february 1, 2017 issue 10 | volume 27 nexusnewspaper.com camosun’s student voice since 1990

Playing to win Gamers defy gender stereotypes page six

CAMOSUN MOVES AHEAD ON NEW INTERURBAN BUILDING PAGE 3

STUDENT COMICS CLUB WELCOMES ALL PAGE 4

VICTORIA FILM FEST BRINGS FILMS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE PAGE 8 2 VIEWS February 1, 2017 student editor’s letter open space Multiple sides of every story Pronoun use shouldn’t trample camosun’s student voice since 1990 There’s no doubt about it: gender issues are touchy, contested topics. freedom of speech Next publication: February 15, 2017 It’s easy to see why some newspapers would shy away from them altogether, THOMAS BUSTEED cause of its lack of definition, to the CONTRIBUTING WRITER Deadline: 9 am Monday February 6, 2017 given that someone’s going to be upset at what’s written, no matter what. point where gender boils down to But they’re important issues to cover, and are certainly on the minds of Address: 3100 Foul Bay Rd., Victoria, BC, “Freedom is a fragile thing and “external or outward presentation V8P 5J2 students today. is never more than one generation through aspects such as dress, Location: Lansdowne Richmond House 201 For some talk on the usage of pronouns, see Open Space, on this very away from extinction”—power- hair, makeup, body language, or Phone: 250-370-3591 page, where new contributing writer Thomas Busteed argues that while ful words once uttered by Ronald voice,” as justice minister Jody Email: [email protected] we should be respectful, we must never lose our freedom of speech. Reagan. And these words could Wilson-Raybould said in a House Website: nexusnewspaper.com For several thousand more words on gender, head over to page 6, where not strike truer in recent days, as of Commons debate about the bill. features writer Quinn Hiebert explores what the gaming community is Publisher: Nexus Publishing Society freedom of speech is under fire in Peterson does not argue against like in 2017 for those who don’t identify as male. Are they marginalized? academia. respecting non-binary people or NEXUS PUBLISHING SOCIETY Bullied? Praised? Read on to find out. We live in a world where we accepting that transgender and STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS We’ve got some big news on page 3 about Camosun moving ahead on are no longer man and woman, non-binary people exist (as some Matt Gadd a new building at the Interurban campus, and what your student society but man, woman, and a growing claim he has), but he does argue Jayden Grieve thinks about it; of course, there’s tons more that I don’t have room to spectrum in between. We are on a against the flawed principle behind Patrick Newman talk about here; read on to find out what else we have in store this issue. cultural collision course between the legislation. Lynn Wohlgemuth As always, if you’ve got any ideas about what we should be covering, those who seek to crush the norms In Washington, abuses of the Jennifer Wyatt come by Richmond House 201 on Lansdowne campus for a chat. We send within Western society through progressive legislation concerned MANAGING EDITOR out our ideas to you, but, better yet, we want to hear yours, because it’s Greg Pratt post-modernist, constructivist phil- some when a male used a female your paper. That’s it for now; we’ll see you in two weeks! osophy and the more traditional change room last February. More STUDENT EDITOR Adam Marsh, student editor Adam Marsh (classical liberal/conservative) old importantly, it causes a dilemma [email protected] WEB EDITOR Mason Hendricks STAFF WRITER flashback Nobody should capitulate to those demanding Adam Boyle 25 Years Ago in Nexus FEATURES WRITER to put words in one’s mouth. Quinn Hiebert a coffin with the words “R.I.P. edu- STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER cation” on it. Jill Westby Ho, ho, we report a loss in guard, who do not see the virtue in for psychologists and other scien- ADVERTISING SALES fiscal 1991-1992: The headline undressing the world around them. tific professionals who research Greg Pratt “CCSS loses $$ on Santa photos” The refusal to submit to the and report on gender dysphoria, 250‑370-3593 says it all: apparently, renting a FREE Media (national) demands of social justice on cam- because, according to some experts, Santa costume and taking photos pus can often result in professors the science is far from settled. [email protected] is a money-losing venture at a col- 780-421-1000 terminated for discussing what they Many of those against Peterson CONTRIBUTORS lege. Noted. believe to be true. Nobody should have called for his livelihood and Sean Annable How do they rank up today?: capitulate to those demanding to career because they believe that he Thomas Busteed That’s one way to get the mes- For Speak Up in this issue we asked Jayden Grieve put words in one’s mouth, and to does not want transgender people sage across: The story “Tuition students at Interurban how they felt David McEwan do so goes against the principles integrated into society, which is Finlay Pogue freeze unlikely” in our February about some campus-specific issues. of liberalism. simply not true. He believes that Matt Smith 3, 1992 issue talked about how Student Richard Neufeld told us, Jordan Peterson is a tenured freedom of speech is a fundamental Felicia Santarossa Tom Perry, who was the provincial “Some of the instructors here are Aaron Stefik professor of psychology at the Uni- right that we use as a tool to have minister of advanced education less than competent. The college versity of Toronto, and author of honest discourse without the fear at the time, had recently visited should hire better teachers and Maps of Meaning: The Architec- of violence, because suppressing Camosun College. The Camosun start evaluating them.” Neufeld’s ture of Belief, a book that details ideas from public conversation can College Student Society, unhappy comment got us thinking: how do the psychological mindset of those create resentment. at the state of tuition, gave Perry a you feel instructors at Camosun are who justified their atrocities in the Ironically, those protesting little gift welcoming him to campus: here in 2017? Let us know! name of National Socialist and against Peterson’s argument for Something on your mind? If you’re a Communist dictatorships that dev- freedom of speech are protesting Camosun student, send Open Space letters astated Europe and Asia. against the ground they stand on, submissions (up to 500 words) to Remembering Peter Verin Peterson spoke up for what he stomping on the same freedoms [email protected]. I remember Peter holding court in the basement cafeteria of the old believes to be true in a YouTube that the gay liberation movement Include your student number. Thanks! SUB at UVic while I was there in the early 1990s (re: “Post-secondary video, dissecting the proposal to was able to stand up and argue for. staple Peter Verin dies at 71,” January 18, 2017 issue). Fresh young minds add gender expression and gender As a freedom-loving, patriotic were schooled and broadened by this man who proved that one should identity to the Canadian Human Canadian, I believe that everyone All editorial content appearing in Nexus is property of the Nexus Publishing Society. Stories, photographs, and artwork never judge a book by its cover. RIP Peter. Rights Act and Bill C-16. Kelli Busey has the right to argue in civil dis- contained herein cannot be reproduced without written permis- sion of the Nexus Publishing Society. The views and opinions AL VAN AKKER of planettransgender.com said on course under the mutual expect- expressed herein are those of the authors, not of Nexus. Nexus has no official ties to the administration of Camosun VIA NEXUSNEWSPAPER.COM that site that “his articulations are ation of non-violent debate, for College. One copy of Nexus is available per issue, per person. Hearthstone blues nothing short of crass hate speech”; without debate, there is no learning. Send a letter And despite all these deck changes, aggro decks still plague the meta however, I believe the reasoning It’s up to students and professors to Nexus prints letters to the editor. Nexus reserves the right to refuse publication of letters. Letters must in - and are still the most reliable and cheap way to fish out wins (re: “The goes much deeper. stand up for each other’s freedom of clude full name and student number if a Camosun stu - dent (not printed). Nexus accepts all letters by email to Bi-weekly Gamer: Shaking up the play styles in Hearthstone,” January Bill C-16 is sloppily written, speech, regardless of if you agree or [email protected]. We reserve the right to edit all letters. 4, 2017 issue). not because it seeks to protect the disagree with what the other person ANONYMOUS STUDENT transgender community, but be- is saying. OVERHEARD AT NEXUS: “Maybe he likes being shat on.” VIA NEXUSNEWSPAPER.COM

How do you feel about international students paying more than domestic students to come to Camosun? by Adam Marsh

ALYSSA ZICARI SAMANTHA ZYCHUK PAUL PUPUIS EMMA POOLE COLIN TURBIDE KEFU XIE “I can understand the extra “I don’t think it’s really “I think it’s okay, because “They should be paying the “I don’t feel like that’s very “For me, to be an fees with travel or housing, fair for tuition. It should if it was the same price same. They’re just regular fair. I’m sure they have international student but just for tuition to pay be the same amount; there would be a risk students like us.” their reasons; I don’t know here… it’s expensive for me for classes to attend, I think students should all have that domestic students too much about it. They and also for my parents, it should be the same for equal opportunities, and it wouldn’t have the same pay way more; I saw on because I get money from everybody.” shouldn’t cost one student opportunities coming the website. It’s not really my parents.” more just because they’re to school. International encouraging anyone to from somewhere else.” students could sort of flood come to Camosun besides the market.” just domestic students.” nexusnewspaper.com NEWS 3 education Camosun to construct $48.5-million building at Interurban

