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McMASTER UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER / THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
The Silhouette
YOUR VOICE ON CAMPUS
Est. 1930
VOLUME 82, NO. 24
Where are the women in our leadership?
YOUSSIF HADDAD / SILHOUETTE STAFF
Panelists at the International Women’s Summit held on March 6 opened the floor for discussion on the views contributing to gender inequality. Farzeen Foda
Senior News Editor
FEMME STATS FEMALE PRIME MINISTERS 1/22 FEMALE PREMIERS OF ONTARIO 0/24 FEMALE MCMASTER PRESIDENTS 1/23 FEMALE MSU PRESIDENTS 4/41
In cooperation with the YWCA Hamilton and McMaster University, the McMaster Students Union hosted on March 6 the first ever International Women’s Summit in light of International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day takes place this year on March 8. With the goal of bringing down the barriers that continue to hinder the advancement of women in society, the event saw insightful messages of inspiration and anecdotes from guest speakers and attendees. Six panellists coming from an array of backgrounds spoke about how they tackled the barriers they faced in the pursuit of their goals: Carys Massarella, president of the Medical Staff Association at St. Jospeh’s Hospital and the first transgendered person to be president of a major hospital; Nora Loreto, former Ryerson Student Union President; Ava Hill, Mohawk native and aboriginal affairs leader; Marva Wisdom, former political candidate; Charlotte Yates, dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Kim Crosby, co-founder of The People Project. The evening began with a keynote address from Sheila Deane, professor at the University of Western Ontario, and Denise Doyle, CEO of YWCA Hamilton. Deane discussed her astonishment with the poor female representation in the literary world and the subsequent reaction by fellow professors to literary work by women. Doyle spoke of the need to encourage and support women as they take on leadership roles, referencing the experience of
a close friend of hers, current NDP leader Andrea Horwath. Both speakers acknowledged that it is simplistic to say that we need more women in power. The challenge arises in voicing and acting upon the need for equality. Doyle expressed that while women may be found in prominent positions they are too often silenced and are not the ones, “shaking the agendas.” The role of universities does not stop at simply educating women, but must also push the boundaries rather than reinforce them, noted Deane. The six panellists addressed an array of issues plaguing the advancement of women in our progressive modern society. Massarella spoke of her transgender experience and how her transition impacted her career as a doctor. She found that she was not as highly regarded as she once was as a practicing male physician. “I experienced some new barriers which I never expected,” she said. Loreto shared her tumultuous experience as a student representative of Ryerson University finding herself amidst controversy at the university which subsequently led to threats to her safety. Hill has held numerous leadership positions in Aboriginal Affairs. As a young girl, she was not encouraged to continue her education, but now as a single mother, has encouraged her daughter to pursue higher education and support Aboriginal issues. Wisdom shared her gruelling experience in politics as a woman of colour and spoke to “the fierce urgency of now,” stressing that there is no gain in waiting for change. Growing up with a strong female presence, Yates shared her experience as a young woman seeking employment in construction. She was questioned and doubted but persevered and landed the position, after which she found herself as one • PLEASE SEE IN PURSUIT, A3
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THE MARAUDERS RAISE EYEBROWS AT THE CIS WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN: A MODERN AMERICAN HORROR STORY.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN TODAY’S ECONOMY.
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...IN THE SIL
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PRESIDENT’S PAGE Katie Ferguson VP (Administration)
Duncan Thompson VP (Finance)
Matthew Dillon-Leitch President
Alicia Ali VP (Education)
MSU PROJECTING ORGANIZATIONAL SURPLUS FOR 2011 Increases in accountability, service growth and prudent budgeting responsible for a strong performance this fiscal year
Duncan Thompson VP (Finance) vpfinance@msu.mcmaster.ca ext. 24109
The MSU is very close to releasing our annual budget - the document that recognizes our organizationalwide financial statistics and translates those numbers into projections for next year’s income and expenditures. For someone like me, this kind of document is a representation of our organization in its truest form, where nothing is hidden and everyone on staff has a say about what they want to see happen within their department. This year we’ve seen student enrolment increase dramatically, had the largest turnout to Welcome Week in recent memory, and witnessed a massive turnaround in TwelvEighty’s performance. I’ll briefly bring you up to speed on what’s happened and where we’re going.
Both Union Market and TwelvEighty have consistently outpaced their performances from the last two years on their month-to-month breakdowns. As of this moment, I am happy to report that TwelvEighty is in a profit position. However, I am a cautious individual and therefore I am not yet ready to write a projected profit into TwelvEighty’s budget yet, for fear of this year being an outlier. Regardless, this is a dramatic improvement over years past and represents a great trend moving forward. More and more first year students are visiting TwelvEighty because of conference/event exposure such as Horizons, CLAY and First Year Council. Additionally, more and more students have started to see TwelvEighty as their “home away from home” when it comes to food. Furthermore, we’ve fought hard all year to battle misconceptions about our venue. The belief was that our quality was low, service was poor and prices were high. Nothing could be further from the truth, as the numbers demonstrate. During the MARS Apprentice pre-challenge, the
MSU had the opportunity to garner impartial student feedback. The data showed our food quality was on par with that of other vendors on campus, our prices were actually lower than the competition and in terms of service the food at TwelvEighty was consistently served hot and fresh in 15 minutes or less. We run impressive lunch specials everyday and I encourage you to put us to the test! Another source of our positive growth has been Union Market’s continuing improvement through the efforts of the staff and management. Union Market has continuously varied the product mix offered to keep the selection fresh and enticing. The Grab-and-Go sandwich section has expanded and a new cooler was purchased to meet the demand. And as always, coffee sales continue to be strong, second only to the very precious chocolate milk supply. With a continuation of the trends we have seen over this past year, the MSU should hit our desired goal of a respectable surplus of $120,000. We are very optimistic that this will
happen. The preliminary budget will be headed to the Executive Board (EB) for recommendation on March 13th. Once EB has recommended approval of the budget to the Student Representative Assembly (SRA), it will be taken to a meeting after the new Officers (MSU Vice Presidents) are elected in April. While I’m not able to say what this year’s budget has projected specifically, I can at least say that we’re looking forward to continuing the trends we established this year. Several years ago, we formulated a plan to put the MSU back on track, whilst refusing to cut student services or service delivery. I am very excited to report that we have finally reached the point where we can say we have turned the books around and put the MSU back in a position of financial growth. For more information on the budget, please feel free to contact me directly. As well, stay tuned to the MSU website, which will feature all of our documentation once the SRA has passed the budget for the next fiscal year.
SRA GENERAL ELECTION MARCH 12TH TO 14TH Matt discusses desirable qualities of an SRA representative
Matthew Dillon-Leitch President president@msu.mcmaster.ca ext. 23885
The Student Representative Assembly (SRA) general election is once again upon us and there are a large number of candidates vying for your vote. Having been on the SRA for three years now, I want to explain the characteristics that you should look for in a candidate. First and foremost the SRA is the governing body of the MSU. The SRA’s purpose is to evaluate policies and projects that ideally have already gone through various committees. Throughout the year, many different projects will be brought forward to the SRA and it is they who have the final word on these policies and projects. This year we have seen meetings go longer than expected and a great deal of arguments. There is nothing wrong with healthy debate, but what I take issue with is when individuals
try to use SRA meetings to personally attack others. The SRA functions best when it is a team. This team may have differing opinions on issues and they will disagree at times, however, they must do this professionally and respect the decisions of the group. When thinking of who to vote for, choose people who will bring forward new ideas, listen to others, and work together towards making student life at McMaster better. There is so much potential within the SRA. It can be a body that researches ways to improve student life and develop ideas on how to execute those plans. If the SRA focuses too much on internal issues and attacking one another, this potential will be wasted. Rather than improving the MSU and the student experience, the opposite will be accomplished, and the students are the ones who will suffer. Most importantly, look for a candidate that will listen to you. Whether or not they agree with you, your reps are here to represent you and they have a responsibility to take what you have to say into account. SRA reps are here to represent their students, so vote for a candidate you can trust to act in your best interest in every situation.
FINAL ROUND OF CAMPUS MUSIC EXPLOSION! TOP FOUR BANDS SQUARING OFF LIVE AT TWELVEIGHTY TUESDAY MARCH 13TH - FREE ADMISSION
The President’s Page is sponsored by the McMaster Students Union. It is a space used to communicate with the student body about the projects, goals and agenda of the MSU Board of Directors.
www.msu.mcmaster.ca
THE SILHOUETTE • A3
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
International Women’s Summit
Experiential Education
In pursuit of gender equality Field course explores “I can wear eyeliner and be a leader too” - Kim Crosby
• CONT’D FROM A1 of the only women in her PhD class. She stressed the need for women to hold onto the support of each other, and avoid feeling compelled to choose between a focus on either a career or family life, explaining that it is possible to strike a balance. She discussed some of the narrow-minded commentary she recieved upon taking maternity leave as some regarded maternity leave as taking an easy break. Coming from an extremely diverse lineage and comfortable with being a “femme girl,” Crosby stood against those who questioned her ability to perform her job simply because she enjoys dressing and acting like a girl. Crosby works in a range of settings, with the common theme of advising and counselling at-risk populations. “I can wear eye-
Supported by personal anecdotes, statistics and research findings, it remains evident that better female representation and inclusion can yield positive results.” YOUSSIF HADDAD / SILHOUETTE STAFF
Sheila Deane and Denise Doyle presented keynote speaches at the International Women’s Summit on March 6.
fishing community
liner and be a leader too,” she said defiantly. The event was hosted in an effort to encourage more women to be active participants around decision-making tables. Canada currently stands in 40th place worldwide with respect to female representation in Parliament, falling behind such countries as Libiria. For the MSU, the 2011/2012 academic year marks the first time that the Board of Directors, composed of the president and three vice-presidents, has both genders equally represented, noted former MSU president Mary Koziol. Supported by personal anecdotes, statistics and research findings, it remains evident that better female representation and inclusion can yield positive results. Anecdotes, research and statistics however, only too often show that movement in this positive direction is not happening at an excusable rate.
JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
A new summer field course will take students to Nova Scotia. Dina Fanara
Assistant News Editor
Creating experiential educational opportunities that allow students of all disciplines to use the knowledge of their field can be difficult to come by. But Nancy Doubleday, McMaster HOPE chair in Peace and Health and professor of Philosophy, has been working to create a new field course that will begin on June 25 and continue until July 2 in Port Mouton Bay, Nova Scotia. Students will have the opportunity to live and work in the small historical fishing community three hours away from Halifax, in an effort to explore the problems that large fishing companies have imposed on many such communities in Eastern Canada. The community has faced numerous hardships since the entry of companies that use large nets in which the fish are grown. These companies use hormones and pesticides in the waters surrounding these fish, resulting in a wide spread negative impact on the surrounding aquatic environment. The water has subsequently turned into a dead zone, meaning that no marine life is capable of growing there. Because of this, fish-
ermen have to go out farther to find lobsters, which they fish for their livelihood When the company proposed putting in another fishery that would be six hundred times larger than the original, the local farmers and residents fought against it. It was not long ago that this large company was charged with using illegal pesticides, and a court date is pending. The community is currently looking into revitalizing this dead zone, as well as the entire fishing industry in the area. When speaking of the experiential education program, Doubleday said that “it works through the threads that the community identified as important to them.” The question that is at the base of this field course, she said, is: “How do we do engaged work . . . together and with society as a whole?” The main focus of the course is ecological restoration of the community through a deep and holistic understanding the hopes and dreams of those who make up the past, present and future of the town. “It’s about self-advocacy and the ability to change ourselves,” said Doubleday.
FEEDBACK Do you think women are underrepresented in leadership? Yes, unfortunately both numerically and in politics. -Emma Perin
No. I’m a nurse - all of my bosses are women. -Ian Chisholm
Absolutely, girls need more positive role models to look up to and aspire to be. -Marlene
A4 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Global Citizenship Conference
Tackling world issues: a sneak peak Dina Fanara
Assistant News Editor
In preparation for the upcoming Global Citizenship Conference (GCC), taking place at McMaster on March 9 and 10, the GCC’s organization committee and the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) hosted a discussion panel with regards to world issues on March 5. The main focus of the discussion centered around the concepts of “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches to peacekeeping and peace-building initiatives. The panellists consisted of five influential speakers present at the pre-conference event: Robert O’Brien, the chair of Department of Political Science, Leo Johnson, a refugee from Liberia and recent graduate from McMaster University, Shawn Cheung, the founder of raising the Village NGO and a representative for Canada to the UN and Jessica Franklin, a McMaster Political Sciences professor. According to one of the mod-
erators for the event, an executive representative of WUSC, the purpose of the discussion panel involved “challenging ways in which we encourage development.” She also said that the “idea of bottomup approaches to development [is] a new fresh take on ways to change the world.” The first question presented to the panel was, “Is it fair to separate top-down and bottom-up methods to development?” In response to this question, O’Brien discussed the importance of understanding what is meant by top-down and bottomup. What is understood to be “top” can be international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund or World Bank. However, this may also include certain dominant thoughts and theories, certain states over others, or large corporations. Johnson noted that, “what can be the top in one conversation can be the bottom in another conversation.” He continued, “bottomup usually becomes the reality . . . there has to be a certain structure or
SAVE THE DATE
Online Security
TEDx McMasterU March 10
UTS cautions against disclosing information to external websites
Spam email targets MAC ID holders
The theme of this year’s TEDx McMasterU is Bridges and Barriers, and will feature students and faculty members from a wide variety of deKatija Bonin partments in the University. The Silhouette
Mental Health Symposium March 13 Featuring talks by professionals from Kids Help Phone and Mood Disorders Society of Canada, this forum is open to all, with one speaker presenting each hour from 12:30 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. in Council Chambers (Gilmour Hall, room 111). SRA Elections March 12-14 All full-time undergraduate students will have the opportunity to vote online from 8:00 a.m on March 12 to 5:00 p.m. on March 14 for their faculty’s representatives on the 2012/2013 Student Representative Assembly (SRA). Engineering, Kinesiology and Nursing seats are acclaimed. Feed the Bus March 12-16 Mac Bread Bin will be hosting their annual Feed The Bus food drive all week. Students can bring donations of non-perishable food items or money to the big yellow school bus, which will be located in the centre of campus, directly across from the McMaster Art Gallery. Global Engineering Conference March 17 The purpose of this conference is to explore the role of the engineer in the 21st century, with emphasis placed on sustainable solutions and social responsibility. The aim is to connect professional engineers with faculty and students at McMaster in order to gather together and collaborate on these issues. The conference is hosted by Engineers Without Borders (EWB) McMaster Chapter.
access to power.” The remainder of the discussion blossomed out of the topics brought up after the initial question. Later in the discussion, Franklin brought up an important point: “immediately when I think of top down and bottom up, gender comes to mind . . . when we look at the notion of top down and bottom up approaches, I look at who is situated in [places of power] . . . whether or not these can be seen as gender neutral.” When asked about what can be done to instill more balance in international development, Cheung acknowledged that “we don’t need another big player, we need somebody who can understand the region.” This event served as a glimpse into this year’s Global Citizenship Conference, touching upon several of the topics which will be the topic of further discussed this upcoming weekend. The Global Citizenship Conference has been running annually for five years and is looking forward to seeing the same overwhelming suppport this year.
On Thursday, March 1, a phishing email was sent to the general population of McMaster. Purporting to be from University Technology Services (UTS), the email asked email users to go to a non-McMaster website and provide log in credentials. Failure to do so would allegedly result in termination of one’s email account. As stated by Julia Kraveca, manager of Client Services for UTS, “such attacks happen every so often.” Out of all incoming e-mail messages that McMaster receives, approximately 22 per cent are legitimate e-mails. The remaining e-mails are types of spam that may be caught by filters, and just like catching fish with a net, it is to be expected that one may fall through. The main difference is that senders of phishing e-mails are aware of the different security mechanisms, and swim around them in order to be the one that lands in student inboxes. In such circumstance, when the unauthentic email was not prevented, UTS used defensive measures in order to control its effects, noted Kraveca. The phishing note was reported to UTS at 2 p.m. on March 1, and by 2:30 p.m. UTS had blocked oncampus access to the website noted in the e-mail, and had published a cautionary note through the McMaster University website. After careful evaluation, it was determined that only two per cent of the targetted population received the spam email, and only 0.05 per cent actually visited the website. However, it is unknown out of this percentile how many email users actually responded to the request in the phishing e-mail. Additionally, a campus-wide notice was released the following morning. Although the sender is unknown, “it is evident that their
intent in sending the e-mail was malicious, and was sent with the purpose of collecting private information that could somehow be misused,” said Kraveca. Based on the available statistical data, it appears that the phishing e-mail was caught before it was able to travel too far, making its impact quite insignificant. UTS interpreted the given data as affirmation to having successfully educated the McMaster community on protecting themselves from fraudulent emails. However, UTS did not want to undermine the impact the email had for the 0.05 per cent whose world was turned upside down as a result of the leaked spam. The hope is that such an incident does not happen again, however, it is not entirely preventable, explained Kraveca. Students and faculty are therefore strongly urged to exercise caution in order to protect themselves from duplicitous emails. In the event that such an occurrence does repeat, students and faculty are urged to report the potential phishing scam to the UTS Service Desk as soon as possible. Suggested protective measures may include refraining from opening e-mails if the source is unknown or appears suspicious. Often phishing schemes are designed to imitate legitimate companies or institutions, thus users are encouraged to acknowledge the use of distorted logos and misspelt words, which are telltale signs that the sources are not genuine. Lastly, one must resist clicking embedded links or verifying confidential information, as these are often connected with fraudulent online activity. UTS is actively involved around the clock in the prevention, detection and investigation of potential electronic fraud within the University. On any given day UTS processes 1.4 million e-mail messages.
JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Some Mac email users recieved spam message from an unidentified external source on March 1.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Newsbites SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION Compiled by Dina Fanara and Farzeen Foda Three year degrees a contentious issue While funding for Post Secondary Education can expect changes to its structure, the nature of the university experience is in the process of serious reconsideration. A study released in late February by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), examined the merit in three-year university degrees. The study gauged student input about the quality and utility of such a degree, and comparing those with the views of administrators of Canadian universities. Support for shortening degrees, according to the report, must be able to withstand criticisms that such a move would be “watering down” a degree. In Canada, varying lengths of degrees can be found across post-secondary institutions, however the trend has increasingly shifted in favour of four-year degrees. Four-year degrees have attracted more attention since most graduate studies require an honours undergraduate degree. While some professional schools and graduate studies do not require an honours degree, the fierce competition for admission, sheds more favourable light on those holding a four-year degree. For universities across Ontario, the three-year degree offerings sharply declined with the elimination of Grade 13 in high school. With a growing number of undergraduate students opting to remain in university for an extra year, projections estimate that three years is hardly sufficient for the completion of a degree, when even after four years of post-secondary education, a mere 45 per cent of students are prepared to graduate, according to survey data obtained in 2011. The report contends that shortening of degrees may be one possibility when restructuring post-secondary education. Mohawk College receives donation On March 6, the Ron Joyce Foundation announced a $1.5-million donation to Mohawk College for student bursaries. An additional $500,000 was provided to the college by the government to match a portion of the donation. This is the largest single donation that Mohawk College has seen go towards students’ tuition, and will be added to the college’s Access Project. These funds will allow Mohawk College to cover tuition expenses for 20 students each year, and will support those who would otherwise not be able to attend post-secondary education. Rise in international students in Canada Between 2007 and 2011, the number of foreign student permits in Canada rose 26.5 per cent. For prospective students, a Canadian degree is less expensive than an American one, and many Canadian universities have reputations that surpass those in Australia, for example. Foreign students pay full tuition without government subsidies and must absorb living expenses while residing in the country, though they make ideal immigration candidates postgraduation. Nova Scotia and British Columbia have the highest percentage of foreign student permits, followed by Ontario. Of all provinces, Ontario has seen the highest growth in these numbers since 2007. UBC expands Business education University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business unveiled its recent changes to the Vancouver campus. The aim is for the new business school to be at the forefront of studies in Business. The facility faced expansion and revitalization, adding 55,000 square feet, with a total cost of $70 million. To better support undergraduate education in Business, the Robert H. Lee Graduate School was also developed, featuring a conference centre and new lecture theatres to faciliate the new-age of learning Copyright deal exhibits clear benefits and drawbacks The University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario recently consented to a copyright deal that concerns students. The agreement was with Acess Copyright, according to Macleans On Campus. Access Copyright is the independent body with the responsibility of collecting and distributing copyright royalties in Canada. This group originally collected $3.38 per fulltime student, a rate that now, as a result of the agreement has reached an alarming $27.50 per full-time undergradaute student. As a benefit, however, the new fee eliminates the levy on custom courseware for students of the two universities, but currently, the trend is toward alternative sources of teaching material. The original allegedly arbitrary figure proposed by Access Copyright was $45 per full-time student. Reducing post-secondary enrollment With the growing trend across Canadian universities to increase enrollment, a few Canadian universities expect to reduce their influx of first year students. These universities are the University of Ottawa, University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia. For the University of Ottawa, the shift toward lower enrollment would simply be fair to those students already attending the university. Meanwhile the University of Calgary is looking to the enrollment cut as a means of balancing the university’s budget. The University of British Columbia aims to reduce its undergraduate enrollment to 28,400 from their 2008 level of 30,809 by 2017. The university expects to see a slight increase in graduate enrollment however. Nevertheless, small Canadian universities are still looking to increase enrollment which may be an easy task given the increasing demand for post-secondary education. On the contrary, large schools such as the University of Western Ontario are looking to expand their undergraduate enrollment.
“ONE IN FIVE GRADUATING STUDENTS REGRET NOT WRITING FOR THEIR UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPER” -FAKESTATS, 2012
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A6 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
EDITORIAL
editor’s extension: 22052 letters: thesil@thesil.ca
From the Editor:
The Silhouette
Armchair activism won’t stop Kony By now, you’ve probably seen the KONY 2012 video. And by now, you’ve also probably heard some debate about whether or not you should support Invisible Children, the charitable organization behind the film. On one hand, you have an unacceptable catastrophe of human rights violations that needs to be stopped. On the other, you have a slick piece of propaganda that hides important facts about the situation for the benefit of Invisible Children. Both can be – and have been – turned into convincing arguments on comments sections and Facebook threads. But neither is simple, and the rhetoric is making things worse. The issue, in fact, is not as simple as getting rid of Joseph Kony. It’s incredibly complex. And this video is only making that complexity harder to understand and more unlikely to be solved. The video is neatly summarized at the end with a list of three ways for people to help the cause: 1) signing a petition to have governments increase efforts to remove Kony, 2) supporting TRI, an arm of Invisible Children, by donating monthly and 3) sharing the video on social media. Unfortunately, these are unlikely to help. The petition is ambiguous and undefined. And both academics and charity watchdogs have questioned the destination of Invisible Children’s funds, with much of it supporting military invention (not the only option here) and the creation of other activist films. But much more importantly, the idea that sharing the video on Facebook or Twitter will create awareness and help the issue is erroneous. In fact, it’s likely to give the sharers the sense that they’ve really done something to help, making them feel content about the issue and neglect any further action. Let’s be honest: the recruitment of child soldiers is a painful, disgusting issue. It’s hard to think about and it’s tough to make sense of. But we can’t settle for the same kind of armchair activism from a few months ago, when everyone thought they were stopping child abuse by changing their Facebook pictures to their favourite cartoon characters. It’s not only useless, it perpetuates the marginalization the deeper issues in central Africa. Kony isn’t a Disney villain who created an evil empire out of his own greed for power. He’s an awful person and terrible product of the deeper and much more complex problem of rebellions that have plagued Uganda since the 1980s. But sharing this video isn’t going to help people know that. The video spends about ten seconds of its 30-minute run time explaining Invisible Children’s action plan to get Kony, saying they’ll get U.S. troops to train the Ugandan military to track him down and put him in cuffs. That sounds nice, but if it were that simple, it would have already been done. Kony is entrenched in the bushes of central Africa with women and children around him, acting as human shields. He knows he’s being hunted and is hiding deeper each day. It’s going to take more than training from U.S troops to get him. That’s not to say awareness shouldn’t be raised about the need to track him down. But it’s useless propaganda to take an ambiguous idea and sell it by glossing it over with images of justice and liberation. Perhaps the worst part of KONY 2012 is the very useful ideas it nearly touches on but somehow avoids. First, the film features numerous scenes of large-scale organized protests in front of government buildings. These would be useful and demonstrative, and yet the film avoids using its considerable sway to organize them. In fact, the only event planned by film is ‘Cover the Night,’ a large-scale plastering of posters, lawn signs and other promotional materials across cities all over the world on April 20. In other words, it’s large-scale vandalism. Second, the film briefly mentions that people across North America were directly contacting their Members of Congress and Parliament to let them know that the capture of Joseph Kony is a priority issue and that they want action. Why was this not included in the action plan for viewers? This is the easiest way to let governments know that people care about the issue, and yet it’s omitted. If Invisible Children only wanted Kony gone, they’d be doing a great thing. But it’s clear that this film’s prominence will lead to misguided efforts. To be clear, the film has done a good thing by letting more people know about Joseph Kony. But we’ve got a lot of learning to do if we think posting Facebook videos and putting up posters is going to do anything to stop him. • Brian Decker, Executive Editor
McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
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Editorial Board Brian Decker Executive Editor Sam Colbert Managing Editor Jonathon Fairclough Production Editor Farzeen Foda Senior News Editor Kacper Niburski Assistant News Editor Dina Fanara Assistant News Editor Andrew Terefenko Opinions Editor Fraser Caldwell Sports Editor Brandon Meawasige Assistant Sports Editor Natalie Timperio Senior InsideOut Editor Cassandra Jeffery Assistant InsideOut Editor Sonya Khanna Business Editor Jemma Wolfe Senior andy Editor Myles Herod andy Entertainment Editor Josh Parsons andy Music Editor Tyler Hayward Senior Photo Editor Renée Vieira Assistant Photo Editor Joy Santiago Multimedia Editor
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THE SILHOUETTE • A7
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
OPINIONS
production office extension: 27117 opinions@thesil.ca
Ousting a category five mayor Andrew Terefenko Opinions Editor
JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
“Hurricane” Hazel has paved the way for lazy mayoralty, so it’s time for young blood.
Thirty-three years. Twelve consecutive terms. That is the extent of the ongoing reign of Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion, and an uncontested mayoral blitzkrieg like that must beg the question: just how did she do it, and can it be done again? It’s easy to wrap the argument up and blame her ancient incumbency on poor opposition, apathetic voters and good old-fashioned citizen loyalty, but I think it comes down to her core ideologies as a politician. She feels that a city should be run like a business, with careful management of finances. Additionally, much like a business, she says a city should be marketed, its value shown off to the country at large in an effort to gain lasting appeal. This is the dividing line between a successful mayor and a political activist, which most other mayoral candidates seem to be. Take Hamilton’s very own mayor, Bob Bratina, for example. He ran a small campaign centered on his trustworthiness and family values, yearning to service the most decrepit neighbourhoods of the Steel City. I think these are admirable, respectable qualities in a leader, but they are the same qualities you see in every candidate, in every election, every few years. Hazel stands out from the crowd because she barely campaigns, she maintains a no-nonsense aura in her political demeanor and from the few times I have personally met her, comes off as a legitimately likeable human being who would check on me if I was keeling over in a busy intersection. It is that very likeability that makes it hard to admit this: it is time for her mayoralty to end. There is no doubt in my mind that she could go for a thirteenth, fourteenth or even twentieth consecutive term if she made a play for it, and it would hurt the GTA in the long run. The entire thought process behind having fixed terms and frequent elections is to have a frequent influx of new ideas and ree-
valuation of incumbent leaders. Mississauga residents have gotten to a point of no return, so content with a stable, unaggressive leader that they are certain to maintain a level of sameness, at the expense of lasting progress and young ideas. They are voting for Hazel for the sake of legacy, for maintaining the title of one of the longest serving elected political leaders in history. There’s no clearer indication to me that this is a problem than the mere fact that in the face of a very clear conflict of interest, where Hazel allegedly threw around her mayoral clout to put millions of dollars into her contractor son’s pocket, she still maintains the same unchallenged level of popularity that she’d had for three decades. She is standing in the way of less popular but completely legitimate candidates who can take the steps needed to actually worry about their popularity and make the changes that citizens want. She is setting an ugly standard for future mayors across the entirety of Southern Ontario, one of widespread blind support. Look no further than Toronto to see an example of the opposite end of this spectrum. Rob Ford is about as unpopular as mayors get, so he gets challenged early and often on many of his initiatives. His TTC plan was shut down in what seemed like mere minutes, but isn’t that a good thing? A plan that Toronto probably couldn’t shoulder in the long run was turned down because Ford was not revered as a god walking among us, unlike Hazel. An unpopular mayor needs to fight for his or her ideas, while a popular one will let protests be drowned in the cheers of the masses. This is not a condemnation of McCallion, but a call for citizens to carefully criticize their voting thought processes, and not vote with their hearts. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved weathering the storm that was Hurricane Hazel, but all natural disasters have to end eventually, before they do rampant, irreparable damage.
Putting the BA in basketball Balancing athletics and studies can tax the unprepared Jordan Tew The Silhouette
There is an old saying that goes, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” The statement is exemplified by every varsity athlete at McMaster. Balancing a full academic schedule with games and practices is no easy task, especially when travel is necessary. An athlete’s work ethic and time management skills are often overlooked by many people, including those who are not devoted fans or have not had the “behind the scenes” vantage point of knowing the day-to-day lives of athletes. Instead, the common stereotype of “meathead,” “basket weaver” and the most common, “jock,” are still the mainstays in the public’s opinion of student athletes. Such words carry a negative connotation and often paint the picture of an athlete who does not attend class, much less study for assignments and tests. In addition, these titles assume that the athlete’s chosen major is not one of high educational prestige, but rather a simplistic mindless program, such as the notorious “basket weaving degree,” to ensure time and mind space is focused on the sport and achieving the dream of one day making the “pros.” Those stereotypes are incorrect, because the dream of making it to the pros rarely becomes reality for the average student athlete. This is partly because the percentage of players who
survive to the pros without major injury, actually The importance of education is brought to play a sport that generates a sustainable income the forefront, with each player’s major being and are talented enough to be considered elite, is listed in the game day roster for all fans to see. fractional in comparison to the total number of When you look down any roster, you will see athletes that proudly don the Maroon and Grey. programs of study such as Nursing, MBA, EcoWhile a few student athletes will certainly go nomics etc., demonstrating that these are ceon to experience further athletic notoriety and rebral student athletes who understand what it success, many others will continue on to further takes to succeed in the classroom and on the their academic credentials at the Masters level playing field, and will carry what they learned or find success in their individat school into the real world. ual professions or careers. Aside from earning a valu The level of success for Those stereotypes able degree, student athletes McMaster athletes both on and learn the invaluable life skills are incorrect, off the court can be attributed of self-discipline, work ethic to the unrivaled athletic pro- because the dream and time management through gram and the “education first” their grueling daily schedules. of making it to culture that exists at the univerFor example, being a player on the pros rarely sity. McMaster student athletes the McMaster Men’s Basketdon’t aspire to bide their time ball team is a full-week combecomes reality in the post-secondary world mitment. An average of three for the until they make it “big” in the to five hours daily is devoted average student athletic world. Rather, the stuto basketball on top of schooldents know that they are earnwork. For instance, on a typical athlete. ing a degree from one of the top Monday, the team begins watchuniversities in the nation, while ing film at 5:30 p.m., where they having the privilege of playing a sport for which critique both their play and study their opponthey have both the love and talent to play. The ents. This is followed by a 6:30 practice, which, student athletes are encouraged to recognize depending on the time of year will last one and the importance of their degree and how it will a half to two hours. After practice, a 45-minute be relevant and beneficial to their professional weight lifting session is completed to maintain lives after they hang up their jersey for the last • PLEASE SEE ATHLETE, A10 time.
INSIDE HEADTOHEAD The robocalls have been a beacon of controversy recently. Should we pursue prosecuting their masterminds?
Page A8
Feedback We poll the campus crawlers about the effectiveness of Facebook “slacktivism.”
Page A9
This Week in Opinions Hacktivism
Israeli Apartheid
Death of Intelligence
The online hacker group known only as “Anonymous” shows no signs of slowing down their efforts. Who will be paying for their damage?
The Israel Apartheid Week is among us, but does the very name of the event send the wrong message to the uninformed?
There has been a steady decline in earnest efforts towards learning in the recent past. What does this mean for our species?
Pg. A8
Pg. A10
Pg. A11
A8 • THE SILHOUETTE
HEAD TO HEAD MEGHAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
VIOLETTA
DEBATE:
NIKOLSKAYA
Should
CO-PRESIDENT MCMASTER DEBATING SOCIETY V: Voting is a democratic right that people have fought for through multiple civil movements. Unfortunately, there have always been, and always will be, election scandals. They are so common that most international electoral watchdogs tend to discuss whether levels fraud during an election season is either at ‘normal’ levels or moderate by comparison. It is personally difficult for me to stomach how a scandal, associated with a right that women before me fought to secure, could be so candidly dismissed. It vitiates the democratic process. Most recently, the Harper government has been under fire for an alleged robocall scandal. It is claimed that a fraudulent use of robocalls (computerized autodial calls with a recorded message) was committed when individuals received messages that attempted to dissuade citizens from voting by telling them that the polling stations had changed locations.The RCMP is investigating the matter. If it were to come to light that a member of the Harper government allowed this, I believe that the government should be charged for attempting to corrupt the democratic process and for electoral fraud. Dissuading citizens from accessing their facilitated right is bad for the country. M: Let me first say that all parties involved (excluding the perpetrator of course) know that it is fundamentally and morally reprehensible to tamper with the electoral process. There has always been some level of questionable behaviour in Canadian elections. Hiring a company to call certain voters several times and direct them to the wrong voting stations is not only annoying but wrong in a moral sense. The media likes to remind us that this situation is certainly above and beyond normal political shenanigans and calls into question the very sanctity of our democratic system. But first of all, it seems V: No one person that we are unable to nail a perpetrator in this is above the law. down case. Secondly, we cannot To excuse a fraud- take back the past. Finally and most importantly, ulent act by the when these types of things government is to take place they most often without the knowcontradict the fair- happen ledge of the head of the ness and justice of party. The party leader doesn’t have the time or our country.” the scruples to pull a stunt like this at the cost of their campaign. For these rea-
we pursue
prosecution of those behind the robocalls, or is this just politics as usual? sons, I don’t feel that Harper and his government should be charged criminally for the actions of some unknown perpetrator. V: I agree that PM Harper probably didn’t have the time to pull off a stunt like this at the cost of his campaign, but someone in his party may have in certain ridings in order to get the edge. As the party leader, Steven Harper is responsible for the actions that take place under his rank. It is his responsibly to ensure that his campaign and parliamentary members are adhere to the same rules and laws that he must. “Every vote counts,” after all. In the last election, many ridings were separated by only a couple hundred votes. Thousands of complaints (31,000 reported) were made by voters who received these messages and received other harassing messages by robocalls.Many of the ridings were so affected that it has been brought to question whether the outcome of the election would have been the same had this issue not occurred. Thousands of individuals were wronged in their ability to exercise their right to vote. This is significant, considering that we live in a representative democracy. Our voice and our vote affects the policies implemented locally, federally and internationally. Changing the overall outcome of the election means that Canadians were not fairly represented. M: By all means, this is an important part of our government system, to get to the bottom of the matter. Realistically, though, there are way too many people who have a motive to rock the election boat. Sure, the Conservatives had an election to win; that’s an easy motive. The Liberal Party was clinging to life during this last election and could have just as easily done something as underhanded as this – using a Canadian calling company, not an American one, I might add. What really hasn’t come to light yet, though, are the revolutionaries responsible for the riots in British Columbia not too long ago. As for the “level of security in the voting process,” well, in addition to the United States recount fiascos of past elections that point to the failures of security and technology, I would also like to point to a press release by NASA that discloses how often their systems get hacked. I don’t think that Canadian election security measures are so far superior that something like a hacking on the part of a revolutionary is out of the question. This is exactly something that would be right up their ally. While I don’t dismiss the need for the Conservative Party to be thoroughly patted down, I do think that all parties should be considered equally. V: No one person is above the law. To excuse a fraudulent act by the government is to contradict the fairness
BOOTH
MEMBER AT-LARGE MCMASTER DEBATING SOCIETY and justice of our country. Canada was quick to condemn other international leaders that were elected despite alleged acts of electoral fraud or corruption (think back to Iran’s election and the most recent Russian elections), but has found itself in the same mouse trap. At the very least, if the government has nothing to fear, a transparent and public inquiry should be held to conclusively determine the outcome of the alleged claims. However, in this case, if the conclusion is that the government is guilty, then immediate action must be taken to ensure that a precedent is set so that any Canadian governmental body cannot act in such ways and expect to get away with it. M: Looking at the world’s events in recent years, I have never been more proud to say that I am a Canadian. With the economies around us imploding, fiscal policy and budgetbalancing has proved an effective tool in keeping us all relatively safe and comfortable in our standard of living.This was one of the key platforms of the Conservative campaign and one that was certainly delivered on.We cannot take the past back, and throwing our “gracious leader” and his cronies in jail is not going to fix the problem. Mr. Harper and those in his upper echelons are most likely too busy with more important matters that if it was someone in his party that caused this uproar, then it was probably some hooligan who wanted the support of the winning party on his resume who pressed a couple of buttons and started this whole thing up. The Conservatives won by a sizable amount, and the ridings of Guelph and Windsor only cemented further the majority. So, not only do we have no idea who actually did this, but I believe the Harper government won by enough of a majority that this situation is a minor technically that points only to M: The Harper the bigger issue that is national security. This is government won not to mention the evenby enough of a keeled governance he has actually been able to majority that this provide. Furthermore, if it was some bottom feeder situation is a minor election campaigner or a technicality that radically left leaning compoints only to the munist, then they, if found guilty, should be punished bigger issue.” to the full extent of the law. They’ll be released within a year any way.
