The Campus February 24th, 2016

SAMANTHA STEWART

The Bishop’s University Newspaper Vol. 71, No.4 No.10

Being diverse and awesome since 1944 FEBRUARY 24, 2016

www.thebucampus.ca

PHOTO COURTESY JESSICA GOODSELL

Prissy that walk

Queer student challenges BU Fashion Show’s gender norms KATIE MANNERS Ar ts and Associate Editor

Bishop’s keeps a firm grasp on the Jane Blaikie Cup PAGE 2

The future of SRC elections PAGE 9

Story continues on page 5 Know your Gaiters: JC Peters PAGE 14

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NEWS The Campus Editors, 2015-2016

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Nicole Gauvreau

COPY EDITOR:

Kristy Bockus

LAYOUT AND ONLINE EDITORS:

Ryan Millar & Natasha Paikin

FEATURES EDITOR:

Asha-Maria Bost

NEWS EDITOR:

Philip Rich

ARTS AND ASSOCIATE EDITOR:

Katie Manners

OPINIONS EDITOR:

Haley Lewis

SPORTS EDITOR:

Dan Gilbert

The Campus is editorially and financially autonomous. It is published by the Campus Publication Board.

The Campus is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a national co-operative of over 70 college and university student newspapers. The Campus supports the CUP Statement of Principles.

All material is copyright The Campus. Nothing may be reproduced without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. Complaints may be made directly to the Editor-in-Chief. If no resolution can be reached, complaints should be forwarded to the Publishing Board.

The opinions of the writers published in The Campus do not necessarily represent the opinions of the staff of The Campus or the Campus Publishing Board. Likewise, the opinions expressed in the advertisements published in The Campus do not reflect the opinions of the staff or the Publishing Board.

Submissions to The Campus will be considered if they are received prior to the deadline at midnight on the Friday previous to the publication date. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, style, and/or inappropriate material. The editorial staff also reserves the right not to publish submissions, including assigned stories or solicited material.

Letters to the editor can be submitted directly to the Editor-in-Chief by email, in person, or by mail. Letters must be accompanied by the author’s name and phone number for verification purposes, even in the case of anonymous letters.

All submissions should be in text-only or Microsoft Word format.

THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Philip Rich, News Editor » thecampus.news@gmail.com

2016 BU career fair

Students show successful turn-out for event PHILIP RICH News Editor

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niversity is not cheap. Part-time and full-time jobs are, therefore, a necessity for university and CEGEP students, especially during the summer months. It can be hard to find a job since youth employment can be tricky, but with help from the university, the process can be made easier.

This was readily apparent at the Feb. 17 Career Day at Bishop’s University; the event was organized by the Career and Leadership Development Office and

hosted in the Gait. A networking workshop for students was also offered in the Loft, followed by a networking event for both employers and students in the Adams Dining Hall.

Roughly 25 employers and an estimated 300 students attended the event, which provided the opportunity for students to meet a wide variety of potential employers and ask questions regarding future employment in the nature of their field. Students were also encouraged to bring their CVs to hand in to employers.

The majority of jobs available were

for summer positions. However, many employers were looking for graduating students who could fill full-time positions. The organizers of the event, Nathaniele Pelletier and Jocelyn Grubb, were very pleased with how the event proceeded, as were the employers who had tables at the fair.

The employers were largely local businesses and organizations including Global Excel, the City of Sherbrooke, Townshippers, Desjardins, Ripplecove Hotel and Spa, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the RCMP, among others.

Bishop’s keeps a firm grasp on the Jane Blaikie Cup BU takes first and second place at Up for Debate JEREMY ANDREWS Staff writer

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n Saturday, Feb. 6 Bishop's University hosted the fourth annual edition of Up for Debate, a debating competition held amongst the four universities of the U4 League: Bishop's, Mount Allison, Acadia, and Saint Francis Xavier. Each university had two teams, each

consisting of two debaters.

The debates started at 8:30 a.m. with three rounds of round-robin style competition in various rooms throughout McGreer Hall.

The two teams with the most wins proceeded to the final debate in St. Mark's Chapel.

The final debate was judged by the main sponsor and instigator of the event, Mr. Peter Blaikie.

Ryan Lundell-Creagh and Anna Rogic win Up for Debate 2016

The final resolution was the polarizing topic of "be it resolved that marijuana should be legalized in Canada," with the two Bishop's teams taking both government and opposition.

The teams had both been undefeated in the earlier rounds, so this would prove to be the ultimate test for them.

Side government won the

debate and the Jane Blaikie Cup for 2016 by successfully arguing that it's high time that marijuana was legalized in Canada. Congratulations to Anna Rogic and Ryan Lundell-Creagh on their firstplace win and claiming the cup for Bishop's for a second consecutive year!

PHOTO COURTESY JUNRU BIAN

NEWS

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Canada and Afghanistan

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Dr. Stephen Saideman presents Adapting in the Dust NICOLE GAUVREAU Editor-in-Chief

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n Feb. 19, Dr. Stephen Saideman, Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, came to Bishop’s to discuss his book: Adapting in the Dust.

While Saideman began the talk with a Harry Potter reference, the tone quickly became far more serious as he began talking about his book, its premise, and some of the myths he hoped to debunk.

Much of Saideman’s presentation was devoted to debunking the intertwining myths that former Prime Minister Paul Martin was hoodwinked by then Chief of the Defence Staff Rick Hillier and that Canada was alone in Kandahar.

Throughout the war in Afghanistan, Canada was made out to be either alone or unique in the Kandahar region, but according to Saideman this is not true.

He pointed out that the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, and the Netherlands all had a presence in the region, seeing as it was an exceptionally strategic position. There was an airbase, it had a central location, was the traditional home of the Taliban, and was near Pakistan.

Canada’s involvement in the Afghan war requires an analysis of Canada’s considered unique position and the actions of the other states involved. Saideman showed in his book and presentation that neither the issue of detainees nor extension of the operation was unique to Canada.

In fact, all states involved had problems with detainees released to Afghan authorities being tortured, and most had

regular votes to extend the timeline of the mission.

The issue of Martin and Hillier was taken care of by showing the two men’s similarity of views, that Canada had little choice to not join in a NATO operation, and that early every government agency agreed that Kandahar would be the best region in which to make an impact.

Saideman’s talk went on to explain how Canadian politics are a bit like dodge ball (everyone tries to escape responsibility by dodging the issue), and demonstrates how civilians and the military view success differently, thus leading to differences in opinion over whether Canada was considered victorious or not.

Saideman also spoke of the role of the media in shaping how the civilian public viewed the conflict. According to him, the government inadvertently created confusion in the public by essentially ensuring the media would only cover the military aspects of the conflict. All civilians on the ground were only permitted to give talking points approved in Ottawa.

Over all, there are a number of lessons to learn from the conflict, likely even more than are listed in Saideman’s book.

Steven Saideman’s book Adapting in the Dust.

PHOTO COURTESY STEVESAIDEMAN.COM

Students participate in GA SRC update SCOTT POTTER Staff Writer

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RC President Matthew Robinson started the Feb. 7 SRC General Assembly (GA) by talking about the process of hiring and planning for the Fall 2016 Orientation. A student in attendance, Georges Habib, asked if, as is occasionally discussed, there were plans of making 2016 a “dry Frosh week.” Robinson replied that there had not been any formal discussion of making it dry, and he was not worried that there would be any.

After that, most points in the agenda elicited questions or comments from either Habib, John Dillman, or Matthew Mulkern, three students who ran in the recent executive election and did not win; Doolitle’s Man-

ager Erin Helsby also opined, as did several other non-GA members.

Business Senator JeanPhilippe Allen, who has been looking into whether Bishop’s should join the Quebec Student Union, presented a report about it. He reminded the GA that the QSU would be in Lennoxville holding a committee meeting at Bishop’s on March 19.

Vice President (VP) Academic Affairs and President-Elect Chelsea McLellan suggested that the idea of joining should be added to the mandate of the Internal Review Committee, who should begin to discuss it sooner rather than later.

Allen suggested that the SRC should start looking into what sort of rules will be necessary to have a referendum on joining

in the fall.

Dillman suggested that before too much groundwork is done behind closed doors, the SRC ought to tell the students what is being considered, and ask whether “we should even pursue this rabbit down the trail.” McLellan suggested that the SRC take an informal poll on the matter.

Robinson noted that the province was very excited that Bishop’s was expressing interest in joining discussions, and that the L'Association pour une Solidarité Syndicale Etudiante (ASSÉ) is now also “jumping on us.” Therefore, it should consider whether QSU is the only federation that Bishop’s should join.

