Le journal bilingue de Glendon | Glendon’s bilingual newspaper Vol. 59 Issue 1 : le 30 septembre 2020 In This Issue

Meet the 2020-2021 team! ● Page 2

Vie étudiante Business As Usual: The educational cost of the pandemic is on our shoulders ● Page 1, 3

Homesick ● Page 3

Expressions Try Change ● Page 4

Arts & Entertainment Why Everyone Involved in the Making of “Among Us” is a Certified Genius ● Page 4, 5

Review: Season 1 of Canada’s Drag Race ● Page 5

Metropole The End of Conflict ● Page 6 Business as Usual: The City’s Underprivileged are Misrepresented, a Comment on the Toronto Community Housing The educational cost of the pandemic is on our shoulders Corporation ● Page 7 Kamilia Grove to rent out in the future. For two weeks, ily did not understand what I needed. Santé et bien être Contributor my only connection — besides phone Daily, my concentration was disrupted The Beautiful Game: Canada’s time to calls and the occasional family mem- by their constant knocking at my door shine ● Page 8 In a pandemic where nothing feels ber in the window — was the limited — some days it was difficult to study Conseils pour bien réussir en ligne ce certain, technology has guaranteed amount of data on my phone, because at all! The day before my paper worth semestre ● Page 9 students the ability to continue their the apartment did not have WiFi. I could 100% of my European master’s level education — but not without intensify- not work on my classes for two weeks, class was due, my mother wanted to Issues & Ideas ing pre-existing challenges and adding which I worried about, unaware that blast music in the attic (right above my Review & Opinion: Displacing Blackness studying from home would be a mas- bedroom) to draw out the squirrels who by Ted Rutland ● Page 10 new ones. At the beginning of February, I was an eager student abroad in Co- sive challenge for me. had made a home for themselves there. La Prochaine Date Limite : penhagen, Denmark. I joined my host As a university student who Luckily, I won that battle. le 2 octobre 2020 university’s symphony orchestra, trav- has hardly ever had to study from her Studying from home through elled in and outside of Denmark, and family home, and never while her fam- my semester ‘abroad’ and two sum- made friends from all over the world. By ily was home, for months on end I se- mer school semesters required me to mid-March, I found myself quarantined riously questioned whether I would be learn to negotiate, prioritize myself, in an apartment in the GTA where the able to complete my credits. I was so and change my study habits. Despite only piece of furniture was a stool. overwhelmed, all the time. To say the this and the emotional challenges of My family did not want me to pandemic affected my studies is an un- leaving my exchange, these semesters be isolated in the family home after I derstatement. I had to quickly adapt to somehow produced the best grades had travelled from Denmark to Canada working in an environment that was not of my university career. A huge part of through Germany, and so, I stayed at conducive to my success; the house my success can be attributed to how an empty townhouse they had planned was loud, I grew stir-crazy, and my fam- Continued on PAGE 3 Pro Tem Team Letter from the Editor Notre équipe Welcome back, Pro Tem readers! Editor in Chief | Rédactrice en chef Hello! My name is Eden, and I am hon- Eden Minichiello oured to introduce myself as Pro Tem’s [email protected] new Editor in Chief. I am overjoyed to write to all of you today to announce our first is- Chief of Operations | Chef des opérations Natalie El-Rifai sue of the 2020-2021 academic year. To be [email protected] completely candid with you, I was unsure of what Pro Tem would be able to accomplish English Editor | Rédacteur anglais adjoint this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Adam Kozak and my hopes for publishing a cohesive, [email protected] Eden Minichiello Editor in Chief bi-weekly paper were low. However, thanks French Editor | Rédactrice française adjointe to the hard work of the Pro Tem Executive Beatrice Bouaré team, a group of extremely bright and res- [email protected] olute individuals, and the unwavering sup- port of our contributors, here we are today, Photographer | Photographe Ruhama Varatharajan publishing our first issue. I am very excited [email protected] to be leading such a fantastic team in the operation of Glendon’s bilingual news- Layout Editor | Maquetteur paper for its 59th year. Elton Campbell Natalie El-Rifai Adam Kozak Beatrice Bouaré Vous remarquerez que nous [email protected] Chief of Operations Assistant English Editor Assistant French Editor avons apporté de nombreux changements Section Editors | Chroniqueurs aux opérations de Pro Tem en raison de la pandémie COVID-19. Pour ce semestre Campus Life | Vie étudiante (au moins), Pro Tem n’imprimera ni dis- Anna Noumtinis tribuera de copies physiques de nos pub- Issues & Ideas | Actualité et opinions lications bihebdomadaires. Au lieu de cela, Ariana Mah nous publierons un « e-paper », qui est di- sponible sous forme de PDF, et qui pourra Metropolis | Métropole être envoyé directement à votre boîte de Kitty Yin Elton Campbell Ruhama Varatharajan réception. Si vous voulez recevoir nos pub- Layout Designer Photographer Arts and Entertainment & Expressions | lications bihebdomadaires, veuillez vous Arts et divertissement & Expressions abonner à la liste de diffusion sur notre site Brianna Carrasco web. En raison de COVID-19, nous n’or- ganiserons pas notre fête de lancement en Health & Wellness | Santé et bien-être collaboration avec Lunik. Cependant, nous Josée Philips avons plusieurs projets pour faire participer notre communauté, alors restez à l’écoute. About Us Above all, our aim this semester is to continue Pro Tem’s tradition of providing Pro Tem est le journal étudiant du collège Anna Noumtinis Ariana Mah Kitty Yin Campus Life Issues and Ideas Metropolis a platform for students to raise their voices Glendon. Publié pour la première fois en and express their thoughts. I hope to take 1962, c’est la plus ancienne publication de the paper in a direction that highlights the l’Université York. warmth and intimacy of the Glendon com- munity this year. It is in times like these that Opinions published in Pro Tem are those I believe compassion and connection are of of the individual writers, and do not reflect the utmost meaning and importance. the views of the publication as a whole. We Je me réjouis de lire vos contribu- will not print copy deemed racist, sexist, tions ce semestre ! homophobic, or otherwise oppressive. Brianna Carrasco Josée Philips Les lettres adressées au journal peuvent Arts and Entertainment & Health and Wellness À bientôt, Expressions être éditées au niveau de la clarté ou de contenu. All copy appearing in Pro Tem is Eden Minichiello at the discretion of the editorial team. Editor in Chief

