November 13, 2018

theconcordian

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY’S WEEKLY, INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

 /theconcordian  @theconcordian  @theconcordian  theconcordian.com

VOLUME 36, ISSUE 12 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018

"No planet B"

Locals march to bring CAQ's attention to climate change News p.3

also in this issue...

life

arts

A family's history The hidden art with WWII p. 7 of ceramics p. 9

music

sports

opinions

Lou Phelps sets Finding a home Being openly himself apart p. 11 at Concordia p. 12 empathetic

p. 14

news

CITY IN BRIEF

NEWS EDITORS /// news@theconcordian.com IAN DOWN & MIA ANHOURY ( @IanDown1996 @mia_anhoury)

PROFILE

New Indigenous directions positions Indigenous Directions Leadership Group to release action plan in winter MIA ANHOURY NEWS EDITOR Concordia University has appointed two new senior administrative positions following the recommendation of the Indigenous Directions Leadership Group (IDLG).

From Simon Fraser University (SFU), William Lindsay will start his role on Jan. 3 as the first senior director of Indigenous Directions. Concordia’s own Research Chair in Indigenous Art History and Community Engagement, Heather Igloliorte, is the new special advisor to the provost on Advancing Indigenous Knowledges.

Although the IDLG’s final report and recommendations are only expected in the winter semester, the group made an early recommendation to create these new positions, according to the university’s spokesperson, Mary-Jo Barr. The group’s mandate is “to explore, identify and recommend priority areas in which Concordia can improve its responsiveness to the Truth and Reconciliation’s (TRC) Principles for Reconciliation and Calls to Action,” according to Barr.

Lindsay is currently wrapping up his position as director of the Office for Aboriginal Peoples and special advisor on Aboriginal Affairs at SFU. “I’m looking forward to getting my boots on the ground,” he said.

As senior director of Indigenous Directions, a significant part of Lindsay’s job will be to implement the comprehensive plan that the IDLG is in the process of writing. "It is a university-wide plan, so [it] isn’t just concentrating on research or curriculum development,” said Lindsay. “It covers the wide gamut of pretty much everything you’d want to be working on with regards to Indigenizing a university. It’s a community plan as well. Part of the action plan is to build upon and to create connections with Indigenous communities as well, so it goes

IAN DOWN NEWS EDITOR Montreal pays more to build and repair its roads than any other Canadian city, according to a new study by Municipal Benchmarking Network Canada.

Despite the city’s investment of about $28,000 per kilometre of road in 2017—more than twice the national average—only 30 per cent of Montreal’s roads were rated as being in “good” or “very good” condition, according to the Montreal Gazette.

The provincial government may extend the yellow metro line further into Longueuil, reported CTV. As many as six stations could be added to the line, although it could take more than a decade before the project is approved.

Lindsay is moving to Eastern Canada for the first time for this position.

Photo courtesy of Klahanie K. Rorick, Tahltan Nation.

beyond the doors of Concordia.”

Lindsay told The Concordian he is looking forward to meeting with Donna Goodleaf, Indigenous curriculum and pedagogy advisor at Concordia. Lindsay wants “to see what her plans are and how it ties in with [the] action plan and bring in my own experience to see what will work for Concordia,” he said “I look forward to working with them in advancing the IDLG's Action Plan and the work I do with faculty training on decolonizing and Indigenizing their curriculum across the university,” said Goodleaf.

“When I was 13, we went on a field trip to come to one of the universities in the city and it was a life-changing day for me,” said Lindsay, who is a Status Indian of Cree heritage. Although at the time, Lindsay didn’t see many Indigenous students or faculty, he was motivated to attend university to become a teacher.

Lindsay hopes to create policies that will attract Indigenous applicants. “It’s my experience, having worked at two big uni-

“As a university we are interested in advancing indigenous research in every area,” said Igloliorte. Photo courtesy of David Lipnowski.

versities in British Columbia, that you need to create a climate within the university where it has a reputation for changing, where it has the reputation for being welcoming to Indigenous peoples,” said Lindsay. “You can’t buy a reputation. It’s something that has to be built up over time.” The goal for Lindsay is to have Concordia become synonymous with a positive reaction when mentioned in the Indigenous community.

While Igloliorte was only promoted to a tenure position this year, she has been working at Concordia since 2012. Igloliorte’s position is the first of its kind and “comes with a lot of new responsibilities and I’m excited to take them on,” she said.

Igloliorte said “I think that this position is going to provide me with some agency to do things that myself and other members of the [IDLG] see as really urgent for the university to undertake.”

Just like Lindsay, Igloliorte, who is from the Nunatsiavut community, knows what it’s like to leave a small town and come to a big city, as she did when she first moved to Halifax for school.

“Often times [with] Indigenous students, they are the first person in their family to go to university,” said Igloliorte. “That’s a whole new world with them navigating public transit, grocery stores and daily life, so I try to keep in mind what the experiences are like for Indigenous students and what kinds of needs they have.”

Igloliorte said her goal is to make sure Indigenous students feel supported. “I really hope that we become a destination for Indigenous students on the east side of Canada,” she said. “We have the only undergraduate First Peoples program east of Ontario and I think that we can do a lot of work in promoting this program throughout the maritimes [and] the Atlantic provinces.”

A wreath honouring LGBTQ+ members of the military was laid at a memorial in Montreal on Remembrance Day. The wreath is the first of its kind in Canada, and comes a year after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally apologized for the past mistreatment of the LGBTQ+ community by the military, according to CTV. A shooting at a Kirkland home left a five-year-old boy and a 69-year-old man in the hospital on Friday, according to Global News. The suspect surrendered just after 8:00 p.m., roughly one hour after police were called to the home. Both victims are reportedly in stable condition.

Graphic by @spooky_soda

One of the goals for both Lindsay and Igloliorte is Indigenizing and decolonizing the curriculum. “You want to bring Indigenous ways of knowing, of doing, Indigenous peoples and Indigenous community members into the university to make it a place where Indigenous peoples have influence, where they are taught about and researched about and where they have a place of honour,” said Lindsay.

Changing the curriculum to make it more inclusive can be done in multiple ways, according to Lindsay, and he is ready to listen, ask questions and suggest what is best for Concordia.

Part of Lindsay’s and Igloliorte’s plan is to build direct ties with Indigenous communities in Eastern Canada. “I’m excited to find ways we can reach Indigenous students where they are. Not all of [them] are going to be young people coming out of high school and wanting to go to universities, they may be people who have started a family already and want to retrain,” said Igloliorte.

Igloliorte added “we have a lot of potential here, we’re in Tiohtiá:ke/ Montreal to build things.”

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

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NATION Fighting for a greener planet IN BRIEF Thousands of Montrealers demand real change from Legault government COVER STORY

MINA MAZUMDER ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Patrick Bonin, a spokesperson for Greenpeace Canada who The chilly weather did not attended the protest, said stop 50 thousand protestors his role is to make sure from demanding stricter citizens are pressuring laws and regulations against the Quebec government climate change from Quebec to do its part to protect Premier François Legault’s the environment. “We government on Nov. 10. still have time to change, “ We want to believe but there’s no more time that [Legault] will make the to waste,” he said. environment a top priority, Bonin said if the and we want to make sure government does not his actions will match his take the issue to heart, A troupe of drummers joined 50 thousand demonstrators in words,” said Nathalie Roy, a people will take matters downtown Montreal on Saturday. Photo by Mackenzie Lad. spokesperson of The Planet into their own hands. “If Goes to Parliament, the non-profit group The Planet Goes to Parliament made three they can’t be responsible,” he said, “we will that organized the march. “Right now, the demands of Legault and his administration, responsibilize them” through non-violent picture does not seem coherent.” including the development of a provincial civil disobedience, such as sitting in front of The Great Climate March began at 2:30 climate plan in line with the Intergovernmental the offices of members of parliament and p.m. at Place des Festivals and ended at the Panel on Climate Change’s objective to reduce blocking construction and gas exploration Mordecai Richler gazebo in Mount Royal greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent projects.

Park two hours later. by 2030 and completely eliminate them by Some of the march’s participants spoke Many participants carried placards 2050. The organization also called on the about the importance of attending the march with slogans such as “Change the way you government to raise awareness about the and fighting for an eco-friendly economy. consume,” “Climate Justice. Indigenous current climate emergency and threats to Caroline Beyor said she wants to see real Sovereignty” and “All together for biodiversity. changes in her daily life, including a reducour planet.” Throughout the march, Additionally, the group demanded the tion of plastic and more government-run demonstrators chanted, “There is no government ban new oil and gas exploration companies at grocery stores. planet B” and “Here and now, for the and development projects, and put an end “I want to be sure what they’re selling me future of our children.” to all direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies. is safe for our planet,” Beyor said. “I want to According to Roy, one catalyst of the march “We tend to think that changing our life- rely on the government and not on profit.” was the heat wave that killed more than 90 styles is going to be hard,” Roy said. “Maybe Beyor also recommended Montrealers people in Quebec over the summer. “The changing our lifestyles will improve our stop buying things they do not or rarely problem we have is that people seem to treat quality of life—more time and less work.” Roy use, and consider going vegan. [natural disasters] as isolated phenomena,” added that these changes would include an “Be the change,” she told The Concordian. said Roy. “Climate change is happening now, increased use of public transit and reduced “Be the example. You can’t change everyand we can no longer remain in denial.” work hours. body. Do it yourself, and people will follow.”

STUDENT POLITICS

JSA councillor named CEO for ASFA ASFA decides after an executive stepped in for by-elections

EITHNE LYNCH ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR The Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA) elected a CEO to oversee the upcoming by-elections during a general council meeting Thursday Nov. 9.

Fiona Harrison-Roberts, finance executive with the Journalism Student Association (JSA) was elected to be the interim CEO for the by-election.

“We’ve had issues finding an ASFA CEO. No one applied,” said Elliott Boulanger, internal affairs and administration coordinator. The job posting was made public on ASFA’s Facebook page in September.

The position had to be filled immediately because of the upcoming by election so Boulanger took over the responsibilities of the CEO. The role of the CEO during the by-election consists of ensuring that anyone participating in the election is complying with the rules and regulations, issuing directives on how these regulations are carried out, looking into the legitimacy of the election expenses and proposing regulation reforms to the council.

The CEO is also tasked with providing “information regarding the specifications and the carrying out of these regulations” to any

Photo by Eithne Lynch.

person who requests it, and providing public access to “all information, reports, returns or documents relating to these regulations,” according to the job posting on ASFA’s Facebook page.

The council had to resolve three issues, the first being that no one applied for the position of CEO. The other two issues stemmed from the fact that Boulanger, an executive, had stepped into the position.

