustained through a patriarchal system that delivers men privileges in the form of social and economic advantages. While the effect of this privilege fluctuates due to factors such as race, class, and sexuality, socialized male behaviour is often justified in great measures.

Violence against women is not a series of isolated events. Although it is often perceived as a private matter, the issue is linked to the overall crisis of institutionalized sexism. The combination of socialized male aggression and female submissiveness unveils itself in violence. Because this is a matter that extends to everyone, there is so much we can do to combat it.

Feminism exists as a response to gender disparities. It is a movement that exists to dig deeper into the fundamentals of female identity and the role of women in society. It analyzes the relationship between genders, explains gender inequality, and provides solutions to sexism institutionally and on an individual basis.

Institutionalized sexism manifests itself in various different forms. The social and economic obstacles that women face are reflected in issues such as violence against women, wage inequality, and sexual objectification. In the case of violence against women, hypermasculinity presents itself in the extremes.

Violence against women is a major part violation of women’s human rights. Within the feminist movement, violence against women is one of the most urgent concerns. It is estimated that one in three women will be the victims of domestic abuse and every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her partner.

Domestic violence is not just physical. It encom-

By supporting Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter for Charity Week, we are already taking action against sexism in Canada. We are recognizing the pressing issue of violence that is impacting women on a day-to-day basis. It is the start to further action by North Toronto students as a whole to end gender motivated violence.

Perhaps the most crucial preventative measures we can take in ending violence against women is challenging gender roles. This means accepting people’s ability to make decisions not based on their assigned gender but rather based on their own autonomy. There needs to be a critical analysis on how gender inequalities impact our relationships. We must understand how the status quo restricts our opportunities.

Simply questioning gender roles and breaking down our understanding of gender are some of the most pivotal steps we can take towards challenging sexism. Gender is a complex and evergrowing phenomenon and our community must move with it. It is time to give ourselves freedom to our own independence outside of gender roles.

A visual look at the key human rights events happening around the world

24

Microaggressions

by Tara Kidwai

Picture this scenario: two students are sitting in math class, one a Chinese male and the other a black female. A male student walks over to the Chinese male and exclaims, “you’re obviously good at math, can you help me with this problem?”, then glances over to the female student and claims, “you’re a girl, you don’t have to be good at math.” Chances are, you’ve heard comments similar to these hurled around on the street, subway, among your friends, and at school, and can probably think of some other examples. Well, believe it or not, what some perceive as just unexceptional utterances, are, in fact, part of a much bigger social problem.

These “benign” remarks are what today’s social justice activists are calling “microaggressions.” In the most primitive form, microaggressions are everyday verbal and nonverbal slights, snubs, or insults that communicate hateful or derogatory messages to target people based solely upon their identity, whether it be their gender, race, age or sexuality. These comments can range between a naïve “where are you actually from”, implying someone is a perpetual foreigner in a country, to continuing to mispronounce names of students after being corrected time and time again. With this being said, the perpetrators of these comments often do not have any malicious intent behind what they are saying, and often their speech is so subtle that they become virtually impossible to catch. But don’t take the “micro” part too literally, these exchanges can cut deep into a person’s selfesteem and impact him/her in a massive way.

The history behind the concept of microaggressions is rooted in the psychology of social interactions and preconceived notions about people.

The term was hatched after a psychiatrist from Harvard University named Chester M. Pierce wrote about insults and dismissals he had witnessed Caucasian Americans inflict on their African Americans colleagues. The skillfulness of the insults that made them unnoticeable to the general population at Harvard, was due to the harboring of “unconscious biases and prejudices that leak out in many interpersonal situations and decision points”, according to Psychology Today. In other words, all people are simply not aware of their biases. Further popularized by social psychologists who eventually brought

this concept to the frontlines of the intellectual world, this has become an omnipresent feature of the social justice movement on social media and the internet.

However, it’s not all black and white. Despite microaggressions growing popularity on social media platforms, there have been critics.

Robby Soave, a writer for the Daily Beast and critic, remarked, “how are students and faculty supposed to have an intellectual discussion about the merits of affirmative action if anyone making the opposite case is automatically branded a racist?”. Other non-believers such as Bradley Campbell of California State University fears it is “a new species of social control, and creates a culture of victimhood”, further perpetuating the divide between “us” and “them”.

Change is hard. Acceptance is hard.

Diversifying is hard.

But it is also hard to live in a society that refuses to listen...to those who are living with injustice in the 21st Century.

So this raises the question, are we as a society making a mountain out of a molehill? It appears we are not. In an interview of three female grade 12 NT students, they recounted experiences they face on the frontlines of social interaction in their workplaces, and all had extensive stories about daily microaggressions. Samira Levesque told me, “I sometimes feel microaggressions when selling athletic shoes to men, they often need another male co-workers’ opinion because they doubt my ability to understand athletic technology-this is a trend with all of my female co-workers in the department. It just makes you feel like no matter what, you can’t do your job

properly”. Similarly, Tegan H.T commented, “As someone who has to cover a larger portion of the store, we have been asked to follow or “keep an eye” on particular individuals, and they all happen to be minorities”. Melissa Cortez is not excused from microaggressions either. She remarked that her ethnicity has been a popular choice for employers to pick on, with jabs that include “you’re Filipino, you should be good at cleaning” and other similar remarks. Unfortunately, their experiences are not uncommon.

According to Sheknows Media, it is reported that “the average student of color is likely to experience 291 micro aggressions in a period of three months”, meaning more than three times per day.

Each of these students shared a common idea. Microaggressions simply made their work experience sour. The difficulties of constant vigilance drains targets of psychological and emotional energy, contributing to chronic fatigue, and, not to mention, strong feelings of racial frustration and resentment. Those who claim that the concept is nothing but a formula to perpetuate “white guilt”, simply do not realize that rejecting microaggressions as a legitimate form of discrimination, is in itself a microaggression. There is nothing glamorous about being subjected to any type of discrimination, and certainly there are no social rewards from being the victim of oppression, as this quote from Simba Runyowa says, “the only people who benefit from oppression are the ones who are exempt from it—not the ones who suffer through it”.

Change is hard. Acceptance is hard. Diversifying is hard. But it is also hard to live in a society that refuses to listen to the plight of people who are still living with injustice in the 21st century. In the words of Henry Rollins, “weakness is what brings ignorance, cheapness, racism, homophobia, desperation, cruelty, brutality, all these things that will keep a society chained to the ground, one foot nailed to the floor”. These microaggressions not only oppress people, but oppress the sprouting of humankind. As a society, we cannot expect to grow without acknowledging and addressing the needs of the people.

Top 10 #8: Cafes in the NT Area

by Parnian Hossein Pour and Angela Cui

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1 Douce France - 2471 Yonge Aesthetic: 3/5 Price: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Staff: 5/5 Variety: 3/5 Do you want to be French as hell? If your answer was a resounding, “hell oui”, this is the place for you. Their chocolate almond croissant is definitely worth a try.

2 Rachel’s - 2011 Yonge Aesthetic: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Taste: 5/5 Staff: 5/5 Variety: 3/5 Rachel’s is owned by Maria and Jack Chan, who owned a Second Cup in the Eaton’s centre but left because they wanted more creativity. Everything here is ethically sourced, beautiful, and delicious. The coffee is good and the cheesecake will make you want to cry with joy

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Arts & Culture [Arts & Culture]

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>> Fashion Fail? >> Second City >> STAR TREK >> THE NUTCRACKER >> MORE

Fashion Fail

by Tamar KB

Fashion and controversy. Culturally insensitive designs that catapulted some runway shows from provocative to maligned faster than you can tweet #fashionfail.

Controversy, by definition, is not always black and white. Valentino’s spring 2016 show, labeled as ‘primitive’ and ‘tribal’ showcased an almost all white cast of models, carrying cornrows and dreadlocks. Following the show, Valentino was spammed with tweets upon tweets citing cultural appropriation and blatant disregard for the culture the designers were “so obviously ripping off”. Yet many fashion media outlets lauded Valentino designers for their “respectful” showcasing of African culture - suede fringe and beaded patchworks.

And here lies the struggle. How do we know whether we are stomping past the line of appreciation to the point of appropriation?

