the carillon the staff
editor-in-chief editor@carillonregina.com
holly funk
business manager business@carillonregina.com
jacob nelson
production manager production@carillonregina.com
morgan ortman
advertising manager advertising@carillonregina.com
ty cote
technical editor tech@carillonregina.com
shae sackman
multimedia/graphics editors multimedia@carillonregina.com graphics@carillonregina.com copy editor copyeditor@carillonregina.com
safal gangwani rooky jedege aurel dumont
news editor news@carillonregina.com
sara birrell
arts & cutlure editor aandc@carillonregina.com
hannah eiserman
sports & health editor sports@carillonregina.com
katherine mutschler
op-ed editor op-ed@carillonregina.com
sarah nakonechny
distribution manager distribution@carillonregina.com
chandra wassill
staff writer
hammad ali
staff writer
gillian massie
staff writer
anima salah
news writer
syd mcwilliams
a&c writer
jorah bright
sports writer
victoria baht
contributors rayanne gwilliam, amir said and vineet sharma board of directors holly funk, lindsay holitzki, joseph holoein,, dustin smith, jacob nelson and honourary members hammad ali, cassandra byblow, morgan ortman
vol. 64
the paper
227 Riddell Center University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2 www.carillonregina.com Ph: (306) 586 8867 Printed by Star Press Inc, Wainwright, AB The Carillon welcomes contributions. Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are expressly those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff. The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization. land acknowledgement The Carillon is written on treaty four territory. As such, the staff recognize that we are living, working, and telling stories on and of Indigenous lands. We recognize that we are on the traditional homelands of the Nakota, Lakota, and Dakota peoples, along with the homeland of the Métis nation. The carillon understands that it is pointless to acknowledge the land on which we work without speaking to our commitment to telling stories and prioritizing voices that further the return of the land to its place sacred place in the cultures of those that live here. the manifesto In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over sixty years. In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a beltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower. The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.
the people’s friend; the tyrant’s foe
The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 March 17 - March 23, 2022 | Volume 64, Issue 22 | carillonregina.com As what appears to be certain continues to flood into more and more complex unknowns, we’re happy to continue being the people’s friend, the tyrant’s foe.
news
news
arts
Holly Funk Editor-in-Chief
Climate
p.3
Are we past the point of no return on climate change? University of Saskatchewan professor Krys Chutko weighs in on what we can do here in our own province.
arts
photos
cover.............sara farshchi/safal gangwani news..........................................thijs stoop news..............................ursu/jeremy davis a&c.....................................craig silliphant a&c...........................................nic et nunc sports...................................alexa williams op-ed...............................................bruno
The Batman
URSU elections
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Campaigning for the URSU elections has officially begun, and Gillian Massie’s here to cover some current candidates, past progress, and reasons to get involved.
In contributor Amir Said’s eyes, Gotham has never looked this good. Matt Reeve’s gritty neo-noir takes Batman back to his detective roots.
Health > School
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Renounced prairie journalist talks about his stab at short fiction, writing process, and inspirations.
op-ed
sports
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Silliphant
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Students feel increasingly pressured to put their grades above all else. But what happens when they come at the expense of one’s mental health?
Double standards
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Staff Writer Hammad Ali brings to focus not only the aid being given to the Ukraine, but which factors make that aid more likely in the first place.
news
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editor: sara birrell news@carillonregina.com the carillon | mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
New climate report paints grim picture of future Past point of no return
syd mcwilliams news writer The United Nations released a new climate report last week, and it’s another dire reminder that we have passed a point of no return. The report lays out many instances where we will not be able to come back from, and that we have already lost valuable time. The report also says that unless drastic action is taken immediately, we might not be able to stop climate change. But there is a glimmer of hope, as the report says all is not lost and that if that dramatic action is taken, we will be able to reverse some of the ill effects. The report clarifies that countries need to reduce their carbon footprints dramatically and that they need to begin developing ways to adapt to new conditions. For example, massive heatwaves, flooding, fires, and other climate events are going to become commonplace, and cities need to adapt. This includes cre-
rowing window of opportunity, and that we don’t have much time to reduce the impacts to humans, the impacts to ecosystems and to the oceans,” continued Chutko. In terms of Canada, the country is not well known for environmental policy. There is the carbon tax which is intended to deter the use of fossil fuels and bring down the overall reliance on them. Saskatchewan has put in places programs like carbon capture, but is notorious for advocating for the use of fossil fuels due to its economic dependence on resources. When asked about Canada’s efforts to combat climate change, Chutko said “Saskatchewan uses bandaids for the problem. If we’re going to tackle the problem of climate change then the coal, the oil, the gas has to stay below ground. It can’t be pulled up. It doesn’t matter if you pull it up and then clean it, it’s still going to be used and it’s still gonna maintain a reliance on this stuff. We need to pull
ple as they contemplate their futures. When asked if he noticed a lot of anxiety around the issue of climate change throughout his career as a researcher and professor, Chutko said “I teach a course in climate change, it’s a global climate change course, and one of the activities I have my students do is write a journal, and keep the journal over the course of the term about their thoughts about climate change, their observations of climate change and all that kind of stuff. And, you know, this is the first year I’ve done this and I thought it would be interesting, you know, students go into the grocery store and looking at two products and trying to figure out, you know, which one traveled the furthest right. But actually the thing that I found is that basically [something] every student brought up was some sense of anxiety that they are worried that not just their actions, but the actions that they’re seeing their family do, their friends, other people
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If we’re going to tackle the problem of climate change then the coal, the oil, the gas has to stay below ground. It can’t be pulled up. It doesn’t matter if you pull it up and then clean it, it’s still going to be used and it’s still gonna maintain a reliance on this stuff. – Krys Chutko
ating infrastructure to deal with heat waves or relocating coastal cities altogether. “When the first report came out, which was in the mid-nineties, it was assigned to me as a textbook for a course, and it was the, the worst textbook I ever had. It is a terrible document to read. It is a dense document. The main reason they do these things right and release these things every five, six, seven years is to continuously remind us about what we know about climate change and the impacts it’s having. And so every time this document comes out, it just adds more and more and more layers to the observations, to the challenges that we face,” said Krys Chutko, an environmental scientist at the University of Saskatchewan. “The main thing that came out of it [is] the idea we have missed many opportunities to take meaningful action over the years, right? The first one came out in the mid-nineties, right? We’re pushing 30 years now of these kinds of warnings and [have] done very little. Europe is doing some good things with renewable energy, but globally we haven’t done a whole lot, and that’s the message that this is trying to show and they use talk about the nar-
those bandaids off really quick, and transition into a different type of economy and energy system. And those decisions are very difficult to make. As we see with the Saskatchewan government, it comes down to jobs. There are a lot of jobs in that industry and, you know, there’s, those people feel threatened. I think as Canadians we’ve always thought of ourselves as being somewhat environmentally aware, but in the big scheme of things, we are not doing a whole lot. You know, the federal government’s still buying oil pipelines, and if you want to make meaningful change, then you don’t do that. And you force a transition to a cleaner environment or a cleaner industry. So, you know we talk a big talk, but it doesn’t seem to be translating into meaningful action.” Climate change’s effect on the planet has created an immense amount of anxiety around the fate of our world. In a study done last year by Bath University in collaboration with several others, over half of the young people questioned were worried about climate change. Three quarters of them believe humanity is doomed. It’s a lingering thought in the background for many peo-
that they interact with, that it’s not going in the right direction with respect to climate change. I was surprised by that. I was surprised by how anxious the students were coming across. I didn’t expect that,” Chutko added. “Part of that surprise would be a lot of the students are from Saskatchewan, right. So I thought a lot of students would act more like the Saskatchewan government is acting. Where jobs are more important than the environment – but that didn’t translate, and I think that’s great, right? I think there’s a growing awareness with younger people that is absolutely critically needed in this province [...] and the country, and certainly the world. So that’s the cool thing about climate change. If you watch climate change conferences and stuff like that, like the COP, that happen every year, the youth movement is huge in this, and you know, I think that there’s a growing sense of power amongst young people, which is a really, really cool thing to see.” The time is now to change the future and, unfortunately, it’s been left up to ordinary people to demand that change.
Thijs Stoop via Unsplash
Hothouse Earth.
