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NEWS: An interview with McMaster’s Black-focused sorority // PAGE 4 ARTS & CULTURE: Hamilton Youth Poets express Black identity through poetry // PAGE 11 SPORTS: Celebrating Black Marauders past and present // PAGE 12-13
The Silhouette Thursday, February 28, 2019
BLACK
FUTURES Haviah Mighty and Buddah Abusah talk all things hip hop // PAGE 10
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Volume 89, Issue 22 Thursday, February 28, 2019 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
EDITORIAL BOARD
#TBT
February 13, 2014
editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca Emily O’Rourke @emily_oro digital media specialist | dms@msu.mcmaster.ca Aaron de Jesus managing editor | managing@thesil.ca Sasha Dhesi @SashaDhesi online editor | online@thesil.ca Yvonne Lu sections
NEWS Cassidy Bereskin news reporter Ryan Forrest Tse news@thesil.ca news editor
FEATURES Hannah Walters Vida features@thesil.ca
features reporter
OPINION Sabrina Macklai opinion@thesil.ca
opinion editor
SPORTS Justin Parker sports reporter Jessica Carmichael sports@thesil.ca sports editor
ARTS AND CULTURE arts & culture editor Razan Samara arts & culture reporter Rya Buckley aandc@thesil.ca MEDIA Kyle West photo reporter Catherine Goce production coordinator Sukaina Imam production coordinator Sabrina Lin production coordinator Katarina Brkic production@thesil.ca photo editor
ONLINE Sasha Roshan social media coordinator Martin Burwell online@thesil.ca video editor
CONTRIBUTORS staff writer Elliot Fung staff writer Andrew Mrozowski staff writer Rida Pasha staff writer Neda Pirouzmand staff writer Drew Simpson staff writer Graham West staff writer Eden Wondmeneh COVER PHOTO Matt Barnes Sabrina Lin
In February 2014, first-year social science student, Michael Abraham, became the first recipient of the inaugural Nelson Mandela Award at the John C. Holland Awards ceremony. The award is given to go to a young member of Hamilton’s Black community who “rises above challenge and difficulty to make a difference” and “uses the spirit of kindness and helpfulness to build a better and more inclusive community.”
Moving forward When reviewing our archives, we noticed a severe lack of coverage surrounding Black History Month over the past several decades. We want to make note that moving forward, we plan to produce a Black Futures themed issue annually. CONTACT
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MUSC, Room B110 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4
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.
Editor-in-Chief (905) 525-9140, ext 22052 Main Office (905) 525-9140, ext 27117 Advertising ccpc@mcmaster.ca 8,000 circulation published by the
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www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
The Silhouette
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News BAP-MAC recognized at John C. Holland awards Club president Sonia Igboanugo was honoured for supporting Black undergrads aspiring to pursue careers in healthcare
The Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will allow BAP-MAC to host a conference for the first time and empower Black youth on campus and in Hamilton.
Daniella Mikanovsky Contributor
Ryan Tse News Reporter
On Feb. 2, Sonia Igboanugo, a fourth-year McMaster biomedical discovery and commercialization student and co-founder of Black Aspiring Physicians of McMaster, received the Lincoln Alexander scholarship at the John C. Holland awards, which celebrates African-Canadian achievement in Hamilton. Igboanugo and McMaster grad student Kayonne Christy launched BAP-MAC during the 2016-2017 school year to support Black McMaster students striving to become physicians and other healthcare professionals. Igboanugo was inspired to create the club following her attendance at a University of Toronto summer mentorship program geared towards Indigenous and Black students interested in health sciences. “I felt like that program changed my life in terms of inspiring me in what I thought I could do and what my capacity
C/O BlACK ASPIRING PHYSICIANS OF MCMASTER
The grant also allows the club to expand its vision to empower Black youth on a larger scale. was as a potential health care professional,” Igboanugo said. “I felt very empowered and I felt very interested in this in bringing the same experience to McMaster.” Since then, BAP-MAC has steadily grown. Currently, the club has over 100 members, proving a variety of resources to its members. As part of the BAP-MAC mentorship program, younger students are paired with a mentor who provides academic and career guidance. Throughout the year, BAPMAC also arms students with information about research opportunities and hosts workshops and talks led by healthcare
professionals. At its core, however, BAPMAC simply serves as a community for Black students on campus. “For me, the biggest part has been connecting with older students who can help me navigate through university,” said first-year kinesiology student Ida Olaye, who aspires to go to medical school. “BAP-MAC gives you that support group, to know that you’re not alone, that there are a lot of people trying to pursue the same dream that you are pursuing and it is very doable.” This past year, BAP-MAC received a three-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The grant has allowed BAPMAC to host a conference for the first time. The event is scheduled for this upcoming May. The grant also allows the club to expand its vision to empower Black youth on a larger scale. “Because we have a pretty good campus presence, I would
say, but the goal was to address the issue of lack of diversity on a more systemic front,” Igboanugo said. Part of that is a new initiative aimed at incorporating high school students into the BAPMAC program by connecting them to undergraduate student mentors. Second-year human behaviour student Simi Olapade, who is also the associate director of multimedia for BAP-MAC, sees a lot of value in the initiative. “Reaching out to those high school students is an opportunity that I even wished I had to be honest. Seeing someone like you in a place where you want to be
At its core, however, BAPMac simply serves as a community for Black students on campus.
