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Welcome to yet another issue of this beautiful newspaper. It has been about 3 months since we last spoke (well I wrote this and you read this) but here we are again. The beautiful piece of newsprint that you are holding is our fall edition and this year we are looking forward and towards the future as you will see from our beautiful spotlight on ‘real life fiction’. The world we live in is such a dark world and if most media, literature and important figures are to believe the world is not getting any brighter anytime soon. That is why we here chose to have a look at the great strides that have been made in all aspects of our world from technology to space travel and everything in-between. The goal of this is hopefully make you stop and think about all of the things that are happening in our world and to create your opinions on the topic as well as hopefully aiding in creating a discourse where it is needed. Everything around has a story whether you know it or not. Our parents have a story on how they overcame adversity to give us first generation Canadians the amazing care-free life we all live today. That homeless person that you just passed on your way downtown has a story of how they see the true sides of humans every day and even one of survival in a major city. Stories are only a part of every life and they may not always seem interesting but there is always something in any story that is worth telling or can be interesting to someone so why not tell more of them. Unfortunately for you this is not when I put on my writer hat and drop the hottest 5 paragraphs of words and other written miracles. Stories continue
THE VANIER COLLEGE NEWSPAPER
INSIDE THE ISSUE: to be part of our life whether we make them or not, believe it or not the stories of Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha or Brahma were most likely once a story that someone heard or decided to write down. History has taken these stories and akin to broken telephone, the story that you hear may be wildly different to what may have been created at first. Who knows how the stories we are telling now will hold up in 2000 years, the newest gods may be American and most likely Batman could be a cult or the teachings of the great Captain America may reign supreme as where all families go on Sunday. Stories clearly hold a weight that we currently do not see anymore, in a world of 10 second snapchats and 6 second vines, taking time to read a lengthy story just isn’t something that the majority of the world. Believe it or not some people simply do not read some things if they are longer than 3 scrolls on their phone, so to those people who probably have stopped reading by now you really are missing out and that isn’t a comment about the interesting paragraph coming after this but the idea that a long deep story doesn’t have the same weight as a 140 character tweet. Stories and storytelling are clearly adapting into these mediums that were aforementioned and creativity is being pushed to its bounds
The Benefits of Rage Dodgeball What is Rage Dodgeball? Rage dodgeball is an event that is hosted by the York University Intramural program at Tait Mackenzie. The event starts in the evening around 8pm and lasts as long as your team is able to win and survive the night. But what does one gain from playing 5-8 hours or straight dodgeball? There are many benefits that make staying up the whole night worth it. For one, you have the opportunity to play with a group of individuals from a various college, friends or even random people. This presents the best opportunity because you as a dodgeball team can endure the entire evening together whether it is playing a hard fought game against another team, eating pizza together, or even being sore at the end of the night after all the fun you have had. You as a group can accessorize costumes to display the uniqueness of your team that is another way for you to bond as a team. Another benefit of attending and participating is you get to network and meet people from all over the university. Many teams enter the tournament from places all over the university whether it is another college, staff, alumni or anyone that really is interested in
playing. You really can experience the diversity of the York community because everyone puts asides their differences like age and program and they come together for the common interest of playing a fun sport which promotes community involvement and friendly competition. The event really allows you to integrate yourself within the university community and get involved beyond just going to school, studying and going home. Commonly at the university, many students do not see the opportunities the University provides to make their experience even more memorable outside of handing in assignments and writing tests and exams. Rage Dodgeball is just one of those opportunities that can be an experience that can change your outlook on what being a university student is. New friends, new experiences and new connections are among many benefits that taking part in social events such as Rage Dodgeball can provide for aspiring York students. Keep an open mind when it comes to events at the university because some of these events can really make an impact in your University career.
Daniel Cabalse
President
Suneel Mistry
Editor in Chief but why can’t there be a healthy mix of old with new. The fact that I adore and clearly want to see changed in the future is the willingness to take time out of our lives to learn more about the things around us. This past month I visited the Distillery District in Downtown Toronto and just learning things about that little part of the city has captured me so much I am going back over the weekend. The city and the world we live in holds so many secrets and stories that it is up to us to find the key and blindly go where no man or woman has gone before. Now before you go onto read the rest of this marvelous paper I feel like you are all due a quick explanation of what my goal is with our spotlight in this issue. “Real Life Fiction”, it’s something that really can’t be explained as I have tried multiple times over the last month. The way I see it, we are bringing to you things that you may have not heard about or things you won’t believe. You
may even think that some of the things that you read cannot possibly be real but do trust that everything is factual and is in our real world. As the world continues to move forward there is clearly a blurring between fiction and fact, whether it be the invention of a hover board or the fact that we might be seeing the end of walking with the hand free Segway. The true ideas behind this theme that I came up with came from about 17 different things but there a couple that truly come into main focus when I think about what I was looking for. First is the TV Show The Twilight Zone which was simply a science fiction anthology show where they would show real world scenarios with little things different that made you think what if that happened to me or what if that actually happened. The show was clearly ahead of its time and I honestly have thoroughly have enjoyed “researching” the show for this issue. Staying in the TV world is a must watch show, called Black Mirror, it is a British show that focuses on the same themes of science fiction with real world applications. The show is 3 seasons of 3 episodes so only about 9 hrs of watching so it is so easy to get through and honestly it just may be good enough that it could be studied in schools. The episodes range in theme from what if you could block people
in real life just like Facebook, what if a world leader had to fornicate with a live pig to save a captured princess and other really messed up ideas but while watching you see parts and realize that what they captured as fiction is just an extension of what is happening in the world right now. The show is truly a breathtaking view of what the world could be if science only changed a little bit and who knows the show may go from fiction to fact sooner than we hope.