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon | 4
news
Saskatchewan legislature starts spring session Budget comes March 23
syd mcwilliams news writer On Monday, March 26, Saskatchewan’s government returned to the legislature to resume session, and there are countless stories to watch over the next couple of months as the Saskatchewan Party and the NDP battle it out in the chamber. Of course, the biggest thing on the spring agenda is the budget, set to be released on March 23. “I think a lot of what they’re going to have to grapple with in
of the major issues they’ll have to deal with,” said Daniel Westlake, a political scientist at the University of Saskatchewan. The pandemic has been a significant issue across the globe and within Canada. Scott Moe has faced a massive amount of criticism for how he has chosen to deal with the crisis. Despite the prevalence of Omicron and the advice of public health officials, all of the public health measures in the province were dropped at the end of February, and it’s expected the Opposition will
ship race and that can sometimes make it a little bit more difficult for the Opposition to focus. It’ll depend on how much that’s a competitive leadership race. Right now, there’s just one candidate, and if it’s just one candidate, they might have a little more freedom to attack the government. If not, then, I mean it might be a challenge for the NDP to [...] have a debate going on within the party between potential leadership candidates or potential leaders.” Another issue to watch as the
have already pledged $100,000 in humanitarian aid. Another high-profile issue is Bill 70. This bill would completely restructure the security system at the Legislative Building. The bill would remove a large portion of the Sergeant at Arms’ duties and place the building’s security under the control of the government and not the speaker. When asked if he thought the government would have issues throughout the session, Westlake said “I think they’re very electorally secure. They’re a majority govern-
constrained by world events, but beyond that they’re not worried; they’ve got leeway in terms of doing things that might put them in difficult situations with respect to public popular, they’ve got more leeway than most governments.” The final thing to watch for will be the budget. The economy has been heavily influenced by world events such as the war in the Ukraine and the pandemic, and the government will have a lot to work out as they propose a budget for a landscape that is changing rapidly every day. The
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This is one of the better positions the government can be in, in terms of having broad freedom to do what they want, and pursue whatever issues they see as important. Now, again, they’re constrained by world events, but beyond that they’re not worried. – Daniel Westlake
terms of legislation is going to be shaped by global events. I think they’re still dealing with a lot of pandemic-related issues. I noticed there’s a bill that they’re looking at about protests and hospitals and keeping protests away from hospitals. I suspect you’ll see other things around pandemic recovery and economic issues. I think that’s probably going to be one
continue to use hospitalization numbers and general pandemic mismanagement as firing power against the government. Those numbers aren’t easy to come by since the province also decided to stop reporting COVID numbers, the only province in Canada to do so. Westlake also noted that “the NDP is in the middle of a leader-
session continues is to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Saskatchewan has a large Ukrainian population, and the Saskatchewan immigration minister has said that Saskatchewan is willing to take as many Ukrainian refugees as Ottawa needs. Other issues that might surface are the kind of support the government sends directly to Ukraine, as they
ment so they don’t have to worry about losing votes on legislation. They’re doing reasonably well in the polls as well, and I mean, they’ve got time until the next election. This is one of the better positions the government can be in, in terms of having broad freedom to do what they want, and pursue whatever issues they see as important. Now, again, they’re
budget will be in a deficit as the province does not expect to be able to balance until 2025. In summary, as the session moves forward, global events will impact how everything plays out from the budget to legislation, and the government will have an interesting time trying to navigate that landscape as the weeks go on.
Rooky Jegede
Spoiler alert: it’s not going to get better
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon | 5
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URSU elections to take place March 29-30 Tait not running for reelection gillian massie staff writer The University of Regina Student Union general elections are right around the corner, with campaigning starting on Tuesday, March 15. Lists of candidates are currently up on the URSU Elections website. Incumbent URSU President Hannah Tait will not be campaigning for the presidential
and Subhan Syed. Nominations began February 23 and concluded on March 7. The students’ union will be holding a town hall about Islamophobia on March 21, followed by an all-candidates forum on March 22 at 5 p.m. The all-candidates forum is open to all students and faculty, and students who are concerned with the direction the students’ union takes should attend, ask ques-
of March, there is much to look forward to, including the return to on-campus learning in the spring/summer and fall semesters. While restrictions remain in place at the University of Regina, many will be lifted for the spring/ summer semester. The Lazy Owl has officially opened to students for dine-in options, providing a better opportunity for on-campus food. Students who are concerned
that improve the lives of students on and off campus. The community fridge got its official start-up in the fall semester, and it provides free food for anyone who wants or needs it. URSU Pantry also provides groceries for students, an important initiative given the high cost of tuition and the rising cost of food and other necessities. Hopefully there will be an expansion on the program to reach
was also brought up for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. The ‘Freeze the Fees’ tuition rally took place February 2, when students marched from the Riddell Centre to the Administration and Humanities Building. Typically, every URSU election, only ten per cent of the student population votes. There are many possible reasons for
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URSU is what students make of it, and the more students are engaged with their union, and the more they push the union to engage with issues that matter, the stronger the union can be. – Gillian Massie
position again this year. Tait was elected in March 2021. Here’s hoping that, unlike March 2021, no candidates will be disqualified and the Carillon won’t find itself called out in the CRO’s report (but no promises). The three candidates for the presidential position are Navjot Kaur, Oghenerukevwe Erifeta,
tions, and press candidates on the issues that matter to them. Voting will take place March 29-30 online, through URSU Elections links delivered through students’ University of Regina webmail accounts. Election results will be posted March 31. With the end to online learning occurring at the beginning
about COVID safety should bring those concerns to candidates, whose role is to advocate for students’ collective welfare. Over the past year, URSU has undertaken several new initiatives that have been valuable contributions to the campus, and it’s hoped that the union will continue to implement new initiatives
more communities. URSU also started an advocacy program this year, providing a better opportunity for students to bring forward issues and concerns. Meetings occur through URSU Advocacy to continue to listen to concerns of international students. Advocacy to lower tuition
this, including disengagement, a lack of awareness about URSU or the election itself, and a sense that URSU doesn’t matter. But URSU is what students make of it, and the more students are engaged with their union, and the more they push the union to engage with issues that matter, the stronger the union can be.
URSU/Jeremy Davis manipulated by Kate Thiessen
Will this be the year the trash fire goes out?
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editor: hannah eiserman aandc@carillonregina.com the carillon | mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
We still need to talk about Dance Moms One article is just not enough to dissect all the problems with the Lifetime classic
jorah bright a&c writer Despite ending in 2019, Dance Moms is remembered for the talented dancers it produced who are still working in the industry today (like JoJo Siwa), but it’s also remembered for its problems. Dance Moms was rampant with racism throughout all eight seasons of the show, whether the inappropriate comments or decisions were coming from Abby Lee Miller herself or other mothers and dance teachers. Here’s a run down of all the show’s problematic moments. In season three of Dance Moms, the team performed a routine entitled “Rosa Parks” about civil rights activist Rosa Parks. At the time, the team had only one dancer who was Black, Nia Sioux. When Miller announced the dance to the team, she said “don’t assume anything. I have no idea who will play Rosa Parks.” She then went on to say she wants Nia to work hard before she gives her the role in a confessional, but it will go to Nia. Nia was eventually given the role, but not without another mom, Jill Vertes, campaigning for her White daughter to get the role of Rosa Parks. She is shown telling the other moms that “it would be a good part for Kendall because she needs to work on her acting.” When Vertes faced backlash from the other moms, she said in a confessional that “I don’t understand why these moms are so upset over this. Their kids get lead roles all the time; Kendall does not. Kendall gets overlooked. Here’s an opportunity for my child to have a lead role, and it’s driving them crazy.” Despite the dance winning first place at the competition, Nia was put on the bottom of the pyr-
Mingle Media TV via Wikimedia Commons
A group of Karens… I mean Dance Moms...
amid the following week. In season four, the team competed a dance entitled “Tribal Council,” which depicted Indigenous people. Nia was the lead of this dance as well. The young girls wore face paint and Nia wore a large headdress. The dance was incredibly inappropriate. In season six, Nia and another dancer, Kalani Hilliker, performed a duet called “Isolations” in an African dance style. The following week at the pyramid Kalani was placed above Nia. Miller stated, when revealing the pyramid, that Kalani was “a little more African than Nia.” Nia’s mom, Holly Frazier, told Miller not to say things like that, to which Miller responded, “I think
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er confirmed in a confessional that she gave Nia this dance because she’s Black. For the dance, Nia wore an afro wig. For several other solos Nia performed, she was typecast in by Miller. She did routines called “The Color Purple ,” “House of Voodoo,” and “Cookie,” the last one being inspired by the TV show Empire. Miller rarely choreographed anything for Nia that didn’t have to do with her race. When speaking about another dancer who was featured on the show, Nicaya Wiley and her mother Kaya Wiley, Miller stated that Kaya was “evil and ghetto.” Everyone on the show called Kaya “Black Patsy,” which was an old nickname that she said
that day, saying [she] was dressed like a slave.” In season seven, the team performed a routine called “Good Help Is Hard to Find” inspired by the book and movie the Help, which has since been criticized as a White savior story. When Miller announced the dance, Holly Frazier, Nia Sioux’s mom, questioned Miller’s ability to tell the complex story without “making a mockery of it.” When Frazier further pressed Miller, asking about the roles, Miller responded saying “Holly, you know I typecast.” The dance featured Nia, Camryn Bridges, and Davianna Fletcher as “the help” and the other dancers on the team as “socialites.” The “Good Help is Hard
Miller rarely choreographed anything for Nia that didn’t have to do with her race. – Jorah Bright
it makes more sense for [Nia] to do this.” Miller believed that because of Nia’s race it made more sense for her to perform well in an African dance. Frazier was outraged by these comments. Throughout the eight seasons of the show, Nia had many solos that were given to her because she’s Black. One of the dance styles of her season one solos, according to the Wiki page , was “ethnic.” One of the most notable dances Nia did was called “They Call Me Laquifa,” inspired by the drag queen Shangela. Mill-
later on she hated. Nicaya said that Abby had also “[made] comments about [her] hair and body.” Most of Nicaya’s solos on the show were performed with Cathy Nesbitt Stein, who ran Candy Apples Dance Center and was one of Miller’s greatest rivals. Stein choreographed Nicaya a solo inspired by Harriet Tubman, but Nicaya’s mom later revealed that Nicaya “choreographed most of it herself and freestyled the rest” on Instagram and that “Cathy had a ball making comments about the headwrap [Kaya] wore
to Find” dance sparked conversation amongst the moms. Jill Vertes, who was previously mentioned as wanting her daughter to play Rosa Parks, stated that “they’re playing characters.” Ashlee Allen, whose daughter Brynn Rumfallo was playing a socialite, asked the other mothers “I wonder after doing this dance, who would get the most backlash? Cause in my mind, I feel like the kids playing the snobby socialites are the ones at risk for getting, maybe, true hate.” Allen later stated confidently that she be-
lieved segregation was outdated, to which Camille Bridges, a Black woman who joined the team with her daughter Camryn in season seven, responded that it was not. Frazier and Bridges had to educate the other mothers, some of whom responded with ignorant statements. In 2020, Miller released an apology for her racist remarks. A mother from season eight, Adriana Smith, reposted Miller’s post for Blackout Tuesday, writing comments over Miller’s post which was a black square with the Abby Lee Dance Company logo in the bottom corner. Smith said that Miller told her daughter Kamryn that she was only on Dance Moms because “they needed a sprinkle of color!” Miller posted her statement apologizing only to Adriana and Kamryn, and not to Nia and Holly or Camryn and Camille. Smith did not accept Miller’s apology. After this apology, Camille and Camryn Bridges began speaking out about Abby’s racism. Camille Bridges stated that Abby “tried to spin Camryn as being the poor one and there on scholarship” and that “she loves appropriating our culture and never appreciating it. She did not give Black choreographers on the show acknowledgment of their work. She continuously put Camryn in afros.” After Miller’s apology, Lifetime, who had produced Dance Moms, cut ties with her. Miller now teaches online classes and makes YouTube videos – and she still owns her own dance company in LA. So unfortunately, the world won’t be getting rid of her that easily.