Valentino designers and many others have faced the wrath the media and public can inflict when missteps and slights occur. But when thousands are publically shaming in 140 characters or less, it’s hard to understand where you went wrong, and how to approach it better next time.

Waneek Horn-Miller tackles the subject in an interview for Flare Magazine. “Culture becomes somewhat fluid over time… groups of people interconnect and borrow symbols from each other… It’s a tricky subject.” Horn-Miller is a proud Mohawk and an ambassador for Manitobah Mukluks Canadian Aboriginal footwear and accessories label; she tells “the questions to ask in fashion design are these: when is a symbol considered sacred, and when does adoption of a

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symbol negate or revive a historical trauma?”

During their last year’s fall ‘15 collection unveiling, the Caten brothers (DSQUARED) suffered serious shaming after revealing seriously questionable looks alongside a blonde, green-eyed model adorned in Inuit bridal wear and a splashing of military regalia. If this was not enough, the show was titled #Dsquaw; an extremely disparaging term for native women used by early colonist.

Again, the following week, Givenchy designers showcased their interpretation of Mexican culture with heavily jewelled models, foreheads plastered with baby curls, describing the theme as “chola Victorian”, a slang term rooted in anti-Mexican tempers.

The crux lies in the significance and history of the symbols used. Consider the difference between casually hanging dreamcatchers over your bed, and wearing feather headdresses to music festivals. While both are symbols of native tribes, dream catchers are largely commodified by native communities and made available to the general public. Headdresses, on the other hand, are sacred. Used in traditional ceremonies, headdresses hold significant meaning and religious power for Aboriginal cultures.

To demote them to fashion accessories or costume pieces shows a great lack of knowledge and sensitivity.

Consider this; for years, it was illegal for First Nation peoples to practice their cultures due to systematic oppression; so “it’s painful when someone plays dress-up with those symbols” says Horn-Miller.

Designers will always borrow images and ideas in order to wow and inspire the crowds, images of the new and the exotic. But this borrowing of cultural markings or religious iconography can have serious negative impacts through imbal-

ances of power and blatant misrepresentation.

Exoticizing cultures is common when a dominant culture appropriates from a marginalised one, like with Valentino’s ‘exotic’ and ‘tribal’ themed show.

So how can fashion do it right?

There are brands out there that have found the safe path through the murky waters of culture. Believe it or not, a few months before the Africa collection, Valentino partnered with Canadian Metis artist Christi Belcourt, commissioning her artwork as inspiration on a line of shorts, tops, and dresses. Other major retailers have been joining the conscious movement. Holt Renfrew run initiative likes Project H, helping consumers buy apparel, accessories, home decor, and beauty products straight from global craftspeople, and all this in-store; brand director and creative strategist Alexandra Weston describes it as “... high-quality items that nurture community… and celebrate culture”. Doing it right.

When designers adopt traditional symbols for their profit, with no regard for the culture or its people, they are essentially plundering the culture of their identity and heritage. When designers hire artisans to craft or consult on the use of an ethnic symbol, with proper accreditation and remuneration - there lies the sweet difference between appreciation and appropriation.

How can you help? Avoid buying products that hijack cultures with these simple tricks, from Winnipeg indigenous educator Tasha Spillett.

Buy directly from the designers and artisans. At all other times, use common sense- “Consider place, power and privilege”. Ask yourself these questions when considering a purchase: “Who made the product? What is the cultural context?

Is it appropriate to wear as fashion?”.

Not sure? then just say no.

3 de Mello Palheta - 2489 Yonge Aesthetic: 5/5 Price: 2/5 Taste: 3/5 Staff: 4/5 Variety: 4/5 You need this cafe if you want to spend an afternoon pretending you’re part of a hipster band who has somehow come into enough money to pay for the drinks. The walls are covered in art, creating a creative atmosphere.

The aesthetic is top-notch.

4 La Bohème Café - 2481 Yonge Aesthetic: 2/5 Price: 4/5 Taste: 3/5 Staff: 4/5 Variety: 4/5 A very popular first date spot if you’re interested. The art on walls might not be your cup of tea, but the staff is really great and friendly.

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Click, Bait & Switch: Second City

by Olivia Willows

The Second City Theatre is so discreetly tucked away in Toronto’s Entertainment District, it would not be surprising if you have not heard of it. You have, however, likely heard of the many stars that have passed through its doors. With roots in Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles, this improv comedy enterprise has been a training ground for the comedy industry since it opened its doors in 1959, and has launched the careers of many comedy legends. Martin Short, Chevy Chase, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler are just a few of its impressive alumni.

The company was founded in Chicago by comedians Bernard Sahlins, Howard Alk, and Paul Sills as a place where aspiring artists could use satire to comment on social norms, political figures, and current events. The acting style was improv – no written dialogue. By the early 1960s, the theatre was so successful in Chicago that a cast was sent to Broadway, and shortly after, the theatre expanded to include three touring companies that performed across the country. In 1973, a second location was opened in Toronto.

Martin Chase, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are just a few of its impressive alumni By the mid seventies, the Second City Theatre became the top source of talent for a new style of sketch comedy television shows – most notably, Second City Television (SCTV) and Saturday Night Live. The Toronto location is now a cultural icon and is highly popular with Torontonians and tourists alike. Many of Saturday Night Live’s first cast members are among theatre’s alumni, including comedic legends Gilda Radner and Dan Aykroyd.

In its current iteration, the Theatre produces a number of scripted and improvisational shows. Click Bait & Switch, the newest installment, takes a humourous look at the “clickbait” tactics (using outrageously titles to lure internet users into clicking on an article or video) used by websites such as Buzzfeed and YouTube.

While highly entertaining, Click Bait & Switch is arguably the most raunchy and contentious show the theatre has produced in recent years.

As with most sketch comedy shows, the writing was hit and miss; some sketches were funnier than others. The more successful sketches, however, were the ones that involved the most improvisation. An audience sex Q&A session, for instance, was particularly hilarious. There to answer the audience’s questions were three highly uninformed characters–a drunken aunt, a misinformed eighth grade boy, and a Christian youth pastor. As the audience members shouted out questions like “how much sex is too much sex?” or “where do babies come from?” each character was able to give witty and smart answers, all without any prior preparation by the actors.

Another improv sketch involved a tall, thin cast member dressed in a muscle suit trash talking well-known macho celebrities, as per the audience’s requests. As audience members called

out suggestions like Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Cena, and Ronda Rousey, the cast member was able to give speeches with ease in which he said he would pumble Arnold Schwarzenegger, destroy John Cena and “take out Ronda Rousey... to a lovely dinner at Milestones.”

There’s something highly exhilarating about watching people do live improv because regardless of how prepared and well trained the actors may be, there is still the slightest possibility that they could break character at any moment.

Another strong point of the show was cast member Kristen Rasmussen. She was clearly the most talented of the bunch, and could easily be a cast member on Saturday Night Live. Whenever Rasmussen was on stage, she stole the audience’s attention with her talent and physical humour. In one sketch, she performed 5-10 second dance routines to a number of songs, transitioning to a new routine as quickly as the song changed. In another, she played an overly excited little boy at a “show and tell” session, having to be told repeatedly to calm down.

Overall, the show was very well done. Although at some points the material wasn’t as good as the actors performing it, the show was very human; it was flawed. There were moments when the actors broke and couldn’t hold back a chuckle, and others where the writing was so awkwardly true that it was painful to watch, but, there were far more funny moments than dry ones, and that is ultimately what matters most.

Star Trek: Beyond

Visuals by Alice Liang

by Charlie Littler In case you’ve been swept up in the Star Wars hype in the last few weeks, or actually paying attention to school work, provided is an in-depth review of the New Star Trek: Beyond trailer.

To the untrained eye, the trailer looks like any other. Action packed, with some cringe worthy one liners, and to the tune of a 90s rock song. However, to the hardcore Trek fans, it’s so much more. The world of Star Trek has suffered over the past few years, at the hands of JJ Abrams. It’s not just that he’s a terrible director (although, that’s part of it); rather it’s the proverbial knife he’s taken to Gene Roddenberry’s fine creation. The past two movies, while brilliantly casted, seemed to actually take a step backwards in the progression of human rights. The original series featured such milestones as the first interracial kiss, women in bigger roles, and characters of different races and species working together for one common goal: peace. The new movies have done little to adhere to the same messages, and have effectively turned Trek on

its head until all that remains are a few action sequences and a sexy alien.

