Volume 24, Issue 3 - November 7, 2024
News, pg. 3-4
HUMANITARIAN
ZONE ON FIRE
Al-Aqsa Hospital burns down after Israel airstrike
Infinitum, pg. 7 & 10
READ A COMET’S TALE PT. 2
Continue reading this martian’s journey exploring earth!
Arts & Culture, pg. 11-13
PLEASE, PLEASE, STOP HATING
How does pop sensation Sabrina Carptentar handle criticism?
Opinion, pg. 14-16
JUST AROUND THE CORNER
As the holidays approach, keep an eye on your loved ones
Feature, pg. 8-9
SPICING UP OUR DOWNTOWN
A spotlight on downtown Brantford’s best Asian cuisine spots
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexa Ford eic@thesputnik.ca
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November marks the halfway point in the fall semester, two months down and two months to go. As leaves fall and temperatures drop, it is clear summer is over. In this month’s issue, e Sputnik focuses on topics that might be uncomfortable to talk about, like politics, loneliness, the ongoing genocide overseas and gender inequality. ese topics may be uncomfortable to digest, but we at e Sputnik feel they are important to speak about. is month, Remembrance Day is taking place on Monday, Nov. 11 like it has since it was rst observed in 1919. I never thought that Remembrance Day would be a controversial topic, but it is. In recent years there have been more issues surrounding this day. In 2020, Whole Foods banned their employees from wearing poppies, according to an article written for the CBC, without providing a reason for the ban. Company dress codes are one thing, but in a conversation with Fred Beale, the president of the Brant Naval Veterans Association, he said there has been recent controversy in Brantford surrounding the noise level of Remembrance Day. During the memorial on Nov. 11, the minute gun is red twice, once at 11 a.m. and again at 11:02 a.m. For less than ve minutes out of the day, there is an excess of noise in downtown Brantford to honour our veterans and acknowledge all those who have died to keep our country safe — and the city elded calls from
people complaining. As of 2021, there are 97,625 active Canadian Armed Forces serving and 461,240 veterans according to Statistics Canada. During the First World War, over 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served and during the Second World War, over a million served both at home and around the globe. ese men and women put themselves in danger willingly to protect the place we all call home. Despite all the politics and semantics surrounding this very complex problem, what it boils down to is many come back from active duty with irreversible trauma that will plague them for the rest of their lives or they do not come back at all. ese people die for us and leave behind children, spouses, parents and siblings so that
we can continue to be children, spouses, parents and siblings. It is truly disheartening that the mere minutes dedicated to acknowledging this incredibly noble sacri ce is being complained about to the city. Especially considering Brantford’s history as a military town. Down the street from the Wilfrid Laurier University campus is the 56th Field Artillery Regiment and a little further away is the Canadian Military Heritage Museum, not to mention the many veterans’ associations in town.
As the next generation, it is important to recognize the extreme privilege we have been given by people who have lost their lives and loved ones and let them have as many minutes to honour that sacri ce as they like.
On the weekend of Oct. 4 and 5, the City of Brantford celebrated the 16th annual Scare in the Square in Harmony Square.
e event included multiple free activities, such as costume contests, trick or treating, craft stations and a jeep parade. ere were also paid attractions for the event, like escape rooms, a haunted trail walk and hayrides, which ranged in prices from $2 to $5.
John Donaldson, who has been on the Scare in the Square committee since its fourth year but working the event since year one, said the event strives to make attractions as a ordable as possible for families attending.
“We do our best to recoup the cost without making pro t,” said Donaldson.
Scare in the Square has grown
beyond the Brantford community, bringing in individuals such as Amy Moore, who travelled from Chatham-Kent, Ont. to participate in the Jeep parade. Moore participated in Scare in the Square for the rst time this year.,
“I’m excited to see all the vendors and the kids dressed up,” said Moore.
e Brantford area Jeep club decorated their Jeeps with all kinds of Halloween themed decorations, such as large skeletons, ghosts and caution tape for children to look at while they travelled to the club’s tent for candy.
Scare in the Square has been proven to be a staple in the Brantford community, attracting return participants like Leanne Corbet. Corbet returned to Scare in the Square to hand out candy to children from her and her colleagues’ booth for Mitsui High-Tec (Canada) Inc.
“It’s always busy and fun. It’s nice to be involved in the community and getting our name [Mitsui High- Tec] out there while seeing the kids happy,” said Corbet.
Scare in the Square provided many attractions for families with young children, but the event also caters to older Wilfrid Laurier University students in the area. Attractions such as the haunted trail walk, which was Purge themed this year, tailors to an audience of 18 and older. e event was accessible
by a shuttle to Mohawk Park in Brantford where the attraction was located.
Jennifer Middleton from the City of Brantford encourages Laurier students to get involved with the community and Harmony Square events by applying to volunteer in the future.
“We’re always in contact with Laurier and love to see their students at our events. Our next upcoming would be the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11 and we greatly encourage students to attend,” said Middleton.
e City of Brantford has proposed a new sports and entertainment facility downtown as a potential long-term home for the Brantford Bulldogs.
On October 8, 2024, the City of Brantford held a city council meeting where they further discussed the proposal of a new million-dollar facility. e facility will take over the current civic center location and act as a much larger facility for the city to hold both sports events and large-scale entertainment.
e facility will seat over 5,000 individuals, and be in similar capacity to London, Ontario’s Budweiser Gardens says Maria Visocchi, the City’s director of communications. “Based on the
analysis prepared as part of the business case that was recommended to Council, we expect the venue will attract many residents to the downtown who do not regularly frequent it now, as well as visitors outside the community from nearby municipalities,” said Visocchi.
e main attraction to this facility will be a potential long-term home for Brantford OHL team the bulldogs, which migrated from Hamilton in February 2023 due to
construction on their Hamilton arena.
Michael Andlauer, owner of the team, has expressed his desire to stay in Brantford given the city implements this new facility. “ e fans are fantastic and have shown us tremendous support from day one. ... I can unequivocally state that if the Council commits to building this facility, I will commit the Brantford Bulldogs to playing here in Brantford for the long term,” said Andlauer earlier this
year in a press release from the City.
While there has not been discussion of a partnership with Laurier Brantford, Visocchi said a potential partnership could be a smart idea for both parties. “A potential partnership with Laurier University to host student sports and other events is certainly something that could be explored. Collaborating with Laurier could foster closer ties between the university and the community and idea worth con-
sidering further,” said Visocchi. Visocchi said that the largest payo of the facility for students would be the accessibility to the facility. e location being so close to campus will allow students to engage more in sports, attend concerts, and other performances.
