FEB. 28 - MARCH 12, 2020 | ISSUE 152 - 11 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

NORTHNORTH AMERICA'SAMERICA'S OLDEST OLDEST CAMPUS CAMPUS NEWSPAPER NEWSPAPER EST. EST. 1868 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 JOHN AMYOONY REFLECTS BACK ON LIFE AS AN IMMIGRANT AND A CAREER WELL SPENT RUNNING TRIPLE A. PHOTO BY TRAVIS DEVONPORT KATHLEEN JONES

The A-Team Benjamin Mowat has been a student at Meet the family behind a Halifax student staple both the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University for two years, but ALSO IN THIS ISSUE he’s no stranger to politics. DAL’S INVESTMENTS BUSTING CORONAVIRUS THE TIGERS’ NEW As soon as he graduated from high "A SLAP IN THE FACE" MYTHS SOCCER COACH 6 10 19 school, he began work on Olivia Chow’s campaign for mayor of Toronto, where he lived at the time. “And that was an incredibly rewarding experience, working for a leftist cause,” he says. Now, Mowat is the events coordi- nator for the Nova Scotia Young New Democrats, a group he became involved with in January of 2017. 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 2 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com OCT 5 TO OCT 18, 2018 | ISSUE 151 - 03 3 1:42 PM 45% Amina Abawajy: First January 26–February 15, 2018 Black President of DSU ISSUE 150–08 1(902) 425-1066 NORTH AMERICA'S OLDEST CAMPUS NEWSPAPER EST. 1868 12 NORTH AMERICA'S OLDEST CAMPUS NEWSPAPER Discussing identity politics Text Message EST. 1868 Today 1:41PM 20 Rebecca Dingwell Sarah Moore 25 years down with the Tigers—more to come Editor-in-Chief Sports Editor I have a lot on my [email protected] [email protected]

mind and need Karla Renic Lucia Helder Youth political someone to talk to News Editor Copy Editor parties on

[email protected] WILLARD, BASKET RESCUE OPERATION (TALKING TO PETER MORIN AND REMEMBERING DANA [email protected]’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 Tarini Fernando Chris Stoodley ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Navigating the complex Thank you for contacting Arts & Lifestyle Editor Visuals Editor world of politics on campus EVEN “DINGY” APARTMENTS ARE WHAT’S IN THE DAL EDITOR'S LETTER 3 [email protected] UNAFFORDABLE IN HALIFAX 5 [email protected] CLINIC? 19 the Sexual Assault and KATHLEEN JONES Harassment Text Line. Benjamin Mowat has been a student at Isabel Buckmaster Alexandra Fox both the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University for two years, but We will be with you Opinions Editor Page Designer he’s no stranger to politics. [email protected] [email protected] As soon as he graduated from high shortly. school, he began work on Olivia Chow’s campaign for mayor of Toronto, where he lived at the time. “And that was an incredibly rewarding Contributing to this issue: experience, working for a leftist cause,” We’re here to listen. Dylan Aleck, Madeline Biso, Feleshia Chandler, Travis Devonport, Luke Dyment, he says. Now, Mowat is the events coordi- Elizabeth Foster, Lane Harrison, Carleigh MacKenzie, Gokce On, Alex Rincon & nator for the Nova Scotia Young New Yanni Wang Democrats, a group he became involved with in January of 2017. We believe you. The Young New Democrats aren’t ADVERTISING CONTACT US 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. Alexandra Sweny dalgazette.com Mowat attributes the challenge to WE’VE EXPANDED OUR PHONE LINE TO ALSO INCLUDE TEXT Administration and Business Assistant The SUB, Room 345 conflicting commitments and the fact that politically engaged students might be MESSAGING—YOU CAN NOW CALL OR TEXT FOR SUPPORT. (289) 879-1557 6136 University Avenue more interested in student union politics. [email protected] Halifax NS, B3H 4J2 “The student unions in Halifax take up a lot of room, and they focus a lot of

CONT’D PG. 18 THE FINE PRINT

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A confidential, anonymous phone line for people who have experienced This publication is intended for readers 18 years of age or older. The views of our writers are not the explicit views of Dalhousie University. All students of Dalhousie University, as well as any interested parties on or sexual and/or gender-based violence or harassment. Our specially-trained off-campus, are invited to contribute to any section of the newspaper. Please contact the appropriate editor for volunteers oer non-judgemental active listening/texting and information. submission guidelines, or drop by in for our weekly office hours in room 345 of the Dal SUB. The Gazette reserves the right to edit and reprint all submissions, and will not publish material deemed by its editorial The Sexual Assault & Harassment Phone Line board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous. Opinions expressed in submitted letters is a service of the Dalhousie Student Union dsu.ca/survivorsupport 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. dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 3 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Journalists should try to do right by the Wet’sutwet’en land defenders

Dear Reader, Any crusty ol’ journalism prof will tell you: reporters should “comfort the afflicted to as “protesters” and “demonstrators,” some activists and academics say “land de- and afflict the comfortable.” But the truth is, when it comes to marginalized groups, fenders” is more accurate given the nature of the situation. On the other hand, some the news media hasn’t always done a great job of upholding the standards in that fa- writers and editors are pushing back against using the term “land defender,” claiming mous line. This is true for LGBTQ2S+ people, Black people, people of colour, Indig- that protester is a neutral term (it isn’t — look it up). enous people, disabled people and more. This pushback reminds me of the uproar against using the singular “they” or the cap- While I’m happy to see outlets covering the demonstrations in Wet’sutwet’en (and italization of the word “Black” when referring to race. Multiple outlets have imple- elsewhere in solidarity), I question the nature of some of that reporting. For example, mented both into their style guides and the world hasn’t burned. The language we CBC political correspondent Rosemary Barton tweeted a statement from Canadian (journalists) have used up to this point isn’t objective. It was coloured by the histori- National Railway Co. (CN Rail), stating that employees would be laid off as a result of cally white, male editors at the top. As the world shifts and language changes, the news the railway blockades. Barton wasn’t the only journalist to parrot CN Rail’s story media would do well to move with it. After all, aren’t we trying to stay relevant? without the context from last November, when the company had already announced that major layoffs would be happening. In addition, as Calgary bureau journalist Rosa Saba reported for the Toronto Star, the language used by reporters, RCMP and politicians don’t always tell the whole story. While those who oppose the invasion of Indigenous territory are often referred

- Rebecca Dingwell, Editor-in-Chief NEWS Desmond Cole’s year of Black activism The Toronto-based writer came to Halifax to launch his new book BY CARLEIGH MACKENZIE

Desmond Cole is one of Canada’s strongest forces ism and racism in each month of 2017. Every alongside local poet El Jones and advocates Lynn in the fi ght against police street checks and carding. chapter was dedicated to a month of the year Jones and Fatuma Alyaan. The Toronto-based journalist and activist launched where he encountered, or participated in, acts of his new book at the University of King’s College on Black resilience. At the launch Feb. 13. The book, The Skin We’re In, studies racism, Its subtitle reads A Year of Black Resistance and Power, Among the crowd in Alumni Hall was Santina anti-Blackness and police brutality in Canada, which was misprinted by his publisher in January, Rao, a Black woman who was tackled by Halifax throughout the year 2017. leaving out the word “Black.” Cole said, “our Black- Police in the Mumford terminal Walmart in Janu- “I am beyond any possible expression of how ness needs to be visible.” ary. She was accused of shoplifting by putting special this is. This is literally a dream come true The literary activist told Halifax launch attendees items onto her child’s stroller while still in the store. for me,” Cole said at the launch. that the book is about surviving as a Black person in At the event, Rao was called to the fl oor and re- Cole, a former Toronto Star columnist, named the a white, colonialized country. ceived a standing ovation. book after his 2015 essay for Toronto Life, “The Skin “What’s happening right now is more or less Activism and literature was one of the evening’s I’m In,” in which he described being carded over normal. So Black people getting stopped in the main topics of discussion. The panelists talked 50 times by Toronto police. The piece went viral. street, Black people getting deported after being about the power of stories and how the stories we Then, in May 2017, Cole left the Star after being here since they were children, the prisons being tell can infl uence political and social change. told he was violating the paper’s policies on jour- full of Black and Indigenous people even though Comparative literature expert at King’s, Laura nalism and activism. He’d spoken out against ra- we make up a tiny fraction of the population, Penny, said literature is activism. “Whoever says lit- cial profi ling and carding at Toronto Police Ser- more or less normal,” he said. “That’s how it is. It erature isn’t political sucks at reading,” she said. vices Board meeting. “I stand up for the children shouldn’t be like that.” “Toni Morrison said that, anybody who says litera- of this city that you guys refuse to protect, particu- Having signed a book deal in 2015 with Dou- ture isn’t political is just endorsing the status quo.” larly the Black children,” he said in part. bleday Canada, Cole’s book has now been pub- Anti-racism advocate (and one of Cole’s panelists) lished and sold across the country. It was re- Lynn Jones said when it comes to Black resilience, The book leased in January, and Halifax was Cole’s fourth activism never ends. “You call it activism whereas stop on the book launch tour, after Ottawa, To- The title to his book is symbolic to its message. I call it survival.” ronto and Montreal. According to CBC, The “The ‘we’ for me is Black people,” said Cole at the Cole said he wanted to tell a story that is current Skin We’re In was the #1 Canadian nonfi ction Halifax launch. “Anybody who wants to be in- and yet connects back to the history of Black peo- book for the week of Feb. 9-15. cluded in that liberation struggle can be included ple in Canada. Hundreds of Haligonians fi lled up the University in that ‘we’ whether they are Black or not.” “Our stories are part of this narrative of being ON FEB. 13, TORONTO-BASED JOURNALIST AND of King’s College Alumni Hall to hear Cole speak, ACTIVIST DESMOND COLE RELEASED HIS BOOK, THE The book follows Cole’s experiences of activ- Canadian as well.” SKIN WE’RE IN. PHOTO BY EL JONES