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
arts & culture
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Book release: Nothing You Do Matters
Prairie journalist, documentary filmmaker, and business owner releases short story collection
hannah eiserman a&c writer Craig Silliphant holds firmly that “prairie writing doesn’t have to be stuffy stories about grain elevators” – and his debut collection of stories featuring movie stars, an ambivalent God, and a ghost roommate you just can’t get rid of delivers! Silliphant describes himself as “a lot of things, but mainly those things all fall under the category of writer.” He recently “spent about 10 years writing for Planet S and Prairie Dog, mostly writing music and film criticism.” Currently, his day job is creative director at Rawlco Radio in Saskatoon. He also has a freelance career in business on top of that – his company Thoughtlab Media actually published Nothing You Do Matters, amongst their other forms of media production. Before Nothing You Do Matters, the company also published Exile Off Main St.: Random Dispatches from the Saskatoon Music Scene, an anthology of essays, memoirs, and other randomness by Silliphant and other musicians in Saskatoon. Choosing to self-publish his works gave him more control over the finished project: “I know what I want it to be,” he says. “I don’t want a bunch of people getting their hands in there and changing it.” Silliphant’s love for books started early, growing up in a reading household. “I was always sur-
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rounded by books as a child,” he says. “I started reading Stephen King when I was eight or nine years old – probably just because my dad had it laying around.” He has been writing for as long as he can remember – he even wrote and exchanged stories with his friends during high school and into university. “I always loved writing fiction,” Silliphant says. “And I thought to myself… when I was young, wouldn’t it be amazing if one day I could get paid to write? Like that could be an actual job? And of course, like, to me, that meant you’re Stephen King with an audience of millions and making millions [from] writing novels. What didn’t really occur to me is a few years later I kind of realized one day I always wanted to get paid to be a writer and… I am now? Of course, that wasn’t writing novels and stuff. It was writing everything from advertising to journalism to magazine articles… But you know, it was a full-time job; it paid for my existence, and eventually it would go towards supporting my family.” Reaching this level of stability enabled Silliphant to go back into writing fiction. Now that he’s “not chasing freelance gigs around anymore to make rent,” he says, he’s able to “step back” and return to his “first love.” He wasn’t sure that what he was writing would be any good, despite the years he had packed into learning the art
of storytelling. After deciding to just commit, he started working on a novel in his free time. From there, he had to ask himself some questions, like: “Can I sit down and write fiction that would be any good? Do I even like these stories? Do other people like them?” So, he sent his work to some trusted friends who “wouldn’t just blow smoke up [his] ass” and the results were “largely positive.” His fiction writing endeavour wasn’t a pandemic-specific project, but Silliphant does say that the pandemic helped give him focus. He says he was “very fortunate” in that he and his wife both had good jobs to support them through it, but mostly, he credits his stamina to his children. “When I was probably in my twenties or thirties,” he says, “even when I was married like, my wife was taking her PhD and we didn’t have kids, so we could go to a show on a Tuesday night and watch a friend’s band and roll in [at] two in the morning and it wasn’t really a big deal. But once you start having kids, it gets harder to do that stuff.” But this is a good thing! He says that one “start[s] to think ‘oh, they’re going to suck up all my time’ but what it really means is that you’re home more. I’m not going out to do a bunch of things; I have more time to write.” Moreover, demystifying the process and the romantic notion that “they only work when the
Craig Silliphant
A far-out book cover, bro.
I’ve learned that if you want to get a creative project done, whether that’s a book, a film, a piece of art, whatever you’re working on, it can’t be this ‘airy fairy’ sort of thing, where you’re just waiting to catch ideas and sit at Starbucks tweeting while looking [out] the window… No, it’s like, you have to sit down and write. – Craig Silliphant
Craig Silliphant
A funky photo of a funky dude.
muse strikes them” is crucial to actually getting things done. Silliphant says: “I’ve learned that if you want to get a creative project done, whether that’s a book, a film, a piece of art, whatever you’re working on, it can’t be this ‘airy fairy’ sort of thing, where you’re just waiting to catch ideas and sit at Starbucks tweeting while looking out the window… No, its like, you have to sit down and write.” The story collection evolved out of two years of commitment. The title story of the collection is told from the perspective of God. I thought this was quite a bold choice, so I asked Silliphant what the process of developing the story was like. “I read a lot of sci-fi and genre fiction and stuff like that,” he says. “And I like the idea of a more realistic piece of science fiction – I don’t know if you’d really call that story science fiction or not – and I just had this idea that’s probably been bouncing around my head since I was young. The premise of the story is why does God not interfere in the world events, you know, what’s happening in the Ukraine right now or a child that has cancer… why doesn’t God intervene in that?” “I’m not a religious person in any way, you know,” he continues. “I have certain spiritual beliefs and a lot of them revolve around that idea of optimistic nihilism
where the title of the book comes from, ‘Nothing You Do Matters.’” In Silliphant’s story, God’s view of the earth is something akin to “ants in your backyard or a school project you did when you’re a kid. You’re not going to carry around that papier-mâché volcano you made around your whole life, and put it on your mantle and like, be an adult with kids and wife, or a husband or whatever, and still be carrying this thing around.” The story represents that idea of relinquishing control over a primary creation. Silliphant really likes the idea of taking an overdone or cliched story and turning it at a slightly different angle to make it fun again. He tells me that “one of the stories is about a group of twenty-somethings that live together, and they have a ghost that haunts their house. It’s not a normal ghost story in the sense that you know, you have the scene where everybody sees the ghost… They’ve had this ghost before; they got rid of him once, and now you’re picking up the story when the ghost comes back.” Humorous irony is deeply embedded in his collection. Nothing You Do Matters is available for purchase at Saskatoon retailers like Turning the Tide and McNally Robinson, or on Sillipant’s website: craigsilliphant. com.
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
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Restaurant review: Pink Cadillacs Diner A classic ‘50s feel and boozy milkshakes… what more could you want? jorah bright a&c writer
Content Pixie via Unsplash
This is definitely a stock photo, but that classic milkshake vibe is universal.
I’m not the biggest fan of restaurants. There’s something about eating in front of other people that makes me nervous. So, when I find a place that I like, with good food, I tend to add it to my regular rotation of restaurants. My first trip to Pink Cadillacs Malt Shop & Diner in Saskatoon was no exception – but I ended up pleasantly surprised! Pink Cadillacs truly felt like a trip back to the ‘50s. From the floor to the seating, the atmosphere was fantastic. The walls were covered in pictures of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. The most important thing in a restaurant for me, other than the food, is the noise. Some restaurants have too much noise and it gives me sensory overload. If the music is too loud or there are too many different TV’s playing aloud, it can ruin the experience. The volume level at Pink Cadillacs was fantastic. There was music playing, but it wasn’t so loud that it took away from the conversations I was having with
my friends and the music wasn’t abrasive. There were TV’s as well, but they were placed so that if you were more engaged with the conversations held with those at your table, you wouldn’t be distracted by them. My friends and I went on a Tuesday, when the special was 1/2lb of dry ribs with a caesar salad for $10, which two of us got. The caddy sauce, which is just buffalo sauce, was the best buffalo sauce I’ve ever had. Since moving from my hometown, I have been searching for a similar buffalo sauce to the restaurant there that I loved, and I finally found it at Pink Cadillacs. The menu is large, but not so large that it becomes difficult to pick what you want to order. The prices have a good range. A grilled ham and cheese with a side is only $12 while a AAA New York Strip steak with a side is $18. Burgers range from $13-$19 depending on the number of toppings and what the toppings are (and yes, there is a fried peanut butter and banana burger)! Hotdogs range from $10-$14 and you can get a hotdog loaded with different toppings, with a side. Sand-
wiches range from $13-$16. One of the best things on the menu are the milkshakes. There are regular milkshakes for $5.00 or malt shakes for $5.50. The milkshake sizes are big – and they are fantastic. In addition, they give you the excess milkshake that didn’t fit into the glass in a cold cup with a spoon for you to eat. For a little bit more money, you can get a combo of different ice cream and toppings, like the “Monster Mash” with chocolate, Oreo, Smarties, and Reese’s Pieces. And for those of legal drinking age, they have ‘big kid shakes’ – alcoholic milkshakes – for $9. They mix the milkshake with things like coconut rum, bourbon, vodka, whiskey, and more. Though I don’t drink, the ‘big kid shakes’ were a hit at the table with those of my friends who do drink. I highly recommend Pink Cadillacs for those looking for a chill place to sit down and eat that has great atmosphere and great food. Pink Cadillacs Malt Shop & Diner is located in Saskatoon at Hampton Village and 8th Street. You can check out their menu at pinkcadillacsdiner.com.
