S The Silhouette
Thursday, September 19, 2019
A TRIP TO
S U P E R CR A W L A look at this year’s three-day downtown spectacle // PAGES 14-21
INSIDE>>
NEWS: A first look at the federal candidates // PAGE 5 ARTS & CULTURE: Ahmed Elfatih reflects on his past with Mixed Matter // PAGE 19 SPORTS: The men’s football team is off to a strong start // PAGE 23
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Volume 90, Issue 4 Thursday, September 19, 2019 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca
Hannah Walters-Vida digital media specialist | dms@msu.mcmaster.ca Maxine Gravina managing editor | managing@thesil.ca Neda Pirouzmand online editor | online@thesil.ca Razan Samara production editor | production@thesil.ca Elisabetta Paiano sections
NEWS Trisha Gregorio news reporter Shamir Malik news@thesil.ca
news editor
November 28, 2013
LOOKING BACK BILL! BILL! BILL! Much to the delight of students, Bill Nye visited McMaster in December 2013. He spoke to a sold-out crowd at Burridge Gym. Now, he’s announced that he’ll be coming back later this month. Can’t wait to see him - HI BILL!
FEATURES Adrianna Michell features@thesil.ca
features reporter
OPINION Steffi Arkilander opinion@thesil.ca
opinion editor
SPORTS sports editor Graham West sports@thesil.ca ARTS AND CULTURE & culture editor Andrew Mrozowski arts & culture reporter Lauren O’Donnell artsandculture@thesil.ca
arts
MEDIA photo editor Cindy Cui photo reporter Matty Flader production coordinator Katarina Brkic production coordinator Zoya Gomes production@thesil.ca ONLINE Jaden Lall social media coordinator Erica Mark online@thesil.ca video editor
COVER PHOTO Cindy Cui
WE WANT YOU The Silhouette is always looking for volunteers! Come out to a weekly meeting or email one of our section editors for more information on how to get involved. SPORTS
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PRODUCTION
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CONTACT MUSC, Room B110 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4 Editor-in-Chief (905) 525-9140, ext 22052 Main Office (905) 525-9140, ext 27117 Advertising ccpc@mcmaster.ca published by the
LEGAL The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters should be 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in the Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding the Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.
The Silhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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News
OUSA launches letter-writing campaign As students feel the impact of the OSAP cuts, OUSA announces a campaign for students to share their experiences
McMaster students on campus MATTY FLADER / PHOTO REPORTER
Shamir Malik News Reporter
As post-secondary students across Ontario begin to experience the impacts of the updated Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) has launched a province-wide campaign encouraging students to express their concerns with the OSAP cuts and demand change. Earlier this year, Premier Doug Ford’s Conservative government announced several alterations to OSAP. Some changes include the removal of the six month post-graduation grace period in which student loans do not accrue interest, cuts in funding and grants going to low-income families, as well as an update to the definition of independent student. While the Ford administration claims that the decision to cut tuition by 10 per cent keeps Ontario’s most vulnerable families in mind, many students are
unconvinced. “I work two part-time jobs on campus, work full-time during the summer and still rely on OSAP grants,” said one McMaster student in OUSA’s campaign video on OSAP cuts.
“I work two part-time jobs on campus, work full-time during the summer and still rely on OSAP grants,” Anonymous, McMaster student On Sept. 10, 2019, OUSA announced a letter-writing campaign in response to recent changes made by the provincial government to OSAP. Formed in 1992, OUSA is a provincial lobbying organization that represents 150,000 students at eight student associations across Ontario, including McMaster. It aims to effectively
lobby the provincial government for change and to ensure that Ontario students receive an affordable post-secondary education. In response to their call for participants, OUSA received over 200 letters from students across the province who shared how they would be impacted by the OSAP changes. The cuts to OSAP have caused Adam Yu, a second year McMaster student in integrated biomedical engineering and health sciences, to rethink his post-graduation plans. “It’s one less safety net for me when I graduate, which really makes me worry about my financial outlooks. It dissuades me from pursuing my aspirations of medical school,” said Yu in his letter. Others have had to take on take on additional work hours, which affects the amount of time they can spend on school and extracurriculars. “OSAP has had a huge effect on my student life this year. As a result of OSAP cuts I have had to actively look out for part
time jobs which will have an effect on the amount of time I can spend on extracurriculars that I enjoy doing,” wrote a student who wishes to remain anonymous. Students also expressed worry about paying off their student loans. Previously, there was a six month period post-graduation in which interest was not charged on student loans. The removal of the grace period was another cause of concern that students mentioned in their letters. “I am scared that I won’t have the grace period before interest starts once I graduate,” said Jessica Lim, a student in their last year at the University of Toronto Scarborough. OUSA has now called for the provincial government to reverse the changes made to OSAP and consult students for a framework that meets their needs in a public letter sent to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Ross Romano. “The adverse effects of these changes have already been felt
by students across the province who rely on financial assistance to access post-secondary education and enter the workforce,” said OUSA in their letter. The letter continues to say that some students have been forced to postpone or withdraw from their post-secondary education because they no longer have the financial assistance required to continue with their studies. OUSA has asked that all students affected by or concerned about the changes made to OSAP sign the letter and, if comfortable, add their own personal story to send to Premier Ford, Minister Romano and their local member of provincial parliament.
@theSilhouette
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NEWS
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Introducing the candidates Following the announcement of a federal election, candidates in the Hamilton West-AncasterDundas riding introduce themselves
Shamir Malik News Reporter
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked Canada’s governor general to dissolve parliament for a 40-day federal election campaign. The election will be held on Oct. 21. “In every election, as Canadians, we get to make an
important choice for the future of our country. We get to decide what kind of future we build together,” said the prime minister in a press conference last Sept. 11. The 2019 campaign, leading up to election day on Oct. 21, is taking place only months after Trudeau violated Canada’s Conflict of Interest Act. He accepted full responsibility for attempting to influence the attorney
general during the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin, a Quebec-based construction company that was bribery and fraud charges at the time. In the aftermath of these events, the upcoming federal election will determine whether the Liberal Party will retain a majority government. Residents of the Hamilton West - Ancaster- Dundas riding will soon be electing their
Member of Parliament. The Silhouette spoke to Liberal, Conservative, NDP and Green party candidates about how they believe their parties will benefit the students of McMaster. Students interested in learning more about the candidates or their platforms should attend MacVotes’ Federal Candidates Debate in MUSC Atrium on Oct. 8, 2019.
Filomena Tassi, Liberal Party The Honorable Filomena Tassi, the incumbent for the Hamilton West - Ancaster - Dundas (HWAD) riding, remains optimistic about the upcoming election. “The Liberal Party has a plan, has values that we want to make sure Canadians embrace as we move forward,” she said. For her, these values will lead to a diverse, open and inclusive government who believes in Canadians, who wants to give everyone a chance and who wants to level the playing field so that everyone has a just and fair chance at succeeding. Born and raised in Hamilton, Tassi has been a high school
chaplain for the past twenty years and believes that government policies greatly benefit from student engagement. Her re-election campaign is already underway and touches upon several issues she believes students are passionate about, including affordable housing and education, job creation and the environment. “We have an advisory group that consists of representation from McMaster, Mohawk and Redeemer,” said Tassi. According to Tassi, the advisory group meets on a regular basis and is continuously provided with input from leaders of these three post-secondary
institutions. This is to ensure that the group is responding to the needs of youth and keeping their voices in mind when creating policy. Tassi stated that, if elected, she would continue consulting with student groups. “I want to make sure moving forward that we continue on that same front, an open communication where the student leadership is able to share with me what the student body wants and is looking for from the Federal Government,” she said. Much of the Liberal platform for the upcoming election is yet to be announced.
C/O FILOMENA TASSI’S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE
“I want to make sure moving forward that we continue ... an open communication where the student leadership is able to share with me what the student body wants,” Hon. Filomena Tassi Liberal HWAD candidate
Bert Laranjo, Conservative Party Bert Laranjo immigrated to Canada from Portugal at the age of nine and is a registered nurse by trade. Having managed Cambridge Memorial Hospital’s multi-million dollar emergency department, he believes he has the qualifications to serve as MP. With regard to his role in the Conservative Party, Laranjo says that he wants to ensure, as Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has said, that the healthcare system remains intact and that funding continue to be transferred towards the provinces.