The next item, presented

by Education Senator Kirsten

Dobler, suggested that clubs, when fundraising, should make it clear for what they are fundraising, whether supplies, operations, trips, or cancer research.

This would result in more transparency and promotes critical thinking when making a donation.

Following this, Robinson presented a series of amendments to the Constitution. The first vote was on Feb. 21, followed by a second vote on March 6 at 6 p.m. in McGreer 100; both are open to student attendance.

Habib and Dillman asked pointed questions about the amendment process; Robinson eventually explained that students can submit constitutional amendments to the GA for the GA to vote on just like any other amendments, or that they can

submit the signatures of 10% of students to trigger a referendum on the amendment.

Robinson stated that despite some issues, the executive elections managed a 44% voter turnout. Habib spoke about issues with the campaign and the low turnout; Robinson replied that 44% is “staggering” for a Canadian university, and promised to improve on the campaign’s issues.

Mulkern and Dillman also articulated problems and frustrations with the election process; VP Academic Affairs-Elect Morgan Gagnon defended the process.

There the GA ended for students, before moving into a closed session to discuss more specific problems within the election process.

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ARTS

THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 24, 2016 Katie Manners, Arts & Associate Editor » thecampus.ac@gmail.com

Deadpool breaks bones and records Superhero film, Deadpool, dominates the box-office KRISTY BOCKUS Copy Editor

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n Friday, Feb. 12, one very sassy man in a red suit, who accessorizes with blades and guns, pranced onto movie screens across the world.

In the span of three days during its opening weekend, Deadpool, grossed $132.7 million in domestic sales, while collecting another $132.3 million internationally, making for a grand total of $284.5 million.

The resounding box-office success of Deadpool is significant because of its Rrating. In fact, Deadpool now boasts the biggest R-rated opening of all time and has the highest opening sales record in the entire history of Fox. The film that previously held the title of top grossing R-rated film was The Matrix Reloaded (2003) with $91.8 million; at 13 years, it was one of the longest held records in box-office history.

Not only does this show that there is a market for R-rated films, but that these films can be financially successful.

Star and producer, Ryan Reynolds, spent years championing the production of this film despite Fox studio’s hesitation. This hesitation primarily came

Drama queer

PHOTO COURTESY COMICBOOK.COM

from Reynolds’ insistence that, for the film to be done correctly, it would need to be R-rated. With a budget of $58 million, the film not only stood its ground but challenged the bigger-budget, family-friendly superhero films.

The film pokes fun at superhero movie tropes, while simultaneously following a similar structure. As much as Deadpool likes to remind us that this is not a typical superhero film, it actually is—

there’s just a lot more swearing, sex, and decapitation along the way.

The best bits of the film are the horrible, yet clever jokes—some of which are worthy of receiving the black card in Cards Against Humanity.

The film follows the same nonchalant attitude as its leading character; it doesn’t care if people don’t get all the jokes, because there will be another one right around the corner to reel them

back in.

Another unique asset of the film is the constant fourth wall breaks. This is certainly not a new tactic in cinema, but it stays true to Deadpool comics. In the comics, Deadpool addresses the reader not only through his speech, but also in the framing of the character (i.e. directly facing the reader). This is crucial to Deadpool’s humour, and the technique is immediately set-up in the opening sequence of the film.

Speaking of which, be sure to read the “credits” at the beginning of the film to find out who the real superheroes are.

Deadpool is definitely worth forking over some cash to see on the big screen.

After all, Reynolds is flaunting a very tight suit.

Morris House Reading Series presents playwright Jordan Tannahill KATIE MANNERS Ar ts and Associate Editor

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A lackluster orgy is the same as boring theatre.”

Jordan Tannahill would know.

The award-winning playwright addressed a crowd of students and faculty on Thursday, Feb. 11, during the Morris House Reading Series (MHRS) held in the Bishop’s Bookstore. Tannahill divulged the audience with anecdotes about his experience as a queer artist writing for the exclusive medium of theatre.

“People assume theatre is boring,” said Tannahill. “So, they ask themselves: why don’t I just stay home and watch Netflix instead?”

Tannahill has been exploring what he calls the “theatre of the unimpressed”— a phrase that shares the title of his latest nonfiction book.

In Theatre of the Unimpressed: In Search of Vital Drama, Tannahill discusses the all too common dismissal of theatre by the general public. He wonders why it is that a person can sit through a poorly made film without writing off the entire medium, but one bad play can ruin someone’s appreciation for theatre altogether.

Though Tannahill acknowledges the difficulties of presenting impressive

theatre, he is by no means discouraged by his findings, as evidenced by his published works.

During Tannahill’s MHRS presentation, he read from two of his books including the aforementioned Theatre of the Unimpressed and Age of Minority: Three Solo Plays.

Age of Minority is Tannahill’s attempt at overcoming “boring theatre.” For the MHRS audience, Tannahill acted out an excerpt from one of the three Age of Minority plays: his “sissy YouTube boy” monologue in rhiannaboi95 — a play that breaks the medium of classic theatre by presenting the narrative through a live YouTube stream, as opposed to onstage.

After working with queer youth at a youth centre in Toronto, ON, Tannahill decided that in order to revamp theatre, he would have to appeal to a young audience in ways that highbrow (or “taxidermy packaged,” as he called it) theatre never did. Thus, rhiannaboi95 was conceived for a new generation of theatre-going (or YouTube-watching) queer youth.

As a queer man, Tannahill believes in “supporting marginal work,” and that is

PHOTO COURTESY GORDON LAMBIE

Jordan Tanahill discusses his experience as a playwright with MHRS audience

why he co-runs an alternative art space, Videofag, that displays queer art and performances in Toronto.

“My peers continue to inspire me the most,” said Tannahill of his Videofag collaborators. He encouraged the MHRS crowd to take advantage of collaborative situations in order to create and present plays that would feel less like a lacklus-

ter orgy, and more like impressive theatre.

The MHRS continues with screenwriter Barry Healey on Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m. in Cleghorn located in the McGreer building. For more information about the upcoming event, please visit the Morris House Reading Series page on Facebook.

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Continued from page 1

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“FASHION SHOW TRYOUTS! GIRLS, PLEASE BRING YOUR HEELS!”

téphanie Tavares Dagenais auditioned to be a model in the 2016 Bishop’s University Fashion Show, but she did not bring her heels. Instead Tavares Dagenais strutted across the catwalk in flat-heeled boots.

Tavares Dagenais was one of the many models that took to the stage on Feb. 13 for BU’s “Ignite” Fashion Show, but unlike the female models around her, Tavares Dagenais was not wearing the traditional female outfits provided.

“I had first planned to audition as a

‘female’ model,” Tavares Dagenais said, “but when I realized I had to model in heels, I wrote to the coordinator to know whether it was possible for a female to audition as a ‘male’ model.”

Tavares Dagenais is the president of BUPA (Bishop’s University’s Pride Alliance), a club that “promotes and encourages diversity and the alliance between queer and straight students at Bishop’s.”

The club also aims to break down traditional gender norms so that gender-fluid and trans* students have a safe space to express themselves. Based on these social principles, Tavares Dagenais decided to ditch the traditional female heels and prove that models should be able to wear what they feel most comfortable in, regardless of gender stereotyping.

Though Tavares Dagenais first strut-

Masters of the keys

ted onstage wearing menswear from Butik, her outfit was less revolutionary than her gender. She boasted dark jeans and a plaid button down that opened up to reveal the “Ignite” logo on a black tshirt. All in all the outfit was uninspiring, but that seemed to be the theme of the evening.

Collection after collection of designer clothing was paraded across stage, but the conservative colours (or lack thereof) and cuts screamed middle-class suburbia. These lackluster designs were coupled with an onslaught of skinny, white models, with only a few people of colour or plus sized models in attendance. Overall, the show was very safe, with a few exceptions like the Aamoke line, designed by Bishop’s student Rinsola Oyawoye who showcased her original afro-urban print style.

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Aamoke was also the only line to have same sex models holding hands as they walked the catwalk, whereas the other lines coupled men and women. At times, the heteronormative coupling was subtle, but certain scenes had male and female models posing as if for engagement photos or birth announcements.

This made Tavares Dagenais’ presence all the more refreshing.

“Who knows if [the committee members] are truly accepting of gender diversity,” Tavares Dagenais said, “but we just had to have someone try!”

Tavares Dagenais is proud of her gender-bending involvement in the show, and hopes that her statement will inspire others to get outside of their heteronormative comfort zone in order to create a fashion show with a little more edge.

Piano Chameleons perform at Centennial Theatre NICOLE GAUVREAU Editor-in-Chief

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ate jazz? Picky about classical musical? Let Piano Chameleons change your mind.

