THE ARG OSY
NEWS Get to know the university librarian (Pg. 3)
ARTS & CULTURE Owens takes visitors behind the scenes (Pg. 10)
Underestimating our Thanksgiving workloads since 1872
OPINIONS Observations on Sackvillians (Pg. 11)
CREATIVE “Christmas in July” (Pg. 14)
Mount Allison’s Independent Student Newspaper
COVER: MADELEINE HANSEN, UNTITLED, INK AND MARKERS, 2019. October 17, 2019 Vol. 149, Iss. 6
02 NEWS
EDITOR: AMELIA MACDOUGALL FLEMING & EMMA CONRAD | OCTOBER 17. 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
GUEST SPEAKER
Chef Michael Smith discusses sustainable food practices
First President’s Speakers Series guest talks about ethical consumption THURSDAY, OCT. 17 Pops Through the Ages 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Con Hall Interdisciplinary Conversations 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Windsor Grand Hall Room
FRIDAY, OCT. 18 University Open House 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Psychology Department Seminar Series 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Avard-Dixon G12
SATURDAY, OCT. 19 MTA UN Conference 8 to 9 p.m. Sackville Farmers Market 9 to 12 p.m. Bill Johnstone Memorial Park
SUNDAY, OCT. 20 Vespers 6 to 7 p.m. Chapel Manning room
MONDAY, OCT. 21 Lunchtime Skate 12 to 1:30 p.m. Civic Centre Finding an Internship Abroad + Funding 7 to 8:30 p.m. Avard-Dixon G12
TUESDAY, OCT. 22 Make Do & Mend 12 to 3 p.m. Sackville Commons
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23 Unearthing Justice Book Event 1 to 2:30 p.m. Hart Hall 101 Collegium Musicum 4p.m. to 5 p.m. Brunton Auditorium Bagtown Babblers 7 to 8:30 p.m. Avard Dixon, 116
LAURA SKINNER News Reporter “I’m not here to tell you all these glorious stories about working for the Food Network for 15 years or that time in Paris with the guy with the baguette,” said Chef Michael Smith, a Canadian celebrity chef and the co-proprietor of the Inn at Bay Fortune and the recently opened Inn at Fortune Bridge. “I’m not here to talk about that. I am here to poke you in the eye. The bottom line is that the adults in this room have created an unsustainable food system and in doing so ruined our planet.” On Oct. 7, Smith gave a talk titled Everything I Know About Life I Learned in the Kitchen as a part of Mount Allison’s President’s Speaker Series. Smith is a well-known Canadian chef, the host of multiple cooking shows featured on the Food Network Canada, a judge on Chopped Canada, and the author of 10 bestselling cookbooks. During his talk, Smith discussed the world’s unsustainable food system, the social context of food and his inn on Prince Edward Island, where almost 100 per cent of the food served is produced on their property. Dr. Elizabeth Jewett, a Canadian studies professor, introduced the talk, noting that the President’s Speakers Series brings in speakers from Canada and around the world to discuss current issues of interest and concern. “For the 2019-20 academic year, the university chose the concept of ‘ideas without borders,’ welcoming speakers from the local, regional and international community,” Jewett said. Students, faculty and members of the Sackville community filled Brunton auditorium to listen to Smith, the first speaker in the series. Smith began by discussing the problems with our current food system and why it needs to change. “When you’re a dad, you start to understand that the food you are cooking and putting on the table is going to have a profound impact on the life of somebody else,” said Smith. “You start to pay attention. And frankly, I paid attention so much that I got pissed off. “I began to understand for the first time in my life how screwed up the food system is that we have created for this planet,” he added. “We have decided to believe this colossal myth that somehow it’s okay to let a factory cook for us and our kids.” Smith went on to discuss the environmental impacts of food: “Food contributes 40 per cent of the emissions that have created climate change. Food. Not transportation, not oil, not gas, not cars, not trucks – food,” Smith said. “Then I discovered this thing called Big Food Inc. Do you think they
SMITH BELIEVES PEOPLE SHOULD CARE ABOUT WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM. MARA IRETA GORDON/ARGOSY give a damn about you? No. You’re just where the money comes from, that’s all,” Smith said. “And when we’re ignorant, when we don’t pay attention, when we’re not engaged, and when I say something to you like ‘Well, you’re eating a steak; that means a cow died’ and ‘You like your bacon; well, that means a pig died’ and you say to me ‘Ew,’ I feel like slapping you. Wake up. Like seriously, because it’s that willful ignorance that has led to the horrific practices in animal raising across this country and around the world.” Smith also critiqued the current trend of meatless burgers. “A
“EATING FOOD BY YOURSELF IS NO BLOODY FUN, EATING FOOD IN A CAR DRIVING TO WORK IS NO FUN, EATING FOOD WITH OTHER PEOPLE, THAT’S FUN” meatless burger is just processed food with a new name, that’s all it is, more processed food,” he said. “Do you really want to eat a burger made out of plants that a boardroom table full of scientists and lawyers have studied to death trying to figure out how to make a plant taste like the iron that’s in the blood of a cow? Do you really want to eat that? Look at the label; if you can pronounce one word in that ingredient list, go ahead and eat it.” Smith noted that people need to start taking action if they want to make a real difference. “Too many of us spend too much time egotistically yelling at the top of our lungs and our voices righteous indignations. Screaming at the top of our lungs about something that’s wrong,
staking out a position way off on one side of that issue, satisfying our own ego instead of getting in there and doing the work,” he said. Smith realized he was tired of just being a part of the conversation when he received an award 15 years ago for his life’s achievements. “I wanted to get right in there and do the work. I didn’t know what that meant but I knew I had to do something real and something tangible,” he said. Smith’s way of doing this was to purchase the Inn at Bay Fortune with his wife, where he worked as a young chef in the 90s. Smith came up with three “crazy ideas” on how he’d run it now. “The first idea for us: let’s grow food. In fact, let’s grow it all,” said Smith. “We’re five years in and we have eight acres of the farm under cultivation. We now have five greenhouses [and] a massive garden complex. This year we planted over 300 different fruits and vegetables on our property. We’re a culinary farm, we serve 80 guests a night and we grow what we serve right there on that farm,” Smith said. He noted that they’re not producing 100 per cent of the food they serve on their property yet, but they get closer every year. “Who wouldn’t go to a restaurant that grows their own food, especially if they cook it all with live fire? And that’s what we do, 100 per cent live fire,” Smith said of his second idea. Smith’s third idea was the one that scared him the most: “Who wouldn’t go to a restaurant growing what they serve? Who wouldn’t go to a restaurant cooking with live fire? But what about a restaurant that serves its meals communally? Shared side-byside with strangers at long tables.” Smith discussed what he learned about the social context of food. “Finding the time as families to sit down together each and every single
day at the table without devices.… Somehow we’ve lost that. There are kids in this room who have grown up never eating at the table with their parents. There are kids in this room who think it’s okay to have a meal with other people with their devices going all night long,” Smith said. Smith added that soon after his restaurant opened, he was no longer nervous about his idea. “Eating food by yourself is no bloody fun. Eating food in a car driving to work is no fun. Eating food with other people, that’s fun,” Smith said. “I don’t remember what I ate but I always remember who was there, what we talked about and what the occasion was. As I said, what matters more is who’s at the table rather than what’s on the table.” At the end of the talk, Smith took questions from the audience. One student said that he finds it difficult to sit down and eat meals with his roommates without devices. He asked what people can do to convince others to enact change. “There’s only direct personal experience. So you’ve got to figure out a way to get them engaged. In other words, have a dinner party,” Smith said. “At the end of the day, we need to be able to look at ourselves in the mirror and know that we did our best today for our sphere of influence. That’s it, there’s no more. You can’t do more. “Just get them together.… Get everybody to stack their devices, get them off the table. That’s going to help,” Smith added. “We have this generation growing up looking for ways to do their best, looking for ways each and every day to make good, sustainable choices,” Smith said. “I’m here to remind you that the very best way you can do that each and every single day is through the food choices you make.”
