It is time that I partake in a true Plant Editor-in-Chief rite of passage: Writing about the existential dread of turning 20. Forgive me for taking this time to indulge in the first person. I think I’m scared? I can’t tell. The truth is that the pressure and exhaustion of my final semester is such a river of anxiety and high-stakes senioritis that once my birthday rolls around, I don’t know if I’ll have enough in me to ever tell how I feel. Turning 20 is like… what the fuck. The first season of my life is over. Gone. No more childhood, no more teenage years, that’s it: it’s adult time. I have to work and dress and clean and create and if I take one wrong step it’s prison for life! My birthday is November 11th; Remembrance day, which has always been extremely strange. Remembrance ceremonies were a big deal at my primary and secondary school, filled with mandatory poppy-wearing, bagpipe players, In Flanders Fields and the Moment of Silence. In 9th grade I was elected to read McCrae’s poem over the intercom for the whole school, which was weird because it made me feel special on my birthday when the whole purpose of such a literary sermon is to turn your focus away from yourself, and towards Those Who Served. Self-sacrifice, honour, and determination: the virtues of Armistice, which sit hard opposed to self-indulgence, carefreeness, and relaxation: the virtues of Birthday. As I’ve grown up into someone who has become deeply critical of the military, war, and any reason to fight for our Home On Native Land has only made the 11th even more confusing, which sucks because it doesn’t feel like I should be confused anymore after completing my Second Decade. And this year, not only is it my 20th, but also my graduating semester, and every day the stress and crunch levels increase as I mentally bleed, sweat, and cry trying to graduate Cin|Com with a film that’ll get me into uni. In fact, it looks like the only day I’ll be able to undertake the extremely nail biting shoot of said film is my birthday weekend.
Growing up into the big world makes me feel small. Turning 20 makes me feel special, but school makes me feel like a worker bee. My birthday is a day to focus on me but the 11th is for selflessly commemorating the sacrifice of others.
Perhaps, the conflict lies in my thinking. Growing up, everyone talks about “your 20s” and “your teens.” Certain things are supposed to be certain ways, and every moment will fall into some neat equation whose sum is clear by 40. Guess that’s not the case!
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
It’s a hard time for the Scorpios out there.
The sun comes less, and the cold with it is painful, but also makes more accessible its rising and setting. The leaves and sky red and orange, a twice-daily blaze of destruction as our city bares its flesh before donning its white coat. Have you ever really covered yourself in snow? It’s warm. That’s how you know it’s a hug made of frozen tears of laughter, not sorrow. For as fall brings on decomposition, in the winter comes creation: we’re all huddled together with only our minds and others minds, and things will come of it.
As the midterms come, and your nerves tighten, and in your heart is stress and in the streets is cold, open yourself. Let the pressure squeeze out your soul, its colours filling your perception in a euphoria of creation. A painful process. A beautiful process.
I miss being small. I miss my first semester, when everything was welcoming to me. I miss not caring if I had good grades. Simone, I miss reading your birthday words that twinned these and only being able to sympathise. I miss milk and honey and nap time after lunch time. But there are things now that I will miss and things then that I do not, missing is change and change is exciting. Exciting is scary. Exciting is good.
For my fellow Scorpios, and all the other stars in the sky: our Birthdays are not one thing or another, but a pull between many. Thus is made the rip through which the world brings beauty into our souls. And although the cold air makes our skin brittle, with stunning fire the sun sets early so we may sleep more, and heal, in the morning making the world beautiful.
I hope.
I love you.
MIRREN BODANIS, Editor-in-Chief
The Harmful Implications of NaNoWriMo’s ‘Neutral’ Stance on AI
MINOLA GRENT
Contributor
Since 1999, National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo for short, has been pushing writers to conquer their fears and overcome writer’s block. The NaNoWriMo challenge consists of writing a 50,000 word novel during the month of November.
Having fostered a plethora of bestsellers like Merissa Meyer’s Cinder, C. L. Clarke’s The Unbroken, and Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, the non-profit organisation was highly regarded by readers and writers alike for nearly 25 years.
Unfortunately, all sweets must eventually sour. Just last September, as I was preparing for the challenge myself, NaNoWriMo was ruthlessly attacked on all social media platforms. Overnight, the organisation found itself with authors stepping down from their positions as board members, sponsors retracting, and the public’s back sternly turned on them.
The major online discourse was caused by its stance on A.I. use. NaNoWriMo stated that it does not condemn the use of generative A.I. for writing, and believes doing so is “ableist” and “classist.” The organisation explained that artificial intelligence can be a useful tool in providing free accommodations and editing for writers in need. The NaNoWriMo team supposedly attempted to bring awareness to disabled writers and writers unable to hire an editor for their work, in which case, artificial intelligence
would be an easy and free solution. While the sentiment presented by NaNoWriMo is noble, the plagiarism and creativity issue surrounding A.I. far outweighs the possible benefits it may offer. Writing is the expression of one’s own ideas, using one’s own words. It is the unique way Oscar Wilde, Margaret Atwood, or Toni Morrisson string together meticulously chosen words that
To write is to breathe life into words; A.I. steals words, rehashes them, and spits them out.
marks their identity as writers. To write is to breathe life into words; A.I. steals words, rehashes them, and spits them out.
According to CBC’s article on the subject, Cass Morris, former NaNoWriMo board member, says that using artificial intelligence as a writing tool “takes away the joy of discovery in writing, of finding within yourself the thing that you most want to say.”
In their following statement regarding the situation, the NaNoWriMo team explains what prompted their original one and its intended message: “In early August, debates about AI on our social media channels became vitriolic. It was clear that the intimidation and harassment we witnessed were causing harm within our community of writers [...] Taking a position of neutrality was not an abandonment of writers’ legitimate concerns about AI [...] We absolutely believe
that AI must be discussed and that its ethical use must be advocatedfor. What we don’t believe is that NaNoWriMo belongs at the forefront of that conversation.” While this marks a good point in theory, the organisation’s partnership with an A.I. self-editing tool in the weeks preceding this controversy does not reflect its neutrality claim, and by taking a “neutral” stance by not condemning AI, they in fact support it, allowing its use in their challenge, reflecting the way “neutral” stances end up favouring power. Furthermore, if a non-profit organisation that aims to uplift authors and their creativity doesn’t belong in this discussion, then who does?
Let down by NaNoWriMo’s actions, writers suggest to continue participating in the challenge without documenting it on the NaNoWriMo website. This partial boycott allows writers to keep engaging with this important part of the writing community while also protesting the organisation’s “neutrality” towards artificial intelligence.
Many writers worry about the safety of their writing that lies in the hands of NaNoWriMo, despite there not being any current proof of it being used for A.I. training. The concern does, however, still weigh on the writing community, who fear for their words’ future as - thanks to NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program - multiple schools encourage their students to write on its platform. Children are known to speak the truth in its crudest yet most innocent form. If our children’s words, voices, and artistic identities aren’t protected in the name of “neutrality,” what does it forebode for the future?
PHOTO
Are Babies the Secret to Human Nature?
SARAH BENSETITI Secretary
Have you ever wondered about the origins of our morals? Are we, as humans, born with a natural inclination toward kindness as we might hope, or does the darkness we so often encounter in the world lie dormant within us from the very beginning? This profound question—whether babies enter the world inherently good or bad—strikes at the core of one of philosophy’s most enduring mysteries: the true nature of humanity. It invites us to consider whether we are moulded by our environments into beings of compassion or cruelty, or if our very genes script our fates toward one specific path As scientists and
These findings prompt us to reconsider: Are babies truly as innately good as the first experiment suggested, or might the biases we see in daily life be inborn tendencies that emerge from the earliest stages of human development?
philosophers continue to delve deeper into the mysteries of early human behaviour, the ageold debate surrounding the purity—or peril— of our most primitive instincts illuminates as much about our own identities as it does about our younger selves.
The exploration of human nature has ignited philosophical discourse for centuries, with its modern roots in the Renaissance, an era when thinkers began to challenge long-held beliefs that children were merely miniature adults with obligations and duties much like those of their elders. Indeed, during Medieval Times, children who reached the age of seven or eight years old, commonly known as the age of reason at the time, were expected to shoulder responsibilities akin to those of grown-ups. They would be dressed like their parents and knew nothing of the colourful Fisher Price toys and pretendplay games we are privileged to experience as toddlers today. Thus, the Renaissance marked a shift as intellectuals began to see childhood as a distinct, formative stage, recognizing the value of allowing children to develop through their rich imagination and heightened senses. This recognition of childhood as a unique and crucial period in human development laid the
foundation for more profound questions about the human condition, pushing us to reconsider our understanding of morality, identity, and what it ultimately means to be human.
The question of whether infants are blank slates, ready to be shaped by the world, or if they arrive bearing innate moral inclinations, was notably first addressed by philosopher Thomas Hobbes in the sixteenth century. Observing their unrelenting needs and unfiltered impulses, Hobbes put forth the doctrine of original sin, asserting that children are inherently selfcentred and driven by egoism, requiring societal restraint to prevent chaos. To him, childhood is the critical period during which parents need to civilise their offspring, moulding them into productive, mature individuals capable of contributing to the greater good. Essentially, in his eyes, children, emerging from the “sin” of conception, are born with tendencies he described as almost demonic, inherently tied to humankind’s basest instincts and in need of moral guidance.
It was not until the 18th century that Hobbes’ doctrine of original sin faced serious challenge. Jean-Jacques Rousseau proposed the doctrine of innate purity, asserting that children are born with an intuitive sense of right and wrong, which society often corrupts with its deviant and greedy influences. Rousseau argued that parents should grant children the freedom to follow their naturally positive inclinations, fostering their inherent goodness rather than imposing societal constraints. Regardless, these two doctrines stood in complete opposition to one another, yet neither could be definitively proven or disproven, leaving the question unresolved for centuries.
The question of human nature remained a strictly philosophical debate until recent years, when new methods allowed us to explore the perspectives of babies—those too young to communicate through language yet perhaps already holding insights into morality.
Yale University’s psychology department opened the pioneering Baby Lab, where researchers designed systematic experiments to test centuries-old theories about the origins of morality. Using puppets, they crafted scenarios to observe infants’ responses. In one experiment, babies watched as one puppet struggled to open a box and was helped by another puppet, while a third puppet slammed the box shut. Consistently, babies showed a preference for the helpful puppet, suggesting they may indeed have an inherent sense of morality.