Chat with Suneel on Twitter @SUNEELMISTRY
TABLE OF CONTENTS PG 2 Editorials How to Suceed in PG 3 University PG 4 Real Life Fiction PG 5 Real Life Fiction PG 6 Lifestyle PG 7 International PG 8 The Niqab Debate
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THE VANIER COLLEGE NEWSPAPER
How To Succeed In University:
Do’s and Dont’s
Last Thursday I attended a promising talk given by John Dwyer, a retired University professor of Humanities and author of a few books aimed at students - the latest being “How to Succeed at University (and get a great job)”. John Dwyer has a way of speaking in which you want to listen and pay attention. He says all the right things, and some of the things you wouldn’t expect a professor to say. During his talk, he spoke a little about his time in University, from failing first year, and doing horrible in second, to where he ended up; achieving a Ph. D and so he has much advice to offer the younger generation on not just what not to do (which we all know of already), but also what to do. There is a huge difference. If you’ve had the misfortune of being like most students and compounding stress for exams, assignments, and finding time to study then you just might have a lot to learn from John. He has three things to share which not only changed his life, but may change yours for the better: 1) Organization: “Time Management is your best friend at University if you use it wisely” – this is the absolute key to success. Many students will put things off to the last possible instance of time and find themselves stressing out just to get things done, let alone actually learn something. John advises every student put in three hours for every hour of each course. This would mean 9 hours
what people expect and are unsure of what you need to need to do now” – with this free e-book you can get started today so you have a better future tomorrow. It’s all in your hands. Get to work.
for each 3 credit course per week. That will not only guarantee you finish your assignments on time, but can “actively engage” the material. School is more than just the grades you can achieve. What you learn in school is what you will be paid for in the future. Remember that. How many people do you know who get paid for getting A’s? University is a business and the more hours you put into it, the more you get back. 2) Understanding that University Learning is a Process: This is a developmental process – it takes time to become successful so don’t be dismayed if at first you don’t achieve the results you want. 3) Engagement: Actively Learning and making what you learn your own. Find things in each of your courses that you actually like. This comes by seeking out and becoming interested in what you are learning. Don’t rely on your professors to entertain you; that is not what they are there for! University professors are extremely educated people and for your money, they are well worth getting to know and asking questions. This would be akin to having a law professor and being able to ask questions at a much more discounted rate than if you were to walk into a lawyer’s office. These
Andres Flores Staff Writer are not just professors or teachers; they are professionals. Don’t forget to learn. Many people seem to forget just how much university really costs until they get out and you’ll find many people in and out of the post-secondary institutions saying things like “you paid that much just for a piece of paper”. It’s much more than a piece of paper if you want it to be. Think about all the people you know and how many just go along with the ebbs and flows of education. They treat education like its something to just pass the time by. Wouldn’t you want the most of your investment? Not just monetarily, but also your time’s worth? Remember that university learning is not about memorizing information or regurgitating what you hear. Memorization plays a minor role in understanding. Your goal should be to achieve and develop analytical thinking and problem solving. These are the skills
which employers value along with time management, and what many professors aim to teach you. Each assignment and exam is a project, very similar to what you will encounter in the workplace. If you’re having trouble keeping up now, figure out where you are going wrong, get the help you need, and keep moving forward. In the real world (the workplace) there are no breaks and you will need to keep up and improve.
To download the free e-book, please visit http://www.bookstore.yorku.ca and look on the main page for the free link to the download. This book is a very practical guide and includes all the things to prepare you for a better education and road ahead. I’m sure you’ll appreciate a cliché-free book as I do.
“Bad stress is when you don’t know
Photogrpahed by: Roham Abtahi
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THE VANIER COLLEGE NEWSPAPER
From VR with Love: Samsung’s New Virtual Reality Gear 2015
I think you can agree with me when I say that nowadays, science is so magical!
that path. Therefore, we should not mock the imperfect technology of today, for it will one day change the world.
Everything we thought could be created by magic is now enabled by science. Virtual reality, a term created by a French dramatist named Antonin Artaud, has been living in people’s imaginations for centuries. This term means that one day, there will be an entirely invented world with every possible detail included. It will be a world so vivid that we cannot tell whether it is artificial or not. Over a decade ago, there was a movie that impressed many of us by successfully presenting such a world, with the use of special visual effect technology, and that movie is The Matrix. I think we can all remember Keanu Reeves, dressed in full black attire, roaming across the sky.
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
When I saw the film, I was almost drowned in my own imagination. Who does not want to be in a world where you can be different? However, we are not quite there yet. The contemporary technology cannot give you a completely artificial world, but it has already laid its finger on the handle of the gate down
Samsung Gear VR 2015 – What Is It? This Samsung technology allows you to see a full-angled world inside it. However, the device cannot be used alone. It has to pair up with a Samsung mobile device, but not to worry, you can choose from the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, or Note 5 to do so. The device is designed to fit into a notch on the gear, and this gives you a little bit of weight on the neck once you combine them. Therefore, please be careful not to ignore your neck’s burden while you are enjoying the overwhelming pleasure with the Samsung Gear! Overall, this innovative gear with the Galaxy S6 can grant you a captivating and endearing experience in the world of virtual reality. You can absolutely immerse yourself into this 360-degree vivid life cinema once you have the headset on, leaving the real world
David He Staff Writer
behind you.
Samsung Gear VR 2015 – Where and When To Purchase This might surprise you, but the first edition of the Samsung Gear was actually released way back in December 2014, but Samsung did not entirely advertise it to the consumers until the second edition was released. The second edition was released in March 2015, and the only difference between the two was what type of device it can pair up with. The reason for the two editions’ small fan circle was presumably their exorbitant price; this however makes sense
because this technology was mainly advertised as some professional video viewer. Nevertheless, the new release in November of this year is announced as a version marketing towards general consumers, and the price is somewhere around $99, making it a lot more affordable for Samsung lovers. As for where you can purchase, the easiest access is through Best Buy. You can either go to their website or any store which is nearest to you to buy one of these devices. Do make note that some stores may not have the product at that specific location, but they can surely order one for you if you like! Samsung Gear VR 2015 – How It Will Further Develop The current Samsung Gear is a very good product, but it still has its limits. For example, Samsung Official can only make the videos, which you will find on the device. It means that you are only able to choose from the limited video options that are on the device. If you get bored with all the existing videos, all you can do is put the gear aside and wait for Samsung to update a new video
in the next few weeks. Furthermore, since it is only a video, you are not able to move. Well, you can certainly turn your head and see what is surrounding you, but you are not able to change your position. So far, virtual reality is only able to bring your eyes into its world but not your feet and hands. However, despite the limit of this gear, it can still achieve many amazing things by different applications. Think about how people will do business in the future. You can have a meeting with your co-workers in the office without leaving your home, and have an elaborated video version of the meeting! A travel agency can make their advertisements more creative simply by uploading a VR video and letting the customers immerse themselves into the attractions’ amazement.
The current virtual reality is still limitedurbanism by the pixels, but perhaps in the near future, people can enter a virtual reality just like what they imagined in the movies or games. Hopefully, that day will not be very far from us.