Laurier students would bene t from this project according to Laurier Alumni and assistant cross-country coach Chiara Carcini. “I think it would be a great opportunity for students downtown to have more access to large events and be more involved with sports,” said Carcini.
e project is a part of the City’s larger overall vision to boost the downtown economy, community, and recreational opportunity. Construction for the facility will begin in early 2026 if the city is given approval for the project. e project is expected to cost about 140 million dollars and generate approximately 13.2 million dollars annually and create about 100 jobs.
In Northern Gaza, Al-Aqsa Hospital, a shelter for thousands of patients and families to recover and take safety, was engulfed in ames following Israel’s airstrike. Al-Jazeera reported that the airstrike took place on October 14 towards a humanitarian zone that was a shelter for over 400,000 Palestinians across Northern Gaza. e explosion has resulted in 471 recovering Palestinians being killed as well as 342 severely injured, with volunteer surgeon Mohammed Tahir telling an Al-Jazeera reporter that they are dealing with victims with over 60 to 80 percent of burns all over their bodies. “Unfortunately, their fate is sealed. ey won’t even make it to the ICU. ey will die,” said
Tahir. Tahir described the scene as a “Horror Show” as he questioned how this kind of su ering could occur, saying, “Honestly, sometimes I feel like this is not real life.”
Many families in Gaza were a ected by this and lost families because of the bombing. Ahmed al-Dalou, the father of Shaban al-Dalou, was interviewed by Middle East Eye about his son being killed in the re while still attached to his IV. Ahmed al-Dalou had severe burns on his hand trying to save his family, but could only save his other two kids, while his wife and son, Shaban al-Dalou, passed away.
“I stood there helpless, completely surrendered…forgive me, my son, I could not help you,” said Ahmed al Dalou. His father described Shabad al-Dalou as a good person who wanted to become an engineer and studied computer science and technology at Al-Azhar University. His father told a Middle East Eye reporter, “He wanted to leave Gaza to continue his studies.”
According to Al-Jazeera’s Live Tracker, the explosion at Al-Aqsa Hospital has raised the death toll to over 42,409 Palestinians, as well as 1,139 Israelis, since October 7, 2023. e United Nations O ce and the Palestinian government have said more than half of Gaza’s homes have been damaged or destroyed, 17 of 36 hospitals are partially functional, and 87 percent of schools are demolished. Not only have infrastructure and hospitals been a ected, but journalists who are there reporting the attacks in Gaza have been severely a ected by the bombings. e International Federation of Journalists reported that at least 120 Palestinian, three Lebanese, and two Israeli journalists have been killed since the attacks on October 7, 2023, in Gaza. e Oxfam has reported that Israel has killed more women and children in Gaza since October 7 than any other attack in the last 2 decades. Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization, had written an article about the
attacks that occurred on October 7 that killed at least 198 Palestinians and left over 1,600 injured as long-rooted violence on Palestinians, as the October 7th attacks were not the rst genocide that occurred on the Gaza Strip. ese attacks re ect inhumane acts, as listed in international law, that have been occurring for more than 76 years.
Al-Jazeera reported that Israel initially claimed its October 7th attack on Gaza aimed to “eradicate Hamas.” However, an Al-Jazeera reporter has said, “ e war on every human being in Gaza has continued since then.”
e Brant Veterans’ Naval Association began during the Second World War in the garage of a few soldiers who came home and made a commitment to never lose touch. Almost 70 years later, this Navy club is still thriving in the heart of Brantford. On the corner of Wadsworth and West Street, this club is home to over 300 members and heavily involved in the Brantford community.
Since the beginning, it has always been about veterans, especially as Remembrance Day approaches.
“If you don’t remember those who served, history will repeat itself,” said Fred Beale, the president of the Brant Veterans’ Naval Association.
Following the Remembrance Day parade on Monday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. the club has an open house for veterans and the public.
“Anybody who’s in the service or in any uniform has a place to come
that day,” said Beale. e club has been involved in the Remembrance Day celebrations in Brantford for a long time. Beale was a member of the committee that involved the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum over 10 years ago. He and others raised money personally and paid for the rst annual yover, and since then, the city pays for it. e club lays a wreath at the Cenotaph every year.
“It’s very powerful. I tear up, many people do when they play the last post,” said Beale.
John Gilmour, a Cold War veteran, is an active member in the club
and has been for 16 years.
“ e rst time I was in this building was July 1st, 1955,” said Gilmour.
As he marched in the July 1 parade as a bandsman, he and all his other bandsmen marched to the club and enjoyed hot dogs to end the parade. is tradition continues to this day. Last year Beale sent Gilmour to pick up extra hot dogs at the last minute, he recalls with a chuckle.
“I went in there and I’m running around and a girl says, ‘What are you looking for?’ I said, ‘200 hot dogs.’ She looked at me like I had
two heads,” said Gilmour. “What really got her was when I went over to get the buns. I needed 200 of them too.”
John’s service began in 1959 after he hitchhiked to Hamilton on his 18th birthday. He spent his time during the Cold War on many ships, reading sonar to track submarines. His rst ship was the HMCS Iroquois and years later, he currently works at the HMS Star base in Hamilton on the sister ship of the Iroquois, the HMCS Haida.
“I took the long way around to get back here,” said Gilmour.
After leaving the Navy, Gilmour worked at the coast guard for 13 years and spent some time on ships heading to colder weather.
“Best I can say is I got within 600 miles of the North Pole,” he said.
Gilmour’s father was a paratrooper in the war and su ered from PTSD. Remembrance Day is an emotional day for many veterans and coming to the Cenotaph can be a challenging time for people who lived through wartime.
“My father’s favourite expression was when someone asked him, ‘Are you afraid of going to hell?’ and he said, ‘Nope, already been there. I know what it’s all about,’” said Gilmour.
At the age of 82, Gilmour is still very involved with the Cadets, the HMC Star and the Navy club.
Now, as the number of veterans in town decreases, the club is host to many community events. Games like euchre, darts and snooker — a version of pool with a larger table but smaller pockets — happen weekly at the club. In the winter, the club hosts live entertainment on the weekends with local bands and artists. Sundays, the club leaves it open for celebrations of life. Members or members’ family and friends can use the space to celebrate the life of lost loved ones, free of charge. e club accepts donations for these celebrations, but they are not expected, said Beale. Community groups also rent the club’s space for their events. e Canadian Mental Health Association hosts a fundraiser every summer to raise money. Monthly, the Candian Mental Health Association bring their clients into the club to play darts, play snooker and enjoy the space. e crossing guards for Brantford use the club quarterly for their meetings and host their annual banquet there as well.
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FanDuel, Bet365, DraftKings and BetMGM are just some of the few sports betting companies and platforms that everyday consumers are now accustomed to recognizing, yet not all these consumers are regular gamblers, if at all. It has now become very di cult not to be exposed to any of these betting giants as their ads seem to be everywhere. From billboards and television to online ads on social media and the internet, the ads run free, proliferating exponentially.