“It’s been our highest priority for a very long time now.” JOHN BORAAS CAMOSUN COLLEGE

“It is a bit of a concern that the college itself has to take on some of the cost associated with it.” RACHAEL GRANT CAMOSUN COLLEGE STUDENT SOCIETY

PHOTO PROVIDED An artist’s representation of Camosun’s new Health and Science Centre at the Interurban campus. ADAM MARSH Boraas says the $5 million of is “primarily focused on the shell of help Camosun students as they’re into fundraising for this building STUDENT EDITOR the funding that Camosun will con- the building,” and he says that is taking courses at the college. rather than, say, fundraising for stu- Camosun College is building tribute will come from community what will be completed by spring “Both the faculty and students dent bursaries and scholarships. It a new Health and Science Centre fundraising, an initiative the college 2018. will have the benefits of a brand-new would be ideal for the government to at Interurban, thanks in large part began about four years ago. “A lot of work will continue on building,” he says, “which consoli- pay for it in full; it would be of more to provincial and federal funding. “We did a massive community the inside,” he says. “It’s necessary dates all of the teaching.” benefit to students to approach it in The $48.5-million project is being engagement on what people saw for us to have shovels in the ground, The new building will be ad- that way, but it is positive to see this funded with $12.5 million from the as the need for health education really, within about six weeks. You’ll jacent to the Pacific Institute for area being prioritized and expanded federal government and $31 million in the south island,” he says. “We see construction beginning to occur Sport Excellence (PISE). Wilkinson upon.” from the provincial government, re-prioritized it as our first priority almost immediately.” says the two facilities will serve one Grant also points out that al- with the college paying the rest. for the college, and government BC minister of advanced edu- another in a positive way. though having one program all in Camosun vice president of edu- picked up on it.” cation Andrew Wilkinson says he “The students will have an en- the same building could “arguably cation John Boraas says dialogue Boraas says the college has is very happy with the progress tirely improved learning experi- enrich the learning process,” she has been bouncing back and forth hired architects, contractors, and Camosun is making in the area of ence,” says Wilkinson. says that the student society would between interested parties for three project managers to ensure that health and sciences. He says the fed- Camosun College Student So- like to see the building placed clos- decades. Funding for the building, the building is completed by the eral program will fund construction ciety external executive Rachael er to the Centre for Business and which Boraas says will begin con- spring of 2018, as per the provincial until February 2018. Grant says that it’s great to see the Access. struction within six weeks, didn’t government’s demands. However, “We put it forward as a priority beginning stages of this building, “The proposed location for this get the green light from the govern- Boraas says internal construction project,” he says. “We have to push but that it’s troubling that Camosun building is so far away from the ment until this past year. may continue past that deadline. the constructors to do it in a timely has to cover any of the cost. rest of the buildings, which puts “It’s continued to be on our “Keep in mind there are two basis so that we can take full advan- “It is a bit of a concern that the students who will be utilizing that highest priority capital list,” he says, different funding pots,” he says. tage of the federal funding. Gladly, college itself has to take on some building in a position to be more “and it’s been overtaken by other “We have federal funding—the stra- the federal government agreed, of the cost associated with it,” says isolated from accessing transpor- provincial government priorities. tegic initiative funding—and then because they don’t always agree Grant, “because that, by default, tation hubs and the rest of students But it’s been our highest priority regular provincial capital funding.” with our choice of projects.” spreads the resources of the college on campus,” she says. “Ideally, the for a very long time now.” Boraas says the federal funding Wilkinson says this building will more thin. Energy needs to be put building would be built elsewhere.” NEWS BRIEFS

Camosun seeking Camosun’s Ken mast on January 27 in memory of reducing the college’s environ- Union (OPSEU). OPSEU says col- MacDonald. mental footprint. More informa- lege presidents are not doing what feedback on policy MacDonald tion on the college’s sustainability is in the best interest of students. Of Camosun College is inviting passes away Camosun gets greener efforts can be found at camosun.ca/ the provinces, Ontario receives the students and faculty to provide Camosun Sheet Metal and Metal Camosun College is now a part- sustainability. lowest funding per student. feedback on the most recent draft of ner with the Ministry of Environ- Fabrication Foundation program Ontario union -ADAM MARSH their Sexual Violence and Miscon- instructor and program leader Ken ment’s Carbon Neutral Government Got a news tip? Email duct Policy. The deadline for input is MacDonald recently passed away. Program; the program recently upset over college [email protected] to February 10. An online survey can be MacDonald started at Camosun in received the Premiere’s Partnership executives’ salary fill us in. filled out at camosun.fluidsurveys. Award, which is given for promo- Want to be a news writer? No 1998; he helped design the sheet Colleges in Ontario want to raise com/s/svmp2feedback. Camosun ting excellence and innovation. experience necessary! Email us or metal shop in the Centre for Trades the salaries of their executives by as will be implementing this policy in Camosun’s office of sustainability stop by our office (201 Richmond Education and Innovation. Flags much as 54 percent, according to the May of this year as per provincial at the college were placed at half- has been working closely with many House, Lansdowne campus) today! legislation. provincial initiatives to continue Ontario Public Service Employees

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While you’re at it, we’re also on Facebook and Twitter, you know... Find us as nexusnewspaper on all three. See you there! 25 N 4 CAMPUS February 1, 2017 student club Camosun College student Comics Club welcomes all ADAM BOYLE STAFF WRITER “[Club members] come because of their love of With superhero movies every- video games or comic books.” where, video games becoming more mainstream, and general nerd life- AUDREY GREENLEES style becoming popular through CAMOSUN COMICS CLUB ORGANIZER mass media, it’s no surprise that comic books are making a huge surge in popularity. Even Camo- dent,” she says. “I found that fundraising has been quite the sun has jumped on this and has a although through writing I could change for her. program dedicated to graphic novel be very descriptive, [my ideas] never “Leading the club is a lot of cat and comic book design. came out quite right on the page herding,” she says. “Last semester There is now also a comic book with just words. I just started to take was a little more casual. This semes- club started by the students in the my drawing ability and mash them ter I’m starting to jump through a lot program. all together. Many of the other club more hoops to get things done, and The club accepts everyone as members have similar stories; they that’s proving to be a little bit of a members, no matter if they’re in come because of their love of video learning curve. Other than that, it’s the Comics and Graphic Novels games or comic books.” not too much different from being program or not, or if they can draw Fellow club and program mem- a regular member, just a few more or not. One of the organizers of the ber Lorysa Fernandez says that papers to read.” Comics Club, Audrey Greenlees, she’d love to see more people who Fernandez says that she feels says that more goes on in the club are interested in comic design take that the emphasis on sharing ideas than just their program work. a chance and try out the program and working together on projects “We get together and talk about and the club. brings a valuable dynamic to comic the latest things we’ve been reading “There are so many people that design that she wouldn’t be able to and the animes people are watch- I’ve met and as soon as I say what get if she were to work on her ideas ing,” she says. “Last semester, program I’m in, they sound so in- by herself. things were really casual. This se- terested, but then they say that they “It’s one thing to look at some- mester, we’ve been trying to get can’t draw,” says Fernandez. “The thing you don’t like and say, ‘I hate fundraising started. We’re hoping truth is, not everyone can draw, but you, you’re going into a lock box, I’ll to contribute toward the Camosun I’ve seen some great storytellers pull you out in three years when I de- Comic Arts Festival that’s happen- who’ve figured out how to get their cide I don’t hate you anymore.’ You ing in April.” story across and work around that. can’t do that when you’re collabor- Some feel that people are born We really hate the notion that art is ating; the other person is relying on with a natural talent to draw, paint, a natural born talent, because that’s your part of the work. Collaborating or sculpt. Greenlees says that while not true. It’s a skill, and we definitely is one of the most important parts of she had a little talent before she want to show people if you want to this, and why I would say that being came to college, the program at learn how to draw, just start.” in the environment of like-minded Camosun has helped her to refine Being one of the leaders of people helps a lot. I already know I her ability. the club doesn’t come without its want to do some animation work JILL WESTBY/NEXUS “When I first started at Camo- responsibilities for Greenlees. The with a couple of others once we are Camosun College Comics Club organizer Audrey Greenlees. sun I was a creative writing stu- transition from easy club days to done the program.” know your profs Camosun’s Ada Barker knows the future is bright

That I watch The Voice religious- camosun’s student voice since 1990 ly. #TeamBlake