Matt Herskowitz and John Roney, who now reside in Montreal, make up the Piano Chameleons. Though both members originally trained in classical piano and composition, they went on to train in jazz, before combining the two genres.

Today, the two make new arrangements of classical and jazz music, and play in what can only be described as harmonious competition.

The music is only enhanced by the selection of stage lighting (blue for the classical pieces and red for the jazz with the two pianists lit by white and pink spot lights) and close-up videos of the two as their hands fly across the keys.

Unfortunately, the video aspect was lost at the Centennial performance due

to technical difficulties midway through the first half. While technicians attempted to rectify the issue during the intermission, ultimately Herskowitz and Roney finished the night without the audience being able to watch the video.

However, lack of video made the performance no less enjoyable, with the duo, particularly Roney, attempting to adapt to a bilingual audience (joking at one point that he’s much better in one language or the other, not both at once)

making for some funny moments.

The two are certainly a must for anyone looking to experience something new in music, but not looking to be too experimental.

The duo’s music can be found on YouTube under the name Piano Chaméléons (Piano Chameleons).

Who murdered Clarence Knightley?

The EngLit club hosts traditional Murder Mystery ANGÉLIQUE BIELSKI Staff Writer

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t was on the dreadful night of Friday, Feb. 19 when guests arrived at Cleghorn Hall. They left behind their real identities and went back in time—from 2016 to the 1920s. Guests checked in to the Knightley Hotel in Ireland where a detective awards ceremony was to take place . . . until a body was found at the bottom of an elevator shaft.

Over 25 participants—students, teachers, friends, and family—were present for the winter 2016 Murder Mystery. They took on the roles of original characters: family members of the deceased, hotel employees, and detectives from across the decades. All were suspects in the investigation of the murder of hotel owner Clarence Knightley.

Upon arrival, the guests were given a booklet to take investigative notes and an envelope containing more information about their character – along with information regarding somebody else's motive.

The first round was dedicated to introducing and getting to know the other suspects. In the second round, it was time to spread rumors and place sus-

picion on others by revealing motives.

Finally, the third round was everybody’s chance to expose their alibi and prove their innocence or, in the murderer’s case, keep hiding their guilt.

“Once the ice breaks, everyone just gets into it, because it is not so much about yourself as it is your character,” said the club president and host, Tori Cryan. To everyone’s surprise, the heiress, young Sher-Brooke Madonna Knightley, embodied by first-year student Rebecca Buxton, confessed to committing the horrible crime.

The EngLit club organizes a murder mystery every semester.

“It is our most popular event,” added event coordinator Sylvia Duarte, “It is more like a small party, and is very interactive.” The club members brought food for dinner, and drinks were available at the bar.

The creation of so many characters PHOTO COURTESY ANGÉLIQUE BIELSKI along with their motives and alibis was EngLit guests unravel the murder mystery in McGreer a challenge for the organizers.

“It was a group effort. We agreed on the settings last semester in an EngLit meeting, and then we went ahead and in the hotel,” explained Duarte. who the victim is,” declared Cryan, “It’s created all the characters this semester.

"It is a great creative exercise to im- a lot of fun for the members; it’s always We had to decide on who these people agine all the characters within this a blast!" would be and why they happened to be world and, through this, we also develop

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THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Coming soon to Turner Studio Theatre

"Twelfth Night or what you will"

By William Shakespeare March 10-13 8PM Coming soon to the Gait LIVE ART SHOW

Enjoy an evening of live art and music!

Local and student artists will be performing in support of Transformative Praxis: Malawi’s efforts to build a school in Malawi Ticket price of $25.00 includes first beverage.

Guests are invited to purchase the art through donations to the project.

To purchase tickets in advance contact Centennial Theatre Ticket Office at (819)822-9692 or online at http://www.ovation. qc.ca/liste.asp?Nom=live+art&Lang=EN

For more information about Transformative Praxis: Malawi visit their website www.TransformativePraxisMalawi.com

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What happens to children in our world who cross borders with no documents or who are born with no legal identity in countries they cannot call home?

The Mae Sot Education Project presents:

Border

Stories

Encounters with Burmese Migrant Youth on the Thai-Burmese Border

Imagine what your life would be like if you lived here‌

Tuesday, March 15

th

7:00pm in Nicolls 5 Bishop’s University

Jonah Baldwin, Danielle Leblanc Cyr & Laurence Michaud Volunteers with the Mae Sot Education Project, recently returned from the Thai-Burmese border share their experiences working with migrant youth.

Everyone is invited to attend!

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FEATURES

THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 24, 2016 Asha-Maria Bost, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com

A primer on Chelsea McLellan, your 2016/17 SRC President-Elect Getting to know your representative CHELSEA MCLELLAN Vice-President Academic

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hat is your academic program (major/minors)?

I am doing an honours in Sociology, and I have minors in English Literature and Entrepreneurship.

What is one interesting fact about you?

I often think many people know this about me, but I still get a lot of people who are surprised when they learn that I’m a Lennoxville local. I’ve lived here since I was 5 years old, and I remember looking up to Bishop’s students so much as a kid, especially when I went to basketball games, musicals, or drove by Animal House on the school bus. I visited other universities, but no other school would fit in the vision I had for university.

What are some campaign promises or programs you would like to focus on as SRC President?

Throughout my campaign period, I focused on four primary platforms: improved financial transparency, improved council structure, focus on equity and diversity, and strong support/training for executives and representatives.

Financial transparency has been one primary concern brought forward by students this year. A key component of financial transparency is making financial information accessible to our students by presenting it through multiple mediums including a glossary of terms, etc. Currently, the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) is not required to submit a financial report of the Student Representative Council’s (SRC) finances,

and I want to make that obligatory starting next year, so that the SRC can demonstrate to the student body where the SRC stands operationally and financially.

Moving forward, it’s a top priority for the SRC to continue to evaluate both its structure and its constitution. One element that I will continue to advocate for is a larger focus and representation on External Affairs.

Currently, the SRC is not heavily involved in external conversations regarding international fees, tuition, etc.

In terms of support/training for executives and representatives, I want to explain a clear vision to my team from the beginning and motivate them to do the absolute best job they can to pursue initiatives that advocate and lobby for systematic changes, and policies that address wider student issues and problems. One challenge I experienced as a VP was that I had little direction and vision, and I want to communicate a clear vision and direction for the SRC that we will continually strive for every day.

Training also plays a big part as well, because to have a sustainable SRC, we need to make sure that information, knowledge, and progress is passed down to every new executive and representative. I’m excited to work with a new Director of Human Resource to ensure that we have a training manual developed moving forward.

Could you explain your idea of creating a social justice subcommittee of the SRC? The idea of this initiative came from a conference I attended in the summer where I learned just how little support we provide to marginalized student voices on campus. This would be one element of my focus on equity and diversity issues. I also would like to have

PHOTO COURTESY CHELSEA MCLELLAN

Chelsea McLellan, next year’s SRC President

equity training for all members of the SRC. The committee would ideally have representatives outside of the SRC as well as a designated representative (perhaps, the Equity Officer). Furthermore, I would like to include our clubs more, because they are a great resource and contribute a lot to the university. The committee can make recommendations to the General Assembly (GA) and bring forward initiatives to address concerns from aboriginal students, LGBTQ+, international students, etc.

Introducing VP Academic-Elect Morgan Gagnon Getting to know your representatives ASHA-MARIA BOST Features Editor

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organ Gagnon, a 2nd year Philosophy and Liberal Arts Major with a minor in Math, is the VP Academic-Elect.

Gagnon is known for her self-professed “weird phone cases” and hails from Kingston, Ont. Gagnon has her “foot in a lot of different academic areas.” She was involved in the New Plays Drama Festival and focuses her studies within the Humanities. Gagnon wants to work with the other candidates who ran for the VP Academic position, William Lortie and Matthew Mulkern, in order to get balanced opinions from students within a variety of subject areas.

One thing Gagnon is very passionate about is the liberal education model. The purpose of a liberal education is to create engaged citizens, who have the transferable skills necessary to tackle the world’s problems.

She wants to prove that the liberal education model can function and thrive even under an austerity budget.

In terms of plans for next year, Gagnon wants to continue Chelsea McLellan’s (current VP Academic) projects while also working on some new initiatives.

Gagnon would like to continue the Peer Mentoring Program in which upper-year students mentor first-year students and answer their questions about programs, degree requirements, and how to adjust to university

life. Gagnon also wants to work towards standardizing the academic calendar so that the requirements for each program are easier to understand.

