The Queen's Journal, Volume 151, Issue 22

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Vol. 151, Issue 22

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Excellence: Wanda Costen NEWS Black diversifying Smith from the top

Disrupting the system Wanda Costen is the first Black dean in Queen’s history Sophia Coppolino & Meghrig Milkon Journal Staff

When Wanda Costen came to the Smith School of Business in 2021, she was the only Black faculty member.

The first Black dean in Queen’s history, Costen stands firm in her vision of broadening access to a Smith education while maintaining the school’s academic rigour.

“To my knowledge, I’m the first Black dean in the history of Queen’s.

My mere presence is disruptive to some people,” Costen said in a statement to The Journal.

Costen is proud of the enhanced feeling of community she’s been part of creating at Smith.

As a believer in impact, she hopes the campus community sees her as someone

who is deeply committed to students and preparing them to take on the world’s greatest challenges regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.

“It’s only when people can be their authentic selves they can perform at their best,” Costen said.

Born into a Northwestern military family, Costen started her career as a platoon leader and military police officer in the United States of America. A former NCAA volleyball player at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Costen’s class was the 10th to admit women.

She went on to hold management roles at companies such as Pepsi for a decade, and was a dean at MacEwan University.

Her mantra as an academic leader is transparency, fairness, and equity.

Being at Queen’s has helped Costen see the importance of courageous leadership. Courage is something Costen saw in her maternal grandmother, who emigrated to New York to escape Jim Crow laws,

Team LOT is out, next exec remains a mystery

After four hours of debate, AMS executive search drags on Mikella Schuettler Assistant News Editor According to failed AMS presidential candidate Owen Rocchi, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither is Queen’s student government.

Following four hours of debate, Team LOT—Owen Rocchi, Comp Sci ’24, Leo Yang, ArtSci ’25, and

Tyler Tâm Trần (also known as Triple T), Comm ’25—lost a vote of confidence on Feb. 13. All three outgoing AMS executives voted no.

The AMS has re-opened the executive candidate nomination period, and in an unprecedented scenario, candidates are running alone. AMS Assembly will reconvene after reading week to finally elect the next leaders of Queen’s undergraduate student government.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s important to realize that a lot of the changes are bigger than

according to Women of Influence.

Costen’s current role model is her own best self. She describes her best self as having deep empathy for others and readily accepting feedback. As a leader, Costen

CEO, the challenge was going to be making everyone comfortable enough to be invited into the room.

The comment resonated with Costen because it “showed her the ropes.”

encouragement can lead a person to accomplish things they never thought they could,” Costen said.

She shares the same message with students. Black students at Smith shouldn’t doubt they belong at Queen’s, Costen said. All students can do is their best, and “some days your best might be 60, 80, or 95 per cent.”

“Do the best you can, with what you have from where you are, and watch what happens!”

Costen added.

Looking forward, Costen is proud of the Smith School of Business and its students, calling their strategic plan outside the norm. All students should have the resources and support they need to succeed. She Dean Wanda Costen at the Tricolour Classic.

PHOTO BY HERBERT WANG hopes the values highlighted challenges herself to stands up for Adopting her son when he during Black History Month extend what is right, even if it might come was six transformed Costen. beyond February. at a personal cost.

“Being able to support and “While we celebrate the Many people have shaped challenge him, despite the extremely contributions of Black people Costen on her journey to Smith. difficult situation into which he this month, there is measurable Costen told RBC’s Black Elevator was born, taught me about deep evidence of our value to society Podcast at the beginning of her love, the importance of advocacy, throughout the year,” Costen said. career, she had a boss who told and how providing someone “If you look for us, you will see us!” her she had what it took to be a with resources, experiences, and

yourself,” Rocchi said.

Seventy-seven per cent of Assembly members voted against Team LOT. All members of Team LOT, and candidates from past teams this season, remain eligible to hold office.

The loss marks a milestone for former Vice-President (University Affairs) candidate Yang, who has now lost his second election in two weeks. Yang fielded questions throughout the debate on his marketing tactics during his Rector campaign, where he ran against Rector-elect Niki Boytchuk-Hale.

Sophia Thurston, EngSoc vice-president (student affairs), questioned Yang on specific public statements he made during his

Rector campaign.

“You said publicly the AMS is a corrupt system. What do you believe is corrupt about it and what will you do to fix it,” Thurston asked.

Yang responded by explaining there is limited accountability within the organization and plans to focus on improving internal policies.

Trần, running for AMS vice-president (operations), Other equity awards are fielded questions on the AMS’s open to all students, Farooq said. finances, including the possibility The SIC offers bursaries and grants of the AMS becoming a remote for anti-racism work, including workspace as the SLC fee a $10,000 Black Histories and failed at referendum.

Futures Month grant.

“The JDUC is an incredible Farooq and Osunde are opportunity that is priceless, proud to have created more and won’t present itself again,” supports for Black students, Trần said. believing the commission evolves For Trần, the physical alongside students’ needs. community of the AMS, and They’ve established a new role Queen’s, will be grounded in in the SIC for next year: the Black the JDUC. Without it, he expects Initiatives Coordinator. student engagement to dwindle.

The Black Initiatives Coordinator He plans to save money and will coordinate events and reduce costs amongst services to programs with Black clubs across ensure the AMS can afford rent campus. Starting as a volunteer in the new space. position, the SIC hope it will evolve With a short nomination period, into an hourly waged role. and no campaign, Team LOT Making the Queen’s community admitted they didn’t consult with more inclusive involves a lot of as many student groups as they emotional labour, Osunde said. would’ve liked.

Students, especially at the SIC, Assembly members questioned must educate themselves on many the team on how they would systems of oppression, it’s part of ensure all students, including those the job. feeling uncomfortable with policing “We’re not experts, we don’t services, are safe during events. know best, but we try our very Ex-presidential candidate best to represent all people Rocchi fielded questions about how equally with every single thing his student engagement strategy that we do in our position,” would differ from the AMS’s Osunde said. current activities.

Robert Sutherland Prize recognizes Black grads

AMS Social Issues Commission awards $10,000 to students of colour Mikella Schuettler Assistant News Editor A prize named after Canada’s first Black university graduate will be awarded to two students.

Since 2019, the AMS Social Issues Commission (SIC) has presented the Robert Sutherland Prize, a $5,000 award, to two self-identifying students of colour who’ve advanced anti-racism and anti-oppression work at Queen’s.

Named after Robert Sutherland, a Queen’s alumnus and the first Black graduate of a Canadian university, Social Issues Commissioners Khadija Farooq and Ruth Osunde are working to make the award exclusively for Black students in the future.

“We recognize the AMS has a very interesting relationship with Black students, and even with the Blackface scandal last year, I think, unfortunately, that was

the first introduction to a lot of students with the AMS,” said SIC Ruth Osunde, referencing the Team ERA scandal in last year’s AMS executive election, in an interview with The Journal.

Black History Month isn’t only a reflective time, but one to look forward.

“We want to celebrate the work of Black individuals and groups in the past, but we want to empower the network to continue in the future,” Farooq said.

The Social Issues Commissioners hope the policy amendments will pass in the next AMS Assembly. Robert Sutherland Prize winners must be nominated, and then selected by a committee led by the SIC. Awarded to graduating students, Osunde and Farooq believe it’s a way to honour equity-deserving students who have made it through their degree. Graduation marks the end of an important chapter.

“It works to tell students the amount of time they spent here didn’t go unnoticed; the amount of emotional labour they spent was not unnoticed. People are watching, and they’re proud,” Osunde said.

Team LOT at AMS Special Assembly.

“It's easy to put blame of engagement on students […] I think it's more important to put those responsibilities on ourselves to provide the most easy, convenient,

PHOTO BY HERBERT WANG

and safe space for people to come forward to engage,” Rocchi said.

Team LOT described using focus groups and surveys to understand the barriers to student engagement, along with improving the AMS’s social media strategy.

When asked why Team LOT didn’t come forward earlier, Rocchi acknowledged the job is daunting, but he felt a responsibility to step up when no one else did.

“I do think this is the responsibility of students to step up and try to get the most qualified person in this role,” Rocchi said.

In his closing statement, Yang went back on his team.

“I think we should break the slate, to give more students the opportunity to run,” Yang said.

CORRECTION — AMS could move to remote workplace if SLC fee fails at winter referendum A previous version of the story did not make it clear the AMS wouldn’t be able to afford spaces only if the SLC fee didn’t pass.

Along with this, the story was updated online to more accurately reflect certain ideas.

— Incorrect information was published in the Feb. 2 issue of The Queen’s Journal.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Black students feeling seen, heard, and valued at the heart of club’s mission

News

QUEENSJOURNAL.CA • 3

NSBE is putting down roots for Black engineering students

Sophia Coppolino Senior News Editor

Students weigh in on how to allocate $100 million

Amidst the stress of midterm season in first year, Sasha Oginni, Sci ’26, had an epiphany. Looking around her linear algebra lecture, she realized no one looked like her.

