OPINIONS

Politics in print

How (unchecked) campus newspapers are endangering UofT communities—a response to Trinity Times and the safety of Hong Kong students on campus

ANONYMOUS

CONTRIBUTOR

Last semester, the student-run Trinity Times published a piece entitled, “Opinion: The Bond Between China and Hong Kong are Akin to That of a Mother and Her Son.” As a member of Trinity College, as well as a student of political science, I was horrified upon reading it. The article implicitly supports violating Hong Kong’s ‘one country, two systems’ status by promoting a mother-child narrative that is, quite literally CCP (Chinese Communist Party) propaganda to justify reunification. The article reduces a complex inter-governmental conflict to a trivial family drama, and, most worryingly, it jeopardizes the safety of many diasporic communities across campus. Although campus newspapers are an integral part of student life, their power can be manipulated when journalistic procedures go unchecked. When students consume their content, consciously or not, papers have the potential to influence their perspective on culture and society, leading to some possibly becoming targets of political assault. Ultimately, this is a prime demonstration of the necessity of journalistic integrity among campus newspapers, especially when exploring socio-political issues with tangible implications for members across the UofT community.

“The bond between China and Hong Kong is comparable to that of an abducted child who has been restored to its mother.” - Trinity Times, 2022

Trinity Times flippantly exploits propagandist narratives to promote the breach of Hong Kong’s semiautonomous status. The article uses language verbatim to that of CCP leader, Xi Jinping, who in his speech during the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover, describes the city as a “long-separated child coming back to the warm embrace of his mother.” This longstanding metaphorical language posits Hong Kong as a naive kid who makes rash decisions and is incapable of self-determination, while China as a wise and magnanimous parental figure. The CCP weaponizes this infamous analogy to justify the reunification of the two. More recently, it explains China’s increasing incursions in the internal affairs of Hong Kong that are 30 years premature to the British’s 50-year agreement of ensuring the city a high degree of autonomy that was enshrined pre-handover.

The author fails to acknowledge any specific political events that have taken place since the 1997 handover, especially some glitter-clad elephants in the room: the 2014 protests for universal suffrage, the 2019 protests against the Extradition Bill, and the subsequent mass emmigration of citizens, which demonstrate whether many feel they are being reunited or abducted. With more than 113,000 residents emigrating from 2019 to 2022, according to government figures, the year-on-year drop between mid-2021 and mid-2022 was the largest percentage decline since records began in 1961.

Upon removing the analogy from the inflated language, instead of the sweet family reunion that the author wants readers to imagine, the piece reaches a rather sinister conclusion, as the writer implies Hong Kong’s submission to authoritarianism is inevitable. While it is true that China has been a victim of imperialism in the past and should pursue post-colonial discourse, it does not negate the role of China’s present violence.

“The child has lived abroad with a wealthy family, who used to look down on the poor, for a long time and has adapted different thinking and behaviour.” - Trinity Times, 2022 to diminish Hong Kong’s crisis of autonomy. The author defames a distinct and legitimate cultural identity, reducing it to nothing more than elitism and arrogance. Hong Kong’s culture is fundamentally different that of the mainland; under British rule, citizens experienced different ways of life which included greater freedom of speech and the press. This makes it difficult for Hong Kongers to imagine their lives under reunification. The city largely governs itself with its own currency, passport, and judicial systems, unlike typical Chinese cities in the country. Instead it is a territory of unique sovereign power.

The briefest research as to why some Hong Kongers are against reunification would lead to the concern of human rights. For many, Hong Kong’s independence day from colonial rule on July 1 is rarely a celebration among civilians; instead, it is a sombre moment of allyship to remember those who have fallen during the Tiananmen Square Massacre, the Uyghur genocide, or those in Taiwan who face missile threats. Now, under the National Security Law, the government has banned vigils for Tiananmen victims. Since the enactment of the 2020 law, prodemocracy newspapers have been forcibly shut down, protestors have been arrested, and new pro-Beijing curriculums have been implemented across multiple levels of education.