REAL LIFE Mars: The New Frontier
For as far back as I can remember I have always been fascinated with the possibility of life on other planets. In 2027, this may in fact become a reality, but not in the typical sense of what you may have imagined or envisioned. If you are anything like me, the movie, Aliens, comes to mind. However, that is not quite what Dutch co-founders, Bas Lansdorp and Arno Wielders, had in mind when they developed the Mars One mission. The Mars One mission is a non-profit foundation whose goal is to establish permanent human settlement on Mars by 2027. Yes, you read that right. It means a one-way ticket to the red planet in as little as twelve years! The idea came into fruition in 2011, where Lansdorp and Wielders laid the foundation to begin the mission. They met with aerospace suppliers, engineers, and business developers from around the world to determine if the idea of sending hu-
man settlers to Mars was achievable with existing Earth technology. In April of 2013, the Astronaut Selection Program was launched in New York and Shanghai, opening doors to applicants worldwide who were interested in partaking in this global initiative to become the first human settlers on Mars. The selection program consisted of an online application, video application, personal interview, and rounds of group challenges and simulations. The goal was to select individuals who had the capacity and right frame of mind to withstand the challenges they will potentially face on the red planet. The selection program criterion outlined the search for healthy individuals who were resilient, adaptable, creative, resourceful, curious, and who possessed the ability to trust. After reviewing over two hundred thousand applications, twenty four individuals, split into six teams of four, were selected for training. Their
Evangeline Medina Staff Writer
training begins next year and spans ten years, with a target departure date of 2026. Thinking you missed out? Not to worry, the Astronaut Selection Program continues year after year to replenish the training pool regularly. How is permanent human settlement possible you ask? Mars has natural resources that can be converted
and used to sustain human life. For instance, the water present in the soil can be mined and used by settlers for drinking and farming. It can also be used as a source of oxygen through electrolysis. Further, living units will be lined with thin solar panels to provide an energy source. The feasibility of the Mars One mission relies heavily upon the use of existing Earth technology and capabilities, and utilizing these processes to create a sustainable habitat for the settlers. Further, the viability of success is preserved through the decision of permanent settlement. This eradicates the requirement to create untested technology such as the development of a return vehicle that can successfully take off from Martian atmosphere. Moreover, it eliminates the challenge of rehabilitating astronauts to the Earth’s environment after having spent over two years in a reduced to zero gravity environment on Mars.
Exploration to a new frontier is not a concept new to humans. In fact, it has proven to be integral to our growth and survival. Although this exciting, and almost unbelievable adventure has had mixed reviews amongst the global community, with some believing it will fail, the mere fact that it is happening is a giant leap for humankind. It is this curious optimism of the human spirit, paired with the eager willingness to explore the unknown that will continue to reverberate and create opportunities for future generations to come. For more information about the Mars One mission, their timeline for settlement, and details on the use of technology, please visit http://www. mars-one.com/.
mars-one.com
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THE VANIER COLLEGE NEWSPAPER
New Age Media and Societal Norms The way we view the world begins with the type of information we consume and how that information has been disseminated to us. University is often the time where young adults begin to experience a shift in their world view, often because they begin to acquire new information about the world. With the advent of the internet and changing of the guard in the news media, the conversation around the issues have begun to change and three new media sources are providing fresh takes on new and old problems alike. VICE News, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Adam Ruins Everything are all playing a vital role in opening up the discussion around our currently held societal norms and the culture behind them. They have all done this by subverting the norms of their industry and by doing so have garnered accolades from critics and the wider public. For the generations that grew up with television news the
mspeakeasy.com
presentation has become rather standard. Every night an anchor in a studio presents the stories of the day, jumping from one topic to the next, providing very little context besides the facts of the current situation. VICE News, embracing the digital era, has turned that news presentation model on its head and has received critical acclaim for their work. VICE was originally a magazine that has exploded into a news powerhouse with the help of the internet and other non-traditional channels for communication of the day-to day events of the world. They aim to present a narrative that is unbiased as possible and overtime that reputation has allowed them exclusive access to regions, situations and people around the world. They have been imbedded with ISIS in its early stages, been on the frontlines of conflict zones in Afghanistan, Ukraine and Sudan, and were given exclusive access to the President’s first visit to a federal prison ever. These, along with
Jesse Wiebes Contributor
a host of other topics, provide a new lense through which to see the world and it seems to be working as they have received accolades from media elites and everyday consumers alike. No matter what you like, VICE has something that will peak your interest and you will most likely begin to see the world in an entirely new way. John Oliver, after finding success as the replacement anchor for Jon Stewart on the Daily Show, is also changing the conversation with his show on HBO, Last Week Tonight. HBO, also the home of VICE News’ long form show (videos can be found on YouTube), allows Jon to let loose each week on any topic he chooses, saying whatever he wants. He has taken this amazing opportunity and used it to take a “deep dive” each week into a topic that American
public needs to start talking about. Using humour mixed in with a news anchor presentation of the facts John Oliver is getting the people talking about topics like bail and legal fines, transgender rights and even the Canadian election. Every Sunday he starts a new conversation and on Monday morning his “deep dive” of the week has usually gone viral on YouTube (he posts them for free). While the Daily Show still half-fills the role of a talk show, Last Week Tonight is more like the weekly news show we all wish we had years ago. The ability to approach even the bleakest of material with a sense of humour allows the audience to walk away feeling encouraged to create positive change rather than discouraged by the bleak presentation of the horrible events of the week. Debunking shows have existed for quite a while nevertheless what started as a viral sensation on College Humour has spawned a new TV show for Adam Conover called
Adam Ruins Everything. Like John Oliver, Adam uses humour to get his point across but doesn’t do it from behind a newsroom desk, he inserts himself into the daily lives of the seemingly random individuals and proceeds to ruin an otherwise widely held societal norm. Are canned food drives a good idea? Should you really shower so much? Are cars really the best dominant form of transportation? By using facts, always referenced on the show, combined with experts and humour, Adam Conover is bringing to light problems we never knew we had. Playing up the “ruins everything” part of the show, the first 20 minutes of each episode is spent destroying the common held misconceptions of the way the world actually works but not being one to completely discourage, Adam spends the last few minutes providing the information on the positive changes that each of us can make.
