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The dark side of studying nutrition

by Josephine Wang on

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CW: Disordered eating

I entered my freshman year at McGill with the dream of becoming a dietitian. After struggling with negative body image and disordered eating during high school, I vowed to dedicate my career to helping those experiencing the same challenges. I also thought that studying nutrition on a scientific level would improve my own relationship with food. I soon realized that while studying nutrition and dietetics comes with benefits and opportunities, there is a dark side to the field.

The classes and environment that I envisioned myself thriving in soon led to an overexposure to information about food and exercise, ultimately causing more harm than good. I constantly questioned my ideas and perceptions about food, weight, and even what the ideal of health looked like. 

Growing up in a Chinese-Taiwanese household, my diet consisted of all kinds of food, from white rice, to red meat, to colourful vegetables. However, as I began my classes in nutrition at McGill, I was taught to consult educational resources like MyPlate, which recommends meals with salmon, brown rice, and steamed vegetables, but not the beef noodle soup and scallion pancakes I grew up enjoying. I started internalizing the idea that anything that was not chicken, steamed broccoli, or whole grain was ‘bad’ for me, and I felt guilty for not eating the foods that I was “supposed” to.

Given the hyper-scrutiny I internalized from diet culture and my nutrition education, I pressured myself to eat healthy all the time. As a nutrition student, I believed I had to look and act a certain way in order to be taken seriously, and feared that I could not become a dietician if I did not appear slim and fit. This led to a vicious cycle of food restriction and binging, which made me feel even more ashamed. I wondered how I was supposed to give nutritional advice to others when I was struggling with these issues myself. 

Further, telling others that I study nutrition prompted them to scrutinize my dietary choices. The pressure from the expectations of my family, my peers, and even strangers significantly impacted my eating patterns. 

Although some of the pressure I felt was self-imposed, much of it also came from external factors. On social media, I noticed how body-shaming insults were hurled at dietitians who were not skinny. The public assumes that nutritionists and dietitians represent the perfect picture of health, without realizing that “health” comes in many different shapes and sizes.

“There is definitely an image associated with the success of a health practitioner, and that image is thin,” Hayley Mauricio, U3 Science, said in an interview with The McGill Tribune. “This expectation further bleeds into social media. There is a world of health and fitness gurus that we look up to because they look good. But of course, social media is not representative of real life.”

Throughout my undergraduate studies, I have internalized many of my struggles, believing that I had to be the person with the answers, not the problems. To my surprise, I eventually learned that I was not alone with these feelings. Eating disorders are of concern in nutrition faculties around the globe: A study in 14 countries revealed that 77 per cent of nutrition professionals, including professors, teachers, and dietitians, felt that developing eating disorders are a concern for nutrition students. A 2015 study echoed these findings, reporting that female nutrition students experienced higher eating restraints and binge eating levels compared to non-nutrition students. 

Although these findings are not always consistent, there is a body of evidence to suggest that dietitians and nutritionists throughout the world may be at greater risk for disordered eating behaviour, binge eating, and orthorexia nervosa when compared to other professionals. 

Among the public, there is a stigma that nutrition practitioners should be free from food-related issues, such as orthorexia, by virtue of their training and expertise. Truthfully, we all harbour some expectations for professionals in any field of work: Many people would not trust a doctor who smokes. However, these expectations put an enormous amount of stress on students and professionals to look and act a certain way, without realizing that doing so can induce devastating health outcomes.

“I felt that I had to eat healthier to gain some credibility,” Michelle Hsieh, U3 Nutrition, said in an interview with the Tribune. “I remember people coming up to me and saying, ‘Wow, you’re in nutrition and you still eat so much junk food?’ This kind of pressure to always eat clean is not only damaging, it is also not right.”

Although nutrition is a science, food is personal––healthy eating is certainly not one-size-fits-all. One obvious solution to having a more inclusive approach to health is encouraging better representation among leaders in the field.

“The health and wellness industry has, since its inception, perpetuated the image of a white, thin, cisgender, and affluent woman,” Tarini Gupta, U3 Nutrition, said in an interview with the Tribune. “Needless to say, this image is extremely harmful, especially to young, impressionable girls, and needs to be changed.”

For several years, racialized individuals have been underrepresented in the fields of nutrition and dietetics, particularly in leadership ranks. According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, over 70 per cent of dietitians in the U.S. are white. Although Canada lacks substantial race-based data in this field, the results from a 2018 study highlight the need for the Canadian dietetics field  to address systemic barriers that prevent ethnic minorities from becoming registered dietitians. These barriers exclude many individuals who do not identify with the Western-centric narrative of health, as seen by a lack of diverse food choices within the Canadian Food Guide. 

“I was not able to resonate with the tools and resources I was taught in class, such as the Canadian Food Guide,” Gupta said. “I grew up eating traditional Indian cuisine. While studying nutrition, I realized that my meals did not look like the ones illustrated in this guide, which made me feel like I was not eating correctly. Though the Canadian Food Guide has made efforts towards inclusivity […], it is still limited in terms of ethnic food accessibility, financial barriers, and an in-depth knowledge of non-Westernized eating patterns.”