helps so much in terms of making you focus more on achieving that goal, making you more goal-oriented and making you more focused,” Olapade said. Reflecting on the award she recently received, Igbnaugo says the work she does as part of BAP-MAC only reflects how others have helped her. “It was very humbling to actually be recognized for the work because it is the greatest thing or greatest privilege I have to always serve my community or use my strength to better my community and the people around me,” Igboanugo said. Students wishing to get involved with BAP-MAC can learn more about the group’s initiatives on BAP-MAC’s Facebook page. @tweetingryantse
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NEWS
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Mac sorority enriching black community Nu Omega Zeta members discuss how the sorority gives them a sense of belonging and space to celebrate their identity
The sorority provides a home away from home. C/O NU OMEGA ZETA
Areej Ali Contributor
Nu Omega Zeta is a Black-focused sorority at McMaster that aims to support and enrich the Black community on campus and in Hamilton. While the sorority was founded in September 2011, plans to launch Nu Omega Zeta were in the works months before the sorority’s founding date. The seven Nu Omega Zeta founders first looked to Black Greek organizations in the United States, which provided a good perspective on how they should establish their own chapter. For instance, today, the sorority pairs up new members with a ‘Big Sister’ who provides guidance and support. The founding members first looked for an executive board and then created the symbols, guidelines and pillars that the sorority would stand for. According to Eno Antai, the current president of Nu
Omega Zeta, members do not need to identify as Black in order to join the sorority. Nevertheless, the group is Black-focused, aspiring to “promote the growth and enrichment of Black undergraduate students and to enhance their education through the strengthening of the relationships within the Black community.” In particular, Nu Omega Zeta stands for “Sisterhood, Volunteerism and Knowledge.” Over the past few years, members of the sorority have volunteered at Empowerment Squared, a Hamilton-based charity that seeks to empower marginalized and newcomer communities in Hamilton. The sorority also runs campus events such as “Chance on
In particular, Nu Omega Zeta stands for “Sisterhood, Volunteerism and Knowledge.”
Campus,” a one-day event that gives grade 10 and 11 students the opportunity to experience post-secondary life at McMaster and learn about the university’s organizations and academic and financial resources. “When I look back and think why I wanted to join Nu Omega Zeta, I remember feeling very isolated and alone on campus in my first year,” said Gabriela Roberta, a member of the sorority. “I had no intentions of joining a sorority. However, Nu Omega Zeta was the first and only organization to reach out to me and make me feel as though my fears are not only my own,” said Roberts. Roberts added that the sorority immersed her in a community of women that truly understood her struggles and concerns. She strongly feels that Nu Omega Zeta has been a transformative life experience. For Jet’aime Fray, another member of Nu Omega Zeta, the sorority means sisterhood.
“When I look back and think why I wanted to join Nu Omega Zeta, I remember feeling very isolated and alone on campus in my first year.” Gabriela Roberts Nu Omega Zeta member Fray explains that the sorority has allowed for her to create long lasting friendships and has given her a unique opportunity to volunteer in Hamilton. “In a society that refuses to acknowledge Black women, having a space that allows you to be unapologetically who you are and celebrates you is very needed,” said Antai, who feels that the space Nu Omega Zeta provides to acknowledge Black women is much needed and can give many students a home
away from home. Julianne Providence joined Nu Omega Zeta for precisely this reason. “I saw it as a space where I could belong. I had seen the ladies on campus and admired the connections they had with each other,” said Providence. Omega Zeta hosts a number of initiatives throughout the year, including rush events, parties, relationship summits, workshops, networking events about education and support in the Black community and a ‘World AIDS Day’ panel discussion. Students interested in attending these events or becoming a part of the sorority can get more information on Nu Omega Zeta’s website.
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Incoming Professional Addiction Studies student hopes to heal kids in crisis Shloka Jetha is a woman who has always been on the move. After growing up in seven countries, the 23-year old has finally settled in Toronto and is pursuing her dream of working with at-risk youth. Part of what appealed to her about the new Professional Addiction Studies program at McMaster Continuing Education is that it’s online, which means she can
set her own schedule and study on-the-go when she’s away from home. But of course the biggest draw is the way Jetha feels the program will complement and expand upon what she learned in her McMaster degree in sociology, as well as what she is currently learning in a Child and Youth Care program at another school.