“Most families are feeling … they are short at the end of the month and just getting by. We don’t want you to just be getting by. We want to help Canadians to get ahead. To have money set aside for education, have money to pay bills,” said Laranjo. According to Laranjo, the Conservative government will serve students by prioritizing job creation. “That’s something that the Conservative government has always been focused on — to make sure when you come out of school that the opportunities
are there so there’s a return on your investment,” he stated. In addition to job creation, the Conservative platform includes reducing taxation on income bracket, repealing Bill C-69, which provides a process for assessing the environmental, health and socioeconomic effects for energy and resource projects, eliminating the Trudeau’s government carbon tax and attempting to end illegal border crossings into Canada.
C/O BERT LARANJO’S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE
“That’s something that the Conservative government has always been focused on — to make sure when you come out of school that the opportunities are there,” Bert Laranjo Conservative HWAD candidate
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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Yousaf Malik, NDP Yousaf Malik is a graduate from McMaster and holds an M.A. in economic policy. He has lived in the Hamilton West - Ancaster - Dundas riding for the last 10 years. In that time, he has been a public advocate for the voices of everyday Canadians, running for School Board Trustee in 2018. “One of the main drivers for why I’m doing this is [that] we have four generations in the household, from my grandma who is 85 years young, to my son who is now almost nine months. And from what I see is, our government has consistently not followed through [on] their promises and commitments to all four generations,” said Malik. He brings forward the issue of some students being unable to afford education. He refers to
education as ‘the great equalizer’ and declares that education should not be limited to those who are able to afford a large loan or who have other resources to pay for school. “I am so happy to be representing the New Democratic Party which is committed to increasing support for students and the increased federal bursary for students, working with provincial government and universities and colleges to reduce tuition with the ultimate goal of making university and college education post-secondary education tuition-free in Canada,” he stated. He is also interested in Canadian healthcare system reform. He says the NDP is committed to creating headto-toe coverage—including prescription medication, vision,
dental and mental health. “It’s not right that we have a system in Canada where you are able to see a doctor, but then at the end of the day, you’re not able to, in many cases, afford the medication you need to actually get better,” he said. The NDP hope to lower Canada’s debt-to-GDP ratio over the next decade; both the Conservatives and Liberals intend to balance the budget in the next five years. Their platform emphasizes the creation of 500,000 affordable housing units and support first-time buyers, incentivized zero-emission automobiles and established a federal minimum wage of 15 dollars per hour.
C/O YOUSUF MALIK’S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE
“I am so happy to be representing the NDP which is committed to increasing support for students and the increased federal bursary for students, working ... to reduce tuition with the ultimate goal of making ... post secondary education tuition-free in Canada,” Yousuf Malik NDP HWAD candidate
Victoria Galea, Green Party Victoria Galea is a McMaster alumnus, having graduated with an Honours B.A. degree and will soon complete an M.A. in International Relations. She has served as the CEO for the Green Party Riding Association for the last two years and believes that the Green Party is the only legitimate option for voters interested in changes in climate action policy. “This federal election is crucially important to make climate action policy happen. The Green Party is the only option if you care about [the] climate emergency,” said Galea. On top of pushing towards free post-secondary education in Canada, Galea stresses the
importance of mental healthcare on-campus. Having seen firsthand the lineup outside the McMaster health clinic, she mentions that the significance of mental healthcare providers is something the Green Party wants to put forward to effect — and one that people should support if they want ‘preventative’ and not simply ‘reactive’ mental healthcare services. The Green Party platform this election may captivate the student audience with plans to forgive the portion of existing federal student debt, make college and university tuition free and provide 1 billion dollars annually to municipalities to hire youth.
“We can pay for all of Canadian students’ free post-secondary education by removing the current subsidies in place that the government provides to fossil fuel corporations,” she said. “By no longer enabling the fossil fuel industry to develop, we are able to get better for every individual in Canada and not just the one per cent.” The MP candidates stress the importance of youth participation in the upcoming election and emphasize the particular importance of this federal election for students and young adults.
C/O VICTORIA GALEA’S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE
“We can pay for all of Canadian students’ free post-secondary education by removing the current subsidies in place that the government provides to fossil fuel corporations,” Victoria Galea Green Party HWAD candidate
@TheSilhouette
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
ALEX JOHNSTON VP (Finance) vpfinance@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x24109
Over the summer, I have been busy working with on-campus partners to achieve my food and beverage platform initiatives. I am very excited to provide an update on the progress made thus far on The Grind expansion, TwelvEighty improvements, and the rebrand of Union Market. Additionally, the MSU Board of Directors and General Manager have worked to bring in Chatime Express as a new leaseholder in the basement of MUSC. When running for the role of Vice President (Finance), I chose to focus many of my platform points on making improvements to our business units; specifically, the food and beverage department. One of my larger goals was to expand The Grind and double its capacity. To do this, over the past few months, I worked to conceptualize the most visually appealing design for our budget. Once there was a solid plan in place, I presented to the MSU Student Representative Assembly and Executive Board in June, attaining their approval to allocate and expend the
September 19, 2019 | thesil.ca
funds. I then worked closely with the food and beverage team to coordinate the construction and find furniture to ensure the expansion would be complete for September. While overseeing the expansion, we also explored different additions to the menu. As a result, we are now selling gourmet bagel melts. Although a two-month timeline made for a tight turnaround, the expansion is complete, with the updated space holding an additional 45 students. I am very proud of the progress made thus far, and although it has only been three weeks, students already seem to be utilizing The Grind to its new capacity.
different options to ensure students can receive fast, fresh, and affordable food items between classes or before heading off to a meeting. Moreover, a 20oz coffee cup size has been added to Union Market, meaning that there is now three different cup sizes: small (12oz), medium (16oz), and large (20oz). Along with the new coffee cup size, there was also a branding refresh in the space. I encourage you to check out the new sign out front, featuring the fantastic updated logo designed
by the MSU Underground Media & Design. Overall, it has undoubtably been a busy summer for the MSU’s food and beverage team. I look forward to continue exploring new avenues to improve services to students. Perhaps one day, The Grind will be expanded even further … only time will tell! If at any time you have suggestions related to MSU food and beverage services or feedback about the individual spaces, please do not hesitate to send me an email at vpfinance@msu.mcmaster.ca.
“... although it has only been three weeks, students already seem to be utilizing The Grind to its new capacity. ” In addition to expanding The Grind, another priority of mine over the summer was to create a more welcoming environment in TwelvEighty and introduce the 2GO initiative. Previously, the bar appeared dated and the lighting was harsh. To address this, I spearheaded changes to improve the overall aesthetic of the space. The bar and pillars have been covered in black vinyl to replace the old yellow coverings and the light fixtures over the bar have been replaced. Students can expect additional changes to the interior, as I plan to utilize the space over the booths to highlight old and current photos of McMaster students on campus. Additionally, both Josh and I have been working to establish the TwelvEighty 2GO initiative. We created a quick grab-and-go menu of 8
The President’s Page is a space sponsored and used by the McMaster Students Union (MSU) Board of Directors (BoD) to communicate with the student body. It functions to highlight the Board’s projects, goals, and agenda for the year, as well as the general happenings of the MSU.
Students enjoying the newly expanded space in The Grind.
SARAH JOSH MARANDO FIGUEIREDO President
VP (Administration)
SHEMAR HACKETT VP (Education)
ALEX JOHNSTON VP (Finance)
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
EDITORIAL
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Editorial Where’s the student choice? The Government deemed us non-essential, we, the students, say otherwise
Razan Samara Online Editor
Hannah Walters-Vida Editor-in-Chief
Students invest a great deal of time and money into the university. The power of how and where students money is spent should lie in the hands of students, and while the Student Choice Initiative (SCI) may give students the illusion that they have the power to choose, a critical look at this government mandated program proves otherwise. SCI does not empower students — it does the opposite. The threats to services deemed “non-essential”, like the Silhouette, by the Ontario Government come as part of a much broader attack on post-secondary education. In addition to SCI, the provincial government made significant cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP). Without proper support from OSAP, many students can no longer afford post secondary education. Students are taking on extra jobs, reducing class hours and dropping extracurriculars in order to continue paying the increasingly unaffordable price of education. No wonder that ancillary fees are not everybody’s top priority. With that being said, campus media is still important. It is needed now more than ever, as the provincial government continues to make changes that will directly impact students, staff and the quality of education. Campus newspapers exist, first and foremost, to highlight the student voice. We hold university institutions accountable and bring a student perspective to campus and city-wide issues. The Silhouette is dedicated to holding individuals and institutions accountable and making sure that they are acting in students’ best interest. It is our job to ask tough questions and seek the truth.