As I continue my studies, I have realized the need for conversations surrounding culinary diversity, representation, and eating disorders in the nutrition field. To properly serve Canadians of all backgrounds, our training must reflect the diverse society we currently live in. 

The current disparity in nutrition promotes a narrow definition of health, one that is unrealistic and damaging to both the patient and the provider. By dismantling systemic barriers and training experts in the field to understand diverse backgrounds, we can begin to shift conversations surrounding health without sacrificing one’s culture and traditions or subjecting them to food guilt. 

For those struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder, services such as the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline or SSMU’s Eating Disorder Resource & Support Centre may be able to help.

Editorial, Opinion

McGill 24 overlooks student demands

by The McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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The annual McGill 24 fundraising event took place on March 10, with the university calling on its worldwide community—including alumni, faculty, staff and students—to donate. The funds raised contribute to McGill’s larger fundraising campaign, Made by McGill, which was introduced in September 2019 and seeks to raise two billion dollars ahead of the university’s upcoming bicentennial. At the time of its announcement, the campaign attracted significant criticism for its messaging. Despite that McGill often relies on student labour for soliciting funds and serving as university representatives, the administration has neglected to prioritize funding for causes that students have long been demanding, such as better mental health services. In future campaigns, McGill must make efforts to fund tangible solutions to improve the well-being of its students and better publicize its financial information to live up to its reputation.

McGill has consistently shown disregard for services that are crucial to students’ well-being. Last year, the Office for Students with Disabilities converted its paid notetaker jobs to volunteer positions after years of compensating notetakers’ time and effort. In 2017, the university cut funding to the Eating Disorder Program—an invaluable support service to students struggling with eating disorders or disordered eating. McGill’s insufficient mental health services are also of utmost concern, especially amidst a growing mental health crisis. Many of the university’s insufficient student services could be remedied if the university provides them with proper funding. 

When donating to the university, individuals have the option to choose which areas receive their contribution. Most of the categories promoted on the McGill Giving website revolve around research, innovation, and infrastructure projects, with only a few making specific references to opportunities for students. While all of these areas are undoubtedly important, it is surprising that in light of student concerns over a lack of support, more emphasis is not placed on providing better funding for student services as part of these campaigns. The Made by McGill campaign celebrates student and alumni success despite failing to acknowledge the activism and initiatives students create in response to inadequate support––as they did with the creation of the Students’ Society of McGill University’s (SSMU) Eating Disorder Resource and Support Centre. If the university were to highlight specific categories dedicated to improving student wellness, donors may be more likely to contribute.  

Perhaps McGill’s fundraising practices would be less insulting to students if the university publicized clearer fundraising reports in an effort to promote increased transparency. While donation records exist internally, the McGill Giving website includes only certain figures and a vague list of donors. Allowing for widespread, publicized access to these documents is key to holding the university accountable, but their concealment from students and donors only further ignites suspicions regarding the allocation of funds. 

Upon graduation, when University Advancement starts sending emails soliciting donations, young alumni can use their voices to send a clear message to the university that they do not intend to donate to certain initiatives unless their donations go toward meaningful causes. If alumni continue to donate to the university without questioning its practices, the administration will have no reason to adjust its priorities. 

For administrators to continue to receive donations in the current way while ignoring student demands for improved wellness services would be profoundly inconsiderate. If McGill is concerned with propelling itself into its third century, it can commit to meaningful equity initiatives like swiftly removing its outdated James McGill statue as demanded by its Black students. Students have a right to know where their money goes and to benefit from robust services that affect their actual campus experience. McGill’s rankings may speak to its research accomplishments, but they cannot mask its current students’ dissatisfaction. The administration must prioritize students’ health as it is the best way to set them up for success, ultimately making them more likely to think and speak positively of McGill in the future.

News, SSMU

SSMU Winter 2021 referendum endorsements

by The McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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Increase of the SSMU Membership Fee: Yes

The proposed $1.20 increase to the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Membership Fee will go toward hourly wages for student senators and Legislative Council members. Despite dedicating many hours to student government, representatives are currently unpaid, except in cases of demonstrated financial need. If approved, the fee would help fund the salaries for all senators and councillors starting in Fall 2021. A “yes” vote to increase the non–opt-outable fee would make positions within student government more accessible to all students, including those who are not eligible for Work Study or who cannot dedicate time to an unpaid position. Fairly compensating representatives for their labour is a crucial step toward making student government accessible.

Renewal of the Midnight Kitchen Fee: Yes

Midnight Kitchen is a volunteer and worker-run SSMU service that provides free meals for McGill students in Montreal. Prior to the pandemic, Midnight Kitchen served affordable vegan lunches on campus. The group is currently delivering food from their food bank and coordinating meal pick-ups for the McGill community. A renewal of the opt-outable $3.35 Midnight Kitchen fee will support these programs, which prioritize individuals facing food insecurity in Montreal. Additionally, a “yes” vote to the allocation of discretionary funding will allow Midnight Kitchen to continue using up to five per cent of its current fee budget to execute projects, initiatives, and events in line with its mandate. 

