S The Silhouette Thursday, March 22, 2018
INSIDE:
NEWS: A preliminary look at federal and municipal voting // PAGE 7 ARTS & CULTURE: Style at Mac returns from hiatus // PAGE 17 SPORTS: Men’s volleyball earns their sixth straight national medal // PAGES 24-25
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The Silhouette
Volume 88, Issue 25 Thursday, March 22, 2018 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
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MCMASTER THESIL
LOOKING BACK
EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca Shane Madill @shanemadill digital media specialist | dms@msu.mcmaster.ca Aaron de Jesus managing editor | managing@thesil.ca Rachel Katz production editor | production@thesil.ca Catherine Tarasyuk online editor | online@thesil.ca Haley Greene sections
Sasha Dhesi Cassidy Bereskin news@thesil.ca
news editor news reporter
Emily O’Rourke
features reporter
features@thesil.ca opinion editor
Reem Sheet
opinion@thesil.ca
Justin Parker Jessica Carmichael sports@thesil.ca
sports editor sports reporter
& culture editor Daniel Arauz & culture reporter Razan Samara aandc@thesil.ca
arts arts
media
Madeline Neumann photo reporter Kyle West production coordinator Grant Holt production coordinator Timothy Law production@thesil.ca photo editor
Yvonne Lu Jaime Cook online content coordinator Susie Ellis online@thesil.ca video editor
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COVER PHOTO Emily Hamel
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The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters should be 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in the Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding the Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.
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The General Assembly in 1995 was the first in seven years to maintain quorum. This featured the implementation of an OPIRG chapter at McMaster and transferring control of Placement Services from university administration to the MSU. It took 17 years to reach quorum again.
WE WANT YOU TO CONTRIBUTE Our last issues of Volume 88 are on March 29 and April 5. As always, we will continue to accept volunteer submissions, feedback and inquiries. Feel free to send an email to the section you would like to contribute to.
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
The Silhouette
| 3
News Celebrating black excellence The inaugural award ceremony highlights the successes of black McMaster students Janna Getty Contributor
On March 12, MacAfricans, in association with the President’s Advisory Committee to Building an Inclusive Community and McMaster Students Union President Chukky Ibe, hosted the first inaugural Maroon in Black formal. Maroon in Black aimed to “create a space to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of black students, faculty, alumni, and staff ” according to MacAfricans Co-President Sara Mustafa. The event issued awards to black McMaster community members who have excelled. During the year, many events have taken place aimed to celebrate minorities on McMaster campus. However, according to Mustafa, there has never been an event at McMaster aimed at celebrating black individuals. In its inaugural year, the Maroon in Black formal filled a niche that was long overdue.
C/O ROBERT FEURTADO
“We hoped that we created a space where we can acknowledge and celebrate one another. Many of the award recipients have achieved great things and it is important for the McMaster community to know of their achievements and it is important for us to acknowledge them,” said Mustafa. “When black people go to similar events, they are always the minority. At the Maroon in Black Formal, that was not the case and that’s what made it so unique and wonderful.” The event follows those held at other universities, which have sought to highlight black students and their successes, such as the University of Toronto’s black graduation ceremony held
in June 2017. The event was organized to create a safe space where black students, staff and McMaster alumni could acknowledge and celebrate each other. In an environment where the voices of a minority are often lost in the crowd, this event turned the spotlight on many important achievements of the black community. Awards of the night included the graduate academic and graduate community service award, won by Akua Pepra; undergraduate community service won by Sahra Soudi; the black aspiring physicians at McMaster for the undergraduate academic year award, won by Sebat Mohamed and Sonia Igboanugo. Awards were also issued to faculty members, such as Dr. Juliet Daniels, who won the “mom” award, an award for those who actively mentored others in the com-
munity or allies that have taken the extra task of active advocacy and support for McMaster students. On top of awards being issued, there were also talks given by prominent black McMaster community members. Ibe gave a speech, as did other students active in the McMaster community such as Mustafa and Jordan Lentinello. The formal also heard speeches from distinguished McMaster alumni, such as Omobola Olarewaju, Leo Johnson and Tumi Adegoroye. MacAfricans will continue to hold events throughout the year meant to acknowledge an empower the black students on campus. Their next event is Afrofest, a large theatrical event that celebrates African culture through acting, singing, dancing and modelling. All the content is written and performed by McMaster students and the proceeds are donated to the Empowerment Squared charity, an organization created by McMaster alumni.
In a school that prides itself on its acceptance and diversity within its population, an event that celebrates the achievements of one of it’s minority populations was long overdue. Maroon in Black was a memorable night celebrating students whose acknowledgement was well deserved.
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4 |
NEWS
Thursday, March 22, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
The Grind is paying off For the first time in history, the MSU is selling more coffee than alcohol Cassidy Bereskin News Reporter
The Grind, the McMaster Students Union-run cafe that was added to TwelvEighty in February 2018, has been churning out more cash than its bar and grill counterpart. According to a report written by Daniel “Tuba” D’Souza, MSU vice president (Finance), to the Student Representative Assembly, the Grind has been earning an average of $1,000 per day. The cafe is expected to increase TwelvEighty’s revenue by 22 per cent and reduce the overall deficit by approximately $100,000 for the upcoming academic year. “The success of the Grind shows that the student demographic is changing. For the first time in MSU history we will have sold more coffee than alcohol,” read part of the report. “This is something that needs to be seriously considered when looking at the future of TwelvEighty.” According to D’Souza, universities and colleges across North America have witnessed a similar trend as pubs and bars languish in popularity. “Today’s students are burdened with debt and are selective of how they spend their money, prioritizing experiences and quality over quantity,” said D’Souza, who believes that campus club culture is not dying, but transforming as students become more conscientious of how and when they spend money on alcohol. D’Souza notes that events such as Homecoming, Light Up The Night and club nights continue to reach maximum capacity, reflecting a continued interest in club culture. “That volume isn’t replicable throughout the year. From conversations with club promotion companies and past bar owners in the area, students are busy and prioritize school over entertainment more than in past years,” he said. The Grind’s financial success is also a byproduct of the
increasing use of coffee shops as study spaces. In light of the high demand for seating at the Grind, D’Souza has proposed the allocation of funds to renovate the dance floor and staging area of TwelvEighty to expand the cafe. The proposal still has to be approved by the incoming Student Representative Assembly, and the nuances of it will depend on the plans of next year’s leadership and TwelvEighty’s management. “TwelvEighty is currently our biggest cost centre but will show marked improvements with the addition of the Grind,” read part of the report. In his report, D’Souza sug-
gests that TwelvEighty should focus on improving its serving style, menu options, use of technology, ease of ordering and marketing strategy. However, in the report, he does not elaborate on what he means by these areas of improvement.
“For the first time in MSU history we will have sold more coffee than alcohol.” Daniel “Tuba” D’Souza Vice president (Finance) McMaster Students Union
TIMOTHY LAW / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
In his year-plan, D’Souza sought to implement an online ordering system for TwelvEighty. Nevertheless, this promise was abandoned as feasibility and logistical issues emerged in the fall of 2017. Whether or not D’Souza seeks to reintroduce this proposal remains unclear. What is clear, however, is that the Grind is expected to compensate, at least in part, for TwelvEighty’s lack of profit. During the cafe’s trial period, which occurred before the Grind officially opened for service, feedback forms were released to students. The main demands were for milk substitutes, which are now available at
no cost, and increased seating capacity. “Currently students love the food options, fresh baked scones and cookies, and the daily crepe specials,” said D’Souza. “With its booming success this year the future of the Grind looks bright with students already asking to expand the space more into TwelvEighty.”
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NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
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New strides in MSU advocacy The MSU spent the year researching and compiling policy recommendations for three distinct topics affecting student life Sasha Dhesi News Editor
As a part of their last few meetings, the McMaster Students Union Student Representative Assembly voted to adopt three policy papers which will guide future legislation.
Throughout the year, SRA members, MSU research assistants and other MSU members compile research which they then condense into 30 to 40 page papers. Students also had the chance to voice their concerns on the given topics during the MSU’s policy conference,
which occurs every semester. This year, the MSU and its advocacy and research teams focused on three issues: sexual violence prevention and response, environmental sustainability and public transit and transportation. Each of these policy papers
included major recommendations to shape the advocacy the MSU takes on while negotiating with other institutions such as the city of Hamilton, the university and Metrolinx.
Sexual violence prevention and response The sexual violence prevention and response paper focused on creating recommendations for prevention, health services, promotion of resources, survivor centric responses, training, provincial legislation and integration with services both on and off campus. The paper made a number of recommendations, ranging from including the sexual violence response coordinator or executive members from the MSU Women and Gender Equity Network during the Stu-
dent Success Centre’s planning of Welcome Week and similar events to making changes to the Student Wellness Centre’s current approach to follow-ups with survivors. Many of the recommendations focused on altering the structures currently in place to support survivors of gender-based violence and alter the culture on campus to be a culture of consent. It also challenged McMaster’s current sexual violence response policy, arguing it
ought to alter its language to be more inclusive of marginalized groups. The paper also recommended that Security Services be taught anti-oppressive practices and receive formal training regarding McMaster’s sexual violence response policy. The paper also challenged Residence Life’s current approach to sexual violence disclosures, which calls on employees to disclose any information to the residence manager. The paper argues that the policy ought to change to allow employees
only break confidentiality if the survivor explicitly requests it. It also calls for province-wide bystander training and the inclusion of sexual violence related healthcare to the University Health Insurance Plan, the main healthcare plan for international students.
educational material and other material relating to sustainability remains up to date. The paper advises that the university take an active role in educating students on sustainable practices, by creating a unified sustainability campaign with other organizations on campus and by establishing a network of sustainability-related groups on campus and in Hamilton.
