OCTOBER 03, 2019
The Sheaf Publishing Society
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At a glance: NEWS
Andrew Scheer visits Saskatoon 3
SPORTS & HEALTH
Huskies approach football and soccer playoffs
FEATURE
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Campus ‘Burn Book’: A look at college cliques 8-9
CULTURE
The humour in the violence of Tarantino movies
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OPINONS
The Agros present Farm to Fork
DISTRACTIONS
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Horror-scopes
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Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor A climate activist poses with their sign for the Global Climate Strike at the Saskatoon City Hall on Sept. 27, 2019.
The children of Saskatoon take to the streets to fight for climate justice These local kids are a microcosm of a much larger movement that is taking place globally. TOMILOLA OJO CULTURE EDITOR
This past Friday, an estimated 3,000 people braved the Saskatoon cold and gathered in front of Saskatoon City Hall to participate in the Global Climate March inspired by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. A large number of schoolaged students took to the streets
wielding signs depicting memes and pop culture articles speaking out for climate justice. Though they are young, these children are calling for action from a government they believe to be complicit in the destruction of the environment. “The reason we're protesting is because obviously [the] adults haven’t really taken action, so I’d like them to almost learn from us,” said Olive Watts, a
12-year-old protester. Climate action was their main demand, but some of the child speakers brought to light other issues they feel aren’t being taken seriously by the government. Tommy Douglas Collegiate student Anastasia Furmanic spoke out about the cuts made to Saskatoon Public Schools, totalling $5 million this year alone. “We needed education to be funded fully so that our popula-
tion can learn about issues such as climate change and challenge governments when we feel they're not behaving appropriately for their age and social standing,” said Furmanic. She also noted that though the government has the power in this situation, issues regarding the climate involved all members of society. The inception of a youth climate council in Saskatoon was also announced.
“Not only is this a call to action for policymakers but it's a call to action for every citizen in Saskatoon. We will be moving forward with the creation of a youth climate council which will start up in November of this year. All students are welcome to take part in this process,” said Furmanic. Continued on to pg. 12
University caught off guard by recent data on self-citations A high-ranking U of S researcher self-cited 70 per cent of his work, as noted in a recent study. J.C. BALICANTA NARAG COPY EDITOR
One Canadian academic high on the global list of self-citing is a chairperson of research at the University of Saskatchewan. Peiqiang Yu is the chair in Feed Research and Development for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program, and is recorded to have self-cited 70 per cent of his work.
According to a study published by Nature, researchers might be worthy of scrutiny if more than 25 per cent of their citations are self-cited. Because the university currently has no policies to deter self citation, Yu is in no violation of citation manipulation. Yu is one of the 59 U of S faculty members included in the study on citations. The Sheaf was unable to reach Yu for a comment during his sabbatical leave. There are six other U of S
faculty who are above the 25 per cent limit for selfcitations, ranging from 25 to 35 per cent. Andrew Potter, the U of S interim associate vice-president of research, says that the study in Nature “caught [them] off guard” and that it is not something the university previously thought was a problem. The U of S has policies for academic conduct but none in particular for self-citations. “It is not specifically mentioned in the policy, and prob-
ably because it’s not something that there’s a consensus yet that this is a problem in any way,” Potter said. Although it is not prohibited, excessive self-citing is frowned upon by other academics because citations can impact the decisions of universities on hiring, promotions and funding for researchers around the world. Frequently citing one’s own work can lead to inflated metrics that do not accurately reflect the impact of
published research. When asked if the limit should be 25 per cent, Potter disagreed. He believes that “it is a number pulled out of a hat” because it is not justified in the study. He also says that self-citing is necessary if researchers are repeating methodologies used in a past study that need to be cited again, something more common in scientific studies. Continued on to pg. 4
NEWS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nykole King editor@thesheaf.com NEWS EDITOR Ana Cristina Camacho news@thesheaf.com SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR Tanner Michalenko sportshealth@thesheaf.com
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Muslim students host event to challenge Islamophobia in the media Journalist urges Muslim students to take control of the narrative.
CULTURE EDITOR Tomilola Ojo culture@thesheaf.com OPINIONS EDITOR Erin Matthews opinions@thesheaf.com STAFF WRITER Noah Callaghan staffwriter@thesheaf.com COPY EDITOR J.C. Balicanta Narag copy@thesheaf.com LAYOUT MANAGER Aqsa Hussain layout@thesheaf.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Victoria Becker photo@thesheaf.com GRAPHICS EDITOR Shawna Langer graphics@thesheaf.com WEB EDITOR Minh Au Duong web@thesheaf.com OUTREACH DIRECTOR Sophia Lagimodiere outreach@thesheaf.com AD & BUSINESS MANAGER Shantelle Hrytsak ads@thesheaf.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mikaila Ortynsky Jacob Lang Laura Chartier Matthew Taylor Sonia Kalburgi Tyler Smith
board@thesheaf.com
ADVERTISING (306) 966 8688 EDITORIAL (306) 966 8689 Mission // The mission of the Sheaf is to inform and entertain students by addressing issues relevant to life on campus, in the city or in the province. The newspaper serves as a forum for discussion on a wide range of issues that concern students. Written for students, by students, it provides unique insight into university issues through a student perspective. The staff of editors, photographers and artists collaborate with volunteers as student journalists to create a product relevant to students on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Land Acknowledgement // The Sheaf acknowledges that our office is built on Treaty Six Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and affirm both the importance of our relationship with Indigenous peoples and students at the U of S and our commitment to recognize and remain accountable for our collective history.
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WARDAH ANWAR
Since the War on Terror’s inception, Muslim and Islamic portrayals have been more present in the media, and with them came Islamophobic narratives. British journalist Dilly Hussain visited the U of S on Sept. 25 for an interactive workshop titled “Muslims in the Media.” Hosted by the Muslim Students’ Association and Nation of Young Muslims Ink, the event was to help students understand the systemic and co-ordinated issue of Islamophobia in the media and how to responsibly engage with it in the current political climate. Hussain, deputy editor for an independently regulated Muslim news site called 5Pillars, stressed the importance of Muslim’s engagement in the media in order to change the narrative. “You can try and live your life pretending that what is happening in the mainstream press is not affecting you and your faith but it really is,” Hussain said. “So why should
it be the case that [everyone] is talking about Islam and Muslims except for Muslims themselves.” Hussain’s workshop specifically catered to Muslim students to equip them with the tools to engage with the media. His take home message was that if Muslims do not learn about the media and its strategies, then they have no right to complain when the media distorts Islamic identity and perception. Second-year computer science student Ammara Syeda attended the workshop. She says the event was helpful to learn about the tokenization of Muslim women in the media, which is often framed as representation. “Being a [visible] Muslim woman myself, it’s sometimes hard for us to know when an opportunity is given to us because we look a certain way or because our opinions are actually being valued,” Syeda said. Hussain is worried over the future of Muslims if current Muslim portrayal in the media, heigtened since 9/11, persists.
