Tiktok Generation Experience, Working for a Leftist Cause,” He Says

OCT. 2 TO OCT. 15, 2020 | ISSUE 153 - 3 OCT 5 TO OCT 18, 2018 | ISSUE 151 - 03 3 Amina Abawajy: First January 26–February 15, 2018 Black President of DSU ISSUE 150–08 NORTH AMERICA'SNORTH AMERICA'S OLDEST OLDEST CAMPUS CAMPUS NEWSPAPER NEWSPAPER, EST. 1868 EST. 1868 12 Discussing identity politics 20 25 years down with the Tigers—more to come

Youth political parties on

TANIA WILLARD, BASKET RESCUE OPERATION (TALKING TO PETER MORIN AND REMEMBERING DANA CLAXTON’S TALK FOR THE BCMA IN WHISTLER) FROM THE SERIES ONLY AVAILABLE LIGHT, 2016. BIRCH BARK BASKET (RECLAIMED FROM ANTIQUE STORE), CEDAR ROOT, COPPER FOIL, LASER CUT TEXT. campus try Indigenous art exhibit changing the narrative #callresponse creates an interconnected conversation to thrive ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Navigating the complex world of politics on campus EVEN “DINGY” APARTMENTS ARE WHAT’S IN THE DAL EDITOR'S LETTER 3 UNAFFORDABLE IN HALIFAX 5 PHYSIO CLINIC? 19 KATHLEEN JONES

Benjamin Mowat has been a student at both the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University for two years, but he’s no stranger to politics. As soon as he graduated from high school, he began work on Olivia Chow’s TIKTOK IS GROWING QUICKER THAN ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM. WHAT’S ALL THE HYPE ABOUT? (PHOTO BY GEOFFREY HOWARD) campaign for mayor of Toronto, where he lived at the time. “And that was an incredibly rewarding TikTok generation experience, working for a leftist cause,” he says. The global pandemic has only helped the rise of this addictive app Now, Mowat is the events coordi- ALSO IN THIS ISSUE nator for the Nova Scotia Young New Democrats, a group he became involved MEET THE MAYORAL HOW SPORTS ADAPTED TO CANDIDATES SKATER GIRLS COVID-19 with in January of 2017. 6 13 17 The Young New Democrats aren’t hard to get involved with—membership in the party is only five dollars. There’s also a free campus club at Dal—but it can still be difficult to bring students in. Mowat attributes the challenge to conflicting commitments and the fact that politically engaged students might be more interested in student union politics. “The student unions in Halifax take up a lot of room, and they focus a lot of

CONT’D PG. 18 OCT 5 TO OCT 18, 2018 | ISSUE 151 - 03 3 Amina Abawajy: First LETTER FROM January 26–February 15, 2018 Black President of DSU ISSUE 150–08 NORTH AMERICA'S OLDEST CAMPUS NEWSPAPER EST. 1868 12 THE EDITORS NORTH AMERICA'S OLDEST CAMPUS NEWSPAPER, Discussing identity EST. 1868 politics We stand united against hate 20 Tarini Fernando Luke Dyment 25 years down with Editor’s note and trigger warning: The following letter the Tigers—more to come contains discussion of a violent attack. Editor-in-Chief Sports Editor [email protected] [email protected] Dear reader, Lane Harrison Suzanne Hartmann Youth political On behalf of the Dalhousie Gazette staff, we write the News Editor Copy Editor parties on following words with heavy hearts: [email protected] WILLARD, BASKET RESCUE OPERATION (TALKING TO PETER MORIN AND [email protected] DANA CLAXTON’S TALK FOR THE BCMA IN WHISTLER) FROM THE SERIES ONLY AVAILABLE LIGHT, 2016. In the early hours of Sept. 18, Stephen Wentzell, a BIRCH BARK BASKET (RECLAIMED FROM ANTIQUE STORE), CEDAR ROOT, COPPER FOIL, LASER CUT TEXT. campus try 23-year-old University of King’s College student, Indigenous art exhibit changing the narrative #callresponse creates an interconnected conversation to thrive was horrifically attacked by his neighbour. Wentzell Elizabeth Foster Geoffrey Howard ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Navigating the complex says he had called the police on Aug. 31 to report his Arts & Lifestyle Editor Visuals Editor world of politics on campus EVEN “DINGY” APARTMENTS ARE WHAT’S IN THE DAL EDITOR'S LETTER 3 neighbour in an alleged incident of domestic abuse. UNAFFORDABLE IN HALIFAX 5 [email protected] CLINIC? 19 [email protected] KATHLEEN JONES In retaliation, Wentzell’s neighbour brutally assault- ed him. Benjamin Mowat has been a student at Mayowa Oluwasansmi Alexandra Fox both the University of King’s College and On his Twitter page, Wentzell described how his Dalhousie University for two years, but neighbour repeatedly kicked him in the face while Opinions Editor Page Designer he’s no stranger to politics. yelling homophobic slurs and included a graphic au- [email protected] [email protected] As soon as he graduated from high school, he began work on Olivia Chow’s dio recording of the attack. campaign for mayor of Toronto, where Wentzell is a talented journalist and has written he lived at the time. “And that was an incredibly rewarding several stories for the Gazette. What happened to him Contributing to this issue: experience, working for a leftist cause,” should never happen to anyone. Although the police he says. Dylan Aleck, Chloe Nguyen-Drury, Gokce On, Michelle Wang, Audrey Xuan Now, Mowat is the events coordi- are not investigating the incident as a hate crime, we nator for the Nova Scotia Young New cannot ignore the violent, homophobic language Democrats, a group he became involved with in January of 2017. Wentzell’s attacker used during the assault. The Young New Democrats aren’t We do not know the details of the alleged domestic ADVERTISING CONTACT US hard to get involved with—membership abuse incident Wentzell reported, but our thoughts in the party is only five dollars. There’s also a free campus club at Dal—but it can are also with that person, and all people, who are still be difficult to bring students in. Ankit Bajaj dalgazette.com victims of domestic violence. Mowat attributes the challenge to Administration and Business Assistant The SUB, Room 345 conflicting commitments and the fact Wentzell’s horrifying experience is part of a larger that politically engaged students might be story. Violence and hate are a pandemic. Hundreds (289) 879-1557 6136 University Ave. more interested in student union politics. [email protected] Halifax, N.S., B3H 4J2 “The student unions in Halifax take of hate crimes are reported in Canada every year. up a lot of room, and they focus a lot of The Black Lives Matter movement has shone a light CONT’D PG. 18 again on police brutality and racial violence. Recent THE FINE PRINT reports have shown domestic abuse has risen since

the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues The Gazette is the official written record of Dalhousie University since 1868. It is published every two weeks are not all the same, but they all involve violence during the academic year by the Dalhousie Gazette Publishing Society. The Gazette is a student-run publication. related to hate and inequality. Its primary purpose is to report fairly and objectively on issues of importance and interest to the students of It’s not enough to simply say these words, but we Dalhousie University, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of ideas, and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/ want to state this: We vehemently condemn vio- or society in general. Views expressed in the letters to the editor, in streeters and opinions section are solely lence, abuse and acts of hate. those of the contributing writers, and do not necessarily represent the views of The Gazette or its staff. Views If you have the means to support Wentzell as he expressed in the Streeter feature are solely those of the person being quoted, and not the Gazette’s writers or recovers from his attack, please visit his GoFundMe staff. page (gofundme.com/f/cwucd-recovery-from-hate- This publication is intended for readers 18 years of age or older. The views of our writers are not the explicit crime). We can all take steps to educate ourselves views of Dalhousie University. All students of Dalhousie University, as well as any interested parties on or further on the discriminatory violence that exists in off-campus, are invited to contribute to any section of the newspaper. Please contact the appropriate editor for submission guidelines, or drop by in for our weekly office hours in room 345 of the Dal SUB. The Gazette our society. reserves the right to edit and reprint all submissions, and will not publish material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous. Opinions expressed in submitted letters -The Dalhousie Gazette staff are solely those of the authors. Editorials in the Gazette are signed and represent the opinions of the writer(s), not necessarily those of the Gazette staff, Editorial Board, publisher or Dalhousie University.