However, the picture became more complex with the results of a follow-up experiment testing biases. Here, researchers investigated whether babies would still favour a helpful puppet if it displayed preferences different from their own. The puppets were each shown to favour either Cheerios or graham crackers. Most babies preferred Cheerios and gravitated toward the puppet with the same preference. Remarkably, when given the choice, they tended to choose the unhelpful puppet over the helpful one if the latter didn’t share their taste in snacks—almost as if punishing it for differing preferences. These findings prompt us to reconsider: Are babies truly as innately good as the first experiment suggested, or might the biases we see in daily life be inborn tendencies that emerge from the earliest stages of human development?
The question that has loomed over humanity for centuries remains intriguingly unresolved. Modern research suggests that we are born with the potential for both good and bad, and that our upbringing plays a crucial role in shaping which traits come to the forefront. In essence, society guides us in managing our darker tendencies, giving us the opportunity to choose goodness. But this insight raises yet another question: does this mean we can never fully eliminate the bad in the world?
Conceptual Art as Commentary
JULIA AZZOUZ CopyEditor
What does a duct-taped banana mean to you? How about a signed urinal? Or ninety cans of faeces? While these unconventional objects may not initially register as art, they undoubtedly evoke a range of reactions—frustration, confusion, disbelief, or even a laugh. Some advocates might preach the profound significance of these installations, yet most are left feeling that they’re insignificant, a fall cry from what they consider “real” art. This tension between traditional notions of art and the provocative nature of conceptual works invites us to explore the origins and intentions behind this often-misunderstood movement.
To better understand this phenomenon and clarify its purposes, it’s essential to contextualise the emergence of abstract art. The shift towards the nonrepresentational was influenced by earlier movements like Impressionism and was further propelled by the invention of photography. In the early 20th century, artists aimed to distance themselves from realistic portrayals of the physical world, exploring new ways to use form, colour, and line to evoke raw emotion, express expansive ideas, and challenge conventional notions of beauty. Pioneers like Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, and Kazimir Malevich utilised the formal elements of painting not merely as tools for beautification, but as vehicles for expressing concepts and emotions. Among these influential figures, Marcel Duchamp stands out as a pivotal artist, often regarded as the forefather of conceptual art. His provocative readymades, such as the infamous Fountain, not only challenged traditional creative boundaries, but also set
a precedent for later artists.
Developed in response to the increasingly commercialised art world, conceptual art emerged as a distinct international movement in the 1960s, emphasising the thought process and method of production over the art object, the physical final product with aesthetic value. Whether performance or an everyday item, the physical manifestation of the idea is chosen for its efficiency in impact and communication, not for its aesthetic value. Duchamp’s readymades foreshadowed this movement, providing a direct commentary on the very nature of art itself. Critics often claim these installations lack “artistic value,” ironically echoing the sentiments of their creators. Conceptual works function as meta-art pieces that inherently question their own existence, so if you ask yourself why such a work is considered art, you’ve already grasped part of its essence. In theory, if there is no final product to hang on a wall or display on a mantel, such pieces cannot be bought or sold… but they are. Is that against their point?
Despite its emphasis on accessibility and its rejection of traditional artistic values, conceptual art has paradoxically become part of the commercial art world it criticises, with its recognition in pop culture anchored in outrage. Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian–the duct-taped banana– sold for 120,000 US dollars at an auction 5 years ago, complete with detailed instructions on how to install and display the piece (How long to cut the
tape? At which angle should it be placed? etc.). The owner doesn’t possess the tangible piece itself, which would undoubtedly have rotted away by now; rather, they own the concept that defines Comedian. This absurd commodification of ideas inevitably raises doubts about the legitimacy of conceptual art as a practice. While it’s instinctual to blame the artists, it’s crucial to recognize that their work intentionally highlights the egoism of art institutions. Indeed, Comedian exemplifies the core tenets of the conceptual movement by ridiculing the art market’s elitist self-indulgence while simultaneously profiting from it, a satirical move emblematic of the art form itself.
Conceptual art, born from the innovations of 20th century abstract art, seeks to shift our focus from aesthetics to ideas, provoking us to reconsider what art can be by playing with the criteria we judge it with. Critics may dismiss these works as lacking artistic value, yet they urge us to engage with the deeper messages they convey about society, commerce, and creativity itself. Ultimately, whether one views conceptual art as a sham or as a valid form of expression, it encourages us to question our perceptions and definitions of art, proposing that true meaning often resides in conversation and emotion rather than in tangible objects.
VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES
Does ‘Love at First Swipe’ Actually Exist?
CHARLOTTE RENAUD Arts & Culture Editor
We all know someone who’s actively swiping away on dating apps. Whether they extract pleasure out of it or not, they’re able to keep track of their countless text conversations and regular dates with new people. Most of us might even be that person.
Ever since their outbreak, dating apps have been subjected to debate. Many people dislike them, remembering the awful dates they’ve been on after meeting someone online. Others refuse to give into dating apps, claiming that they are breeding grounds for hookup culture and sexual harassment. On the other hand, some are grateful for these apps because that is where they met their partners. At the core of these contrasting opinions
the apps fuel people’s reluctance to commit to a specific person or relationship. We no longer need to find solace in the saying that “there are other fish in the sea,” because instead, we take pride in the deceptive mindset that there is always a better fish out there.
Tate Moyer’s article “Modern Romance is Dead, and Tinder Killed It” mentions psychologist Barry Schwartz’s description of this shift in perspective as a direct result of the choice paradox. He explains this as the phenomenon that reduces our satisfaction with the choice we make when we are presented with too many options. Similarly to online shopping, dating apps expose us to an infinite number of choices. On these apps, the choice paradox takes the shape of “serial swipers,” who hesitate to
We no longer need to find solace in the saying that “there are other fish in the sea,” because instead, we take pride in the deceptive mindset that there is always a better fish out there.
lies the apprehensive question: have dating apps smothered what was left of romance?
Even though long-term relationships are traditionally viewed favourably in society, short-term relationships are by far what is most popular now. People tend to associate loyalty, love, and security to long-term relationships. While these qualities are desired, they are overshadowed by the enticing thrill that comes with short-term dating. The passion, fun and excitement that are often ascribed to short-term relationships has taken precedence over the qualities attributed to the long-term. Consequently, most of us want to experience the sweetness of romance without the restrictive commitment it entails. The spread of hookup culture is undeniably one of the most significant consequences that arose from the development of dating apps and the instant gratification they provide users with.
Since dating apps allow people to constantly receive instant gratification from new people, the difficulty of commitment in relationships has grown exponentially. By granting access to an endless number of potential partners,
commit to one option out of fear that there might potentially be a better one. This mentality is much more dangerous on dating apps because these choices are now made about people instead of objects.
In addition to this paradox, dating apps are gamified to further their users’ addiction to them. Natasha Dow Schüll, author of Addiction by Design, explains that gamification is when software developers incorporate the addictive elements found in gaming into their apps to fuel users’ engagement, which would overall boost profit. The ‘infinite scroll’ on dating apps is as addictive as gambling slot machines. Tate Moyer’s article explains how the human brain exhibits an addictive response when units cannot be defined or when they are infinite. This urges further scrolling in the hopes of reaching a nonexistent point of completion. The slot machine also works in this way; “the point at which a user will receive their theoretical reward is undefined, so they continue to buy into the system in the hopes that they’ll hit the jackpot on their next term.” The user’s desire to meet people is continuously being fuelled on these apps without being
satiated. Consequently, one of many matches does not tend to form any meaningful connections; it simply acts as a confidence booster.
Developers voluntarily design dating apps to be addictive, training on instant gratification and the endless search for a “better fish in the sea.” We’ve all come across Tinder’s witty slogan “It Starts with a Swipe” and Hinge’s “Designed to be Deleted.” Their taglines all sound too good to be true – and that’s because they are. Online dating has become a multibillion-dollar industry that profits off people’s desire to meet a partner and find love. These apps are designed to offer quick stimulation and therefore be addictive. Developers of dating apps are lying; they purposefully designed their apps in the hopes of keeping us on them as long as possible. They propagate instant gratification and reinforce users’ fear of commitment by employing effective marketing strategies that encourage the online dater to invest in costly premium offers. For example, Hinge claims that ‘sending a rose’ is more likely to land someone a date. Bumble also coaxes its users into buying their premium membership (27.99$ for a week or 279.99$ for a lifetime) that allows them to view who their likes are.
While the dating apps themselves are problematic, some users are too. Besides the no-commitment sex and one-night stands, another consequence of the hookup-culture mindset is the frequent ‘ghosting’ phenomenon where a person will suddenly break off all communication with another, without any explanation. According to Neil McArthur’s book The Ethics of Sex, around 1/5th of young people report having been ghosted by a romantic partner. In addition to this hurtful experience, the act of cheating is facilitated through online dating. A study conducted by the research firm, Global Web Index, reports that 30% of Tinder users are married while another 12% are in a relationship. These platforms also reinforce insecurities, further discouraging authenticity. A study mentioned in McArthur’s book reports that the most advantageous word to have on a male profile is ‘6ft.’ The desire for likes can exhort people to lie on their profiles to appeal to the
general population.
Overall, dating apps prove to be quite ineffective. According to PEW Research, despite their extreme popularity, only 12% of these
users, probably because transphobic users report their profiles. Sex workers have also been kicked off dating apps, even when they are only using them for personal dating.” Some apps like
Developers of dating apps are lying; they purposefully designed their apps in the hopes of keeping us on them as long as possible.
individuals report eventually forming a committed relationship.
These apps can also be dangerous. There are serious safety risks that must be addressed, such as the facilitation of discrimination, sexual harassment, and assault. McArthur’s The Ethics of Sex hypothesised that people feel more comfortable behaving poorly with others who have no contact with anyone else they know. People behind their screens tend to falsely feel like their harmful actions don’t affect others as much as they do offline. Since dating apps are centred on physical appearances, conventionally attractive users receive a disproportionately high number of matches and messages compared to others, and those who don’t fit colonial beauty standards are frequently discriminated against. In his book, McArthur explains, “Tinder, for instance, has banned many trans
Grindr tolerate racist and derogatory language in people’s profiles such as slurs and phrases like “no Asians” and “no fatties.”
Sexual harassment and assault are also visible problems on dating apps. PEW Research reports that 35% of users claim to have received unsolicited sexually explicit messages. In addition to this, a study led by ProPublica reports that one-third of women have reported being sexually assaulted by someone they met on a dating app.
So, are there any positive sides to online dating? The answer: yes. While the dating scene has not improved since the development of dating apps, it is more accessible. Finding a compatible partner can be quite difficult, especially for those who do not go to many social gatherings. Dating apps can appeal to a shy clientele as they offer them more opportunities to meet people.