NEWS
THE ARGOSY | WWW.SINCE1872.CA
ECONOMICS
03
Moving away from a capitalist economy Film screening gives an inside look into co-operative organizations across Canada
EMMA CONRAD News Editor Last Tuesday, the Co-operative Enterprise Council of New Brunswick (CECNB), along with the Cross-Cultural Youth Project, came to Mount Allison to present a free screening of A Silent Transformation, a documentary focused on cooperative companies in Ontario and how they are impacting the world economically and socially. The screening was open to the public and followed by a discussion. “We have a mandate to build a social economy and sustainable communities through the cooperative and social enterprise movement,” said Wendy Keiths, the executive director of CECNB. Co-operatives, or co-ops, are enterprises that are owned and controlled by their own members to realize their common social, economic and cultural needs. Co-operatives are not owned by shareholders, which gives them the power to stay in the communities that they were established in. Profits are typically invested back into the enterprise. CECNB is a community economic development agency that provides services specifically to co-ops and social enterprises. They advocate to the government on issues that concern co-ops, help to increase the public profile of N.B. co-ops and provide resources on bylaws and policies; board development; facilitation; and access to financing, capital and investment. There are over 700 co-ops and social enterprises in New
Brunswick, operating in forestry, agriculture, construction, housing and technology. Co-ops in New Brunswick make around $2 billion annually, and provide approximately 16,000 full-time jobs. “Co-operatives are a global force [that have] been building our economy in New Brunswick for almost 200 years now,” said Keiths. She also mentioned that the oldest ongoing co-operative in the world, which was established by a group of farmers, is located in Sussex, N.B. Co-ops also play a huge role in building local economies in rural areas, and provide opportunities to minority populations such as Indigenous peoples and immigrants. According to CECNB’s website, almost half of the co-ops in New Brunswick are employed by marginalized groups.
THERE ARE OVER 700 CO-OPS AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN NEW BRUNSWICK, OPERATING IN FORESTRY, AGRICULTURE, CONSTRUCTION, HOUSING AND TECHNOLOGY. The Cross-Cultural Youth Project is a federally-funded CECNB initiative that works with youth aged 15 to 30 in order to strengthen communities,
THE FILM SHOWCASED SUCCESSFUL CO-OPERATIVES IN RURAL AND URBAN ONTARIO. MARA IRETA GORDON/ARGOSY foster cultural awareness and build collaborative relationships between First Nations, Francophone and Anglophone communities. They work with CECNB by engaging young people in co-operatives. “We engage youth in civic service through four different avenues,” explained Gregory Burton, who works with the Cross-Cultural Youth Project. “One is by volunteer placements, one is through mentorship, one is through group activities that [youth] do together that we develop for them or that we accompany them to, and the last one is through their own creative projects.” The film A Silent Transformation was made by young co-operatives
who wanted to raise awareness about the co-operative movement in Ontario. The documentary focused on individuals who worked in co-ops discussing how they are important to the future of our economy. “When I watch things like this it just reinforces for me the need for a different way, a different kind of economy,” said Keiths after the documentary was over. Burton spoke about the economic challenges many young people are facing when going into the workplace. “My experience with cooperatives, living in Montreal with people my age in [their] 20s and early 30s, was still that people were making co-operatives for necessity,” he said. “There were various necessities,
financial necessity being one of them. Jobs are scarcer, finding work in your field is more difficult, so people have less money and they’re looking to co-operatives to try to bridge some of those gaps.” “I think co-ops help build sustainable communities,” said Mackenzie Gordon, a fourth-year Mt. A student who attended the screening. “Having worked in communities in Ontario, I’ve seen the benefit of programs like this.” “It becomes a need at a certain point to feel as though you’re participating in [the] kind of economy you can believe in,” said Burton. “People for that reason are supporting co-ops.”
PROFILE
Get to know the new university librarian
Dr. Dianne Keeping is settling in to life at Mt. A and looking forward to the year ahead
AMELIA MACDOUGALL FLEMING
News Editor
On Aug. 7, Dr. Dianne Keeping began her position as the new university librarian at Mount Allison. The university librarian supervises operations in the R.P. Bell Library and Archives, as well as the Mt. A music library. Whoever is in the position oversees the work being done by librarians, library staff and library technicians. “I’ve lived in larger centres for most of my adult life but I grew up in a very small town about the size of Sackville,” said Keeping. “So, in a way it’s a bit like coming home again.” Keeping grew up in Newfoundland and went to university at Memorial University and then at Dalhousie in Nova Scotia. She completed a PhD in archeology in England where she studied skeletal remains of medieval nuns. Keeping has worked in a hospital library, was a research consultant for the Newfoundland and Labrador government and was a cataloger and
collection developer for the MUN library for 11 years. Before working at Mount Allison, Keeping worked at Mount Royal University in Calgary as collections manager. Keeping remarked that the main difference between Mount Allison and other places she has worked before is the size: “Mount Allison is small but mighty. It’s a much smaller university than the others I have worked with. It’s interesting to come into a smaller environment. It’s all very compact and it has its unique ways of doing things. I like the small size; it’s quite nice.” For the next five years, Keeping is expecting to be busy working on the library renovation project. She spoke about the committee formed last year called Vision 2025. “They were involved with creating a vision with a big wish list about what we would like to have if money was no object,” said Keeping. “Next phase will be striking another committee and we’ll be taking the “pie in the sky” wish list and bringing it down into more practical actions, wishes and dreams
and looking at the physical space and seeing what has to happen.” In order to do this, Keeping will focus on what “the basic functions we need in a library are, and how do you fit all of those wish-list items in around the space, and what is that going to look like.” Keeping spoke about the social aspects of her job as well. “An important part of the university librarian’s role is outreach,” she said. “Engaging with other members of the campus community to let them know the library is here, this is what we do for you, this is how we contribute to the university environment and how we contribute to the student educational process.” The university librarian position is also responsible for making connections outside the university. “There are universities all around Atlantic Canada and across Canada as well. All the university librarians have a network where we talk to each other and find out what the other libraries are doing across Canada and how we can make connections and
KEEPING GREW UP IN THE SOUTH OF NEWFOUNDLAND.PENGYI HUANG/ARGOSY learn from each other to make sure that we’re providing an educational experience that’s equivalent to each other,” said Keeping. “My job is to guide, to process and keep everyone calm and collected, so that when you guys come in you just see that everything is operating smoothly. So we look calm on the top but underneath we’re [paddling] like ducks,” said Keeping, describing her day-to-day work. “It’s basically
keeping things moving along, ensuring that our students have a place to go to study and to get the help they need. The important thing I want to get across to students is that we’re here to help you. And don’t be shy about coming and asking for any assistance.”
04
NEWS
OCTOBER 17, 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
FUNDING
Youth hold forum on climate change
Youth present climate change prevention ideas to be funded by Sackville Town Council
ZOE HUNTER News Reporter The Mayor’s Roundtable on Climate Change, a discussion about climaterelated issues, held a youth forum on climate change on Oct. 2. On Friday, Oct. 11 youth from Sackville gathered again at Tantramar Regional High School (TRHS) to discuss ideas presented at the last forum and decide which to propose for Sackville’s 2020 sustainability budget. The first proposal, mentioned by Natasha Gosselin, MASU sustainability coordinator and Argosy reporter, is developing a recycling and compost program for apartment buildings. Gosselin said that there are 700 apartments in Sackville that do not have recycling. Gosselin also mentioned that a previous Sustainable Sackville plan had wanted to “Integrate multi-unit apartments into wet/dry program.” “This from a long time ago,” she said. “They said they were going to recycle but they never did.” The group also plans on proposing a new composting plan. As of now, Gosselin said, “normal compost goes into organic landfill. They could have
a separate compost that the town could come pick up once every two weeks and turn that specifically into fertilizer.” “There is [compost pickup] for houses, but not for apartments,” said Simon Cope, a third-year student who attended the forum. “It is just such a huge waste when you throw everything in the garbage.” Sustainable business ideas were
“IT IS JUST SUCH A HUGE WASTE WHEN YOU THROW EVERYTHING IN THE GARBAGE” also discussed at the forum. Gosselin suggested proposing that Sackville should “have a plan implemented for a zero-waste store in their next budget.” Those attending also mentioned starting a tree-planting initiative in Sackville. They plan on doing this by working with Community Forests International (CFI), an environmental non-profit that has an office in Sackville. CFI is holding
THE SECOND FORUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE TOOK PLACE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA. GILL HILL/ARGOSY a talk on forests and floods at Mount Allison on Oct. 16. Lastly, the group spoke about adding murals around town that are related to the climate crisis. “Sometimes it can be good to give people a visual of what happens [if environmental problems are not addressed] and then it looks good too,” said Gosselin. Some TRHS students who have been involved in the climate strikes started a club at their school that speaks out about environmental
issues. “It’s sort of a breakout group of Sackville Youth Climate Change Coalition, which organized the climate strikes,” said Quinn Macaskill, a ninth-grade student who attended the forum. “We created a Tantramar version of that where we can work on some of the things we’re doing with the other group but also focusing more on the school and things to improve there.” Macaskill said that it was important for youth to get involved because “It’s
our future that is going to either be a great future or a not so great future depending on the results of the climate crisis.” A public presentation of ideas for the 2020 budget will be held on Oct. 21. Here, the ideas brought up at the forums will be proposed to the municipal government. This is a public event that anyone from the community can attend.