5. What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher Camosun student? here? I love being in the classroom and Want to write for a in clinic and working with students who want to learn. newspaper? 6. What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you as a teacher here? Join us. When it’s Thursday and you think the food truck is coming and it doesn’t. JILL WESTBY/NEXUS Camosun Dental Hygiene prof Ada Barker and friend. No experience 7. What do you see in the future ADAM BOYLE 1. What do you teach and how of post-secondary education? STAFF WRITER long have you been at Camosun? I am hopeful, and in being with necessary! Know Your Profs is an ongoing Professional practice and clin- my students I know that our future series of profiles on the instructors ical theory and practice in Dental is bright. at Camosun College. Every issue Hygiene. 25 years. we ask a different instructor at 8. What do you do to relax on If you’re interested in Camosun the same 10 questions 2. What do you personally get the weekends? volunteering at an in an attempt to get to know them a out of teaching? I like to cook. Friday night cheap little better. If you have an instructor The fact that I get to work, learn, dates with my husband means award-winning student you’d like to know more about, but and explore with colleagues and Netflix and Engevita yeast-covered newspaper, stop by our perhaps you’re too busy to ask them students on a daily basis is a real popcorn with butter. yourself, email editor@nexusnews- privilege. It’s good for my heart offices at paper.com and we’ll add them to our and soul. 9. What is your favourite meal? Richmond House 201 list of teachers to talk to. I’ve never met a meal I didn’t This issue we caught up with 3. What’s one thing you wish like. on the Lansdowne campus, Dental Hygiene prof Ada Bark- your students knew about you? email er to talk about being a samurai, That I’m a samurai re-incarnate. 10. What’s your biggest pet yeast-covered popcorn, and how peeve? [email protected], teaching is good for her heart and 4. What’s one thing you wish they Restaurants who charge extra or call 250-370-3591. soul. didn’t know about you? for guacamole. nexusnewspaper.com LIFE 5 festival Victoria Tea Fest rises from the dead to bring tea to town

“In Victoria, the popularity of tea is definitely growing. I think people on the west coast have a bit more of a connoisseur lifestyle.” JARED NYBERG VICTORIA TEA FESTIVAL REVIVAL

Historically, Moen claims, tea people to just come and ask all the may have been a “two brand in vendors questions. We try to make the supermarket” product, but in sure that the people we invite have recent years, especially locally, it has a lot to say, and almost all of them blossomed into a thriving industry, know their tea very specifically. It with many participants. isn’t limited to the education experi- “In Victoria, the popularity of ence in the symposium.” tea is definitely growing,” says Moen is very positive about the Moen. “I think people on the west prospects of the upcoming festival, PHOTO PROVIDED coast have a bit more of a connois- and he believes that it will be a suc- If you like talking about tea, looking at tea, and drinking tea, you’ll be happy to hear the Victoria Tea Fest is back. seur lifestyle. People want to know cess that could lead to many more JAYDEN GRIEVE Moen and co-organizer and a whole ceremony, or think about more, and with tea you can offer in the future. CONTRIBUTING WRITER fellow tea enthusiast Jared Nyberg their grandmother. Generally, it’s that. You can offer where it’s from, “The main reason it was created The Victoria Tea Festival ran for have decided to put the revival fes- a pretty happy experience.” how it’s produced, and really delve was for the people of Victoria,” he several successful years before it tival in a less formal light and really The festival will have many local into the different types of textures says. “My big hope is that they can ended in 2013. But local tea lovers open it up for everyone to enjoy. vendors, all of whom are passionate and notes that each cup can have.” pick it up and treat it the way they have cause to rejoice: The Inter- Moen claims that tea is a fantastic about their product. The organizers Along with the market, patrons want to and not have to adhere to national Tea Appreciation Society way to bring people together. have been careful to keep the festival will also get to attend the tea sym- any specific medium that we offer, has decided to put on the Victoria “In general, nobody hates tea. focused on the tea and ensure that posium, where they can learn all but just celebrate tea and take it and Tea Festival Revival to continue People might not like tea, people only products that contribute posi- about their favourite beverage. create their own festival.” the legacy of the previous festival. might have different preferences, tively to the culture will be featured. Topics range from tea sourcing and “This year we’re doing a tea whether it’s mint or black or chai tea, “What we’ve stayed away from grading to tea ceremonies. market and symposium at Nootka but generally it’s an easy medium to is inviting anybody with what we “The main focus of the tea fes- Victoria Tea Festival Revival Court,” says event co-organizer bring a large group of people togeth- call ‘candy tea,’” says Moen, “where tival is the market to show what’s Saturday, February 4 Ryan Moen. “We’ll be doing kind of er to celebrate,” says Moen. “There people start adding sugars, and sort available, but the other half is that $2 to $10 sliding scale an open-air market style, like you’d is a lot of conversation around tea. of navigate away from the tea. If they no matter how big or small the Nootka Court, see at a farmer’s market, and we’re It invokes so much personal nota- start adding sweeteners specifically festival gets, we are always using 633 Courtney Street expecting about 10 to 15 different tion. Some people only have tea by to change the taste, that’s where we education as our backbone,” says teavictoria.com vendors.” themselves; some people go through draw the line.” Moen. “A thing we encourage is for 6 February 1, 2017 FEATURE Playing to win Post-Gamergate, gaming is no longer a man’s world