The issue with Boulanger taking on the position was that as an executive, they were in charge of hiring the CEO. Rory Blaisdell, council chairperson, recognized that this was an emergency situation where the position needed to be filled but also said “Elliot cannot hire themselves for the position.”

Boulanger made it clear that they were still actively looking for someone to fill the CEO

IAN DOWN NEWS EDITOR Ninety per cent of Canadians are opposed to future arms deals with Saudi Arabia, according to a poll by the Angus Reid Institute released last Tuesday. Also, less than half of respondents said Canada should cancel its current $15 billion deal with the kingdom.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally apologized for Canada’s rejection of a ship carrying Jewish refugees in 1939. Historians estimate that of the roughly 900 refugees aboard the St. Louis, more than 250 died in Nazi concentration camps after returning to Europe, according to Global News.

Cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm on a series of partnerships between several Canadian institutions and the Chinese telecom company, Huawei, according to The Star. The company is contracted to help several Canadian universities develop 5G networks. However, The Australian reported Huawei may have leaked information to the Chinese government that was used to infiltrate a foreign network.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Ministry is contesting what it claims are changes made by its American counterpart to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). An anonymous source told the Financial Post the United States was trying to broaden a clause in the agreement that provides access to British Columbia’s wine market to include Ontario and Quebec.

Federal Conservative MP Tony Clement has resigned from several committee positions after admitting to multiple incidents of inappropriate sexual behaviour, according to Global News.

Clement said these incidents included sending photos and a video of a sexual nature to a woman on social media.

The MP has not resigned from his party, despite calls by Conservative leader Andrew Scheer to do so.

Graphic by @spooky_soda

position. “It’s not that I want to do it—I don’t.

I have two jobs, classes, my internal position, I have a lot and this position is not the ideal situation on any level but the election has to happen,” they said.

Blaisdell told council that an executive could be hired, but in those cases, it has to be done by the council and not another executive. “If you are hiring an executive then you must be notwithstanding your Annex A,”—the clause that states executives cannot fill this role.

Boulanger was asked to step out of the room while council explored its options. During that time, a straw poll was conducted to see if any councillors were willing to take on the position of an interim CEO. “I decided to volunteer for the position because I felt like it was the right thing to do,” said Harrison-Roberts. Two other councillors

also volunteered for the position and when the votes were counted, Harrison-Roberts was declared the interim CEO. The council then had to vote on a motion to notwithstand sections B, C and D from Annex A. Those sections state that current or former councillors, the executive body of any ASFA member association or any ASFA member who holds an elected or appointed position within ASFA, or one of its member associations are not eligible to hold an electoral office.

Council approved Harrison-Roberts as the official interim CEO. The council also voted to compensate Boulanger for the work they had done thus far to the amount of $100, which came from the $400 honorarium.

The ASFA by-elections will be held from Nov. 27 to 29 and voting will be conducted online.

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NOVEMBER 13, 2018

STUDENT POLITICS

CSU falls behind on appointments Undergraduates missing from major governing bodies IAN DOWN NEWS EDITOR Several important undergraduate positions in student and university government remain vacant more than three months into the academic term.

More undergraduates need to be appointed for the student tribunal pool, the judicial board of the Concordia Student Union (CSU) and to member-at-large positions on CSU committees.

The CSU’s policy committee recommends students for each of these positions.

Patrick Quinn, a councillor on the policy committee, said the committee is behind on its appointments because it only met once between the end of last semester and the beginning of this term. According to meeting minutes from the summer of 2017, last year’s policy committee met three times between June and August.

Quinn said the CSU has not appointed members-at-large to any of its committees.

Members-at-large are students who participate in committees but are not councillors.

Committees do not need these members to conduct business. However, Quinn said filling these positions is important for promoting the CSU within the student body. “The reason not many people know about the CSU is because we’re not taking it seriously, getting students involved,” he said.

Quinn said only four out of 15 undergraduate spots are currently filled in the student tribunal pool. Student tribunals hear cases relating to the university’s regulations, including the Academic Code of Conduct and the Code of Rights and Responsibilities. For each case, students are drawn from a pool

Archive photo by Nelly Serandour-Amar.

of 15 undergraduates and 10 graduates.

Currently, the CSU’s judicial board only has one member. The judicial board interprets the CSU’s bylaws and standing regulations and resolves any related disputes. The board typically receives a high number of complaints during election period. With only one councillor, the board cannot hear cases. Last semester’s general election was especially contentious, with three out of four members resigning following harassment from the student body.

CSU Loyola Coordinator Alexis Searcy, who has chaired the appointments committee since Oct. 31, said all of these appointments will be made “in the very near future.” In an email to The Concordian, Searcy said the judicial board candidates will be chosen at the next council, and that she will begin appointing members-at-large this week. She also said interviews are currently underway for the student tribunal pool.

According to the CSU’s standing regulations, “The Appointments committee recommends appointees to any and all CSU and university bodies and/or committees.” This recommen-

dation is then passed to council for a vote, who “has the right to bypass the consideration of the appointments committee and proceed with the appointment.” In addition to recommending students for the judicial board, student tribunal and various committees, the committee nominates a CEO for the union’s elections.

The committee has faced significant turnover since the beginning of its mandate.

Before its first meeting in September, Finance Coordinator John Hutton had resigned and been replaced by Internal Affairs Coordinator Princess Somefun. Somefun resigned in October and was replaced by Searcy. Councillors Quinn, Margot Berner, James Hanna and Rowan Gaudet fill the remaining spots. Last month, councillor Chris Kalafatidis resigned to join the elections participation committee, and councillor Alex Karasick resigned for undisclosed reasons.

Quinn said he wished the committee had dealt with these appointments earlier to avoid potential problems in the future. “We wouldn’t be where we’re at if we were proactive about some of this.”

POLICY

Implementing Bill 151 at Concordia Standing committee shares ideas with other institutions in Montreal MIA ANHOURY NEWS EDITOR Concordia is working to implement the requirements of Bill 151 by the deadline of Jan. 1, 2019. Bill 151 is the Act to prevent and fight sexual violence in higher education institutions. The university’s Standing Committee on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence is mandated to implement the obligations of that bill and the June 2018 recommendations of Concordia’s Task Force on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence report.

The committee has been working on the requirements of Bill 151 since September, according to Lisa Ostiguy, the chair of the committee and special advisor to the provost on campus life.

“Af ter we complete the changes needed for Bill 151, there is all kinds of work we will be doing on the task force recommendations,” said Ostiguy.

Bill 151 states that post-secondary institutions must adopt a policy to prevent and fight sexual violence before Sept.

1, 2019. A first copy must be

submitted by Jan. 1, 2019.

The policy the university is responsible for implementing must also include a code of conduct and guidelines on faculty-student relationships. Concordia released these guidelines last January.

Concordia’s current policy on sexual violence and sexual misconduct is currently under effect until the new one takes over.

Ostiguy said the difference between the current policy and the one being developed is that the latter will be more survivorfocused. The new policy will give “a much bigger context around the importance of

sexual violence,” said Ostiguy. “Anytime we open up our policy to add anything, it’s a good opportunity to take a big look at it and that's what we’ve been doing,” she added.

The standing committee is made up of 25 members. Ostiguy said any member representing a union or an association was nominated by their respective association.

One of the bill’s requirements is gathering all sexual violence-related services and resources in one area of the university, such as the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) in Concordia’s case.

Training and education are also Graphic by Ana Bilokin. significant parts of the implementation of the bill and the task force’s recommendations. Thus, Concordia has already created a subcommittee for education and training for faculty and students, chaired by SARC Coordinator, Jennifer Drummond.

Until today, the subcommittee will only have met twice. Ostiguy told The Concordian she couldn’t comment on what the subcommittee is currently working on with regards to training. However, she said SARC is developing an online version of the training.

WORLD IN BRIEF IAN DOWN NEWS EDITOR On Sunday, world leaders marked the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. As part of a joint ceremony, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a commemorative book from inside a replica of the train carriage in which the 1918 Armistice was signed, according to the BBC. About 70 leaders were in Paris over the weekend to commemorate the anniversary.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions was forced to resign from office last week. The move came after more than a year of sour relations between Sessions and President Donald Trump, who frequently criticized his attorney general for recusing himself from the Russia investigation, according to Global News. Trump loyalist Matthew Whitaker will serve as interim attorney general until a replacement is found.

Just over a month after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, another Saudi journalist and blogger was reportedly tortured to death while in prison in Saudi Arabia, according to the Daily Mail. Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Jasser was in custody for allegedly r unning the Twit ter account "Kashkool," which was critical of the Saudi government.

Suicide among Japan’s youth reached its highest peak in 30 years in 2017-18, with 250 reported cases, according to a government report released on Nov. 5. An official quoted in Japan Today said they could not pinpoint the cause of the increase, although the newspaper reported that many of the students were known to have family problems or “concerns about their future.” The country’s overall suicide rate continues Graphic by @spooky_soda

Last week, Concordia’s standing committee had a meeting with universities and CEGEPs in the greater Montreal area to discuss their progress in implementing Bill 151. McGill, Université de Montréal and Université de Sherbrooke were all present.

“Concordia had a lot of things in place for Bill 151 so I think we actually may have been more informative to others than others [were] to us,” said Ostiguy. “What was the most exciting was talking about how we are going to work together, share our resources, develop training together.”

The standing committee is meeting with other higher education institutions in May as well to discuss their progress.

Students can always give feedback to Concordia’s standing committee at their monthly public consultation. The next consultation will be held on Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. in GM-200 on the downtown campus, and on Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. in room AD-230 on the Loyola campus.

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

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CONFERENCE

Deviance, rights, women at the centre of TEDx Female speakers discuss the goals of their equality and diversity-driven projects ELISE MARTIN STAFF WRITER Last Tuesday, the Phi Centre hosted 120 people who came to listen to three women: Emily Laliberté, founder of Coup d'éclats, Claire Gaillard, co-editor-in-chief for Lez Spread the Word magazine and Amélie Duranleau, active member of the association Prêts, disponibles et capables (Ready, Willing and Able).

What do these women have in common, other than the fact they are from Montreal? They want to improve human rights in society, specifically concerning those who are vulnerable to marginalization. Laliberté, Gaillard and Duranleau hosted a TED Talk focused on human rights and f reedom, and shared projects that enable innovation to surpass discussions and take action.

Each speaker had fifteen minutes to explain the work they are doing to advance human rights and freedom with three focal points: art as a way of expression, magazine-writing as a way of supporting diversity and communication as key to integration.