E FICTION TESLA MOTORS: THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
THE MODEL S VEHICLE
If you were to take a moment to close your eyes and just imagine a world where you could travel to and from places with just the push of a couple buttons, a world where you could sit back and relax for a few minutes and suddenly find yourself arrived at your destination, a world where your car could drive you to your destination rather than you driving your car to your destination. What if I told you there was no point in closing your eyes? What if I told you that you are already living in a world where self-driving cars already occupy the roads around you? What if I told you the future is here?? Technology is great ladies and gents. You can now purchase your very own self-driving vehicle thanks to Tesla Motors and their extravagant Model S Software Version 7. The things this car is capable of is so unbelievable, you’d mistake it for something out of a fictitious movie. Through the incorporation of functions such as Autosteer, Auto Lane Change, Automatic Emergency Steering and Side Collision Warning, and Autopark, the Model S is able to drive itself in countless conditions. This is real life, this is not a drill!! Tesla Motors has constructed some of the most technologically and environmentally friendly vehicles known to man. Each of their vehicles is founded upon an electric technology for which they have dispersed supercharging sta-
Alexandra Mascarenhas Editor
tions across the country.
Their Model S vehicle is designed to draw upon data, radars, and ultrasonic sensors that have a sensitivity diameter of 16 feet in the Autosteer function through measuring steering rate, steering angle and speed when placed under Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. This allows the car to appropriate driving conditions to make for a safer trip on the road while the driver’s hands remain on the wheel. The Auto Lane Change function simply signals and changes lanes while driving when the conditions are presented as safe to do so. The future of technology is definitely looking good for us however is simultaneously slightly creepy. The Model S
vehicle has the capability to think and act on its own and this is nothing short of beneficial to the daily life of a driver. The Automatic Emergency Steering and Side Collision Warning function is designed to make for an utmost safe commute and arrival for both Tesla drivers as well as other drivers on the streets. The car is able to sense range between itself as well as other nearby vehicles and alerts the driver when the range appears to be too close for safety in which case the Instrument Panel would warn the driver at the point of detection. Tesla’s Model S is standardly constructed All-Wheel Drive Dual Motor which enables the vehicle to accelerate to 100km/h in as little as 3.0 seconds. The sale price ranges from $87,400 to $106,000 depending on the model; however, Tesla offers its customers a chance to custom design their very own Model S (with the extra fee of an arm and a leg…). Nonetheless, I must admit, the invention is definitely worth the price. Feel free to learn more about the Model S at www.teslamotors.com where you can also schedule test drives for any Tesla vehicle including the Model S itself! If you have a valid licence I surely encourage you to test out this eccentric beauty for yourself. Experience the Model S, experience the future.
THE POWERWALL BATTERY use, Tesla designed it to be functional As if Tesla hasn’t already impressed us enough with the Model S Vehicle, the company is so immensely invested in a technologically advanced and economically efficient future for us. Their engineers have once again bestowed upon us one of the best innovations known to man: The Powerwall.
Measuring 1.3m by 0.86m the Powerwall hangs on the wall of your home collecting solar power by day or when utility rates are low enough to ultimately power your home by night and even more so during times of power outages through a backup power supply. It is in essence a rechargeable lithium ion battery that runs with a liquid thermal control. Tesla engineers created the automated and compact battery to work around the gap between mornings and nights where utility usages and rates are significantly higher than throughout the day within the household. Using a logic wherein a solar peak exists between this timeframe, Tesla found that collecting solar energy via solar grid panels during the day could supply enough energy to sustain the average household while at the same time collecting enough energy to establish a backup supply that would be beneficial to homes located in storm and outageprone areas. To make the battery even more efficient and diverse for household
in temperatures that range from -20°C to 43°C. There are three parts to this genius invention: the Solar Panel, the Battery and the Inverter. As solar energy is collected and converted into electricity through the solar panel installed on the roof, the newly generated electricity is then sent to the Powerwall where surplus electricity is stored while direct current electricity is sent from the solar panel or the home battery to the inverter where it is converted into alternating current used by household devices, appliances and lights. The Powerwall was showcased in Los Angeles, California in April earlier this year and since then Tesla has been racking up reserve orders from customers for its estimated official release in the late months of this year. The sale value of the battery is $3,000 for a 7kWh unit for daily cycle applications or the optimal $3,500 for a 10kWh capacity battery for backup applications. The value of the Powerwall itself, however, sums up to much more than its sale value and that is something Tesla stands by firmly. So there we have it. The future is here ladies and gentlemen. You can now power your entire house through a small compact box of solar awesomeness.
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THE VANIER COLLEGE NEWSPAPER
LIFESTYLE
Trendy Can Be Tricky: “Red-Hot” Fall Fashion For Women Well friends, it’s officially fall! I’m sure you have noticed some seasonal changes on campus by now. Personally, as a York student, I am very proud of our gorgeously designed campus here at Keele. You can always find a secret place for you to relax, specifically during this time of year. My little hideaway you ask? It’s perfect! I don’t want to give away its location, but I can certainly describe its beauty to you. It has very soft, green grass, and I always sit and admire the crystal blue sky above, not failing to acknowledge the orange leaves on trees that seem to wave to me. It’s like I’m living in a world straight out of a novel. However, not everybody looks at the bright side of autumn, I am afraid. I know many of us in Toronto, who had been through last year’s winter, have some serious weather blues. The long, dreadful conditions of that time of year just suck the life out of you. As temperatures begin to cool down, it becomes hard for people to appreciate the fashion of this particular time of year. Why dress up on a cold day, even? Why not just throw together a few items that make you warm instead? What is the greater purpose of fall design? Fall’s Latest Fashion - Women Now, enough of these autumn sentiments. It’s time to step into the world of fall fashion! Just to make it clear, I understand you ladies have your own taste when it comes to being stylish, but
what I am trying to tell you here is what you can do to achieve a perfect clothing combination, that not only fits your taste, but fits in with what’s currently trendy. It’s like cooking. You need a dash of “seasoning” every once a while. 1. Details Ladies, please start with your makeup and hair before you pick your clothes. This is a very simple step, but a step that usually ends in a catastrophe. Why? Because the details determine the theme of the day! For example, releasing those long locks is a better fit, best combined with less “recognizable” makeup and a pair of sunglasses. After all, autumn is a season where you spend most of your time outdoors, and such a set is perfect for hanging out with Mother Nature. If you have to wear perfume, then try something floral. There is no need to be refreshing at this point, but a scent of tenderness will do it all. Do not try to wear a strong perfume because it would end up as a competition between you and Mother Nature. In other words, appreciate your own taste, but don’t go against the season. 2. Style After determining what theme you would like to carry on throughout the day, it’s time to work on the style. Now, remember that we want to stay on top of the trends for this season, so let’s pay attention to some popular items that just came out. This year’s fall fashion has several optional items you may be interested in. For example, I bet you have seen a lot of ponchos recently. It seems to be a very good choice for this time of
David He Staff Writer year. Take a look at this one from Garage. Doesn’t this beautiful design add a little element of the season to the whole combination? In fact, ponchos are very good for outdoor activities, mostly because they act as a changeable piece that can meet several needs for various outdoor conditions. It acts well as a windbreaker, which supplies warmth; as well as protects you against fall’s frigid winds. However, there is another item we should be paying attention to, the cardigan! Generally speaking, its popularity came from its knitting technique. The knitted fabric has a great advantage in the autumn. It’s not too dense and allows your skin to “breath” under the fabric. When it comes to comfort and style, it’s no surprise that these cardigans are so popular. 3. Colors Besides style, another significant element is color coordination. I believe that there should be no more than three colors on a person. This may sound very doubtable, but I have my own reasons
Let’s Give it up for the Fellas A provider. A protector. A leader. Being many. Paying for the bills. These are only some of the roles men portray in everyday life. Men do have a lot on their plate and I do not mean the food on their plate but their numerous responsibilities during different times of their lives. I hate to admit it, being a female and all but it’s time these gents get some appreciation.
