Issue 11- February 5, 2013

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - Issue 11 // www.thesputnik.ca

News

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On Campus

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Features

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A&E

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Sports

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Opinion

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Partnership with Laurier likely page 3

Idle No More turns to City Hall page 3

Why Not have faith? page 7

LB Compliments stays positive page 5

Placing blame page 12

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Student pricing *

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, February 6 , 2013

NEWS

Jordan Johnston // news@thesputnik.ca

Idle No More protest outside City Hall EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Olivia Rutt eic@thesputnik.ca

Jordan Johnston News Editor

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Angela Taylor angela.taylor@wlusp.com (519) 884-0710 ext. 3560 PHOTO EDITOR Cody Hoffman photography@thesputnik.ca ART EDITOR Diane Sison art.editor@thesputnik.ca WEB EDITOR Caitlin Henshaw web@thesputnik.ca COPY EDITORS Alicia Saunders Ahmed Minhas Jessica Lalonde SECTION EDITORS Jordan Johnston, Local News Melissa McGuffin, On Campus Layla Bozich, Features Courtney Langstaff, A&E Kyle Morison, Sports Leisha Senko, Opinion

CONTRIBUTORS Diane Sison Dillon Giancola Oren Weiner Efua Afrane Amber Richardson Stephanie Di Bartolo Craig Hagerman Matt Cook Kim Jackson Madison Hawkins Kim Jackson Elizabeth Medeiros Alicia Saunders Cody Groat Sebastien Bell Karly Rath Anthony Fusco

WLUSP BRANTFORD MANAGER OF OPERATIONS Allison Leonard allison.leonard@wlusp.com PHONE (519) 756-8228 ext.5948 202-171 Colborne St. N3T 2C9

Idle No More protest outside City Hall (Photo by Kim Jackson)

Idle No More has become a global movement. For a slight recap, protesters all across the country stated their action to protest the Harper government and fight for aboriginal rights and affairs. The government has imposed bills that will change treaty agreements for the indigenous peoples of Canada in order to mesh with those of the United States and the Universal Declaration of Human Right. Currently laws that have been passed will infringe on reserve lands as well as water and other rights. As discussed on the highly liked Facebook group, Aboriginal members feel as though these bills are trying to take away some of their sovereignty and rights that they have become accustom to. First Nations people are not proposing a fight with the government, but rather

PRESIDENT Emily Frost (519) 884-0710 ext.3565 emily.frost@wlusp.com ADVERTISING Angela Taylor (519)884-0710 ext. 3560 angela.taylor@wlusp.com The Sputnik is an editorially independent newspaper published by Wilfrid Laurier University Student Publications, Waterloo. Contact Emily Frost - WLUSP, 205 Regina Street The Sputnik is a proud member of the Canadian University Press (CUP)

City Hall was great. They mayor was in attendance as well as a great amount of community support. “We will continue to fight on and ignore the negative attitudes, hatred and jealousy that I guess will always continue to thrive on our Reserve. We will continue to fight and we are going to win. As you are aware of, the spiritual world and our ancestors are behind us 100%,” said Cheryl Squire, a member of the Facebook event. All over the country meetings and events will continue to happen in order to discuss both government and First Nations side. Public interest has grown increasingly strong encouraging local communities and global communities to get involved and pay attention to news happening now.

Snow removal at minimum standard Jordan Johnston News Editor

Although this wintery season has been pretty light on the snow, Brantford is still known to be one of the worst for their snow removal. With only fifty-two workers over the different shifts, Brantford has over 1,100 kilometres of roadways to clear. The snow that has fallen seems to have disappeared pretty quickly but not the water it turns into. Once the snow is melting, and moved it is still a problem. Puddles deeper than the

average person’s ankles and piles of snow in the most inconvenient places make it difficult for a simple commute to class. Brantford does have a bylaw in which it requires property owners/renters to clear their sidewalks. However, many residents feel that this bylaw is not enforced or as effective as it should be. Unfortunately when it comes to clearing and draining the water left from the snow it just takes time. However, Brantford

conforms to the minimum maintenance standard for ploughing and salting operations as stated on the ‘Discovering Brantford’ website. According to the website, “In order to keep residents safe, the City has identified priority streets and works on clearing snow and salting in priority order. This is designed to make sure routes for emergency vehicles are cleared first (Brantford City Hall).”

City considers outdoor smoking bylaw Dillon Giancola Staff

WLUSP OFFICE 205 Regina Street Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5

stating firmly how they would like to try and to find a way where both sides of the deal are happy with the decisions made and that both can equally benefit. On January 28, there was a flash mob round dance at Branford City Hall. This day was to be recognized as a national day of action in part of the Idle No More campaign. Brantford specifically has a relationship with First Nations members and as a course of action; there has been request for certain land claim issues and developments to be resolved. Brantford Six Nations outline their want and need for peace, respect and friendship within the community. Also they have requested to be taken seriously when it comes to respecting their land, city boundaries and livelihoods. The turnout of the event held at

The City of Brantford is looking into the possibility of an outdoor smoking ban. This follows a trend seen across the country. Woodstock passed a ban a couple years ago, and the city of Toronto and the province of British Columbia have been recently reported as looking to follow suit.

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At a recent city council meeting, an outdoor smoking ban at the downtown transit terminal was discussed, and the city is considering expanding the ban to other public areas. Other than at the downtown terminal, the ban would not directly affect Laurier buildings. Recent bans across the country have included areas around playgrounds, municipal buildings, and outdoor patios at restaurants. A 2010 Waterloo University study

showed that the Woodstock bylaw been widely accepted by the community, and that it did not deter people from going to these areas. The Toronto Health Board is also looking at including public squares as part of its proposed ban. Since many provinces and cities around the country have already passed similar bylaws, the trend will only continue, with each new bylaw looking to cover a little more territory.

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, January 9, 2013

ON CAMPUS Melissa McGuffin // oncampus@thesputnik.ca

Campus study space not well utilized, research says Oren Weiner Staff

For those times when it’s noisy, or distracting, and you just want the right place to satisfy your needs to get some studying done, there is a place to study. But how many of these spaces exist on campus? Perhaps enough, and that’s just what Mike Parsons and Co. decided to find out. A recent study, conducted by the Research Outreach committee, coordinated by Parsons, sought to find what the university’s situation was regarding the number of study spaces available, awareness of these spaces, and their condition. “It was just an inventory of every study space we have on campus and the conditions in it. So, what kind of seating is there? Is it more of a lounge space, or a study space? Then we did the survey to find the student perception to see if they know where all the study space is,” said Parsons.