he battle of the sexes within the gaming industry sometimes resembles a playground free-for-all. Words thought I would be totally against it, but he didn’t know that I basically watched all of the dogfights on History channel. are flung like mud, more than one person is bleeding, and everyone is screaming. Off to the side, a gaggle And so, we proceeded to play five games and I beat him at four of them. It was great.” T of kids are scratching their heads and wondering if they hear a noise. Sometimes, this behaviour draws some attention, an example being the Gamergate controversy. The online ha- rassment directed toward women during Gamergate caused many of them to become afraid for their THE POWER OF ANONYMITY lives—and they’re still dealing with the effects today. It’s difficult to write the words that I’ve been s we’re chatting, second-year Camosun English student Dan Allen-Lompert asks if I’m sure I want to hear called, or have seen used toward other female—as the words he uses to describe players online, and he shies away from telling me the most offensive. In terms well as male—players. They are violent, vicious, and Aof harassment, Allen-Lompert says there is a huge difference between video games and tabletop games. filled with hate. I’ve been called a cunt, a whore, and “Video gamers are anonymous,” says Allen-Lompert. “They can troll each other without having to see each others’ a slut; I’ve been told I need to go back to the kitchen; faces. Tabletop gamers, it’s a different environment. We’re all together, either being co-operative or competitive, so male gamers have told me they’re going to hunt me there’s a different aspect, especially when you’re being co-operative. A friend of mine will say certain things that I won’t down, rape me, kill me. say when we’re playing board games, but if we’re playing video games—even to my little lady—I will tell her she’s a All this because I love games. bad gamer. I’ll probably use the words ‘pathetic,’ ‘stupid.’” There are gamers who ignore that women are tar- I ask Allen-Lompert why he would say things like that. His answer is simple enough: he says it’s because he’s in geted, violently killed in-game, and hyper-sexualized, the mood for games. and that women lack decent representation in general. “It’s not a normal thing, where I just go up to her and go, ‘You’re pathetic, cook my food, go into the kitchen and Female gamers who speak up are immediately targeted make me a sandwich. This is pathetic, you’re pathetic.’ It’s not that,” he says. “It’s just, I’m in the mindset of video by male gamers, who send enough death and rape games, so it’s win or lose. And if I lose, then everything is pathetic. If I win, she didn’t help, I did all the work. But we threats to achieve the desired result: women being still won.” pushed out of the online world. Any online player can tell you how much of a pain other players can be. They stand in the fire and expect to live When video games first came out, they were through it, they don’t help at all, or they do something really, really stupid, and everybody dies. When that happens, “I was playing Overwatch and someone didn’t targeted toward everyone—if you had an interest, tempers flare, screaming happens, and someone usually ends up rage-quitting. Lorysa Fernandez, a student in the like my playing style. It’s not like I was sitting you could play—but that’s changed over the years. Comics and Graphic Novels program, says that she has been called some pretty strong words—including “fucking Women still play as much as they ever did, but gam- cunt”—and sometimes the other player didn’t even know she was female. back or coasting and letting other people play. I ing companies started to avoid acknowledging their “I was playing Overwatch,” says Fernandez, “a three-on-three elimination, and someone didn’t like my playing was just playing in a way this person didn’t view existence. style. It’s not like I was sitting back or coasting and letting other people play. I was just playing in a way this person as being perfect... they called me a f-ing And at some point it was decided that they didn’t didn’t view as being perfect, and they started typing into the message box, ‘This person’s trolling us, let’s report them.’ exist at all. They called me a f-ing c-word. First and foremost, you don’t know I’m actually female, because I was playing on my c-word.” boyfriend’s account at the time. That was one of the ones that really bothered me because it felt more like, how could LORYSA FERNANDEZ you possibly know I’m female? If they’re going to call you something, you find the exact reason that you get to throw CAMOSUN STUDENT that word in their face, but in a way that makes them respect you, not want to tear you down.” TABLETOP GAMING FOR THE KINDA-WIN Comics and Graphic Novels student Jessica Ruffolo—who recently won the TECTORIA Video Game Industry Award for Artists—says most gamers she knows are fine with her being a gamer. hile there is still a lot of pushback from “I usually try to talk to people who aren’t misogynists, so most of the boys I’ve talked to are just fine with it and it’s the video gaming industry toward chill,” says Ruffolo. “But if I do meet stran- W anyone who doesn’t identify as male, gers, I am a little bit cautious, you know? You board and tabletop gamers are a step ahead. LANtasy director of gaming Bonnie Beyea says that when she was hired don’t really know who they are yet.” at LANtasy—a broad-spectrum gaming convention that is being held on March 18 and 19 this year at Pearkes Recrea- Camosun College Student Society First tion Centre—she would only come on board if the directors let her write an anti-harassment policy, which they did. Nations director Draco Recalma—a two-spir- “I’m a huge believer that there has to be consequences for that sort of thing,” says Beyea. “We don’t see it a it second-year Indigenous Studies student— lot—knock on wood—especially in Victoria, but there has to be a policy clearly stating that we don’t accept that sort laughs when I ask if he’d been harassed of thing. That way, if there is a problem, it gives the convention people something to turn to and say, ‘You agreed to online before. our policies, you didn’t follow them, here’s the consequences.’ Maybe you’re scolded, depending on what it is, up to “It’s all the time. All the time,” he says. ejecting you from the convention, because it needs to be a welcoming environment for everyone.” “When I go out to play games, I have to put Beyea says that there are still troubles at conventions, and a lot of women are afraid to report them. She says she on a certain façade, I guess, and be more mas- saw it herself when she was doing security at PAX, a convention held in various cities around the world. culine, and then they’ll harass me less. But “Nothing made me more frustrated, but totally understanding, when, after the convention, you see a post on Reddit if I show any kind of sign of femininity, they or something from a woman who said, ‘I was at PAX and I got harassed.’ And it makes me want to cry, because my basically try to kick me out a lot of the time.” security team, that’s why we were there. Like, come see us, please, we will believe you. This is our job. But I totally Online players target others in the more understand why these women, and sometimes men, are afraid to report it, and that’s what we need to change. No notoriously violent video games; Fernandez victim blaming at PAX—if you report it, I’ll believe you. It’s that simple, right?” says that a female gamer is almost guaranteed This sense of inclusion that Beyea fights for may explain why women and non-binary folk are more—but not al- to get gunned down on the Grand Theft Auto ways—prominent in the tabletop or board-games communities. Audrey Greenlees, a student in Camosun’s Comics (GTA) network if they’re spotted. and Graphic Novels program, has found gamers at conventions to be accepting. “To be fair, if you’re on GTA, you know “Everyone has always been super happy just to have another person to play with,” says Greenlees. “I’ve never the world you’re stepping into beforehand,” personally perceived it as a gender thing, but I can be a little oblivious to that sometimes. Everyone I’ve ever sat down says Fernandez. “But I was on there with my to play with has always been really accepting, really understanding if I don’t know how to play a game, and helping significant other, so I knew I at least I had me figure out the rules. It’s kind of a big thing, because I’m usually very shy with people, but there’s something in someone to back me up if someone did come conventions that brings out the friendliness in everyone.” target me. But I didn’t realize, until this first For anyone unfamiliar with tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), game night usually involves a game master (GM) time I was starting to play the GTA online or dungeon master attempting to kill off the players in highly creative and entertaining ways. Death doesn’t come features, how male gamers target female because of a player’s gender or identity; when a player dies, it’s usually because dice rolls failed epically, or because gamers in that game. There are people who, of a player’s stupidity. if they see another online player, they’re just In one of the tabletop games I was in, a player had their plate-clad paladin jump into water to save two other char- going to gun them down anyway. But from acters—Telkhines—that were born in water. He refused to let go of his shield after he jumped in with it. The Telkhines what I’ve been told, if you’re a female gamer saved themselves as the GM required the player to make a series of dice rolls to see if he would drown (non-gamers, on the network, you’re almost guaranteed to get stay with us here). He almost did—twice—because he was adamant about rescuing his shield. “Back in high school, I did feel like I was one gunned down if you get spotted.” Beyea says sharing these types of stories is what makes tabletop so much fun. I’ve often wondered what someone gets out “When you get a good group together,” says Beyea, “that’s why I love board games and role-playing games. It’s the of those very rare girls who admitted to being of deliberately being mean to another player. shared social experience, sitting around a table, or online via hangouts. But I prefer the table—just sharing those kind a total geek and playing games.” Allen-Lompert says there’s a certain feeling of of stories, I love that. That’s why I get so enthusiastic about my hobby. Find the right group, because it’s amazing.” catharsis in being a troll. OLIVIA ROBERTS For casual gamers like Greenlees, playing with people online doesn’t have a lot of appeal, but board games do. CAMOSUN STUDENT “Especially if you’re an angry person like me Greenlees says that when her husband brought home a board game recently, he was worried that she would be upset and you dislike people,” says Allen-Lompert, because he’d been a little frivolous with the budget she sets. “and you’re very competitive when you want “I like to be sitting with friends in a room and catching up and laughing,” says Greenlees. “Lately I’ve been playing to play games. If I lose, I feel a lot better when I a lot of X-Wing Miniatures. It’s a tabletop game where you fly ships against an opponent and try and kill them. He just let it out, instead of just holding it in. And FEATURE nexusnewspaper.com 7