The new movie, written by Star Trek fan Simon Pegg, and directed by Justin Lin of Fast and Furious fame, is a beacon of hope for those wishing for a return to the original series.

To begin, the new uniforms are more reminiscent of the original ones, featuring longer skirts and sewn on ranks for the female staff. Something as small a the uniforms shouldn’t be a huge factor, but it shows that attention to detail typically attributed to Star Trek fans. The trailer also features a practically clothed female alien, and James T Kirk in a room together without anyone taking their pants off. It’s just the trailer, but perhaps a significant improvement from the earlier films.

There has been significant backlash from some fans, saying that the trailer has too much action. To that, Simon Pegg responded, “I didn’t love it, because I know there’s a lot more to the film. There’s a lot more story, and a lot more

character stuff, and a lot more of what I would call ‘Star Trek stuff” But, you know, they’ve got to bring a big audience in, they’ve got to bang the drum.

So to Star Trek fans, I’d say hang in there, be patient”. Pegg was right however, even though the trailer is packed with action, there are aspects of the original series that haven’t been seen in past movies. There is a line from the villain (played by Idris Elba) : “This is where the frontier pushes back”. The line, as Lin pointed out in an interview is “Challenging a way of life, how the federation should act”. The line is meant to question the morals of exploration, and tackle problems related to european colonization of the rest of the world, in a space setting.

Star Trek: Beyond, is shaping up to be more like what Star Trek was originally supposed to be. It was supposed to challenge the way humanity thinks, and bring forth the idea of unity, and peace; something that the new movie is ideally going to boldly emulate.

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The Nutcracker: The N.T. Connection

by Joshua Chong & Hana Sharifi The National Ballet of Canada’s, The Nutcracker is a Toronto holiday tradition. The production, under the direction of world-renowned James Kudelka, has been running strong for 20 years.

Since its premiere, over 1 million people have experienced the magical adventures of Marie, Misha, and the Nutcracker. The two-act ballet was composed by romantic era composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He is also well known for his music in the ballets Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky’s stunning score in The Nutcracker, paired with beautiful ballet has been hailed by critics, including the Toronto Sun as being a “glorious evening of ballet for the whole family”. Over the years, it has even become an annual tradition for the mayor of Toronto to make a small cameo during the run of the show.

The show has also become an annual tradition for the Viva Youth Singers, under the leadership of N.T.’s very own Ms. Ratzlaff. Viva has an established connection with the National Ballet of Canada and their production of The Nutcracker as they have sung in The Nutcracker every winter season since Viva’s founding in the year 2000.

The Viva Youth Singers was founded by Ms. Ratzlaff “in response to the widespread cuts to school arts programs”. After 15 years, it has grown to encompass five choirs, each serving youth across the GTA. Other than performing with The Nutcracker annually, Viva has also been featured alongside the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall and with the Hart House Chorus of the University of Toronto.

Each year, Ms. Ratzlaff offers N.T. soprano and alto singers the opportunity to audition and join Viva for the year’s production of The Nutcracker. If accepted, singers are placed in one of two choruses. There, choristers attend a short but intense rehearsal period, which consists of four one-hour rehearsals, followed by a dress rehearsal prior to the show’s opening at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Each chorus will perform 12 performances between December 12 and January 3, splitting the 24 performances equally.

Other than a small space on The Nutcracker’s programme which reads “performed with the Viva Youth Singers of a Toronto”, many audience members do not acknowledge or even notice the choir, which is tucked away in the orchestra pit. This is not unexpected, since singing is rare in most ballets. The Nutcracker, however, is an exception. The art form of ballet is usually expressed through dance and instrumental music, but in this ballet, Tchaikovsky’s score calls for a choir during The Waltz of the Snowflakes, the final scene before intermission. Even then, the choir’s role is limited, acting only as the background music. There are no lyrics, just simple oohs and ahhs.

Many N.T. singers such as Annie Doane were not turned off by the little credit and the small role in the production. As a grade nine vocal student at North Toronto, she felt very fortunate to be selected to participate in this season’s run.

Doane said she wanted to be part of this journey to “broaden [her] horizons”. Having never been apart of a production of this magnitude, she describes her experience so far by stating,

“I have really learned the process [behind putting] together a big show like The Nutcracker. I have also gained a new sense of appreciation for all the work that goes into every little detail”.

She went on to say that the show has given her “a sense of discipline and commitment”. Doane, along with all the other singers had to build their winter break around their performance schedules. She admitted that “it has affected [her] winter break”, but added didn’t feel as though she was losing out on her holiday at all.

Viva’s strong partnership with The Nutcracker has given many youth the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional environment.

Through Ms. Ratzlaff, many students at N.T. have been able to be apart of this holiday tradition. When the ballet premiered 20 years ago, it was met with critical acclaim. 20 years later, it still does not fail to please a whole new generation of audience members. The Nutcracker continues to bring people together to celebrate the spirit of the holidays. It looks like it will continue to do so for years to come.

Lewd or Approved

by Farah Radwan

Imagine a family walking past the art gallery. They are all enjoying the day until they come across an explicit painting. Suddenly, parents are forced to shield the children’s’ eyes, protecting them from the stark naked, intertwined bodies. Parents do not want their children seeing the grotesque painting in front of them. The parents shake their head in disgust as they hurry the children away wondering why anyone would paint that for the whole world to see.

Well, that is art.

Art is defined by Lise Marquis, an art teacher at North Toronto Collegiate Institute, as an “expression of creativity.”

Art is not only creativity, but it stems from imagination and is colored by the artists’ emotions and world views. One North Toronto student in grade 11 drew an uncensored image for an art project to depict how she viewed injustice in third world countries. Another student used art to help him “face things [that he] didn’t want to talk about in public”. Therefore, censoring art would prevent the artists from freely expressing thoughts and emotions, like caging a bird and preventing it from flying freely in the sky. If we have the right to freely express our thoughts and emotions, then why should we limit the artists from the same rights?

Freedom is extremely important in our society. In Canada, it is a basic human right to express our emotions and views freely.

If we censor the artists’ expressions, then we are creating a double standard. Not only does censoring art limit the freedom of the artists, but the freedom of the public as well–the public should be able to choose what they would like to view. Jon Davies, the assistant curator of contemporary art at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), said “It is still better for debate to happen among the public rather than have decisions about what people should and shouldn’t see”. As in any democracy, debating contentious issues is an essential part of freedom that creates dialogue between people with different viewpoints.

dently, art provokes thinking and analysis among its viewers and censoring art would be removing a part of the overall message.

Furthermore, art is supposed to create discussions that are thought provoking.

Davies says he believes “it is important that art inspire and provoke critical discussion about its meaning and its value in the public sphere”. Censoring arts prevents us from being exposed to different interpretations and new and creative ideas. When asking grade 11 students what uncensored art represented, some believed it was for expression, while others agreed with the sentiments expressed by one that it is “to encapsulate the miracle of existence”. Evi-

Art is a beautiful, thought provoking form of expression. Censoring art will destroy its purpose and we would become characters in our own silent black and white film. We would be living in a deafening silence, unable to express ourselves and confined to a colourless world devoid of feelings. Next time you look at that uncensored piece of art, don’t walk away in disgust. Stare at it for a moment longer and see what it truly means. Besides, as Lailah Akita, author of the book “Think Great” once said, “You have to look closely to see clearly”.

What about uncensored art and exposure to children? According to Davies, “many galleries try to be vigilant and offer signs notifying parents that certain material might not be appropriate for children.”

Therefore, if you prefer your children not be exposed to such material, then you may opt out from viewing this type of art.

However, children are exposed to uncensored images through school courses.

When I was nine, I attended a health class where I was taught about human anatomy and was shown accurate and detailed diagrams.

Sports [ SPORTS ]

>> NT’S HOCKEY TROUBLES >> FORGOTTEN TEAMS >> SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY VS SPORTS >> MORE

Season Highlights Jan 11 2016 Trying to keep their stellar season going, both Senior and Junior girls volleyball teams crush Riverdale in straight sets respectively.

Jan 11 2016 NT’s Senior girls hockey team ties Leaside 1-1 in a crucial game, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

November 27th 2015 NT Junior Boys Basketball Team defeats Parkdale at home to win their first tournament of the season!