To gather data to find out about the student body’s perception, the committee organized a questionnaire, and sent it to 250 people. Of the 250, 245 responded giving a well-rounded sample of the general population. As for the inventory count, volunteers travelled around campus counting the number of spaces that could be considered study spots. The count totaled 649 seats, in 33 different locations, meaning that the student to seat ratio is 4.45 to one. What was intriguing, in the results, was not necessarily the number of seats, but rather the lack of awareness about the availability of some major study spaces. “One of the things I didn’t expect to find was just the lack of people using the major study spaces,” said Parsons. He cited Grand River Hall’s basement lounge as an example of a location where there is an abundance of seating, yet so few students utilize its potential. According to Parsons, there are 60 potential study spots in that lounge. However, the numbers

showed that only 14 per cent of students use those spaces. The study concluded that the most glaring problem was the student body’s complete lack of awareness of the study spaces available. Statistics reflected just that, when 71 per cent of students believed that there are 11 or fewer locations with study spots. Of the locations that are used, the most popular ones to hit the books are the Carnegie Building, the Research and Academic Centre West, and the Student Centre. However, for some students, these locations may not always be the best. Tanner Morrison, a third year at Laurier Brantford, finds that the most popular place, the Student Centre, may be problematic. “It’s too busy in there; there’s always something going on. There’s either a movie or there’s an event going on, so it’s not really a quiet place,” said Morrison. With so few locations known to students, the ones with the highest traffic

become crowded, and at times the volume becomes a distraction. Consequently, a lack of knowledge of other locations to flock to only amplifies the issue at hand. To combat these issues, Parsons and the committee came up with some suggestions. The study listed options such as maintaining a three to one student to seat ratio, designating specific quiet areas, or allowing 24-hour access to every location. However, Parsons pointed out an option that might be feasible. , “In our report, we made a bunch of recommendations about what the university should do with all of our findings,” said Parsons, “One of them was making a kind of accessible map for students, so they could know where all the study spaces are. That way, if they go to the student centre lounge, and it’s full, they can either just pull out their map, or go online to find the map.” Remember that there’s more options than you think.

Rainbow Alliance sees growth on campus Efua Afrane Staff

Laurier Brantford’s Rainbow Alliance is a committee that is there to help any students with welcoming and open doors. The alliance is committed to supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer rights. It started three years ago to include all students as the campus was growing. It continuously strives to reach people and ensure that students feel pride within themselves. The committee consists of the Rainbow Alliance and My Respect coordinators, collaborating with executives and members to create diversity programming. Through social media, the committee is able to communicate to students using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and student blogs

to openly discuss issues. Using funding from PRISM, a diversity-programming fund, the alliance engages students by holding deconstruction nights, workshops and events such as, the Love Formal on February 8. Keyena Smith, a student diversity intern overseeing the Rainbow Alliance and My Respect group, is very enthusiastic about valuing others. “People should care because it’s a basic human right … I think that it’s our job and our goal as student leaders to make sure that through our everyday interactions, we are keeping up with the movements we’re involved in,” said Smith. Smith’s passion was strengthened through her personal experiences and has pushed her to participate. “This is my dream job, if I could do

this for the rest of my life, I would do it … I guess what changed from me being passionate about it, to me wanting to do something about it, all goes back to my best friend Amanda I’ve watched her struggle with being a lesbian for over 20 years. After having her truly come out and being honest about who she was last year was I able to see… the effect one safe place can have,” said Smith. Nicola Capindale, a volunteer, got involved not only because it looked good on her co-curricular record, but because she supports the cause. “I don’t think that its right that people can discriminate other people about anything … everybody is different and you should embrace those differences. It makes people unique,” said Capindale. The education executive of the alliance,

Miranda Small, has first-hand experience from the help that is provided by the alliance. “It’s ok to love someone of the same gender and it’s ok to feel like you don’t belong in your own skin. I got involved because I’m gay and because I feel like everyone should feel comfortable with themselves. It has helped me to find my place within the community and I think we have addressed some homophobia here at Laurier Brantford and hopefully stopped it,” said Small. Small has a message for any students who need somebody to listen to them, “You are not alone; we are here to help. It’s ok to be who you are, it’s ok to be a little bit different.”

The Sputnik // Wednesday, February 6, 2013

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ON CAMPUS

Melissa McGuffin // oncampus@thesputnik.ca

Laurier Brantford receives compliments Melissa McGuffin On Campus Editor

Often times on Facebook we see people insulting each other, poking fun at one another, and displaying negative opinions or views on either statuses, photos and other things. But if you’ve been noticing some positive feedback about your friends popping up on your newsfeed, you may be witnessing the result of the Laurier Brantford Compliments Facebook group, created on November 11. Laurier Brantford is not the first university to have a compliments group on Facebook, a group that allows students to anonymously send a compliment, or positive feedback to their friend. The Waterloo and Kitchener campus already has one in place. “Most of the people that were being tagged on that account were from the Waterloo campus and I was annoyed to see so many compliments on my newsfeed. I then thought of the idea of splitting the Brantford campus from the Waterloo campus. There was already a Laurier Brantford Compliments, but the account was dead, with limited people. I took this idea and that’s how I made Laurier Brantford Compliments,” explains the mystery creator behind the idea. The account is used every day and is checked daily by one main student, an 18-year-old male in the Criminology program, along with two others that play a minor role, who wish to remain anonymous. Compliments that are posted go something like this: “Everyone who is friends with you would

say that you are a beautiful and amazing person. Thank you for always being there to chat since day one. I hope we will always be friends :),” which was posted on Thursday, January 31 about a fellow Laurier Brantford student. Lizzie Janik, a third year student who has been featured in a post said, “LB Compliments is like an unexpected warm blanket of happiness that can brighten up your day no matter what mood you are in. A simple generous gesture like this really makes a difference and can make that individual smile that thousand watts smile.” There are no negative comments tolerated when it comes to this Facebook group. “I read every compliment before posting it, making sure that there is no harassment, racism, or any discrimination towards one another. So far, there has been no issue with that,” says the creator. He also has no intention of letting this group fade away like many other groups on Facebook do. “I plan on building this and keep it ongoing, but I want the staff or someone higher in the ladder to control the account, and to make it an official,” he says. To be a part of this optimistic group, all you have to do is add Laurier Brantford Compliments on Facebook, and either send a note to your friends to be tagged in, or wait for your name to be tagged on its own.