4 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com NEWS Tuition rises to keep pricing competitive Budget committee says government funding is not enough for Dalhousie BY LANE HARRISON

ince implemented three per cent tuition caps that only cover Nova Scotian undergraduate students. Those who are out of province, inter- national, graduate and in the professional stud- ies (medicine, law and dentistry) have no cap on tuition. “Essentially, the boards can vote to raise tu- ition for domestic students to a maximum of three per cent and for the rest of students to whatever amount they want,” said Lianne Xiao. This was the case with the MOU released in 2015, which expires at the beginning of April.

International tuition spikes During the fi ve-year period since the 2015 MOU was released, tuition for international students was raised at three per cent per year, until 2019-20. However, since international stu- dent tuition is greater than that of domestic stu- dents, a three per cent increase, in 2017-18 for BY CARLEIGH MACKENZIE example, meant $216 for domestic students and $486 for international students. For the 2019-20 school year, Dalhousie raised international tuition by 8.1 per cent — a $1,371.84 increase. In an October interview with the Dalhousie Ga- zette about the 2019 MOU, the minister of La- bour and Advanced Education for the province, Labi Kousoulis, said lower tuition would not necessarily mean a more accessible education OVER THE PAST DECADE, TUITION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HAS RISEN BY OVER $4,500. PHOTO BY LANE HARRISON for those from low-income households. Tuition for international students at Dalhousie will start to match their tuition fees to upkeep cent increase in grant support is not adequate to “That means that whoever has the best marks University has risen over $4,500 in the past de- the post-secondary sector.” cover Dalhousie’s annual cost increases.” goes to university because there's limited seats. cade, $1,300 of which happened in 2019-20 The post-secondary sector and the provincial From the report, government funding between And it means parents, wealthy parents, pay for alone. government reached a new agreement in the fall 2014-15 and 2019-20, has decreased from 53 per tutors so that their kids can excel, while lower Tuition increases for all students are a neces- of 2019 on what funding universities will be cent to 49 per cent of the university’s total reve- income families cannot aff ord that luxury,” sary response to insuffi cient funding from the granted by the province over the next fi ve years. nue. The revenue from tuition has grown from Kousoulis said. provincial government, according to the Dal- The memorandum of understanding (MOU), 35.5 per cent to 41.2 per cent. While Dalhousie says their need to increase housie Budget Advisory Committee Report on released Sept. 13, 2019, outlined a one per cent The decrease in government funding has had tuition is a consequence of a lack of govern- Dal’s 2020-21 operating budget. funding increase to universi- an impact equivalent to $1,400 ment funding, their report says this is a com- However, the N.S. Canadian Federation of ties to $365 million annually per student, according to the mon standard. “On average international stu- Students’ Chairperson Lianne Xiao said the — a $3.6 million bump from “Education is a report. This is now being dents across Canada are expected to pay a province’s education department is arguing 2018-19. The most recent made up through tuition — greater portion of the full cost of their pro- that high fees for international students are nor- MOU will go into eff ect on right, not a predominantly from interna- grams through their fees,” reads the October mal because programs must remain competi- April 1 and continue through luxury.” tional students. report by the Dalhousie Budget Advisory tively priced. to 2024. The number of international Committee. “Education is a right, not a luxury,” said Xiao. students enrolled at Dalhousie During the Feb. 11, 2020 Board of Governors Government funding not has nearly doubled from 2011 to 2018, rising up meeting, the university said a new report from A provincial issue enough to just under 4000. In the meantime, since 2011, the Budget Advisory Committee will be shared Xiao notes that Dalhousie’s annual tuition in- international student tuition has increased by 33 in the coming weeks. The board is preparing to According to Dal’s Budget Advisory Committee per cent. discuss the budget and future tuition at their crease doesn’t only aff ect Dal students, but all Report, released Oct. 25, 2019, “the one per students in the province. “A lot of universities Through the October memorandum, the prov- meeting in the spring.

dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 5 NEWS Dal reports show millions invested in pipeline owner “It’s a slap in the face” BY KARLA RENIC, NEWS EDITOR

Dalhousie’s investment Especially Mi’kmaw students, given that we are on unceded Mi’kmaw land.” Dalhousie University, located on unceded Mi’kma’ki territory, has not released a state- University response ment in regards to the conflict of Wet’suwet’en and Canadian nations. During the Feb. 11 Board of Governors meet- Dal’s March 2019 Treasury Investments re- ing, DSU President Aisha Abawajy used her port shows over $27 million publicly traded report time to issue a solidarity statement. A (PT) equity holdings in mining, oil and gas. section of it read: Of that, $2,388,700 was invested into Trans- “The Dalhousie student council stands in Canada Corporation — recently renamed to solidarity with land defenders in Wet’suwet’en TC Energy. This is double the 2018 amount. territory, as they continue to resist state vio- Naomi Bird, a Cree Two-spirit student at lence […] We condemn the violent acts of Dalhousie, and Dalhousie Student Union’s In- Coastal Gas Link and our nation, who are digenous student representative, said they are acting directly in violation of Canadian and disappointed in Dalhousie for continuing to Wet’suwet’en law and the UNDRIP.” support TC Energy. Abawajy called on the university to engage “Seeing the university financially support, in conversations about its TC Energy holds thus enabling continued violence upon people and divestment efforts. Dalhousie President and the land, by investing in TC sends a clear Deep Saini responded he concurs this is a se- message to Indigenous students: the university rious issue facing the planet, and is currently will ignore Indigenous sovereignty and title to in discussion with other universities to create unceded lands when there are profits to be a coalition with a stance on the climate crisis, made.” and to “stay tuned.” Bird said Dalhousie does little to support In- Saini was not available for an interview at digenous students on campus: “no Indigenous the time of the request. major, inadequate funding and services for Isa Wright, the DSU’s vice-president (Fi- NDN students, teachers without cultural com- nance and Operations) said in an email state- petency and anti-racist training.” ment that it’s time for Dal to put its money In solidarity, Bird would like the university where its mouth is. The university “publishes to “divest from TC, issue a formal apology to their investments but refuses to discuss the NAOMI BIRD, A CREE TWO-SPIRIT DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY STUDENT, HANGS A SIGN DURING A SIT-IN IN FRONT OF students, faculty and community members implications of their investments on Indige- MP ANDY FILMORE’S OFFICE. PHOTO BY MADDI TANG and issue a solidarity statement with the nous students and their communities,” she Dalhousie’s Indigenous students and allies addition, the land is of great environmental Wet’suwet’en Nation.” wrote. “They claim to prioritize Equality, Di- are calling for acts of solidarity with Indige- and cultural value. Another Indigenous student at Dal, who versity, and Inclusion, but continue to invest nous land defenders in British Columbia, as British Columbia was the first province in asked to remain unnamed, said the TC invest- millions of dollars in resource extraction.” pipeline developments escalate. Last year’s Canada to implement UNDRIP (UN Declara- ment is a slap in the face. Dal spokesperson Brian Leadbetter said in Treasury Investments Report shows Dalhou- tion on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples). This “The land is so important. To me, it’s a rela- an email that Dal, as an institution, will not sie University invested over $2.3 million into injunction is in violation of Wet’suwet’en and tion,” she said. “To see the investment into issue a statement in regards to Wet’suwet’en. TC Energy — owner of the Coastal GasLink Canadian law, as well as several UN articles. something that is destructing the environment However, the university is “very sympathetic pipeline. Article 8.2.b. of UNDRIP reads, “States and the land is a lot to carry. It’s really emo- to members of our community who are af- shall provide effective mechanisms for pre- tional.” fected by this national issue.” A rundown of pipeline conflicts vention of, any action which has the aim or At a $2.3 million price point, she said “the Leadbetter added that the university knows there is improvement to be done, and the new For the last few weeks, B.C. RCMP officers effect of dispossessing them of their lands, ter- return on investment would be so much high- hire of a director of Indigenous Community have been forcefully removing and arresting ritories or resources.” Significantly, article 10 er, should that money be invested in Indige- Engagement will help develop “an Indige- Indigenous land defenders and allies from the states “Indigenous peoples shall not be forci- nous students versus investing that amount of nous Strategy that will provide a framework Wet’suwet’en territories. Their defence: a bly removed from their lands or territories.” money into a corporation that’s directly re- to guide our future work in these areas.” court-ordered injunction, allowing Coastal Following these violations, Indigenous na- sponsible for inflicting violence upon Indige- The anonymous Indigenous student said she GasLink to pursue the development of 670-ki- tions and allies have taken to the streets nous land and Indigenous peoples.” believes it’s not enough to say “we’re all treaty lometre pipeline through unceded across Canada, in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en The student believes Indigenous students, people.” Wet’suwet’en territories. land defenders. faculty and staff on campus are significantly “We need to see action, support and solidar- Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs have stated In Halifax, young community leaders have under-resourced. Dalhousie could provide an ity from people in power to make change and the pipeline cannot be built through their tra- organized rail and bridge blockades, and a increased funding “to help increase the repre- uphold certain Indigenous sovereignty.” ditional territory without their consent. In sit-in in front of MP Andy Filmore’s office. sentation of Indigenous students at Dalhousie.