The policy paper also recommends divesting from fossil fuel and using more sustainable energy sources, in addition to setting a target of being carbon neutral by 2040.
es to lines McMaster students frequently use. The paper also offers recommendations for future advocacy, stating that the city of Hamilton ought to invest in the 10-year Local Transit Strategy every year until it is complete and that the provincial government ought to increase its funding allocated to the HSR.
The majority of their recommendations for the HSR focus on improving the current structure of bus lines and frequencies to better service students.
Environmental sustainability The environmental sustainability paper focused creating recommendations to reduce waste on campus and ensure the university follows sustainable practices. The majority of the recommendations focus on adhering to the best possible environmental sustainability practices and promote sustainable policies. The paper argued the university ought to eliminate single-use plastic products and expand programs such as their reusable takeout containers to promote best possible sustain-
able practices. The paper also argued that the university ought to take a more proactive approach to eliminating waste by reducing nonessential energy use in unused buildings and installing sensor lights, to list a few examples. It recommends divesting from fossil fuel and using more sustainable energy sources, in addition to setting a target of being carbon neutral by 2040. It also recommends that the university make sure that their
Public transit and transportation
The SRA voted to adopt three policy papers on March 11. SASHA DHESI / NEWS EDITOR
This policy paper focuses on how to better improve the infrastructure of major public transit systems McMaster students use, with a focus on the Hamilton Street Railway and Metrolinx’s Go buses. The paper recommends that the city of Hamilton audit and then repair damaged and inaccessible sidewalks and create more bike lanes in the Ainslie Wood-East neighbourhood to promote biking and make the commute safer for cyclists. The paper offers a number of recommendations for the
HSR, ranging from ensuring all HSR employees are given adequate sexual violence, diversity and anti-oppressive practices training to better promoting their social media. The majority of their recommendations for the HSR focus on improving the current structure of bus lines and frequencies to better service students. With respect to Metrolinx, the policy paper offers similar recommendations, such as increasing frequency and consulting McMaster students when considering service chang-
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6 |
NEWS
Thursday, March 22, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
CUPE 3906 supports York and Carleton strikes Precarious employment continues to be a problem at McMaster and in post-secondary institutions across the province
As CUPE 3903 strike at York University, CUPE 3906 and McMaster continue their negotiations. C/O CUPE 3903
Cassidy Bereskin News Reporter
In search of increased job security, the Canadian Union of Public Employees 3903 Units 1, 2 and 3 went to strike after six months of bargaining with York University. Employees at Carleton University also recently opted to strike, advocating for pension benefits in the wake of confusion over language in the collective agreement. While CUPE 3906 is still bargaining, a strike is not off the table. After rejecting the university’s offer, 3,000 teaching staff at York University walked off the job as part of a strike by CUPE 3903 on March 5. Although 60 per cent of teaching at York is facilitated by members of the union, the university has remained open and some classes have continued during the strike. The strike at Carleton was led by support staff, including library and administrative employees, on March 5. On March 16, the union and university agreed to return to the bargaining table in hopes of resolving the labour dispute.
After rejecting the university’s offer, 3,000 teaching staff at York University walked off the job as part of a strike by CUPE 3903 on March 5. CUPE 3903 and 2424’s efforts follow a five-week-long strike by Ontario college instructors, which forced 500,000 students out of class and was ended through back-to-work legislation pushed by the province. On March 14, CUPE 3906 published letters to the unions at York and Carleton. The letter to CUPE 2424 emphasized the union’s effort to advocate for improved retirement security and criticized Carleton’s neoliberal policies and unwillingness to acknowledge the importance of pensions for precarious support staff. “As a local who represents primarily young workers who
do not have access to a workplace pension, we find your defense of quality pensions for workers to be an inspiration,” read part of the letter to CUPE 2424. The letter to York’s union praised its commitment to fighting issues arising from job precarity. “Job security is an issue that we have here on campus too. Unit 1 members, specifically teaching assistants, only get four years guaranteed of teaching contracts,” said Sarah Wahab, CUPE 3906 vice president. “It’s not enough for us to complete our PhDs usually, so we’re kind of left in this limbo where we can’t find the funding we need in order to finish our dissertations.” When asked about the likelihood that McMaster’s CUPE 3906 will go to strike after Unit 1 and 2 finish bargaining in 2019, CUPE 3906 president Angie Perez stated that it is invariably likely that, if the union is not listened to, it will call a strike vote. The last time CUPE 3906 went to strike was in 2009, when teaching and research as-
“We do have a lot of issues regarding job security specifically. We’re living in a context where it’s getting harder and harder to live.” Sarah Wahab Vice president CUPE 3906 sistants sought increased wages and benefits from the university. This strike was short-lived, however, with 58 per cent of union members voting to accept the university’s offer after one week of striking. Nevertheless, Wahab acknowledges that the union still has work to do on campus. “We do have a lot of issues regarding job security specifically. We’re living in a context where it’s getting harder and harder to live. When that starts to happen, strikes start to happen,” said Wahab. “People need
to rise up and demand what they deserve.” Broadly speaking, CUPE 3906 sympathizes with students as they get trapped in a messy and unfortunate situation as a result of a strike. Nevertheless, they argue that students should direct their frustration to the university, not the union. “The problem is that the narrative is controlled by the universities,” said Perez, who explains that because the university accepts students’ tuition dollars, it should be held accountable to accommodate students in the event of strike action. Precarious employment continues to be on the rise at McMaster and across the province. As CUPE 3906’s Units 1 and 2 continue to bargain with the university, the union is standing in solidarity with the unions at York and Carleton.
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NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
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Getting students in voting booths OUSA and the MSU are making efforts to ensure students vote in the upcoming elections
THE SILHOUETTE ARCHIVES Jackie McNeill Contributor
The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance recently launched its OUSA Votes campaign to promote student voting in the upcoming provincial and municipal elections. For past elections the McMaster Student Union has run a Mac Votes campaign, but this year they are partnering with OUSA and its seven other member schools to get students across Ontario to pledge to vote in the June provincial election. MSU vice president (Education), Ryan Deshpande, explains that this year’s campaign is getting students aware of the fact that there is a provincial election, flagging issues which they should be concerned about or may not realize are a provincial issue and getting them to pledge to vote for issues that matter to them. OUSA’s pledge to vote involves more than just the initial
pledge, however. Once students pledge through their site, they can be kept updated through email on many issues surrounding the elections, from highlights of candidates’ platforms to reminders when voting opens in June. The campaign can also help to answer any questions interested students may have about voting. For example, the use of a voter identification card was removed from the list of acceptable ID for voters in 2015. This left students who did not have their Hamilton address on their government ID unable to vote in the Hamilton municipal elections. Today, you only need proof of address on an official document such as a lease or Internet bill to vote in the Hamilton municipal election, a piece of information OUSA’s pledge could easily answer. OUSA is also an official stakeholder in the provincial government, where they advo-
cate for on behalf of students. The MSU has the opportunity to reflect the McMaster community’s needs through OUSA’s general assembly, which the vice president (Education) attends with the rest of his team. Despite the work gone into supporting the student vote, there is a question of student voter apathy, particularly given the low voter turnout of 28 per cent during the 2018 MSU presidential election. Deshpande and associate vice president (Provincial and Federal Affairs), Urszula Sitarz, believe it is not apathy that deters these students from voting, but rather the idea that the system does not represent or serve them. “Voting in the MSU election is one step in the broader picture, because when you vote in your MSU president that’s your voice at government too. So if you don’t want the MSU to be your voice at government, be
your own voice at government with your vote,” said Deshpande.
“It’s votes that drive the government, and ensuring that students vote is critical to ensuring that we get what we need in order to thrive in our education.” Ryan Desphande Vice president (Education) McMaster Students Union While provincial-level student issues like affordable tuition and free textbooks are a large part of discussion on campus, the municipal government is often taken for granted. The municipal election will also happen this year in October 2018.
Issues such as efficient transportation and neighbourhood safety all hinge upon decisions made at city council. In the Hamilton West-AncasterDundas riding, students have the voting power to sway an election, as this riding includes not only McMaster University, but also Mohawk College and Redeemer University College. “It’s votes that drive the government, and ensuring that students vote is critical to ensuring that we get what we need in order to thrive in our education,” said Desphande. Whether provincial or municipal, unless students vote, government representatives are unlikely to take student concerns seriously. But with MSU’s and OUSA’s efforts, hopefully this will change.