Feel free to respond to what you read in the pages of Pro Tem! / N’hésitez pas à réagir à ce que vouz avez lu dans Pro Tem!

To see past editions of Pro Tem, please visit our website: www.protemglendon.com.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for reminders about upcoming deadlines and events: @ProtemGL

2 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • September 30, 2020 Vie étudiante

parts too. wishes I was. Homesick My mind’s eye is caught in a I’ve found my many safe spaces daydream of Frost library in the fall, sit- at Glendon, some of which I’ll keep hidden Eden Minichiello ting among the bookshelves, studying for in my heart forever with a jealous desire to Editor in Chief midterms while the leaves change. Then I make them only mine. I thought learning laugh at the thought of it in the wintertime from home would be a shy girl’s wet dream As a student entering my fourth, maybe-fi- - so serendipitously beautiful, watching the - no pressure to leave the comfortable con- nal-but-probably-not, year here at Glendon, snow fall outside the big windows, all while fines of my room, or to do any dreadful so- I’ve found myself struck with a very sudden groaning about how bloody hot it is and cializing - but it’s turning out to feel more sense of what can be described as nothing how hard it is to focus with a century-old like a white lie. As a sentimental introvert else but homesickness. I spent my summer HVAC system. I feel my spine thanking the who takes her time to settle into new envi- isolated and detached from the idea of re- good Lord above that I’ll be in the comfort ronments, I am mourning what would have turning to campus, professors, and friends, of my own chair instead of the tiny, grade been my first year fully out of my shell at knowing that it would be much safer to be school desk-chair hybrids, hopelessly an- my quaint little university campus. My hope learning from home, and being okay with gled to ensure every notebook and pen will for this semester, though physically dis- that. But now, as the weather begins to slide right off their surface. Yet, their charm- tant and remote, is that the warmth we’re cool and the days grow shorter, my logical ing awfulness pulls at a string in my soul. all missing from our favourite places and practicality is being pushed out of place by My heart wrenches just a little knowing I’ll beloved community would be replaced by a sense of nostalgia that springs from my be napping on my couch instead of Lunik’s. the glow of kindness and compassion that heart and wells up in my throat. The kind of I’m relieved that I won’t be spending en- transcends space and withstands the test reminiscing that reminds you of everything tire paychecks on Timmie’s drinks — and of time. So learn and love with intention, about home; not just the best parts, the I won’t be putting on pounds eating their reach out to those you care for, and try to annoying-but-charming and downright-ugly pastries either — but a small part of me be a little extra human this year.

Business as Usual: The educational cost of the pandemic is on our shoulders (cont.) accommodating the University of Copen- The extent of the pandemic’s ef- pandemic learning on students. Instead, in- stress. Not accommodating students prop- hagen (my host institution) was to my pan- fect on a student’s education is dependent stitutions should be accommodating to the erly is a failure on the part of educational demic stress and my initial remote learning on the quality of their new study environ- multitude of challenges students are facing. institutions; it shifts the immense pressure challenges. ment, how accommodating their institution Students need understanding and compas- of the consequences of COVID-19 onto Remote learning has completely is, and whether or not they have had the sion as they adapt to learning in new ways students who face the potential of lasting transformed school for nearly every stu- opportunity to develop crucial organization- and places while dealing with external consequences with regards to their suc- dent; it has and will continue to present al skills. Not adapting teaching methods, stressors such as family issues, financial cess. challenges, but also opportunities if stu- class syllabi, assignments, and universi- struggles, working a part-time (or full-time) dents have the resources and ability to ty due date policies puts the hefty cost of job, mental health, and pandemic related seize them. Fundamentally, it deprives stu- dents of certain educational tools and re- quires us to adopt new strategies. My two and a half semesters of remote learning have taught me that achieving good grades with a full course load via Zoom is nearly impossible without being highly organized, keeping procrastination to a minimum, and being able to compartmentalize external stressors. Demanding students perform at the same level as in pre-pandemic times, without room for error, is simply unrealistic, naïve, and unfair. Many have not had the opportunity to develop the necessary orga- nizational skills, while others cannot access the same stress-relieving social activities such as sports, clubs, and spending quality time with friends. Refusing to accommo- date students struggling to navigate online school during a pandemic particularly ne- glects students from low socio-economic statuses who may not have their own de- vices, those coping with family and mental health issues while being forced to stay at home, and students facing general pan- demic fear and anxiety (whether it be about the global situation or a personal one).

Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 septembre 2020 3 Expressions

of loss. I think that is the right time to explore other colors; they are here so we can enjoy Try Change our journey on earth.

Sonia Said It is okay if our environment is in continuous change, accept the loss but just don’t stay in Contributor the darkness, be proud of yourself for your strength in difficult times,

Try change. Embrace the moment you live in,

I am not just saying that, share your story,

I mean it. be a part of others’ journeys, and

I was reluctant to change but there were too many times. Too many times, I gave a hand to enjoy as much as you can. someone and he took the time to trample my heart, consciously. Too many times, I spent time with people and trusted them naively. Soon enough you will like change, you will be grateful for it because it brings something new, exciting, and valuable to our everyday. It brings new possibilities, better options, And too many times makes us change. and it leads to growth. Change makes us evolve and understand, it develops us and the world we live in. I am sure that the current situation has a lot to teach us. And among other I was always reluctant to change. I wanted things to be planned, to follow a “logical” things, it shows us that we are not doing things right… (sometimes even chronological) order. Until the day I suddenly moved from Strasbourg to Toronto. I had to repeat 12th grade (for no reason), I spent a year at home because We have a lot to improve, modify, stop, and change. university was too expensive, COVID-19 hit, and I had to undergo a biopsy.

Sometimes life throws at us unexpected events.

And that’s how you learn that life is about that: life is all about embracing the unknown, hugging the possibility of something different with sometimes unidentified outcomes.

Look at the situation right now, Even though everyone is complaining about wearing masks, we are still able to talk. Even though everyone is complaining that these times are difficult, we are still breathing. I am not saying that it is easy; I don’t like wearing a mask everyday but I do, Because I want to live a little more.

See, it’s all about perspective: once you change your mindset, the change becomes natu- ral. Tolerating the situation we are in is part of the deal, but accepting the situation, being the change, is reaching another level.

Accepting the situation means looking at the negative and the positive; taking into account that nothing is ever black or white: it’s always grey. Grey symbolizes balance, neutrality, but also loss. Thus, once you shift to the grey, it means that you have accepted some kind

Arts and Entertainment

friends and accuse them of murder (or an Why Everyone overactive and morbid imagination, if you were the “game master”). Hours and hours Involved in the of glorious time spent screaming about how Kevin was the werewolf because Lily Making of “Among was dead now and she suspected him, and about how Ashley’s been reeaaally quiet Us” is a Certified this time around. For anyone who didn’t find the Genius above paragraph overwhelmingly nostal- gic, Werewolf is a party game wherein the Adam Kozak players take on the roles of townspeople Assistant English Editor with various jobs in the town. Some are hunters, some are seers, some are doc- Ahhh, Werewolf. Truly a summer camp and tors… and some are werewolves who feast elementary school classic. No pens, paper, on human flesh under the moonlit sky. The dice, or cards necessary. All you need- townspeople’s goal is to find out who the ed was the willingness to lie to all of your Continued on PAGE 5

4 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • September 30, 2020 Arts et divertissements Why Everyone Involved in the Making of “Among Us” is a Certified Genius (cont.) werewolf or werewolves are and drive them an ambrosia of chaos, pandemonium, and time of writing. The Steam version of the with your friends whenever? out of town, and they do so by arguing about trust issues for social deduction game ad- game, which was released later in 2018, But then along came COVID-19, and voting on who they think the werewolf dicts. That answer, my friends, is Among has now gone from an average number shutting all of us in our houses for fear of is. The werewolves’ goal is to eliminate all Us. of about 500 players in May this year to a being infected and spreading the disease. the townspeople and they do so by… well, The story of Among Us is an al- whopping 72,000 in the last 30 days. Suddenly, we CAN’T just head over to you recall my comment about the feasting most rags-to-riches tale in the video game So why is it that this indie game our friend’s place and yell at them. Now and the moonlit sky. Figuratively speaking, world. The first version of the game- re that launched back in 2018, with the graph- we need to do so remotely, and Among of course… at least in every version of the leased on iOS and Android in June 2018 to ics of an early-2000s era Newgrounds Us allows us to do just that. Furthermore, game I’ve ever played. little public reception, with around 30 to 50 flash game, has suddenly become one of the game’s design itself is absolutely bril- From my experience, this game is active players at most for almost two years. the most popular games on Twitch and liant: the inclusion of tasks that every crew pretty popular around the world. Most peo- The game didn’t support online multiplay- Steam? My guess is that a combination member has to do keeps everyone moving ple from other countries and cultures that er, and it only featured one map on launch. of factors came together to create the per- around the map, scrambling to do their jobs I’ve spoken with know the general rules of Nevertheless, the development team stuck fect environment for this game’s runaway before they die (and after, too). The game Werewolf, or at least a version of it (other to their guns, and continued to provide de- success. First of all, the persistence of the involves a lot of exciting social interaction people know it as Mafia). Unfortunately, velopment support for the game, updating developers was instrumental in ensuring that all of us have been missing for far too this game is difficult to play during the era it as often as once a week at times. Every- that the game would survive long enough long. It’s the perfect game to get together of COVID-19, as it pretty much requires thing seemed quiet for a long time… until to ascend to greathood. Updating the game and play for hours at a time with your pals that all players be within close proximity of its popularity skyrocketed on popular game regularly and adding online multiplayer (who you will hate by the end of a session, one another, and the game isn’t as much streaming platform, Twitch. Over the past functionality, more maps for people to play by the by). fun if there are less than 8 players. few weeks, popular streamers have been on, and releasing it on Steam put the game With Among Us 2 in development, But InnerSloth, those magnifi- picking up the game and streaming it ex- in a good position to succeed in the indie I am waiting with baited breath to see what cent computer nerds, have an answer for tensively, which has caused an immense scene. I think it struggled initially because it new ideas InnerSloth brings to the Zoom those of us who miss the feverish shout- increase in the number of followers the was too similar to Werewolf — why pay for meeting table. ing matches Werewolf inevitably provokes game has on Twitch, which is 1.2 million at a PC version of a game you can just play