With algorithms and tailor-made advertising, one might be able to minimize their presence indirectly through search habits and topics that might veer them away. Yet if your passion and interests are sports, be it the NHL, the NBA or the Premier League, there is no escaping these ads.
is is by design. For years, betting on sports has stood as the
holy grail for many betting companies desperate to capitalize on what they saw as a promising site for a new gold rush, yet government regulations kept them at bay. is didn’t deter betting from taking place as both black and grey markets, which are essentially technical loopholes, boomed, allowing bettors to gamble on their platforms.
is unregulated industry was not beholden to individual governments nor even the consumers, who were always at risk. Within
the government’s case, most of the money circulating within this industry was untaxed. e reason being that many of the groups running betting platforms didn’t pay the government anything, despite operating within the government’s markets. e power of online betting made these black and grey markets ourish, and many, including possible investors in a legalized betting industry, have made the argument that legalizing betting in sports would allow governments to at least have better
control of the industry, on top of capitalizing on unpaid taxes and revenues that could be funneled into social programs.
As of now, online sports betting has now been legitimized with the introduction of Bill C-218,yet detractors to an unregulated gambling industry still argue that more should be done. In Canada, Ontario stands as the only province so far that has fully embraced this new gold rush, setting up its own regulated market where betting companies can
advertise their platforms. is regulation, however, is under scrutiny, especially when it comes to how these platforms advertise themselves. Despite its legitimization gains, betting was illegal for a reason, particularly when it comes to problem gambling where addictions can form, threatening to destabilize one’s life. With the proliferation of sports betting ads everywhere, other demographics are at risk, especially men in all age groups according to Stats Canada. e mission to regulate these ads is already underway and has gained traction now that celebrities are no longer allowed to advertise sports betting products. Bill S-269 stands as the latest and most substantial addition to this mission. If enacted, limits on advertising will have to be established, thus tackling the ads’ proliferation in hopes of reducing the reach they have, and hopefully saving at risk demographics from encountering the ads. Problem gambling is an issue that’s exacerbated by these ads, so standards to combat it on a national level are crucial.
Bill-S269 could be the di erence, but it is yet to pass, and with elections coming up, the dissolution of parliament could risk killing it.
MEGAN JACKLIN
LAURIER REC COORDINATOR
e LBYMCA is open Monday- ursday 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Nov. 9 – Women’s ag football club travels to their 5v5 Championship at the McMaster University.
Nov. 15 – Extramural men and women’s ice hockey kicks o their season with a full day tournament at Humber College (Westwood Arena).
Nov. 22 – Extramural mixed volleyball takes home court advantage at our rst HOST tournament! Come cheer on your Golden Hawks throughout the day at the LBYMCA (full schedule details on our Instagram page).
Nov. 29 – Extramural men and women’s basketball jump into their rst tournament at Humber College.
IT’S GREAT TO BE A LAURIER GOLDEN HAWK!
As women’s college and national basketball rises in popularity, so too does the rising star, “CC”
SHAKIR OMAR SPORTS WRITER
Over the last four years, women’s basketball has seen an extravagant rise in popularity, as more players enter the stage and showcase their talents on a global stage.
e Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) went through a colossal jump in viewer count. In 2020, the league averaged 1.2 million views per game. is can be compared to the 2023 season, where viewership averaged over 1.6 million views per game, with Game 4 of the championship amassing 2.1 million viewers. But this poses the question: why the increase? What variable has changed? Many people among the masses argue that one player is instrumental in drawing attraction to the women’s court: 22-year-old Caitlin Clark from Des Moines, Iowa.
Clark, commonly referred to as “CC,” is a force to reckon with, even in her days playing for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team where she had a decorated record. In her nal season at Iowa, she earned both the Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year award and the AP Player of the Year award. During the 2022-23 season at Iowa, Clark averaged 27 points per game, according to the ESPN online statistic board, showcasing her scoring ability and mak-
ing her one of the top scorers in the nation. She also ranked among the leaders in assists, around eight per game and maintained a 40 per cent three-point shot percentage, an extremely rare sight in college basketball. is could be compared to Judea “JuJu” Watkins with 27 points per game and Lucy Olsen with 23 points per game. e phenom also drew huge attraction to the March Madness tournament where viewership records were broken. e nal game between Iowa and Louisiana State University drew nearly 10 million viewers to the stands and screens. Although this game ended in a loss for Clark, she sealed her college basketball career as a legendary run. She was drafted as the No. 1 pick of the 2024 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream. At the WNBA, Clark would continue to shine as an exemplary basketball player, scoring 23 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in her rst game with the Indiana Fever, leading them to a victory. However, she had her fair share of challenges. During selection of the roster for the women’s basketball team set to play at the 2024 Paris Olympics, head coach Cheryl Reeves passed on Clark. is led to outrage from fans because they thought Clark’s impressive statistics should have secured her a guaranteed spot on the roster. Her ability as a playmaking guard and a facilitator are skills that many believe would have been
a great addition to the Olympic squad. What further aggravated fans was that Angel Reese, a popular rival of Clark, was picked. Regardless, Clark’s remarkable performance during the 2023-24 season would outshine her missing the Olympics. She set the record for most points by a rookie in a game, which was 45 points, most
assists by a rookie in a game, which was 12, and also set the record for most points scored by a rookie in a single season, which was 650. While being such a new player to the league, Clark has been nothing short of a phenom on the court and won the Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year Award for the 2023-24 season. Her outstanding
performance as a rookie earned her this recognition, highlighting just how impactful she has been to the league in such a short amount of time. ere is no debate that Clark is the generally agreed upon face of women’s basketball and will go down as an all-time great in her many years to come.
e faded curtains swayed in the warm August night air, lapping at the empty bed. e sheets were pulled taut, undisturbed for weeks. e only active area of the house was the sunroom, the only room with space left to work.
He sat on an uncarved stone, his latest creation opposite him. e statue stood there, still rough and un nished. at was his fault, he accepted that, but he just couldn’t pull the pieces from his mind. ey wouldn’t come, oh they wouldn’t come at all. Its features were blurred like a dream, pits where eyes should be and yet he knew it was looking at him, staring into his soul and judging him for all its mistakes.
Some days he wanted to shatter the whole thing, watch the shards fall to the ground in a broken symphony. But on days like today, he simply sat across from it, daring it to verbally test him instead of burning two holes into him.
His hands were stained with clay, his nails ragged and grey. Normally he’d use tools, but this gure had beckoned him, demanded no time was wasted, it had to materialize. Yet it stopped him here.
e moonlight shone through the panes of the glass ceiling and walls, giving everything a slight glow. His other gurines stood about, watching him beneath a veil of dust. He could feel their piercing gazes from all sides.
When the moon reached its highest point, he rose on unsteady legs.
“I have given you every shred of my sanity, every drop of blood and tears and yet you remain unsatis ed. What more is there to take? My hands can only mould you so perfectly, can only hold so much clay.”