Thumbs up for compliments (Photo by Elizabeth Medeiros)

Dominican charity trip in progress Melissa McGuffin On Campus Editor

After attending the trip through the program at the Waterloo campus, Sarah Cifani, third year student at Laurier Brantford is determined to create the same trip for students here at LB, building houses in the Dominican for those who are in need of a roof over their heads. So far Cifani has around ten students that are interested in either attending the trip, or helping out on the fundraising for it. The trip costs $300 total, which covers food, flight, and a place to stay for the two weeks stay in the Dominican Republic. She hopes to be able to go on the trip for May 2014, and plans on having a BBQ on campus along with a Harmony Square event to help fundraise money for the group. Cifani has gone on this trip before. When she was in her last year in high school, she went on the trip through a different non-profit organization, where she met Michael Sunderani, the man behind his very own OCOA Project and the program that Laurier uses to send its students. Cifani came up with the idea to separate the campus groups for Brantford students to raise the money on their own. When

Cifani had to go to the Waterloo campus, she was excluded from the fundraising activities and had to do it all on her own. To those skeptical of their abilities to build a house, Cifani says not to worry. “You don’t need skills for the housing, they tell you what to do and have workers that help you out and do all the big jobs,” says Cifani. The trip is also less costly than the Kenya trip. Cifani assures that students do not need to attend the trip to be able to add it to their cocurricular record; they can simply help in fundraising for the trip and add it if they do not wish to travel. Cifani says that this trip is about more than building houses. “It really lets you put things in perspective. We wore our old hand-me-down clothes and the people were in awe of them. They held them up like they were fancy and when we left we gave them some and they were so surprised and thankful,” says Cifani. For more information about the trip, contact Sarah Cifani at cifa7270@mylaurier.ca or, join the group on Facebook: Laurier Brantford OCOA Projects

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, February 6, 2013

FEATURES

Layla Bozich// features@thesputnik.ca

Man’s best friend helps relieve students’ stress

Puppies. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Matt Cook Staff

Students across Canada have a new way to unwind from the stresses of university; they can spend quality time with a friendly dog. Universities across Canada are helping students de-stress by creating puppy rooms. Here, stressed out students can book an appointment to pet and play with a trained therapy dog to help alleviate stress. The program started at the University of Ottawa in January and expanded to other universities quickly. Laurier Brantford is currently undergoing plans to develop its own puppy room. A temporary puppy room existed in 2012, when Counseling Services brought in trained dogs three days a week. However it was cancelled last November. Becca Carroll, Laurier Brantford’s Dean of Students, explains the steps the school is currently undergoing to make puppy

rooms a reality. “For a while we had a program set up where therapy dogs were brought in to counseling services three times a week,” she said, “We had to re-evaluate the program because some students weren’t comfortable with the dog around, or they had allergies. In that case we had to find some place to put the dog, or someone to take it during that session. It was hard to manage on a daily basis, so we had to put the project on hold.” Another issue to be dealt with is the fact that Counseling Services, working in tandem with Health Services, has a variety of strict policies and procedures that must be followed regarding animals on campus. The policies would need to be examined further before the dogs could return to the campus. Despite this, puppy rooms may not be

gone for good. “We’re definitely interested in continuing the service; we’re just trying to do it in the best way. We’d need a space on campus specifically for students to meet the therapy dog. Most people enjoy pets, but we want to make sure it works best for everyone, the dogs included,” said Carroll. Laurier Brantford is not the only school where puppy rooms are making the scene. “Students have really enjoyed the program, especially if they’re new at school and miss their pet at home,” said Murray Sang, the director of the University of Ottawa’s Student Academic Success Service. The puppy rooms attract a variety of students, Sang says. “All types of students come visit the puppy room though – we get 20 or 30

students a visit,” said Sang. The dogs are required to be certified through Therapeutic Paws of Canada, and they must be non-aggressive and well maintained. They are not brought into public student areas, such as cafeterias or libraries. At both Laurier Brantford and the University of Ottawa, members of the faculty provided the certified dogs that they kept as pets. Therefore, the cost of puppy rooms is almost nothing, certainly a factor in their great popularity among universities. The rooms have been introduced at several universities all across Canada, including Dalhousie University and McGill University. Should the program return to Laurier Brantford, it will be a creative way for students to relieve stress.

Beasts in Hollywood: Should children win Oscars? Sebastien Bell Staff

History has been made. This year’s Academy Awards will feature the youngest nominee in the category of Best Actress ever. Quvenzhané Wallis, nominated for her portrayal of the character Hushpuppy in the Oscar nominated Beasts of the Southern Wild, was five years old when she auditioned for the part. She was so young that she had to lie about her age to even get the chance to audition. She was so young, in fact, that some people are asking themselves whether or not she should even be eligible for her nomination. Scott MacDonald in The Atlantic notably raised the question of her ability to act. For him, acting requires a certain degree of intentionality. According to MacDonald, changing one’s behaviour in the name of breathing life into a new character is very hard work. MacDonald further questioned the purpose of extending a nomination to an actress as young as Wallis. He asked if Wallis would benefit from the extra attention. It is not hard to see why someone might be wary about the wisdom of lavishing young people with the attention of a celebrity. Adults have a hard enough time dealing with the pressures of fame. Questions about the purpose of an Oscar are tricky, though. Some people believe that it should be a chance to celebrate pure performance, divorced from all other factors, while others believe that Oscars should be about something more. Whereas some argue that acting is solely the domain of adults, others, such as

Dr. Christine Lei, who teaches a Childhood Education and Development course at Laurier Brantford, claims just the opposite. “I doubt MacDonald’s even walked around a playground at recess and seen children in ‘different personas,’ ” said Dr. Lei. She claims that these personas are distinct, unique, and, importantly, intentional. “Kids do intentionally want to be Harry Potter, or Spiderman, or just kids playing kids,” she said, “They want to dress up and pretend. Why they want to do it is none of our business.” The question of intentionality is still further complicated by theatre camps and the number of kids who want to be actors. Christopher Tanaka-Mann, who works at Brant Theatre Workshops, argues that the children he has worked with, some as young as five are quite capable of acting. “One of the kids I worked with one summer,” said Tanaka-Mann, “a sevenyear-old, told me that being an actor was exactly what he wanted to do. He was a quiet, well-behaved fellow, and on stage he had his lines memorized by the second day of camp, and he gave himself wholly to his character.” Desire and performance are not so simply related, though. Tanaka-Mann also said that there is more to practicing the fine arts than talent. “It definitely takes hard work and dedication, and if a six-year-old child actor has been working very hard for one or two years, they simply will not be able to measure up to an actor who has spent the last 20 years of his or her life working day in and day out to improve their acting

New toy? (Art by Diane Sison)

ability,” said Tanaka-Mann. While age and performance are certainly related, youth and art are not mutually exclusive. Wallis’ performance is electrifying and noted critic Roger Ebert recently described her as “a force of nature”.