Additionally, she would like to make mental health resources mandatory on course syllabi, so that more students and faculty are aware of the services available to students suffering from mental health issues. This would, hopefully, be paired with training for professors to bring about ideas of how they can support their students who experience mental health issues.

Another point of focus for Gagnon is the fact that textbook prices are very high for many students. Gagnon wants to work with the academic departments to see if textbooks are really required for each class, and if there are cheaper options available for students.

Another initiative that Gagnon and members of the Indigenous Cultural Alliance would like to investigate is the possibility of a mandatory indigenous studies course that would teach students about the oppression and culture of indigenous people. Gagnon stressed that the initiative would be organized on the terms of the Indigenous Cultural Alliance, and professors who are knowledgeable about the subject matter.

Gagnon is excited about all aspects of her new job.

She is excited to share her passion for the liberal education model with the rest of the school and contribute to the overall goals of the SRC.

PHOTO COURTESY MORGAN GAGNON

Morgan Gagnon, next year’s VP Academic

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Improvements in communication and transparency

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A primer on the SRC’s newest constitutional changes

Environmental Sustainability Officer

ASHA-MARIA BOST Features Editor

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t the Feb. 7 SRC General Assembly (GA) meeting, a variety of constitutional changes were presented that aim to limit the power imbalances between student representatives and Vice Presidents, so that all representatives have equal input in the operations and functioning of the SRC. The SRC advertised the changes on a variety of platforms such as Facebook, the SRC Website, and tables stationed in the Student Union Building (SUB). According to SRC President Matthew Robinson, there has not been much student feedback on the proposed constitutional changes.

The proposed amendment removes the Student Event Coordinator and Student Affairs Representative positions, replacing them with more specific representational positions such as Environmental Sustainability Officer, Health and Wellness Officer, Counsellors-at-Large, and Equity Officers.

The following is a breakdown of the new positions. These positions are not set in stone and are subject to change at the next GA meeting. All of the following positions are elected and require a minimum of two office hours per week as well as a written report at the end of each semester.

Equity Officers

• Advocate on behalf of the student body with a specific focus on inequality and discrimination; • Bring needs of the students to the SRC and make sure that they hold the SRC accountable for implementing their recommendations.

• Voting members of Student Life Advisory Committee Counsellors-at-Large

• Role is to advocate on behalf of all students.

• They serve as a point of contact between students and the SRC.

The future of SRC elections

• Advocates for the student body on issues related to environmental justice and sustainability.

• The ESO will work with the relevant clubs (Environmental Club) and is a voting member of the Sustainable Development Committee, Student Life Advisory Committee, The Green Levy Committee.

• ESO must communicate the needs of the student body to the SRC. Health and Wellness Officer

• Advocate on behalf of students on issues pertaining to physical, mental health, wellness, and accessibility; • Is a voting member of the Student Life Advisory Committee, the Committee on Life at the University, the Campus Dining Committee, and the Mental Health and Wellness Week Organizing Committee.

External Affairs Officer

• Advocate for students to various external institutions (municipal, provincial, and federal government).

• Investigate possibilities of working with other university student associations as well as national and provincial student organizations.

First-Year Student Representative

• Advocate for all first years; • Voting member on the Student Life Advisory Committee and the Campus Dining Committee.

• Communication between first-year students and the SRC. On-Campus Student Representative

• Advocate for students in their first few terms as students; • Will be elected by all students living in residence.

• Works closely with the First-Year Student Representative.

• Ensures communication between first-year students and the SRC.

Ad-Hoc Committee formed to discuss changes to SRC electoral process ASHA-MARIA BOST Features Editor

T

he recent SRC Executive Elections were controversial: students expressed concern over the timeline of the replacement of VP Student Affairs and VP Social with the VP Student Life position.

In order to prevent this concern and controversy in future elections, SRC President Matthew Robinson decided to create an ad-hoc committee that would gather input about the elections process from all students.

Unfortunately, there was not a lot of input from the general student body, but many past candidates provided feedback to the committee. The meetings were advertised to students via their Bishop’s email and on social media.

Robinson described some of the potential changes brought up during the ad-hoc committee meetings. One suggestion from the committee was to clarify the roles of the Chief Returning Officers (CRO) and Deputy Chief Returning Officers (DCRO).

The CRO is responsible for calling and managing elections including any complaints that may arise. The DCRO assists the Chief Returning Officer with their dut-

ies. The CRO and DCRO have a responsibility to make sure all candidates are knowledgeable about the elections process and are eligible to run for office.

Currently, the CRO and DCRO also run Speaker’s night, which is an event that gives all candidates the opportunity to share their platforms; future Speaker’s nights might not be run by the CRO and DCRO in order to maintain impartiality.

The suggestions made by the ad-hoc committee are being brought to the current CRO and DCRO, who will then decide what changes they would like to implement.

The new election rules will be announced when the next SRC election is called, which will be for positions such as Councillors-at-Large, External Affairs representatives, Environmental Sustainability Officers, and Equity officers.

The next election will occur from mid to late March, and should be finished at the end of month.

This Day in History:

1982 - Wayne Gretzky scores NHL-record 78th goal of season en route to 92 1821 - Mexico gains independence from Spain

Fun with Words:

GADZOOKS MEANING:

: USED AS A MILD OR IRONIC OATH.

10

OPINION

THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Haley Lewis, Opinion Editor » thecampus.opinions@gmail.com

What about the women?

The underrepresentation of female superheroes in the universes of Marvel and DC HAYLEY WINCH Staff Writer

“

I love Batman” elated every child, male and female alike.

Almost everyone has a favourite superhero and, more often than not, that hero is male. Recently, Deadpool star, Ryan Reynolds, made a call for more female superheroes on screen.

“In the comics … there’s a million fantastically written three-dimensional female characters that are just waiting to come out,” says Reynolds.

If dynamic female superheroes exist and people are asking for them, why are we not seeing them on the silver screen?

Furthermore, why is it that when we do see female superheroes, they lack character development and overall badass-ness?

Nathalie Atkinson of The National Post told BBC Culture: “there isn't a female character in comic book films right now who is not an accessory, occasional romantic subplot, villainous diversion, or potentially fatal weakness. The closest thing there is with potential at the moment is a character like Pepper Potts in Iron Man. While the pair banter and lock wits, she is still there as help.”

Female characters are written with the sole purpose of making the male superhero more desirable to both sexes

– women want to be with the superhero, men want to be the superhero.

The lack of female superheroes is a mistake that Hollywood continues to make and has been making for decades.

More recently, strong female superheroes have been developed in characters such as Black Widow, a member of Avengers, as well as Jessica Jones in the Netflix series of the same name. A great deal of buzz has generated around Jessica Jones and how enticing, confident, and fearless her character is. The series deals with adult themes and draws in viewers through the struggles experiences in the wake of trauma.

As Ryan Reynolds said in his interview

What to choose, what to choose...

with Buzzfeed, “You want film to […] reflect life.”

During the making of Deadpool, Reynolds said that female characters were not bulked up for the sake of making them more interesting. They just made them as great as they are.

“We weren’t on some crusade in that instance to say, we need female characters, we need more of that representation. We just liked the characters. It’s as simple as that.”

Female superheroes are the future, and representation is needed as soon as possible to showcase these possibilities –amazing possibilities. After all, Wonder Woman is pretty great.

PHOTO COURTESY MARVEL COMICS

Course selection a significant year-round problem at Bishop’s NICOLE GAUVREAU Editor-in-Chief

I

n May this very paper talked about budget cuts and course selection; one major point that was brought up was the number of double-coded courses.

In the past two semesters and in the forthcoming spring semester, Business has, by far, had the most courses, which is only to be expected. But when taking a closer look, even these courses are simply additional sections of a singular course.

Double coded/cross disciplinary courses continued to be listed with frequency for the winter semester. While these courses are not a bad thing – and may, in fact, help a student approach a topic in a new way – the concern arises

from the fact that, depending on the professor, students from certain disciplines will not be in a class that is useful in propelling their careers forward.

Such is the case with the course European Diplomacy Since 1914 (POL277 and HIS366) and Democracy in the Ancient World (POL223 and CLA223).

Other classes that might ideally have multiple sections (such as FRE155 Culture and Society: Conversational French II) consist of only one very crowded section, which is to the detriment of many students.

Additionally, one might expect it to be difficult for a student in his or her final year to find courses they have not yet taken (as many are on a three year rotation). But this should not be true for students in their second year, and one

would certainly not think requirements for a program would be among the list of cut courses.

Nevertheless, students focusing on German within the Modern Languages department last semester were faced with this exact situation. These students found themselves unable to take GER203, which is a prerequisite for a course offered in the winter semester, which, in turn, is a requirement to continue on to 300-level German.