The first speaker, Laliberté, is an artist who said she believes art can change the world. She began working

From left: Amélie Duranleau, Emily Laliberté and Claire Gaillard. Photo by Elise Martin.

with marginalized individuals while using art as a tool of expression. Laliberté described her virtual reality project, 310, which immerses spectators into a temporary home. As viewers navigate the dorms and common areas of the youth centre, they listen to voice overs from actual residents of the Laval Child and Youth Protection Centre, ref lecting on what their future might hold and whether it can change. These testimonies demonstrate the problematic conditions that young girls living in youth centres face. The project inspired a committee that is working to improve conditions at the centre.

Gaillard spoke next. "I can't fight for a problem that I am not concerned with

directly. So I found journalism to share stories," said Gaillard. As co-editor-in-chief, Gaillard takes intersectional minorities into consideration while making the Lez Spread the Word . "We have a lot of facets in our personality which form the whole, you don't have to choose a special fight. The magazine also gives a voice to the lesbian community and the issues and challenges they face.

Gaillard said that it’s important to be aware of one’s privilege and not wait to be personally affected to be concerned with fighting these challenges.

Duranleau focused on the idea of increasing the participation of people with intellectual disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder with the program Ready, Willing and Able. She fights for

people with disabilities because she believes "they deserve to have a job like everyone else." Ready, Willing and Able has helped employers see the benefits of having people with disabilities in their companies. Duranleau explained it’s necessary to build bridges and connections with people with disabilities.

The speakers brought attention to the injustices that affect those who deviate from what society considers to be the norm. The speakers highlighted that differences and deviances are created through an inherently heteronormative society. They showed that the average person can contribute to change. The conference proved that Montrealers can get behind inspirational projects with the goal of changing the world in their own way.

ABOUT TED:

TED Conferences were created in 1984 in New York City with the goal of spreading ideas around the world. In 2009, Richard Saul Wurman and Harry Marks, its founders, decided to extend the concept to anyone interested in organizing conferences. TEDxMontreal was created in 2012 by volunteers.

The ‘x’ means the conference was independently organized.

ACTIVISM

Spreading awareness of tuberculosis in Nunavut See the Change Initiative hosts fundraiser to expose the unseen epidemic ALEXIA MARTEL-DESJARDINS STAFF WRITER “Last year my grandson almost died,” said Martha Newkingat, an elderfrom Qikiqtarjuaq whose family has struggled with tuberculosis. “He was in the hospital for three months in Ottawa and they actually said he was going to die because his lungs were failing […]. We rely on you white people so much that it’s kind of hard trying to take over when we’re asked. We’re so used to people coming and telling us this and that.”

Newkingat gave a moving testimony, alongside other Inuit community members, in a video presentation on Nov. 8 during the event Tackling TB in Nunavut: A Night of Photos and Stories. The organization See the Change Initiative (SCI), whose mission consists of training community members to work as a bridge between nurses and Inuit people affected by tuberculosis (TB), organized the event.

Although Canada has reduced TB rates significantly since the 1950s, the disease still disproportionately affects First Nations people who live on reserves, as well as Inuit people. According to the Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada, “First Nations, Inuit and Métis made up just under 5 per cent of the total Canadian population, but accounted for almost 20 per cent of reported cases of active TB disease.” Statistics speak for themselves when it comes to demonstrating inequalities within Canada: “the rate of TB among Inuit

was almost 300 times higher than the rate “The idea is to turn the health system money we can start, because everything is in the Canadian-born, non-Indigenous on its head,” said Rachel Kiddell-Monroe, ready to go,” said Kiddell-Monroe. population,” said the same report. general director of SCI. “To try to make it Meanwhile, TB continues to afflict Inuit The treatment and prevention of TB in possible for them to really do the prevenand other First Nations communities.

Nunavut presents many challenges, including tion, the screening and the care of their Last March, Gussie Bennett, from Nain, mistrust towards healthcare providers. In communities, and they’re in a much better Labrador, died of TB at the age of 14. The the past, many Inuit people affected by TB place to do [so] than anyone coming from stigma still attached to TB also prevents were sent to sanatoriums in the southern the South who does not speak Inuktitut.” awareness about the disease. “We started parts of the province, often staying there for SCI cannot begin its activities until hearing about TB here and there, but it’s extended periods of time, separated from they fundraise enough money to hire the not really talked about, it’s one of these their families and their culture, according workers and train them to tackle TB in their things that kind of are spoken but not to SCI partner Jerry Natanine. communities. “We’ve applied for a few things really spoken of,” said Rev. Annie Ittoshat, “People went away for many years for and we’re talking to foundations organizing an Indigenous community minister of the treatment,” said Natanine, also a counsellor events like this, and as soon as we have the Diocese of the Arctic. coordinator of Ilisaqsivik Society, a non-profit community organization in Clyde River, Nunavut.

“There are cases where people came back [having] lost their language. They only knew English when they came back, and they had to work really hard to learn their Inuktitut again.”

The lack of knowledge of Inuit culture and language also impedes health professionals—who traditionally come from the south of the country—in effectively treating and preventing TB. SCI wishes to solve this problem by creating a community-led project that directly involves Inuit people in the solution, thus inverting the top-down Attendees bidded on works of art as a fundraiser for the cause. Photo by Mackenzie Lad. approach adopted in the past.

life

LIFE EDITOR /// life@theconcordian.com ALEX HUTCHINS ( @alexhutchinns96)

CAMPUS LIFE

A non-believer embraces faith Secular students find value in wisdom and practices of faith traditions

A tip for re-evaluating your priorities Do as you do, not as you think

GRAYSON ACRI CONTRIBUTOR

Nicolas Chevalier (left) with Ashely Crouch, Interfaith Facilitator at Concordia’s Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre, and Ellie Hummel, the Chaplain, in the Centre’s lounge Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Photo by Kenneth Gibson.

KENNETH GIBSON STAFF WRITER An atheist looking for guidance among religious people may seem ironic at first. Some students that frequent Concordia’s Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre (MFSC), like Nicolas Chevalier, identify as non-believers but still derive benefits from being involved.

Chevalier admits that he had some reservations about Christianity and other religions, but was still curious about them. “At the same time, faith can be something that brings people together, and that is something that is clearly lacking in our society,” he said.

Chevalier met Ashely Crouch, the interfaith facilitator at the MFSC, through a mutual friend. Chevalier often attends events put on by Sustainable Concordia, and since it shares the same building as the MFSC, he ended up participating in a few events there as well. Chevalier considers himself an atheist, yet his involvement with environmental activism complicates that perspective. “With my environmental background, I do believe everything is connected. We’re not just here in a cold existence to reap everything from the earth,” he said.

In all his intersectional organizing and activism efforts, Chevalier tries not to take a “finger pointing” perspective.

He said he is drawn to similarities in how interfaith communities create respectful dialogue, even when they disagree.

Chevalier’s family is Christian, but they rarely went to church during his

childhood. So while he didn’t know much about religion growing up, Chevalier was never anti-religious, and was always respectful of people’s faith.

A turning point came when his mother passed away from lung cancer about four years ago. It so happened that his family’s neighbour was a priest.

“He would come in and he would talk about nothing and everything, in a way that was very comforting. That was definitely something that helped change my view about people who have faith,” Chevalier said.

The role of the campus chaplain at Concordia has been constantly evolving to reflect the changing religious beliefs of the student body, said Ellie Hummel, the chaplain and coordinator at the MFSC. The chapel at Loyola College became an ecumenical place of worship when Loyola joined with Sir George William College to form Concordia in 1974.

The chaplaincy gradually grew to embrace the increasing number of non-Christian students coming to Concordia, becoming multi-faith.

In the last 19 years, since Hummel has been at Concordia, spiritual yet non-religious people have also been welcomed. “We are adjusting our language more,” Hummel said.

“We realized there are people who name themselves as secular and humanist, and we want them to know they are included.”

“People could have their typical view of ‘oh, it’s a preacher person just coming here to push their religion’ and that’s not at all what I get from either Ellie or Ashely,” Hummel said. “They invite people in to come as they are, whether they have faith or not.”

Chevalier thinks the main issue with organized religion is that concentrating power in an institution eventually leads to the people running it being corrupted by that power.

The MFSC’s approach to cultivating a faith-based community is more informal and non-hierarchical. Crouch became the interfaith facilitator at the MFSC a little over a year ago.

She said that a lot of new students, when they come to the MFSC for the first time, ask about how they can join. “You don’t have to join, you just belong, you’re just here,” Crouch said. “It’s very intentionally kept that way.”

Ultimately, compared to what capitalism and consumer culture offer in terms of living a fulfilled life, Chevalier said he sees a lot of good things coming out of the multifaith chaplaincy.

However, he doesn’t necessarily see his participation as political.

“In the traditional politics type of sense, I don’t see it like that, I just see it as people sharing ideas” Chevalier said. “[But] some of my friends who are stronghold atheists would go ‘why are you even talking with these people?’”

While the MFSC offers varied programing, from drumming circles to meditation groups, Hummel said the most important thing they offer is simply the space—a place where people can just drop in and talk to religious people. “[It] helps you [...] realize that you can live with people who don’t necessarily agree and to have a respect around those sorts of things," Crouch said. "Everybody can grow from that."

Quick! If I asked you about your priorities, what would you say? As a student, your first answer might be studying. Alright, but what else? Do you spend your time with friends or alone? Do you hit the gym, or catch up on Netflix? Consciously or not, we make time-related decisions every day. So, how do you want to spend today? The real question is: how do you spend it?

I ask this because I found that what I thought I prioritized was actually not the case. I was frustrated day after day during an internship I had, which, including school work and travel commitments, had me out and time-bound from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. I thought I needed some time to watch TV and relax, but between my 11-hour work day, my workouts after that, meals and sleep, I never got the chance.

It took a meltdown for me to realize something. I thought I prioritized down time, I thought I needed it, but I actually didn’t. I always did my workout, I always got a minimum of eight hours of sleep, and I always made time for family. Those were my priorities, I just never realized it.

After this revelation, I still felt frustrated, but at a manageable level.

I tell you this because I know we have all felt this way, like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Here is a great exercise to try and help alleviate that feeling of frustration: take a look at what you do every day after class, time yourself and record it if necessary. Just look at what you actually do. That’s it. You’ll find that, by looking at this timesheet of your day, you have reoccurring things come up that you make time for, regardless of whether or not your schedule permits it. Those are your actual priorities. Don’t get frustrated by your choices, just look at your time spread and make changes if desired.

The beauty of this exercise is that it applies to other self-help tasks. Feel like your bank account is always empty? Look at your bank or credit card statement and see where your money goes and make conscious choices to remedy your spending. Want to pick up a new skill? Look at your daily timesheet and see if and where you can cut some engagements shorter and make time.

So, what are you going to do now?