“We have already had Christchurch, [you’ve] already had the mosque shooting in Quebec, we have already had incidents like these happening,” Hussain said. “So, God forbid that the media carries on portraying Islam and Muslims in the way that it has been for the last 19 years, that we will unfortunately see discriminatory attacks against Muslims and our places of worship.” Hussain says that 9/11 and the ensuing War on Terror has dominated media coverage of Muslim communities for years, and this context is important to understanding news about Muslims and Islam in the present. “The general masses have been given a particular stereotype and depiction and caricature of what a Muslim is.” Hussain said, “Therefore, anything that appears foreign or looks foreign or seems as if it cannot be understood is seen as a threat and therefore leads to suspicion.” On a broader scope, Hussain stressed the importance of following Qur’anic values when it comes to journalism
and beyond in taking a stand against injustice. “My non-Muslim teachers always told me when I was doing my master’s in journalism that we should always try and remain partial and objective. The way I see it is there are some things in life in which you cannot remain impartial,” Hussain said. “In cases of clear injustice and oppression, you cannot sit on the fence.” Fiza Baloch, a second-year computer science student, felt inspired by the workshop and hopes to include what she learned in her future writing. “As a writer, I think that it changed my perspective on how I can portray these events, and as a student it showed me that it’s not a bad thing to pursue something like writing if it’s for the good of the collective,” Baloch said. Hussain urged students to participate in media processes and journalism at large. “Doctors and surgeons may save a life a day, but it is writers and thinkers that change societies; this is the kind of profession that changes minds,” Hussain said.
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Scheer greeted in Saskatoon by supporters and protestors Students at the event discuss Scheer’s policies.
Call for feedback for review of President Stoicheff University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoicheff has indicated his openness to serving a second term as the president. Any member of the U of S community can submit a written comment to the Review Committee about President Stoicheff’s effectiveness in achieving the university’s goals and objectives. The deadline for submissions is October 15.
AQSA HUSSAIN
LAYOUT MANAGER
Amid chants of support and protest, the Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer made his first Saskatchewan campaign stop this weekend. On Sept. 28, Scheer made his way to the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market to deliver a rally speech. The crowded market was filled with music and chants as Saskatoon-West candidate Brad Redekopp introduced “the next prime minister of Canada.” Outside, climate strikers protested Scheer. One of them held up a sign to the glass door that asked why Scheer was “hiding during the climate strike.” Scheer shared campaign promises, including carbon tax repeal and a national energy corridor that would connect coast-to-coast energy resources. Scheer addressed the protesters halfway through his speech saying he “[doesn’t] mind when people express their views.” Scheer also discussed lowering taxes for the lowest tax bracket, tax free maternity leave and the importance of heating costs in the Saskatchewan winter. Mitchell McEachern, an Edwards School of Business student, attended the event and was glad to hear Scheer keep his speech focused on Saskatchewan. McEachern says that Scheer’s policies about tax cuts appeal to him as a student. “As a university student, I see it as a very good platform; He’s lowering the taxes for the lowest income bracket and that directly affects me, being a student while I work part-time,” McEachern said. Throughout the rally, Scheer threw jabs at the Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau, particularly about the carbon tax. “Justin Trudeau has never had
Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor Andrew Scheer speaks to a crowd in the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market at the Conservative Campaign on Sept. 29, 2019.
to worry about money. That’s why he’s not worrying about yours,” Scheer said. “Wealthy millionaires, liberals like Justin Trudeau, might not mind paying higher gas prices thanks to his carbon tax.” Michelle Wiebe, a nursing student at the University of Regina, was critical of Scheer’s comments about the opposition. “I feel like right now in our political age, they do more of tearing the other person down so they can look good, and I don’t really like that approach as much but I did enjoy his speech,” Wiebe said. “It’s like lots of promises, hopefully he can keep good on them. I want to hear him talk more about how he’s qualified.” Tiana Greyeyes, a grade 12 student from Nutana Collegiate, stood outside the rally among the protestors. Greyeyes says that she was protesting to fight for the environment’s protection. “As an Indigenous person, I was put on this land to protect and to share the land and the water with other creatures. That’s why I’m here, for my people,” Greyeyes said.
Campus Briefs
During the Sheaf’s interview with Greyeyes, a rally attendee came up to a neighbouring protester and called them “brainwashed.” Greyeyes discusses dealing with hate as a political protester. “It hurts in the beginning but… I know that there are youth and Indigenous youth who don’t have a say, who don’t know how to react, who don’t
know how to be here so I’ll be here for them,” Greyeyes said. “The adults are acting like kids so we need to act like adults.” After the rally, Scheer made his way to Southern Ontario. He is currently facing a small controversy regarding his insurance broker background, which he has admitted that he only worked as a broker for six to seven months.
Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor Climate activists stand outside of the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market where the Conservative Campaign was held on Sept. 29, 2019.
STM appoints its 12th president Appointed by the St. Thomas More College Board of Governors in May, Carl N. Still was formally welcomed as president on Sept. 29 during the STM Academic Mass, a yearly tradition presided by Bishop Mark Hagemoen. President Still served as interim president for 10 months prior to his appointment. USSU opens nominations for October by-elections The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Council has set a date for its by-elections: nomination forms are due to the USSU office on Oct. 4, campaigning will begin on Oct. 7 and voting will be open on Oct. 9 and 10. The union has 13 student councillor positions to fill in this by-election as well as the executive position of vice-president student affairs. Tuition motion not discussed at Sept. 19 University Council The motion to recommend tuition affordability to the Board of Governors was not discussed at the September University Council meeting and is still pending review by the Planning and Priorities Committee. The motion was first raised in May by council member Marcel D’Eon, in coordination with the USSU and the Graduate Students’ Association. D’Eon asked at the meeting for an approximate timeline for when the decision would be made but no timeline has been given yet.
Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor The crowd welcomes Andrew Scheer as he enters the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market for the Conservative Campaign on Sept. 29, 2019.