Story by Quinn Hiebert, features writer Playing to win Photos by Jill Westby/Nexus Post-Gamergate, gaming is no longer a man’s world thought I would be totally against it, but he didn’t know that I basically watched all of the dogfights on History channel. everybody tells us, ‘You should let it out anyway.’ It’s mostly a And so, we proceeded to play five games and I beat him at four of them. It was great.” catharsis. But if they’re stupid, once again, they deserve what they get. Most of the time, it’s not intentional. Probably about 80 percent of the time, it’s not intentional. But there’s a good 10 percent there when that person just deserves a good reaming.” THE POWER OF ANONYMITY Jordan Abrey, a Digital Production, Writing and Design student at Camosun, says that the world of gamers is a world of s we’re chatting, second-year Camosun English student Dan Allen-Lompert asks if I’m sure I want to hear poorly socialized people who aren’t very good at communicating the words he uses to describe players online, and he shies away from telling me the most offensive. In terms with each other. Aof harassment, Allen-Lompert says there is a huge difference between video games and tabletop games. “That’s why they’re there, playing video games,” says Abrey. “Video gamers are anonymous,” says Allen-Lompert. “They can troll each other without having to see each others’ “It’s easy; it’s comfortable for them. They don’t have to worry faces. Tabletop gamers, it’s a different environment. We’re all together, either being co-operative or competitive, so about embarrassing themselves or saying the wrong thing. there’s a different aspect, especially when you’re being co-operative. A friend of mine will say certain things that I won’t And when they’re in a situation when they’re playing with a say when we’re playing board games, but if we’re playing video games—even to my little lady—I will tell her she’s a girl—there’s probably like two girls in a server, or bad gamer. I’ll probably use the words ‘pathetic,’ ‘stupid.’” whatever—they find themselves in this position I ask Allen-Lompert why he would say things like that. His answer is simple enough: he says it’s because he’s in where they actually try. And they try and they fail. “I usually try to talk to people who aren’t the mood for games. They have elementary-school capabilities of getting misogynists, so most of the boys I’ve talked to “It’s not a normal thing, where I just go up to her and go, ‘You’re pathetic, cook my food, go into the kitchen and along with the opposite sex. Because they’ve been make me a sandwich. This is pathetic, you’re pathetic.’ It’s not that,” he says. “It’s just, I’m in the mindset of video so suppressed that they try, and they’re failing, are just fine with it and it’s chill.” games, so it’s win or lose. And if I lose, then everything is pathetic. If I win, she didn’t help, I did all the work. But we and they’re hurting… they’re offending the girls, JESSICA RUFFOLO still won.” and a lot of the time they feel really bad. But I don’t CAMOSUN STUDENT Any online player can tell you how much of a pain other players can be. They stand in the fire and expect to live really feel bad for the guys. I mean, I don’t think through it, they don’t help at all, or they do something really, really stupid, and everybody dies. When that happens, that they’re the villains. They’re saying the things, tempers flare, screaming happens, and someone usually ends up rage-quitting. Lorysa Fernandez, a student in the they’re doing the things, and they’re really wrong, Comics and Graphic Novels program, says that she has been called some pretty strong words—including “fucking obviously, but they’re just trying.” cunt”—and sometimes the other player didn’t even know she was female. While more of a console gamer, Olivia Roberts, also in the Comics and Graphic Novels program, says that she “I was playing Overwatch,” says Fernandez, “a three-on-three elimination, and someone didn’t like my playing hasn’t really experienced harassment. style. It’s not like I was sitting back or coasting and letting other people play. I was just playing in a way this person “But back in high school, I did feel like I was one of those very rare girls who admitted to being a total geek and didn’t view as being perfect, and they started typing into the message box, ‘This person’s trolling us, let’s report them.’ playing games,” says Roberts. “If you think about it in an isolated way, to me it’s not considered a bad thing. It actually They called me a f-ing c-word. First and foremost, you don’t know I’m actually female, because I was playing on my made me feel more unique, in a way.” boyfriend’s account at the time. That was one of the ones that really bothered me because it felt more like, how could you possibly know I’m female? If they’re going to call you something, you find the exact reason that you get to throw that word in their face, but in a way that makes them respect you, not want to tear you down.” DIVERSITY DILEMMAS Comics and Graphic Novels student Jessica Ruffolo—who recently won the TECTORIA Video Game Industry Award for Artists—says most gamers she knows are fine with her being a gamer. oday, diversity in video games leaves a lot to be desired. Women are shown to be weak, witless, incompetent, “I usually try to talk to people who aren’t misogynists, so most of the boys I’ve talked to are just fine with it and it’s and expendable. Fernandez says that the issue has become a lot more transparent over the past few years. chill,” says Ruffolo. “But if I do meet stran- T “In the ’90s, there was such a definitive boys-versus-girls side to it,” says Fernandez. “Because I played gers, I am a little bit cautious, you know? You Assassin’s Creed and I never once took a moment to realize there are several times when prostitutes in those games don’t really know who they are yet.” get held at knifepoint or at gunpoint and you never have an opportunity to save them. They’re literally pawns in the Camosun College Student Society First game. You can also use them to distract people, by basically walking in front of them and flirting with them. That’s Nations director Draco Recalma—a two-spir- what happens in an industry where we let the other gender dictate how we are depicted.” it second-year Indigenous Studies student— To the ire of the old boys’ club of the online world, gaming companies—board, tabletop, and video—are realizing laughs when I ask if he’d been harassed this need for better representation of non-male characters and are starting to embrace diversity. What the boys’ club online before. doesn’t seem to realize is that a lot of people aren’t actually asking that scantily clad women in video games disappear “It’s all the time. All the time,” he says. altogether. Greenlees says there’s nothing wrong with sexualizing some characters. “When I go out to play games, I have to put “There’s a niche for that,” she says. “I think the problem is that niche being mainstream. I look forward to it being on a certain façade, I guess, and be more mas- less mainstream and having more body positivity in all ways. I look forward to having a game sometime where heter- culine, and then they’ll harass me less. But onormative characters—male or female—are either equally proportionate to all others or the token characters, for a if I show any kind of sign of femininity, they change. Because it’s not just the women in gaming, it’s the trans women, the trans men, the asexual characters who basically try to kick me out a lot of the time.” you basically don’t see.” Online players target others in the more Ruffolo says that she wants to see more diversity in games as well, pointing specifically to the representation of notoriously violent video games; Fernandez women of colour. says that a female gamer is almost guaranteed “I don’t even necessarily want strong girl characters, just characters that aren’t objectified,” she says. “They can to get gunned down on the Grand Theft Auto have their flaws, and maybe they’re sensitive and everything, but they’re not treated so static, as a girl character often (GTA) network if they’re spotted. is. Just a real character.” “To be fair, if you’re on GTA, you know Roberts hopes that gaming companies will change their representation of women characters in the days to come. the world you’re stepping into beforehand,” “It’s fine to sexualize a little bit, but too much, and you’re kind of losing the main focus,” she says. “But in the future, says Fernandez. “But I was on there with my I’m hoping that there will be more fleshed-out characters, as opposed to just, ‘Oh, hey, you’re a female character, let’s significant other, so I knew I at least I had put the bounce simulator on you, and we’re good to go.” someone to back me up if someone did come Allen-Lompert doesn’t see a problem with the way women are portrayed in video games now, but he also says he target me. But I didn’t realize, until this first wouldn’t be upset if women got better representation. time I was starting to play the GTA online “I think women are in a huge position of power, because men just want to be with them,” he says. “That alone, features, how male gamers target female you can bend us to whatever way you want to bend us. I don’t have a problem with the way it is now. If I want to play gamers in that game. There are people who, a video game where there’s a smart lady, who’s dressed up in a formal uniform, like an office uniform, fine. I’ll play if they see another online player, they’re just that game. If it’s a good game, I’ll play it. But if it’s sexy ladies, sure, I might lean a little more toward the sexy ladies.” going to gun them down anyway. But from And Beyea says that sometimes you just have to call guys out on their behaviour, and make them think about it. what I’ve been told, if you’re a female gamer “All the guys I’ve ever dealt with, once you tell them, they’re like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s a thing, let’s start doing that,’” on the network, you’re almost guaranteed to get says Beyea. “Or often, they just don’t realize. Like, ‘Okay, what you just said there, that’s not cool, and here’s why,’ “Back in high school, I did feel like I was one gunned down if you get spotted.” and they’re like, ‘Oh, okay.’ So, personally, I’ve had to learn to stop doing the puff-up, because that doesn’t work, I’ve often wondered what someone gets out because then they’ll get hostile to me.” of those very rare girls who admitted to being of deliberately being mean to another player. a total geek and playing games.” Allen-Lompert says there’s a certain feeling of ale gamers took something I love—gaming and nerd culture—and turned it into something I refuse to catharsis in being a troll. do with others. Which takes some of the fun out of it. Part of being a nerd is getting really excited about OLIVIA ROBERTS “Especially if you’re an angry person like me the super-cool thing—board game, tabletop RPG, video game, console game, whatever—and sharing CAMOSUN STUDENT M and you dislike people,” says Allen-Lompert, it with as many people as possible. “and you’re very competitive when you want But nerds—like myself—are generally antisocial misfits with little to no points in charisma or social skills. We get to play games. If I lose, I feel a lot better when I passionate about a thing and don’t like to see other people tear it down. just let it out, instead of just holding it in. And So it’s time to rebuild. 8 ARTS February 1, 2017

theatre Victoria Film Fest brings films from around the globe to town

smaller town, actually serves to fos- ter anticipation for the event; larger “I wanted to tell a story that was about the film festivals are often swallowed potential for human evolution, about how to whole by their cities. “In big cities the festivals are move forward when you don’t know where you invisible, but in smaller places the are.” festival is everywhere and it creates a unique feeling,” says Finnish JORDAN ROBERTS BURN YOUR MAPS filmmaker Juho Kuosmanen, whose movie The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki is playing at the VFF. “At their best, they feel like family meeting, not like a festival.” Regardless of location and sta- piest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki too about the amount of freedom. tistics, it’s the films that are the is greater than the sum of its parts. That’s the priority.” beating heart of any festival; they’re “[The movie] deals with the As for the fest, it’s the com- vehicles of emotion, good and bad, expectations and the fear of being munication that a small festival and a chance for people to be togeth- a failure,” says Kuosmanen, adding can offer, and that independent er witnessing something beautiful. that it could be seen as “an allegory films can bring, that makes film In that regard, VFF is bigger than for filmmaking—if you want.” fests so valuable; when people stay life, offering films such as Jordan When discussing budding film- cloistered in their Netflix worlds, Roberts’ Burn Your Maps, about makers, Roberts says that they they lose the acuteness and intensity PHOTO PROVIDED a boy with the dream of living as a “need to pay attention to what that films can offer. Burn Your Maps is about a boy who wants to be a Mongolian goat herder. Mongolian goat-herder. stories are, go read good ones, go “Cinema is communica- FINLAY POGUE multicultural cast of players, with “I wanted to tell a story that was watch great films; tell stories that tion,” says Kuosmanen. “It hap- CONTRIBUTING WRITER films from around the world— about the potential for human evo- are about human beings.” And it’s pens between people, not inside The Victoria Film Festival (VFF) Japan, Australia, France, Denmark, lution, about how to move forward this approach that both Roberts and individuals.” is a city-wide event, with different Canada—on display, all converging, when you don’t know where you Kuosmanen have taken, valuing the movie houses pulling their own bringing new perspectives, shining are,” says Roberts. story—and what the story says— Victoria Film Fest weight, taking on showings; it’s new light on an old town so that its It’s films like Roberts’—ones over the glamour of big studios and Friday, February 3 a silent culture of film that takes good qualities may be seen anew. exploring themes of identity and big names. to Sunday, February 12 hold of the town, enthralling those The smaller size of the festival human relationships—that make “It’s not about the high various prices and venues in the know. The fest is host to a and its location, at the centre of a film festivals so important.The Hap- budgets,” says Kuosmanen. “It’s victoriafilmfestival.com