Graphic by @spooky_soda

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

theconcordian

7

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Lest We Forget Reflecting on the effect WWII had on one family ALEX HUTCHINS LIFE EDITOR In 1918, Nov. 11 marked the day the Allies and Germany signed the armistice that ended World War I (WWI), supposedly around 11 a.m. Now known as Remembrance Day, Nov. 11 is a day to remember the sacrifices made by those in the line of duty, the lives lost during times of war and lives still being lost today. It’s a dark memorial day for many, and each person's familial ties with both WWI and World War II (WWII) will invariably differ. However, the act of remembering those enlisted, albeit willingly or not, who have lost their lives to political conflicts is an act of respect we should all put our personal politics aside for.

Throughout my childhood, Remembrance Day was a day where I’d proudly watch my grandpa, Ryzard Guziak, address his fellow veterans at his branch of The Royal Canadian Legion in Toronto. Dressed to the nines in full uniform, adorned with pins and ribbons, him and his lifelong friends would oscillate between warmly reminiscing their youth and sadly remembering their fallen friends who were denied life beyond adolescence.

Nov. 11 is a day of remembering Ryzard’s sacrifices throughout WWII; about remembering my other grandpa, Roger Hutchins, and his decision to join the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1943, and the sacrifices that entailed. It should be noted, though, that Ryzard and Roger’s war stories are vastly different. Roger willingly joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and remained stationed in Canada until the war ended, before eventually transferring to the Fleet Air Arm by 1950. Ryzard’s story, however, is much more complex. Since both of them have passed away, all I have are my memories.

Remembrance Day is one where I remember the decisions they made for freedom; for the freedom of future generations. I think of my sisters and I—of my niece, Stella, who neither of my grandpas got the chance to meet—and of the privilege we all had of growing up in stable conditions. I think of the freedom we have in our everyday lives; the freedom to mobilize and express our thoughts. Nov. 11 is a day where I remember Roger and Ryzard’s lives—how WWII adversely affected them, both on and off the battlefields—and what theirs, and so many other sacrifices, mean to the liberties we’re accustomed to.

Ryzard Guziak, my mother’s father, was born in Krynki, Poland in 1923, and raised in Bródno, a town in the northeast section of the Warsaw borough. My great-grandfather, Karol Guziak, was chief of detectives in Bródno, according to my grandma, Evelyn Guziak. When WWII was declared in 1939, the Germans immediately invaded Poland due to the proximity of their borders. “The Nazis just walked in and took over everything,” said Evelyn. Karol, Ryzard, and his mother were caught by Nazis at the Polish border

while trying to flee to Lithuania. Nazis took Karol away and imprisoned him somewhere in Poland. Ryzard and his mother never saw Karol again; it’s assumed he was killed while imprisoned.

Ryzard was 16 at the time, temporarily living with his mother under Nazi occupation. However, their house was seized by Nazis, their valuables taken from them and, eventually, my grandfather too. According to Evelyn, in 1940, the Nazis came for Ryzard and many other young men in the middle of the night and, within hours, he was forcibly put on a train headed for Siberia. For the next few years, Ryzard worked in extremely poor conditions in the Russian salt mines, while tensions grew between the Nazis and Russians. By 1942, Russia was knee-deep in combat against the Nazis, and released most of their prisoners working in the mines, Ryzard included.

With absolutely nothing, not even proper clothes to weather the harsh temperatures in Russia, Ryzard jumped from train to train in hopes of finding a Polish recruitment centre he’d heard rumours of somewhere deep in Russia. After eventually finding the recruitment centre, around 1943, Ryzard made his way by train from Russia to Egypt to join the The Polish II Corps. But when Ryzard arrived, already incredibly ill from malnourishment, he contracted a skin disease from a dirty razor, causing his health to decline even further.

After barely recovering, Ryzard joined The Polish II Corps to fight against the Nazis, mostly through Italy. He lost many of his close friends in the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. “It wasn’t a fun time,” said Evelyn. “He never told me the dark stories. He would always try to make a joke of it. That’s the only way they could deal with it.”

Evelyn recalled a story Ryzard once told her, which likely occurred during the Battle of Monte Cassino. He and his platoon partner were on patrol somewhere in central Italy, and took a break to go to the bathroom in the woods. Only a few feet from Ryzard, his friend stepped on a landmine. “I’m sure [Ryzard] got splattered,” said Evelyn with a shudder. Luckily, Ryzard came out of the Battle relatively unscathed, except for a knick on his chin from a sniper that barely missed him.

WWII ended while Ryzard was still stationed in Italy, and since Poland had become communist throughout the war, he and his friends decided to stay in Modena for the time being. By the end of 1945, Ryzard’s station was moved to Britain, and eventually to Glasgow, Scotland, where he met my grandmother. At the time, Evelyn’s maiden name was McElroy.

My grandparents met in a dance club called The Locarno, where they ballroom-danced the night away. Within six months, they were married. By 1952, they immigrated to Canada together, first docking in Montreal but eventually choosing Toronto as their final destination. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Archive photos courtesy of the Guziak and Hutchins family. Graphic by Ana Bilokin.

Roger Hutchins passed away Aug. 14, 2015, due to complications following surgery.

Ryzard Guziak passed away Nov. 24, 2008, after a long battle recovering from multiple strokes.

Ryzard Guziak as a young man, likely in his mid to late twenties.

arts

ARTS EDITOR /// arts@theconcordian.com CHLOË LALONDE

STREET ART

From the big screen to the streets Montreal honours Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin in new mural YOUMNA EL HALABI STAFF WRITER While walking along Lincoln Ave., one will notice a recent addition to the street’s regular brick exteriors. Unlike St-Laurent Blvd. and the Plateau, street art rarely graces this avenue.

However, on Nov. 4, award-winning filmmaker and artist Meky Ottawa began painting over a brick wall on the corner of Lincoln and Atwater Avenues as a way to pay homage to Indigenous icon Alanis Obomsawin. In collaboration with MU MTL and inaugurated by the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the mural is a touching gesture to the Abenaki artist and esteemed documentary filmmaker.

Ottawa is a Manawan native, from the Atikamekw community and has been making films from the early age of 13.

Now in her mid-twenties, Ottawa has recently participated in an installation with two other Indigenous artists at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

MU MTL aims to rejuvenate Montreal neighbourhoods using art, transforming the city into an open air “MUseum.”

Co-founders Elizabeth-Ann Doyle and

Emmanuelle Hébert came together to showcase urban art’s ability to transform, or ‘ripen’ a city’s artistic culture.

The new mural on Lincoln depicts Obomsawin in a red dress, sporting her hair in braids and holding a traditional Abenaki drum. According to Abenaki legend, the spirit of the drum is the hear tbeat of Mother Ear th, inducing harmony by accompanying the voices of the people.

Obomsawin’s portrait is framed against a beautiful teal background.

Olive branches float above her head, and forming a halo.

Although Obomsawin’s figure is the focal point of the piece, it is the children below her that catch the viewer’s eye.

Holding hands in single file, they are inside what seem to be musical soundwaves. It is as if Obomsawin’s drumming is dictating the children’s direction, seemingly guiding them forward.

Obomsawin is a renowned singer, writer and storyteller, performing for humanitarian causes in Canada, the United States and Europe. She has greatly impacted Indigenous communities by spending almost 40 years directing

documentaries at the National Film Board (NFB) with strong social content. The icon has worked on over 30 films documenting the discrimination and injustice her people face in Canada.

The 1977 film, Mother of Many Children, examines t h e cent r al ro le of women in Indigenous cultures and was screened during POP M o nt re a l t h i s p a s t September. The film is available online via t h e N F B d at a b a s e.

Kanesatake: 270 years of resistance (1993) e x amin e s t h e lan d Alanis Obomsawin is depicted playing a traditional Abenaki drum, known as the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Photo by Mackenzie Lad. dispute between the Mohaw k p e ople of Kanesatake and the municipalit y of According to the NFB, Obomsawin’s Oka, known as the Oka Crisis. The film main concern is education, “because is still used as an educational tool in that’s where you develop yourself, many of Concordia’s classrooms. where you learn to hate, or to love.”

THEATRE

An exploration of surrealism and cruelty Theatre students’s production aptly depicts the gamut of human emotions DAISY DUNCAN ASSISTANT ARTS EDITOR The curtains open. An empty stage, save for a single geometric structure to the right of it, and glowing stage lights, the otherworldly feeling already present in the theatre. The narrator steps out, and the show begins.

As one of their fall productions, the Concordia Department of Theatre presented their interpretation of Animals In Paradise from Nov. 7 to 11. Written by British playwright Howard Barker and directed by Jean-Frédéric Messier, the play details the story of an endless conflict between the Swedes and the Danes. Through this context, the complexities of humanity and the human condition are explored.

The play’s storyline is filled with cruelty, which is not a surprise given its focus on a timeless war. However, with dark humour and complex emotional representations of human behaviours, the play presents a multi-dimensional exploration of humanity, with diverse and well-developed characters who are talentedly expressed through the theatre students’s impressive portrayals.

Caroline Mawhinney, a third-year theatre student at Concordia, delivered a notable performance as Mrs. Norris, a woman who is consistently pregnant and believes that having children is the only importance in life.

Mawhinney’s character provided comedic relief to the dark nature of the play, while also serving as a symbol of the greater societal beliefs present within the play’s context and setting.

Another student, Gregory-Yves Fénélon, portrayed the character of Taxis, a ruling king who appears to be void of empathy and enjoys the suffering of others. Yet, as the story unfolds, Taxis shows his complexity and emotional vulnerability as he falls in

Graphic by Ana Bilokin.

love, has a daughter and experiences loss.

Fénélon expressively performed this character’s transitions and complexities, allowing the audience to get lost in the imagined world, following Taxis’s experiences and personal growth.

Although it followed the original format of Barker’s Animals In Paradise, this performance had a surrealist tone, with characters who appeared otherworldly and outrageous. As explained in the Concordia production’s

program,“Barker’s writing [...] is not bound down by the constraints of reality,” according to the director, Messier. “Part of his genius is to write such improbable scenes in a way that makes them seem truer than life.”

Adding to this production’s detailed interpretation of Barker’s work were the amazing costumes, provided by the university’s costume shop. Extravagant and intricately detailed, the stylistic elements of the characters’s wardrobes helped fully transport the audience into the otherworldly realm of the production.

Other small details, such as the repeated motif of several figures circling on bicycles, and blowing whistles and noisemakers,added to the production, emphasizing the unsettling, surrealist nature of the setting.

Throughout the entire play, Animals In Paradise creates a complex and, at times, confusing image of the world. Amid themes of love and loss, the production contrasts cruelty and animalistic behaviours with relatable, humanistic emotions and reactions. Despite being decisively removed from the context of the contemporary everyday, the play and its characters are still connected to the audience and the global experience of emotions. All of these aspects, along with the talented cast and crew, created an interesting, complex performance that took the audience to a place of surrealism while still connecting on a humanistic, empathetic, emotional level.

