THE CORD THE TIE THAT BINDS WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY SINCE 1926
VOLUME 60 ISSUE 13 • NOVEMBER 20, 2019
D FOO FOR GHT U THO e8
pag ures,
Feat
DIET DANGERS
LOCAL CLUB FACES CLOSURE
QUEER EYE COOKING CLASS
PICKING APART PDA
NOTHING BUT NET
The consequences of fad dieting
Brixton set to permanently close its doors
Fab Five star Antoni Porowski visits Laurier
Addressing affection from ‘aw’ to ‘ugh’
Women’s basketball team wins 4th game
Features, page 8
News, page 3
Arts & Life, page 11
Opinion, page 14
Sports, page 16
2 •
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
VOCAL CORD What's your favourite way to stay cozy in the winter?
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CordNews THIS DAY IN HISTORY: NOVEMBER 20
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
1789: New Jersey is first state to ratify Bill of Rights. 1805: Ludwig van Beethoven's "Fidelio", his only opera, premieres in Vienna. 1886: Sherlock Holmes's first story "A Study in Scarlet" is accepted by publisher Ward and Lock with payment of £25.
“A wool sweater, a good cup of coffee and a fire.”
1928: Boston Gardens opens, Montreal Canadiens beat Boston Bruins, 1-0.
– Patrick Martin, fourth-year music
1929: Salvador Dali's first oneman show. 1934: Toronto Maple Leaf Harvey Jackson is first to score 4 goals in a period. 1945: The Nuremberg war trials begin as 24 Nazi leaders are put on trial before judges representing the victorious Allied powers.
“By putting on warm socks. ”
1947: Britain's Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh in Westminster Abbey.
– Sam Fox, second-year psychology DARIEN FUNK/PHOTO EDITOR
1962: Mickey Mantle wins AL MVP for the third time. 1962: The Cuban Missile Crisis ended. The Soviet Union removed its missiles and bombers from Cuba and the U.S. ended its blockade of the island.
"I like wearing big, fuzzy sweaters." – Serena Bandoo, firstyear law
1966: The musical Cabaret, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, opened on Broadway. 1975: Ronald Reagan announces candidacy for Republican nomination for US President. 1982: Drew Barrymore at age 7 hosts Saturday Night Live.
"To wear a big comfy sweater and have some kind of hot drink in my hands."
1985: Microsoft Windows 1.0 is released.
– Wesley Harrison, fourth-year music
1986: The one billionth Little Golden Book was printed. The title was The Poky Little Puppy
Compiled by Sidney MacDonald, Lead Photographer BRIT KOVACS/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Alyssa Di Sabatino arts@thecord.ca
LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Sidney Macdonald photos@thecord.ca
NOVEMBER 27, 2019
CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Hamzah Raza Amichai Abraham Jana Ibrahim Jennifer Webb Lauren Symbolik Laura Thompson
“No carbs, no problem; All advertising inquiries can be or is it? investigating fad directed to Kurtis Rideout at dieting and it’s effects on kurtis.rideout@wlusp.com or 519-884-0710 ext. 3560. the body” - Hayley McGoldrick COLOPHON
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1998: First module of the International Space Station launched.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
News
• 3 NEWS DIRECTOR HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK news@thecord.ca
NEWS EDITOR SOPHIA COLE news@thecord.ca
NIGHT LIFE
JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR
Brixton Social closes doors to align with changes in club scene HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR
Brixton Social, located near the University Shops Plaza on University Avenue, will be closing at the end of November after six years of operations in Waterloo. The nightclub, finding inspira-
tion from the Borough of Lambeth in South London, hence the name Brixton, opened in 2013 and was the only club in the university area that offered a premium experience with bottle service, a dress code and its unique playlists. Brixton also hosted many events, DJ and even celebrity appearances
in its time. It’s most recent notable appearance being from YouTube star Tana Mongeau in January, who has a network of almost five million Instagram followers and five million YouTube subscribers. “Right now, we just feel like it’s time, we’re on our sixth year and in this industry things turn over,
they get stale, new things pop up. It’s had a really good run and we think it’s time to end on a high note opposed to letting it completely fizzle out,” said Connor Caden, owner of Brixton Social. “We felt that it was a good time of the year for us to do the grand finale events and then go from there.” Brixton follows in a line of other clubs in the region closing, with Beta nightclub shutting down in February of 2017 as the space is now taken up by Erb and Culture, as well as the closing of Night School this past year that is now operating as The Drink Uptown in the same space. “Laurier, for example, is definitely a school similar to Western or Queen’s where in comparing it to a school like the University of Waterloo, a lot more students tend to go out on a weekly basis, I don’t feel like that’s decreased, but as the city grows there are more options,” Caden said. “Being in this industry for a long time, things do get a lot more tight knit with the city, with AGCO regulations, just like anything in time. I remember back 10 years ago security guards were just guys who played on the football team, but now it’s not the case, there are so many regulations that it makes it a little more challenging.” Nov. 14 was the club’s final night of operations with their “The Weekly” Thursday event as they announced via a Facebook post that the sudden closure was due to “immediate unforeseen circumstances.” “It’s also things like St. Patty’s day where 30,000 are there, you think of the capacity of every club, even with all of combined the population makes up for about 2,000 people, but they have anoth-
er place like a house party to go where they can go and underagers can go with alcohol purchased from the LCBO, that will take away from venues, but I wouldn’t say that less people are going out,” Caden said.
All I can say is stay tuned, I can’t say much more at this time, but I can say there could be something after Dec. 1.
-Connor Caden , owner of Brixton Social
“The shift in the last five years is that the consumer is spending more money on less product. They tend to buy more premium products opposed to getting more volume in a cheaper product, the rail products have been declining. People are consuming less, but more premium products.” Although many are saddened by the club’s sudden closing after what many would consider a very successful six years, the club’s final post also hinted at a future for those involved with the Brixton community. “All I can say is stay tuned, I can’t say much more at this time, but I can say there could be something after Dec. 1,” Caden said. “I would like to thank all the Laurier students, without them I am confident that Brixton wouldn’t have been as successful as it was or continued to be, I would like to thank the student base for their support and the Laurier culture.”
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4 • NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
CAMPUS ACTIVISM
Students localize global issues with #IamSudan HAMZAH RAMZAH CORD NEWS
DARIEN FUNK/PHOTO EDITOR
Led by two Laurier students, a series of events centered around democracy activism was capped off on Friday with an #IamSudan Panel aimed at informing and engaging the community on the conflict in the country. The #IamSudan movement first began in June, as individuals on social media adopted the hashtag in response to the Sudanese military’s massacre of civilian protestors. The mission of the events was threefold: involve, engage and aid. What started as an inquiry directed at Laurier’s Global Studies Instagram page grew into a series of events that brought together multiple departments, clubs, community leaders and students in the Waterloo region. In addition to the panel, a students hosted a booth in the concourse, where passersby were able to learn about the conflict in Sudan as well as raise funds through a bake sale, the proceeds of which were donated to War Child.
We wanted it to be a youth led event to show youths that they’re able to do the exact same thing and that there’s no difference between us and them. -Suha Osman, organizer
The evening began with statements from the three guest speakers. Dr. Khalid Ahmed, the first speaker, is a lecturer in the African Studies program at the University of Toronto and has focused his research on politics and peace in Africa. He detailed the events in South Sudan, from its conception in 2011, the power vacuum that incited conflict between the nation’s rival militias and, finally, a peace agreement which outlined the formation of a unified transitional government. Dr. Ahmed spoke of the fragility of the agreement, revealed the pernicious nature of foreign intervention in the region and illuminated next steps for the country and its people. The next speaker, Dalia Elawad, a PhD candidate in English and Film Studies at Laurier, highlighted the influence of art in the Sudanese Revolution. From an academic’s perspective, she also spoke of her country’s national identity and the role of artists in shaping it. The final speaker was a Sudanese student from the University of Waterloo, Mustafa Ismail.