in the effort to make it work even the slightest bit.
Cleo Tolentino Staff Writer
First, when they’re in high school and they’re having their prom. Guess who is expected to make the first move in asking that special girl they’ve been eyeing? That’s right. The fellas. It has been the norm that the males ask the females to prom. Then when they reach prom day, the boys are the one who are expected to buy their date a corsage. But don’t worry ladies, our job is to get the boutonniere.
the proposal with the purchase of an expensive engagement ring. They’re the ones who take the times to plan this momentous event in the couple’s relationship. They’re the ones who have to prove to her parents that she has a future with him and that he will serve and treat her like a queen and give her the entire world.
Secondly, when they get that girl of their dream to say yes to being their girlfriend and they meet their parents. It’s expected of them to act their best because the parents will look onto that impression as to whether they’re good enough for their daughter. Then when they think they’re ready to take the relationship to the next level, the male is the one who is generally expected to initiate
Honestly, I never thought of male responsibilities in detail and they truly deserve a round of applause. All my life, the relationship in my head mostly consist of female effort. Females are known to be more sweet and emotional but looking at it from both perspectives - both males and females contribute to the relationship. A relationship is definitely two- sided - both partners must put
But fellas, give yourselves a round of applause because if it weren’t for you putting in the effort during the early stages of the relationship, then maybe the relationship would not even exist. You were the ones who proposed to the girl of your dreams and got the relationship of a lifetime. You will be the one beside her as she is minutes away from giving birth to your first child. You will be the one carrying your wife and your children’s shopping bags after hours at the mall (not sure if this necessarily makes y’all happy). You will be the one who your son looks up to for a role model. You will be your daughter’s ideal man. So, just hang in there gents especially, when you think you’re spending way too much money on one girl. Hang in there even if your lady is not tired of always scolding you in front of your friends. Even when the ladies give you a hard time and never let you rest, hold on tight. You won’t regret it and maybe she’s THE one. Your efforts will definitely never be forgotten.
for it. Here are a few good examples of some store-bought designs. These two designs are from Guess. Wearing no more than three colors is the most ideal because it is an average balance between distinct and utterly bizarre. When the number of colors increase, the complexity of the clothes increase as well, and three colors are just enough for a design to have a clear layout that’s both fresh and exciting. Some people argue that three or four colors will not make a big impact since some designs like sparkles and stripes are not recognizable for color. This is true. However, you have to make sure that these little designs do not have the same color as your makeup
or accessories. It’s not that they’re unacceptable, but they will certainly make you look a little “confusing,” and will take away from your simple yet stylish ensemble. At last, try to add a dash of red into your clothing. This will not only make you pop on campus, but this color just so happens to represent one of the most well-known symbols of our wonderful country, the maple leaf. Since Canada is symbolic with red and white, and so is our university, there is no reason that these colors will not look fabulous on you!
DATING RULES THAT DESERVE TO BE BROKEN Dating, much to your father’s dismay is a normal and exciting part of life. However, far too often we feel obligated to oblige by dating rules that have been passed down one too many generations. I encourage you to follow your heart, gut and funny bone and be fear-
cover the bill, not only will he be impressed by your independence, but his pressure of having to adhere to “traditional” standards will be lifted. 3. “Always avoid last minute plans” : Just because your mother always wanted to know your plans a week in advance, doesn’t mean that you need to schedule every minute of every day. If he calls you, last minute on a Tuesday night… go! The best memories are never the planned ones. 4. “Laugh at his jokes”: As nice, handsome and wealthy as he may be… if he can’t make you laugh he is wasting his and your time. Laughing at a joke that isn’t funny is no better than telling your friend that her new animal print leggings “really flatter her.” There is no sense in awkwardly chuckling along to one of his unimpressive college stories if he isn’t really hitting your funny bone. 5. “Compliment her” : No woman will ever deny that they love to be complimented. There is no better feeling in the world than having someone of interest notice your new haircut or lipstick. With that being said, there really is such a thing as over-complimenting. Avoid pointing out her every detail and focus on letting her know that she is beautiful, or has a great smile. Over-complimenting is not only uncomfortable but it is borderline creepy. Not to mention that genuine compliments are the best kind!
Emily Durham Staff Writer
less and leave these outdated rules of thumb in the past. 1. “It is the man’s job to make the first move”: Newsflash, the average man is almost more oblivious than your parents when you told them that you were going to the “library” back in high school. No matter how many extra hours you spend on your hair or in the gym… he may not even notice and that is a sad fact of life. Recent studies show that 70% of men look at a woman’s smile before looking at her breasts. So set your apprehensions about your pimple, love handles or frizzy hair aside and if you think that this guy is at least a five on a scale of 1 to George Clooney… then make a move! You are a fierce and independent woman who is more than capable of asking that hottie for his number and he will LOVE your confidence. 2. “A man should pay on the first date”: As nice as it may be to have a free night out with a (seemingly) nice guy, the old fashioned concept that a guy should pay for the first date is more than out-dated. If you pull out your wallet and offer to
THE VANDOO
7
THE VANIER COLLEGE NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL
CANADA: AKA The Better America
Stop and stare world: Canada is back on top! It goes without saying that in the past few months, especially the last 2 weeks: Canada has risen far and above the notice on the international stage. No longer do we put down, or criticize what it means to be Canadian: we own it instead.