Movie review: the Batman A spoiler-free review of the sensational remake
amir said contributor
The Batman, the first solo live-action Batman movie since 2012’s the Dark Knight Rises, was released just last week – and it certainly lives up to expectations. The film is directed by Matt Reeves and stars Robert Pattinson as the titular character, taking up the torch after past portrayals by Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, and Michael Keaton, among numerous others over the past several decades of Batman’s cinematic history. He is joined by Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle (better known as Catwoman), Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon, and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth. These heroes face off against iconic Batman villains Carmine Falcone, the Penguin, and the Riddler, portrayed by John Turturro, Colin Farrell, and Paul Dano, respectively. As is Batman tradition, the story is set in modern-day Gotham City and depicts Batman’s career as a crime-fighting vigilante operating against the city’s festering criminal epidemic with his signature bat-themed armory consisting of high-tech weaponized utilities such as the Batsuit, Batmobile, and Batcycle. The Batman stays true to its roots by following these iconic characters, settings, and devices; where it distinguishes itself, however, is its tone, themes, and social commentary. Unlike other iterations, the three-hour film places more of a focus on Batman’s detective escapades. Other films have looked over Wayne’s moniker of “world’s greatest detective” in favor of flashy fight scenes that focus more on his physical attri-
butes than his mental ones as seen in the comics. The Batman instead puts his sleuthing skills front and center as he works with Jim Gordon to solve a dangerous case involving Gotham’s elite and the nefarious Riddler. Pattinson’s portrayal of the character as a tormented soul who flips from being soft-spoken to screaming as he pulverizes his enemies also shows a more realistic version of Wayne’s traditional backstory of an isolated orphan raised unconventionally after the death of his parents. He is clearly troubled by his past, and Pattinson plays this side of the character brilliantly. The film’s social commentary, ranging from topics such as the objectification of women to White supremacy, is incredibly impactful, especially when compared to real-life issues found in Western society. Without getting into spoiler-level detail, the social commentary present in the film tackles these issues both subtly and blatantly, yet does so tastefully and in a manner that radiates a certain degree of genuineness and resonates with audiences. The Batman franchise has always highlighted organized crime and corruption, and the newest live-action foray does this while expertly bouncing other pressing issues relating to equity and equality against it. The level of immersion felt in Gotham City is astounding, as the audience is taken through a variety of settings ranging from high-class mansions to the slums; the audience is introduced to characters of every social standing. Throughout its three-hour runtime, the audience is made to fully appreciate how fleshed-out
Gotham City is, thanks to Matt Reeve’s brilliant direction and Greig Fraser’s expert cinematography. The thrills and tension are felt throughout the film, as the plot moves fast enough to keep it exciting while taking its time to thoughtfully explore its characters, make it well deserving of its lengthy runtime. Exciting action sequences and suspenseful moments keep the audience on edge on numerous occasions throughout this neonoir masterpiece. The Riddler in particular is depicted as a parallel to real-life serial killers and terrorists, which causes the audience to feel more of a sense of dread whenever he or his “riddles” are on screen. He keeps the audience on their toes when it comes to his mind-games and puzzles, creating an enemy formidable enough to face off against the caped crusader. The Batman is a film that stays true to its comic book and cinematic roots while breathing fresh air into the franchise through its suspenseful and thrilling nature, biting social commentary, and unique iterations of classic characters and settings. The film’s detective noir elements are reminiscent of DC’s comics, while the well-choreographed action sequences and graphic violence are up to par with those of past films. I strongly recommend the Batman for any and all audiences, ranging from casual moviegoers to diehard Batman fans, as it is a consistently high-quality, relevant, and entertaining film that does justice to the eighty-year-old franchise and talented cast and crew behind it.
Hic et nunc via Wikimedia Commons
Some beefcake in a Batman suit that is definitely not Robert Pattinson. It’s a brand new movie, what else could we do?
sports & health
9 editor: katie mutschler sports@carillonregina.com the carillon | mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
An interview with Karla Holzer, owner of Supplement King Get your creatine here! victoria baht s&h writer Are you looking for a way to improve your metabolism, gain some energy, improve your daily intake of vegetables and protein, and improve muscle growth? Well, Supplement King has got the goods for you! This week, the Carillon did an interview with one of the owners of Supplement King to get you the best information about certain supplements to boost your health! Today we are talking to one of the owners, Karla. Karla and her husband have been the owners of Supplement King in Regina and Moosejaw for five years now. Do you have any past involvement with sports and education that helps you with this position? I do not have any post-secondary education, although my husband and I were competitors in bodybuilding for many years. We were heavily involved with supplements and the industry, which motivated us to open up our own store. Can you go more in depth about your bodybuilding experience? My husband competed [in] body building in high school, then within a year of dating we decided to compete together. He did bodybuilding and I did a women’s figure show for a few years. Then we had our first child. Now have three kids and have put our passion into Supplement King! Can you give the general public a brief description of what your store is like? At Supplement King, we put our pride into giving the best selection and the best choices because there is a supplement for everyone. We see ourself as a health store; we pride ourself in having staff fully trained in each product on the shelf. This helps customers receive the best supplies for their goals and health. With that comes the best prices and working with the community. We often partner with local gyms and fundraisers. What is one supplement that you think everyone could use or benefit from? Protein powder is a big one, as most people do not eat enough protein in a day. Protein can help with metabolism and recovery. Another one is greens, which has your full serving of vegetables and antioxidants in one scoop. This helps with natural energy level and antioxidants. What are a few of your best greens, and when should someone be taking greens? All green powders are good. Greens help with natural energy level, daily antioxidants, daily serving of greens, and help with overall health. Every person should really be taking greens even if they eat lots of fruits and
Karla Holzer
Will this pre-workout help me pass my exam?
vegetables. What are a few of your pre-workouts that you think are the most beneficial, and
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caffeine, high in stimulants, help with blood flow and mental focus, some good options would be Impact Igniter by Allmax, Ultra days
Any protein will be beneficial, although if you are looking for recovery after a workout, a protein isolate would be the most
Every person has different goals when it comes to a pre-workout. – Karla Holzer
why? This is tough, as every person has different goals when it comes to a pre-workout. If you are somebody that is looking for a high intense pre-workout that is high in
and our best seller, which is Batch 27 made in Saskatoon. What are a few of your best protein shakes that you think are the most beneficial, and why?
beneficial as it absorbs super fast and will recover your muscles. This helps with future workouts and muscle soreness. Some top sellers are Diesel by Perfect Sports, Beyond Yourself and
Isolflex by Allmax. We also have good protein supplements that are good for meal replacements, baking, and stuff like that. It is all based on what you are looking for and flavours. Can you tell us the importance of creatine? This is one of the top selling supplements. It helps with creating strength and recovery. It also helps repair your muscles...You have to be very consistent with creatine. You have to take it regularly for your muscles to be able to utilize what it is actually supposed to be used for. Sometimes, with women, they are skeptical with taking it as they are scared that they will gain weight, although that is not the case. Is there something specific or a combination that you would suggest to someone that is new to the Supplement King store but is not new to the gym? For someone that is new to the store but works out regularly, I would recommend protein powder and an essential amino acid or glutamine. This would work best to help with recovery and to give people long-term results as it helps repair your muscles. Is it good to switch up your supplements or should you try to stay the same for a while? It can be good to switch up your pre-workout as your body can get used to certain ingredients. This can lead people to find it is not giving them the same tingle as it was before. Vitamins, protein, and greens in any brand are going to be very similar. Are there any supplements that we did not mention that you would recommend? A new supplement that has started to become more popular is collagen. Collagen can help with your joints, skin, and nails. This is something a lot of women can look for, and anyone that is trying to improve their overall health can utilize. Another good one that is underrated is a carb supplement it is called Carboline or Electrolyte + BCAA (Carbs). This supplement can help if you’re working out for a long period of time and looking to put on more muscle. It is going to ensure that you are not eating away at your muscles while working out. For example, our son will take this instead of a Gatorade as it has no added sugar. It is really good for athletes and giving a good natural source of energy. Those are all the goods that we are going to talk about today. To give you a quick recap of everything that has been said, taking some protein powder and greens is basically good for everyone! If this article makes you want to try out some good supplements, do not be afraid to ask the staff at Supplement King which ones are
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon |10
sports & health
Why am I choosing health over school?