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PRESIDENT’S PAGE
March 22, 2018 | thesil.ca
PREETHI ANBALAGAN Vice President (Administration) vpadmin@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x23250
As the Vice President (Administration), I have the privilege and opportunity of supporting, managing, and working with a range of student leaders on campus – from Welcome Week representatives to Club Presidents. In befriending these folks, it has become clear that leadership comes in various shapes and sizes. The truth is, a “one size fits all” mentality doesn’t translate any better in leadership than it does in Brandy Melville clothing. There are leaders who are quiet and introverted, and others who are loud and boisterous. To celebrate student success, the MSU hosted Student Recognition Night, and the annual awards ceremony recognized various McMaster leaders who have contributed to student life enhancement in different capacities. In addition, student volunteers were recognized during the 2018-2019 MSU Clubs Awards.
The J. Lynn Watson Award for Community: UNICEF McMaster - By providing opportunities to learn about global development issues related to children across the globe, McMaster UNICEF has demonstrated what it means to make a positive change within our communities. The MSU Spirit Award: McMaster School of Bhangra - Through promoting the North Indian folk-dance style of Bhangra to the McMaster and Hamilton Community, the McMaster School of Bhangra has elevated school spirit with lessons, performances, and fundraisers. SRA Member of the Year: Sabra Salim & Max Lightstone - Sabra has made an enormous impact as a caucus leader through assisting in the development and operations of the MSU’s first interfaith council. - Max challenges norms and devotes countless hours to the betterment of the student experience for Engineering students. Part-Time Manager of the Year: Carly Van Egdom & Taylor Mertens - Under Carly’s leadership as coordinator, SWHAT has had the highest volunteer retention of any service and hosted their first Community Safety week. - Taylor has helped his service grow immensely as director of Mac Bread Bin through his unbounded passion for ensuring that students have both physical and economic access to food. The MSU Merit Scholarship: Lauren Arnold & Bolade Shipeolu - Lauren has given back to the
Photo C/O: Sarah Janes
McMaster community by serving on the Student Representative Assembly and working as the MSU Public Relations Assistant. - Bolade has demonstrated a commitment to advocacy and supporting others through her involvement with Horizons Conference, the McMaster Muslims for Peace and Justice, and Diversity Services. The Rudy Heinzl Award of Excellence: Taryn Aarseen - As an employee of the Student Wellness Centre, Taryn has utilized food accessibility as a vehicle for social change by creating partnerships across campus to establish a cooking class program and a community kitchen The Honour M Award: David Lee, Vanessa Raponi & Shaarujaa Nadarajah - McMaster’s highest honour, the Honour M, recognizes outstanding leadership, volunteer service, contribution, and/or achievement in extra-curricular activities. Multiple student groups were recognized during Clubs Night for the MSU Clubs Awards. The
Academic Award was presented to McMaster Undergraduate Energy Society for hosting Canada’s first student-led Energy Week. The McMaster Muslim Students’ Association was awarded the Religious/Spiritual Award for a successful Orphan Sponsorship Campaign Gala and for working to make praying areas more accessible. The New Club Award went to CON-SNP@Mac for hosting a seminar series and evidence-based workshops, along with partnering with other clubs. McMaster Cardiac Care was awarded the Social Issues Award for their growth, demonstrated in their successful Cardiology Conference featuring cardiologists and professors. Mac Veggie Club won the Recreational Award for increasing attendance, hosting more events, and donating to charities. Lastly, the Cultural Award went to the McMaster Association of West Indian Students for their wide-reaching impact and $5000 charitable donation. Congratulations to all of McMaster’s exceptional student leaders.
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The President’s Page is a space sponsored and used by the McMaster Students Union (MSU) Board of Directors (BoD) to communicate with the student body. It functions to highlight the Board’s projects, goals, and agenda for the year, as well as the general happenings of the MSU.
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
EDITORIAL
| 9
Editorial
We need you to grill us Your feedback is essential for becoming even better
Back in 2016, the Silhouette had a campaign called “Silvision”. It was cheesy in its execution and salty in its referencing of negative subtweets and pseudo-insults. The paper’s approach to arts and opinions completely changed as a result of this feedback. The successes of this were discussed in the editorial on June 1, 2017, which also highlighted what we would be taking the initiative on in the future. In particular, these initiatives detailed were to add a second Production Coordinator position, hire the Digital Media Specialist position and attempt to not be as bound by the weekly schedule have all progressed and been successes throughout the year. Award-winning design, memorable videos and more consistent coverage on the website and on all forms of social media were just a few of the direct results of these early plans. These, in addition to the ambitions of each print section, have made this year a success. The passion for breaking news, intriguing angles and possibilities out of any feature, finding a balance of perspectives and
issues in opinions provided, the increased diversity of forms of arts covered and the humanization of sports and willingness to break away from the usual weekly tendencies surpassed my high expectations for the staff. We definitely do appreciate your praise when it comes to your favourite parts and changes to the paper. It warms the hearts of the Silhouette’s staff to know our work is appreciated and respected, and we cannot thank you enough for your willingness to reach out and let us know. As we look to the future, there have been a few things that we have left behind that have resurfaced as requests. Sex and the Steel City came back after a hiatus because of the staff ’s aspirations for it and the positive reception from readers. Things like a few pages dedicated to business-specific content, an advice column and more coverage of McMaster events from certain clubs and services have all come up at some point this year. While we do get a decent amount of praise for the decisions made in the past, it is time to look towards the future and transitioning into Volume 89. A few of these requests are already in progress, e.g., we are hoping to collaborate with a contributor for business content starting on
the last issue of Volume 88 on April 5 and see the viability of continuing this into the Volume 89 summer issues. However, what we really want is more feedback to work with. Though this has been a great year for the Silhouette, we want to know how we can continue to best serve you. We have a Google form available over at https://goo.gl/ forms/r40Av8SKnC1AIegP2. It will be up on our social media and website too, so do not worry about typing it all out if you are reading this in print. This will have a few questions related to where you like to read your content, how you feel about sections and aspects of the paper, what you like in terms of designs and layout, social media considerations, volunteering improvements, special issues and so much more. You do not need to fill everything out, but every single response will be read and considered and we have continuously demonstrated the willingness to adapt to help provide you the highest quality content possible in what you want to see. We look forward to working with you to make the Silhouette even better. @shanemadill
to Frank, the bus driver
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to my grandma dumpster diving in her own home to 60-year old ladies from AquaFit accepting you as their own to being employed to father Greene to the mean streets of Peterborough to locker room bros to Retriever Nation to the first BBQ of the season to crying discourse
to data being faster than Mac WiFi to lecture invisibility to napping on keyboards to “you can pull the plug on us when you turn 25” to having to micromanage group members to burnt coffee to dead hard drives to everything happening at once
to finding a 20 in your desk drawer
to plot lines revolving around a lie unravelling
to Bionicle discourse
to tummy aches
to Taro being the sweetest people in the world
to having to request that we keep baby legs out of the microwave to crying while brushing your teeth
10 |
HUMANS
Kyle West Photo Reporter
How does societal diversity fit into your values system? Well, I wouldn’t say societal diversity as a view of the fact that we all exist as individuals with a variety of different skill sets and abilities. And so because we are all different, by virtue of being our own individual selfs, to be embracing individuals and actually realizing that it’s okay to be different and different is a good thing. It actually leads to a lot of incredible innovations in society to a lot of wonderful relationships between people, to a great deal of support. So it’s one of those things where if we don’t recognize the diversity within our society, we’re essentially cutting off vast amounts of progress as a population. How do you think embracing identities and accepting change moves for innovation? I think when we look back to some of the social movements we see history so that women’s social feminism, the gay rights movement, the civil rights movement have all been because marginalized groups who weren’t accepted and were oppressed in the first place based on identity features. And these movements have made it much more equitable. Their experience is much more equitable as students by things such as scholarships for individuals who are marginalized for their educational contribution social justice movements and just in general and in general research. We can actually look at how their experience is tied to what they study and we can actually help them follow a
Thursday, March 22, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
passion that will be extremely important and meaningful ideas. So I was one of those people who is using the power of research and the power of academia. So I think all of this diversity that we have we study in sociology we look at racialized individuals with individuals with disabilities whether it’s physical or mental illness. People who are oppressed because of their sexual identities or gendered minorities and all these different groups have a wide variety of information. So we do research supporting them and we do advance our successes as a place so we create more opportunities for people, we create a stronger economy, we create stronger relationships, strong experiences and a good culture. How do you think that all of what you just said comes from academia? For a while now there has been something called “knowledge normalization”, this idea that all of these academic, theoretical and sometimes abstract ideas exist within the university in the academy are brought into the public sphere in a way so the greater public can understand what’s going on and can see that value and importance of this research. This kind of knowledge
Adam Grearson Sociology Graduate Studies
How do you think embracing identities and kind of actualizing identities how does that translate not only into academia, but also as you say the greater public?
normalization comes by essentially making sure everyone’s aware of what’s happening. So people understand that this is actually valuable information. So this normalization brings the public and it shows them what’s going on in the sphere. But it also shows that social research we benefit the people we study. So all those studies about people with disabilities, who were racialized it is all in an attempt to better their lives to make it possible for them to have a more equitable experience.