Musically: we dominate the charts. Scarborough native The Weekend took the musical world by storm with the release of his album Beauty Behind the Madness, earning him 2 out of the 4 top hits on Billboard’s charts. The other 2 hits belong to Ontario natives Justin Bieber and Drake, respectively. Right behind them is Toronto native Shawn Mendes, with his soulful debut album Handwritten, claiming the heart
of every girl that has ever wanted to be serenaded by a cute 17 year-old. Topping charts on a whole new level is Brampton’s own Alessia Cara, the 19 year-old with the sultry yet smooth voice of artist veteran. Her debut EP, and lead single Here shoot her up all the charts; being dubbed one of the summer’s hottest singles. We as a nation have come a long way from being “that one country with all the hip-hop”. Nah, we’re so much more than that now. It also helps that we have a hot face to associate our nation with. No, I’m not referring to Drake (as good looking as he is), but rather our newly inducted Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau. Not only is he a welcome change from Stephen Harper, but he’s been doing a phenomenal
Miriam Roopanram Staff Writer
job since entering the office 4 days ago. He ha scaredy notified Obama that Canada will no longer be bombing the middle east, put forward a motion to remove the ban on homosexual men to donate blood, and has motioned to have medical marijuana placed in every major city. Additionally, he has also started a nation-wide search on all missing and murdered First Nations children and women. It goes without saying that Justin Trudeau has done a better job in 4 days than the Harper government has, well in their entire time in office.
how amazing Canada’s image has improved without discussing our nation true gem: the Toronto Blue Jay’s. Despite being Toronto’s team, it carries the pride of all Canadians out there as we root for the Jays in their post-season session. It’s not the fact that the Jay’s have gotten to post-season, but rather that it’s the first time we’ve done so in 22 years. Suffice to say: it’s a pretty big deal for everyone. Leading the team in stats and pride is batter José Bautista, the man who single handily brought 3 points in on the final AL East Division game last week. Though, any baseball fan would agree that he’s more than a man: he’s a baseball legend. Now, as they approach the final games of post-season: Toronto holds onto that pride stronger than ever, while simultaneously praying to the sport
gods to favour our city and country. With all these amazing things happening for Canada right now, we might as well have a huge neon sign hovering over our nation, inscribed as ‘Canada Roxs’, because evidently we do. For years, we’ve been content with staying in the background, continually being labelled as a passive country that simply follows everything the US does. There’s no time like now for Canada to take a stand for itself; proving that we are a strong nation capable of many thing, especially winning. If anything, we’ve changed the definition of what it means to be a Canadian: a proud one.
Of course, we can’t discuss
Girls Becoming Boys: Problem with Puberty in the Dominican Republic Puberty is often regarded, in many parts of the world, as a milestone for young girls and boys. Depending on the region, puberty is approached and viewed differently. It is even custom for certain cultures to have ceremonies and host celebrations to mark the occasion. However, in North America, the typical coming-of-age ritual is not as extravagant. For a girl, it mainly consists of taking a trip down aisle five at a local drugstore in search of her first package or box of “female necessities.” A boy, on the other hand, will have the good old fashioned “talk” with his father and well, become best friends with his new trusty razor. For many, this time in a young adult life can be overly exciting, confusing, or maybe a combination of both, but in a country such as the Dominican Republic, it is both worrisome and almost unbelievable… It was during my commute to school when I stumbled over an article from BBC World News. Nothing was particularly eye-catching about the story. The headline simply stated, “The Extraordinary Case of the Guevedoces,” and contained an image of what appeared to be two young and sweet looking children. Because I was struggling to stay awake on my delayed, traffic infused journey to campus, I decided to take a crack at the article, and I was completely taken back by the first few sentences I read. It stated that, in Salinas, a remote village in the Dominican Republic, girls were turning into boys at the age of twelve due to a rare genetic disorder. The article focussed on a particular boy
Sabrina Atzori Editor named Johnny, who appears as physically male, but did not grow a penis until he hit puberty. In fact, Johnny is one of the many children in his village that appeared to be female at birth, but became a boy at the start of adolescence. These individuals are called “guevedoces,” which literally translates to “penis at twelve.” Johnny, once known as Felicita, was brought up as a girl, because at the time of birth and through many of his early years, he had what appeared to be a vagina, and no visible signs of testes or a penis. He claims that he remembers being dressed in girls clothing but was never happy doing girl things like playing with dolls. While he started to feel more like himself, this physical change made life quite difficult for Johnny. At school, other boys would taunt him and make rude remarks about his appearance. You’re probably wondering WHY and HOW this happens, and believe me, I was stuck scratching my head and thinking the same thing. In the 1970s, Dr. Julianne ImperatoMcGinley was the first person to study
this unusual condition that is common in this village but rare otherwise. When you are conceived, you either have a pair of X chromosomes, if you are to become a girl, and a set of XY chromosomes, if you are to become male. For the first few weeks of life, you are neither. It is usually eight weeks after conception that your sex hormones start to kick in. If you are genetically male, the Y chromosome instructs your gonads to become testicles, and sends testosterone to a structure called the tubercle, where it is converted into a hormone called dihydro-testosterone. In turn, the tubercle transforms into a penis. If you are genetically female and do not make dihydro-testosterone, then
your tubercle becomes a clitoris. Dr. Imperato-McGinley discovered that the reason these boys do not have male genitalia when they are born is because they are deficient in an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which normally converts testosterone into dihydro-testosterone. The boys, despite having an XY chromosome, appear female when they are born. However, at puberty, they get a second surge of testosterone, as other boys do. Finally, the body does respond and these boys sprout muscles, testes, and a penis. In most cases, these individuals live out their lives as men. However, some undergo surgery and
remain female. In regards to Johnny, he has had a few short-term girlfriends, but is still looking for and open to the idea of love. In the case of seven-year-old Carla, who is on the brink of changing into Carlos, his mother believes that, whether girl or boy, she will love her child however she is. It makes no difference. Whether you are male or female, heterosexual or homosexual, bisexual or transgender, or even someone like Johnny or Carla, we are all human, we are all equal, and we all deserve love and respect. Be brave. Be bold. Be true. AND BE YOU.