People tell me my health comes first, but so much depends on my grades katherine mutschler s&h writer What do you get when you cross an artist, a mental illness, and perfectionism? You get a fun combination of Robert Schumann, Sylvia Plath, and Anne Sexton. You also get me. I had assumed that, for my whole life, I would just secretly relate to these poor artists, and silently see myself in
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ness in February, I knew I needed to take my health into my own hands (disclaimer: I am working closely with a mental health team to ensure my safety). This illness depends on keeping a steady routine so I do not spin out. How am I supposed to keep a good schedule when I want good grades, and I have a job and class schedule that makes it impossible to sleep at a good time? I will walk you
I was spinning out. All the music I listened to for my music exam the next day sounded like static. I look at myself, and I see someone who cares more about a pass/ fail class than her diagnosis. The first step was emailing my professor to tell them that I may not do the best on the exam, and that I need help. I went to bed early, and made sure I could get up at a good time in the morning to calm
cus on school. Why do we do this? Well, for people planning on going to grad school, we want good grades to get into a program. Scholarships are usually reliant on good grades. In Western society, worth is highlighted by our grades when a lot of what we do in university and high school does not matter in the real world. Employers and colleagues prefer people who are reliable, empathetic,
need to “take the L” on. Now, I need to take steps on my own. I need to look at my perfectionist personality and learn which balls are plastic and which are glass in my homework juggling routine. Being faced with a scary illness is hard and can make you realize how much you need to focus on your health. It is hard when there is so much emphasis on grades and doing well in
When we are young, it seems like all the coffee, the skipping of meals, and lack of sleep is fine. – Katherine Mutschler
Beth Harmon’s spinouts (shout out to the Queen’s Gambit). It is hard to keep a steady sleeping and eating routine in university, and I just accepted I would be chronically ill until I met my demise. I always knew a steady routine is important for physical and mental health. With all the chronic mental and physical illness I have, I should have known better. After I got diagnosed with a shocking and severe mental ill-
through the process I started recently. I woke up Monday feeling awful. It starts with the nightmares; my dreams were telling me I am not taking care of myself. How could I take care of myself ? It was production day, I had hours of class, and I had to teach – not to mention I have an exam the next day. On the way to teaching, I landed my car in a ditch. My car was spinning out.
myself before the exam. How many people know that they have put their schoolwork before their own health? When we are young, it seems like all the coffee, the skipping of meals, and lack of sleep is fine. I know that for my whole undergrad I have put my school over my health, and one time I even ended up in emergency. I still didn’t listen to my doctors and body, and immediately went back to trying to fo-
and passionate. No one is going to look at the listening exam for my pass/fail class that I am crying over. So, what can we do about this problem? I did not take any of this seriously until I heard that my chance of a spinout increases when I don’t sleep and I drink too much coffee. First, I was honest with myself, and then my professors. I told them what I am capable of right now, and what I may
school, but when faced with the possibility of spiraling out or an extreme low, maybe it is time to look at what is important. I cannot think of any solutions for this systemic problem, but maybe we can learn to be compassionate with ourselves and our friends. A routine of sleep, eating, and water is more important than making the Dean’s list or having the most As in your program.
Alexa Williams via Unsplash
Can I schedule time to cry between exams?
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon |11
sports & health
A three-day workout split
If you can only work out a few days a week, this one may work for you
victoria baht s&h writer
Are you someone who goes to the gym on a regular basis? Are you getting tired of the same routine or the same exercises every week? Maybe you are someone who wants to get into going to the gym, but does not know what routine to follow. This week, the Carillon is going to take you through a workout split that you can try! Depending on your body or your schedule, maybe you can only go to the gym a certain time a week, and that is okay. Today we are going to look at a schedule that is based on going to the gym three times a week. Here is a reminder: go to the gym and take these activities at your own pace. Everybody is different, and we will try to give you tips to do these exercises safely. If you do not understand, ask a friend, an instructor, or look it up online to keep yourself and your body safe. First, let us talk about the three-days-a-week split. This split involves a lower body day, upper body day, and then a cardio day. Day one can consist of glutes and a quad workout. Some key exercises that you can try out are squats, side leg raises, lunges, and some cross-over leg extensions. Each of these exercises can be done with or without weight, and you can do as many reps of them as you please. Here are some things about form to remember. Squats: Make sure your legs are hip-width apart, and bend at the knees. When you bend at the
Jelmer Assink via Unsplash
I can’t weight.
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Here is a reminder: go to the gym and take these activities at your own pace. – Victoria Baht
Ryan Gangon via Unsplash
knees, make sure your butt goes back and your weight is on your heels (lift your toes if you need). Then once you come up, tighten your core and legs (give them a good squeeze). Side leg raise: Bend your supporting leg in slightly, then lift up your other leg to the side with a flexed foot. Make sure you control the movement up and down, and don’t swing your leg. Use your muscle, not momentum. Lunges: Get into position by standing with your feet hipwidth apart. Now, lift up one leg and step either forward or backward, making sure it bends at 90 degrees. Look in a mirror if you can, and make sure you are vertical and not leaning forward. Then keep alternating feet and directions, feeling it in the glutes and the quads. Cross-over leg extension: This one involves you being on both your hands and knees. Once you are there, choose a leg and point that toe. Then you are going lift that leg over to the other side and back like you are making a rainbow. You should feel this in the glutes, so lift up to feel that tension. If you have sore wrists or knees, you can modify or use a pillow. Day two’s split consists of chest, shoulders, and triceps. Some key exercises you can try out are front shoulder raises, chest fly, and overhead shoulder presses. Each of these workouts can be
done with as much weight as you please and as many reps as you like. Front shoulder raise: Put a weight in each hand and put your arms/hands in front of you right at your thighs. Now try to keep your arms straight and lift straight out from your body, gradually up to shoulder height. Do not lift your shoulders up as this should also be done with your muscles, not with momentum. Chest fly: Lay down on your back and open your arms side to side, almost down to the ground, and bring them back up. As the name suggests, you should feel this in the chest. Overhead shoulder press: This can be done in a chair or while standing. Keep your back straight and bring both arms out to the side, bent 90 degrees. Press up, bringing the weights towards one another right above your head, and bring them back down with control. If you find you are struggling with form, imagine you are crushing a walnut between your shoulder blades. Keep your chin tucked and neck long. Last day can consist of some cardio, which will be different for everyone. When some people think of cardio, they ultimately think of running on a treadmill, and for some people (like me) that is not enjoyable. Some good cardio alternatives to try are skipping rope, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, plank jacks, bicycles, elliptical machines, StairMasters, and the list can continue forever. For cardio, just focus on getting that heart rate up and keeping movement consistent. I hope this article helped you think of what to do on your next gym day, or maybe it encouraged you to tell us about your workout routine!
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
sports & health
12
Meal-Prep March series: time management and time restriction How planning ahead and intermittent fasting work as a tool
hammad ali staff writer When I first moved out of my home, friends and family had many helpful tips for the process. This made sense because my move from home was also going to be a move out of my country. All these years later, I am glad to say the move worked for me, and I am glad for the experience. That is not what I want to write about today. One of the most useful tips I got was from my sister, who had herself made a similar move not too long before me. She had a six-year-old, a full-time job, and many demands of beginning a whole new life in the USA. This
Kirill Tonkikh via Unsplash
No longer shall my veggies be doomed to wilt in the crisper drawer!
marily thinking of the time management aspect of it. I now have even greater appreciation for the multiple positive impacts doing this one thing consistently can bring for someone, as I struggle from chronic illness conditions. Let me first talk about the time management aspect. Cooking for an entire week, while also wanting to make sure that the meals do not feel too repetitive and boring, takes time and planning. For me, the planning begins with the weekly grocery trip. Each week, my grocery list is a marriage between what things I have run out of, what items I would like, and most important-
into individual Tupperware boxes. Some go into the fridge for the next couple of days. Depending on the shelf life of the food, I will freeze the meals I won’t have until the end of the week. At the end of all this, I am ready for some mindless entertainment and then bedtime (which is my way of saying that all of this is tiring and time-consuming). The time depends on what I am making. I have to admit there have been weekends where the entire process took up four hours. This evens out; for the rest of the week, I can come home from a long day of university work and not have to worry about cooking something.