The question of who is being protected when child actors are not considered for Oscars is thus raised. “My guess,” said Dr. Lei, “is ‘older’ nominees who might be embarrassed, or worse snubbed, losing to a six-year-old.”

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, February 6, 2013

FEATURES

Layla Bozich // features@thesputnik.ca

Why Not have faith?

Krystal and Juliana Froman (Photo by Amber Richardson)

Karly Rath Staff

Dozens of beaming kids everywhere— eating hot dogs, playing board games, and shooting some pool. It was very clear they all thought of the Why Not Youth Centre as a home. Amidst the laughter and chaos, Krystal Froman spotted me from across the room. The Why Not City Mission initiative has reached out to local homeless and troubled youth by providing them with food and clothing while fostering relationships that improve self-growth. Froman immediately began flipping through a rough copy of Word on the Street, her very own newspaper that encourages healthy living, allows for youth’s voices to be heard, and inspires them to follow their dreams. “I see it as a tool for Why Not, a tool for the community, a tool for me. I see it being a tool for everyone involved – performers, journalists and youth,” said Froman. Her two-year-old daughter, Juliana, excitedly points to a photograph of her at the ball hockey tournament Froman held for the Why Not kids. Word on the Street features local talent, Why Not events, inspirational messages, and the kids’ own work. After months of work, the first issue is finally ready to print. Once the printer is

back up and running, coloured copies will be in readers’ hands. Froman wants the youth to feel the support around them—she understands them like no other. Froman, 21, spent the first few years of her life on the Six Nations reserve until she and her mother left her abusive, drug addicted father to live in Brantford. Due to violence, Froman ran away from home at 11 years old. For two years, she bounced from couch to foster home to juvenile jail. At 13, her father introduced her to hard drugs. This is when the Why Not Youth Centre comes into play. She started getting free breakfast there and attending Sunday services at church. Even when she reeked of alcohol and had two black eyes, she was welcomed with open arms. “I went to jail, I was hurt, I was lost, I was confused, I was desperate and I was looking for an answer. I picked up the Bible and I found it. I grew a relationship with God and I started to open my eyes to the truth, to life and to love,” said Froman. When she was 18, working two jobs and finishing high school, the Executive Directors of Why Not, Amy and Trevor Beecraft, took her to Mexico on a mission trip. Feeding less fortunate families in

slums really opened her eyes and she began to appreciate her own life. Despite her nerves, Froman even shared her testimony at a youth prison, which brought tears to some. She recalls one experience that certainly solidified that she was on the right path. She always took the bus, but on this particular day, she walked to school. Mind whirring from the intense brawl she had just been in, she popped in her headphones. The song “Lord Give Me a Sign” by DMX came on and she put it on repeat. Right at that moment, she stepped over a book on the sidewalk. Not a magazine, not a phonebook, but a 60-year-old, yellowpaged book entitled Peace with God. “As I was slowly reading through the chapters, I watched my life transform as I read it. It gets to this point, I’m just sitting by the river and the sunset and it says ‘Congratulations—you’ve found peace with God,’” said Froman. Seconds after recalling the memory, the printer started working. Froman squealed – her hard work was about to pay off. Trying to not get distracted by her sheer excitement, she continued with her story. “People say believing in God is illogical. The Bible told me to ask for an answer, I asked for one and received it in an

extraordinary way. Dismissing that answer would be illogical,” she said. One month after having Juliana, Froman, 19 at the time, graduated high school. After being accepted to Laurier Brantford’s Youth and Children’s Studies program, she realized it was not right for her. Froman refuses to miss her daughter’s childhood and load up on energy drinks just to meet daily deadlines. “Going to university is following a pay cheque, [volunteering at Why Not] is following my dream,” she said. Between teaching break dancing to Why Not kids, working part-time at Tim Horton’s and being a single mother, Froman is training to be a certified personal trainer for the YMCA. “I feel like every bullcrap thing I ever went through made me who I am today. It’s really a blessing,” said Froman. Froman, suddenly bubblier than ever, jumps up out of her chair to see her finished product in Trevor’s hands. She gushes about how the kids will love seeing their names in graffiti fonts. Word on the Street is ready to spread.

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, February 6, 2013

A&E

Courtney Langstaff // arts@thesputnik.ca

Gluten-free: A modern culture

Film & TV’s best/ worst sex scenes Gluten free burger. (Art by Diane Sison)

Madison Hawkins Staff Now that we are well into January, many who had made a News Year’s resolution of becoming fit and healthy are slowing beginning to sink back into their old eating habits and daily routines that don’t include any gym time. However, there are still those individuals who have taken the chance to truly turn their lifestyle around and are constantly researching for new diet trends to follow. The latest nutrition movement that seems to have everyone interested is making their lifestyle ‘gluten-free’. Restaurants are now offering glutenfree options, as well as everyday grocery stores. Books such as cardiologist Dr. William Davis’ ‘Wheat Belly’ are flying off shelves, getting even those who don’t have celiac disease on board with this new healthy lifestyle. Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Gwyneth Paltrow are endorsing the gluten-free diet, making gluten-free trendy and stylish. So what is so great about gluten-free eating, and will it truly make a difference in physical appearance? Dr. Onkar Singh, a licensed naturopathic doctor at Holistic Healing Arts Centre in Brantford, believes that the first step to feeling healthier is to change your diet. “In general, clinically, in 12 years of doing this, obviously any patient who comes to see us we talk about diet and invariably part of the recommendation is ‘Okay let’s guide you towards a certain

way of eating [and] healthier choices’,� he explains. Dr. Singh often suggests the removal of gluten from your diet in order for patients to see an improvement in both their mood and digestion. “Even though I might not suspect celiac, not a true allergy to it (gluten), I’ll say ‘You know what your body would do well with a break from [gluten]’ because gluten is an irritant to the digestive track,� says Singh. “When patients start eliminating it, [they] start to think ‘Wow, I can think more clearly, my digestion is better, I feel more energy’, � he continued. Coming from such a processed environment, gluten has become the first thing that naturopathic doctors like Dr. Singh, choose to eliminate from their patient’s diets. “In general, is it worth while for us to say lets take a break from gluten and see how we feel? A simple answer to that is yes. I go back to the nature of how gluten can create havoc. It creates havoc and it creates inflammation. It seems to be becoming more prevalent indefinitely. Things have evolved in a way where it seems that more and more of us are sensitive to gluten,� says Singh. It is safe to say that most of the glutenfree products on the shelves in grocery stores are difficult to preserve and taste like cardboard. Therefore, it can be a big commitment to choose to eat gluten-free.