To present a political issue with severe implications for people of varying Sinophone backgrounds as simply familial conflict is not only lazy and neglectful; it demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding towards the topic that the author tries to imply authority on. It spreads misinformation across campus, which could alter unsuspecting student readers’ political perceptions.

“A sibling rivalry between [Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong] could escalate into a fight, reopening the pain already fossilized in their bones. But it passes: the brothers have too much in common – “we both speak Cantonese, we both like making soup, and we both like drinking tea and eating dim sum” – and it is with their similarities does this bond, once strained, begin to flourish again.” - Trinity Times, 2022

As pretty as the article’s prose may be, the article contains a conflation of the nation and the state—a rookie mistake that any political science student would have been brutally scolded for by their TA. It is undeniable that a large portion of Hong Kong culture derives from traditions passed down from their Chinese ancestors. For instance, the city does not skimp on Chinese New Year festivities, when citizens often travel to the mainland to visit relatives. But here is glaring question: does historical unity necessitate an eventual entire reunification? Because of the two territories’ deep historical ties, only one out of six Hong Kongers support independence after 2047. Simultaneously, distinct cultural identity under 180 years of separation means a low number supports reunification too, with a majority desiring the maintenance of ‘one country, two systems.’ Indeed, there is some truth to the statements that both territories “speak Cantonese,” “like making soup,” “drinking tea, and eating dim sum.” However, are dumplings really enough to justify the current human rights violations of the CCP government?

The author’s argument in highlighting the overlaps in language and culture, in combination with the mother-child analogy, all pertain to ethno-nationalist rhetoric and are similar to the Russian justification for its current invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin asserts that Crimea is “primordial Russian land,” and constantly reiterates a narrative of historical unity of Ukraine and his country, implying that Ukraine is an illegitimate state. It is, therefore, especially haunting—and ironic—that the Trinity Times would celebrate the liberation of a Ukrainian city from Russian forces on the same day.

With no statistics, historical evidence, or political reports used to support an opinion on a grave intergovernmental crisis, Trinity Times has published an article that violates multiple aspects of journalistic integrity. The piece pretends to navigate a dilemma of sovereignty and human rights based on propagandist rhetoric, childhood anecdotes, and imagined dialogues between anthropomorphic state actors.

It is truly ignorant to use a newspaper to implicitly advocate for a political crisis that has destroyed a city’s freedom of the press. The status of Hong Kong

is no petty family drama where compromises can be reached through a heart-to-heart conversation between “mother” and “son.” This is no opinion piece about a novel or film where an author can write purely from their own thoughts and feelings. To reduce the horrors of authoritarianism to either of those lighter topics is offensive, irresponsible, and dangerous to students at UofT who are not only from a background of Hong Kong but those with connections to Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and even those in mainland China facing oppression under the CCP regime. Canada has been a safe haven for Hong Kongers for decades; many civilians, including many at UofT, have had to experience the heartbreak of leaving their homes to seek a safer life in Canada. To leave all that you know behind and be confronted with a peer-written article that essentially advocates for the continued assault on your home can only be described as a distressing and enraging experience.

Indeed, freedom of speech and the press are vital to student life on campus, but unchecked journalism that lacks informed opinions endangers communities. It is therefore integral that papers follow procedures such as fact-checking and high standards of integrity throughout the writing process. Campus newspapers also need to be less afraid of publicly disagreeing with their peers and instead should utilize their platform to give voice to varying perspectives.

There are hundreds of codes covering journalistic ethics globally; while various guides may differ in their content’s detail, all that are reputable share common principles of truthfulness, accuracy, and fact-based communication.

Here, I would like to invite the Trinity Times to reflect on whether they have honoured these journalistic standards.

ILUUSTRATION | SHELLEY YAO

This piece has been shortened for print purposes—to read it in its entirety, go to https://thestrand.ca/opinions/.

The Strand’s 2023 resolutions

Our hopes, dreams, and aspirations for this year

THE STRAND TEAM

PHOTO | THE STRAND

New year, new beginnings, new hopes and aspirations – that’s what the turn of a random-middle-year-that’s-apart-of-a-random decade means to us. 60 percent of our team thinks Twitter is going to see its demise, followed by BeReal at 20 percent. A middling 10 percent think Instagram and TikTok will be done by the end of 2023. We know you’ve set your fair share of expectations for what 2023 will hold and we have too! A whopping 38 percent of The Strand’s staff even believe that they will finish the school year off peacefully and relaxed! So, without further ado, allow us to share what we believe is written in the stars for 2023:

What campus-related activities are you most looking forward to doing this year?