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USSU going into by-elections with 14 vacancies to fill The fast-paced by-elections attempt to provide representation and leadership opportunities for students. NOAH CALLAGHAN STAFF WRITER
With a high number of empty spots, the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union reflects on the importance of student leadership. The USSU has made a call for student nominations to fill the open executive position of vice-president of student affairs and the 13 vacant University Students’ Council seats. Campaigning for the by-elections starts on Oct. 7, with voting happening on Oct. 9 and 10. Though it is uncommon for an executive position to be vacant at this time of the year, the student councillor positions are frequently left to be filled at by-elections. The USSU would like to see more student interest in these leadership positions in the coming years. At the Sept. 26 USC meeting, President Regan Ratt-Misponas highlighted the organization’s commitment to facilitate leadership under their recently announced strate-
gic goals called “The Path Forward.” “We want this table here at the USC to be full, where good debate and where respectful dialogue can occur so that there’s a betterment for students that are attending the U of S,” Ratt-Misponas said. On Sept. 30, 15 students interested in running for the USC openings attended a mandatory meeting in the Roy Romanow Student Council Chamber. The orientation, chaired by USSU general manager Caroline Cottrell, was an organizational overview covering the policies and responsibilities of the non-profit corporation’s members. Attendees were given nomination forms that must be co-signed by 10 other students within a few days to be able to run in the by-election. Tiegan Knot, a nominee for the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition seat, has attended the USC meetings as a guest before and says being a councillor is a
great way to interact with what is happening on campus while gaining new skills. “It gives you a chance to work on speaking,” Knot said. “You’re giving an opinion for not only yourself but also those that you’re representing.” Following the USC orientation, Cottrell had a second meeting attended by two students interested in running for the VP of student affairs executive position. Although Cottrell says that the USSU is currently covering the essential duties of the vacant position, there may be certain initiatives left undone if the full-time job is not filled. “It puts pressure on everybody else,” Cottrell said. “The governance is still fine because we have three executives but if we dropped to two, it would be problematic.” Cotrell says it would be challenging to cover the student affairs responsibilities, which include being chair for the sustainability and student affairs committees, if the position
Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor Current USSU members pose for a photo at the Global Climate Strike at Saskatoon City Hall on Sept. 27, 2019.
were to remain open. The nominees for the USC and VP students affairs positions will attend another mandatory meeting on Oct. 4 to go over procedures with a lawyer chosen as the Chief Returning Officer by the Elections Committee. As for increasing the number of student nominations in the future years, Cottrell says that the current bylaws of the USSU and its constituencies make filling vacancies too difficult within the general elections timeline, which they are hoping to address. Reportedly, some constituencies have to elect their nominees for the councillor position. If these candidates are not chosen before the USSU elections, the constitu-
encies are left without representation until a by-election happens. “We will have to try and persuade all of the constituency associations to change whatever it is in their bylaws that’s not lining up with our bylaws,” Cottrell said. Cottrell says that finding student leaders is critical for the USSU to continue as an independent organization for the benefit of students. “I really believe that this representation of students in the programs that the USSU provides are really important,” Cottrell said. “People don’t always distinguish us from the university system, but they would miss the services we provide if we were gone.”
University caught off guard by recent data on self-citations A high-ranking U of S researcher self-cited 70 per cent of his work, as noted in a recent study. J.C. BALICANTA NARAG COPY EDITOR
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University of Saskatchewan COLLEGE OF LAW Admissions Information Session Members of the Admissions Office will discuss the application and admissions process.
“So I’ve published 200 and some-odd papers. Now if I have to repeat the same methods every time, it’s a waste of space in the journal so I cite my previous articles because it describes it,” Potter said. While self-citing is not itself a policy, the university does have two policies addressing unnecessary or repetitious citing, referred to as citation farming. For now, Potter believes that there is currently no need for a policy
regarding self-citation, but that it should still be discussed. “What we need to do is have a conversation,” Potter said. “We need to have a conversation on campus, so that would involve faculty members [and] it would involve students.” These conversations are already underway. At the Sept. 29 University Council meeting, U of S Vice-President University Relations Debra Pozega-Osburn said that increasing the university’s “research metrics,” which includes faculty’s citations, will be part of their upcoming strategy for improving the U of S’s standing in
various university ranking lists. In the question period, a council member took to the mic to question this “emphasis on citations” and wondered whether the working groups in charge of the strategy were aware of the Nature article and the dangers of extreme self-citation. The council member says that self-citation should be a consideration in talks about university rankings as it affects the U of S’s reputation. “[One of] the top self-citer in Canada is one of our colleagues,” the council member said. “These things affect our reputation.”
Following a general presentation, students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in further information sharing where their individual situations can be discussed with current students and members of the College of Law.
Thursday, October 10, 2019 4:00 p.m. McKercher Classroom, Room 74 College of Law
EVERYONE WELCOME!
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Week five NFL rundown
SPORTS&HEALTH
The plot continues to thicken in the league with big games becoming difficult to predict.
It is a quarter of the way through the National Football League season, yet for some teams, their year is already over. This group includes the winless Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, New York Jets and the Denver Broncos. Not a single win can be found among these six teams. With this in mind, football fans want to test their knowledge by betting on big and meaningful games. Here are six games to watch for in week five.
2-2, behind the 3-1 New Orleans Saints. Panthers QB Kyle Allen is 2-0 since Carolina’s franchise QB Cam Newton has been held out of action due to an injury. Allen threw for zero touchdowns and two interceptions last week but he also threw for four touchdowns and zero interceptions the week prior. A quarterback’s plays dictate so much of a team’s success and Allen’s inconsistencies make his team tough to gauge. Jacksonville is a good option as a road underdog once again. There is a decent chance they will win this game, or at the very least keep it close. Take the Jaguars.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Carolina Panthers (-3.5) Gardner Minshew is a mad man for the Jaguars. He led the Jaguars 14-point comeback to beat Denver. The huge road win improves their record to 2-2. Something special might be happening with Minshew in Jacksonville. However, the performance of a rookie quarterback is fairly inconsistent throughout a season so last week could end up being an anomaly. For Carolina, they are in the middle of a tightly contested NFC South Division, tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at
Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans (-5) This game is interesting as the 1-3 Falcons sit at the bottom of their division. They need a win to give themselves a better chance at catching the division leading and 3-1 New Orleans Saints. On the other side for Houston, all four teams in their division sit .500 at 2-2, including the Texans. The Falcons are 0-2 on the road this year, and they have been known to be a shell of their normal selves as they are at home. Both of these teams carry a ton of talent. This game is just a
TANNER MICHALENKO SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR
question of who can play to their potential. It would be a huge road win for Atlanta, who should be playing with great desperation. A Texans win should be expected here, but the circumstances for Atlanta should give bettors some pause. Stay away from this one. Minnesota Vikings (-5.5) at New York Giants The Vikings were humbled last week in Chicago as the Bears outplayed them in a defensive battle. The game saw Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky exit the game with a shoulder injury and Chase Daniel played in relief. It was 16-0 through three quarters until the Vikings scored a late fourth-quarter touchdown, trimming the final deficit. This is a bad divisional game loss for Minnesota. Kirk Cousins and the Vikings passing game needs to improve and do so fast. Cousins’ teammate and wide receiver Adam Thielen publicly criticized his own team’s offensive strategy after the loss to Chicago. Minnesota needs to right the ship and produce an impressive win. The point spread is considerable for a road team coming off of a loss, which signifies that oddsmakers still believe in the Vikings’ talent.