NEWS
THE ARGOSY | WWW.SINCE1872.CA
GOVERNMENT
05
Cuts to financial assistance leave New Brunswick students unable to pay tuition NBSA fighting against changes regarding recent government cuts made to financial aid
EMMA CONRAD News Editor In May of 2019, the provincial government cut several programs that assist students financially. These programs included the Free Tuition Program, Tuition Relief for the Middle Class and the Timely Completion Benefit, one of the only debt-relief programs in New Brunswick. To replace these programs, the government introduced the Renewed Tuition Bursary program along with tax credits. “[The Renewed Tuition Bursary] cut funding from students, only making them eligible for up to $10,000,” said Ailish MacKenzieFoley, a board director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) and vice-president education of the St. Thomas University Union. “The way [the New Brunswick government] justified it is that they’ve expanded the program, so now it’s available to those who are in private institutions as well,” said Emelyana Titarenko, president of MASU and the chair for the NBSA. “We as a board found this unacceptable,” said MacKenzieFoley. “Cuts to student financial aid are cuts to many students’ futures, as many will not be able to come back to school due to lack of funding.” Titarenko also discussed the timing of this change, and how many students were unaware of the changes until they came back to school in September. “It happened at a time where students were off campus, and no one really knew that this was happening,” she said. “When students came back, they realized it when they received their assessments and student loan forms back.” The NBSA is the largest student organization in New Brunswick, representing over 12,000 students. It is made up of student leaders from four universities: the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Fredericton, UNB Saint John, St. Thomas University and Mount Allison University. Every year, the NBSA travels to Fredericton to discuss matters with each school’s member of the legislative assembly (MLA) to advocate for students’ needs for that particular year. The NBSA began the #DontCutOurFuture campaign with the goal of getting the government to invest more in up-front, nonrepayable, needs-based grants, as well as creating a debt-relief program that is more accessible. “The Timely Completion Benefit was not that accessible,” said Titarenko. “If you had a debt over $32,000, [all the money] after that would be forgiven, but you still had to pay the $32,000.” The NBSA highlighted their key points of reasoning behind the
campaign. The first point was about the number of low-income students who were able to go to post-secondary because of the grants they had received in the past years. In 2017-18, over 6,300 students had their tuition fully covered. Another key point was that New Brunswick has the highest average student debt in all of Canada. New Brunswick students have an average of $35,200 in government debt when they graduate, whereas the national average for student government loan debt is around $22,300. Another reason the NBSA started the #DontCutOurFuture campaign is because they argue that New Brunswick will face more outmigration if students have higher debts to pay once they graduate. According to Titarenko, outmigration is already a huge issue in New Brunswick. “Students are just leaving after they graduate from New Brunswick schools,” she said. “One of the things that we talk about in our debt-relief program is ‘Why not give students an incentive or a reason to stay?’ ” The NBSA also outlined what they want the new debt-relief program to look like in a letter that they presented to their MLAs. “The biggest thing about this campaign was to really raise awareness to it and let the government know that students are being affected,” said Titarenko. Students from universities in New Brunswick discussed the different ways that these changes have affected them personally. “I didn’t receive enough funding for my first year of university through student loans,” said an anonymous Mt. A student in a testimony acquired by MASU and presented to the MLAs. “However, when I called and claimed that I wasn’t receiving enough and there must be a mistake, they said that I had more than enough accessible external funding and they weren’t able to loan anymore. It was ‘my fault’ I didn’t get more money in scholarships.” “I was set to receive student-debt relief but it was cancelled just before I could,” said an anonymous student from UNB Fredericton. “I was a low-income student, and grew up in poverty from birth until 18 when I received my first student loan.” “With barely enough money to stay in school, I’m now couch-surfing, studying full-time and working parttime, working with sports teams and working weekends at another job in my hometown two hours away just to make ends meet,” another student from UNB Fredericton testified. Students are especially affected now that tuition in New Brunswick has increased. “All of the tuitions in New Brunswick went up this year, so most of them are above $8,000,” said Titarenko. With students now having
STUDENTS CAN SIGN UP TO ATTEND ADVOCACY WEEK THIS FALL IN FREDERICTON WITH NBSA. MARA IRETA GORDON/ARGOSY to pay higher tuitions, the $3,000 that the Renewed Tuition Bursary offers barley covers any tuition. The NBSA also wants to present the MLAs with pictures of the “Wall of Debt” on the Mt. A campus to show just how much money students are going to owe when they complete their post-secondary education. The Wall of Debt is located just before the main doors to enter the library. “We were asking students, ‘What do you estimate your debt will be coming out of university?’ ” said Titarenko. “We wanted to build that Wall of Debt to show that a lot of students are coming out of university and that wall is a barrier.” Not only do these changes affect students who are already in university, but they could also have an impact on students who have not yet started their post-secondary education. “[Debt] is a huge thing that people stress about,” said Titarenko. “Knowing that if they go to university, [their debt will be high].” Another thing to consider is the effects these cuts have on students who come from low-income families. Individuals who grew up in poverty or low-income families often choose not
to attend university to avoid student debt. “It’s creating an additional barrier to education,” said Titarenko. Titarenko explained that the next step for the campaign will be Advocacy Week in November. The NBSA will be meeting with MLAs to present their asks. The first ask is to reconsider the financial program cuts for university students in New Brunswick. With Advocacy Week coming up next month, Titarenko talked about ways that students can get involved with this campaign. “We will be recruiting students who want to take part in it,” said Titarenko. “It’s happening during our [November] reading week, so it’s a great opportunity for students to get involved with it, and be right at the front lines advocating to those MLAs who are representing us.” MacKenzie-Foley discussed how the NBSA’s main goals are in the best interests of the students. “Our first [goal] was to engage with our students (through mobilization). Another is to always keep students informed of these issues,” she explained. “Lastly, [our goal is] to speak out on behalf of our students to the government, having the government
listen to our concerns surrounding student financial aid, and making a change instead of cutting more post-secondary education,” said MacKenzie-Foley. The NBSA would like to see more financial contributions to the new post-secondary financial assistance programs in the province’s 2020 budget. “A huge [goal] would be [to see] that [the Renewed Tuition Bursary] has more investments into it, that it’s not $3,000 but maybe it’s back to $10,000,” said Titarenko. “Or even that it’s consistent with the amount of tuition that students have to pay.” Titarenko ended the interview with a message to students that the NBSA is doing what they can to be the voices of those who are being affected. “Not only is [this] to show students that the NBSA is here for them and we’re here to advocate to the government, [it’s] also to show the government that the changes that you make have a huge impact and we want to be a part of the conversation.” “To see New Brunswick as a province thrive, you first need to invest in the students,” said MacKenzie-Foley.