Over the years, the Silhouette has reported extensively on issues from the Redsuit songbook scandal to the cost of student housing in Hamilton. More recently, the Silhouette released an article highlighting the problems with the MSU’s sexual assault disclosure process, particularly with regard to sexual assault within the Maroons. The release of the article triggered a systematic review of the Maroons and the MSU as a whole, which is still ongoing. Through our opinions section, members of the McMaster community have an opportunity to share their diverse perspectives on issues impacting student life. We also have a dedicated arts and culture team that scours Hamilton for the gems you may otherwise miss, encouraging you to explore your city and build community. We profile local artists and highlight independent businesses, focusing heavily on McMaster students and alumni. Our sports section highlights the accomplishments of McMaster athletes, keeping a close eye on sports from football games to Quidditch matches. Perhaps most importantly, we provide students with opportunities to learn from one another, develop skills and gain practical journalism experience. We are not perfect. We have a lot of learning and unlearning to do as we evolve as an independent paper and it is a shame for the provincial government to hinder that growth rather than support it. In order to continue being an integral part of the McMaster community and student voice, we rely heavily on the student levy, and a loss of funding would jeopardize our capacity. There are no other newspapers that hold the university to this level of scrutiny. Without the Sil, students are left with the McMaster Daily News, a misnomer for what is really the university’s public relations production. A threat to student
Staff working in the Silhouette office MAXINE GRAVINA / DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
journalism is a threat to democracy on campus. McMaster students already chose to fund campus journalism. All MSU fees have been approved through referenda through the SRA. Students democratically chose to fund the Silhouette. By giving students the choice to opt out, the provincial government has blatantly disregarded the will of the students, and in so doing eroded students’ autonomy to make their own decisions. This shows that SCI is not, and has never been about student choice. It is about reducing the power of students by cutting funding and fragmenting services. Students have been put in an unfair and difficult position and we, at the Sil, ask students to make an informed decision during the opt-out period. As the university makes changes to accommodate the funding cuts and policy changes coming from the provincial government, we will be here to report on what is happening and what it means for students.
@TheSilhouette
to walking by someone reading the Sil
to whatever you’re doing right now
to Helen Rose
to seeing “Andrew is typing” on slack
to AA batteries to zen + heavy metal to umbrellas to Jasmine to the fam waiting for me to get my decaf mocha to a DELICIOUS burger from 1280 to 1280 - we can’t make any more enemies to water fountains with human spouts to coming home to a damn tree trunk in your hallway
to aggressive management to not having an HR department to Hannah being 21 minutes past her curfew to the uber driver forgetting that there’s three stops and almost driving away with me to almost referring to the speculator instead of spectator to handfuls of spaghetti
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OPINION
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Opinion July 1: a celebration of genocide The facts are there. It’s time we face them. Elisa Do Contributor
cw: Indigenous genocide For 140 years and counting, July 1, also known as Canada Day, has been a day where Canadians celebrate their homeland. This is a day where every Instagram story and Facebook newsfeed is flooded with people in red and white, tattoos of the maple leaf flag on their faces and booming fireworks lighting up the sky. But how many of us truly know what we are celebrating? What would we say to someone who asks the question, “What do you love about Canada?” or “What does it mean to be Canadian?”. For decades, this nation has been plastered with a reputation of being welcoming, loving and even more so polite and righteous. Personally, I have my doubts about what is underneath this mask. When the topic of Indigenous communities arise in conversations of history, do you picture communities of vibrant colours and peace or do you picture mass genocides and the robbery of land, much of which still continue today? Canada Day is a day to celebrate Canadian identity. But there would be no “Canada” if Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, had not approved residential schools and implemented policies to use starvation as a method of clearing way for Western expansion. We, quite literally, live on the brutality of the past.
We, quite literally, live on the brutality of the past. A quick search for Canada Day history on the web will give you a refined version of the holiday from Canadian government websites. One such website is the Canadian Encyclopedia, which proudly states, “Locally orga-
nized events sometimes provided opportunities for members of marginalized communities to demonstrate their belonging to Canada … and [on Canada Day] members of Indigenous communitiesparticipated in sporting events and musical performances.” This quote makes me question whether such communities should have to find a sense of “belonging” to a colonized Canada at all. The same article further proclaims, “Indian agents in some regions allowed members of First Nationscommunities to be part of local Dominion Day pageants wearing traditional costumes, while others sought to emphasize messages of assimilation and conversion.” In this one sentence alone, the Canadian Encyclopedia has shown the dominance of the Canadian government, their lack of understanding on Indigenous communities and the obvious acknowledgment of assimilation. When something as simple as clothing requires permission, when outfits of culture and heritage are deemed as “costumes” and ideas of assimilation are so blatantly stated, how can we continue to glorify our disfigurement of history? With every step in history, our understanding of the past changes. If younger generations are taught history without Indigenous perspectives, it is fair to say they would never doubt the version of Canadian history offered in their classes. In Daniel Heath Justice’s Why Indigenous Literatures Matter, Justice expands on the significance that colonialism has had on the reduction of Indigenous presence in history. “Colonialism is as much about the symbolic diminishment of Indigenous peoples as the displacement of our physical presence. If there are no more people there can be no more stories; without our stories, we’re reduced as peoples and as individuals,” he writes. In diminishing Indigenous
A Canadian flag on campus CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR
stories, Canada is robbing future generations of a true understanding of Canadian identity. I believe that ignorance of Indigenous stories due to diminishing Indigenous presence is far more terrifying than ignorance of Indigenous stories due to lack of effort put into educating yourself. Colonialism is a deadly thing. It sits in our roots and lies deep below in the grounds we walk on. We can’t see it. And sometimes, you might not even feel it. But just because you don’t see or feel it, doesn’t mean it’s not there; and it certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do something about it. In choosing to write this piece I had many doubts, including doubts about myself. I do not identify as a member of any Indigenous
communities and so I was worried for my lack of understanding and my ignorance about a community that is not my own.
Colonialism is a deadly thing. It sits in our roots and lies deep below in the grounds we walk on. We can’t see it. And sometimes, you might not even feel it. But I am Canadian. And I do live on land that is not mine to claim. So, with all that I appreciate in Canada, I truly believe
it is possible to become prouder Canadians if we first learn to accept and take appropriate actions to mend relationships we cannot afford to lose. So Canada, on July 1 of every year, don’t just celebrate for the sake of celebrating. Identify, recall and challenge the assumptions laid out in history today.
@TheSilhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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Students and TAs deserve better Despite CUPE’s bargaining, McMaster refuses to improve supports for TAs
Banner at a CUPE rally in MUSC on Aug. 21 HANNAH WALTERS-VIDA / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Nathan Todd Contributor
This year, Ontario has seen significant and damaging cuts to funding for students, student associations, universities and the public employees who keep universities and communities running. Many of you may have already felt the impact of these changes — there are already reports of students who are no longer able to attend university because of the elimination of some Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) grants. In addition, the Student Choice Initiative left student and graduate associations scrambling over the summer in attempts to prepare for and minimize the funding cuts that the SCI would bring. Teaching assistants who are often students are not immune to these negative effects. As students, we are affected by the cuts to OSAP, and as members of either the McMaster Students Union or the Graduate Students Association, we are also members of associations facing considerable budget cuts. On top of this, our ongoing rounds of
bargaining with McMaster University for a new employment contract, among other things, threatens to leave us in an even more precarious situation. As public employees, we are also now facing Bill 124, a proposed piece of legislation which would mandate that our wage increases do not exceed one per cent, an amount that does not keep up with the cost of inflation. In other words, Bill 124 effectively mandates that we take pay cuts over the next three years.
In other words, Bill 124 effectively mandates that we can take pay cuts over the next three years. To put this in a better context, graduate TAs who work 260 hours (which is usually the most a TA can work at Mac) earn less than $11,500 for the year, and undergraduate TAs earn considerably less than that.