An activist in the local community in Waterloo as well as in the streets of Sudan, Ismail spoke about the importance and effects of social action. He called for students to find and mobilize around issues that they were passionate about. Towards the end of the event, the two student organizers, Suha Osman and Oshish Ungras, were met by praise from faculty and applause from peers.
Our golden ticket, our privilege, is just the fact that we are able to wake up here in Canada and be able to breathe fresh air and be able to just see our friends and our family. -Suha Osman, organizer
“We wanted it to be youth led event to show youths that they’re able to do the exact same thing and that there’s no difference between us and them,” Osman said. As a Sudanese Canadian, the conflict in Sudan was a personal one for Osman. In her statement, she spoke about the privilege she has gained, and that all students possess, from the ownership of a Canadian passport. “Our golden ticket, our privilege, is just the fact that we are able to wake up here in Canada and be able to breathe fresh air and be able to just see our friends and our family,” Osman said. Together, Osman and Ungras were not only able to translate their energy into action, but also provided an outlet for students to become more involved and better informed. Ungras, the co-president of Laurier’s World University Service of Canada said, “When we talk to people, they are actually really interested and really passionate about the same things that we are. But oftentimes they lack the mobilization to seek help to put their plan into action.” While supporting the protests in Sudan, students have also in many ways emulated them. “The entire protests [in Sudan] were led by youth and women at the forefront of this. And what’s really great is that we had youth and women at the forefront of our activism here as well,” Ungras said. Both Osman and Ungras encourage students to learn about the conflict in Sudan and to find ways to become involved in issues that speak to them, whether it comes through faculty, clubs or peers. Speaking to activism and politics, “It can often be a contentious topic. But you know what? Democracy is not,” Ungras said.
NEWS • 5
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019 LGBTQ+
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Rainbow Centre honours Transgender Awareness Week SOPHIA COLE NEWS EDITOR
The second week of November marks this year’s annual Transgender Awareness Week, with Nov. 20 being Transgender Day of Remembrance for those who have been victimized and lost due to acts of transphobic violence. On Nov. 20, Laurier’s Rainbow Centre will be boothing in the concourse in honor of the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The event will be in collaboration with the Laurier Centre for Women and Trans People, who will also be attending. “The biggest is our trans day of remembrance [event], that’ll be on the 20th in the afternoon from 1:30 to 4, I believe,” William Gleeson, assistant coordinator at the Rainbow Centre said. “We’re very excited about that; we’re gunna have some resources, we’re going to talk to people about, you know, trans things and just make sure that people are aware and participating as much as they feel able to.” Members of the Rainbow Centre will also be participating in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence as well as hosting several events promoting general awareness during Transgender Awareness Week.
The Rainbow Centre is a safe space for all students, staff, faculty and visitors at Laurier who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community or allies to this community. The centre itself is located in room 104 on the ground floor of the Mac house residence on the Waterloo campus. “Our primary directive at the Rainbow Centre is creating a safe space, we like to open our doors for everybody but we strive to remove barriers, leave a legacy of positivity, belonging and queer harmony in our space and within the WLU community,” Gleeson said. “We’re here to create safe spaces for people to learn, for people to advocate, for people to be themselves authentically.” The Rainbow Centre operates on a walk-in basis and welcomes anyone with an open mind. They offer people a sense of community and a variety of services and resources ranging from free sexual health and menstrual products to a public access gender-neutral washroom. By breaking down social barriers and promoting the acceptance of all types of people, the Rainbow Centre aims to foster connections between people of all kinds at Laurier. “We try to do a lot of socials for volunteers, we try to do on campus
events regularly,” said Skylar Shelley, assistant coordinator at the Rainbow Centre. “The more people know about it is the key.” “We’re very very happy to answer any questions that anyone
has,” Gleeson said. “Please involve yourself in the community and don’t just insulate yourself away from something because you don’t understand it.” Despite the progressive atmosphere at Laurier regarding the issues which LGBTQ+ community members face, there are still areas where it falls flat. Transgender and non-binary identifying people at Laurier still face many challenges which are too often overlooked, the most common being misgendering and deadnaming. Misgendering refers to the practice of referring to someone by their non-preferred gender identity, either purposefully or accidentally, and deadnaming refers to the practice of calling someone by their pre-transition name rather than their preferred name. “This is just speaking from personal experience as a non-binary person, but I think it applies to a lot under the umbrella, you could say the usual, that is misgendering, by professors, by peers, people who just simply aren’t really tuned into that fact that, you know, you just ask,” Shelley said. Rather than providing the infrastructure for students to use their preferred name as their primary name on their class lists and emails, students are only given the option to include a preferred name alongside their dead names. “When you haven’t gone through a legal transition yet, your records will reflect that, so you can have a preferred name but you can only change your first name and both your dead name and your preferred name will be shown on class lists, our emails don’t even show our preferred names,” said Gleeson “Names and pronoun flexibility, just giving more options to reveal preferred names and not revealing the dead names,” said Shelley. “If we have a preferred name, make that the primary name on the email rather than just making it a preferred name that shows up on a separate list because that defeats the point of it,” When it comes to addressing these challenges, information, inclusion, representation and em-
pathy are the best ways to help. “I think visibility and representation is important in terms of changing hearts and minds. We want to make sure people understand that we’re people too and we have needs, we have rights, and a lot of those needs and rights aren’t being addressed,” Gleeson said. “Speaking personally, I think it’s incredibly important that trans folks are visible and represented in spaces like university spaces, in academia, in professional spaces, in legislature and medical communities.” “It’s incredibly important to give people, anyone in any marginalized group, the space to speak for themselves and to advocate for their needs personally.” On an individual level, asking questions, using gender inclusive language and doing your research is great place to start. “This is going to sound really generic, but I think just adopting the mindset of not making assumptions and being comfortable to ask questions,” Shelley said. “I can’t speak for every single trans person out there but in general I think it’s safe to say we’d prefer that you ask and it be a slightly awkward conversation than you not ask and it be a really awkward conversation, or a hurtful conversation.” “It makes my day when someone comes into the community and asks for help being aware and understanding, I’d say being curious and you know just continuing to ask questions, don’t make assumptions, do your own research if you can, there’s so many resources out there for learning about the trans experience and how to be a good ally,” said Gleeson. Creating opportunities in conversations to reveal preferred pronouns or including your pronouns in your email signature are simple yet effective ways to create an inclusive environment and normalize this type of behaviour in everyday conversation, rather than something that is exclusive to the trans or non-binary experience. “It think normalizing the use of pronouns in email signatures in emails is a big one,” Shelley said. “I think that should just be a default.”