2 | October 2, 2020 dalgazette.com NEWS Dal scholars strike for change Professors at Dal cancelled classes and adjusted syllabi as a part of nationwide strike BY GOKCE ON Sept. 9 and 10, other professors didn’t feel they could. other moment,” Jones said. “[They] claim domin- “I am precariously employed so I didn’t cancel ion over all knowledge and expertise. [They] are classes. I continued to work and just did extra the ones that credential you,” but they still can’t work,” said El Jones, a journalism professor at the “keep up with major intellectual developments in University of King’s College and activist, who was the world,” Jones said. recently chosen by the Halifax Board of Police Where should Dal administration go from here? Commissioners to write a proposal outlining how To start, as “listed on the Scholar Strike website, to defund the police. recruiting Black and Indigenous students, staff and Jones said not being able to cancel classes was faculty, and supporting them properly once recruit- likely a position shared by many Black women ed, and ensuring that education is affordable and in academia. Jones isn’t on a permanent con- accessible,” are a few steps Brownlee noted. tract in Nova Scotia. She said there are many According to Parasram, Dal should “invest and Black and Indigenous researchers, academics reallocate where necessary, the financial resources and instructors who are often undervalued in necessary to make structural changes to how our the academic world and aren’t being creden- university operates.” tialed. Their “labour is so often exploited and This could take many forms, Parasram said, THE SCHOLAR STRIKE IS AN ACADEMIC STRIKE TO PROTEST not rewarded and rec- ANTI-BLACK, RACIST AND COLONIAL POLICE BRUTALITY IN such as “cluster-hiring THE U.S., CANADA AND ELSEWHERE. ognized,” she said. (IMAGE CREATED BY TORY NEAL) career-stream professors “The university and administrators, Joining more than 500 post-secondary institutions Campus calls for across the country on Sept. 9 and 10, Dalhousie properly valuing the un- Dal to do better completely failed to University professors took part in Scholar Strike meet every other der-recognized work Canada. The strike was held to protest anti-Black At Dal, students had the that racialized profes- police violence and support racial justice. chance to take part in the moment.” sors do by giving [them] “The Scholar Strike was inspired by similar strike in different ways. more time and support, large-scale actions aimed at removing highly visi- This included signing the supports to do that work ble forms of labour at a critical moment in order to Scholar Strike Canada statement of support, at- through hiring more diverse faculty and offering focus public attention on the issues of structural tending the in-person “Be Heard: Black and Indig- course releases to overworked existing faculty.” racism in our society, more specifically anti-Black enous Voices” event or joining a virtual teach-in for However, Jones says diversity hiring at Dal can and anti-Indigenous racism in Canada,” said Ajay Black lives. have issues. Parasram, a professor of international development The Be Heard: Black and Indigenous Voices “The university will hire Black people. But the studies at Dal. Having the strike take place early in event took place in the Studley Quad. It was an question of diversity isn’t just a question of diversity the school year was important because it allowed open mic event to elevate the voices of Black, Indig- of race. It’s also diversity of views,” said Jones. She those involved in the strike “to set an unforgettable enous and other racialized persons through speech continued to say Dal “is happy to hire people that agenda for the academic year,” said Parasram. and performance. The event was also live- the university perceives as not rocking the boat. As part of the strike, many professors cancelled streamed. They’re happy to have Black heads of senates and their classes. While one class can seem insignifi- Jones spoke at the event and said she’s been asking Black members of the board of the governors and cant, “cancelling a class is never [done] lightly. In herself how Dal as an institution met this moment. Black vice-presidents, as long as [they] don’t chal- this case, if a professor cancelled a class, that would “The university completely failed to meet every lenge the institution.” be a form of education: the Scholar Strike is about raising awareness and encouraging action, and cancelling a class raises awareness and hopefully encourages the students in that class to educate themselves about the issue and take action,” said Shannon Brownlee, a professor of film and media studies at Dal. Some professors like Parasram also adjusted their syllabi “to reflect the spirit of the strike throughout the year,” Parasram said.

The trouble with cancelling classes

While some instructors cancelled all their classes for A BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST EARLIER THIS SUMMER ENDED WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PROTESTING IN FRONT OF THE HALIFAX REGIONAL POLICE HEADQUARTERS ON GOTTINGEN STREET. (PHOTO BY BREAH WAGNER)

dalgazette.com October 2, 2020 | 3 NEWS BIPOC share their love of ecology Dal grad students launch secondary school program to provide ecology field experiences BY LANE HARRISON, NEWS EDITOR

DIVERSITY OF NATURE OFFERS AN IN-CLASS WORKSHOP ON SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATION, WHICH ALLOWS SCIENTISTS TO COMMUNICATE INFORMATION IN WAYS PEOPLE CAN EASILY UNDERSTAND, SAYS MASSEY. (OIL ON CANVAS BY MELANIE DUC BO MASSEY) In early June, two Dalhousie University graduate (BIPOC), help racialized secondary students be- where we are at today, we definitely saw a need.” students were walking their dogs. Melanie Duc come interested in science. Three months later, the project has hit its crowd- Bo Massey and Suchinta Arif were thinking of funding goal of $12,500, which unlocks another ways they could help combat institutional racism. Funding the project $37,500 in funding from the Marine Environ- The Black Lives Matter protest movement was Diversity of Nature is currently led by Massey, mental Observation, Prediction and Response at its highest level at the time after George Floyd Arif and Catalina Albury. Albury, who is a mas- Network’s (MEOPAR) Fathom Fund: a federally and Breonna Taylor were murdered by police. ter’s of science candidate at Dal, joined the team funded program that allows the community to As Massey and Arif walked, the PhD candidates soon after the initial dog-walking brainstorm. decide if a project should be awarded funding by discussed the systemic issues within their own “There was a need for this program and we having researchers crowdfund 25 per cent of field of scientific academia where, as racialized wanted leadership from BIPOC individuals, and their costs. students, they’ve often felt isolated amongst white obviously, that’s not going to happen at a high- MEOPAR became aware of Diversity of Nature peers and professors. An hour later, as Massey er-up level because most professors are not BI- when one of Arif’s friends, a professor at Memori- and Arif’s dogs tugged for more walking and their POC. So it needed to kind of come from this mid- al University of Newfoundland, tweeted at respective partners pleaded to go home, Diversity dle area,” Arif said. “In an ideal world, there MEOPAR about it. of Nature was born: a program where scientists, wouldn’t be a need for this program. But given “I just think it was a no brainer,” said Allison who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour Saunders, the communications and marketing