06 ARTS & CULTURE
EDITOR: BEN MAKSYM OCTOBER 17, 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
TV REVIEW
Netflix’s “The Politician”
A highly satirized, poignant look at the world of over-achievers
THIS NETFLIX SERIES SETS A PRECEDENT FOR PRESIDENTIAL DRAMAS ON THE PLATFORM. MADELEINE HANSEN/ARGOSY
HANNAH TUCK Arts & Culture Reporter “Politics isn’t about policies – a candidate is elected on a story.” If you had to guess which punchy political drama’s charismatic lead this line came from, you probably
wouldn’t choose The Politician’s Payton Hobart, a high schooler from a rich family in Santa Barbara who wants, more than anything, to become student body president so he can one day become president of the United States. The Politician on Netflix is “a show
about moxie, ambition, and getting what you want by whatever means necessary.” The further you get into the first episode, the more you realize that all of these characters, who are treating their high school election like the be-all end-all event of their young lives, are just teenagers, though like Payton they also have political aspirations. Payton is a complex character who softens over the eight episodes, played wonderfully by Ben Platt, who many will know from Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen. Payton has been studying presidents since he was seven years old. His girlfriend Alice (Julia Schlaepfer) is willing to do whatever she has to do make sure that Payton wins, as are his campaign manager McAfee (Laura Dreyfuss, also of Dear Evan Hansen fame) and campaign co-chair James (Theo Germaine), all of whom treat the world of high-school politics as if it were the halls of government in Washington. Payton also gets moral guidance from his mother Georgina (Gwenyth Paltrow), whose love for her son outweighs all the kaftans money can buy. And she has a lot of kaftans and money. But Payton is not without his enemies. His archrival is Astrid Sloan (played by Lucy Boynton, previously seen in Bohemian Rhapsody), who has manipulated her boyfriend River (David Corenswet) into running against Payton for student body president, knowing that River and Payton have a romantic past together. Payton is encouraged to find a running mate who humanizes him, so he chooses Infinity Jackson (Zoey Deutch), who is going through chemotherapy for cancer and is closely guarded by her grandmother
Dusty (the closest the series gets to a dedicated villain character, played by Jessica Lange). River’s running mate Skye Leighton (Rahne Jones), who is on track to be the first gender nonconforming African American vice president at the school. The series’ thesis statement can be seen in the theme sequence of the show, which is set to the song Chicago by Sufjan Stevens. In the sequence, you see all the things that make up the politician that Payton wants to be, as he is also literally made almost like a statue (I won’t go into specifics here, as there are a few cool Easter eggs that make the sequence worth watching as the show goes on, no matter how tempting the “skip intro” button might be). It’s an interesting way of presenting the main idea behind the series: are people born, or are they made in the image of who they aspire to be? Though the show is very satirical in its take on politics, both within high school and in real life, the question it’s asking is very human. The show as a whole has an elevated take on current society and those who wish to help run it. Many of these high school students will do whatever it takes to win the election, and it comes with all the twists one would expect of a political drama – who’s beating who in the polls, the importance of picking a running mate, and back alley dealings to make sure you stay ahead of your opponent. But the show also plays into the reputation of showrunner Ryan Murphy’s shows as a diversely cast, somewhat over-the-top soap opera. His other major credits include Glee and Pose. What is refreshing about this show, however, is that many of the LGBTQ angles of the show are not major plot points for the characters.
It’s just who they are. This simple point of never having a character outwardly say where they are on the spectrum spoke volumes to me; that’s not what the show is about. People are going to love who they love and that is one side of them, but it’s not their main purpose in this story. The first season mostly follows Payton and his quest for the presidency, but the stand-out episode to me comes at around the halfway point. It’s election day, and instead of following either candidate, the show decides to follow an undecided voter (a fellow student) through their day and their experience of the election. This is a new angle for political dramas, as it’s rare for them to focus on voter apathy. The voter claims he isn’t planning on voting in the school election because he feels his vote doesn’t matter, despite what both candidates and their teams are forcefully telling him. This is an episode that hits home especially hard in 2019 and 2020, as both Canada and the United States are gearing up for major elections and a majority of the voting power resides with the generation that has come of age since the previous election. The tagline of The Politician is simple: “We promise to promise you everything.” I think it delivers on this promise. From the incredibly diverse and talented cast (it’s Jessica freaking Lange, people!), to the sharp writing with excellent plot twists and the cinematography as a whole, it’s got it all. Pair this with Payton’s hilarious, occasionally far-fetched quest for mass acceptance at the centre of it all, and the first season of The Politician gives its viewers something to hope for – an already-promised second season that’s just as good as the first.
INDIGENOUS CULTURE
Mount Allison hosts Indigenous day of learning and language
Speeches, talks and panels educate students and community members on Indigenous issues in a journey toward truth and reconciliation MAGGIE PITMAN Arts & Culture Reporter In December of 2016, the United Nations declared 2019 the Year of Indigenous Languages as a next step toward truth and reconciliation globally. Throughout the school year, Mount Allison has been planning and partaking in events that shine a light on Indigenous culture and take steps toward cultural diversity. One such event took place last Wednesday in Tweedie Hall. The Day of Indigenous Learning and Languages was an all-day affair, with the opening prayer and welcome beginning at 9:30 a.m. The day then quickly transitioned into a panel discussion on the importance of Indigenous self-identification on a university campus. The panel
was made up of Elder Noel Milliea, Knowledge Keeper Paulina Meader, and Mt. A students Kiara Bubar, Bryenton Innes and Raven Stephens Elwell. The panel was asked to define what self-identification meant to them and how can it be measured. Innes kicked off the discussion with his perspective on how self-identification comes from within. “It is our own responsibility to respect and acknowledge our own identities,” he said. Throughout the responses it was said more than once that there is a fear in the Indigenous community that comes with expressing an identity. A fear of prejudice and racism still looms over the members of Indigenous communities, which is why events like this one are so vital within universities.
The day continued with keynote speaker Dr. Cindy Blackstock. Her talk was titled #IsitGenocide? and featured detailed arguments on how the persecution of Indigenous people globally is in fact similar to many historical genocides. She separated her
“WE NEED TO DO BETTER BECAUSE WE KNOW BETTER” talk into 10 categories, each defining a stage of genocide: classification, symbolization, discrimination, dehumanization, organization, polarization, preparation, persecution, extermination and denial. She gave real examples of each category from Indigenous history.
This further proved that the atrocities committed against Indigenous people were in fact genocide. After lunch, speaker Denise Pictou Maloney gave an educational talk about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and LGBT2Q+, as well as the importance of creating awareness and change around both of these groups separately and together. There was then another brief panel discussing the importance of Indigenous language courses in postsecondary institutions. The discussion was centred around how teaching Indigenous culture and language in school can be an important step in the process of decolonization in Canada. The day concluded with another talk from Dr. Cindy Blackstock. She spoke about Jordan’s Principle, which ensures that First Nations children
have equitable access to all public services. She also spoke about what Canada’s next steps should be in honouring and protecting Indigenous children with the appropriate government funded resources. “We need to do better because we know better,” said Blackstock. The Indigenous Day of Learning and Language is one of the many events at Mt. A centred around Indigenous learning. Educating ourselves on Indigenous issues and cultures is an integral part of inhabiting this land as settlers. These events don’t only benefit the people they are celebrating; they benefit everyone who is ready and willing to learn.