With the goal of someday working in a clinical setting like the Sick Kids Centre for Brain and Mental Health, Jetha believes the more practical information she has about addiction and mental health, the better.
Studies program will provide, and being able to link that information to her work in the field, will help her excel faster. Most importantly, she feels it will make her better and more effective at helping and healing kids in crisis.
“I’m learning a lot in my current Child and Youth program,” Jetha enthuses, “but for me there is a bit of a knowledge gap that the McMaster Professional Addiction Studies program will help to close. It’s an incredibly complex field, every situation is new, and you need to be able read between the lines and understand the difference between what a troubled kid is saying and what’s actually going on in their life.”
“I’m specifically looking forward to gaining more knowledge about pharmacology, but also about other things as it’s difficult to learn on the job,” Jetha says. “I can learn a tremendous amount from the kids I work with, and that’s invaluable experience, but coming to them with a deeper knowledge base will allow me to talk with them about drugs and alcohol in a way I otherwise couldn’t.”
Jetha believes that having the rich background knowledge the Professional Addiction
Jetha has been fortunate not to be personally touched by addiction, but has lost friends and people in her community from overdose. She is also
familiar with the impact of this complex issue through the volunteer work she has done. Even though this is an incredibly demanding career path, it’s one Jetha is proud and honoured to walk. She feels the good outweighs the bad and is determined to continue learning and helping as much as she can. The Professional Addiction Studies program at McMaster Continuing Education is uniquely designed to help her achieve that goal. Applications for Spring term are open until April 29, 2019. Learn more at mcmastercce.ca/ addiction-studies-program
Sponsored by:
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
STEPHANIE BERTOLO Vice President (Education) vped@msu.mcmaster.ca 905.525.9140 x24017
Over the past few weeks, the McMaster Students Union has been meeting with City Councillors, staff and other municipal stakeholders, to present our second annual Municipal Pre-Budget Submission. The submission highlights the MSU’s recommendations for the upcoming City budget, along with other priorities. On February 11, the Associate Vice-Present (Municipal Affairs) presented the submission to City Council, focussing on five key areas: transit, student housing, employment opportunities, by-law and enforcement, and street lighting. To read the complete pre-budget submission, please visit msumcmaster.ca/Hamilton. All MSU members pay $198 for a twelve month, unlimited ride bus pass. As a collective, students contribute over $4 million to the HSR transit system. While students have repeatedly voted to include May through August service, we remain concerned with the reduced service levels offered during these months. The 51-University is regularly used by students, however, this
February 28, 2019 | thesil.ca
line does not run from May to August, increasing wait times on other lines. The MSU is advocating for this bus route to run all year to address these concerns. As well, we are advocating for the City to eliminate area-rating. Areas that were more recently amalgamated into the City of Hamilton, including Stoney Creek, Ancaster, and Dundas, pay less in property taxes towards transit than the rest of Hamilton. This significantly reduces the service the HSR can provide to these areas. By eliminating area rating and increasing the transit taxes in these locations, the HSR will be able to increase service levels, which will greatly benefit students who currently have long commute times or are unable to use the bus system at all. In terms of student housing, the MSU continues to ask for the City of Hamilton to move forward with the Rental Housing Licensing Pilot Project in Wards 1 (McMaster) and 8 (Mohawk). The licensing program will hold landlords accountable to certify the houses - most often rented to students - are safe places to live. The MSU has also proposed that the City of Hamilton create an Urban Fellows Program, similar to Toronto and New York. We have asked the City to hire recent graduates to help the municipality move forward with major projects and/or policy work. These jobs will allow students to apply the skills that they learned in their undergraduate degree while improving the civic and cultural infrastructure. Three years ago, the City of Hamilton added additional Environmental By-law Officers in “McMaster neighbourhoods” to enforce property standards including snow removal, long grass and weeds, as well as waste storage and disposal. This program has cost students in the neighbour-
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.
hoods thousands of dollars, because often these students were unaware of the by-laws. We have recommended that the City discontinue this program and instead invest more in educating citizens in these areas about the City of Hamilton’s by-laws. Another major concern we have heard from students is the lack of street lighting in Westdale / Ainsle Wood. As a result, many students feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods at night and worry about increased break-ins into their houses. We have asked for a lighting audit to assess the deficiency and subsequently increase lighting to improve safety. Thus far, the City has shown a willingness to engage with students on these issues. Councillor Maureen Wilson, who represents the communities surrounding and including McMaster, continues to demonstrate
herself as an advocate for student issues. New streetlights are already being installed in areas where students previously expressed safety concerns. As well, a traffic study will soon occur in Westdale / Ainsle Wood, with plans to consult students as how to make safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The My HSR campaign is collecting feedback about bus service and the HSR is expected to enhance bus service along many major routes used by students including the B-Line. Through the MSU’s advocacy meetings, we remind the City of the tremendous value students add to the community, not only in terms of economic impact, but also through volunteerism and fundraising initiatives for local organizations. Having a strong relationship with the City of Hamilton will allow us to work together for the betterment of student life in Hamilton.