4 | October 2, 2020 dalgazette.com NEWS manager at MEOPAR. “With everything that issue, or is it just in my head?’ And that’s the na- and that we are also a part of the land and that has been happening across the world, across ture of a microaggression,” she said. everything is connected,” Albury said. North America in the last few months, people re- According to Asif, Massey and Albury, a large Looking at science while practicing two-eyed ally connected with this immediately.” part of helping BIPOC students become involved seeing will also be new for the leaders of Diversity Once fully funded, the program will take two in STEM is helping them navigate the university of Nature. forms: traditional classroom workshops, and a application process. “I’ve only ever been introduced to Western sci- four-day overnight field Many BIPOC students ence,” said Massey. “So in part of training for this trip where students will struggle to apply to under- camp, I have to learn a lot more about [Indige- complete workshops in “The purpose of this graduate and graduate nous science] and I’m excited to be learning from coastal ecosystems, bird program is really us programs, Massey said. Indigenous ecologists about what that is and let identification and more. When students have them take the lead.” The team has two class- taking a field that we made it past the applica- room workshops are in and working to tion process and set foot Community impact planned: one to help BI- make it more actively on campus, many struggle Massey spent time working as a high school biolo- POC students apply to anti-racist.” to become involved, un- gy teacher while completing her PhD at Dal, so universities and STEM aware of when they should she knows an opportunity like this for students is (science, technology, en- be volunteering or begin- something teachers and principals are on the gineering and mathematics) programs specifical- ning lab work. lookout for. ly, and another in scientific illustration targeted “[BIPOC students] don’t [always] have family The group is hopeful students will return to their toward younger students. members who went to university recently, or we communities with an excitement to share what “The purpose of this program is really us taking don’t have that mentorship necessarily coming they learned from the trip, and to engage in the a field that we are in and working to make it more from an academic sphere,” Massey said. environment with friends and family. actively anti-racist,” Albury said. “My parents are always asking me like, ‘What’s Once Diversity of Nature finishes its first year, The field-trip portion is currently planned for the letter for the next thing that you’re going to the trio will survey participants and publish their August 2021 and the group is hoping to begin the do? Is it a PhD?’” Albury said. “I have to describe results. This will include the effectiveness of inter- in-school workshops this winter. what’s happening, because they really don’t sectional marine science education and the effect [know]. That’s not a part of their world.” of BIPOC programs on youths’ perceptions of BIPOC leadership is essential The program leaders of the university application BIPOC scientists. “When I was growing up, I went to a BIPOC workshop won’t just be volunteering in a teaching “We’re hoping that it can inform other initiatives heavy school, which had a lot of value, and as I capacity. They’ll also be mentors who students can like this. It would be really lovely to see that this is became more successful and as I climbed the aca- reach out to during the entire process. a successful program,” Massey said. demic ladder, it just became more and more Because of the lack of BIPOC in the sciences, Albury, Arif and Massey are open to feedback white,” said Arif. “At first I was proud of that. I Arif said racialized students are forced to figure and criticism from communities or parents who was like, ‘Oh, look at me, I’m the only person of out their interests by themselves. are interested in the program. colour here. It must mean that I’m at a certain “For me, when I decided to go into biology in successful level.’ But even that understanding of it Grade 12, that took a lot of introspection for me to –– this is like when I was much younger –– is very figure out that was the right path for me. If I had skewed and very wrong,” Arif said. a program like this, that was localized, that was Massey, Arif and Albury all agree that for young available to me during high school, I would have BIPOC students to develop an interest in science, realized that much easier,” Arif said. they need leaders who are reflections of themselves. This is equally important beyond the introductory Making science more inclusive level. BIPOC leadership is crucial to keeping BI- During the four-day overnight trip, students will POC students in science programs when they be introduced to organisms and perspectives they reach higher levels of academia, they said. won’t encounter at school. This will be done by “There have been times where I’ve experienced practicing two-eyed seeing and studying decolo- racism from mentors in STEM. There have been nized science. times where I’ve been made extremely uncom- Two-eyed seeing refers to examining something fortable by my peers or my mentors,” said Massey, using both the strengths of Indigenous knowledge who recalls once leaving a field research site to and Western knowledge. The term was created by visit her family home in Toronto’s East China- Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall. town. When she returned to the field, she brought Diversity of Nature plans on hiring Mi’kmaw with her some mangoes and lychee fruit, “and my scientists to lead workshops on Mi’kmaw science co-workers were like, ‘What are these?’ Like and scientific thought. they’d never seen them before.” “Objectivity is kind of impossible in a field where While facing microaggressions like these, Al- humans control what we study,” Albury said. “A bury said, BIPOC students are unfairly forced to field can’t be very objective if only one kind of per- assess the validity of their feelings. son is the person doing the science.” “It’s hard to know whether you can speak up or “One of the perspectives is our colonial or settler not because you have no one to relate to you. You science, the scientific method, that sort of stuff. sort of second guess yourself. You go like, ‘Am I And the other perspective is Indigenous science FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MELANIE DUC BO MASSEY, CATALINA ALBURY AND SUCHINTA ARIF. THE THREE DAL being too sensitive right now? Is this a real, actual and understanding that the land is for everyone STUDENTS CREATED DIVERSITY OF NATURE. (PHOTO BY CAROLINA ANDRADE, PROVIDED BY MEOPAR)

dalgazette.com October 2, 2020 | 5 NEWS A guide to Halifax’s 2020 mayoral candidates Surprise: they’re three white men BY LANE HARRISON, NEWS EDITOR

THE THREE MAYORAL CANDIDATES, MIKE SAVAGE (LEFT), MATT WHITMAN (TOP RIGHT) AND MAX TAYLOR (BOTTOM RIGHT), FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION IN HALIFAX DURING THE STREAMED SEPT. 16 DEBATE. (PHOTOS BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX) Matt Whitman Campaign promises: widely enforced. Councillor Matt Whitman is the second 1) Policing: Whitman is a supporter of the 2) Indigenous issues: At the Sept. 16 de- most experienced candidate in the race. Halifax Regional Police (HRP). When bate, Whitman was asked how he’ll work He was elected to represent the municipal the question of defunding the police was with Indigenous people considering his office of District 13 Hammonds Plains-St. raised at the mayoral candidates’ debate past stance to keep the statue of Edward Margarets in 2012. In 2015, his colleagues on Sept. 16 he said, “If you don’t stand Cornwallis in Cornwallis Park. (Corn- elected him as deputy mayor for a one- with the police, stand in front of them.” wallis was a former governor of Nova year term. He was born and raised in the At the same debate, he said police Scotia and once issued a proclamation to Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) should wear body cameras and the smok- expel all Mi’kmaw people from the pen- and graduated from Saint Mary’s Univer- ing-ban, which makes it illegal to smoke insula.) Whitman remained steadfast and sity in 1992. or vape outside of designated smoking said the municipality should have more spots in the municipality, should be more statues.

6 | October 2, 2020 dalgazette.com NEWS 3) Climate change: Whitman would like to Mike Savage program to get subsidies for buying tran- reduce the number of single occupancy sit passes or paying for children’s recre- The incumbent, Mayor Mike Savage was vehicles on the road while improving ation programs.) He says he will take ac- elected to his office in 2012 and 2016. Prior Halifax’s transit infrastructure. He has tion to ensure the HRM pays its to that, from 2004 to 2011 he was a member no specific plans outlined as to how to do employees a livable wage. He wants to of parliament for the Liberal Party of Cana- this. create new and refurbished affordable da. Born in Belfast, Ireland, Savage was housing through partnerships with local 4) Poverty and affordable housing: Whit- raised in Dartmouth and graduated from developers. man plans to improve affordable housing Dalhousie University. His father, John Sav- by speeding up the permit process, which age, served as premier of Nova Scotia be- 5) COVID-19 recovery and local business: will allow developers to create affordable tween 1993 and 1997. Savage wants to continue adapting Hali- housing projects faster. The process will fax community spaces to accommodate be expedited by “reducing red tape,” ac- Campaign promises: social distancing, such as expanding cording to his website. He is opposed to sidewalks. He would also like to figure 1) Policing: Savage supports the Black Lives rent control as it sacrifices a free-market out ways to capitalize on Atlantic bubble Matter movement and recently established system. tourism in the short term. He wants to the HRM’s Office of Diversity and Inclu- continue fostering start-ups and scale- 5) COVID-19 recovery and local business: sion and the African Nova Scotian Affairs ups. Whitman says he will focus on “protect- Integration Office. ing your tax dollars,” according to his He recently redirected funds used to pur- What else you should know: website. As mayor, he says he’ll immedi- chase a HRP armoured vehicle to the Of- ately freeze his salary for as long as he is fice of Diversity and Inclusion and the Though there’s still time for Mayor Savage mayor in hopes that other departments non-police Public Safety Office, with re- to cement his legacy in Halifax, he may be will be inspired to tighten their budgets. maining funds to be directed toward mu- best remembered for the removal of the At the Sept. 16 debate, Whitman criti- nicipal programs and services to counter Edward Cornwallis statue. cized the city government’s decision to anti-Black racism. In 1993, Mi’kmaw historian Daniel Paul waive street parking and transit fees for a Savage wants to improve the inclusion of brought attention to Cornwallis’s racist period during the pandemic. He also African Nova Scotian and Black voices in views and actions through his book We said Plexiglas should have been installed the decisions made at city hall. He would Were Not the Savages. Paul lobbied for Corn- on busses immediately. like to see the Wortley report at council wallis’s statue to be removed, as well as to and within the HRP. The Wortley re- change the name of Cornwallis Street, What else you should know: port, released in March 2019 by the Cornwallis Park and Cornwallis Junior While serving on Halifax regional coun- Nova Scotia Human Rights Commision, High School. The school was renamed in cil, Whitman’s tenure has been among the showed a Black citizen was six times more 2011 as Halifax Central Junior High. The most controversial especially in the last likely to be street checked in Halifax than decision to remove the statue was finally four years. a white citizen. The report includes multi- considered in 2017 when protesters report- In 2017, Whitman uploaded a video to ple policy recommendations for improving edly planned to tear down the statue, caus- his YouTube channel that sparked contro- the relationship between the police and ing concern for public safety within coun- versy. In the video, Whitman and a pas- the African-Nova Scotian community. cil. After a 12-4 vote in 2018, the statue was officially removed. senger are sitting in a car when Whitman 2) Indigenous issues: Savage wants to in- yells “Chinese fire drill.” He and the pas- crease the amount of Mi’kmaw history, senger then run around the car before culture and art visible in public spaces Max Taylor re-entering and sitting in different seats. throughout the city. He plans to implement A late entry to the race, the 22-year-old After people began tweeting that Whit- recommendations from the Task Force on man’s remark was racist, he removed the Taylor announced his candidacy on Sept. the Commemoration of Edward Cornwal- 8. He has no experience in public office, video. In October 2017, Whitman used the lis and the Recognition and Commemora- word “Negro” in a televised interview on but he is popular on TikTok, where he has tion of Indigenous History in consultation more than 650,000 followers. CTV Atlantic News, which sparked much and partnership with the Assembly of Nova criticism. Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs. He would like to In 2018, Whitman once again placed Campaign promises: support a new Mi’kmaw Native Friendship While Taylor gave genuine answers at the himself in the spotlight by retweeting a Centre in the city. post by white supremacist group ID Can- candidates’ debate on Sept. 16, he has no ada, which denounced the municipal gov- 3) Climate change: Savage wants to imple- campaign website, just a Facebook page. ernment’s decision to remove the statue of ment HalifACT: a climate change strategy On the “About” section of the page, he Edward Cornwallis from Cornwallis park. with targets for 2050. He would like to writes that his platform is simply this: “I Whitman claimed to have no knowledge of work with the province in creating a new don’t care who you vote for, I care that you ID Canada’s white supremacist views pri- coastal protection act. He wants to ensure vote.” or to the backlash toward his retweet. He the boundaries of the Blue Mountain Birch then deleted the tweet and blocked ID Cove Lakes Wilderness Park, a proposed What else you should know: Canada from his account. urban park, “reflect the potential of that If Taylor wins, he wouldn’t be the young- Later in 2018, Whitman was removed space,” according to his website. est mayor in Canadian history. That hon- from all city committees for three months 4) Poverty and affordable housing: Savage our is reserved for Clayton Smith, who for breaching the code of conduct. wants to expand the HRM’s Affordable became the mayor of New Norway, Alber- Access Program. (People can apply to the ta when he was 19 years old.