6 • NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
CLUBS
Startup Laurier celebrates 10 years HAYLEY MCGOLDRICK NEWS DIRECTOR
Startup Laurier is celebrating their tenth anniversary as a club as they host a new flagship event, Innovation Alley. This is to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week in collaboration with many start-ups in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. “I’ve been on Startup since my first year and I’m in my third year right now. I joined because they put on events that actually help students who want to be entrepreneurs, they help them build their skillset and provide them with networking opportunities that no other club can,” said Novera Nasir, co-president of Startup Laurier. “On top of that, Startup is like family to me. Our team is incredible, we have such great people on our team.” Startup has won the Lazaridis Students’ Society “Club of the Year” title multiple times, including this past year and has had many of its executive members winning awards for their vice president positions. “When I was in first year last year, both my O-Day CEO and my don were past Startup members and they suggested I join. I did and I just had the best time. I’m an international student and they felt
like a family, I fell in love with it,” said Lance Fernandes, co-president of Startup Laurier. “I’m in my second year and am now a co-president, I’m just trying to do as much as I can for the club because it’s given me so much. It helped me find my place in first year and now I want to do that for everyone on this club, elevating as much as I can.” Innovation Alley will be hosting many start-ups from around the region, including the umbrella organization Communitech, which is where many of these start-ups call home, as well as companies like HiRide, BridesMade, Mighty Hawks, Schlegel Laurier’s Launchpad and TD Labs among others. “Our goal as a club is always to put quality events out, rather that quantity, we won’t push an event out that doesn’t actually provide value to students, I think that’s why we tend to win these awards because our events provide meaning, we are constantly innovating,” Nasir said. “Innovation Alley is a new event; we’re doing it in honour of Startup’s 10th anniversary but we feel like it will actually provide students with a lot of value which is why I think we do well as a club.” Startup is also known for their Wintership program where they help students to find a placement
SIDNEY MACDONALD /LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
in entrepreneurial ventures for part-time work in the winter semester, which may eventually help co-op students find a work placement. “I think what really makes us stand out is the value we provide to students, we teach them the skills, give them the right resources and connect them with the right people all in the pursuit of making them
better entrepreneurs,” Fernandes said. “I think we’ve been doing that pretty consistently and it’s our main focus. Every event, every workshop no matter what it is we try to stick to that.” Startup is also hosting a speaker series at Innovation Alley in conjunction with networking and a celebration of both their decade as
a club as well as global entrepreneurship week. “It’s a great place, especially for first and second years who are looking to get experience, we know that a lot of people trying to get into co-op are trying to get work experience and it also introduces them to the culture of working in a start-up which is very exciting,” Fernandes said.
DIVERSITY
Laurier hosts Middle Eastern cultural evening ALYSSA DI SABATINO ARTS AND LIFE EDITOR
On Nov. 14 from 6-9:30 p.m, International Students Overcoming War (ISOW) hosted a Middle Eastern Cultural Evening at the Senate and Board Chamber. The event, which was free to attend, was held to encourage students to celebrate and participate in Middle Eastern culture. “The scholars help us plan it, just to help us show Laurier what their culture is about. So there’s food and dancing and music, and they kind of get to share a part of their home with us here,” said Maya Griffith, director of events and education for ISOW. Founded in 2014, ISOW is a student-funded organization that grants scholarships to international students, known as “scholars,” who are living in conflict zones. Every semester, Laurier students pay an ancillary fee of $4 that helps support their scholarships. Since the club’s conception, ISOW has supported over 16 students, with the first ISOW scholar graduating in 2017. “What this night is about is ISOW kind of showing the Laurier community who they’re accepting into their community, so it’s kind of just a little culture exchange,”Griffith said.
KASH PATEL/WEB DIRECTOR
The evening commenced with a buffet, free of charge for all attendees. Various Middle Eastern dishes were prepared, such as baked kibbeh, makloubeh, hummus, baba ganoush, muhammarah, lentil soup, fatoush, tabouli, baklava and baboosa as well as other specialty dishes. The food was prepared by ISOW scholars, student leaders and Meg
Brockett, a Master’s student at Laurier and wife to Dr. Brockett, head teacher for ISOW, explained Griffith. “Everything that we have here was actually cooked by us downstairs in Veritas...so the scholars and the members sort of just helped cook everything,”Griffith said. Later in the evening, attendees
were able to get henna tattoos — a form of decorative body art that uses dye from henna trees. Arabic calligraphy and an Arabic board game called “tavlav,” were also included in the event. “This is my first year coming to the event and I happen to be planning it, but the feedback I’ve gotten so far is that the food is really good and that the henna was really pop-
ular,” Griffith said. Nearing the end of the night, the event moved into the Senate and Board chamber for the Dabke dance performance. Dabke is a folk dance specific to the Arabic Levant region that combines circle and line dancing, and is performed at weddings as well as other celebrations. At the end of the dance, which featured some of ISOW’s scholars and the Levant Dabke Group of KW, audience members were invited to participate and do a Dabke dance together. Since 2014, ISOW has successfully partnered with Daughters for Life and Jusoor Syria, who help fund their scholarships. This year, ISOW secured a onetime partnership with the Iraqi and Syrian Student Project and welcomed their first male scholar to Laurier. “I feel like a lot of the times, people just have one idea of who the scholars are who we support. When you say you’re bringing in someone from a country of conflict, you (might) just picture sadness and disparity, but they have a lot of amazing parts of their culture that we don’t get to see everyday. So, just teaching and learning from them is something that all Laurier students can appreciate,” Griffith said.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
GAMES • 7
Dear Life
SUDOKU
Dear Life is your opportunity to write a letter to your life, allowing you to vent your anger with life’s little frustrations in a completely public forum.
Dear Life, For all my Probst heads. Missy is cancelled. Elizabeth is cancelled. Dan is most definitely cancelled. I now stan-et Janet always and forever. Sincerely, Long live Queen Kellee
dinosaur and get a job.” But, you know, I thought to myself, “I’ll go to medical school...l’ll practice for a little while, and then I’ll come back to it. Brennan: How is that a skill? Mr. Doback: But I forgot how to do it. Dale: You’re human. You could never be a dinosaur. Brennan:- Yeah. Mr. Doback:Hey, I lost it. Dale: Dad, what’s the point? Brennan: Yeah. Mr. Doback: The point is... don’t lose your dinosaur. Sincerely, SB
Dear Life, Dear Life, There is still a torn Canadian flag flying in the wind at 79 Seagram Drive/Classen House. It breaks my heart every morning when I wake up to eat my breakfast and I see that awful image outside my apartment window. Can someone replace that flag ASAP or at least take the torn one down. Also it felt very nice and safe when I was walking the other night between the Aird Building and the Dining Hall and witnessed the ceiling collapse. Like seriously is everything on campus aside from Lazaridis Hall, The Library and the Career Centre falling apart? Maybe Premier Doug Ford has a point and schools are not properly spending student tuition revenues and supplementary student fees on the actual infrastructure and services they were intended to fund in an efficient manner.
