The Concordian Winter 2015 Issue 02

Volume 32

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Issue 15 |

Independent student newspaper at Concordia University. Since 1983.

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theconcordian

January 20, 2015.

News p. 3

Waiting to be heard

Student’s three-year legal battle with ConU to go to trial

Photo by Keith Race

In this issue

LIFE

p. 7

Green up your life

ARTS

p. 9

A how-to to stand-up

MUSIC

p. 11

Viet Cong on their inspiration

SPORTS

p. 14

Victory for women’s bball

We tell your stories. Follow us on Twitter: @TheConcordian

OPINIONS

p.18

Bathroom etiquette for all

theconcordian.com

news //

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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Write to the editor: news@theconcordian.com

CITY fRÉDÉRiC T. MUCKLE Assistant news editor

Business // NEWS

New startup is music to your ears Montreal entrepreneurs aim at launching world’s first truly wireless earbuds

>> SoutH SHore

wArNed Not to driNk tAp wAter An incident that occurred on Wednesday at a pumping station in Longueuil deprived the population of the South Shore suburbs of tap water for about 36 hours.

Diesel used as fuel for the station was spilled into the water reserve and contaminated the network and water supplies connected to the stations, in addition to the Saint Lawrence River. Confusion surfaced concerning an alleged intervention from Environment Canada that, according to officials from South Shores’ cities, may have caused a delay in the analysis and overall process necessary in such incident, thus making it difficult for the authorities to take the appropriate actions. The said allegation is still denied by Environment Canada officials. Cities officials confirmed that an investigation will take place to clarify concerning the event.

>> MoNtreAL wiLL BeCoMe More FrieNdLier to pedeStriANS

City’s administration announced last week a $500,000 commitment to put in place new initiatives towards making the city a better place for pedestrians in 2015. The new program includes plans to work on streets in various neighborhoods including Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Villeray, Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie, Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Saint-Laurent.

The initiatives will start to be put in place during Fall of 2015. Most changes will become fully implemented in time for the 375th anniversary of Montreal, in 2017.

>>

No SMokiNg Nor iNSuLtiNg For tHe StM

While it isn’t technically smoking, he STM went forward and announced last week that they would introduce a rule prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in STM vehicles and in the metro. They also presented another rule aiming to punish individuals guilty of insulting STM employees, with fine ranging from $75 to $500, depending on the gravity of the infraction.

JESSE STEiN Contributor

P

repare to change the way you listen to music.

Changing the world of sound is Montreal’s own Ken Richards and Christian Houle, founders of Phazon, a revolutionary new wireless bluetooth earbud. The idea for Phazon came from the desire to improve on the current athletic headphones on the market. “I really wanted a pair of headphones that I could use at the gym that wouldn’t tangle while I was working out,” said founder Christian Houle,

who graduated from HEC with a degree in accounting. It was from that need that Phazon was born.

In working on the form of their product the founders have worked diligently to streamline its design. This attention to detail is reflected in the name, giving the product a futuristic almost sci-fi-esque feel.

“Our main target is active people,” said Chief Engineer Ken Richards, a Concordia graduate.

“But we have focused heavily on creating a sleek product that is both visually appealing and very easy to use.” As well, Phazon says its earbuds will be completely waterproof, expanding its applications to a wide variety of

sports and activities.

A technological edge that Phazon has is its use of an independent Bluetooth channel. In layman’s terms, a signal is sent from a source to one headphone and communicated by Bluetooth to the other one. Thanks to Bluetooth, a person is able to lend one of the headphones out, allowing both people to listen to their own music. One person listen to a song in one and the other person can use the other one independently.

Currently at, there are still room for improvements. For one thing, being able to provide the longest possible battery life considering the size of the ear buds will be a hurdle.

For any startup, guidance and investment can be two major factors that decide if a company will survive or fail. Phazon is currently working with an investment firm in Cleveland called Launch House, dedicated to helping get new ideas produced. They plan to launch a Kickstarter campaign in coming months to fund their first production run.

While it still only in the development phase, Phazon expects to produce a fully-functioning prototype by the end of this year.

They estimate that the price will be in the range of $150, making it a bit more expensive than an average pair of headphones, but not a budget breaker.

Campus // NEWS

Health Services face uncertain times Doctors could take 30 per cent pay cut if Bill 20 stipulations remain unmet KATE SHERiDAN Staff writer

T

he doctors at Concordia’s Health Services clinics may be affected by provisions in the provincial government’s new health care legislation, Bill 20, that could see their income cut by as much as 30 per cent.

The figures, quoted by both The Gazette and CTV, relate to the consequences of not meeting the bill’s provisions stipulating the number of patients doctors see regularly and the number of hours they spend working in a hospital.

To avoid any reduction of their income, doctors would have to balance the number of patients in their practice with the number of hours they work in a hospital or other public health establishment—like Concordia’s clinic.

It’s unclear if hours spent in Concordia’s clinic would count towards the requirements set in Bill 20.

“I don’t know how the bill works, I don’t think anybody is clear on how that is going to be implemented,” said Concordia’s director of media relations Chris Mota. “Do we fall into any of those categories?

I don’t know.”

The role of students as patients is slightly more clear. “As for students, we believe yes, it would count for their target,” said Joanne Beauvais, the Minister of Health’s press attaché.

Bill 20 establishes a target num-

ber of patients for each doctor based on how long they have been practicing and how many hours they work in a hospital or clinic.

The targets are as low as zero—for doctors in the very beginning and very end of their careers—and as high as 1500 patients, for doctors who have been practicing for 25 to 34 years. However, the targets are flexible. The letter noted that, for example, a doctor with 10 years of experience who worked more than the required number of hours in a hospital would have a lower target number of patients—750 patients rather than 1000 patients.

Unlike the nurses and health promotions specialists at the clinics, doctors are not Concordia employees. “They are here because they choose to come here,” Mota said. “They are independent of the university.”

Instead of being hired, Mota explained, doctors who want to work at the clinic sign a one-year contract with the university that can be in-

definitely extended, circumstances permitting. Some doctors have their contract renewed many times—one has been working in the clinic for 10 years. Others just work at the clinic for a year before moving on.

Most Concordia students may not immediately notice any direct effects of Bill 20. “We will wait and see how this plays out and if there is any kind of an impact,” Mota said.

She went on to say that the provincially-mandated funding cuts to university budgets have not affected Health Services any more than other parts of the university.

“Are they affected? Probably, the same way that everybody else is.

Certainly, they are not singled out in any way.”

No Health Services personnel chose to leave during the recent Voluntary Departure Program which ended in November.

Even if students don’t notice a change in on-campus health services, both supporters and detractors of the bill believe that effects will be

cOncOrdia’s health services face uncertain futures. phOtO by keith race.

felt widely across the province.

Some doctors’ groups believe Bill 20 will lower the quality of medical care.

The Quebec Federation of General Practitioners has an ongoing petition that calls for the bill to be scrapped. “Bill 20 would put an unheard of concentration of power in the hands of the health minister, and bring punitive consequences that go against Quebec values,” the petition states.

The provincial government believes Bill 20 will increase the number of people with a family physician as they are forced to work hours outside hospital settings and also decrease the number of people making unnecessary trips to the emergency room.

“Bill 20 sends a clear signal,” wrote Health Minister Gaétan Barrette in a letter sent out to doctors in the province. “This is not to abandon hospital practice, but to restore the balance between it and the work in the office. … Put simply, we do not ask doctors to change their daily rhythm of work, we simply ask them to maintain this pace five days a week.”

Bill 20 would also restrict the use of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to women under the age of 42 who have undergone psychological testing. In 2010, Quebec became the first province to cover IVF as part of provincial health insurance.

Consultations are expected to continue concerning Bill 20 before a final vote is taken in the National Assembly.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

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Campus // NEWS

Concordia student suing former boss for defamation Complaint was also launched against the university with Quebec Labour Board MiLoS KoVACEViC News editor

R

ose Tandel was a student and model personal trainer with Concordia University’s Le Gym when in May 2013 she refused her boss’ request to ask a Muslim colleague to stop praying. Tandel says her colleague wasn’t in a public space and wasn’t drawing attention but was told praying was against the Code of Conduct. Since then, she alleges a systematic attempt by the university and her boss to discredit her and ignore her complaints, causing her to quit and initiate a $60,000 lawsuit for defamation.

Now Montreal’s Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) has joined her legal counsel before the Canadian Human Rights tribunal.

CRAR is a civil rights organization dealing primarily but not exclusively with discrimination based on race. They’ve previously defended Concordia students before the Human Rights Commission and work closely with the Concordia Student Union (CSU) Legal Information Clinic.

“We got the official mandate right after the holidays from Ms. Tandel,” said CRARR Executive Director Fo Niemi, after previous attempts at mediation by the Commission des normes du travail du Québec failed.

Niemi says it will be his organization’s job to see whether Tandel had been the victim of discrimination throughout the event.

“This won’t be based necessarily on her race or religion or ethnicity, but that she spoke against her manager’s attitude on a Muslim colleague’s prayer,” Niemi said.

“Because she objected to discrimination of her Muslim colleague’s religion, she herself became a target of discrimination,” said Niemi. “We intend to file a complaint very soon with the Quebec student rights and youth rights commission.”

He says the focus will not be on the initial incident, but the way it was subsequently handled by the university.

“We don’t know exactly what has happened with the whole issue of Muslim prayers in the workplace. We don’t know what Concordia has done on that issue. That’s the first question we want to ask. And secondly we’re going to ask: what happened to Ms. Tandel when she went to seek help with office of rights and responsibilities and human

resource department. The situation turned around to make her into a problem employee.”

Tandel had been an employee with the gym for five years with a spotless record free of any issues prior to the fallout.

Niemi said based on his information about the case and his organization’s track record, things look good for a positive outcome.

“The advantage of a complaint before the human rights commission is that we can ask for non-monetary remedies. In other words, requiring Concordia to correct its policies in these situations or adopt new policies so this does not happen again.”

Niemi said another employee could potentially join the complaint, but would not say at the

“

said these unexpected disciplinary hearings were a clear violation of procedure, and despite proving her innocence on those charges she was suspended on other charges of circumventing procedure to help a friend and insubordination. When Tandel continued seeking an explanation, HR accused her of poisoning the workplace.

Tandel says her superior has a history of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, with previous occurrences of what she considers racist, sexist, and insensitive comments. He called her Muslim co-worker’s praying an unwelcome ‘sermon’ that brought Islam into the work environment. She also alleges he has been shuffled around previously because of his attitude and

This won’t be based necessarily on her race or religion or ethnicity, but that she spoke against her manager’s attitude on a Muslim colleague’s prayer.

- Fo Niemi, CRARR executive director

moment if it was the original Muslim employee implicated.

“We’re looking at whether this is an isolated incident, or whether this has taken place before or is taking place now.”

“This ordeal has been very hard on her both financially and psychologically,” said Niemi.

Tandel says her experiences took a turn for the worse when she made the decision to challenge what she calls false assertions made by her manager and the administration allegedly shielding him.

“They [HR] made me believe they had set up a meeting to discuss the issue,” she said. “In fact I walked into a disciplinary hearing without being prepared.”

And it wasn’t just one disciplinary hearing, but a total of four, during which time she discovered her boss had opened up a case with HR against her on accusations of fraud and theft stemming from a client’s use of a free membership card Tandel says he himself gave her, in addition to other accusations. Niemi

has a track record of accusing others of theft.

“They told me they could call a disciplinary hearing whenever they wanted,” she said.

This caused an additional threeweek suspension on charges she wasn’t doing her work properly, despite a previous promotion and pay raise.

Most importantly, she says the subject of his comments on Muslims was never approached or dealt with in any way by the investigation.

“Most of them don’t speak French and they’re international students, and this is the only place they can work at,” she said, regarding the vulnerability of some of her co-workers and their hesitancy in corroborating her story.

At one point her Muslim coworker finally made a grievance.