dalgazette.com October 2, 2020 | 7 OPINIONS A not-so-fantastic business opportunity Why you should think twice about joining that MLM BY ELIZABETH FOSTER

take your high school acquaintance up on their male empowerment. To make matters worse, offer and join their MLM that sells makeup. To MLMs may use false or misleading information start, you will have to purchase all of your own to advertise. inventory out of pocket. Often these companies MLMs often promise extra income (six figures have starter kits, which cost roughly between $50 or more) obtained effortlessly from the comfort of and $200. Bear in mind whenever you buy inven- your own home. Think about the groups of peo- tory, the person who recruited you gets a small ple for whom this would be most appealing: stu- amount of the money you spent. dents, people with low incomes, the recently un- It’s then up to you to sell the makeup you bought employed, struggling parents, etc. and recruit people into your own downline so you Being involved in an MLM can endanger a per- can make money when- son’s already precarious ever they purchase in- financial situation. ventory. When those Imagine a student pour- downlines recruit peo- “If your goal is to ing money into a busi- THE MORE PEOPLE THEY RECRUIT, THE MORE MONEY TOP MLM SELLERS EARN. (GRAPHIC BY GEOFFREY HOWARD) ple, you get a commis- make a lot of money, ness that claims to be lu- sion on their sales too. crative while trying to We’ve all gotten that text, an out-of-the-blue Face- then an MLM is This is where most peo- pay off student loans at book message from a long-lost high school ac- statistically not an ple lose money because the same time. quaintance. The person you were never really often what you sell does effective way to do it.” Multilevel marketing is close with, but who has chosen you for a “fantastic not exceed what you ini- now almost completely business opportunity!” tially purchased. The online. People use plat- More often than not, this fantastic business op- pressure to always keep fresh inventory in stock forms like Facebook to sell to friends and families, portunity is an offer to join that acquaintance’s leads many people to lose money very quickly. and one large grievance against MLMs is how multilevel marketing company or MLM. But relentless some distributors can be. While being what exactly is an MLM? Is it really a pyramid annoying online isn’t as harmful as preying on scheme? The problem with MLMs Most MLMs push the narrative of being your own insecurities and making false promises it is disap- What is an MLM? boss, and promise perks such as working from pointing to have a friend or acquaintance start home and bringing in thousands of dollars in addi- seeing you as nothing more than a potential cus- An MLM is a business strategy many direct sales tional income. Sadly this promise is not the reality. tomer or downline. companies use. Some common MLMs are It Due to the structure of MLMs, many people end Works!, Amway, Arbonne, LuLaRoe, Scentsy, up making less than minimum wage. In fact, most What to keep in mind Monat, Younique and Color Street. people end up losing money in these schemes. Ac- Some people do join MLMs without the serious MLMs don’t provide their salespeople (or dis- cording to a 2019 income disclosure statement goal of making money. My parents have friends tributors as they’re often called) a typical salary. from the MLM It Works!, entry-level distributors, who host product parties as a social activity rather As an MLM salesperson, you rely on two streams who made up about 84 per cent of all active dis- than a way to make money. Going back to the It of income: revenue from selling products and tributors in the company, made on average $48 a Works! disclosure statements, “they indicate some commissions when you recruit other distributors month. The highest-level sellers, who made up people do end up making good money through who buy products to sell themselves. The distrib- only 0.07 per cent of active distributors, made on MLMs.” Though again, I can’t stress enough utors you recruit are called your downline. average $24,466 a month. Put simply, only those how incredibly small a percentage this actually The line between MLM and pyramid scheme is at the top of the ladder made money. ends up being. often very thin, if not invisible. In fact, in 2017, Moreover, the recruitment strategies employed My advice to anybody involved in or thinking of Arbonne was faced with a lawsuit alleging it was a by MLMs are extremely predatory. For example, joining an MLM is this: do whatever you want, pyramid scheme. The same thing happened to a number of MLMs push the narrative of female but if your goal is to make a lot of money then an LuLaRoe in 2019. empowerment in order to recruit members. In MLM is statistically not an effective way to do it. The biggest difference, aside from the fact pyra- fact, according to the Direct Selling Association, Create a spreadsheet, and keep track of every sin- mid schemes are illegal and MLMs are technical- about 74 per cent of people involved in MLMs are gle dollar you put in and take out. Even if you ly not, is while pyramid schemes rely solely on re- women. However many of the products sold by don’t intend to make money, or you want to join cruitment for money, MLMs claim to generate MLMs, like skin and hair creams, body wraps simply to enjoy the products, keep in mind you income based on the sale of products and services. and nutritional shakes, are designed to prey on are still supporting and contributing to a predato- How exactly does an MLM work? Imagine you people’s insecurities — quite the opposite of fe- ry business model.

8 | October 2, 2020 dalgazette.com OPINIONS The TikTok phenomenon The electronic embodiment of generation Z

BY MICHELLE WANG

of interests amongst young people. Distinct genres of the app have formed and are humorously known as the different “sides” of TikTok. There is everything from the popular “Straight” vs “alt TikTok,” as well as more niche communities like “Harry Potter TikTok.” TikTok encourages people to express themselves in ways that may not be mainstream. It gives a voice to many talented people, who may not reach the same level of success using other platforms ruled by traditional celebrities. It makes you feel like you’re watching your friends goof around because that’s essentially what it is. “I personally just really enjoy it,” says Brady.