Mikella Schuettler The only Black woman in Assistant News Editor the room, Oginni took to Google in search of a community, and Stephen Smith’s $100 million found Queen’s National Society of donation might’ve transformed Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter.

Smith Enginerring’s budget, but for With applications due the students, the quality of teaching following day, Oginni debated remains a top priority. which position would allow her to A total of 256 Smith Engineering enact the most change. She applied students anonymously commented to be president. on a University call out to answer As co-presidents of NSBE, PHOTO BY HERBERT WANG one question: what reimagining Oginni, and Nathalia Rosalie, NSBE Co-Presidents Sasha Oginni and Natalia Rosalie.

Sci ’23, want Black students in feeling seen, heard, and valued. Oginni added. that in everything you do, and not engineering education looks engineering to know they belong, Many Black students don’t know Legacy is important at Queen’s, just on a superficial level,” she said. like. Comments demanding and there’s nothing they can’t who to turn to, and developing Oginni and Rosalie explained, Despite NSBE’s progress, passionate and engaging teaching achieve. Neither are afraid to connections within the faculty and and they take building NSBE’s Oginni and Rosalie maintain from professors gained the most disrupt the status quo. beyond Queen’s is essential. Every history seriously. Planning Black engineering students popularity amongst students.

Of 132 comments, the top “I think as a leader, it’s really time Oginni or Rosalie see a job ahead, they’re raising money for lack support from the top. important to be disruptive,” Oginni posting or opportunity link, they Queen’s students to attend NSBE’s They pointed out the faculty recommendations asked for said. “If I’m the only Black girl in send it to the NSBE Slack channel. national conference next year. has more scaffolding in place professors who care about students this engineering class, I don’t care “There’s so many extra things [for After her first year, Rosalie to build community for other and their subject, and are regularly […] If I want to be a leader, or take Black students]. You may be the first remembered interviewing for a equity-deserving groups, such assessed on their teaching abilities. top-rated comments a role in the Engineering Society, person who’s going to university, position within Smith Engineering as pre-orientation events Other I’m going to apply. In order or you’re the first engineer, and with all her friends. For them, it and a rocket design team for mentioned regular teaching assessments and hiring to break these barriers and have then you don’t have all those extra went off without a hitch. For her, Indigenous students. who prioritized perpetual change that will stay connections,” Rosalie said. the interviewer interrupted Following their Tea Room professors for the following generations, At the University of Toronto, her during her first response to takeover, the co-presidents noticed teaching over research.

In a Feb. 8 presentation, somebody needs to do it.” the NSBE chapter rivals ask if she played basketball in students picked up on the club in This month, Oginni and Rosalie their enginereing society, high school. small but significant ways. Smith Engineering Dean Kevin are raising NSBE’s profile on Oginni explained. But at Smith “I sat there, and I realized I wasn’t Students pronounced the club Deluzio shared the insights campus. A Tea Room takeover Engineering the Black community going to get this job. I think that “nez-be” instead of the usual with interested students in the on Feb. 12 saw every drink is still growing. made me so sad,” Rosalie said. “n-s-b-e”. There was chatter in the Biosciences Complex.

“It was a fantastic discussion sold accompanied by a playing Smith Engineering’s student In finding success, Oginni acts ILC about Mary Jackson, NASA’s card describing a famous Black body is diversifying, but not the with confidence and sidelines fears first African American female with our students about the vision scientist. All proceeds went to the faculty. Oginni and Rosalie hoped of discrimination. A natural leader, engineer, and David Crosthwait, for Smith Engineering. I was so Black Health Alliance. to run a mentorship program for she considers it a privilege to use the inventor of modern HVAC. impressed with the thoughtful NSBE is filling many gaps; upper-year students, but that came her voice to make way for Black By the end of the year, people will suggestions coming from our it’s a social club, a professional to a halt when they realized there students coming to Queen’s. know NSBE, the co-presidents said. students,” Deluzio said in a development service, and weren’t any Black engineering Oginni’s grandmother raised “I want [Black students] to statement to The Journal.

Though thoughts on professors an advocacy group for Black professors to be mentors. her on the Japanese concept know they have a space and the students.

With their “If you don’t see that Ikigai, to live with purpose and potential to write their own story,” and teaching gained the most unofficial office running out representation, then you lack fulfillment through pursuing your Oginni said. “No one’s story is popularity, other suggestions of the Black student room, perspective and encouragement passions. Leadership and outreach defined or already written for included supporting design teams Beamish-Munro Hall room 103, that you can. [Seeing Black are Oginni’s Ikigai. them, it’s entirely up to them. and increasing the number of NSBE is putting down roots. academics] it’s that tangible, I can “If you’re saying one of your I think everyone should have the industry-specific courses and For Rosalie, true equity and achieve this,” Rosalie said. pillars is outreach or advocacy or opportunity and the tools to do so.” providing more technical training.

Impacted by the changes inclusion rests on three things: “You need to see it to believe it,” connection, you need to embody themselves, 27 per cent of comments were made by second-year students. Fifth-year students accounted for 11 per cent of student participants.

Though students across the faculty agreed having a will generally be a place behind creating this space was to Ragunathan, worked with teaching-focused faculty is where Black students can hang out provide a space for all Black clubs Walters in designing and planning important, first and second year and see their friends, Co-Chair of to host events and gatherings the Commons. students were more concerned Queen’s Black Clubs Caucus Amaiya and create storage space for Faculty of Arts and Science with improving technology and lab Walters said in an interview with non-ratified Black clubs.

Dean Barbara Crow spoke at the spaces offered in the faculty.

The Journal.

Walters pitched the idea to opening, commending Walters Despite multiple requests, the Housed on the third floor Stephanie Simpson, vice-principal for her dedication in creating Engineering Society (EngSoc) Wardah Anwar of Robert Sutherland Hall, (culture, equity, and inclusion), the space. Professor Katherine declined to comment on their Staff Writer the commons is three rooms over two years ago, who helped McKittrick, Walters, and Simpson involvement in the faculty’s including a meeting room, a her make the vision come to spoke at the event. restructuring and its teaching Black students launched a listening room, and a breakfast life. Walters hopes the Black Walters is grateful for the practices. EngSoc represents over new space on campus to foster room. Each room is named after a Liberation Commons will foster support from the Queen’s 3,600 undergraduate engineering inclusivity and community at Black trailblazer, with Claudia Jones, community, wanting for Black community and was encouraged students at Queen’s and Queen’s University.

Noname, and nourbeSe Phillip students to feel supported. The to know there are people allegedly advocates for their best The Black Liberation Commons being honoured. The building Commons carves out a space at at Queen’s who want to create an interests but refuses to comment officially opened on Feb. 8 honours Robert Sutherland, a Queen’s specifically for them. inclusive campus. on its efforts publicly. with faculty, staff, and students Queen’s grad and Ontario’s She hopes the Commons “I am grateful, inspired, and The Dean’s Office opted to use attending to celebrate the opening. first Black university graduate will be a space where Black excited to see what future the platform ThoughtExchange The space is multi-purpose, and lawyer. students can meet one another on a students will do with this space,” to understand what issues serving as a gathering and During her time leading the personal level to organize, advocate, Walters said. were important to students, entertainment room, a space for Black Clubs’ Caucus, Walters and mobilize on specific issues.

“I think one big part of the allowing for anonymity and for reflection and solace, as well as a noticed there wasn’t a communal Assistant Professor Vanessa room is that [future] students comments to be interactive. The kitchen and library. space for Black students to be Thompson, and Black Studies can mold it into what[ever] platform was open for 10 days.

The Black Liberation Commons “just their own.” Walters’ motivation Program Coordinator Anita students at that time need most.”

Making space: Black Liberation Commons opens at Queen’s

The Commons creates a space for Black students to come together

Features

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Black poetic voices take centre stage highlighting themes of joy and pain

Three Black poets sit down with The Journal to discuss their art form.

The allure of the blank page is an irresistible magnet for creatives Skylar Soroka Features Editor While the world of poetry offers a blank page for each poet, for Black poets challenging history, the page expands. With each stroke, these poets can redefine conventional notions of Blackness, infusing their verses with resilience and grace.

Exploring the intricacies of Blackness within relationships and the unique journey of being a Black creative, three poets bared their souls to The Journal, unraveling their raw experiences as creatives.

“Black comes back. Black attracts black. Black goes with everything, sure. But what would you give to be the blackest thing on earth?” reads a line of Britta Badour, better known as Britta B.’s, poem Black Boots.