pared to my own meals. For me, the bigger concern is that I am supposed to pay a lot more attention to what I am eating due to a number of chronic conditions as well as a family history of medical complications. Weekly meal prep has helped me a lot with eating better, but for the last two years I have also added one more tool to my arsenal. I want to emphasize that I did not just start this all in one day. I had a full blood work done, and spoke to my family doctor to make sure I was not exposing myself to any medical risks. Since the fall of 2019, I have been experimenting with time-restricted eating/inter-
then have shown positive trends of reduced risk of chronic diseases. Again, this may not be for everyone. I took this drastic step because I was concerned after one blood test showed negative trends, and even then, spoke to two different doctors who both approved of me trying IF. For me, it has also been good that I have not had to cut out any food altogether, knowing that by fasting long enough during the week, I can always safely indulge during the eating window in foods that I like. Fasting has also had a positive impact on my mental health and clarity. While I do not want anyone to just try it out without
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I have to admit there have been weekends where the entire process took up four hours. This evens out; for the rest of the week, I can come home from a long day of university work and not have to worry about cooking something. – Hammad Ali
was the first person who told me about preparing all your week’s meals beforehand. As a graduate student juggling classes, research, and a part-time job, I will not claim my schedule was as demanding as hers, but the tip worked for me – so much so that over a decade later in a third city altogether, I continue to live by it. It may take up nearly half a day during the weekend, but then for the rest of the week, when tired after a long day, I am thankful that all I have to do for a hot meal is microwave a Tupperware container and find a show to watch. When my sister recommended this to me, both of us were pri-
ly, which items are on sale. Once I bring home the grocery haul, I quickly note down what I plan on making for the week ahead. This takes up a large chunk of my Saturday or Sunday. Included in this is me chopping the vegetables and preparing the ingredients. I try to clean as I go, washing utensils or pots I no longer need, or taking the trash out while waiting for a stew to simmer. Once all the food is ready, I can look forward to having a meal and not worry about the mess left behind for one of my housemates to stumble across. Once I am no longer starving, I put away all the stuff I made
This is how I realized the second advantage of meal prepping. On weeks when the weekend is already packed, I will just make some food every other evening while making sure there are leftovers for the next evening too. Sometimes it works out that way, but at other times, as I walk back home around 8 p.m., the last thing I want to do is go into the kitchen. This is when I end up grabbing takeout, which is something I really should not be doing, for both the sake of my health and my wallet. Not to brag about my own cooking but, most of the time, whatever I end up getting for takeout is a letdown com-
mittent fasting (IF). It began with reading some books explaining how IF can help sustain a caloric deficit for certain people. Following my doctor’s clearance, I began by not eating between 8 p.m. in the evening to noon the next day (a total of sixteen hours). Currently, I hit anywhere between 16 to 20 hours, five to seven days a week, taking a break whenever I feel the need to do so. While there have been setbacks, in this time I have lost enough weight that for a little while last summer, I weighed the least I ever have since high school. More importantly, several blood tests I have had done since
proper medical advice, if you, like me, are someone who has struggled with a weight problem and often find yourself lacking energy, this may well be worth looking into! Even if not, I still strongly recommend preparing your week’s meals on the weekend. You will notice the positive impact yourself ! Editors note: IF may cause complications for people with past eating disorders, hormonal conditions, or other mental and physical health issues. You can find a dietician on https://www. saskdietitians.org/, or ask your general practitioner for a referral.
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon | 13
sports & health
March and mental health When it all comes crashing down
amina salah staff writer The University of Regina’s decision to have students return to in-person classes was a stressful time for some. For many, they were just starting to get settled in their classes. Reading week this year occurred too early because classes started much later than originally planned. We are in that part of the semester where things are starting to get real. Assignments are due every week. There are too many papers to write. We have to study for midterms and tests. On top of that, we are still in a pandemic and dealing with the effects it is leaving behind. One of the biggest impacts has been burnout (especially Zoom burnout). I’m at that state in the semester when I am panicking but don’t have time for a full mental breakdown. For many students, the majority of our breakdowns occur in the library. Sometimes I set an alarm for 10-15 minutes to give myself the time to stress, worry, and cry so I can get it over with. This might seem extremely odd; however, I find that giving myself the time to feel despair gives me clarity, and it allows me to start planning for how I will get things done. When the alarm rings, I snap back to reality and get to work. If I don’t do that, I will spend the entire day rotting my youth away by crying and stressing about all the work that needs to be done to the point where I won’t even do the work because I’ll just be worrying about the work. We’ve all been there. Instead of doing your assignments, you spend the bulk of the time worrying about said assignments. Sometimes you just sleep it away as if you have nothing due. For others, perhaps you watch a show on Netflix for hours whilst feeling extremely guilty for doing so. It is a universal human experience. On the last day of reading week, I decided that I should probably start actually using my planner. It took me a few hours to fill in all of the deadlines I have for the months of March and April. By the time I finished, I probably shed a tear or two looking at all the work that is waiting for me. Everyone has their own way to cope with the burnout of the last stretch of the semester. My way is to just get my work done because I have no other choice. I have missed a deadline maybe one or two times since I have started university, and I aim to keep that streak going. I honestly just treat university like a Duolingo streak. You wouldn’t want to lose a language learning streak of 700 days, right? So why break a deadline streak that you’ve held for 3 years? When it comes to mental health, it’s a very complex matter when university gets involved (EIC note: which is always). Sometimes you feel like there is so much to do that you do not have the time to do the things you love. It is important to take some time off every day, whether it is 20 minutes or an hour, just to do something that you really enjoy. This could range from
painting or knitting to watching your favourite show. I really wish that students remembered that we are still focused on completing our degrees during a global pandemic, and this is something that should be acknowledged and praised. It is a testament of our strength and ability to adapt to the versatile situations that life throws at us. It is very easy to feel as if every day is just the same. It feels like nothing is happening for you. You’re watching your friends finish their degrees and graduate, meanwhile you are stuck in the same place you’ve been for some time. It feels like our progress is small and perhaps not even happening. We should always remember that life happens in stages and seasons. It will never always be the same. The same way the seasons change, our situations will as well. The only thing we can do at this moment is accept where we are in life. When you accept your current stage, you are simultaneously welcoming the potential for it to change. Many believe that getting a degree is easy, but it is not. It is one of the most difficult things one could ever do, not because the classes are difficult per se, but because it forces us to adult, and adulting is truly the most painful thing to go through. It comes with so many growing pains. The pandemic takes adulting from zero to 100. It is important to take care of your mental health. If you need extensions, then email your professor. Most professors are extremely understanding. It is important to do it ahead of time. If professors know that you are otherwise someone who always submits their work on time, they will likely give you grace when you need it. I also cannot stress the importance of not keeping your troubles to yourself. It is important to talk to your friends or family when you need to do so. It’s okay to go to therapy as well – needing help does not mean you are a failure. It’s okay to be unsure of where you’re going in life, or what you want to study. Eventually, you will figure it out. We always do. It’s better to be unsure and accept it instead of studying something you hate and will regret later on. Taking time off school does not make you lazy. Everyone finishes at their own pace. I thought I would have graduated by now but, unfortunately, I haven’t. I thought I would have bagged a summer internship by now but, once again, I have not. Maybe you thought you’d have a job by now or you’d have graduated. Life never turns out the way you hoped it would, even if you plan for it. It sucks, but c’est la vie. As the semester gets difficult, I hope every student remembers that we are all just figuring it out and trying to do our best with the limited resources we have, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. The most important thing to do is take care of your mental health. Nourish your heart and your body. You have to take care of yourself in order to face the things university throws at you.
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I probably shed a tear or two looking at all the work that is waiting for me. – Amina Salah
Priscilla-du-Preez via Unsplash
With one hand I do my biology homework, with the other I eat a chip.
op-ed
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editor: sarah nakonechny op-ed@carillonregina.com the carillon | mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
Would you care if the victims looked like me?
The war in Ukraine would have received a different reaction globally if it was taking place in Iraq It has already been over two weeks since a war in Europe broke out, when Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, the world has slapped Russia with sanctions and reprimands, and several European nations have decided to step up their military preparations. Most of them are also helping Ukraine by supplying them with weapons and other resources but are yet to be involved any more directly. Probably the biggest reason for this is the very real concern that Vladimir Putin is just unhinged enough, and desperate enough, to use nuclear weapons now that his plan of annexing Ukraine is not going as well as he was hoping it would. The first several days of this war have also been sprinkled with inspiring anecdotes of brave Ukrainians, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who refused to be rescued and insisted on being at the forefront of the resistance. Before I go on, I want to concede right away, without any reservations, that it is awe-inspiring and worthy of immense respect, seeing the soldiers, politicians, and common people of Ukraine refuse to be bullied by Russia. However, there is still one aspect of this war that leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. My first exposure to this was about a week into the evolving situation in Europe. I was glad to see the help Ukraine
was getting, and the sanctions that Russia faced. Then, the problematic news reports began. David Sakvarelidze, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Ukraine, shared during a BBC interview how hard it was for him personally to watch Europeans with blue eyes and blonde hair being killed. Because, I guess, the South Asians, Arabs, Africans,
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blond hair, no service, right? Service is a euphemism for the right to live. CBS foreign correspondent Charlie D’Agata lamented how this terrible injustice was not happening in Iraq or Afghanistan, but rather in a “civilized European” city. Never mind that Iraq had a civilization before most parts of the world had a
After all, no blue eyes, no blond hair, no service, right? – Hammad Ali
or I guess anyone with dark hair, dark skin, and dark eyes, are fair game. I am not sure how this person became a prosecutor, and I want to ask him what goes through his mind when Syrian children cry themselves to death. Does he just shrug it off as just another coloured person dying? I also must wonder if at some point in history, his ancestors also just shrugged off the fact that Jewish and Romani people were being killed in Europe. After all, no blue eyes, no
language. Never mind that Iraq was ripped apart by certain civilized Western nations with an agenda. Never mind that for the last 500 years, the West has not left Afghanistan alone for a single decade. War, famine, and chaos are the lot of third world nations with not a single pair of blue eyes in sight. The true horror is not war in general, it is war in Europe. Of course, I am assuming this person does not know that both World Wars broke out from Europe, not savage
backwaters like Iraq or Afghanistan. I could go on and on about the shock being expressed that Europeans are now refugees, that missiles are being fired in Europe, and that the refugees, to quote one journalist, “look like us.” Part of me wishes to reach out to that person and offer some advice. You see, in nearly every world crisis in the last 50 years, the refugees have looked just like me. Many have spoken my language. Last year, when a Muslim family was run over by a car in Ontario, the photos in media looked like ones on my phone, from when my parents visited my sister in the USA. Maybe, I can offer some help? Our nations have often seen bombs and death. Our families have been killed by the invading armies. People with names just like mine have found themselves in refugee camps, wondering if they will ever see family or home again. So, I know, it is hard. But also, maybe, just maybe, if you were this sad and outraged when people that look like me lost homes, lives, and family, it would never have happened to people that look like you.
hammad ali staff writer Bruno via Unsplash
If only being patriotic was enough to stop an attack.