Lasting legitimacy of a legion Ryan Mallough Silhouette Staff
In 2008, they targeted the Church of Scientology for Internet censorship after the Church had a video that had been leaked to YouTube removed from the site; in 2009 they helped to launch Anonymous Iran as a support platform for Iranians whose Internet is heavily censored; in 2011 they hacked HBGary Federal, an American security firm; and in February they brought down the Central Intelligence Agency website. They are Anonymous. They are Legion. They do not forgive. They do not forget. Expect them. When the Internet became available for public use in the ‘90s, neither governments nor consumers had any idea as to what they had, or what it would become. To date the Internet has allowed its users nearly absolute freedom, and as a result any attempt at regulation is now viewed as a government overstepping its authority. The Internet has become, in the view of its users, the final frontier, a vast, endless space unbound by laws, regulations or government restriction. Anonymous, and similar “hacktivist” groups, have positioned themselves as the guardians of that freedom, attacking those who would threaten it without prejudice. But who watches the watchmen? The recent emergence of over-regulation attempts in the United States (the Stop Online Piracy Act) and Canada (Bill C-31) on the Internet stem from a lack of understanding from the generation in charge. Those who have lived half their lives without it are failing to grasp exactly what the Internet is. However, just because they have been overzealous in their attempts to protect Internet users does not mean Internet users don’t need protection. Like with any great invention, there are those who seek to use the Internet and the freedom it provides to do harm, and they deal in the most important resource there is: intelligence. Global leaders, still very much of the baby boomer era, continue to view the world through realist-tinted glasses. It used to be
that when you caught someone in your national archives stealing information, they would be labelled as a spy, an agent acting on behalf of a foreign country, states interacting with states. However, this logic no longer applies to the interactions occurring on the state level. There are third party organizations that act independently of states but with the same level of influence. The realist lens cannot cope. The spy is no longer in the room but thousands of miles away, and answers to no state. So where does Anonymous fit? The most recent label is that of a “cyber-terrorist” organization. It is difficult to deny that Anonymous and similar hacktivist groups share several characteristics with ter- Anonymous rorist organizations. They operate on an internal ideology with its own system of morality. They attack those who conflict with their internal ideology without prejudice, and their attacks are ideologically motivated. They promote their cause through threat and by instilling fear in those who oppose them; and like many modern terrorists organizations, Anonymous claims allegiance to no specific government or nation, but only to their cause – an intangible concept. There is very little difference in ideologies behind the absolute freedom of Anonymous’ Internet utopia and the Ireland envisioned by the IRA. Furthermore, while there is no universal definition, the United Kingdom’s Terrorism Act 2000 sets out one of the most comprehensive interpretations of terrorism in use today. Section 1(b) notes that terrorism is “the use of threat that is designed to influence the government or an international governmental organization or to intimidate the public or a section of the public,” adding in
TYLER HAYWARD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR
is responsible for many online attacks, but the members are hiding in plain sight. Section 1(c) that terrorism is also “the use or threat ... made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause.” Section 2 (d) and (e) add actions that create “a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public” and are “designed seriously to interfere with or seriously disrupt an electronic system.” Under this understanding of terrorism, Anonymous’ 2011 service disruptions actions against Visa in the wake of Wikileaks or their 2012 attack on the Central Intelligence Agency website, as well as their general modus operandi of threatening to publicize sensitive information if their demands are not met, all fall under this definition of terrorism. Yet Anonymous fails to meet the most integral aspect of terrorist activity: the intent to cause bodily harm or death. In fact, hacktivist organizations, as well as information distributors such as Wikileaks, have so far shown remarkable restraint when it comes to parcelling out the information they have acquired. However, that does not discount the
possibility they one day could. It is often overlooked that these groups elect not to share certain information with the public, either by personal choice or because the information is highly sensitive. That is where hacktivism organizations become threats, both to governments and the public. In a time where the phrase “knowledge is power” is paramount, these groups are sitting on a powder keg of information, distributed at their will. Equally, if not more dangerous is that anyone who amasses that amount of information will become a target for theft by organizations who would use it to cause harm. Anonymous may not have reached the level of “terrorist threat” yet, but their information acquiring and distribution capabilities, as well as their disdain for anyone who would impose any restriction on their domain, have them well on their way. They are Anonymous. They are Legion. They do not forgive. They do not forget. But we’re the ones who will pay for their battles.
THE SILHOUETTE • A9
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
With only THREE issues left of the Silhouette this year, your chances to contribute are quickly fading! If you have any strong opinions of recent events, ongoing world problems or even
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I think it’s great because its the first stop in getting awareness out there.” -Naomi Downer Humanities I
A10 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Athlete trials and tribulations
TYLER HAYWARD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR
The average student barely has enough time to keep up with studies alone, but the student athlete must practically create time to manage both worlds equally.
The wrong kind of awareness Israel Apartheid Week might damage the cause more than help it Matthew Tenenbaum The Silhouette
From March 5 to 9, McMaster and other universities across Canada will play host to Israeli Apartheid Week. IAW is a week-long series of lectures, workshops and rallies that promote sanctions against the state of Israel. The event characterizes Israel as a racist, inhumane state that – like South Africa – is guilty of systematic oppression against Palestinians, allegedly because they are of the wrong religion. As a Jewish member of the McMaster community, this sort of language really upsets and concerns me. It serves to alienate students and creates tension on campus between different ethnic and religious groups. When it comes to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, there is plenty of blame to go around. I’ll be the first to acknowledge that Israel has often acted unjustly; conditions in Gaza and the West Bank aren’t simply inadequate – they’re appalling. In its efforts to ensure safety and security against terrorism, it has frequently overstepped the bounds of good policy and aggravated the very problem it would like to solve. However, campaigns to villainize Israel do nothing to address this. Legitimate, thoughtful criticism becomes lost within the bitter venom of student activism. Instead of opening a constructive dialogue, Israeli Apartheid Week organizers are simply promoting their own brand of small-minded intolerance. Students who already
dislike Israel will be fired up and energized, while their peers either become defensive or tune the issue out entirely. No attempts are made to explore solutions or acknowledge the difficult realities of the Middle East peace process. If IAW was just a display of petty ignorance, it would be easy to dismiss it as benign. The unfortunate reality, however, is that it provides a forum for hate speech on campus. Activists often blur the boundaries between criticism of Israel, anti-Zionism, and antiSemitism, producing a situation in which many Jewish students feel uncomfortable or unsafe. This is simply unacceptable, especially at an open, diverse institution like McMaster. Most of today’s undergrads probably missed the 2008 incarnation of Israeli Apartheid Week. Tensions mounted following the university’s decision not to approve a controversial poster with violent imagery. At a rally held to oppose this decision, Jewish students were harassed by protesters chanting “Death to Jews” and “Viva Jihad.” For the first time, I actually felt unwelcome at the school that has now been my home for six years. I am all for students engaging with social issues that they feel passionate about. However, the issue of Middle East peace is too important for this sort of nonsense. The very name of Israeli Apartheid Week is confrontational, and seeks to alarm rather than inform. Student activists at McMaster need to ask themselves if this is really the way that they want to effect change.
SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO
IAW is at Mac now, but will it serve its purpose on campus?
Jordan Tew gives us a keen insight into the treacherous world of student athletics Universities cannot offer full scholarships, so athletes require additional financial support in order to strength through the season. After all this, athletes be able to afford the cost of their tuition, books and must spend time stretching and submerging their living expenses. Since the majority of varsity sports bodies in ice so that they are able to do the very same last all year (combining training and competition), maintaining a job on top of trying to thing the next day. excel in both the athletic and academ A game day is quite different. ic spaces is very difficult. Finally, if Take a Wednesday “Away Game” The common stereo- athletes were to receive a scholarship, in Windsor for example. The bus to the game would leave around noon type of “meat-head,” it would be based on excelling and in order to arrive in time for both “basket weaver” maintaining a certain academic standard, including a grade point average the women’s and men’s games, startand the most and a specific number of classes taken ing at 6 and 8 p.m. respectively, and would not return back at campus common, “jock,” are each semester. until two in the morning. still the mainstays McMaster athletes have learned to take advantage of that hour between Many players have to attend in the public’s classes, to attend the often-underused early-morning classes the next day. opinion of student office hours that professors hold and Depending on scheduling, Wednesto register in courses that fit around day away games often occur during a athletes.” practice and game times. They have time when schoolwork is at its heavilearned to live a hectic, extremely est, amplifying the idea of a midbusy and performance-based lifestyle because they week hump day. The common argument for why athletes should are so organized and driven to the point that real life have such busy schedules is that they receive ath- will not be much of a surprise. letic scholarships. In reality, not everyone who is So if you want something done, give it to a jock. an athlete receives a scholarship. Further, Ontario Better yet, give it to a student athlete. • CONT’D FROM A7
THE SILHOUETTE • A11
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Death of intelligence is nigh
TYLER HAYWARD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR
People of this day and age take great effort in making it look like they are actually making an effort. This does not bode well for the future of western civilization. Rob Hardy
Silhouette Staff
Last semester, an Opinions article spoke about popular Youtube sensation Epic Meal Time. That story stood out for me as a framework from which to examine the moral dilemma we are now in. Epic Meal Time, if you’re not familiar, is a group of guys who take part in making all sorts of bizarre food creations for the purpose of… well, to be blunt, I am not really sure what the purpose is. The video I subjected myself to watching involved them going to multiple drive-thrus, ordering an obscene amount of food, and then making some sort of gigantic bacon cheeseburger lasagna. Wow. As the name implies, it’s really “epic” stuff. My problem with it is not so much what these people are doing, but that it is a representation of all sorts of similar material that has pervaded our lives. The author of the Sil piece argued that if people wanted to watch Epic Meal Time, then they should be allowed the right to do so. While I don’t disagree with that statement, I think this warrants a much closer look so that we may understand the bigger picture. Because, despite what we may think, how we live and what we do affects everyone else. And right now, we live in a society where people waste far too much of their time both watching and making this kind of useless crap. The videos we watch can represent the height of insight and sophistication, and they can also show that our intellectual progress has actually halted severely, despite the vast, limitless resources at our disposal. Perhaps we are brainwashed into liking mindless drivel about six stupid-seeming twenty-
somethings who do next to nothing, and consequently emulating them. This brings up the question: Why do we want to watch channels and shows like these? Is it because they are actually funny and worthwhile, or can the most recent generations even tell the difference? While researching this topic extensively, I came across a statistic, which indicated that 42 per cent of college grads never read a book again. While I somewhat doubt its veracity, it is likely true in parts of America, where a little fewer than half of college freshmen ever complete their studies. But what about Detroit, where it was recently revealed that only one quarter of high school students graduate? Why is the larger population uninterested in reading, and instead embracing the kind of people in media acting in ways that would have previously been characteristic of a mental patient? But if this is the status quo, the average person is unaware, or at least not too alarmed about it. Another popular show, Cash Cab, has begun to make the rounds, and features people on the street hailing the titular game-show car, trying to win money as they attempt to answer what are fairly easy questions. What is demonstrated about our culture, however, is that we have come to a point where people just love to laugh, even when embarrassing themselves on national television, because they think it’s absolutely hilarious that they don’t know the capital of Madagascar. Yes, Google works, but when we as a society are always relying on a machine to give us the answers, we fail to develop the vital contextual knowledge that brings it all together. This can only be remedied if we are
willing to break through our learned discomfort of reading long passages as they were written, rather than trying to scan the surface as we’d scroll down a twitter feed. We may be laughing now, but there are parts of the world that have no qualms about intensely embracing academic study with a kind of impassioned seriousness that is simply not fostered in North America. The fact is, comedians don’t cure cancer. Though, it is true that generations clash, and to some degree this is a familiar story through the ages, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t consequences. For instance, it is a sad inevitability that as decades pass, we lose more of our authors as they fade quietly into obscurity, no longer remembered as time goes on. However, even this cannot account for the fact that most of our young people nowadays simply haven’t the least bit of interest in reading novelists such as Joyce, Turgenev or Sinclair, writers who have lasted and been celebrated for over a century. How soon before their lights also get extinguished, and how will we deal with their absence when forced to, once again, reinvent the wheel? And for those whose legacies remain popular, we set forth perverting their works with dubious reinventions, such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The legacy that previous university students have left us is one of incredible honour, sacrifice and integrity. The massive societal changes in Russia’s history, for example, owe a huge debt to students who cared enough about what was going on in their country to get their hands dirty and fight for change, before the oxymoron “peaceful protest” came into being. More recently and closer to home, Students for a Democratic Society in the late
1960s resulted in massive strikes and closures of many prominent American universities, such as Columbia, as their organization actively embraced intellectual discourse on relevant issues from civil rights to American involvement in Vietnam. Though we may like to think that we have advanced since then, our unwillingness to engage, and for others the inability to even effectively do so, has led to a stark dilution of the intelligentsia. The issue is active cognitive mental development, not “growing as a person” or any of the other false euphemisms that pass for education today. Knowledge may only begin in the classroom: the rest is up to you. Our country and world is depending on it.
Smoke-free studies Alex Marshall The Silhouette
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“Dalhousie is a no-smoking University,” according to the school’s website. “It is committed to providing a safe and healthy place in which to work and study.” McMaster is not. If you go to McMaster, you’ve experienced the unpleasant daily occurrence of getting stuck behind or beside a smoker on the way to class. You also know that smokers gather at the entrances of the student centre and the library, where the secondhand smoke lingers in the concrete quadrangle, despite the signs declaring the Hamilton bylaw that prohibits smoking less than nine metres away from entrances. In Hamilton, 77 per cent of residents are non-smokers. Presumably, the vast majority of the population are non-smokers because they do not want to be exposed to toxic smoke. However, according to the Quebec lung association, “two-thirds of the smoke produced by tobacco spreads into the ambient air. Anyone within close range of an active smoker cannot help but breathe in this tobacco smoke, and therefore becomes a passive smoker.” Just five minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke is equivalent to smoking a cigarette, resulting in the same stiffening in the main artery to the heart, the aorta. Thirty minutes of exposure causes damage to the coronary arteries. There is evidence that outdoor exposure to second-hand smoke can be substantial. According to the City of Hamilton, a study found that outdoor exposure can be even greater than indoor exposure, depending on proximity to the smoker and wind direction. The effects of second-hand smoke are amplified in those with asthma or allergies, and at present, McMaster students have no choice but to become passive smokers on campus. Dalhousie’s no-smoking policy evolved with the emergence of new health information and changing attitude towards tobacco smoke. McMaster’s policies have failed to do the same. At Dalhousie, the policy was enacted in 2003. Smoking is on the decline
in Canada, and the vast majority of Canadians choose not to expose themselves to cigarette smoke by not smoking. McMaster University has the power to create an environment where the right to choose whether or not to expose yourself to second hand smoke on a daily basis on campus is respected. McMaster is not just a school to thousands of students, it is a home. At Dalhousie, the decision to adopt a non-smoking policy was strongly supported by students, staff and faculty. In fact, more than 82 per cent of members of the Dalhousie community who responded to a survey supported the policy’s adoption. McMaster students clearly deserve the same personal freedoms as Dalhousie students. In his 2003 Dalhousie president’s message, Tom Traves said that “overwhelmingly people are unhappy with the existing situation and feel the existing policy is not sufficient. People react poorly to being exposed to smoke at entranceways to buildings, on walkways, in outside gathering areas, and in offices that have windows or doors where smoke wafts in from outside.” In the recent MSU presidential election, candidates specifically targeted environmental sustainability as a student concern. A smoke-free campus would immediately improve campus air quality and the environment. Such a policy would work towards creating the welcoming, safe community that McMaster strives to be. The money for this worthwhile initiative in clear favour of the McMaster community should come from funds dedicated to improving the environment of the campus. Funds could also be diverted from purchases such as the new state-of the art butt container outside of Centro and the entrance to the commons building, which is clearly less than nine metres away from the side entrance to McKay Hall. Over 266 universities and colleges in the United States have smoke-free campuses. If McMaster is truly committed to working towards a smoke-free environment, then the next step is clear. Dalhousie made it nine years ago.
A12 • THE SILHOUETTE
SpeculatoR The Hamilton
Thursday, March 8, 2012
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
WEATHER High:
-Pride in my thriftiness. -My average hydro bill.
Low:
-The appearance of my haircut. -Price of burritos.