However, Sophia’s bakery on Colborne Street in downtown Brantford makes it a little bit easier for those looking to jump on the gluten-free bandwagon. “ We [originally] didn’t put glutenfree on our signage because we wanted everyone to come in. We didn’t want anyone with any preconceived notions about [horrible] gluten-free products to not come try out our food,â€? says Lucas Dugid who owns Sophia’s Bakery with his wife Laura. “Our whole mission is to not substitute. Not have‌an ‘it’s good for gluten free’. It has to be ‘wow it’s good!’, period. That is what we strive towards,â€? says Laura Duguid. “We grind our own flour. Everything we do is from scratch, we have no choice it’s just the way it has to be, because we have to be able to guarantee [glutenfree]â€?, she says. Sophia’s Bakery produces about 300 to 350 loafs of bread a week that are free from gluten, dairy, soy and sugar. The only natural sweetener used in them is honey. On top of producing a delicious gluten-free loaf of natural, healthy bread, David and Laura stick to their Brantford roots by only buying local. So if you’re truly interested in making decision to create a better, healthier you, check out the gluten-free lifestyle. You may just never switch back!

LB Trend Hunter: Rainboots

Rain boots are necessary for unpredictable weather (Photo by Jordan Johnston)

Madison Hawkins Staff Rubber boots. Tall ones. Short ones. Red ones. Floral ones. Everyone on campus can’t get enough of the newest, oddest fashion accessory: rubber rain boots. As the weather continues to keep us guessing with one day at plus 13 degrees with torrential down pour, and the next at minus 13 with flurries falling from the sky, there is plenty of wet and slushy mud to ruin your day one step at a time. Winter boots such as Uggs with their fluffy wool interior are meant for keeping your foot warm, but not so dry. One step into a puddle of left over melted snow can soak through those boots turning your day into miserable damp one.

So what is a girl to do? Girls on campus are turning to a different boot to beat the wet winter weather. Rubber boots are now becoming the choice of winter boot as they add a little something extra to your outfit, with the variety of different colours and patterns. With so many different options and styles, rubber boots are becoming that staple item that can share your personality with everyone. Rubber boots not only keep you in style while keeping your feet dry, but they are also available with insoles to add that extra winter warmth. The most popular brand of rubber boot that can be seen from anywhere on campus to fashion spreads in the hottest magazines are the pricy Hunter rain boot. These ‘farmer looking’, but totally in style, rubber boots

can cost over $200—plus the cost of wool or cotton winter insoles. They come in multiple styles, ankle length, over the knee length and lace up over the knee. Hunters also come in a variety of colours, from your typical red rain boot to the sure-to-stand-out highlighter pink. Need an idea of how to wear them and what style you like best? Take a walk on campus and use your fellow classmates as examples! Grab a pair to keep your feet toasty warm, dry all day long, and add some extra style to your ordinary outfit!

Amber Richardson Staff It’s film season, and there is no better way to celebrate than by listing both the best and worst sex scenes of television and cinema. The movies and shows that made this list are memorable, humorous, and sometimes embarrassing in nature, but that’s what made them all great, even if they were terrible. I’ve also accidentally concocted an extremely diverse list (displaying the inclusivity of sex) including gay, polygamous, adulterous, and non-human scenes. Brokeback Mountain - Good This movie still gets some moans and groans, but Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger flawlessly portrayed the passion, and the got-to-have-it-now attitude. Since neither of the actors are actually gay, it made this scene all the more impressive. Savages - Good Everybody loves a good on-screen threesome, especially when it involves Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, and Aaron Johnson. There were no bad sex scenes in this movie, just confusing ones (especially at the beginning when she’s having sex with two different guys and you’re not sure why). Lively also remained completely clothed in her bathtub sex scene, keepin’ it classy. Titanic - Good The cheesiest ever line, “Touch me, Jack,â€? still doesn’t ruin this steamy adulterous car-sex-ina-boat scene. And really, that car probably has more space than any car today has to offer. Black Swan - Good Natalie Portman gives up her goody-twoshoes persona for this raunchy “dreamedâ€? sex scene with Mila Kunis. I was completely surprised when I saw this in the movie, but I love that they included it. True Blood - Good Everyone who knows True Blood, knows that there isn’t one particular sex scene that should be noted over the others. There are at least ten sex scenes in every episode, so it seems. However, all the scenes are always steamy, especially when the vamps are moving so fast they just look like a blur onscreen. Girls - Not so good I love Lena Dunham and her super awkward sex scenes (Remember when Adam wanted her to be an 11 year old with a lunchbox?). Her show Girls is perhaps one of the closest shows to real life I’ve ever seen, which is probably why I feel embarrassed watching her have sex. I feel like a Peeping Tom. Young People Fucking - Not so good In this flick, Andrew (Josh Dean) and Abby (Kristin Booth) have a boring sex life that leads them to try strap-on sex. While it was consensual at first, Booth takes it a little too far in an effort to “get-offâ€?, and Dean’s character ends up feeling a little bit defiled. Michael Cera - Not so good I know, he’s not a movie, but he is the source for many awkward sex scenes‌actually, every Michael Cera sex scene is bad. From Juno to Youth in Revolt, where he loses his virginity in women’s clothing, it’s all bad. He has lost his virginity in almost every movie I’ve seen him in; you’d think he’d have it down by now.

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The Sputnik // Wednesday,February 6, 2013

A&E

Courtney Langstaff // arts@thesputnik.ca

THE BEST OF MOVIES MUSIC AND T.V. k-os Black On Blonde 4/5 Stephanie Di Bartolo k-os released his fifth studio album on January 29 titled Black On Blonde, and I can definitely tell he wanted to go beyond what he’s done before. k-os incorporated a lot of collaborations with artists that you wouldn’t really expect to see on one of his albums, like Sam Roberts and Corey Hart. Needless to say, they really work in my opinion. It was a risky move to put Sam Roberts on the record, as he makes music that is the farthest thing from R&B, but these types of awkward collabs seem to really be working for a lot of artists lately, and Roberts’ smooth voice brings a cool vibe to the R&B track. With k-os being Canadian himself, I was happy to see him partnering up with other Canadian artists on this record. My favourite song on this album would have to be Billy Bragg Winners because of the collaboration with Jay Malinowski (I’m a huge Bedouin Soundclash fan). Don’t Touch with Sam Roberts is a close second. This record makes me a proud Canadian. Good job.