“We were made to believe they would resolve both files. Instead they signed a contract with [the Muslim co-worker] and tied his hands.” She said this binding by non-disclosure was de-

liberate. Eventually, she said her co-worker was reposted to the Loyola campus.

“The normalcy of my work changed. I couldn’t communicate with my managers so I couldn’t stay informed and wouldn’t be available for whatever I was supposed to be available for, and then they would charge me with disciplinary hearings.”

At around the same time, she was sent an invoice for approximately $4,500 she owed over incorrectly billed overtime pay, save that the overtime pay was given to all her fellow coworkers and only she, to her knowledge, was required to pay it.

Not long afterwards, they received a phonecall from Concordia’s HR department for an ‘offthe-books’ meeting where they offered to drop the overtime bill if she agreed to never set foot in the gym and not speak about her experiences with the public or her clients. When she began her defamation lawsuit, the invoices ceased.

“They comfortably buried the issues and focused on me being a thief,” she said.

Tandel says her superior was approached with sensitivity training by an interim director at the time, but that it never went anywhere.

The labour board will hear the case on Feb. 16, at least the third time Concordia has pushed back the date. Her case was originally set to be heard in November 2014.

Tandel believes these interruptions are delaying tactics by the university to exhaust her financially. Despite being given a lawyer by the labour board.

“I’m asking for reinstatement, for wages lost, for damages [due to] psychological harassment, for clearance of my employee file.”

The court date will last two to three days and will finally look over the evidence from both sides.

When she complained about the conduct of the HR director, she received a reply by the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaine saying that, in his capacities, the HR director had the ‘mandate to support the managers in their decisions.’

“Out of all the other organizations outside of the labour board and my personal lawyer, [CRAR] seems to really care. I really think they’ll work to resolve the issue with me.”

The CSU has an agreement with CRAR and will partially pay for their services.

The Concordian was unable to reach Concordia for comment by press time.

NATION fRÉDÉRiC T. MUCKLE Assistant news editor

>> You CANʼt

MAke A dipLoMAtiC ViSit witHout BreAkiNg eggS Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird was welcomed on Sunday with eggs thrown by protesters during a diplomatic visit in the occupied West Bank. People were protesting against Canada’s support to the State of Israel and its political position on Palestinian political moves such as its effort to join international institutions like the International Criminal Court. Protesters also hurled shoes at Baird and held various signs basically saying that they did not want Baird in Palestine. The Foreign Minister ended up shrugging off the incident and said that he had seen a lot worse during his years in Ontario ex-premier Mike Harris’ Cabinet.

>> tArget BAiLiNg out oF CANAdA

Target announced last week that it will close its 133 Canadian department stores by May, leaving over 17 500 Canadians without a job. The American retailer launched its Canadian venture in March 2013, opening stores all around the country by buying out Zellers stores.

Even if Canadians customers were attracted to Target’s stores in the U.S. because of their discounts and low-prices just a frontier away, Target’s relationship with their new Northern clientele did not work out as planned. Target Canada announced that they planned to set $70 million aside so to give some kind of help to their current Canadian employees when its 133 stores will close.

>> two rCMp

oFFiCerS SHot iN ALBertA Const. David Wynn and Aux. Const. Derek Bond were both shot in a casino outside Edmonton on Saturday while trying to arrest a suspect who allegedly had a long history with crimes involving violence and firearms. Wynn was shot in the head and is currently in grave condition. His family was preparing to say goodbye on Monday. Bond was shot in the arm and was released from the hospital later on Saturday.

The alleged shooter was found dead by officers who tracked him down in a rural house.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Campus // NEWS

WORLD NATASHA TAGGART production assistant

>> u.S. ANd CuBA Meet to diSCuSS reLAtioNS

For the first time in 35 years, U.S. State Department officials and members of Cuba’s government will converge in Havana with the aim of advancing diplomatic relations.

The Guardian is reporting that U.S. officials are hoping Cuba will lift travel restrictions and be open to discussing issues of shipments between countries, and eliminate geographical limitations on Cuba’s citizens. Roberta Jacobson, the State Department’s diplomat for Latin America, will lead the meetings which start on Jan. 21. Jacobson’s trip to Cuba is the first of a senior American diplomat in over 30 years.

>> deAtHS iN CoNgo oVer eLeCtioN deLAY Confrontation between protesters and security forces lead to the deaths of four people in Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday.

Reuters is reporting that protesters took to the streets after receiving news that their government was in the midst of passing a law which could result in elections being delayed.

Demonstrators are opposing the law that calls for a census to be conducted prior to the elections being held, which are due in 2016, allowing President Joseph Kabila to avoid leaving office.

The lower house of parliament passed the bill—which has been referred to as a “constitutional coup”—on Jan. 17.

>> iSiS eXeCute 13

TRAC reveals reason behind exec axe General assembly a mum, passive affair, despite controversial report MiLoS KoVACEViC News editor

T

he Teaching and Research Assistants of Concordia union held a special general assembly on Monday, Jan. 20 to tackle the recent findings of a report that recommended an overhaul of their executive council.

“The situation is a bit ambiguous,” said former Mobilization and Communications Officer Robert Sonin, who alongside his fellow executives complained about the president back in September on charges of harassment. “We don’t know what happens now because the report is going to move on anyways.”

The report stirred tempers when it was released at the end of December and obtained by The Concordian not long after.

It detailed the conclusion of an official investigation by TRAC’s parent union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the conclusions understandably irked the executives who’d lost their jobs.

The report found the president abused his power and relieved him of his position, but made the recommendation to relieve the other executives as well because of a toxic workplace atmosphere. When the executives made the report public and started speaking to the media, PSAC sent them a notice threatening legal action unless the electronic report was ‘retrieved’

have started in November.

According to PSAC rules, members under investigation weren’t allowed to speak on their behalf, so Sonin could not speak at the event.

He’s now uncertain of how to proceed, a sentiment his fellow executives probably share.

“The report for the most part is accurate, I think they came down with a reasonable account of what went on. I would have rather seen the executive continue and I would have hoped they would have done all this in a much more timely way. The result is our complaints were

TRAC’S SPECIAL GENERAL PHOTO BY KEITH RACE.

vindicated.”

Sonin continued: “Right now I’m totally dissatisfied with the way PSAC handled this. It’s bizarre to me people who complained lose their job over it. In the best of all worlds you want a report like this to lay the blame where it rests, and I don’t think it did that. They need a better way to handle harassment.”

As the GA finished late Monday night, The Concordian was unable to get comment from various attendees, but will update the online version of this article with additional viewpoints as they come in.

ASSEMBLY DREW AROUND

150

ATTENDEES ON

MONDAY.

Campus // NEWS

McGill grads vote to opt out of CFS To be seen if the Canadian federation of Students will accept the referendum fREDERiC T. MUCKLE Assistant news editor

SoCCer FANS

Thirteen teenagers have been killed for doing something many people consider a favourite passtime—watching a soccer game.

The Daily Mail reports the boys were captured and gunned down in public after they were found to have been watching the Asian Cup soccer game between Iraq and Jordan on television in the ISIS-controlled city of Mosul, Iraq. Before the executions, ISIS militants announced the supposed crimes on a loudspeaker: watching soccer was against religious laws. Local anti-ISIS activists report the boys’ parents were too fearful to collect their children’s bodies.

and the conversation ceased, arguing it was PSAC property and would be discussed at Monday’s general assembly.

When contacted by The Concordian last week, PSAC issued a statement saying no further comment would be offered.

“I don’t know why they would pass it by the locals if they’re not going to use it. They gave it to a room of people who don’t really know anything except for the report,” added Sonin.

The recommendations were voted down 17 to 40, but the report is nonetheless going to be sent to the regional council and the national board of directors.

“The way the PSAC process works is—I don’t want to say it’s entirely irrelevant, but it’s really not relevant. It’s relevant in the sense the local has expressed its opinion, but the reporters and investigators hold the weight.”

Sonin said, calling the meeting an act of rubber-stamping.

Sonin said the general assembly mostly revolved around presenting the report and the qualifications necessary for holding office.

“This meeting was only to receive the report,” he said. He also stated the PSAC representative reiterated the official stance that TRAC members were not to share the findings.

The elections are set to happen for the first week of March, at the earliest. Until then TRAC is essentially dormant, leaving important matters at a standstill, such as the pay negotiations that were supposed to

Preliminary results of McGill’s referendum shows the “No” side has won by a very wide margin, thus reaffirming the will of McGill’s Post Graduate Students Society (PGSS) and its 8,000 members to sever all ties with the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS).

So far, results shows that 25 per cent of McGill post-graduate students voted in the referendum, with 90 to 95 per cent voting for PGSS to leave the CFS. The official results are still pending.

This is the latest update in a long-fought legal battle taking place in various universities all around Canada since 2009 when 16 student associations tried to separate from the CFS. The PGSS and Concordia Student Union (CSU) both held

prior referendums to separate from the CFS in 2010, but no official action came from that since the CFS does not recognize these votes as valid.

In September the courts gave a nod to the CSU when it sided with the Rassemblement des Associations Etudiantes (RAE), the new iteration of CFS-Quebec before it broke away from CFS, of which the CSU is part of. It ruled in a case by saying the RAE’s predecessor was a legitimate provincial CFS chapter, and that the RAE was therefore entitled to all provincial membership fees and one sixth of national fees from Quebec members during CFS-Q’s lifespan of 2007-2010.

At the moment, over a dozen universities and student organizations are attempting to break away from CFS. Cape Breton University is set for a court date in January stemming from a successful 2008 referendum that was not recognized by the CFS.

In 2011, Simon Fraser University successfully settled out-ofcourt with the CFS after a similar legal battle.

When contacted to talk about the referendum and PGSS’ “No” movement, Nikki Meadows, PGSS Financial Affairs Officer and one of the association’s leaders, described the overwhelming victory as one of the most important steps towards separating from CFS, but said that the fight was not yet finished. A formal request to defederate still needs to be sent so it gets ratified at the next CFS General Meeting.

This last part has been the subject of tensions and court battles between the CFS and a number of student associations.

In the past, the CFS continuously denied and contested members’ right to defederate. Meadows said that she hoped the overwhelming majority of post-graduates students voting for a break will help to finally help end the

issue.

Questions and grievances over rises of students fees seems to be the major topic of disagreement between the CFS and its Quebec-based member organizations. There are other concerns.

For Meadows, her own personal problem with CFS is also that for an association greatly advocating for relevant causes such as equality, social-justice and human rights, CFS often contradicts itself when looking at their relationship with members student associations.

“I have trouble supporting an organization that then supports and imposes rules that limit freedom of associations and freedom of speech,” said Meadows.

She also acted as the official liaison between the CFS Chief Returning Officer and PGSS during the referendum campaign and, after the vote, as PGSS’ representative in the counting and verifying of the ballots.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

life

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Write to the editor: life@theconcordian.com feature // LifE

Why I always say ‘no’ to drugs Sometimes the high really isn’t worth the pain KAREN MASSEY Contributor

E

ighteen years ago, my aunt’s fiancé Grant went to close his family’s cottage in Southampton, Ontario with several of his high school friends. It was an unusually chilly night for early November and they had postponed the trip to attend a friend’s wedding the weekend before. He was taking cold medication, and when they arrived at the cottage, they started drinking and taking psilocybin mushrooms, better known as magic mushrooms. He left the cottage late at night and walked to the beach before heading into town. He was naked. People saw him wandering around, but no one tried to help him. His friends at the cottage were so intoxicated that they could not find him. By the time the police found his body in a ditch two miles away the next morning, he had died from hypothermia.

I was eight years old and had only met him a few times. He was the first family member I knew who died and, although I do not remember much, it still marked me to some extent. It is part of the reason why I have never taken drugs.

According to a 2012 study by the Quebec Rehabilitation Centres Association, about a quarter of young adults aged 15 to 24 years old have used cannabis in the past year without using other substances.

On top of that, 12 to 15 per cent of 15 to

24 year-olds have consumed other drugs (with or without the use of cannabis). In total, 34.9 per cent of women and 44.4 per cent of men aged 15 to 24 have used at least one illicit drug in the past year.