The future of the app UNITED STATES PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS THREATENED TO BAN TIKTOK IN AMERICA. (PHOTO BY SOLEN FEYISSA ON UNSPLASH) While Brady notes, “society today is so full of such If you ask a group of friends their opinion of Tik- similar format. Vine captured the same weird hu- heavy topics. . . TikTok gives you a break from Tok, I bet you’ll get a wide range of reactions. mour, but TikTok is more versatile and accessible. that,” the political context of the app cannot be ig- There will be those who cringe, those who laugh The effective app design and algorithm are to be nored. U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to and those who say the app is a security concern. credited. The swiping function means users do not ban new downloads in the United States leaves the While these are all valid responses, I believe Tik- actively decide what to watch, making it easy to future of the app unclear. Tok is the best thing to happen to generation Z. mindlessly scroll through everything from fashion Whatever happens, it is certain TikTok has When I first heard of TikTok, my instinct was to to food to a llama dancing to a Russian cereal com- changed the social media game and asserts our avoid it. The app seemed like a new, scary world mercial song and Willy Wonka doing the WAP generation’s growing influence on the world, even where 15-year-olds who were more attractive than dance. if we’re doing it through viral dances and memes. me got famous for making faces. But during the dark, lonely months of quarantine, I changed my A creative outlet mind about TikTok. I downloaded the app and What sets TikTok apart from other social media never looked back. apps is the content. Unlike Instagram, where posts are often refined and curated, TikTok is full of peo- What is TikTok? ple being funny, showing off their personalities and TikTok is an app that allows users to create and not taking themselves too seriously. There’s a place share less than a minute long videos using a combi- for everyone to put their own spin on the latest nation of clips, filters, sounds and text. With a vari- trend. ety of functions, TikTok has become the perfect Through TikTok, young people can showcase the platform for our generation’s creative and digitally open, expressive generation we are. Shelby Brady, oriented minds. a recent Dalhousie University graduate, began up- When opening the app, loading to the app during users are met with the the COVID-19 pandem- “For You” page and a “Through TikTok, ic. video instantly plays. To young people can “I was inspired to make watch more, the user TikToks because of how swipes up on their screen showcase the open, fun and lighthearted and with each swipe a expressive generation these videos were,” Brady new TikTok video curat- we are.” says. “TikTok gave me a ed to your interests ap- break from the over- pears. A lot of content whelming stress [of the can be consumed in a short amount of time. This pandemic].” factor is key in making the app addictive for our The app has approximately 800 million monthly generation’s short attention span. users with 60 per cent being gen Z (those born be- Due to these features, TikTok has been the subject tween 1996 and 2015). TikTok is also a place that represents the diversity of comparison to Vine, a now dead app that used a TIKTOK HAS SURPASSED TWO BILLION DOWNLOADS WORLDWIDE. (PHOTO BY GEOFFREY HOWARD)

dalgazette.com October 2, 2020 | 9 2020

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TECHNOLOGY SERVICES PARTNER REDBULL.CA/BASEMENT ARTS & LIFESTYLE On being home, mental health and reconnecting Dal and King’s students reflect on the emotional toll of returning to their hometowns BY GOKCE ON

Neo Ragsac, a second-year Dal marine biology student, admits, “I haven’t been taking care of [my well-being] for a couple of months. I have been sleep- ing too much, which affected my health and my re- lationships.” This might be a scenario many students are famil- iar with: feeling disconnected from this new reality and the friends we have in various parts of the world. On trying to stay connected with friends, Ragsac says, “Hearing their voices is still a blessing, [but] it’s not enough since I’ve formed strong connections with these people.” Now with classes starting again, some students IN MARCH 2020 GOKCE ON WAS FORCED TO RETURN TO HER HOMETOWN IN ZMIR, TURKEY BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. (PHOTO BY GOKCE ON) have been hit with another wave of realization. Back in March, Dalhousie University announced all he is “very unfamiliar with what it’s like to be a wom- “Personally, studying at home makes me realize classes would be online for the rest of the winter 2020 an in 2020.” how being in charge of your own schedule and your semester. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the uni- Generational differences are bound to create ob- own things makes a difference,” says Tola. She goes versity asked students to go home. For me, it almost stacles between parents and their children. Howev- on to say having meals prepared and laundry done felt like I was being deported. er, being in the same house as her parents 24/7 made for her feels “a little too comfortable,” and highlights Moving back home meant flying all the way back this more evident than before to Tola. how she misses “having space to grow into [her- to Turkey. Everything happened too fast for me to “Family time grows more complicated as your life self ].” process. Now looking back, my reaction to the events becomes separate from your family,” Tola says. were like a condensed version of the stages of grief: “Likewise, quarantine makes you so aware of the A different kind of homesickness starting with strong denial, slowly moving to a very people around you and the differences you have with There are many different versions of home. Some- aggressive state of constant bargaining and lastly, a them, since there’s so much free time to think and times it’s a physical space, and sometimes it’s a per- bittersweet acceptance of how things were. all.” son’s comfort zone. Personally, returning to my fam- Even when everyone has good intentions, family ily home made me realize I had unknowingly Adjusting to home life can be very complicated. created another home for myself, intertwined with The word “home” may sound comforting to many Arianna Díaz, a second-year Dal engineering stu- so many other people’s lives. While they both feel students. A couple of my friends were more than de- dent, puts it this way: “My parents and other family wildly different, they’re both spaces for me to keep lighted to be going back home earlier than they members are great people, but they don’t really be- evolving. thought they would, despite the condition the world lieve much in privacy or respecting their children’s Díaz puts it best when she says, “When I was in was in. time, so I don’t have 100 per cent control of my time Halifax, I was happy, but I got homesick from time As for me, I never really liked home. Opening the anymore.” to time. However, now that I’m back, I feel like my front door of my house, I get that melancholic, “it’s Sare Yörükoğlu, a second-year Dal psychology stu- ‘homesickness’ isn’t really gone.” back to reality” feeling. So, to be frank, I was not dent, delicately outlines how complicated her rela- thrilled. In my mind, I conceptualized being back tionship is with her mother. home as being trapped. Mentally, it’s not the best “[Me and my mom] miss each other a lot, but we place. Within this specific context of being so abrupt- also break each other a lot when we [are together], ly taken away from my friends and the new-found like constantly. And mentally, that makes me really freedom that came with living away from home, tired,” Yörükoğlu says. there were definitely challenges to readjusting. Maintaining connections Living with family Even without taking family into consideration, there Although I didn’t know it at the time, I wasn’t alone are still many problems with not being able to go in my difficulty of readjusting to homelife. back to Halifax for the fall semester. During these Natalia Tola, a second-year University of King’s past months everyone in the world had to, in some College journalism student, talks about the challeng- way, rebuild their lives according to the new set of es caused by moving back in with her parents and rules they’ve been presented with. Having to be STAYING CONNECTED WITH FRIENDS VIRTUALLY CAN HELP EASE THE FEELINGS OF ALIENATION, how even though her father tries to be empathetic, more mindful and finding ways to cope wasn’t easy. BUT IT ISN’T THE SAME AS BEING THERE. (PHOTO BY MARIA PONOMARIOVA ON GETTY IMAGES)

dalgazette.com October 2, 2020 | 11 ARTS & LIFESTYLE Dylan Menzie is lost in dreams P.E.I. musician’s new podcast focuses on art, life and dreams BY ELIZABETH FOSTER