6 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS Saving Halifax’s wilderness areas, one painting at a time Local artists' new exhibit aims to raise environmental awareness BY ELIZABETH FOSTER

STUDENT AND SELF-CARE BLOGGER FLORENCE WALLACE TAKING A MOMENT TO BREATHE WITH A CALMING CUP OF TEA. PHOTO BY CARLEIGH MACKENZIE

Two years ago Shelagh Duffett, a Halifax art- thought: ‘this is it, this is what I’ve been looking Duffet said the land being sold is an impor- and vibrant. ist, booked a space in the Chase Gallery at the for, this is what I want to do a fundraiser for,’” tant piece to acquire. “It has to be done by The exhibit is multidisciplinary; there’s pho- Nova Scotia Archives. On Feb. 8, she finally said Duffett. She used to swim in the park’s July of this year. And this piece of land, they tography, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, got to see the fruit of her labour. lakes when she was younger. Now, she hikes. call it the ‘connector piece’ because it joins etched wood and resin pours. Duffett organized WILD, an art exhibition at two large pieces of wilderness together.” All ten artists followed the same theme: wil- the gallery, to support the A pricey gem After getting support from the Nature Trust, derness. Nova Scotia Nature Trust’s Duffett contacted ten local artists, who are “It’s all wilderness. All the art has no hu- The Blue Mountain-Birch “Save the Wild Blue” cam- now featured in the exhibit. Each artist manity in it whatsoever. That was the theme, “That was the Cove Lakes Wilderness paign. The project aims to agreed to give a percentage of their sales, be- it was just to paint wild,” Duffett said. Area, located north of protect Halifax’s Blue theme, it was just tween 20 to 40 per cent, to the Save the Wild “Nature, rocks, water, sky … and it’s a beau- Clayton Park and Bayers Mountain-Birch Cove Blue Campaign. One artist, she said, agreed tiful show.” to paint wild.” Lake, is a high-profile wil- Lakes Wilderness Area. to donate 100 per cent. Gallery-goers can The exhibit is free to the public and will be derness area. In spring of From the start, Duffett also donate on the spot. running until Feb. 28. So far, Duffet said the 2018, the city bought 200 knew she wanted to organize an exhibition fundraiser has been successful. acres of land for the park. Last year, the fed- that would give back to the community, spe- “So often people complain, and wring their eral government invested $860,000 for the All wilderness everything cifically something with an environmental fo- hands and think ‘oh this is terrible,’ and they city to buy an additional 135 acres. Each artist brought a unique style to the gal- cus. don’t really do anything,” Duffett said. “I Part of the land is still privately owned but lery. Artist Lori Macdonald created soft, win- “In October they came up with this ‘Save the thought, ‘OK, I’m going to actually do some- the owners agreed to sell the land to the N.S. tery scenes on etched pieces of birchwood, Wild Blue’ campaign, and all of a sudden I thing rather than just complain and feel bad.’” Nature Trust — for $2.2 million. while Danny Abriel’s art was broad stroked

dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 7 OPINIONS Relatable millionaires What influencers do when their lives are no longer relatable BY MADELINE BISO

Influencers have found a way to make money by being themselves. A sense of “realness” has al- ways led to a spike in popularity, whether it’s politicians trying to appeal to the everyday man, or celebrities showing off their quirky per- sonalities during talk show interviews. Yet there’s an irony in this. The wave of acting relatable has seen an in- crease on social media with vloggers and life- style YouTubers leading the rise of the “relatable millionaire.” Of course, not all YouTubers who are perceived as relatable are millionaires. Some are average teens who go to school and speak about their daily lives and insecurities.

Flex culture Being relatable is not a bad thing. However, flex culture, the process of showing off all the expen- sive things you own, is annoying and unlikeable. It’s likely to get more haters than admirers and yet continues to have mass appeal across social media platforms. It’s weird to watch these millionaires who pre- tend they are the same as the average person. A YouTuber could be complaining about how they’ve been spending all their money on food while vlogging from their giant house. They could be telling the camera “I’m just like you,” while dropping out of high school and going on Gucci shopping sprees off-camera. That’s where this sense of fake authenticity comes from. But relatability, while popular, is a slippery slope. Not everyone can maintain this image. PHOTO BY MADELINE BISO Relatability is difficult to cided to make anxiety merch in an attempt to private jet. This juxtaposing image is seen as Staying low-key relatable even though I doubt most of his view- maintain when your life isn’t relate to her audience. Yes, you read that right. Good examples are Safiya Nygaard and Jenna- ers have their own private jets. Viewers relate relatable She was selling t-shirts that said “my anxiety Marbles. Although both are wildly successful on to his love of fast food — it makes him human. has anxieties” and a hoodie with the Google YouTube, they remain low-key. They don’t take Emma Chamberlain became popular for being Shane Dawson is another YouTuber who re- definition of anxiety on it. However, rather than themselves seriously, as seen with their ridiculous relatable, leading to quick success on YouTube. lies heavily on his relatable personality. Espe- coming off as relatable as she had intended, it challenges and videos, and they seem more like Things changed when she moved to L.A. Her cially when hanging around with Star, he acts came off as her trying to make mental illness their natural selves when behind the camera. subscribers began to say that her money and poor, even though he isn’t. He’ll act shocked at trendy. It’s problematic to make a profit from This natural quirkiness is more relatable than if fame made her different. It certainly didn’t help Star’s designer clothes, but then will go buy merch that romanticizes anxiety. Imagine they pretended and joked like they were poor. when she began selling merchandise. Her merch Gucci for himself. He falls into the unfortu- wearing a hat that said “schizophrenic” or a Famous YouTubers are going to be rich. Many website was filled with blurred out pictures of nate trend of relatable millionaires acting like “bipolar” blouse. are going to live in big houses in California and products, so that consumers couldn’t see what they are less well-off than they actually are. buy designer clothes. They are going to travel and they were purchasing, and pricey, with three His humour and insecurities are so relatable to Juxtaposition is key be part of fashion shows and other opportunities. scrunchies going for $25. But there always seems his audience that he doesn’t have to keep up Some will brag about what they have, others will to be another quirky personality getting fame For some YouTubers, being unrelatable works. the image that he is poor. try and completely deny it. every year; after Emma came the likes of Anto- YouTuber and cosmetic company owner Jef- The key to being relatable not to pretend There needs to be a balance in the middle. To be nio Garza and Joana Ceddia. free Star loves luxury. He constantly shows off you’re leading a middle class lifestyle. Design- both a millionaire and relatable at the same time, Sometimes, trying to be relatable backfires. his expensive lifestyle and yet despite his unre- er clothing, fancy cars and luxury brand hauls without isolating one or the other. It is the most Take the case of Corinna Kopf, a member of latability, it’s his personality people that relate are a dead giveaway. the popular Vlog Squad on YouTube. She de- to. In one video, he eats Burger King on his authentic to show your relatable, low-key person- ality while not denying your wealth and privilege.