I am the other 75 per cent, and though I fall within the majority, it has often felt like I was one of the only ones of my peers not using drugs. It makes me feel uneasy

“

fect where we will have problems later, but we will not always associate them with the consumption,” he said.

When someone is addicted to drugs, they have more trouble setting boundaries, said Gascon. “They will do it at the wrong time and place that could get them into trouble. There is something stronger within them that drives them to do it.”

i notice two trends: to demonize drugs and to trivialize them. i think the reality is somewhere in between.

and I find it disturbing that it has become normal, even to me, to be around people who are almost always high or drunk.

“I notice two trends: to demonize drugs and to trivialize them. I think the reality is somewhere in between,” said Éric Gascon, a social worker at Le Virage Rehabilitation Centre in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and a lecturer on addiction at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM).

“We must try to understand as much the reality of people who do not do drugs as those who do take them,” said Gascon.

Gascon explains the cycle of addiction in which people get caught. “The reward comes immediately when we consume, and the punishment will come later. There is a behavioural ef-

-Éric Gascon It also becomes more difficult to manage one’s consumption of drugs, since we cannot be sure of the composition of a substance even during recreational consumption, he said.

Myriam Cardinal, a planning, programming and research agent at the Rehabilitation Centre in Montreal, University Institute (CRDM-IU), said that drug consumption often starts in a recreational form and is supposed to be pleasurable.

“But in dependency, people consult because they accumulate a bunch of negative consequences due to their consumption,” said Cardinal. “The idea is to name the issue as soon as possible.”

“Four to five per cent of the population who consume drugs have a problem

in abuse or dependency. That means that it is not everyone who consumes that has a consumption problem,” said Cardinal.

But for those who do have a problem, physical and psychological dependency come at a cost. The detox process takes an average of seven to 10 days, while a psychological dependency can last a lifetime.

“The craving for consumption can come back almost anytime. It will fade, but it will still remain. There can be relapses,” said Cardinal. Drug rehabilitation centres in Quebec provide free services to people who have addiction problems, and can help those who are still using recreationally to reduce and eventually stop.

Nothing could ever completely stop humans from taking drugs, which is why a regulatory framework is needed, said Gascon. “If we want to control consumption, if we want to be able to regulate it in a spirit of public health, we will have to go through legalization, a bit like we do with alcohol.” He believes that it would be better to manage distribution by having legal drug outlets, because for now it is relegated to the black market. He would like to see on-site services where people could go to buy drugs and there would be health workers to give assistance if needed. Gascon said that if one drug is legal, all drugs should be legal as well. “There is always a question of morality when something that is bad for people is sold,” added Gascon.

Grant was 26 years old when he died, the same age as I am today. Everyone loved him and his death traumatized all of his friends and family. It also had a number of consequences for a large circle of people who were either closely related to him or distant relatives.

Graphic by Marie-Pier LaRose

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Column // Life

Mim meets Ottawa: patriotism abounds Episode 10: In which the Aussie takes on Canada’s cool capital Mim Kempson Staff writer

M

im didn’t exactly “meet Montreal” this week, unless you call getting to know Montreal’s highways a “must do.” Instead, I met Ottawa. Part student, part tourist (and part aspiring Canadian), I feel that it’s only right to a) do my homework (debatable) and b) explore the many sites that this country has to offer.

In Ottawa for the weekend, the first site I visited was the Rideau Centre. Shopping malls are found in every major city, so what makes this one special? Well,

for me, this three-level complex didn’t induce a mild panic attack (Montreal’s Eaton Centre is like a labyrinth to me).

Side note: some shopping centres are intentionally designed to be confusing to customers. Finding it difficult to escape, customers spend more time in the centre and consequently buy more products.

This is termed the “Jerde transfer.” The Rideau Centre is not a bombardment of the senses, but an open-space shopping mall heaven.

That was Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, like many of us who make the late morning pilgrimage to find a worthy brunchery, it became me and my friends’ mission to find a place that served breakfast past 12 p.m. In Montreal, brunch is customary. In Ottawa, very few restaurants offer brunch. If they do, it’s only until 11 a.m. and only on Sundays. Finally, we found Zak’s Diner.

Most of my touristic activities com-

prise two activities: visiting heritage sites and overeating. The previous evening I had eaten poutine, a two-course meal and two and a half slices of cheesecake (I very generously helped my friends finish theirs). With the intention of opting for a “lighter” breakfast, my inner Sally came to the fore. Picture the scene from When Harry Met Sally where she makes the most ridiculously picky order in Katz’s diner. Yeah… That’s pretty much the embodiment of me.

Surprisingly, our waitress was very accommodating of my “extra hot, triple shot soy latte” kind of order (more like disorder). Her response was something along the lines of: “We’re not like Montreal.

We’re not a big city that accommodates soy sophisticates.” Her comment was witty and wise. She was right: the capital city of Canada was smaller than I had expected. Also: I was a pretentious snob.

Don’t even get me started on my home-

town’s coffee snobbery where a minority of us treat coffee like wine (the tasting process is termed “coffee cupping”).

Later, after exploring the very little that the Byward Market had to offer, we stopped at a Beaver Tails shop for the final indulgence of the day: deep fried dough covered in sugar. Like all of the gloriously unhealthy foods I’ve tried in Canada, this one was also grossly delicious. When will the gluttony stop?

Sadly, I hadn’t brought my skates with me to traverse the world’s largest skating rink: the Rideau Canal. At least I got to see the historical landmark, though Parliament was by far the most extraordinary sight. Simply standing beside the Centennial Flame whilst staring in awe at the grand century-old building was a poignant experience. Ottawa, you mightn’t have the same fire as Montreal, but you certainly provided me with a very fulfilling tourist experience.

Mim visits Ottawa’s popular tourist sites including the Parliament buildings and Byward Market to indulge in a Beaver Tail. Photos by Andrej ivanov.

Let’s talk about sex

Rimming—the last great sexual frontier Selina Gard Staff writer

W

hile the Golden Globes came to a disappointing end last week, the season premiere of Girls featured a graphic sexual encounter that sent shockwaves throughout the internet. In a blink-and-you-miss-it scene, Marnie Michaels (portrayed by Allison Williams) received a rim job from her current love interest. For those of you who aren’t aware of what that entails,

it’s oral for the backdoor.

Even within my own friend group, we couldn’t resist talking about how uncharacteristically adventurous it had been for Marnie. But what was it about that particular scene that was so shocking? The explicit nature of the moment was not the issue, since Girls has featured more than its share of sexually explicit content. It could be argued that it’s due to a lack of scenes featuring assplay on television, except even that seems to have changed over the past year. In fact, Buzzfeed posted a list titled “The 6 Iconic Rim Jobs of 2014,” featuring shows like Looking, True Detective and How To Get Away With Murder (although only one of those scenes is male on female). What’s more, rim jobs were

Column // LifE

a hot topic over 10 years ago, being a major plot point in one episode of Sex and the City.

The shock value of the Girls scene might derive from the fact that although rim jobs are a rather common precursor to penetrative anal sex for many gay men, the heterosexual world only seems to be catching up now. Rim jobs are the flavour of the month (so to speak) in pop culture, the next taboo to be surmounted in order to gain the badge of “sexually adventurous,” or at least to be able to label your show avant-garde.

Marnie’s scene was meant to be shocking; the lack of lead up or explanation, the abrupt end of the scene and her loud moans all attest to this. But why should engaging in this act be considered so out

of the ordinary for a man and a woman?

The most logical explanation is that in heterosexual relationships, unlike in homosexual ones, most of the action usually occurs elsewhere, leaving the backdoor forgotten.

Since rimming is popping up all over the place lately, some of you may be tempted to try it—or maybe just keep at it, who knows. Some of you may find having your “salad tossed” to be earth shatteringly pleasurable, while others might find the thought of it invasive and maybe even gross. The bottom line is, whether you enjoy head, anal or possibly neither, sexual pleasure is subjective. As long as it takes place between two consenting adults, there should be no judgment.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

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Campus // LifE

Not quite ready for a pet? Buy a houseplant!

Stop by the Concordia Greenhouse and take home something green and leafy Mim Kempson Staff writer

F

eeling uninspired by the long winter semester ahead? Fear not, perhaps a modest philodendron plant will warm your spirits. On Wednesday Jan. 21, the Concordia Greenhouse will be holding a

houseplant sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., where y’all can gather some greenery to jazz up your home.

They will be selling limited quantities of over 20 different kinds of plants, including aloe, indoor ivy and bird of paradise. Prices range from $2 to $20.

If you have no clue how to raise and care for a zebrina or a moses-inthe-cradle, don’t fret, there will be informational signs and friendly, knowl-

edgeable staff there to answer your questions.

“Looking after house plants is simple,” says Olga Perju, the financial and administration coordinator at the Concordia Greenhouse. “The challenge will be getting the plant home from the greenhouse,” she says.

In order for your plant to survive the journey home, she recommends bringing a box and bags to carry it in.

The Concordia Greenhouse hosts two plant sales each year, one in the winter and the other in the fall.

They also have a seedling sale in the spring. The greenhouse is on the thirteenth floor of the Hall building, which can only be accessed by the stairs (once you have taken the lifts to the highest level). Make sure you don’t show up too late: plants will be selling out quickly!

Cheer up your home by picking up some houseplants on Wednesday. You can even play them music and talk to them if you have no one else. Photos by Mim Kempson.

Column // LifE

Dumb to smart, T.V.s are growing up

Chromecast, Apple T.V, what happened to my old flatscreen?

Jocelyn Beaudet Online editor

The holidays are over, phew! We’ve all gotten our share of knick knacks and cute gadgets. We’ve all had the time to prop up behind the screen and watch some Netflix, listen to some music and just spend some quality time laying back and taking it easy for a few weeks.

That being said, we’re usually locked in front of our tiny laptop screens, or in the middle of our office with a big whirring computer to get access to any of that stuff. Kind of a bummer sometimes, yes?

The tech market’s getting lucky: we’ve gotten smartphones, smart tablets and smart watches, it’s only logical to tackle the topic of smart T.V.s. If you’ve been out of the loop, smart T.V.s allow you to use applications directly from your remote, kind of like having Netflix installed without running it through your game console (if you own any), or hooking up your laptop to the television. But honestly, smart T.V.s are pretty pricey given what they offer, and if you already own a decent T.V., it honestly isn’t really worth getting your hands on a new T.V. just for that level of convenience.

Thankfully the options exist for people who just want to use their regular T.V. to run these applications with relatively little problems, and without splurging upwards of $1000 on a new piece of hardware. Apple fans get access to Apple T.V., which runs for

about $109 and gives you access to your iTunes library, Netflix, Youtube, and all sorts of other internet geekery using the convenient little remote that apple ships with it. If you aren’t big into Apple, don’t you worry; Google’s got your covered with the Chromecast, which, while not as open-ended as coming with its stand-alone applications, does allow you to control it using an Android Phone, Tablet or Chromebook without any wires. Best part ? It runs for about $50! Not keen on the idea of owning either of these devices?

Some Blu-Ray players also have smart options now too !

These cute devices hook up via HDMI and run their own little standalone operating systems. The apple T.V. is a relatively small box, while the Chromecast is about as big as about two USB thumb drives. If you’re having company over, it’s easier than hooking

up a laptop to some speakers, or running a bunch of cabling from your device to the T.V., worrying about your battery life. In all cases, you don’t need to have your friends or family wade through your personal computer history and files to show you their favorite song on Spotify, or a cute cat video on youtube. The Apple T.V.’s remote is easy to handle and can be passed around and the Chromecast allows you to control it with any android phone in the vicinity, so your friends who may also be using Android can do all of those things from their own phone without touching yours.

So if you’re still hung up on returning some gifts from christmas for an exchange, or not sure what to do with that gift card or prepaid VISA, give these little babies a thought. The convenience is a great bonus, and a lot cheaper than a brand new T.V..