Dylan Menzie starts every episode of his podcast artists from the is- with the same question: “What do you dream?” land, they could have Menzie explains why he asks this: it’s a very the conversations in broad opening question and a good way to get an person. idea of who he’s interviewing. “They could talk about their worst nightmares A musical right off the top or something they’re very pas- background sionate about in their dreams. . . you never really know, and that’s kind of why I start it that way.” Menzie, who was a He adds, “This podcast is called Lost in Dreams, so full-time musician let’s start it out talking about dreams.” prior to the pandemic, has been singing Celebrating art and writing songs for as long as he can re- Menzie, a singer/songwriter based in Prince Ed- member. He recalls ward Island, began The Lost in Dreams Podcast back playing music with in late August 2020. He’d released an album of his brothers growing the same name in May and, like countless other up, and eventually musicians, knew he’d have to get creative when it went on to writing came to promoting it in the face of the COVID-19 and performing his pandemic. own songs. “I thought, ‘Well OK I can’t tour anymore be- “I did some ceil- cause of COVID, so what am I going to do to idhs around Prince promote this release?’ And I thought a podcast Edward Island, would be a really interesting way to promote a re- grew up doing that cord and also talk about other people at the same kind of circuit, with THE LOST IN DREAMS PODCAST, HOSTED BY DYLAN MENZIE AND JOCE REYOME, time,” he says. FEATURES INTERVIEWS WITH ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM old Irish jigs and reels ALL OVER ATLANTIC CANADA. (DESIGN BY NIYI ADEOGUN) Menzie hosts the podcast alongside bassist Joce and things. . . I’ve been Reyome. Together the pair interviews artists, mu- playing music my entire life really, and I play sicians, photographers, writers and actors from all about 10 or 12 different instruments now,” he over Atlantic Canada. says. in Dreams Podcast, he asked Reyome if they would “I wanted to have a very diverse group of artists His style is, in his words, a mix of indie, pop like to co-host. from many different disciplines,” Menzie ex- and Americana. “We had this great rapport and their laugh is plains. “So I’m talking to Reyome, who also just so infectious. I asked them to be the co-host photographers but I’m works as a full-time because I wanted that warm bright energy of also talking to songwrit- “I thought a podcast musician, grew up in Joce in the room,” Menzie says with a laugh. ers and painters and co- would be a really Massachusetts and at- Then, Menzie came up with a list of artists to medians. I wanted it to tended Holland Col- interview. He explains each interview is usually be all over the map just to interesting way to lege on Prince Edward about an hour and a half long. The structure of get a lot of different per- promote a record and Island. They originally the interviews is loose. After his regular first spectives on what art is also talk about other studied vocal perfor- question, he lets the conversation flow from there. and what dreams are.” people at the same mance, but began pick- On the experience of ing up the bass initially While Menzie originally started the podcast as hosting such a podcast time.” just to fill in on graded a way to promote his album, he says he would Reyome says, “It’s kind ensemble pieces in their like to continue with it and expand to interview- of opened my eyes a little classes. They met Menzie through mutual ing artists from all over not just Atlantic Canada. bit more to how [structured] conversations can friends and eventually began playing bass in When asked what he dreams of, Menzie says, still be creative, and still have that fluidity and in- Menzie’s band. “When I dream, it’s usually very fantastical. I spiration.” “I thankfully have been able to work on my usually wake up having thought to myself, ‘I Each episode includes a different guest and so far chops in live performance settings, and now don’t know where that came from, but I had a the first three interviewees were actor Jonathan I’m primarily bassist and that’s pretty cool,” good time.’” He adds he has a lot of flying Torrens, television writer Cheryl Wagner and they say. dreams, which he enjoys. photographer Patricia Bourque. Menzie and Reyome says they dream every night. Reyome began recording episodes back in June, Creating the podcast “Usually it involves my close circle of friends when social distancing guidelines on P.E.I. were and we’re just on some sort of wacky adventure. beginning to loosen up, meaning if they spoke to After Menzie came up with the idea for The Lost I love it and I love dreaming.”

12 | October 2, 2020 dalgazette.com ARTS & LIFESTYLE Skating in the slow lane All-girl skate crew aims to diversify skateboarding scene in Nova Scotia BY CHLOË NGUYEN-DRURY

promoted as a male sport with mainstream media rarely highlighting non-male skaters. In the past few years, media representation has somewhat im- proved due in part to the Oscar-winning documen- tary short Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl) and teen drama Skate Kitchen, which both focus on female skateboarders. As Mott says, “It takes time, but it’s getting better.” Mott points out The Berrics (a skatepark in Cali- fornia) as an example of the progressive changes in the skateboarding world. The Berrics has been featuring more female skaters on their Instagram page as of late. But even today, backlash exists, as evi- denced by the hate comments on The Berrics’ page. “These male skaters, their whole life, have had SKATE IN THE SLOW LANE, FOUNDED BY NOVA SCOTIAN SKATERS KATIE MOTT AND WILLOW STARR, IS A SKATE CREW OPEN tools to help them,” Mott says. “Bros the whole way, TO GIRLS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS. (PHOTO BY RAVEN STORM) cheering them on, showing them the way. Female Close your eyes and imagine seeing a skateboarder. been introduced to skateboarding the way I have,” skaters will show up, they have less support, less in- Are you picturing a white guy? Katie Mott and her says Mott. formation, and they’re still doing it. . . I worked my group of gal pals are looking to change that narra- Co-founder Star says some male skaters “would way here just like you did.” tive. make fun or just constantly explain things” to her. Similarly, Skate in the Slow Lane’s Instagram Star says, “I found most of learning to skate is just page has been making waves especially among Getting started trying things, and so constant advice is often annoy- Nova Scotia’s youngest skaters. Along with her friend Willow Star, in spring 2019 ing and is often just a way for guys to hit on you, “Social media isn’t everything, but it has a lot of Mott co-founded Skate in the Slow Lane, a skate- which is even more frustrating.” influence especially on younger generations,” says boarding group for women and girls in Nova Sco- Mott. She recalls meeting a 10-year-old girl who, tia. A skateboarding renaissance upon watching videos of the Slow Lane girls, was “We were just kind of joking around about how In comparison with other sports, skateboarding is inspired to take up skateboarding. slow we were. We really couldn’t skate at the start,” relatively new. The sport originated in the late “To actually have that influence in real life. . . is says Mott referring to the name of the group. 1940s and gained popularity in the ’70s. By 2001, just insane,” Mott says. Mott and Star began posting photos and videos on more American kids skateboarded than played Instagram as a way to document their progress, but baseball. Recently, increased interest in skate Open to everyone what started as a casual get-together between the brands like Vans, Thrasher and Supreme, along Mott estimates there are around 30 skaters who reg- two quickly developed into much more. with an influx of skate movies (Mid90s and Minding ularly attend Skate in the Slow Lane events, with 10 Mott’s first encounter with skateboarding was the Gap), have jump-started a sort of skateboarding core members in the group. Skill levels vary, and walking into Homegrown Skateboards, a skate renaissance. ages range from 15 to 35. Though the group has shop in LaHave, N.S., where she says she was wel- “Everything expands. The genre’s gonna grow, grown in size, they still maintain a casual, welcom- comed with open arms. Upon watching Home- the scene’s gonna grow and it should, naturally. It ing atmosphere for anyone who wants to drop by. grown regulars skate, Mott was hooked. should progress,” says Mott. “There’s always someone starting. There’s always “I had actually seen a girl skate really good for the As the culture grows and the fan base diversifies, it someone on your level,” says Mott. “It’s super moti- first time in my life, and I was like, I really want to creates more opportunities for underrepresented vating. . . We feed off each other’s energy.” do this,” Mott says. “I started skating everywhere, groups like female and nonbinary skaters. For anyone who wants to start skateboarding (es- all the time, as much as I could with anyone I could “It’s important to have all different kinds of people pecially those who might not see themselves repre- find. It just exploded.” skating ’cause it invites other people to join! I for sure sented in the sport and culture), Mott’s advice is Though Mott says her experiences with skate- felt intimidated by skating with only guys,” Star simple: boarding have been nothing but positive, she under- says. Star also designs and produces upcycled ap- “Show up! People are a lot nicer than you think stands that’s not the case for all non-male skaters. parel and her latest collection is inspired by gender and a lot more willing to help than you imagine. It’s Mott credits Homegrown’s “grassroots, local scene” diversity in the skate scene. intimidating for sure, but the payoff is amazing. . . for making her feel at home, saying the male staff “My most recent run of prints says ‘skateboarding do what you wanna do. Hold ground. Hold space.” are “the most inclusive, supportive men [she’s] ever has no gender’ because I feel it’s important not to In true skater girl fashion, Mott recommends say- met.” assign a gender to skateboarding. It’s for everyone,” ing “Fuck you” to the haters. “I’m very lucky and I know it’s not like this for says Star. “Don’t be afraid to just send it,” Mott says. everyone ’cause I’ve talked to people who haven’t Throughout the years, skateboarding has been

dalgazette.com October 2, 2020 | 13 ARTS & LIFESTYLE Dalhousie poets: countdown and repeat Poems on love and desire