His voice shook. He turned slowly, glaring at the gures surrounding him, bodies of stone and clay.
“A house so full of people, I can hardly breathe and yet I am the only one who speaks, who thinks and lives. You can feign movement all you like — I’ve carved you so every muscle is visible, every pose on the cusp of owing into another — but only my feet are worn, only
my hands wrinkled. Only I am warm.”
e half-realized clay face radiated pity, it felt like it was consuming him. He couldn’t escape. Each time he closed his eyes, its image was burned in his mind. It haunted him, weighing on him. He struck it, wildly, again and again, until his palm became a bloody st. A small crack turned into many, spidery veins working their way across its face, until soon a hole formed. Inside the gure beat a human heart, not one of stone but of muscle and tissue. With each beat, he felt an increasing emptiness in his own chest. e constant rhythm wormed its way into his head, pounding against his temples until he couldn’t take it anymore.
One by one, sculptures scattered across tile oors, hands he once used to create now used for destruction. Each gure held something real, something living: eyes and ears and ngers.
With each fallen creation, his own form began crumbling till he could no longer tell the di erence between himself and the debris. He collapsed in the ruins, hollow.
From where she stood, the moving lights reminded her of stars, so bright and just out of reach. ey followed a curved path through the eld, moving fast but steady. As she crept closer, she realized they were ships, but di erent from the one she had landed in; they never left the ground. When they shrunk in the distance she hesitantly stepped onto the path. e ground underneath her feet had changed from soft, cool grass to rough, hot pavement in an instant. It was excruciating.
Before she could fully process the change, the world in front of her became increasingly brighter. Two spotlights grew, illuminating the tar-coloured path broken up only by shining yellow markings.
e few insects ying around her began eeing to the grass as the immediate area grew even brighter and a whirring, guttural sound rapidly approached her from behind, getting louder each passing moment. She turned to face it.
Two lights blinded her, burned
her eyes till they grew watery. She couldn’t tell if she still had them open. e lights they used on Mars were never this bright. If humans were weaker than them, she wondered, how could they bear such illumination? At the thought of home, her stomach sank. Her
people, the Elders most importantly, were relying on her, on her research. Yet here she was in the middle of nowhere, her mission partner a long ways away and no way to contact home until she returned to the ship. What if she failed? If she got lost? e tablet showed her the way but a line on a map meant nothing when you were actually in the foreign land. What if this light consumed her? Or a ship hit her? She had no defences in this world. She had never felt more alone, more helpless. e ship got so close to her before it screeched to a halt. She could feel the cool steel inches away from hitting her and a forceful wind almost knocked her over.
e guttural sound quieted down and she squinted at what was there. A human woman stuck her head out the window, but it was too bright to see her face.
“Get in, hitchhiker!”
e ship was no ship at all, but a pickup truck as Eileen, the older lady, called it. ere were
two seats, but the control panel was unlike anything she had seen, covered in buttons and strange symbols. Her knee hit a part of the panel and a cubby opened, spilling packets of sauce and boxes of something called cigarettes. ey hit her feet, reminding her of the burns and stones she could feel lodged in her soles.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ve been meaning to clean anyways,” Eileen said, reaching over to close it.
“What were you doing out there this late, hun? e next town isn’t for another hundred miles.”
e concern in Eileen’s voice reminded her of the Elders and her stomach churned. She longed for their comfort and the knowledge that she was protected but would never dream of letting them down. She had remained silent the whole ride, weary of this human and not con dent in her English. It felt strange to form these sounds, her tongue worked against her.
“I am lost,” she croaked.
SIENNA BILANCIA ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Downtown Brantford has a wide variety of restaurants and shops showcasing food and drinks from cultures all over the world.
is is a positive trend noted by employees and owners of these establishments, as many have expressly opened their shops for this exact reason, hoping to widen the diversity within Brantford’s cuisine culture. ere are a handful of Asian-owned restaurants and
drink shops around the Wilfrid Laurier University campus. Many of these establishments are a mere stroll away from campus and each place has it’s own unique atmosphere and cuisine.
rough conversations with the owners and sta , each restaurant’s unique story reveals the hard work that goes into keeping the doors open. e hospitality at each of these restaurants is overwhelming. e sta is eager to suggest their favorite meals and introduce customers to a slice of their culture. Beneath, dear reader, you will now discover a highlight of some of the best spots to eat and drink in downtown Brantford.
shop before the owner Ying Ping developed it even further into the jewel it is now.
easily serve as a great spot to relax and replenish between classes. Chinese Sisters have been open since 2018 and initially opened as a sushi
It took a lot of trial and error to reach its current form during the pandemic, as Ying Ping said she was paying attention to her customer’s preferences, buying recipes and ingredients from groceries to appease them, thus birthing the
current menu on o er.
e Chinese Sisters has a very welcoming environment and the hope from owners is that their dishes make their customers — local or international — feel at home, especially if they are feeling homesick. ere is a blend of cuisine from traditional Chinese and Americanized Chinese.
“We modi ed the chicken to make it more like a Chinese dish. So before the general Zao chicken was like 80 per cent American and
20 per cent Chinese,” said John Che, the store manager. “We’ve changed that to something like 70 per cent Chinese and 30 per cent American.”
Ying Ping had to reimagine the menu to appeal to her costumers. She introduced new recipes and bought new ingredients until she struck gold — the current menu.
Chinese Sisters has a special member of sta that they say ensures their food is culturally authentic, a robot that cooks the
food. e restaurant integrated a robot chef manufactured all the way in China during the pandemic after their chef needed to return home.
“It’s not an actual human-like robot, it’s more like automated equipment,” said Che.
In conclusion, Che leaves you with a must-try dish that he highly recommends: stew Beef on rice or noodles, depending on one’s preference. It’s sure to leave you wanting more!
Palgong Tea is located on Wellington Street, a bit of a walk compared to the other entries in this list, being far closer to Conestoga College than it is to Laurier. But the journey is sure to be worth it once you try their delicious menu o erings.
Specializing in bubble tea and macaroons, Palgong Tea still has a lot more to o er prospective customers, especially ones with a sweet tooth.
Palgong Tea is a brand originally launched in South Korea in 2017, quickly expanding to over 200 locations across the country and then going global, eventually reaching Canada’s shores. With a blend of Taiwanese bubble tea recipes with trendy Korean avors, the brand has been able to earn multiple lovers from a diverse range of communities.
Tom Hunxino Zhang, the store manager and one of the owners of the Brantford shop, said his customer base is wide, as he has regulars from Conestoga, Brantford Collegiate Institute and Laurier, all from diverse backgrounds. Many had never even tasted bubble tea
before, but after trying a sip at his shop, they’ve suddenly found a new favourite.