“Said no black and broke into black boots. Loosen the strings of my black, black hoodie, pulled my head see-through. Soak black worry in a bath of black laughter tucked into, tinkered out of black turtleneck fractures. Saw the spy on the other side of the tunnel,” she performed in spoken word in an interview with The Journal.

Britta B. Born and raised in Kingston, Badour is an acclaimed artist residing in Toronto. Her debut poetry collection, Wires that Sputter, recently released by McClelland & Stewart, has garnered attention in Canada and the United States.

Wires That Sputter is an intimate collection of poetry, playing with form and punctuation.

Within its pages, Badour navigates themes ranging from pop culture and sports to family dynamics and Black liberation.

“I can remember when my mom taught me how to spell my name.

Since that moment, I have just felt a

great draw towards the blank page and have had this inclination to write,” Badour said.

This poet’s creativity blooms on three fronts: as a poet, performer, and educator.

Though Badour believes the power of the spoken word is adjacent to the written word, the primarily spoken word poet contends hearing the original author articulate their work, infusing it with their unique cadence and embodiment of language, holds profound significance.

Badour feels sensitive to affect; when she feels moved by the spoken word, she’s lured to move herself.

“When I hear sounds and music in my head, I want to mimic those sounds and that music in my head.

I do that through the best way that I can, which happens to be spoken word,” Badour said.

The essence of spoken word performance exists in the dynamic exchange between performer and audience, where the poet creates a magnetic energy that fills the space in real-time, Badour explained.

“After all this time of being exposed and gaining experience in this art form, I think the magic of it is getting to see how people connect to, of course the words, but the movement and embodiment of the words.”

Although she’s predominantly a spoken word poet, Badour believes the written word is just as powerful.

“I think we need to be reminded that all poetry should be read aloud. Even if you come to a poem on a screen or page, read that work out loud because there’s some sense or understanding that can be attained through the sound of the language,” she said.

Many of Badour’s poems deal with anxieties and relationships with friends, intimate relationships, and relationships with family.

While Badour examines relationships to Blackness and what it means for her own Blackness, she tries to expand on her personal experiences while tapping into experiences she’s

been exposed to from others.

“While I’m writing, it gives me a sense of freezing time, a sense of freedom a little bit as well—a little bit of freedom,” she said. “It reminded me that an experience, such as an emotion or a feeling, has the ability to pass. What will I do with its passing? What will I do with its presence?”

Armed with a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph, Badour is a professor of spoken word performance at Seneca College in addition to her work as a poet and performer.

Honoured as Toronto Arts Foundation’s Breakthrough Artist and COCA Lecturer of the Year in 2021, Badour’s work has graced prestigious platforms such as the Art Gallery of Ontario, CBC Arts: Poetic License, and TEDx. She leads artist training seminars and poetry workshops for various organizations, including JAYU and Prologue Performing Arts.

Badour’s upbringing was marked by her mother’s dedication to reading, writing, and fostering her comfort in public speaking—a gift that instilled confidence within her. This upbringing ensured that whenever she finds herself in a room teeming with people, she doesn’t falter.

“In regular conversations, I’m in need of more courage. However, the written word is what helps me have confidence in seeing what my works look like and rehearsing them to have a sense of self,” she said.

Badour navigated her youth often as the sole Black person in her classroom, unaware of its significance until she ventured beyond Kingston’s borders. It was in communities where racialized and marginalized individuals were more visible that Badour grasped the weight of her upbringing.

“Even though I was a minority growing up, along with a few others of my age and of my background, I was focused more on what it meant to be dealing with mental health and mental wellness issues,” she said.

“As confident as I was public speaking, I was still dealing with

this internal monologue that was eating me up inside. I didn’t really know how to express myself.

Through writing, I was able to find more leverage in how to handle what I was going through,” she added.

Apart from poetry, Badour’s background includes being involved in school. Before moving to Toronto, her undergraduate years at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo were enriched by her integral participation in the Association of Black Students (ABS).

“I was someone that always participated in extracurricular activities. That’s something that made me want to be integrated in communities and have connections to as wide a range of people as possible,” she said.

In the landscape of a predominantly white city, Badour navigated her identity with an African American father and a white and Algonquin mother, keenly feeling the subtle currents of whitewashing shaping her journey of self-discovery.

Badour recalled what it felt like when she was approached to join the club and said she felt nervous about not being Black enough.

Once she accepted the invitation, however, she was instantly comforted and affirmed by people on campus that to be amongst other Black people in a space like ABS would be encouraging, supportive, and empowering.

She found herself enveloped in a familiar warmth, akin to the comfort of her grandmother’s home surrounded by her cousins.

“Having culture-related clubs on campus is really important because you might not understand how isolated you are until you are amongst people that share your experiences,” she said.

GRAPHIC BY UWINEZA MUGABE

paradoxes, Marshall dances between the lines of love and fear, familiarity, and estrangement, home, and foreign lands. Despite the contradictions, his emigration from Jamaica to Canada embodies the blend of feeling both like a stranger and finding a sense of belonging in the embrace of a new homeland.

In 2023, Marshall was awarded the City of Kingston Mayor’s Arts Champion Award, which recognizes a living individual, organization or corporation who makes an extraordinary contribution to the arts in Kingston.

Spoken word is a significant medium of Marshall’s creative expression, likening singing to poetry due to its structured arrangement. He identifies his medium as a fusion of spoken word and embodied singing, a concept where vocal expression intertwines with free-form movement, creating a symphony of emotion and meaning.

“A lot of my artistry, both musical and poetic, seeks to highlight some of those tensions and the experience of going through difficult emotions,” Marshall said in an interview with The Journal.

With Marshall’s journey through the arts beginning under the warm Caribbean sun in the vibrant streets of Spanish Town, Jamaica, much of his poetry is an homage to the kind of environment singing created in his Pentecostal church growing up.

From a tender age, he graced the aisles of his local church choir, serenading the congregation with soulful spiritual melodies, and danced to the timeless beats of disco pop legends such as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor, and ABBA. “It really felt like there was something magical going on, when people would be singing and telling J-Marsh stories and sharing experiences Also known as “J-Marsh,” through song,” he said.

Jermaine Marshall’s art follows In his childhood, Marshall the theme of searching for joy found solace in a weekly ritual at and connection amid pain. His church, where he could simply sit works transcends romantic and and observe. platonic connections and redirects attention to the individual.

Continued online at Navigating a labyrinth of queensjournal.ca/features

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

The Journal’s Perspective

Editorials

EDITORIALS

QUEENSJOURNAL.CA • 5

THE QUEEN’S JOURNAL Volume 151, Issue 22 www.queensjournal.ca @queensjournal Publishing since 1873

Editorial Board Editors in Chief

Asbah Ahmad Cassidy McMackon Curtis Heinzl

Production Manager

Sophia Coppolino

News Editor

Meghrig Milkon

Assistant News Editors

Mikella Schuettler Sofia Tosello Vineeth Jarabana

Features Editors

Skylar Soroka Cassandra Pao

Editorials Editor

Arden Mason-Ourique

Editorial Illustrator

Aimée Look

Business, Science & Technology Editors

Violetta Zeitlinger Fontana Rory Stinson

Sports Editor

ILLUSTRATION BY ARDEN MASON-OURIQUE

Declarations of feminism must encompass pro-choice rhetoric Cassidy McMackon Editor in Chief Publicly prioritizing the agency of a clump of cells over that of a grown person is nothing short of shameful.

There’s been a long line of women at The Journal who’ve built this paper up and emphasized the critical need for abortion.

Two recent Journal Editors have detailed their personal experiences accessing abortion care.

Another Editor’s reporting shed light on crisis pregnancy centres that seek to manipulate young pregnant individuals into giving birth under the guise of support.

There’s been a long line of pregnant individuals who have courageously shared their experiences seeking abortion care as a means of destigmatizing the procedure.

Folks in the Queen’s community

who have had abortions are grateful for their labour.

So-called feminists who oppose abortion argue being pro-choice means advocating for violence against both women and babies. To pedal oppressive policy changes, these folks argue pregnant people who seek abortions do so due to an inability to financially support a child, as if a lack of funds is the only reason not to celebrate an unwanted pregnancy.

While better social supports to relieve the financial burden associated with raising children are undoubtedly necessary—especially with the escalating cost of living—those who refuse to recognize the devastation of carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term are either delusional or willfully ignorant.

Those opposed to pro-choice arguments need to better engage with stories told by

SUPPLIED BY HERBERT WANG

their peers, especially those stories which detail the physical, emotional, and relational devastation posed by an unwanted pregnancy.

Even worse are the anti-choice extremists, who fail to consider the people who don’t want to become parents in the first place and would see a child born into a world where they’re not wanted.

Pregnancy poses permanent—and sometimes dangerous—changes to the pregnant person’s body starting as early as the sixth week of gestation. While it’s easy to write off debilitating illnesses associated with pregnancy when you’re lacking empathy, staggering maternal mortality rates—particularly among Black women—should be enough to emphasize that the decision to carry a pregnancy to term should be left to pregnant individuals specifically.