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Itchy, scratchy, red flakeyness? You’re not alone Daren zomerman The Griff (Macewan University)

EDMONTON (CUP) — The science behind eczema is simple — a genetic mutation that stops the skin from holding in moisture, resulting in an inflamed rash that is sensitive, painful and relentlessly itchy.

It’s incurable, but mostly manageable.

Inflammations, or flare-ups, can happen anywhere on the body. For me, it was mostly on the top of my right hand —the one I use to clean the dishes, introduce myself, serve patrons, write and generally do everything with.

The worst part is the fact that I’m a cyclist, and sweat after a hard ride made my hands itchier than normal. If there was one time that I was most prone to scratching, it was a couple minutes after locking up my bike. And scratching makes everything worse.

So I became left-handed, hiding my right whenever possible. I shook hands with my right palm facing up; I drank beer, used a fork and gestured all with my left. Anything to avoid the inevitable

stares and glancing eyes. Part of my undoing was holding the eczema-ridden part of my hand against the ridge of the back pocket. The rough surface was just enough to send my hand into an itching frenzy—one that inevitably led to bleeding, guilt and shame.

People will always say that to get rid of it, you have to stop scratching. The itch was so intense that I only remember being able to hold back from scratching twice in the past year. One of those two times, my girlfriend had to actively pin me away from my hand.

How did I get to that point? How does anybody get to that point? Mostly it was reluctance to see a doctor.

Mild eczema is supposed to be easy to get rid of. Simply moisturize with an unscented hand cream, such as Glysomed, or any hand cream that says “eczema” anywhere on the bottle. My partner made hand creams using beeswax and essential oils to soothe the skin. Nothing worked.

When the skin is broken there is always the potential for a bacterial infection, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus, known as a staph infection. Staph is virtually harmless when it gets under the skin, but it makes treatment more difficult.

At this point, clearing it up without seeing a doctor is a Sisyphean task. There is progress and it will start to clear, but eventually that boulder just rolls down the other side.

Most people don’t get it that badly,

“

It’s basically your whole entire life, you get up in the morning, and you have to deal with it, and it’s something that’s always in the back of your mind.

- Sabrina Lee and most people treat it before I did. For those who don’t go to a doctor in time, and for those who have worse cases, there is help.

Sabrina Lee has been dealing with eczema all her life. It was at its worst in junior high and high school.

“It’s basically your whole entire life,” she says. “You get up in the morning, and you have to deal with it, and it’s something that’s always in the back of your mind.”

Her struggle brought her to start an Edmonton support group called YEGzema, giving people non-medical advice on dealing with flare-ups. YEGzema started in 2013 when she won a $1,000 award from the Field Law Community Fund Program. Since then, she has been helping others and providing advice to anyone who asks.

It took Lee years to get it under control, but even that success is relative.

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Health // Life

“It’s still not amazing. I don’t think it’ll ever be gone, but I’d say the amount of flare-ups have decreased quite a bit— it happens just a few times instead of a handful of times each month,” she says.

Getting there took a lot of lifestyle changes, including cutting dairy and gluten from her diet as well as moving to an apartment without carpet. She also tried methods that have worked for others, such as acupuncture, Chinese medicine and light therapy, to no avail.

“I’d say that going on the diet was very helpful, and it kind of allowed it to heal and for me to get it under control,” Lee says. “I tried so many different treatments that apparently worked for everyone else, and nothing worked for me. It was super discouraging knowing that I could have this forever and never have it under control.”

The Eczema Society of Canada is another helpful organization that provides information for people with eczema. The website has tips and facts about eczema, and how to manage it, as well as a list of approved skin care products for managing the condition. Anything can cause or worsen eczema, such as allergies, soaps, harsh chemicals, sweat, temperature changes and weather. Dry climates are hard on skin, making Edmonton a particularly inhospitable home for many eczema sufferers, Lee says.

“The winter is probably the worst. It’s super dry because you crank up the heat . . . basically you can moisturize a million times a day and it doesn’t feel like anything is really going through,” she says.

“I’d highly recommend, unfortunately, moving to a more humid climate.”

Eczema can be a debilitating condition. I broke down every time that I saw the eczema pop up in an image or video taken of me, every time that a person took a second, disgusted glance, every time I was asked if I got into a fight, and every time that I couldn’t stop scratching.

It’s gone now, and what’s left is a visible scar, and more fragile skin from overuse of cortisone ointments. What held me back the most was feeling alone and isolated in my condition. I know now that is not the case. Even though Edmonton isn’t the most hospitable climate for people suffering from eczema, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is support, and there are other people going through the exact same thing.

“The most important thing to say is you’re not alone in this,” Lee says.

arts

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Write to the editor: arts@theconcordian.com Comedy // ARTS

Try stand-up for shits and giggles A rising local Concordian gives you all the ha-ha’s and how-to’s for breaking into the local scene KiRSTEN HUMBERT Contributor

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t’s on every bucket list. It terrifies even professionals in the industry. It’s also something that you should do right now. There are tons of great reasons to get involved in the world of stand-up.

It’s cheap entertainment (so much better than spending $20 to see Taken 5 in IMAX 3D.) Live comedy shows are often cheap, even free, and are always presented in 3D (no glasses required). It’s a great way to broaden your social circle, hone your public speaking skills and make your resume pop in an eye-catching way.

It’s also the perfect way to vent daily frustrations, shine light on hypocrisy or bring attention to an issue close to your heart. But how can you transition to the live stage from watching endless YouTube clips, Netflix specials, and instigating gales of laughter among friends? Here are 10 essential tips.

1

Love comedy.

Stand-up is not for the faint-hearted.

It’s one of the only activities in which you have to stumble through your first awkward experiences with everyone watching. Love will keep you coming back.

2

Be kind.

Montreal has a tight-knit comedy scene. Once you get involved, people get to know you fast. Don’t trash talk, don’t be late, don’t be a no-show, and do not be a diva. I’ve been guilty of all of these offences, because you know, well . . . life.

My point is just try not to be a butthole.

3

Be considerate.

Be a good audience member. Don’t whisper (I can hear you) and don’t sit with your face buried in your phone (I can see you).

4

Stick around.

Perhaps the biggest faux-pas of all is to do your set and leave immediately after.

Not only is it rude to the other performers, but watching others is an excellent learning experience. Make mental notes of their mistakes so you’re less likely to make the same ones. Analyze their material, their character, their delivery and their habits for what works. Most importantly, schmoozing afterwards can result in valuable connections, or even just helpful feedback.

5

Don’t steal.

I misspoke earlier when I said leav-

ing after your set was the biggest faux-pas (but backspace is for chumps). Stealing material is the biggest faux-pas, period.

Much like plagiarism can get you kicked out of academia, stealing material can get you kicked out of comedy.

Dane Cook, Bill Cosby and Denis Leary are famous names accused of thievery. Yes, their careers are currently fine (except Cosby—but that ship’s sinking for other reasons).

However, the accusations of joke theft still plague these performers even decades after the alleged incidents.

A lot. Deal. There’s no way around this one. It’s going to happen. A lot. After bombing hard one night, I went to recent Just for Laughs alumnus Morgan O’Shea for some advice. “Morgan, was it a crappy crowd tonight, or was it me?”

Without hesitating, Morgan smirked and said, “Nah, it’s you. It’s never them.

It’s always you.” The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon has a great series of segments called “The Worst I Ever Bombed” available on YouTube. These segments will bring you comfort.

10

Be very suspicious of anyone giving you tips.

This is perhaps the most useful piece of advice I’ve ever received. Montreal comedy’s mustachio-d big brother Peter Radomski gave me this invaluable insight after watching one of my first sets.

Have I convinced you to give stand-up comedy a try? Super. Here are some places I recommend for your first time. Which one is the best? Check out a few before signing up and see which you fancy.

6

Be sincere.

Everyone has heard that tragedy + time = comedy. True, but it has to be your tragedy and your time. Every joke has a victim.

The question you have to ask yourself as a performer and writer is: does the victim of this joke deserve to be laughed at? Perhaps this is the origin of the ever popular self-deprecating joke.

If you’re the butt of the joke, you know that you did something stupid and that you deserve to be laughed at for it.

Conversely, this is likely why so many “edgy” jokes fall flat—the victim of the joke does not deserve laughter. This isn’t to say that you can’t use comedy to talk about serious topics, à la Maria Bamford, but it’s best done from a place of sincerity and understanding.

For example, I don’t typically find an 18-year-old dude talking about abortions hilarious. However, I do find DeAnne Smith talking about them hilarious.

7

Believe in yourself.

If you truly believe something is funny, keep trying it in different ways. Never, ever, trust the reaction of a few people to a new joke.

There is almost no way to know if it works until you get up on stage and tell it. Many times I’ve told my comedyloving partner a new joke and received nothing but a blank stare in return, only to have the same joke greeted by laughter when delivered from onstage.

8

Be yourself.

Don’t try to be something you’re not.

Finding your voice in comedy is a long process. I’m two years in and I’m only just beginning to find my style.

My suggestion is to try on a bunch and see what works. Local comedian Bruno Ly’s subdued, smooth style captivates audiences as effectively as Montrealer Mike Patterson’s manic personality—but neither would be as effective if they tried to emulate the other’s style.

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kirsten huMbert reccOMends pOlishing yOur teeth twice daily fOr best cOMedic iMpact. phOtO by keith race.

flop of fly: hit up these stand-up venues to get some laughs or premier your own comedic style Danger Dulgar, every second Sunday at 8 p.m. @ Bar Bifteck, 3702 St-Laurent Blvd. Contact: dangerdulgarcomedy@gmail.com.

Macsimum Comedy, Sundays at 10 p.m. @ McLean’s Pub, 1210 Peel St. Contact: sign up for a spot at the bar beginning at 8 p.m.

Grinders Comedy Lab, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. @ Theatre Ste. Catherine, 264 SteCatherine St. E. Contact: Show up early to enter for a lotto spot.

Newbie Tuesdays, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. @ The Comedy Nest, Third Floor of the AMC Forum. Contact: openmic@comedynest.com.

Shut Up and Laugh! Wednesdays at 8:45 p.m. @ Burritoville, 2055 Bishop St. Contact: shutupandlaughcontact@gmail.com.

You’re going to bomb.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Theatre // arts

Catch Me If You Can doesn’t take off The production hits more lows than highs despite a tremendous effort from the ensemble Marilla Steuter-Martin Copy editor

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here’s only so much a talented and dedicated cast can do with a sinking ship. The Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society’s amateur production of Catch Me If You Can: The Musical is proof that all the enthusiasm in the world can’t disguise a boring piece of theatre.

While lead actor Brandon Schwartz is a trained jazz singer with a voice comparable to a young Josh Groban, the show’s music, written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, isn’t quite toe-tapping.

Based on the 2002 Dreamworks film of the same name, Catch Me If You Can follows the true story of a young con artist of the 1960s, named Frank Abagnale Jr., who manages to impersonate a pilot, doctor and lawyer all before his 19th birthday. While the film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, is fast-paced and charming, the musical adaptation relies too heavily on corny jokes, meta self-awareness and extended jazzy dance routines better suited to a Broadway stage than a black box theatre.

Running long at two hours and 45 minutes, the dialogue and space between songs seemed to drag on and on. The

ensemble of just over a dozen extremely dedicated dancers should be commended for their sustained energy and use of the small space in the Segal Centre’s intimate studio.

The chorus clearly spent many hours rehearsing many complicated choreographies created by Alexia Gourd that ultimately worked to their credit.

Actor Mike Melino, who played avid FBI detective Carl Hanratty, was a highlight. Melino’s gruff manners, thick moustache and steadfast commitment to his performance deserve special note. His lead songs, “Don’t Break The Rules” and “Little Boy Be A Man,” were a refreshing break from the often-repetitive melodies and routines.

Matthew McKeown and Marieve Guerin, who played Frank’s father and mother respectively, also deserve credit for lending their substantial talent to the production.