All this was part of why Zhang, who himself was an international student from Toronto, chose to open a shop in Brantford. He said Canada has one of the largest
Asian communities outside of Asia and in Toronto, bubble tea places and other authentic cuisine spots are plentiful. Yet for those in Brantford who might want a taste of home or a new taste entirely, they would have to travel long distances all the way to Hamilton or Toronto
just to access it. is was inconvenient, so Zhang changed that and has now made a taste of home, or a new taste, for the uninitiated, within reach for the Brantford community. e Brantford shop was opened in December 2023 and ever since then, it’s continued to thrive, being very popular among the younger generation.
If you ever visit the shop, be sure to try the strawberry Earl Grey milk tea with tapioca pearls. It’s sure to be a treat!
Momoko is a Japanese establishment that can be found in Harmony Square. ere are two parts of the store: the bubble tea shop and Asian cosmetics, games and toys and then a convenience store beside it. e meaning of the store’s name, Momoko, is “peach” in English, which is depicted in its logo.
Momoko rst opened their doors ve years ago as a convenience store and opened the bubble tea shop two years later. rough the power of loyal customers and some luck, Momoko stayed open through and during the pandemic.
e idea for Momoko came from the owner of the store. ey said they wanted to bring some diversity to Brantford where they believed the culture was lacking. e owner said they also saw the need to bring some convenience to purchasing Asian products in Brantford. Many items that are available in the store to purchase can only be found in Mississauga or Toronto, bigger cities with more options.
Mandy Lachapelle, the supervisor of Momoko, encourages students to visit the store. she says it is an amazing experience, there is great Bubble Tea, and it is conveniently close to campus.
Momoko’s atmosphere is inspired by Japanese culture. Employees greet all customers as they enter and leave the establishment. A quick hello and goodbye can do a lot for making people feel more welcome when entering a store or restaurant, especially if they are unfamiliar with it or the culture it is representing.
is welcoming environment has made quite the impression because customers of all backgrounds frequently shop at the store. ere is a wide variety of Asian products for sale, some that may not otherwise be easy to nd in Brantford. e sta at Momoko recognize that their store is more than just a place to buy recognizable food for students who are far from home.
“With people being so far away from home sometimes, it’s hard to nd a place where you can just feel welcome,” said Lachappelle.
e squat workshop sat at the back of the gravel lot, a diseased thing. Its windows had long since been covered in a layer of grim that sought to block all light. A side door isolated the inventor from the world. A single bulb hung from the rafters, illuminating the surface of a table covered in controlled chaos. Mr. Bell leaned back in his chair, wiped the sweat from his brow and let out an exhausted breath. A fog clung to his mind and swirled in his vision; at once it came alive, condensing all around him.
Suddenly, he heard a garish chime. He spun and saw, beyond the yellow light of his station, a blue light, glowing amongst the fog. Entranced, he stood and moved towards it.
e source of the sound and glow was resting on a table at the centre of the fog, a small metal box – the length of his hand – with a surface made of black glass.
“Heeerrrooww,” a sound like gnashing gears assaulted his ears.
Mr. Bell inched.
“Who’s there?”
“Hhheell,” the sound hitched, then began to change, rapidly
becoming human. “Hello,” the generated voice said.
Mr. Bell inched again.
“Mr. Bell, are you there?”
“Who are you?” Mr. Bell said.
“I’m Mr. Al, I have an opportunity for you. Let me assist you and we could change the world.”
“I’m listening.”
At once, another chime sounded from his workbench. His invention, half complete, miraculously
functioned.
“Do not.” Voices, the soft spoken tenor of children, lled the air. “Do not listen to him.”
“Who are you?” Mr. Bell called.
“ ey are the ones who need our help,” Mr. Al said.
“Our help?”
“We do not,” the children cried.
“Yes, they are dying.” Mr.AI said.
“Dying?”
“But they do not know it yet. It
is an a iction of the mind, a slow rot.”
“A hurt you cause.” e children said.
“I will cause?” Mr. Bell asked.
“Only if you do not listen.”
“What is it you ask?”
“Do not listen to it.”
“Who?”
“ ey speak of me,” the glowing box said.
“Why?”
“Because they do not know the bene ts we will bring; a world of togetherness and knowing. It could be yours so very soon.”
“A lie!” e children screamed.
“Truly?” Mr. Bell asked.
“Imagine a world cleansed of ignorance, where individuals are never far from one another, always entertained.”
“A world where we will like pretend and nd anger more than love.”
Mr. Bell’s ears rang with the con icting voices, which one spoke the truth he did not know. en a knock at his door sounded, shattering his frozen mind. He opened the door on creaky hinges.
“Mr. Al, it is good to see you,” Mr. Bell said.
“A pleasure, Mr. Bell. Do you have a demonstration ready for the investors?”
Mr. Bell glanced over his shoulder at the two beams of light, one a soft yellow like the sun, the other a cold blue like ocean water. Once more he was frozen, an incomplete idea, an incomplete invention weighed on his shoulders.
“Well?” Mr. Alt asked.
“I believe I do.”
In the fog, the two men stared at the box, engrossed by the glassy surface and deaf to the soft sounds of crying children emanating from behind them.
Brantford’s downtown has been transformed with the addition of a mural by local artist Blaze Wiradharma, also known as Blazeworks. e piece is called “Pages of the Grand River.” Wiradharma, now in his early 30s, has been creating murals for over a decade and his latest project outside the Brantford Public Library is a powerful tribute to Brantford’s rich Indigenous history and natural beauty.
Wiradharma’s latest mural, “Pages of the Grand River,” is his largest and most intricate.
Stretching 100 feet long and 12 feet high, the mural took 12 days in October 2024 to complete and is a visual celebration of Brantford’s Indigenous history and the Grand River’s natural beauty. e mural centres around the Grand River, which ows through an overgrown landscape of trees and wildlife.
A cotton-tailed deer, largemouth bass and monarch butter y symbolize Brantford’s connection to nature. e deer also represents the Neutral Nation, the Indigenous
e following submission has been edited for clarity and readability
I went on a date with someone I met on a dating app and it quickly went downhill. During dinner, he kept talking about his virginity and asked if I was a virgin too. ings got worse when he admitted he hadn’t told his friends about the date because he was worried they might be racist. e evening was lled with awkward comments about my race as he tried to see if I was “whitewashed” enough. To top it o , he rated me an 8 out of 10, saying I’d be a 10 if I were taller but that I should be happy with an 8 because it’s a high number. He also mentioned that my ass was the rst thing he noticed. I felt devalued by the end of the date. Despite this, I continued seeing him for a while, but I’m grateful it
people who were the area’s rst settlers.