After all, there’s nothing misogynistic about wanting to reclaim the trajectory of one’s own life.

Though it can be a difficult decision, abortion is nothing short of liberating.

Though the procedure can be associated with grief, people deserve the opportunity to decide for themselves whether a pregnancy is something they’d like to continue.

If hopeful feminists want to advocate for women’s rights, it’s time to appropriately tune into the stories shared by those around them to understand whose agency they’re advocating for.

Cassidy is an MA candidate in the philosophy department and one of The Journal’s Editors in Chief.

Baseball shouldn’t have to be boring

Herbert Wang Senior Photos Editor

Of the four major North American sports leagues, Major League Baseball (MLB) is arguably mocked the most. Critics deride the sport’s slow pace of play, seemingly low-level skill requirement, and its several abnormally sized athletes, looking past it in favour of basketball or football.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for those who love and enjoy the sport, especially after seeing other leagues skyrocket in popularity while MLB seemingly sputters and stalls. For some, this can be chalked up to the sport itself, with common rhetoric being the sport is too boring, and not fun enough to watch.

In some respects, this surface level assessment of the game isn’t far from reality.

The league is governed by a commissioner backed by owners who fail to conform to trends and public desires that have led to growth for other leagues.

Underneath baseball’s surface lies a game full of stories, emotions, and

heart-palpitating moments that could engage even the most casual fans. Baseball is steeped in tradition, with a century of history for the new generation to chase and live up to, yet the MLB has failed to cater to younger fans by only recently addressing pace of play, and marketing athletes’ names.

Just this past season the league implemented a pitch clock rule that limited the downtime between at-bats, leading to a 24-minute decrease in average game times to two hours and 40 minutes. The league has recently increased base sizes to make some of the most exciting parts of the game, such as stealing bases, more common.

Recently, Shohei Ohtani, the best player in baseball, entered free agency, with the chance to join any team of his choosing.

With any other major sport this would have been plastered over mainstream media, however his decision occurred without fanfare on Instagram. Only the value of the contract, and not the sport associated with it, made headlines worldwide.

A comparable deal would be basketball

player Lebron James entering free agency in 2010, meaning he gained the freedom to sign with a new team. James’ impending decision was publicized everywhere, causing a buildup that would culminate in 10 million people watching him announce his selection live on primetime television.

Athletes give individuals additional reasons to enjoy a sport. Sports are no fun if the joy in them is found in teams winning at the end of a two hour and 40-minute wait.

Baseball should give casual fans more to cheer for. Stolen bases are a good start, but marketing the stories of those playing the game is the next necessary leap.

When a sport is so resistant to change, the product gets boring as the landscape around it changes. Baseball isn’t a boring sport but requires marketing to make that clear to the average fan.

Herbert is a third-year computer engineering student and The Journal’s Senior Photo Editor.

Assistant Sports Editor

Aidan Michaelov

Lifestyle Editor

Allie Moustakis Sina Sayyad

Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Herbert Wang

Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor

Joseph Mariathasan Miriam Slessor

Video Editor

Jamie Weiler

Assistant Video Editor

Ali Safadi

Graphics Editor

Norah Kierulf

Copy Editors

Kenzie O’Day Anne Fu

BIPOC Advisory Board Members

Malaieka Khan

Oluwamisimi Oluwole Yael Rusonik

Staff Illustrator

Uwineza Mugabe

Staff Writers

Wardah Anwar Paige La Fraugh Contributors Catherine Marcotte Georgia Manning

Business Staff Manal Shah

Business Manager

Irina Tran

Sales Representatives

Madeleine Smith Fundraising Representative Margaret Cavanagh-Wall Social Media Coordinator

Ana Coelho

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Arts

6 • QUEENSJOURNAL.CA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

QBFA’s fashion show shines spotlight on Black excellence and innovation ARTS

QBFA paves the way for a more equitable and sustainable future Allie Moustakis Senior Lifestyle Editor

Queen’s Black Fashion Association (QBFA) reminds everyone the future is now.

As the curtains rose on Feb. 9, the Isabel Bader Centre became a canvas for QBFA’s second annual fashion show, marking a milestone in the club’s journey of celebrating Black creativity and advocacy.

Now in its third year, QBFA stands as a beacon of inclusion and empowerment, offering a nurturing environment for Black students with a passion for fashion. For these individuals, QBFA serves as more than a club—it’s a platform for selfexpression, community building, and breaking down barriers in the predominantly white spaces of the fashion industry.

This year’s fashion show and conference delved into the future of fashion, exploring themes of activism, sustainability, and culture. Departing from the previous year’s focus on the revival of past fashion eras, the 2024 event aimed to spark conversations about the role of fashion in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.

Nifemi Adeoye, HealthSci ’25, Paige La Fraugh Staff Writer

Though I love walking through a brand name bookstore as much as the next reader, supporting authors means going beyond big-name book retailers and finding the niche spaces that put money right into the author’s pocket.

This is especially important for Black authors, as their stories and contributions to literature are often overshadowed by Western society’s love for white men in literature.

Diversifying the literary canon is one small part of anti-racist work that everyone can contribute to. In a world where Amazon exists, it’s important to make sure effort goes beyond simply purchasing a book by a Black author.

Where you buy is just as important as what you buy.

Here are a few great examples of Black stories to add to your bookshelf, and where to purchase to support Black authors and bookstore owners.

Policing Black Lives

by Robyn Maynard

Maynard is a Black Canadian author whose book Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present dives into anti-Blackness in Canada and the forms of entrenched racism seen in Canadian society today.

QBFA’s second ever show took place on Feb. 9.

QBFA conference director, highlighted the importance of taking a stand for what one believes in while working towards a more sustainable fashion industry. QBFA curated a diverse range of designs sourced from thrift stores which are upcycled by designers, including pieces from YGK Thrift.

Sticking with these themes, the fashion show featured a diverse range of designers and pieces that reflected the intersection of activism, sustainability, and culture in the fashion industry.

Many of the pieces featured in the show were directly sourced

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY QUEEN’S BLACK FASHION ASSOCIATION

from thrift stores.

The show unfolded in four acts, each carefully curated to reflect contrasting visions of the future: "Post-Apocalyptic," "Utility Wear/Matrix," "Reworked," and "Cultural Futurism." This approach played on the dichotomy between utopian and dystopian realities, ultimately advocating for the importance of making positive changes in the present to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future, said King David Olajuwon, Nurs ’25, QBFA’s creative assistant.

Undoubtedly, a standout moment of the show was "Shada’s

Interlude," where Creative Director Shada Barkho, ArtSci ’25, unveiled a breathtaking handmade white dress, which was then spray painted with the powerful message, “The Future is Now.” Symbolizing hope, empowerment, and the transformative power of fashion, this scene captured the essence of QBFA's mission and vision.

Fashion has long served as a powerful form of activism, allowing individuals to express their beliefs, values, and identities through clothing and style. By centering themes of activism, sustainability, and culture in their show,

Black authors and stories must be in the literary canon

The impact of surveillance and racial profiling is critiqued from an intersectional feminist lens. Not only does this book touch on the racism Canadian society is founded on, it also emphasizes the oppressive experiences Black people face as members of society.

Maynard’s work aims to educate others on the importance of dismantling systems built on violence, discrimination, and racial bias. Policing Black Lives challenges the false belief that anti-Black racism is an American issue and not present in Canada.

Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

If there’s one book every woman and self-proclaimed feminist should read, it’s Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot.

This collection of essays highlights all the other social issues feminists seem to forget about when fighting for social justice. To truly be a feminist means fighting against all acts of social injustice, because these forms of marginalization always impact women. Kendall forms a beautiful critique of white feminism and uses personal experiences to break down why feminism isn’t just a women’s issue, but also extends to race,

class, and other intersections of identity.

Kendall illuminates the reality of race-based gender discrimination and how women with intersecting marginalized identities are often ignored in the fight for women’s rights. Hood Feminism is the perfect book to start the unlearning process around white feminism.

Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm by Robin DiAngelo

If you’re already familiar with DiAngelo’s previous literary work, you know their approach to antiracist action and thought is carefully crafted for readers.

Nice Racism builds on the importance of being proactive and accountable as a white person working towards allyship.

There are still various ways white people bring harm to racialized communities, even when those same people may have already taken part in some elements of the unlearning process.

For those outside the Black community, it’s essential that unlearning and rebuilding a foundation of understanding and accountability leads to action.

This is an amazing read for people who are truly proactive about understanding their role in

racist society and being part of a social shift.

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them

by Junauda Petrus

A beautiful queer romance and coming of age story, this book revels in the meaning of caring for someone out of the goodness of your heart and the struggles of high school.