The access we now have to the dating pool allows us to go ‘fishing’ from the comfort of our own homes, expediting the meeting of someone compatible.
Not only do dating apps benefit those who are shy, but they also break down barriers between social groups who would not necessarily have met offline. People with specific sexual interests and members of sexual minorities can find like-minded people more easily online. McArthur argues that this factor is what prompted queer peoples’ early and enthusiastic adoption of online dating. However, since Grindr’s launch in 2009, countless other dating apps have developed: Tinder, Hinge, JSwipe (a dating app for Jewish millennials), 3nder (for people interested in polyamory, kink, and other alternative sexual preferences), Bumble, Fruitz, and the list goes on.
The idea behind dating apps is not inherently bad. People can, and do, meet their partners. However, the specific development of these apps and insensitive behaviour of some users are what often result in unsatisfactory endings. Whether or not love lives should be digitised will continue to spark controversial opinions thus, it boils down to what we individually think is best for us. Romance might be suffering, but it is not dead.
8 THE PLANT
CURATED
BY SANAD HAMDOUNA
Visual Arts Editor
TEODORA KACHULKOVA @TEOD0OK
SANAD HAMDOUNA @swordhymn_
MIKA JULIEN @giraffehairbrush
BY AMELIA BAUTISTA
JANE HAO @kiragyu_
“Journalism is not a crime”: Israel’s War on Palestinian Journalists & The Free Press
SANAD HAMDOUNA Visual Arts Editor & Co-E.i.C.
“It’s Bissan from Gaza—and I’m still alive” is the title of the AJ+ documentary that won the 2024 Emmy award in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story category, but also the opening phrase in every video from the ground in Gaza by Palestinian Journalist Bissan Owda.
In her 8 minute documentary short film — a compilation of her shorter daily videos originally published on her Instagram account @wizard_bisan1 – Owda walks the viewer through her day in the camp set up inside the courtyard of Northern Gaza’s AlShifa hospital. She documents the long lines to use the bathrooms, the squalid living conditions of Palestinian civilians forcefully displaced by Israeli
due to Israel’s ban on foreign journalists entering the Gaza Strip, Palestinian reporters are the ones facing the brunt of Israel’s brutality.
Ismail Al Ghoul was a 27 year old Palestinian broadcast reporter for Al Jazeera and one of the few journalists remaining in the north of Gaza, where Israel’s siege is particularly brutal. He was also the father of Zeina, a toddler who was displaced to the south along with his wife and the majority of his family. According to the Al Jazeera report, he was assassinated along with his cameraman Rami Al Rifi by an Israeli strike on their car as they were leaving the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. The car was clearly marked with “TV” and both of them were wearing blue press vests and helmets, clearly demarcating them as journalists. Witnesses and reporters
Both Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have declared Gaza the most dangerous place for reporters, and Israel’s ‘war on Gaza’ as the deadliest in modern history for journalists.
bombing, the young boys volunteering to clean up hospital grounds, the long lines for meagre food and water, the orphaned children with no time to mourn, the overwhelmed hospital staff, and—of course—the chilling sound of Israeli war planes and bombs surrounding the hospital.
Her work and the work of other Palestinian journalists documenting the reality on the ground in Gaza has been instrumental in bringing awareness to the situation, humanising Palestinians, countering Israeli propaganda, and dispelling the fog of war. Yet this critical work comes at a heavy price: a target on their back. Indeed, Reporters Without Borders counted over 140 journalists killed by Israel in Gaza since October 7th 2023, and the Government Media Office in Gaza reported 180 journalists and other media workers killed in the same timeframe.
Both Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have declared Gaza the most dangerous place for reporters, and Israel’s ‘war on Gaza’ as the deadliest in modern history for journalists. Yet
nearby told CPJ there were no clashes taking place in the area. Al Jazeera aired footage of the moments after the strike and of Al Ghoul and Al Rifi’s bodies being removed from the car. Al Ghoul’s head had been severed from his body by the blow.
Shortly after his assasination, Ismail Al Ghoul’s brother, Jihad, who used to accompany him as he went out for press coverage, said in an interview with The New Arab: “Ismail told me that [he] was not afraid of death, but he was afraid of leaving his daughter alone in this terrifying world.”
On August 1st the IDF admitted they had assassinated Al Ghoul in a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) and accused him of allegedly being part of Hamas’ military wing by teaching them “to record operations”, without presenting any evidence. Al Jazeera immediately issued their own statement, calling the IDF’s accusations fabricated and baseless. Their statement also points out that “the Israeli occupation forces had previously abducted Ismail on March 18, 2024, during their raid on Al-Shifa
Hospital, detaining him for a period of time before his release, which debunks and refutes their fake claim of his affiliation with any organisation.” Yet the IDF did not give up on trying to justify their actions.
On August 3rd they published a screenshot of a document allegedly found on “Hamas computers”. The document listed Al Ghoul as an engineer in Hamas’ military wing and showed that he had received a Hamas military ranking in 2007–when he would have been 10 years old, yet it also indicated that he had only joined Hamas in 2014, at the age of 17. Al Jazeera put the document’s authenticity into further question by pointing out that the photo of Al Ghoul used in the document was of a basic Palestinian ID card and that anyone could alter the information on it using a simple photo editing software.
Al Ghoul’s story is only one of Israel’s many targeted murders of journalists, who—under international law—are meant to be protected in times of war. Yet Israel attempted to sideline the law and justify their actions by smearing those they’d already killed, when their victims no longer had a voice to defend themselves.
Israel has now accused six surviving (as of October 29th) Palestinian journalists working for Al Jazeera of being members of armed militant groups. The six journalists are: Anas Al Sharif, Talal Aruki, Alaa Salama, Hossam Shabat, Ismail Farid, and Ashraf Saraj. Yet Reporters Without Borders stated that “the mere publication of these documents does not constitute sufficient proof of affiliation, nor a licence to kill.” Additionally, the Committee to Protect Journalists published a statement on X saying that they were aware of the accusations, and that “Israel has repeatedly made similar unproven claims without producing any credible evidence.”
Al Jazeera issued their own statement online, condemning Israel’s accusations and warning them not to use allegations as justification to target their journalists. The statement also calls the allegations unfounded and fabricated in “a blatant attempt to silence the few remaining journalists in the region, thereby obscuring the harsh
realities of the war from audiences worldwide.” Indeed, the six journalists named are some of the last few remaining in northern Gaza, where Al Jazeera is the only international media
blackout. […] It raises questions about what Israel doesn’t want international journalists to see.”
Israel’s killing of over 180 journalists and media workers, its smearing of
“Never before has Israel enforced such a long and strict information blackout. […] It raises questions about what Israel doesn’t want international journalists to see.”
outlet documenting Israel’s siege and bombardment of Palestinian civilians and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe.
Journalism from the frontlines, like that of Al Jazeera’s journalists, is critical to capturing the devastation of war and informing the public on the realities on the ground. This information can influence public opinion, policy decisions, and slowly bring about necessary change. In fact, in 2015 the UN Security Council passed a resolution strengthening the protection of journalists, stating that “the work of a free, independent and impartial media constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society”. Additionally, the 2020 UN Chief stated that “the fundamental role of journalists in ensuring access to reliable information is essential to achieving durable peace, sustainable development and human rights”, he included civilian journalists in his statement, saying that they must all “be respected and protected under international humanitarian law.”
Despite journalism’s critical importance, Israel still imposes a ban on any independent international journalists trying to report from Gaza. Indeed, international journalists are only permitted to report from Gaza if they are embedded with the IDF and submit “any material they intend to broadcast” to the media censor before publication, according to Anadolu Agency, a news outlet based in Türkiye. The Foreign Press Association, a nonprofit representing hundreds of foreign journalists from 32 countries working for international news organisations, has published a series of statements expressing shock at Israel’s refusal to allow foreign press independent access to Gaza. Saying: “Never before has Israel enforced such a long and strict information
the only international media outlet reporting from Gaza, and its ban on uncensored international media coverage forms a deeply concerning pattern. A pattern that suggests Israel is deliberately trying to hide its actions in Gaza, as it is on trial for the crime of Genocide.
Israel has also attempted to hide its actions in Lebanon. On the 25th of October 2024, Israel killed three journalists in an air strike in the southern Lebanese city of Hasbaiyya, which was under no evacuation order. The building where the 3 media workers were sleeping was known to house journalists and cars marked “press” were parked outside when it was directly targeted according to reporters on the scene. The attack is considered a war crime by Lebanon’s Information Minister, Ziad Makary, who wrote: “This is an assassination, after monitoring and tracking, with premeditation and planning, as there were 18 journalists present at the location representing seven media institutions.” These 3 journalists were
not the first reporters killed in Lebanon. According to Al Jazeera, Israel has targeted and killed at least 3 others in the past year, wounding many more.
Yet unlike Gaza, Lebanon’s borders aren’t controlled by Israel and the country is accessible to foreign press. On October 21st, when Israel claimed Hezbollah, an armed Lebanese faction, was hiding cash and gold in a Beirut hospital, reporters from the Associated Press, Sky News, and other international news agencies were quickly given an unrestricted tour of the hospital. They were able to show their audiences that Israel’s claims were untrue. If Israel were to strike the hospital, like they did with the ones in Gaza, there would be no doubt that it was unjustified.
When it comes to Gaza, claims made by the IDF are often unable to be independently verified by international observers and regular Palestinians who argue against these claims are rarely believed, but journalists can provide a picture of the truth and dispel the fog of rumour, allegations, and war.
The protection of free and independent journalism is crucial, especially in times of war or organised violence. Palestinian journalism is an essential service to the entire civilised world and Palestinian journalists must be protected, regardless of inflammatory allegations levelled against them. In the words of Jon Laurence, executive producer at AJ+, in his speech accepting the Emmy Award on behalf of Bisan Owda: “Journalism is not a crime.”
El Taiger’s Death: A Nation in Turmoil
THALIA RUIZ RAMIREZ News Editor
José Manuel Carvajal Zaldívar, known as El Taiger, became a notable Cuban artist and a pioneering voice of cubatón, a genre that fuses reggaeton with traditional Cuban rhythms. However, despite his musical success, he often encountered legal troubles. Authorities arrested him in the summer of 2024 for cocaine possession, later charging him with armed robbery, assault, and resisting an officer. On October 4, 2024, at just 37 years old, someone discovered him in Miami with a gunshot wound to the head, according to BBC. Though he initially survived, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Miami police confirmed the case as a homicide investigation, ruling out suicide and leaving the circumstances of his passing shrouded in mystery. The artist’s death has unleashed a wave of reactions from both the Cuban government and the public, reflecting the complex intersections of fame, politics, and the social realities Cubans face.