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
EDITORIAL
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Editorial Where’s the celebration?
With a number of Black student-athletes at McMaster, an event celebrating Black History Month is noticeably missing from the Marauder community Jessica Carmichael Sports Reporter
Feb. 28 is the last day of February. That also means it is the last day of Black History Month and the McMaster Athletic Department has yet to do anything to celebrate it. We saw a number of different causes celebrated at games throughout February; #BellLetsTalk, Chinese New Year and a Pride game to celebrate the LGBTQA2S+ community. But there has been nothing to celebrate BHM and Black student-athletes and that needs to change. Almost every major McMaster team has at least one Black athlete. Some teams, like the men’s basketball team and the men’s football team, have many more. Celebrating Black History Month is acknowledging Black history, and Black athletes should be included in that celebration, given their contri-
butions to Mac’s sports history. Given everything Black Canadians have endured, the least we can do is acknowledge them. It was not that long ago when Black and white athletes were not allowed to play together, so for them to be able to have come this far and add significant contributions to sports is something worth celebrating. Though we have not seen much from Marauder Nation, we do appreciate what the Equity and Inclusion Office has done this month to celebrate Black history at McMaster. A number of discussions have been held this month dealing with topics like Black Lives Matter and Blackness and Academia, in addition to weekly movie screenings featuring Black-centered films. To wrap it all up, they will be hosting the second annual Maroon in Black formal to celebrate the Black McMaster community. But these initiatives do not always
reach the audience in the sports community, so it’s important that we bring it to them. Asking for the McMaster Athletic Department to celebrate BHM is not asking them to take away from all the other amazing causes they celebrate in the month of February, but to simply include them too. Whether it is through a t-shirt design like we saw done with Chinese New Year, or a panel discussion featuring Black student-athletes where they can share their experiences like we saw with #BellLetsTalk, or something else that is completely original and creative. As long as there is an effort being made, it will be appreciated.
to being the boss baby, apparently to morning quarter burrito
to profs making things due over reading week even though they KNOW it’s not allowed
to seeing your dog over reading week
to the never-ending ABB construction
to Justin’s basement
to an actual real work day
to Sasha the shark to clicker questions to having a super fun launch party
@JaayCarmichael
to Black women winning Oscars to a mutual crush on David Tennant
to not knowing the actual date of your midterm to being in j-school and not knowing who Doug Ford is to waiting us out to forever winter
For work, play and everything in between the HSR wants to take you there.
brings my customers to me
That’s why it’s time to think about the Hamilton of tomorrow and how you’ll help to shape it. Tell us how you would (Re)envision the HSR.
Take the survey: hamilton.ca/reenvision
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OPINION
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Opinion Diversity without structure
Being the only Black student in my program isn’t by chance; it’s indicative of a systemic issue that McMaster University fails to address Maryanne Oketch Contributor
One of the reasons I chose to enrol at McMaster University was for the diversity that the school claimed to offer. Coming from a predominantly white secondary school, I was excited to attend a new school. I was hopeful that I would make connections within my program and maybe gain a support system consisting of people that could relate to the experience of being Black in academia. When I entered the integrated science program in 2016, I was disheartened to realize that in my year of entry, I was the only student in my program that was Black, alongside two other individuals with mixed backgrounds. Within the week, this dropped to two, as one person switched out. Within the month, it then became clear that the two of us were not just the only Black students in our year, but in the whole four-year program. This lack of Black peers created a feeling that I had to be the best of the best, and when I couldn’t reach that goal, I would withdraw rather than reaching out. This caused damage to my grades, reputation and relationships with my peers. It is a well-known fact that there is a disparity between the Black population and our representation in higher education. This gap can be seen more in supplementary-based programs that McMaster offers, and my experience unfortunately is not an isolated one. Multiple students from different programs stated that the lack of Black students in their programs made them feel like there were few people who could relate to the struggles that come with being Black. There was also another complexity that I did not consider — the fact that there are more Black women in academia than Black men. One health sciences student, upon realizing
Multiple students from different programs stated that the lack of Black students in their programs made them feel like there were few people who could relate to the struggles that come with being Black. that they were the only Black man in their whole year, experienced feelings of isolation. In addition, a justice, political philosophy and law student was the only Black man in their program, and though he is friends with Black women, he notes that it is not fully the same. Regrettably, the issues that stem from the lack of diversity do not just have interpersonal effects, but also affect the learning experience. A student in the arts and science program said that there were times when a professor or student would ask a question that pertained to race, and the question would seem pointed at them, the only Black student in their year. This student can also recall a moment when a professor made a comment about how some students may be used to hearing racist jokes, and then locked eyes with them, creating an uncomfortable situation. Another former arts and science student had a class where a classmate attempted to defend slavery, and a professor who taught a class about oppression but refused to use the term “racism”. The student states that they never felt challenged by the program, and felt that they had to do the challenging rather than their instructors. This was due, they say, to the