One German course code that was offered in Winter 2014 will be offered again this spring but with totally different content; students can only get credit for one of these two very different courses.

Other students, such as those who need to take a language component for

their degree but are not Modern Languages students, found fewer sections of Spanish than usual.

In the realm of French, many students found that they had absolutely no course selection, as many had already completed the offered courses under the old course coding. These students might have hoped to take French courses at Bishop’s in the Spring, but, by now, are likely to have discovered that they will need to take those courses elsewhere as none are currently being offered.

Overall, I’m forced to admit that course selection is a problem at Bishop’s, unless, of course, you have the freedom to pick a number of courses outside your program of study.

OPINION

THEBUCAMPUS.CA

Living large

11

Obesity should be prevented, not accommodated TINA GOLAB Contributor

O

besity should not be considered a disability.

All the while, in 2014, the European Union ruled that obesity is a disability.

This implies that employers and public services should begin to accommodate those who are overweight.

The problem with this is that when 25% of adults in the United Kingdom, 68.6% of Americans, and 37% of Canadians are considered either overweight or obese, it cannot be called a disability.

It is a health issue on the most fundamental level.

While there are actual medical conditions that can cause obesity such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, or even depression, it seems highly unlikely that over half of the population of the United States, a third of Canadians, and a quarter of Brits are suffering from one or all three of these conditions.

More often than not, the reason for obesity is due to poor lifestyle habits. To call obesity a disability provides society an excuse to accommodate the evergrowing sizes of people rather than face the issue head on.

Instead of labeling obesity as a disabil-

PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGONOW.COM

ity, governments should investigate the reasons behind the weight gain.

Systems should be put in place to make healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats accessible and affordable for everyone, while simultaneously increasing the price of high-fat, unhealthy foods.

Physical activity should be encour-

Where’s all the healthy food?

aged among adults as well as children.

Memberships for gyms, pools, and various sports teams should be offered at low prices and encouraged in every community.

If people have easier access to healthy foods and recreational facilities, half of the problem is already taken care of.

The other half is simply working up the

motivation to commit to a healthier lifestyle.

When obesity is labelled as a disability, people are encouraged to believe that there is nothing that can be done to counteract its effects. It provides an excuse for half of a country to sit back and maintain an unhealthy lifestyle while the rest of society has to accommodate their needs, which, in the long run, benefits no one.

One argument in favour of labelling obesity as a disability claimed it would prevent discrimination towards larger people in the future. However, the potential for discrimination seems hardly a justifiable excuse to call obesity a disability.

If that were the case, then black people during the ‘50s and Jews during World War II should have been able to simply advocate for special treatment on account of their skin colour or religion rather than fight for the right to be treated as an equal in society.

Losing weight is not easy. Instead of calling obesity a disability, which implies the accommodation and promotion of an unhealthy lifestyle, we should encourage easier access to the essential building blocks of a healthy lifestyle.

Nutrition deprivation at Bishop’s AISLINN MAY Contributor

T

his time of year is brutal for students. It’s cold, it’s dark, and it feels as though midterms are dragging us down to the bottom of the frigid Massiwippi.

What makes this all the more unbearable is the aching feeling of hunger as you stare at the blank screen that is your unfinished essay.

Unfortunately for Bishop’s students, the choices for food on campus are basically zero.

Coffee – a necessary evil to get through any homework filled day. However, if you need you need a cup of “jo” on the weekend, you can forget about that essay all-together. Tim Horton’s doors are firmly locked, the coffee stashed away.

Doolittles maybe open on Saturday, but not until noon.

I can say that I – along with many other students – get our best studying done on the weekends. However, at 3:00 p.m. I can feel my eyes fluttering as my desperate need for caffeine engulfs my entire being. If I am to succeed in obtaining that much needed pick me up, I have to trudge my way back home or all the way to the SportsPlex, which, in the winter, feels like a hike through the frozen tundra.

The Gaiter Grill is available on weekdays for students, but it is only open

PHOTO COURTESY HEALTHYOPTIONSBUFFALO.COM

until 3:00 p.m. The options there are also extremely limited. If you have any food restrictions or allergies or want food that is not Quizno’s, pizza, poutine, or a burger, there is only a handful of fruit for sale. You’ll just have to hope that the fruit isn’t already sold out by the time you get there.

I find it hard to believe that it is impossible for the Gaiter Grill to offer students a better selection of healthy hot-meals.

Recently, the Gaiter Grill and even the Bus Stop Café have included healthier cold-meal options. I love a good hum-

mus and pita. However, every time I go to purchase one of these delicious boxes, they are sold out.

This just goes to show that I am not the only student that jumps at the chance to get their hands on nutritious food crucial for surviving a lecture or study session in the library.

If both the Gaiter Grill and The Bus Stop Café offered more options like fruit or veggies and hummus, these businesses would have the potential to make a lot more money. Not to mention, happier clientele. This, of course, excludes the

obvious issue of inflated prices.

The new SportsPlex brings with it a new stop for hungry Gaiters. I was really excited to see smoothies, sandwiches, and salad options along with excellent coffee that happens to be the same price as Tim Horton’s.

The best part of this new plex is that they have almond milk. This is a silver lining for all my milk sensitive or vegan friends who would rather drink their coffee black as coal than add cow’s milk.

However, I was bewildered to learn that they charge $1.00 extra to “add a splash of almond milk.”

On this small campus, there are a lot of limitations as to where we can buy food. The healthy choices should not be limited to a few sparse “past-theirprime” fruits and a splash of over-priced almond milk.

Joke of the day My dog used to chase people on a bike a lot.

It got so bad, finally I had to take his bike away.

12

OPINION

THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Singular “they” is here to stay

Why people need to get over themselves and accept that people can and should be called whatever they want KATHARINE MUSSELLAM Staff Writer

R

unners-up for 2015’s Word of the Year by the American Dialect Society (ADS) included schlog, Netflix and chill, and ghosting. They were all beat out by a much more important contender – the third-person singular pronoun “they.”

This 600-year-old word may seem like an odd choice, but there is more to it than meets the eye.

The ADS chooses its word of the year from words that “say something about the way we are living now,” says Ben Zimmer, a linguist who is part of the Society. He also says that this win for the singular “they” symbolizes mainstream culture’s move towards recognition and acceptance of people of all genders.

This is because the singular “they” is the pronoun of choice for many gender variant people who feel that the pronouns “he” or “she” do not accurately reflect their identities. Similarly, if one does not know the gender of a person then the singular “they” should be used.

I hope that this recognition will finally show that not only is the use of “they” as a singular pronoun inclusive, but just plain correct.

There are some people who have claimed over the years that one cannot use the pronoun “they” as a singular, while still being grammatically correct.

The fact of the matter is that people use it every day without even thinking; the usage of “they” as singular pronoun has been correct all along.

So, it is time we all stop reverting to the archaic “he or she” and “his or her” pattern for when we do not know the gender of the person we are talking about.

I feel the need to shout “they” and “them” whenever I hear someone who still uses that. It makes me wince, not only because it reinforces the gender, but because it just takes so long to say.

Every time I hear someone say “he or she,” it feels like time has suddenly

slowed to a crawl. It is simpler and faster to say “they” than linger on “he or she.”

Sweden has already embraced the gender neutral pronoun “hen” in addition to “han” for “he” and “hon” for “she.” It is time we use our own gender neutral pronoun more frequently. After all, we don’t even need to create a word; it’s already a part of our vocabulary!

It may take time to make the switch for some people, but it is worth it.

Language is not only formed by us, but it shapes us too. If we are able to use it in an inclusive way, then we are forming a better world for everyone.

PHOTO COURTESY SCREENGRAB OF AMERICAN DIALECT SOCIETY

Tell me how you really feel

BDSM is not abuse; so, why does what I do in the bedroom matter to you?

L.A.C. Contributor

W

elcome to “Tell me how you really feel” a new column that will allow whoever needs to get something off their chest the chance to do so.

I like the marks on my neck that linger for a week. I like the scratch marks on my back that serve as a reminder of how I cannot get away, even if I want to. I like knowing deep down in my bones that he will never hurt me – wait, what?

I did not just say I like it when he hurts me? Not only am I a nasty, dirty, kinky, insane person, but I also happen to be a hypocrite?

Let me just explain: my boyfriend and I do what we do, with consent, open communication, and we always make sure to watch, so no mistakes are made.

I know he would never hurt me. I know he loves me. I know he trusts me enough to allow me to cause him pain when he wants it – but to a point he does not. We do not undertake things we do not know how to do. We never do complicated rope bondage, because we do not have the training and do not want to make a mistake that could cause nerve damage.