mini-challenge then leads into a main Review: Season 1 of challenge, which can consist of anything from recording a diss-track, to a Miss Uni- Canada’s Drag Race verse-esque pageant, to even making a cohesive outfit out of garbage. After show- Brianna Carrasco casing a themed outfit on the runway, the Arts and Entertainment & judges pick a winner of the week, and the bottom two queens are required to “lip sync Expressions for their life.” The winner of the lip sync gets to remain in the competition, and the loser Rupaul’s Drag Race has been my favourite is eliminated. show for many years now. I have always Since many of the shows on our shamelessly loved reality TV. Combine this television screens are America-centered, with art, fashion, musical theatre, LGBTQ+ it was refreshing to see a show that was culture, and of course, the over-the-top over-the-top Canadian. Mini-challeng- dramatic cat-fights that usually come with es included a photoshoot on a replica of reality TV, and Drag Race is basically the the Rocky Mountains, or auditioning for a There were so many iconic mo- into Canada’s Drag Race and get a look perfect show for me. morning talk show while speaking in both ments throughout the season: Jimbo’s into Canada’s drag scene and our LGBTQ+ So, when I found out that Can- English and French. Runway themes paid infamous runway looks that were always community. The show is also important in ada’s Drag Race would begin early July, homage to iconic Canadian-isms like “Ce- misinterpreted by the judges, Lemon’s bringing awareness to the drag queens in I was ecstatic! With so much uncertainty line Dion” or “Canadian Tuck-shedo.” scarily-accurate impression of Jojo Siwa our own community. By attending their out- and hopelessness in our world, I was ex- It was even exciting to see how during the Snatch Game challenge, Pri- door, socially-distant patio performances cited to have one hour of escapism per different queens represented different parts yanka and Kiara’s lip sync performance to in Toronto, buying their merch, or following week wherein my family and I could watch of Canada. Two queens, Kiara and Rita Celine Dion’s “I Drove All Night” — there them on social media, we can show these our own Canadian queens from our living Baga, showed the campy, cabaret-style are too many more to count! All the ups and queer, Canadian artists/entertainers that room. Not to mention that seasoned queen drag of Montreal. Ilona Verley frequently downs of the season eventually led to the their work matters. Brooke Lynn Hytes, from season 11 of showcased her Indigenous First Nations crowning of the winner of the competition I’m so excited for the next season Rupaul’s Drag Race, would be one of three heritage in her drag style. The queens on September 3rd. Priyanka, a favourite of Canada’s Drag Race! Until then, reigning judges on the show! from Toronto also displayed their unique amongst viewers and in the Toronto drag queen Priyanka is an excellent representa- The premise of Canada’s Drag cultures, with Anastarzia Anaquway dis- scene, became the first Indo-Caribbean tion of queer people of colour in Canada Race is simple and almost the same as its cussing her Bahamian background, and winner of the whole Drag Race franchise. and I can’t wait to see what she does with American counterpart. 12 Canadian drag Priyanka creating outfits inspired by her I’ve personally seen Priyanka live and she her fully-merited fame! queens compete to be Canada’s First Drag Indo-Guyanese heritage. It was lovely to is such a personality and an amazing per- Superstar. Every week there’s a mini-chal- see how these queens showed Canada’s former! It’s so special how fans of the origi- lenge to get the queens warmed-up. The cultural diversity to the world. nal Drag Race around the world might tune

Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 septembre 2020 5 Metropolis

out rooms can match the buzzing thrill that The End of Conflict spreads from head to toe when hearing a roaring, riled up crowd upon walking into a Kitty Yin packed concert stadium. Metropolis Editor But enough pessimism. The world may be in turmoil and wallowing in self-ha- Toronto as a city is ever-growing and tred, but I believe that this, right now, is a adaptive; like its population, it is con- formative moment. At the end of it all, we stantly changing and evolving. As thrilled will either have become divided and para- and grateful as I feel to have been a part noid, or stronger than ever. Either way, we of Toronto’s colourful social and cultural will never be the same. If socially awkward scene, I can’t help but feel some dismay extroverts can use this period in time to try at the thought of events and outdoor activ- to find peace, then so can everyone else. ities that were missed this summer. Trying to keep my head and spirits up despite the circumstances has been, and remains, one of the most emotionally challenging things I’ve had to overcome. As a socially anxious extrovert, social life has been a paradox for me no matter the circumstances — in past school years I would wake up in the morning with a habitual dread of having to speak in front of my peers in class, yet simultaneously feel excited at the thought of immersing myself in the social landscape that exists outside my bedroom door. One would be inclined to believe that the summer, ie. peak event season, would bring with it social satiation, for then I would be in a context in which my verbal participation does not play an inte- gral part in my academic success. But this was not the case; another form of the same anxiety would still be there. This summer has been confus- ing in many ways, and I’m certain its side effects have been unique for everyone. I have been responding to withdrawal from face-to-face social interaction by, against my best interests, longing for the usual underlying nervousness. I find a sort of fa- miliarity, and even comfort in it, which are feelings needed now more than ever. I miss feeling that sharp knot forming in my chest before talking to a stranger, at the same time truly wanting to know them. I miss standing in line and dreading the inevitable confrontation with the person who is forc- ing a smile, sitting behind the glass. The dread would increase in correlation with the length of the line. But the longer the line, the more gratifying my exhale would be, after accomplishing whichever social exchange with said customer service rep- resentative. How to put to rest this constant contradiction? Anxiety cannot be definitive- ly resolved. But it can be assuaged. I have been attempting to satisfy the desire to at- tend events by calling, texting, skyping… the usual. This has nearly filled that gap, which normally would be filled by in-per- son communication and social exchange. But no amount of Netflix parties or break-

6 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • September 30, 2020 Métropole The City’s Underprivileged are Misrepresented, a Comment on the Toronto Community Housing Corporation Ameer Shash Contributor

For low-income residents, preconceptions seem to be what propagate negative ste- reotypes about their communities. The media has defamed neighbourhoods such as Jane and Finch by portraying them as hotspots for criminal activity. As a result, have policies that forbid those who have social services. Gun violence has contrib- mental health care actually receive any viewers and readers come to associate any criminal record from participating. If a uted to a significant increase in hospital ad- services’’. This means that if there is inad- low-income communities with danger and member of a family living in a government missions, which means patients in urgent equate support for youth in disadvantaged poverty. Despite engaging community-level housing complex owned by the TCHC has need of medical care may not receive what communities, they may be unable to devel- activism and youth-oriented programs in an been charged with a criminal offence, an they need, when they need it, as victims op academically or join the workforce due attempt to rescind its tainted image, Jane eviction is warranted for all members of of gun-violence are monopolizing hospital to mental and emotional trauma. The future and Finch (among other neighbourhoods) the household. TCHC says that they “have beds. academic and professional success of an continues to be submerged in controver- the authority to develop their own policies Furthermore, members of un- individual depends on their psychological sy and viewed in fear by outsiders. This and procedures on how they deal with derprivileged communities battle mental well-being, which is rooted in childhood. statistically-induced fear traumatises mar- prospective tenants who have previously health challenges with little external sup- Mental health is a growing con- ginalized individuals and subjects them to been evicted for criminal activity”. An entire port due to the TCHC’s failure to address cern that affects all people. Like in George’s discrinmination from a young age. In turn, family, due to the actions of one individual, mental health. According to statistics, near- case, a tenant with mental health struggles the pre-established negative image is sus- may suffer eviction from their home. The ly a quarter of Toronto Community Hous- may not have the capacity to maintain the tained, haunting them into their adult years. consequence of being labelled a “criminal” ing tenants (23%) live with mental illness. cleanliness or functionality of their unit. In this article, I will discuss the unfortunate household means having to either move What is the government housing agency The adequacy of mental health support realities of living in Toronto Communi- constantly from unit to unit, or attempt to doing to ensure that its residents can ac- systems is called into question when ten- ty Housing Corporation (TCHC) housing find privately-operated accommodation, cess the mental healthcare they need? In ants known to be psychologically unwell complexes, and how the TCHC continues which can be expensive. These stresses an episode of CTV’s W5 — an investiga- put themselves in danger. In W5, a woman to fail its residents. and costs mean less opportunity to invest tion watchdog program — it was found that residing in a west-end TCHC property said Violence in housing complexes for in important areas for the family, such as a number of tenants suffered from mental you have to be either “intelligent enough the underprivileged is a problem that can education or healthcare. health challenges. Among the numerous or articulate enough to make your needs be, quite literally, too close for comfort. In In addition, residents of low-in- tenants documented was a man called known”, otherwise you are “gone”. the past two years, both guests and ten- come communities are socially isolated ‘Dirty George’, who lived in a building at 200 In conclusion, systemic barriers ants have been victims of assault on gov- and can be endangered due to familial Wellesley St. in Toronto’s Sherbourne com- manifest as real, personal problems for ernment housing property. The Toronto relation to a criminal. The family of an in- munity. George, who suffered from mental residents of low-income communities. The Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) dividual who has crime ties has no privacy, illness and could not care for himself, lived twisted truth behind the inadequacy of the claims that they have “very little control and is socially marginalized and segregat- alone in deplorable conditions, and was Toronto Community Housing Corporation over who comes into [their] buildings”, but ed. Moreover, family members of criminals described to have been “left to rot in a pile is the existence of underlying systemic I disagree. How can this be true, when the may be victimized for leverage and used as of human filth”. The host of W5, Victor Ma- injustices surrounding race, class, mental TCHC boasts the power to arrest? In a be- a bargaining chip by a hostile third party. larek, had said that “W5 obtained internal health, policing, and criminality. Marginal- hind-the-scenes video posted by TCHC’s For instance, take the abduction of 14-year- security documents that paint a frighten- ized and underprivileged individuals are Special Constable team, a neighbourhood old Shammah Jolayemi. Shammah is a ing picture of what has gone on in Toron- unfortunately caught in a vicious cycle of Special Constable is heard saying “we youth who was on his way to school when to Community Housing buildings over the crime, mental illness, and poverty, and are have all the same powers on our proper- he was abducted by an unknown party in past three years, [including] 88 attempted not being provided the resources they need ty as the Toronto Police...[and] we’re more retribution for a drug-deal conducted by his murders and 39 murders [in 2010]. In fact, to escape it. Not only the TCHC, but the than capable [of making arrests]”. If this is step-brother. if Toronto Community Housing were its own entire government of Toronto must step in the case, it begs the question: why is To- “More than one-third of Toronto’s city, it would have the highest murder rate and enact justice for these individuals, their ronto Community Housing not taking mea- shootings and homicides” take place in in all of Canada”. It has also been found families, and their communities. sures to reduce crime on its properties? TCHC complexes. Gun violence has risen that “children in low-income, urban settings Entire families can be jeopardized sharply in recent years, creating a number are exposed to violent crime rates that ex- by this prejudice and environment of crim- of problems for our healthcare system, as ceed the national average by 4 to 10 times, inality. Many social services and programs well as depleting other resources such as [and] fewer than 20% of children who need

Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 septembre 2020 7 Health and Wellness

unite entire towns, cities and countries. In on a level of its own. 32 nations from ev- very successful past, having only qualified The Beautiful areas where soccer is popular, nearly ev- ery corner of the globe, vying for the same for the men’s World Cup once in 1986 in eryone tunes in to follow their team. Soccer prize. Soccer fans (which, around the time Mexico, then being eliminated in the group Game: Canada’s is more than just a game. For many, it’s a of the World Cup, seems to be everybody stages. However, Canada has prevailed on way of life. The 11 players on the field not in sight) are filled with a sort of crazed, yet some occasions, winning the CONCACAF time to shine only represent their team, but the people totally lucid sense of passion and animosity Gold Cup (North America’s continental who support them. towards others. A typical afternoon in Cor- championship) twice, the first time in 1985, Michael Aquilino Soccer’s impact on everyday life so Italia (St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto), and a more recent win in 2000. Contributor is especially apparent during major inter- post Italian victory, is sure to be filled with A lack of development and ex- national tournaments. The UEFA European hundreds of flags flying, car horns honking posure of youth to the sport may be one Football, fútbol, fußball, futebol, calcio. Championship (Europe) and the CONME- and people cheering in harmony (though of the reasons that Canada continues to These five words essentially translate into BOL Copa América (South America) are the same definitely cannot be said for an come up short. Nonetheless, not all hope is the same thing: soccer. Break it down to two great examples of internationally con- Italian loss). The World Cup unites, but has lost. North America’s Major League Soccer its most basic of forms and get, simply, a tested soccer tournaments, both of which also divided many people during its tenure, (MLS) has gained immense prominence in game played with two feet and a ball. But ignite a fire of excitement within many creating an atmosphere of both happiness recent years, with three Canadian teams no matter how straightforward it is at its communities. Hosted on a quadrennial ba- and, oftentimes, sorrow. Regardless of the participating: Toronto, Vancouver and base, this sport is as complex and divine as sis, these tournaments will undoubtedly be result of a match, one thing remains true: Montreal. The establishment of the all-Ca- any other. Every country with borders that the centre of attention. Whether England the joy felt while being with friends, family nadian Premier League in 2017 has also lie within planet Earth has felt a connection, is playing Germany or Brazil is taking on and even utter strangers, while all support- played a role in helping to foster a new gen- albeit, some greater than others, to o jogo Argentina, the games always grasp hold ing the same cause, is quite frankly unri- eration of Canadian soccer players. There bonito — the beautiful game. of people’s curiosity. Spectators are sure valled. is certainly a bright future for the sport in Soccer is a game of passion, cre- to be glued to their screens while a match While many Canadians may al- Canada, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup to ativity and freedom. While other sports may is under-way, with hope that their team will ready love and enjoy the game, they are be hosted here, in collaboration with the have the ability to showcase similar traits, eventually be crowned champions. often found cheering for teams other than, United States and Mexico. Billions of peo- soccer conjoins them in a way that sparks However, while these smaller well, Canada itself. Canada fields multiple ple worldwide have already been exposed unity. When an important match is airing, continental tournaments may rock a nation, national soccer teams, both men’s and to the beautiful game; it’s time to finally get whether at a bar, in a living room or at the nothing can compare to the tropical storm women’s, yet not one seems to garner as the ball rolling, literally, in the north. pitch itself, the electricity within the space of the FIFA World Cup. This tournament, much attention or support as other nations is truly gratifying. Soccer has the power to which is also held every four years, it is do. In all fairness, Canada has not had a