structure and instruction of the program being catered to their affluent white peers and not to them. The catering of programs does not seem limited to just arts and science but can also be seen in McMaster Engineering Society programs. A student within the program switched out after one semester due to the lack of actual inquiry in the program, but a focus on the marks received. When a peer in their program stated, “the disadvantaged [in Hamilton] aren’t doing enough for the more privileged
to help them,” the professor did not immediately shut down this false and insensitive statement, but instead was complacent. In addition, the structure of the program encouraged students to repeat the same statistics because that is what is needed for a good grade, and not because the students wished to learn more about societal issues. If multiple Black students in different years and different programs are saying the same thing, there needs to be some sort of change to support these students when they are in the program. I am not suggesting
these programs change their selection process, because this lack of diversity is a systemic issue, and I do not have the knowledge to provide suitable solutions to help mitigate the effects. Regardless, if McMaster strives for diversity and does not have the necessary structure to support the diverse students that they already have, then their efforts are just a baseless claim to obtain more money from a diverse group of students. @theSilhouette
Maryanne Oketch is a third-year integrated science student. KYLE WEST / PHOTO EDITOR
OPINION
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
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A lack of diverse teaching assistants
McMaster University should actively work towards hiring more teaching assistants of colour while also implementing mandatory diversity training Eden Wondmeneh Staff Writer
As a first-year student in social sciences, the bulk of my tutorial grade is determined by my participation in discussions. For someone who would rather be restricted to eating at Centro than be forced to speak in public, tutorials are not my ideal environment. As the fall semester progressed, I noticed that some of these discussions supported learning while others were downright problematic. Speaking to other students in social sciences, specifically students of colour, it was clear that teaching assistants, who greatly influenced whether tutorial discussions were the former or the latter, were overwhelmingly white. The lack of diversity in TAs is often juxtaposed with a some-
what diverse student group — where students of colour bond over the shared discomfort or hilarity of the awkwardness that settles across the room anytime a ‘hot topic’ like white privilege is brought up. Discussions about race are often excluded from acceptable topics in an environment that claims to encourage academic discourse, especially when initiated by a person of colour: a fact that aided in my decision to stay relatively quiet in tutorials. Regardless of their intentions, these TAs are in a position of power where they facilitate discussions about systems of oppression that they themselves benefit from and resultantly teach students through this narrow-privileged lens. If topics of race are not dismissed after a moment of awkward silence, they always seem condescending; what qualifies non-POC
If topics of race are not dismissed after a moment of awkward silence, they always seem condescending; what qualifies non-POC TAs to lead these discussions? TAs to lead these discussions? I have a friend whose TA explained how common sense differs between cultures using a blatantly racist analogy of African children never having seen a stove thus not knowing that it is unsafe to touch. When called out for their ignorance, the TA’s response was some variation of “I’m not racist”.
Eden Wondmeneh is a first-year social sciences student. KYLE WEST / PHOTO EDITOR
The Teaching in an Accessible and Inclusive Community section of McMaster University’s 2013 TA guide shows that the diversity and inclusion issue in tutorial sessions is much worse than it appears. The university is aware of the power imbalances that are inherent to the limited diversity amongst TAs — they just aren’t doing anything about it. Despite their ability to recognize that acknowledgment of systemic racism is not enough to let them off the hook, they boldly state that McMaster staff and faculty work “against often invisible systems of privilege and oppression,” without giving TAs any guidance in how to further this effort within their own tutorials. In fact, the guidebook makes it clear that it is naïve to believe that even a well-intentioned TA could use any tips provided to create an equitable space within their tutorials. To be clear, I don’t think that TAs are intentionally leading their tutorials to isolate students of colour and validate the dominant privileged narrative that exists within our
The Teaching in an Accessible and Inclusive Community section of McMaster University’s 2013 TA guide shows that the diversity and inclusion issue in tutorial sessions is much worse than it appears. The university is aware of the power imbalances that are inherent to the limited diversity amongst TAs — they just aren’t doing anything about it.
There should be a greater number of Black TAs who are able to lead tutorials with a different perspective, engage with Black students and have important conversations about race when the course calls for it. society. I do believe though that the hiring process for TAs is flawed, as it works directly against McMaster’s “fight against invisible systems of privilege and oppression”. There should be a greater number of Black TAs who are able to lead tutorials with a different perspective, engage with Black students and have important conversations about race when the course calls for it. Aside from increasing the diversity amongst TAs, there should be mandatory anti-oppression workshops and training. It is unrealistic to hope that TAs will suddenly diversify, but it is not unrealistic to hope that current TAs have an understanding of their bias and are able to react to being called out productively — not through cries ofw “I am not racist”. For myself to feel comfortable to contribute freely within these tutorials, I need there to be measures in place for the inevitable awkwardness that ensues when race is discussed and a guarantee that Black children won’t be used in racist examples. We don’t live within a vacuum. To create the “inclusive and accessible learning environment” that McMaster desires, TAs need to reflect this inclusivity and accessibility students are meant to find.