“Spending rainy spring days at the Emmanuel college library”- Mikaela

“Trying every single drink at Caffiends”- Janna Abbas, Co-Editor-in-Chief

“Caffiends shifts w/ friends <3” - Kieran

“Visiting every single library on campus” - Celena

“Ordering the secret special at Northrop Frye McDonald’s” - Max

“Finding better ways to stay warm while walking between my classes” - Adam

“Attending the CINSSU’s Free Film Fridays” - Roensa

“Trying every single door to get into the Northrop Frye McDonald's” - Rion

Do you set resolutions for the new year? Why or why not?

“Yes, they help me focus on what went well and what didn't with my last year.”- Mikaela Moore, Associate Arts and Culture Editor

“I usually set intentions rather than resolutions; they help me approach my specific goals with an overarching theme or mindset to guide me!” - Faith Wershba, Stranded Editor

“I always set resolutions for the new year. I like going into the new year with some kind of goal or vision for the future.” - Alyssa Fueerte, Copyeditor

“Normally I do, but this year I'm winging it.”- Kieran Guimond, Science Editor

“More like for the new semester or season” - Max Lees, Co-News Editor

“Nah, I resolve to set resolutions before the winter break, because it’s hard to start working with them due to the busy work periods that happen often at the beginning of January.” - Adam Lam, Managing Web Editor

“Yes, I love feeling disappointed when they inevitably fall through.” - Roensa Salija, Senior Copy Editor

“No, because I will get lazy when I feel the pressure to do it.” - Rion Levy, Co-Editor-in-Chief

“I do, but I don’t write them down or record them! That way if I don’t complete them I can sow doubt and convince myself that I never made them in the first place.” - Sam Martin, Features Editor

Who do you think is gonna be your #1 most listened to artist this year?

“Manëskin or ABBA” - Mikaela

“Probably Alice Phoebe Lou or Peach Pit!” - Faith

“New Jeans (they’re #1 of the past 6 months so far)” - Alyssa

“Fall Out Boy and Paramore are releasing new albums so…” - Kieran

“To no one's surprise, Taylor Swift” - Celena

“Probably Mild High Club (again)” - Max

“Selena Pérez” - Adam

“I am trying my best to have it be anyone but Taylor Swift.” - Janna

“Arctic Monkeys (again)” - Roensa

“Taylor Swift (there's no gun to my head)” - Rion

“Big Thief!” - Sam

If you answered yes, what are some of your resolutions?

“My resolution this year is to be a better advocate for myself and to speak up about things I need or want.” - Mikaela “This year is all about healing and self-care for me. I’m trying to make more time for relaxing and for learning how to take better care of myself. I’m also trying to learn how to cook food that helps heal my body, and learning to cook Filipino foods that I love.” - Alyssa

“Enjoy my time being alive, be nicer to myself, read for fun and enjoyment” - Celena Ho, Staff Writer

“Classified” - Max

“To get eight hours of sleep every night” - Roensa

“Can’t say, I keep my resolutions close to my chest.” - Sam

What foods do you want Ned's to start serving this year?

“Waffles, like the machine where you pour the cup and make it yourself” - Max

“Carribean food” - Adam

“Waffles” - Rion

“Iced coffee!!!!! Pls” - Sam

Which zodiac sign is going to give you the most trouble in 2023?

“I just know it’s gonna be Libras…” - Janna

“Virgo (as a Libra)” - Mikaela

“Idk astrology uhhh maybe the bull or the ram?? They seem aggressive.” - Faith

“Pisces - because my mom is a Pisces lol” - Alyssa

“Capricorn (I'm a Capricorn, I'm gonna give myself trouble)” - Kieran

“Rabbit (Lunar New Year zodiac)” - Adam

“Libra” - Rion

“Capricorn” - Sam

Give your future self a piece of advice!