ARTS & CULTURE
THE ARGOSY | WWW.SINCE1872.CA
FILM REVIEW
2005’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’
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A perfect mix of Austen-era aesthetics and modern romance ideals HANNAH TUCK Arts & Culture Reporter When you hear the words “Jane Austen” or “Pride and Prejudice,” what comes to mind? If you’re anything like me, it’s images of bonnets and of women chasing wealthy husbands. While those elements are in the story of Pride and Prejudice, they are not what is at its core, whether it be the 2005 film – our main topic of discussion – or the original source material. For the uninitiated, the story of Pride and Prejudice follows the lives of the Bennet sisters, who are all living in a decently-sized country estate with their laid-back father Mr. Bennet (played here by a delightfully sarcastic Donald Sutherland) and their busybody mother Mrs. Bennet (played by Brenda Blethyn, the perfect foil to Sutherland). While the five Bennet sisters all get their moments in the film, the real stars of the show are the two eldest Bennet sisters. Jane, played by Rosamund Pike, immediately charms one Mr. Bingley, a role Simon Woods seems all too happy to lean into. Elizabeth, more commonly referred to as Lizzie, who is expertly portrayed by Keira Knightley, despises Bingley’s friend Mr. Darcy, whose character arc is captured perfectly by Matthew Macfayden, from the moment she meets him… that is, until she gets to know him and falls in love. The film is at its strongest when it focuses on the inner workings of the Bennet family, specifically when it highlights how the mismatched attitudes of the Bennet parents have shaped the girls and how they view the world. One might think that a film like this would be all drama, but that is not the case. The film delivers many comedic moments, with my favourite being when Mr. Bennet simply looks at someone with disdain over his morning newspaper. I don’t think I related to anybody more than in that moment. Of course, Pride and Prejudice is a
romance, and the film does provide numerous romantic moments as well, although a few of the key ones have been changed from the source material. Instead of our main romantic hero, Darcy, being rejected in a house one morning, he is turned down by the girl he loves in what looks to be a very cold April rainstorm, all to make it more dramatic and swoon-worthy for modern audiences. This absolutely wouldn’t have happened in real life, or even in Austen’s original novel, as that would have been most impolite – not just because it’s outside in the middle of a rainstorm, but because he hasn’t even gone to her father yet. Still, I couldn’t resist getting swept up in the moment and applauding Lizzie for rejecting Mr. Darcy’s proposal (at least, the first one) in the manner that she does. Knightley’s Lizzie makes it abundantly clear from the start that only the deepest love will make her marry someone, and this is something she stands by. The film does, of course, end happily, as any good romantic movie does, and she marries Mr. Darcy not because of his wealth, but because she has fallen in love with him despite their initial misunderstanding of each other. Though Lizzie’s internal dialogues are lost due to the nature of film, her thought processes as she realizes what it would be like to be Darcy’s wife are as clear in the film as they are in the book. The other standout performance in this film is its music. Like any good film score, it heightens the film’s aesthetics and enhances the story it’s trying to tell. I encourage you, even if you’ve never seen the movie, to go look up the soundtrack wherever you find your music and listen to the tracks Dawn and Liz on Top of the World and tell me you don’t immediately feel transported to Austen’s English countryside. Adaptations are notoriously tricky to get right, especially in the case of a story such as Pride and Prejudice, where audiences already know the
IN BOTH BOOK AND FILM, ELIZABETH BENNET OVERCOMES HER PRIDE AND PREJUDICE TO FIND LOVE IN AN UNLIKELY PLACE. MADELEINE HANSEN/ARGOSY characters and at least the basics of the story. But this adaptation gets everything right. From the immediate chemistry between Jane and Mr. Bingley, to the slow-burn, broodingturned-charming romance with Mr.
Darcy and Elizabeth, to the dynamics between the Bennet sisters, the film delivers on every level. I watched this movie at an English Society movie night, where people knew the story quite well and were
still swooning by the end. You will not be able to help cheering for Lizzie the entire time, and it would be impossible for you not to want a romance like Lizzie and Mr. Darcy by the time the credits roll.
Mount Allison hosted its 3rd annual Powwow on Oct. 10 at the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre. “I think that it’s really important to hold these Powwows to raise awareness about the Indigenous people of Canada,” said Mt. A student Kailey Trenholm, who is of Cree descent. “The Powwows serve as not only a celebration but also as a reminder that we are a strong people.”
There were almost 200 people in attendance, including students from Mount Allison as well as local and surrounding schools and members of the community.
The lead male dancer was Leon Julian along with the lead female dancer, Kate Jadis. The head female youth dancer was Madison Milliea along with the head male youth dancer, John David Morris. The drummers included Wabanaki Confederacy, Hey Cuzzins and East Boys.
The past few weeks have seen Mount Allison host several events centring Indigenous people, from the Indigenous Day of Learning and Language to the more somber vigil for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. PHOTOS BY GILL HILL, ILLUSTRATIONS BY KIARA MAZEROLLE, CAPTIONS BY NATASHA GOSSELIN
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ARTS & CULTURE
OCTOBER 17, 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
FINE ARTS
Owens takes visitors behind the scenes Art gallery opens up painting vault and conservation lab for one night
THE COMMUNITY WAS WELCOMED INTO THE OWENS TO SEE BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE GALLERY. AUDE GAZZANO/ARGOSY
JULIANNA RUTLEDGE Arts & Culture Reporter “Usually you see exhibitions and everything is on the wall and looking perfect,” said Jane Tisdale, the Owens Art Gallery’s fine arts conservator.
“It’s nice to see where that came from: where they’re stored [and] what kind of work they’ve had done to get them prepared for the exhibition.” Last week the Owens opened their doors to the public in a different light than usual. The conservation lab and
painting vault, usually off-limits, were opened to guests of the gallery, showing visitors how much work is done behind the scenes, at Owens After Dark: A Nighttime Open House. Guests wandered into the
basement to visit the vault, where student guides described the work stored there, and to the lab, where the conservators explained the methods used to preserve artwork in the gallery. “Opening up the behind-thescenes areas of the Owens gives people a sense of ownership of this gallery and a greater sense of how an art gallery works, because there’s so much of the work that happens in a gallery that is invisible,” said Lucy MacDonald, the curator of education and community outreach. “This gives people the chance to see the breadth of the collection, to learn a little bit about the history of the Owens and … [to] discover something new.” Although the gallery has previously hosted behind-the-scenes events like this one, the last one took place way back in 2012. As the whole gallery was open, guests could admire the current exhibition Automatisme Ambulatoire upstairs. Artist Brendan Fernandes’ dance installation The Rite was also performed and later there was a screening of the film Hystera Theatre by My Barbarian.
Rachel Thornton, curator of digital engagement at the Owens, helped set up the event. “You get to see a number of works that can’t all be on display at one time … so you can see [the] real diversity of the collection,” she said. “Also [guests can] learn about how art is cared for and stored – there’s a lot of information about that that can be shared in the conservation lab.” The conservation lab had several works on display that were in the process of restoration. Among them were paintings in need of touch-ups and basketwork waiting to be cleaned. “There are a lot of works that need [conservation] – some need minimal restoration, some need quite a lot of work – and so having the lab here is just such a great resource,” said Tisdale. The lab also works with fine arts students every year, providing them with experience in the field. The conservation lab at the Owens Art Gallery is the only painting conservation lab in the province and is a valuable resource for Mount Allison and Sackville.