This is not enough to balance the tuition we need to pay in order to have access to the job in the first place. Given these circumstances, increases to our wages and benefits are always a priority for us in bargaining. Unfortunately, McMaster is not willing to entertain an agreement that wouldn’t conform to Bill 124 should the bill become law. Therefore, meaningful wage increases seem to be a non-starter for the university. Beyond Bill 124, McMaster is also looking to roll back the amount of hours TAs are entitled to work, making our ability to pay for tuition and keep up with the cost of living even more difficult. Wage increases are not our only priority. One of the top priorities we identified before heading into bargaining was paid job-specific and anti-oppressive training for TAs. As it stands, there is no training for TAs. This means that they are learning how to run labs, teach tutorials, mentor and grade on the job! In asking for paid training, we are not asking for anything you wouldn’t expect from working in an office, a high school or a McDonald’s.
McMaster, however, is unsure if paid TA training is feasible. Let me repeat that: A university isn’t sure if it is feasible to teach people how to teach.
McMaster, however, is unsure if paid TA training is feasible. Let me repeat that: a university isn’t sure if it is feasible to teach people how to teach. As a TA of about five years, I think we do a good job. But running tutorials and grading the assignments that go on to impact the lives of undergraduates is serious, professional work. As TAs, we recognize that. This is why we are asking for professional training to ensure that undergraduates are getting the highest quality teaching possible. Not only would paid training help TAs financially, but
it would also benefit us professionally and it would benefit the students who rely on us. If our bargaining continues to stall, there is a chance you will get messages from McMaster or members in the community about TAs being difficult or that what we are asking for is unreasonable. If this happens, please keep in mind that we are asking for things that any reasonable professional ought to — the ability to keep up with the cost of inflation and the proper training to do our jobs. Given the attacks that university members have seen through the cuts to OSAP, the Student Choice Initiative and the looming Bill 124, it is more important than ever that we collectively resist attacks on the most vulnerable. McMaster claims it is committed to making a “Brighter World” – TAs and students deserve to be part of it. Nathan Todd is the President of CUPE 3906 @TheSilhouette
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OPINION
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Popping the pop quiz bubble Why unannounced assignments aren’t conducive to student learning Katie Brent Contributor
It is undeniable that planning is essential for any university student to succeed. With a multitude of courses and a bundle of assignments per course, careful scheduling is one of the most valuable tools to stay ahead. What happens, though, when you can’t plan ahead and when assessments come out of the blue? In some courses, students are faced with this issue. Dreaded “pop” assessments are extraordinarily stressful to students, and they do not keep the diverse needs of students in mind. In essence, assessments like pop quizzes are employed in order to keep students on track with their learning. The idea is that if the thought of an assessment is always lurking in the shadows, a student will keep on top of their work and not leave everything until the end. I am sure many students, myself included, can attest that leaving work until the very last minute isn’t the greatest idea — so, on the surface, the idea of pop quizzes seems like a decent idea. However, trying to keep students on track for the sake of their learning actually takes agency away from students.
However, trying to keep students on track for the sake of their learning actually takes agency away from students.
Online quiz on Avenue to Learn CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR
booked in advance, and this is difficult to do with pop quizzes. As such, alternative arrangements usually need to be made with instructors. For students with any sort of anxiety, the constant threat of a pop quiz can distract from focusing on learning. Even for the most well-adjusted student, pop assessments are daunting — they require a tolerance of uncertainty that, frankly, many people do not have. Although pop quizzes may seem to reward consistent studying on the surface, this is not always the case. You will be hard pressed to find a student who hasn’t had an off week, who hasn’t had a lot on their plate at once and who hasn’t played the catch-up game. When a pop quiz falls during one of these periods, it’s pretty unfair to a student who may otherwise be on the ball. So, instructors — think twice about putting surprise assignments on the syllabus. Do what’s best for learning, and plan it out.
Each student has a unique schedule that in addition to school may include work, clubs and other commitments. In reality, students won’t always be on top of all of their classes at all times, and trying to keep the entire class at the same pace with pop assignments isn’t realistic. Furthermore, surprise assignments are not entirely @TheSilhouette equitable. For example, pop quizzes and tests for students 905.525.9140 x23241 that use Student Accessibility museum@mcmaster.ca Service can cause undue stress. At SAS, assessments must be
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OPINION
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Performative allyship isn’t allyship With great labels comes great responsibility
The pride crosswalk on Sterling St. and Forsyth Ave. CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR Ouss Badran Contributor
cw: mentions of homophobia, transphobia, ableism A concerning trend that I’ve noticed — especially in more socially aware places such as university — is people adopting the label of “ally” and not actually doing anything about being one. In other words, they’re reaping the positive status of the word without actively being an ally. What do I mean by this? There seems to be a misunderstanding when it comes to what being an ally actually entails. I can tell you that it isn’t like an article of clothing you can put on or take off at your convenience. Those who are actually marginalized can’t shed their identity at a moment’s notice, so neither should you. So what actually is an ally? Well, for one, allies are people who are not part of the marginalized group for which they are advocating for. You don’t have to necessarily know what it feels like to be oppressed or experience the difficulties that marginalized groups go through.
All being an ally means is that you are taking on and understanding their struggle with them. If you’re new to the concept of allyship, being an advocate is a great start! This means, for example, not just claiming the title of ally because you watch RuPaul’s Drag Race, but actually fighting for better LGBTQ+ representation in the media. Additionally, this also includes defending said marginalized groups when they’re not in the room, and especially when they are. What do I mean by this? On a more subtle scale, calling out bigoted comments such as “that’s so gay” or the use of the r-word publicly challenges the status quo and reinforces that these sorts of comments are not okay in any shape or form. On the more extreme end, if you see a marginalized person disparaged in public or even private spaces, it’s your responsibility as an ally to stand up for them. Yes, that includes your racist grandparents and it also includes your parents who “just don’t understand all that transgender nonsense”. While I don’t want to get too much into the intricacies of
intersectionality (as it deserves its own article), I do want to touch on privilege. Most of us have it in some way, shape or form. Nowadays, the very word sets people on edge, and some people may even get defensive. Don’t worry straight, white dudes, I’m not going to attack you. For the sake of this article, privilege is an aspect of society or reality that you don’t have to worry about, but something that another marginalized group does.
Additionally, this also includes defending said marginalized groups when they’re not in the room, and especially when they are. For example, I’m speaking mainly from my experiences as a gay, able-bodied and cisgender man of colour. I face certain issues that are relevant to me and
other people of my background, but I also lack knowledge and perspective on what it’s like to be a woman, a person under the trans umbrella or someone who has a physical disability. Being aware of your own privilege as an ally can potentially help you understand the struggles of the groups you’re advocating for.
Being aware of your own privilege as an ally can potentially help you understand the struggles of the groups you’re advocating for. Also, I mean this with all due respect, but if you are an ally, it isn’t about you. Bragging about how you support the Black Lives Matter movement, or about how you “only volunteer at camps for kids with special needs” makes you come off in a not-so-positive light.
Specifically, it makes you look like you’re using these groups for your own social gain. Rein in the saviour complex and instead have some respect for those around you who fight for social justice out of a need to survive, not because it looks good on a resume. So, if I’ve successfully convinced you to change your ways, there’s just one more thing for me to address with you. It’s that making mistakes is completely okay. Everyone has to learn somehow! Acknowledge it, accept responsibility, learn from it and move on equipped with the knowledge you have now.
@theSilhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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Welcome Week needs more introverted events In the midst of raucous events and an overwhelming number of students, introverted students may feel alienated
Welcome Week reps’ outgoing personalities keep the spirit of this week alive. CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR Marzan Hamid Contributor
McMaster University’s Welcome Week is loud and full of spirit — and rightfully so. It is the one week of the year where students are allowed to be shamelessly rowdy and proud of the school they go to. It is a time for first years to make McMaster and its community their home. However, in order to truly make Mac a home for everyone, the week needs to be accessible to a wider range of personalities. It needs to welcome both those who love the noise, and those who don’t. McMaster is a diverse university in many ways. As its students, we have many different mother tongues, we coexist in different faiths and we study different passions. Students at Mac come from all points of the personality spectrum, too. However, these differences don’t seem to be taken into consideration.
Welcome Week events are synonymous to heaven for extroverts. Loud crowds during faculty fusion? Hell yeah. Meeting 300 new people in a day and introducing the same three details over and over again? Nothing better. Raving to Bryce Vine in a mosh pit? Wouldn’t miss it for the world.