“Live Laugh Love” - Mikaela

“Everything gonna be okay lil one <3 trust da process!” - Faith

“CHILL OUT - don’t take on so many responsibilities, you’re not superhuman, slow down!!!!” - Alyssa

“You're doing just fine” - Celena

“Keep practicing foreign languages, it has and will pay off and you will also sound super cool.” - Adam

“When boiling eggs, remember to put the eggs in the pot before boiling the water.” - Roensa

What is one thing you will do your best to prevent happening in 2023?

“The release of the dark, adult version of The Care Bears tv show by the CW” - Mikaela

“Self hate!!!!! All my homies gotta LOVE THEMSELVES this year, or else……” - Faith

“Hitting “TWEET” on my intrusive thoughts” - Alyssa

“I'm gonna solve climate change all by myself.” - Kieran

“I will not ruin my sleep schedule again because I was staying up late texting a boy–I will be going to bed promptly at 10pm, sorry!” - Celena

“Yellow Submarine being my top song a second time” - Max

“I WILL in fact be preventing the Toronto Maple Leafs from losing in round one again; it’s time to take matters into my OWN hands.” - Roensa

The Landmark Project: Geoexchange field and new beginnings

UofT taking steps to create a more inviting and beautiful campus

CLAUDIA LEUNG

CONTRIBUTOR

Right now, King’s College Circle isn’t exactly picturesque. For a lot of students flowing to and from Gerstein and Convocation Hall, walking between fenced pathways and heavy machinery has simply become a part of our daily routines. Students can often be caught squeezing between chugging machines and fences. Whilst dodging around the mud crevices, many students are left wondering just what the construction is all for.

UofT’s Landmark Project promises to establish an inviting campus space for students to interact within, surrounded with a beautiful scenery of luscious trees and gardens, as well as new communal areas for a livelier campus experience. The main areas at the St. George campus which are undergoing intensive transformations include both the Front and Back campuses, the Sir Daniel Wilson Quadrangle, Hoskin Avenue, and the fields around Hart House and the Medical Sciences Building.

Most of the construction revolves around the addition of pathways and greenery. However, some areas like Convocation Hall will be undergoing a more rigorous transformation process. The current plan for the surroundings of the building includes the introduction of a new granite plaza, which will replace the current asphalt grounds, and chairs that will allow for afterclass hangouts or large-scale events. According to the UofT’s Landmark Project site, “a stunning necklace of granite pathways” will stem from King’s College Circle, as well as around “20 new gardens” which will undoubtedly prove to become a new landmark at the heart of downtown Toronto.

The Hart House circle will also become a muchneeded refuge from the busy buzzing of student life. The designers are envisioning an open area of greenery and granite pathways, completely devoid of vehicles. The Hart House area involves a web of granite paths and patches of small gardens between the walking paths.

However, the most ambitious project is the geoexchange project located right beneath King’s College Circle. The developing abyss will grow to be 100 to 200 metres deep, housing the largest urban geoexchange system in Canada. The science behind the field was developed mainly by UofT’s late professor, Frank Hooper, who did work with ground-source heat pumps.

The field itself will have two main functions. First, it will modulate the temperature of existing buildings around the campus. Secondly, it will reduce the release of greenhouse gas into our atmosphere by 15,000 tonnes per year. The geoexchange field ensures that the temperature of the ground and the interior of the buildings remain between 10 to 12°C by using fluidfilled pumps that capture and release heat. The source and storage of the heat is from the 370 boreholes, which are underground pockets of air that entrap excess heat created from mechanical systems. The field will be functional year-round, as it stores heat in the summer and releases it in the winter cyclically. The geothermal field will also act as both a garage and a subterranean classroom, where engineering students can see the inner workings of this ambitious mechanism firsthand.

Updates and other information on the Landmark Project can be tracked on their website. Thanks to the hard work of everyone on the construction site and behind the scenes, the heart of the UofT St. George campus will certainly become a sight to behold and a beautiful landscape for the memories that will be made on its grounds.

PHOTO | UOFT WEBSITE NICOLAS DEMERS