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

FINE ARTS

Slipping through the cracks For ceramic artists, patience makes all the difference

theconcordian

9

Happening in and around the White Cube this week…

CHLOË LALONDE | ARTS EDITOR

Student work from an introductory ceramics class installed in the VA building lobby. Photo by Chloë Lalonde.

CHLOË LALONDE ARTS EDITOR Ceramics is an often overlooked art practice that requires tremendous patience. Yet it is the foundation for everyday life. Humans have been sculpting with clay since the dawn of time, making pots and bowls to cook with and store food in. Ceramics branches off of that. Now much more refined, the process creates delicate products to be used and admired. Ceramics are handled daily but rarely contemplated.

Have you ever stopped to wonder how long it took to create the mug you ritually drink coffee out of?

According to the Concordia Ceramics Student Association (CCSA), there is a female majority in the program, and it is entirely run by women. Among these is Sara Sadawi, specializing in functional objects like mugs, cups, plates and bowls.

She particularly enjoys working with slabs of clay and using a technique called “slips” to add colour to her work. “Slips” is a form of pigmented liquid clay that can be applied to the surface of a project to add colour. Sadawi uses this method to create layers of colour, that, once carved into, reveal a hidden interior.

Although she usually works on many

small pieces at a time, which can take from a few days to about a week to complete, her focus is currently on her first large-scale project: creating complex compositions out of handmade clay geometric forms.

Sadawi has been working on the form for this assignment for three weeks, and hasn’t begun the additional two-week glazing and firing process yet.

Ceramic pieces can be made out of several different materials, or “clay bodies,” such as earthenware, stoneware, raku clay and porcelain. Each of their unique characteristics enable ceramic artists to vary the use and temperature at which the different clays can be fired in the kiln.

According to Sadawi, stoneware is a midrange firing clay body, which means the material must be fired at higher temperature compared to earthenware, a low fire clay, which requires much less heat.

Pieces are processed differently in each type of kiln firing. Using a wood, gas or electric kiln will have a different effect on the object. According to CCSA, “the facilities and instructors at Concordia introduce students to a wide range of tools, techniques and processes for working with clay.” Over the course of the program, students learn how to mix different clay bodies, glazes and firing processes.

Concordia fine arts alumna, Catherine

De Abreu and Julie Lavoie are two of the five exhibiting artists at 573°, the Virginia McClure Ceramic Biennale currently on display at the McClure Gallery in Westmount.

Although they have very visually distinct bodies of work, both artists prefer to handbuild and smoke fire their pieces.

Handbuilding means to sculpt the product by hand rather than use a mold or other tools.

Smoke firing requires the artist’s physical and mental presence and can often take up to 13 hours. It is a time-consuming, hot and labour-intensive process. It can also completely change a piece, causing it to crack or burn to a crisp. While this may seem like a risk, it is a fact that ceramic artists embrace.

“It is as though I am in partnership with the kiln,” De Abreu said. “I do my work, then the kiln continues independently.”

Handling rich materials like clay takes self-control, patience and the ability to let go. “As artists, in society, we have to endure a lot of patience not just in creating and completing the work, but also in finding a place to fit in, or not to fit in,” Sadawi said.

Sadawi will be participating in the Ceramics Student Association’s upcoming fundraiser, Come and get your pot! on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the FOFA Gallery in Concordia’s EV building.

STUDIO 7 ARTIST CALL-OUT Studio 7 is an experimental platform for young artists to show their work offered by the Department of Contemporary Dance at Concordia and is located on the seventh floor of the MB building. This “plurydisciplinary” space encourages students working in all mediums to apply to present and rediscover their work through the lens of movement and interaction with an audience.

For more information, visit www.studio-7. ca/shows. To apply, fill out the form online at www.studio-7.ca/events/the-gallery-1/ form.

Applications are due Nov. 14.

VAV GALLERY WINTER 2019 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS The VAV gallery is now accepting submissions for their winter 2019 general programming and special exhibitions. Special exhibitions include the VAVxCUCCR Reuse Residency as well as one strictly featuring performance art. The gallery is open to any type of performance with any materials or tools, and encourages artists working in any media to apply.

To submit artwork for the general programming, fill out the application form online at www.vavgallery.concordia.ca/submission/.

Applications are due Dec. 7 by 11:59 p.m.

To apply for the VAVxCUCCR Reuse Residency, fill out the application form online at, www.vavgallery.concordia.ca/ submission/vav-x-cuccr-residency-2019/.

Applications are due Nov. 30 by 11:59 p.m.

ART MATTERS ARTIST CALL-OUT This year, Art Matters is seeking artists for ten exhibitions taking place during the festival in March 2019. Curatorial themes range from the unconventional, communication, duality, text, sovereignty, materiality, interactivity, “arte-utile,” dreams, silence and embodiment.

Artists can submit up to two applications, solo or in small groups of five members at most.

To apply, fill out the application form online at www.artmattersfestival.org/en/getinvolved Applications are due Dec. 7 by 11:59 p.m.

INARTE JOURNAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS The InARTE Journal is a student-run online publication dedicated to promoting visual art and culture in art education. For issue 09, students from all fine arts departments are encouraged to submit visual and written work (creative, academic or pedagogical) surrounding ideas of how emotions resonate in artmaking in and outside of the classroom.

For questions, inquiries and submissions, email inarte.journal@gmail.com.

The submission deadline is Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.

Catherine De Abreu created her globe, Anthropocene, using a combination of time-consuming techniques. Photo by Hannah Ewen.

Graphic by Ana Bilokin.

music

MUSIC EDITOR /// music@theconcordian.com SIMON NEW

Quickspins

FILM REVIEW

Is this just fantasy?

t1 SMINO Noir

Rami Malek brings Freddie Mercury to life in Bohemian Rhapsody FATIMA DIA ASSISTANT LIFE EDITOR Open your eyes, look up to the screen, and see just a poor boy make the most legendary music of all time.

Rami Malek delivered an honest and stunning portrayal of Queen's frontman in Bohemian Rhapsody.

I walked into the movie theatre with my friend at 1:20 p.m., thinking I’d catch a relatively empty theatre. I found most seats taken by elderly people; I knew I was around real fans.

When the movie was first announced in 2010, I believed Sacha Baron Cohen would have made the perfect Freddie Mercury. Boy, am I glad that didn’t go through. From the constant pursing of the lips to the jittery head movement, Malek had Mercury down to a tee. It’s no surprise that critics, despite some negative feedback about the film’s production, had nothing but praise for him.

Now picture this. It ’s the Green Day Concert at Hyde Park in London in 2017, but the band is late. On comes “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and more than 65,000 people chant along to the anthem, word for word, tone for tone, melody for melody. The whole five minutes and 50 seconds. That’s the kind of timelessness that Rami Malek brought to the screen. And for me, that’s how epic the movie was.

The opening scene followed Freddie Mercury from his home bathroom to the backstage of the Live Aid concert.

Fans could tell it was him from the white sleeveless undershirt, tight jeans, black belt with silver studs, and black leather bracelet around his bicep, along with silver studs—the outfit he was best known for wearing at his concerts.

In the background, “Somebody to Love” played. Fitting, considering the scene showed a lonely Mercury. Right before he set foot on stage, the screen faded to Farrokh Bulsara—the man before the stage. This is the beginning of Freddie Mercury.

Subtlet y was the movie’s main controversial aspect: some critics and fans were disappointed that the movie did not explicitly showcase Mercury’s sexuality and substance-use. It’s true, those aspects are fundamental when it comes to por t r aying Mercur y ’s personality. But so much more value was added to the performances and to Mercury’s emotional struggle by focusing on that instead of sex and drugs.

In a scene where Mary Austin goes to Munich to see Mercury, there’s cocaine on the table, but it doesn’t show him snorting it. During Queen’s first tour in America, there’s a scene where a male truck driver gives Mercury a look before they both enter a bathroom, and it’s clearly implied that they hook up.

The tension between Mercury and his and out, sunglasses on, and his hand father was almost tangible—both Ace on his head, Malek’s performance and Bhatti (who played Mercury’s father) and the direction of the scene were engagMalek delivered an exceptional show of ing and devastating. I could feel him love and tension with minimal words. suffocating and still trying to deal with When it comes to recent movies, answering extremely personal questions sex and explicit scenes are a huge that had nothing to do with his music.

Much room was left for the actors par t of t he equat ion—more of ten than not it’s because they never fail to get as personal as possible—to to get people’s attention. Bohemian me, creating scenes from an omnipRhapsody ’s subtlety is a breath of otent-narrative stance (a third party) fresh air to me, and it allowed the gives more information to the audience, viewer a lot of room to focus on but doesn’t allow us to go through the Mercury as a person. People know story with them as confusingly as the that he did cocaine and was gay, and characters themselves.

The end took the viewer back to the I don’t think it’s necessary to expand on those details. The close-up shots of Live Aid Concert and the same steps Malek’s eyes while the party continued that Mercury took in the opening scene. in the background showed more of his This time, we’re shown the whole of pain than a shot of him snorting cocaine it: Roger Taylor, Brian May and John would. The way he spoke to Jim Hutton Deacon surrounding Mercury as they showed more of his homosexuality prepare to step onto the stage. This than a sex scene would. scene is difficult to describe in words, When Mercury buys a house, only but I will say that it will rock you.

Roger is able to be there. Through Malek’s The film ended while the credits performance and the trembling of his rolled over “The Show Must Go On,” voice, you can tell how desperately and the audience did not move. lonely Mercury felt. The singer going Every criticism of the film I heard prior above and beyond to throw a party to then completely disappeared—not showed the extent to which he tried only because of the movie itself, but to hide his loneliness. also because of the energy in that The production did a great job at room; a silent, collective appreciation portraying the struggle with depression of Malek as an actor, and the beauty and loneliness in someone as flamboyant of storytelling. a n d o u t - o fthe-ordinary as Mercur y. I think Bohemian Rhapsody— considering the different interpretations of the song that include suicide attempts, demons in your head and death— showed how sneaky darkness can be.

The most heartbreaking part, to me, was the press conference dur ing which reporters practically attacked Mercury.

“I’m not the band leader, I’m just the lead s i n g e r,” s a i d a n e x a s p e rated Mercury.

“There are four of us, why a r e yo u o n l y ask ing me? ” With flashes Malek delivered an exceptional show of love and tension with and cameras minimal words. and zooming in

Downtown JV Smino’s sophomore album, Noir, can be described as musical soul food. The newest project from the St. Louis native is filled with the sing-songy flow that he mastered on his debut project, blkswn. Smino’s voice transitions eloquently from Future-esque falsettos on “KLINK” to his hard hitting flow on “KRUSHED ICE.” The production is handled mainly by Monte Booker, Sango, and Smino himself. The beats mix funk, soul and trap together to create a sound that stands out at the end of a year crowded with new releases. “TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD” also sees Smino experimenting with Spanishinfluenced sounds that could make for a fantastic single. While a bit long, Noir is certainly worth listening to in its entirety.