I think it translates the fact that we start to come when we learn more about the stories of individual. So I think that’s the narrative that the personal narrative. Everyone has their own story and the stories are communicated through research. So focus groups interviews even things as simple as questionnaires. They communicate a very important message from an individual’s lived experience and that experience translates into and becomes more accessible to the general public through knowledge normalization. So we read into the fact that there are reduced numbers of racialized students in medical school was recently discussed in a Maclean’s article. We learned about the experiences of individuals who were in graduate school who have
disabilities. In the article it talks about her being the only person of colour. It showed that her experience was unexpected, she thought there would have been greater diversity but it didn’t actually happen. And she felt kind of othered or ostracized by her isolation. How can we reflect all the different aspects of someone besides just their race? Because when we see that identities contributes to the diversity the most important thing is the intersectionality. What do you think about? I think that intersectionality is something that is often ignored when it shouldn’t be. Every part of a person’s identity plays such an important role in who they are. Done in collaboration with Student Accesibility Services
facebook.com/HumansOfMcMaster
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
The Silhouette
| 11
Opinion More of McMaster McMaster should consider campus expansion for greater opportunities
THE SILHOUETTE ARCHIVES THE SILHOUETTE ARCHIVES Mohamed Mahoud Contributor
McMaster University’s welcoming community, rich history and reputation are all factors that make it a nationally and globally renowned school. But why is McMaster, our home away from home, so far away from where most of us come from? Many Mac students leave their home towns and either commute or move to Hamilton to attend. This becomes a challenge for both students and their families, as making an adjustment in a new city is required. However, this familiarity process could become easier for both students and their families if McMaster offered more variety in campus locations. This would not only make McMaster a school that students want to attend, but one that they realistically and logistically can attend. In addition, it would strengthen McMaster’s reputation nationally.
One institution that has followed this style of expansion is the University of Toronto. Though some would argue that U of T’s campuses lessen the sense of community for students who attend any of the affiliate campuses, I would argue that this merely creates closer communities based on campus location. McMaster’s relatively small campus in comparison to other universities is a part of what helps create a sense of close community for students. This would not be taken away with more campuses, but would be multiplied and more accessible to students from different cities. In addition, this would help to create more opportunities for prospective graduate students and research opportunities with increased resources and facilities. McMaster is reputably a research-driven school and receives funding that is specifically for research. This would
increase the input and output of McMaster research by creating more opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies with McMaster. Consequently, expanding McMaster’s campus in different locations would also create more co-op opportunities for students who are looking for co-op opportunities within McMaster. As an engineering student, this would be beneficial for me as it would mean that I wouldn’t have to commute to places like Guelph for co-op and would be able to stay with my family. Since I already commute to campus from Mississauga, campus expansion could make commuting easier for me in terms of my commute time. This would also help take off some stress for finding co-op opportunities if McMaster offers more co-op opportunities with expansion. Campus expansion would help create a greater sense of community for certain faculties
if the McMaster affiliated campuses were to be faculty-based. This would cater to the needs of specific faculties and make networking within one’s discipline more accessible and easier to achieve. For smaller faculties, this would be beneficial as it would work to break the hierarchy of faculty representation, where each faculty can have an increased representation in different campuses and more opportunities for community-based events and networking. In addition, this would
This becomes a challenge for both students and their families, as making an adjustment in a new city is required.
make events like welcome week more productive, where students can get to know other students in their faculty a lot quicker than they would by have one welcome week for one campus. Expansion would not only make student’s lives easier in several ways, but would also enhance McMaster’s reputation as research-driven school that students want to attend. It would make the logistics of being able to be a McMaster student more attainable and would help strengthen each faculty in its own ways. Campus expansion for McMaster would help build McMaster as a university and the students that make McMaster what is notable for today.
@theSilhouette
MAC BREAD BIN
Food Collective Centre MONDAY TO THURSDAY 11:30AM TO 3:30PM REFECTORY BUILDING Community Space below Bridges Cafe Visit msumcmaster.ca/macbreadbin MACBreadBin
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McMaster Students Union’s
EVENTS CALENDAR All Ages Beach Night Thursday March 22, 2018
Where: TwelvEighty Bar & Grill Time: Doors at 10:00pm Tickets available online or at Compass Information Centre! A valid McMaster Student card required for entry. (1) guest per student allowed. Guests must have a ticket and a valid government ID for sign in at the door.
Spring Valedictorian Nominations Due Date Friday March 23, 2018
playing the midway games and enjoy traditional carnival food. In addition, Light Up the Night will boast a main stage, as well as a side stage. Special musical guests will include Scott Helman on the main stage, with even more talent on the side stage. In addition, the annual Last Lecture with Q&A in Celebration Hall will feature activist and journalist, Desmond Cole.
All eligible graduating students are encouraged to apply.
For more information, visit macblockparty.ca
Light Up the Night Monday April 9, 2018
Where: McMaste University Time: 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Where: msumcmaster.ca/valedictorian The nomination period is now open, and information packages are now available from the front desk of the MSU office (MUSC 201), as well as from the MSU
Stay Connected:
website via msumcmaster.ca/valedictorian. Candidates will have until 4:30pm on Friday, March 23 to submit their nomination packages to their respective faculty or program offices. Successful applicants will subsequently be contacted to present a draft version of their valedictorian address to the selection committee during the month of April.
The fourth annual year-end block party will feature carnivalesque rides, games and food. Ride the Gravitron, have fun with friends in the Para-Trooper, or take in the view from the Ferris wheel. Stroll the street
/MSUMcMaster
Check out the full Events Calendar at: msumcmaster.ca/events
@MSU_McMaster
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OPINION
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
| 13
McMaster PhD tuition changes and potential effects While the policy deserves to be praised, its specific long-term effects are unclear Cassidy Bereskin News Reporter
When McMaster University negotiated its Strategic Mandate Agreement with the provincial government in 2014, 6,000 spots were allotted to domestic graduate students in the province. However, only 2,400 were filled. To solve the problem of low demand from domestic graduate students and drive the economy, the provincial government spearheaded an internationalization strategy aimed at recruiting international students to Ontario universities. In the wake of this effort, in February 2018, McMaster unveiled a plan to slash tuition for international PhD students. In particular, come September, international PhD students at the university will only be charged the domestic student fee. Though the Ontario government and, by extension, McMaster’s policy change is being lauded for its efforts to drive sustainable economic growth, the long-term effects of the policy on the labour market, specifically in Hamilton, are not clear. In September 2017, only domestic PhD students were eligible for full funding by the province. However, in October, this changed as the provincial government introduced its internationalization strategy in a letter to Ontario universities. The letter outlined the government’s commitment to increasing support for international PhD students in the province. Motivating this change was the fact that an insufficient number of domestic students opted into Ontario PhD programs in the years before. To solve this problem, the government mandated that 10 to 15 per cent of PhD allocations be used to fund international PhD students. The policy change is being praised by the university. Doug Welch, vice-provost and dean of graduate studies at McMaster, claimed that the policy change will drive economic growth, both in Ontario and Hamilton.
This perceived economic benefit is substantiated by a 2015 Statistics Canada study that illustrated that almost half (49 per cent) of international students who came to Canada in the early 2000s to pursue graduate education ended up acquiring permanent residence. Welch argues that, by increating the affordability of PhD education, increasingly more international students will come to Canada, obtain permanent residence and boost the economy. This argument is well-founded. Yet I believe it hinges on an assumption, namely that obtaining permanent residence directly leads to a de facto boost to the economy. The Statistics Canada study does not explore the ways in which international students contribute to the labour market in the long-term.
Rather, it assumes that, after obtaining permanent residence, international students will enter sectors and conduct research that results in explosive and sustainable economic growth. The study fails to consider what fields international PhD students are predominantly studying, what sectors they are predominantly entering, whether these sectors are likely to drive long-term economic growth, and whether these sectors are experiencing rising precarity. Failing to address these dimensions of the issue, the argument seems to lack nuance. Moreover, the study uses data from across the country, not the province or Hamilton. The Ontario government does not include this information on its website; this is likely because, according to a 2016 Statistics Canada study, only nine per cent of university students
in Ontario are international students. Moreover, studies highlighting students’ long-term contributions to Hamilton’s labour market also appear to be unavailable.
Motivating this change was the fact that an insufficient number of domestic students opted into Ontario PhD programs in the years before. There is also a lack of data that is specific to international PhD students, both in Hamilton and more broadly. The number
of PhD graduates typically significantly outnumbers demand for permanent contracts and postdocs. As a result, PhD graduates tend to struggle to find a permanent job in academia. As a result, it is not explicit that said PhD students are driving long-term economic growth in the first place. Through a socio-cultural and wider economic lens, the effort to attract international students is fruitful. The exact ways in which said students will contribute to the labour market in the long-term, however, remains difficult to predict.
@theSilhouette
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Apply now at senecacollege.ca/gradcerts Pictured: Business, Newnham Campus.