Despite the disappointing elements of the show, the production quality was surprisingly good. Many of the costumes were painstakingly handmade and what the space lacked in elaborate scenery, it made up for in the presence and playing of the live band.

While the story of Catch Me If You Can is light and fun, the musical fails in its presentation of any emotional depth. While

Schwartz’s acting is partially responsible, the musical’s original reception on Broadway, closing after only 170 regular performances in 2011, says perhaps more.

Ultimately, the musical numbers, es-

pecially those given to female characters, fail to amaze and the choppy narration by Frank, paired with the self-aware framework of the show, seems like lazy writing more than anything else.

Brandon Schwartz stars as Frank Abagnale in an underwhelming musical adaptation at the Segal Centre.

Theatre // arts

Swinging through middle age in Delicacy Wildside’s salacious play examines the sexual awakening of an older couple Julia Bryant Contributor

I

f you enjoy watching theatre that’s sexy, fresh and funny, then Kat Sandler’s Delicacy might have been just what you were after. The 90-minute one-act play was one of several in the 18th annual Wildside Theatre Festival. The show, presented by Theatre Brouhaha of Toronto, played at the Centaur Theatre until Jan. 17.

Delicacy takes place over one evening in a wealthy couple’s living room. The couple, Tanya and Mark, have invited another couple over who they just met a few weeks prior.

As the show begins, it’s immediately evident that Tanya and Mark take a lot of pride in their appearances and in their home. The condo setting is contemporary and simplistic. Almost every piece of furniture and décor is a bright, clean white.

Large canvases splattered with modern art adorn the back wall of the set.

As Tanya and Mark are waiting for the other couple to arrive, Tanya, who is tall and slender, looks very reserved and formal. She circles the living room, fluffing pillows and cleaning specks of dirt off the furniture. Mark is more laid back and almost indifferent to the upcoming evening. He blunders his way through a typical “does this dress make me look fat?” discussion with Tanya, and the two consider calling off the engagement altogether when another woman lets herself into their condo.

Colby is a sudden burst of energy on

stage, floating around and examining the condo, which is clearly a different world from the one she’s used to. Colby has a free, hippie-ish look to her. She is very open and says everything that comes to her mind. After a short while, her cool and stylish husband Len enters the scene.

It is slowly revealed that the two couples met each other at a swingers club, where they switched partners for the evening. Tanya and Mark then invited Colby and Len over for a second experience.

The first half of the show is fast, witty and sharp. Sexual puns, accidental racial

remarks and generally awkward exchanges take place as the two couples’ lifestyles clash. Tanya is determined to host a mature and sophisticated evening, but despite her attempts, many things go awry.

Towards the end of the show, things dissolve quickly from fun and games into sharing intimate secrets, arguments, and bringing hidden emotions to the surface.

Each character discovers something about their partner that they didn’t know before.

By the end of the play, things are left unresolved. The show unearths deep issues in the characters that one would nev-

Delicacy concluded its run as part of the Wildside festival on Jan 17.

er guess had existed, from looking at them in the beginning.

Sandler wrote and directed the show, and she did some great work with the characters’ movements across the stage.

Despite being restricted to the confines of a single room, the scene never felt stale— someone was always moving.

The actors strung everything together with a phenomenal amount of energy, and a fantastic sense of timing and pace. Overall, Delicacy was a finely crafted piece of theatre that offered a fascinating look at the secret lives of married couples.

music

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

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Write to the editor: music@theconcordian.com

profile // MUSiC

You’d be wrong to not listen to Viet Cong The cheerful band members draw inspiration from their fascination with a post-apocalyptic world oNEiDA CRAWfoRD Assistant music editor

L

istening to the dark, heavy tones emanating throughout Viet Cong’s EP, Cassette, and self-titled debut album, one would assume that the men behind the music were sombre individuals. “Everybody thinks that we’re going to be really serious,” confirms guitarist Scott Munro.

Munro was joined by Matt Flegel on vocals and bass, Mike Wallace on drums, and Daniel Christiansen on guitar to form the group, Viet Cong, in 2012. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, they released their EP, Cassette in July 2014 and are set to release Viet Cong from Flemish Eye Records on Jan. 20. Their sound can be heavy at times, but is rich with heavy drumbeats, samplers, synths and vocals that evoke the angst of old school British bands of the 1980s. Viet Cong belongs more in the punk rock and experimental spectrum rather than fitting into the allencompassing school of indie rock.

The new album was co-produced by Munro, Flegel, and Graham Walsh of electronica band Holy Fuck with contributions from musician Julie Fader.

Over eight days in the winter, the band split their time between Munro’s home studio, recording vocals at the studio of Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor, then recording in a refurbished barn near Hamilton, Ontario. They see winter as the perfect season to be working, since, essentially, you are stuck inside and somewhat forced to be productive. So, Viet Cong hibernated and then emerged with seven exquisite tracks.

A fascination with the gloomy postapocalyptic landscape has been an influence for some members of the band and is reflected in their heavy sound. The obsession with the apocalypse, natural disaster, raptures, and the collapse of society has been permeating popular culture for decades. This fascination has manifested in novels like Cormac McCarthy’s The Road—a book which Munro fittingly happened to be reading leading up to the end of the Mayan calendar.

On the topic of the end of the world and post-apocalyptic thought, Munro says: “I think everyone wonders how they would deal with the collapse of everything they know. ... I’m always thinking about how defensible my house will be. [These] thoughts in everyday life, I think, factor into how I think about music.” Hence the melancholic vibes

running through their albums. Yet, Viet Cong are not quite the pessimists their angst-ridden songs make them out to be.

“We’re all pretty upbeat people and we’re all pretty stoked about everything,” Munro says.

Viet Cong are surely stoked to be embarking on a fourth month-long tour, playing nearly forty gigs across North America and Europe from now until May. In months past, they toured in a compact Toyota Echo.

“Can you imagine that four of us lived in a car that size for seven weeks?

I had some of the best sleeps of my life on that tour. I prefer sleeping outside on the grass than sleeping on some hippie’s couch,” Munro says. Now they have purchased a new tour van from fellow musician Chad VanGaalen. The van came complete with a rainbow coloured floor.

Touring the Viet Cong album will prove to be much different than recording, and to keep things fresh the band tries to build improvisation into each show. Munro says this is good for them, because “you have to listen to each other” and “nobody can just get into their own little world, because its not always the same.” This improvisation on tracks such as “Death” allows for an exciting set, as Munro says that the improvisa-

tion “gives you something to look forward to.”

“Being in a band is always a compromise … nobody in [the] band has egos,” Munro says, which makes the writing and recording process quite smooth.

Not to mention, many of the members have been playing and recording music for years, so their experience has helped them to improve on the collaborative process that is music making.

They respect a policy in which ideas presented in the group are “[followed] through to the finished recording,” Munro says. Instead of throwing away material, they try to rework songs and ideas that can be picked apart and then reuse them. When they first began Viet Cong, Munro and Flegel sat down with material they had been collecting and working on, and decided that everything was ripe for the picking, using samples and riffs for new innovative tracks that would end up on Cassette and Viet Cong. Ultimately, as a band, their goal is “to make music that [they] like and [to] make something good;” which requires work and dedication. But this has been achieved thus far with both the promising Cassette and their full length album, Viet Cong.

Viet Cong play Bar Le Ritz Jan. 30.

hailing frOM calgary, alberta, viet cOng released their debut ep, caSSeTTe, in july 2014 and are set tO release VieT cONG frOM fleMish eye recOrds On jan. 20.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Opinion // music

Hip-hop in danger: from street to stadium With the rise of hip hop as a money making institution, the genre may be losing touch with its roots Matthew Swishman Contributor

I

f you were not already aware, afford me the opportunity of informing you that 2014 was a pretty terrible year for race relations in the United States.

Now, I’m not here to debate or scrutinize the painfully familiar cases that have stained our memories; you have undoubtedly heard somebody else talk about them, because nobody lives in a hole that deep in the ground. But what I do want to talk to you about is the everchanging landscape of the black experience in America, and how the largest institution of race relations in the country is reflecting these changes. This is an institution that, according to Jay-Z’s interview on Oprah’s Master Class, has “done more than any cultural icon.” An institution that Forbes says generates more than $10 billion in revenue annually. That institution is hip-hop. Now, being a white boy from a predominantly Jewish Montreal suburb, this is a tough question to answer… but does hip-hop truly represent the black experience in America anymore? Lately, it seems like the whole world has been arguing over what hip-hop is. And more importantly, what it is not.

A hip-hop song, like every other genre of music, is the result of an artist’s perspective. The imagery that hiphop evokes continues to be shaped by

the trials, tribulations and triumphs of a culture whose history in the United States has been resoundingly disadvantageous. Historically, hip-hop music has earned a strong reputation for illustrating themes of poverty, violence and drug trafficking; Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest recently clarified the definition of hip-hop on Twitter as an “artistic and socio-political movement/culture that sprang from the disparate ghettos” of New York in the ‘70s. It was for this reason that we have legitimized hip-hop as an art form: at some point, it captured the realities faced by black America.

Now, recently there’s been a growing dialogue as to whether that’s still the case. I can name at least five different interviews in the past couple months off the top of my head that have touched on the burgeoning racial tension in hiphop. These conversations have brought particular attention to corporate America, and how the sound of hip-hop has been affected by its effort to continually monetize its most prominent figures and themes. If hip-hop’s legitimacy as an art form is assured by its capacity to portray the black experience, then I think it’s logical to make an assumption that the sound of hip-hop should have undergone some sort of audible transfiguration in its response to the bruising that the black body is currently suffering. I wonder if people—like Macklemore, or Azealia Banks, or J. Cole—have arrived at the same, depressing conclusions that I have after I asked myself this

next question: can we even expect hiphop to capture the experiences of black America as an art form if it is subject to corporate America’s presentation of it as a product? Because I am so damn curious.

No form of music can be defined beyond who is performing, and how they perform it. Traditionally, hip-hop was defined by black people performing about, well, mostly black situations.

As we have come to acknowledge, hip-hop was an emotional release, cathartic in its illustrations of gun violence and poverty, symptoms of the grim economic circumstances that plagued several corners of the black community from which the genre eventually emerged.

But does the prevalence of these themes in commercial hip-hop music continue to reflect the black American experience today? J. Cole voiced his concerns in an interview with Power 105: “If you really take another listen to what’s being played right now, what’s being said, it don’t represent us no more … or I don’t know if it ever did … or if it just really represented what could be sold, and what could be marketed and what could be pushed.”

Considering that Neighborhood Scout placed the three most deadly neighbourhoods in America in 2013 in Detroit, where 80 per cent of its residents are black, or in Chicago, where the police department’s official online records estimate that three out of four homicide victims are black, it’s just frankly untrue

of Cole to think that the discussion of gun violence in hip-hop music no longer provides even a marginal portrayal of the modern black American experience.

And if hip-hop never represented black people in America, as Cole described, why do so many listeners consider the political outspokenness of musicians like KRS – One or Public Enemy, both of whom enjoyed great commercial success, as one of the quintessential features defining hip-hop’s golden era?

Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole’s third studio album, went gold within two weeks of its release. And while he is complaining about how there should be more artists in the commercial hip-hop scene who rap like him, the obnoxiousness of Cole’s message is eclipsed by the nobility of his theories and ideas on why the commercial hip-hop scene is lacking a brand of lyricism that paints different pictures of the black experience in America. Pictures that stand for a significantly greater share of the black community, beyond the likeness of what we have come to expect from Chief Keef’s or Bobby Shmurda’s music. What J. Cole brings to our attention is how familiar these topics within the commercial hiphop scene really are, how accustomed to this dialogue that we, as an audience, have grown, and what role, if any, the music industry has played in perpetuating these themes of destruction.

Stay tuned for a continuation of this discussion in an upcoming issue.