It’s an album crafted with care and originality and should not be overlooked.

 TRIAL TRACK: TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD

8/10  STAR BAR: “Who dat boy? He from the Lou', he is a animal Keep me some ice in my hands Yeah, I got a burr wrist, think I'm Hannibal” - Smino on “VERIZON” — LOUIS PAVLAKOS, CONTRIBUTOR

2

METRO BOOMIN NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES

Republic Records After a month of silence, Metro Boomin tweeted “METRO BOOMIN PRESENTS: NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES.” Less than 48 hours later, the album popped up on streaming platforms everywhere.

Metro Boomin has made it clear that he is here to stay after announcing his retirement in April. In his first release of the year, Metro grabs the likes of Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Young Thug and many more of rap’s top talent to collaborate on a trap album with enough features to satisfy any hip hop head. Gucci Mane’s intro blends flawlessly into Scott’s Astroworld-esque track “Overdue,” yet this smooth transitioning can be heard between every song on the album. Gunna and Swae Lee’s singing voices provide appreciated downtime from heavy trap verses by the album’s more aggressive rappers. And of course, an essential Drake feature to send us off.

 TRIAL TRACK: Space Cadet (feat. Gunna)

8/10  STAR BAR: “At 17, I wanted everything that was in store. At 23, I bought it all just to make sure.” – Drake on “No Complaints (feat. Drake & Offset)” — JACOB CAREY, STAFF WRITER

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

theconcordian

11

SHOW REVIEW

Jazz Cartier wows crowd through the flu Toronto rapper performs upon the release of four new songs

IMMANUEL MATTHEWS ASSISTANT MUSIC EDITOR Jazz Cartier is one of Toronto’s biggest names in hip hop, but on the fourth stop of his Fleurever Yours tour at Le Belmont on Nov. 8, it felt as though there were no barriers between the crowd and the rising star.

Cartier’s latest show marked his fourth time performing in the city. Cartier, also known as Jacuzzi LaFleur, was on Post Malone’s tour when he passed through the city back in 2016. He also had a show with J. Cole signee J.I.D. at Le Belmont in June 2017.

Cartier’s last show in Montreal was that same month, as part of Fool’s Gold DAY OFF, a one-day festival put on by A-Trak's Brooklyn label. That day, Cartier shared the stage with Speng Squire for the first time, a Montreal rapper who opened for him this past Thursday.

Speng has been making noise in the city’s hip hop scene for some years now.

The 23-year-old rapper has a wide array of remixes and original tracks, posted on his YouTube channel, where he’s garnered thousands of views. Earlier this year, he released his debut album, Expressions of Now, gaining recognition from media outlets such as Complex and the Montreal Gazette.

Speng brought out TGEMarx, a member of up-and-coming Montreal hip hop collective The Grey Era as a guest on his set.

They performed the unreleased track “My Dreams,” a collaboration between the two LaSalle natives.

“I mess with [TGEMarx’s] energy,” said

SHOW REVIEW

Cartier working the crowd. Photo by Chris Carpenter for CB43Media.

Speng. “You can tell a lot by the energy you feel from someone. They don’t even need to say anything, you just feel it.”

As the opening act came to a close, the crowd slowly grew. The tight quarters of the venue began to feel increasingly cramped.

The intermission couldn’t have been more than half an hour, though it felt like more, thanks to the growing blend of anticipation and excitement that filled the air. While the show was originally planned to be held at MTELUS, a last minute switch to Le Belmont provided a more intimate night.

Finally, Cartier came on stage and the crowd erupted. Those furthest from the stage couldn’t have been more than 40 feet away from him, close proximity considering the level of fame Cartier boasts.

After performing a few of the most popular songs from his first mixtape, Marauding in Paradise, Cartier removed his sunglasses and took a moment in

between tracks to address his “flowers,” the name he gave to his fan base some years ago—all members of a community of supports, which he calls “Petal Garden.”

“I got the flu and I haven’t been feeling the best, but there was no way I would cancel on you guys,” Cartier said. “I had to come perform tonight.”

The 200-something person crowd immediately erupted in cheers—Cartier’s determination filled them with excitement.

After performing some of his most popular tracks, including “Godflower,” “Tempted” and “Right Now,” accompanied by colourful anime-style graphics on a screen behind the DJ booth and dim, basement party-vibe lighting, an unfamiliar song began to play. For the first time of the night, no one sang along with Cartier’s melodic, slightly auto-tuned vocals.

Then, the music stopped.

“No one knew this, but I’m actually

dropping four new songs tonight,” Cartier said. “Here’s one of them.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as he performed “Cuzzi Relax,” one of the four new songs which formed the deluxe version of his album, Fleurever. The attendees swung their heads and hands as if he was performing one of their favourite songs.

Cartier’s set time came to the 60-minute mark, and shouts of “another one” were heard throughout the crowd as they began to anticipate the show’s end. Cartier, sensing the sudden dispiritedness, addressed the crowd.

“I love this city, man. I’m reppin’ Toronto, you’re reppin’, Montreal but we’re all from Canada. We’re all a family, fleurever,” he said.

As the crowd hollered in loving approval, Cartier’s DJ began playing his song “Dead or Alive,” a fan-favourite for its catchy, menacing chorus and organ-heavy beat.

The crowd rapped along, word for word, jumping to the beat in sync with Cartier.

The show came to an end and distinct looks of approval were visible all around.

Before stepping off the stage, Cartier had his own way of showing love for the night.

“Before I leave, I want to take a picture with every single one of you in this crowd,” Cartier said. “Thank you guys so much, for everything.”

Cartier jumped down from the stage and walked through the crowd with security, stopping to shake hands with anyone who sought his. He walked into the next room and took a seat as a line formed at the door.

LaFleur awaited his garden.

Lou Phelps gets higher

Montreal rapper is ready to break out with brother Kaytranada the stage at 11 p.m., sipping from a straw i n h i s b ot t l e of Tanqueray gin. Beginning his set with “Fairview Term,” Lavender’s charisma and vibrant presence s et t he precedent for t he hour s of Gin in one hand and mic in another, Maky Lavender spits while he lively hip hop sips on stage. Photo by Louis Pavlakos. to come.

While DJ JACOB CAREY NMK may have initiated a “SIP! SIP! SIP!” STAFF WRITER chant for Maky to sip from the bottle, it was the crowd that quickly turned this Previously, Louis-Philippe Celestin request into “CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!” at m ay h ave si m p ly b e e n kn own a s the end of every song.

Montreal producer Kay tranada’s “Y’all are absolutely crazy. It’s like brother. Now, he is a standalone artist you want me to die,” Maky said with known as Lou Phelps. a smile on his face.

On Friday evening, Le Belmont hosted Tony Stone of Planet Giza hopped Montreal hip hop fans for a memorable on stage to perform his feature on their night of local talent. Montreal West crowd-pleasing song, “Keep Up.” Maky Island rapper Maky Lavender first took went on to sing “Ukannafo (The Susan

Song)” with fans hollering the chorus right back at him. Hours later, Maky could be seen standing on top of the DJ booth at Apt. 200, still sipping.

After a brief intermission, Phelps opened up with “Uptempo,” a collaboration song by him and his brother, Kaytranada, under the name The Celestics. Calm and collected, Phelps’s stage presence was a mix of cocky and humble, flawlessly delivering his verses to a packed venue.

Stone was called back on stage to perform the Planet Giza-featured tracks, “Fun N Games” and “2 Seater,” off of Phelp’s newest album, 002 / LOVE ME .

The two performers showed off their chemistry and crowd swaying abilities throughout the set.

Phelps’s track “Average” off his first album 001: Experiments showed the first signs of a mosh pit within the crowd.

He was able to temporarily calm this down by requesting that the audience squat down for his intro to “Want To (For the Youth),” but the chorus drop found the crowd right back where it left off.

The energy only escalated from there when “Miss Phatty” came through the speakers, one of the lead singles from his sophomore album.

Continuing with his most recent hits, Phelps performed “Squeeze” and then called artist Pony to the mic to sing their collaboration song, “ Tast y.” Yet, the reaction to “Come Inside” made it clear that it was one of the songs the audience was waiting for. Phelps played “Higher” after asking “Montreal, you trying to get higher?,” and went on to close his set with “Come Inside” for the second time. This time, he had a different guest to accompany him. After walking on stage to cheers and applause, Kaytranada hugged his brother and got behind the DJ booth to spin the track that he produced.

Phelps thanked the crowd for their love and support and exited the stage.

However, Kaytranada was the DJ for the rest of the night and played a variety of mixes, both his own and other artists’s.

This treat kept fans on the dance floor and the vibes up all night long.

For a man who has played at international festivals with crowds of thousands, and collaborated with huge artists, it is admirable that one can still catch Kaytranada spinning for 100 people at Le Belmont on a Friday night. If only passerbys walking down St. Laurent knew who was playing inside.

sports

SPORTS EDITOR /// sports@theconcordian.com NICHOLAS DI GIOVANNI ( @n_digiovanni)

PROFILE

Hooked on a rugby lifestyle

COLOUR COMMENTARY

Michael Laplaine-Pereira enjoys the culture of the sport he loves

WITH NICHOLAS DI GIOVANNI

Michael Laplaine-Pereira led the league in tries this season with five, despite playing only five games. Photo by Hannah Ewen.

KAYLA-MARIE TURRICIANO COPY EDITOR “My favourite thing would be stepping on the field right before the kickoff,” said Michael Laplaine-Pereira, a hooker on the Stingers men’s rugby team. “To feel physically ready and mentally ready, to see that first ball leave the kicker and run, that’s the best feeling.”

On Sept. 25, the Stingers honoured Laplaine-Pereira with male Athlete of the Week. He said it was rewarding, not only as a personal achievement, but because it gave rugby the recognition it often misses out on because of the more popular sports. He also praised the work his teammates do to allow him to succeed on the field.

“At the end of the day, this is a team sport and we’re dependent on the others standing next to us,” Laplaine-Pereira said. “You really get a sense of how much you can accomplish because of [the team]. It feels like every highlight of my season has been [curated] by the other players. Everything I do, it’s not doable without them.”

After an impressive season of five tries in five games—the most in the league—and two game MVP honours, it’s a shame Laplaine-Pereira wasn’t able to show off his skills in the playoffs. On Oct. 19, in the fifth regular-season game against cross-town rivals McGill Redmen, Laplaine-Pereira received a red card for kicking a Redmen player in the head. He was suspended for four games, missing the remainder of the season as the Stingers went undefeated en route to a championship.