There is a lot to learn with BDSM, and if we want to try the more dangerous stuff, we know we will have to play prepared.

Now, I am not going to stand up and say that every member of the kink community abides by this idea of safe, sane, and consensual (which is the motto).

Heck, I am not even going to suggest that we all play according to Risk-Aware Consensual Kink (RACK).

However, most of us do, and those who do not are very quickly either taught what to do, booted from the scene, or monitored to make sure no one is being harmed.

Just like all communities, the kink community has its crazies – the people we know not to play with/invite to parties, and the guy we warn new girls to stay away from. The community protects its own. No one, not even a member of the community itself, can break the rules without public outcry. Consent is everything. Safety is needed, and sanity is required.

If mistakes are made, if limits are pushed, a single word can stop it. That word is called a safe word, and it is the submissive’s greatest resource. If they cannot keep going – if they are too hurt, too scared, or just plain uncomfortable – they can use the safe word, and play will stop.

This is what keeps it from ever becoming abuse; one word has the power to end everything, no matter what, without repercussions.

What I do not understand is kink shaming. While I appreciate the fact that some aspects of it are scary, everything is done with the purpose to build intimacy, create sensations, and, ultimately, bring enjoyment to both sides.

Yes, I do mean both. It is possible to get off on pain, and there's nothing wrong with it at all.

PHOTO COURTESY BLOG.THESPIRITUALCATALYST.COM

While I do understand that you do not want me shoving my kink in your face – and that is something I would never do – I do not understand why you care about what I do in the bedroom.

It is my business, plain and simple.

If what my boyfriend and I engage in involves roughness, if it involves orders, if it – feminism forbids – involves a girl submitting to a guy, then so be it. If it is something I am into, if it is something that suits me and makes my life better for it, then you do not have cause to care.

For the record, most of the time, it is my boyfriend submitting to me. What can I say? A girl likes power.

Liking what I like does not make

me crazy. It makes me sane enough to understand fully what I am getting into, sane enough to know (and learn) how to do it safely, and sane enough to consent to the best sex of my life.

Jealous?

See more on this subject at thebucampus.ca

OPINION

THEBUCAMPUS.CA

Dr. Pimple Popper and the other disgusting pleasures of life

13

Why is it impossible to look away from videos that repulse us?

MARIAN NEESER-CARAZO Contributor

T

he Internet is a wonderful place, a wonderfully weird place full of creative people, cute animals, and annoying trolls.

One-third of Internet users have access to YouTube, which has amassed over a billion users and hundreds of millions of videos that range from makeup tutorials to audiobooks.

As someone who spends quite a bit of time scrolling through YouTube, I find it is easy to get lost merely by clicking the recommended videos and finding yourself watching “Shrek is love, Shrek is life” when you had started off watching a tutorial on how to plant and maintain a succulent garden.

Some YouTubers (those who post and create content) have dedicated themselves to providing material for “the weird part of the internet” with perhaps the most popular – yet disgusting – zit or

cyst popping videos.

Dr. Pimple Popper is a YouTuber who has over 700,000 subscribers and 7,000,000 video hits which — for educational purposes — show the extraction of a variety of skin abnormalities. There are two types of people, those who feel sick when they stumble across one of Dr. Pimple Popper’s videos, and those who are fascinated by them.

The feelings of nausea are a natural response to being exposed to potentially contagious bodily fluids, but the fascination of watching what is often a messy and painful procedure is what is interesting.

Some people find this type of video soothing, while others like commenter Noah Barin find that it helps them deal with mental disorders: “I just wanted to take a second to thank you [Dr. Pimple Popper] for post-

The politics of Beyoncé

ing these videos. I have dermatillomania [...] I would regularly pick at healing wounds and hair follicles [...] your videos fulfill the need to pick at my skin.”

Dr. Pimple Popper is not the only YouTuber posting these kinds of videos.

There are also other YouTubers filming earwax extractions, sinus cleanses, and ingrown hair removals that grab attention with titles that promise gore like Kris Honey's “Biggest Cyst Pop Ever {Gross Pimple Popping},” which includes all the keywords that people who enjoy watching these sorts of videos are looking for.

In the same way, that people stop and stare at the remains of a car crash, people stop and watch videos of other people's medical problems. Similar to how films like The Human Centipede garner attention through their explicit use of gore, “popping” videos on YouTube also in-

trigue people by their fearless focus on “gross” bodily fluids.

These types of videos are entertaining because they highlight superficial procedures that are often performed at home with several family members gawking and making jokes just out of frame.

The reactions of the people in the film when the procedure is messier than expected is amusing, but many watchers feel like Dawn Keener, who commented on one of Dr. Pimple Popper's videos “MOTHER OF GOD!!! Why do I keep watching these videos?!”

Some temptations are impossible to resist, and this type of video just happens to be one of them.

tors like to assume. She is simply going against the grain of mainstream media, which more often than not celebrates the mediocrity of Eurocentric beauty standards and ideals.

By giving a voice to so many black people who may be self-conscious of their features, she is merely saying that it is okay to love yourself; this is a message that is not often directed specifically to black women.

One of the most striking scenes in the music video is when a young black boy is dancing in front of a line of police officers donning full riot gear. Upon the completion of his dance, the officers raise their hands above their heads. Cut to the sight of a brick wall spray painted to say “Stop Shooting Us.” The scene is symbolic of the phrase “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” often associated with the Black

Lives Matter movement.

There is so much more that could be said about this ground-breaking problack anthem, but perhaps what sticks out most is the timing of its release.

Firstly, February is Black History Month in North America. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Feb. 6, 2016 is the date in between what would have been Trayvon Martin’s 21st birthday (Feb. 5) and Sandra Bland’s 29th birthday (Feb. 7), two individuals believed to be victims of racial violence.

Despite the well-meaning intentions of the song, there will always be critics who feel that pro-black sentiments are somehow an attack on white individuals.

Regardless, Beyoncé best states it in the last line of the song: “Always stay gracious; best revenge is your paper.”

Pro-black does not mean anti-white AQIL HENRY-COTNAM Contributor

B

ack, by popular demand,” the one and only, Her Majesty Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter. Her latest song/ music video, “Formation,” was quietly released on Feb. 6 – a day before she was scheduled to perform alongside Coldplay and Bruno Mars at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show.

For those unfamiliar with Beyoncé’s body of work, the song has caused quite a stir. In fact, her performance at the Super Bowl stole the spotlight from headliner Coldplay. Many felt that the attire her dancers and band wore (black leather jackets, Doc Martens, black berets, and natural afros) was a tribute to the now-defunct Black Panthers Party for Self-Defense – an organization clas-

sified as a terrorist group by the United States government.

Critics have also stated how the “Formation” music video likewise supports anti-police sentiments. In the video she appears on top of a New Orleans Police Department cruiser, sinking in water - a clear allusion to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. However, if we analyze the messages in the lyrics of the song and the imagery of the music video, it becomes quite clear that her message is not “anti-police,” but anti-state sanctioned violence against black bodies.

The message she is promoting is that it is not a crime to love black bodies.

She is obviously pro-black, stating, “I love my negro nose with Jackson 5 nostrils.” However, this self-love and celebration of black bodies does not mean she is anti-white as many commenta-

PHOTO COURTESY FTW.USATODAY.COM

PHOTO COURTESY THEGUARDIAN.COM

14

SPORTS

THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Know your Gaiters: JC Peters

Dan Gilbert, Sports Editor » thecampus.sports@gmail.com

BU Artist sits down for 1-on-1 Interview with The Campus DAN GILBERT Spor ts Editor

I

f you've been studying at Bishop's University lately and still haven't come across or heard of the name JC Peters yet, chances are you've been living under a rock for some time. A staple in the social scene around campus thanks to a charming personality and inimitable charisma, Peters isn't just your average Joe. On top of being a hard-working undergrad currently majoring in business, he's also a well-known emcee in relentless pursuit of poetic success. That's right – the multi-talented kid from the nation's capital doesn't just have his sights set on a university diploma. Fuelled by an insatiable passion for music, he also aspires to break into the incomparable world of hip-hop, and if he manages to get there someday, he'll be fulfilling what's been a lifelong dream of his.

For those that happen to be among the select few who haven't had the opportunity to catch up with him, this interview should help you feel right at home.

Without further ado, here's what you need to know about the 21-year-old in his own words: Q: So why choose Bishop's University as a place to study?

A: "Mainly one of the things for me was the size. I used to work at a summer camp, and while I was over there, a girl I knew called Sarah asked me, 'Have you heard about Bishop's?' and I was like 'No, I haven't, should I?' Then she told me 'That's where you'll be acknowledged for your name and not just be a number,' and I have to say, that one thing stuck with me. So I looked into it, found out they had small class sizes. I told myself that maybe I could come to this school and become something, you know? So that's one of the main reasons.