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
op-ed
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
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Where do I find an adult
If I’m not an adult, and you’re not an adult, where do we find one?
Has anyone figured out when you count as an adult? Have we come to a consensus on what boxes you need to check to be considered an adult? Depending on who you ask and the context of why you’re asking, the answer that you receive changes. Look at the discrepancy experienced in the legal age between countries and even provinces. Provinces waiver between 18 and 19 years of age to be able to legally consume alcohol and other substances. Other places, like Germany, have their le-
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It makes sense to consider the amount of experience that someone has, right? If you’re full of experience, then you should be able to be considered an adult. This doesn’t seem like an outrageous claim to make. This probably leads to one of the biggest grey areas when it comes to deciding what experience should be considered and how much someone needs. Are we considering years of school or years of work experience? Do we count the paper route you had at 12 or your first full-
adult, where am I supposed to find one? To some people I may appear like a semi-competent adult, but I don’t feel like it most days. I need to know what I’m looking for when on the hunt for an adultier adult. Being able to look to other people that appear to be more of an adult is extremely comforting when trying to maneuver through things. It’s difficult to feel like you can instruct anyone else on adult life when you still feel the compulsion to ask if you can use the washroom and don’t feel like you’ve
will be labelled as the crazy old person and what you will have to say, regardless of how important it may be, will not be considered relevant anymore. Where do you find someone who is considered an adult then? Do any of us ever consider ourselves to truly be adults? While trying to determine what this might look like, it appears to me like none of us ever feel as though we are truly an adult. Our hunt for an adultier adult will never be satisfied. There will always be reasons for
I need to know what I’m looking for when on the hunt for an adultier adult. – Sarah Nakonechny
gal age as 16, while others, like the USA, have it at 21. Clearly the ability to consume these regulated substances can’t be an indicator of adulthood. All you need to do is drive a few hours into Alberta or Manitoba and you’d be an adult for a day before having that status revoked when you arrive back in Saskatchewan. Should we then consider the age at which your brain stops developing? This possesses a different problem because there isn’t a hard and fast age determined for when this happens. It’s said that our brain should be done developing in our mid-to late-20’s. Great. There is no way for us to determine without ridiculous measurement who would be an adult at 24 or 28. This isn’t helpful either.
time job after high school as the start of that experience? Are we considering the amount of practical life skills you might have? If you’re able to cook a meal and do a load of laundry, can you be an adult? Is it based on your income or if you’re living on your own? What about having something depending on you to watch out for its well-being and take care of it, whether it’s a sibling, child, or a pet? There are so many questions and things to consider and not a lot of answers that we can objectively give. Some areas may hold more weight than others to some people. The context of why someone may not be stronger in one area than another may play a role. There is too much to consider. If we can’t decide what makes an
made any kind of contribution to society. If crying into a coffee cup was the only requirement all of us would be set, but it feels like there should be so much more. At what point are you arguably considered to be the most adult? Is this when you’re a senior or when you’re middle age? Is there a cap on being considered an adult before you’re written off as no longer being considered useful enough in that category? This is also a terrifyingly sad idea to me, but it’s one that can’t go ignored either. At some point you will no longer be up to date enough with the state of the world. Your mental and physical capacities will decline to the point where you will not be able to do the work that you were once able to complete with ease. At some point you
someone to not consider themselves adult enough and for us to continue our hunt. We will all just continue to fumble around and hope that nobody notices. The imposter syndrome will continue to rear its ugly head and we will continue to question our abilities to do the things. Regardless of if you’re trying to figure out how to do your taxes or are terrified to ask for ketchup at a restaurant, we’ve all got something that disqualifies us from adulthood. Stay strong out there, fellow fake adults.
sarah nakonechny op-ed editor Omar Lopez via Unsplash
I’d laugh too if someone mistook me as knowing what I’m doing
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
op-ed
Only the wicked are resting tonight
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Irresponsible acts and the numerous repercussions being faced
The Presidential Press and Information Office via Wikimedia Commons
Looks like a real hardship kickstarting a war.
There is no question that there is a lot going on in the world right now. Unfortunately, a large amount of the events we’re witnessing are very unpleasant and unnerving to say the least. However, they’re much more of an intimidating and harsh reality to those experiencing them directly. There have been various videos and news reports done on the current situation in the Ukraine and what’s happening to the citizens. Like the wars before, men are expected to leave their lives, families, and friends behind to fight for their country. Those caught trying to leave the country are often forced to abandon their vehicles and end up stranded outside the border. That in and of itself is terrible – however, it’s made worse by the realization they’re forced to abandon everything else as well. I say this because many people’s homes, if not all of them, will be unsafe. There will likely be procedures put in place at various schools, hospitals, and institutions. Any of the major large cities, especially the capital, will be a huge target for multiple attacks from Russian military forces. Even those in very rural parts of the country are at risk. Resources are going to be rationed greatly to provide for the troops, as well as businesses being altered to provide for the military, should this continue long term. One of the most disheartening things is how many innocent people are involved in the crossfire due to decisions made by others with no regard for their well-being or safety. It’s unjust and wrong to allow most to pay for the actions of few when none of the issues being dealt with this way are their fault. Children are going to lose their innocence, their sense of security and safety, and their idea of what is normal. They’re potentially going to lose their homes, family members, possibly a life in the county they once called home, and possibly even
their own lives. I’ll admit I’m not incredibly well versed in politics, or government relations, particularly in this country in which I’ve never lived. However, I can think of no reasoning in which it’s ever worth it to risk the mass civilian casualties that are inevitable in a case such as this. There’s no way of knowing what it will cost in the future, what those people were providing to the world, or could grow up to do – including the risk it puts on the citizens of the country who
In all other cases where violence is used for the pursuit of growth and progress of either the country or the world, it has arguably never been greatly beneficial in the long run. Does it boost the economy? Technically, yes. However, as we’ve seen in both World Wars, the losing side faced astronomical economic backlash – so much so that it took decades to recover and pay off debts. It’s also argued that the effects of the First World War contributed to the Great Depression, which was a global
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It’s unjust and wrong to allow most to pay for the actions of few when none of the issues being dealt with this way are their fault. – Rayanne Gwilliam
started it as well. Citizens of both are being asked to sacrifice and put themselves and their loved ones in danger for the agenda of who happens to be in charge at that time. Whether it’s believed to be for the good of the country or possibly the world to the leader of such an event, this is irrelevant the second it requires the blood of people who never signed up for war, especially since it’s rarely those who signed up for war who end up fighting in it. The ideas so strongly believed in that they’re worth potentially causing a war between countries, and destroying peace-making efforts, are only deemed worth it when they cost the blood of other people.
experience. Not to mention that the mass casualties and destruction that countries can experience take years to recover and rebuild from. Consider the number of natural disasters that are experienced in various countries and cause similar kinds of destruction, that require the aid of other countries and government systems like the Red Cross. These events are arguably hard enough on people, so adding any more man-made destruction feels irresponsible. Once things like bombings, air strikes, and military invasions start, the actions that follow are irreversible. Regardless of how well prepared any country is for such conflict, there are always variables we’re unaware of and
unprepared for. Think, for example, about the atomic bombings that happened in Japan that basically ended the Second World War and killed thousands of people. It’s arguably regretted amongst those who helped create it, as it changed the trajectory of military weaponry. Furthermore, considering how many issues we already experience environmentally; what is produced by war-related weapons has a largely negative impact on that as well. Considering we also are all dealing with a global pandemic, this is not needed – nor is it fair to expect the men of the country to risk their lives simply because they live there, regardless of what they’re leaving behind or their willingness to join the military. If elements of coercion are being used on your own people, or anyone for that matter, to get what a few want, chances are you’re not on the side of what is right; especially if every other option has not been exhausted to prevent extreme measures. Not to mention the risks it’s putting on other countries who are likely to get involved by aiding the innocent, providing refuge, or providing troops to try and neutralize all threats. It’s alarming to know of the impacts of all other instances such as this that have happened in history, and recognize that such occurrences still happen regardless. Unfortunately, sometimes it is hard to have optimism in our ability to grow and evolve as humans and societies. I suppose there is always hope in the good that did happen within such miserable circumstances.