However, in order to truly make Mac a home for everyone, the week needs to be accessible to a wider range of personalities. On the flip side, introverts find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. For people who want some downtime away from the large crowds
where they cannot find much more than a few superficial connections, Welcome Week can be emotionally draining. While faculty and residence reps can be a huge resource for this exhaustion, it is undeniable that a disproportionate number of Welcome Week events cater to extroverted students, leaving their introverted counterparts feeling forced into situations they would much rather avoid.
Welcome Week events are synonymous to heaven for extroverts. The few low-key events that do exist are not as well promoted or organized. Things like painting or hikes can get crowded easily and limit the intimacy of connections that can be formed. Not to mention, introverted out-of-province and
international students can easily feel isolated if they don’t already have friends on campus.
The few low-key events that do exist are not as well promoted or organized. Things like painting or hikes can get crowded easily and limit the intimacy of connections that can be formed. Small group activities are especially hard to come by in larger faculties where organization becomes difficult — however, we must remember who and what the week is for: for embracing new Marauders. Despite the challenges we may encoun-
ter when making students feel at home, it should be emphasized that there is truly something available for everyone to try. Whether that is through small group activities running alongside the bigger events (which are promoted just as much), or having designated areas on campus for downtime activities, we need to make strides to make this nervous time of year easier for everyone. Many students are on their own for the first time in their life; this comes with its own set of problems and anxieties. Welcome Week shouldn’t have to be another. It should be a week as enjoyable for the social butterflies as it is for the wallflowers.
@TheSilhouette
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A&C
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Arts & Culture
Stepping through the looking glass “Macro dose” presented a surreal narrative through a multi-sensory experience at Supercrawl ‘19
Neda Pirouzmand Managing Editor
Visitors to this year’s Supercrawl festival likely left with strong memories of “Macro dose”, an installation featuring sonic vibrations and three towering, litup mushrooms sprouting from mattresses. Sean Procyk, the artist behind it all, peeled back the many layers of this exhibit. “I had this idea of doing a surreal experience for viewers, so kind of like giant mushrooms in an Alice in Wonderland type setting. There was a big challenge in how I was going to have these giant mushrooms growing out of the street, so a lot of time was spent thinking about what kind of object I would want mushrooms to grow out of without it being arbitrary,” said Procyk. Mattresses turned out to be Procyk’s missing puzzle piece. He was inspired by the displacement of Hamilton residents, which has been partly due to an influx of newcomers, development projects and overall gentrification. After a neighbour mentioned seeing several mattresses on their street, Procyk reflected on how mattresses are often left behind when people relocate. He paired this idea with his interest in mycology. “I started thinking about how mushrooms grow off of the refuse of the forest. Then I began imagining giant mushrooms feeding off of the refuse of human society, mattresses being part of the refuse. Then I thought about how, in the field of mycology, when you try to grow a particular type of mushroom species on some kind of
substrate like grains or straw, which is the food that they feed off of, the term they use is you want to colonize the substrate. So there is a bit of a tie-in . . . I was just pulling language from that field and imagining colonizing these mattress with a particular kind of mushroom,” said Procyk. As part of his interest in autonomous food production, Procyk grows his own oyster and shiitake mushrooms. Through this process, he learned that the “colonization” in mycology refers to sterilizing a growing medium, such as straw, inoculating it with the preferred mycelium and growing a monoculture. Sterilization removes all undesirable microbes and bacteria, improving the chances that the preferred mycelial culture will prevail. Through “Macro dose”, Procyk cleverly connected colonization in mycology to the colonization that still occurs across North America and the rest of the world. To build “Macro dose”,
Procyk collected, soaked and shaped Black Locust wood into mushroom caps in his very own backyard. The use of this particular tree was deliberate. As Procyk said, Black Locust has an extremely high rot resistance, burns efficiently at high temperatures, and could be a renewable source of heat energy. Unfortunately, it has been labelled an invasive species in Canada. Procyk suspects that this is because Black Locust’s growth patterns make it suboptimal for mass wood production. “All this said, it brings to light the question of who makes decisions about what species are labelled invasive and what species are given privilege. In the lumber industry . . . it appears as it is those that support capitalist process that are given priority,” explained Procyk. The relationships between the elements of “Macro dose” and real-world concepts complete a dreamlike narrative. For example, knowing that the resin of Black Locust glows a subtle
Glue lamination process for the mushroom caps. C/O SEAN PROCYK
green under UV light, Procyk made his mushroom caps glow an eerie green to represent this “invasive” species. To further elevate his installation, Procyk used speakers to release sonic vibrations that created an absorbing audio-tactile experience for visitors. The green lights of the mushroom caps subtly dimmed in and out in response to carefully programmed frequency changes in sound. “I prefer to create a soundscape that is more abstracted, something that is not too literal and is more about the experience of listening. So, I work with frequencies on the
lower end, those tend to be more subtle . . . and immersive, they move through your body . . . and it is quite [a] soothing effect,” said Procyk. With a dedication to his self-sufficient process, Procyk worked with themes of displacement and colonization to take Supercrawl visitors to an alternate universe.
@TheSilhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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Supercrawl Spotlight: The Eye of Faith From a sidewalk runway to centre stage of the Fashion Zone, the Eye of Faith are celebrating their fifth Supercrawl
The Eye of Faith Supercrawl fashion show CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR Emily O’Rourke Contributor
What first launched as a makeshift runway along a James Streer North sidewalk has grown into a crowd favourite at Supercrawl. Supercrawl’s Fashion Zone has grown significantly over the years, officially becoming a dedicated part of the festival in 2014. Among the Fashion Zone’s team of designers, organizers and passionate creatives, co-owners of the Eye of Faith, Aaron Duarte and Paul Heaton, stand out. Established in 2011 by Duarte and Heaton, the Eye of Faith is a multifaceted brand, focusing on promoting individuality and expression through the exploration of the “past, fusing into the present to help shape the future.” Initially purveying high quality unique vintage finds, the brand has
since expanded into original one-of-a-kind garments created using primarily vintage textiles and materials. For the past five years, Duarte and Heaton have played a significant role in organizing Supercrawl’s fashion zone. As designers first, the pair first took over the fashion zone in 2015 with their handmade collection, “Hollywood Babylon”. Since, they’ve taken four different shows to the stage. Among them was Tarot, their 2016 collection which included a dress made from two decks of the classic Raider-Waite cards, attached with a metal chain link. Duarte and Heaton are also involved in every single aspect of their show, from stage managing, sound mixing, modeling and MCing. “Putting on a fashion show is a huge task, and so many people go into making these shows, so the fact that it continues to
grow truly shows how important fashion in all its forms is beloved in our city.” When they’re not running their own shows, the duo sit on the fashion committee where they oversee applications and actively seek out new talent for the shows to ensure the programming is relevant to the fabric of the Hamilton fashion scene. All programming is local and aims to showcase diversity in all its forms, never being afraid to push the envelope. “Supercrawl is the epitome of fashion events in the city, hands down,” said Duarte. “For us designers, it is the equivalent to any major fashion week and designers work for months to conceive and create collections specifically for the festival. We are striving to help get [designers’] full vision off the ground however we can, really.” “It is also a great jumpstart for new designers to get their
name out to the public, who in turn come out to see the shows and find their next new favourite local designer, and every year, there are more and more,” said Duarte.
“For us designers, [Supercrawl] is the equivalent to any major fashion week,” Aaron Duarte Co-owner The Eye of Faith The pair were busy this year, with Heaton managing the stage while walking as a model in three local designers’ shows, including Vintage Soul Geek, Thrifty Designer and Blackbird Studios. Duarte took on the MC role once again, while coordinating music and mixing sound
for all shows throughout the weekend. As a staple weekend in the city comes to a close, Duarte shares that he wishes Supercrawl was every weekend. On what’s next, Duarte hopes to see more youth talent, avant-garde work and luxury designs. “[Supercrawl] is the one weekend of the year that brings so many facets of our city together under one umbrella. It is primarily a celebration of the talent and vitality of the City of Hamilton,” said Duarte. “As artists, it is an important platform to showcase our work to a large audience which only continues to grow every year. It’s definitely a weekend that always seems to recharge the city’s unique energy”.