A four-point spread would make things much easier here. Stay away from this game at this line as Cousins and the Vikings’ offense can not be trusted until proven otherwise. Cleveland Browns at San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) A few weeks ago, this Monday night game was not looking too appealing. But given Cleveland’s impressive 40-25 win against the Baltimore Ravens last week, this primetime game is now an exciting one. The undefeated 49ers are returning from their bye week. In weeks one through three, they beat the Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. This game is tough to call as the 49ers at home are only three point favourites. Many bettors are going to bet on Cleveland here and who can blame them. Take the Browns. Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-1) The Rams took a rather embarrassing loss to the Buccaneers at home last week, surrendering 55 points in the 15-point loss. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks beat Arizona handily on the road, 27-10. Both teams enter this game 3-1
but on different notes. The Rams are a tough bet to make on the road in one of the most hostile stadiums in the league. As long as Seattle can pressure Rams QB Jared Goff, the Seahawks should shut down the Rams’ offense. Take Seattle here and ride the home field advantage. Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys (3.5) On the road after a long week, the Packers visit the Cowboys’ stadium with extra days of preparation as a benefactor of playing on Thursday night. This is a significant game for them with the hope that they get back on track with a huge road win. Just like Green Bay, Dallas enters this week after suffering their first loss of the season last week. This would be a huge win for the Cowboys because they have only beat the Giants, Dolphins and Redskins — who collectively carry a record of two wins and 10 losses. Last week, they lost to the Drew Brees-less Saints. It is tough to predict this game with confidence. Dallas is a slight home favourite which makes Aaron Rodgers and the Packers a tempting pick. Take Green Bay and expect a close game. Point spread are sourced from the Westgate Superbook in Las Vegas on Oct. 1 at 5 p.m.
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Ultimate Fighting Championship welcomes two emerging stars at UFC 243 A promising contender will take on the middleweight champion in a must-see main event. COLE CHRETIEN
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On Oct. 6, two of the most exciting and dynamic fighters in mixed martial arts will be taking to the octagon as part of the UFC 243 in Sydney, Australia. The main event will feature a middleweight championship title fight between Nigerian-New Zealander Israel Adesanya and the current champion, Australian Robert Whittaker. Adesanya is a self-taught disciple of Brazilian mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva, whom he defeated in February of this year. Silva was known as a nearly untouchable fighter. He was a legend of the sport who has been praised by Ultimate Fighting Championship commissioner Dana White and commentator Joe Rogan, both calling Silva the greatest fighter of all time. He held the middleweight belt from 2006 to 2013, but the loss to Adesanya was his seventh defeat in his last eight fights. Silva's career accomplishments are second to none, but many that follow the UFC see similarities between Adesanya and Silva, both fighting with
an element of unpredictability that has produced dozens of highlights for fans. The 17-0 Adesanya leans into the quirks that made Silva so much fun to watch, using misdirection and speed as dangerous weapons. His hands are always slightly above his waist, a stance that would infuriate any Muay Thai coach. But even then, Adesanya utilizes superior footwork to calmly step out of the way of kicks and punches. The confident stance adds a layer to his unorthodox style. His punches become unpredictable when thrown from the height his hands rest at. He constantly throws out feints and slight shifts to his stance, feeling out the space he creates rather than aggressively trying to close in on his opponents. Adesanya even utilizes his own unique kick that carries great misdirection, a low-to-high feint kick that has become a signature weapon in his repertoire. Many MMA commentators question Adesanya’s ability to fight on the ground due to his lack of experience. Adesanya was recently awarded a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which is just the second belt in the martial art ranking system. The belt system recognizes a fighter’s technical
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knowledge and practical skills in the sport. If Adesanya is essentially a more agile Silva, then Whittaker is a more vicious version of Georges St-Pierre. Whittaker’s aggressiveness and ability to decisively finish a fight have warranted his nickname, “The Reaper.” Facing the Cuban boxer Yoel Romero, Whittaker showed his ability to take strikes from one of the scariest guys in the division while staying on his feet
and throwing back just as hard. It is impressive that he was able to weather Romero’s storm to successfully defend his title. This highly anticipated matchup could go in any direction. It will be interesting to see if Whittaker’s aggression is beneficial for him, which depends on Adesanya’s ability to see the barrage coming. If this fight goes to the ground, Adesanya will most likely be at a disadvantage against the welltrained wrestler.
There is also a chance that this fight could result in an overly cautious stalemate with just a few explosive moments. Regardless of who wins this championship fight, the chance to see incredibly promising young fighters at the very moment they solidify their reputation in the UFC is rare. The technical skill on display should make it worth watching for seasoned spectators and newcomers alike.
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SPORTS&HEALTH
Huskie athletics update Things ramp up for the Huskies as football and soccer approach playoffs while men’s hockey begins their season. TANNER MICHALENKO SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR
Huskie football bounced back with a 29-15 win at home against the Calgary Dinos in week five. It was a rematch of last year’s Hardy Cup final, where the Huskies spoiled the Dinos’ perfect season with a 43-18 upset in Calgary. The Dinos have consistently been a premier team in the conference, considering they have only lost two games during the past two seasons in the Canada West conference — both to Saskatchewan. Huskie head coach Scott Flory shook off the perception that this game is of greater significance for the Huskies. “It does not mean anything to me. It really does not,” Flory said, mentioning that his team’s focus is to go 1-0 each week regardless of who they are playing. Things did not look great for the Huskies after the Dinos scored a touchdown on the first drive of the game. Flory praised the team’s defensive performance to fight back, “7-0 in the blink of an eye. [Defensive co-ordinator Warren] Muzika did a fabulous job of adjusting.” Despite the quick Dino lead, the Huskie offense made plays to keep them stride for stride with Calgary. Quarterback Mason Nyhus threw for 233 yards on 15 completions with two touchdowns and two interceptions. “Him and [Adam] Machart make this offensive go. The offensive line was doing great, the receivers were making plays down the field and that is what we need,” Flory said. Running back Adam Machart continued his stellar career year, rushing for 171 yards and one touchdown. Machart is in a league of his own, averaging 147 rushing yards per game while the second leading rusher in the conference is running for 69.8 yards per game. When asked about whether it feels different beating Calgary as opposed to other teams in the conference, Machart said, “Without a doubt. They are 4-0, right?” He misspoke before laughing at his slip of the tongue. “Well, not anymore.” The Huskies will try and avenge their 43-19 week one loss to Manitoba next week at home. Both teams sit at 3-2 and are tied for third place in the conference that allows four playoff teams. “Honestly, we kind of got
Yasmine El-Gayed U of S football players celebrating a touchdown on Sept. 27, 2019.