When news of El Taiger’s critical condition reached Cuba, former Minister of Culture Abel Prieto Jiménez publicly wished him a swift recovery, declaring that “all Cubans” hoped for his well-being, according to El País. Lis Cuesta, the wife of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, also expressed solidarity, condemning violence and noting that “Cuba understands love, never hate.” This public response broke precedent, especially considering the state’s history of ostracising artists. In an unusual move, Cubadebate, a state platform, published an article titled “El Taiger, Life Above Reggaeton.” The article claimed he became “a victim of
a violent society like that of the United States,” while omitting mention of Cuba’s rising violence. The article acknowledged his legal troubles but minimised them, instead emphasising his loyalty to Cuban culture. For the Cuban government, shaping the story of a public figure’s life and death allows it to reinforce nationalism and promote unity. The portrayal of El Taiger’s death highlights how the Cuban government controls cultural narratives to divert attention from Cuba’s systemic issues while creating symbols that align with its agenda.
However, the focus on a reggaeton star’s death has felt disconnected from the island’s worsening economic and social crisis. Rampant inflation, daily power outages, and shortages of basic goods, such as food and medicine, rarely reach the news and remain actively censored. According to Diario de las Américas, in Cienfuegos, power outages often stretch for 12 hours a day, while in Pinar del Río, blackouts frequently last over 19 hours continuously. Meanwhile, a doctor’s monthly salary in Cuba ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 Cuban pesos, while a carton of eggs costs between 3,400 and 3,600 pesos, according to Semana.
After Fidel Castro seized power in 1959, he implemented widespread restrictions under his totalitarian socialist regime. According to the National Women’s History Museum, he shut down nightclubs, claiming they promoted capitalist behaviour. This crackdown impacted artists like Celia Cruz, who, many argue, is someone truly worth mourning. The “Queen of Salsa” was born in Havana in 1925 and played a defining role in popularising salsa music by
blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with Latin American styles. She faced significant racial and gender-based discrimination as a dark-skinned Afro-Cuban woman, but rose to international fame, performing across Latin America and recording with New York’s Seeco label. However, Castro’s government nationalised the media, closed venues, and censored artists who refused to support the new regime or held ties to the capitalist USA. Authorities banned Celia Cruz from her own country, repeatedly denying her attempts to visit her homeland, even when her mother lay gravely ill. Heartbroken, she vowed never to return until Cuba freed itself from dictatorship. Although Cuban media censored Cruz’s music celebrating Cuban and African heritage, some courageous fans privately continued listening to her songs, according to the BBC. Nevertheless, she has now disappeared from Cuban history, though, for those in exile, she symbolises the resilience of Cuban identity and freedom.
Meanwhile, the Cuban public displayed passionate solidarity with El Taiger in the days following his death, as he never severed ties with the government and continued to perform in the country despite living in the United States. Diario de Cuba reported that supporters held vigils in Santiago de Cuba, where fans lit candles, sang his songs, and prayed for the artist. Videos showed young people gathering in Santiago’s parks with candles and chanting. In other locations, such as Havana’s Malecón, people gathered discreetly, concealing their candles until they could safely congregate. Supporters argue that his popularity reflects the evolving tastes of Cuban youth and the growing acceptance of reggaeton as a legitimate cultural expression. However, the contrast with their reality raises questions: why do people use the candles they depend on during blackouts to honour a man who, some argue, did nothing to improve the lives of ordinary Cubans?
Ultimately, El Taiger’s death symbolises the complexities within Cuban society. To some, he will remain a cubatón pioneer bridging Cuban and American music. To others, he represents an oppressive system that restricts true freedom of expression. His death and the reactions it sparked reveal a Cuba where both the government and its people must confront the realities of media control and a society yearning for change.
Solutions to Homelessness: Is it All in Vain?
EMMA CASPI Voices Editor
“History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as farce.” -Karl Marx
As winter creeps closer and the temperature steadily drops, we retreat into our heated homes, taking comfort and warmth for granted. But what about those forced to face the brunt of winter without shelter, condemned to the cold weather and ignored by cold hearted individuals? There must be some sort of solution, right? As the term ‘solution’ is derived from the Latin solvere, meaning to loosen the knot of a problem, ‘solutions to homelessness’ must be a misnomer; the convoluted knot of homelessness is only getting tighter. That is, unless Montreal has been disguising its motives of consolidating the financially stable population and helping those unhoused. As a result, the rest of society scorns the unhoused population, not because they necessarily deserve it, but because they are trapped in a perpetual cycle of contempt.
Stereotypes, biases, and misunderstandings only feed into this general disdain, making it hard to understand why the unhoused population has steadily increased while showing no signs of decline. For starters, the word “homelessness” stratifies four distinct groups under one common, and often misconstrued term. The four types are the following: 1) transitional homelessness resulting from a major life change or catastrophic event, 2) episodic homelessness categorised as a minimum of three periods of homelessness within the last 12 months, 3) chronic homelessness defined as “an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition” having been homeless for more than one year, and 4) hidden homelessness, defining those temporarily living in others’ homes without a permanent place of their own.
The unhoused population is far more diverse than its generic definition, “the state of having no home” would suggest.
The quick assumption that all homeless people’s circumstances result from mental illness, substance abuse, laziness, and criminal activity (or freedom of choice) perpetuates harmful stereotypes, further generalising homelessness. According to a 2022 study conducted by Centraide, Montreal’s 4,690 unhoused persons, not including the invisible unhoused, also experienced familial problems, marginalisation, low income, difficult immigration experiences, violent relationships, and most prevalently, the consequences of high rent and housing shortages. Such nuances matter when it comes down to proper intervention and course of action.
Sam Watts, CEO and Executive Director of the Welcome Hall Mission, explains to The Rover that Montréal is experiencing an unprecedented “systemic problem”, “producing more people
Police raids dismantling encampments condemn those dependent on that safe space to more dangerous and exposed environments, such as near railways and abandoned buildings. Facing this dehumanisation, unhoused persons shrink themselves down to make room for those whom the government cares about.
CBC explains how Montreal seeks the “public’s input on how to live ‘harmoniously’ with the unhoused population” and relinquish the rising tensions between “Montreal’s residents and unhoused people.” Although Montreal’s population deserves to feel safe in public spaces, they should ask themselves how unsafe and vulnerable the unhoused population must feel, outcasted from society and stigmatised. Serge Lareault, Montreal’s commissioner for people experiencing homelessness, proudly shares that resources for the unhoused population have doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the resources were created to comfort
the rest of society scorns the unhoused population, not because they necessarily deserve it, but because they are trapped in a perpetual cycle of contempt.
experiencing homelessness” because “ it’s getting harder and harder to find affordable housing.” Resources like homeless shelters are ideal, but Watt reveals such resources “are stretched so thin that we’re consigning [individuals] to a merry-go-round that takes them in and out of homelessness.” Unhoused persons subjected to high rent and housing shortages attempt to create solutions, such as the encampment on Atwater Hill. While Quebec’s transport ministry fought to remove the encampment to renovate the overpass, those relying on it for survival fought back on humanitarian grounds.
and appease the rest of society, answering complacently to their “influx of complaints”. It almost makes you think nothing would have been done for the suffering unhoused persons had the rest of society not been made uncomfortable.
It would be unfair to claim that nothing is being done to abate this growing crisis.
For instance, The Gazette reports Mayor Valérie Plante committed to constructing 120,000 affordable social housing units over 10 years. However, up until this point, Quebec and Montreal officials have communicated poorly, making the presented solutions fragmented and incohesive. Pierre Lessard-Blais, mayor of the Mercier borough, requested the encampments remain untouched, while Plante enforced a policy to break up encampments systematically. Pledging to construct housing for the unhoused is the first step in the right direction. However, no change will be made unless all parties involved view the unhoused population as human beings and not as a nuisance hindering “more important” people from executing “more important” matters.
We Won’t Make It Without Each Other: A Conversation on The Value of Community
AMINA FARAH Contributor
MIRREN BODANIS Editor-in-Chief
If you were told a few years ago that a man facing multiple criminal charges would have a real chance of When we open our phones, we’re bombarded with genocides, police brutality, climate disasters, rising tolls of poverty and homelessness, and growing fascism; horrible reports which flood our feeds at unprecedented rates. These images can lead to a sense of hopelessness, often causing people to give up and walk away from movements or discouraging them from taking action. Our despair makes it seem as though there’s nothing we can do as working class individuals watching these atrocities from the sidelines. However, we can do what people have done for centuries when situations have become unbearable: fight back.
Being part of any sort of community can help heal that sense of powerlessness, whether it surrounds a social cause or just personal motivation. A study by UofT and UBC found that “community belonging and engagement contributes to quality of life which results in a greater sense of identity and confidence, opposing anonymity and loneliness.” A study of young adults in 12 countries, published by Frontiers, found that “High collectivism was associated with less suicidal ideation” in individualist countries like our own. These “communities” can be school clubs, social groups (like book clubs or gaming clubs), or even regular lunches with the people around you.
On top of hopelessness, the media that we are confronted with on a daily basis suggests that we solve our problems individually. Superheroes, detectives, and even real-life leaders of social movements (think King, Mandela, or Ghandi) are generally presented as the most important part of any social fight. In reality, it’s not only the work of one person that makes a difference. “Social movements that have built power and won major change have all included mutual aid, yet it is often part of movement work that is less visible and less valued”, writes Law Professor Dean Spade in their book Mutual Aid.
The UofT/UBC study also found that “a greater sense of community may translate into a higher likelihood of people mobilising participatory processes for the solution of their problems.”
Social movements that have built power and won major change have all included mutual aid, yet it is often part of movement work that is less visible and less valued
When we’re having trouble finding hope, we shouldn’t keep it to ourselves. We spoke with Riley, a Social Service student here at Dawson, a musician and amongst many other things, they’re someone who expressed deep commitment to standing in solidarity for marginalised folks. They have a strong love for their community as an advocate for change, affirming that it’s normal to feel small in the face of large systemic issues and that this is the intended effect of said systems. Riley shares that in order to move past a frozen state of guilt or despair, it’s important to sit with oneself and think about what tools we have, where we are, and who’s around us. “Capitalism makes us think in an individual context. Generally, individualism makes us think all of our successes and failures are based on the individual, but in reality humans have no failure or successes without one another”. Community is therefore necessary to make change. For Riley, this includes reflecting on who they are and what their role is in the context of our white supremacist, heteronormative, capitalist society: “I recognized my privilege and power as someone who appears to be cis, straight, and white, and how my white guilt was not serving me, but was centering myself in something that wasn’t about me”. Riley also offered many ways to get involved with people working towards solutions for problems we all share. For instance, concerning the Genocide of Palestinian people, we can show up to the many protests organized weekly by the Palestinian Youth Move-
ment (PYM) and other groups. We can learn from reading and listening to Palestinian voices like Bisan Owda (@wizard_bisan1 on Instagram) and the remaining Palestinian journalists who broadcast regularly. We can make space in our every day lives to talk about the genocide and inform others which fosters a sense of community as well.