@TheSilhouette
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A&C
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
POINT OF VIEW Matty Flader Photo Reporter
We’re taught from a young age that certain things in the world are constant. There’s a northern star in the sky, a brain in our heads, and art for those who can’t use that brain towards “something more productive”. Yet, if you askgive a group of
people each a camera and ask them to take their owna photosphoto of the same thing, you’ll get a myriad of results. Suddenly, the illusion of some consistentindependent reality is shattered. Our points of view dictate what we see and how we understand. It’s so easy to think that reality is a constant and, tangible construct, but what can truthfully be said to be “real” without it first being
filtered through the infinitely varying human perspective? Thus, reality can only fairly be understood as socially constructed through some sort of collective agreement. This is my visual recap of Supercrawl — the way I saw things. My contribution to reality.
All photos taken by Matty Flader
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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#unignorable Cindy Cui Photo Editor
Poverty, domestic violence, social isolation and, mental illness. Sometimes, the most serious problems in our communities are the ones we don’t see. By ignoring these issues, we make it more difficult for those who are suffering to find and receive the help they need. Instead, these people they feel silenced, suffocated, and invisible. As
communities, we can help … but only if we recognize that these problems exist — only if we give them our attention. It’s time that we make such issues, circumstances, and stories #unignorable.
Installation created by United Way Canada and the Pantone Colour Institute, photographed by Cindy Cui
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A&C
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Neena Rose’s blossoming career
Hamiltonian singer-songwriter takes the Supercrawl stage ahead of her upcoming EP
CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR Rya Buckley Contributor
Hamilton’s trademark multi-arts festival, Supercrawl, has grown to attract artists, entrepreneurs and audiences from across the globe. As a result, a local artist taking the stage of this event has become particularly special. Last weekend, aspiring 17-year-old Hamiltonian R&B singer-songwriter, Neena Rose, performed on all three days of the festival. Having released a flurry of singles over the last 12 months, Rose has been generating a major buzz on the Canadian music scene. Her singles, including the recent release “(You A) Machine Gun”, are snapshots of her debut EP called 333, which is set to come out later this year. Rose’s recent buzz has been years in the making. She recorded her first original song, “Rock N Roll Lullaby” at the age of 12. In 2013, Rose performed for Oprah Winfrey and a crowd of
14,000 when the media mogul came to Copps Coliseum (now FirstOntario Centre). While the early success has been rewarding, Rose mentioned that she had fallen in love with music years before she began gaining recognition. “[T]he first memory I have of singing and realizing I even liked to sing was … at an anniversary party … for one of my aunts when I was maybe four. There was a pianist … and then she’s like ‘Hey, do you want to sing something … I’ll play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and you sing.’ I’m like ‘OK.’ So I got up there and I sang in front of all my extended family and everybody’s like ‘Oh my God, she can actually hold a tune,’” Rose recalled. A couple years after the discovery of her talent, Rose’s mother put Rose in singing lessons. Rose remembers writing her first song around the age of five or six. She started to consider music as a career when
she was 12 years old and attending a youth summer program. It was during this program that Rose recorded her first song. Attracted to both the creative process of songwriting and the ability to make a living by doing what she loved, Rose began to pursue music professionally. Amidst her budding career, Rose is finishing up high school. She hopes to go to university for business and perhaps also major in music. She continues to immerse herself in both the business and creative sides of the music industry. Earlier this year, Rose was the youngest Canadian to participate in California Copyright Conference’s “Young Guns – Innovative and Thriving in the New World Music Order” panel. The California Copyright Conference facilitates discussions of copyright-related issues in music and entertainment. Rose was brought in to give her perspective as an up-and-coming artist navigating the industry.
Rose is drawn to the systematic nature of the music business. She understands the importance of being an artist with a coherent brand. Her passion for both the creative and business sides of being a professional singer will likely serve as an asset as she continues her career. “I love when there’s something I can follow, like a pattern. And so like there’s tricks and stuff as with everything, but I like that you can learn how to actually function in an industry, in a business and make it work and still do the things you love,” said Rose. For Rose, singing, and especially song writing, is an outlet. She pulls from everyday happenings in her life when she is making music. She hopes to one day be able to write songs for other artists as well. In all the music that she creates, Rose wants her audiences to feel empowered. From her debut single, “Games”, where
she stated that she doesn’t want to be pushed around, to the more recent single, “Mannequin”, where she encourages listeners to be themselves, Rose spreads messages of positivity and self-love through her work. Performing at Supercrawl last weekend is full circle for this Hamilton native, who attended the festival when she was younger. She has seen the festival grow over the years and is honoured to have been a part of its lineup. “I’m definitely inspired by people in my own hometown pursuing their dreams … [The Hamilton art scene] is booming. It’s definitely really prevalent. There’s so many things that are happening in Hamilton that people don’t even know about,” Rose said. And just like her city, Neena Rose is blooming too. @TheSilhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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Art as a medium for healing “Mixed Matter” paints an intimate look at Ahmed Elfatih’s life Steffi Arkilander Opinions Editor
Mental illness touches everyone. For artist Ahmed Elfatih, intimate memories of his own life created the foundations for his art. From Sept. 7 to 16, Elfatih’s art pieces took over the walls of the Hamilton Audio Visual Node (HAVN) on 26 Barton Street East for “Mixed Matter”. This unique exhibit displayed Elfatih’s struggles leading up to his immigration from Omdurman, Sudan to Hamilton, Ontario. With a focus on his personal experiences with mental illness, each of his paintings tell a different memory from his life. “These paintings are actual events; actual things that happened to me,” said Elfatih. Elfatih’s mother was one of the main reasons why Elfatih was able to come to Canada. For five years, she worked to bring her family to this new country. Suitingly, all of Elfatih’s paintings are dedicated to his mother. Elfatih started making art as early as six years old when his sister began teaching him how to draw characters such as Mickey Mouse. With the support of his dad, Elfatih eventually picked up art as a way to cope with his mood swings. “When I’m happy, I paint. When I’m sad, I paint. It’s actually a healing method for me,” said Elfatih.
“When I’m happy, I paint. When I’m sad, I paint. It’s actually a healing method for me,” Ahmed Elfatih “Mixed Matter” Artist
“Mixed Matter” is an art show that highlights all the struggles Elfatih faced in the process of coming to Hamilton. Elfatih noted that most of his difficulties in Omdurman revolved around managing mental illness. He continues to paint because he hopes to start a cause or campaign to use art and music to heal. Art is how he kept his happiness and energy. Elfatih’s compositions contain unique figures and scenery that may not make sense to the mind at first. But that’s a lot like what feelings look like - sometimes when you try to depict them, they just don’t make sense. They are beautiful, chaotic and tragic in their own ways. Feelings are exactly what Elfatih wants people to get from his exhibit. He wants his art to touch the human mind and heart; to see if others can relate to his work.
Feelings are exactly what Elfatih wants people to get from his exhibit. He wants his art to touch the human mind and heart; to see if others can relate to his work. “I feel comfort when I find out that other people also go through those issues. What I’m trying to get is feelings. I want people to [leave the exhibit] with experience … That was what I was aiming for,” Elfatih remarked.
CINDY CUI / PHOTO EDITOR
Elfatih notes that “Bell’s Curse” is one of his favourite pieces he’s done. “Bell’s Curse” depicts Elfatih in front of a patterned royal purple background. On the right side of his face, his features seem normal; if not a bit down-turned. On the left, his features blossom in different directions; almost as if they are sprouting out of his face and growing in their own way. What could be the story behind this painting? Recently, Elfatih was diagnosed with Bell’s
palsy, a temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. As a child, this was something he had experienced temporarily.. Four months ago; however, it stayed. Elfatih says that the painting represents him. What he takes from this painting is that flaws are beautiful and that you should be proud of them. “God hand picks you to have [flaws] … especially if it’s visual, it’s like hey, I’m gonna put this little gift on you; this pearl on you,” he said.