punched in the mouth the last time we played them,” said Nyhus, who recognized that playoff seeding is on the line during the next game. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on Friday in Griffiths Stadium at Nutrien Park. Men’s hockey are winless after season opening weekend Huskie men’s hockey kicked off their season at home on Sept. 27 and 28, losing to the Mount Royal Cougars 5-4 and 7-2. Prior to these losses, the Huskies had not lost to Mount Royal since 2016. Head coach Dave Adolph was asked if there are any positive takeaways from the team’s 0-2 start to the season. “Well, I get to coach again,” Adolph said, mentioning that he has some work to do this year. The Huskies will travel to Alberta for their next weekend series on Oct. 11 and 12. “Our leadership group has to take a pretty long look at a couple fourth years that took some shitty penalties,” said Adolph, who was not pleased with veteran players contributing to his team’s collective 16 penalties over the two-game span. “That is going to be my focus to start. You cannot deal with skill, strategy and the X’s and O’s until some of the guys take a long look at the crest on their sweater.” The Huskies, along with every other team in the conference, will have next weekend off. It
is not the most preferred placement of a bye week as compared to a weekend off deeper into the season when teams can use it to get healthy and regroup. “Yeah, I do not like it. I never voted for it,” Adolph said. The next chance to catch the Huskies at home comes against Lethbridge on Oct. 18 and 19 at Merlis Belsher Place.
at home against Calgary. Their final home game is Oct. 6 versus Mount Royal. Saskatchewan will need to take care of their business to earn a playoff spot as they currently sit at 3-3-4, which is good for third in the prairie division within the Canada West conference. The top four teams quality for playoffs.
Men’s soccer picking up steam For the first time this season, Huskies men’s soccer earned back-to-back wins. They defeated University of British Columbia Okanagan 2-1 and Lethbridge 2-0. The wins are much to the relief of head coach Bryce Chapman, who had recently made comments on his team’s lack of execution when given quality chances to score. "Unlucky, but at some point, we have to stop saying we had more chances," said Chapman. "We have to start bearing down and taking control of games.” It was Nikolas Baikas who led the charge against UBC Okanagan, scoring both of his team’s goals in the 2-1 win. “Essentially, [Baikas] gets better and better every day. Now, he is starting to mature his game, play both sides of the ball and become a leader,” said Chapman. “Leaders step up in big moments, and today was a big moment.” The Huskies now look forward to their final four games of the season, beginning Oct. 3
Women’s soccer keeps improving Head coach Jerson Barandica-Hamilton’s team came away with three out of four possible points in their final two September games. The Huskies defeated Winnipeg 6-1 on Sept. 28, followed up by a 2-2 draw against Manitoba on Sept. 29. The dogs are now 4-2-2 with 14 points earned, which place them second in the prairie division. The top four teams in the division are separated by just two points. Maya Gabruch has been the top performer for this year’s Huskies, leading the team with six goals in just eight games played so far this season. Barandica-Hamilton has to be happy with Payton Izsak scoring her first two goals of the season in the 6-1 rout against Winnipeg. Izsak led the team with six goals last season, but was held off scoring sheets throughout her first six matches this year. The Huskies have six games remaining, including three of their last four at home at inside
the friendly confines of Field 7 at Nutrien Park. The favourable home stretch begins on Oct. 11 against Regina.
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A look at college cliques In honour of Mean Girls Day, colleges on campus poke fun of their group’s common stereotypes in a light-hearted way. SOPHIA LAGIMODIERE OUTREACH DIRECTOR
Oct. 3 may seem like just another day, but it has gained fame as annual Mean Girls Day. Released 15 years ago, the modest budget teenage-comedy remains a worldwide classic today. Written by Tina Fey and based on the book Queen Bees & Wannabes, the film centres around the struggles of navigating through high school cliques. While marketed as a high school classic, it has grown to be a pop culture phenomenon, be-
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ing referenced throughout the years on Twitter, blogs as well as in university classes. The main protagonist in the film, Cady Heron, grew up being home-schooled in Africa by her zoologist parents unaware of the challenges of high school. Upon her arrival at North Shore High School in the United States, she quickly finds herself thrown into the realities of high school cliques as she tries to find her place. She ends up having to choose between her out-crowd friends Damian and Janis, or the crude popular “Plastics”. In a popular scene in the
movie, Cady walks through the school’s cafeteria where cliques are dramatically segregated by lunchroom tables. Passing by groups like the Art Freaks and Jocks, her fate is settled when she chooses to sit at the Plastics’ table. While these stereotypes are theatrically showcased in the movie, they highlight an important conversation on clique culture. It is easy to believe cliques do not extend past high school, however, cliques can exist throughout our lives. The university’s various colleges and their associated ma-
jors are cliques of their own. But unlike the cliques in Mean Girls, it is not necessarily always a bad thing. Recently there has been a trend online where different majors poke fun at each other’s stereotypes. While this can sometimes come across as offensive — like when people argue that their major is superior or more difficult than another — it can also be a light-hearted way of recognizing our differences. The great thing about the university is that we have the opportunity to explore a variety of paths whether we choose to
major in city planning, visual arts, accounting or physics. As Cady once said, “the limit does not exist.” Unlike Mean Girls where there isn’t always a place for everyone to fit in — like when Cady was left sitting alone in the bathroom stall at lunch — the cliques on campus have a place for everyone. You just have to find the right group to match your interests. At the end of the day, what makes the university special is the ways we can collaborate as a whole by bringing forward our different areas of expertise.
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Law Students’ Association
Friendly and inclusive — except when it comes to our library, then you can’t sit with us.
Graphics by Shawna Langer/ Graphics Editor
Education Students’ Society
All photos by Sophia Lagimodiere Top Left: Members of University of Saskatchewan Arts and Science Student Union pose for photo in the U of S bowl on Sept. 23, 2019. Top Right: U of S Kinesiology Students’ Society poses for a group photo in front of the U of S Administration Building on Sept. 24, 2019.
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Middle Left: Members from the U of S Saskatoon Engineering Students’ Society pose for a photo by the U of S Engineering building on Sept. 24, 2019. Middle Right: U of S Law Students’ Association members pose with their textbooks outside of the Law building on Sept. 26, 2019. Bottom left: U of S Education Students’ Society pose for a photo in front of the U of S Education building on Sept. 24, 2019.
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Saskatoon’s AIDS Walk raises funds to develop innovative community initiatives Support and fundraising helps destigmatize HIV and AIDS through testing and harm reduction. NOAH CALLAGHAN STAFF WRITER
The annual AIDS Walk saw about 150 people come out to help raise awareness. Organized by OUTSaskatoon and Aids Saskatoon, the event raised $43,655 of its $50,000 goal to increase prevention, education and free testing in the city. Sean Ryan, OUTSaskatoon’s community engagement officer, says that having the AIDS Walk helps to destigmatize HIV and AIDS by making the supportive community visible. “By having the AIDS Walk, it’s giving people recognition, it’s showing that there is an issue,” said Ryan. “But it’s also showing [that] there is a community behind you.” The walk began at noon on Sept. 29 at the Roxy Theatre, the event’s community sponsor. It proceeded through Saskatoon’s downtown streets with the escort of police services.