Saturday, April 7, 2018 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. senecacollege.ca/ openhouse
OPINION
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
| 15
The need for modest athletic wear McMaster should consider bringing in more modest clothing options for athletes Reem Sheet Opinion Editor
McMaster has a few different on-campus locations where one can purchase athletic wear. However, for students who are looking for modest-friendly workout wear, you may have to search elsewhere or try to compromise fashion for fitness. As someone who values fitness, finding the courage to go to the gym when I wear hijab was a challenge in and of itself. Apparently, that was just one of the other obstacles that a hijabi might face when trying to go to the gym. Along with the challenge of finding the willpower to budget time for the gym, as most students universally understand, budgeting for clothing that would keep me covered enough to be able to squat without worry and not breaking the bank to do so become another concern. As most of us know, finding good workout clothes isn’t easy and being able to afford the quality you are looking for is even more difficult. At the McMaster Campus Store and the Maroon Shop, athletic wear is available for purchase at reasonable prices. However, I find it difficult to find something that is comfortable, modest-friendly and that doesn’t make me look like a I’m drowning in fabric. In fact, I have yet to find something that doesn’t, and would rather not have to budget time and make the trip to Lululemom to pay a ridiculous amount of money for about two inches more fabric on a shirt. At that point, going to the
Whether it be for going to the gym or for sports participation, the investment would be appreciated by students with diverse preferences.
gym would be not only a time investment, but a monetary investment that, along with the amount I am paying for a gym membership, would not be worth it for me. Personally, since I’m on campus for more than eight hours a day, the Campus Store and Maroon Shop are a conveniently close location for me to purchase quick, functional clothing that would stop me from making excuses to go to the gym. But finding a longsleeve shirt that has enough length or bottoms that are not tights or men’s sweatpants is usually a disappointing experience and my usual resort to buying larger-sized men’s shirts that make me look like I’ve been swallowed by fabric just makes me want to make more excuses not to go to the gym. On a similar note, McMaster should consider jumping on the Nike bandwagon and making athletic hijab available for students to purchase as well. But this would be something to consider for the further future, after more modest athletic wear can
be more accessible to students who spend most of their lives on campus. Finding modest-friendly clothing to workout in is something that not only hijab-wearing women might face. For some people, workout in in clothing that isn’t too revealing or tight is a preference that makes going to the gym a more comfortable experience. The campus store does offer some fashion clothing that is modest-friendly, however, these options are usually not light-
weight material and when you are already wearing an extra layer, this is something you would want to avoid if you can afford to. McMaster’s Campus Store and Maroon Shop should consider making modest athletic wear more accessible to who favour modest wear, as it would encourage a greater interest in athletic participation. Whether it be for going to the gym or for sports participation, the investment would be appreciated by students with diverse preferences.
@theSilhouette
GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
MSU CAMPUS EVENTS & FYC PRESENT TWELVEIGHTY NIGHTLIFE
All ages HIP-HOP & TRAP, TOP 40, LATIN, EDM, DANCEHALL & SOCA FEATURING DJ FREQUENCY X | DOORS: 10:00PM
THURS, MARCH 22 ADVANCED TICKETS: TIER 1 - $5 • TIER 2 - $10 • DOORS - $10 McMASTER STUDENTS CAN SIGN IN 1 GUEST
TWELVEIGHTY
The Silhouette | 17
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
Arts & Culture Style At Mac returns with their annual fashion show Hafsa Sahki Contributor
When different areas of the arts come together to create a fun eventful show, what emerges is a diverse and exciting event. Style At Mac’s annual fashion show is back after a year-long absence. This year’s team has focused on showcasing fashion from different countries, searching for local artists and reaching out to McMaster arts clubs. Style At Mac was absent during the 2016-2017 academic year. As SAM Vice President of Events Naomi Doe explained, the previous executives graduated, so the team had to focus on hiring a new cohort for this year.
SAM tries to integrate students into the fashion industry. To do this, the club reaches out to external designers, such as this year’s Thrifty Designer. “The two best parts about coming back is that you get the platform that your priors have built, so you have that integration into that Mac community… the people who love your club and already know about your club, and then you get that fresh new start,” said Doe. “With new executives [and] new photographers. It’s exciting building a club from the bottom [up]… we have a very adaptable structure and everyone has adaptable roles… it’s a very C/O SERGIO SANTOLO
malleable club with a great history.” This year’s theme, “statera”, was designed to give designers a flexible premise. Fashion artists are either trying conveying harmony with their outfits, or deliberately disrupting that balance with a mixture of patterns, colours and textures that work against each other. “It doesn’t restrict your designers at all… [in this way], we can invite a wide variety of people with different backgrounds to that show,” explained Doe. Selecting designers for the show can be very spontaneous. Doe explained that SAM reached out to Batik Batouk, a Ghanaian designer, after they were featured in the Silhouette. SAM tries to integrate students into the fashion industry. To do this, the club reaches out to external designers, such as this year’s Thrifty Designer. Various clubs within the McMaster community are also featured in the show like Threadwork, Mac Bangladesh and Mac Dance. “We really wanted to have a club from Mac to represent themselves. Mac has a really great diverse community… [and] if we’re not showcasing the diversity in [what] Mac students wear, then we wouldn’t be doing our due justice,” said Doe. “I love mixing and matching different areas of the arts together… when you pu them together I think it makes something really nice… it also adds to a student’s appeal to the show. Many students are interested in fashion, some are not committed to it fully, they just think about it a little bit, or they would like to… but when you have all these different kinds of performances, someone’s going
to find an interest in your show in some way. You might know someone in Mac Dance, you might know someone in Mac Bangladesh… [or] you want to see some live music that day… that’s part of the reason that we wanted to incorporate all these arts into the show.” This year’s show is partnered with Smiling Over Sickness, a student-run organization at McMaster that aims to raise funds for children living with an illness. All proceeds from the show go to the charity. The show has ten segments, eight which showcase the designs, the other two broken up by a performance by Mac Dance and a cultural collection by Mac Bangladesh. SAM’s lookbook, popular collections showcased on their social media pages earlier this year, will start off the show, showcasing garments for all four seasons. “Because we’re starting up [again this year], we’re very open to people coming to us. We love when people reach out to us and say ‘I have this talent, can you showcase it?’ If it fits, absolutely, yes, we’d love to feature you… we’re very happy to collaborate with them.” Doe is excited to push the idea of involving different areas of the arts into the show, and is hoping to showcase a spoken word performance during the fashion segments in future. The fashion show is on March 24 at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Tickets are $25 and $35 for a VIP Experience. Follow the club’s Facebook page @StyleAtMAC for more information. @theSilhouette
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A&C
Thursday, March 22, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
Student artists gather to make a presence in Hamilton Exhibition features a diverse collection of art at the Spice Factory Razan Samara A&C Reporter
Third and fourth-year students from McMaster’s School of the Arts program have spent months putting together every detail of the Coalesce Art Exhibition. From selecting pieces and designing promotional materials to envisioning the installation of the entire exhibit, students in the Community Exhibition course, under the guidance of professor Sally McKay, have been learning to put together an exhibit from start to finish. Students are not only involved in every aspect of the curation of Coalesce, but the exhibit also serves as an opportunity to showcase their own artwork and share their personal interests and areas of research with the community. For many students, Coalesce will be a chance to make a presence outside of campus. The opening reception will take place March 23 at the Spice Factory and will feature live entertainment by Math Club, the Bandicoots and Jennifer Budd and the diverse work of 29 art students from the Studio Art and Art History programs.
Abby Nicholson Nicholson will be graduating this year from the Studio Art program with a minor in Art History. Her work focuses on architecture, which she hopes to pursue after graduation. She grew up with a curiosity for the stories hidden in aging buildings and an appreciation for the historical value that can be found in Hamilton’s architecture.
C/O ABBY NICHOLSON GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR KYLE WEST / PHOTO REPORTER
Nicholson obscures her photographs by removing details and extracting more ornamentation in the architecture, sometimes even painting on top of prints, to create a more ominous atmosphere that is characteristic of historical photographs. “I really like exaggerating the tonal values between black and white to contrast each other and just make it quite ominous. It’s a different perspective of the
architecture that I see personally…. It’s finding beauty in the dark,” explained Nicholson. Nicholson has created a diptych of the Spice Factory that will be displayed at Coalesce, the piece is an ode to the hosting venue, which has over a century’s worth of stories and artifacts. Before entering the Spice Factory, make sure to take in all the details, as Nicholson will have a unique perspective to show you.
C/O DEESHANI FERNANDO
Deeshani Fernando While only in her third-year of studio art, Fernando already has her artistic vision defined. She creates landscape drawings inspired by her memories and experiences, while incorporating the vivid colours and motifs of her Sri Lankan culture. Fernando creates organic ceramic sculptures that are used as a surface for her drawings, which are done in ink and acrylic paint. Recently, Canadian terrain and landscapes have etched their way through Fernando’s mark making in her drawings. Hamilton’s eminent waterfalls and Fernando’s cultural background have inspired her artwork for Coalesce. The piece imagines a new landscape that merges and celebrates the beauty of two distant lands. Fernando has built three plinths with carvings that mimic the flow of water. Each plinth will hold organic clay sculptures, which were fired in a kiln to create different surfaces and textures that inspired the overlaying drawings.