As you go through the exhibit, you can see both the hurt and the healing that Elfatih has gone through. This is evident in each individual brushstroke, caption and story that his paintings retell. Mental and physical illnesses are difficult. His paintings depict that clearly. But sometimes, some good can come from the
@stcffi
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Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
These flags are for resistance, not surrender McMaster professor digs up the ghosts of Hamilton’s queer past, present and future Andrew Mrozowski A&C Editor
Most Hamiltonians associate the weekend-long street festival, Supercrawl, with live entertainment and art installations. Flying above James Street North were giant colourful flags reading “deviate”, “subvert” and “resist” with the word “exist” on the back of each. Attracting vistors from blocks away, Flags asks what it means to exist within the twenty-first century, specifically as a queer person in Hamilton. Adrienne Crossman is a professor of studio arts at McMaster University, but their journey began after finishing a master’s degree thesis at the University of Windsor. Their thesis project consisted of 15 small felt pennant flags, each a different colour representing queer and trans flags with words like “exist”, “postgender” and “neither/both” across the front. “I’m subverting the medium of these little pennants that are often used for tourism or celebrating sports and I put words like “failure,” “deviate” or “resist”. That was a larger series . . . the one that said “failure” specifically was like an anti-varsity flag or celebrating this idea of failure or positivity of queerness,” said Crossman. A year later and Crossman became a full-time professor at McMaster. Although they had previously visited Hamilton and recently moved for work, they had never exhibited any work in the city. They had an idea that would not have been possible without the festival backing their work. “I’ve just been thinking a lot more about how to have more of an impact with my work. I’ve never done an outdoor installation before and I’ve never made work at this scale... It’s a new piece, new work, but also an evolution. It’s the second
iteration of a similar concept. It also functions differently, there’s three flags, they’re much larger and they’re a different shape,” said Crossman. “Flags” consisted of three different eight by five foot flags hanging from lamp posts. Crossman designed the colours, shapes and lettering, but hit the barrier that they cannot sew. They hired a seamstress to help with the task of putting together the large flags in order to debut in Hamilton for the weekend-long festival. The queer community in Hamilton has had a turbulent history. Hamilton was home to one of Canada’s most recent bathhouse raids in 2004. The raid created an uproar within the LGBT community. Questions of safety arose and led to a decline in queer spaces throughout the city. Currently, no designated queer space exists; however, many local businesses are welcoming.
Recent homophobic protests have put members of the Hamilton queer community on edge, leaving many to wonder about safety, a question that seems to be prevalent across many communities across the globe. Crossman hopes that their work continues the conversation on the path to resisting the oppression that faces the LGBT community not just in Hamilton but across the country. “It’s just the continuation of a conversation. So the text reads “subvert”, “deviate” and “resist” as forms of resisting oppression but on the back where it says resist it more speaks to the fact that existing as a queer person, a visibly queer person or anybody that doesn’t suit the way that people might perceive as normal – just existing itself is a form of resistance which I think can be a very radical sentiment,” said Crossman. Although three large,
brightly coloured flags may look inviting during Supercrawl weekend, they hold deep meaning.
“A lot of my work has a trojan horse approach where you make something that looks fun but can spark or start a dialogue about something that is a little more serious.”
make something that looks fun but can spark or start a dialogue about something that is a little more serious,” said Crossman. For Crossman and many within the queer community, “Flags” is just the beginning of continuing dialogue against oppression faced daily by Hamiltonians and others around the world. Although Supercrawl is Hamilton’s premiere arts and culture event, they engage with contemporary social issues to ensure they are bringing a new perspective to the city.
@andrewmrozowski
Adrienne Crossman Artist “Flags” “A lot of my work has a trojan horse approach where you
ELISABETTA PAIANO / PRODUCTION EDITOR
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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Project EMERGENCY McMaster Alumnus Sounds the Alarm on Social Change Olivia Fava Contributor
Democratic art. These are the two words that I would use to describe “EMERGENCY Pt2., Structures of Action”, a 2019 Supercrawl installation that built off of its 2018 predecessor to focus on the perspectives of the everyday person. Christopher McLeod, a McMaster studio art alumnus and the creator of this exhibit, was originally inspired by the general apathy he perceived from those around him. This informed part one of his project. “Looking at things that happen around us in our communities, our cities, our countries, around the world…I’d say to myself, ‘Is no one paying attention? What do people care about?’ I didn’t know,” said McLeod. McLeod’s only solution was to ask the people exactly what they did care about. A tall “emergency” beacon invited passersby to share their greatest concerns on any scale, from political to personal. According to McLeod, he and his team heard from about 1,400 people over three days during last year’s Supercrawl festival. The top three issues that were brought up in 2018 were safe streets, health and the environment. These formed the core of this year’s installation. While McLeod’s initial question dealt with what Hamiltonians were worried about, part two of his project asked a graver question: what are Hamiltonians willing to do about the core issues they had identified? “Are we all just going to sit around and sort of watch what’s happening, or are we going to step up and try to make a difference?” asked McLeod. This year, levels of action for each of the three issues were ranked one to five, from least to
most involved. Like many others, I chose my level of action, signed my name on the corresponding colour of sticker, and stuck it to the beacon. Hamilton Youth Poets also performed spoken-word pieces on these issues, which were based on public submissions. A high degree of public involvement in this project was very important to McLeod, as a way of drawing in those who might normally ignore these issues. “I’m like a tool for society… my role [as an artist] is not to dictate. My role is: how do I create spaces, opportunities and experiences that allow a community to come together to have these conversations in a non-standard way?” said McLeod. As I observed my sticker on the overflowing environmental side of the beacon, voices swirled around me. Kids were asking about road safety and friends were challenging each other to volunteer for the issues they were motivated to address. McLeod’s beacon stood in the middle of it all, literally and metaphorically shedding its light. Social media copy: An emergency beacon in the middle of Supercrawl symbolized the power of collectively sharing opinions on local issues and holding others accountable to take action.
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ELISABETTA PAIANO / PRODUCTION EDITOR
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www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
Sports Strong leadership sets the men’s rugby team apart Through the counsel of six people, the team takes advantage of collaborative leadersip
McMaster men’s rugby match against Brock University on September 14th, 2019. CINDY CUI/ PHOTO EDITOR
Graham West Sports Editor
Tyler Gagne is a fourth-year centre on the McMaster men’s rugby team. He plays an instrumental role on the team, not only through his strong defensive presence, but also through his role on the team leadership group with 5 other players. This group includes veteran players Tyler Gagne, Clay Pendakis, Ryan Matthews, Jack McRogers, Cole Brown and club captain Megh Rathod. In their season opener, Gagne had a pair of tries which led to him having one of the top performances that game. Even with his success, Gagne remained humble and highlighted key performances from the rest of the team. “I just go out there and do what I can for the team,” Gagne said. “It always feels good to
have a game like that, but a couple of other guys had great games in that game too it wasn’t just me. Our whole team played really well, it’s hard to pick one performance out.” This year will be one where the men’s rugby team plays their heart out. They have an outstanding team and are determined to leave an impression on Ontario University Athletics rugby.
This year will be the one where the men’s rugby team plays their heart out. “We believe we can medal. We believe we should go 5-1 based on the season [and] hopefully we can win all six. Other than that play the best rugby we can, enjoy it and have a great year,” Gagne said.
One of the defining contributions to the success of the team is team culture. The maroon and grey challenge the idea of a traditional team in the sense that they are more than a group of highly-skilled individuals who play a sport together. Of course, they do fit that mold, but they are also a family. “The team we have is one of the best I’ve ever played on. All the guys are super close. There are no disputes on the team, no conflicts, everyone just loves each other and we go out there and play the best rugby we can. Which really helps on the field obviously,” Gagne added. Instrumental to their success has been growing together and knowing when to put the team ahead of their own needs. “I’m one of the older guys on the team, I’m in fourth year. There are a couple of other fourth years on the team, not too many but we’ve been together all four years and all the
guys we’ve been coming up with have bought into the system and we’ve all come together to be a great team. It’s easy when guys come into the team and buy right in right away,” Gagne said, “It’s super easy to get along with everybody. Nobody has too big of an ego which is nice and we all get along really well and it’s a great culture.”
“There are no disputes on the team, no conflicts, everyone just loves each other and we go out there and play the best rugby we can.” Tyler Gagne Men’s rugby centre
One of the main things that sets apart the men’s rugby team is their unique but effective approach to leadership. Having multiple people share the load of guidance brings along many advantages. For example, communication on and off the field can be more coordinated. Simply put, it is a strategy that seems to be working wonders for the marauders. For their next game they will take on Trent University on Sep. 21 where they look to improve their record to two wins and one loss.