Graphic by Matthew Swishman

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

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Quickspins // MUSiC

Marilyn Manson – The Pale Emperor (Cooking Vinyl; 2015)

Decemberists - What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (Capitol; 2015)

Meghan Trainor - Title (Epic; 2015)

Dan Mangan + Blacksmith - Club Meds (Arts & Crafts; 2015)

Manson reached a point in his career in the 2000’s when distractions like fame, money and heavy drug use started to wear him down. Some of his former albums were clear signs that Manson was trying too hard to pull off the persona that he had sold for so many years, making his fans question their loyalty and his haters rub their hands with relish.

However, his newest record, The Pale Emperor, shows that Manson started getting back on his feet. It’s an album with strong, edgy and catchy choruses on tracks like “The Devil Beneath My Feet” and “Killing Strangers,” but also features melodic, rhythmic songs like “Cupid Carries a gun” and “Third Day of a Seven Day Bridge.”

Even though no one expects Manson to reclaim the edginess that made his name in the first place, this record is a notable effort that regains some of the classic Manson attitude.

After taking a brief hiatus, The Decemberists are at long last releasing the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2011 success, The King Is Dead, which skyrocketed the indie folk group to mainstream success. What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World is a strong album with no song feeling second-rate when compared to a radio ready single. The album mixes indie, folk and country instrumentals to compliment the mood of the poetic lyrics flowing from the lips of frontman, Colin Meloy. The lyrics are full of imagery and emotion that are easy to relate to for many, and the hooks assure that the tracks will be stuck in your head for a long time to come. While the expectations following a hit album are often too high, the end result here is an album that surpasses The King Is Dead in almost every way.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last six months, you’ve likely heard “All About That Bass,” the lead single from 21-year-old singer-songwriter, Meghan Trainor’s debut album, Title. The song has garnered multiple Grammy nominations and was hailed as the new anthem for positive body image. However, upon listening to the full debut, it becomes clear that Trainor is less focused on empowerment and feminism than on an obsession with male approval.

Each track offers the same ‘50s doo-wop meets calypso sound, steeped in a whitewashed hip hop beat. She is essentially blending Duffy, Lily Allen and Iggy Azealia into a derivative candy-coated mush.

Title relies heavily on its tired “retro” musical styling, sassy lyrics, and shameless cultural appropriation. It becomes clear that Meghan Trainor is nothing more than a one-trick pony.

Since his last album, Oh Fortune, Dan Mangan has regrouped and entered a new phase of his musical career and has released Club Meds officially as Dan Mangan + Blacksmith. The new name encompasses the musicians that have provided instrumentation and harmony on Mangan’s earlier work. With this new moniker comes a new sound: from the first chords of album opener “Offred,” listeners that are used to the Vancouver-based singersongwriter’s breezy indie-folk style are exposed to an entirely new beast. Blacksmith’s omnipresent sound adds an atmospheric diversity to Mangan’s typically acoustic guitarled songs. Slightly darker and more ominous in nature, the tracks off Club Meds have earned them comparisons to experimental rock giants Radiohead. Closer, “New Skies,” is the embodiment of Mangan’s new sound; the slight jazzy sway of his husky vocals intertwined with the full symphonic force of Blacksmith, culminating in an effervescent audio experience.

Trial Track: “Deep Six”

Trial Track: “Lake Song”

Trial Track: “All About That Bass”

Trial Track: “A Doll’s House/Pavlovia”

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sports 14

// Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Write to the editor: sports@theconcordian.com Women’s basketball // SpoRTS

Women’s basketball opens year with win Concordia controlled the game from opening tip-off and cruised to an easy 69-32 victory CASEY DULSoN Staff writer

T

he Concordia Stingers hosted the Bishop’s Gaiters on Thursday night to start the second half of the basketball season.

The Stingers came into the game with a record of 1-3 in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) regular season.

Concordia dominated the game from start to finish to get their second win of the season—an impressive 69-32 result.

The Stingers played solid defense as they forced the Gaiters to commit 26 turnovers in the win. Stingers forward Richelle Gregoire scored 12 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

The Stingers started the first quarter with a bang when forward Marilyse Roy-Viau hit a three-pointer to score the game’s first basket. The Gaiters got their first points of the game with six minutes to go in the quarter when forward Mara Marchizotti drained a three. The Stingers led 24-3 after the first quarter and by then the game was already out of reach.

Roy-Viau had 11 points—including three three-pointers—in the first quarter.

The Stingers started where they left off in the second quarter. Gregoire got the first point of the quarter on a free throw.

The Stingers defense, combined with missed chances by Bishop’s, led to the Gaiters only scoring their first points of the quarter with five minutes to go. The Stingers entered halftime up 38-11.

As they had earlier, the Stingers started the second half in complete control. This time, guard Daphne Thouin hit a threepointer to start the scoring. Compared to the first two quarters, the Gaiters got their first points early with Marchizotti getting a basket just 30 seconds in. The Stingers continued their domination, going on a 9-point run midway through the third quarter. Concordia increased their lead to 33 points at end of the third quarter, bringing the game to 56-23.

The Gaiters scored the first points of the fourth quarter on two straight baskets

by Marchizotti. Stingers guard Aurelie d’Anjou Drouin responded with a twopointer of her own. By then, both teams were just waiting for the final buzzer to sound.

Roy-Viau was the leading scorer in the game with 19 points. Viau is having an incredible season so far: she is ranked fifth in Canadian Interuniversity Sport

(CIS) for points per game with 19.4.

The Bishop’s Gaiters are the bottom dwellers of the conference this season with a record of 0-5.

Stingers head coach Keith Pruden believed that his team was over-confident

going into the game, which showed through the 19 Concordia turnovers.

“We were lazy with ball control, plus when you are up 30 or 40 points and they get a breakaway it does not matter, this is a bad attitude to have,” said Pruden.

stingers guard aurelie d’anjOu drOin dribbles past a defender. phOtO by brianna thicke.

Men’s basketball // SpoRTS

Stingers win overtime thriller against Gaiters Concordia manages to edge-out Bishop’s with a 86-84 performance in a nail-biting finish CASEY DULSoN Staff writer

T

hursday’s game between the Stingers and the Gaiters was a thriller but needed overtime to find a winner. In the end, the Stingers prevailed and squeaked by with a 86-84 victory. The Stingers played without two of their key players: guard Mukiya Post and forward Mike Fosu were both out with injuries. However, rookie point guard Ricardo Monge led the charge and scored a career high 23 points.

The Stingers got the first points of the game on a basket by centre JeanLouis Wayna, but the Gaiters captured the early momentum, responding with a 7-0 run. The Stingers would tie the game three times: once at 12, once at 16, and again at 18-18. From the start, both teams knew that they were in for a close battle. In the first quarter, Concordia did an excellent job shooting three-pointers, Monge, forward Ken Beaulieu and for-

ward Xander Jean all had threes in the opening quarter.

The Gaiters scored the first points of the second quarter on free throws by guard Kyle Desmarais. However, the

Stingers started the second quarter on a hot streak, going on a 7-0 run of their own. Concordia went into halftime leading the game 38-33, but the back-andforth tempo was sure to set up an excit-

rOOkie fOrward christOpher dOuMpa drives hard tO the paint. phOtO by brianna thicke.

ing second half.

Concordia took control of the third quarter, and at one point they led by 12 points after a 9-0 run. Bishop’s did not back down: by the time the third quarter ended, they had cut the Stingers’ lead to seven points, 61-54.

The fourth quarter was dominated by the Gaiters and the Stingers lost their lead. The Gaiters scored the first points of the fourth quarter on a basket by Majid Naji which started a 6-0 run for the team. With just over four minutes left, Bishop’s tied the game at 65. The two teams exchanged baskets for the rest of regulation and Concordia had the lead entering the final minute of play. Then Naji hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 73 with 23 seconds left.

The Stingers started overtime with an arcing three-pointer by Monge. Desmarais continued to power the Gaiters offense and responded with a two-pointer.

With just over a minute left, the Stingers took a one point lead on a basket by forward Matt McLean. Stingers forwards Gabe Riche and Wayna got two late baskets to ensure the victory.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 //

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Women’s hockey // sports

Cross-town rivals take game

The Stingers dropped their third straight game on Thursday after losing 5-3 Tim Lazier Sports editor

C

oncordia’s women’s hockey team was looking to get back to .500 on the season when they hosted the McGill Martlets on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Entering the game with a 4-5 record, Concordia knew they would have their work cut out for them as McGill was coming into the game with a 9-2 record, sitting in first place in the the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) division. The teams had faced off twice before this season: a 1-0 win in early November, and a 3-2 loss later that month.

A slow start by the Stingers squad turned out to be their downfall as they fell behind early in the game and were unable to come all the way back, losing 5-3 to their inter-city rivals.

Regardless of their position in the standings, whenever the Martlets and the Stingers meet it’s sure to be a tight match, and if it weren’t for the first seven minutes of the game, Concordia had a shot to pull off the upset.

Just 14 seconds in, McGill forward Katia Clement-Heydra flew down the ice and fired a shot past Concordia’s starting goaltender, Briar Bache. Before the fans had a chance to settle into their seats, the Stingers were already down 1-0.

McGill couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game as just six minutes later, Martlets star forward Lesile Oles made it a 2-0 game. If the Stingers weren’t already stunned, only 19 seconds after that, Steph-

anie Pohlod scored again for the Martlets to make it a three-goal game. With just 6:22 gone in the first period, McGill had a commanding 3-0 lead and looked to be in perfect position to run away with the game.

Bache faced only six shots and was pulled midway through the first period in favour of rookie goalie Katherine Purchase.

Entering the first intermission, Concordia needed to regroup fast if they had any hope of catching McGill.

A different Stingers team emerged from the locker room to start the second period.

The home side was much more composed and Purchase provided some stability on the back end. Just over five minutes in, Stingers forward Alexandria D’Onofrio put them on the board with a power play goal to make it 3-1. Later in the second, Concordia capitalized on another power play as Marie-Joelle Allard made it 3-2 with just under four minutes to go. The Stingers special teams would continue to play strongly

all night; not only was Concordia able to capitalize on these powerplay goals, but the penalty kill was able to shut down the Martlets’ 5-on-3 advantage, not even allowing them a shot on goal.

Although it seemed as if the Stingers had all the momentum, 24 seconds later, Clement-Heydra scored her second goal of the game for McGill and led her team into the second intermission with a 4-2 lead.

McGill forward Erika Pyke and Concordia forward Devon Thompson would each tally goals for their team late in the third period, but by then the game was already decided. Despite being outshot 3319, the Stingers didn’t quit after their slow start and should be proud of the way they battled the first place Martlets to the very end.

The Stingers will next play the Carleton Ravens at Ed Meagher on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Stingers battled against the RSEQ top team and just fell short. Photo by Brianna Thicke.

Opinion // sportS

It’s not just about making money It’s not even a competition; America is just better at college athletics Tim Lazier Sports editor

L

ast Monday, on Jan. 12, the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes squared off in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship.

If you happened to be flipping through the channels and stumbled across it, you wouldn’t think it was a bunch of 18 to 21 year-olds. The presentation, the pageantry and the international attention that these student athletes receive are incomparable to anything we have here in Canada. While there has been scrutiny of these big universities for the financial benefits that they get out of their unpaid athletes, the hype around college sports doesn’t depend solely on money.

If you did happen to catch the Buckeyes dismantle the Ducks 42-20, you weren’t alone. According to ESPN, over 33 million people tuned into the championship tilt. If that seems like an overwhelming amount, it’s because it is.

Last year’s Stanley Cup game five, where the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New York Rangers to hoist the cup, brought in approximately six million viewers according to Sports Media Watch. The National Championship even squashed the 27.8 million viewers who saw the San Francisco

Giants’ final out in the 2014 World Series, according to Forbes magazine. And, for the sake of comparing apples to apples, 320,000 people watched this year’s Vanier Cup on Sportsnet between the Montreal Carabins and the McMaster Marauders, reported Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).

Although baseball is traditionally known as America’s pastime, football has become an entirely different beast within the past two decades. On American campuses, Saturdays are known as gameday. Whether you are a sports fan or not, students pack their stadiums to bask in their school spirit.