On a local level, fighting for marginalised groups can look like joining them to protect their rights by staying current on relevant topics, going to demonstrations, signing petitions, and donating what you can or showing up to fundraisers. Learning can happen by reading and borrowing books from libraries, or joining and creating book clubs with friends. For Riley, turning to the local music scene is what they said “helped [them] find the space to be queer and trans,” with queer Montreal artists like Typeface, Object of Loathing, or Jetsam.
Social Media is a great way to find events in the area to show solidarity for organised groups. For example, Iskweu (an initiative by the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, @iskweu) will post about their vigils and calls for mutual aid pertaining to MMIW2S+ individuals and their families. Résistance Montréal (@resistance.montreal) posts a monthly calendar of anarchist events held by numerous groups. Even at Dawson there are many clubs that align with various political views, but if you don’t find something to your taste, you can always reach out to the DSU to start your own.
When it comes to forming a group, whether it be in or outside school, the process can seem daunting, increasing that sense of powerlessness. In an interview with The Plant, Alyssa Kuzmarov, a Professor at Dawson’s Social Services department, provided us with some expertise: “One of the most important things is to talk to the people you want to be part of [your group]. I could have amazing ideas sitting in my house, office, wherever, but if I don’t actually talk to [the people] who are supposed to benefit from my club, then I might miss the mark.” She explains that even people with similar interests will have differences of opinion, which can lead to conflict and a loss of motivation to be together. She stressed the
need to “go a bit deeper into ‘What are people actually like?’ ‘What are they actually needing underneath?’ Some people just need to be heard or validated or need to find that motivation.
[...] In social work there’s this very important concept of power over and power with. If you have power over, well, you’re deciding for them, but if you have power with, then there’s that idea of being an ally.”
It goes to show that forming a group isn’t about being the one “in charge”, but is instead about organising and helping the group accomplish its goals. Just like how keeping yourself organised is about making sure everything in your life is helping you work towards a goal, organising a group is about making sure everyone in the group can help work towards a goal. Kuzmarov summarises: “It has to be a win-win for people. [...] If you want people to come to your thing, there has to be a reason to come.”
Creating connections in the community can also facilitate the process of making change. Riley discovered Action Santé Travesti(e)s et Transexuel(le)s du Québec (ASTT(e) Q), a project aimed at promoting the
wellbeing of trans individuals and the empowerment of the community. Due to a lack of funding, they were at risk of having to put an end to their services. Riley gathered volunteers and bands to play a benefit show that took place in March of this year, successfully raising almost $2000. Fortunately, the ASTT(e)Q is still offering services today, a testament to the importance of mutual aid and the power of community.
Resistance can happen in many forms, from a coming out celebration for a trans friend or a sober party. We have to be creative with our resistance.
It can feel paralysing to want to face systemic issues head on. However, doing something big or small, no matter what it is, will always be better than doing nothing. Riley shares that “Resistance can happen in many forms, from a coming out celebration for a trans friend or a sober party. We have to
be creative with our resistance.” Don’t let fear and hopelessness stop you from learning, speaking out, and joining the movement. Kuzmarov affirms: “Two, three people can make a difference, by writing a letter, by raising awareness. We have that choice: are we going to sit around, or are we going to step out of our comfort zone? [...] If you’re afraid, do it for the people that will benefit. [...] Be scared and do it anyway.”
Under a system designed to keep us doom scrolling, immobilised, and apathetic, we don’t need to become fulltime activists to get involved. Simply caring and trying is revolutionary on its own. “Learning to be with the messiness of organising, that’s what I tell my Group Work class,” says Kuzmarov, “We don’t know what’s going to happen, there’s so much uncertainty, but there’s also so much magic when you can really be afraid but still jump into that unknown.”
For those who have been showing up, remember that you need to take care of yourself in order to keep going. Keep faith that change is possible. We need each other and we need to be the hope we wish to find, or whatever it is that Gandhi said.
GRAPHIC BY AFSHA AKHTAR
CANADIAN
November has come… and it’s gone awayyyyyyyy
I had no better way of introducing this month save for the Gorillaz song from their iconic album Demon Days, which I do have the vinyl of… Regardless, as Mariah Carey is defrosting before our very eyes, and service workers count the amount of times they hear the same Christmas melodies play on repeat, make the most out of the filler month that is November (no offense November babies)! I know I will try my best to avoid the usual shenanigans that occur at this time of the year, and enjoy what is left of it, as well as this semester! That being said, whilst the poems included in this issue do not come with a backing musical track, perhaps the silence will bring a sense of solace to your martyred ears… Enjoy the Silence… alright I’ll stop.
EZRA BUCUR
Creative Writing Editor
PHILOSOPHIA
JULIA AZZOUZ Copy Editor
It’s not like the seasons, death to life, or life to death, not like the first sight, the skipping pulse, the stolen breath. It’s not a bleeding fruit, a poison apple or a tight white pill. It’s not a dog from hell, a tweeting bird, a rabid kill. It’s not like the Earth around the Sun or the snake and his own tail, not like the sinner and his stone, or the builder and his nail. It’s not like the ticking of a clock, so fastidiously frail, the months and weeks and minutes that thoughts to sight prevail. It’s not a pinprick of light or a prisoner’s freedom, not an anchor in the sea or a glittering kingdom. It’s not like a tall loud voice, a lofty giggle, a siren’s call, not like the seas or skies, or anything real at all. It’s not a curse, and not a lie, yet not a single stubborn truth, it’s like anarchy in science, or a preacher in his booth. Yet it’s not like a sacrament, an exorcism or a fall, more like tomorrow and today, some graffiti on a wall. It’s like a confesséd fabrication, like god, red, and dawn, constellations and success, the delay of a yawn.
CREATIVE WRITING
TO THE GIRL TWENTY-FOUR HOURS AGO
ENYA CLANCY
Contributor
To the girl twenty-four hours ago, heartbroken by the boy she thought she loved, it’ll be okay.
Maybe he won’t ever get to hold your hand or kiss you in the rain under a sky full of stars. Maybe he won’t bring you roses on your birthday or tell you that you’re the only one meant for him.
But maybe he’ll still hug you so hard that you won’t feel alone. But maybe he’ll still let you rest your head on his shoulder, being the support that you don’t know you need. It won’t be awkward.
Maybe you want to cry your eyes out, hoping that no one will walk into the washroom and see the running mascara on your face. Maybe you want to lay in bed all day, hoping that what he admitted was all some twisted dream.
But maybe he’ll still text you late at night, bringing a smile to your face
CREATIVE CREATIVE CREATIVE CREATIVE CREATIVE
DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT
MINOLA GRENT
Contributor
If touching her was a sin, he’d be the purest of saints. After all, you can’t touch what’s not really there. He held out his hand, offering a dance. When shivers trotted down his spine and spots gamboled in his vision, he knew her hand now rested in his. He pressed his body against hers and relished in the fragrant rose scent that clung to her as they waltzed through the lobby. He led their dance to the spiral staircase where she hopped on the handrail and tiptoed to the top, their hands never parting. The second floor basked in the moon’s gentle rays and coated the man in silver. She would have shone in the same way had she had enough flesh to bounce the light away. He jumped on the second floor’s balustrade to join her. Accidents happen quickly. Premeditated accidents happen even quicker. One moment, her icy breath brushes his ear while her warm words worm their way to his brain. The next, his heart sinks as not even the moon can save him from gravity. The thick, unrelenting rose scent glazed the inside of his nose and curdled the freely flowing blood. She hadn’t meant it, but everything had always been better in pairs.
I AM
SIMIN DADRAS Contributor
I am in the nature. I am in the bush. I am. I am. I am.
As I walk through the forest I start to think. I tell myself to stop.
Now is the time for my body and soul. Now is the time for silence and grace. Now is the time to step with love. Everything will be okay.
Nature is neutral.
Nature is cyclical.
She does not care for who you are. There is an endless freedom in not wanting anything.
There is an endless freedom in being one with everything.
I know I am connected to it all. Space is infinite and so is love.
In balance, In harmony, Living is easy.
Detach from desires, Take as much as you need, don’t ask for more.
The fulfillment you want rests deep in your soul, Just take the time to listen.
Sit with your body, Rest your heart, Retire your mind, And breathe in the love.
The blessing that is living will always be enough.
SACRED/PERISH
SAIGE SHRIER Contributor
The faded name, which remains etched into my grave slowly disintegrates She chips away at it, wearing everything away. My return is longed for Sewn to the walls of my casket is a shroud that cradles decay; I am called upon.
The match, who I will meet reclaims me with a tight embrace–flesh and bone shackled by vines. Roots of the ancients keep me still; I am bound by a cycle.
Rest flowers on my grave, let them rot and return. She carries me to a sacred place, beyond where I perish
Nature’s quiet hunger consumes me.
CREATIVE WRITING
Sex Sells, But Why?
ABIGAIL OYEWOLE Staff Writer
If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed from the beginning of advertising till now, it’s the influence of sex on consumers. As stated by Sandra Mardenfeld of the Business News Daily magazine, the origins of sex advertising can be traced back to a tobacco company called Pearl. In an attempt to increase cigarette sales, the company displayed a naked woman on their product cover. This advertising technique proved successful, with other companies adopting the strategy of sexual appeal to promote their products. Thus, the term “Sex Sells” was introduced. Sex appeal became popular because it was proven to drive up sales and increase brand exposure, promising higher figures.
This type of advertisement has led to various social issues such as the objectification of women, the perpetuation of harmful misogynistic stereotypes, and unhealthy body standards.