rayanne gwilliam contributor
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
op-ed
17
Financial hits due to rising gas prices
Adequate public transit kind of seems like it’d be nice right about now, yeah? Now may be the time to consider getting a Tesla, because gasoline prices are at an alltime high all over North America, and Saskatchewan is no exception. We always like to complain about gas prices when they go up by 10 cents or so over the holidays and rejoice when they hit record lows, but we’re currently experiencing the biggest gas price surge in North American history. As something that so many of us rely on, the rates that it’s being sold at are putting many in economic and financial jeopardy. Students are forced to take the bus rather than drive, Ubers and taxis are less inclined to provide their services at the same rates, and the amount of money that drivers must spend on gas puts financial restrictions on the rest of their lives. “I take full-time classes and work two part-time jobs and I financially support myself which has always been a challenge, but is now more than ever thanks to tuition rates and gas prices being higher than ever. My car is pretty good on gas, but thanks to these gas prices I’m only able to fill it up less than usual and am forced to spend so much more than I ever have,” said Rahima Mian, a third-year Arts student at the University of Regina. She is one of many examples of someone who is being seriously impacted by this issue. “I have friends and family in Pakistan that I’ve talked to about this issue and they aren’t as badly impacted, but gas prices are still going up there. It’s not related to the political situation in Ukraine like it is here, but prices are still higher than ever from what I’ve heard. These worldwide gas price increases, whether it’s because of the political situation or economic inflation, are a very disturbing trend.” At the time of writing, gas prices across Regina are at a high of 177.9 cents per liter, while Saskatoon and Moose Jaw are at highs of 178.9 and 168.9 respectively. This
unprecedented rise in gas prices is incredibly problematic for consumers, as prospects of enjoying the improving weather and lack of COVID-19 public health measures by traveling disappear. Many of us are more likely to abstain from travelling until prices go down. The Saskatchewan government does not seem too eager to help either, unlike Alberta’s provincial government, which has temporarily removed its tax on fuel – Scott Moe has not expressed any willingness to do the same with the province’s fuel tax of 15 cents per liter on gasoline and diesel. There may soon be light at the end of the tunnel: Roger McKnight, chief petroleum analyst for Canadian energy company En-Pro International, has stated that consumers can expect gas prices across the nation to drop in the coming week or so. Saskatchewan can expect to experience a price drop of 12 cents. While gas prices may stay higher than we’d like for the foreseeable future, we can all look forward to imminent price drops backed by the research of analysts like McKnight and let our optimism carry us through these trying times. Students at the University of Regina, along with people worldwide, continue to be impacted by the issue of escalating gas prices. Economic inflation is a trend that populations worldwide are encountering for a variety of different social and political reasons. As markets hopefully stabilize now that the economy is able to substantially recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in many locations, all we can do – besides let our wallets bleed – is look to the future and stay positive. Though we’ll obviously keep talking about how bad gas prices are.
Yassine Khalfalli via Unsplash
No thanks, I’ll walk.
amir said contributor
Real life: one constant breakout room
A rock (face to face interaction) and a hard place (zoom breakout rooms)
Toa Heftiba via Unsplash
*Insert cheesy dad joke here*
If you are anything like me, the pandemic has most likely ruined any social skills you might have had. I never had any social skills to begin with, but I find that I have only become worse at interacting with people. I must warm up to people to be able to speak. In class, I’m the type of student who stares at the floor and avoids any eye contact with people, especially the professor, so that nobody approaches me or calls on me to speak. Things always make more sense in my head. When I am saying them out loud, I’m slurring my speech, stuttering, and quite frankly I sound like an absolute idiot. As a result, I have no self confidence when it comes to social interactions. It also doesn’t help that I have been cursed with RBF, otherwise known as resting b*tch face. Many of my friends have told me that my eyes look extremely cold and can even be considered vicious. I have no idea how I can change that, and if it is something I can even change. I constantly look angry or annoyed and it makes it even harder for other people to want to interact with me. I am unfortunately at that stage of my degree where I must interact with my classmates and my professors. I have been trying my best; however, I feel like I am still nowhere near where I’d like to be. I’m so used to seeing black Zoom screens that seeing my classmates face to face is something I must get used to. On Zoom, you don’t have to answer any questions, you can just ignore people and pretend you’re not there. You have the choice to mute yourself. Oh, how I wish I could mute myself in real life. Many things that we were able to get away with over Zoom, we can’t get away with in real-life settings, especially in classes. Sometimes I’d pretend my camera or sound was
not working just so I didn’t have to interact with anyone. I know, it’s a very mean thing to do. However, I would rather mop the entire ocean with a toothbrush than join another Zoom breakout room. I would rather mow the lawn with tweezers than attend another Zoom breakout room. Scratch that. I would rather shovel the driveway with a spoon than attend another Zoom breakout room. My biggest advice when it comes to social interactions and social etiquette is to fake it till you make it. You want to be good at eye contact? Just look at the person’s forehead or eyebrows. They’ll think you’re looking at their eyes. It will give them the illusion that you are very confident, when it is actually a struggle for you. Always say what you want to say out loud to yourself first, in your head. It helps you clarify what it is that you want to say and how you want it to come out. It makes you sound more professional by rehearsing it first. My biggest trick is to use the dictionary and learn different words. You’re never too old to learn. I love learning different words every day because it helps me become more fluent in English. If you heard me speak, you would have no idea that English is not my native language. I’ve only been in Canada for ten years, and I still have a lot more to learn. Social interactions are difficult. Fake it until it becomes real. These things come in handy when doing job applications, interviews, and life in general. It is a skill you can practice to improve.
amina salah staff writer
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
op-ed
What women need should not be a want
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Women want massages and flowers, what we need first is respect
Hipster Mum via Unsplash
You think this is what women want? In the movies, maybe.
What Women Want returned to Regina’s International Trade Centre two weeks ago, after a two-year hiatus. The trade show had vendors from across Western Canada selling products from beauty to cosmetics to lifestyle. There were tasty treats and cocktails sold and tables decorated with ornate flower bouquets sitting atop them. There were even a few critters at a couple of stations who were available for petting. The event was a nice break from reality, you got to go and shop, have a drink with a friend, and support some of the local, small businesses. The tradeshow perfectly embodies what women want – especially considering it was a safe environment for women to remain in. What Women Want is an event where women can feel safe to hang out and shop. The same cannot necessarily be said for women conducting their day-to-day lives. The tradeshow provided a contained environment for women to have a safe recreation space. Having an encouraging and cheerful environment for women can be compared to the amount of money I have in my bank account – there is not enough. Many places can be unsafe, uncomfortable, or dangerous for women to go. There are reasons why you are told to walk with a partner at night. There are reasons why I do not leave my drink alone at the bar. There are reasons that I leave one earbud out when I go running. What women really want is the same safe space that men have. For women, those safe spaces can be sparse. Places that can cause discomfort for women can be as simple as walking down the street. Catcalls and wolf-whistles can often be heard echoing off the buildings when you are walking home at night. Uncomfortable stares at the gym when you are trying to get a workout in can make you continue your ab routine in your room. Even the workplace can be
dominated by a culture of misogynistic remarks where every time you challenge someone on their so-called “humour” you are told that you should learn to take a joke. All these things are becoming so normalized for women that it’s an accepted belief that these are just the things every woman goes through. When you try and stand up for yourself, you are labelled a hysteric woman who lost her cool. I myself have been priced as a “bitter, social justice warrior who cannot get a grip on her emotions.” This was after I called out someone
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victim’s own home. Joking about domestic violence has never been an appropriate humour choice. Joking about domestic violence is used as a tool by people who are trying to disregard and invalidate the seriousness of the harm it causes. Joking about domestic violence triggers victims. Joking about domestic violence normalizes violence against women – the end. It is always interesting when you bring up situations that acknowledge women’s issues that go against patriarchal values. Many “not all men do that” arguments
What women really want is the same safe space that men have. – Gillian Massie
who thought it was appropriate to crack jokes about domestic violence. While some may think that these jokes are just jokes, they are proven to show how violence is normalized against women on a regular basis. Saskatchewan is currently the leading province per capita for highest domestic violence rates among intimate partners – a statistic that is more than double the national average. Because of the pandemic, many individuals were stuck at home, which only made domestic violence rates rise. Among many other places that women experience violence, domestic violence is most typically attributed to someone that the victim knows, or someone within the
begin to surface very quickly when you generalize a group of people that do something regularly, which is reasonable, and stereotypes should get called out. In fact, we know that not all men act or behave this way. The problem is that it has become such a reoccurring pattern that many men are doing the same misogynistic jokes or committing violence against women, that it has become a recognizable issue. “Not all men” is used as a defence mechanism to try and avert the attention away from the patriarchal values that have been set in stone. Honestly, I have never met someone who has used the term “not all men” who was not trying to defend a patriarchal standpoint.
Like the pre-pandemic era, many inequities remain for women. What Women Want was one of the first “back to normal” events since restrictions lifted only a few weeks prior. The problem is that the event is not necessarily affordable for women who are living in precarious situations. Trade shows are expensive, especially when the fee to get in the door is $12, then to shop will cost even more. What Women Want was an event where you could go and enjoy a safe and welcoming environment – if you could afford it. Often, when we look at situations where we try to help provide supports for women, we forget different geneses of women. I am not just talking about low-income earning women either, this includes women of different minorities in religions, races, genders, and ethnicities. Forget What Women Want, change it to What THEY Want. While it was a riot to attend, it is an event for privileged individuals who can afford it. We need to have no cost spaces where women can exist without being harassed, which shows how low the bar is to begin with. I would like to say that What Women Really Want is a bottle of wine and a gift card to get a pedicure, but the state of gender-equality is far from balanced. There is work to be done to achieve safe spaces for women, whether that be at home, in the workplace, or in recreation spaces. Privileged women live at a more equal rate than non-privileged. Achieving gender-equity will require intersectional solidarity for every group. I would like to say I would really want a GoPro, but I would settle for having a safe study space first.
gillian massie staff writer
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editors: safal gangwani, rooky jegede graphics@carillonregina.com the carillon | mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
mar 17 - mar 23, 2022
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