Not only do these characters find solace in each other, but the light Petrus sheds on the immigrant experience is reflective of any student in a new space looking for acceptance. The intersectional themes of gender, sexuality, and race bring a realistic depth to Petrus’s work.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf

by Marlon James

If you’re not into non-fiction or social commentary books like those listed above, then James’ work is a must-read fictional piece to satisfy your reading needs.

This beautifully written fantasy trilogy combines supernatural abilities andvarious elements of African myths and history into a violent yet thrilling world of possibilities. Not only does this story recognize African heritage and culture, it incorporates

QBFA not only showcased the creative talents of Black designers but highlighted the role of fashion as a catalyst for social change, QBFA Co-President Ruth Osunde, ArtSci ’25, said in an interview with The Journal.

Each garment featured in the show wasn’t just a piece of clothing, but a statement about the importance of showcasing Black creators.

“Black people were instrumental in the fashion scene, and they tend not to have the same visibility. The biggest thing with Black activism and fashion is that Black people have always used our fashion as ways to express ourselves. Black activism is found in our expression and fashion is tied to that,” Osunde said.

QBFA represents a vibrant community of creatives who are passionate about amplifying Black voices and perspectives within the fashion industry.

Founded on principles of inclusivity and empowerment, QBFA provides a safe and supportive space for Black students to explore their artistic talents, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and challenge the status quo of fashion.

The club has inspired countless individuals to embrace their identities, celebrate their heritage, and use fashion as a tool for activism and self-expression, paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future—one show at a time. elements of queer identity to further open the literary world to canonize non-Western ideals of the human experience.

The first book in the Dark Star Trilogy, James’ world of mystique and horror is a must-read for any avid reader.

Black-Owned and Operated Book Stores

Reading literature by Black authors is one part of supporting Black artists. There are many bookstores and online platforms that are Black-owned and operated, allowing you to not only find stories by Black writers, but also support Black-owned businesses in nearby communities. A Different Bookstore is a Toronto bookstore that features multicultural literary work from the African Caribbean Diaspora and Global South.

In Brampton, Knowledge Bookstore provides books, gifts, and other items that are not often found in your average big-name bookstore. Sankofa Books is an Afrocentric bookstore in Ottawa and embodies the essence of the independent bookstore.

Black-owned bookstores are a rarity, just like Black stories are in the literary canon. Taking the time to support these independent bookstores shows where these stories come from is just as important to literary art as the stories themselves.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Business, Science, & Technology

QUEENSJOURNAL.CA • 7

<BIZ-SCI-TECH> Blackleaf Capital tackles representation challenges in investment banking Organization is a ‘one stop shop’ for Black students in finance Aimée Look Business, Science, & Technology Editor Before he founded Blackleaf Capital, Chinni Kanu, Comm ’24, realized he wanted to go into investment banking during his first year at Queen’s. While in his second year, he was already recruiting for a full-time job upon graduation.

“You have to know very, very early if you want to get a job in [investment banking],” Kanu told The Journal in an interview.

Kanu scored an internship in investment banking in the summer of his second year at Toronto Dominion (TD), and another at PJT Partners in New York the following summer. He’s returning to PJT this year for a full-time role in investment banking.

Naturally, Kanu looked for other Black-identifying investment bankers as mentors, but as he looked up the corporate hierarchy, he saw fewer Black bankers. Around five per cent of investment bankers in the US identify as Black or African

American, according to Zippia, a job listing site.

Kanu said he didn’t encounter microaggressions in the workplace and had great mentors at TD and PJT—but he felt outsized pressure to exceed expectations, and grappled with imposter syndrome.

He added there is an additional spotlight on Black students—the expectations on them are amplified and they can be made to feel like a poster child when they do well.

SUPPLIED BY CHINNI KANU

After finding a few Black people who helped him navigate the industry, Kanu wanted to provide the same opportunities for other Black-identifying students breaking into finance, realizing it would benefit others as well.

“It’s really hard to grow and exceed when you don’t have a mentor [...] Who can

understand you or who you are,” he said.

Kanu founded Blackleaf Capital, a nonprofit equities investment fund and financial education program for Black university students across Canada. With pro-bono help from the Queen’s Law Clinic, the organization was founded in March 2023.

Since then, Blackleaf has grown exponentially. There are 13 students managing the organization, they’ve hired 12 analysts graduating in 2026, six from the class of 2027, and plan to hire six from different programs across Canada in March 2024. The organization has 50 members who partake in a membership program and learning opportunities from universities across Canada.

“We’re trying to tell firms that we have this cohort of students very interested in finance, who

have been trained [...] The moment you hire them, they will be able to hit the ground running,” Kanu said.

Blackleaf has a slew of corporate sponsors, including Bank of Montreal Capital Markets (BMO), CPP Investments, and Royal Bank of Canada Capital markets, according to their website.

The organization’s primary goal is to educate Black students in finance fundamentals, provide interview preparation, and offer speaking events. The organization manages a simulated virtual long equity portfolio, meaning students analyze the values of stocks with the aim of seeing long-term returns.

By creating a virtual fund, like other Queen’s Commerce clubs, Kanu said Blackleaf can avoid legal snags and focus on their primary goal—education.

“We wanted to keep it small [...] We really want it to be hands on with those students,” he said.

Kanu was involved in founding Smith Black Business Association (SBBA), an organization that holds events, educational programs, and networking opportunities for Black business students at Queen’s.

“You’re trying to change a narrative that’s been there for hundreds of years. It takes so much time to do that,” Kanu said.

Blackleaf Capital has already transformed the lives of some students, Kanu said.

“I’ve heard people [tell] me that they didn’t even know what they were going to do with their lives, and now they have a plan,” he said.

“That’s kind of what keeps me going—that I’m making a huge impact on the lives of students in SBBA and Blackleaf.”

Medical software shows racial bias against Black patients

Study shows Black patients less likely to receive accurate skin disease diagnosis due to AI and human bias Aimée Look Business, Science, & Technology Editor

Black patients are less likely to receive an accurate skin disease diagnosis, even if the doctor has help from artificial intelligence.

A study on Feb. 5 found when physicians were assisted

by AI in diagnosing skin disease among Black patients, the accuracy wasn’t improved because of the data the AI was trained on. AI models are improving the accuracy of skin disease diagnosis, but not for Black patients.

Medical and facial recognition softwares have shown bias against Black people for years.

Facial recognition software has been proven to show biases against Black women in particular, according to a prior study by Timnit Gebru and Joy Buolamwini at MIT. The study evaluated facial recognition software created

by IBM, Microsoft, and Face++,

Facial recognition software is not as accurate for people with darker skin.

finding that although the companies had high accuracy, they all performed significantly better on men and lighter skin types.

The discrepancy occurs because there’s less training and benchmark data, Buolamwini said in a video explaining the study.

“We have entered the age of automation overconfident, yet underprepared,” Buolamwini said in the video.

“If we fail to make ethical

ILLUSTRATION BY VIOLETTA ZEITLINGER FONTANA

and inclusive artificial intelligence, we risk losing gains made in civil rights and gender equity under the guise of machine neutrality,” Buolamwini added.

It’s not the first study where AI medical software has shown an algorithmic bias against Black people.

AI software commonly used in healthcare to determine which patients face severe illnesses has a bias against Black patients. The study, led by Ziad Obermeyer,

showed software was more likely to highlight white patients who needed extra attention, compared to Black patients who were just as ill.

The discrepancy occurred because the algorithm concluded Black patients need less health funding, because historical data showed they spent less on health care in the early stages of illnesses, Alex Hanna said in an interview with Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative:

Social Impact Review. Hanna is a trained sociologist and the Director of Research at Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR).

“The basic issue is that the problem and variables were framed incorrectly, and the algorithm didn’t know how spending was dispersed nor what kind of institutions surrounded the issue,” Hanna said.

There are steps to limit how much an algorithm discriminates, but no “surefire way,” Hanna said. Mitigating bias depends on whether the format is images or text, such as comparing the link of certain traits with positive or negative words—but sometimes even searching for bias can be missed due to intersectionality.

Businesses need to have people who understand social contexts too, Hanna said, having spent 15 years studying technology as a sociologist.

“This interaction is going to be complicated, and it is going to take a different knowledge far beyond the technical,” Hanna added. “There are models that can be replicated or improved for corporate social responsibility.”

According to Hanna, companies need to expand hiring for roles that evaluate the social impact of projects or work with external organizations for projects.

8 • QUEENSJOURNAL.CA

SPORTS

RORY STINSON Senior Sports Editor Starting football in high school, Stephane East, Comm ’23, was a bit of a latecomer to the sport, as most of his teammates had played throughout childhood. Now, he’s been invited to the Canadian Football League (CFL) Combine.