January 6th 2015 North Toronto’s curling team sweeps aside rival Northern with a slopsided score of 10-3.

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Two Minutes for Slashing a Reputation

by Matt Scace & Sam Spodek Everybody on the boys hockey team knew that their season was going to have to end at one point or another. Nobody expected it to end the way it did during the first week of January.

Entering one of the highest-profile tournaments of the season, the expectations for the team were relatively unknown. Coming off a season that saw the team reach the holy grail of high school sports - OFSAA - nobody knew what to expect with many key members graduating last year. It’s guaranteed that nobody would’ve expected the season to abruptly end in the fashion it did.

The team was shut down for the entire season.

Done. One of the most highly-regarded teams at North Toronto was disbanded before the season had even had the chance to really start.

For numerous legal reasons, what happened on the trip cannot be disclosed in this article. In short, important rules were broken and consequences followed. To be clear, the situation gave the board good reason to disband the team.

What can be disclosed, however, is a greater lesson that the entire student body needs to understand.

If there is one word that NTCI prides itself on and tries to maintain, it’s reputation. North Toronto sets a high standard around the Toronto District School Board in countless departments, from academics to athletics to the awards the school receives every year. The outside world takes notice.

“I got an email from the coach we played at city championships last year,” explained team coach Mr. Taylor. “The other coach asked, ‘what is going on? What happened?’ and I said that we didn’t have a team this year and he emailed back and just said, ‘it’s shocking, North Toronto had become so much a part of the fabric of high school hockey, and to have your team know that it is just non-existent is weird for everybody.’

The repercussions are being felt now. He’s a coach from another division, a division we don’t even play.”

Something like this brings to light the fact that the short term effects are minimal compared to the implications that follow in the weeks, months and years to come. To the naked eye, one may see a suspension as a wake up call.

But if one looks deeper, the amount sacrificed for the future over some poor decision-making stings and is a tough pill to swallow.

See, what happens when a code of conduct is broken - and we’re not talking about the hockey team, this speaks to all teams - is that a ripple effect follows. Sometimes it creates a tsunami.

“The thing that I guess I marvel at is that consequences can be far reaching,” said Mr. Gorenkoff. “I had the team present me with a jersey that I wear at almost all of our events, and I didn’t wear it for the grade eight visit and I was so torn, it was such a painful thing because I wear it every year when the grade eights come because I’m so proud...this was a tough year.”

During the 2014 Winter Olympics, when Canada played their semi-final game, most of the students ditched class to watch the game and many teachers showed the game to their students. Hockey runs through the veins of the NT student body. Without a hockey team, the school is missing a vital element to what makes the school work. But with this, we can be taught one lesson that Mr. Gorenkoff perfectly encapsulated in two sentences: “Think carefully when you make decisions, because the implications can be big and you’re hurting people, whether it’s your coaches [or] your parents. And it’s not just athletics, it could be anything that we do in this school.”

At North Toronto we work hard and we play hard, but we must remember to think hard. Actions have consequences.

Events such as this one are bound to punish future years of students. It will likely take a fair amount of time before our school is ready to have overnight trips for the hockey team, and according to both Mr. Gorenkoff and Mr. Taylor, they can’t “guarantee there’d be a boys hockey team next year.” Think about the grade nines that come to NT next year and ask if there’s a hockey team. How easy will it be to tell them that no, in fact, we don’t? Think about attending a large Canadian high school without a team for the country’s most popular sport. It isn’t easy.

NT’s Forgotten Team

Visuals by Alice Liang

by Stavros Greer

Everyone at NT has heard of our teams’ major moments. Junior Football making the City Finals last year and Girls Hockey winning them come to mind. However, there seems to be a lot of teams that have success but don’t experience the same recognition as the hockey, football, rugby and soccer teams.

One of the lesser known teams that has high hopes for this season is the curling team.

For those who don’t know, the curling team is composed of three competitive team and six non-competitive teams. The whole competitive team from last year did not return and the stars from last year’s non-competitive teams have joined together are now gearing up to try to get the team to OFSAA. One of this his year’s competitive team consists of Andrew Farley (who led his team to fourth overall in the non-competitive league last season), Ethan Wong, Daniel Silverberg, David Jiang (whose team came second overall in the non-competitive league), and Henry Kelsey (a newcomer to the team).

The hope for this year’s team is OFSAA, as they hope that impressive showings from the noncompetitive teams last year will translate into competitive success.

“We’re feeling pretty good this year. We feel like OFSAA is a big possibility,” said curling veteran Andrew Farley, when asked how the team would perform this season.

With the possibility of OFSAA, the team could have a better performance than any other NT team this year, yet the recognition doesn’t seem to be there. Whenever one of our other teams has gone to OFSAA, the school has taken notice, but it is yet to be seen if people will perk up their ears for the curlers. Curling isn’t much of a spectator sport and with there only being a handful curling rinks in the city, it is hard for people to go out and watch the team in action, so the only reminder that the team exists for those not participating is the players showing up to school holding their brooms.

“People don’t necessarily care about curling” Farley said. “It isn’t as well known compared to something like football or rugby. Personally, I just enjoy the sport.”

Curling is a sport rarely viewed on TV, with it only showing up on major sports channels a few times a year during major tournaments.

With so little publicity, it’s no wonder the sport doesn’t get the same attention as sports such as hockey or soccer. However, despite popular belief, curling is actually an entertaining sport to watch. If there ever is a buyout to one of the curling team’s games, it would be a mistake not to go, and not just for the opportunity to miss school.

Traditionally, the curling team just hasn’t been considered one of NT’s top teams, but with a chance at making OFSAA this year, the curling team may just be one of the teams to watch going into the spring.

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Get Out of Jail Free Jersey

by Cameron Kozinets

Patrick Kane flashes down the ice, catches the beautifully passed puck from Duncan Keith on his stick, and fires it right above the goalie’s shoulder. It hits the inside bar with a ping and Kane drops to one knee for his signature celebration. This goal pushes his point streak to an already American record 25 games, further tightening his grip on the league lead in points. In the stadium fans clap and cheer, chanting his name. Little boys and girls wear jerseys marked with his name and his number; complementary pictures of him are shared all over social media. Have they forgotten about the woman who accused him of rape just months ago, or does it not even matter?

The athletes we cheer on and worship seem inhuman. The feats they accomplish on the field are so awe inspiring that we believe that these people are different species entirely from the rest of us. The fact of the matter is that they are human. They are people like us, who must follow the same rules that the rest of society does, or these laws have no meaning whatsoever. The tragic thing is, if an athlete is successful enough, people do not care about their misdeeds, and often their fame and fortune leads to them going unpunished.

Take the case of Jameis Winston. He came to Florida State University as a Five Star quarterback with plenty of expectations and plenty of hype. His coaches gave him a redshirt season his first year, which is when a coach makes sure a freshman player can’t play at all in a game for an entire year so they maintain a year of college eligibility. Within months, trouble began for Jameis. He was accused of raping a fellow student named Erica Kinsman on December 6th, 2012, with claims that he sexually assaulted and overpowered her despite pleas to stop. The case was eventually

dismissed, and Jameis Winston moved on with his life. He won a National Championship, a Heisman trophy and became the first overall pick in the NFL draft. He is currently enjoying a very successful NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Further investigation by both Fox Sports and Vice reveal gross misconduct by both the Tallahassee police department and Florida State University officials in their handling of the case. They hampered procedures, turned over important evidence late, gave evidence to Winston’s defense attorney before the prosecution, and allowed defense attorneys to talk to key witnesses before proper law enforcement officials could talk to them. Because of this, Winston escaped the incident unscathed, while Kinsman had her life ruined. She dropped out of Florida State University due to constant death threats and harassment, and even had to listen to people like Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith stand up for Winston. Winston is currently enjoying a multi-million dollar contract and countrywide fame and renown, while Kinsman is left just trying to pick up the pieces.