Behind the influence of sex in advertising is human psychology. According to The Daily Image, Sexual imagery and innuendo tap into basic instincts and emotions, eliciting reactions ranging from curiosity to desire, piquing interest and attracting attention just enough to convince consumers that they want said product. Such advertising techniques also toy with our emotions. When we see sexfocused ads, they invoke positive emotions such as pleasure and excitement, making them more likely to leave a lasting impact on consumers. Tom Reichert, former head of the UGA Department of Advertising and Public Relations says that “advertisers use sex because it can be very effective, sex sells because it attracts attention. People are hardwired to notice sexually relevant information, so ads with sexual content get noticed.” Culture and society play a role in the reception of sexualized ads. In a society where beauty and physical appearance are glamourized, advertisements that feature sexual innuendos have a significant
influence. The media– Hollywood and digital platforms alike– are not shy about featuring content of sexual nature. This has led to the familiarisation of sex-based ads among the public.
Moreover, brands feature provocative ads because it increases consumer engagement. Such ads often prompt conversations and debates between consumers, leading to brand publicity. Although an ad might be controversial and go viral due to its sexual content, there is no such thing as bad publicity. Companies capitalise on this in the hopes of increasing brand exposure.
Sex sells– no one can deny that–but these companies seldom care about the consequences of their actions. This type of advertisement has led to various social issues such as the objectification of women, the perpetuation of harmful misogynistic stereotypes, and unhealthy body standards. According to a study done by the Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology at the University of Padua, women are more likely to be sexualized in the media than men. The study cited Italy as an example, where 81% of women are portrayed as models and sexually available compared to 19.95% of men, stating that the objectification of women in ads “leads to negative consequences in the way women are viewed and in their physical and psychological well-being”.
Contrary to what many think, we are very susceptible to ads, because they are aimed at our subconscious. Shirley Webb, executive director of the Women’s Center of Jacksonville says “Advertising is there
to appeal to the male critic inside the woman’s head. It’s deeply internalised to judge ourselves, to be critical of ourselves”. Advertisements that are based on the “Sex Sells” strategy usually feature women and centralise their beauty and body, leaving a lot of women aspiring to achieve the same beauty standard as those portrayed in ads.
Hollywood propagates the same ideals when it comes to capitalising on sex as a means of improving popularity. Movies and TV shows often contain oversexualized female characters; think of the “school slut” and the “mean cheerleader” tropes, in which grown women play teenage girls wearing skimpy clothing. The target audience of these shows is usually teenagers or young adults. The Daily Targum, an online newspaper, ascertains that a classic example would be the hit TV show Euphoria which focuses on high school kids who engage in questionable and inappropriate acts, featuring many scenes with sex and nudity. One thing to note is how the women are portrayed in this show: as oversexualized teenage girls. Under the direction of a man, through their actions and costumes, they are intended to suit the ideal of the male gaze.
Sure, sex sells, but the consequences of these marketing tactics on our society, especially on women, are far too dire. It has led to the propagation of unrealistic beauty standards, the objectification of women, and the promotion of harmful stereotypes. Although companies known for their provocative ads (like Calvin Klein and American Apparel) have backtracked on this strategy, sex-based ads remain rampant in the industry.
Uber: We accept the love we think we deserve
WINIE COULANGES Managing Editor
When you’re out on the town late at night and need a ride home, or when you’re craving some sushi but you’re not in the mood to leave your house, the thought of using Uber has probably crossed your mind. Whether or not you decide to indulge, the company has taken over multiple markets. While Uber hasn’t created anything new, they’ve managed to take over ride-hailing services. What’s more, their brand is now so synonymous with food delivery that not many restaurants still handle their own. With a profit of 1.5 billion dollars as reported by Vox News in 2022, it’s clear they’re here to stay, especially in Montreal where other ride-hailing apps haven’t been as successful as they are in other countries.
Founded in San Francisco in 2013 and originally launched as a luxury ride service, Uber’s rise is marked by a number of controversies, legal issues and backlash from users, drivers as well as their internal employees. They were notorious for trying to evade taxi laws in almost all the countries the app was released in during their expansion between 2014 and 2017. When Uber launched in Quebec in 2014, not only were they deemed illegal by the government, but taxi drivers were furious at their arrival. In the winter of 2015, this outrage triggered a protest and an eggfueled standoff between the taxi and Uber drivers at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport. Much of their frustration came from the fact that taxi permits are incredibly expensive, sometimes costing their life savings to acquire. At the peak of the market, before the 2019 reform, a permit could sell for as much as $210,000, according to the Montreal Gazette. Since Uber drivers didn’t own permits, they had no regulations or standards to abide by. This situation led to a raid of Uber’s offices in Montreal, where 40 cars were seized and Revenue Quebec investigated them on suspicion that they were not paying provincial fees. In June of this year, Quebec settled a class action lawsuit with taxi drivers with a sum of 143 million dollars.
A cloud of disappointment hangs over their head and in 2022 CBC published with proof that Uber was attempting to thwart the law by deploying a “kill switch” that would remotely
restart all the devices in the office when raided by the police.The CBC also found that they used it in Montreal but also overseas, “During a July 2015 raid by the French tax agency, Mark MacGann, the top Uber lobbyist in Europe, advised Thibauld Simphal, then head of Uber France, that employees play dumb when the kill switch is activated, according to leaked text messages.“
Consumers have complained about surge pricing in times of emergency. In Sydney, Australia, Uber raised their prices during a hostage situation in 2017, causing rides to cost a minimum of 100$, according to BBC News. CBS also reported that they raised their prices following a subway shooting in Brooklyn in 2022. After both situations, Uber issued apologies and pledged to refund users who paid exorbitant fees. In 2019, a feature article by the Washington Post details how the company laid off a vast majority of their corporate employees via a 90 second Zoom call. On top of that, this year, NBC reported on a protest against Uber and Lyft (another ride-hailing service) in the San Francisco Bay Area for discrimination against blind people and their service dogs. Drivers frequently cancel once they learn the rider has a service animal, which is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A similar incident happened in Montreal this year when CTV News reported that a class action lawsuit was brought against Uber for discriminating against users with reduced mobility.
Last May, Uber settled wage theft claims in New York for a sum of 290 million dollars and they’ve found themselves in hot water once more. In September 2024, drivers protested against Uber and Lyft at New York City Hall for using a loophole called a lockout to underpay drivers. A lockout, like the name suggests, is when the Uber application locks the drivers out of their accounts thus making it impossible for them to work. With the implementation of a minimum wage for drivers, lockouts were adopted as a tactic to prevent drivers from getting paid for time between new passengers. Ibrahima Gory, a member of New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA says “ It takes away 60 to 55% of our income monthly”. More Perfect Union, a non-profit news organisation, interviewed Bhairavi Desai, the
President of the NYTWA, who stated: “Uber sends you a message that you’ve been taken offline and that you should drive to a busy area. You go to a busy area and the lockout will continue. The reason is to manipulate the percentage of time the drivers appear to be empty so under city regulations they don’t have to pay drivers more.”
Since the pandemic, there’s been a remarkable uptick in the amount
This situation led to a raid of Uber’s offices in Montreal, where 40 cars were seized and Revenue Quebec investigated them on suspicion that they were not paying provincial fees.
of orders made on the platform. After Seattle and New York implemented a minimum wage for drivers, BNN Bloomberg observed a 53% increase in fees for customers and 13% increase in fees for restaurants. Speaking with Dave, a 20 year old Dawson student who worked for Uber between 2022 and 2024, it’s clear that the app wasn’t built to be an advantageous platform for drivers.
“You wouldn’t really have any idea how much you’re making because Uber pays you a base rate, per delivery, depending on estimated kilometres travelled. Uber pays you maybe four dollars per trip and then the rest is supposed to be supplemented by the buyer.” [...] I think I was making roughly $10 an hour.”
Uber has tried to improve their reputation and their relationship with their contract workers using a new AI powered algorithm that tells drivers how much they’ll be paid upfront, an attempted improvement on their old pay structure. Some drivers still worry that this will lower their revenue since the factors that determine how a driver is paid are vague. CBC reports that the day and location a rider is picked up will have a major influence on the pay. Some experts like Veena Dubal, a law professor, worry that there’s a chance
that the algorithm will discriminate against some drivers. More Perfect Union posted a video in September 2024 where seven different drivers were offered different wages for the same ride. Forbes also discusses the implications of AI for customers, “ Uber’s average US ride hail prices have increased by over 50% [...] and it’s safe to assume that the company has exploited its knowledge of customers’ willingness to pay by significantly ratcheting up passenger fares over the past six years.”
With all these blemishes on their record, how has Uber managed to remain successful and bypass all the criticism they’ve faced? First, they make it virtually impossible to speak to human representatives– that goes for consumers as well as drivers. When drivers have their accounts deactivated, they must seek an appeal through the app, a process that can take several days. Second, they don’t hesitate to undercut their drivers’ wages if it results in a higher payout for the company. They also make it very clear that Uber drivers are not employees and are independent contractors, which saves them from having to implement
basic labour benefits such as holiday pay or paid sick time. Dave explains : “What really freaked me out initially was that you never talk to a single person, when you sign up. It’s fully automated.”
Lastly, since they’ve dominated almost every market they’ve stepped foot in, many consumers feel pigeonholed into relying on Uber, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are people brave enough to go against a tech giant
Uber pays you maybe four dollars per trip and then the rest is supposed to be supplemented by the buyer.” [...] I think I was making roughly $10 an hour.
because they believe in a more ethical way of doing things and those people are right here in our neighbourhoods. Eva is a Montreal corporation founded
in 2019. In an interview with Global News, the founders established the differences with other competitors such as the fact that drivers get 25% of the fare compared to Uber’s 15%, their screening process is more rigorous and drivers are subject to 35 hours of training. Radish is another corporation that focuses solely on food delivery. Launched during the pandemic, it puts local merchants and drivers at the centre.A Silicon Valley success, it’s impossible to deny Uber’s legacy and while they’ve revolutionised convenience, they shouldn’t be the only ones benefiting.
Indigo: The Beautiful Bookstore With Bestial Morals
TASNIA ALAM Curiosities Editor
The sound of piano plays live in the background, the smell of ground coffee fills the air near the staircase, colorful spines fill up every shelf, and table in stacks on stacks and rows upon rows. Indigo is a bookstore in the heart of Downtown Montreal. Indigo has everything a reader can wish for… or does it?
Indigo recommendation stickers and the “New” section on the top floor dedicate books recommended by the staff, accompanied
However, Indigo has its hidden shockers and controversies, and they tarnish its beauty.
with short reviews, for solo customers. The second floor is the popular favorite, with not a single seating spot left empty– neither at the café nor in the chairs occupying every nook and cranny between the bookshelves. It’s so crowded that teens are sitting on the ground with their friends reading or chatting while adults and elders occupy the chairs working or reading. Indigo is a safe place for readers, and it feels like a place where you belong, where you can browse and talk about books with people like you.