CONCERT REVIEW
Comyn/PROPERTY Review Sensational bands perform at Thunder and Lightning
NICO LOZADA Contributor Sackville’s Thanksgiving weekend kicked off on Friday night with a cozy double feature at Thunder and Lightning. With much of the student body having gone home for a weekend of family, feasting and festivities, the pub’s atmosphere was much more intimate and laid back than might be expected. With pints resting comfortably in hand, everyone took their seats, eager to hear two talents from opposite ends of the country. Jom Comyn toured all the way from Edmonton to find himself performing in this strange little pub in Sackville. Though down their guitarist, who had to head west early, Comyn and his band of two seemed relaxed, and he admitted he was eager to show off his own skills on the six-string. The light chatter scattered throughout the bar as he gave his introduction quickly dissipated once the music started. Melodies throughout their set evoked both a sense of the bitter prairie winds and that odd feeling of warmth and comfort that comes when friends acknowledge a shared sense of melancholy. But what makes Comyn’s music truly special is undoubtedly his voice. Deep and gruff, yet resolute and calm all at once, the baritone singer bears an uncanny resemblance to a dusty cowboy you might find wandering around a Sergio Leone film. By the end of Comyn’s set, the entire pub had become noticeably more relaxed and friendly, helped in no small part by Comyn’s occasional
monologues, which gave the whole night a sense of familiarity and closeness befitting of a holiday weekend. Even T&L’s infamous bear and raccoon weren’t left out, with Comyn dedicating a song specifically to them, “and all the good boys around the world.” It’s nice to see those two get some love every now and again. Comyn ended his set with a quiet “Thank you” before passing the mic over to Property, a three-piece band hailing from St John’s, N.L. Of course, you wouldn’t have needed me to tell you that; one good look at singer Sarah Harris’ hat with “NOFUNLAND” printed straight across the front would give you a solid idea of what you’re in for. Though lacking a live drummer, Property supported their setup of one bass and two guitars with some choice electronics that did everything from providing backbeats to warping Harris’ voice into a choir of haunting harmonies. And speaking of spooky, their track I Feel Unholy stood out for its confidently eerie atmosphere that seemed to darken the whole room with an otherworldly sense of magic for a moment. This contrasted with songs showing off their unique brand of tongue-in-cheek pop sensibilities, with one in particular paying almost undeniable homage to the Talking Heads’ song Book I Read. By the show’s close, the crowd was clearly fired up. Hoots, hollers and whistles littered the bar as the band finished up their last song, which seemed to come all too soon. Just as quickly as the whole thing started, it
THIS YEAR WE’RE THANKFUL FOR BUMPING BEATS, BANDS, AND BEARS AT T&L. BRE DARLISON/ARGOSY ended, and the two bands naturally transitioned into regular patrons at the bar, casually chatting with everyone that had just seen them play. There wasn’t any turkey, pumpkin
pie or dollar-store decorations, but the spirit of the holiday was undeniably present in the bar throughout the night. Certainly not T&L’s biggest or wildest show by any means, but one
that captured the spirit of the pub and the town on those quiet nights of respite between the madness.
EDITOR: LAUREN SHAY| OCTOBER 17, 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
SEX & RELATIONSHIPS
OPINIONS 11
Choke Me! With my consent
Ongoing conversations about boundaries are an important part of consent GRACE WILSON Contributor I’ve been having sex for a few years. My friends, have been having sex for a few years. Over these collective years, I’ve heard countless tales of the thin walls of student housing; the regretful texts to exes leading to sometimes disappointing, sometimes electric reunions; the musicality of bodies and a generous helping of lube; and many other stories spoken with hushed voices and blushing faces. The latter are stories spoken in a different tone. The way these moments are described is less of a story and more of a question – Is this OK? They describe how, in the throes of passion, a partner overcome with excitement grasped their throat and pushed down until their windpipe was blocked. What my friends don’t describe
readily is the fear they experienced. The sense of panic and terror that comes with a partner not obtaining your consent. The betrayal of a partner assuming, or worse, not caring about your well-being is shocking. It can turn sex – an experience of intimacy, pleasure and fun – into an area of dread, anxiety and, at times, assault. I often have to refrain from grabbing my baseball bat and seeking out the sexual partners who have hurt me and my friends. Instead, I underline that any sexual act without your consent is assault. If someone has done something without asking you first, that is not OK. Choking without consent is assault. No one should presume your consent, and those who do are not safe sexual partners. Conversely, when I’m speaking to people who boast about their kinkiness, I always ask, politely but
CHOKING WITHOUT CONSENT IS ASSAULT
firmly, how they achieved consent. Did you ask your partner for the first time while they were naked, vulnerable and wanting to please you? Then, respectfully, shut up and re-examine whether your sexual needs are more important than your partner’s happiness. (Hint: they shouldn’t be.) Did you ask your partner to do something they were unsure of as a favour for your birthday, graduation, anniversary, promotion or just for doing the dishes? Then, respectfully again, shut up and realize that sex should not be a reward or elicited from your partner through bargaining. Sex is given enthusiastically, without
pressure and through open, honest communication. Conversations about the introduction of kinkier aspects into you and your partner’s sex life are best done outside of the heat of the moment. Bringing it up before you begin to have sex allows your partner to consider your request when not pressured by the expectation of the moment. If someone asks you to consider choking them or being choked, you are entitled to a lot of time to decide, and most importantly you are allowed to say no. Choking is not a sexual act one should step into lightly nor in the heat of the moment. Research
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF KINKIER ASPECTS INTO YOU AND YOUR PARTNER’S SEX LIFE ARE BEST DONE OUTSIDE OF THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT
using reliable sources such as sexual health educators or sexologists should be read to learn the proper technique. Without learning the proper technique you can seriously harm your partner. I’ve found myself so traumatized from the experience of being choked without consent that when I was kissing a new partner and they brought their hand up to cup my face, I instinctively karate-chopped their arm and began shouting. This forced us to stop and have a discussion about my experience, the importance of continued consent and a zone of my body that I did not feel comfortable having touched. It is through these conversations about trauma and boundaries that my partner and I were able to build intimacy that improved sex. Whether that sex would eventually include choking is a decision that would be made between the two of us, only after we have built a foundation of trust and, most importantly, consent.
COLUMN
Observations of Sackvillians
ASHLI GREEN/ARGOSY
HAMISH HALLET Contributor A few weeks have gone by at Mount Allison and, with fall ending, I want to share my observations of the Sackvillians. Most of the time I see students rushing past me to get to class, all dreary-eyed with darkened pockets under their eyes. Hydro Flasks are all sitting on classroom and library tables. Pens scribble and doodle on pages of paper, while others pitter-patter the keyboards of electronic screens. Those are the typical day-to-day activities of Mt. A students. But there are a few things I can’t get my head around. For instance, garlic fingers. I’m just going to say it, and I don’t care if my readers think, “What the hell is this Brit talking about?” It is just garlic bread! I do not understand what the fuss is about! It’s average garlic bread that I can probably purchase from the Independent. I’m sorry to all of the people in the Maritimes, but I don’t think garlic fingers are that big of a deal. And yes, some food from the United Kingdom is not that great either; we can agree on that. Also, what is the deal with everyone not liking walking anywhere? Sackville is not that big, but people don’t even want to walk to
the McDonald’s opposite Tim’s. You are making it out like it’s a marathon! Someone said to me that it is like the people here have Sackvillitus, the number of times you guys complain about walking anywhere. Although, when winter comes, that opinion will probably change pretty quickly from me. My British accent is not a big deal. If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “Oh my god I love your accent,” then my student debt would have been paid off in a year rather than never. The accent is not a big deal; however, I like the compliments, so keep it up. Also, there are more places in England and the United Kingdom than just London. You guys do need to fix up your geography a little bit, but I didn’t know where New Brunswick was so I can’t really talk. Please remember the United Kingdom is a union with four countries in it and that Scotland is not a capital city. You guys are too nice here. Like, annoyingly nice. However, don’t stop being nice because you guys have made me settle here at Mount Allison quicker than I thought. It’s just – Drivers, you can go past the crosswalk when I’m at least 10 inches from the road. You make me do that awkward fast walk across the crosswalk and get to my class a little early, which might be a good thing, I guess. Another thing, don’t be sorry for anything even if it’s not your fault. You guys apologize so much even when it is my fault. Apart from that, Mount Allison has taken me by surprise, and it is only the middle of October. More surprises and memories to come, I hope!