@theSilhouette
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A&C
Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019 | www.thesil.ca
Arts & Culture For the culture Two local rappers spak about they express themselves through hip hop Rya Buckley A&C Reporter
I fell in love with hip hop around 2013 when I listened to my first rap album, Drake’s Nothing Was the Same. To me, hip hop is an art of storytelling, rooted in struggle and triumph. It has its haters and it is not perfect, but it has also saved and changed countless lives. In the tradition of the 1970s New York City DJs and MCs that founded the genre, the guardians of modern hip hop are innovative, creative and heartfelt. Anyone can pick up the mic and tell their stories. As fans, we just need to turn up the volume on game-changing artists. Buddah Abusah is a Hamilton-born and raised creator spreading a message of peace and love. He began writing at the age of 11 and rapping seriously at the age of 16. Haviah Mighty is a Toronto-born, Brampton-raised musician who is also a member of the rap group The Sorority. She began rapping at the age of 12, combining her seven years of singing lessons with her newfound interest in hip hop. I spoke separately to these two local rappers about their
thoughts on hip hop. Both artists spoke about the importance of the genre not only because of the music, but because of the culture. Is there a message that you like to convey with your music? Buddah Abusah: My inner city message is letting all artists know that no matter where you’re from, [as] long as you put your mind to it, you can be successful in your way. [I want to] show people [that if you] put your mind to it and indulge yourself properly, you can get yourself to that gold, platinum status [that] Canadians are doing more often now. Also… the message I want to give out is that all my music is to peace, love and equality. No matter what goes down, just treat it with peace and love because at the end of the day that’s what everybody needs. Haviah Mighty: I definitely like to pull from the rawest, truest points of my life to try to create the most effective message possible, which is usually the things that are most important to me. The narrative will always change based on the shifting of the energies around us and things
that are happening. But I would definitely say… just being a Black female, I am political in nature. The hair that I have, the skin tone that I have, the gender that I am and what I chose to do for a career are to some people very oxymoronic. I think naturally just my look and my delivery and my vibe is a little bit of an empowering, stepping out of your element, believing in your true self kind of message before even opening my mouth. I don’t think that’s something I can really escape or run from and I’m actually very happy to naturally represents that. I feel that people around me resonate with that. What’s the best part of the hip hop artist community? BA: Best part is the growth. For me I love seeing individuals or an individual put their mind to something and watch it come into fruition. Right now I’m doing that with a couple people/ groups. I’ve worked with some of them in the past and just watching them help the culture of [Hamilton] is the best part because I know this city will get there. Like everybody knows the city is growing. And it’ll be
interesting seeing Hamilton have their own culture and their own sound like how Toronto has their own sound. Hamilton is far enough where we see Toronto and we want to be like the [greater Toronto area] and be included like the GTA, but we still want our own. HM: The best part of the hip hop community is the community. I think hip hop is very cultural and the community is very culture-based… [W]ithin hip hop in my experience, you can go to different venues and it’s like these are people that you’ve grown up with because at the cultural level, you guys are so connected. It might be the same for punk music and rock and stuff [but] I’m not as embedded in those communities to know. I think for me it’s the beautiful marriage between the sonic vibe of hip hop and then just like the community of hip hop and how different yet similar those two things are. What’s next for you? BA: I’m going to be releasing new material spring, summer time. I’ve just been working with other artists, doing some
production, audio engineering. And other than that, I’m just taking my sweet, sweet time. I’m not trying to [give] you the exact same trap sound that you’re always hearing on the radio or that your friends play. I’m here giving you something completely different. I’m giving you good vibes, I’m giving you vibes for strictly hippies… My goal with this is creating an entirety of a sound for the city. HM: I have an album coming out. I’m hoping that this can really open up some interesting conversations. I’m really hoping that we can see some shifts in female hip hop and what we expect from being a female in hip hop and what we expect from I guess just the gender expectations. I would love to see some of those surpassed with some of the stuff I’m coming out with. But definitely just trying to contribute positively to the hip hop community and that hip hop culture and to tell good, impactful stories that can make some good change. @theSilhouette
C/O MATT BARNES C/O LEON “EKLIPZ” ROBINSON
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www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
Exploring and voicing black experiences Hamilton Youth Poets hosts Black Poet Residency
Black Poet Residency poster. C/O HAMILTON YOUTH POETS Drew Simpson Staff Writer
Over a month of Hamilton Youth Poet’s Black Poet Residency has passed. So far, the residency has taken place at the Art Gallery of Hamilton every Saturday and the weekly residency will continue until May. HYP is an arts organization that launched in October 2012. The organization’s four main goals are to manifest a community of cultural understanding, offer youth tools to deliver their writing and literary skill, engage youth towards their academic ambitions and to support aspiring artists’ professional development. Ultimately, HYP empowers young people by offering training as arts organizers and allowing youth to take part in the planning, promotion and facilitation of events. One of these events is the Black Poet Residency featuring Ian Keteku, a two-time national slam champion and multimedia artist, as a key facilitator. Although both the organization and event have poets within its name, participants may be beyond the scope of experienced poets. Those who wish to develop their writing skills, editing, computer literacy and even multi-digital processes will benefit from the residency. “Those interested need not