Athletes manage to escape justice often because on-field performance seems more important to the general public than off the field actions. For example, when the Chicago Blackhawks played the Philadelphia Flyers at the beginning of the NHL season in Philadelphia, fans chanted she said no at Chicago’s Patrick Kane, referencing his alleged rape. Yet these fans, who were seemingly indignant on behalf of Kane’s accuser, still cheered on former quarterback of their NFL team (the Eagles), Michael Vick. Philadelphians also cheer on Jahlil Okafor, a 19 year old center on their NBA team, who got into 2 separate bar fights within a month, knocking out two different men. They also cheer on Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper, a white male that was caught on tape using racial

slurs about black people, making vague threats. So how is it that Philadelphians can cheer on a man convicted of murdering multiple dogs and two men caught on tape acting terribly irresponsibly, yet they are all of a sudden so righteous when a rival team’s player is accused of a heinous crime? These fans aren’t concerned with right and wrong, they’re concerned with wins and losses. It is not just Philadelphia fans that are guilty of this, contradictions in fans behaviour towards athletes are frequent throughout sports.

We have the ability to boycott teams; we have the ability to let our voices be heard in a positive way. Instead of caring about the score column, the primary concern of fans should lie within how these athletes’ actions are impacting other people.

So instead of chanting condescendingly at the athlete, don’t go to a game where the player who has done a terrible crime is playing. The owners will take notice if enough fans do not show up to the games where criminals are playing. Athletes are people too, and they deserve to be punished for stepping out of line, just like the rest of us.

Hanging On

by Garrett Thompson Since the injury to Edmonton star Connor McDavid, there have been questions concerning his future performance. With a collarbone injury taking him out through the New Year, hockey enthusiasts have been predicting the role he will play when he gets back. On top of the singular expectations the Oilers and the fans have of McDavid, the Oilers themselves are in rebuild mode, despite pleading that they have been for the past several seasons (cough, Toronto Maple Leafs). McDavid was regarded as a monumental part of the rebuild..

The good news is though he is coming back in mid to late January. McDavid has healed incredibly two months ahead of schedule. His original

date of return was supposed to have been in March.

The last time the Oilers made the playoffs was when they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2006. This brings the thought to the table that he is the only possible reason that they can make the playoffs as well as the sole reason that the Oilers can be a strong team this year. When he went down in his twelfth National Hockey League game against the Philadelphia Flyers, the entire Edmonton fan base seemed to freeze.

A player they had been waiting for, for what seemed like an eternity, broke his Clavicle and looked to be out for most of the season, while recording five goals and seven assists.

The Oilers haven’t won every game, but they have been in them and have gone on some decent winning streaks. Their goaltending has been solid as well. Despite this, his return is still very highly anticipated. Peter Chiarelli, Oilers general manager, said that McDavid’s return will be like “getting a strong trade acquisition”.

You could ramble on and on for pages about McDavid and what he can do for the team and what the team is seriously lacking if he does not play. In the end, when he does play, Edmonton has one of the next Wayne Gretzkys, and when he doesn’t they can play just as strong with the other high quality skill players that they have at their immediate disposal.

Top 10 #9: Bloor-Yorkville Icefest

by Lujayn Mahmoud

Are you as excited as I am about the snowy atmosphere and the chilly weather? Chances are, you’re more like those who don’t particularly appreciate the winter. Well, all that can change with a fun visit to the free Bloor-Yorkville Icefest on February 20th and 21st. Come out from 12 to 5 p.m. to watch ice carving demonstrations and see all the incredible ice sculptures. To celebrate the Icefest’s 10th year, there will be a “Frozen in Time” showcase of ancient-Egyptian inspired carvings, made from 20,000 pounds of ice. And who doesn’t love maple syrup? The donation of a toonie will not only allow you to sample maple syrup taffy, but will also support the Heart and Stroke Foundation. From hot drinks to scrumptious crepes, wide selections will be available at the neighbourhood’s restaurants, anytime you need a break. Dare to capture the wonderful experience, and see if the free event, with amazing sculptures, delicious food, and friendly people doesn’t strengthen your winter spirit!

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All Hail The Mighty Mighty (Male) Norsemen

by Sabby Somji

It’s game day. How do I know? There’s a boy down the hall wearing khakis, a button down shirt, tie, and his jersey right on top. People are asking him when the game is, where it is, wishing him good luck and high-fiving him. Why? Well it’s because he’s a Norsemen.

Oh, but then there’s that girl, pushing through the cluster of people wishing the jersey-wearing boy good luck. She’s holding a pair of cleats and something that looks like a hockey stick. She looks determined, focused, ready for a game, but no one seems to be wishing her any luck.

Why is that? Isn’t she a Norseman too? Sure, she may not play on the football or ice hockey team, but she’s still part of the school’s athletic program. She too represents North Toronto. So why isn’t she being recognized?

Sports used to be male dominated. Whether it was interest or media, we don’t know. It most likely used to be a mix of both, but now it’s more on the media side. This doesn’t just apply to North Toronto either, but to society as a whole.

Take Sports Illustrated for example, one of the most well known, successful sports magazines in the world. How many of the 56 covers per year are female? One, maybe two? And one of them is the swimsuit issue, so does that even count? It takes winning the Women’s World Cup of Soccer to land a spot on the cover. It’s not only in magazines though. Even on TV, you barely see

women’s leagues playing. No one seems to know what’s going on in female athletics unless there is a World Cup or the Olympics, events that occur once every four years.

So what about NT? Do we succumb to the same ways as the media or is it all just systemic?

At NT, it always seems like the male sports get more appreciation and attention than any of the girls’ teams. But as a school, NT is much better now than it ever used to be and it’s better than most other schools in our district.

When speaking to Ms. Rough and Ms. Chamberlain about the topic, they both agreed that the female sports gets just as much attention and appreciation from the staff as the male sports do.

“We see healthy amounts of girls come and try out for spots. Take the volleyball teams for example, all the guys that tried out for junior volleyball made the cut. For girls volleyball, we had 50 girls come out. We had to narrow it down to 14,” explained Ms. Rough.

When asked about the spectators - more particularly the crowds on Red and Grey Day - and how the soccer team and football team got so many spectators whereas field hockey barely got any, the answer was plain and simple.

“It was all about the timing of the schedule. We

can’t get football refs in the morning, so those games were set in the afternoon. And with soccer, it just so happened to be at lunch which is why the crowds were so big. Field hockey was in the morning, while everyone was decorating for Red and Grey Day with their homeforms.

But the girls basketball was at lunch and they got a pretty big turnout, which they definitely appreciated. But it’s all about the timing of the leagues.” Ms. Rough and Ms. Chamberlain both answered.

“At a school I used to work for, all the money for athletics was held for only the guys sports teams,” Ms. Rough commented, “They’d have warm up suits and buses for their male players, where I’d be fighting for money for uniforms for the girls sports. Even at the old NT, our school spirit day would just be a football day rather than a sports day. With the new school, we rebranded Red and Grey Day and now it’s for all sports. Even so, on regular game days we don’t get that many spectators coming out to watch the games.”

The fact of the matter is, there is equal effort that goes into both male and female sports at NT. We have both a male and female NTAA president. Gender equality for NT sports isn’t lacking. But what is really lacking is the support from the school. How are any of our teams supposed to be noticed when we don’t go out there and cheer for them?

Paying to Win

by Jeremy Steen

If you are a sports fan, you know by now that the Boston Red Sox signed David Price to a seven-year, $217 million contract, at the time making the lefty the highest-paid pitcher ever and tying him with Miguel Cabrera as the highest-paid player ever. You may have read and heard and seen that huge free-agent signing rarely work out and that the Boston Red Sox will regret the amount of money and years they invested in just one player. But know this much: David Price is not overpaid.

Back in 2012, the Los Angeles Dodgers made Zack Greinke the highest-paid pitcher in the league in terms of annual value. News reporters, baseball analysts, and fans thought it was absolutely absurd. They didn’t think he was worth close to the $147 million Dodgers were paying him. A New England Sports Network (NESN) report said, “Any team taking him on for such a contract is being fooling to the point of recklessness”. This offseason, Greinke opted out of that contract to sign a new contract worth even more money. Teams have way, way more

money to toss around now than ever before. It seems as though every year we are stunned by the amount of money clubs are willing to deal out to the biggest names in the free agency market. The idea of paying a future 36, 37 and 38 year old David Price $31 million a year sounds absurd now, but that’s only because we haven’t seen the contracts his fellow colleagues will sign between now and then.