BY AUDREY XUAN the devil’s chord countdown in the grey pain of suburbia the tick of her spine through the unwashed windows drives me forward spiced heavy with cloves and tea leaves like waiting and watching wavering tritone chords drift by she schedules my next move lost, I run my clock on hers weary, her impeccable beat looking for a home or a host. like pounding drums and hissing snares they call to the girl in the yard, or calendars on Roman time who spins around still barefoot, syncing circadian rhythm with mine stepping in the icy evening dew and the rotting apples that decorate the ground she feels the tension in her tissue, the hollowness in her bones, catch, release, repeat the decay in her paper-flaky skin. tell me about your bloodlust hungry for the devil’s touch ah, yes. this pretty pastry will make a lovely nest. to feel the wolf rip into flesh and skin and bone like bread and to feel your mind fall to dust like it like red between your teeth cruel cold god, I like your tongues and nails and arteries I like the chase that makes my heart beat I like the catch and the release “Dalhousie poets” is a rotating column in the Gazette’s Art & Lifestyle section featuring poetry by students on various subjects. Interested in submitting your catch, hold, bite, eat, tease, leave, release verse? Email [email protected]. and repeat

east of June in the north, the sun grins most afternoons but the air still has a bite to it I wash dishes in the six o’clock window so I can feel the warmth coming in from the west it washes over the city and then comes out in waves to us. the year’s nearing its end so no one thinks too clearly instead we spit barbs through tight teeth and turn our fingers upwards and across the room when mistakes are made the sky’s kind but cool we still have a ways to go

(GRAPHIC BY VIJAY VERMA ON BLUSH)

14 | October 2, 2020 dalgazette.com SPORTS Kids jump back into action Dal Tigers’ youth programs reopen for children BY LUKE DYMENT, SPORTS EDITOR

open. We’re one of the few options available for people.” “Camps at Dal are really well-run without a doubt,” LaPlante said. “The university coaches run the camps and they really push the kids to focus and try. This leads the kids to challenge themselves a little more.”

Importance of youth returning to sports Sport Nova Scotia CEO Jamie Ferguson said sport is important for children’s physical and mental health and having them gradually come back is ben- eficial for them. However, the timing must be right for each restriction to be lifted. “Ultimately having sport activities, and the opportunity to play, back is important. It’s also important that [they reopen] safely and we protect each other,” SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS GET A THUMBS UP DURING THE 2019 SESSION. CAMPS STARTED LATER THAN USUAL THIS SUMMER. (PHOTO BY NICK PEARCE) Ferguson said. When COVID-19 shut down Halifax and the rest of Leadership” programs. “From talking to parents, they were very apprecia- the world in March, Jen LaPlante’s children went Chris Keough, Dal’s campus recreation coordina- tive that we’re able to do something [this summer],” from enjoying plenty of physical activity, especially tor, oversees the running of programs. He said the Keough said. “We’re happy that we can provide this with their local basketball team and running club, to camps themselves didn’t change, although their for kids.” virtually none. greatest challenge was planning around Nova Sco- LaPlante said she is grateful Dal offers these pro- After months of missed competitions, her two sons, tia’s public health regulations that mandate minimal grams, but despite their popularity and limited aged 13 and 10, were finally able to return to the contact in sports. sporting options right now, a lot of kids still aren’t gym on Aug. 31. They were enrolled in a Dalhousie “We did two-hour sessions for most groups and back in sports. Tigers basketball youth program and have been for three for some [as opposed to full-day camps before]. “It’s critical that these programs are here. Kids a few years. It eliminated participants’ need to eat here, mini- need to get back out and be challenged. The longer “They were a bit overwhelmed at first and reluc- mized the amount of time they needed the bath- they’re away from physical activity, they spend more tant to go,” LaPlante said about how her kids first felt room and everyone brought their own water since time inside, become less social and don’t recognize about going back to sports. Another reason for their fountains were closed,” Keough said. the value of exercise,” she said. “There are very few discomfort was how re- He said the summer pro- opportunities right now and there’s a big gap of kids duced enrolment num- grams ran smoothly. He that still aren’t in programs or exercising.” bers impacted how many “They really push the hopes all will go well in of their friends would be kids to focus and try. Dal’s fall youth camps too, there. But their reluc- which are new this year. tance soon turned into This leads the kids to Due to the suspension of enthusiasm. challenge themselves Atlantic University Sport “Once they got there, it a little more.” (AUS) fall competition was fantastic. They were and fewer team practices, super sweaty on the walk Dal teams aren’t in the home. They felt good getting exercise,” said LaPlan- gym or on the field as much. So, there will be more te. openings in booking times at the Dalplex, Studley Gym and the other athletic facilities for these kids A different approach, but the same camps to use. The instructors at these camps are Dal camps Tigers coaches and athletes. “[The fall programs] have been well-received from Dal’s summer youth programs started up later than a registration point of view,” Keough said. He added usual this year. The first day of camps began on Aug. all but one fall camp sold out within an hour of reg- 4. Groups were limited to eight participants with a istration opening. “The demand is there because maximum of two instructors. Programs offered in- minor sporting organizations aren’t running right cluded basketball, volleyball and soccer camps, plus PARTICIPANTS SHOOT HOOPS LAST SUMMER IN THE DALHOU- now. Players can’t get into school gyms. They aren’t SIE TIGERS BASKETBALL YOUTH PROGRAM. DAL PLANS TO “Active Youth,” “Youth Adventure” and “Youth HOLD NEW FALL PROGRAMS FOR THE FIRST TIME. (PHOTO BY NICK PEARCE)

dalgazette.com October 2, 2020 | 15 SPORTS Return to play Dal’s soccer teams lost their season, but work towards comeback BY LUKE DYMENT training for so long [from the end of the previous season in November] and we were so fired up for this season,” Guevin said. “For it to be thrown away was a letdown.” Jazic said the school has stepped to the plate to support student athletes impacted by cancellations. Dal has offered mental health services to the teams, along with their efforts to reopen facilities while maintaining safety protocols. “It’s been a great effort from the athletic depart- ment and the university to support student athletes the best they can. Also, Dal did a fantastic job [deal- ing with] students coming from outside the [Atlan- tic] bubble to isolate. It was impressive to see the guidelines followed by everyone,” Jazic said. “It’s BACK BUT NOT DEFEATED, PLAYERS FROM BOTH SOCCER TEAMS EMBRACED NEW COVID-19 PROTOCOLS DURING SEPTEMBER AND TRAINED IN SEPERATE GROUPS OF UP TO 10. nice that we’re part of a university that gives our stu- (PHOTO BY LUKE DYMENT) dent athletes the opportunity to make the most of Soccer leagues in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) separate groups in separate areas or times. Nova this situation.” will not attempt a regular season this year. Neverthe- Scotia set Oct. 1 as the date when up to 50 people less, the Dalhousie University Tigers men’s and could take part in a sports session or game. This A prep year women’s soccer teams are back on campus to train. could potentially open the door for exhibition games Donovan said there is a lot to be gained this year The AUS has yet to determine whether winter against other schools soon. despite the loss of the season, especially the chance to competition for the other sports will go ahead. In a “I’m hoping for [games] in late fall. I’m optimistic get stronger as a team. regular year, soccer and cross-country are the only it can happen. We could get a few games in before it’s “We’ve been doing so well in training so far. The two AUS sports that hold competitions in the fall. too cold,” Jazic said. “In the winter months, hopeful- talent on our team will come back next year even In what could end up being around a 20-monthly we can rent facilities and have games. I, too, wish better,” she said. “We have a ton of incoming players long AUS soccer off-season, both of Dal’s teams have I knew how soon.” and fourth years like me are looking into a fifth year fully reunited with an emphasis on team building. Women’s player Riley Donovan said she’s excited so we can play. We’ll have a bunch of returning play- “Practices are fun. We’re still working super hard, to be back and potentially play some games. She ers too.” maybe a bit harder than we do in a regular pre-sea- mentioned how Nova Scotia allowed a return to play Jazic said his team is looking at the positives of los- son, which is a little sur- in soccer over the summer, ing their season. prising, but it’s been unlike at her home in On- “Rookies undergo a big transition from high good,” said Cat Guevin, a “The talent on our tario. school to university, especially when moving fourth-year student with team will come back “That was tough, since I here from away. They can adjust to the aca- the women’s Tigers. lean on soccer and play it next year even better. demic side of university, and transition to living “[The team] is enthusi- every day in the summer. here and meeting new people. Throughout the astic. You can tell they’re We have a ton of But I could still complete year, they will grow physically and mentally, really happy to be here incoming players and fitness training,” Dono- and will be a year more mature. That will be a training and seeing one van said. “With the re- big advantage for them moving forward,” Jazic another,” men’s head fourth years like me turn, we just have to keep are looking into a fifth said. “The team is still practicing four times a coach Alan Jazic said. adapting and, with the re- week and next year, everybody will know what “There are pretty tight year so we can play.” strictions, see what we can to expect. It’s a prep year.” restrictions, which make do.” Despite the challenges, Guevin said her team has it challenging to deliver The suspension of fall pulled together to work through any difficulties to- training sessions, but we’re making the most of it. sports announced in June had a more profound im- gether. Dal is doing their best to make sure that students are pact on the soccer teams. Their season wasn’t offi- “The motivational aspect has been more difficult. still getting a positive experience.” cially cancelled at the time, but the uncertainty It’s hard to not have something to look forward to around how the year would pan out was a concern. with no season,” she said. “Staying together as a Playing within restrictions The women’s team learned of the fall cancellations team is super important right now. We’re going At the time of writing, training sessions were limited during a team meeting on Zoom. practice-by-practice.” to 10 players at a time, meaning the teams trained in “A lot of the girls got emotional. It’s huge to be