East chose Queen’s University for two reasons: their Commerce program and their football coaching staff.

“Queen’s taught me a lot of life skills, on and off the field,” East said.

“The support system within football helped me academically, and just to be a better person, like what Coach Snyder says, to be the most respected team on campus, and to always strive to keep improving every single day.”

East said he loved the culture at Queen’s, especially within the football program. He worked hard on the team and now could go to the CFL. East’s season was cut short this year following an injury towards the ends of the season. He saw the most game time he had throughout his time with Queen’s this season.

“I feel like I’ve played the best I’ve ever played,” East said.

“I got to really showcase as much of my skills as possible before I got injured.”

East noted another season hightlight—the game that brought the Gaels came the closest they had been to beating U SPORTS powerhouses, the Western Mustangs, on Sept. 16.

“We proved that Western is obviously beatable, and just the effort that everyone put in throughout the week, training for that, and the preparation we did—it’s not easy,” he said.

This season, East had 12 solo tackles in six games. He’s had 23 total tackles in 16 games in his career with the Gaels.

Being a rookie and dealing with COVID-19, East didn’t suit up for his first game until his third year, where he had eight tackles.

In his fourth year, he broke his collarbone, setting him back again. Near the end of this year, he injured his knees.

He said his injuries have been his biggest setback.

“You just got to keep your head straight and just keep training and hope for the best and keep going,” he said.

Throughout his time in football, East said the friendships he fostered were his favourite part, along

Queen’s Women’s Squash win ninth consecutive OUA Championship

On Feb. 10, the Gaels played Maddie O’Connor the uOttawa Gee-Gees and the discusses victory with McMaster Marauders, winning both games 7-0.

‘The Journal’ With the gold medal game on RORY STINSON Senior Sports Editor

Queen’s Women’s Squash celebrated nine OUA Championships in a row as they won another OUA Championship this weekend in Niagara.

After consecutively winning the OUA Championship the past eight seasons, there was pressure on the Gaels to do it again as they kicked off the tournament on Feb. 9.

“We were feeling pressured because we’re a team that’s expected to win,” said Maddie O’Connor, Med ’24. “I think we stepped up to that challenge and everyone was just incredibly focused and motivated.

Honestly [we] left everything on the court, win or lose.”

On Friday, the Gaels played the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and the Waterloo Warriors in a round-robin tournament style.

They beat the Varsity Blues 7-0 and the Warriors 6-1.

O’Connor specifically mentioned the Waterloo Warriors as having a very good team this year—they were their hardest competition, and who the team would play in the gold medal game. Waterloo would be the only team the Gaels would lose any games against all tournament.

Sunday, the Gaels and Warriors were set to compete one

Sports

Stephane East among six Gaels to attend CFL Combine East discusses football, Queen’s, and life beyond

East played the best football he has ever played this past season.

PHOTO BY HERBERT WANG

with learning several life skills and developing his work ethic.

“You just keep your head straight and just keep working because at the end of the day, the effort you put in is the output you will receive,” he said.

Moving beyond football, East plans to dive into the realm of finance and private equity. He’s

looking into taking the Chartered Financial Analyst exam.

“Obviously football doesn’t last forever.

So, even though I’m trying to make it last as long as possible, I know that the next steps are to start looking at my career path and what I’m interested in,” he said.

Despite graduating, East is still cheering on the Gaels, and he can’t wait to go to the CFL Combine representing the team.

Other Gaels attending the CFL Combine include Ryan Berta, ArtSci ’24, Jared Chisari, MSc ’25, Anthony Soles, ArtSci ’24, Olivier Muembi, ArtSci ’24, and Van Wishart, Kin ’24.

win 4-3, making the Gaels ninth consecutive champions.

“Number nine is a huge testament to how hard our team has worked,” O’Connor said. “It was so exciting to see how every one of my teammates showed up and competed. I saw them play some

her joining the roster.

“I was so excited to have the opportunity to join the team at Queen’s just because I heard how accomplished and amazing they were” O’Connor said.

“It was a way for me to continue playing the sport I love, in such a competitive and accomplished

to support each other, and are just excited and passionate about competing,” she said.

“I think this positive and enthusiastic environment and culture she’s created has allowed us, as a team, to shine and accomplish everything we’ve accomplished so far.”

O’Connor commended the Men’s Squash team following their upset in their championship weekend after losing 0-7 against the Western Mustangs in the OUA Gold Medal Game.

“It was exciting for our women’s team to watch them and cheer them on and see them accomplish something.

I’m really proud of them and I think all of my team is,” O’Connor said.

“I think that this weekend really showcased how supportive our teams are together and how we really come together and supported each other during these intense and difficult competitions. They had an incredible weekend as well.”

O’Connor was named OUA Athlete of the Week, a Women’s Squash OUA All-Star, and OUA Women’s MVP following this weekend’s performance.

“It’s a great honor to win those awards, but at the end of the day, it was really just everything that I’ve accomplished with this team that will stick with me forever,” she said. “I really cherish that the most.”

The Gaels beat Waterloo in a close 4-3 game for the gold medal.

more time before one of them was crowned champion.

O’Connor said the Warriors sat one of their players during the round-robin game the teams had played on Friday, so the Gaels weren’t sure what to expect. She explained having a new player is like playing a new line up.

Despite a close battle, the Gaels managed to catch a lead and

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

SUPPLIED BY QUEEN’S ATHLETICS AND RECREATION

of the best squash I had ever seen them play.”

O’Connor joined the team in her first year of medical school, coming off a women’s varsity squash career in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), where she played during her undergrad.

Due to COVID-19, the team has only played two full seasons since

environment.”

O’Connor felt welcomed to the team from day one, and referenced the team’s Head Coach Lisa Coates as being a supportive figure for the group.

“She’s fostered this culture within the team, of just really hard-working women who love the sport, love each other and want

Sports

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

QUEENSJOURNAL.CA • 9

No love between Gaels and Concordia Stingers this Valentine’s Day The Gaels fell 3-1 on Feb. 14 in the Memorial Centre against the Concordia Stingers.

Gaels fall to Stingers in first game of OUA Playoffs AIDAN MICHAELOV Assistant Sports Editor There was no love on the ice as Queen’s Men’s Hockey began their playoff journey this Valentine’s Day against the Concordia Stingers, as the Gaels look to improve upon last year’s premature playoff exit.

The Gaels entered the playoffs on a good note after managing to win eight of their last 10 games, which was essential in keeping up their momentum and embarking on a deep playoff push. The Gaels only need two wins in the best of three series to make their way to the next round.

The Stingers won this game 3-1, putting the Gaels in a must-win position for the remaining games of the first round.

The game started in a near stalemate, with neither team able to break the ice until there was about a minute and a half remaining in the first period. The Hutcheson-Fowler-Yantsis line forced too much pressure for the Stingers to handle, leading to a Jonathan Yantsis, ArtSci ’24, rebound goal.

The second period started with the Gaels chipping away at nearly two full minutes of penalty kill carried over from the end of the first period. The Gaels were unable to finish the penalty kill successfully and allowed a deflected point shot 35 seconds into the period, tying the game at 1-1.

The momentum shifted in the second period, with Queen’s goaltender Christian Purboo, ArtSci ’25, keeping the Gaels from falling behind early in the second period.

Eventually, the Stingers added another goal, with a deflection goal beating the goaltender and capitalizing on a tired Gaels lineup.

The Gaels were now down 2-1.

The Stingers didn’t let up after

their go-ahead goal, continuing to generate odd man rushes and screened point shots. Luckily for the Gaels, Purboo stayed steady, providing the Gaels with the backbone needed to mount a comeback.

With a two-minute minor being handed out to the Stingers, the Gaels would get thechance they were looking for to tie the game back up. Unfortunately for Queen’s, Concordia’s goalie stood strong, shutting down a cross-crease one-timer opportunity from the Gaels.

While flashes of the game seemed to show signs of the

Gaels beginning to return to form, Purboo was the only player who was impactful, making several saves along the Gaels’ quest for a comeback.

The Gaels were awarded another powerplay opportunity late in the second period, however, as the play expired, the Gaels once again relied on Purboo to prevent an opportunity for the Stingers. The Gaels picked up another penalty along the way when Hayden Fowler, ArtSci ’25, received a two-minute minor for roughing after the whistle.

The Stingers were up by a score of 2-1 at the end of the second

period, giving the Gaels one last period to avoid putting themselves in danger of elimination. With the penalty that closed the second period, the Gaels had to start the redemption period shorthanded.

As the Gaels killed off Fowler’s penalty, Jacob Paquette, ArtSci ’24, broke the r ules himself with a highsticking minor, securing the Stingers an extended powerplay for the first four minutes of the third period.

After killing the penalty, the Gaels continued to struggle offensively. With messy timing and passing, they faced significant

PHOTO BY HERBERT WANG

difficulty trying to break the puck out of their own zone.