MAZE
Sincerely, No one wants a broken campus Dear Life, Listen to me. Dale, look, when I was a kid...when I was a little boy, I always wanted to be a dinosaur. I wanted to be a Tyrannosaurus rex more than anything in the world. I made my arms short and I roamed the backyard...and I chased the neighborhood cats, and I growled and I roared. Everybody knew me and was afraid of me. And then one day, my dad said, “Bobby, you’re 17. It’s time to throw childish things aside.” And I said, “Okay, Pop.” But he didn’t really say that, he said, “Stop being a fucking
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Tastes like strawberries on a summer evenin’ And it sounds just like a song I want more berries and that summer feelin’ It’s so wonderful and warm Breathe me in, breathe me out I don’t know if I could ever go without I’m just thinking out loud I don’t know if I could ever go without Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar Strawberries on a summer evenin’ Baby, you’re the end of June I want your belly and that summer feelin’ Getting washed away in you Breathe me in, breathe me out I don’t know if I could ever go without Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high Watermelon sugar high I just wanna taste it, I just wanna taste it Watermelon sugar high Tastes like strawberries on a summer evenin’ And it sounds just like a song I want your belly and that summer feelin’ I don’t know if I could ever go without Watermelon sugar high
No carbs, no pr Investigating fad diet the b
News Director, Hayley McGoldrick, digs in Body image is a fragile subject in the modern world. It seems everyone is trying to look like an Instagram model or fit back into their jeans from 2011. Fitness has flooded social media with influencers who work out as a full-time job or girls who look like they don’t have an ounce of body fat on them frolicking around in a bikini. Of course, being “healthy” is subjective, as no two individuals have the exact same operating system when it comes to how their body functions. Eating habits and working out that can make one person look or feel their best may not yield results for someone else. Many people also want the instant gratification of this fitness lifestyle, which is why they turn to fad dieting. A fad diet is a diet that gains popularity through massive weight loss results in a short period of time, but after users find they cannot sustain their weight loss, the diet fades out. After years of users being stuck in this cycle until they find a sustainable solution, the diet hype finally dies out. Currently, a diet trend taking over everyone’s feed it the ketogenic diet, also known as k eto. The diet follows the traditional fad diet of not eating carbs, but the kick with keto is that your body will enter a state of ketosis, which assists in weight loss, though many low-carb or no-carb diets prove to provide water weight loss due to the nature of water retention. “Dieting isn’t sustainable – that’s the problem. Short term gain for long term pain kind of idea. I study body composition. Clearly not the best thing to focus on for you when you are trying to do exercise training, but when you diet, mostly with those fad diets, often the link between all of them is caloric restriction,” said Tom Hazell, associate professor in the department of kinesiology and physical education at Wilfrid Laurier University. “You starve yourself to lose weight, but when you get off that diet you gain more weight. Every year that you fad diet you actually end up heavier than the initial, that’s what is called yo-yo dieting. Every year you go through this, you end up heavier and don’t start those healthy eating habits that we want. It’s so easy to do poorly. As soon as you get off a cabbage soup diet, what do you want to do? Eat everything.”[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]The controversial nature behind these diets is their lack of scientific evidence to back up if they are actually beneficial for the consumer or may be more detrimental for their health. Carbohydrates usually account for almost 50 per cent of the average diet, with the Ketogenic diet virtually eliminating carbs for the consumer, with the argument for a poor diet being the overconsumption
of processed fats and protein. “Everything is energy. People would argue the Keto diet is not a fad diet, [but] I would argue that it’s a popular diet; yes, carbohydrates are important for physical energy, but with that being said, you can turn fats and proteins into energy,” Hazell said. “People want to lose weight for [the] holiday season, vacations, reading week; they lose the weight, but they aren’t losing the right weight. There’s a lot of problems that come with crash diets –that’s what these fad diets are– you’re losing muscle and fat soyou actually have less muscle, which means your metabolic rate is lower. That means your energy expenditure for everything at rest is lower so when you go back to eating the way you did, you have an even greater positive energy balance and you gain weight.” Many fad diets cause the consumer to become physically ill due to their restrictive nature, with many users complaining of dehydration, fatigue, headaches and nausea after continued periods on the diets. This can also cause users to plateau during their weight loss, as they cannot continue to restrict calories after reducing so many calories so quickly. “First it was juicing, then it was the cleanse, the South Beach diet and then it was Atkins; Atkins died of a heart attack. You need protein every day, whether you get that from vegetables or meat sources or dairy – wherever you get it from, you need it every day,” Hazell said. “You need fat. The only thing you don’t need really is carbs. You can make those things up from everything else, but there are essential fatty acids, there are vitamins and minerals that often come from what we call “wet carbs,” the vegetables and fruits. Your body composition is protein; your body is made up of tissue, there are amino acids and all your hormones that are all proteins. Carbs are driving factors for other things, but we can make them.” An argument towards the Keto diet and other fad diets is whether or not the actual contents of the diet are what cause weight loss or if the restrictive nature of dieting is what causes the weight loss. With carbohydrates, proteins and fats can make up for the carbohydrate energy source in the body. They also hold water, which can be shown in weight loss rather than losing fat. “In order to achieve an unattainable standard that probably isn’t the best thing to be striving for in the first place, it tends to also get people focused on quick and easy weight loss. Dieting when it’s focused on weight loss and looking a certain way tends not to be sustainable and it also tends to encourage people to make choices that aren’t all that healthy to achieve their goal,” said Anne Wilson, professor in the psychology depart-
ment at Wilfrid Laurier U “If you’re making a dec thing that involves consis or self-control, you have willpower to not eat that a particular diet. That kin choice tends to be difficu beings to sustain long ter though we can exert that period when we’re really to be the kind of thing tha because we have compet have unlimited resources When it comes to brea diets, keto is not the only bunch. Diets like the Who any foods that may cause the body when consume mental effects like restric can be high in cholestero the consumer.
“From a cultural analy factors that can contribut results in eating disorder false hope and then failu and shame and that sort will try diets that are dub for everything; they migh while and then they fail. very good for our bodies,” “Both psychologically that kind of ineffective di people to potentially get desperate to try anything Sometimes from that, can arise from that becau so focused on weight to t health.” Dieting not only has n the body, but psychologi lower self-esteem as pe sured into fitting a niche It can also cause thoug due to the nature of not w certain way that is deeme unhealthy.
roblem; or is it? ting and it’s effect on body
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University. cision to do somestent self-denial to exert all your food or to stay on nd of behavioural ult for human rm because, even t control for a brief y motivated, it tends at gets derailed ting goals and don’t s.” aking down certain y offender in the ole30, remove e inflammation in ed. Besides detriction, the diet also ol and sodium for
ysis, one of the te to a cycle which rs is that cycle of ure and self-blame of thing. People bbed as quick fixes ht work for a little Yo-yo dieting is not ,” Wilson said. y and physically, ieting can lead more and more g that would work. eating disorders use people are the exclusion of
negative effects on ically, dieting can eople are pres“fit” demographic. ghts of fatphobia wanting to look a ed unattractive or
“A lot of times dieting starts with fatphobia. There is such a negative stigma in our society around being overweight – and although the factors that contribute to people being overweight are extremely complex, most of them are beyond people’s control,” Wilson said.[Text Wrapping Break] [Text Wrapping Break]“There are so many factors contributed to economic inequality, social disparities, the kinds of environments we find ourselves in that continually push high-calorie, high-sugar processed foods at us that are conveniently packaged. There are a lot of reasons that can contribute to overweight yet it’s still related like a moral failing, like the individual is flawed.” Diet culture negatively affects people who are deemed overweight not only by shame they may feel from medical professionals, but also from romantic partners who they may feel pressured to engage in uncomfortable acts with to feel acceptable as well as their counterparts who are afraid of ever looking like them. “On one hand, I think it’s worth acknowledging that carrying too much fat can have medical implications and there are medical reasons to want to lose weight, but the notion that you have a negative judgement of being overweight or of people who are overweight –that’s something worth pushing back against,” Wilson said. “It does not help anyone get healthy. S haming people or stigmatizing people never helps them to get healthy, and it also sends the wrong message as to why people might be pursuing a healthier lifestyle.” The problem with diet culture, with a specific focus on fad dieting, is the extremes a consumer puts their body under while partaking in it. While a caloric deficit is necessary in order to lose weight, many who cut their calories by extreme amounts and restrict certain foods also result in binging when going back to normal eating habits. “A lot of people who turn towards fad diets have good intentions, they want to feel or look better and maybe even reduce health risks.There are certain things fad diets can offer us: they can help us save time, they’re convenient and they can also offer structure and accountability,” said Nicole Pin, registered dietitian at the University of Waterloo. “It’s not that all in all they are bad – certain elements are very appealing to people, like having a structured food plan. When it comes to food, we make over 200 decisions every single day and that can be overwhelming. When somebody tells you a list of what to or what not to eat, taking away those decisions is easy for people which is why they turn to fad diets.” Some of these fad diets that actually yield sustainable results for consumers, such as keto, can for some, also include the Paleo
diet, intermittent fasting, or going on a vegan diet. “The problem with fad diets is that they lack science-based research to back up their claims. It is a gateway about body image and some of those concerns, especially in young university students, it can lead to yo-yo dieting or other body image issues or even eating disorders,” Pin said. “Any sort of program that restricts entire food groups, proposes unrealistic expectations, skipping meals, not eating enough calories, excluding whole foods for arbitrary reasons without evidence that’s where there is a lot of risk factor and can lead to a lot of micronutrient deficiencies.” The keto diet was created to help reduce seizures in children with epilepsy, sometimes working even more effectively than medication. However, these children were also being fed micronutrients to ensure no deficiencies, unlike adults who follow the diet. “These diets are encouraging some whole foods, usually some type of meat or eggs, vegetables, natural fats; they’re also heavily restricting, and there is a lot of penalization and guilt associated with other foods. It’s very black and white. We don’t eat in black and white, we eat in shades of gray,” Pin said. “Looking at it from a health standpoint, while they are encouraging lots of healthy, whole foods, they’re also discouraging some foods that are also healthy – and creating that mentality, it can lead to mental health concerns and never allowing yourself can put you in that cycle of binging.” Many studies show the most effective way of losing weight or improving overall health is slowly decreasing the amount of calories consumed and entering a caloric deficit, with calculated decisions made regarding a person’s body statistics as well as their activity level to ensure they do not restrict too much at once. “Ways to tell if something is a fad diet are; if a diet promises a quick fix, if it’s eliminating specific foods or food groups altogether, if it’s heavily restricting your calories or food intake, if it encourages you to purchase specific packaged items, such as supplements or protein,” Pin said. “Lastly, if you went to a typical sit-down restaurant, would you have issues finding something you could eat? On most reasonable diets, you would be able to go to a restaurant and order something nutritious without having to make any menu changes, or minimal such as asking for dressing on the side or a side salad instead of fries. If you find there is nothing you can eat, chances are what you are following is so restrictive [that] you can’t eat in a normal food environment.”