@theSilhouette
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www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
Men’s Football team off to a strong start The Marauders backed up their fifth overall ranking with a strong start to the season
McMaster men’s football game versus Guelph University 2015 C/O KYLE WEST
Andrew Fayed Contributor
After falling 17-34 two weeks ago to the Western Mustangs who were last year’s Vanier Cup finalists, the McMaster Marauders’ men’s football team appears ready to move on and build off opening weeks into the rest of the season. With several lower ranked teams ahead on their schedule, the Marauders are favoured to be at a record of seven wins and one loss by Oct. 19. While their loss to Western can be seen as a slight bump in the road for the Marauders, starting quarterback Andre Dueck sees it as fuel for the rest of their season. “Western is always a fun game. You get to really test yourself against what the benchmark is for a championship team in this league and see how you match up,” said Dueck. The deeper stats for their
game against Western show that the Marauders ran into penalty trouble, in the form of 15 penalties resulting in 130 yards lost. The Mustangs finished the contest with six penalties, losing only 37 yards. When questioned on the impact that these penalties played in the end result of the game, Dueck recalled some words of wisdom from head coach Stef Ptaszek. “Coach said after the game that you have to be at least 14 points better than the other team if you want to have the refs not be a factor in winning,” Dueck says with a chuckle before continuing, “It’s always tough when you get into penalty trouble but it’s part of the game of course, so you have to play around it as much as possible and overcome it when it happens.” Beyond penalties, the teams rushing games marked a larger disparity. Western appeared to dominate for 232 yards rushed to the Marauders 43. Dueck had
nothing but praise for Western’s rushing game. “It was huge. They got to control the clock, the tempo of the game and hurt us on the scoreboard. The bottom line is we have to get the job done and they did it better,” Dueck added. With that being said, the marauders run game came back in a big way during their game against the York University Lions this past weekend on Sep. 14. Veteran running back Jordan Lyons averaged 5.5 yards per carry, totalling 94 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. With the dust settled on the Western loss, the Marauders are setting their sights on a schedule that favours them heavily. With their hardest game behind them, the Marauders will face five teams that are ranked outside of the U Sports football Top 10 rankings. “It’s definitely been a strong start to our season, but we have some long-term goals that [are]
important not to lose sight of, so we’re only looking to build from here.” Dueck said. Dueck fills the role of the motivated leader of the Marauders’ men’s football team, ensuring that both he and the team are honest and accountable. When questioned on why he chose to play for the Marauders team, Dueck stated it was his love of the game that brought him to Hamilton. “Football is such a team game. It’s a chess match. Everyone has to do their job on every single play for the play to work. It’s a true team game, there’s so much intelligence that goes into playing.” Dueck said. The pressure of being a starting quarterback for a topfive ranked school might be enough to cause other students to panic; but Dueck, a thirdyear commerce student, seems to perform at his best under pressure. “I enjoy the business. I’m definitely never bored, and I
have a great support network here. I really love it,” stated Dueck.
“I’m definitely never bored, and I have a great support network here. I really love it,” Andreas Dueck Men’s Football Quarterback
You can catch Dueck and the Marauders’ men’s football team in action at their next game on Sep. 21 against the Windsor Lancers at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium. @theSilhouette
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www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
Ultimate frisbee captain gets real about disk
“It’s not about finishing top eight, I just want our team to reach its full potential“
McMaster competed in the 2018 Canadian Eastern Ultimate Championships C/O LEAH TACKABERRY-GIDDENS
Eamonn Vallely Contributor
Chris Chan is a 21 year old, fourth-year integrated science student from Vancouver, British Columbia. He also happens to be one of the most valuable players on the men’s ultimate frisbee team this year, especially after stepping up to the role of captain. Chan is approaching his new title with great mindfulness and targeted goals for the upcoming season. For the first time this year, the men’s ultimate team has recruited a coach, Troy Booth, a very experienced frisbee player from Brisbane, Australia. This takes a load off of Chan’s back. In the past, captains often assumed the additional responsibilities of being a coach. Despite Chan being a very experienced and well-rounded player, having a couple more hands on deck, including his co-captain Torja Istiaque, offers Chan the chance to focus on the leadership aspect of his job. Chan explained how much he values Istiaque as a co-captain. Istiaque has what Chan described as a macro-understanding of the game, something that
Chan believes he himself lacks. Chan refers to macro-understanding as the ability to see a dilemma and its solution in the context of all factors that impact a game. He described how Istiaque can recognize the solution without overthinking it.
Chan refers to macrounderstanding as the ability to see a dilmma and a solution in the context of all factors that impact a game. “For me personally, I’ve tended to always focus on very small parts of the game so for example, If I see something going wrong on the field or something [that is] not working out I’ll start thinking about every little thing and every reason why. But for him, he might just be like oh we need to switch this up in our system,” Chan said. The team recently implemented a mindfulness train-
ing routine before games and practices. This idea is based off a book Chris has been reading, by George Mumford, called The Mindful Athlete. “Re-focus on the present moment so you’re not thinking about varying distractions, so we can play to our fullest,” Chan said as he described the mindset in the book.
“Re-focus on the present moment so you’re not thinking about varying distractions, so we can play to our fullest,” Chris Chan Captain Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team Chan’s passion for Ultimate is unwavering and real. This is evident in the way he describes the game and his goals. Chan has a set of objectives, as any leader should, and even though there are only three chances at
competitions throughout the season, Chan’s goals are not simply based around a win. “I don’t want to focus only on results. It’s not about finishing top eight, I just want our team to reach its full potential. I’ve found [that] if you place your focus on results it never turns out well,” Chan mentioned. Chan believes the pathway to excellence is through treating every practice with the same intensity as a game. If the goals of a team are solely based around numbers, it is difficult to address the pathway to that success. The motivation is to be the best they can be. The leadership role of captain comes with a unique set of responsibilities. For example, after a tough loss, the captain has to maintain composure and a positive attitude. Chan is fully aware of this and tries to approach every challenge with the concept of improvement. Captains and coaches will discuss attributes of the game the team needs to work on and consciously implement them in practices. Chan would describe himself as a competitive person who
believes that in order to compete at the highest level you have to have a fierce mentality on the field: to be relentless, mindful, selective and smart with your energy. “I think you have to be if you ever want to compete at the highest level every time you step on that field you’re not thinking oh maybe I’ll go out and play well. You’re going out with the mentality of I’m going to destroy my matchup,” Chan added. Chan has many goals related to ultimate, not all of which are necessarily confined to McMaster University. Ultimate frisbee is a relatively small sport in Canada, meaning there is a lot of room to ascend to higher skill levels and leagues. Chan strives to obtain a position on a professional ultimate team like Furious George from Vancouver or the GOAT ultimate squad from Toronto. Both of these teams represent some of the best ultimate players in Canada and the pinnacle of high-level disc. @theSilhouette
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GAMES
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
Games SOLUTIONS: LAST WEEK
ACROSS 1- Behind schedule; 5- Taboos; 10- Caesar and others; 14- Dry and waterless; 15- Go with the flow; 16- Race pace; 17- Tolled; 18- Golfer Calvin; 19- Costa ___; 20- Tries; 22- Hazardous; 23- Methods; 24- Took action against; 26- The opposition; 29- Inventor of the safety razor;
33- Minimum; 34- Amusing; 35- Attila, for one; 36- Chantilly product; 37- Writer Jong; 38- Permanent army post; 39- “Lord, is ___?”: Matthew; 40- Battery terminal; 41- Polite refusal; 42- Certify (a will, e.g.); 44- Coeur d’___, Idaho; 45- Type of ranch; 46- Writing table; 48- Baseball Hall of Famer Cap; 51- An infected Anopheles
mosquito; 55- Active one; 56- Approaches; 58- Killer whale; 59- “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men” author; 60- Desert plants; 61- Thin rope; 62- Staffs; 63- Charlotte ___; 64- Arthroscopy site;
22- Depend; 24- Subsequently; 25- It parallels the radius; 26- Exhausted; 27- Cool!; 28- Unspoken; 29- Tour leader; 30- That group; 31- Italian city; 32- ___ nous; 34- Became ice; 37- City west of Tulsa; 38- Paul Simon’s music style; 40- Make ___ for it;
41- Mission control gp.; 43- Idolizes; 46- Pub game; 47- Borden bovine; 48- Purim month; 49- Canceled; 50- Propagative part of a plant; 51- PC alternatives; 52- Press; 53- Farmland unit; 54- Stow, as cargo; 56- ATM maker; 57- Vichy water;
DOWN 1- Zhivago’s love; 2- I smell ___!; 3- Windshield option; 4- Sideways; 5- Downy; 6- “Waiting for Lefty” playwright; 7- Scottish refusals; 8- Make a choice; 9- ___-Foy, Quebec; 10- Walk with long steps; 11- Eye part; 12- Pier; 13- Remain; 21- Pole;
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