The Carrie Diaries 4.5/5 Madison Hawkins Now that January has come to an end, new sitcoms or television series of 2013 have either bit the dust or have succeeded and have made a name for themselves. One show that has proven to be popular with ratings and myself is the prequel to Sex and the City—The Carrie Diaries. This show is full of colourful exciting 80s fashion (the proves to still be in style today), New York glamour, and the usual high school drama of catty girls and hot boys. Think Gossip Girl with an 80s twist and a little more downto-earth, middle class money. You don’t have to be a Sex and the City fan to get into this new TV series, as it takes you back to the beginning, where sex is not even an option. I know I am hooked. Catch it on CityTV Monday nights to see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Tiny Furniture 4/5 Amber Richardson Tiny Furniture is a quirky film directed, created, and starring the even quirkier Lena Dunham. This movie touches on the frustrations and tribulations of moving back home after graduating from university, and the extremely awkward moments that go along with re-socializing with your family. It’s hilarious and heartbreaking, and, as with most Lena Dunham creations, it leaves you feeling slightly embarrassed for her at times. I recommend this movie for all upcoming graduates, because it will probably give you a sad, but reliable, reality check for when you re-inhabit your childhood bedroom.

The Following 4.5/5 Courtney Langstaff There is nothing better than seeing big time Hollywood actors from the big screen on primetime television. Primetime TV does bring out the cheesy B or C list actors working with a generic and unoriginal script. The Following is a completely different approach to suspenseful television with actors like Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy and Shawn Ashmore. The storyline follows ex- FBI agent, and now closet alcoholic, Ryan Hardy (Bacon) who is out to catch an escaped convict, Joe Caroll (Purefoy), whom he has an interesting and bloody past with. Once he is caught, Bacon realizes that Caroll has a ‘following’ of people that are doing his dirty work while he is behind bars. This film reminds me a bit of Gerard Butler’s ‘Law Abiding Citizen’, but the suspense, action, and not to mention semi-bloody scenes makes this show wicked primetime television.

OSCAR TALK: THE TOP CONTENDERS Amber Richardson Staff

The Oscars are almost here, and I am going to provide a running commentary along with predictions for every Oscar flick I’ve seen so far. Beasts of the Southern Wild This movie is not at all what I was expecting—mainly because I underestimated the ferocity of the then five year old, Quvenzhané Wallis. She is an absolute firecracker onscreen and she managed to transform herself into Hushpuppy flawlessly. This film reveals the trials and tribulations of living in the fictional bayou that is faced with eminent extinction. Beasts of the Southern Wild had emotionally engaging interactions, captured by equally beautiful cinematography. Though I personally would give Wallis the golden man for best actress, her chances of getting it are slim to none.

Silver Linings Playbook Holy cow, this one was a surprise. I reluctantly went to see this film thinking it was just going to be any old rom-com, with added football elements (and I hate football). It is nothing like that. It’s mental illness, mixed with divorce, mixed with sexual tension, and superstition. It was such a pleasant surprise, and I have no qualms about it being nominated for best pic-

Django Unchained Never in my life have I seen a movie with so many n-bombs. While there was some controversy over that, I do believe it was pretty true to the time being depicted. I absolutely loved this movie, minus the red block letters for the open-

ON

MY

PLATE Nom Chompsky Staff

I, Nom Chompsky, have a new favourite restaurant in Downtown Brantford. Establishment: Burrito Brothers, located at the corner of Dalhousie and King is a fresh new establishment offering even fresher food. Upon entering, you’re welcomed with warm smiles from all three staff members and a succinct guide on ordering. This restaurant is bright. Bright smiles, bright walls and even brighter; the food. The venue is clean and though a little sparse, tastefully decorated. The service is fast, even when the restaurant is fairly full. Menu: A pleasingly minimalistic menu is hosted on the wall behind the counter offering one of 4 options; burritos, nachos,

By: Stephanie Di Bartolo, The Sputnik’s watchdog of the local, national and everchanging music scene. On this week’s agenda:

SONGS FOR THE BROKEN HEARTED

Death Cab for Cutie, The Ice is Getting Thinner Florence + The Machine , No light, no light The Bravery , The Ocean Mumford & Sons , White Blank Page The Strokes , Someday

Suggestions? Tell us what album, band, or artist you want to see reviewed or featured in The Sputnik by emailing arts@thesputnik.ca

ture. I don’t think it will take best picture, and I don’t think that Bradley Cooper or Jennifer Lawrence will take home the Oscars, but it is definitely worthy of the nominations. Zero Dark Thirty The most interesting aspect of this movie is that it tells history essentially while it is happening. However, it is very likely this element of the film that makes it feel like a long, slightly more entertaining version of a CNN newscast. I was expecting way more action—but that’s probably just because I thought capturing and assassinating Osama Bin Laden would be more exciting than it actually was. Jessica Chastain delivered a convincing performance, and served well as a strong female lead. She may very well be the actress that takes the Oscar for this one.

Reviewing the mouth-watering, the memorable and the mistakes of on-campus dining.

tacos and combos (comprised of chips and salsa, and/or a drink). This week, my plate was filled with two generous soft tacos: fish with pineapple salsa, jalapenos, green onions, cilantro, guacamole and a drizzle of sour cream, and a pulled pork taco with corn and bean salsa, burrito sauce, jalapenos, green onions and cilantro. I kid you not, what arrived on my plate was a snapshot from the food network; soft unfolded tacos presented as if a piece of art. The food was all fresh and homemade. By far, the tacos’ highlights were the salsas as they were fresh and light. However, don’t let the aesthetically

THE CHARTS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

ing, and it stayed consistently exciting throughout the entirety of its 3-hour screen time. DiCaprio played the perfect asshole, as did Sammy J, and Foxx and Waltz played some of the best bad good guys I’ve ever seen. So my main disappointment is that NONE of the lead actors got nominations. It always flusters me when a film nominated for best picture isn’t recognized for the actors that got it there.

Argo American history was seemingly a theme in the 2012 film industry—Argo being no exception. This story directed by and starring Ben Affleck, was about the American hostage situation in Iran in the 1980s. Compared to the other films up for best picture, I find this one mediocre. That also probably has to do slightly with the fact that all other best picture nominees were just released, and this one came out in the summer.

pleasing food fool you, this Mexican meal is downright messy. Make sure to grab a ton of napkins. Recommendation: Jarrito soda, a product of Mexico, can be found at Burrito Brothers. I recommend lime.

Burrito Brothers, one of the newest members of Downtown Brantford’s culinary clan is a must-try and must-return venue. Also, James Cairns was in there at the time. And if Cairns approves, so do I.