Sporting no Ontarian players since 1968
F
Draining the main rain vein Tiberius Slick Speculator
After what has seemed to be a particularly dry winter season, ecologists and meteorologists across Hamilton are beginning to question the effects this aridity will have on the fountain of life normally found in the centre square of McMaster University, Lake McMaster. The lake usually reaches peak depth around the end of the month of January, but this year’s lack of significant rain or snowfall has left analysts bewildered. “You have no idea what kind of effect this will have on the McMaster ecosystem. The lake used to be a watering hole for the various groups of campus lifers, such as the squirrels, faculty and drum circle enthusiasts. This will severely damage the food chain as it has stood for many decades on campus,” said Avery Jameson, a renowned researcher in the field of university ecologies. Aforementioned food chain damage has already been reported, as students on campus have submitted claims to campus security claiming, “vicious attacks by dreadlocked activists,” and “unbearable lines at the water fountains.” Security has neglected to respond to such claims, with a commonly cited reason being the “inherent danger of trying to deal with thirsty deadbeats.” With the low water levels this year, also came a decrease in sightings of McNessie, McNessie, hallucinated here, was a frequent sighting for students the monster frequently seen by students every winter at 4:21 PM, a tradition held steadfast by students of all Another tradition destroyed by the lack of rain this season varieties of sketchiness. was MasterSkating. Students would brush off their ice skates, “McNessie was the real mascot of campus. I saw her once get on the frozen lake, take off their trousers, and have a race when I was performing legitimate evening recreation, and it to see who would finish first. was a transformative experience. Ever since then I have never The omission of the traditions this year has forced stumissed a chance to experience this tradition, something every dents to redirect their activities to other areas of campus. Restudent should do. But this year I’ve tried and tried, but with ports have come in on a rudimentary pool of water forming the low water levels I forget what I was talking about,” re- in the East corridor of the student centre, which has already plied a somewhat untrustworthy student on the issue. attracted flocks of students who are eager to MasterSkate and
SORROW SONTIOGO
who visisted the now-gone Lake McMaster. could barely contain their excitement. There are still high hopes for a hefty rainfall this April, in which case students can resume the spring version of the traditions, such as Stuff Diving, an activity where students take to the lake depths to uncover rare lost treasures of the campus nether regions. It will hopefully be a heavy rain though, as spirits are low and it will take more than a light spitting to satisfy the student body.
Krony sought by campus “activists” Kingsley Morris Speculator
It was brought to the attention of the Speculator this week that we have a tyrant in our midst, a skid mark on humanity, a man so despicable he has to wear facepaint. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Krony. Now you may not know about him, and that’s okay. You may have missed the stirrings on campus or the videos on Facebook, and this is excusable. But now that you have read the name “Krony” you have an obligation to every activist out there: bring him down. Krony abducts first-year students and forces them to write his papers. That’s right. He also blackmails prospective Mac students into attending his parties, charges $5 at the door, and calls the cops on himself… despicable. Krony himself is the face behind a much larger faction, an army of “liberators” who take advantage of first-years and forces them to do their dirty bidding. In a highly publicized incident last year, the Keyes Liberation Army of Malice (KLAM) successfully pillaged and looted “La Piazza” at a busy hour, making out with hundreds of Piller’s submarine sandwiches and pasta dinners. KLAM is also thought to have connections with the famous Bringham Hall Fire of 2008, where hundreds of first year students were left homeless and horribly burnt after copies of the Speculator were ignited in a common room. McMaster security doesn’t know how to fight him, how to find him, or how to fine him (he has a number of unpaid parking tickets). They can only brace for attack, and they never know when he’s coming. Sightings of Krony have occurred on
every corner of campus, occurring in the fabled T13 classroom, the McMaster Women’s Rugby team locker room, and the private washroom of Patrick Deane. These sightings are unconfirmed, as witnesses continue to disappear. Luckily for us, “Divisible Children” is here, a freedom fighting force of 13 and strong, bound in blood (and other fluids) to bring down the tyrant and the kronies of KLAM. The plan is simple: raise awareness by whatever means necessary. The Facebook approach has been a successful one, littering walls and newsfeeds alike with simple yet powerful messages. Students of all ages, with their extensive knowledge from Political Science 1A03, have been quick to spread the powerful message from Divisible Children to the public realm, using whatever means necessary to spread the word. With the purchase of the “Freedom Kit” (at the thrifty price of $200) students are awarded with mood rings (red means angry, green means optimistic, and yellow means vigilant), a poster of Krony punching Hazel McCallion, a tin with string for emergency broadcasts, a rape whistle, and a Chinese finger puzzle. All profits from the “Freedom Kit” go directly into the pockets of Divisible Children, who I assume will use the money to create peace and stuff. And so the question lingers: where do we go from here? Well, I will break my journalistic integrity to give you this advice: buy the kit, even if it doesn’t make sense. Repost the photos and the videos, even if it doesn’t make sense. Do whatever you can to bring down Krony, even if it doesn’t make sense. After all, none of this shit makes the least bit of sense.
He’s as sweaty as a Nordic slave ship and twice as wellstaffed.”
SKIZZY IMAGES
Krony, seen here, is a notorious corruptor of youth and British spies.
“Did you hear? It takes a robust assortment of Ontario men to
pop Don’s cherry.” Disclaimer: Stories printed in The Hamilton Speculator are fact. Any resemblance to persons real or dead is likely intentional and done out of spite. Opinions expressed are those of The Speculator and if you disagree with them you are wrong. And stupid. Possibly ugly as well.
S1 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
The Silhouette
SPORTS
Sil Sports’ Scott Hastie speaks with the Marauders’ rookie guard Aaron Redpath in this week’s edition of ‘Meet a Marauder’. See S5.
YOUR SOURCE FOR MCMASTER MARAUDERS SCORES, STORIES, UPDATES AND ANALYSIS
LESSONS LEARNED
MEN’S RUGBY
Mac’s rugby sevens team finishes fourth at B.C. event. Details on S2. TYLER HAYWARD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR
MEN’S BASKETBALL
JEFF TAM / SILHOUETTE STAFF
Marauders look to the future after loss to Carleton. Details on S2. PHOTO C/O RICHARD ZAZULAK
The Marauder women’s volleyball squad takes strength from an encouraging showing on home court at the CIS Championships. Details on S3.
S2 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Men’s Rugby
Men’s Basketball
Top five finish for Marauders
Only the beginning for Mac
Maggie Cogger-Orr Silhouette Staff
For the second year in a row the men’s rugby team journeyed westward to British Columbia to compete in the second annual CIS University Sevens Tournament. After losing in the plate final (third place game) to UBC last year 31-0, the Marauders were looking to improve on their previous campaign. The Maroon and Grey began the tournament under grey and dreary skies in Langford – the new heart of Rugby Canada’s centralized training programs – as they faced off against the University of Saskatchewan. The Marauders, sporting brand new white kit, would open up the scoring with some fancy footwork by second year scrumhalf Andrew Ferguson, who would score and convert his own try two and a half minutes into the first half. The success would continue from there as some hard work by forwards Sam Roberts and Cam Stones – who were both flying around the field making tackles – would pay dividends for the Marauders. Chris Gordon would speed around the edge for a try of his own to end the half at 12-0. The second half would open with a great run by Davor Stojanov, who would score a 60m try and dispose of two Saskatchewan players on the way. The frantic pace would result in missed opportunities from the Marauders, with several dropped balls and penalties keeping them from the in goal. Substitute Trevor Anderson would finally pounce on a loose ball to bring the score to 26-0 after Ferguson added the convert to end the game. The Marauders’ next opponent would be the University of Alberta. The Marauders wasted no time in setting the tone with a try from Stones to bring the score to 5-0. Some pace from the Alberta backline featuring a CIS ranked 200m sprinter would give them momentum to even the score going into the half. National sevens player Tyler Ardron would be subbed onto the field after half and would make a big impact, leading to Ferguson
Brian Decker Executive Editor
The players and coaches exited the locker room, some teary-eyed and all somber from the sudden reality that their season was over. An 80-56 loss at the hands of the magnificent Carleton Ravens earlier had ended the Marauders’ playoff run – their longest since 2006 – and the CIS careers of at least one player. But the despondency that surrounded the team in the hours after the loss is gone. There are recruits to be signed and offseason workouts to be planned and, most of all, a resounding optimism around the team’s culture.
With most of the team’s core expected to return next year, including OUA West Rookie of the Year Adam Presutti and fellow AllRookie Team member Aaron Redpath, the future is decidedly bright for the Marauders, something that became abundantly clear as the team carved a late-season winning streak. “The biggest part of our success was just realizing that we are national contenders. Coach [Amos] Connolly has been telling us all year that we had the potential to be a top team in the country,” said captain Victor Raso, who last week was named an OUA West First Team All-Star. Mac finished the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, earned a firstround playoff bye and won their OUA quar-
terfinal against Windsor, a team that had bested the Marauders twice earlier in the year. But Raso said it was an early February win against Laurier that sent the message that the Maroon and Grey were a team on the rise. At the time, the Golden Hawks were ranked no. 5 in the CIS. The Marauders, previously dismissed as too young and lacking in firepower to pose a threat, weren’t making any noise in the CIS rankings. “I think our win at Laurier was our eyeopener to how good we actually are,” said Raso. The Marauders won that game 92-82 on the strength of 26 points from Pressuti, • PLEASE SEE YOUNG, B4
PHOTO C/O RICHARD ZAZULAK
• PLEASE SEE MAC, B3 Adam Presutti is one of the several young Marauders who are expected to lead the program into the future.
THE SILHOUETTE • S3
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Women’s Volleyball
Football
Lessons learned from CIS event
Mac sends three to T.O. Brandon Meawasige Assistant Sports Editor
For Canadian kids throwing the football around in the backyard, winning the Vanier Cup is the end goal of childhood sports fantasy. However, to compete for Grey Cup is the undeniable pinnacle of football in this country and the end goal for the majority of Canadian football players. Before making it to the pros though, players must first showcase their CIS talent to Canadian Football League scouts in hopes of proving that they are worthy of competition at the next level. Each year a crop of draft-eligible players attends the CFL evaluation camp to make the first step in their transition from varsity to professional athletes. This year’s camp was held at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium during the weekend of Mar. 2 – Mar. 4. For three McMaster players at this combine – offensive lineman Jason Medeiros, receiver Brad Fochesato and star quarterback Kyle Quinlan – winning the Vanier Cup became a reality this fall. As the only McMaster Marauders at the combine, one would think that the scouts would focus on these three players and what they bring to the table. “With our playoff run our whole team got a lot of exposure so hopefully a lot of these scouts were able to see me up close, in game situations. It is different when you are Krunic both saw considerable time on court at the CIS tournament. out on the field but these drills are something share of eyebrows with their performances. well for the Marauders’ future, adding, you need to run,” Quinlan said at the two Expected by many observers to be eas- “Knowing that we came in as the underdogs day event. ily dismissed by the competition on the na- and proved so much against Alberta, we For Medeiros and Fochesato, the skills showcase was their first official exposure to tional stage, the Maroon and Grey posed a have a chance to compete next year.” stern test for the Pandas and should likely McMaster’s large rookie class had the the numerous CFL scouts who attended the have polished off the Huskies after building most to learn at the national event, and both event in hopes of finding the next Andy Fana two-set advantage. Mastroluisi and Brisebois indicated that they tuz or Steve Baggs. For Quinlan, however, For their part, the Marauders expressed had taken away important lessons from the this year’s E-Camp was his second shot at their satisfaction with the effort put forward challenge of competition against Canada’s making an impression for himself at the pro level. at the CIS tournament, which silenced those best. who doubted McMaster’s credibility in the Mastroluisi argued that the greatest As one of the most dominant athletes in lead-up to the event. benefit of the tournament was done to the the CIS this past year, Quinlan gained plenty “I was really happy with it [McMas- Marauders’ mentality, teaching the players of national attention for leading McMaster ter’s performance], because I thought that that setbacks are inevitable against top-tier to the first national title in program history and is widely regarded as the next Canadian it showed that we could play with the top teams. teams at an event like the nationals,” said “You definitely take something away born quarterback to crack the starting lineup rookie middle Taylor Brisebois. from it,” said the outside hitter of the event. of a CFL franchise, something that has be Fellow first-year hitter Lauren Mastroluisi argued that the team’s showing augured • PLEASE SEE BRIGHT, S8 • PLEASE SEE FUTURE, S6 JEFF TAM / SILHOUETTE STAFF
Rookies Taylor Brisebois (left) and Mira Fraser Caldwell Sports Editor
The results didn’t fall their way, but for the youthful Marauder contingent there was much to be learned from their experience at the CIS Championships. Hosted at McMaster’s Burridge Gym from Mar. 2-4, the tournament brought the top women’s volleyball teams in Canada to Hamilton and saw the Maroon and Grey come face-to-face with fierce out-of-conference opposition. While they dropped both of their contests over the course of the weekend – losing a four-set decision to the no. 1 ranked Alberta Pandas on Mar. 2 before succumbing to the Saint Mary’s Huskies in five the next afternoon – the Marauders raised their fair
THE SILHOUETTE • S4
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Editorial
Men’s Basketball
Cherry rant sounds like sour grapes
Young group adds experience
Fraser Caldwell Sports Editor
Somewhere in that adolescent transition between The Land Before Time and Trainspotting, I discovered the Rock’em Sock’em series. It was the summer of ‘98 and I was at the peak of my interest in Canada’s national game, and my Dad – eager to feed the puck frenzy – had picked up a used copy of Don Cherry’s 1996 effort at a local firesale. The jacket was frayed and scarred from use, but Cherry’s grinning mug and his trusty pooch were still visible. The tape itself was a wreck. One particular Mario Lemieux scoring play was so obscured by grain and tracking bands that it took a TSN special years later to make me realize its brilliance. But despite the despicable quality of the thing, I was struck. Cherry’s compilation had everything that a young sports fan needed. The dekes, the hits, the saves and even the friendly health and safety advice handed out with that trademark gruff paternalism. It all resonated with me. And for many years that early identification was enough to keep my faith with Grapes. When I met him at the age of 15 – at a meaningless midseason Hamilton KiltyB’s game – I stammered through an autograph request like any other pubescent Canuck. Cherry was still an immortal for me. But there’s only so long that one can ignore the man’s flaws, so loudly blared as they are on national television. Eventually the continuous bigotry and old-guard stubbornness contaminate even the most highminded of messages. My personal process of disillusionment with Cherry had been ongoing for several years, and I’ve long since stopped reading Coach’s Corner as gospel. But on Saturday night, Grapes embarked on a rant that truly put the final nail in a coffin I’d been steadily sealing. That night, Cherry took his customary seat beside Canada’s favourite yes-man with • PLEASE SEE EDITORIAL, B7
The future looks brighter than ever, despite playoff exit • CONT’D FROM S2 strength of 26 points from Pressuti, 19 from Raso and a stifling defence that would soon become their trademark. More wins, both on the road and at home, would follow, as did votes in the national rankings. By the time McMaster took on the Ravens last weekend, they were ranked no. 8, the highest they’ve been in the Connolly era. Of course, rankings don’t matter in playoff games, and Carleton’s overwhelming attack put a sudden damper on the good times for Mac. After the Marauders scrapped for the first half and trailed just 53-43 in the second, the Ravens put on a display of sharp threepoint shooting and vigorous defence to pull away for the win. “When you play Carleton you have to play your game and play it incredibly hard,” said Raso, who returned to the lineup after missing four games with a concussion but shot just 4-for-12. “They don’t have guys taking heat checks or any flair to their game. It’s just the definition of discipline.” “For us, this stings. You feel like you got your butt kicked. But it has to be the next step in a learning situation,” said Connolly. “There are lessons to be learned.” The Ravens went on to win the Wilson Cup as OUA Champions the next night after crushing the Ryerson Rams 82-39. Raso said he’s hoping he and his team will take those lessons to heart. “We think we’re as talented as any team in the country and we want to be the national champions next year and I think we can.” The news isn’t all optimistic for the Marauders. Forward Cam Michaud is likely done his CIS career after four years on the team. The 6’6” Grimsby native was a Second Team All-Star last year and a key component of this year’s success. “Cam’s leadership, especially through these last two years, has re-developed a culture of winning and excellence that this program will have again in the future,” said Raso. There are replacements waiting in the wings for Michaud, however, with rookie
PHOTO C/O RICHARD ZAZULAK
Forward Taylor Black works in the post during Friday’s loss to Carleton. forward Nathan McCarthy and second-year big man Taylor Black showing signs of real progress this year. There are no guarantees when it comes to improving as a basketball team. This year’s role players will need to step into larger roles, especially when Carleton – who are favoured to win their eighth national title
in ten years this weekend – won’t be going anywhere as the OUA mogul. But the Marauders have a lot of assets on their side – talent, youth and now experience to name a few. And though it might not have seemed like it after their loss to the Ravens, there’s a whole lot of optimism with this team too.
THE SILHOUETTE • S5
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Meet a Marauder
Redpath’s recipe for success Rookie guard on sweet superpowers, Madden and Chris Paul len’s shot, what would it be?
Scott Hastie The Silhouette
AR: Chris Paul’s court vision.
First-year guard Aaron Redpath has been a constant presence on the perimeter for the Marauders this season, and his efforts were rewarded with recognition as a member of the OUA West’s All-Rookie Team. Redpath’s ability to get into the paint paid its biggest dividends when the Maroon and Grey booked their ticket to the OUA Final Four, with the rookie dropping 21 points on the Windsor Lancers.
SH: Who is your greatest inspiration? It could be athlete, family member or friend. AR: My mom is my greatest inspiration and my dad is up there too. They always inspire and push me to do the best I can. SH: What will you focus on this offseason? AR: Making the transition from high school to first year was tough because we didn’t exactly know what the tempo difference was going to be like. Now, after my first year of experience, I know what the tempo is going to be like so it’s important for me to keep up my conditioning and maintain that level. But it’s also important to work on the intangible things as well.
Scott Hastie (SH): What is your personal favourite basketball moment? Aaron Redpath (AR): Winning against Windsor was huge. That game, where we actually went to the Final Four, I can honestly say that’s one of my proudest moments as a basketball player. SH: What’s your ideal pre-game meal?
SH: That was my next question, what was the biggest change between playing at the high school level and playing at the university level?
AR: I like salad with chicken and penne pasta, with some alfredo sauce on it. SH: Where were you when you heard about the Nike sponsorship, and how do you feel about playing with the Jordan logo on your jersey next year?
AR: Tempo and the speed of the game.
AR: Oh, that’s going to be crazy. I was sitting in my residence room and somebody sent me an email saying, “I can’t believe you guys are sponsored by Jordan next year” and I said, “Whoa, what are you talking about?” They sent me a link to an article, and I thought, “That’s big time.”
AR: We’ve definitely had possessions where we have to rush something because the shot clock is running slow, so there is a difference. But the way we like to play is getting up and down the court and put up a lot of shots, so most times the shot clock does come into it.
SH: Outside of basketball, what are some of your hobbies?
SH: What about the addition of the shot clock?
PHOTO C/O RICHARD ZAZULAK
Redpath was a pivotal part of the Marauders’ run to the OUA Final Four. SH: Who is the funniest teammate?