MLB player payrolls account for just over 38% of the MLB’s total revenue. Yes, big name free agents have grown in value, but not close to enough to match team’s revenue. Players make more money than they did decades ago, but owners make far more money than they did decades ago. If anything, it’s not that David Price is overpaid, it’s that all other players are underpaid.

David Price is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Since his first full season in 2010, he ranks top five in just about every significant pitching stat. Since then, he has also achieved an aver-

age of 16 wins a season. 16 wins compared to 16 losses is the difference between making and being eliminated from the playoffs for most teams.

An it pays to make the playoffs. It pays well. The average revenue per each Red Sox postseason game is $6 million. That means the $31 million a year that Price will earn amounts to the revenue of playing in approximately 5 postseason games.

The Red Sox have the opportunity to play in 20 postseason games a year (1, 5, 7, 7 game series).

If David Price can keep his numbers up and lead the Red Sox into the postseason, then the Red Sox are making back every penny invested in him.

Like all professional athletes, Price brings the fans entertainment. His value is determined by what we are all willing to pay to watch him perform. The Red Sox and many more baseball teams will pay David Price $31 million a year because they expect he will help them earn much more than that over the course of his contract.

Top 10 #10: Long Winter

by Tamar KB

In a city where the cost of living has increased dramatically over the past decade and nighttime entertainment options for teens are scarce, Long Winter is a proudly all-ages, pay-what-you-can event. Long Winter is an inter-­ arts festival that takes place throughout the winter months of November­-March. Over the course of three winter seasons, the Long Winter series has emerged as a unique event in the city of Toronto. Featuring the works and installations of over 250 artists/collectives in a range of mediums, the events aim to provide a platform for the experimental work of local artists, to challenge the expectations and foster creative interactions between audiences and spaces, including performance art, theatre and dance, large-­scale sculptural installations, projections, visual installations and interactive work such indie video games.

Next show is February 19th. Advanced tickets are $10, or pay what you can at the door.

Opinion & Humour [OPINION & HUMOUR ]

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>> ANALYZING DREAMS >> ARE YOU BASIC? >> HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY >> MORE

What Your Dreams Are Trying to Tell You?

by Caitlin Heffernan

You may think your dreams are just random assortments of loose thoughts and snippets from your day, but really, they are subliminal messages from the innermost depths of your subconscious mind. In an effort to assist you in decoding these often confusing signals, I have compiled a list of some common dreams and their meanings.

Naked in public: You are hiding something and are afraid of being found out. Just as you are afraid of exposing yourself to the world, you are afraid that the world will expose you. You must come to terms with whatever awful secret you are hiding. Whether it’s your secret stash of jellybeans or your secret stash of Jonas Brother merchandise, the only way to calm your inner mind is to unashamedly show your true self.

Dying: It is often said that dying in your dreams is

lucky. This is true, albeit confusing, as it leaves you wondering if you only died in the dream, or if you have in fact reached heaven, which happens to take the form of your bed.

Flying: You are trying to fly away from your responsibilities. Don’t do this. In an effort to discourage you, here are some ways in which flying involves more responsibility than your actual responsibilities: · If you fall on top of someone, you will get sued · If you die during this fall, your family will have to deal with the lawsuits · You might hit a plane In school: Well aren’t you an eager beaver! You just can’t wait to get to school, so why not get a head start?

Having a dream where you are in class just means you are super passionate about learning and education, and definitely does not have anything to do with your preoccupation with

Are Candles Threatening Your Masculinity

by Angela Cui

Why does a large portion of the male community find it necessary to add words like “bro”, “man”, and “dude” at the end of every sentence? Is it the underlying homophobia and sexism that still exists in our 21st century world? Or is it just the slang of the modern day and age where you have to specify the gender of the person you’re talking to? As an uneducated female on “bro-culture”, I am baffled.

However, it is quite entertaining watching these interactions happen. I was sitting in biology class, having a nice conversation with a certain male that will not be named to protect his dignity, when another male approached and asked to borrow a pencil sharpener. I’m not sure what happened afterwards; it’s a bit hazy now, but I swear the word “man” was used at least 5 times during a conversation about borrowing a pencil sharpener.

There’s also the issue of adding “man” and “bro” in front of everyday items to make it perfectly clear that these item are indeed for men. I mean, of course the word “candle” is way too feminine. With scents like “Mr.Moneybags”, “Dirtbag”, and “Dirty Hippie” the MANdle™ is sure to be a hit with the male population. Then there’s the more subtle placement of “FOR MEN” after products like soap, detergent, and sunscreen which also serve as a great tool to remind men that they are in fact male and definitely not absolutely in no way female. There’s no escaping the section of the store that’s filled with dark colours and block letters that try to firmly distinguish themselves from the pink and flowers from the other side.

Don’t you just love capitalism?

Thanks for reading, bro.

your crushing workload or stress over your test tomorrow.

You are a book character: You need to let go of such childish fantasies and start reading REAL books. Like the dictionary.

You can’t hold on to your youth forever. Wake up and smell the reality.

Throwing a badger at your friend: I’m not sure if this is a particularly common dream but it’s happened to me so it shall be addressed here. This dream means that you fear you are becoming distant with abovementioned friend, and are willing to do anything in order to reconnect. Be sure to interpret this dream figuratively; while throwing large members of the weasel family is a good metaphorical representation of the lengths you would go to to salvage a friendship, it is ill-advised to actually attempt this. Instead, try handing (not throwing) them some baked goods (no one wants to eat cookies off the floor).

Basic Bitch

by Tamar KB

In the past decade, we have seen the rising popularity of non-misogynistic usages of the term “Bitch”. “Boss (ass) bitch”, for example, is quickly becoming the ultimate expression of feminism, and even on its own, the word “bitch” itself, now can refer to someone who is “being in total control of herself” (thank you RuPaul).

But “Basic Bitch”- this is something entirely its own. Neither a concrete insult like the angry punch of “bitch”, nor a spurring compliment like “boss-ass bitch”. No, basic bitch is just subtle enough for a kick in the ovaries. The term started to gain popularity in the early 2010s, prominently featured in Lil Duval’s comedy act and Lohanthony’s YouTube video. It swiftly grew thanks to the influx of savage branding of girls in Uggs and Pink sweatpants carrying pumpkin spice lattes. Ask Urban Dictionary, and the definition for “basic bitch” is utterly ruthless: ”they all share the same common thread of being expendable and non-noteworthy and, in some cases, having no redeeming qualities.” Related searches? “whore”, “lame”, “slut”, “Starbucks”, “fake”. All this for pumpkin spice lattes?

Even still, the term has splintered. “Basic bitch” can mean your style is simplistic, your musical taste, lame; your attention spent on a man, pitiful.

Add this to the already robust list of things women have to worry about, and the fact that you like Taylor Swift and infinity scarves are now just another reason to be judged. The meaning of basic bitch may have evolved, but its roots are clear: that you, as a woman, are just not enough. You like bedhead and wearing layers? Ew. Are you basic? Possibly. But getting excited about seasonal lattes is OK, Infinity scarves keep you warm, Stan Smiths really do go with everything.

And anyways, when you call someone basic, using the term to demean that person, you are judging a book by its cover, defining someone’s character by the material items they possess. That superficial, judgemental behaviour is so basic.

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Too Busy Doing Nothing

by Lakes Liang

Procrastination. There hasn’t been a single thing discovered that is more important to humans in the entire history of mankind than that word. I mean the Babylonians came close by introducing mathematics, so did Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, and Newton’s and Einstein’s laws of gravity and relativity gave it a good run for its money. But, truly everything else pales in comparison to the impact and the results procrastination has, and continues, to produce. Who doesn’t like to use the time you’re given on an assignment as efficiently as possible by learning about stuff other than the assignment? Procrastination helps us get more done, just not the things that are expected to be done. And what’s the big deal? It’s just a bit of poor time management. No need to listen to the countless complaints of parents, teachers, and fellow students. Procrastination is absolutely justifiable.

For some strange reason, unlike other great breakthroughs, procrastination is feared by parents and educators because of its powers to limit the productivity of students. But it’s not

like procrastination is a problem. Why would you do your job when you can stop, which will make you feel better? I mean, it’s not like, when we play instead of work, we feel the dark, anxiety-stricken guilt creeping up our own consciousness as we waste our life away forsaking preparation for the gloomy abyss that’s becoming our future or anything. We can always justify our actions, because we teenagers are known for our logical rational. We always have good reason to watch Buzzfeed videos at 1 am when we have an essay due the next day.