16 | October 2, 2020 dalgazette.com SPORTS How COVID-19 afflicted sports A timeline of the biggest local and international sports events since March BY LUKE DYMENT, SPORTS EDITOR MARCH March 24: July 23: MLB season began without fans, but with some The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, set to be interesting cardboard cutouts in the stands instead. March 7: held from July 24 to Aug. 9, were postponed until (Cutouts of Andrew Cuomo, Rush’s Geddy Lee the summer of 2021. The Paralympics moved to The 2020 International Ice Hockey Federation and Toronto Blue Jays superfan “Home Plate Aug. 24 to Sept. 5, 2021. (IIHF) Women’s World Hockey Championships, Lady” have appeared at Jays games this year.) due to be played in Halifax and Truro, were cancelled. Both cities were then awarded the 2021 edition. APRIL July 26: April 6: Twenty-four NHL teams arrived in the Edmonton March 11: PGA released new dates for major tournaments. and Toronto bubbles. Playoffs were set to begin on Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for The PGA Championship moved to Aug. 6 to 9, the Aug. 1. COVID-19 before a game in Oklahoma City. The U.S. Open to Sept. 17 to 20 and the Masters to NBA suspended the remainder of the season that Nov. 12 to 15. AUGUST night, becoming the first major league to do so. Aug. 4: MAY Phase two of Dal Athletics’ facility reopening plan March 12: began. The Dalplex fitness hall and studios May 26: reopened on a limited, reservation-only basis. The Major League Soccer (MLS) suspended its season. The NHL confirmed 24 teams would finish the Studley Gym also opened for youth programs and The (National Hockey League) NHL paused its season in two or more “hubs” without fans. These appointments. season. The National Collegiate Athletic hubs were confirmed as Toronto and Edmonton Association (NCAA) cancelled its men’s Division l on July 10. basketball championships, better known as March Madness, plus the rest of their winter and spring Aug. 17: championships. Major League Baseball (MLB) JUNE After weeks of delays, the Canadian Football suspended Spring Training games and delayed the League (CFL) cancelled its season. Phase three of start of the season due to start March 26. June 4: Dal Athletics’ facility reopening plan began. More The NBA approved the plan to resume their season Dalplex facilities, like the courts and pool, opened at a bubble in Walt Disney World and included 22 for appointments. Several student athletes returned March 13: teams within reach of playoff contention. to Halifax around this day or shortly thereafter. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the rest of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) suspended their seasons. U Sports June 8: Aug. 18: cancelled its national hockey and volleyball Atlantic University Sport (AUS) suspended fall The NFL said it would become the first of the big championships, the final championships of the four North American sports leagues to let fans into 2019/2020 season. The hockey championships, sports and cancelled six national championships across four sports. games since March. The Kansas City Chiefs were including the men’s in Halifax and women’s in permitted to allow 22 per cent of Arrowhead Charlottetown, had been underway for one day Stadium’s capacity into their Sept. 10 game, the before cancellations. Dalhousie University was set season opener, against the Houston Texans. A fan to play in the women’s volleyball championships. June 24: tested positive for COVID-19 the next day. PGA announced certain events, like the PGA Championship and the Masters, were postponed. MLB announced a 60-game season to begin in July. Aug. 25: JULY The Montreal Impact of the MLS played a home March 23: game in front of 250 fans, the first pro sports event CHL officially cancelled its playoffs and Memorial July 6: in Canada since March to allow fans. (The MLS Cup. isn’t considered part of the big four North American Phase one of Dal Athletics’ reopening plan began. leagues.) The Wickwire Field and outdoor tennis courts reopened.

dalgazette.com October 2, 2020 | 17 SPORTS Intramurals positioned to restart Clubs and leagues welcome non-varsity players keen to get in the game BY DYLAN ALECK

With the school year underway and COVID-19 ensure all players on their team follow the safety vember at the Scotiabank Centre and the RBC regulations loosening in Nova Scotia, many stu- measures throughout the season. Centre in Dartmouth, although this is subject to dents are asking if or where they can play sports. HSCC sports operations manager Nicole Carlson change in the event a COVID-19 spike appears. Some organizations in Halifax are offering students extended an invitation to Dalhousie students to join LUG also administers e-sports competitions. that opportunity this year. HSSC sports. The hockey season is scheduled to run from No- “The school year looks a lot different this year vember 2020 until March 2021 and will take Dalhousie intramurals and other cities where we operate intramurals breaks around the student schedules. Breaks in- Dalhousie University’s intramurals program will have definitely been impacted,” Carlson said. clude during exams, reading week, Christmas attempt to have programming for students this year “Any students who want to play sports, we’d love break, St. Patrick’s Day and major events like the despite classes being on- to have them out.” Super Bowl. line. While intramurals LUG will run three hockey divisions this season have typically been open “The school year looks a LUG hockey in Halifax: A division targets former junior/AAA level players, B division is for players who played to people other than Dal- lot different this year LUG runs recreational housie students, includ- sports leagues across Can- competitively below the AAA level, and C divi- ing Dalplex members, and other cities where ada and now includes sion is for house league players, players who have that won’t be the case this we operate intramurals Halifax. Its leagues are played casually and beginners to the sport. fall according to Dalhou- targeted at post-second- They will play 4-on-4 this season (four players on have definitely been the ice per team, plus a goalie) to help follow sie’s campus recreation impacted” ary students and while coordinator Chris Ke- there is no age limit, play- COVID-19 protocols. LUG has stated it has rules ough. ers must be at least 17. in place to adhere to the provincial requirements, “It will be 100 per cent students and that’s the uni- The league has been running a softball league in including no faceoffs and requires “chirping” (trash versity’s wish,” Keough said. Halifax since Sept. 19, 2020. Teams in LUG talking) to be done at a distance. COVID-19 protocols will be the same as at the leagues are scheduled to play seven or eight games. All three organizations said they will remove any Dalplex and will include screening. In an email to the Dalhousie Gazette, LUG said team from their respective competition should they The earliest in-person intramurals could return at hockey is scheduled to begin the first week of No- not follow the COVID-19 protocols put in place. Dal would be in mid-October, although no decisions have been made yet on exactly which sports will be played. With the Nova Scotia government’s announcement that gathering limits for sports will increase to 50 players starting Oct. 1, any sport that’s been played before could possibly return under public health guidelines.

Halifax Sport and Social Club Another organization that will have recreational sports taking place in the city is the Halifax Sport and Social Club (HSSC). The organization will run its fall season from Sep- tember to December. The winter season will begin in January 2021 and continue until April. All sports are coed, and all teams require both male and female players. Sports that will be played in the fall season include curling, soccer, volleyball, floor hockey, softball and badminton among several others. They hold competitions at several HRM facilities. Some include the George Dixon Centre on Brunswick Street, the Canada Games Centre in Clayton Park and the East Coast Varsity Dome in Dartmouth. The HSSC will enforce safety measures to abide by COVID-19 guidelines such as screening and sanitizing protocols. They mandate teams elect a team safety ambassador from their players who will DAL STUDENTS PLAY SOCCER AND FRISBEE ON THE WICKWIRE FIELD. (PHOTO BY GEOFFREY HOWARD)

18 | October 2, 2020 dalgazette.com