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OPINIONS
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EDITORIAL staff EDITORS IN CHIEF | Maia Herriot and Minnow Holtz-Carriere NEWS EDITORS | Emma Conrad and Amelia MacDougall Fleming ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR | Ben Maksym OPINIONS EDITOR | Lauren Shay HUMOUR EDITOR | William Traves CREATIVE | Matthew Cann COPY EDITOR | Charlotte Savage
PRODUCTION staff PRODUCTION MANAGER | Kiara Mazerolle PHOTO EDITOR | Gill Hill PHOTOGRAPHERS | Aude Gazzano and Pengyi Huang ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR | Ashli Green ILLUSTRATORS | Mara Ireta Gordon and Madeleine Hansen
REPORTING staff NEWS REPORTERS | Laura Skinner, Natasha Gosselin and Zoe Hunter ARTS & CULTURE REPORTERS | Maggie Pitman, Hannah Tuck and Julianna Rutledge
OPERATIONS staff SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER | Megan Fitzgerald DISTRIBUTIONS MANAGER | Elliott Jones
OCTOBER 17, 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
ACADEMICS
Glorification of cram-study sessions
Cramming before a big test should not determine a student’s worth
ANNA HARDIE Contributor There’s a certain glory behind latenight cram study sessions. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone talk about studying until 2 a.m. without a hint of pride. Talking about how draining studying can be is a way of connecting with friends, but we also say it because it’s what’s expected of a student. We associate cramming with being a “real university student” who works hard. In short, it’s a way of fitting into the ideal university picture. I’m not here to say that I haven’t been there before; I’ve finished essays in the wee hours of the morning with a sense of relief, pride and exhaustion the next day. However, this is not to say it’s something I’m proud of. It’s not something to glorify. Praising exhaustion and unhealthy habits seems to be society’s favourite thing to do. For example, students are surrounded by TV and film characters who stay up all night to pull off huge, last-minute feats. Donald Glover in The Martian, Odiseas Georgiadis in The Perfect Date, Gabriel Macht in Suits and Marque Richardson in Dear White People are all perfect examples. The
“genius” characters who aren’t taking care of their health are idealized and glorified. As young people we’ve learned from this that staying up late working is normal, cool and the path to success and recognition. The reality is this: The world is literally dark outside at 2 a.m., you’re alone at your desk and you’re likely running on an adrenaline rush or a can of Monster. You’re holding out for the weekend and feel a cold coming on. This state of mind and physical state doesn’t feel good. Not getting sleep and living off of caffeine is hard on your brain and health. The reality of cram study sessions before a midterm is that you feel gross, maybe even a little disoriented, and your brainpower is slower than usual. Cramming information into your brain is not fun and doesn’t do any good in the long run. I hope you can paint your own picture of what an “ideal” student is: one who isn’t what we see in the media, one who looks out for their future self. For me, an ideal student is someone who prioritises their health over school and maintains a balanced way of living by putting their values, passions and friends above their pride in grades. Students are more than their value
Health intern talks student wellness with Dr. Jacqueline McDougall
CONTRIBUTORS Emily Shaw, Amy Ward, Emily Shaw, Evelyn MacKay-Barr, Grace Wilson, Hamish Hallett, Anna Hardie, Rachel MacDougall and Bre Darlison COVER | Madeleine Hansen
PUBLICATION board TBA
RACHEL MCDOUGALL Columnist
opinion and the arts, written, edited and funded by the students of Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Argosy’s staff or its Board of Directors. The Argosy is published weekly throughout the academic year by Argosy Publications Inc. Student contributions in the form of letters, articles, photography, graphic designs and comics are welcome. The Argosy reserves the right to edit or refuse all materials deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise unfit for print, as determined by the Editors in Chief. Articles or other contributions can be sent to argosy@mta.ca or directly to a section editor. The Argosy will print unsolicited materials at its own discretion. Letters to the editor must be signed, though names may be withheld at the sender’s request and at the Argosy’s discretion. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Comments, concerns or complaints about the Argosy’s content or operations should be first sent to the Editors in Chief at the address above. If the Editors in Chief are unable to resolve a complaint, it may be taken to the Argosy Publications, Inc. Board of Directors. The chairs of the Board of Directors can be reached at the address above. All materials appearing in the Argosy bear the copyright of Argosy Publications, Inc. Material cannot be reprinted without the consent of the Editors in Chief.
survive and thrive. Please remember to take care of your health. This is the least you owe to yourself.
What’s Up Doc?
Nicolas Lozada, Kate Brown, Nora Livesy,
DISCLAIMERS & COPYRIGHT
to the economy in the future. We are people. We are animals. And like all animals, we need to sleep, eat, hydrate, exercise and socialize to
COLUMN
HR REP | Ryan Schultz
The Argosy is the official independent student journal of news,
STUDENTS ARE SURROUNDED BY MESSAGES TELLING THEM THEIR WORTH AND SUCCESS ARE DETERMINED BY THEIR WILLINGNESS TO WORK THEMSELVES INTO THE GROUND. MARA IRETA GORDON/ARGOSY
This week I was lucky enough to sit down with family physician Dr. Jacqueline McDougall to discuss some health trends and concerns in the university student demographic. Here’s what she had to say. Q: What are the most common health concerns you see in young adults and university students? A: The most common thing I see by far are mental health concerns, mainly anxiety and depression. University is a time when a lot of young adults are more independent – they may be away from home for the first time and find this to be a stressful situation leading to mental health concerns. It’s really important to stay connected to family and friends, which is really helpful to reduce stress and improve your mood. If your anxiety is a bigger concern, it may be important for you to see a counsellor or a family doctor to discuss what
other options may be available to you. Q: What do you think university students could do better to make sure they stay healthy this winter? A: Prevention is the key to staying healthy. I always encourage people to wash their hands, get adequate amounts of sleep, eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise. Immunizations are also a great idea at this time of year, particularly flu vaccines. Q: What immunizations are most important for university students to have? A: It’s a great idea to check and ensure you’ve had all the regular childhood vaccines, such as mumps, measles, polio, rubella, tetanus, hepatitis B and chickenpox. Immunization is also available against HPV, which we now know is a virus linked to genital warts and genital cancers. The vaccine covers the nine most common subtypes of HPV, so it is highly effective and is recommended for both men and
women. Other immunizations may be considered as well, such as hepatitis A vaccines, especially if you’re travelling to affected areas. Q: Don’t vaccines contain the virus they’re trying to protect against? Isn’t that dangerous? A: Vaccines may contain the killed organism or a less virulent form of the organism, but they have been thoroughly tested before approval and are among the safest medical products available. Serious side effects are very rare, and numerous investigations have determined that they are not associated with autism, multiple sclerosis, brain damage or asthma. Q: What do you think university students need to know about alcohol and cannabis use? A: It’s great to get together with family and friends to have fun and celebrate. Often alcohol is involved. Know your limits. Current recommendations for women are to limit consumption to two alcoholic drinks in one sitting, with a weekly maximum of 10 drinks; for men, the recommended limit is three drinks per sitting or 15 drinks per week. Regarding cannabis consumption,
I would recommend proceeding with caution. We know that the brain continues to develop and put down neural networks until around 24 years of age. Cannabis can disrupt this process and some studies have reported a decline in IQ for regular users. Marijuana may also be linked with psychiatric conditions such as psychosis, and regular consumption may increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, especially in those who may be genetically predisposed to the disease. Lastly, do not drive while impaired from either alcohol or marijuana. This may mean waiting eight hours or more after smoking or ingestion of marijuana. Remember, for use of any substance, be smart and stay safe. If you want to learn more about what health services are offered at the Wellness Centre or are covered by MASU insurance, feel free to drop by the Wellness Centre or email wellness@mta.ca or healthintern@ mta.ca! Have a healthy week!
“WE KNOW THAT THE BRAIN CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AND PUT DOWN NEURAL NETWORKS UNTIL AROUND 24”
EDITOR: MATTHEW CANN | OCTOBER 17, 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
The back of my eyelids
CREATIVE 13
KAITLYN KELEHER Contributor I just want to be loved the way that I love you I want to be loved for even the ways in which I make mistakes and have it be beautiful to you. But I know it never will be. Because loving you was my most beautiful mistake. And I have yet to acknowledge it.