10 • ARTS & LIFE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Arts & Life Spilling the best teas to drink this winter ARTS & LIFE EDITOR ALYSSA DI SABATINO arts@thecord.ca
News Director, Hayley McGoldrick, breaks down the best soothing beverages The Buzz
A cult classic from David’s Tea, this caffeinated blend is perfect for a student who doesn’t want to drink any coffee but may still need that caffeine hit after not getting a full night’s rest. This blend of guarana, matcha and yerba mate as well as white ginseng makes the perfect citrus blend. This mate tea can also be blended with green tea, ginger or even citrus to complement its natural energizing abilities and create a super tea perfect for fuelling a study session.
Cold 911
Birthday Cake
Many Laurier students can relate to the horror that is the Laurier plague and when sickness arises, so do many warm drinks to combat. Cold 911 is an herbal tea that will soothe a sore throat with flavours of peppermint and eucalyptus. Citrus and juniper will help to relieve any sore spots while even inhaling the tea can help clear any student’s sinus congestion. This caffeine-free hit is perfect to take just before bedtime to wake up and feel better in the midst of finals season.
As a fiery Scorpio, winter always reminds me of the birthday cake flavour as it’s not only my favourite type of tea but something I always get on my actual birthday. The vanilla notes make this tea not only a nice treat but the warm sweet tea is a nice pick-me-up on a cold winter day. The rainbow sprinkles infused into the tea leaves add a festive touch to give reason to celebrate any day of the year with this caffeine-free rooibos. Mother’s Little Helper While Cold 911 can help alleviate any sinus congestion or soothe a sore throat, Mother’s Little Helper is one to be used all year round, yet especially in the wintertime when midterms and finals can cause stress to a point where it’s hard to sleep. With ingredients chamomile, peppermint and lemongrass, this blend is made with valerian, dubbed as “nature’s valium” and can help one feel tranquil in a highly stressful time. Another caffeine-free blend, this tea is perfect to help clear a student’s mind and help them get a good night’s sleep.
ARTS & LIFE • 11
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Antoni cooks up a show for Laurier EMILY WAITSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Wilfrid Laurier campus was truly blessed this past Tuesday night with a visit from television foodie, model and delectable dish himself, Antoni Porowski. On Nov. 19, the Students’ Union hosted, “An Evening with Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski” in Laz 1001 that was open to Laurier and non-Laurier students. Falling in line with the Students’ Union’s promotional campaign, #SUdoesThat, to raise awareness among the student body at Laurier about the events and programming organized through the SU and funded through the Social Programming Fee, avocado loving Antoni proved to be quite popular with the campus community. Arriving at the event proved to be hectic, with a large crowd waiting in the atrium of Laz Hall with no clear distinction or organiza-
tion of where the “line” started or ended. After the general confusion over seating and waiting in lineups passed, Antoni finally graced the stage in front of a packed room of eager Queer Eye fans. Twan Dieker, VP of programming and services, moderated the question and answer portion of the night, guiding Antoni through a stream of quick-witted back-and-forths that proved to be hilariously off-topic at times, but incredibly entertaining. The Fab Five star regaled the audience with stories from his past and his Canadian roots, describing his journey and growth from an “angsty” young adult into the charming Netflix personality he’s known to be today. Relating to every student in the room, he exclaimed, “College is fucking hard!” Antoni seemed effortless onstage in spite of his self-professed
social anxiety, and navigated the questions he was asked with ease and appropriate depth and thoughtfulness. Casually waving off the phone alarm that could be heard in the audience, he made everyone laugh as he joked his way through his answers and stories. A corgi, a personal favourite dog breed of Antoni’s, was brought onto the stage as a surprise for him, and he gushed over the well-trained pup to the chorus of “aww’s” that could be heard from the crowd. The night fully showcased his charming personality, and it’s clear that he enjoyed being there. After the Q&A portion of the evening, Antoni flexed his food muscles by preparing a simple dish that’s inexpensive to make, but slightly more refined and flavourful than a typical student meal. He called up a girl from the au-
dience to help him make the dish, chatting with her casually while he chopped his in-season citrus and praised the versatility and flavour of fennel. The salad he made was a recipe from his cookbook, Antoni in the Kitchen, and it was apparent that he could have thrown together pretty much anything and people would have gladly watched him without complaint. After he finished his cooking demonstration, Antoni left the stage and the night came to a close. Not only was he down to earth, he also proved to be engaging and insightful throughout the course of the hour he was there. With his natural charisma and quirky charm that made him a joy to watch, it’s comforting to know that at the end of the day, People Magazine’s Sexiest Reality Star is really a humble little Canadian boy at heart.
12 • ARTS & LIFE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
FILMS that you may remember they made a movie called The Disaster Artist, which is all about the making of the memorable film. There are more movies deserving of such a distinction. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but just in case, here’s three more worth checking out. Double Down (2007) Written and Directed by Neil Breen Starring: Neil Breen (Available on YouTube)
JAMIE MERE/GRAPHIC EDITOR
Movies that are so bad, they’re good AMICHAI ABRAHAM STAFF WRITER
Most people don’t like bad movies, and rightfully so. There’s nothing like spending your time, and likely your money, on something that just wasn’t worth it.
Some bad movies, however, are very special. They land in the hilarity zone, a zone where the movies are still god awful but are so bad that they become funny. A great example of this is The Room by Tommy Wiseau — the film that was so hilariously bad,
Neil Breen just keeps making films and somehow, their quality never improves. Here, in his debut film, Double Down, Neil portrays Aaron Brand. Aaron, in essence, is the most powerful person in the world. Aaron is an incredible hacker, a decorated war veteran, bioterrorist, vigilante, assassin and government secret agent. He’s also a medium with the power to talk to several dead people throughout the film, however, how he accomplishes this is never really explained. There is a very convoluted plot (if it could really be called a plot at all) where Aaron is avenging his dead wife by… letting loose an airborne poison on the Las Vegas strip, but he is also hired by a secret government agency to shut down the Las Vegas strip for two weeks as a secondary thing… maybe? In any event besides the unexplainable story, there’s some of the most wooden acting I’ve ever witnessed, Neil Breen himself being particularly entertaining. There are some very weird choices made throughout the film, like how Aaron eats tuna all the time, or when Aaron goes and assassinates the wrong people and shows little remorse. Probably my favorite part of the movie is just watching Neil Breen portray the character he wrote for
himself. He really tried to make the character into a badass but it comes off as really funny, especially considering that Neil Breen looks like the furthest thing away from an action star. Overall, this is an incredibly funny film – but he has many equally bad movies. You should consider inviting over some friends and having a Neil Breenathon. Check this out if you want to watch a true comedy.