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Ryan says that although Saskatchewan has the highest HIV rates in Canada, Saskatoon’s AIDS Walk fundraiser is one of the highest-grossing in the country, which will help OUTSaskatoon continue increasing its outreach and clinic testing. “Our clinics are running Wednesday and Thursday evenings,” said Ryan. “The goal is to have them running Monday through Friday, and then introducing HIV rapid testing by January 2020. With the rapid testing, you go in and it’s results within 60 seconds. You no longer have to wait X amount of days or weeks in order to get your test results back.” Jason Mercredi, executive director of AIDS Saskatoon, says the walk also helps people understand the innovative work that the agencies are offering to respond to the HIV crisis in the province. “We’re actually one of the leaders in HIV testing and that all started with a grass-
roots initiative,” said Mercredi. “We have more sites than a majority of [the] provinces and we keep advocating for more places to be able to do HIV testing and rapid testing.” With the approval of Health Canada, AIDS Saskatoon will open the city's first safe drug consumption site to work at harm reduction in July 2020. “We know it’s a controversial topic but at the end of the day, it’s a public health issue,” said Mercredi. “If we’re going to do business as usual, we’re going to have the same results.” Mercredi says the walk helps people know how AIDS Saskatoon is educating and helping people in the city. “Then when we want to push the envelope on what needs to happen in the community, people have that baseline understanding,” Mercredi said. OUTSaskatoon’s executive director, Rachel Loewen Walker, says it is valuable to have HIV testing within a community-based organiza-
Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor Participants in the AIDS Walk march in downtown Saskatoon on Sept. 29, 2019.
tion because of the complementary services they offer. “We’re making testing accessible so people can get tested in their communities at places that they feel safe and at places where they are already linked to other forms of care,” said Loewen Walker. “To all of the folks seeing the walk take place, it’s a reminder of how important this work is in the community and ensures that it stays visible.” Mercredi believes Saskatoon’s record of being one of the country’s smallest AIDS
Walks with the highest fundraising totals comes from the prairies’ unique cultural values. He says this community support shows that Saskatoon has a good philanthropical basis and is one way prairie people get through the early winters together. “When you go on the walk and see all these people beaming and showing their support even on a cold day like today, it really does make you appreciate the community that we live in,” Mercredi said.
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Usask art: Need a sanity restoring study break? These five campus art pieces are your next study break destination. GAVIN ROBERTSON
Between long hours of studying at the library and even longer hours at home, spare time to explore Saskatoon’s distractions is uncommon. But as we wander through the tunnels with our noses glued to our phones, we're missing the easy chance to admire the incredible art pieces displayed around us. Whether you feel compelled to fall to your knees in awe or your brain just says, “Nice,” art is something that moves us all. Here are five art installations well worth a 20 minute study break.
1. Garden of the Mind, Vic Cicansky (1992). This interactive bronze sculpture is a stunning piece to seek out if you’re looking for meticulous metalwork or an unbeatable staring competition. Located on the skywalk of the second floor of the Agriculture Building, this commissioned piece is smack-dab in the middle of one of the coolest spots to study, relax or just bask in. The surrounding plants and hanging art pieces make the second floor of ag a must-visit destination on your art vacation. 2. Metamorphosis, Heather Cline and Corrine McKay (1992). It’s truly a marvel that this breathtaking painting doesn’t gain more traffic. Found in a stairwell in the Thorvaldson Building, this collaborative piece takes up nearly an entire wall. It can be a bit tedious to get a good glimpse of this one because eyes are usually directed downwards when taking stairs to avoid falling. Consider making the journey to this beauty during a break in your schedule to soak up its every majestic detail. 3. Isolation, Betty Meyers (1990). This spectacular oil painting inspired by the annual delivery of goods to Taloyoak (formerly Spence Bay) in Nunavut. It depicts a glorious panorama of a quaint and colourful arctic village below a mountain neighbouring oceanic bodies. Found on the fifth floor of the Agriculture Building, this canvas is absolutely one for the radar.
All photos by Gavin Robertson
4. Mes prairies eu toutes saisons, Mariette Rousseau-Vermette (1973). This gorgeous art piece is like no other to be found on campus. This one-of-a-kind work from a Québécoise tapestry artist features impeccable texture that conventional methods could only dream of achieving. Mariette Rousseau-Vermette truly captures the essence of prairie landscapes in this colourful piece, hung above the staircase in Murray Library leading into the Arts Tunnel.
5. Mother and Child with Bear Spirit, Christine Aaluk Sivanertak. This stone and antler sculpture is one of the 55 ornately displayed Inuit sculptures in the Henry and Cheryl Kloppenburg Collection. Located on the far side of the second floor of the Agriculture Building, this delicate culture piece is one you absolutely must quest to. The sculptures provide insight into styles of Inuit art and an appreciation for things valued among the culture.