AR: I go at it in NBA 2K12. I always go AR: Calvin Turnbull. He’s funny, Victor with Miami in 2K and in Madden I go with Raso is funny. Joe Rocca’s a funny guy too. the Atlanta Falcons. SH: What is your favourite class you’ve had I like hanging out with the guys on the team, so far at McMaster? there’s a lot of cool guys. It’s one thing to chill with them during basketball, but out- AR: I’m enjoying anatomy. I’m in Kinesiology and I like it. side of that they are great guys.
SH: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
SH: What is your favourite artist or song to warm up to?
AR: I’ll say Drake, “The Motto”. AR: That’s funny, because we actually talk about this amongst the team. I’d say my su- SH: What’s your favourite TV show and faper power would be being invisible. vourite actor from that show? SH: On the same note, if you could have one AR: I like Criminal Minds and I also like NBA guy’s talent, like Blake Griffin’s dunk- Nikita. My favourite actor on Criminal ing ability, Steve Nash’s passing or Ray Al- Minds is Shemar Moore.
S6 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Football
Men’s Rugby
Bright future for Canadian ballers
Mac plays big out west
• CONT’D FROM S3 come increasingly difficult as more competition finds its way north from the divisions of the United States’ NCAA. “That was a great experience. It is nice to be out here with all these other top prospects, see them up close and get to know them off of the field. Getting to see how they tested us on the feeling it was exciting,” said Quinlan of his second CFL experience, which could translate into a draft selection for the 22-year-old pivot. Recently adding the Horseshoe Athlete of the Year to his list of trophies in 2011/2012, Quinlan would have one more year of eligibility to play for the Marauders if not drafted. Taking it one step at a time, the quarterback was only disappointed with parts of his performance at the camp “I am a little upset that I was on a different page with some of the routes. I threw outside and they [the receivers at the camp] went inside. So, I am a little upset throwing some reps away in a limited session, but other than that I thought it went very well,” he said. If he is drafted, Quinlan would have to undergo preparation exceeding that of a varsity athlete, as it is a much different animal to make the roster, let alone start, for a CFL team, even if you are the arguably the country’s finest collegiate player at your position. He would also be taking on a mission rarely successfully completed by Canadians: No CFL team has had a Canadian starting quarterback since 1996, with the Argos’ Danny Brannagan the only native pivot to take a snap since then. Brannagan was cut by the Argos last season, and former Ottawa Geegee and current Calgary Stampeder Brad Sinopoli is the only current Canadian quarterback on any CFL roster. “Just going to keep throwing, throw as much as I can and get in the gym and try to prepare myself, if I am lucky enough to get the call, to come out to camp and be ready for that,” said Quinlan of his plans for the summer. For Quinlan, Medeiros and Fochesato, the E camp represented the chance to live a dream for those who grow up playing football in this country.
• CONT’D FROM S2 touching down under the posts to put McMaster up 10-5. In the final minutes, Ferguson would break free from his own goal line and sprint the length of the field to touch down to end the game 15-5. The final game of the pool stage would see McMaster take on the University of British Columbia. The battle of the undefeated teams would see both teams looking tired after a lengthy day, with passes and hands going awry on both sides of the ball. Still UBC would take a 12-0 lead into half in spite of some hard fought defence from McMaster. The second half would be all Maroon and Grey in terms of offensive pressure but only Chris Gordon would be able to cross the try line, bringing the score to 14-5 when the final whistle blew. After finishing with a 2-1 record on day one, the fifth-ranked Marauders would start day two in the quarter finals against the fourth-ranked University of Calgary. This high scoring affair would not start in favour of McMaster with Calgary quickly jumping to a 7-0 lead. The Maroon and Grey would respond in a big way – quite literally – with all 6’5” of Ardron collecting the kick off and going 85m for the try through most of the Calgary team. Unfortunately he would miss the easy convert and the Marauders would trail 7-5. The run seemed to jump start McMaster with some great teamwork leading to Gordon and then Mike Paris respectively turning the corner on Calgary to make the score 157. A last-minute converted score from Calgary would make the halftime score 15-14 for McMaster. The second half would see McMaster play some solid team defence as well as Paris and Gordon link up again. Paris would break free of the pack and use Gordon to beat the last defender as he would touch down under the posts, bringing the score to 22-14. Another try from Ardron would put it out of reach for Calgary and give McMaster the 27-19 win and book their ticket to the semis. The semi final would see the Marauders face UBC again as both teams looked to improve on their result from last year’s plate final. UBC would jump out to an early 19-0 lead after some miscues in the McMaster de-
TYLER HAYWARD/ SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR-=
Andrew Ferguson and the Marauders ran their way to a fourth place finish. fence saw big gaps open up. The Maroon and not as time would expire with the Marauders Grey looked to rebound after half time and losing the match 24-19. managed to outscore their opponents 12-5 in Universally regarded as the biggest and the second half with tries from Ardron and strongest team at the tournament, McMasRoberts. It was too little to late though as ter competed throughout the two day event they would fall 24-12 in the end. admirably and looked right in step with the Their final opponents would be the Uni- west coast schools who have been training in versity of Victoria in the plate final (third sevens throughout the winter. place), a team stocked with National Team While most of the team had their trip members. The Vikes would draw first blood ended after the loss, three members of the with a big run by national team member squad (Ardron, Ferguson and Stones) will Nathan Hirayama, but Stojanov and Ardron remain in BC, with Ardron continuing to would respond for the Marauders to bring train with the National Senior Men’s Team the score to 14-5 going into half. and Stones and Ferguson to play with the Victoria would respond early in the sec- U20 National fifteens team. Both Stones and ond half with three tries to put them up 24- Ferguson will start in the team’s first game 14. A late try from Ardron would be all for against Romania on March 7.
THE SILHOUETTE • S7
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Editorial
Cherry rant misplaces priorities I offered upon first witnessing Cherry’s diatribe (when my only recourse was a brokenhis verbal guns fully cocked. In his tele- record chorus of the term ‘horsesh**t’). prompter sights was Leafs General Man- In rebuttal of the first, numerically deager Brian Burke and a supposedly insidious rived complaint let me offer a few figures recruiting policy that neglected Toronto’s of my own. Yahoo’s Greg Wyshynski, in a teeming local talent pool in favour of the Puck Daddy blog post regarding the rant on hated Yank. Monday, provided a plus/minus rating for And for nearly five minutes he fired away, spewing a perversely patriotic and unnecessarily aggressive rant devoid of logic and held up by only a single meaningless number: Zero. The number of Ontario-born players currently lacing up their skates for the Blue and White. You see, Don has found the source of the Buds’ longstanding and well-documented struggles. It’s not the green goaltending tandem that shies away from a puck as if it bore leprosy. It’s not the defensive unit with the attention span of a seven year-old at Halloween. In fact, the cancerous element at the heart of Toronto’s continual struggles is their lack of talent from their home province. Why does this inherently matter? Well, because as Don loudly points out, everyone else has someone around who calls Ontario home. After all, even the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins – located dead in the centre of the United States’ blue-blooded hockey belt – had seven Ontarians on their active roster while they raced to the title. Cherry goes further, and leans on the staid tenets of the tried-and-true “home cooking theory.” Because as Grapes and a legion of fellow amateur psychiatrists the world over argue, players are more driven to perform in their home markets. With Granny and the rest of the tribe in the stands, an athlete supposedly feels Cherry took aim at Brian Burke in a Mar. more obligated to perform and his or her efforts are bolstered by the increased pres- each NHL team in which an Ontario-born sure and scrutiny. player was an addition and an American one Lastly, Cherry postulates that the Ma- was a subtraction. ple Leafs under Burke are cruelly robbing The most successful teams in the NHL Ontario’s hoard of aspiring hockey players at the time of writing were the New York of crucial local role models. How are the Rangers and Vancouver Canucks, the leadprovince’s young puck-herders supposed to ers of the Eastern and Western Conference strain toward greatness when their beloved standings respectively. Both squads find Buds are conspiring to keep them from don- themselves in the minus column, with the ning the Blue and White? Rangers boasting a minus two (six Ontarians Let me address all three of these griev- versus eight Americans) and the Canucks a ances with a little more argumentation than minus one (five Ontarians versus six Ameri• CONT’D FROM S4
cans). How about a team actually located in the province? The Ottawa Senators, the Leafs perennial opponents in the “Battle of Ontario” are also a minus squad (five Ontarians versus six Americans). Wonder why? Because general managers are aware of a very basic biological
ive of one’s endeavours. Excluding those players with lingering Daddy issues, why should an athlete be particularly motivated to perform by the presence of those who already adore him or her for earning millions of dollars to play a game for a living? Doesn’t it make somewhat more sense that playing in a place where members of the national media practically outnumber the sell-out crowd might provide a more propulsive source of pressure? How can a person plying their trade in a place that bills itself as hockey’s Mecca require more motivation? Now to Cherry’s last complaint, the idea that Burke and his organization are somehow failing their community by virtue of not parading an Ontario resident around the ice. This concept makes a fundamental assumption that I cannot accept. That basic tenet is that a person in Burke’s position has an inherent obligation to the area in which he serves to provide inspiration for its residents in the form of locally bred role models. Being a lifelong fan of the Blue and White (and incidentally, masochist) and longtime hockey player, I have to argue otherwise. I had two primary hockey idols as a young and aspiring goalkeeper, only one of whom was a Maple Leaf and neither of whom was Ontarian by birth. The first was the acrobatic Felix Potvin, who, while he donned the Blue and White for several seasons, was as French by extraction as the road signs in his native Chicoutimi. The second was an American who had the good sense to never cross the border and quite naturally won a Stanley Cup. That man was Mike Richter, whose inspirational force in my case derived from his Yale education and the dogged playing style that saw him succeed despite his size. Never did it cross my mind to idolize a player simply because I could walk down the block and shake his father’s hand, or play shinny on a Sunday with his younger brother. Because that’s not how idols are chosen. We look up to those we choose to on the basis of individualized criteria, ones that aren’t geographically or ethnically driven. We do so because something in them resonates with us. That’s why I simply cannot idolize Don Cherry any longer.
JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
3 rant on Hockey Night in Canada. fact: talent on the rink is not the sole genetic property of residents of Ontario. Some very promising hockey players hail from across a large body of water known as the Atlantic Ocean. Others even call the United States (gasp!) home. What about the assertion that I’ve derisively billed as the “home cooking theory?” I find this whole concept a little confusing on a basic psychological level. One’s friends and family are – by any conventional definition – the people most likely to be support-
S8 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY MARCH 8, 2012
Women’s Volleyball
Bright future for intact squad • CONT’D FROM S3 “Having the opportunity to play at the CIS tournament is something that doesn’t come around very often. The opportunity to play against the best teams in the country really teaches you how to be patient with yourself. “You know that you’re going to get blocked and that there are going to be big kills against you. But you have to push through that and play to the best of your ability. You can’t focus on [your opponent], you have to focus on yourself.” Brisebois emphasized the team-building element of competing at such a high level, where building an ever-stronger understanding with teammates becomes a necessity. “I think we learned a lot as a team about how to play well together,” said the rookie middle hitter. “We’ve done that kind of thing before, but I thought that we were really cheering each other on and celebrating the little things. So I think that really helped us play as a whole.” That added chemistry should be transferable for a Marauder team that may well return all of its athletes next season. With the squad’s two seniors Meagan Nederveen and Shannon McRobert both contemplating a fifth year, an already promising lineup could be given another full year to grow together. McMaster’s rookie standouts both expressed their excitement at the prospect of competing alongside an intact Marauder lineup next season, and have high hopes for what that squad can achieve given what it has already accomplished. “It’s definitely going to help a lot,” said Mastroluisi of the team’s lack of turnover. “We have a great opportunity to show people that we’ve finally come together and I honestly think we have a great chance to win next year. “Our chemistry improved so much throughout the year,” added Brisebois. “We had a little bit of a rocky start but at the end it was amazing how far we had come, and so I see really great things on the horizon for next year.” That next season will see the Marauder rookies return as sophomores, a move that brings with it a new level of responsibility and expectation. For her part, Mastroluisi is confident that she and her fellow first-years have the
JEFF TAM / SILHOUETTE STAFF
Outside hitter Kailee Stock (above right) is one of the many Marauders who will be returning to the team next season.
proper attitude to continue to excel both on court and in the classroom. “I think we’re pretty goal-oriented as a group,” said the rookie outside. “So if we set out a goal for ourselves then we’re going to achieve it whether it’s for school or for volleyball.” Brisebois indicated that growing into the sophomore role would entail assuming a mentorship role for the Marauders’ fresh crop of rookie players, much like the role that her teammates have played for her this season. “If we ever need help with something we can always go to someone on the team,” said the middle hitter. “We’ll have new rook-
ies next year and now having been rookies ourselves we know what it’ll be like and we can go to them and help them through it.” With a long offseason looming in the wake of the national championship tournament, the Marauders have the opportunity to work on their respective games in the absence of competition. Mastroluisi signals that her priority and that of her teammates will be on all-around fitness as they look to become stronger and more capable in the layoff period. “I think that over the summer we’re really going to work on our fitness to become stronger hitters and jump higher,” said the first-year outside. “Rather than anything
specific to volleyball, it’s going to come down to general fitness.” Brisebois however has a very specific goal in mind for her offseason training. She believes that she must become quicker if she is to advance as a player and plans to work to speed up her game. “For me it’s about speed,” said the middle hitter. “I found myself a bit slow coming out to block or to hit in transition. So I’m going to work on my speed over the summer and hopefully that improves.” The Marauders now have the chance to work toward such improvements, and look to achieve ever-greater things as they move forward together.
THE SILHOUETTE • C1
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
INSIDEOUT
production office extension: 27117 insideout@thesil.ca
Amanda Watkins Silhouette Staff
Nowadays, it is very rare to find someone reading a book in their free time. With the chaos of school, work and a social life, most people choose quick Facebook sessions on their computers or playing Bubble Blaster on their phones over sitting down with a literary classic. Having little free time is a major factor that affects how much reading people do beyond school work, but convenience and accessibility also matter. In last week’s edition of the Silhouette, an article [“Textbooks, meet technology” – March 1] discussed the option of using an ereader as an alternative to a paperback book. Although the e-reading technology does allow for portability, it is a pricey alternative and still adds weight to a growing surplus of laptops, smart phones and iPods that are already being toted around. Since most of us already carry an abundance of gadgets that support the reading of a text document, why go through the hassle of buying a new device? Isn’t there a way to bring accessible reading to preexisting technologies? Enter author AJ Hanks, whose solution to this dilemma lies in the creation of an easily accessible webpage that allows the reader to enjoy his novel on the go. For his publication, Someplace Unknown, Hanks has developed a webpage, Someplaceunknown. com, where readers can preview the book, purchase it for $9 (a major discount in comparison to prices at your average bookstore) and receive a custom URL that will allow them to access the novel at any time and from any place. Hanks, who previously worked in publishing with a literary agency in NYC and is a self-professed “iPhone addict” explains that “digital publishing avoids leaving readers out. The Internet provides ridiculously good access.” He further explains that the primary difficulty with reading in today’s society has to do with finding a way to create a connection between today’s devices and classic reading habits through a happy technological medium. “The problem is that technology is evolving at a breakneck speed, but the way writers’ thoughts are conveyed hasn’t really changed.” By developing an interactive webpage, Hanks is able to develop his novel with all desired aspects while maintaining a level of ease and accessibility for the reader through use of the Internet. Someplace Unknown is told from the alternating perspectives of the protagonist, Mike, and his father. After Mike spends his school days tormenting a classmate, it comes as a guilt-ridden shock when this classmate is later found dead. As he travels across America with his parents, Mike is forced to come to grips with the death without bringing up the fact that he be-
lieves he is responsible for his classmate’s suicide. All m the while, his father is observing his son’s behaviour and is himself pushed to come to terms with a similar event from his past: the suicide of his brother. “It’s an old story that reveals how bullying has always been around, but its causes are more complicated than most are willing to address, and its effects spread to much more than the unfortunate victims,” explains the author. With a story that reveals so much about the characters, it’s both helpful and interesting to have more than just text to tell it. With AJ Hanks’ implementation of a literary website, as the reader moves along through the story, custom coding and interactive elements such as pop-ups and links allow the reader see the story represented visually and develop a more complex understanding of the characters’ emotions. “This is what all good fiction should do. Entertain you. And let
sive e-reader. It removes the middle man of ebooks and paperback novels. “Also, when reviews are published digitally, interested folks can read the book immediately. One click. And they can read from anywhere – Antarctica, Beijing, Sydney, wherever. No need for a trip to a store or for device compatibility,” says Hanks. So the next time you turn on your computer or take a look at your phone, think about all that your device can offer. With new ideas in the sharing of literature, reading can be incorporated into your schedule with the click of a mouse or the touch of a screen. “Hopefully it’s a push in the right direction. Or at least something different,” explains Hanks. With a new found accessibility and a creative aspect of expression, it seems that this push into “someplace unknown” might just be a push in the right direction.
you identify with someone else. And by doing so, you might feel less different and less alone. And you might have some compassion for other folks too,” says Hanks. Although nothing can replace the rewarding experience of flipping the pages of a book, there’s something to be said for convenience. Aside from the ease factor, this medium also appeals to a new demographic and allows for more diverse and widespread sharing. While previous generations favoured classic print literature, today’s generation appreciates a book that goes along with their gadgets.
Most students – if not all – have 24/7 access to technology. Using these resources for reading allows a more tech-savvy generation to have easy access to literature at all hours of the day. Additionally, having books online allows for instant access to the content. Internet-published literature does not require rifling through stacks of books at the library or book store, or hunting down the correct title on an expen-
Beat Fatigue
Arts Matter
SHEC educates students on how to fight off exhaustion
Celebrate McMaster University’s arts scene all year round.