A&C
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
Audrey Pearson Pearson is a third-year studio art student who continuously pushes herself to explore new techniques, themes and research interests through art. Her recent work utilizes textiles and collage mediums as well as etching techniques to create dialogue around objects interrupting a space or landscape. Pearson will be exhibiting UDWR, a soft sculpture installation of fabric goats hanging from the ceiling over a Utah landscape. The series was inspired by Pearson’s research into how the mountain goat population is maintained in Utah. In order to control the population of goats, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources would bundle the goats in bags,
C/O AUDREY PEARSON
tether them to a helicopter and fly them to sparsely populated ranges. “Everything about this is fascinating to me, the way that they have to blindfold the goats to keep them calm, the way that this endeavour becomes a moment of transition from a familiar space to somewhere uncertain, and the way that humans create environmental problems that they must then intervene to solve,” explained Pearson. Pearson’s artwork stirs a varied range of emotions. Some viewers will appreciate the piece at its surface value, acknowledging the skill of creating three-dimensional form from fabrics, and others will take a deeper look and resonate with the issues and concepts that the art conveys.
Emily Hamel
Sheetal Prasad
Hamel is a fourth-year student in the studio art program. Their practice centers around video art and they utilize techniques such as datamoshing, which is the manipulation of media files’ codes to create mesmerizing audio and visual effects. Hamel has been exploring queer identity through video art and they’ve used their work as an attempt to show one’s multifaceted identity and breakdown the pressure imposed on genderqueer persons to perform gender in a certain way. Freedom of self-expression is also a consistent theme throughout Hamel’s work and they’ve taken up an interest in ignorant style tattooing. They hope to take a stab at being a tattoo artist after graduation. At Coalesce, Hamel will showcase their tattoo illustrations. One flat sheet is filled with illustrations of dogs, some panting, others wearing sunglasses, baseball caps and party hats. Another sheet is filled with illustrations of a baby cradling a strawberry, a kit-cat clock and a retro chatter phone.
Prasad is a multidisciplinary artist in her fourth year. Her practice explores cultural and religious identity while utilizing various mediums, such as paintings and book binding, depending on the direction her research takes her. Since first year, Prasad’s artwork has been largely influenced by her Indo Fijian culture and the artwork she will be exhibiting at Coalesce is an exemplification of that. Her work focuses on celebrating customs and traditions through humorous anecdotes, while also taking a more historical approach towards shedding light on minority history and racism. Prasad created a bronze installation titled Komagata Maru that symbolizes the often forgotten Komagata Maru incident. In 1914, due to anti-immigration sentiment and racism, hundreds of Indians onboard the SS Komagata Maru were denied entry into Canada. In another series, Prasad uses humour to make learning about different cultural practices and memes more accessible and negate the fear of being offensive. Mission: Joota Chupai is
C/O EMILY HAMEL
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one of three digital prints that shares a traditional Indian wedding custom where the sisters or female cousins of the groom steal the groom’s embroidered shoes and he must pay money to get them back. Prasad hopes to continue exploring the history of minorities in Canada through her art practice after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts this year. Coalesce is a free admission exhibition that will open from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on March 23 and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 24 at the Spice Factory located at 121 Hughson Street North. @theSilhouette
C/O SHEETAL PRASAD
A&C
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Thursday, March 22, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
How to make hummus:
a simple recipe for a quick snack Get your Mediterranean fix this exam season and conquer hunger with this easy recipe. Nick Sahlollbey Contributor
Exams are around the corner. For most students, this generally means a few intensive weeks of early morning and late-night study sessions, high levels of stress, low levels of energy and repeated thoughts of dropping out. This behaviour is often exacerbated by hunger, so for your health and well-being during
Ingredients To get started, you will need a can of chickpeas, olive oil, salt, cumin, garlic and lemon juice. Optionally, you can add tahini, a sesame paste that can be bought or made by blending sesame seeds, oil and salt. While some prefer to leave it out, others love the zest and deep flavour that tahini adds. I’ve even had friends that claim that adding tahini can make the hummus taste like you’re eating a burrito (in a good way) so I highly suggest using it.
Steps
4. Again, scrape the sides of
a cup of tahini to your food processor (or a high-powered blender), along with ¼ cup of lemon juice, and a garlic clove.
your blender and ensure you’re getting a nice and even blend, and then add the rest of your chickpeas and a couple tablespoons of water to facilitate the blending process and control the thickness of your paste.
2. Blend this mixture for about
5. Be patient with this blend-
1. Start by adding about half
one minute while making sure that you’re getting an even blend without the paste sticking to the sides.
3. Next, add two tablespoons
of olive oil, a teaspoon of salt and another of cumin, and ¼ of your chickpeas (don’t forget to rinse them) before blending the paste again for another minute.
* The key is to add the chickpeas in small quantities to get your hummus to come out as smooth as possible.
S
EA P K C
CHI
these hard times, you’re going to need to ensure you keep your belly full and your mind focused. Hummus is a quick and easy snack that you can add to just about anything. Fortunately, it’s almost as easy to make as it is to eat. This article will provide an easy recipe to follow for students in need of a pickme- up snack over the next few weeks.
CATHERINE TARASYUK / PRODUCTION EDITOR
lover. The lemon juice and salt have preserving effects and will ensure that your hummus will stay good for a couple of weeks in the fridge.
ing process as you don’t want to end up with any chunky bits in the final product.
6. You can also add more water at this point if you feel that the smoothness of your hummus is not yet to your liking.
7.You can even add some
canned red kidney beans for additional flavour and protein. And that’s it, you’ve made hummus. If you like, top it up with some olive oil, paprika, and even hot sauce if you’re a spice
E OLIV OIL
Serving Ideas Unlike ranch and guacamole, hummus is a versatile food which can be eaten in many ways. Most commonly, hummus is spread over bread. Try cutting you pita bread into chips and slightly toasting them to get crunchy bread you that you can dip in your hummus. Feeling bold? Try mixing your hummus into your mashed potatoes and topping it off with a touch of sour cream. Hosting a party? Make a chip dip by throwing a layer of cheese and letting it melt in the oven. Top this up with a layer of sour cream and shredded lettuce. @theSilhouette
A&C
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
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J’aime lesbian chiens French artist Diane “Obom” Obomsawin creates profound feminist comics and animations
J’aime les filles won the Nelvana Grand Prize for Independent Short Animation. C/O NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA Hess Sahlollbey Contributor
Two anthropomorphic dog-women lay on a Grecian style bed in bliss while a cherub plays a horn amidst a mustard yellow background. The cover of J’aime les filles (I Like Girls) by Diane “Obom” Obomswin firmly establishes its surreal presentation. A Montréal-based comics creator, Obomsawin originally lived abroad in France for 20 years before moving to Quebec permanently in the 80s. Rent made Montréal more affordable than Paris, Obom found a home in the LGBTQ+ community. Working as a graphic designer for magazines and advertisements, she was all the while studying animation in the late 1990s. A student at Concordia University, Obom was amongst one of the last groups of students to study traditional hand-drawn animation. “It’s funny, I always seem to arrive at the end of things and beginnings of new ones,” said Obom. The medium was shifting from colored plastic cells
to hand-drawn sheets that computers and digital colours would then bring to life. As digital consumed the medium, Obom would use her newfound foundations and technology to shift her comics and storytelling to the screen. “I got used to drawing on a graphic tablet… but I really miss that I have lost the opportunity to work with ink and paper,” said Obom. While creating comics, Obom would soon fall in with the other creators in the arts scene of Montreal where the atmosphere was less cynical than France. In Montreal, artists would openly discuss the poetry or their paintings without being looked down upon or facing pretention. “It was a very collaborative time, but it was also the beginning of individualism, a time where collectively working on a project was on the decline,” said Obom. This individualism would lend itself perfectly to comics and animation. The mediums that call upon a tremendous amount of devotion, cartoonist and
animators are often working in isolation for hours on end as they transition their characters through a story. J’aime les filles, which is Obom’s latest collection published by Drawn and Quarterly, recounts short stories of lesbianism, first loves, affection and romantic expression. In 2016, Jaime les filles was adapted into a National Film Board of Canada short film. “I was not aware of sexuality or of homosexuality as a child, but I knew I was attracted to girls and I would learn more about it later in life.” With an equal distribution of weight distributed to each panel of a page, the heart and emotion of the stories that Obom conveys take precedence over flashy, superficial art. “[I find comics] more difficult because you always have think panels and find the relationship between each panel whereas in animation I simply have to think about the scene and what I want to convey.” Obom often finds herself working for hours on end when animating. Her passion for the medium makes it easy for her to lose track of time.
“It’s funny, I always seem to arrive at the end of things and beginnings of new ones.” Diane Obomsawin Animation/comic artist “With comics I have to think so much more… so when I make a comic I often look for excuses to get up and eat and maybe talk to my dog,” explained Obom. While many coming-of-age tales in cinema or books may evoke a certain pathos where the viewer shares in the trials and tribulations of the characters uncertainties and anguishes; Obom flips the script with her unique style. Characters are rendered as anthropomorphic funny animals with unique physical traits that amplify their personality. Telling her own stories and those of her friends became a more straightforward process once it was divorced from artistic realism.