music festival Toronto’s USS return to second home Victoria Django Fest brings Roma flair

previous work; no surprise, con- long stood apart from other musical sidering the mindset around its genres for its unique instrumenta- creation was certainly happier. tion and style of performance. “The album is just overflowing “The main difference is that the uss - felicia with joy,” he says. “The songs might it’s a string band,” says Swain, not always seem like they’re happy “all strings, and very guitar-driven. songs, but it’s because it’s coming Django Reinhardt himself is the from the place where you’re healing greatest guitar player of all time; things that are moving you closer he really pushed the instrument. toward more happiness.” It becomes interesting, because Assisting other people to- with no drums, the stringed instru- ward their own happiness is what ments can take centre stage, and Buchholz hopes to achieve through occasionally a bit of clarinet, and a music. He also hopes to connect, PHOTO PROVIDED bit of horns. But with the stringed citing how people often feel isolated Django Fest organizer Oliver Swain. arrangement, you can sort of hear despite the linked nature of today’s more; you can hear the guitar more. AARON STEFIK In the world of guitar music, Django PHOTO PROVIDED world. He points to the song “Who’s CONTRIBUTING WRITER The members of Toronto’s USS are no strangers to Victoria. with Me?” on the album as an ex- is considered one of the greats, just ample of this. This month, venues along on the instrument.” FELICIA SANTAROSSA marks the first headlining run for “The intention is to say, ‘I’m Victoria’s waterfront district will Swain says the particulars of the CONTRIBUTING WRITER the band. It’s certainly exciting, says longing to feel connection, I’m be transformed into a world of style of music were very dependent Toronto’s USS (Ubiquitous Buchholz, who is preparing for the dying to feel connected, and that’s near-mystical performance art root- upon social and technological ele- Synergy Seeker) are playing not task through meditation and deep me praying for connection,’ and ed in the wayfaring soul of the Euro- ments that had evolved by the first one but two dates in town on their dubstep. If that sounds paradoxical, to everybody who’s praying for pean Roma and the sparkling jazz half of the century. current tour for new album New that’s what makes up Buchholz, and that connection, let’s just see what clubs of the first half of the 20th cen- “Suddenly there was radio really World Alphabet, and there’s a rea- he’ll proudly admit it. happens if we create that intention tury. It was by the blending of these changing the reality for the learning son for that: it was Victoria where “That’s where I like to live— to connect. Who’s with me?” two styles that Django Reinhardt, and spreading of music; it became the band first started to get noticed right in the sweet spot of simultan- As for what the band’s music ac- himself Romani, crafted a unique less of a regional expression,” he outside of Toronto. eous opposites,” he says. “I have tually sounds like, the term “strum amalgam of musical tradition that says. “And so, in this transition “In 2008, when our first song a philosophy in life that involves and bass” has been thrown around; is today celebrated across Europe away from regionalism as a culture, got discovered and started getting just constantly being in present of Buchholz describes it as “campfire and North America in the form of this incredible mixing together played on the radio, someone in zooming out. One eye’s a telescope after-party music.” Django festivals. happened with a lot of really unique Victoria heard it, and we played a and one eye’s a microscope; you’re “I’ve always had a fantasy of “We have a very vibrant local flowerings around the world, and show for the Fringe Theatre Fes- able to zoom into things and zoom wanting to hear Nirvana unplugged Django community, with a lot of this example of this group of Roma tival,” says vocalist/guitarist Ashley out of them just to get perspective.” but at a rave,” he says. “So I said, great, important international art- people getting interested and being Buchholz, who calls Victoria the Buchholz is no stranger to intro- ‘Well, I guess I’m just going to have ists based out of this area,” says fes- able to get very good at ragtime and band’s second home. “We played spection, having spent time in mon- to make it because I can’t hear it tival organizer Oliver Swain. “And I swing, primarily from Europe, was on the street and 800 people came asteries learning how an attitude anywhere.’” just thought that between that and something that was never possible and stood in the rain for four hours can affect a person’s entire reality. the culture of Paris in the ’20s and before that moment in time.” to wait for us to play.” “Happiness isn’t a feeling,” ’30s, there are a lot of elements that are really worth experiencing and Django Fest The experience was certainly a he says. “It’s a choice you make USS Friday, February 10; monumental one; Buchholz says the pretty much every moment with 7 pm Thursday, February 9 emulating, and the incredible music rain disguised his tears of joy. Since your attitude.” and how much I love it.” Saturday, February 11; 7 pm Sunday, February 12 Tuesday, February 14 then, the band has been a regular Despite how it may sound, $30, Alix Goolden Hall The style of jazz encapsulated by the performers at Django festivals, various prices and venues in Victoria’s festival lineups and Buchholz says the new album’s ussmusic.com at venues around town. This tour themes are lighter than the band’s known as hot jazz or gypsy jazz, has victoriadjangofestival.com nexusnewspaper.com ARTS 9 theatre Gracie explores polygamy from the eyes of a youth ADAM BOYLE STAFF WRITER “I’d like for people to listen to what Gracie has Gracie explores the life of a girl growing up in a polygamist society to say and think about what’s happening in our in Bountiful, BC. Local playwright own province, and to try and uphold the right to Joan MacLeod wrote the play; she says that she would like audience religious freedom, as well as how that impacts members to come away from the children that grow up in a polygamist play with a conscious mind about what’s happening in BC, and even community.” here in Victoria. JOAN MACLEOD “I’d like for people to listen to GRACIE what Gracie has to say,” she says, “and think about what’s happening in our own province, and to try and uphold the right to religious freedom, as well as how that im- pacts children that grow up in a polygamist community. It’s an interesting thing to look at, discuss, important to work closely with It’s inspired by some true and some and weigh in on.” your actors,” says MacLeod. “I fiction events, and that’s something Lili Beaudoin plays Gracie and, just came from the rehearsal hall; I do a lot of.” according to MacLeod, does a fan- we’ve been working intensely and MacLeod says that being a play- tastic job of taking on the role and I’ve been there every day, except one wright requires a lot of focus and responsibilities that come with a where I had to teach. In a premiere tenacity to be successful. one-person show. I think it’s really important that the “Writing is hard work; all stu- “She’s an amazing actor,” says playwright’s there.” dents know that,” she says. “So MacLeod. “She’s very young but Although a one-person show just having the discipline to write, very well trained, and she’ll try any- might seem intimidating to put rewrite, and persevere, even when it thing. When the play starts, she’s together, MacLeod has plenty of seems kind of crappy, is important. playing an eight-year-old and she experience writing them. Accord- Even when you write for the theatre, conveys the feeling of an eight-year- ing to her, Gracie actually follows you’re doing most of it alone, and, old. She’s very open emotionally and a pattern that is quite common in you know, I’d say that’s the hardest that’s very important for the type of her other work. part.” plays I write.” “In a way, it’s not different than MacLeod says that the play- my other plays. It follows a pattern; Gracie wright being present as much as this is my fifth one-person play. I Until Sunday, February 19 possible really helps get the direc- tend to write a play with a bunch of Various prices, Belfry Theatre tion, and the play, right. different characters and then follow DAVID COOPER belfry.bc.ca Gracie explores heavy topics through a one-person format. “In a premiere production it’s that one up with a one-person show. 10 ARTS/COMICS February 1, 2017 music From the Wolves use music to challenge religion

“Religion has caused a lot of issues in the world. It’s not just one religion—it’s all of them.” SHANE DEGRAAFF FROM THE WOLVES