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Of Nazis, serial killers and the wild west: Violence in Quentin Tarantino movies Don’t feel bad for laughing at the violence in Tarantino films, it’s what he would have wanted. VICI HERBISON
It’s not every day you find yourself cracking up at a murder scene or laughing as someone is barbequed with a flamethrower. Yet here we are — living in Quentin Tarantino’s gruesome, over-the-top and violent dream world. Director, writer and actor Quentin Tarantino has always been shrouded in controversy. There has been much debate on the abundance of racial slurs in Tarantino’s films and the necessity of intensely graphic violence which has become commonplace in his films. This has not stifled his popularity, however. Despite being in the movie industry since the late 1980s, his career as a filmmaker didn’t take off until the release of his first feature-length film in the 1992 bloody heist thriller Reservoir Dogs. Since then, he has made 10 more films, each maintaining his stylistic calling-card of exaggerated, gory violence. Violence makes most of Tarantino’s films hard to watch. As loved as Inglourious Basterds is, watching Aldo Raine meticulously carve a swastika into the forehead of Hans Landa is enough to turn the stomachs of every audience member. Violence is not hidden or downplayed in his films — it’s up close, it’s personal and it’s gross. But the drama overkill is not to desensitize the audience to real-world violence. When asked about the use of
violence in his films by Newsday in a 1994 press conference, Tarantino responded, “If you ask me how I feel about violence in real life, well, I have a lot of feelings about it. It's one of the worst aspects of America. In movies, violence is cool. I like it." While not condoning violence in real life, Tarantino uses violence in his films as an aesthetic device to manipulate the audience’s emotions through heavy exaggeration. Take Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction for example. At first, the audience is taken aback at the sudden, gruesome death of Marvin when Vincent accidentally shoots him in the head. The weight of the graphic, accidental murder immediately subsides as Vincent sighs in an oh-so casual tone, “Ah man, I shot Marvin in the face.” While poor Marvin’s death is horrifically violent — we’re talking bright, red blood splatterred all over the back seat of a white car — the treatment of the scene shifts the audience’s shock to laughter. The casual humour associated with Tarantino’s overexaggerated gore further suggests that violence in his films is not meant to be taken at face value. One of the vehicles Tarantino uses in depicting violence to elicit emotion in the viewer is the classic cinematic trope of a quest for revenge. This trope is popular with audiences as most can identify with a character that is motivated by a desire for revenge. Tarantino stacks the deck by
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the frequent use of villains which audiences are predisposed to dislike, such as Nazis, the KKK and the Manson family. The audience is left with little choice but to side with Tarantino’s protagonists, even if both sides are performing violent deeds. She may be an ex-assassin, but you root for the Bride in Kill Bill as she slices and dices her way to get revenge on Bill. In Django Unchained, the audience can’t help but cheer for ex-slave Django as he strives to save his wife, despite his quest to rescue her culminating in a bloody massacre. Most recently, when Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s Rick Dalton runs from the Manson girl in his pool like she’s the killer in a 70s slasher movie who
just won’t die, it’s hard not to be amused. The perfectly timed set up of Rick’s flamethrower allows the audience just enough time for a guilty chuckle before the incineration of the half-dead Manson girl. For some audiences, the violence in Tarantino films — while dramatically over-the-top — is still too brutal to watch. But there is a method to his madness as meaning can be found in the violence beyond just being seen as ‘cool.’ In a 2010 interview with The Telegraph, Tarantino said, “I feel like I’m an orchestra conductor and the audience are my instruments. So it’s like, 'Laugh, laugh… Now be horrified...’ That’s what I get off on. When a film does that to me, I know I’ve
had a good time at the cinema." Tarantino’s use of violence easily sways the audience, appealing to feelings — be they of horror or humour — rather than logic and rationale. For a few fleeting moments, the audience can become one with Tarantino’s protagonists and feel the same sense of satisfaction and gratification when the villains get their just deserts. This trademark of gruesome, cartoonish and cinematic style of violence leaves the audience with conflicted feelings of abject horror and catharsis. Despite the graphic violence, Tarantino’s films are captivating, passionately done and brilliantly written. I mean, there’s a reason we keep watching Tarantino films, right?
The children of Saskatoon take to the streets to fight for climate justice These local kids are a microcosm of a much larger movement that is taking place globally. TOMILOLA OJO CULTURE EDITOR
Continued from cover According to 15-year-old youth speaker Lauren Wright, the committee will tackle issues such as the protection of the Northeast Swale, the promotion of renewable energy legislature and accountability of local businesses and administrations. This local youth climate council is only one of the many similar committees springing up all over
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Canada and the world. Children are taking charge and fighting for their future, and Greta Thunberg, whom Wright referred to as “an example of the power of individual activism and the limitless potential of youth”, is only one of them. In Canada, we have 15-year-old clean water advocate Autumn Peltier of Wikwemikong First Nation. In the United States, 12-year-old Amariyanna Copeny — also known as Little Miss Flint — has been fighting the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, since
2015. New York-based teen environmentalist Xiye Bastida has also been leading climate marches and lobbying her government into action after experiencing the effects of climate change first hand in her hometown of San Pedro Tultepec, Mexico. With a future so unsure, kids all over the world are putting their childhood on pause to fight for the change they deserve. Until the adults who have the power to make a change start doing so, the children’s marches will continue.
Victoria Becker/ Photo Editor A man holds a sign during the Global Climate Strike at the Saskatoon City Hall on Sept. 27, 2019.
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From eggs to pumpkins: Ag-Bio students learn about food production in the province A whirlwind tour offered a look inside Saskatchewan’s diverse agriculture industry. DAVID MACTAGGART
On Sept. 14, the Agricultural Students’ Association hosted its 2019 Farm to Fork Tour: Saskatchewan’s Role in Feeding the World. With most Canadians being one to two generations removed from farming, this tour — supported by the dean’s office — aims to paint a picture of Saskatchewan’s agri-food industry for first year and international students. This year, 21 students visited the Star Egg process-
ing facility, the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence and the Black Fox Farm and Distillery. The Star Egg processing facility operates with a daily goal to clean and grade 1.2 million eggs from farms across Western Canada. As eggs bob through baths and whiz past on conveyor belts, they are graded to remove any that are cracked or fertilized — marked by an embryo on the yoke. Cracked eggs are sent to Winnipeg to be processed into scrambled-egg cartons
saskatoon’s community raDio
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while those that are fertilized are made into pet food. Our tour guides from Saskatchewan Egg Producers, Shawn Harman and Cam Broten, showed us how the company works to reduce food waste and assure that consumers at the grocery store receive the safest eggs possible. Star Egg provides many Saskatchewan grocery stores with cartons. The group then travelled to Clavet to visit the LFCE. This University of Saskatchewan facility, which opened this past year, is operated by the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. The research facility is a fully operational farm with over 300 cow-calf pairs. They also have a feedlot where researchers across many disciplines work together to make the beef industry more sustainable. The LFCE is unique to the world because its equipment enables scientists to monitor nearly all the inputs and outputs for cattle — from food to methane belches. With recent attention on the methane emitted by cattle, animal and poultry science professor Bart Lardner is examining which forage mixtures help to reduce these emissions. With
David MacTaggart/ Supplied
this information, farmers will be able to access benefits such as manure fertilizers while minimizing the negative impacts of cattle production on the environment. The group concluded their tour at the Black Fox Farm and Distillery’s pumpkin festival. This is one of the many festivals hosted at the distillery each year which allows people from the city and rural areas to get their hands dirty finding their favourite pumpkins or flower arrangement. The students with the tour were victorious in winning pumpkins over 40 pounds in the pumpkin bowling compe-
tition where they had to hit a pyramid of garden pots at the base of a hill. This station was among many open that day including the pumpkin patch, straw bale maze and pumpkin pie sale. Overall, the tour brought together international and local students. On the bus between stops, stories were shared about how food production varies between countries. Canadian students learned that even on the other side of the world, food produced here in Saskatchewan is held in high regard for its quality and nutrition for consumers.