No longer a victim to the conventional artistic rules of proportion, anatomy and perspective, she is liberated to take more creative risks. This subversive aspect also allows Obom to inject a distance into the characters that allows her friends to personify their favorite animals and share their personal experiences with first loves and feelings while still maintaining a certain level of anonymity. Sharing her own stories alongside her friends, Obom creates a solidarity amongst all the tales as they recount a childhood full of revelations and new experiences. Adapting her comics into animation and vice-versa, Obom’s use of gentle animal figures to tell stories has netted her multiple awards including the Nelvana Grand Prize for Independent Short Animation at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. A member of the National Film Board of Canada, Obom’s films and comic collections are readily available online and will be on display in May at the Montreal Comic Arts Festival. @theSilhouette
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GAMES
Thursday, March 22, 2018 | www.thesil.ca Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.49)
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Mar 20 21:14:53 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.50)
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29. Anorak 32. Emulate Demosthenes 33. Cooling units, for short 36. Sandberg of baseball 37. Cherish 38. Voiced 39. You rang? 40. Long lock of hair 41. Short and fat 42. Some designer dresses 43. Youngster 44. Pacify 47. Shore 51. Stimulate 54. Low digits
55. Whirl 56. Account 57. Really bother 58. Circus structure 59. Teheran’s country 60. Papal garment 61. Do in 62. King mackerel 63. They’re for the birds
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Across 1. Singer Bryson 6. Light source 10. Qualified 14. Goose genus 15. Ancient Greek coin 16. Switch’s partner 17. Actress Taylor 18. Aloe ____ 19. Drab 20. Not kosher 21. Tiny 23. Black magic 25. Book of prayers 26. Thanks, I already ____ 27. Trades
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Mar 20 21:14:53 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
Puzzle 3 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.53)
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Down 1. Components 2. January, in Juárez 3. Grant portrayer 4. Muscular young men 5. You can dig it 6. ____-dovey 7. Busy as ____ 8. Poetic daybreak 9. Companion of a child 10. Superior of a convent 11. Hay bundles 12. Climbing vine 13. Kind of alcohol 21. Quattro minus uno 22. Beguiling trick
4 24. Fraternity letter 27. Refuse 28. Corn units 29. Ask invasive questions 30. Answer to a sea captain 31. ER staffers 32. River which empties into the Baltic Sea 33. Short trader? 34. Taxi 35. Foxy 37. Odoriferous 38. Win a “no blinking” contest 40. Work the soil 41. Get thee ____ nunnery
42. Of delicate beauty 43. Golf gadget 44. Defeats 45. Kick out 46. Porcelain tableware 47. Note taker 48. Tittles 49. Distributed cards 50. Adlai’s running mate 52. Infrequent 53. Having wings 57. Eternity
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Mar 20 21:14:53 2018 GMT. Enjoy!
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The Silhouette
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
| 23
Sports One step at a time As one of 10 Marauders invited to the CFL regional combine, starting linebacker Eric Mezzalira recounts his experience while preparing for the national stage
Mezzalira (left) will represent the Marauders at the CFL national combine starting March 24. GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Lucas Uggenti Contributor
The Canadian Football League announced on Thursday, March 1 they would be hosting three regional combines to showcase some of the top talent that Canadian university football has to offer. This is the sixth consecutive year the CFL is hosting this event, as it gives another opportunity for skilled players to demonstrate their abilities and earn an invitation to the CFL combine. The regional combine McMaster was invited to was held on March 9 in Toronto. Despite a mediocre year that left the team with a lot to retool and improve upon, there were a few bright spots that McMaster can cling to this offseason. 10 Marauders were invited to this year’s regional combine, which is tied for the most in the country with the Laval Rouge et Or. This came as no surprise, as
McMaster did make a provincial semifinal appearance this season thanks to a very talented roster. Six players invited to the combine came from the Marauders’ defence, proving that the offence was not the only side of the field capable of impressing more than just their coaches. This not only shines light on the talented players McMaster can produce, but it tells the truth behind a very good Marauders football program. Amongst the 10 Marauders selected to the regional combine, Eric Mezzalira garners the most attention. Mezzalira was able to perfectly display his skills throughout the vigorous testing and earned himself a chance to impress CFL management at the national combine in Winnipeg over the March 24-25 weekend. The Stoney Creek native started his playing career while attending Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School. But it was not until Grade 10 that Mezzalira knew he wanted to be
a football star. Eventually, as his high school career came to an end, Mezzalira was offered an opportunity to play for the Marauders and accepted it with open arms. After an injury-filled first season, Mezzalira’s opportunity at linebacker would have to wait one more year as he was designated to special teams — which ultimately proved to be highly beneficial. “Special teams helped me improve my game defensively,” said Mezzalira. “That year on special teams helped complete my game as a player.” Now finishing his fourth year of eligibility, Mezzalira is a regular starter for the Marauders and plays an important role in the locker room. Mezzalira’s experience and dedication to the football program has helped them take strides back into the winner’s circle. “It’s a privilege to play on a football team,” Mezzalira said. “The culture our team created
this year was different than the rest. It was team-oriented, and we showed up to work everyday. It’s a step in right direction for sure.” Mezzalira was told about his invitation to the CFL regional combine via email. Despite early and mid-season rumors that lingered throughout the year, Mezzalira’s confidence never wavered. This came as a bit of a surprise to the linebacker, as he expected to skip the regional combine and enter the national combine directly. Regardless, he performed well enough in regionals to make it to the national combine. “I’m not really nervous,” said Mezzalira. “I’m excited to have been invited but I’ve been training for this for over five months now. I’m feeling pretty confident and I’m excited to go out in nationals and go against some of the best talent.” As far as the future is concerned, Mezzalira still has one more year left of eligibility
in university football, barring any unfortunate news regarding his CFL status. Although never officially ruling out a return for his final year to play for the Marauders, Mezzalira hopes to be on a CFL roster at the start of the next football season. “I am hoping to play in the CFL next season,” Mezzalira explained. “Getting drafted is one thing, but making the team is a whole different story. I’ve got a lot to learn at the linebacker position and I’m excited to have the opportunity.” The CFL combine, set to begin on March 24, will have a series of tests that challenge both the mental and physical endurance of these athletes. Mezzalira hopes to showcase his physicality and impress CFL general managers at the combine, leaving a lasting impression that hopefully lands him a spot on a professional roster. @theSilhouette
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Thursday, March 22, 2018 | www.thesil.ca
SPORTS
Running into the wind The McMaster men’s volleyball team fell short in a tough semifinal match-up with the Trinity Western Spartans, but redeemed themsleves in a shutout bronze medal win
Jessica Carmichael Sports Reporter
March 18 marked the end of the McMaster men’s volleyball 2017-2018 season. After claiming their sixth straight Ontario University Athletics title, the Marauders’ quest for the national title was unfortunately brought to a halt thanks to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Trinity Western Spartans. The U Sports championship weekend started off with a close win for the Marauders. After dropping the first two sets 25-22 and 25-21 in the quarter-finals to the Montréal Carabins, Mac bounced back to win the match in the last three sets. “Going in to set three, we kind of just realized that we have nothing to lose. We were down 2-0 so we might as well give it our all and hold our heads high,” said fifth-year outside hitter Brandon Koppers. “Montréal is an amazing team. They’re very well coached and they have some amazing
weapons, so that game could have gone either way. I’m happy it went our way and I’m just so proud of my teammates.” Koppers ended the match with 20 kills, one assist and seven digs, totalling 25.5 points. Third-year outside hitter Andrew Richards also added 14.5 points, 13 kills and six digs of his own to the Marauders’ win. “It always comes down to fundamental serving and passing and I thought in the first set we served atrociously,” said head coach Dave Preston. “It was probably one of our worst serving sets this year. Then we slowly started to clock back and put some pressure on some of that and took some of their options away from a serving perspective. But I thought our passing was rock solid all night.” Moving on to the semifinals, the Marauders were faced with one of their biggest rivals on the national level. It was in the 2016 U Sports men’s volleyball championships, at McMaster, that the Spartans defeated
GRANT HOLT / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
the Marauders 3-1 in the final. So the semifinal loss was déjà vu for the Marauders and their fans. Although disappointed with the outcome, Preston knows that when it comes to competing at the highest level, a loss like this hurts but is all part of the game. “It’s going to come down to a point or two,” said Preston. “They’re going to make some adjustments and we’re going to make some adjustments, but our boys played hard tonight and so did they. We battled hard tonight and there’s not one kid in our locker room I could have asked more of. They did what they did and they gave me everything they had. I’m never
going to ask my athletes to do anything more than they’re asked to do.” In the semifinal game, the Marauders won the first set 25-18, but the Spartans bounced back to win the next three straight (25-23, 25-15 and 26-24) to advance to the gold medal match for the fourthstraight year. Although Preston and the Marauders were hoping to leave the game against the Spartans with a different outcome, he knows that his team fought hard all year and they will not be giving up now.