And if I’m seeing something in the “For me personally, I believe in news that is happening in the world just being good human beings, and I feel connected to, I might write a lot of the people that get written about that.” about that affect me are due to The message behind DeGraaff’s people being either backstabbers music, he says, is to question re- or liars or trying to put on a façade ligion and deal with depression, that isn’t really there,” he says. “I death, and loss of loved ones. De- want to show everybody that we Graaff grew up in a very religious do have a very hard, aggressive school, and is now an atheist. His style, and it comes off that we are lyrics, he says, are critical of all very aggressive, but in all reality we religions, not just one. are upset with what has happened “I grew up in a very religious and transpired in the past, and we school and I’m an atheist,” he says. don’t want those things to happen DANNIELLE CHAVAUGHN “In all reality none of us are religious again. And hopefully, through the Calgary’s From the Wolves use their aggressive hardcore punk to deliver serious messages. at all. I think religion is a very stu- message that we bring, people stand DAVID MCEWAN ered punk, DeGraaff picked up a says. “Things that have happened pid topic, and it has caused a lot of up for themselves and for what they CONTRIBUTING WRITER bass guitar and started playing in to me. Things I see happening in the issues in the world. It’s not just one believe in.” Shane DeGraaff, lead vocalist punk bands. world. I try to stick with things that religion—it’s all of them.” of Calgary hardcore band From DeGraaff says that playing are affecting me personally, for the DeGraaff stands against religion the Wolves, says that his musical music has been a good release for most part. That way I can feel like I and injustice; what he does believe From the Wolves motivation came early: his father him; he says he gets his inspiration can have more of a message behind in, he says, is being a good human Saturday, February 11 was into music, so when DeGraaff for his lyrics from his daily life and it when I do put it to lyrics; then it’s being. He says he hopes that the $12, Logans Pub was a child he was already playing experiences. not just some hollow, empty thing. band’s message will cause people loganspub.com instruments. And when he discov- “I just take from daily life,” he I try to pull from those experiences. to stand up for themselves.

camosun’s student voice since 1990 What’s happening at nexusnewspaper.com

Week of January 23, 2017

Top five most read stories:

1. “Two spirit: beyond sex and gender,” April 2, 2014 2. “It’s always the season of the witch in Victoria,” October 23, 2012 3. “Camosun ranks second in BCcampus Open Textbook review, January 18, 2017 4. “Camosun grad co-founds unique sales outsourcing firm,” June 6, 2014 5. “Camosun College faculty member under investigation,” No- vember 25, 2016

New, web-exclusive stories:

“Brasstronaut keeps being different,” a look at how the Vancouver experimental alternative band manage to keep walking down their own path.

“Fundraising event aims to get your pants down,” a story about former Camosun student Piotr Burek’s fundraising event Pants off Dance Off, which raised funds for a cause and managed to encourage pants to be dropped all at once. nexusnewspaper.com COLUMNS 11

Dearest Reader by Aaron Stefik Calculated Thought by Sean Annable A proposal: Valentine’s day is a grand opportunity Investing: getting started

Dearest Reader, Now that you know the dif- you plan to make continuous, small To your most assured aware- It often being deduced among students that ference between an RRSP and a contributions, mutual funds can be TFSA (see last issue), how do you a cheaper way to do it. The down- ness, that so-talked-about festival tuition fees remain in excess of necessity, the of Valentine’s Day is again nearly get started investing? Banks have side is you pay a hefty management upon us. copious unspent remainder of that sum should discount brokerages—services expense ratio (MER), from one to Rarely has there been a holiday first be turned toward the subsidization of a that process purchases and sales of three percent. If the fund doesn’t which has come to be reckoned so investments—that they work with. do well, losses to your account are unpleasant and so widely and vastly student dating program wherein the most Do some research and find one that magnified. despised in the young people of our tormented unfortunates the campuses have to suits your needs. Another option that provides nation as this one. The burden of Once you have an account, you diversification is buying exchange lonesomeness that plagues they offer may be blended amongst one another and can start buying and selling secur- traded funds (ETFs). They are like who are either spurned by potential encouraged to go about their biological duties. ities. An important distinction is mutual funds—without the active lovers or elsewise left to fend for themselves on the cold streets while starry-eyed couples fawn over one another in passing and in constancy Investing in companies or funds without is—you must agree, dearest read- gram, wherein the most tormented semester by semester, such as research and analysis is basically gambling. er—amongst the grandest and most unfortunates the campuses have community advertisement and the rightfully embittering in our society. to offer may be blended amongst entirety of the international student In my usual fashion of ingenuity, one another and encouraged to program, might be curtailed, the I have conceived of a manner in go about their biological duties. capacity of the student body being which this otherwise divisive and Within a mere handful of years, thus manufactured domestically. the difference between investing management—but can be bought gruelling trial of a holiday may be the resultant format might easily Let it be assured, in sum, that and speculating. Investing in com- and sold on an exchange. Some turned not only to the benefit of the be converted to a veritable student wherever social holidays have lost panies or funds without research brokerages offer commission-free forlorn individual, but to that of the breeding program, and thus a new their relevance in a culture of per- and analysis is basically gambling. purchases of select ETFs, and the college as well. crop of potential Camosun alumni vasive loneliness, such celebrations Investing means taking a reduced, MER is up to 10 times lower. If It often being deduced among raised every year from the loins of may yet always be turned to sensible calculated risk, and knowing what you buy ETFs that aren’t commis- students that tuition fees remain in the current population. and pragmatic ends. Wherever the you’re buying. sion-free, transaction fees add up excess of necessity, the copious un- This being accomplished, heart of the wayward individual has Rather than analyzing and in- quickly, so some advisors recom- spent remainder of that sum should all other expensive and wasteful been made cold to the prospect of vesting in single companies, which mend this approach for those with first be turned toward the subsid- endeavours in service of supple- love and of comfort, rationality takes a decent amount of financial at least $50,000 to invest. ization of a student dating pro- menting the college’s populace provides. prowess, mutual funds are a popular There is much more to learn alternative. Fund managers pool in- about how to actually build an vestors’ money together and invest investment portfolio. You should The Bi-weekly Gamer by Adam Boyle in different security classes, sectors, consider your goals and your tol- and geographic areas, reducing risk erance for risk, and learn as much Providing an amateur league through diversification. as you can. Buying a bunch of securities on If you don’t want to think too A large amount of players and Washington—to simply supporting Series, which is basically the pre- your own—with transaction fees, hard, you could take Warren Buf- viewers probably don’t realize that the club in gatherings to watch cursor league all teams have to go they’re around $10 each—can eat fet’s advice: “Just buy an S&P index Riot Games has set up a profes- competitive LoL and making friends through to make it to professional up returns on a small account. If fund and sit for the next 50 years.” sional-style tournament for League you might not have met otherwise, status and the premier league. In of Legends (LoL) for people like this program really provides what addition, he’s had the opportunity you and me. University League of I think is a great breeding ground to travel to places like South Korea Legends (uLoL) is a program or- for talent. to hone his skill. camosun’s student voice since 1990 ganized by Riot Games and student This is one of the only tourna- The real question is this: when clubs on college and university cam- ments in which we here on the west will someone at Camosun take up puses across the US and Canada. coast have a strong presence. UBC the task of getting our own uLoL uLoL gives players of all skill has won back-to-back titles the past team together? Camosun, like any You draw levels and gaming backgrounds a few years in Riot’s uLoL Campus other post-secondary institution, is chance to get together and experi- Series. One player that UBC has eligible for participation so long as Submit samples to: Nexus, comics. 201 Richmond House, ence the multiple aspects of LoL that cultivated—Bob “BobqinXD” we have a structured club in place. Lansdowne campus, or email many love. From allowing a college Qin—was the mid lane player for For anyone who has dreamed of [email protected] team to partake in their uLoL tour- UBC’s team. Qin is now getting making their way to professional nament against other schools—like paid to play for eUNITED, a team play, this could provide you with the UVic, UBC, or the University of in the North American Challenger chance to reach your dream.

To See or Not to See by Finlay Pogue Whiplash proves that dreams are worthwhile

finest pieces of independent film- as a counter-weight to the fran- What’s more is that it’s Whip- act on them. Whiplash’s Neiman making—and therefore filmmaking tic, adrenaline-fuelled drumming lash’s truthfulness that makes the never pauses to revel in his lofty as a whole—in recent history. It’s scenes, but also give Whiplash the film so interesting: is it okay to dreams because his dreams are too alive, but it’s not desperate to be; emotional credibility to endure the throw a chair at a student’s head in uncomfortable, a constant itch that it’s funny, but only because life harsh and wearing nature of life on order to push them to greatness? Is is only soothed by success. is funny sometimes; it features those with dreams. it possible to be a ‘great’? Would it It’s rare for a film to address young characters that aren’t limp That harsh nature comes pri- be worth it if you could be? a character’s desire for greatness or over-inflated with self-awareness. marily in the form of the one and Chazelle never gives us straight- and not conclude that the character Most of all, though, Whiplash only J.K. Simmons, formidable here forward answers to questions like was great all along or that there is captures what it’s like to be young in the role of abusive-but-maybe-not these, and the film is better for it; a suitable substitute—love, family, and to have passion, and what it’s band conductor Terence Fletcher, we as the audience can, and must, money—for greatness. like to sacrifice yourself to some- who lives with the conviction that decide. Films cop out with one of these thing you deem greater than ordin- “there are no two words in the It’s this freedom that gives two endings because they don’t have ary life. And yet, the film is unusually English language more harmful Whiplash its intelligence; it knows any more spine than their charac- in touch with ordinary life, despite than ‘good job.’” better than to make a singular state- ters. It’s hard to look “greatness” the fact that its hero, Andrew Nei- But what sets Whiplash apart is ment on a subject with so many in the eye; it’s hard to think that man (Miles Teller, much more com- its unfaltering vision, parallel with sides. Instead, it gives us the pieces maybe, sometimes, you’re just not fortable here as an aspiring Buddy Neiman’s own, of doing something and lets the audience build a conclu- good enough; it’s hard, in a world of Rich than as an aspiring arms dealer great. This is a film that would be sion specific to them, with morals 7,000,000,000, to be an individual [War Dogs, 2016], or… whatever he just as unsatisfied with a mock end- that they believe in. yourself. Whiplash was doing in the Divergent series), ing as Neiman would be with being Chazelle’s latest project, La La Whiplash stands as a testament 4.5/5 is so determined to leave it behind. merely a good drummer—and it’s Land (2016), is also about people to greatness, proving that although There are numerous quiet, in- this duality that makes the film so with dreams, but its characters seem it’s hard, settling for less is even Whiplash (2014) is one of the timate moments that not only act believable and so truthful. satisfied to revel in them rather than harder. 12 PUZZLES/EVENTS February 1, 2017