It’s not so much a game, but a social event.

Most students who attend American universities are only there for four years and it seems that they sure know how to make the most of it. Signs are made, faces are painted

and the marching bands are rowdy; it’s a party that every student is invited to.

It’s unfair to compare Canada’s football passion to America’s, as hockey is supposed to be our game. Yet, when it comes to supporting our varsity teams, the enthusiasm just isn’t there. According to CIS, the average attendance for the past three home games of Concordia’s men’s hockey team was 53 spectators.

Canadian universities will never draw the same attraction towards athletics as the juggernaut American institutions. Their funding and population are too vast, but the passion that their student body brings is something that can be admired. We may not have the television deals or national coverage, but a little more support for the maroon and gold could go a long way.

Over 85,000 people filled AT&T Stadium to watch the final game. Photo by CFP Media.

Sports in the News Tim Lazier Sports editor

>> NHL All-Star weekend

The NHL has just passed its halfway mark in the regular season and teams are getting ready for the All-Star break. The last day of games before the break is on Wednesday, Jan. 21. After that, teams will be off until Tuesday, Jan. 27. Columbus hosts this year’s All-Star weekend and the game will take place on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. Before the puck drops, team captains Jonathan Toews and Nick Foligno will pick from a pool of 40 other All-Stars on Friday’s All-Star Fantasy Draft. Then, on Saturday night, the two teams will compete in the Skills Competition. From the Habs, Jiri Sekac was selected as one of the six rookies and Carey Price was one of the six goalies selected. Currently Price is battling an upper-body injury that he sustained against The Colombus Blue Jackets on Jan. 14. It is still unclear whether or not Price will make the trip to Ohio for the All-Star weekend.

>> Kidnapped A bizarre and scary series of events unfolded this past weekend for PGA Tour golfer Robert Allenby. According to ESPN, Allenby was kidnapped late Friday night after missing the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Later interviewed by the Australian Associated Press, Allenby said he was abducted at a wine bar; the next thing he remembers was being dumped at a park miles away some time later. Found by a homeless woman early Saturday morning, Allenby managed to get back to his hotel. He suspects that he was drugged and robbed. Allenby is now working with local police forces in Hawaii as well as the PGA Tour security staff. Police are now investigating it as a second-degree robbery.

>> NFL Coaching Carousel

After the conclusion of the regular season and into the first couple weeks of the playoffs, some NFL coaches have had to pack up their office and find new homes. Beginning with Rex Ryan last week, the former New York Jets coach was hired by divisional rivals, the Buffalo Bills. Taking his place in the Big Apple was Todd Bowles, the formers Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator. After Jim Harbaugh left San Francisco, the 49ers hired Jim Tomsula to take the helm. After the Denver Broncos’ implosion in the AFC divisional round, both offensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and head coach John Fox found new jobs.

Del Rio was hired as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, while Fox will take over in Chicago.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

opinions Write to the editor: opinions@theconcordian.com Editorial // opiNioNS

Safety first? Our condom conundrum Should student journalists be treated like any other professionals at a national conference?

O

ver the weekend, six delegates from The Concordian made their way to NASH: an annual conference for young journalists.

Boasting speakers such as Peter Mansbridge, Lisa LaFlamme, Terry Milewski, Laurie Graham, Chris Jones and more, the conference—and subsequent JHM Awards—could be seen as a formal, professional event.

The black-tie formal wear of the gala would seem to say so, as would the long list of prestigious journalists.

However, at its core, NASH is a conference for students: specifically, univer-

sity students. With that in mind, can a “young professional” conference, truly be professional at all?

The schedule included bar nights, and drinks were offered at all the meals and keynote addresses. The hashtag on Twitter seemed to hint more at tomfoolery than any kind of gravitas.

The deciding factor may have been hidden at the bottom of our welcome bags: two bright red, solitary condoms.

We readily admit that our masthead is divided. Was it appropriate to give condoms to university students at a “professional” conference?

On one hand, the conference was not intended for professionals; it was a student conference. And if you get a large gathering of university students together, at an event that has social events at bars, where everyone will be staying in one hotel, doesn’t it make sense to provide condoms? At best it’s a preventative measure; at worst, a tongue-in-cheek joke about the nature of college events.

At the same time, it could undermine the image of those who are attending the conference, and the conference itself. How can one expect the conference to be taken seriously if it includes

sex items in loot-bags? Are these really young professionals ready to enter the workplace, or party-obsessed teenagers who still need a lesson on safe sex?

Why would professional speakers come to a conference that is billed as the “hook-up” event of journalism— especially when organizers acknowledge that aspect so blatantly?

At what point are we students, doing what students naturally do, or young, professional journalists, deserving to be treated as such?

There may not be a perfect middle ground; especially where sex is concerned.

Business // opiNioNS

Missing the mark: Target staff out in the cold Employee vents frustration over Best Company Ever™ ANoNYMoUS Contributor

many of our guests were simply overflow from Wal-Mart after the initial novelty wore off).

An envelope full of documentation pertaining to my end of employment terms came to me in the mail, but I would be lying if I said I understood an ounce of it, as it was sent purely in French legalese (a language understood only by the se-

cret lawyer society hidden deep in Mount Royal). I had to discuss it amongst my coworkers as well as the HR manager to even begin to parse it—I’m very disappointed that they didn’t bother to send bilingual documentation for something this important.

Also, the 16-week compensation plan that was publicized in Target’s press re-

I

was hired at Target in the summer of 2013, a few months before my store would open. In the time until opening, we learned a lot about how important Target’s brand recognition was, as well as having the essence of “team spirit” drilled into us, and just how important the customer would be.

I was convinced we were going to beat Wal-Mart at every turn, in our quest to be the Best Company Ever™. Opening finally came around, and when customer (I mean, “guest”) comments began to pour in, it was a sign that maybe, just maybe, we didn’t get off on the right foot.

“Empty shelves. High prices. Did not have ___ article. Where is your stock?” were the most common issues brought up. Being at the mercy of our distribution centres, there was little we could do but smile and apologize to guests for not having the items they needed.

I can’t say the news of Target’s exit from Canada came as much surprise to me. I did believe, however, that the company would at least try to ride out their building leases first before deciding to pull out of Canada, so their hastiness is a little shocking. Coupling the fact that they’ve lost roughly $1.5 billion since Canadian operations started with that terrible first impression, you’d have to wonder how they could possibly rebuild brand trust in Canada. (Frankly, I’m a firm believer that

Graphic by Marie-Pier LaRose

lease isn’t nearly as glamorous as first understood—the compensation plan only takes effect if your position or store location is no longer needed and shut down before May 16, the final day for all Target Canada stores to discontinue operations. What that means is the people who are best off in this situation are the ones whose stores close early enough that they can get the remainder of their compensation plan (which is however many weeks are left between store closure and May 16) and take a new job, so they can maximize profit. Those of us who are stuck working until the last day don’t get in on the compensation plan and have no paychecks coming after our last worked day.

Needless to say, many of us who have realized this are praying for early closure and shiny new jobs.

To the people who are finding humour in Target’s premature exit from Canada, I say this: poor planning and understanding of the Canadian market has led to almost 18,000 employees across Canada realizing that they will be out of a job and a paycheck in the next few months. Some of us are students who don’t have to worry about rent or groceries and still live at home. We can bounce back, we’re not worried. But many of them have families to support, rent to pay, diapers to buy, and the reality of this situation is a lot less funny.

So while you’re rushing into our stores trying to take advantage of liquidated bedsheets and fashion dolls, it would do well to remember that before berating your cashier at checkout over a pricing error.

The Concordian granted anonymity to this writer due to Target policy preventing employees from discussing this issue publically.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

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Culture // opinions

Unintended victims: Muslims in Western society Fox News anchor’s antiMuslim rant indicative of systematic problem Laura Marchand Opinions editior

Over the course of the past few weeks, terrorism has again become the talk of the media, if it ever even left. Of course, our hearts and minds should go out to the victims of such tragedies—even the unintended ones.

It is never easy to be a member of a visible minority. But it becomes even more difficult, almost unbearably so, when your minority is associated with acts of terror.

It’s the reality that Muslims and those of Middle Eastern descent have been living with ever since 9/11 14 years ago. This is especially true in France, which has banned the hijab in public schools, in addition to the niqab and burqa in public spaces. (This may sound familiar to those familiar with the policies of our own former premier, Pauline Marois.)

The effects of these attacks are felt for years, even if they are completely isolated from the incident at hand. Hate doesn’t heal. And that was never more apparent than on Fox News on Jan. 10, when Jeanine Pirro opened her segment with the words: “We need to kill them.”

The “them” she was referring to slowly became horribly clear.

“We need to kill them, the radical Muslim terrorists hell-bent on killing us,” Pirro continued. “You’re in danger. I’m in danger. We’re at war, and this is not going to stop.”

For those of you who have the unfortunate punishment of being familiar with Fox News rhetoric, this doesn’t sound too out of the ordinary. But she continued, and it only got worse.

“Our job is to arm [unradical Muslims] to the teeth, give them everything they need to take out these Islamic fanatics—let them do the job. We simply need to look the other way.”

In the seven-minute-long rant, Pirro also calls for an end to “nuclear negotiation nonsense,” claiming that “they don’t operate the way we do” and that one simply “can’t even reason with these people.”

Other lines that I could not believe were not satire included: “bomb them, bomb them, and bomb them again.” Upon speaking about President Barack Obama’s supposed “fear” of confronting terrorism, she adds: “I’m surprised the President hasn’t signed an executive order that says ‘don’t offend Muslims.’”

Allow me to understand this correctly: Pirro is asking for the cooperation of people that she claims cannot be reasoned with due to a perceived lack of societal intelligence, people that she claims don’t “operate” the same way “we” do (who-

ever this perceived “we” is). She is asking the average citizen to enter into a war with an organized, military force and put their families in danger— and she refuses to acknowledge the idea of not offending them?

There’s a horrible trend of Muslims being asked to take responsibility for the acts of extremists and terrorists, and I admit that, working in newsrooms, it’s something I have been complicit to. We ask them to denounce it (as if they wouldn’t), to explain it (how can anyone “explain” senseless violence?), and now, we ask them to be executioners.

Perhaps we should talk about Western foreign policy in the Middle East as a catalyst for anti-Western sentiment, and not paint a persecuted minority with a broad A young girl holds a Canadian flag at the Canadian Islamic Culbrush of blood. tural Expo 2007. Photo by Shazron on Flickr.

Education // opinions

The rare ‘win-win’ of unpaid internships How unpaid internships can be good for companies, but also beneficial to you MATTHEW SHANAHAN Contributor

The rise of capitalism through the Industrial Revolution has created massive diversity in the job market. The majority of the population no longer lived on farms, but moved into the city where the jobs were stationed. Unskilled labour became coveted and exploited, while skilled labour was revered and rewarded (for the most part).

Many people argue that we’re past that point in capitalist history. However, many challenges still face the job market today. Not only is there a bigger gap between the rich and poor in North American society than in past decades, but we’ve seen the rise of a new phenomenon that needs to be addressed: unpaid internships.

As is the case with many social and economic issues, there is a growing divide in opinion: the company itself, and whoever is in charge of making budget decisions with regards to interns and the youth; and a university student like myself, who is on the cusp of acquiring a full-time job in my preferred field.

I should expectedly be biased towards the common youth position of fighting back against the “big bad corporations” because they are cheating us out of potential income, treating us as undignified human beings, and because we have intrinsic rights to paid positions if we are contributing to the success of any corporation. The flip side of this argument is that the youth should be motivated to

do whatever it takes to better themselves in their respective field, go through the difficult treatment of employers that normally occurs as a university student and early in one’s career. Trust, dignity, respect and character should not be entitled to anyone from the very start, but earned at a difficult cost.

I firmly believe that the truth about

how this issue should be handled lies somewhere in the middle. The values that drive the corporate view are assets to any youngster while exploitation is not something that the youth should have to face.