Photo par Michael Aquilino

8 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • September 30, 2020 Santé et bien-être

Conseils pour bien réussir en ligne ce semestre Alyssa Winder Contributor

L’année 2020 est remplie d’incertitude. En raison de la pandémie COVID-19, un monde basé sur l’interaction sociale, s’est très vite transformé en appels zoom, en courriels, en manque d’opportunités et en un montant innombrables d’événements annulés. En mars 2020, les étudiants sont tout d’un coup passés de cours magistraux organisés sur le campus aux cours en ligne en quelques jours. Avec une transition si brusque, les étudiants et les professeurs ont été laissés dans un état de stress. Maintenant que le semestre d’automne est Photo par Alyssa Winder offert en ligne, j’entends plusieurs dirent qu’ils ne savent pas comment ils vont réus- la tête et les yeux. Au lieu de lire sur l’or- sir en ligne. Bien que l’université en ligne dinateur, imprimez vos lectures à faire et ne soit pas la méthode d’apprentissage lisez-les dans un endroit confortable avec préférée de tout le monde, il existe encore un café au lait aux citrouilles et aux épices. de nombreuses façons d’améliorer virtuel- Consulter régulièrement vos e-mails lement vos performances académiques. Comme nous sommes dans l’ère digitale, toute la communication se fait à travers Faire un horaire et un calendrier les e-mails, SMS ou messages sur les Comment est-il possible de se souvenir des réseaux sociaux. Vos professeurs enver- multiples dates importantes si vous n’avez ront certainement des courriels concer- pas d’horaire ? Vous pouvez marquer des nant les mises à jour des cours, les dates événements tels que les dates d’échéance, d’échéance et les notes. N’oubliez pas de les appels zoom, les rendez-vous, les jours vérifier constamment vos e-mails tout au de travail et les dates académiques im- long de la journée. portantes. Vous pouvez également créer un guide pour la façon dont vous voulez Se réveiller tôt employer votre temps avec vos heures de De nombreux étudiants sont souvent coup- cours et les diverses choses qui se passent ables de faire la grasse matinée, par contre dans votre vie quotidienne. se réveiller tôt vous aidera à accomplir des travaux davantage au cours de la journée. Trouver un endroit calme Étudier efficacement à la maison est parfois Prendre du temps pour soi-même un défi, surtout si vous avez un chien qui Le temps consacré au bien être personnel aboie constamment, ou le son de la télévi- est certainement la partie la plus importante sion en arrière-plan. Malgré les nombreus- de la journée. Que ce soit pour regarder un es distractions qu’il pourrait y avoir, il est bon film ou lever le pinceau pour faire de possible de se trouver un espace dédié ex- l’art, il est important de prendre du temps clusivement pour les études. Assurez-vous pour les choses que vous aimez faire. Cela que votre espace ait un bureau puis une vous aidera à vous sentir organisé et vous chaise confortable. Aussi, vous pouvez uti- rendra heureux. liser une musique apaisante sans paroles, et un casque antibruit. Il est aussi possible, Bien que ce soit une année particu- dépendant des restrictions de votre région, lière--pour ne pas dire hors-norme, nous d’aller à la bibliothèque ou à un café, sans pouvons toujours atteindre nos objectifs. oublier, certainement de porter un masque N’oubliez pas de prendre soin de vous et et de se désinfecter les mains. de vous protéger. Portez un masque et pra- tiquez la distanciation sociale. Apprenez-en Imprimer les lectures davantage sur vous-même et acquérez de Avoir les yeux collés à l’écran pour des nouvelles connaissances qui vous guid- heures consécutives peut être difficile pour eront pour le reste de votre vie.

Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • le 30 septembre 2020 9 Issues and Ideas