However, Indigo has its hidden shockers and controversies, and they tarnish its beauty. The business has had some issues due to it being on the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) list. Its problematic owners and the sit-ins outside of the establishment, organized by Samar Alkhdour, have only fueled controversy. “The couple Gerry Schwartz and Heather Reisman are prominent business people in Canada and are both actively involved in supporting the state of Israel,” explains The Witness. They have been on the list for decades. Indigo Books and Music Inc. was founded in 1996 by Heather Reisman and she currently is the CEO of the company. Her husband, Gerry Schartz, is a member of the board of directors at Indigo. According to Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), the couple control over 60% of the shares of the company together, so most of their income is generated from there. Consequently, shopping at Indigo directly “supports Israel’s military activities in the occupied Palestinian territories” says CJPME. All of the money we spend goes in their pockets, and then they divest it in “HESEG Foundation for Lone
Soldiers which encourages foreigners to join the Israeli army and continue their studies in Israel” according to the site. The couple established this foundation all the way back in 2005, so it has always been on the radar of the Palestinian solidarity movement, with pro-Palestinian activists having encouraged the boycott of indigo for years.
You might be wondering: “What is BDS and what do they do?” According to their official website, “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS), founded in 2005, is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.” Their goal is “to pressure Israel to comply with international law and recognize Palestinian rights” through the use of economic means, such as: boycotting brands that support the Israeli occupation, divesting from companies upholding or benefiting from the occupation, and sanctioning Israel directly.
In the article “Pro-Palestinian advocates protest at Indigo stores in Toronto”, published on September 26th 2024, Rochelle Raveendran writes that “The Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman Foundation has donated almost $40.5 million to HESEG over the past five years, the CRA online portal shows.”
Consequently, shopping at Indigo directly “supports Israel’s military activities in the occupied Palestinian territories”
Nadia Shammas, a Palestinian-American author, partook in this protest and argued that pro-Palestinian protesters’ goals aren’t to ruin Reisman’s name or shut down Indigo but to “pressure on Reisman to cut ties with HESEG.” “Hopefully, Heather Reisman hears us and knows that we won’t stop applying pressure and showing up, until and unless there is change,” she stated in her interview with CBC Toronto.
Indigo brings out a feeling of comfort and community, but since it’s not the most ethical place to shop, where else can we find that same experience? Until and unless there is change, here are some alternative bookstores to explore that are roughly the same travel time from Dawson to Indigo (about 13 minutes of commute) or even closer.
1.
Argo Bookstore. It’s an independent bookstore at Guy-Concordia station. The bookshop is an 11 minute walk from the school, so if it’s lovely outside, it makes for a nice walk. If you’re tired, it’s one metro station away. This store has a lot to offer, even with its petite size. It’s one of a couple from the branch. Argo is the oldest English language bookstore in Montréal. They have all the genres one may seek, such as sci-fi, fiction and nonfiction, romance, fantasy, and even kids books. Moreover, on some rare occasions, they get signed editions of some new releases. (Like when I found Chloe Gong’s, then new release Foul Lady Fortune in hardback, signed.) Whenever you walk in, you never know what special edition you might fall upon. They even have an online site where you can order books, have new stocks coming in regularly, and sometimes hold bookish events.
2.
Librairie Renaissance. One of many stores from this chain, the one I’m proposing is 17 minutes away from Dawson if you take the 24 bus. You could also use the metro route, which is 25 minutes of commuting, and get down at Villa-Maria station, to then enjoy a little 5 minute walk. The store offers donated books at low prices, without taxes. Now this might make you hesitant since they’re secondhand books, but more often than not, they’re in pristine condition. For instance, my friend once found Happy Place by Emily Henry in paperback there for 7.99$ in brand new quality. On top of that, you can also find record vinyls, CDs, and DVDs. This little branch of the company has some knickknacks or everybody.
PHOTO VIA @ARGOBOOKSHOP ON INSTAGRAM
PHOTO VIA JUAN CARLOS FERNÁNDEZ
3.
Librairie Paragraphe Bookstore. This store is only a 12 minute commute away from Dawson At McGill Station. That’s even a shorter commute than Indigo! When you walk into this bookstore, it feels a lot like the former, however with dimmer lights and a quieter ambiance. Nevertheless, its content is satisfactory. Romance readers might not appreciate it so much since its section is very small, but the rest of the readers might get a kick out of it. Their sections are very diversified, and they even have a stationary section with cute notebooks and a wide choice of colorful pens. They have some comfortable chairs scattered among the bookshelves. Furthermore, the bookstore is connected to a Second Cup café. So, you can get yourself a delicious drink and browse for some of your next reads right afterwards.
4. Librairie Pulp Books & Café. This independent store, running since December 2023, is 15 minutes from Dawson by metro and a short walk from De L’Église Station. Adorned with a cafe and tables at the back, they have some very sought out BookTok books, but also some that aren’t mainstream. The owner shared that they bring in new releases often. At first glance, you only see one or two books displayed at a time, but they sometimes have overstock in their drawers, so just ask when you’re looking for something specific. The ambiance is very cosy, with the employees only adding to this warmth. They order books for you if your pick isn’t in stock and take recommendations from their customers. They also have an online site and reminders for books coming in store if their customers want alerts, by email or phone number. Their business ethic is spot on, and they support Palestine. Lastly, they have very nice owners, and the coffee prices are actually affordable at their little cafe!
5.
Encore Books & Records. This store is the embodiment of a vintage bookstore, with piles upon piles of books of high quality literature, multiple boxes of record vinyls, and CDs placed one after another. This family-run bookstore is a 24 minutes bus ride away from Dawson if you take the 24. Once you step inside, it feels like you’re transported in a movie with the many books surrounding you. This bookstore is for classic readers since it does not contain almost any contemporary books and the recommendations you see on BookTok. However, the bookstore, itself, is worth the visit. The prices too ;).
6. Last but not least, we can’t forget Montreal Libraries! Our city has a diverse array of libraries, so if you’re not looking to buy, you can go borrow them. We have some pretty big ones like Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ). “Located in the heart of Montreal, the BAnQ is the largest library in the city and a beacon of Quebec’s literary heritage. Its impressive collection includes books, manuscripts, photographs, and archives, making it a valuable resource for history enthusiasts.” They even have a numerical library that you can access if you simply make a card. Nearby, Westmount Library is a beautiful spot to read and study. We have so many options to make due while the beast turns into beauty.
PHOTO VIA TASNIA ALAM
PHOTO VIA TASNIA ALAM
PHOTO VIA TASNIA ALAM
Maybe You Should Try People-Watching!
MAYA JABBARI Staff Writer
Not long ago, I was perusing a shop and saw the CD Jack Johnson and Friends: Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film Curious George. Before I continue, if you’re wondering if I picked it up– yes, yes I did. Upon listening and somewhat remembering the songs, the third track of the album, “People Watching”, played, suddenly reminding me of the pleasure that that very activity can bring.
Mark Geraghty, a member of Executive Recruit Group, writes what peoplewatching is according to him, “So, I’m going to hold my hand up, I’m a people watcher. Not in a weird or sinister way, I don’t do it through my window or behind a bush, I just enjoy watching and, in some ways, interrogating people’s behaviour.” Geraghty get’s it here, I completely agree with him. It really is an act of tranquillity, and I don’t think it’s fair to poke fun at it until you’ve tried it out yourself.
Recently, as a way to escape all the stress from school, my favourite activity has been watching what others are doing in public spaces. Where are they going? What music are they listening to? What are they feeling? Who are they talking to on the phone? People-watching has become a nice normal for me when I leave the house since I’ve always found myself intrigued by how others communicate with one another, how they want to be perceived, and what they are actively doing to get their message across.
I don’t want to talk about the challenges of being a college student because it’s a story I believe we all know too well. All
the work–especially now that many of us are in midterms–has been so heavy and we’re at a time in our lives where we’re actively making decisions independently. We are truly stepping into adulthood, which can be very stressful for the majority of people.
“So, I’m going to hold my hand up, I’m a people watcher. Not in a weird or sinister way, I don’t do it through my window or behind a bush, I just enjoy watching and, in some ways, interrogating people’s behaviour.”
People-watching can be an act of therapy if you think about it. Emily Chan, a writer for Baron News, discusses the fact that there are various strategies to avoid stress, but for some, there is no meditation quite like the art of watching others. Getting out of the house and finding a peaceful area to sit can help us relax in our frantic daily routines. Essentially, you are creating an atmosphere for yourself that forces you to slow down and reconnect with the real world and the real people that live in it.
Cafés and libraries do a great job at making this activity enticing and doable. On your own, you can look out the window to see cars pass and people walking by, sipping their coffee, picking up books,
living life. This is freeing! It gives you time to not worry about everything that you may or may not have going on. Lean into it. Maybe grab a coffee or tea, or pick up a book–though a part of me hopes you won’t read it because the people-watching might be tempting enough!
Currently, the stools that look out the window at Cafe Myriade (on the corner of Atwater and De Maisonneuve) have been my favourite place for this activity thus far. In terms of libraries, Montreal Trust’s Indigo has a perfect spot that overlooks Saint Catherine (but I’m gatekeeping my chair...sorry).
However, Dawson itself is a great place to carry this out, with the cafeteria being a trusty option. Always packed– even when you think it might’ve died down in business– it sparks up again. The benches on the third floor watching over the atrium, the cafeteria, and the lockers all the way below have a nice view as well.
But out of all these options, one remains: parks. In my opinion, this is the most reliable and stress-relieving choice. Parks are ideal for people-watching. With that comes some shared sense of relaxation, as others come there to find peace too. As a recommendation, Dawson’s campus (though not technically considered a park) has great benches outside. If you’re looking for an actual park, La Fontaine is the winner for me. It’s spacious, it’s beautiful (especially in the fall!), and there are always people.
So, when you really think about it, this simple act of observation can be a gateway to gaining a deeper understanding of those around you and–surprisingly– of yourself. It’s not about judging or criticising others but rather about learning from the people who live among you by observing human experiences. Sometimes we all need to put things into perspective. That doesn’t mean disregarding our emotions or engaging in thoughts about the lives of other people, it just means taking time to let loose and float off.
It’s interesting and beautiful to know that everyone, anywhere, is on a journey. Some are tourists, some walk familiar streets, some sit on benches, some talk on the phone, some read, some sip coffee, and many are glued to their phones. I guess we really are everywhere, and it’s nice to remind ourselves of that once in a while, even if we are really busy.