I also have personal experience regarding this issue, having interned without pay for TSN Radio for a year here in Montreal on a part-time basis. I must honestly

Graphic by Marie-Pier LaRose

say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience interning, even though it was only one afternoon per week. I learned many skills, made some incredible contacts and—more than anything—enjoyed the work I was doing. The staff was always understanding of the situation and never overworked me in any way, nor did they treat me like less of a human being. Also, I understood that radio isn’t exactly the most profitable industry, which factors into how I perceived my internship. I understand, however, that many people share different experiences from their unpaid internships.

For example, a recent article in The Guardian illustrates how companies can take their unpaid internship opportunities to an unethical extreme. The article highlights that a British company not only required the individual to pay for the opportunity, but asked for 300 pounds per reference.

If the experience is very unique and the demand is high, I believe that unpaid internships are acceptable. However, it is clear from an ethical standpoint that requiring money for an internship is unethical. There has to be an appreciation from both sides of the experience. On one hand, the employee should be grateful and have the motivation to make the most of their opportunity as an intern.

From the corporation’s perspective, they should have the willingness to train and provide the unique experience simply because the intern is providing a service at no cost. If either of these attitudes is not followed, it is only then that the unpaid internship becomes a problematic interest for either party.

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Tuesday, january 20, 2015

Humour // opinions

On Reason and Etiquette: A Victorian dilemma Podsnappery meater leaves gentleman orf chump STEPHEN HO Contributor

G

entlemen of Concordia, it is through a strong sense of civic duty that I have been impelled to pen this short treatise decrying what I consider to be a grave moral failing that plagues our illustrious institution.

Indeed this issue is not solely confined to our central campus but may be applied to society as a whole and is perhaps indicative of the decadence our good nation has fallen into. Some might argue that the lack of public moral outrage is in itself grounds for moral outrage! How we found ourselves in so desperate and somber a situation in the first place is a mystery that is, for the moment, unsolvable. But let us focus on our more immediate circumstances. How can we hope to improve those around us when we cannot even help ourselves?

Firstly, let us allow our more sensitive readers a moment to compose themselves.

To guard against an unwanted gasp and to take care not to faint at the horror of the nature of this crime against reason, sensibility and common courtesy.

I refer of course to those villainous male students who (let us keep in mind are in university and thus for the most part over the age of twenty) insist on urinating on the toilet seat and to add further insult to injury, refuse to flush what little they actually manage to get inside the pot!

A semester ago I had the curious misfortune to catch one of these strange men red-handed. What follows is a description and dialogue of the event.

Our story begins last semester, around the exam period, in the washroom of the third floor of the library. I was busying myself at a urinal when a fellow student strolled in and proceeded to lock himself in a stall. That was all good and well and I continued about my business. Well, a few moments later he emerged from the stall and began washing his hands at the sink (at least). I noticed he hadn’t flushed and I looked back at the stall in disbelief.

There was urine all over the seat. I looked over and tried to address him (forgive the break in character): “Yo.” No reply.

“Yo!” He obviously heard me but was steadfastly ignoring me. He washed faster.

“YO FLUSH THE TOILET!” He finally looked over at me, dead in the eye, and screamed: “YOU CAN’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!” And bolted out the door.

It is truly a despicable age we live in where the common man rails against the heavens and offends all decent Victorian sensibility. I, for one, have grown tired of standing (for it has been made impossible to sit) idly.

Let this treatise then be a righteous light that cuts through the grim fog of decadence and moral decay and leads the way to a more enlightened state of being and existing within our Concordia community.

Graphic by Marie-Pier LaRose

God save the Queen.

Culture // opinions

Paddling the “pink canoe” into dangerous waters Japanese artist’s vagina kayak highlights sexism in data obscenity laws in the country Robin Stanford Staff writer

Megumi Igarashi is an artist of a different kind. She has created a piece of art which has caused a stir worldwide, led to her arrest, and demonstrated the deeply sexist nature of her homeland, Japan.

The oeuvre in question is a bright yellow kayak with multicolored writing. What makes it special is the opening for the passenger, which is shaped in the form of the artists’ vulva. Through a crowdfunding initiative, Igarashi was able to use 3D scanner on her lady parts and 3D printer to create the boat.

Problems arose when the kayak’s 3D data was distributed to the donors who made the work possible. According to a report from The Japan Times, Iganashi was arrested in July of last year for “distributing obscene data”. She was released a few days later after pressure from thousands of people via a signed petition.

The artist was arrested once more in December, along with Minori Watanabe, after displaying the kayak in the window of a sex shop. Although Watanabe was released later in the day, Iganashi stands charged with three counts of distributing obscene data.

If convicted the artist faces up to two years in prison and a fine of $20,000 USD. Freedom of speech, as understood in Canada, technically applies in Japan as well. According to the Japanese constitution, ch 3 Article 21, “Freedom […] of speech, press, and all other forms of expression are guaranteed.”

In practice, according to The Japan Times, a variety of “obscenity laws ban

Megumi Igarashi, also known as Rokudenashi, poses inside of her kayak, fashioned after her vulva. Igarashi was arrested and charged with distributing “obscene data” under Japanese law. pictures of actual genitalia, which normally are obscured in pornography.”

In other words, the home of tentacle porn, does not allow depiction of the genitals… sort of.

It should be noted that Iganashi’s depiction of female genitalia is nothing new for the artist. Her personal web page is filled with various anime-esque models based on this form. Also, the form of the kayak itself is difficult to recognize. The audience almost has to know what they are looking at, in order to see a vagina.

What the artist’s crime seems to be is becoming famous—and being a woman.

According to an interview with the artist in The Daily Beast, Japan is home to at least one penis festival. For example, the city of Kawasaki holds an annual “Festival of the Steel Phallus” in which penis shaped shrines are paraded through the streets. These types of events are not deemed obscene even though they portray male genitalia.

Japan is not necessarily against the portrayal of genitalia, only the female

form.

According to her interview with The Daily Beast, it is specifically the taboo around female genitalia that Iganashi is working to normalize: “she ‘wanted to make [it] more casual and pop’ by creating accessories like vagina-shaped lampshades and smartphone cases”.

One can only hope that Iganashi is victorious in her quest, and that the people stand with her and pressure Japan into releasing a valuable voice in the work towards sexual equality.

Recipe // ETC

This past weekend, The Concordian̶along with dozens of other student publications across the country̶attended the NASH conference in Ottawa. What happens when you get hundreds of young journalists, armed with smartphones, together? One hell of a hashtag. Behold: #nash77.

@NatLaflamme “@TheConcordian is officially tattooed on Steve NASH’s lovely bod #nash77 #amirightladies” @Cazzy “When they announced the dinosaur gala theme I initially thought it would be hosted in the Senate. #nash77” @Justin_Ling “You’re welcome, #nash77 denizens. I’m sure my hollered cover of Closing Time was enlightening.” @willetton “#nash77 is cancelled everyone. it is cancelled due to wasps” @Cam_oflage “To anyone who saw me get trappd in the Shaw Centre doors like a weak baby: that was just a trick to make my enemies underestimate me #Nash77” @AllisonMLeonard “So... Where are the snarky #NASH77 live tweets? I can’t do it all, guys.” @Marchand_L “If you think about it, we were ALL dinosaurs by the time we got our drinks. #nash77 #dinogate” @Nashional77 “#nash77 we need more #ACCESS to BACON & EGGS. #BreakfastGate” @missmichelle “Meeting @LisaLaFlammeCTV and getting to talk about journalism and human rights law is better than getting laid #nash77 #amirightladies”

Who doesn’t love Baileys?

Unfortunately, getting some on a student budget can be tough. Answer: make your own! Our Opinions Editor Laura’s recipe is originally from A Farm Girl In the Making, though we recommend tweaking it depending on your style: We personally found this batch to be a bit strong so we tossed in some extra chocolate.

It’s as easy as throwing everything in a blender.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 Vol. 32 Issue 15 Nathalie Laflamme Editor-in-Chief editor@theconcordian.com Michelle Gamage Production manager production@theconcordian.com Milos Kovacevic News editor news@theconcordian.com Frederic T. Muckle Assistant news editor Sara Baron-Goodman Life editor life@theconcordian.com Lindsay Richardson Arts editor arts@theconcordian.com

Here’s what you need: 1. 1⅔ cups Irish whiskey 2. 1 cup heavy cream (though the exact percentage is up to you, definitely go above 15%) 3. 1 can sweetened condensed milk 4. 2 tablespoons Hershey’s chocolate syrup (melted chocolate works too!)

5. 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 6. 2 tbsp cold coffee 7. Then, blend it all up and drink up! It’s great in black tea as a milk replacer, or into cocoa. Store in an air-tight container and refridgerate. Always shake before using. I would keep it for a month at most (though I’ve kept some a bit longer and it seemed just fine). Enjoy!

Laura’s aura’s joke of the week // ETC

@joshokane “I am at a party at a national museum and one of the exhibits is literally two drunk guys playing Goldeneye #nash77” @f_fekri “Somebody just elbowed me in the face in line for booze. Journalists 0 addiction 1 #nash77” @CouldBeAngela “Just got an exclusive interview with my pillow. #HotelCoverage #NASH77” @kateljacobson “The least edgy thing in the world is creating a twitter account to make bad jokes about a journalism conference. #Nash77”

Oneida Crawford Assistant music editor Tim Lazier Sports editor sports@theconcordian.com Laura Marchand Opinions editor opinions@theconcordian.com Keith Race Photo editor photo@theconcordian.com Andrej Ivanov Assistant photo editor Jocelyn Beaudet Online editor online@theconcordian.com

Hey Nat, How do you define a will?

Marie-Pier LaRose Graphics editor graphics@theconcordian.com Gregory Todaro Emily Gaudet Marilla Steuter-Martin Copy editors copy@theconcordian.com Natasha Taggart Marilla Steuter-Martin Production assistants

I dunno, how?

@BigCameraguy “sleep party at the couch because I can’t find anything to do #nash77” @ColinSlark “what are you talking about, I loved the white wall and bad music exhibit. I felt a real connection to nature. #nash77”

Mia Pearson Music editor music@theconcordian.com

Editorial office 7141 Sherbrooke St. Building CC-Rm 431 Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 514-848-2424 ext. 7499 (Editor-in-Chief)

Oh come on, it’s a DEAD giveaway!

Marc-Antoine Cardin Business manager business@theconcordian.com William Atsaidis Advertising manager advertising@theconcordian.com Tyson Lowrie Jacob Serebin Ruben Bastien Board of directors directors@theconcordian.com

Contributors Robin Stanford, Stephen Ho, Jessie Stein, Kate Sheridan, Karen Massey, Selina Gard, Kirsten Humbert, Julia Bryant, Paul Traunero, Jessica Romera, Justinas Staskevicius, Evgenia Choros, Matthew Swishman, Casey Dulson.Matthew Shanahan.

theconcordian

BYOB: Brew Your Own Baileys

Concordia s weekly, independent student newspaper.

EVENTS

Have a good week !

Film The Crisis of Civilization, Cinema Politica - Jan. 20

Theatre McGill’s Undergraduate Theatre Society presents “Chicago” - Jan. 22-24 and 29-31

Other Together in Rhythm: Drum Circle, SGW Z-Building (2090 Mackay) - Jan. 22 “Spanish flavor” burlesque show, The Wiggle Room - Jan. 23 Geek OUT, Burritoville - Jan. 24 Samson and Delilah, Opera de Montreal - Jan. 24, 27, 29, 31

Exhibition Sightings 11: Inner sight, Hall Building of Concordia University - Until Jan. 25

Music Datsik, Metropolis - Jan. 23 JViet Cong, Bar le Ritz - Jan. 30 Slim Twig W/ US GIRLS, Bar le Ritz - Jan. 21 Zola Jesus, Phi Centre - Jan. 23 Igloofest, Vieux Port - Until Feb. 8 HIGHS, Sala Rossa - Until Feb. 8

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