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THE VANDOO
THE VANIER COLLEGE NEWSPAPER
The Niqab Debate
The Roman satirist Juvenal articulately stated the political solution to garnering public approval: give them bread and entertain them with circuses. The latter is exactly what Canada’s 42nd federal election turned into. A clever game of diversion and distraction by the Harper government has turned one woman’s choice to wear a face veil, or niqab, into one of the most contentious wedge issues this country has ever seen. This article aims to uncover the misconceptions of the niqab and Islam, the politics of the issue, and the greater impact on Canadian society and values. Backstory In 2011, former immigration minister Jason Kenney received complaints from MP’s and citizenship court judges that it was difficult to determine whether women wearing a niqab were reciting the citizenship oath. Due to these complaints, Kenney unilaterally created a policy in a Canadian citizenship operational manual to ban any face veil at citizenship ceremonies. This effectively banned anyone who wears a face veil from obtaining citizenship. Kenney supported this decision with the following rhetoric: “The citizenship oath is a quintessentially public act. It is a public declaration that you are joining the Canadian family and it must be taken freely and openly…I think it’s completely wrong-headed to associate the niqab with Islam...The niqab reflects a medieval tribal custom that reflects a misogynistic view of women…We want women to be full and equal members of Canadian society, and certainly when they’re taking the citizenship oath, that’s the right place to start.” Zunera Ishaq of Mississaga has been at the epicentre of this political firestorm. She emigrated to Canada from Pakistan in 2008 and was to take her citizenship oath in 2014. Ishaq was willing to remove her niqab for identification and security purposes but was unwilling to remove it during the ceremony, citing religious beliefs. Immigration officials offered to seat her in the front or back row and next to a woman at the ceremony. However, Ishaq refused the arrangement since the judge and officers could be male and she did not want to unveil publicly. Ishaq filed a charter challenge and in February, she won. The Federal Court of Canada ruled it unlawful to order new citizens to
than the niqab debate. Bring it up in a social gathering and you’ll hear everything from preferential treatment to women’s rights. What is so divisive about this mysterious face veil and why does it irk the Canadian public to this extent? Polling data shows 82% of Canadians (3000 Canadians surveyed) support the niqab ban; 93% in Quebec. The following are common arguments opposing the niqab ban.
The niqab is a symbol of oppression. We are protecting women who are being forced to wear the niqab by banning it. Oppression is defined as the unjust exercise of authority or power. By definition, if a woman decides of her own volition to wear a niqab, it is not a symbol of oppression in this context. Zunera Ishaq chose to wear the niqab despite her husband’s requests not to wear it. It is her liberty, and the liberty of all women, to wear whatever article of clothing they desire. Granted, there are cases where women are forced to wear the niqab against their will by their spouses. These are tragic instances of domestic abuse and should be dealt with through domestic abuse protocols. A blanket ban on the niqab for all women is not an appropriate solution to the underlying issues of domestic abuse and control faced by these women. In the case of Zunera Ishaq, she is freely choosing to wear her niqab. Denying her the right to wear the niqab is a denial of her liberty. The niqab ban is an unjust exercise of authority by the government, limiting one’s liberty to wear what one desires; ironically, this is the definition of oppression. The niqab is not a religious obligation; it is a cultural practice that pre-dates Islam There is fierce debate among Islamic scholars about whether the niqab is a requirement of Islam. According to the BBC, “most scholars, including the four main schools of Islamic jurisprudence, hold the view that the niqab is not an obligation. Although the majority of these scholars agree that the hijab is obligatory, only a minority of them say that the niqab is”. It is also historically true that the niqab and head coverings pre-date Islam. Islam began as a small faith community in the Arabian Peninsula where head coverings,
thestar.com remove their face veil when taking the oath of citizenship. Unfortunately, the following day the Conservative government appealed the decision. This appeal allowed the government an opportunity to plead the case, for banning the niqab, to the Court of Appeals. Zunera Ishaq was now caught in limbo. She had won her case in the Federal Court of Canada where the judge deemed it unlawful for her to remove her niqab. However, the Conservative government wanted a chance to argue the case in the Court of Appeal. This was a last ditch effort by the Conservative government to delay the niqab ban being lifted. Harper used this timely delay to his advantage while campaigning for the election by keeping the divisive niqab debate in the spotlight. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the campaign: “We do not allow people to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies. Why would Canadians, contrary to our own values, embrace a practice at that time that is not transparent, that is not open and frankly is rooted in a culture that is anti-women... That is unacceptable to Canadians, unacceptable to Canadian women.” The niqab debate There is no more polarizing topic right now,
scarves and veils were customary long before Islam’s inception in the 7th century. If the majority of Islamic scholars believe the niqab is not a requirement and its origins are cultural, why should Zunera Ishaq be allowed to wear the niqab? While the niqab is, arguably, not a religious obligation, it is still considered a religious expression based on personal religious beliefs. Zunera Ishaq interprets the Qu’ran and Hadiths in a way that require her to wear the niqab as a religious obligation. To Zunera Ishaq and a minority of muslim women, the niqab reflects religious principles of modesty and piety. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms explicitly protect her right to wear the niqab regardless of what the majority of scholars and Muslims believe: “Section 2 (a) of the charter protects religious beliefs and expressions. These religious beliefs and expressions do not need to be recognized by other members of the faith to receive protection.” Furthermore, the view that the niqab precedes the inception of Islam doesn’t discount the fact that the niqab is still a religious expression. Cultural origin and the majority interpretation of Islamic obligation are invalid arguments for banning a religious expression - specifically because religious expression is
Daniel Fernandes Staff Writer based on one’s personal religious interpretation. In Canada, freedom of conscience and religion protect the right to hold, declare and openly express one’s beliefs. Therefore, it is Zunera Ishaq’s constitutional right to wear the niqab regardless of its cultural beginnings and the majority interpretations of Islamic scholars, as long as she sincerely holds the niqab as a religious expression.
immigrants who then disrespect us by challenging our laws. To be clear, the niqab ban was never a law. It was an executive, unilateral decision made in 2011, by former Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. He added a policy into a Canadian Citizenship operational manual, effectively banning face coverings. Zunera Ishaq tried everything to accommodate this policy. She unveiled for security and identification purposes. She was willing to take the oath, unveiled, amongst other women. Furthermore, she was willing to wear a microphone to verify she can be heard reciting the oath. Her suggestions for minor accommodation were turned down by the Canadian citizenship committee. The act of Zunera Ishaq challenging the government is considered by some Canadians to be disrespectful. In highly spirited debates some Canadians have stated: “who does she think she is, coming to our country, challenging the government and changing our rules. If you don’t like it
Ishaq is not following rules, when the rule to begin with is unconstitutional. Harper states the niqab is, “rooted in a culture that is anti-women”. This phrase is deliberately inflammatory and paints a harmful generalization of all followers of Islam. It is extremely wrong-headed of the former Prime Minister to stigmatize Islam, deeming the entire culture anti-women. While there are some cases of Muslim majority countries that lack women’s rights, there are also cases where the opposite occurs. For example, there have been several female heads of state in Muslim majority countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey. How many democratically elected female heads of state has Canada had? The topic of women’s rights in the Muslim world is another argument altogether and was intentionally used to conflate the niqab with a lack of women’s rights.