“It’s probably one of the top three most emotionally challenging moments of my life,” said Laplaine-Pereira about not being able to play in the playoffs.

“After it happened, I was crying because it was so hard [to deal with]. It was a mistake. I knew it was my fault; I didn’t hide from it.”

Before the rest of the team went back onto the field after halftime

of the McGill game, Laplaine-Pereira said: “We all make mistakes on the field; we see each other make mistakes. What rugby’s about, the brotherhood, it’s to not blame [anyone], but it’s to pick them up and adapt for the best [interest] of the team. What I did, it’s unacceptable, not for the rules, but for the culture.”

Head coach Craig Beemer spoke to Laplaine-Pereira during halftime and told him how, after playing hard and rough, part of the culture is that you can go grab a drink with the opponent.

“The culture behind rugby, the family, it’s not the same as in soccer,” said the 23-year-old. He also noted that rugby is less competitive than soccer, and he loves the culture behind the sport, which includes the “unspoken guidelines, the unwritten rules” Laplaine-Pereira holds close.

Laplaine-Pereira was enrolled in sports starting at a young age and has always been active. Before rugby, he played soccer for almost a decade. He said he remembers his parents being there for him and encouraging him when he was five years old, and that support hasn’t faded.

Laplaine-Pereira’s parents are originally from Portuguese colonies in Africa—his dad from Angola and his mom from Zaire,

now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They moved to Canada for a better life, where Laplaine-Pereira and his brother could get a chance to continue their education.

At 14, Laplaine-Pereira injured his knee playing soccer, which put him out of play for six months. He had also just changed high schools for the third time and was going through some personal issues. Ultimately, LaplainePereira took a break from playing sports for four years. He wasn’t part of a team until Cégep, when he joined the Vanier Cheetahs soccer team.

During his time at Vanier College, where he studied health science from 2012 to 2016, his soccer coach suggested he play rugby. In his final year, LaplainePereira played for both teams but saw far greater success as a rugby player.

He made the all-star team, was almost nominated for MVP and was deemed the most consistent player.

When he started at Concordia in the winter of 2016, Laplaine-Pereira was enrolled in biochemistry but hated it. He decided to switch into a more practical field, and ended up in environmental science. After realizing he hated that too, Laplaine-Pereira changed to software engineering last year. Despite constantly changing programs, he admitted that Concordia, especially the sports complex, is like a second home, and his teammates are like his family.

The third-year player is also a reservist and has worked as an infantry officer for the Canadian Armed Forces for the past three years. This is where he gets “down and dirty in the woods.” His job as an officer includes planning and organizing events, such as exercises for his team. His current education path would allow him to be a cyber operator for the army or could lead to a career in AI. He said he might even mix his skills as a project manager with his passion for gaming, in the hopes of working for Blizzard Entertainment, the video game developer behind World of Warcraft.

Laplaine-Pereira (in grey hoodie) did not get to play in the final, which the Stingers won on Nov. 10. Photo by Hannah Ewen.

Usually, the Ottawa Senators are the gift that keeps on giving. This year, every little thing they've done is laughable, from trading captain Erik Karlsson for eight not-so-good assets, to having owner Eugene Melnyck sit down with defenceman Mark Borowiecki for an awkward interview. The Senators went from being one goal away from the Stanley Cup Final in 2017 to one of the worst teams a year later, and they gave the rest of the hockey world something to laugh at along the way.

However, the Senators’s latest incident is nothing to laugh at, and I actually feel bad for the team. On Nov. 5, the Ottawa Citizen released a security video from inside an Uber ride seven players took together in Arizona. During the ride, forwards Matt Duchene and Chris Tierney, along with defencemen Thomas Chabot and Chris Wideman, made fun of assistant coach Martin Raymond.

Wideman and Duchene are the most active in the conversation, criticizing Raymond for his coaching style, or lack thereof. “We don’t change anything ever, so why do we even have a meeting,” Duchene asked.

“I haven’t paid attention in three weeks.”

When the video was released, the players and the Senators got heat for it and became the laughing stock of the NHL again. But you know what, it’s not even that big of a deal. In fact, the Uber driver and the Citizen are in the wrong for posting the video and breaching the players’ privacy.

Is it really a surprise that they’re mocking their coach? Not at all. When Raymond’s penalty-killing unit is running at 70 per cent efficiency, fourth-worst in the league, did you expect players to be praising his work behind his back? It’s not like they attacked him personally or made death threats, they were making fun of how he coaches and how their penalty-killing is so bad.

It’s as if the media holds NHL players to a higher standard when they’re outside the rink. Yes, hockey players have to be role models and set a good example for their young fans, but is the Citizen seriously going to tarnish them just for saying some things in an Uber? They’re people too—the fact that they were in an Uber and not drinking and driving is enough to show they’re responsible.

I’m sure the people at the Citizen have said some nasty things about their bosses too, but luckily for them, they haven’t been caught doing it.

This whole situation is just ridiculous, and all the Senators need to worry about is improving their penalty kill.

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

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FOOTBALL

Head coach wants to know players better next season

Stingers faced challenges with Collinson coming in so close to start of year so there’s that progression and adaptation,” Collinson said. “So for them, not knowing me as well, trying to get our points across on things we wanted to do and things we wanted to instill took some time.”

Despite the quick changes, Collinson is still happy about how his players adapted. “The kids bought into what we were The Stingers missed the playoffs for the first time in trying to do,” he added. “So that, five years. Photo by Mackenzie Lad. moving forward, will be very NICHOLAS DI GIOVANNI helpful and they’ll be able to teach the new SPORTS EDITOR kids coming in how we want to do things.”

In addition to the new coach, the The past 12 months for the Concor- Stingers also had a new starting quarterdia Stingers football team have been back. Adam Vance took over from Trenton a roller-coaster ride. Former head Miller, who graduated at the end of last coach Mickey Donovan left the team season. Miller was hurt towards the end last January for the Montreal Alou- of last year, so Vance did get a few starts, ettes, and his brother Pat, who was but that was under Donovan’s offence. the interim head coach, quit last May. Vance finished the season with 1,635 Current head coach Brad Collinson yards passing, 56.4 per cent completion, took over in June, and the team finished five touchdowns and 10 interceptions in the season with a 2-6 record. They missed eight starts. Despite throwing the most the playoffs for the first time since 2013, interceptions in the Réseau du sport étudiant when they went 0-8. The head coach du Québec (RSEQ) this season, he had the was on CJLO Sports on Oct. 29 and talked second-most passing yards, behind Université about the challenges of taking over the de Laval Rouge et Or’s Hugo Richard. team so close to the start of the season.

“I’m sure he’s not as happy as he wants “You don’t know the student-athletes to be with his season but, moving forward,

I think he can build on this,” Collinson said. mirror and see what we need to do to “Hopefully, for next year, he’ll come in pre- get better,” Collinson said, adding that pared and know what to expect as a starter.” they’re going back to the drawing board.

Vance had the luxury of having Jarryd Taylor available as a receiver. He finished COACHING JOB POSTED the season with 24 catches for a leagueConcordia University posted a job high 527 yards, and two touchdowns. opening for the head coaching position Collinson expects the third-year player to on Oct. 30. Stingers athletics director be a major part of his team next season. D’Arcy Ryan said it’s just a human resource “He had some really big games formality, since they didn’t go through then teams caught up to what he this process with Collinson in June. was doing, so he can grow from “After Mickey Donovan quit last January, this as well,” the head coach said. the job was never posted, so we’re just On the defensive side of the ball, the through the regular process,” Ryan said.

Stingers gave up the most points in the “Collinson was not relieved of his duties RSEQ, allowing 38 points per game—no and he’s still under contract with us.” other team allowed more than 30. They had With files from Matthew Coyte. only 10 forced turnovers on defence, compared to 25 on offence, once again the worst in each category. Rushing was their biggest weakness, allowing 6.9 yards per carry, and opponents scored 15 touchdowns against the Stingers on the ground.

For the head coach, fixing the defensive problems is a priority in the offseason.

The Stingers allowed the most rushing yards this season, “We’re going to with 6.9 yards/carry. Photo by Mackenzie Lad. look ourselves in the

FEATURE

Statistical analysis aims to better understand fans Mike Kelly uses unique information to give a different perspective on hockey

From left to right: Mike Kelly, Neil Lane, Scott MacIntosh and Brian MacDonald discuss sports analytics. Photo by Alec Brideau.

ALEC BRIDEAU STAFF WRITER Statistical analysis consists of collecting and analyzing information or statistics about target groups or trends, in order to better identify and understand them. This procedure, now used by most sports organizations, was discussed at the John Molson Sports Marketing (JMSM) conference on Nov. 2, and panelists see it as a benefit for fans.

“I think it allows the fans to understand the game and the players better,” said TSN hockey analyst Mike Kelly. “The more you understand something, the more passionate and invested you will be in it.”

Kelly explained that statistical analysis often brings new angles to his stories.

It is an asset in his work, as it helps to reach a vaster audience.

“I think my goal in all of this is to get [sports fans] more engaged in the game,” Kelly said. “It tells them stories they might not know, or adds context and layers to stories they might know.”

Statistical analysis is used in many different ways to customize a fan's experience. Scott MacIntosh, head of sports analytics and business development with SAP Sports, said the use of statistical analysis in sports can go as deep as it can be casual.

“If you start building products that fit with the fans and the level [at which] you identify them, in terms of what experience they want to have with you, it can go really deep, or stays as casual as a fan telling you they want a certain thing,” MacIntosh said.

MacIntosh added that statistical analysis allows creativity for organizations, which

leads to unique experiences for their fans.

“There was a team in the United States that was giving something as interesting as creating virtual season tickets for the fans,” MacIntosh said. “An NBA fan could receive a recorded phone call from their favourite player on a game day. They were bringing that experience from the start of the day, right until you got to the arena.”

According to co-founder and CEO of Stathletes Neil Lane, the use of statistical analysis to improve fans’s experiences is done by thinking from their perspective.

“Everybody's on their phone, and there are not a lot [of fans] watching the game,” Lane said. “So how do you use analytics to create more entertainment for our fans? From my experience, on [Kelly’s] side and on the media’s side, there are a lot of ways you can engage them with statistical

[tools] that will tell them better stories.”

Lane explained that sports teams have many techniques in place to gather statistics and build better experiences for fans.

“Some arenas have cameras in them that are just watching the fans,” Lane said. “They’re seeing what fans are wearing, reading, drinking, texting, and even what site they are on on their phones.It takes the data points so it can drive that second experience in the future because of that.”

Kelly said fans have been really open to statistical analysis in his work.