“turn your brain off” movie and just enjoy dumb-looking sharks get cut in half, this movie is perfect for you.
Sharknado (2013) Written by Thunder Levin, Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante Starring: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid
Who Killed Captain Alex is my favorite bad movie ever, period. As far as many other fans that I can deduce, this is the first-ever Ugandan action movie made (or at least seen internationally). The plot centers around a conflict between the ‘Tiger’ mafia and the army that intensifies with the murder of the titular Captain Alex. Alex’s brother, who isn’t really given a name, tries to avenge his brother’s murder. The film was made in Uganda on budget of an estimated $85 (not a typo, actually $85). One man named Nabwana I.G.G. had a dream of making a movie, so he did. He didn’t expect to make money, he just wanted to make a movie for his village. As a result, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie with more pure intentions than this one. The film itself is hilariously bad of course. The special effects are comical, the movie is entirely spoken in ‘Luganda’ (there are subtitles) which doesn’t stop it from having a ridiculous script and considering this is the first time most of the ‘actors’ have ever acted, it’s no wonder their performances are charmingly bad. Who Killed Captain Alex is beautiful in a way that most other movies could never replicate. This is my favorite bad movie and I think it’s worth watching regardless of who you are. It’s free on YouTube, nobody is stopping you from clicking on it and giving it a try. You absolutely won’t regret it.
Sharknado, as the title may suggest, is a film about a tornado, and when the tornado passes over the Pacific, it sweeps up some sharks in its cyclone. Tornadoes and sharks prove to be a devastating combination, as it wreaks havoc on California. Our story follows ex-surfer Fin, who is trying to survive the sharknado while also collecting his estranged family to save them as well. A very basic (somewhat nonsensical) concept with a very ridiculous outcome, Sharknado took the ever-growing fad of shark-related B-movies and just kind of said ‘whatever screw it.’ Sharknado is a bad movie that truly knows that it’s a bad movie. The film never tried to be serious, they knew that they were a stupid movie about bad CGI sharks that fly around and kill people. They embraced the ridiculousness and as a result, the movie flourished into a hilarious masterpiece. The shark attack scenes are really dumb, the weapons the main characters use against their finned foes are very fun, (especially the frequent use of the chainsaw by Fin), and, as always, the acting really sucks in the best way possible. The whole movie is a wild rollercoaster ride of fun. If you want a
Who Killed Captain Alex (2010) Written and directed by Nabwana Isaac Godfrey Geoffrey (I.G.G.) Starring: Kakule William, G. Puffs, Sserunya Ernest Video joker: VJ Emmie (Available on YouTube)
MUSIC
FKA Twigs releases her long-awaited album Magdalene ALYSSA DI SABATINO ARTS AND LIFE EDITOR
After four long, album-less years, FKA Twigs released her much-anticipated project, Magdalene on Nov. 8. A professional singer and songwriter, Twigs is revered for her avant-garde style. Her performances are grand and sublime, and her music is known for its genre-bending qualities. Magdalene is short and sweet, or rather, quite indulgent. Consisting of only nine songs, it is her first “full-length” record since releasing LP1 in 2014. This album has been critically received as her best work yet, and is in my opinion, a complete game-changer. It’s unsparing and unrelentless, and Twigs fully delivers on each song. Magdalene narrates a story of heartbreak and doesn’t let up until the closing notes of “cellophane,” the album’s first single. The titular song, “Magdalene” invokes images of the biblical figure of Mary Magdalene, known for being a devout follower and confi-
dante to Jesus. She was historically misinterpreted to be a prostitute, and Twigs plays with this idea in the song. In an interview with ID magazine, Twigs says “I used to laugh to myself about how, as a woman, your story is often attached to the narrative of a man. No matter what you’re doing or how great your work is, sometimes it’s as though you have to be attached to a man to be validated… I found a lot of power in the story of Mary Magdalene; a lot of dignity, a lot of grace, a lot of inspiration.” In my own listening of the song, I was reminder of the Madonna vs “whore” complex, where women are often compartmentalized as one or the other. Twigs flips this narrative on its head, singing, “I can lift you higher/I do it like Mary Magdalene/I’m what you desire.” Throughout the length of the album, her voice is transformative and acrobatic, taking on multiple shapes and sounds to create the final beautiful result; The album uses organic sounds and instruments, namely on “Sad Day” and “Daybed” through the
use of the violin and piano, but doesn’t shy away from digital elements of music, either. “Holy Terrain” is the only song on the album with a feature, from rapper Future nonetheless, and at first, his placement on the track seems unexpected. The use of trap beats is almost out of place, but the content of the song still resonates with the rest of the album. It’s easily the most fun and energetic song on the album, yet is still sonically fluid. The music video for “Holy Terrain” is dark and moody, and her choreographed movements invoke serpent imagery, working thematically with the other biblical references in the album. Her music is, quite literally, extraterrestrial. The sixth song on the album, and easily my favourite is “Fallen Alien,” which tells the story of someone who feels foreign, or more accurately, otherworldly. “Fallen Alien” a pointed example of the amazing production that went into this album. It contains a sample from a Mass gospel choir which is on par with the other Christian allusions in the
CONTRIBUTED IMAGE
album, yet the guttural chanting of “I feel the lightning blast,” is hellish and full of desperate hunger. I feel that a lot of the times, artists will fall into the same trap of producing music that sounds completely the same year after year, but with this album Twigs has created a piece that diverges from her original sound, yet still resonates with her persona. Although her most recent
album is definitely alternative and electronic inspired — widely considered to be “art pop” — it also features collaborations from Michael Uzowuru, Future and Kenny Beats, all notable figures in the hip hop canon. Magdalene is neurotic and mesmerizing. More so than she’s ever been, FKA Twigs is vocally and emotionally expressive on this project.
13 •
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMEBER 20, 2019
Editorial
OPINION EDITOR Jade Hosick opinion@thecord.ca
Editor’s Note: Let people enjoy things EMILY WAITSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
With the introduction, and already widespread popularity of the latest television and movie streaming service, Disney+, there have been countless memes praising the new entertianment subscription. But with that praise, I have also seen quite a fair share of critcisim about it. Not regarding the quality of the new service, but rather, the age of the people who seem to be using and talking about it the most. I’ve noticed tweets mocking and degrading the young adults who have been excited about the shows and movies from their childhood that they’ll be able to watch and enjoy again, as if that’s something worthwhile to make fun of. And before someone says it — I realize that it’s the internet and everyone likes to joke and make fun of, well, pretty much most things. If I’ve learned anything from my 24 years on this earth, it’s that people will find ways to pick apart whatever they can, no matter what it is, just because they’re able to. It’s similar to the hate I’ve seen directed towards teenagers who want to go trick-or-treating. Why does it matter? In all honesty, is it really worth the effort to care about people over the age of 12 who want to dress up and get some candy? With the state of the world right now, and the relative uncertainty surrounding our collective futures, is it truly that terrible to allow teenagers to hold onto thir childhoods and get some joy out of something for as long as they’re able to? Disney+ appeals to such a large demographic of young adults because, heaven forbid, it’s a distraction and an escape from everything else that might be going on in our daily lives right now. It’s a source of simple entertain-
ment that offers a wide variety of movies and television shows — and for a little over eight bucks a month, that really isn’t too bad. For all of the sardonic posts aimed at millenials who are passionate about what Hogwarts house they think they would belong to, or which fictional character they personally identifty with — let them be.