Religious freedom has its limits! If a religious expression is based on personal interpretation, then where is the line drawn? The niqab is the first concession in a laundry list of demands that will result in preferential treatment and appeasement. Opponents of the niqab believe Zunera Ishaq’s success in overthrowing the ban, opens the door for Muslims to make demands based on their personal religious interpretation. Some are calling this appeasement which is defined as yielding to the belligerent demands of a person or group, at the expense of justice. Although this is definitely not an example of appeasement, the Canadian public is concerned with future consequences of Muslims challenging unconstitutional rules. Unfortunately, there is no crystal ball to determine what the future holds and what religious concessions will be made that can damage Canadian society. A prudent undertaking would be to examine precedent setting religious freedom cases to gain insight into the Canadian judicial system’s ability to draw the line and make the necessary distinction between religious freedom and harm to society. In 2009, Winston Blackmore of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in BC, was charged with polygamy; Blackmore had 25 wives and over 150 children. He argued it was his right to have multiple wives based on his sincerely held Christian religious beliefs. He challenged the Supreme Court and lost. The Supreme Court of Canada stated the harm to women, children and society caused by polygamy is greater than Blackmore’s personally held religious beliefs and swiftly struck down his challenge. Another example of a religious freedom case was brought on by a branch of communal Christians, knows as Hutterites. In 2009, the Hutterites launched a constitutional challenge to an Alberta driver’s license policy. This policy requires an Alberta driver’s license to have photo identification. Some Hutterites interpret Christian scripture in a way where posing for photographs violate the second commandment forbidding idolatry. The Supreme Court of Canada weighed the evidence and came to a conclusion: “the negative impact on the freedom of religion of colony members who wish to obtain licences does not outweigh the benefits associated with the universal photo requirement.” – Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin The religious liberty cases of polygamy and photo identification requirements, brought on by Christian groups, were struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada. The courts weigh these decisions with the utmost prudence and integrity, taking into consideration the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The major caveat within our Charter is found in Section 1: “The Charter of Rights and Freedoms are subject to reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society”. Therefore, the judicial system will exercise its right to strike down any religious freedom challenges that negatively impact Canadian society. Wearing a niqab in a citizenship ceremony is not an example of a religious liberty that negatively impacts or harms Canadian society. Canada is the only nation where we welcome
theguardian.com here, go back to where you came from!” The problem with this thought process is there is an implicit underlying message that a newcomer should not challenge Canadian rules, even if they deem the rules unjust. If a policy is unlawful, unjust and violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms it deserves the opportunity to be challenged in the Canadian judicial system, regardless of whom the challenger is. An immigrant receives the same protection under the law as a Canadian citizen that has lived here for generations. To assume that one’s length of stay in Canada grants one a superior position in Canadian society over an immigrant is elitist. Immigrants and Canadian citizens are both equal under the law and deserve the same opportunities to challenge policies that infringe on their rights. Some argue that if Canadians were to immigrate to other countries they would not be able to challenge their rules. This is very true, when referring to countries that lack democratic institutions and basic human rights. Would niqab opponents like Canada to be more like countries that lack fundamental human rights, are politically corrupt and have a judicial system that doesn’t allow residents to stand up for religious freedom? We do not allow people to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies. Why would Canadians, contrary to our own values, embrace a practice at that time that is not transparent, that is not open and frankly is rooted in a culture that is anti-women... That is unacceptable to Canadians, unacceptable to Canadian women.” – Former PM Harper The argument above was echoed repeatedly by Stephen Harper who proactively brought the niqab debate to the forefront of the 2015 election campaign. This non-issue suddenly became the biggest issue of the federal election, eclipsing the real policies affecting the Canadian public. There have been 680,000 citizenship ceremonies since 2011; there have only been two women affected by the niqab ban. Stephen Harper’s powerfully effective political rhetoric is best served deconstructed. When Harper states, “we do not allow people to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies”, he is referring to his own government’s unilaterally imposed face veil ban. The rule of not allowing people to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies has been deemed unlawful by the Federal Court of Canada and thrown out of the Court of Appeals as a violation of one’s charter right to religious freedom. It is counterintuitive to continue stating Zunera
In the case of Zunera Ishaq, she is choosing to don the niqab of her own volition, thus making it her choice. It is fundamentally misogynistic and can be considered anti-women for Stephen Harper to take away the rights and liberty of a woman to wear what she desires. Lastly, Harper ponders why Canadians would allow a practice that is not transparent and not open. Zunera Ishaq unveiled for security and identification purposes and has absolutely no issue with unveiling for driver’s license renewals, border crossings, airport security or any security check. She even offered to wear a microphone so she could be heard reciting the oath under her niqab. It is certainly true that the niqab is not transparent and not open, based on Canadian societal norms. As non-transparent as the niqab is, it is still a religious expression protected under the Charter and deserves the same level of accommodation as all religious expressions. It is discriminatory to ban the niqab for not conforming to Canadian societal norms, when in fact all religious expressions do not conform to Canadian societal norms. The religious expressions of the turban, patka, yarmulke, habit, niqab, hijab and payot are seldom spotted from coast to coast and are generally isolated in densely populated metropolises. The preceding religious expressions are not necessarily associated with Canada or Canadian values. To state the niqab, specifically, runs contrary to Canadian values would mean re-examining what exactly Canadian values are. Canada is, and has always been, an inclusive society where all non-violent religious expressions are accepted. This is primarily because Canada was built upon the foundations of immigration. Religious accommodation and acceptance of differences were necessary Canadian values that contributed to the prosperity of this country from 1867 to the modern age. The niqab is, in fact, a Canadian value representing religious accommodation, secular government tolerance toward peaceful expression of religion, and the liberty of any woman, immigrant or citizen, to wear whatever she pleases.