Plus, it's close to home, too."

Q: Is there any particular moment in your life that sold you on hip-hop as a possible career path, or is music something that you were always interested in?

A: "I've been writing in general since I was a little kid. I mean really, really young. One of my childhood friends started to get his own stuff and record, and I told him, 'yo, I want to try this.' I recorded this song called 'With You.' It actually turned out pretty decent considering it was my first time ever doing it. Then I realized, 'I can actually do this, you know?' After that, I just fell in love with it, so I started recording with him then I eventually got my own stuff. Flash forward to my time here at Bishop's.

When I was studying during the spring semester last year, basically, I had so much free time because my roommate wasn't around. I found myself working on music a lot, and then I was like

PHOTO COURTESY DIFFERENT3.COM

Peters’ latest EP, “Different”, shines light on the importance of staying true to ourselves.

'maybe if I put more time into this, I could actually do this instead of partying and doing all these other things,' so I stopped playing football and focused on what's become my passion. Not long after that, people started sending me these messages with all kinds of support and inquiries about my content. At that point, I saw it as a sign to just go with it. I ended up making my own website, built my own studio, and made my own networks. I decided to act on the advice of some close friends, who told me 'You can't just go halfway; you're either all in or all out'. So that's what sold me on doing this along with school."

Q: Which artist or artists inspire you the most and why?

A: "The ones that inspire me the most have to be Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake. Kendrick in particular because, you know, he's from Compton and he's trying to get people out of the struggle.

Like for example, his latest album To Pimp a Butterfly is projected towards racism and segregation. He's always trying to address important issues in our society. I thought his music video for “Alright” was incredible while the whole police brutality thing was happening in the States. I really like Kendrick, because he's just always done his thing. He's such an inspiration and doesn't just rap for the sake of rapping, he raps with a message to try to change something. As for J. Cole, well, a lot of rappers change when they get big, but he's always kept it real since day one. I could listen to his albums from start to finish on repeat any time, any place. I'm sure the collaborative album that both of those guys are working on is going to be incredible."

Q: You've performed in front of live

crowds around campus in the past.

What's the feeling like?

A: "The first time I ever performed was at the CASA (Caribbean and African Student Association) show. It was in my first year here, and to be honest, I was really nervous. I don't know why though, since I'm usually really good with people and I'm not shy, but when it comes to me being the center of attention, I always get really shy. It kind of took me back to my football days. As a running back, there used to be plays specifically designed for me, and I'd do them well but at the same time I'd be really nervous.

So yeah, when I think of the first time I performed in front of a live crowd, I was really nervous, but by the end, everyone was screaming and it was good. From there, I was able to build my confidence up. It's been broken down sometimes, but it's just mainly about your mindset before you get into it. It's a lot of fun, but I think I would rather perform in front of people I don't already know, that way they could just judge it for what it is versus other factors. Honestly, it all just depends on the crowd. Sometimes if you want to please the crowd, you have to play turn-up songs, but realistically as an artist, you want to play the songs that you actually put time and your heart into. It’s pretty nerve-wracking and something I need to work on, but we'll see how it goes."

Q: You decided to call your most recent EP "Different." Why is that?

A: "Different is about being yourself.

Too many people and artists nowadays are trying to be something they aren't.

No one can be you better than you, and every individual brings something new and special to this planet. So, it's about

being yourself – not a copy of someone else. I want people to create their own paths, follow their passions, learn from their mistakes and appreciate the journey just like I have and will continue to do."

Q: We're currently in the midst of a sizable shift in hip-hop right now in that artists are choosing to go independent rather than sign with major labels. Would you do the same if the choice was yours?

A: "Yeah, I would definitely go independent. I think the only possibility where I wouldn't go independent would be a small contract. I wouldn't want to get trapped in a five-year long contract, you know what I mean? So, maybe something shorter like a year or two in length just to build a fan base and everything, then after that go straight to independent. But at the same time, I believe it's better to take your own path versus following someone else's path to success. It may be the longer route, but in the end, you get everything you put into it."

Q: Aside from music, what else could you see yourself doing after you wrap up (no pun intended) your time at Bishop's?

A: "Well, I'm studying marketing, so I'm going to be graduating with a BBA. As a creative person, I could see myself doing something business-wise in marketing, or just helping out some companies. I'm also interested in coming up with my own concept and maybe even my own company. For me, it's just possibilities right now. My aim is to graduate first, and from there, we'll see what happens."

Q: How might people who don't already know about you be able to connect with you and stay in the loop with your latest content?

A: "I just dropped my latest website that people can check out at any time: www.different3.com. The number 3 represents Ottawa, which is we're I'm from.

Basically, all my content is on this website. That's where you'll be able to find my latest music videos and new music.

Since today's generation doesn't have that much time on their hands and likes to keep things simple, I figured it would be convenient to keep everything in one place, so that's where you'll be able to find links to my social media accounts including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. So, check out the website and follow me at @PetersJC3."

Q: Any last words you'd like to share with your fans?

A: "I've decided to take a journey that not many people understand. I fell in love with music, and I believe that life is too short to pursue anything but your passion. Ignore the negativity and just keep doing you. Be yourself."

THEBUCAMPUS.CA

From nothing to something: the John Scott story

SPORTS

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Minor-leaguer defies the odds to become NHL All-Star MVP DAN GILBERT Spor ts Editor

H

ad you asked any group of hockey followers who John Scott was two months ago, very few people would’ve had an answer. Yet somehow, someway, Scott rose from the ashes of obscurity to become one of the most talked about players in the NHL today. Improbable?

Perhaps. Impossible? Not quite. In order to establish the context pertaining to this remarkable story, here’s a look back at how it all came to be.

For John Scott, the goal was always to get to the pros. Needless to say, it didn’t come easy. This was certainly the case when the hockey-hopeful went undrafted. After a brief stint as an enforcer in the American Hockey League, Scott seemed to have done enough to impress at least one organization that had eyes on him. This led to the start of his NHL career when he was fortunate enough to receive an entry-level contract from the Minnesota Wild. That was 2006; flash forward to present day, Scott is now playing for his seventh team, and still trying to survive in the big leagues.

In retrospect, he was your average journeyman, someone that was never able to find much geographical stability in his career. Despite the hardships, there was something about his bluecollar work ethic that always kept him

afloat when his job was in jeopardy.

At the start of the season, Scott was a member of the Arizona Coyotes and mainly went unnoticed. Then December happened.

This year, the league introduced a new 3-on-3 All-Star game tournament format that saw four teams (one from each division) compete against each other for hockey supremacy - or at least, a few bragging rights. Each of those teams had a captain who was voted in by the fans.

Between Dec. 1 to Jan 1, hockey fans around the globe were able to cast their votes for the event, and it was during that period that the John Scott hysteria began. Despite appearing in just 11 games this season and having only scored five goals in his entire career, Scott was unanimously voted by fans to captain the Pacific division. He was voted in alongside Florida’s Jaromir Jagr, Chicago’s Patrick Kane, and Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin, while the remaining pieces of each roster were left in the hands of league representatives.

On Jan. 15, Scott was traded from the Coyotes to the Canadiens, sparking an endless series of comedic exchanges among fans who joked that general manager Marc Bergevin was finally able to bolster his roster with ‘all-star’ talent.

But his time with the Habs was shortlived. Scott was later sent down to the club’s AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps,

Super Bowl weekend

leading many to wonder if he would still be able to partake in All-Star festivities since the Canadiens don’t compete in the same division as the Coyotes, and Scott was technically no longer in the NHL at the time.

Eventually, the league announced that Scott would still captain the Pacific division at the game.

On Jan. 28, The Player’s Tribune released a piece entitled “A Guy Like Me” in which Scott discussed his rise to the NHL and the treatment he received by the league prior to the All-Star game.

In his article, Scott acknowledged that he’s not an All-Star caliber player, but he is an NHL player, which means something to him and his family and that’s why he accepted the invitation.

“Because, while I may not deserve to be an NHL All-Star, I know I deserve to be the judge of what my kids will—and won’t—be proud of me for,” Scott wrote in his article.

When All-Star weekend came around, it wasn’t long before the NHL’s camera crew captured a special moment in Nashville; one in which Scott’s oldest daughter, Eva, was pointing at the arena’s Jumbotron and smiling proudly at her self-described “big, goofy dad” after one of his two goals, which helped lead his team to the million dollar prize and ultimately allowed him to claim MVP honours via a fan vote that followed.