Pg. C3
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C2 â&#x20AC;˘ THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
ThreadCount
Jason Caluducan Third Year Life Science Shoes: Jordan 6, Lakers Edition $220 Jacket: Levis $78 Jeans: Levis $85
Describe your style: Spiffy, hip hop and clean What do you look for in a significant other? Optimism, intelligence and energy
Photos by Tyelr Hayward
THE SILHOUETTE • C3
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Learn how to fight off fatigue Randal De Souza SHEC
Tired. It’s a simple word that will pop up several times daily in the vocabulary of a university student. While the usual method of dealing with it is to line up and grab your favorite caffeine drink, consistently being tired can be a symptom of a greater problem of diagnosable fatigue. You may deny that you have ever experienced fatigue. After all, the classic case of a fatigued individual is someone who has an active social and academic life, but burns out from being unable to handle it all, and then goes through hospitalization and an intense rehab routine, right? Wrong. Late nights and partying are certainly part of the fatigue equation, but there are plenty of other reasons to be tired in class. Physical fatigue refers to an inability to physically function at a normal level. You may recognize this on days when you’re so tired that moving too much is out of the question, and you’re simply content with sitting somewhere and relaxing or sleeping. Mental fatigue is more familiar to some, being associated with increased sleepiness and decreased attention. If you’ve ever felt like your brain couldn’t take what was going on in class because of an inability to concentrate, as opposed to a lack of interest in the material, perhaps you’re mentally fatigued. Fatigue is usually the result of a student’s lifestyle, and its origins may be simple or very complex. It requires attention. While relaxation, proper time management, and other activities can normally cause fatigue to end, chronic fatigue should be something you discuss with a doctor. So now that we’ve established that students do experience true fatigue, what are some causes of it? Burnout: Students have tons of things to do at university, such as part- or full-time work, attending classes, completing homework as-
TYLER HAYWARD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR
March madness is causing students to take the inevitable crash from over exhaustion, lack of sleep signments, participating in volun- diet of pizza, fries, burgers and pop alleviating fatigue relies on more tary extracurricular activities and will take its toll not only the body, than just organizing your day plansocializing. Doing some of the more but the immune system. Given time, ner – it’s a lifestyle unto itself. school-related things within a short a weakened immune system will Caffeine: Ah, caffeine, the key time frame will court fatigue. With interfere with the body’s energy ingredient in that ambrosial beverbusy schedules, the average student supply because it is not receiving age whose absence renders most doesn’t necessarily factor in all they the nutrients it requires to repair student mornings incomplete. need to do (i.e. eating, grooming, cells, rebuild muscle tissue, pro- While some caffeine is certainly and socializing), so they will natur- mote psychological well-being and part of healthy diet, its abuse should ally overload their day with activ- perform other functions that keep us concern students when it is responities. healthy. sible for fatigue. Plan ahead, and spread your Consider a balanced diet filled Completing homework and school work and other obligations with protein, starches and healthy studying for exams require long throughout the week. Trying to get fats along with adequate exercise hours and dedication, but drinking in all you need to do at once will hurt as essential to staying on track. insane amounts of coffee and taking you. Take breaks during homework Healthy meals packed with whole caffeine pills to stay awake intersessions, and get up and stretch grains, fiber, fruits and vegetables feres with the sleep cycle. Ignoronce an hour at least. Remember to will help students maintain proper ing sleep for weeks or months will reward yourself reasonably for task energy levels. If it seems like a cause fatigue, and compromise your completion, for this will keep you lot of work, start by preparing one health. Preventing fatigue involves focused. healthy meal a day and work your getting at least eight hours of sleep Poor Dietary Habits: A regular way up to the rest of them. After all, each night, and taking brief naps
and too much caffeine. during the day. Rather than staying up long nights close to exam time, how about allotting some study time, say an hour or so daily, during the week and then sleeping at regular hours? Using caffeine as a means to keep yourself awake will lead to longterm repercussions. While balance in life is essential, trying to do too much of anything will cause you to overwork yourself. Ultimately, we’re all human; nobody is indefatigable. Accept that there are limits on achievements in the short-term, and focus how you can achieve things in the long term. With proper planning, a balanced diet and a good night’s sleep, you’ll be surprised at just how much you can do.
C4 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Arts community matters at McMaster Natalie Timperio
Senior InsideOut Editor
The week of Feb. 27 to March 2 marked McMaster’s annual celebration of Arts Matter Week. Organized by the McMaster Humanities Society (MHS) and the faculty of Humanities, the Week provided an opportunity for McMaster students to showcase some of its musical and artistic talents. The week began with a wine and cheese reception, where students and professors alike came together to enjoy music and art. Some of the events that followed included Open Mic Night as Westdale’s My Dog Joe’s and a multimedia exhibit in Lyons Media Centre. The Week was wrapped up with a TwelvEighty pub night. The Week “was an overwhelming success,” said Lisa Bifano, President of the MHS. “We surpassed our expectations and made history as the most successful Arts Matter Week the MHS has ever organized.” While the Week concluded on a formidable note, celebrating McMaster’s art scene need not end with Arts Matter Week. “The arts at McMaster are so diverse. With a variety of musical, theatrical and literary groups, students from all disciplines are able to appreciate and immerse themselves in a pool of knowledge and sensory experience,” Bifano said. The arts provide an experience like none other at Mac. The creative nature of the arts presents students with a unique yet collective experience. “The arts scene helps to foster a sense of community. Plays, concert, exhibits all bring people together in order to appreci-
YOUSIF HADDAD / SILHOUETTE STAFF
The Wednesday night event discussed the global fresh water crisis.
Mac students celebrate first annual water week Cassandra Jeffery
Assistant InsideOut Editor
The startling documentary Blue Gold was screened on the McMaster campus on March 5 as an attempt to spark the interest of our student body on world water crises. The first official event of McMaster’s Water Awareness Week (WAW) was followed by a discussion period by representatives of a number of student-run organizations, including Hamilton Students for Social Justice, Global Citizenship Planning Committee, Paws@Mac and the McMaster Water Initiative. The documentary Blue Gold illustrated the horrible reality of the globe’s corrupt water industries. Water, a basic human necessity, is stripped away from those who need it most, privatized by large corporations and redistributed at crippling prices. Globally, Canada is a privileged country, yet along with privilege and a bountiful supply of fresh water we have become blind to the hardships others must endure just to have safe drinking water. Justine Schultes and her fellow committee members have rallied together in order to bring water awareness to Mac students and initiate a number of green movements, such as wise water use, the banning of plastic bottles on campus and in the public sphere, steps to recycling smart and the reorganization of Hamilton as a Blue Community. McMaster’s WAW offers a series of seminars, lectures and presentations in order to educate students on the global, national and provincial water discrepancies. “It is vitally important that we as the next generation recognize the issues surrounding access to freshwater worldwide and how here in Canada we may be impacted by the strain on the world’s fresh water resources,” says Schultes. Although the water crisis falls into the hands of everyone, it’s the younger and future generations who will have to pay the consequences if this issue is not treated as priority. “We need to recognize water as a human
right,” states Schultes. Aside from a human’s vital need for water, our agricultural and fragile ecosystems also require uncontaminated water in order survive and ultimately sustain our lifestyle. If we can recognize water as a basic human need, then, ideally, it would be impossible to ignore such a fundamental human right. The WAW event on March 6 was the “Blue Community Workshop,” held open to Mac students who wished to participate in an informal discussion on the water systems in the Hamilton area. Various issues were raised, such as the need for greater stringencies to be placed on our recycling system. Students often do not take the time to properly recycle, which includes rinsing and drying any recyclable material thrown into the blue bin. Often, this ignorance leads to contamination of the entire unit of recyclables, meaning that most of it is thrown out as waste. Another issue raised in the WAW event was the need for communication between the Canadian government and our citizens. Schultes and her committee facilitate discussion around the need for transparency in our governmental affairs, especially when dealing with our water supply. “A lot of things are being done to our water systems without our knowledge,” says Schultes. For example, the government has been discussing the draining of Canadian lakes to facilitate corporate use, and the CETA trade bill in the works will allow the European Union to utilize our fresh water supply as they wish. Schultes suggests that we need to implement a national policy and have the same water legislations for all provinces. Water Awareness week will conclude on Saturday, March 10 with a discussion panel at the Global Citizenship Conference. Prior to this date, several events will be held as a way to bring the global and national water crises to the forefront of student politics. If interested, students can check out dates and times via the Facebook page of Water Awareness Week 2012, McMaster University.
ate something common to us all,” explained Bifano. While we all may not possess artistic talents ourselves, be it the lack of oratory ability or the lack of an imaginative mind, “everyone can appreciate the arts, even if they are unskilled in it themselves. They can come to watch, listen and look to try to appreciate others’ talent, even if the medium is completely foreign to that audience member. Enjoyment of the arts is a commonality between individuals ... which expands the boundaries of human knowledge,” Bifano added. McMaster’s arts community allows students a healthy getaway from the trials of higher education while still providing an opportunity for students to learn in a way that, arguably, cannot be done in a formal school setting. “The arts help students to not only appreciate the entertainment value but to challenge oneself to think deeper and determine a greater significance,” Bifano said. The arts are also responsible for fostering a certain culture at Mac. Where diversity of education may at times be lacking in our dayto-day, school- and work-run lives, McMaster offers a niche for a variety of thoughts as well as experiences to take form. Far from having run its course with the conclusion of Arts Matter Week, the arts scene at McMaster is sure to thrive in coming years. “I look forward to continuing these types of initiatives next year. I would love to see even greater participation and collaboration within the faculty of Humanities,” Bifano said.
THE SILHOUETTE • C5
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
FashionWatch
Do you have an embarrassing story? Tribal wear: friend or
foe to the fashion world?
Share your shame with the Silhouette (anonymously, of course). Send your story (max. 500 words) to insideout@thesil.ca
Katherine George Silhouette Staff
Tribal fashion is an emerging trend within the fashion industry, consisting of an exotic mix of elements taken from different cultures around the globe. Cultures providing the inspiration for tribal fashion initially designed their clothing according to their environment, culture, belief and tradition. This particular style of fashion can vary from the standard articles of clothing worn on an everyday basis to the decorative ornaments covering their bodies. Today, the practicality of tribal wear has changed, but the attractive appeal towards this exotic trend has continuously increased within Western society. As a result, tribal fashion has made the tremendous leap from being unique hand-made personal creations to becoming a trendy fashion statement intriguing not only public consumers, but also high-fashion designers. The attention of many fashion designers is focused on women’s tribal wear and the intricate designs which it entails. Popular designs for tribal fashion include geometric shapes, along with bright colours and sometimes even vibrant dyes. These geometric designs are often stimulated from the personalized tattoos used by tribal people in order to differentiate their individuality. Today, they have become the inspiration for design patterns to create mass-produced consumer culture. For example, Tahiti is a region from which the first tattoo of tribal people originated. Samoa tribal people used to wear traditional clothes and costumes to show their belief in good qualities. So these clothes represent the environment, culture, and style of a particular tribal group. In addition, stack-
ing bracelets, big hoops, and feather necklaces are among some of the popular trends within tribal fashion jewellery. One of the most commonly observed forms of tribal wear within the fashion industry, as well as everyday consumerism, is ethnically inspired elements of Native American culture. This is among one of the many controversial forms of tribal fashion within Western culture. It furthers the stereotype that Native peoples are a singular monolithic culture, when in reality there are 500+ uniquely separate tribes within the broad Native American culture. The wearing of feathers and war bonnets in Native communities is not a fashion choice, but rather symbols of honour and respect which are earned. On October 2011, Urban Outfitters introduced several new items which resembled this particular style of tribal fashion. For example, the “Navajo Flask” and the “Navajo Hipster Panty” are among Urban Outfitter’s tribal inspired fashion trends. The dilemma with advertising these products as an object of Native American fashion stems from the fact that the Navajo tribe owns a variety of trademarks under the term “Navajo,” including one covering clothing. As a result, the Navajo Nation pursued legal action against Urban Outfitters for advertising these products. The liability within this situation was not the fact that the items were influenced by a Native American tribe, but more the unauthorized use of a registered trademark. However, it still raises the question surrounding culturally inspired tribal fashion. What are the moral ethics against consumerizing the culture of a minority group within North America for the profit of Western culture?
RENEE VIEIRA / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Tribal trends are new on the market and making a big splash in the industry.
C6 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Stomach condition at its worst You don’t have to suffer from acid reflux; there are ways to fight back only work for short amounts of time, they can relieve mild symptoms by reducing or blocking the amount of stomach acid in the esophaStomach aches, difficulty swallowing, nausea gus. and chest pain are just a few of the symptoms If your symptoms persist or occur on a for what has become a growing problem in regular basis, the Canadian Digestive Health Canada. Foundation suggests you consult a physician, Acid reflux, a disease in which gastric as this may be sign of a chronic condition acid rises from the stomach and damages known as gastroesophageal reflux disease the esophagus, affects as many as 20 million (GERD). Canadians, according to the Canadian Digest- Other symptoms of GERD include vomitive Health Foundation. ing blood, unexplained choking and sudden Persistent symptoms can lead to heart- weight loss. burn, nausea and, in the most extreme cases, Your physician will be able to outline the esophageal cancer, Barrett’s esophagus, best treatment plan for you, which may inulcers and other serious digestive complica- volve taking proton pump inhibitors or over tions. the counter histamine blockers, and possibly Acid reflux, which often manifests itself even having surgery. as heartburn, is usually thought to only affect While occasional heart burn may not middle-aged people. Howseem like something to be ever, recent studies have concerned about, experts shown that as many as one in stress that it is important to Acid reflux, a ten people under the age of be aware of the risks and to disease in which twenty-five have experienced seek professional aid if your gastric acid rises symptoms worsen. acid reflux, and this number is rising. from the stomach “Digestive health is not It can be caused by severto be brave and damages the something al factors, the most common about,” says Robert Boyd, esophagus, affects a 40 year-old Timmins, Onbeing abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphinctario native. He was only as many as 20 ter (LES), which is meant to twenty when he first started million prevent acid in the stomach exhibiting signs of GERD. from leaving. Canadians.” What began as occasion The problem is usually al heartburn evolved into caused by genetics, but can sharp chest pains and regular be exacerbated by eating, sleeping and exer- coughing fits that would wake him up in the cising habits. night. Signs of acid reflux include burning in When he eventually made an appointthe chest or throat, or stomach and chest pain, ment with his doctor, he found that he already trouble swallowing, unexplained coughing had precancerous cells in his esophagus and and sore throat. But, it can often be treated had been putting himself at risk of developing by simple lifestyle changes. These include several serious complications. losing excess weight, eating several smaller His doctor explained that acid reflux can, meals rather than a few large ones, raising the over time, damage the lining of the esophagus head of your bed and not lying down for three and often leads to ulcers, strictures, serious hours after a meal. lung and throat problems, as well as Barrett’s Doctors also recommend removing choc- esophagus and esophageal cancer. olate, coffee, fatty foods and peppermint from Several years later, Boyd has adapted your diet, limiting your alcohol intake and not his lifestyle to accommodate his disease and smoking. urges others to seek professional help if they If those changes do not work, you can have severe symptoms. also purchase antacids and most histamine “There are treatments available to take blockers without a prescription. Though both away the pain and discomfort,” says Boyd. Laura Crump The Silhouette
Virtual tour puts dementia into perspective Brianna Smrke The Silhouette
First, they plugged my ears with cotton batting. Then, they made me wear safety goggles with lenses obscured by packing tape. Popcorn kernels were tossed into my shoes. My fingers were taped together. A heavy weight was strapped on my left wrist and ankle. Finally, a spoonful of some vaguely sweet, unpleasantly chunky paste was thrust into my surprised mouth. They told me it was medication my doctor had prescribed. Tottering, unable to really see, kernels digging into my feet, I was escorted to a room. On my way there, my accompanier ran through a list of ten tasks I had to do while I was in the room. The last one sounded garbled, and just as I was about to ask her to repeat them, I was put in the room and the door was shut. I was hit by a wave of sound. The TV was blaring a musical from the ‘40s, while the radio played soft rock at a level that should never be heard. The lighting was dim – but since I really could only see out of the corner of one of my eyes it didn’t make too much difference. What I could see was disorienting. There were clothes strewn all over tables and plastic animals, postcards and books on beds. Worst of all, there were people watching me. Watching, and recording, but ignoring me. If I asked a question, if I said I was lost, they turned away. Alone, I tried to remember what I had to do. Time seemed to dilate. Then I remembered one of my tasks – to write a note about how I was feeling. It seemed simple enough, until I realized that I couldn’t see, or hold a pencil in my dominant but disabled hand. Taking the marker in my right, I scribbled “I am disoriented and exhausted.” My feet hurt, my left arm was dragging and I had again been fed a slipperytasting medicine – I was simply too defeated to argue. But then, the door opened. “You’re done now, Brianna,” said Marian Cummins from the Hamilton-Halton Alzheimer’s Society. “How did that feel?” I had just experienced the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT). The VDT lets you step into the brain of an aging person who has Alzheimer’s disease or some related form of dementia. All the handicaps I had been subject to – the corn kernels in my shoe, the obscured vision, the plugged ears – mimic the limitations these people face in trying to understand what is happening around them
and to them. The chaotic, unfamiliar room modelled the hyperactivity of some areas of the Alzheimer’s affected brain, which can make even commonplace surroundings seem frighteningly alien. The observers were meant to represent overworked nurses and personal support workers in long-term care facilities, who either cannot understand the sometimes garbled phrases of individuals with dementia or are too busy to listen. The VDT was first developed by Dr. P.K. Beville, but has since been adapted by Alzheimer’s societies around the world, including Hamilton-Halton. The event I attended on Feb. 14 was intended for Mo-Mac Nursing students. After running through the tour myself, I became an observer, monitoring other students as they struggled to do things we would not even think twice about – folding laundry, pouring a glass of water, even turning on a lamp. I had to ignore their calls for help and record which of the behaviours commonly associated with dementia – like wandering, or losing one’s train of thought – they showed. It was draining, but also fascinating. I could see the nurses slowly realizing, just like I did, that the world dementia patients experience, the world they live in, is much different than ours. It is a strange and tiring world, a world in which they are not, for whatever reason, treated with respect. It’s a world in which too much is asked too quickly. It’s also my grandfather’s world. Going through the VDT, I couldn’t help but think of how little I had really understood of what his life – what his daily experiences – must be like. I cringed when I thought of myself getting frustrated with him repeating similar stories, or losing his train of thought. If anything, going through the VDT made it easier to understand why people with dementia behave like they sometimes do. They’re just people who’ve been pushed into a room with blaring soft rock and asked to write a note with a hand that won’t work and eyes that won’t focus. They’re just people who deserve respect and a genuine effort to engage with them on a level they can still reach – not to be called ‘Dearie’ and fed medication, then ignored. “It’s powerful, isn’t it?” asked Cummins as I was shaking the corn kernels out of my shoes. I weakly nodded, still recovering from the brief time I had spent in the brain of a person with dementia, with the knowledge that what I learned had changed my thinking forever.
TYLER HAYWARD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR
Acid reflux is more than just a bad case of heartburn; it can cause serious pain.