UNTITLED, NORA LIVESEY
Earth, bruised AMY WARD Contributor
Mother, I cannot hear you Mother do you speak, in whispers or cries? I am short-sighted by my own survival You drip, I drip I bleed, you ache I write in the shadows Organic, mystic, open to light? The paper birds fly, it makes me cry The net shifts, we wait for time to Show its face
UNTITLED, KATE BROWN
He told me to grieve To see the tears in the all Understand— You are not the only one Learning, I am not the only one We are the Only, the One We wander through dark Together Because the lights were turned off. We turn lights off To energize Ignorance, bliss. This is it I see it I feel it I am it, not alone I create part I am of the whole The art speaks to me Words find their mark
UNTITLED, KATE BROWN
Is this a bandwagon I’ve joined? The words keep coming, It goes to no end We think deeply by condition, inspired and alive I feel moved, by the wagon And I feel better, morally Thinking it’s worth my time It’s got to be worth my time
14
CREATIVE
OCTOBER 17, 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
Christmas in July KAITLYN KELEHER Contributor If I had known all of the pain you would cause I would have brought another blanket to comfort me on all of the nights you would skip out on me to search for something that would keep you warm. UNTITLED, KATE BROWN
above threaded waters ANONYMOUS Contributor
His two chucks are dangling above a stream Shoelaces tickling a bullfrogs head Deer watch from the edge of the lake Catching his final breaths Shoelaces tickling a bullfrogs head Causing splish-splashes below Catching his final breaths Inside it’s bubbly grasp
Causing splish-splashes below Nature grasps at those last movements Inside it’s bubbly grasp A prophet never seen Nature grasps at those last movements Deer watch from the edge of the lake Crying too for the strung boy His two chucks are dangling above a stream
UNTITLED, NORA LIVESEY
Non Appetite KAITLYN KELEHER Contributor
The pain I felt when you left was not translated into lost hours of sleep and tear stains on my pillow. It was in the uneaten remnants on my plate
when I had been starving all day. Because I would much rather eat sleep for dinner Than sit across the table from you and cry for the third time that week.
UNTITLED, NORA LIVESEY
SUBMIT
send your artwork: photos, writing, painting, sketches, series, watercolors, and poetry. anything creative, or artistic, can make it in this section, including doodles. we can work with any medium and format. to submit, attach your work with your name, medium, name of the piece (if titled), and any formatting specialties in an email to mtcann@mta.ca. theme for next issue: spooky halloween stuff UNTITLED, NORA LIVESEY
HUMOUR 15
EDITOR: WILL TRAVES | OCTOBER 17, 2019 | ARGOSY@MTA.CA
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. A season that never ends at MtA 7. Dean of Sciences 14. Fiddler on the Roof’s intro’s focus 16. 2016 Olympic city 17. It’s pumped in gyms (chemical symbol) 18. A jump in figure skating 19. Supernatural, mystical, spooky 20. Sour (French) 21. x, y, and z 23. An inflamed swelling of the lymph node (like the plague) 24. What Vulcans are known for being
28. A mobile game that’s somehow still popular here 29. Long in the tooth 30. Opposite of out 31. A legal kind of acid to put on fries 33. Second name of the “White and Nerdy” singer 34. What you use to kill vampires 36.5. Element named after the mineral gadolinite (symbol) 37. The most basic of seasonings (chemical symbol) 38. The m in y=mx+b 40. Prefix for a man named Magoo 41. Y ahoo Mountain ___! It’ll tickle
LEFT WING DRIVEL
Uncomfortable Thanksgiving with Bigoted Relatives Gives Push Millennial Needs to Vote
SACKVILLE--October 14th Millennial voter turnout is expected to rise across the nation as millions of millennials endure Thanksgiving celebrations. Canadians sat down this long weekend to give thanks and exercise the seasonal tradition of gathering with relatives and immediately regretting it. In a Thanksgiving that would determine the divvying of grandma’s inheritance, the Argosy sat down with the Jablonski family. Among relatives that were present included aunts “Doctor WebMD” and “Thinly Veiled Alcoholic” and uncles “Creepy™”, “If Toronto Was a Personality Trait” and “Devil’s Advocate”. In attendence were also cousins Jeremy “Token
DOWN 1. Settle disputes 2. A status one might advertise on a Tinder profile 3. Turncoat’s crime 4. Video game company known for microtransactions 5. Research and Development (acronym) 6. Also called whitehead 7. The fruit of a plant whose rind is often candied and used in fruitcake 8. To move like maple syrup 9. TV network known for Avatar the Last Airbender and The Amazing World of Gumball 10. To urge to attack someone 11. Often used as an abbreviation for Uruguay 12. Until, poetically 13. Animated comedy TV series that pays homage to common reality TV conventions 15. Vessel used for towing 19. The Changeling head of security on the space station Deep Space Nine 20. Danny Pudi’s character from Community 22. Passage added to the end of a literary work 24. Deep affection 25. Red hair 26. Projection on a toothed wheel 27. Nonessential amino acid found in high levels in plasma 32. House commonly stereotyped as
being very quiet and studious 33. In the manner or style of (2 [French] wds) 35. French friend 36. Bottle with a giant squid on it 38. Peanuts character who loves Beethoven 39. A subject in school where one is expected to perform athletically 41. Maybe not for the lactoseintolerant 44. British nobleman 45. Skilled teenage detective 46. Game invented in China more than 2500 years ago 48. Village in south-western Poland with 240 inhabitants 49. Medieval poetic and musical form 53. Make indebted 55. Gunnery Instructor Joe 57. Bubbly-textured Nestlé chocolate bar 58. Library browsers read them 60. Annie Oakley’s main skill 62. 8th letter of the Greek alphabet 64. Airborne urban hazard 65. Plant that provides relief from sunburns 68. What one uses to catch a butterfly 69. A corner Monopoly space 70. Winner of the Ascars’ Best House Party two years in a row 71. Something for the inn crowd 72. Record designed to be played at 33.3 rpm 73. Intense mournfulness
COMIC
MADELEINE HANSEN AND EMMA DELANEY/ARGOSY
MADELEINE HANSEN/ARGOSY
EMILY SHAW Contributor
your innards! 42. “I am” but condensed 43. Confine behind bars 45. One of Canada’s top tourist attractions 47. Syllable repeated many times in the Total Drama Island theme song 48. Popular variety of apple 50. A type of fish 51. ___ v. Wade, pivotal court case for abortion rights in the US 52. A tasty snack (made of fish eggs) 54. It has no rhyme 56. unit of absorbed ionizing radiation 59. Combined with gynaecology in a medical field focused on women’s reproductive health 60. Oily liquid extracted from garlic 61. Affirmative 62. What one might do to a house as a messy but non-destructive prank 63. A shoemaker’s awl 66. Common greeting 67. I would be doing this to the lights to set the mood 70. The evening before All Saints’ Day 74. Narcissist’s quality 75. Boss of a company 76. Unappetizing puddinglike serving 77. Atomic number 52 78. The emotion I am currently feeling making this crossword puzzle 79. TV musical comedy that ended in 2015 80. The biggest state in the USA
Gay”, and Justin “The J stands for Juul”. The event covered a diverse range of topics such as the relevancy of your degree, “Peanut allergies and homosexuality: are they related?”, and “Really Glen? Is it REALLY necessary to know what’s underneath his turban when he’s trying to guarantee accessible pharmacare?”. After faithfully representing his generation at the table, third year Mount Allison student and special snowflake Justin had this to say. “I mean, after marijuana became legal I didn’t think I really had anything left to fight for” he adds ”but once Uncle Brian bashed my feature on CPL I thought man... vibe check”. According to a 2015 report by Statistics Canada, youth voter turnout increased from 41 percent to
57 percent in the previous election. Statistics Canada projects a 110 percent increase for the 2019 election after having to listen to your Aunt Lorrain relate her post-divorce life to the struggles of climate activist Greta Thunberg (“Well guess what! Neither of us had the hot girl summer that was forecasted!!”). Anyone inspired to follow by Justin’s example is asked to bring their ID and their proof of address to their local polling station. If you don’t know where and when to vote, visit elections.ca. You can also register at the polling station right before you vote.
Lib vs Lib: An Issue of Pronunciation TRILL WAVES Humour Editor In yet another embarrassing turn of events for the first year population of Mt. Allison, a student has referred to the R.P. Bell Library as the “lib” instead of as the “lib.” As we all know, the correct way to pronounce “lib” is “lib,” not “lib.” Upon hearing this mispronunciation nearby fourth year washup, me, laughed to himself and thought “this is gonna make for a great article” before scuttling off to the Argosy office to write this article.
There has been some debate over how to pronounce “lib” in the past. The opposing side argues that it should be pronounced “lib” because that’s how it’s pronounced in the context of its root word, whereas the majority of students agree that the word should be pronounced “lib” because that’s how you would pronounce the word on its own. It is doubtful that anything will come from this and the scientists here at the Argosy have determined that the probability of the Mt A population will continue to pronounce lib as “lib” is incredibly high.