... people will find ways to pick apart whatever they can, no matter what it is, just because they’re able to.
I used to be absolutely obsessed with a dozen different “fandoms” (a word that makes me cringe now when I use it, thanks to the internet) in high school, and thinking about how happy those things made me, as trivial as they might have seemed to other people, I sometimes miss them for the comfort and happiness they brought me. Sure, like many aspects of life, you grow out of them as you get older and move on. But people shouldn’t need to have their own kids as the only reason to revist the movies and shows from their youth in order to experience those feelings once again. So if Stacey wants to hit the club with her friends until 2 a.m. and eat her post Pub on King Domino’s while watching High School Musical and reruns of Even Stevens then why shouldn’t she be able to? Let the girl live. You best believe that I’ll be caving and trying out Disney+ for myself, shamelessly bingwatching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and singing along to Aladdin.
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TREASURER Kashyap Patel
CHAIR Aaron Waitson
PRESIDENT Aaron Waitson president@wlusp.com
VICE-CHAIR Alyssa Di Sabatino DIRECTOR Arshy Mann DIRECTOR Rosalind Horne DIRECTOR Emily Crump
FINANCE MANAGER Randy Moore finance@wlusp.com
EDITORIAL CARTOON
ADVERTISING MANAGER Kurtis Rideout kurtis.rideout@wlusp. com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lakyn Barton lakyn.barton@wlusp. com HR MANAGER Maneesha Suresh hr@wlusp.com
JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR
Editorial: Sports team names MARK CASCAGNETTE SPORTS EDITOR
In today’s highly-divided world, where society is seemingly never in agreement and the news is full of tragedy, there is one truly unique activity that has a powerful way of uniting one another. That activity is sports. In a very special way, sports are meant to bring people together! Regardless of all other factors including; one’s race, personality, economic status, religious belief, and or location, people are connected together through the love of a certain team or sport. It’s quite clear to notice this, all you have to do is turn on the TV during a game and you will see the sense of unification. Whether it be fans taking part in the “wave” during the game or singing “take me out to the ball game,” or pre-drinking, which many refer to as tailgating. Some of my favorite moments watching sports have come from interactions with people I had never previously met. For this amongst many other reasons, points to why sports play such an important role in my life and why I believe sports are more than “just a game.”- See the World
Cup or the Olympics. However, one trend seen across nearly every professional league, that has gone on for far too long has done the exact opposite of connecting people, and in fact has contributed to further division. The Washington Redskins, the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta Braves and the Florida State Seminoles to name a few are sports teams who have directly contributed to a negative and divisive society through their stature in sports. Those four teams are just some of the most popular examples of a long list of teams using a derogatory or offensive term and marketing it for profit. On the surface, it is easy to understand why the Redskins might not be a great name for a sports team, the same can be said for the Indians. Both of those words are purely offensive towards the Native American culture and furthers a stereotype that will only devalue the indigenous community. It is not only the names themselves, but the mascots and actions of the teams that are offensive and conducted without any regard to the ethnic group they are targeting. The “tomahawk chop,” routinely done at Seminoles and Braves
games is simply mocking native American culture and depicting them in a savage/caveman like fashion, furthermore the mascot of the Indians- Chief Wahoo, who was finally removed after 100 years stood as an offensive symbol fueled behind a racist history. Due to public pressure, many of the teams have withdrawn their names or redesigned their mascots and logos, which is an action that should have been taken years before, without any pressure. While these sports teams fight over their racist names in honour of tradition, they also state that they are displaying indigenous people as strong or proud members of society. In actuality however, the terms Redskin, Seminole, Indian, among any other ethnic groups should not at all be used in sport. Sports is meant to bring people together, it is meant to connect us, yet these teams profit off of a distinct racist name, while only furthering negative stereotypes towards indigenous groups of people. Ethnic groups should not be represented as team names in any sport. Not only is this long overdue, but it is a simplistic action and the time for change is now!
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Opinion
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019 OPINION EDITOR JADE HOSICK opinion@thecord.ca
Letter to the Editor: Teaching assistants create petition to engage the Laurier student body in TA support Laurier TAs United asks for backing in their ongoing cause to unionize Dear Wilfrid Laurier community, The last time there was news about graduate teaching assistants unionizing at Laurier, the union committee encouraged employees to exercise their right to vote on union representation. The vote happened from Nov. 5 to 6, and during this period of time, over 300 people voted! This incredible level of participation demonstrates that grad TAs care about having input over their working conditions. Since then, many have asked why we have yet to see the vote results, and the union committee is here to answer that question. Part of the unionizing process is that 40 per cent of currently employed TAs need to sign union cards saying that they want to vote on the matter of union representation. However, during the card signing process, there is no way to know
the number of grad TAs employed at Laurier. Now that the university has officially brought forward a list of TAs, they are asserting that there is insufficient support to reach the necessary 40 per cent. We have challenged several employees on their list, as to whether those people are currently employed as graduate TAs. This is a point of contention and if an agreement is not reached, then there is the possibility that the ballot box will never be opened. However, these matters of dispute can be put aside, and a settlement can be reached where both parties agree to open the ballot box. That is why we have created a petition. The petition puts pressure on the university to come to a settlement, with both TAs and the university agreeing to open the ballot box, and let the votes speak for them-
selves. We have a great deal of respect for the process and the Labour Board’s role in this matter but are anticipating that the university will try to go to litigation. If things were to move to litigation, this would delay the results of the vote even further and be costly in time, resources and capacity. The petition is a way to show that TAs and their allies are in support of both parties coming to an agreement so that the votes can be counted, and the results can be revealed with as little delay as possible.