THE SILHOUETTE • C7
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
McMaster Global Citizenship Conference Mar. 10, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Hamilton Hall 302 Registration deadline Mar. 10, 9:30 a.m. This year’s theme is “Activism is not Dead.” Free for students, $10 for community members. Faculty meals are provided. Register at mcmastergcc.com/register.
Feminism that isn’t screechy Mar. 8, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Council Chambers (Gilmore Hall Rm. 111) Dr. Alice Te Punga Somerville and Dr. Dawn Martin-Hill discuss gender amongst Indigenous peoples Open Circle and CVA’s Annual Volunteer-a-thon! Mar. 10, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Meet at Mac, then disperse; registration fee $5
Fitness
Dance like no one’s watching Chair dancing takes on new meaning as a fitness activity
Students who participated in this class were also encouraged to bring a scarf to use as a prop, and were taught how to hold it and Chair dancing is just for strippers? move it around to make the routine look even Not anymore. Recently, much hype has better. been placed around dance lessons for women While this style of dance is about emusing props, such as poles, chairs or scarves. powerment, it is also an excellent workout. Women are reclaiming these styles of I was shocked the day after I took my dance, which have been most commonly seen first class how sore my legs, butt and even only in gentleman’s clubs. my abs were from of the movements, which These days, women in take careful balance from these university spend so much areas. time on their studies in an Just like any other style of The most emphasis attempt to become educated dance where you are asked to is placed on feeling and powerful members of learn and repeat a set routine, comfortable in your the white collar workforce these classes are tiring, but in that we often forget that we own skin, and being the best way. are also sexual creatures. able to put yourself out I left the classes always Women’s sexuality there and dance like feeling like I had gotten a often gets shoved to the side great cardio workout, and was behind their professional nobody’s watching in a always slightly exhausted in room where all of the the end. careers. Chair dancing lessons other women are doing Though these classes aren’t give women a chance to on the Pulse’s regular rotation the same.” reclaim their sexuality and for fitness classes, it is posown it in a safe space. sible to find them elsewhere off These classes are about much more than campus. just learning some new moves to impress Chair or pole dancing classes aren’t ofyour partner. fered by all fitness centres, but are more They are meant to encourage the partici- common in dance studios and fitness centres pants to explore their bodies through sensual that cater specifically to women, though those movements that may seem inappropriate in may get a little expensive, as any off-campus other settings. dance class. Students of these classes are taught how I would highly recommend this class to to dance sensually around the chair, using it women of all body types as a way to boost as a balancing tool, and to sometimes even your self-confidence. “pretend it’s your partner,” as the instructor Though some of the moves may seem of the special two-day Valentine’s Day chair silly or awkward at first, once you look around dancing classes at McMaster last month said. the room and see everyone else attempting to The most emphasis is placed on feeling do the same thing, you will feel the need to go comfortable in your own skin, and being able for it. Don’t be afraid to try your hardest, even to put yourself out there and dance like no- if you don’t think you look sexy doing it. body’s watching in a room where all of the The effort put in is what makes the rouother women are doing the same. tines look incredible. Dina Fanara
Assistant News Editor
C8 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011
THE SILHOUETTE • C9
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
BUSINESS
production office extension: 27117 business@thesil.ca
Full steam ahead for CNTAE
News around Competition heats up as phase three approaches the world Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. Rising from the ashes of the bankruptcy proceedings that began in late 2008, Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. has announced that it will begin to pay back creditors on April 17. This will end the record US$639-billion bankruptcy, allowing the firm to commence the distribution of approximately $65 billion to creditors. Gone are the glory days of the company, now a mere fraction of the size it once was. However, now that the company is out of bankruptcy, it will continue to liquidate the remaining expected $30 billion worth of assets under a new board of directors. The first group of payments to creditors will be roughly $10 billion, with the second installment set to be paid in September. Additional distributions will be made in installments following the first two payments as the firm sells off its remaining holdings. Research In Motion It can only go uphill from here, right? The market share of RIM in the United States plummeted in January, falling to 15.2 percent of the smartphone market. The BlackBerry maker has been steadily losing hold of the market share, slipping from 17.2 per cent in October to 16 per cent in December, from a previous holding of more than 42 per cent of the market in February of 2010. Despite bleak market share figures, Research In Motion’s overall share of the mobile handset market in the United States remained unchanged at 6.6 per cent, while Apple’s share of the market increased to 12.8 per cent. PHOTO C/O CAROLYN SHULZ
Top ten finalists Kailee Jaimeson and Ryan Moran are representing McMaster in phase three of the competition. Sonya Khanna Business Editor
Given the competitive nature of the job market, industry exposure offered by Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec boasts real-world gains by providing students with an innovative learning experience. CNTAE unfolds a field of job opportunities for students to expand on, allowing students to get their foot in the door through ample networking opportunities. With phase one and two of the competition out of the way, competitors are meticulously prepping for the next aspect of the competition. CNTAE has teamed up with Chevrolet to put eager students to the test with the aim to develop an integrated marketing communications strategy for the launch of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark. “I think being in my last year at DeGroote is definitely something that is one of the bigger milestones of my degree,” says finalist Natalie Marshall. “It’s really exciting that this competition brings together all that I’ve learned and developed in my four years studying at McMaster.” Following the completion of phase two, a group of top ten final-
ists were selected to participate in the final round of the competition. With preparation for the third phase in full swing, competitors are gearing up to prepare oral presentations, drawing on previous experiences. The finalists will broaden presentation skills before a panel of judges. Finalists have a unique opportunity put everything on the table and visually convey previously developed ideas, condensing information into a fun and appealing 25minute presentation. “I’m very excited to be in the top ten,” says another McMaster finalist, Ryan Moran. “We are going to put every bit of effort into the competition, being able to present and put everything to use. My advice to future competitors is to focus on the big idea. It is important to have the justification and grounding for what you propose, but go crazy with it as well.” Ideas will be presented at the end of the month in Toronto with one team being selected, claiming the title as Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec and all the glitz and glamour that encompass it. Prizes include one of two Chevrolet Sparks for the winning team, along with scholarship and intern-
ship opportunities from Chevrolet. “It is enjoyable but it is a lot of work, so when you go from top twenty to top ten, there is of course a lot more riding on it,” says Marshall. “We are representing DeGroote and McMaster, so we have to make something that drives home our idea.” McMaster University has maintained a strong presence in the competition, with five teams from Mac, demonstrating the strength of DeGroote School of Business and the innovative nature of Mac students. “We initially heard about the competition in the fall and the majority of the work and idea generation, which we felt was the tough part, went together during the winter break,” says Marshall. “I think as a team it is important to sit down and get as many ideas on the table as possible; most of the work involves sharing and critiquing ideas. As we have been told by people who have competed before, it’s really important that your ideas are strong right off the bat and then everything just follows.” Marshall acknowledges the beneficial nature of having support from former competitors. Motivation from past contestants offers a sense of camaraderie. It provides
contestants with a role model to look up to and relate to, offering support to expand on ideas and gain insider knowledge on the nature of the competition. “My advice to future competitors is to have a good well rounded submission,” says Marshall. “It’s important to be creative. In business school you learn so many theories and the functional way of going about doing something, so it’s good to find a balance of both looking for theories and ways to back up ideas, along with creativity.” Top ten finalist Kailee Jaimeson stresses the importance of speaking with industry professionals to give an extra boost during the competition. “Speaking to people will spark idea generation. Utilize your network to speak to people out in the industry and this will broaden your knowledge,” says Jaimeson. As students roll up their sleeves in preparation for phase three of this high-profile competition, McMaster University can stand proud witnessing the vast numbers of innovative submissions maintaining a strong presence in this competition and demonstrating the strength of the marketing in DeGroote School of Business.
Lululemon Athletica Inc. Credit Suisse has upgraded the Canadian athletic attire company Lululemon Athletica Inc. from ‘neutral’ to ‘outperform’. Reasons for the upgrade were due to the recent increase in earnings per share, the ability to achieve a 30 per cent operating margin and demonstrated sustained growth in sales. Shares of the company rose from $58 to $78, with stocks recently increasing approximately 2.7 per cent to $67.83. Air Canada The potential threat for a strike of Air Canada employees over the March break is lingering as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers served a strike notice Tuesday evening. If the sides can’t come to an agreement, workers will be prepared to walk off the job as early as Monday morning, at the peak of the March Break rush, possibly disrupting travel plans for many vacationers. An initial agreement proposed two weeks ago, endorsed by the union’s leadership, was rejected. Workers are in negotiations for improvement of workers benefits and wage hikes; however, the primary concern of workers stems from the lack of respect evident in the workplace, as well as the salary considerations received by Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
Greece goes on a goose chase lihood of securing the €130 billion bailout package. In order for the deal to succeed, 90 per cent of inGreece reached a milestone on vestors must hop on board in supMarch 7 as it saw increased par- port. ticipation from investors in its debt As of Wednesday, 30 banks had relief deal, inching the country announced their participation in the closer to its ultimate goal of avoid- bond swap, representing roughly ing default. This came as the coun- 39.9 per cent of the €206 billion in try neared its deadline of late on European debt. March 8 for acceptances. Greece has been at the mercy Given the current bleak eco- of international support to conquer nomic situation in Greece, private its outstanding debt, given the lininvestors, which own 46 per cent of gering debt crisis. Greece’s privately held debt, have The proposed deal would reagreed to the proposed bond swap, quire private creditors to swap with the aim of increasing the like- their Greek bonds for new ones. Sonya Khanna Business Editor
Given the swap, the face value of the bonds would slide by 53.3 per cent and would include interest rate hikes as well as higher repayment deadlines. All in all, creditors will lose out on 75 per cent of bond holdings. However, despite the inevitable losses that will arise from the bond swap, Greece threatened not to pay banks and insurers in the event that the deal does not go through, and if they are not able to secure a €130 billion bailout package from the euro zone. The deal would allow Greece to wash its hands clean of €107 billion
from the €350 billion in existing debt. Currently, €177 billion of debt is covered by Greek law. A deal that would allow the remaining portion of Greek bonds to be purchased under international law takes 75 per cent support form investors. Athens does not have the power to enforce losses on the 10 per cent of its debt that is covered by English and international law, as it is not written under Greek law. Economic uncertainty for the country has spawned a series of protests by Greeks. Wednesday kicked off a 24hour rolling strike by prison guards
amidst recent income cuts as well as concerns surrounding overcrowded detention facilities. In the event that the bond swap does not go through, there will be a heightened likelihood of Greek default, which will amount to greater losses on bonds. A wave of strict austerity measures and a seemingly perpetual reliance on international loans has encompassed Greece in the past few years. With the recession in Greece dawning on its fifth year, unemployment has surged to a record high of 21 per cent.
C10 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Canadians satisfy their itch to travel Recent survey suggests an increase in nation-wide travel plans for the year
JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Did you know? The first product that Sony Corporation came up with was the rice cooker.
Now you know... Want to write for the Sil Business section? Come out to our weekly Wednesday meetings at 1:30 in MUSC B110. Email us at business@thesil.ca for more information.
Sonya Khanna Business Editor
Despite global economic issues, Canadians are feeling confident with their finances and are showing it through a recent surge in international travel. According to a recent study by the Bank of Montreal, increasing numbers of Canadians plan to travel abroad in 2012. And although Reading Week has passed and students have returned back to the reality of undergraduate life, along with its caffeine filled all-nighters, March remains the busiest months to travel in Canada. The BMO study hints at growing consumer confidence for Canadians, with international travel increasing by 11.24 per cent during the third quarter of 2011 to $7.3 billion. Traveling south of the border to the United States accounted for a total of $4 billion out of the pockets of Canadians, up 18 per cent from the 2010 results. “Over the last two years, the strong Canadian dollar and relatively favourable income growth have made vacation travel outside of Canada much more attractive,” said Sal Guatieri, Senior Economist with BMO Capital Markets. “We expect these conditions to similarly influence Canadians’ travel plans in 2012.” Although the survey indicates a surge in travel abroad, domestic travel is anticipated to experience growth at a less rapid pace of 1.8 per cent in 2012. Of that, BMO predicts that overnight stays at hotels, inns and bed and breakfast facilities nation-wide will reach $9.6 million. This optimistic forecast suggests that Canadians are feeling confident with their finances and are willing to fork out an extra penny or two on travels. According to the study, Canadian tourism spending is expected to increase by 3.6 per cent, to roughly $40 billion this year. Among the top tourist destinations for Canadians are Mexico, the United States and France. Within Canada, the top three domestic travel destinations are Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. Prince Edward Island contributed the smallest portion of domestic travel. Gains in tourism abroad have contributed to an international travel deficit of $15.9 billion in 2011, up from a previous figure of $14.3 billion in 2010. Many Canadians sought to conduct travels for pleasure rather than business; traveling for pleasure as well as to visit family and friends were among the greatest reasons for travel to the United States and elsewhere abroad for Canadians.Credit cards remain a widely popular method of payment for traveling expenses; however, it is best not to lay all your eggs in one basket. Picture this uncomfortable scenario: you’re on the vacation of your dreams, basking in the warmth of tropical paradise. You’re enticed to take on a few activities. Realizing you misinterpreted the true meaning of all-inclusive resorts, you scrounge for cash you can sweep up. Diversify your spending methods to cover your tracks and ease your mind in the event that you are left in a financial struggle on vacation. Have local currency on hand, as well as both your debit card and credit card. With domestic travel in Canada forecasted to stay down through 2012, domestic travel industries must seek to maintain a strong hold amid sliding demand by means of establishing innovative opportunities and solidifying operating costs.
C11 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012
Pondering post-grad possibilities of our tuition expense is subsidized by the government. For the government, supporting post-secondary education leads to eventual There are many well-understood benefits of income for them in taxes, and more specificpursuing post-secondary education, known ally higher taxes with more individuals workespecially to those who are currently enrolled ing in a higher income bracket. in it. Graduates are more skilled in research As students who have made the decision and development and can generate a greater to come to McMaster University, we know flow of ideas through increased innovation, that statistics indicate that university gradu- while also creating a body of expertise that is ates earn more, find more secure employment valuable to the and are higher valued as ‘human capital’ in the workforce. Post-secondary education can enhance your quality of life as many additional job prospects become available to you. Even with the high cost of post-secondary education, the “return” or financial benefit that is achieved at the end is worth the investment. What is interesting to analyze is, what are the benefits on post-secondary education on the economy as a whole? Do the advantages of pursuing post-secondary education extend beyond our individual benefit? From a business perspective, higher educated workers are more productive. Productivity is a clear gauge of the success of the ‘human capital’ within a company and more productivity means more profit. For that reason, companies are keen to employ higher-educated workers as they are known to be more productive workers. Higher educated workers also provide the companies and the economy with fresh new thoughts that can stimulate growth and change within a company. These new minds are often responsible for creativity within the company and providing an opportunity to change and evolve into a more modern context. From the perspective of the government, the investment they make into education elicits a very high return. Even though it doesn’t feel like it, a large part Shama Kassam The Silhouette
government as well as to the economy as a whole. This aims to strengthen our country. Post-secondary education also makes for a smaller pool of unemployed individuals. With the majority of the society working, the society is less vulnerable to economic downturns or poverty problems. Lastly, with more individuals working in a higher income bracket, the society has access to a wide range of high-quality products and has a significantly higher standard of living. Knowledge is a primary asset in the global economy and especially with technol-
ogy advancements at a peak, technical ability in the workforce attracts investors and generates even more profit. The completion of post-secondary education gives our economy a large competitive advantage.From the perspective of a student, it is important to keep these benefits in mind and to build an understanding of how you as an individual can contribute to our economy. Each one of us has our own role within the economy and if each student strives to be the best in their field, our economy will build strength and all of the hard-work put in these four years of university will pay off in plenty The completion of post-secondary education is likely to help you lead a longer, healthier and happier life.
JOY SANTIAGO/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
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C12 • THE SILHOUETTE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011
MARKET ST. ARENA TUESDAY, APRIL 3RD 6PM TO 8PM
BUSES FROM IWC STARTING AT 4:45PM BBQ STARTS AT 5PM AFTER PARTY AT TWELVEIGHTY AT 9PM TICKETS ALLOW LINE BYPASS $5 TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM GRADUATE STUDENTS OR KIN SOCIETY OFFICE
Every Canadian citizen had the right to vote through the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 1:3 Canadian women and 1:6 Canadian men will experience sexual assault in their lifetime.
45% percent of female college and university students say they’ve been sexually assaulted since leaving high school.
The victim and the accused are known to each other in 82% of cases – as friends, acquaintances or family
But… I am not alone! SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre, Hamilton& Area) is there with 24-hour confidential support, information or accompaniment @
905-525-4162
www.sacha.ca
Voting is frequently inaccessible to those with physical and sensory disabilities.
DOES PUBLIC ATTITUDE LIMIT FREEDOM OF CITIZENSHIP? Student Accessibility Services 905-525-9140 ext 28652 | TTY 905-528-4307 sas@mcmaster.ca | sas.mcmaster.ca McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) B107
child stars gone bad â&#x20AC;˘ the human orchestra we need to talk about kevin â&#x20AC;˘ student poetry
andex
thursday, march 8, 2012
Senior Editor: Jemma Wolfe Entertainment Editor: Myles Herod Music Editor: Josh Parsons
Contributors: Paul Fowler, Aaron Joo, Ajit Rai, Sumeet Khanna, Bronwyn Barlow Cash, Safoora Fatima, Nolan Matthews, Cooper Long
Cover: Tyler Hayward
coming up
mar 10
Latin Vintage Jazz Orchestra Homegrown Hamilton 9:00 p.m.
mar.11
Andrew Sisk This Ain’t Hollywood 9:00 p.m.
mar.12
Hey Ocean! The Casbah 8:00 p.m. Oral Groove The Casbah 8:00 p.m.
The Sunshine Boys Player’s Guild of Hamilton 8:00 p.m. 80 Queen St S. Hamilton, ON. (905) 529-0284 Wingfield Lost and Found Theatre Aquarius 8:00 p.m. 190 King William St. Hamilton, ON. (905) 522-7529
film
John Carter Friends with Kids A Thousand Words
now
mar.9
Blacken’d Red The Casbah 9:00 p.m.
may 4-19
mar.9
Great Canadian Fiddle Show Hamilton Place Studio 7:30 p.m.
theatre
mar 7-25
mar.8
The Hook Up This Ain’t Hollywood 9:00 p.m.
mar.16
music
andy’s ticks
opening
in the hammer
ticks forever, car accidents, space parties, coke parties, goodbye ford escort, home alone, mcmeth culkin, rip this joint, paris 1919, macaulay cokin’, lost in cambridge, intersections, black badger, friday the 13th part III, bradfrod cox noise show, down with folk, up with punk, my sharona, djarum black, tyler haywardz
“
I’m doing naughty things, I’m drinking too much, I’m going to clubs. It really didn’t matter to me, other than the fact that some parents wouldn’t let their kids hang out with me.”
this week in music history...