In a sense, we procrastinate for a better future.

How else are we supposed to educate ourselves on dining standards of hamsters or how to overcome the fear of peanut butter sticking to the top of your palate, or all the other innumerable delicacies of life? We’re basically gambling that, someday, knowledge of how to survive a zombie apocalypse will be more important than of the indictments of Edgar Allan Poe. With regards to the actual work we were assigned, we have to pile it up until the last minute because otherwise we can’t get it done. Disregarding

facts about how delaying tasks builds up stress or how that’s not the way the brain works, cramming for a test at the last minute just makes sense.

Procrastination is just a state of being for humans. It’s inevitable that we have more to do than time allows, so it’s only natural we impose a kind of unwarranted delay one way or another. In 20 years, nobody will look back and frown upon how little time they actually used to complete their tasks. Now that procrastination has become more prominent, it has engulfed most of the population in its practice. But there’s really no reason to worry.

It’s not like an empowered ideal soon thought to be ridiculous and wrong has ever became widespread enough to cause global conflict and religious assimilation. In fact, if it had not been for its persuasive nature, I would be writing this article in a very different tone, and the last few sentences would be connected in some intelligible way. And I would actually have thought about a better way to end this. Oops.

How to Write an Essay

by Genevieve Crispin-Frei It’s 11:45pm. You have 15 minutes to write an essay. You begin to despair. How can I possibly turn this in tonight? You start to cry, cursing all of those hours you spent on Netflix. You try to write down coherent thoughts, but all you end up with is gobbledegook. After 10 excruciating minutes of frantic typing and hyperventilating, you give up. It’s just one 0%, you comfort yourself. Or, you try to, as you know, deep down, that this 0% could ruin your life.

If you have never experienced this, then you have never experienced true pain, guilt, or trauma.

However, if you can identify with this situation, then, honey, you have got to do something about your essay-writing. Those subtopics with that thesis? Guuurl. But don’t worry, for you, my friend, have come to the right article. Although your current essay is beyond salvation, follow these simple steps and your next essay could be so great that it could pass as literary genius.

Now some teachers may tell you that a good essay-writer will start with an outline. But what truly separates the good from the great? The great essay-writers will not only organize their thoughts but will also prepare their bodies and

their souls. To do so, you have three possible courses of action: 1) assume the fetal position and remain there for two hours as silent sobs rack your trembling body; 2) feast on the carcasses of wildebeests that have been thrice slain; 3) sacrifice your soul to Lucifer and your ten toes to Bullshitticus, the God of Essays.

ally requested one to be handed in with the final copy, then just format your page to look like an outline and type utter nonsense. If your teacher actually looks at it and questions you, say that it makes perfect sense to you and that you organize your thoughts that way. They can’t argue with that. Situation avoided.

The outline is only the skeleton of the essay; now you must add the flesh. To do so, you must write strong, persuasive, and stylistic sentences in concise and coherent paragraphs (the initial preparation should help you at this stage). Or you could slather regurgitated wildebeest bits on the paper.

That counts as flesh, right?

Visuals by Hana Abdelmeguid Once you have chosen and completed your ideal ritual of preparation, now you may move on to the outline. If you don’t have enough time to write a proper outline, yet the teacher specific-

Dining in the Dark: O’Noir

Finally, submit your masterpiece to Turnitin. On the following day, casually remind your teacher about that glorious 100% you deserve (c’mon, wildebeest carrion is expensive and hard to come by. A lot of time and money went into that essay).

Professionals suggest persuasive methods such as bawling, bullying, and/or blackmailing to ensure that perfect grade outcome. Follow this formula for fame, fortune, and fantastic feedback. Good luck, my friend, and may Bullshitticus guide you on your educational endeavors.

by Lujayn Mahmoud

Walking into the pitch black room, with one eye closed, it felt as if a wall constantly stood right before me, and although I knew the barricade was only a figment of my imagination, I kept dodging, unwilling to take chances. Step by step, Sitting on a chair seems simple enough, but imagine being unable to see anything at all, not knowing the exact location of the chair, nor its size. It took a few tries, but eventually, I was able to place myself atop the sturdy chair. Thinking my eyes were closed, I tried opening them, only to find that they were already widened, but to no avail. I was immediately surrounded by the loud voices of my peers, excitedly chattering away.

Normally, I would have looked around, in search

of a familiar face, but in the completely dark room, I could not do so.

Our group was able to get a sense of the size and shape of the tables, by reaching across them. And to differentiate between my utensils, I felt around the edges. We awaited the arrival of our meal, its aroma being the only suggestion that food was even there. Finally, one by one, we were served by blind and visually impaired waiters and waitresses. I found their ability to move around without sight remarkable. There I was, barely able to seat myself in a chair, let alone maneuver my way around tables occupied by chattering and hungry SAP students, all while making sure everyone was given their selected food.

As soon as I opened my eyes to the light, I felt dizzy and unstable. You know that sensation when your teacher suddenly opens the classroom lights after you’ve been copying notes from a power point in the dark? Well walking out of the room into the hallway was that times ten. It took a few minutes, but finally our eyes adjusted, and as we made our way out of the building, we reflected on the interesting experience.

The purpose of the O’Noir restaurant is to teach the sighted about the sightless, as well as provide jobs for the blind and visually impaired. Dining at one of Toronto’s most unique restaurants was gratifying, as it not only heightened my other senses, but also taught me to appreciate my sight, without permanently losing it.

Adam and Beans? Or Adam and Beef?

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by Tegan Huising-Torrese I have absolutely no problem with the concept of veganism. Growing up with a mother who is an animal advocate, I was educated from an early age on the topic of animal rights. My mom has surrounded me with ideals on the ethical morals and promotion of animal welfare since birth; however, many are still shocked when I tell them that, despite this, she herself is not a vegan. When I asked her why, she simply said, “The idea of veganism and the understanding of animal rights is great, but when you handle it in the ways many vegans in our culture have, you set back the animal rights movement two more steps”.

The idea of veganism can seem like an inviting proposition. Health benefits which include longer lasting immunity, overall improvement in life quality, and the protection and welfare of animals are just a few of the reasons behind the growing trend in the conversion to veganism.

Animal products have been de-

themselves at any risk of an early grave, so why are we not all vegan?

The scientific studies which back up this lifestyle can be alarming. However, it is important to remember that these studies are not the only studies of food out there.

Animal based products can be both harmful and helpful, it is important to remember in excess, anything can cause health risks. While initially a necessity, drinking water, if done to excess, can kill you. Does this mean then that every individual on earth who consumes water will absolutely, for sure, eventually become ill because of it? No, it does not. To say people who eat meat will succumb to certain statistics and die before those who stick to a plant based diet is another level of ridiculousness. You could be a vegan for years, and die tomorrow or you could be a meat eater and live for another fifty years; the prevention of risks does not necessarily guarantee a longer life expectancy.

Many vegans consider their lifestyle

price, which do you think he would go for? The more filling option, obviously.” says Tara Kidwai, a grade 12 student. Not every person can afford to stick to a plant-based diet, and to actually shame someone for not being able to sustain this lifestyle is wrong.

trend, subliminally causing harm to non-vegans by making them feel lesser than veganists or whatever the f**k they are called.” Samira Levesque, a grade 12 meat eater adds. “ Veganism in itself is pretty much stupid”.

There have been multiple occasions where I have eaten meat in front of a vegan. Without any invitation for comment, many times I have be greeted with a slew of remarks about my diet. “Hope you like your slaughtered cow”, “How’s the taste of that tortured animal?”, “I hope you like that product of cow rape as much as the cow did.” I can acknowledge, again, that the animal based industry has many many faults, but providing commentary while I am trying to eat my meal is uncalled for and plain rude. I appreciate the attempt to protect both my health and the health of animals, but attempting to shame me for what sandwich I made in the morning doesn’t make me want to become a vegan.

“I think it has to do with better understanding, as vegans, when we see a burger, we see a cow that has been murdered and processed, we don’t just see it as another slab of food to shovel in our mouths” states a newly converted grade 12 vegan. In contrast, Jasmine Hercules, a non-vegan grade 12 student says, “I think that many people do have a fairly clear understanding of what they’re eating whether it’s a burger or some chicken dumplings. The reality is, though, that not everyone cares or is bothered enough to make a radical dietary change.