“[These are the top four teams in the country] as long as these teams continue to battle it out like this, we’re going to continue to go,” said Preston. “I’ve been in this league for 26 years, I know we ran against the wind. It’s not uncommon for us. We’ve been running into the wind for 26 years, but
SPORTS | 25
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
we’re not going to stop running.” Following the loss to the Spartans, the Marauders faced the Alberta Golden Bears in the U Sports bronze medal match. McMaster came back with zeal to defend their home court. “How we did it was going to be more important than what we did out there today,” said Preston. “We needed to play with good energy and good body language and spirit. Alberta is a very physical team and you need to put some service pressure in a lot of places to make sure they can’t hurt you.” Along with the bronze medal, Koppers got to take home Tournament All-Star honours. The all-star was one of the consistent dominant forces for the team throughout the
weekend and the season. “[Koppers] has had some ups and downs in this career and I think tonight he wanted to go out on a note that he wanted to go out on and I think he did,” said Preston. “I think he would have prefered a different outcome but in life, you don’t get to choose your own ending.
“That kid’s got some jam and I think big-time players show up at big times and that’s exactly what he did.” Dave Preston Head Coach McMaster Men’s Volleyball
You don’t get to write your own script.” Planning to play professionally overseas, Preston believes there is nothing but a bright future ahead of Koppers. “That kid’s got some jam and I think big-time players show up at big times and that’s exactly what he did” said Preston on Kopper’s semi-final performance. “He probably could have used a little bit more help around him tonight, but he did everything he could and so did everybody else around him.” For Preston, the overall experience has been nothing but another learning experience that gives them the tools to come out stronger the next time. “That’s the lesson these young men have to learn overnight,” said Preston. “It’s not the lesson that we
want, but you don’t get to script that stuff. But our kids will be fine — we have tremendous young men, so I think we’ll be okay.” The season may be over for the Marauders but the loss does not define who they are as a program. Rather, it is just another chapter in their story that is yet to be finished.
@jaaycharmichael
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SPORTS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, March 22, 2018
| 27
Leading by example All-Canadian and OUA West Player of the Year Maicee Sorensen reflects on her time as a Marauder, leaving a lasting impact on and off the court
Sorensen celebrating last season’s gold medal win over Western. THE SILHOUETTE ARCHIVES
Justin Parker Sports Editor
On a team full of experience and a crop of all-star calibre players, it is often hard to pick just one player who stands out. This has definitely been the case with the McMaster women’s volleyball team with a different player leading the charge in seemingly every match this season. One Marauder highlighted regularly this year was middle blocker Maicee Sorensen. The fifth-year geography and environmental studies major has been a mainstay on the Marauders’ women’s roster for the past five seasons. But it was this past season when Sorensen really stepped up her game and made a name for herself on the national stage. Throughout the Marauders’ provincial silver medal campaign, Sorensen nearly doubled her hitting average from the previous season and averaged nearly a full point more per set as well. “I have been playing in the league for five years now. That time and experience is definitely the main reason I was able to play as consistently as possible,” Sorensen said. “I’ve learned the
game by watching others before me.” While she may have learned techniques from past Marauders, Sorensen’s precision and her presence at the net have made her a key starter. This past season, Sorensen played a main role on the court every game, making up half of the OUA-dominating middle with Hailey Kranics. Her on-court presence was also evident on the stat sheet, ranking at or near the top in nearly every major statistical category this season. Sorensen finished second in Ontario University Athletics in hitting average (.435), fifth in aces per set (.54) and 15th in both kills per set (2.63) and blocks per set (.68). Sorensen also led the Marauders with 3.6 points per set, the tenth highest per set average in the province. This statistical dominance made Sorensen the first Marauder to win OUA West Player of the Year, and earned her a spot on the OUA West All-Star First Team for the second consecutive year. Sorensen’s success was also recognized nationally as she was named a First Team All-Canadian, becoming only
the second Marauder to gain the designation (the first being Jenn Holt in 2009). Sorensen was also nominated for the Mary Lyons award for U Sports women’s volleyball player of the year as the only player from Ontario to make the final list. Her success this year and over her career is not only a result of her dedication to the team and her own self-improvement, but also because of her love for the sport itself and the community that surrounds it. “My top memory of this season is similar to the previous years,” said Sorensen. “I love the sport, but mostly, I love it as a team sport. I have gotten to meet new athletes and I’m excited to watch them grow over the next few years.” During her tenure with the team, Sorensen’s role has gradually changed every year, from the first time she stepped on the court at Burridge Gym to her final match at this year’s OUA Final in the Mattamy Athletic Centre. “My role this year on the team is definitely different from previous years,” Sorensen said. “You start out as someone trying your best to take everything in
you can from players in front of you, as the years pass you become the player that people look to. I tried my best to lead by example in any way I could and just put everything I have into the sport.”
“It’s the experiences with my teammates everyday that I’m going to remember. It’s the people that I have met and loved for the last five years that I am most fond of.” Maicee Sorensen McMaster Women’s Volleyball Team This evolution has paid dividends for the Marauders. In her time with the team, the Marauders have won two OUA championships and were close to a third this season. The Marauders have always been a top contender in Ontario every season over
Sorensen’s career. Looking back on her time as a Marauder, while the banners the team raised and the individual accolades she has received are nice markers of her achievements with the team, Sorensen will remember the personal moments with her fellow Marauders most of all. “My fondest memories as a Marauder is winning two OUA championships,” Sorensen said. “But when you think back to memories, it’s the experiences with my teammates everyday that I’m going to remember. It’s the people that I have met and loved for the last five years that I am most fond of.” While the Hamilton native is unsure of what her future holds, whether it be attending teacher’s college or following her dream of playing pro, her memories of the McMaster community and the women’s volleyball team will always remain a part of her. Her presence both down the middle and in the Marauders’ locker room will be sorely missed. @justinparker81
GENERAL ASSEMBLY BE T TING POOL How many years will it be before quorum is reached again? C1
THURSDAY
THE
HAMILTON SPECULATOR Sor ting through job applications since 1934
March 22, 2018
NOTSPEC.COM
City council decides that catering to voters is a good idea What’s the point of fixing stuff when it isn’t an election year? SAINT PETER VEGAS Where’s my grant?
It has only taken about three and a half years, but Hamilton has finally decided to deal with their backlog of complaints levied. Repairing the pothole expressways, first steps towards ensuring the bus schedules are accurate to within a few minutes rather than a few hours and their new downtown plan, which includes banning amusement arcades from corrupting our youth, are few of the things they swear they have already done or are going to do. “Do you really think voters will remember anything we’ve done in the first three and a half
years? All you need to do is sit back, relax and occasionally pretend to care about the theatre in Westdale,” said Werner Heisenberg, Hamilton’s current mayor. However, the main struggle right now is balancing how much they do before the election and how much they promise to do once re-elected. If you follow-through on all of your promises, then you would need to come up with new promises and that is just too much work. It is currently unknown if any city councillors will actually make an effort to be on time for work so they can reach quorum at the beginning of meetings rather than halfway through.
Yep, that’s city hall. Not a lot of additional context needed. Not sure if you can see, but there’s literally no one there in the middle of the day, which is pretty representative how much gets done on a regular basis.
Do we still #LoveLockeStreet? Is the news still recent enough for anyone to care? SAINT PETER VEGAS I miss the Crystal Palace
The beginning of March was dominated with news about one of the most contentious streets in Hamilton that is definitely either your favourite or least favourite street. Though it continues to have a lot of expensive doughnuts and food, some people thought they were too expensive. Then a bunch of people got rowdy and smashed some windows.
Donut Monster then made some doughnuts with a lemonade glaze and glass-like shards of lemon candy and donated the proceeds to Indwell to support local affordable housing initiatives. I didn’t buy any because I’m still paying off my student loans, but they looked good. But it’s been a bit of time and the hype has died down. All the promises of police investigation and the want for justice, events and actions to support the street and the uproar from
POLL: What would you like to see in #HamOnt? More coverage of Pokeh
More festivals, whoo
Is the mayor team Iron Man or team Captain America?
A list of best places to cry
More comparisons between me and Thanos
A promise to get me out of the office
Someone explaining the philosophy of triple agent Archie in Riverdale
All of the above
INSIDE EVERYONE IS HAVING AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS AS THE YEAR WRAPS UP SO HERE ARE OUR SEVEN FAVOURITE WAYS TO CRY INTO A PILLOW A2
different stakeholders around Hamilton have been replaced with whatever people are upset with more recently. I was hoping students would be rambunctious for St. Paddy’s Day so we’d have more to write about, but everyone needed to study. The only significant event was how a horse kept biting people.
WILL DOUG FORD BE ABLE TO DEFEAT HIS ENEMIES HORCE ELGIN DODGE AND FERRUCCIO LAMBORGHINI? B1 WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL MY LEFTOVER ANIME POSTERS IN THE OFFICE ONCE MY CONTRACT IS UP? C4 Wow, what a street.
Tweets to the Editor We make emojis out of our staff too!
A nice wholesome review of the Silhouette
- Joe Yakuza, 22, apparently this is common enough
- Bob, 24, appreciated by the entire staff
MY SUMMER BUZZCUT STILL TRAUMATIZES ME D3
PER ISSUE: We’re back to being salty about things, so bring your fries.
Disclaimer: The Hamilton Speculator is a work of satire and fiction and should not under any circumstances be taken seriously. I’d like to remind everyone about this because people are starting to read this page as completely factual again.