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SPORTS Kyle Morrison // sports@thesputnik.ca

The Sputnik // Wednesday,February 6, 2013

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, February 6, 2013

SPORTS Kyle Morrison // sports@thesputnik.ca

Sibling rivalry reaches new level at Super Bowl XLVII Kyle Morrison Sports Editor Whether it is on the playground, the field or the ice, everyone has those moments, staring down their sibling, fire burning in their eyes to beat them. The Harbaughs are no longer kids on the playground, but the goal remained the same: I must win and show my brother I’m better than him. For the first time ever in the Super Bowl, two brothers were on opposite ends of the sidelines, Jim Harbaugh coaching theSan Francisco

49ers and older brother (by nine months) John coaching the Baltimore Ravens. Regardless of how close you are, that has to create some tension and surely cannot be treated as simply “another game”. Even if only for an instant, you look over to that sideline and see someone you grew up with and think, “I’m going to have to crush my brother’s dream.” And crush it John did, after the Ravens defeated the 49ers 34-31.

A late decision to leave the punter running around in the end zone to kill time and surrender a two-point safety instead of kicking the ball away on fourth down, surely would have not suggested brotherly love. But winning obviously trumps love. Laurier Brantford student Oje Izirein understands this. “I could never play easy against my brother because he’s better than me at soccer. I had to try my heart out,” said Izirein. He relishes the opportunity to beat him and would always rather have it that way than by playing on the same side. “I would have rather been on the opposite team, though. Just so if I could get the opportunity to score on him when [his brother] is goalie,” said Izirein. Many siblings are playing on the same team these days, h o w e v e r. 2012 has seen its fair

share of sibling pair-ups. Jordan Staal joined brother Eric in Carolina after being traded from the Pittsburgh Penguins during the NHL Draft in June; outfielder Justin Upton was traded to the Atlanta Braves, joining his older brother B.J.; and tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams paired up to win the women’s doubles tournament at Wimbledon. Although both brothers have not both now received football rings such as fellow NFL brothers Peyton and Eli Manning, there is no doubting that Jim Harbaugh isn’t much less successful than John. In only his second season, he has lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl. I’m sure as the purple confetti fell onto the field at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans this would mean nothing to him – he didn’t achieve his goal. But even once they embraced at the end of the game and that bittersweet moment of losing really sunk in, that fire and drive that only the rivalry between two siblings can produce grows. Just like on the playground the next day, there is always more to prove. Sibling supremacy is on the line, and with the teams both Jim and John Harbaugh have built; I wouldn’t be surprised to see this family showdown again.

Sibling Rilvalry (Photo Illustration)

Men’s basketball team satisfied with tournament results Anthony Fusco Staff The Laurier Brantford extramural basketball team travelled to University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus last Friday to participate in one of the last tournaments of the season. They started off the tournament by dominating the U of T Scarborough Racoons before getting caught late in the game and losing by a close score of 41-39. Next, they played the U of T Maroons. The boys put in a good effort and won the game 48-43. The next and final game held some importance, as the Golden Hawks faced off

against their rivals, Centennial. “It’s a really good rivalry. They always push us to play harder and go for the win,” said Captain Matt Wright. The Hawks came out and played an excellent game, edging out Centennial 39-38. However, as Wright points out, the score doesn’t show the game as a whole. “The score doesn’t tell the whole story. At one point, we were up by 12 points. They hit a couple of late three pointers to catch up, but we were able to hold them off for the win,” said Wright. Wright was extremely happy with the results of the tournament and the effort his teammates gave.

Poor refereeing in dogeball Craig Hagerman Staff The extramural dodgeball team was in action last Friday in their final tournament of the year at George Brown College. Despite everything riding on this tournament it would be poor refereeing that would steal the show. The Golden Hawks hit the court against their first opponent from Seneca King. The team made swift work of Seneca, dismantling them easily 7-1. In their second game the Golden Hawks took on Boreal College and they did not slow down. The team stuck to the game plan that worked perfectly against Seneca and it didn’t fail them as Laurier Brantford rolled over Boreal College winning 6-0. Unfortunately, it was after these two very strong games that the wheels started to come off for Laurier. In their third game Laurier took on Humber Lakeshore, and although it was a very close game the Hawks came up short. Despite the loss in their third game the Hawks claimed a birth in the semi-finals. Unfortunately their next game was against a strong Humber North team. The Hawks came out strong and tried to keep to their game plan, but it wasn’t enough as Humber North took the contest 5-3. Although they lost their final two games of the tournament, the

team believes that they were on the wrong side of some poor refereeing. Team co-captain Michelle Anger believes the refs weren’t calling the games fairly. “The reffing was bad, the refs did not know the rules and even had to pull out the rule sheet during one game as they did not know what the rule was. Sometimes they would call someone on our team out for something and the other team would do the exact same thing but not be out,” said Anger. Despite the poor refereeing and an early exit at the tournament, Anger was still proud of the way the team played and that the team’s communication was strong. “I think we all played well this tournament, playing better as a team and having good communication. We would all determine who we were going to throw at and go together instead of just throwing at whoever,”said Anger. Extramural dodgeball has ended for another year at Laurier Brantford and despite not bringing home a first place finish it was a season that Anger believes was full of fun and good times. “The tournaments were fun and because each tournament most of the same teams were there we got to know the other teams and always had a great time at the tournaments even though it got competitive at times,” said Anger.

“I was really happy with the compete level everyone showed. The wins were, without a doubt, a total team effort. Everyone clicked and flowed and the game reflected that,” said Wright. I was the first time, in Wright’s opinion, that all the players clicked in a game. “Everyone played exceptionally well. I really felt like we all trusted each other. It was the best game I’ve played with the team so far,” said Wright. There are a few more tournaments on the horizon for the Golden Hawks squad to play in. They also are waiting to see if they have qualified for the Challenge Cup. One thing the team would like to get

more of is fan support from students on campus. “Everyone should come out and support us. We love having the school vibe and spirit behind us to drive us to victory. It really means a lot when we can see and hear our own fans cheering us on,” said Wright. Wright also mentioned an interesting idea for students who want to go and see one of the games in person. “We want the fans to be there and cheer us on. We can arrange something where the students come on the bus and travel with the team to the games,” said Wright.