8 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com OPINIONS The atypical eating disorder Why there is no such thing as a one size fits all treatment BY CARLEIGH MACKENZIE

order that is mild enough where it won’t kill me. Every day I am trying to be better, but it is unfortunate that our healthcare system has forced me to deal with this myself. Most thera- pists aren’t able to tell me how to slowly and safely input the foods I cut out back into my diet and monitor my health while doing so, and most dieticians can’t counsel my disrup- tive thoughts and compulsions about food, it’s not in their job description. The only place where you can get effective and proper treat- ment for an eating disorder is at an eating dis- order clinic. It seems obvious, but as I’ve al- ready said, to get into these facilities you need to fit into a diagnosable mold.

Outside of the diagnosable mold When people who don’t have an eating disor- der picture what one looks like, they think someone who is extremely underweight, starves themselves or forces themselves to vomit. While this is true, these stereotypes should not influ- ence medical treatment. The ideal look of these eating disorders should not influence how the person is treated medically. Nowhere in the ac- tual description of anorexia does it say, “must weigh under 100 pounds,” but it says, “extreme weight loss or fear of gaining weight.” As some- body who hails from a family of curvy, muscu- lar women, I could stop eating and still weigh the same as someone who has a fast metabolism and eats whatever they want. Trust me, I’ve tried it. Sometimes it comes down to genetics. I shouldn’t be left to fend for myself if I don’t fol- low the standard. That’s almost like telling someone with early cancer that since they’re not sick enough yet they need to wait longer for PHOTO BY CARLEIGH MACKENZIE treatment. Horrible, right? Stereotypes are harmful. Not only in a margin- though I’ve struggled with that too, but more were mainly focused on anorexia and bulimia. The truth is, to get better treatment for eating alization sense, but in a way that affects how about an overwhelming desire to be “healthy.” Not everyone who purges what they eat is go- disorders, we must understand how complex people are treated. I’m not talking about how I’ve had issues with disordered eating since I ing to weigh 90 pounds, but that person still and unique each condition is. To further my people are treated by friends or outsiders; I’m was around 12 years old. has the symptoms of bulimia nervosa. Not ev- point about stereotypes, Statistics Canada only talking about how people are treated medical- eryone who refuses to eat three days a week is has statistics on anorexia nervosa and bulimia ly. Not thin enough for treatment going to look sickly, but that person still has nervosa. According to the National Initiative Simply put, I have an eating disorder. I have At 17 years old, when I finally decided to talk tendencies of anorexia nervosa. In fact, lots of for Eating Disorders in Canada, one million an eating disorder that isn’t recognized enough to my doctor about how this way of eating was people who only have an apple and yogurt Canadians meet the criteria to be diagnosed to get proper treatment unless I lose a danger- starting to make me sick, she told me that I daily look perfectly healthy in magazines. with an eating disorder. Between 10 and 15 per ous amount of weight. The problem with that is wasn’t underweight enough to seek treatment. Why does my weight matter for treating my cent of premature deaths in Canada, result the health system stereotypes a person with an She then told me to try not eating gluten (the mental health? Any health professional should from an eating disorder. That is the highest eating disorder by extremely underweight to one thing I wasn’t already cutting out) to see if surely know that an eating disorder centers mortality rate among any mental illness. determine the right to treatment. maybe my stomach pain and weakness was around control and stability, and not just fat or People are dying from our stereotypes. We I have a condition called orthorexia, when an coming from what I was eating rather than thin. It’s also important to know that an eating need to educate people so that more resources individual takes healthy eating to an unhealthy what I wasn’t eating. When I did some re- disorder isn’t just anorexia or bulimia. are available for those who don’t quite fit the extreme. It is less about body dysmorphia, al- search, I saw that local treatment programs I consider myself lucky to have an eating dis- mold.

dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 9 OPINIONS Coronavirus panic Don’t let your fear interfere with your humanity BY YANNI WANG

PHOTO BY MADELINE BISO

Let’s bust some myths about the coronavirus. which have both caused pandemics in the past. 10,000 people have recovered from COVID-19 casually here around dinner tables, COVID-19 is Despite trending internet searches like the “co- Being a close relative of the notorious two, we after receiving their offi cial diagnosis. demonized, along with Chinese nationals. Over rona beer virus,” the coronavirus has nothing to shouldn’t underestimate the public health threat the past month, there has been a dramatic in- do with beer. Although it’s natural to feel the de- that COVID-19 has the potential to pose. Paranoia vs. reality crease in anti-Chinese racism. sire to turn to humour when there are scary or COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory That being said, in North America, the recent uncomfortable things happening around the droplets from coughing and sneezing over short media frenzy and mass paranoia is doesn’t match Be cautious, not racist world, this virus isn’t a laughing matter. The distances. The recommended precautions the reality. Since the virus erupted in Wuhan, During this time of the epidemic, it is prudent to coronavirus has now killed more than 2,000 peo- against COVID-19 is the same as regular fl u: China in December 2019, there have been 18 be nervous and take precautions. However, CO- ple, including eight deaths outside of mainland washing your hands frequently, coughing into confi rmed cases: three in Canada and 15 in the VID-19 does not justify racism. It is worse than China. Since the outbreak, it has infected more your sleeve, sanitizing doorknobs et cetera are United States, with zero deaths on this whole the virus when internet trolls say that this is kar- than 75,000 people, and there are currently over all vital to disease prevention. For people who continent. In the meantime, the infl uenza virus ma or when racists throw dirty looks at people 1,000 cases outside of mainland China. have recently traveled to a high-risk area, it is has insidiously hospitalized and killed thousands wearing a mask on public commute, screaming also recommended that they wear a mask to this year. While people are obsessed with this ethnic slurs and telling them to go back to their protect others. COVID-19 mysterious, foreign virus and the epidemic situa- country. After all, racists never have a valid rea- There are still many things unknown about this Before the World Health Organization declared tion thousands of miles away, there is not ade- son to discriminate, they just need an excuse. virus. Like many viral infections, there are cur- an offi cial name for the disease in early February quate media coverage about the necessity of get- Hating on the most vulnerable does not give rently no vaccines or cures for COVID-19. Once 2020, COVID-19 was widely referred to as the ting a fl u vaccine. Where is the voice that is people the solution they need. A visit to the psy- infected, it is a battle between the host immune coronavirus. The coronavirus is an umbrella addressing the public health issue happening chiatrist may help as the lack of empathy is patho- system and the virus. Those who are younger term that refers to a family of viruses that can right here, right now? Unfortunately, in health- logical. What makes us human is the ability to and healthier tend to win the battle while those cause lethal respiratory disease in humans and care, we are constantly battling with misinfor- look beyond the death toll number and see that who are older or have multiple chronic diseases mammals. You may have heard about two mem- mation that distracts the public from the facts. this dying, suff ering population are real people or conditions tend to lose. As of now, more than bers of this malicious family, SARS and MERS, Consequently, while the silent killer mentioned with loved ones, just like you.

10 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com ARTS & LIFESTYLE The nine most memorable moments of Oscar history Iconic winners from Charlie Chaplin to Parasite BY ALEX RINCON

The acclaimed actress won for her role in Mon- ster’s Ball. Although women of colour had previ- ously won in the best supporting actress catego- ry (the first of which was Hattie McDaniel for her performance in Gone with the Wind in 1940), none had won for best leading actress. Berry remains the only woman of colour to win in this category.