March 11, 1968: The Otis Redding single “Dock Of The Bay” went gold in the U.S. three months after the singer was killed in a sudden plane crash.
•
Macaulay Culkin
midterms? lol... ...write for andy meetings are held on tuesdays at 2:30pm in musc b110 e-mail your submissions to andy@thesil.ca
thursday, march 8, 2012
editorial
copyright wars
the silhouette’s art & culture magazine • D3
SOPA has been stopped, but the battle isn’t over Just over a month ago, the infamous SOPA legislation was halted by the largest online protest that the Internet has ever seen. It was certainly a time for celebration, but it is important to remember that the fight for online freedom is not over. All this SOPA talk has resurfaced the decade-old debate on the ethics of online music downloading. Another round of seemingly SOPA-hired goons are taking it to the streets and arrogantly demanding increased copyright protection for their music. In all fairness, the gist of their argument is a fair and common criticism. It suggests that a musician’s final product is the result of an intensive process, and therefore the musician deserves to be payed for their work. Although sound, the argument succumbs to one fatal fallacy: it reduces music to the product, on par with furniture, Ferraris and Kanye West sunglasses. Music is a form of art, but more so
than many other forms of art, music is about the shared experience. We make music because we love music; there should be no other motivation involved. The music industry is becoming increasingly decentralized and the means of distribution is now in the listeners’ hands. This is an incredibly empowering time for musicians and listeners alike; we now have a bigger say in what gets played and passed around. We need to stop looking to the stars and demanding grandeur, fame and money. There is no money left in the industry for anyone thinking of waltzing along the unbeaten path. Instead, look at the local scene in front of you and meet the people there. Sure, you won’t make a pile of money, but you’ll be rich in other ways. Very few musicians profit from the music that they spend countless hours writing, recording and releasing. This shouldn’t discourage anyone; it has only been the indus-
try standard for the past 50 years. If money needs to be made, it can be made through performance and, regrettably, merchandising. Compare that to deep history and try to imagine the first musicians. Think of the first human for whom the rhythm of a stick against a rock became infectious. Another joins, and within moments the whole tribe is thrown into a percussive trance. It is likely that this sort of event is responsible for birthing not only human music, but language and ritual as well. Now ask yourself: what inspired these first musicians to play? It was the rhythm of their pulse, the rhythm inside that sustained them. To demand money for this rhythm is to put a price on the human soul. Downloading is a means of active protest, an attempt to stake out a space for freedom of expression in a society obsessed with commoditisation.
the big tickle
© Josh Parsons, Music Editor
who is your favourite child star?
compiled by jemma wolfe & tyler hayward
“dakota fanning”
“nolan gould” chris erl
shaina nensi
“jake lloyd” duncan boothby
“olsen twins” martin ciglenecki
“macaulay culkin” sierra smith
culture
Home Alone with a Pile pof cokep
the silhouette’s art & culture magazine • D4
when child stars burn out
From Shirley Temple to Dakota Fanning, child stars are phenomena that have long fascinated both film lovers and the general public. There’s something about seeing a show-stealing kid on screen that both amazes us for their juvenile professionalism and tugs at our heartstrings. Our generation has grown up with a larger group of child stars than ever before: franchises such as the Mickey Mouse Club and the Olsen twins Mary-Kate and Ashley are evidence of the huge commercial strength and cultural following that young performers can generate. What happens, though, when child stars grow up? Navigating the adult world is often not as easy for child stars who were denied “normal” childhoods and were thrust into the spotlight long before they could even spell the word. Young celebrities’ descent into depression and addiction is, sadly, an all-too-common story. A recent article from the UK’s Daily Mail revealed the plight of former Star Wars child star Jake Lloyd, who claims that his role as Anakin Skywalker ruined his life. “Other children were really mean to me … They would make the sound of the light saber every time they saw me,” the article quoted him as saying. While I’m inclined to laugh at his complaints, there’s truth to the fact that returning to normality after shooting to stardom is no easy feat. For those like Lloyd who were compelled to retire from acting at an early age, their roles continue to haunt them long after principal photography has wrapped. Macaulay Culkin is an infamous example of a child star gone wrong. Culkin, who rocketed to fame with the Home Alone
series, was in fewer and fewer successful films as he aged and has received more publicity recently for his drug addictions than for his professional work. Despite his long relationship with successful actress Mila Kunis, her professional ambition evidently didn’t rub off on Culkin; popular speculation pins him as a meth head. Growing Pains child star Kirk Cameron has recently been slammed for his homophobic tirade on Piers Morgan Tonight. The classic ‘80s sitcom actor said, “I think that it's ... unnatural. I think that it's detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.” Cameron is yet another former child star who has come under fire for bizarre behavior rather than professional achievements. As a kid, one of my all-time favourite movies was the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap. Its 12-year-old star – a fresh-faced Lindsay Lohan – commanded my attention in her roles as both Hallie and Annie and made me forever revere red hair, twins and the magic of summer camp. The Lohan of 2012, however, is a far cry from the innocent pre-teen she once played. Drugs, D.U.I.’s, drastic body modifications, jail time and rehab have plagued this previously pristine child star and put a permanent dent in her career and reputation. Maybe it’s the lack of regular childhoods, too much money and too little guidance, or the pressures of living up to the success of their juvenile selves, that mess up former child stars. Whatever the reason, it’s disillusioning to watch performers I once looked up to disintegrate so drastically. • Jemma Wolfe, Senior ANDY Editor
thursday, march 1, 2012
thursday, march 8, 2012
music
the silhouette’s art & culture magazine • D5
JOY SANTIAGO / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Last week, fresh off the release of their debut EP Noah, The Human Orchestra headlined a lineup of up-and-coming bands at The Casbah. The Human Orchestra’s mixture of folk-rock, jazzy horns and sugary sweet vocal harmonies creates a sound that is pleasantly hard to pin down. On Noah, distorted guitars, delicately plucked banjos, trumpet and sax all make an appearance, often during the same song. The tunes on Noah manage to shine through the thin production, revealing a young band with sharp songwriting instincts and lots of potential. Opening for The Human Orchestra’s live premiere were Buddy Glass, The Human Race and Beams. The night started off on lousy note as a drunken Buddy Glass struggled to keep it together. Unfortunately, The Human Race offered only a moderate improvement. A
one-man band often billed as “prog-folk”, The Human Race abused the increasingly popular technique of looping. He often chose to loop irritating vocal howls, extending his sour sound over several minutes and transforming an otherwise dull performance into a largely unpleasant one. Luckily, it didn’t take long for Beams to turn things around. A Torontobased country/folk band, led by banjo, mandolin and smooth vocal harmonies, Beams appeared to be at home on the stage. Instantly memorable melodies and danceable songs provided the energy needed to 4grasp the fading interest of the crowd. Lead singer Anna Mérnieks’ sunny vocal delivery gave the songs a somewhat playful feel, perfect for a bar show. To the delight of many audience members, Beams also featured a saw player. Although the saw felt slightly gimmicky, especially with its contri-
butions largely buried underneath layers of other instrumentation, it did help emphasize the fun appeal in Beams’ music. After Beams, The Human Orchestra took the stage, delivering a performance that was easily the highlight of the night. The band opened with a gorgeous a cappella rendition of the gospel song “Down in the River to Pray” before transitioning into one of the strongest tracks off Noah, “Changes Are Coming”. In addition to a standard rock lineup, The Human Orchestra also incorporated saxophone, trumpet and three female vocalists into their performance, and with upwards of seven band members harmonizing, the vocals sounded amazingly lush. The stunning vocal harmonies that opened the show continued to be a highlight throughout the entire set. The band tore through the heaviest
track in their catalog, “Louisa”, while bursts of distorted guitar and blaring horns punctuated a performance of the otherwise subdued folk song “In the Middle”. The highlight of the set was a hyper-charged rendition of “Newton’s War”, a song with a soaring chorus that wouldn’t sound out of place in an enormous stadium. For a debut performance, The Human Orchestra were very impressive. The band was tight and well rehearsed, and their expansive sound was even more enjoyable live than on record. The Human Orchestra’s music can be found online at downloadnoah.com. The band will be playing live at The White House in Hamilton on March 25. • Paul Fowler
student poetry
D6 • the silhouette’s art & culture magazine
Gobbledygook1
My world
I is for Imbued
As the sun sets, the sky darkens the cold air blows, my day has begun
To an old neoteric poet
Flood, oh flood I drowned in your breath – can you believe that is real. Like. Thanks, for the keyboard. She was the one who knew all about truth; truth comes in oh one, she said buyin’ airy things just catching your breath, keeping up with the tides. Since we’ve been buried awhile anyways.
The moon is my sun Its glow my light The quietness it brings My home
You speak in that symbolic language of imagery, in the talk of infants and trees, hush tones and lulling sleep and the sweep of ancient phonemes bristling past your teeth, like water over lips or the soothing sip of whiskey that warms your breath.
1
Fresh and energized On your mark, get set Go
The very same that you hear in the guttural groans of wiry men lunging in the park, wearing leotards so bright you could see them in the dark of dusk, in the glaucous light of the frosted grass, where you sit aside, and watch and write,
thursday, march 8, 2012
• Bronwyn Barlow Cash
A few hours to get settled Another couple to plan And the rest for work
and observe as a collared mutt urinates in the corner, its breath condensing in the cold and mixing with the steaming snow, now canary-yellow, reminding you of the Islands, not for the birds but the canine strays that roam its streets, those wild dogs that roam your soul and carve fond memories in your heart. The shadow of your success dedicated to their cuneiform shapes, manipulated, twisted, against the grain of everything pietistic, flowing, seeping, down onto the brittle page. • Aaron Joo
All around me Tired and asleep And slowly, it begins The yearning to rest To be with others in their cycle It seems right, it feels normal But The sun rises and my day has come to an end All second thoughts forgotten As I lay down to rest • Safoora Fatima
There are times
long, last walk In my memory, I am everywhere in the moment: the oblivious bird, relentless in its song, the stretch of pavement your distracted soles scuff, the bend in the air as my tongue betrays the status quo. I remember the sky, clearing to a somber grey after morning’s rush of rain. Here you still get drenched – my excuses splash your face. I am the section of hair my hands nervously twirled with each inflection,
There are times when I crystallize. Times when I draw tangents Within a smooth ripening. Times when I glue my fingers together so they never
Passing cars observe the awkward pose of me, saying little for all my words, you, saying everything with your silence.
Lone Walker
Forget what it means to touch. Yes. There are many Of these times – when I fold my arms tightly to prevent The escape of Shadows occupying the slice of skin beneath my knee. And I fall through these trenches As they collapse and spill a trust of gold. And sometimes I convulse when I fall, if only Because I realize the world, teeming with brilliance, Is only that way when Shadows are let loose. And I wonder If we shall ever awake from this dream we share, forever at question: How space will contract our fates or expand them in one grisly swoop. Always, There are many of these Times – when I see and shudder, And grow to see again, with you at my reverse.
Lunar light lingers On the white bare terrain Silence spreads across The hour of the wolf Broken, only by Zeus’ anger Starting as a distant cry Riding near No shelter for a lonely man Bare, beaten, body and soul Heavens pour out But unable to clear my sins Regret and mistake Now the norm Lost all that is dear Left to travel alone The lone walker
I remember the final embrace. Skin recalls experience; I twist away as you transition, automatically, towards a kiss. Embarrassed eyes linger where lips once did. You sigh and retreat. I am left alone with the bird, and the pavement, and my merciless mouth. In my memory, I am the wind that walks you home, and dries your cheeks, and whispers through the echoes of our fumbled goodbye. • Ajit Rai
• Sumeet Khanna
• Jemma Wolfe, Senior ANDY Editor
thursday, march 8, 2012
album reviews
’s
y and
Grimes Visions
‘80s s k
HH
pic
Visions, the latest offering from Montreal-based musician Claire Boucher, is a tour through the various styles of electropop that began sprouting like weeds in the ‘80s. On Visions, Boucher layers reverb-drenched vocals, often delivered in a hideously chirplike falsetto, over simplistic dance grooves. Although the breezy melodies are instantly infectious, the bouncing synths and recycled drum machine beats are often laughably cheesy. At times it sounds like Boucher went to her local music shop, picked up a discounted
vintage 1980s synthesizer and sampled the prerecorded beats. There are moments where Boucher’s obvious talent for pop songwriting shines through the muddy beats – “Be a Body” and “Genesis” are both almost irritatingly infectious. Ultimately though, despite all the hype, Visions isn’t anything that hasn’t been tried countless times before. It sounds derivative and completely unoriginal, just like the worst music of the ‘80s. • Paul Fowler
HHHHH
HHHH
1. “The Big Takeover” Bad Brains 1982 2. “Don’t Stop Believing” Journey 1981 3. “Walkin’ With Jesus” Spaceman 3 1987 4. “You Make My Dreams” Hall & Oates 1980
The Men Open Your Heart
John Talabot ƒin
the silhouette’s art & culture magazine • D7
5. “The Message” On Open Your Heart, it sounds like playing music is the most important thing in the world to The Men. This album is a wall of passion, made up of classic rock, post-punk and ‘90s indie rock, all played with the intensity of hardcore. By sorting through the mess of their last album, Leave Home, The Men have found their sound, and they seem damn excited about it. Although Open Your Heart is full of shit-hot rock songs, it avoids becoming exhausting. Less pummeling instrumental sections
providing a needed change of pace, as does the stunning “Candy”, which sounds like a forgotten classic by The Replacements, and “Please Don’t Go Away”, which sounds like really great ‘90s shoegaze. To me, the most exciting thing about The Men is that they are, for those of us born after punk broke, a band that believes in the simple, old-fashioned power of the guitar that we can call our own.
The debut release from Spanish electronic producer John Talabot evokes a Balearic beach party, but with a hurricane gathering somewhere offshore. fin is an uncommonly ominous-sounding dance record. Even the poppiest moment, “Destiny”, is darker and less euphoric than standard club fare. Indeed, Talabot’s sound is consistently unique and unpredictable. Rather than simply fetishizing disco like many of his peers, Talabot melds synth-pop, house, R&B and tribal music. Mercifully, dub-step is one influence that Talabot forgoes. Instead of relying on spasmodic wobble-bass, Talabot builds his songs methodically, with densely
layered drum machines, basslines, keyboards and manipulated vocals falling in and out of the mix with precision timing. While many producers are content to repeat one melody ad-nauseam, Talabot creates evermorphing songs that twist so skillfully as to escape the listener’s notice. Some bizarre samples, whether it’s chirping wildlife on “Depak Ine” or slasher-movie screams on “Oro y Sangre”, also pop-up and further fin’s idiosyncratic vibe. It is fitting that the record’s title should feature a mathematical symbol; for fin is a highly intelligent dancefloor filler.
• Nolan Matthews
• Cooper Long
Grandmaster Flash
1982
6. “Der Kommissar” After the Fire 1982 7. “Burning Down the House” Talking Heads 1983 8. “Turn on the News” Husker Du 1984
9. “Like a Virgin” Madonna 1984 10. “Hey Nineteen” Steely Dan 1980 11. “Total Trash” Sonic Youth 1988
D8 • the silhouette’s art & culture magazine
We Need To Talk About Kevin Starring: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly Directed by: Lynne Ramsay
HHHHH We Need to Talk About Kevin never declares itself safe. Lynne Ramsay’s disturbing film, based on the novel by Lionel Shriver, is a ferocious adaptation that scratches and spits, breaking through its own words with sound and fury. Its soul, and suburban hell, is the ever-widening schism of a mother and son at war, where the camera forces us so close we retaliate with a scream or an instinct to duck. It’s challenging, but not without its brilliance. The movie opens with an overhead shot of bodies and bedlam in a sea of red. Beginning in a wash of provocative crimson, the celebratory bath of tomato juice recounts the films lead, Eva (fearlessly played by Tilda Swin-
ton), as we gaze onto her surreal memory of Spain’s La Tomatina festival. From there, the picture embraces an unconventional streak, fashioning episodic situations where humour is black, terror is real and life’s realities are a succession of small deaths. There’s no question that the film is expertly crafted and haunting. Just don’t call it wholly digestible. Ramsay’s choice of altering the film’s chronological order may throw some for a loop, but in lieu of a straightforward narrative, the film affords greater contrast and power. Years having past, we encounter a depleted Eva rebuilding her life in the wake of a heinous tragedy involving her son. Once an esteemed travel writer, she postponed life to marry the affably goofy Franklin (John C. Reilly), and to give birth to their first child, Kevin (equally creepy Jasper Newell and Ezra Miller). Through Eva, we confront shards of Kevin’s upbringing, every moment infected
film
with uneasiness. The merciless child grows into a darkly vacant teenager who effortlessly manipulates the love of his father and sister (Ashley Gerasimovich). Eva never buys it. Ramsay’s interpretation builds against the pair’s incurable bond – her maternal intuition and continental desires with his violent, sociopathic impulses. There are moments when Kevin’s eyes convey a disquieting abyss, frightfully employed as the film bravely goes all the way in depicting the horrors of a high school massacre. For the most part, however, the film wisely resists genre slumming, accepting violence without bleeding it. The abstract nature of Ramsay’s direction is astonishingly bold, and welcomed from a woman who’s been absent for eight years. Saturated in red, the colour pervades the film’s look at every turn. Spattered across walls and windows, strawberry jam oozes, red ink soaks – Eva’s life literally becomes stained
thursday, march 8, 2012
as she copes amidst a haze of pills and town hatred. If anything, the film should be viewed as a series of parts. Surely, there are images here I will never forget. There’s the undeniable absurdity (and the sound) of Kevin savoring a white, rounded lychee fruit as his parents grieve over the loss of their daughter’s eye. Or the eerie Halloween sequence that finds Eva driving down a residential street of costumed ghouls, darkly photographed and bizarrely accompanied by Buddy Holly’s song “Everyday.” Some may balk at the individuality of a film like We Need To Talk About Kevin. What is its purpose? Frankly, I feel it hits America where it dare not to look – commenting on its banal culture, its moral disengagement, and the unfathomable question afflicting every parents worst nightmare: Is it possible to hate your child? • Myles Herod, Entertainment Editor