jayden grieve’s unusual conversations word search contest Find the hidden Nexus and win On Thursday, January 19, Nexus contributing writer Jayden Grieve came into the office. At that same moment, we were wondering what theme to base our new word search around. One thing led to the next: little did Grieve know that we were taking the first 20 unusual words out of his mouth to make the word search that you’re about to enjoy. It took about 30 seconds; dude says lots of unusual things. Talk to him sometime. Find the words on the left in the puzzle on the right; as always, stop by the Nexus office (Richmond House 201, Lansdowne campus) if you complete this puzzle to pick up a prize. Have fun! S O H E R M C A D O S M L M V C U I U A E N B Y I E A P L H CHILDISH CLOUDED M Z B Y I T E V Y N T H D V H DEATH DIABETES N O E S S P R O B L E M S I B DISEASE H R L K I S E V M T B G F K M EVIL GAGS F J F E N D P E N S A T P D N INSPIRATION MIDAS L C I N S P I R A T I O N A L MOLES OVERARCHING I D R S V Y N A D E D U O L C PETS K Y S Z O N S R R P T S L A B PROBLEMS GREG PRATT/NEXUS RAISINS T C R C V G L C H I L D I S H Let’s see if you can find this copy Last time around, the issue was RIFLE of the last issue of Nexus, which hidden in the Richmond House, SALAD C Z Z Q A S K H T A E D V D L we hid somewhere at Camosun half-behind a poster on the bulletin SNIPER SODA Z E J G B E D I S E A S E K K College’s Lansdowne campus. board outside the pride lounge. SUBSIDIARIES The first person to find this copy Who will find this issue’s hidden TEA B H I I Q S R N Q Y N J L A U of the paper and bring it in to our Nexus? Happy hunting, and bring F E K H B B U G G B K X S J R office wins themselves a free prize! it to us once you find it! W T U C N C B M D G Z B L G E know your writers

what’s going on by adam boyle Nexus staff writer Adam Boyle

am to 1 pm at the Library Learning What would you say are the Centre, Lansdowne campus; see worst and best parts of your job at camosun.ca for more info on the the paper? project. There are seriously so many Wednesday, February 8 high points of writing here. The and Thursday, February 9 team is great and the atmosphere New year, new volunteers that we have in the office is great; Volunteer Victoria is hosting a meeting so many interesting people volunteer fair February 8 and 9 here and hearing their stories is another at Camosun, in the foyer of the great thing. In terms of the worst Fisher Building. Email Jingwen Tang part, I’d say that getting the motiva- PHOTO PROVIDED at [email protected] John K. Samson (middle) and the Winter Wheat are playing on February 1. tion to write after something crappy or visit volunteervictoria.bc.ca for happens in your life is probably Islands is bringing their new project more info. Wednesday, February 1 one of the hardest parts, although to the Alix Goolden Hall on February Thursday, February 9 Strongerthans 5. Tickets for the concert—which sometimes it can help to just focus John K. Samson of Winnipeg indie to Saturday, February 18 focuses on the music of Joseph Bou- GREG PRATT/NEXUS on writing and take your mind off rockers The Weakerthans is re- logne, Chevalier Saint-Georges— The other of the other things going on. turning to town with his new project, cost between $26 and $35. More Have you ever wondered about the Winter Wheat. Northcote opens; details can be found at earlymusic- slaughterhouse five the show will set you back $20. See societyoftheislands.ca. Gut Girls is a new, historically the Camosun students writing the Why did you originally come to sugarnightclub.ca for more info. inspired play focused on a group articles you read in Nexus? Know Camosun? Monday, February 6 of women who work in a cattle Your Writers will help you dive into To be perfectly honest, I didn’t Saturday, February 4 and Tuesday, February 7 market’s slaughterhouse. After a the minds of the writers behind the want to. I planned to work for a year Drum bangin’ and general rich lady closes down the slaughter- The power of words house, the rude girls are trained as stories. after high school and just gather boogyin’ There’s a big difference between maids for the one who closed up the This issue, staff writer Adam myself and figure out what I wanted A drum and dance festival will be having someone read to you and slaughterhouse. Gut Girls goes down Boyle talks about making the right to do with my life. My parents gave held in the Dave Dunnet Community reading a book to yourself. Come at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre; tickets choice, getting motivation to write, me a choice: pay rent and work Theatre at Oak Bay High School get read to when Open Space hosts range in price from $15 to $26. See and his strange amount of free time. or take at least three classes and (2121 Cadboro Bay Road), from 1 to 9 author Jordan Tannahill for three phoenixtheatres.ca for more info on pm on February 4. For more informa- readings across two days. Venue and this and other events. pay no rent. After they gave me tion, visit vaccsociety.blogspot.ca. other details can be found at open- What drew you to journalism? that choice, the choice was really Tickets are $20 to $25. space.ca; entry is by donation. Thursday, February 9 Honestly, I didn’t know I’d like straightforward. I picked three it until a friend of mine sporadically random classes I had some interest Saturday, February 4 Tuesday, February 7 Stopping the dam and Sunday, February 5 This public forum about the Site C decided to volunteer for Nexus. I in and the next thing I knew, I was Get fired up dam will look at what will happen if tagged along and decided that I sitting in the Nexus office writing Tam plays Sibelius The documentary Fire at Sea will be the dam is built; the project infringes would give it a shot; next thing I stories and interviewing people. I screened at 7 pm in Young 216 at on aboriginal rights and is not eco- Victoria Symphony concertmaster knew, I had a column about gaming wouldn’t change these choices for Terence Tam will be performing Camosun’s Lansdowne campus on nomically sound. If this is something Violin Concerto of Sibelius at the February 7 to celebrate International that strikes a chord with you, head and I loved it, and writing in general, anything. Royal Theatre. Originally written by Development Week. The movie on down to room A120 in UVic’s and I wanted to keep going and to Jean Sibelius in 1903, it was revised looks at the European migrant crisis; David Turpin Building from 7 to 9 push myself harder. What do you enjoy doing in your in 1905 before it was officially admission is free. pm; see canadians.org for more info. spare time? premiered. Attendees are invited What is the most awkward mo- I find it weird that I work two to join music director Tania Miller Wednesday, February 8 Saturday, February 11 one hour before the show starts for Stopping stigma The perfect anti-Valentine ment you have had in an interview? jobs, am a full-time student, and I once interviewed someone am trying to balance a social life, a presentation about the concert. Camosun students put together Intrepid Theatre is hosting its annual Tickets range from $32 to $82; see this presentation about substance post-apocalyptic dance party on Feb- thinking their job position was dif- yet I still have a ton of time. Most victoriasymphony.ca for info. use; the event will also feature a live ruary 11. Dress code is prom attire ferent than it actually was; needless of the time, I just play video games Sunday, February 5 forum about students and substance or post-apocalyptic; all proceeds go to say, all the questions I had lined like League of Legends or Overwa- use. Camosun instructor Mary toward Intrepid. Tickets are $10; the Exploring early music up were quickly canned during the tch, watch YouTube videos, or just Harber will facilitate the presenta- event starts at 8 pm and goes down interview. There were many awk- spend time thinking of something In honour of Black History Month, tion, which is the final feature of the at Intrepid Theatre, located at 1609 the Early Music Society of the Living in Our Shoes stigma reduction Blanshard Street. For more info visit ward pauses while I tried to think productive to do. Basically, it can be project. The event runs from 11:30 promlove.eventbrite.ca. of things on the spot. narrowed down to gaming...