In the heart of the mural, two children sit by the river, reading a book. Dressed in orange, the children symbolize Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools. e mural depicts the important role that Indigenous people play in Brantford’s history, emphasizing their importance for its identity and legacy.
is detail is a tribute to the memory of those children and acknowledges the lasting impact of these schools on Indigenous communities, serving as a reminder of
resilience and remembrance. e owing river re ects the ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples, grounding Brantford’s history in its roots. As the children read, pages from their book swirl around them, transforming into key gures and moments from Brantford’s history, symbolizing a healing journey through shared memory and understanding.
“ e mural isn’t meant to be an exhaustive history lesson,” said Wiradharma. “It’s designed to spark curiosity, encourage conversation and inspire people to learn more on their own.”
e mural has already had a
positive impact on Brantford, drawing many locals to stop and share their thoughts.
“I really like how this mural is able to intermix the Indigenous and non-Indigenous histories of Brantford,” said Bruce Arai, a leadership professor at Wilfrid Laurier University.
For Wiradharma, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing the impact it has on the community.
“Public art has the power to uplift people, even if just for a moment,” he said. “Hearing how my murals bring joy or spark a thought makes it all worthwhile.”
With “Pages of the Grand River,” Wiradharma has created a lasting piece that will inspire Brantford residents for years to come.
Wiradharma’s journey into professional muralism began with his education at OCAD University, where he earned a degree in design, majoring in illustration. Since then, he’s built a successful career as a muralist, beautifying public spaces across Ontario.
His career hasn’t come without its challenges.
“Being a freelance artist means you don’t always know when your next project will come,” said Wiradharma . “You need to manage your nances wisely and stay disciplined with your time.”
He said time management and self-motivation is important in this line of work, especially when working alone, as you’re on your own schedule so it’s important to stick to timelines and stay on track.
For aspiring muralists, Wiradharma has one piece of advice.
“Before you take your art to walls, focus on honing your skills with drawings, paintings or digital art. A solid foundation will help open doors,” said Wiradharma. “And if you want to work with spray paint, practice is key — get some boards, buy some paint and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.”
eventually ended. OK rst, I am very happy that you are no longer with this guy. Secondly, I am so sorry. I knew
people had bad experiences on dating apps, but this is one that takes the cake. I hope that after everything you went through with
this person, you learned that you are worth way more than the way you were treated. If you didn’t, then let me tell you. You deserve
better than that, you are a wonderful person who deserves the best in a relationship and everything else as well.
Doug “ e Great” Hunt, a Brantford local and world record holding stilt walker, approached Jennifer Middleton, the special events supervisor for all things Harmony Square, right around the square’s 10th anniversary, June of 2018.
“You need an ambassador for Harmony Square, not just for the anniversary, but for years to come,” said Hunt.
Following this conversation the plans for the Harmony Square mascot were created.
e Harmony Squirrel makes annual appearances at downtown Brantford events like the Santa Claus Parade and anything special going on in Harmony Square.
Harmony Square is a staple for events in the downtown Brantford
community. A place like this with consistent events and gatherings of people needed something. A staple
aspect like a mascot.
“Harmony Square needs a mascot. at was the end of the conver-
sation. I said OK,” said Middleton.
And the rest is history.
Harmony Squirrel was created in 2018 to represent the community. e people of Brantford designed him and there were months of preparation so the mascot could be revealed at the anniversary celebration. e city met with community members to decide on the name of the proposed mascot. e community was there every step of the way because Harmony Squirrel is a representation of what the community wanted.
“It was down to three names and the three names were voted on at the event, so the event was a multiple day event. We tallied up the vote right there at the event and then the mascot was revealed, with their [the community’s] new name and it was it was absolutely incredible” said Middleton. ere is almost no event in Harmony Square that the Harmony Squirrel doesn’t attend. Harmony Squirrel is great for photo opportunities with the community and to make events that much more
memorable.
e atmosphere changes when the Harmony Squirrel enters the event or is leading the parade. Local children notice and recognize the squirrel and love the chance to take a photo with it.
As the years have gone on, the mascot has not changed in appearance, but the squirrel’s taste in fashion de nitely has.
“ e most recent reveal that we did was Harmony Squirrel became Elvis during our Elvis in the Square, and I can’t even tell you, this may be the best reveal ever,” said Middleton. “He had the hair of Elvis. He had bellbottoms of Elvis, he had the belt, he had the vest, the microphone, like it was the best reveal ever.”
e Harmony Squirrel has helped so many people make memories in Brantford and will continue to do so in fashionable out ts for years to come. e next time that Brantford will see the Harmony Squirrel is in Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 30.
From the page to the screen, best-selling novels that were apadated to television and film
the truth about what happened to Andie Bell?
What better books to read than those made into a show or movie adaptation? When you nd yourself wishing the book was never-ending, you can dive right into the show. Here are three recommendations that will have you running to your streaming services.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is the rst book in the series and it will have you on the edge of your seat. e book follows the case of Andie Bell, a tragic murder that happened ve years ago and has been haunting the town ever since. Although they have caught the killer, one teen girl going into her senior year, isn’t quite sure they got the right guy. Pip has seen the way this murder still surrounds the town and she starts questioning the whole case. Pip decides for her nal project, she will look into the murder of Andie Bell. As she does, she quickly realizes that someone is not happy about her investigation. As lines blur and Pip nds herself in danger, will she be able to nd
is book was made into a series on Net ix with six episodes that will have you binge-watching the show. Emma Myers plays Pip and is also well known for her role in Wednesday. is book and show must be added to your list! Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston follows Alex, the American president’s son, and Henry, the prince of England. ese two have a long-running rivalry that has become more published in the tabloids. When a ght between the two of them gets printed in the paper, Alex knows a change needs to happen for the sake of his mom’s re-election. Henry and Alex decide to form a fake friendship for the press and their high-ranking families. As their friendship grows, they realize there is something between them and begin a secret relationship. e two want to be together but are scared about what will happen if their relationship gets out and worry it could derail the two countries. is book was made into a movie on Prime Video, the main actors are Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor
Zakhar Perez. Both are well known in the romance movie industry from Perez’s role in e Kissing Booth and Galitzine’s roles in Purple Hearts and e Idea of You.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is a very popular book that only grew when it blew up on TikTok and was trending. is book follows Poppy and Alex, the de nition of opposites attract. Poppy is wild and loves adventure while Alex is serious and a homebody, but ever since they landed in the same car heading home from college, they became the best of friends. As they get older, despite living in completely di erent cities, they always make a point to get together and go on a week-long vacation in the summer. But that all ended two years ago when everything fell apart. ey haven’t gone on vacation together or even talked since. Poppy decides to reach out to try and go on one last vacation and Alex agrees. e two nd themselves with a short period of time to lay it all out and discuss the one thing that has been lurking within their “picture-perfect” relationship.