To say that those who eat meat don’t understand the industry is just ignorant.”

Levesque’s opinion on veganism to some may seem ignorant however, it is important to remember why this opposing view is so strong. It is a direct result from the methods radicalised vegans use when trying to promote their views. This increasing tide of anti-veganism supporters are not all saying what they are saying out of ignorance. They are saying this because their experiences with veganism and vegans in general have been far from satisfactory. You can’t expect anyone to take anything you say seriously, no matter how sincere it may be, when you choose to express yourself in extreme ways.

No one would ever want to put themselves at any risk of an early grave. So why are we not all vegan? fended for many years as an essential part of a balanced diet. Proteins, vitamins, and minerals are all found in these products and are the main reason many people across the globe find it important to continue consuming said products. If we get so much nutritional value from animal-based items, why would anyone consider no longer consuming them? “Non-vegans judge vegans and stick with consuming animal products because they are not fully educated,” says Cailey Marshall, a grade 12 who has been a vegan for nearly a year. “They don’t know how unhealthy it is, not only for ourselves, but for the earth and for the animals, unhealthy on all aspects. They just really don’t know how bad animal products are.”

What Cailey says is can be backed up by scientific studies. According to a 2005 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, among 29,000 participants, those who ate the most meat were at the greatest risk of heart disease in comparison to those who stuck to a more plant based diet. Animal products are high in cholesterol and saturated fat (no plant in the world contains any form of cholesterol). Such a build up of these fatty substances can restrict blood flow throughout the body, and in turn, impair normal bodily functions. This leads to a higher risk in health problems such as heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.

No one would ever want to put

to be in the name of animal rights; however, just because one consumes animal-based products does not mean they are always adding to the animal abuse committed in slaughterhouses. Yes, it is true that in this day and age a vast majority of industrialised meat factories perform their duties as efficiently as possible with little regard for the animal itself, but there are some places that commit to creating products while also maintaining a level of animal welfare. When shopping for groceries, you can buy these options and while it’s unfortunate there are not more of them, they do exist.

The biggest con in the meat industry is that animal friendly options may cost more to purchase on a regular basis. This high price tag also applies to veganism. To shame an individual because they choose a cheaper option is disgusting. We live in a day and age where the typical middle class family can likely afford to live vegan, but the middle classes are not the only people who roam the earth. “If there’s a young boy who’s not very well off and can choose between a couple of small vegetables at the grocery store, or a full blown meal at McDonald’s, all for the same

Lots of people don’t care.

It’s a fact that many vegans would consider to be part of the problem they are seemingly trying to solve.

However, while it’s perfectly fine to express your opinion, there’s a good way and a bad way to do so. Trying to change someone’s mind by stating facts that you believe to be true is not initially wrong, but when you continue to push your beliefs, you’re not effectively going to be helping the situation. People will be less inclined to listen to you when you continue to shove your views down their throat, especially after they have expressed that they don’t care.

“Veganism is a western societal

I’ve tried to educate myself as much as possible, I have tried being vegetarian, pesscatarian (abstaining from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish), and even the ultimate title of royalty that is veganism. I care about animals, I actively promote animal rights, but despite all of this, my conversion in diet has in the past lasted a total of three weeks. While I eat a relatively low amount of animal based products, I still in general consume these items. When I eat bacon and steak, I DO see a pig and a cow. When I drink milk, I recognize where it came from, and what the animal behind the carton may have been put through.

I know all of this, but at the end of the day, I know that just because I do all of this, does not mean I am a horrible person. I am informed, I do recognize the horrible trends in the meat industry, but I also recognize the benefits animal products have, and the fact that not every factory is based around animal cruelty. At lunch, you can sit back and munch away at your chia waffles and kale salad, but don’t think that gives you the right to be a pretentious jerk who gets to comment on my BLT. I get your opinion. Good for you going against the tide of society.

Just please stop with the conviction that your lifestyle choice makes you better and in turn, gives you reason to shove things, or prevent animal products from going, down my throat. Honestly, watch me live to a hundred, and you die next week from choking on your burnt asparagus. Just watch.

horoscope Writing and Visuals Amy Zhu Aries: March 21 – April 20 What’s that, do you smell it in the air?

Is it money? Love? Fame? 100% on a recent test? No, sadly not. A fair warning to you, following your nose may lead somewhere… unpleasant. You may find that you wish to pursue a what looks to be a very hopeful endeavour, but keep in find that what waits for you at the end may not be what you were expecting, or wanted.

Taurus: April 21 – May 21 You’ve gone and done it now, haven’t you? You knew you shouldn’t, that it was reckless, thoughtless, and just plain dumb. But here you are, surrounded by the mess you’ve made. All you can do now is damage control, apologize, backtrack and just pray that it can be fixed. Good luck and glue, hopefully that’s enough to hold the pieces together.

Gemini: May 22– June 21 Doubt, it weakens us all. Lately something has planted that most sinister seed in your mind. You may have become uncertain about your beliefs, your relationship with someone or even about yourself. Though it is easy to fall prey to this uncertainty, do not let it cloud your judgement and make you behave irrationally. Resolution and absolution will come, make sure you have your best interests in mind when it does.

Cancer: June 22 – July 22 You may find that certain differences may divide you and those around you.

However it is always harder to learn the way of others than it is to question it. Try and see things from another perspective, the insights you discover will prove invaluable.

Virgo: August 23 – September 23 Things don’t seem to be going your way recently. Were you left high and dry, Leo: July 23 – August 22 dressed up and stood up, or just left out Forgiveness is a virtue of the mind and on the curb? Whatever has happened, a balm for the soul. Though anger may it’s been a hard slog. Though I can’t say cloud your judgment right now, in the whether all your worries can be forgotfuture you will be grateful for your ten, I can say the worst is passed. There amnesty; or perhaps regretful of your is a light at the end of the tunnel and, wrath. Don’t let the emotions your today, though it may not be the answer to all as strong as they may currently feel, ruin your problems, there will at least be things to come. hugs and all the cookies you can eat.

Libra: September 24 – October 23 Have you recently bet on the underdog, make a risky venture, or just went into that test unprepared? Well, congratulations, it seems that the gamble has paid off. Whatever little birdie you’ve been listening to seems to have been right, or maybe your instincts are just that good. You can now cash all that good karma you seemed to have stored up, either in the form of achievement, social elevation, or maybe some actual cold hard cash. Just remember to save some in the bank in case you are not so fortunate in the future.

Sagittarius: November 23 – December 21 You have been investing hard work and effort for a considerably long time, and whatever project or endeavour you have been pursuing is going to bear fruit soon. You’ve made it this far, don’t let a mistake or oversight hinder you in the eleventh hour.

Aquarius: January 21 – February 18 You know what they say about Karma? You’ve had it good, really good, for a long time, and you know who’s gonna come a rain on your parade? That witch. A fair heads up, because a storm’s coming and you better buckle up. Stuff’s gonna be hitting the fan so bring your umbrella.

Scorpio: October 24 – November 22 You may have felt burned out lately.

Tired, sleepy and seemingly unable to summon up a single fudge to give.

Well, first of all, you are NOT alone, and, secondly, there seems to be hope.

Albeit a small, distant hope, but, nonetheless, it’s something in a world filled what seems like an endless stream of work. Maybe it’s a free weekend, a cancelled test, or postponed assignment. Whatever it is, run with it and don’t look back. Even if there isn’t something forthcoming, make your own time. You know you’ve earned it.

Capricorn: December 22 – January 20 You are passing a time of great uncertainty and though you may fear you have lost your way, worry not, the clear path will soon present itself.

Things may seem confusing and chaotic, but that’s just because you are viewing the situation from too close.

Step back and wait, the right choice will present itself to you.

Pisces: February 19 – March 20 Seems that things have been going fine for you so far. Not bad, but not anything exceptional to write home about.

You seem to be in a sort of existential limbo, one that is shared by lost souls and those taking a gap year. It will be what you make of it. However, change will come, and, when it does, it’s going to stir up the sand in your fish bowl.

Get ready, the tide is coming.

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THE CROSSWORD

By Christina Wen

Change.Hope.Growth.NewBeginnings.

NT CHARITY WEEK