A penalty given to winger Dharan Cap, ArtSci ’27, allowed the Stingers to put another shot past Purboo, growing their lead to two goals with just under thirteen minutes remaining in the game.

Following a roughing penalty on the Stingers, Queen’s now had a powerplay with 10 minutes remaining. The Gaels needed a goal to avoid falling behind in the series.

Continued online at queensjournal.ca/sports

Diversions

10 • QUEENSJOURNAL.CA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Horoscopes: Will you land your dream job this season?

How the stars will align for each sign this job-hunting season

T he P sychic S cholar Journal Staff Whether you’re in denial about graduating this spring or looking for your first summer internship, entering the job market is no easy feat. Here’s what’s in store for you while you scour job postings this hiring season.

Aries (March 21 – April 19) Your chaotic energy is one of your biggest draws, Aries, and it’s made you the first invite on a night out with friends time and time again. While you’re bound to get your dream gig this hiring season, it might require a more concentrated effort on your part to stay focused.

Be sure to save a little bit of razzle dazzle for the interview, though. If you flop when showing off your skills, you still might be a good personality hire.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20) You’re stubborn, diligent, and know what you want, Taurus, so this might just be the season where you land the job that’s passed you over the last few years. You’re logical, grounded, and can work your way through a problem, so of course the third time you land a first interview, you’ll nail it.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) According to Co-Star, you’re most likely to become a politician, Twitter personality, or quirky side character, but I’ve got higher hopes for you, Gemini. You’re versatile, analytical as hell, and beyond creative, so don’t feel too boxed into anything quite yet. You have lots of room to explore still.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Don’t be an idiot, Cancer—not everyone’s parents work in finance.

Be grateful and take the job, it’ll pay off in the long run. Invest in your future just like everyone else is doing and know that this summer, a restaurant job isn’t going to cut it.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) Don’t mix personal and professional, Leo. While you should pick the job that will best suit you and your career goals, I don’t mean the one with the hottest coworkers. HR will frown upon your fraternization, even if they’re in another department.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) I know you’re worried for what lies ahead, Virgo, but take a second to breathe. Your perfectionist tendencies shine through when you’re applying for jobs, and you’re probably the only person who can slap “detail-oriented” on your resume in good faith. Keep pushing yourself to new heights and stop fretting over whether you’re going to make it or not—everyone standing behind you knows you’ll make them all proud.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Embrace the abundance, Libra.

This season, the universe has aligned in your favour, and you’ll

find yourself receiving offers for all the positions you applied for. The choices may seem overwhelming, but don’t be afraid to reach for the stars. Opt for the job that ignites your passion and creativity, rather than settling for the safe option.

higher salary. Your unique skills and dynamic personality will make you an asset in any workplace. Consider the compensation that reflects your true value. After all, it’s not often you find yourself in a position of being desperately wanted.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) Trust the process, Scorpio. Your relentless dedication and proactive approach are about to yield results.

Your applications are submitted; now it’s time to chill and practice patience. I assure you, your perfect job will come to you.

Believe in the journey and remain confident in the value you bring. The fruits of your hard work will finally pay off, bringing you closer to securing the perfect job you’ve been working for all year.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) Although this may not be where you initially envisioned yourself, Capricorn, trust that it’s meant to be. Embrace the uncertainty and recognize that your future holds promise, even amid ambiguity. Your journey may take some unexpected turns, but remember that each step contributes to your growth and development. If nothing works out, you’ll always have the allure of a Kingston summer to fall back on.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) Know your worth, Sagittarius, and don’t be afraid to negotiate for a

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb 18) Brace yourself for a lot of rejection, Aquarius. Your bad attitude throughout the year is

finally catching up to you and your resume is an accurate reflection.

At the top of the student job food chain, you were a big fish in a little pond at Queen’s. Out in the real world, you’re a nobody—a grossly unqualified nobody at that. Please, get it together.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) Get your head out of your ass, Pisces. Nothing is going to be handed to you on a silver platter. If you truly want the job, roll up your sleeves and put in the hard work.

Relying solely on your mediocre networking skills won’t take you very far no matter how many LinkedIn connections you have.

Success demands effort, dedication, and hustle. So, go out there, showcase your skills, and earn the position you want. It’s time to prove your worth and show you’re not just expecting things to fall into your lap.

Need a place to write down your thoughts? journal_lifestyle@ams.queensu.ca

Lifestyle

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

QUEENSJOURNAL.CA • 11

Celebrating Black history should happen every month of the year LIFESTYLE

Allyship can be extended beyond Black History Month Uwineza Mugabe Staff Writer

True allyship involves the ongoing practice of uplifting historically marginalized groups.

When the clock strikes midnight and it hits February 1, the Black community collectively gets to experience what it’s like to be the most popular kids in school.

The second Black History Month begins, our inboxes are full of collaboration requests, and our phones blow up with event ideas, consultation requests, and well wishes from allies across the board.

But during the rest of the year, our inboxes are dry, and our phones are silent—the community forgotten.

This is barely an exaggeration of a real phenomenon the Black community, particularly at Queen’s, knows well. Our calendars are chock full of opportunities for one month, but for the rest of the year, our events, our activism, and our community is mostly self-run and self-recognized.

Black Histories and Futures month is a beautiful time to celebrate the power, potential, and richness of Black people worldwide. It’s a necessary month, needed so we can focus on the

Black celebration shouldn’t be limited to one month of the year.

voices and histories that have been systematically silenced throughout North American history. In a predominantly white institution like Queen’s, the importance of Black History Month is redoubled when considering the fact many students at Queen’s have had very little exposure to Black people prior to coming here.

That said, February is only one month, and the shortest month of the year as well.

With the multitude of clubs, activist groups, opportunities, and people at Queen’s, Black History Month shouldn’t be the only month where we collaborate with and celebrate Black people.

Black people exist during all 365 days of the year. We continuously create stellar

‘Abbott Elementary’ reminds us we need more Black teachers

Diversity shouldn’t be limited to TV Allie Moustakis Senior Lifestyle Editor The third season of Abbott Elementary reminds audiences of the profound impact of Black educators on the lives of students.

Through humour and heart, the show highlights the importance of representation in the classroom and the critical role that Black teachers play in shaping the academic and emotional well-being of both Black and non-Black students.

At the heart of Abbott Elementary are characters like Janine Teagues and Mrs. Barbara Howard, portrayed by the show’s creator, Quinta Brunson, and Sheryl Lee Ralph respectively, who embody the essence of dedicated educators.

Janine, a young and aspiring teacher, learns t o

navigate the complexities of the predominately white education system while grappling with her own personal challenges.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Howard, a seasoned veteran, imparts wisdom and mentorship to her colleagues, demonstrating the transformative power of experience and compassion in the classroom.

The camaraderie among the staff at Abbott Elementary reflects an established commitment to the school community and the students it serves.

Whether it’s collaborating on classroom strategies or providing emotional support during challenging times, the teachers exemplify the village framework—a framework that is deeply rooted in African cultures, recognizing it takes a collective effort to nurture and educate the next generation.

Continued online at queensjournal.ca/lifestyle

PHOTO BY HERBERT WANG

events, build organizations from scratch, and make art 365 days of the year. We have ideas at all times and the capabilities to build on these ideas continuously. So, it’s disappointing to see “allies” only express that allyship when the spotlight is put on us.

It’s as if many of these so-called allies only care about allyship when it’s trendy.

To only recognize and work with the Black community during the shortest month of the year is tokenization at its finest—especially at the university level, where a lot

of the labour we do is done for free.

Students, student governments, and clubs that wish to express their allyship during Black History Month should take their energy and spread it out throughout the entire year.

The lack of regular support for the Black community further alienates us from the rest of the community.

In a predominantly white institution like Queen’s, having safe and inclusive spaces is important for Black students to thrive at university.

How Marvin Gaye’s protest album shook up Motown

these issues, seemingly neglecting the opportunity to be an outlet for social change.

This was confirmed when Gaye released his album What’s Going On—a socially conscious album that marked a stark contrast with his idyllic persona of the 50s, which had brought Motown and Gaye so much success with an audience that wanted their music like they wanted their society, docile. Berry Gordy, the Motown label head, was hesitant to release a protest album, leading Gaye to threaten to never record for Motown again if the album wasn’t released.

The first track “What’s Going On?” perfectly captured the essence of what Gaye endeavours to ask of his audience, but what he seeks to find within himself. Noting later that “God wrote this album,” Gaye looked to achieve something he had never done before musically.

This track is Gaye at his most despondent, his faith shaken not only in God but society. He petitions mothers, fathers, and brothers with the eponymous question, and seemingly gets no answer from anyone he asks.

This hopelessness is shattered in the last portion of the song, with the swelling strings, drums, and bass indicating Gaye’s resolve and mission to find the answer himself.