In a span of two months, John Scott went from being a name that absolutely nobody recognized to an All-Star MVP. The helmet he wore to score those famous goals is now in the Hockey Hall of Fame, to be viewed by anyone who wants to see a piece of history and revisit one of the most bizarre, yet uplifting moments in NHL lore.

Scott carried himself with the utmost amount of grace and dignity in the months preceding his All-Star appearance. He had to displace himself, his wife (who is nine months pregnant with twins), as well as his two young daughters to a new city, all while critics around the league tried to remind him that he didn’t belong. Still, through all the adversity and vitriol, he managed to keep a smile on his face. After all, he was doing what he loved, and that was playing the game of hockey for a living.

“It’s just another one on the list of stuff that I cannot believe is happening,” Scott said after being named MVP. “I never in a million years would have believed I was at an All-Star Game, the fans would be behind me like that and score two goals in a game. You can’t put it into words.

You can’t write this stuff. It’s unbelievable.”

Scott is right about one thing. You can’t write this stuff. But sometimes, you can be fortunate enough to live it.

Recapping the NFL’s 50th Super Bowl DAN GILBERT Spor ts Editor

A

ll the talk entering Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California focused on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. In the end, the pressure proved to be overwhelming for an inexperienced team that had never played on the big stage before, and it was the veteran Denver Broncos that got the last laugh this past Sunday by a final score of 24-10.

After scoring more points than any other team during the regular season and postseason, the Panthers, who mirrored perfection through their first 18 games, imploded with inexplicable turnovers, penalties, sacks, and mistakes. Really, it was a testament to just how good Denver’s defence was. Their pass rush is what allowed them to get to the Super Bowl, and by extension, helped a 39-yearold Peyton Manning capture a second championship in what may have been his last rodeo.

It was a night to forget for

the Panthers, whose last-gasp attempt to pull out the victory ended with Denver’s Von Miller stripping the ball from Newton. For his efforts, Miller was named Super Bowl MVP. Now that it’s all said and done, many will look back and wonder how it all fell apart for a Carolina team that was firing on all cylinders and entered the football extravaganza as prohibitive favourites. When Panthers head coach Ron Rivera goes back and watches the tape, he might point to his fullback Mike Tolbert fumbling twice, or his wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery dropping two balls (including one inside the Denver 10-yard line) as the difference making plays that cost him an opportunity to raise the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Those mistakes we’re a microcosm of the night his offence had as a whole. The Panthers had 12 penalties, four turnovers, and a missed field goal attempt. Newton, the league MVP who came out for warm-ups in gold cleats, was far from golden

Miller’s sensational performance in Super Bowl 50 earned him MVP honors at age 26.

against the league’s top-ranked defence. This was evident on his first pass, which was overthrown – an issue throughout the first four years of his career that hadn’t really surfaced this season. It continued as Newton had the ball stripped from him

by Miller and recovered for a major. The same lethal legs that he used to his advantage and appeared in countless highlight reels throughout the season couldn’t save him against a relentless defensive unit.

The end result was ten points for a team that averaged 31.3 during the regular season and 40 during the playoffs. The team that played better than any other in the NFL all season simply couldn’t get on track when it mattered most.

Despite the outcome, it shouldn’t spoil what the Panthers accomplished. Admittedly, they still have the nucleus for long-term success. With a franchise quarterback in Newton and a franchise-changing

PHOTO COURTESY LOCKERDOME.COM

asset in middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, it shouldn’t be long before they return to compete for another Super Bowl. But this one may take a while to put behind them. By and large, when the Panthers had the chance to “dab” and show the entire world just how good they were, they fell flat, and reminded every football fan that being a favourite isn’t the be-all and end-all if the underdog comes ready to play.

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SPORTS

Home slate of Gaiters season comes to an end

THE CAMPUS FEBRUARY 24, 2016

A look back at some highlights from the hardwood MATTHEW MULKERN Contributor

T

he home portions of the Men’s and Women’s Bishop’s University basketball season have come to a close and with it the end of Gaiter varsity athletic events in Lennoxville until the next school year. Though both teams’ seasons were not as successful as hoped, there were plenty of highlights at home through the year. Furthermore, as neither team will lose any players to graduation, look for both Gaiters squads to come back even stronger next year and hungry for a Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) title.

A few of the key highlights: On the Men’s side, Quebec City native and third-year transfer from Saint Anselm College, Peter Weston was the leading scorer at home for the Gaiters.

The Psychology major averaged nearly 16 points a game at Mitchell Gym. First-year, Abdul Kamane led the Men’s side in rebounding at home this year. The Sociology major from Montreal, Que. also has his name in the conversation for RSEQ Rookie-of-the-Year honours by leading the RSEQ in freshman scoring.

Floor general and the lone senior on either team, Jona Bermillo led the team in assists while in Lennoxville. The Eco-

Peyton Manning’s legacy

nomics major from Montreal, Que. will have the option to return to play a fifth season next year. A key member of the Gaiters’ 2015 RSEQ Championship run, he paced the Gaiters at overall scoring during the season (around 13 points a game) and ranked in the top 10 in the entire RSEQ. On the Women’s side, first-year, Ashley Milhomme paced the Gaiters in points, averaging nearly 11 a game. The Sociology major from Repentigny, Que. also led the Gaiters in rebounding at home and is a strong contender for RSEQ Rookieof-the-Year, leading the conference in all rookie scoring at press time.

Magog, Que. native Noemie Hamel-

Petit also deserves praise. In only her second year with the Gaiters, the Psychology major has become a team leader and a model of consistency leading the conference in minutes played per game.

Finally, third-year Ajax native and Psychology major, Naomi James led the Gaiters in assists during the home portion of the schedule.

If you haven’t had your fill of Gaiter action, there are still two games left in the Basketball season. You can support your Gaiters during reading week and watch them in action Saturday, Feb. 27 in Montreal against McGill and Thursday, March 3 in Quebec City against Laval.

How The Sheriff will be viewed after a second Super Bowl championship GERRIT COULTER Contributor

I

t seems inevitable; everything appears to be pointing towards a Peyton Manning retirement this offseason. There are a few rumours here and there about teams that are in need of quarterback help who want to sign him, but a return for number 18 doesn’t seem to be in his best interest. Therefore, I think this is a very appropriate time to look at Peyton’s career in the NFL, especially after just having claimed a second Super Bowl championship.

Peyton secured his first title in the 2006 postseason, when he was still with the Indianapolis Colts. Detractors tend to belittle the victory, as the team they defeated in Super Bowl 41 was a onedimensional Chicago Bears team led by glorified back-up Rex Grossman. Not exactly what you’d call a powerhouse opponent. Over the next eight years, Peyton made it to the big stage twice more, in Super Bowl 44 (with the Colts) vs. the Saints, and Super Bowl 49 (with the Broncos) against the Seattle Seahawks.

Yet on both occasions, his team came up short. Not long before and between that period, his younger brother Eli managed to capture two Super Bowls for the New York Giants, and amazingly, had done something Peyton hadn’t been able

to do despite countless displays of offensive magic in the regular season.

This year, however, Peyton’s run was unorthodox; he was statistically poor, sat out multiple regular season games.

The best play from his team came on the defensive side, which surprised many considering what he was able to do from the pocket throughout the previous 17 years of his career. Though appearing to be a shell of his former self, Manning still played decent in the playoffs, and put his team in a position to win every game.

If you look at it one way, his performance this past postseason may have been overlooked by most football pundits. He didn’t dominate in the form of a Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and other champions in recent memory.

However, what he did do is play a near perfect game-manager role through most of the playoffs.

Through it all, Manning is unquestionably one of the greatest football minds the NFL has ever seen. His ability to read defenses pre-snap and call the right audibles is uncanny. Additionally, he was a heavy contributor behind the league’s push to support offensive football. Many of the rules in the current NFL favour the offence, because it was good for business. The league had to make changes in light of the talented quarterbacks that were blossoming in the early 2000s, the foremost being Manning. Whether or

PHOTO COURTESY BUSINESSINSIDER.COM

Now a multi-time Super Bowl champion, Manning can ride off into the sunset with a smile on his face.

not it was for the best, it is indisputable that Manning has changed American Football forever.

In the opinion of this writer, the fact that Peyton now has two rings does not make him the best Quarterback in history. Even though he was able to break numerous records at his position, that debate still rests between Joe Montana and Tom Brady. What a second NFL

championship does do for Manning’s place in the NFL’s pantheon of best Field Generals is that it eliminates all of the ridiculous arguments that place him outside of the top 5. In my view, after Peyton’s likely impending retirement this off-season, he will be remembered as a mental giant, and #3 on the list of all-time greatest QB’s.

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