2004: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King wins everything The Return of the King won in all 11 categories that it was nominated for, including best pic- ture. The film is now tied with Titanic and Ben- Hur for a single film with the most wins. No other film in Oscar history has won in all of its nominated categories.

2010: Kathryn Bigelow becomes first woman to win Best Director Bigelow won for her war drama The Hurt Locker. So far, she’s still the only woman to have won the best director award. Of the 50 people that have been nominated in the category since then, only one has been a woman: Greta Ger- wig for Lady Bird.

2017: La La Land is accidentally N 2017, LA LA LAND WAS MISTAKENLY ANNOUNCED AS THE BEST PICTURE WINNER AT THE OSCARS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, MOONLIGHT WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE REAL WINNER named Best Picture winner over OF THE BIGGEST AWARD OF THE NIGHT. PHOTO BY WALT DISNEY TELEVISION ON FLICKR Moonlight Year after year, we cheer for the well-deserved ceremony attendees. gry that the movie won over Spike Lee’s criti- Who could forget the mix-up that no one ever wins and complain about the snubs. This year, cally acclaimed film Do the Right Thing, which seems to shut up about? Presenters Warren Be- the 92nd Academy Awards took place in early wasn’t even nominated for best picture. Critics 1973: Marlon Brando turns atty and Faye Dunaway were handed the wrong February, celebrating the best films of 2019. Be- have compared Driving Miss Daisy to the 2019 down the Oscar for Best Actor card and mistakenly announced La La Land as fore long, we’ll forget all about them until best picture winner Green Book because of its lack the winner of the biggest award of the night. awards season rolls around yet again. We rinse Marlon Brando even boycotted the ceremony of understanding of anti-Black racism. When they discovered the mistake, La La Land and repeat. altogether. When he won for his performance producers (who had already given acceptance Nevertheless, there have been plenty of surpris- in The Godfather, Indigenous rights activist Sa- 1999: Roberto Benigni wins Best speeches) gracefully bowed out to let the real ing moments at the Academy Awards that are cheen Littlefeather gave a speech on his be- half. She protested the film industry’s unfair Foreign Language Film for Life Is winners take the spotlight. impossible to forget. Here are some of the most Beautiful memorable Oscar moments since the 1970s. treatment and portrayal of Indigenous peo- ples. Brando is the last of only three people in When Sophia Loren announced the winner, Be- 2020: Parasite wins Best Picture 1972: Charlie Chaplin returns to Oscar history to turn down an award. nigni stood on the backs of people’s chairs (Ste- This win made history for being the first non- Hollywood ven Spielberg had to help him keep his balance) English language film to receive the best pic- 1990: Driving Miss Daisy wins and waved his arms up and down in joy. He ture award. The film also won three other After 20 years of politically imposed exile from Best Picture jumped his way up to the stage to receive the awards: best international feature film, best the United States, the legendary director/writ- award. His happiness was contagious. original screenplay and best director. Every er/producer/actor/composer returned to Hol- Driving Miss Daisy is still considered one of the most controversial best picture wins in Oscar time director Bong Joon-ho went up on stage, lywood to receive an honorary Oscar. Chaplin 2002: Halle Berry becomes the he seemed more surprised to have won yet an- was awarded for the incredible influence his history. While the film tries to tackle racism in America, many have criticized it for per- first woman of color to win Best other Oscar. His ability to come up with a life’s work had in elevating the film industry. He new acceptance speech every time was com- received a 12-minute standing ovation from the petuating the white saviour trope and glossing Actress over real racial tensions. Many were also an- mendable.

dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 11 ARTS & LIFESTYLE It’s more than a slice, it’s a way of life The Amyoonys have served their community for more than 40 years BY TRAVIS DEVONPORT

RITA AMYOONY HOLDS AN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE TRIPLE A RECEIVED FROM THE ATLANTIC CONVENIENCE STORE ASSOCIATION IN 2015. PHOTO BY TRAVIS DEVONPORT JOHN AMYOONY RINGS A CUSTOMER THROUGH AT THE COUNTER. PHOTO BY TRAVIS DEVONPORT It’s a Saturday afternoon, and John Amyoony Halifax, Fall River, Dartmouth and East ing the golden years of the business. Family matters is working his magic on a large pepperoni piz- Hants. Coming off of a successful decade, the broth- Over the next six years, John would split his days za. This is one of many he’ll make today. As he John’s son, Jason Amyoony, says the name ers were able to gain nearly 20 years of expe- working behind the counter in Cole Harbour divvies up the slices, he raises his voice from Triple A was a unique way of telling people rience serving their communities. In the ’90s, and south end Halifax. across the counter and says, “First, we have they were shopping at a family business. the new decade brought a rise of businesses By the end of 1993, the Amyoonys were ex- good location. Second, we have good food.” “It all started between my father and his two looking for a piece of the pie. hausted. This has been John’s motto since he was 18. brothers, hence the letter ‘A’ and hence the “We had a meat market and everything, Triple A had become their life. They won when Now at 61, the father of four and owner of Tri- triple. It was like a very cheesy way of saying but when Sobeys became a lot bigger and it came to creating their Triple A business fami- ple A Convenience & Pizzeria remembers a three brothers.” Superstore, Walmart and Costco, we ly, but in the process, they were losing when it time in his life when he had nothing but the While George and couldn’t make it no came to raising their own. clothes on his back. Tony went off to uni- more as a supermar- “I was building a new house while running John was 15 when he arrived in Halifax with versity, John focused ket. All convenience multiple locations, back and forth to Dartmouth, his two brothers, George and Tony. It was 2012 marked the year on the business. In the stores were suffering. while the kids here go until one o’clock in the 1975, and the civil war in Lebanon was just be- Triple A finally 1970s, Sobeys and Su- Working 18-hour days morning. I got so tired for two, three years,” says ginning. When the three brothers arrived in perstore weren’t the introduced pizza, a wasn’t worth it any- John. Canada, they had nothing more than a few be- grocery giants they late-night delicacy Jason more. For us here, we John’s older brother, George, told him he longings and a family connection. are today. Back then, believes changed the started to slow down should temporarily switch locations with his if there was a Triple A in 1990,” says John. The Triple A dynasty game. part-time employees at Triple A in Cole Har- in your neighborhood, As competition grew, bour. The transition went smoothly, and John When they arrived, their uncle already built it was considered the so did John’s will to stay was able to focus on his family life. Then one and ran his own grocery store in Dartmouth. heart of the commu- ahead of the change. In day, unexpected news struck. This would later become the foundation for a nity. 1987, he opened Triple A on Jubilee Road, just “We found out our daughter had a tumour in chain of 15 Triple A convenience stores across By the 1980s, Triple A found its home, mark- three blocks from Dalhousie University. her brain and she was going to die," says John.

12 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com ARTS & LIFESTYLE

JASON AMYOONY HAS HELPED HIS FAMILY RUN THEIR BUSINESS SINCE HE WAS A TEENAGER. PHOTO BY TRAVIS DEVONPORT

The right course, right when you want it.

Make the most out of your summer by taking an

TRIPLE A’S BIG SLICE WILL TURN EIGHT YEARS OLD THIS YEAR. PHOTO BY TRAVIS DEVONPORT online course with Acadia University. With almost 100 undergraduate courses to choose from, you can pick up “We just gave up everything. We left in two “Did business boom? Of course, because we of- days, packed and went home to Lebanon.” fered more to the community, especially with it credits you want for your degree program or take courses that may not be A few months after they moved, John and being a university community here with the late available online at your home institution. Rita's daughter passed away. For the next 13 study nights or the late party nights,” says Jason. years, they stayed in Lebanon and devoted As for the Amyoonys thoughts on the drink- their time to raising their children. ing culture in Halifax, they say it’s nothing • Our courses are continuous intake, • Also available: enhance your degree Every year, John and Rita travelled back to they haven’t seen before. not term-based: begin studying and open a world of possibilities with Halifax to file their taxes, check on the stores “We’re so used to it. It’s weird when I hear my anywhere, anytime. our online TESOL certificate. and see their family friends who were running mom or dad even asking, ‘So where’s the party • Easily transfer the credits you’ve the business in their absence. tonight or how hammered are you going to be earned back to your institution by tonight?’” says Jason. studying with a Letter of Permission. A new generation After 43 years of running Triple A, John has • Work around your summer plans: served nearly three generations of customers. Thirty-one years after John fled to Canada vacation, travel, or work. during the Lebanese Civil War, Lebanon was He says while the demographic is changing, You set your study schedule. again in battle, this time with Israel. So, in Au- he’s changing too. gust of 2006, the Amyoony family moved back “The old days, I’m talking 44 years ago, you to Canada. It was a last-minute decision that come to buy stuff and I know your name, Jason says was necessary for their safety. where you live and what you do for a living. For six years after they moved back to Hali- People tell you their story. If they have a fight (902) 585-1222 fax, the Amyoonys worked hard to reconnect at home they tell you all about it. It used to be online.acadiau.ca with their neighborhood. 2012 marked the like that. Now, if I’m talking to someone, year Triple A finally introduced pizza, a late- they’ll say, ‘Oh I have to leave,’ and they leave. night delicacy Jason believes changed the I’m growing with this too. It’s a learning expe- game. rience.”

dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 13 ARTS & LIFESTYLE The strangest things on Netflix right now Give 'em a watch, if you dare BY FELESHIA CHANDLER

Between course work, part-time jobs, spend- ing time with family and attempting to have a social life, who has time to waste browsing Netflix? When you actually want to sit down and watch something, it’s easy to throw on the same episode of The Office you’ve seen at least nine times. But why not dive into something a little different? If you’re looking for something new and ex- citing, check out these eight mind bending, atypical and sometimes downright shocking films and TV shows on Netflix.

Gantz: O (2016) Kicking off the list is Gantz: O, a little some- thing for anime fans. Gantz: O is based on the manga series Gantz, which was originally pub- lished back in 2000. In the film, groups of people who have re- cently died are revived and given high-tech bodysuits and weaponry. A random black orb named Gantz asks the revived individuals to team up and defeat a legion of monsters in Ja- pan. Some viewers have found the film hard THE NEXT TIME YOU SIT DOWN TO WATCH SOMETHING ON NETFLIX, TRY SOMETHING NEW, STRANGE AND SLIGHTLY OFF-PUTTING. to watch because of its subpar computer-gen- PHOTO BY WWW.QUOTECATALOG.COM ON FLICKR erated imagery (CGI), but the inventive story mining which personality will help them, and makes it worth the watch. like Art using someone’s scalp as a hat. If which emerged after a meteor landed near a you’re not into that kind of gore, maybe give government facility. Along with her team, which will hurt them. It’s a horrifying journey XX (2017) this one a pass. Lena discovers strange plants and animals in for these young women who must figure out how to escape before Kevin releases his last the fog, and even encounters an animal with FOREST TOWN PREMIERES ON FEB. 25 AND RUNS XX is a horror anthology film that tells stories The Ritual (2017) a human cry. Annihilation has a tense atmo- and most dangerous personality. UNTIL MARCH 1. PHOTO BY LOGAN ROBINS of family, friends and terror. Each scary tale is sphere and examines horror through a micro- Several friends decide to take a hike together told from a female character’s point of view, biological lens. What Did Jack Do? (2017) whether it be a mother trying to hide her hus- in the wilderness but get band’s dead body during her daughter’s sev- more than they bar- Split (2016) This short film is in black and white and fea- enth birthday, or a woman being possessed by gained for when they dis- [Devilman: Crybaby] tures famously weird director David Lynch an ancient spirit. cover a cult who inhabit Split follows Kevin ( James interrogating a monkey. What more is there to The film was helmed entirely by female di- the forest and make hu- follows the life of Akira McAvoy) who deals with say? rectors, including none other than indie pop man sacrifices to a god Fudo, a demon with the dissociative identity dis- star St. Vincent. The female directing team is from Scandinavian my- order (DID). The film soul of a human. He Devilman: Crybaby (2018) the reason the film is calledXX — the symbol thology. The friends des- tries to be a hero, but it was heavily criticized for female sex chromosomes. The more you perately struggle to es- leading up to its release, At first glance,Devilman: Crybaby seems like an know, eh? cape the clutches of the turns out to be pretty with many voicing con- average anime series. But about 10 minutes in, cult and Jötunn, a myste- hard in a world of cerns about the ableist things get weird. The film follows the life of Terrifier(2016) rious godlike creature gratuitous violence and narrative of a villain with Akira Fudo, a demon with the soul of a hu- that terrorizes the woods a mental illness and an man. He tries to be a hero, but it turns out to Terrifier puts a strange spin on the traditional and looks like a really tall frequent demon orgies. unrealistic portrayal of be quite hard in a world of gratuitous violence hack and slash killer movie. The film features moose. DID, so keep that in and frequent demon orgies. Also, talk about Art the clown, a mass murderer assumed by mind should you choose an amazing title. many to be dead, who decides to go on a kill- Annihilation (2018) to tune in. ing rampage on Halloween night. This all In the story, Kevin has 23 alter egos, so it Annihilation follows microbiologist Lena (Nat- If you decide to watch any of these films or TV may seem typical for a horror movie, but some becomes a guessing game when he kidnaps alie Portman) on her mission to find out what shows, buckle up. It’s going to be a strange pretty strange stuff happens along the way, three teenagers who are tasked with deter- is beyond “the Shimmer” — a colourful fog ride.

14 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com ARTS & LIFESTYLE An anthology play and massive collaboration New theatre show Forest Town dives into history and gender politics BY GOKCE ON

Four actors, four characters While the play is a large collaboration between 11 writers, Forest Town only has four actors. “This was one of the few conditions we placed on the playwrights,” says Robins. “We reached out to every playwright saying, ‘This is the sub- ject, it can be set at any time, it can be any style, theatrically it can be anything you want around this theme, as long as it can be done by four ac- tors.’” The choice was made largely for financial rea- sons. The more actors they hired, the less they could give each person for pay. But it wasn’t just about money. “We circled around the number four because you get so many different combinations with that number,” says Robins. “So, we came from neces- sity but we also wanted to tell the story as com- pact and as neatly as possible.” “We also told the writers that they didn't have to use all four,” Meian adds. Throughout the play, almost every scene has a different combination of actors in it. This makes each scene refreshing for the audience and gives the actors time to change and take a breath from the stage.

FOREST TOWN PREMIERES ON FEB. 25 AND RUNS ACTORS LEE J. CAMPBELL AND SHERRY SMITH REHEARSE A SCENE FROM FOREST TOWN. An all-star team UNTIL MARCH 1. PHOTO BY LOGAN ROBINS PHOTO BY LOGAN ROBINS Through the production of Forest Town, Robins An emerging local theatre company is embarking “imagine seeing the branches in people’s hands” as Getting this opportunity made Robins go back and Meian have created an opportunity for on a bold collaboration between 11 different play- if it were being performed on stage. The idea for into his “idea box” and hunt for an old concept that themselves as emerging artists to work with es- wrights from the Halifax theatre scene. Forest Town was born. Robins initially thought the had been sitting around for a while. With Forest tablished writers in the Halifax theatre commu- Forest Town is the name of the Unnatural Disaster show should be set in three different time periods, Town being brought out of its storage space, Robins nity. Theatre Company’s latest production. It’s an an- each part being written by and Meian started think- “We wanted to work with people who we knew. thology play about the long history of discrimina- a different playwright. But ing about how exactly Not our friends, the people we knew in the city as tion and mistreatment of women. The idea for the as with all first ideas, they’d put the show to- “We reached out to every artists we wanted to work with,” says Robins. show was first planted in director Logan Robins’ things change with time. gether. playwright saying, ‘This is Some of those artists include Colleen Ma- mind over a year ago. At the time, he and his class- “We came to the con- cIsaac, artistic producer of the Villains Theatre, mates at the Fountain School of Performing Arts at Bringing ideas the subject … theatrically it clusion that maybe [Forest and Garry Willams, artistic director of DaPoPo Dalhousie University were auditioning for their fi- can be anything you want Town] wasn’t just a three- into reality Theatre. This is what makes Forest Town unique, nal show. act show written by three around this theme, as long as it has not only brought together several indi- “We were all looking at monologues from the Robins says he and Linda different people, but viduals, but also multiple local theatre compa- 1600s, and I came across this monologue from Car- Meian, co-producer and as it can be done by four maybe it’s many differ- nies. lo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters,” says Robins. stage manager of the actors.’” ent scenes by many dif- Forest Town opened on Feb. 25 with a pay-what- The maid “was telling off this young guy for mis- show, were able to put For- ferent people,” says Rob- you-can preview. It runs until March 1 at the treating her mistress, and it wraps up with her say- est Town together because ins. Park Place Theatre in Point Pleasant Park. Tick- ing, ‘If I were the queen … I would make every man of the Indie Theatre Residency, created by Shake- The driving force behind this idea of having sev- ets can be bought online, and there is an option who was unfaithful hold a branch of a tree in his speare by the Sea. The residency started in 2019, eral people involved was that there are endless pos- to donate to Bryony House, a women and chil- hand, and I know all the towns would look like for- and allows an independent theatre company to use sible stories surrounding the theme of gender dis- dren’s shelter in Halifax. ests.’” their venue, the Park Place Theatre, for rehearsals crimination, and many different people who can Disclosure: Logan Robins is the Dalhousie Gazette’s Robins says as soon he read that line, he could and production of a new project. tell those stories. delivery driver.

dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 15 SPORTS How to help Halifax hockey Why a specialty game in the AUS would be great for the league

BY SARAH MOORE, SPORTS EDITOR

AT THIS YEAR’S CROWCHILD CLASSIC, 10,002 FANS WERE REPORTED TO BE AT THE START OF THE WOMEN’S HOCKEY GAME. PHOTO BY SARAH MOORE Since 2012, the University of Calgary Di- hockey game that I've seen. Every January attendance at a women's hockey game. A So, could Halifax support a specialty nos and Mount Royal University Cougars since, I've wanted to fly back for that one reported 10,002 fans were in attendance at hockey game of its own? men's and women's hockey teams face off day. the start of the game. against each other for one regular season Why shouldn't there be something like It's also quite the contrast to how wom- By the numbers game that is anything but ordinary. Played that here in Halifax? A hockey game, mar- en's hockey is sometimes treated in Hali- The Scotiabank Centre is no stranger to at the Scotiabank Saddledome, an NHL keted the same way, between the Dalhou- fax. Take an incident on Feb. 7, when the university sports. The AUS basketball play- arena, the Crowchild Classic generates a sie University Tigers and the Saint Mary's Huskies women's team wasn't allowed to offs are held there each year; five of the last fan atmosphere that is rivalled by few other University Huskies, could only be a win for practice on their home rink, the Dau- 10 men's basketball national Final 8 tour- Canadian university sporting events. Atlantic University Sport (AUS) hockey phinee Centre, before travelling to P.E.I. naments have been hosted there as well. There's the Carr-Harris Cup, the long- and the respective schools. for an away game. That same afternoon, It's a venue that can support university standing men's hockey rivalry between the the Huskies men's sports and would work well for an annual Queens University Gaels and the Royal Respect for team took the ice for hockey game. Military College (RMC) Paladins in women's hockey a pre-game skate be- As for the fans: though Dalhousie Kingston. And there's the Capital Hoops fore their home game Regular season games Specialty games like these and Saint Mary's are smaller schools than Classic, a basketball game between the later that day. marketed as special make for great, memorable UCalgary and MRU, the Scotiabank Cen- University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and Car- Their attendance events do well for at- tre is a smaller arena than the Saddledome, leton University Ravens. Specialty games fan experiences and help numbers suffer, too. tendance. In 2016, about half the size. It has a seating capacity like these make for great, memorable fan the growth of university The Dalhousie Tigers there were a record of about 10,500 instead of 19,289, a space experiences and help grow the popularity women's team had an 12,859 fans at the sport. that could feasibly be filled with Dal and of university sports. average of 96 fans at men's game of the SMU students. When I lived in Calgary, I went to the each of their regular Crowchild Classic. Also, cross-town rivalries bring out some 2017 edition of the Crowchild Classic. season home games This year, for the first time, the women's of the best play in the AUS: although this Tickets cost $5, with proceeds going to- this year. The Saint Mary's Huskies fared game headlined the Classic. It's a double season, Saint Mary's sailed above Dal in ward student wellness initiatives at both slightly better, averaging 196 spectators at header event, which means the men's and the standings for both men's and women's universities. When I went to the game, I each of their home contests, but it's still a women's teams play on the same night. hockey, games against each other ranged saw students, hockey fans or not, show up far cry away from what it could be. A game The women's team headlining meant they from high scoring blowouts to nail-biter in face paint and with homemade signs and advertised as a rivalry event at an arena played in the coveted later time slot, 6:45 overtime decisions. Anything can happen an abundance of school spirit. There was built for larger audiences would surely p.m. instead of 4:00 p.m. This was a huge in the cross-town games, and played in (mostly) good spirited chanting and cheer- draw more fans and generate more atten- step for women's hockey. front of an atmosphere of more fans and a ing that resounded around the rink, the tion for the highest level women's hockey Also this year, coincidentally, the Crow- real arena, that would only bring out the closest thing to a United States college in the Maritimes. child Classic broke the U Sports record for best in the AUS.

16 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com SPORTS Tigers sweep curling championship Dal reigns supreme in AUS curling for a second straight year BY LUKE DYMENT

DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY’S MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CURLING TEAMS REMAIN UNDEFEATED AFTER THIS YEAR’S AUS BOTH TEAMS SECURED SPOTS IN THE 2020 U SPORTS CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP IN PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MANITOBA. CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS. PHOTO BY NICK PEARCE PHOTO BY NICK PEARCE The Dalhousie University Tigers men’s and Johnson round out the women’s roster. They are in the semi-finals of last year’s U Sports Curling Meagher and skip Matthew Manuel to form the women’s curling teams clinched titles in the coached by Mike Callaghan. Championships, where Memorial came out on club. Anthony Purcell is their coach. 2020 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Curling top. Dalhousie scored five points in the second end Championships held at the CFB Halifax Curl- Battling rivals Purcell stressed the level of competition faced of the final against Memorial. Scoring that ing Club from Feb. 6-9. The tournament was throughout the week, especially with the first many points in a single end is a rare, impressive The men’s Tigers defeated the Memorial Uni- hosted by Saint Mary’s University. Memorial game in mind. feat in curling. Eight ends are played in an AUS versity Sea Hawks 9-2 in the final of the men’s On the women’s side, the Tigers went unde- “Whenever we’re playing in a tournament like curling game. bracket. The win was the third consecutive feated for the second year in a row, capping off this, [the competition] is difficult. We play AUS championship for the Dal men's team. play with a 7-4 victory over the University of against a lot of the same people that we play “Toward the end [of National qualifiers New Brunswick Varsity Reds in the champion- against in the regular the tournament], we Both of Dalhousie's teams secured their spot in ship game. season, so it’s close. We started to pick up our the 2020 U Sports Curling Championships in “This win actually feels better than last year,” know that we have to game. The last game “The last game was Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The men’s Sea said Tigers’ skip Kristin Clarke. This is her final play well every time we was played really clean, played really clean, so Hawks and women’s Varsity Reds also qualified. season curling with Dalhousie, but she is the come out onto the ice,” so there’s not really a The AUS sends the top two teams in each divi- only returning member of the 2019 women's there’s not really a Purcell said. better way to end it,” sion to nationals each year. team. Her teammates this year earned their first better way to end it.” “We were shooting said Owen Purcell, who Dal is yet to take home any banners on the na- AUS titles. lights-out in today,” throws third. tional level since the first nationals took place in “It’s about being relaxed and having a good added first thrower The Tigers were unde- 2008. Last year, the men’s and women’s teams perspective,” said Dal’s third thrower Lindsey Adam McEachren after the win. He is the feated in last year's tournament, but faced a stiff placed fourth and third, respectively. Clarke Burgess. “Most of us don’t get too riled up about men’s team’s lone rookie. “We played a lot bet- challenge this year when the Sea Hawks beat said that things are going to change result-wise. misses. We just laugh them off and make sure we ter and didn’t make the mistakes we made last them in a round-robin game. That set the stage “We had some misfortune with losses in the make the next [shots better]. The relaxed atti- time. We got the score up early and kept the for a highly-anticipated final. past, but this year I think will be the break- tude allowed us to do well.” lead.” The two teams have become rivals as of late. through year. I’m confident we’re going to repre- Kate Callagha, Sarah Gierling and Madison Purcell and McEachren are joined by Jeffrey Along with two meetings this year, they battled sent Dal well,” Clarke said.

dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 17 SPORTS Watch out for Dalhousie's Overwatch team Inside the growing world of e-sports BY DYLAN ALECK

DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY’S OVERWATCH TEAM PRACTICES FOUR TIMES A WEEK FOR TWO HOURS. THEY’LL ALSO SPEND TWO TO FOUR HOURS REVIEWING GAME FOOTAGE EACH WEEK. IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, THE TEAM TRAVELLED TO COMPETE IN DREAMHACK MONTREAL, ONE OF CANADA’S BIGGEST E-SPORTS PHOTO BY JOSH NEUFELDT TOURNAMENTS. PHOTO BY JOSH NEUFELDT

Like any other sport, members of the Dalhousie out on the $6,000 USD prize pool that is split player to fulfill ‘Y’ function.” ment. That includes all media rights, sponsor- University Overwatch team train for hours a between the top three. Because the Esports Society is not an official ships or advertising revenues. In 2019, about week and travel for high-level competitions. But Team member David Fraser says that he's trav- Dal sports team, they don't have access to aca- $897.2 million, or 82 per cent, of the total market instead of stepping onto a field or court, their elled to Montreal twice for tournaments. demic support or services that varsity athletes came from brand investments. battle takes place on a computer screen. Now, “Both times it cost me $600 out of pocket,” he get. Dhillon hopes that could change. He says This is similar to revenue generated by tradi- they're trying to get recognized by Dal as an of- says, between paying for flights, food, accommo- that workshops to help with time management, tional sports. For example, it includes the abil- ficial sports team. dations and tournament entry. for example, would be beneficial for their team. ity to sell streaming rights for e-sports teams, Overwatch is a first-person shooter video game "Because of how much time you need to put which is comparable to television broadcasting that pits teams of six people against each other. E-sports training into learning e-sports, it's a huge time sink and it rights for sports. Companies can pay to sponsor Dal's team is part of the Dalhousie Gaming and e-sports teams who would then use that com- Four times a week, the Overwatch team will can really impact their [the players'] studies," Esports Society, which is run through the Dal- pany's equipment, just like in traditional sports. practice together for two says Dhillon. housie Student Union (DSU). Instead of Adidas cleats or CCM skates, e- hours, scrimmaging “One of the biggest things that we would like to sports athletes use Turtle Beach headsets or an against other teams at a The economics see from the university is some type of fiscal sup- “You have a lot of potential Alienware computer. similar skill level. They'll port because the DSU hasn’t really been doing for great leadership in the of e-sports If Dalhousie decides to make the Overwatch also spend between two anything to help us,” says Overwatch team coach E-sports is a growing team an official sports team of the university, and four hours review- field, to showcase why this and Dalhousie Esports Society President Sahib global market. A Febru- they would become one of the first Canadian ing game footage each is going to be the next great Dhillon. ary 2019 report by New- universities to expand into the growing e-sports week. thing.” zoo, the leading provider market. Any brand investment revenue gener- “We’ll go in with a spe- of games and e-sports ated by the Overwatch team would go back to The cost of competition cific purpose,” says analytics, reported that the university. In September of last year, the team travelled to Overwatch player Josh revenues from e-sports would surpass $1 bil- “You have a lot of potential for great leadership compete in DreamHack Montreal, one of the Neufeldt. “Like we’ll say, today we’re going to lion for the first time in 2019. It also projected in the field, to showcase why this is going to be the biggest e-sports tournaments in Canada. It takes work on this one specific comp [a configuration that the market would reach $1.8 billion by the next great thing,” says Neufeldt. “There’s a rea- place at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium. of in game characters], and within this comp year 2022. son why so many companies are investing in this. Dalhousie's Overwatch team finished in fifth we’re going to work on how we rotate as a team, A lot of that money comes from brand invest- It’s a billion-dollar industry.” place out of 22 teams, but they narrowly missed or how we use our abilities, or how we use ‘X’

18 | NovemberFebruary 28, 29, 2020 2019 dalgazette.com SPORTS Alan Jazic is back for more New head coach announced for men's soccer team

BY SARAH MOORE, SPORTS EDITOR

Something he wants to carry forward is the importance on having “a great spirit within the dressing room.” This echoes Nearing's coaching philosophy, known for putting an emphasis on team culture and player man- agement.

Easing the transition While there might still be an adjustment period that typically comes with a change in coaching staff, one thing in Jazic's fa- vour is he already knows many of the play- ers on the Tigers' roster. Seven players who have eligibility to play next season were on the team when Jazic was an assistant coach, so they are already familiar with his coach- ing style. “I'm really excited about just getting to know all the players on a personal level [and] getting to know the new guys and work with them on a daily basis on the field and off the field,” says Jazic. The roster is also already built to a good point for him to step in. This year, two Dal players, keeper Ben Grondin and midfielder Freddy Bekkers, were named first team AUS all-stars, while striker Enrico Rodriguez got a second team all-star nod. “Coach Nearing has left me with great play- ers to move the program forward and I thank him for that,” says Jazic. “I'm really excited about what we're forming here at Dal for the 2020 season, for sure.” While Nearing as left a strong foundation FOR 10 YEARS, ALAN JAZIC WAS AN ASSISTANT COACH FOR DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY’S MEN’S SOCCER TEAM. NOW, HE’S THE NEW HEAD COACH. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALAN JAZIC for the new coach, Jazic brings some new ap- The new head coach of the Dalhousie Uni- Dal and can't wait to get going.” hard for,” Jazic says of his coaching style. proaches and coaching methods to the pro- versity Tigers men's soccer team is already a This won't be his first time as the head “I'm very supportive in helping my players gram as well. He wants to put a focus on the familiar face for many players. coach of a high-level soccer team. He's been and my athletes achieve their goals [...] and sports psychology aspect of the game and in- In early February, the Tigers announced at the helm of the Western Halifax Durty I'll work just as hard for them as they work corporate more resources for mental prepa- that Alan Jazic would be taking over after Nelly’s Football Club of the Eastlink Pre- for me.” ration for the athletes. the retirement of Pat Nearing. miership League since Jazic's 10 years as an He also wants to put a stronger emphasis on Jazic was an assistant coach for the Tigers 2014. That tenure has assistant coach on the strength and conditioning, especially during for 10 years, until the end of the 2017 season. included a national “I learned a lot from [Pat Tigers were all under the off season. The Atlantic University Sport He left after the birth of his second daughter, championship title in Nearing] and now I'm just former head coach Pat soccer season ended this year for the Tigers on Oct. 31 in a quarterfinal playoff game. which left him and his wife with two children 2017 and provincial excited to take what I Nearing, who Jazic under the age of three. Focusing on his fam- championship victo- says he had a great Competing for the AUS championship ev- ily is still a priority, but he's ready to make a ries in 2016, 2017 and learned from him and then working relationship ery year is Jazic's ultimate goal, but the return to the university soccer scene. 2018. Before that, put my own spin on with. team's work starts way before the season. “In the back of my mind I always had a goal Jazic was the head things.” “I learned a lot from “The players as athletes need to be high of returning back to the AUS [Atlantic Uni- coach of the Halifax him and now I'm just achieving and committed, and I also want versity Sport] and coaching in the AUS, and Dunbrack Soccer excited to take what I that same type of attitude outside of soccer as the fact that the position opened up at Dal Club's senior men's team for four seasons. learned from him and then put my own spin well, in the classroom. Just to have high was just really a dream come true,” says “I consider myself to be a coach that play- on things and incorporate some new meth- achieving, high believing players in that Jazic. “I'm just really excited to be back at ers will want to and will always want to fight ods,” he says. dressing room — that's the key.”

dalgazette.com NovemberFebruary 28,29, 20202019 | 19 you’ve got this

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'S OLDEST CAMPUS NEWSPAPER EST. 1868 12 Discussing identity politics 20 25 years down with 2020 AGMthe Tigers—more to come Youth political March 2 @ 6PM 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 comp lex 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 Room 303 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 Dal Student Union Building campaign for mayor of Toronto, where he lived at the time. “And that was an incredibly rewarding

he says. Now, Mowat is the events coordi- nator for the Nova Scotia Young New Democrats, a group he became involved with in January of 2017. We’ll be electing new hard to get involved with—membership also a free campus club at Dal—but it can

Mowat attributes the challenge to Publishing Board members that politically engaged students might be more interested in student union politics.

up a lot of room, and they focus a lot of & serving a fajita bar! CONT’D PG. 18

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