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The Sputnik // Wednesday, February 6, 2013

OPINION Leisha Senko // opinion@thesputnik.ca

PLACI N G BLAM E Leisha Senko Opinion Editor They say there are three rules young women must live by; one, never enter a party alone, two, never leave your drink unattended, and three, never follow a man you don’t trust. But lying in that car, the one he’d led her to, there was simply nothing to be done; as she drift in and out of consciousness, her pants were ripped off and boys from the party circled the vehicle, leering in and cheering as she was repeatedly raped. She knew some of their names, but the reality they had no interest in helping, washed over in a cold wave of cruel realization. Months later, her transcribed ordeal was entrusted to our twelfth grade teacher, and shared with our class. It was unimaginably brutal, raw, terrifying and yet even this couldn’t stop the piercing, redundant whisper, “how could she let this happen.” Sexual assault, committed by the people around us who feel like safe choices, such as the instance described above, is a crime no one thinks will happen to them, particularly in a university setting. So while the vast majority of tips and tools provided to any undergraduate are aimed more towards warding off shadowy villains of the night (rape whistles and foot patrol services), the chilling reality is that 73 per cent of sexual assaults, according to the Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence, are perpetrated by someone the victim knows and more disturbing yet, 40 per cent occur in the victim’s own home. For many young females, these facts make the outlined rules of safety, repeated ad nauseam by well intentioned security officials, not only unrealistic but also a source of great frustration and guilt. Often these tight parameters, come back to haunt a victim of assault in a number of ways, particularly when large sects of society believe the failure to abide means at least partial culpability. Of course, it’s clear that safety services,

particularly at Laurier, don’t intend these warnings to qualify blame. While many of the pointers dictated on the website choose not to use an authoritative voice, and display a large, commendable disclaimer that even if these things do take place, ‘no one deserves to be assaulted,’ the truth is that this message is often lost. In reality, an entire demographic is totally neglected in rape prevention training, that being men. A number of independent individuals in Waterloo, after a series of posters were released, reminding women of ‘preventative measures,’ began their own brand that focused on encouraging men to avoid assaulting women. It was intended as tongue in cheek, but it carried a very real warning; if men aren’t taught that sexual assault is a complex topic, involving familiar faces, and often gentle rebuttals, universities and society at large will never be able to get this silent crisis under control. Sadly, the instance I described above was never officially reported, just like 90 to 95 per cent of all university and college level sexual assaults. Why, you may ask? Many speculate victims feel they’d made a bad decision leading up to the trauma, and fear being publicly scrutinized because of this. A reservation that doesn’t seem so odd in light of ‘feminist’ scholars like Camille Paglia advocating date rape is the result of sending out mixed signals, or the Toronto police officer who advised women to, “not dress like sluts,” if they don’t want to be accosted. So, while one in five college females will be personally affected, only a small slice will choose to step forward, despite all the warnings and training provided to them. Perhaps now’s the time we should refocus our approach, branch out and educate all people, which means mitigating victim shaming. Then, maybe one day a whole generation of girls and women, sitting in our classrooms, can finally be told unequivocally, this isn’t just their burden to carry.

Rosie is known as a symbol of women’s power. (Art by Diane Sison)

Long speech short: Inaugurating President Obama Cody Groat Staff January 21 was a day that brought in strong winds to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. It also brought in a crowd of over a million people. All eagerly waiting to watch the inauguration of their newly reelected President Barack Obama and the reelected Vice-President Joe Biden. Patiently awaiting the poetry of the inaugural poet Richard Blanco, the national anthem performed by Beyoncé and the words of their leader. All the while, I was sitting in my Terrorism class anxiously refreshing my browser to keep in time with the updates from Obama’s official twitter page. Seeing as he is the most followed political leader globally, with his 26.6 million, it makes him the fifth most followed person in the world. I’m sure I wasn’t the only reading his 140 character segments. Yet, there’s been the idea floated around that as a Canadian, or as a British person, Chinese citizen, or say Kenyan, we don’t need to be preoccupied with the words of another nation’s elected official. This is simply not the case. The United States of America is currently the only global superpower, holding sway over the economy and even most of the global mindset. The words Obama spoke to the mass of Americans (and to the millions more listening) should be heard and respected around the world. The words don’t just matter to the fifty states, but to all the corners of the globe. In his speech, Obama discussed many

topics that have yet to be addressed publicly or targeted as a problem. Meaning, his four-year term could be a sign of social change, as much as the normal global development and economical fixing that is always discussed. Following is a breakdown of what Obama mentioned, what it means, and what it could mean for America and the world. He started by mentioning that every time a president is inaugurated there is a reminder that what pulls the nation together is not, “the colour of our skin, or the tenets of our faith, or the origins of our names.” Obama says what brings them together is the idea imbedded and articulated in their declaration from two hundred years ago; that all men are created equal. But I really need to wonder the reality of that statement. Only forty-five years ago Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated for pushing for the equality of African-American’s in these same states the declaration spoke of. In 2001 after the attacks on New York City, it was seen in many people that a stereotype was placed on all of those of Islamic faith in general. Maybe after forty-five years, maybe after twelve, we can reach the time where America and the world will see everyone as created equal. But I don’t think we’re there yet. Even in his speech, he states that, “while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executing.” He follows by saying freedom is a gift of God. In my eyes, him even stating these as being a,

“gift of God,” is a deterrent from progress. This is placing a religious label on an ideal of religious freedom, making me think we’re not quite there yet at all. Obama then mentioned how the patriots in 1776 didn’t fight to replace a king with the privileges granted to a few. But this section makes me think of the ongoing and global occupy movement. With only 1 per cent of the American population having more wealth than the remaining 99 per cent of Americans. As seen throughout history, those with money tend to have their voices heard first, so maybe this line is wrong as well; maybe we aren’t there yet. This paragraph finishes with the recollection that the republic of the people cannot survive on a population that’s “half slave, and half free.” But can it survive on one that is towered over by millionaires and inhabited with poverty? The message of the President had already spoken to the hearts of millions who are facing crisis in their lives, or problems they find in their nation. This was only two minutes in to a speech of nineteen minutes total. So, with some needed skimming, one of the things that has gotten the most attention from listeners is a line he said causally, but had the impact of a lottery win to some, and a bullet wound to others. Something an American President has never mentioned in an inaugural address let alone a speech to millions. He mentioned how in America the lessons of the past will be acted on now. Not

only did he speak about how parents of children with disabilities will no longer have, “nowhere to turn,” but also the following line, which led to great applause. “Our journey [for equality] is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal, as well.” Finally, America comes out of the closet in regards to gay rights. This one line (and the briefest mention of the Stonewall Riots of 1969) was historical in its own right. It led to articles on gay rights, ideas for solutions, analysis of the problems, tears of joy and screams of anger. But it was said, and can never be taken back. That’s what makes it beautiful. The issue was addressed to an audience Obama knew to be in the millions, globally. The night Obama was reelected; Tammy Baldwin was elected as the first openly gay US Senator in America (for Wisconsin). A state where rights for gays and lesbians are limited as it is. Kathleen Wynne, who will soon be our new Premier of Ontario, will be the first openly gay Premier in Canadian history. Long speech short, the world has issues. These issues are now being talked about, and not secretly whispered. From Medicare, woman’s rights and from immigration to war times ending; Obama said all he needed to. The question now is, will it be acted on?

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