They plan to carry this out by demolishing Review & Opinion: low-rise government housing complexes and building condominiums in their place, Displacing Blackness ultimately displacing residents, who will be moved to other low-income areas sim- by Ted Rutland ilar to Regent Park. There, they will await the inevitable continuation of the cycle of Ameer Shash gentrification, and ultimately the day they Contributor are displaced once again. These residents consist predominantly of immigrants, the It was in September of 2019, during the elderly and the most vulnerable popula- second year of my undergraduate degree, tions in our city, who find neighbourhoods when I learned of a book named “Displac- like these “the ideal community for low-in- ing Blackness: Planning, Power, and Race come families in housing hardship”. in Twentieth-Century Halifax” by Ted Rut- Rutland equates the lack of con- land. This book paints a bleak tableau of sultation with these residents to “political middle-aged men working in deplorable exclusion”. Given these community mem- conditions for minimum wage, and be- bers’ exclusion from politics, I can theorize ing removed from their homes. The book that policymakers characterize the people struck a chord in me that rings in my ears who live in slums as persons with “immoral to this day. Recently, the Black Lives Matter behaviour, [as well as] high rates of illness”. movement and the killing of George Floyd As such, policymakers believe that these has garnered such global media attention people should not be included in political that I decided to dive deeper into the novel. conversation, because they are deemed stances of “uneven development”. Today, cation from other countries invalid, means In the text, Rutland explains that unfit to make informed decisions. Beyond marginalized communities endure even having to resort to precarious and menial people who identify as black in Halifax are the book, I want to draw from some of my more social and systemic issues, such as work, for example, working as a custodian, subject to oppression in the forms of failed own experiences in the education system gun-related violence, and poorly funded taxi driver, or fast-food worker to support urban planning and poor political structure here in Ontario. I, for one, have been sub- education and recreation. Education and an entire family. These struggles that come characterized fragmentally as subjugation. ject to similar discrimination by Toronto’s recreation are essential to the health of with being racialized in Canada, and that Rutland explains that unwarranted involve- school board when it came to making aca- communities, because they ensure kids are magnified for immigrants, seem to be ment of developers and builders, and their demic decisions such as choosing courses engage in meaningful and healthy activities universal. My and my family’s experienc- lack of consultation with impoverished, for secondary school. “Are you sure you instead of partaking in illicit activity outside es have been quite akin to those of black often black, residents, caused these res- can do well academically?”, my guidance of school. When it comes to conversation Haligonians. idents to be displaced from their homes. counselor would ask, whenever I consulted around these social and systemic issues, My personal thoughts on Rut- This was disguised as ‘urban renewal’. The her on my choices. I disagree with anyone the victims in the situation, marginalized land’s book are mixed. Rutland gives a homes in which these people once lived who demeans one’s intellect and skills communities, are largely left out. We must well-detailed description of the main issues were sold to the highest bidder, and they simply because of their skin colour. Black ask ourselves, is this not akin to how politi- surrounding the housing crisis in Halifax were displaced. These conditions ultimate- Haligonians in recent years have been rec- cians disregarded concerns around decent as it relates to Black Haligonians. He also ly led black Haligonians to live in isolation, ognized by our government, namely the living conditions for these black Haligo- gives background information and context, which can cause mental illness, a possible Bank of Canada, for their advocacy and nians? and critiques ongoing issues with cited reason why there is a high rate of illness relentless work ethic to bring economic As one who identifies as a black works from other publications to reinforce in this community. Rutland argues addition- growth and social reform. Viola Desmond Canadian and the son of immigrants, many his ideas and stance. While reading, I ob- ally that moving families from the “slums” was one of these advocates — a Hali- systemic barriers have presented them- served Rutland providing solutions to public to other parts of the city severs the ties of fax-born black woman who contested racial selves over the years to my family and I. housing problems and gentrification, which extended families. This, too, affects men- segregation at a movie theatre. Desmond’s I have been subject to racially-charged I felt enhanced the quality of the work. One tal health because family is of paramount advocacy led to her commemoration on a accusations by clients at work. These ac- thing I wish Rutland did more of is compare importance in building and maintaining new version of Canada’s ten-dollar bill to cusations went along the lines of, “Why the systemic problems of other cities with healthy interpersonal relationships. How continue the “legacy and the ongoing pur- is he working that job? Not sure if he can those of Halifax. I feel this would be helpful, can Halifax “protect the ‘physical and moral suit of human rights and social justice in be trusted with those assets”. This state- because other readers could make better health of city residents’”, when its poorly-de- Canada”. ment alludes to the prejudiced notion that sense of the severity of what black Haligo- signed social and physical infrastructures To speak more on the book, con- black people cannot be trusted with valu- nians go through. On a last note, Rutland are doing the complete opposite? Rutland’s struction personnel, who were a part of able items, because they are portrayed in quite accurately describes what life can be main argument throughout the novel is that the development project, were injured and the media as thieves. In addition, during like for low-income and racialized commu- British Colonialism has contributed to the construction was seen as an “effective act hiring processes, employers have always nities, despite being white. oppression of black Haligonians, because of war”. The government’s and developers’ seemed disinterested upon first impres- Halifax, as well as other munici- the British forcibly acquired the land and lack of consideration for these workers sion at interviews. It seemed like they were palities in Canada, continue to displace our Halifax’s approach to urban planning has caused inadvertent conflict between black disappointed due to the fact that the voice most vulnerable and under-represented affected black people disproportionately. and non-black communities, as well as they heard over the phone doesn’t match populations. However, residents-turned-ac- Another example of a marginal- between politicians. It is inappropriate to my physical appearance. Another exam- tivists are vocal in bringing about justice ized community subject to social and sys- disregard critical and valuable feedback in ple is that it was difficult for my parents and awareness for underrepresented com- temic issues is Toronto’s Regent Park. This improving community safety and working to achieve university-level education, be- munities. Communities afflicted with such low-income area that houses residents liv- conditions. cause their degrees are considered invalid adversities must continue advocating and ing in Toronto Community Housing (TCH) Toronto today is not much differ- by Canada’s academic standards. A lack of liaising with their local politicians to ensure has merited plans by politicians and de- ent from Halifax back then: low-income education, caused either by poorly funded their voices are echoed loudly in city halls. velopers to “revitalize” the neighbourhood. communities are faced with similar circum- education or by Canada considering edu-

10 Pro Tem • www.protemgl.com • September 30, 2020