regard themselves as poets or require any prior knowledge of poetry. The residency aims to transcend simply writing poems,” explains one of HYP’s teaching artists, Akintoye Asalu. This residency is in line with HYP’s focus on youth-focused events coordinated by youths, as it is aimed towards youth writers, performers and creative-minded individuals. As mentioned by Asalu, anyone who is interested in bettering their skills is welcome to attend. “When our young people can tell and re-tell their histories in the context of public platforms, they are able to imagine and re-imagine their individual
and collective identities and become culturally grounded in their own experiences,” explains HYP’s website. The residency aims to provide an inclusive and supportive space which allows black youth to express their experiences and explore their voices. Such a weekly residency is necessary in Hamilton, to amplify often-silenced voices while also developing skills and building community. Asalu can attribute the prosperity of this residency as a participant himself. “Being able to sit down and converse with people who understand the struggles that come
with being a [person of colour] motivates me to keep using my art to help our community in as many ways as I can... My only hope is that the healthy dialogue that exists within the residency will spread to the rest of the community,” explained Asalu. Poetry and art directly combat the sense of isolation people of colour experience on a daily basis. Especially as they face daily experiences with institutions that were built without them in mind. Asalu describes how poetry allows him to be the voice for those cast in silence; bringing light to silenced struggles. He also finds poetry as a healthy
coping mechanism. Every HYP event puts youth at the center. Therefore, a Black-focused residency, puts Black youth at the center; a position that may be unfamiliar to them. “I want Black people all around the city to feel comfortable talking about the things they go through on a day-to-day basis without fear of judgment from those around them. It is my belief that in order to enact change, we must first begin with constructive dialogue. Through this dialogue, constructive actions can be taken to improve the quality of life for [people of colour] as a whole,” explained Asalu. This residency can be the defining moment for many Black youths in Hamilton. Raising their voices, attending to their mental health and finding support in community are never-ending obstacles for black youth. The ability to express struggles and unbox silenced concerns while doing so is a grand goal that when realized makes a positive difference in a young person’s life.
Performers at a Hamilton Youth Poets’ event in October. Kyle West // Photo Editor
@theSilhouette
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SPORTS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
Sports Jessica Carmichael Sports Reporter
In the McMaster Athletics Hall of Fame, there are seven Black athletes, trainers and coaches who have made significant contributions to Marauder history over the years. Whether it was on the field or court or giving support to their team, the Black history of McMaster Athletics is undeniable. Fast forward to today and there are a number of Black athletes at McMaster today who are also contributing to McMaster history. Although there is not yet an official Marauder Black History Month celebration, this article is the first step in celebrating the Black athletes who have given so much to this organization.
Past Meets present Celebrating Black Marauder History
Football PAST: Kojo Aidoo Running back Aidoo started playing for McMaster in 1998 and found immediate success after his first season, when he was named the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Rookie of the Year. Throughout his career, he continued to make Ontario University Athletics history for rushing and scoring. Helping McMaster get to their first-ever OUA Yates Cup Championship in 2000, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the OUA and the MVP of the championship game. His outstanding talent made him a recipient of a number of awards including the Hec Crighton Award as the most outstanding player in Canada, the Howard Mackie Award as the Male Athlete of the Year in the CIS, the Ivor Wynne Award as McMaster’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2001 and being named a First-Team All-Canadian. Aidoo went on to be draft-
ed into the Canadian Football League by Edmonton, playing for the Eskimos, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argos over the course of his professional career.
PRESENT: Justice Allin The second-year running back has been an explosive player for the Marauders since arrival in 2017. When an injury cut his rookie year short just after week
eight, he had already posted consecutive performances of over 100 yards receiving, and even had 225 all-purpose yards against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues the week before. Even though his season was cut short, Allin was still named to the OUA All-Rookie Team for his contributions to the team. After recovering from his ACL injury, his return to the field in the 2018 season may not have been reminiscent of his rookie season, but his contributions did play a part in helping the Marauders secure a spot in the playoffs. Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons on and off the field, Allin and Mac’s playoff run ended after the first round. With a new head coach for the 2019 season, and the possibility of Allin’s predecessor Jordan Lyons leaving for the CFL, the possibilities of what Allin can do for the Marauders in the next few years is something many are excited to see.