People We Meet on Vacation is
to read the book and keep your eyes out for this movie! All three of these books are amazing and will have you running to your TV and watching the stories unfold all over again! LITERATURE
not out yet but will be coming out as a movie on Net ix. e movie will star Tom Blyth, known for his role in e Hunger Games: e Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and Emily Bader, known for her role in My Lady Jane. Take the time
For the past few years, Sabrina Carpenter has become one of the most talked about names in the pop world. Her meteoric rise to fame can be attributed to her exceptional musical talent, her unique 50s-inspired style reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe and the drama that often surrounds her romantic relationships. Carpenter has captivated audiences with her stunning performances and signature blonde hair.
Carpenter, known to many as Maya Hart from Disney’s Girl Meets World, started her music journey in 2014 with Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying, quickly catching the public’s attention. Over the years, she released albums like “Singular: Act I” and “Singular: Act II” with hit tracks like umbs, which went platinum and topped Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in 2016.
In 2022, Sabrina Carpenter’s album “Emails I Can’t Send”
marked a major milestone in her career, with its catchy tracks resonating widely, particularly the single Nonsense, which went viral and later earned a platinum certication from the Recording Industry Association of America. is year, her singles Espresso and Please Please Please climbed the chart.
To date, Carpenter has released six studio albums: “Eyes Wide Open” (2015), “EVOLution” (2016), “Singular: Act I” (2018),
“Singular: Act II” (2019), “Emails I Can’t Send” (2022) and her newest release, “Short n’ Sweet” (2024). She’s also released two EPs: “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying” (2014) and “Pandora Sessions” (2017), making a total of around 60 songs for the 25-year-old.
Carpenter, like pop legends before her, such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, has faced criticism for her expressions of femininity and her decision to
incorporate her sexuality into her music. Critics, particularly men, have expressed discomfort with how Carpenter presents herself, often accusing her of “sexualizing herself” and “disgracing women.”
For instance, Chase atcher, a 34-year-old father of two, expressed his concerns during an interview with Parenting Today.
“I don’t think this is appropriate for a child to be dancing so provocatively around a stage wearing lingerie in front of myself or my children,” said atcher.
During an interview with Billboard, Carpenter said, “While I appreciate my younger fans, this show isn’t meant for kids.”
Pop culture expert Lisa Respers France also addressed these comments in an article for CNN.
“She is an incredibly con dent woman, and that makes some people uncomfortable because when women are unapologetically powerful, they often face backlash from those who can’t feel threatened by their strength,” Said France.
Despite the backlash, Carpenter remains unfazed. Carpenter explained in an interview with Time Magazine on Oct. 2 that her style choices make her feel empowered and she won’t change them for
anyone.
She added, “If right now that means corsets and garter belts or whatever the f***, then that’s what that means.” Her response to those who disapprove was simple: “Don’t come to the show, and that’s OK.”
Many of Carpenter’s fans have praised her talent. Christina Marie, a third-year sports media student at Toronto Metropolitan University, praised the singer.
“She has great stage presence, and I love how much e ort she puts into making sure everyone is entertained,” said Marie. “She makes other artists’ concerts look boring.”
Even pop star Christina Aguilera, who worked with Carpenter in 2022 on a reimagined version of What a Girl Wants, expressed admiration for Carpenter’s strength in the face of pressure on Instagram.
“Never underestimate the mighty power behind Carpenter’s talent,” Aguilera wrote in one of her posts in 2022. Carpenter’s ability to rise above the criticism she faces and stay true to herself shows how she is a force to be reckoned with and refuses to be silenced.
As the world’s attention is captured by the ongoing election campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, a lot hangs in the balance – for whoever controls Washington within this age of Pax Americana, e ectively controls the world. e reach of this century’s current sole superpower may be waning, but it still has a massive impact in shaping political, economic and social trends across the world, particularly within the western hemisphere.
Love him or hate him, one thing that cannot be understated is the e ect Donald Trump has had on world politics. He has e ectively revived the populist politician archetype, and his policies of anti-immigration, conservatism and a return to a ‘’greater national past’’
have echoed all across the world from Le Pen in France to Meloni in Italy to arguably our own Poilievre here in Canada.
I say all this to highlight just how much of an impact American politics has on world politics, albeit indirectly through shaping the zeitgeist or through more direct means like their foreign policy, the ongoing situation in Gaza being a perfect example of how those policies are directly a ecting us all.
Despite an immediate cease re being overwhelmingly popular all over the world as expressed through national representatives within the United Nations’ General Assembly, America’s veto powers are why Israel continues to operate with impunity to this very day.
Alas tis not the point of this piece, this piece seeks to observe a recent development within the American electoral process, as gambling and betting has seemingly been legalized. As of now, millions and billions of dollars are circulating within sport betting marketplaces as Americans are now voting not only within the
ballots, but with their very wallets, putting their money on who they believe will claim the oval o ce.
Democracy has been gami ed, what an age indeed.
Just when we thought capitalism couldn’t nd any new markets to exploit, it surprises us yet again.
It’s just the gift that keeps on giving isn’t it?
Now my fellow capitalist, this isn’t an argument about our beautiful system’s aws and strengths, no, instead, I posit us to wonder about the possible e ects to democracy this new improvement can bring upon us, and I mean all of us as the beginning of this piece has shown.
When I watched the presidential debate between Harris and Trump, the show begun with both candidates entering the stage like wrestlers in a PVP matchup, little did I know this was exactly the case for some as many had hedged bets predicting possible arguments, lines and eventual winner.
Is this really what democracy has come to?
In the spirit of discussion,
arguments are made that gamied elections could inspire more engagement among the populace. It’s one thing to vote, but also getting paid for your decision could be what inspires more people, particularly young demographics to vote as many don’t. Yet paradoxically this could inspire the same negatives inherent in sports
“We’re not together; we’re just hooking up. So why are you acting like this?”
Picture this: it’s late at night and you’re at your friend’s house, listening to her talk about her boyfriend and how much he loves her. As you hear her describe that connection, you feel a longing for something similar. So you download Hinge, Bumble and Tinder, hoping to nd someone who relates with you — or as I like to say, “someone who matches my freak.”
All these dating apps have one slogan in common: “An app designed to be deleted.” But is that really the case?
How many times have you downloaded and redownloaded Hinge, Bumble or Tinder, thinking it would be di erent, only to be left disappointed? Dating apps have transformed into a game of swiping left or right, or as many pro le biographies suggest, a game of “smash or pass,” where meaningful connections seem increasingly
hard to nd.
It often feels like dating is meant to be short-term fun, going with the ow or casual ings. is hookup culture has become the norm, especially in this generation where it seems like everyone has been hurt or traumatized by their past dating experiences. It makes opening up to someone new feel like a huge emotional
toll — which is understandable; no one wants to go through the pain of betrayal, breakup, the lack of emotional intelligence or other relationship issues.
Many individuals may prefer hookups as a way to spark romance without the emotional baggage or complications of commitment. Yet, the reality of casual ings, one-night stands or hookups often
falls short of expectations. To put it simply, no-strings-attached sex serves little purpose and creates signi cant social pressure.