In a prophetic track, Gaye discusses ecological disaster on “Mercy Me (The Ecology).” With the line “Oil wasted on the oceans

Allyship can take many forms throughout the year. Firstly, clubs shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to the Black community at all times of the year. But also, it’s important for allies to continuously voice support for Black people and the Black community throughout the year and give spaces for Black people to voice our concerns and speak about our issues.

There’s nothing stopping non-Black allies from celebrating Black people at all points of the year—especially during other holidays that celebrate notable people from marginalized groups.

On International Women’s Day, remember the Black women such as Angela Davis that fought for liberation. During Pride Month, remember the Black queer and trans icons who have shaped our world to this day such as Marsha P. Johnson and Bayard Rustin .

Allyship shouldn’t be limited to one day, nor one month—it’s a continuous process of showing solidarity with marginalized groups. This allyship should require action throughout the whole year.

Otherwise, your allyship to the Black community is just surfacelevel performative activism.

Forty years after his death, Marvin Gaye’s album ‘What’s Going On’ is just as relevant

George Manning Contributor When Marvin Gaye released What’s Going On in 1971, it initially intended to be rooted in the issues of 70s America.

Instead, it predicted the United States’ social conditioning on issues that still plague the Western world today.

By 1971, Gaye grew disillusioned with several aspects of his life. Chief among them was his waning relationship with his Motown label, a revolutionary label that was among the first to take African American artists seriously in mainstream music.

The Detroit label propelled Gaye to international stardom in the 50s and 60s with hits such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

Gaye’s influence on Motown had cross-cultural appeal and introduced the privileged white music industry to the burgeoning soul and rhythm and blues genres that formed the crux of Motown’s sound.

In the 60s, America was in its economic and cultural boom.

This contrasted with the growing civil rights peace movements that first brought the bubbling social issues to the broader American consciousness.

Gaye grew frustrated Motown was oblivious to

and upon our seas/fish full of mercury,” Gaye brings attention to an issue largely unbroken in mainstream Western culture at the time.

The song serves as a warning from Gaye to society while reminding listeners of an issue yet unsolved.

The album is cathartic and poetic for both Gaye and the listener. The album’s arc charts Gaye’s personal revitalization, reaffirming his faith in love and cooperation and our capacity to achieve both.

The narrative across the album moves from nihilism to optimism. The album’s emotional throughline, underpinned by real social tensions makes What’s Going On a masterpiece.

The album was a landmark accomplishment for African American artists, marking the first concept album for soul music. Concept albums at this time were reserved for “white” genres including rock ‘n’ roll.

Gaye laid the groundwork for Black artists to explore storytelling in their music, such as Kendrick Lamar on his album To Pimp a Butterfly.

Though the album’s question goes unanswered, Gaye’s work conveys its most enduring and important message. He leaves it to the audience to rationalize the world we inhabit, with neither government nor possessions providing the means for solving society’s great issues.

Postscript

12 • QUEENSJOURNAL.CA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Growing up Black in New Zealand: Learning to love my hair and myself

Madison shares how she came to love her Blackness.

How the Black community taught me I was beautiful too Madison Taylor Contributor

It’s true when people say there’s a lot of power in hair.

As I reflect on my Blackness and experiences this Black History Month, my hair emerges as a central element in my journey of self-discovery.

It stands out more than anything else when I think about how I’ve come to love my identity. While this seems like something that should be innate, embracing my hair and loving being Black have gone hand in hand.

To give you some context, I’m a mixed-race woman who grew up in Wellington, New Zealand.

My mum is Jamaican-Canadian, and my dad is Pākeha, a New Zealander of European descent. While being mixed is another identity crisis in and of itself, growing up Black in New Zealand was extremely isolating. As of the 2018 census, only 0.3 per cent of the population is of African descent.

To put that in perspective, that’s less than half of Queen’s student body, dispersed across the entire country.

My hair wasn’t always something I struggled with. As a child, my mother meticulously took care of it. I relished in choosing which ribbons and accessories she would attach to her neat handiwork.

My favourite hairstyle consisted of four thick braids that divided

my head into even squares, adorned with whatever trinkets I favoured that day.

I sat still while she did my hair, frightened by stories of her own mother smacking her with the hairbrush if she squirmed too much in the chair.

We watched America’s Next Top Model together as she worked, and I was in awe of Tyra Banks. I constantly marvelled in jealousy at her long straight hair, complete with blunt-cut bangs.

Little did I know this was an expertly laid wig.

Things took a turn as I became increasingly aware of my differences from my classmates. I went to an allgirls private school that was egregiously white. Throughout my 13 years at the school, I could count the number of Black students on one hand, and for most of that time this figure rarely exceeded two.

Throughout elementary school, classmates and teachers constantly commented on how “frizzy” my hair was. They didn’t hesitate to touch it when emphasizing its difference. By age six, I knew I was different, and I didn’t like it. I was a shy kid, yet had no choice but to stand out.

When middle school rolled around, this discomfort with my hair turned into a full-blown hatred. I was now responsible for caring for my hair, and I detested putting any effort into it. I didn’t have the products, knowledge, or the desire to take good care of my hair, and saw it as one of my ugliest features, alongside my braces and acne.

I threw it up into a bun every day—a hairstyle that became my

PHOTO BY HERBERT WANG

signature—because I couldn’t stand it any other way.

It didn’t help that New Zealand’s stores didn’t stock any of the products I dearly treasure today. I used Pantene shampoo that stripped my hair dry, leaving it brittle and broken. I never heard of a slick-back style, and didn’t even know what “edges” were.

Whenever there was a special occasion, I begged my mum to straighten my hair. She warned me about heat damage, and reassured me that my curly hair was beautiful, but I didn’t believe her. As part of the generation raised on chemical hair relaxers and the idea natural hair was “unprofessional,” she herself wore, and still wears, her hair straight most of the time.

With my only Black role model wearing her hair straight, I couldn’t possibly imagine my own natural hair being beautiful.

My journey toward embracing my hair began when I finally found community. For me, this started in an unlikely place: YouTube. Creators like Jasmine Brown and Daye La Soul posted videos showcasing hairstyles, tutorials, and tips for hair like mine.

I was blown away. If their hair was beautiful, then mine could be too.

Suddenly it was 2020, and the Black Lives Matter movement shook up the world, including New Zealand. This collective suffering brought Black people out from all corners of the country, and we found comfort in each other to get through our pain and survive the magnifying glass we were suddenly put under by the New Zealand public.

Suddenly, we became sources of knowledge for our white friends, which was incredibly exhausting, yet brought us together.

For the first time in my life, at 17, I finally knew Black people my age, and my world expanded with every new person I met.

Immersed in my new community, I began experimenting with my hair. I remember my first time getting box braids, in the safe hands of a friend when I was 18. I drove home instilled with a newfound confidence. I felt feminine, selfassured and, most importantly, beautiful. I’d never felt that way in my whole life.

Though my confidence in my hair grew through these protective styles, braids became a bit of a crutch. I felt my confidence dip whenever I had my natural hair out between appointments. In a flash, I felt myself regress to the self-loathing of my tween years. I didn’t feel attractive or womanly with my natural hair, and I hated the way it would shrink above my shoulders as it dried. I had braids in constantly, something that negatively affected both my hairline and bank account.

But everything changed when I moved to Canada in 2021 and I learned to better embrace my hair and Blackness.

When visiting cities like Toronto and Ottawa, I was surrounded by people who looked like me. Though Kingston’s Black population is smaller than other Ontario cities, it’s certainly more than I knew back home. Seeing myself represented in the people around me made all the difference. It was a sigh of relief

not being totally isolated in every space I entered.

Even at Queen’s, a predominantly white institution, I’ve felt community in a way I’ve never felt before. The first time I walked into a beauty supply store where every product was designed for Black hair I almost cried. My Black friends and I share products, advice, and support in a way I could only have imagined as a kid. I’m no longer embarrassed to wear my silk scarf and bonnet before I go to bed. This, combined with a new sense of adulthood at 20, was a winning combination.

I can now honestly say I love my hair. I love its versatility, colour, my curl pattern, and the way it makes me, me. I also love being Black. I’m saddened to think about the way I used to wish I was white as a child. I wouldn’t change my identity for anything. I hope little girls in New Zealand no longer feel this way, but I worry we’re not quite there yet.

The biggest thing that incited this change within me was the presence of community.

Queen’s students, look around this Black History Month. If you’re Black, use this time to embrace your brothers and sisters, and admire what we’ve built, and continue to build here.

If you’re not Black, show your friends some love. Appreciate them and lift them up all year round—don’t just wait until February to show them you care.

I love my hair, and I love being Black. Thanks to the beauty I’ve witnessed in my community, I can finally see it in myself.