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The Global Climate Strike: All for naught? Indigenous water activist Autumn Peltier, who spoke to hundreds at the UN-based Global Landscapes Forum, has been engaged in water protection since she was eight years old. Hundreds of thousands of other youth are taking environmental action in a world where it has been too underprioritized. When you’re the next generation in line to inherit the only known planet in the solar system that supports life, you’d want that planet to at least be in a hospitable condition. In a viral clip of Thunberg speaking at the 2019 UN Climate Change Summit in New York, she addresses the lack of climate action from world leaders. “This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean, yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you,” Thunberg said to the crowd. Though her words are a grim reminder of the reality of what our world has become, why is it that climate goals still haven’t
Gr ap hic
From Sept. 20 to 27, millions of participants — 6.6 million this week and 500,000 in Montreal alone, took part in the phenomenon known as the Global Climate Strike. Various locations, from downtown districts to national congress offices, were crowded with protestors wielding banners to put forward an increasingly urgent message to those in power: we have had enough. The movement advocates for climate justice, a notion that instills fear in some and passivity in others. A symbolic figure leading the movement is 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, whose choice to address environmental issues instead of attending classes has drawn millions of others to follow her lead. However, in spite of the collective efforts of numerous climate activists around the globe, ignorance on the issue still stands. Despite management efforts, many of the fires that wiped out 7,200 square miles of the Ama-
zon rainforest are still burning. Similar problems can be encountered in Indonesia where violent red smoke, thick with toxicity falls over the province of Jambi as a result of burning land to be used for agriculture. From the jarring statistics of accelerating carbon emissions to increasingly destructive hurricanes with devastating effects, an obvious fact can be gleaned from that humongous pile of climate problems we’ve been having — our solutions aren’t working very well. It seems to me that every UN climate change report is getting more urgent than the last, chock-full of facts and statistics as evidence, with the aim of raising the alarm. As environmental destruction wreaks havoc across the globe, there’s no telling how many years we have left before we realize — perhaps too late — that we should’ve done something, anything, to combat these problems. It makes sense that Thunberg and her fellow advocates are raising their voices. Sixteen-year-old
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As millions protest for urgent climate action, a question of uncertainty still reigns.
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been met? Why is it that — out of all the issues in the world impacting our future, the one we decide to ignore so heavily is the one that explicitly defines whether or not we have a future? We can’t view the climate crisis as a meaningless trend. It has become a desperate realization for many that we have too much to lose. And the lack of urgent action by powerful leaders, engrossed in politics, makes it all the more dismaying.
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So the question to end with is a thought-provoking one. It’s the subject of endless internet campaigns and news headlines. It’s in the hashtags and shared posts. It’s stated by nonprofit organizations and eco-friendly missions. It encompasses innovative initiatives and research projects. It punctuates TED talks, activist groups, rally speeches and global phenomena encompassing millions in action alike: Will it all be enough?
The “new meat” debate is getting old
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The resistance to new plant-based meat alternatives seems to stem from a misguided argument.
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There are growing concerns regarding a new, seemingly unstoppable competitor to the livelihood of cattle ranchers across the prairies. My family raises cattle, so I understand the anxieties being felt. Beyond, Impossible, and other plant-based burgers seem to have come out of nowhere. They are garnering attention in the media and are being picked up and promoted by huge fast-food
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names like A&W and Burger King. While I totally understand the apprehension, I can’t help but get annoyed when people repost articles or photos listing the ingredients of the plant-based burgers and claiming they’re “unhealthy.” Even if plant-based burgers are claiming “healthier alternatives” to beef, they are on the same junk food list as cheeseburgers in the end. They’re meant to be consumed in moderation and are usually marketed as such.
Of course, if someone says that plant-based burgers is healthier than beef, you can easily argue the contrary by looking at the number of ingredients and the processing required to produce them. The truth is that if you are consuming beef burgers at a healthy, moderate rate and you simply replace them with plant-based ones, it shouldn’t negatively impact your health. The idea that things are worse for you when they are processed or “lab-grown” is known as an appeal to nature fallacy and is a fairly illogical way of thinking. That being said, the argument that “beef burgers are just beef and therefore inherently healthy” is also invalid. Hormones and antibiotics are often used in beef farming to keep up production with the high demand. This increased use of hormones in cattle has been linked to early puberty in girls. Also, diets high in red meat tend to have negative impacts on health. A recent study found a link between red meat consumption and an increase in heart disease, cancer and death. Plant-based burgers may in fact be healthier — for the
planet, that is. Greenhouse gas emissions are produced from livestock and the land use, deforestation and fresh water consumption needed for raising animals have a significant impact on the planet. In fact, cattle farming is the number one cause of deforestation. Plant-based burgers, on the other hand, require 46 per cent less energy to be produced at the same rate as beef. There is also less impact on water and land use, and produces 90 per cent fewer GHGEs in the process. Personally, arguments on animal welfare aren’t the most compelling reason for decreasing my meat consumption, and I know many feel the same. I believe the environmental impact — not the health one — is the appeal of plant-based burgers, at least for the general consumer market. Beef producers should be aiming to develop more sustainable practices for beef consumption to win over those who still want to eat beef but also want to support the environment. For example, it has been proven that cows can be selectively bred to produce less methane which could decrease GHGEs.
As it is possible to improve the beef industry, it is also possible to do so for plant-based alternatives. As demand increases, more research can be put into developing healthier, more sustainable and more readily available alternatives to meat in many forms. The popularity of the few products available to the public is indicative that there is a market for more diverse options. Resisting the development and improvement of such products seems futile and naive. Attempting to curtail this industry also affects the conversation on climate change which cannot be properly addressed without addressing the impact of the meat industry. Reducing meat consumption is vital for improving environmental conditions. However, meat doesn’t need to be eliminated if consumed at a sustainable rate. If beef producers truly want to compete with an ever-increasing demand for plant-based alternatives, they should refocus their efforts and stop wasting their time attacking an industry that is not deterred by their propaganda.
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DISTRACTIONS
WWW.T H E S H E A F.COM // @ U SAS KS H E A F
Supplied by Victoria Becker
Aries: March 21 - April 20 Take thy beak from out my
heart, and take thy form from off my door! Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.” The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe
Taurus: April 21 - May 20 It is true, we shall be mon-
sters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another. Frankenstein by Marry Shelley
Gemini: May 21 - June 20 Loneliness will sit over our roofs with brooding wings.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Cancer: June 21 - July 22 It’s the proper morning to
fly into Hell.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Leo: July 23 - Aug. 22 We all go a little mad sometimes. Supplied by Victoria Becker
Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock
Virgo: Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 This inhuman place makes human monsters.
The Shining by Stephen King
Libra: Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 Death has come to your little town, Sheriff.
Halloween by John Carpenter
Scorpio: Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 Did ye make some unholy bond with that goat?
The Witch by Robert Eggers
Sagittarius: Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 I’m an insect who dreamt he was a man.
The Fly by David Cronenberg
Capricorn:
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 Depending upon one another’s hearts, ye had still hoped that virtue were not all a dream! Now are ye undeceived! Evil is the nature of mankind. Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Aquarius: Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 No live organism can
continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Pisces: Feb. 19 - March 20 Ere the bat hath flown/
His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons/The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums/Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done/A deed of dreadful note.
Heywood Yu A man and a woman holds a sign while crossing the street during the Global Climate Strike in downtown Saskatoon on Sept.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
27, 2019.
DISTRACTIONS / 15
T H E S H E A F P U B L I S HI NG S OC I E T Y // OC TOB E R 0 3 , 2 0 1 9
VO L . 1 1 1 // I SS UE 07
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