PHOTO VIA RYOJI IWATA
The NBA legend with a heart of gold: Dikembe Mutombo
JADE GAGNÉ Sports Editor
On September 30th, we lost the legend Dikembe Mutombo, who passed away after a battle with brain cancer. Known for his long-lasting mark on and off the court, his humanitarian work stands out the most.
Dikembe was born in 1966, in the city of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and moved to the United States in 1987 to attend Georgetown University in Washington D.C.. He had little interest in pursuing basketball but, being 7’2”, he caught the attention of legendary coach John Thompson and was invited to the university’s tryouts during his second year. His first intention was to study medicine but the sport led him onto a different path. Basketball only allowed him to do more than he wanted to.
Following his graduation in 1991, he got selected for the 1991 NBA draft and was picked fourth by the Denver Nuggets. In his rookie season, he made immediate impacts, piling up 16.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, earning a spot on the Western Conference AllStar team. During his following season, Mutombo won his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award (DPOY). He then went on and completed a career of 18 seasons, where he played for several teams, including the Atlanta Hawks (19961998) and Philadelphia 76ers (20002001). He finished his NBA career playing for the New Jersey Jets, New York Knicks, and the Houston Rockets, retiring after the 2008-2009 season with 3,289 career blocks (second most in NBA history). He also won multiple awards in his career, including eight All-Star honours, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
While being an active player in the NBA, Mutombo also founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve the quality of life for the people in the DRC. It focused primarily on health and education, two areas that Mutombo wanted his homeland to have better access to. The foundation built a general hospital in the city of Kinshasa. In December 2007, costing $29 million, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital opened in memory of his mother. The 300-bed facility became one of the largest and most modern hospitals in the region. Before the creation of this hospital, Kinshasa, a city of over 20 million people, had very little access to
healthcare facilities. After the creation of the Marie Mutombo Hospital, it became a place of hope for the citizens. On July 17, 2022, Dikembe shared this message on X: “... we celebrate [the] 15th anniversary of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital. We want to thank all of the people who have helped us along this journey. There have been more [than] 1 million people who have been treated at the Hospital. Who can refuse God’s mission in your life?”. Dikembe later claimed that he would try to do more and that it was just a question of time.
“God put us here to prepare this place for the next generation. That’s our job. Raising children and helping the community. That’s preparing for the next generation” - Dikembe Mutombo.
All of his work made him the firstever global ambassador for the NBA, using basketball to bring about positive change. He helped build schools, clinics, and basketball courts, empowering youth and marginalised communities, fostering hope in areas where it was often lacking. In a statement issued by the NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver remarked: “No one was more suited than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first global ambassador. He was a true humanitarian.”
In the summer of 2011, the basketball player participated in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens. In 2012, he was recognized as a Special Olympic Global Ambassador, and in 2013 Dikembe became a member of the Special Olympics Board of Directors. He always had a dream to start a Special Olympic program in the Republic of Congo, his native country. In 2017, his dream became reality. Dikembe Mutombo established the first-ever Special Olympics Congo.
In recognition of his work, Mutombo was appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, where he advocated for education and healthcare initiatives. His efforts earned him multiple awards including the NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, which recognizes outstanding service to the community. Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Mutombo was one of the main public figures who stepped up to help the country.
Though Dikembe Mutombo is no longer with us, his legacy always will be and his impact will continue to inspire others all around the world.
“God put us here to prepare this place for the next generation. That’s our job. Raising children and helping the community. That’s preparing for the next generation”
Dikembe Mutombo.
How the Environment of the Gaza Strip has Suffered During the Past Year
CIARAN WILLIAMS Science and Environment Editor
The invasion of Gaza will cost much more than the lives of civilians. As bombs continue falling, Gaza sustains more and more ecological damage, which compromises the future well-being of the territory and its inhabitants.
In December 2023, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) received a request from the State of Palestine to conduct a survey of the environmental damage caused by the conflict. The UNEP commenced their work shortly after, and, in June 2024, released their findings in a report titled Environmental impact of the conflict in Gaza: preliminary assessment of environmental impacts. The assessment’s goal was to address specific factors that have led to environmental degradation in Gaza, as well as produce suggestions for minimising the long-term impact of the war. As of writing, UNEP’s report acts as the most thorough and comprehensive review of the environmental situation in Palestine. For this reason, all information in this article is sourced from UNEP’s report.
UNEP’s work, however does have its limitations. First, its findings are preliminary, as the name implies, as the situation is ongoing, and UNEP was also limited in its investigation due to security barriers and safety concerns imposed on them by the Israeli Government. A totally comprehensive report will not be possible until a ceasefire is declared, UN investigators are no longer at risk, and the assault on the environment is over.
Outlining environmental challenges already faced by Gazans prior to October 7th is important before proceeding with the current state of affairs. Potable water in the Gaza strip has long been hard to come by, as rapid population growth in recent years, weak rainfall, and over extraction of water resources have decreased supply, and increased demand. Also, Gaza has had issues managing solid waste due to infrastructure damage from prior shelling by the Israeli Defence Force. This has resulted in heavy contamination to Gaza’s environment. Gaza is also arid, with only ~10% of its land being arable and suited to farming. This forces local farmers to increase crop productivity through the use of pesticides, which are notorious for their negative environmental impact. All of these factors mean that even before the war’s start, Gaza’s environment was already fragile.
Since October 7, one of the largest hits to
Gaza’s environment was the destruction of many of Gaza’s wastewater treatment and management facilities by Israeli shelling. This has led to sewage contaminating and polluting local environments, as well as putting civilians at risk of short and long term health complications as a result. The destruction of water purification facilities has strangled Gaza so hard that humanitarian officials have been forced to start rationing water. The report outlines that there is not a single waterpurification system in Gaza that is operating at full-capacity as of the time of its publication.
Solid waste management has also been
The destruction of water purification facilities has strangled Gaza so hard that humanitarian officials have been forced to start rationing water.
limited since October 7th. A lack of fuel caused by an Israeli blockade on Gaza and damage to critical infrastructure have limited authorities’ abilities to collect and dispose of waste properly. This has led to a build up of hazardous waste, especially medical waste around hospitals and refugee camps. The presence of medical waste poses a threat of disease outbreaks, which could put a strain on the already scarce supply of medical resources in Gaza. The buildup of waste also poses the threat of toxins potentially leaching into the ground and into water supplies, weakening Gaza’s ability to self-sustain in the future.
The extensive use of munitions throughout the Gaza Strip has also left chemical waste residue, which is known to have detrimental impacts on the environment and human
health. Explosives used by Israeli forces, such as DNT, RDX, and TNT, leave heavy metal and chemical residues that seep into the local environment - most commonly water supplies - and threaten its health. The presence of some of these heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and mercury, is concerning. This is because they have been attributed to numerous health complications, such as organ failure, cancer, and developmental issues in children. In addition, these heavy metals bioaccumulate in local fauna and flora, contaminating local food supplies.
Air pollution has also increased. As Gazans have been cut off from access to fuel for almost a year, many have been forced to find alternative sources of energy to stay warm, which has prompted some to turn to burning plastic. Burning of plastics and other substances for heat and cooking has released hazardous chemicals into the air. These, combined with fires started during combat that are still burning in many regions, have severely deteriorated the air quality in Gaza to dangerous lows, threatening the health of the Gazan population.
All of these factors have contributed to environmental pollution that seriously threatens the livability of Gaza for future generations. Without healthy water, soil and air, the territory will never be able to provide a safe place for the Palestinians that call Gaza home. Efforts to tackle the environmental catastrophe in Gaza have been proposed, with some already having been implemented before the war, but regardless of this, making Gaza a truly safe and liveable environment is likely to be a decades-long process.
Across
3. the most quiet one of all
8. our passionate and fiery signs
9. the season of this sign is intensity
11. the egotistical clan of signs
12. the sunshine of the signs, known for its optimism
15. the ying and yang
16. values honesty, justice, and fairness
Down
1. Scorpio’s element
2. Scorpio’s most compatible element group
4. the creative free spirit
5. the twins of curiosity
6. perfection and order is what they seek above all
7. an adventure seeker
10. a dreamer often lost in feelings
13. stability and stubborn are their main S’s
14. the “thinkers” and “doers” signs
SUDOKU & COMIC
Curiosities by TASNIA ALAM
Editor
COMIC BY SAYA HIDAKA-MASSICOTTE
@4A4K4A
ANSWER TO LAST MONTH’S CROSSWORD
HOROSCOPES
Everyone’s favourite part is here! Here are the horoscopes of the month.
ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19)
Get ready to be broke this month!
TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)
Splurge on the Christmas gifts for your family and friends, but don’t over do it as you always do!
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)
All that planning you’ve been doing is finally coming to fruition with the free time coming your way in a few weeks.
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)
Get in touch with your heart and values again — you’re straying from yourself.
LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)
You are not currently present in your mind to make good decisions. Think through, and do not be haste.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)
You deserve more credit than you give yourself. Keep it up, but don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)
Hello, gossip babes, be prepared to yap your mouth off.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)
Happy birthday, Scorpios! Make a wish. For your horoscope… Party hard with your loved ones, and celebrate yourself.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)
Your scheming claws are coming out. You best retract them before hurting someone.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)
Talk more. Your loved ones are concerned.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
Pay more attention to your surroundings! Be more careful on the road!
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20):
Your dreams are right around the corner.
MASTHEAD
Mirren Bodanis
Editor-in-Chief
Sanad Hamdouna Editor-in-Chief
Winie Coulanges Managing Editor
Saima Mazumder Digital Managing Editor
Julia Azzouz Copy Editor
Juhaina Rauph Copy Editor
Thalia Ruiz Ramirez News Editor
Emma Caspi Voices Editor
Charlotte Renaud Arts & Culture Editor
Ciaran Williams Science & Environment Editor
Jade Gagné Sports Editor
Tasnia Alam Curiosities Editor
Ezra Bucur Creative Writing Editor
Sanad Hamdouna Visual Arts Editor
Maya Jabbari Staff Writer
Abigail Oyewole Staff Writer
Afsha Akhtar Social Media Manager
Tennesy Braun Video Content Writer
Eliot Fleming Video Content Writer
Naiomi Daoust
Video Content Producer
Lorina Kutan-Boghosian
Video Content Producer
Ron Barrera
Video Content Producer
Stef Cursaru
Video Content Producer
Yassine Benouahmane Graphic Designer
Towa Di Profio Cover Artist
Saya Hidaka-Massicotte Cartoonist
Sarah Bensetiti Secretary
CONTRIBUTORS
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Jane Hao
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CONTACT
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