“There are still fans who just want to sit down, have a beer and watch a hockey game,” Kelly said. “For me, it's just a way to tell different and unique stories, and I think a lot of fans have been very receptive to it.”

opinions OPINIONS EDITOR /// opinions@theconcordian.com SANIA MALIK

EDITORIAL

Concordia’s food system is a near-monopoly On Nov. 2, a group of Concordia students protested Food Secure Canada’s 10th national assembly. The assembly used Aramark to cater its event, which is in direct conflict to its supposed mission: to promote and develop sustainable and accessible food systems that are healthy, safe and defined by the people that live within that system, according to its website.

If you don’t know who Aramark is, you’re not alone. Even though it is the largest food provider in Canada and America and is active in 21 countries, it is extremely good at hiding its name. In fact, you may not have known that the residence cafeterias at Loyola and the downtown campus are owned by Aramark, as well as many on-campus food sites, such as the Starbucks and the Tim Hortons/Freshii area in the LB building. Outside Concordia, Aramark supplies food to many prisons in America, schools, hospitals and other cafeterias around the world.

The group’s reason for protesting the assembly was to warn attendees that Aramark was catering the event—many of whom reported not knowing that prior to the event, and were outraged to find out. According to pamphlets distributed by event protestors, Aramark is known for the following violations: serving food with maggots in it to prisoners on several occasions, 66 counts of wage, hour, labour and employment discrimination, and

SOCIETY

turning a blind eye to numerous sexual assault allegations within the company.

Aramark also has a history of supporting and increasing the ubiquity of the private prison system in America with hefty political donations, undoubtedly to increase its “customer base.”

Concordia allows Aramark to rent many spaces at Concordia for surprisingly low costs compared to the estimated yield of those spaces as part of a five-year contract with the possibility of a two-year extension.

This contract began in May 2015.

Luckily, there is an organization at Concordia called the Concordia Food Coalition (CFC) that is organizing a campaign to lessen Aramark’s grip on Concordia’s

food economy, and to establish healthier, more sustainable and less profit-driven initiatives in its place. The campaign, which is called the Food Autonomy Campaign (FAC) attempts to amend Concordia’s contract with its food provider in order to make the food system more ethical and less profit-driven. The FAC aims to change Concordia’s food economy in ways that find the balance between what is realistic/ achievable while still being effective.

According to a member of the campaign, these are the core demands: 1) to remove some spaces from the contract that Concordia holds with Aramark and replace them with student-run food providers like the Hive Café, or with other options that

are more concerned with issues often neglected by the university’s current provider, like local food sourcing, fair wages, sustainability and student opportunities; 2) to increase the amount of dining dollars residence students get to spend at places outside of the cafeteria (it is currently $200) without increasing the price of the meal plan, as well as allow students to spend that money at non-Aramark owned locations on campus (which is currently not the case); 3) to allow for students to shorten their contract with residence food services and use alternative food sources from the cafeteria like open kitchens, where they could make/store their own food if they wish.

We at The Concordian believe in supporting local economies over multinational corporations when possible, and we support the Concordia Food Coalition in their Food Autonomy Campaign to create those alternatives at Concordia. If you agree that Aramark’s monopoly over Concordia’s food system should be dismantled and replaced with ethical alternatives, spread the word about Aramark and its devious acts and support the CFC and FAC whenever you see them on campus. Both groups have Facebook pages with regular updates and more information, and you can contact foodautonomycampaign@gmail.com to see how you can get involved.

Graphic by @spooky_soda

Poker-faces are pathetic, people!

Why we need to start embracing emotions rather than fiercely rejecting them AMANDA KATHERINE VITARO STAFF WRITER If emotions make you sensitive, passionate or compassionate toward others, congratulations, you’re an empath. Plenty of people are glad that the word ‘empath' exists. And yes, I suppose it is needed.

But only in relation to the super messed up society we live in, which tells us that feeling anything other than indifferent is gross.

Think about it: you can’t feel hungry anymore without also being body shamed.

You can’t feel shy without also feeling like a loser. And God forbid you feel sad or concerned for someone else, because that sure is useless!

So this word is used to differentiate those who acknowledge emotions from those who pretend they don’t. And now, empaths are made to feel like they’re overemotional. If we get emotional at work, we’re deemed “unprofessional.” Among friends, we’re known as “the sensitive one.” In the dating world, showing emotional depth is equated with vulnerability. But what are we vulnerable to?

Understanding? Acceptance? Connection?

Indeed, we empaths seldom look at ourselves (or each other) in a positive light,

and that’s a real shame. Because being thoughtful and compassionate is the first step to true heroism. So no, I don’t think it’s fair that the word ‘emotion’ gets tethered to other words with negative connotations, like immature, fragile and, worst of all, weak.

But in a world that worships fake looks over real personality, it’s no wonder everyone is striving to feel as much as a cardboard cut-out. Social media, television and pop culture have done a fantastic job at fooling us into believing life is all about fronts. This hasn’t just propagated unrealistic standards of beauty, it has promoted unrealistic

standards of what it means to be human.

Under the example of celebrities, political leaders and #influencers, feeling 100 per cent fierce 100 per cent of the time has become everyone’s main goal. You’re not supposed to feel heartbroken; you’re supposed to feel numbness toward romance, yet with an insatiable need to have sassy sex with strangers. You’re not allowed to feel nervous when speaking in front of a crowd; what you ought to feel is extreme assurance that you own the room. If you’re anything less than certain that your presence is a privilege unto all who cross your path, then you’re not strong, and that’s pathetic.

This is the lie we empaths have internalized, thanks to the sickening logic of self-absorbed capitalists who toy with our emotions to fill up their pocketbooks. And it makes sense for them to trick us; the more walls we build, the more we underestimate the value of immaterial pleasures like true friendship and romance. Indeed, equating emotion to weakness is just another clever marketing strategy used by public figures to keep the rest of us locked in a matrix of chronic insecurity. Feelings shouldn’t be talked about—they should be covered up with a brand-name poker face, right?

Wrong. So, so wrong. Behind even the most decked-out bulletproof vest beats the heart of a living, breathing, feeling human. To my fellow empaths, as you go about your daily lives, being made to feel inferior because of the intensity with which you perceive the world, please remember this: to the right person (i.e. another empath) your ability to be authentic will make you more attractive than even the most airbrushed Kardashian or thick-skinned Hercules.

One day, you’ll meet someone who will love and embrace you, not in spite of your feelings but precisely because of them. So don’t feel ashamed… just feel.

Graphic by @spooky_soda

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

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FAME

‘Cancel culture’ and problematic celebrities We must hold famous people accountable and push them to reflect, rather than retract

Graphic by @spooky_soda

CALLIE GIACCONE STAFF WRITER Now more than ever, celebrities are being called out for their problematic comments.

This has resulted in many of them being “canceled,” meaning that society no longer supports them due to their past behaviour.

Cancel culture does not address issues such as sexual misconduct or illegal activities, but rather offensive comments the celebrities have shared, mainly found on social media platforms and in inter views.

I think there should be a distinction between “cancelling” celebrities and simply calling them out. Let’s use Katy Perry as an example. Perry lacks a lot of social awareness. This was clear in 2008 when she came out with the songs “Ur so gay” and “I Kissed a Girl.” These songs were extremely problematic toward the LGBTQ+ community. She has also practically embodied the definition of cultural appropriation with copious tone-deaf music videos. Do I think Perry has no chance of effecting positive social influence because she released problematic songs in 2008? I’m not sure. What I am sure of is that society’s criticisms put pressure on Perry to be more respectful. Whether or not she learns from this criticism is her choice.

One of the main issues surrounding cancel culture is the iconization of an individual celebrity. I think, as a society, we give celebrities too much influence over our lives. Personally, I often catch myself obsessing over specific celebrities I think hold the same values as me.

It’s one thing to love the work of certain famous people, to enjoy their platforms and learn from them, but I think there is a reoccurring issue of giving them too much influence over how we think. This is problematic because when they inevitably make mistakes, we often do one of two things: ignore the mistake and make excuses for them, or cancel them because they weren’t who we built them up to be. Frankly, I often forget that my favourite icons are not

actually my friends; they’re people with flaws and insecurities, hopes and dreams, fears and demons. I don’t actually see them outside of the way they’re presented—I don’t see them as multidimensional characters with depth.

Cancel culture is extreme because celebrities often end up representing a lot of the western world. They become our role models and, if they get cancelled for an offensive comment or statement, it sends a message that there’s no use in learning from your mistake. If these celebrities get completely shut down, then how can they be expected to learn from their mistakes? This applies to non-famous people too. This is not to say that offensive comments should be excused, but celebrities should be encouraged to introspect and reflect when they slip up, rather than make a simple PR statement or be cancelled.

Overall, the phenomenon of “political correctness” is a movement that has promoted respect and understanding from different intersections of society. Yes, cancel culture does make celebrities fearful about what they say and do—and to a certain extent, that’s a very good thing.

Marginalized communities have been fighting tirelessly for their vo ices to be heard. One way they can do so is by expressing their distaste or anger towards problematic comments made by celebrities. However, I think we need to find a balance between shutting someone down entirely and reprimanding them for their ignorance.

They should have the space to reflect and grow.

When people say the world is becoming too sensitive and that people are too easily offended, it’s very important to remember that this isn't true. People were always offended. Only now, thanks to societal shifts , decentralized communication and increased community organization with social media platforms, we can hear them a bit better. But let’s remember to hear everyone out, and offer wrongdoers the space to grow and learn, r at h er t han b e c an celle d an d s hunn e d .

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NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Graphic by @spooky_soda

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Concordia University’s weekly, independent student newspaper HEAD COPY EDITOR VICTORIA LEWIN COPY EDITORS KATYA TEAGUE KAYLA-MARIE TURRICIANO KATELYN THOMAS copy@theconcordian.com BUSINESS MANAGER FRANCIS LADOUCEUR business@theconcordian.com ADVERTISING MANAGER BILAL QADRI advertising@theconcordian.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS NATHALIE LAFLAMME DAVID EASEY directors@theconcordian.com

CONTRIBUTORS: Alexia Martel Desjardins, Alec Brideau, Amanda Vitaro, Callie Giaccone, Elise Martin, Grayson Acri, Jacob Carey, Kenneth Gibson, Louis Pavlakos, Youmna El Halabi

VOL. 36, ISSUE 12 NOV. 13, 2018.

OUR COVER THIS WEEK “Climate change march” Photo by Mackenzie Lad. FOLLOW US ON    COME TO OUR WEEKLY STORY MEETING AT THE LOYOLA CAMPUS CC-431 FRIDAY AT 12:00 P.M. PITCH. WRITE. EDIT. Editorial office 7141 Sherbrooke St. W Building CC - 431 Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 (514) 848-2424 ext. 7499