the ability to have people not be a part of your relationship, judging everything that you do. While I don’t really enjoy watching videos of people making out with each other on my Instagram feed or even really walking down the halls
and seeing people kiss, I understand why people want to do that with their partner. I believe that there is a time and a place for everything: maybe making out in the library or at a basketball game is not the best
In solidarity, Wilfrid Laurier TAs United Email: lauriertasunited@gmail. com Facebook: @laurierTAsunited Sign & share our petition: Count the Union Vote Ballots
How much PDA is really necessary? JADE HOSICK OPINION EDITOR
Public displays of affection, or “PDA,” for short, is a term often used to describe how couples show affection towards each other in public spaces. The top definition on Urban Dictionary describes PDA as “basically any physical (hugging, kissing, holding hands, groping, etc.) interactions (except for sex of any kind) in public, most of the time around sad single people who don’t wanna see that shit.” According to this definition, I can guess that there are many different opinions regarding PDA. Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello were recently seen at a basketball game together, where they were photographed making out, and from there, that photo became a meme. As a couple, Shawn and Camila have been photographed many times participating in PDA to the point where I think they see what they are doing as a joke. For example, that super cringy Instagram video they took of themselves making out badly after people started to say they looked like fish when they were kissing. So, my question is: how much
PDA is too much PDA? A lot of people have varying views on the amount of PDA that is appropriate to show, and I think many have changed their views about it going from high school to post-secondary. It could also be looked at from the point-of-view a young relationship to an older relationship perspective. In high school, I think a lot of people believed that when you were in a relationship, you sort of had to prove it to the people around you. This is why I would always walk through the hallways and see couples partaking in public displays of affection (cuddling at lockers, kissing in between classes, holding hands while walking down a hallway that was so crowded that them walking side by side disrupted the flow of traffic). Also, I think there was the belief that this is what a relationship is; all of these displays are what it means to be in a relationship. But in university, I think the way people view PDA has changed. Although, yes, I still see people in the hallways making out, I don’t think there is the factor of having to prove your relationship to anyone. PDA is not used to prove how good your relationship is, but, rather just used to show affection to your significant other. No one is constantly watching your relationship like it might have been in high school and you have
SIDNEY MACDONALD/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
idea, but you can publicly show affection for your significant other and people should not have a problem with that. Just be aware of your surroundings and make sure consent is always present.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
OPINION • 15
Disney releases new streaming platform JADE HOSICK OPINION EDITOR
On Nov. 12, Disney launched its new streaming service Disney+, which features movies and television shows all under its production company. Available titles range from Star Wars to Disney Channel original movies and TV shows, like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody or High School Musical. The streaming service costs $8.99 per month or $89.99 a year, which is cheaper than Netflix. Having the subscription fee cheaper then Netflix could be seen as a tactic to get more subscriptions following the launch date. A lot of people that I know are getting Disney+ because of the nostalgia behind it. There is now a streaming service that provides my generation with the television shows that we grew up watching, and I guess in a way relive our childhood. But should we be worried about the decline in traditional TV? A report on consumer habits that was released in April of 2019 reported on CBC, predicted that the number of Canadian households with a subscription to at least one streaming service will be more than Canadians who have traditional methods of watching TV by 2020. One thing that streaming services are giving people are more choices in programming. On Netflix, movies and TV shows from all over the world can get streamed. But with traditional cable, we are subject to what the private broadcasters think will make profit or what the public broadcasters think encompasses Canadian storytelling. I know a lot of my friends are watching shows like Dark, which is
German, or Money Heist which is Spanish — shows which they otherwise would not have been able to watch. Also, shows on the BBC are somewhat available for the Canadian consumer rather than just those who are living in the United Kingdom. In 2018, people who subscribed to Canadian TV had decreased by over 200,000 — and it’s expected that another 250,000 will be cancelling their cable subscriptions by the end of 2019. Another thing that is causing more people to use streaming services is the fact that there are little to no ad placements. With streaming shows, you get the full hour of content, whereas traditional TV methods only give roughly 45 minutes of content with the rest being given to advertisements. When I am at home and watching TV shows, I, 9 times out of 10, will record the show so I am able to skip through the advertisements. Streaming services take out the planning aspect of watching TV, and I don’t need to remember to record something beforehand since it will always be at my fingertips. Also, a lot of people are now sharing accounts rather than buying their own. I use my dad’s Netflix and Spotify account, and yesterday, my roommates and friends and I were talking about who was going to take one for the team and sign up for Disney+. So, while I do worry about traditional forms of media slowly disappearing, I know that they won’t. Shows like Saturday Night Live and Sports broadcasts rely on these traditional forms of consumption. The market is just changing the way that it has been laid out, and it is becoming more competitive. And I know for a fact that my grandparents will not be getting any streaming services, so at least for a while, there is a demographic that will be paying for cable packages.
SIDNEY MACDONALD/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
To cancel or not to cancel? SUMMER PATRIQUIN OPINION COLUMNIST
JAMIE MERE/GRAPHICS EDITOR
Within the past few years, the idea of “cancelling” someone over things they have said or done has grown exponentially. Cancel culture is no longer supporting individuals who are regarded as problematic or unacceptable. It's quite prominent with celebrities and influencers through the rising popularity and dominance of social media. The first form of cancel culture I witnessed was that of YouTuber, makeup mogul and business owner Laura Lee in 2018. Through a scandal regarding racist tweets from 2012, she lost more than 400,000 subscribers. Her views have dropped significantly since. Her apology video, which was supposed to counteract her getting cancelled, also caused a stir as viewers believed that she was faking it. Recently, Shane Dawson
has been posting a series of videos about the creation of his “Conspiracy Collection” collaboration with Jeffree Star Cosmetics. Initially, he intended on covering the drama within the beauty community from working within it, dealing specifically with what happened between Tati Westbrook and James Charles in April of this year. Tati Westbrook originally posted a video entitled “Bye Sister,” targeted at fellow YouTuber James Charles as a response to Charles posting a promotional Instagram story for Sugar Bear Hair, Tati’s main business competitor. In the video, she addressed Charles’ arrogance and accused him of pushing straight or curious men into believing they are gay. James Charles currently holds the record for the most subscribers lost in 24 hours, with over three million lost as a result of Westbrook’s video. This led to a stream of videos that
came out trying to get people to “cancel” James for things that they have seen him do. Since Shane Dawson originally promoted this drama in his series trailer and has yet to include any thus far, there is a lot of backlash from people wanting it to focus on the drama. The impact of social media and cyberbullying is directly related to cancel culture. It is predominantly over the internet, as needed for any scandal to reach a large-scale audience. The rise of cancel culture has created successful drama channels, which solely profit off the promotion of scandals. Cancel culture is arguably a profit scheme that influencers take advantage of to make money. It can be argued that cancel culture is only popular for people to profit from and because people love the drama, especially if it's not in their own lives.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR MARK CASCAGNETTE sports@thecord.ca
BASKETBALL
DARIEN FUNK/PHOTO EDITOR
Hawks stay golden with fourth win in a row MARK CASCAGNETTE SPORTS EDITOR
The Golden Hawks’ women’s basketball team returned home this past weekend and picked up two impressive victories to improve their winning streak to four games. Following a season-long fivegame road trip- that began with three consecutive losses- before ending on a high note with two wins, Laurier’s girls were happy to be home. “It was a tiring trip, we had a whole lot of traveling, and look forward to being home for the next couple of games,” coach Paul Falco stated before the games this weekend. The weekend saw strong performances from Brianna Iannazzo and Jill Condron as well as first year forward Kate Moran. With those three girls leading the charge, the Golden Hawks were able to beat both the Nipissing Lak-
ers and the Laurentian Voyageurs to bring their record to 5-3 on the season. The first matchup of the weekend required two overtime quarters for the Golden Hawks to beat the Nipissing Lakers, in what was a tightly contested game- something that is becoming a trend for the Laurier team this season. The two teams exchanged baskets in the first and second quarters, before Laurier was able to break through in the third, to gain a nine-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. After a clutch three point shot by Natalie Martinez to tie the game up for the Lakers, the two teams headed into overtime, with the score tied at 59. As Nipissing was attempting a layup to take the lead, first year business major Kate Moran had a huge block which ensued with a chance for Laurier to win the game at the free throw line.
Laurier’s star guard and top offensive force Brianna Iannazzo had the ball in her hand with a chance to win it and she would do just that, as she hit on both of her free throws to give the Hawks a 75-73 win.
It was a tiring [road] trip, we had w hole lot of travelling, and look forward to being at home for the next couple of games -Paul Falco, Head Coach of Womens Basketball Team
The following night against
Laurentian was not much different as the Golden Hawks battled strong in a close game, with Moran and Iannazzo making several clutch shots from the three-point line. Aiding Laurier to a 65-57 win, which is their largest margin of victory this year. Iannazzo continued her impressive season by scoring a career-high 26 points on Saturday against the Voyageurs, while notching 18 in the win against the Lakers. The fourth-year guard leads the entire OUA in scoring, as she is averaging 17.9 points per game. The other key force for the Hawks, was Kate Moran, a Waterloo, Ontario native who is in her first year with the team after coming off of a brutal knee injury that sidelined her last year. Moran is continuing to get more minutes with the team and started her first game on Saturday. “She is working her way into the
lineup and made some great plays today, I think she is starting to become more comfortable,” Coach Falco said of his rookie forward after the game on Saturday. Moran had a stellar weekend, as she recorded her first career double-double on Friday and went on to have 5 blocks and 7 rebounds to go along with 11 points in the win on Saturday. Moran has been an integral part of a Laurier team that is playing relentlessly on the defensive side. A big reason for why they have won four in a row- their longest winning streak in over three years. The Golden Hawks are looking to keep their winning streak going and will look to defend their perfect record at the Athletic Complex with two more games there this week. Laurier will face Guelph tonight, before welcoming the red hot Western Mustangs to town on Saturday.