SPORTS | 13
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Feb. 28 2019
Wrestling PRESENT: Simi Jayeoba PAST: Lawrence Holmes
A newcomer on the scene, Simi Jayeoba is a second-year wrestler. As one of two Black female wrestlers on the team, Jayeoba is in the process of making a name for herself. Jayeoba ranked in the top 10 in Ontario’s 67kg category last year and won silver early on this year at the York University Open. As a Black woman wrestler, her just being able to compete at this level is something worth celebrating. The level I engineering student still has a way to go to for her wrestling career at McMaster but is an exciting prospect to watch along the way. Although there are no Black women in the Marauder Hall of Fame as of yet, it’s not too late for Jayeoba to be the first.
Lawrence Holmes found great success during his time here as a Marauder. Winning the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union 61kg three times, it is no surprise that he was also a two-time recipient of the Ivor Wynne Trophy. Holmes was also an international wrestler while attending McMaster, participating in the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the 1984 Olympics, and a two-time World Team member. Holmes was also a three-time Canadian Open Champion winning in 1982, 1983 and 1984. But it did not end there. Following graduation, Holmes continued to compete globally and made another Olympic appearance in 1988.
Basketball PAST: Titus Channer
PRESENT: David McCulloch
It only took one year for Titus Channer to make an impact on the McMaster men’s basketball team. The 1993-1994 OUA Rookie of the Year went on to have a successful Marauder career, full of nation-wide recognition. He was named Second Team All-Canadian in 1994-95 and 1995-96 and received Ontario University Athletics Association Player of the Year, a First Team All-Canadian selection, and the McMaster Athlete of the Year Award twice (1996-1997 and 1997-1998). The accolades for Channer did not end there, as in his senior year he won the Mike Moser Award as the Canadian University Basketball Player of the Year and the Howard Mackie Award. It did not end there for Channer, as he went on to play professional basketball in Europe and represented the Canadian men’s national basketball team.
David McCulloch, a Hamilton local and Cardinal Newman star, chose to stay home and come to McMaster instead of a number of other offers. Deciding to come to a school who already had a star point guard,
Adam Presutti, and wanting to learn from him speaks volumes about McCulloch’s character early on. Today, the fifth-year senior has turned into the team’s leader and star, surpassing 1000 points during his time at McMaster. For the 2017-2018 season he was named OUA Third-Team All-Star and in the summer, he joined Team Toronto with Team Canada’s head coach Roy Rana. A consistent leader on and off the court, McCulloch’s departure this year as he graduates will no doubt be seen in the 2018-2019 season. With a team mainly comprised of first years and transfer, hopefully, not only his talent but the way he carried himself on and off the court will be the blueprint for the young team. As for McCulloch’s future, whether it is basketball-related or not it, it sure looks bright from here.
@JaayCarmichael
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GAMES
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019
Games
ACROSS 1- Gyro meat; 5- PC key; 10- Whip; 14- Banned apple spray; 15- Sycophant; 16- Sporting blade; 17- Nada; 18- Line to the audience; 19- Black cuckoos; 20- Upper edge of the side of a vessel; 22- Attack first; 24- Put up with; 26- Give a new title to;
27- Tongue; 30- Playing marble; 32- Sign of spring; 33- Ancient Athens’s Temple of ___; 34- Like a dungeon; 38- Faucet; 39- Sincere; 42- Here, to Henri; 43- For ___ Jolly Good Fellow; 45- Placed down; 46- Of the kidneys; 48- First American to orbit Earth; 50- Card game also called sevens;
51- Close-fitting dress; 54- Very cold; 56- August birthstone; 58- Mournful; 62- Parade spoiler; 63- Below; 65- Woody’s boy; 66- St. crossers; 67- Finnish name of Finland; 68- City near Sparks; 69- Class struggle?; 70- Hawke of “Reality Bites”; 71- Playwright O’Casey;
25- Meriting; 27- Slat; 28- Dies ___; 29- Bites; 31- Turned right; 33- Irish island group; 35- Isn’t wrong?; 36- Final Four org.; 37- Brick oven; 40- Tavern; 41- Follow; 44- Contrary to; 47- Makes beloved; 49- Inc., in Britain; 50- Former British coin;
51- Herring type; 52- Hoist; 53- Great Lakes tribesmen; 55- Plant swelling; 57- Hardware fastener; 59- Gratis; 60- Arm bone; 61- Nut; 64- Stupid me!;
DOWN 1- Singer k.d.; 2- Baseball’s Moises; 3- Jazz flutist Herbie; 4- Fermented malt liquor; 5- And others, in Latin; 6- Snooped (around); 7- Mai ___; 8- Icelandic epic; 9- Turf grown for forage; 10- Having knowledge; 11- Sleeping disorder; 12- Earthquake; 13- “Siddhartha” author; 21- Mistreat; 23- Receive;
SPORTS
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