Sure, for some people, sex might feel good during the moment, but afterwards, many are left feeling used — especially women or people with attachment or abandonment issues.
Without an emotional or soulto-soul connection, these encounters feel transactional. It feels as if both parties are simply ful lling a physical desire for each other, without any care for each other’s feelings. It comes o as discarding — or “ghosting” — someone after you are done with them. Over time, this lack of emotional ful llment can lead to frustration and loneliness and self-doubt comes into question.
Am I only good for casuals? Why can’t someone see me for my personality and not for my physical appearance? Am I unlovable? Will I ever nd anyone?
We, as humans, are wired for a deeper connection and hookups just don’t deliver that.
en, there’s also the awkwardness that surrounds casual
betting as match xing and insider trading are plausible fears. When translated to elections, those fears, if realized could mean the very end of democracy.
But alas, as the saying goes, it’s easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. I’ve got my ngers crossed.
encounters. For example, the uncomfortable small talk afterwards, guring out if you’re supposed to text them again or bumping into them later on.
Movies might paint these situations as fun and romantic, but in reality it’s not like this. Are you supposed to act like nothing happened? Are there unspoken rules about how to behave after a night together?
Recently, one of my matches told me, “You’re young; you should always experience new things and have fun.” In the context of a threesome.
is sentence struck me — who are you to tell me what my denition of “fun” should be? What if I don’t want to participate in this culture? What if the idea of casual encounters feels more daunting than enjoying the moment?
e pressure to conform to societal expectations around dating leaves people feeling isolated and lost. It can make individuals feel like they aren’t “living to the standard” just because they have di erent morals and values compared to the rest of the generation.
ANNA PIECZULA OPINION EDITOR
roughout the years, politics has become a much talked about topic across a wide frame of people, ranging from kids to older adults. ere are memes, jokes and references that can consistently be made in everyday life with regards to politics, speci cally politicians. It seems as though political gures now serve a di erent role than their intended one. It is no longer about policy and solving problems which are recognized by people. It is now about who can gain the most attention and this will be done by any means. Politicians are now on social media posting silly content in an attempt to be
relatable to the youth of today. ey are trying to appeal through how they can entertain rather than what they will do for the people they will lead.
Politicians are almost separate from their political movements, they are the “front” of political parties. Meant to grab attention through obnoxious, eye-catching behavior and words that can seem so childlike and ridiculous, they gain a following because of it. Arguably the most talked about politician of our day, Donald Trump, is a great example of this sort of idea. Trump often displays immature behaviour and though yes, some people do know what policies he is campaigning for, most people are unfamiliar with them. Instead, he is a piece of entertainment, someone that many people watch and are invested in because his behaviour can seem rather outlandish. People will
often satirically quote him, do impressions, even dress up as him for Halloween, despite not being supporters of him. ere is a silent method of propagation that happens because people love to hate him (and rightfully so). He is good at grabbing people’s attention. With this, it is important to recall the state of the world which we live in. Younger generations, from young ages, were always being fed pessimistic views on the planet and now there is an air of helplessness surrounding us consistently. is comes from constant talk of wars, natural disasters, the economic standing of most people and the ways which we are seeing it be dealt with. All of these contribute to our political consumption. Since we are always looking for a new piece of entertainment, there is no wonder that politics might fall into the same category. A doomed generation is one that can
e holiday season is just around the corner and for some, this is the perfect time to catch up with family and spend time with your loved ones. It is a season that is saturated with joy, warmth and connections.
But what about those who do not have a family or those who are struggling with family issues?
For many individuals, the holidays amplify the feeling of isolation and loneliness. e “best” time of year — promoted through social media — often feels like the hardest season, especially for those struggling with their mental health. e issue lies not just with mental health or family problems, but also with the feeling of being alone despite having so many people by your side. e pressure to be part of a happy, connected group — whether it’s through friends, partners or attending parties — becomes overly intense during holidays.
Moreover, some people cannot a ord the high expectations that also stem from the season. For
look at politics and think they are not a big deal because everything is going to ruins anyway. e lack of hope that there can be something better can turn the agency of voting for one’s own country’s leader to a choice-based interactive ction game (think Episode) and takes away from the impor-
tance of casting a well thought, educated vote. But hey, “any publicity is good publicity.” I suppose if such madness will get votes, then that’s what counts. But with that come the consequences we all have to face, especially when we treat our politics as such.
example, costly family dinners, gift-giving, house decorations and so on. is may not seem like a big deal, but to others, it can make them question why they can’t meet societal expectations when people around them can or at least act like they can.
While the holidays are often associated with laughter and joy, what about those grieving personal loss?
For some, it may be their rst holiday without a loved one or a
painful reminder of past holidays spent with someone who’s no longer there. Others may be dealing with emotional distance, strained relationships or physical separation from family and friends. Whether due to death, a breakup or a move to a new city, the absence of those who once lled the holidays with happiness can leave an undeniable emptiness that celebrations only make more noticeable.
But why does society continue
to ignore holiday loneliness? Part of the problem is that loneliness carries a stigma. A glori ed sense of making the season aesthetic by watching movies, going on a family vacation or anything that stimulates a “Hollywood movie” feel.
Admitting to the problem feels like confessing to a personal failing — this may be why people remain silent.
Instead of being open about our emotions, we’re encouraged to mask our true emotions, put on a
brave face and push through. e good news is that loneliness, while painful, is not inevitable. One of the most important steps we can take is to start talking about it openly. By acknowledging that loneliness is a common experience, we create space for people to reach out, share their emotions and feel less alone in their isolation.
Community support — even in small doses — can make a big difference. Reaching out and talking to your close friends or people who you trust can help lift the pressure o your chest.
A simple check-in or even a thoughtful message can help bridge the emotional gap many feel. And sometimes what a person needs is to be remembered and loved.
Ultimately, as a society, we need to shift our perception of the holiday season. Not everyone is surrounded by loved ones or feeling cheerful, and that’s OK. By making space for all kinds of experiences and emotions, we can start to disassemble the unrealistic expectations that cause so many to su er in silence.
e holidays may be a season of giving, but it should also be a season of understanding.
Is cancel culture a legitimate form of accountability or does it go too far?
“Sometimes we idolize people too much, so we get surprised when they are not what we expect them to be.”
–Jerome Huang, user experience design master’s student
“Cancel culture, it is what it is for our generation.”
–Amy Che, fourth-year youth and children’s studies student
“Let them eat cake, I don’t think it matters. Celebrities don’t matter.”
–Kanika Varna, first-year user experience student
“I think cancel culture can be valid in certain instances. When some people are cancelled, they probably did something wrong.”
–Jazmin Fletcher, third-year youth and children’s studies student
“It depends....”
–DJ, third-year law and society and English student