Renewal of the Safety Services Fee: Yes

A renewal of the non–opt-outable $3.97 Safety Services Fee will continue funding for the following campus services: DriveSafe ($0.60), McGill Student Emergency Response Team (MSERT) ($1.50), Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students’ Society (SACOMSS) ($1.75), and Walk Safe ($0.12). With the tentative return to on-campus activities in Fall 2021, these services will be necessary for students’ health and safety. If approved, WalkSafe and DriveSafe will continue ensuring that students return home safely from campus at night. MSERT will resume providing on-site first-aid and SACOMSS maintain resources for survivors of sexual violence; the two are vital services during in-person teaching. 

Peer Support Centre Fee: Yes

A vote to renew the Peer Support Centre (PSC) Fee of $0.62 per semester will sustain PSC operations, which include free peer counselling for students. Furthermore, a vote in favour of this renewal would eliminate the current PSC Fee as an independent fee and instead include it as part of McGill’s Referral Service Fee. The current Referral Service Fee provides funding for Nightline, the Union for Gender Empowerment, Queer McGill, and the Eating Disorder Resource and Support Centre. The addition of the PSC Fee to the opt-outable Referral Service Fee will increase its cost from $3.35 per semester to $3.97. 

Renewal of the Mental Health Fee: Yes

Renewing the $0.40 per semester Mental Health Fee will allow for the maintenance of the SSMU Mental Health Committee. A vote in favour also makes this fee non–opt-outable. Despite concerns from the student body regarding the insufficient mental health services offered at the McGill Wellness Hub, such as long-wait times and inaccessible booking, making this fund non–opt-outable will provide the Committee with a steady source of funding. It will also enable more concrete projects such as the creation of “Mental Health MyCourses,” an online wellness portal that would clarify avenues of accessing support for students. 

Renewal of the Anti-Violence Fee: Yes

By voting “yes” to renew the opt-outable Anti-Violence Fee, SSMU members will continue to fund the Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy (GSVP), which was created in 2018 after allegations of sexual violence were raised against SSMU employees. At $0.45 per term, this fund will allow for the expansion of the GSVP, including the hiring of two Anti-Violence Coordinators to oversee the policy’s implementation. This fee also supports the continuation of the GSVP training program and other discretionary funding for student initiatives, including advocacy campaigns and student-led gendered and sexual violence prevention training. 

Amendment of the SSMU Constitution: Yes

A “yes” vote to the proposed amendment to the SSMU Constitution will remove a line in Article 8.9 stating that councillors and legislators cannot be remunerated for their work, except in instances of financial need. If passed, students holding these positions would be eligible to receive an hourly wage starting in Fall 2021 provided the SSMU Base Fee Increase is also approved. This amendment improves accessibility to student government by opening doors to those without the means to hold an unpaid position. 

Renewal of the SSMU Access Bursary Fund Fee: Yes

A vote in favour of renewing the SSMU Access Bursary Fund will enable SSMU to continue providing bursaries to students in need of financial aid. The opt-outable fee is $8.50 for full-time students per semester and $4.25 for part-time students. The funds raised by this fee are matched by alumni donations and constitute one of McGill’s largest bursary funds. In the 2019-20 academic year, 367 undergraduate students who demonstrated financial need received a bursary from this fund. Since 1999, more than 2,500 students have received this bursary. 

Renewal of the University Centre Fee: Yes

This non–opt-outable semesterly fee of $8.02 for full-time students and $4.01 for part-time students will increase at a rate of 5.6 per cent annually until Winter 2026. If this fee passes, it will continue to fund the rent and utilities for the University Centre on campus, with any surplus directed towards renovation costs for the building. With the building renovations projected to wrap up this semester, students will reap the benefits of this fee once it is safe to return to campus.

Renewal of the TVM: Student Television at McGill Fee: Yes

A “yes” vote to the renewal of the opt-outable $1.50 per semester fee will allow TVM: Student Television at McGill to continue providing students both a creative outlet and a place to develop their multimedia and film production skills. TVM also live-streams and records events such as the SSMU Candidates Debate for the McGill community. After attending a training session, students gain free access to equipment for personal projects. TVM also serves as an alternative to McGill’s lack of a film production program.

Discretionary Funding for Queer McGill: Yes

A ‘yes’ to this motion will allow Queer McGill to offer up to 10 per cent of its budget as discretionary funding toward projects and initiatives in line with its mandate. Queer McGill is a support and educational service that aims to make campus safer for 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Queer McGill also offers several resources for safer sex, as well as gender-affirming products and menstruation supplies. This motion would permit Queer McGill to have greater autonomy in enacting their outreach iniatives. 

Renewal of the Access McGill Ancillary Fee: Yes

A vote “yes” to the renewal of the non-opt-outable $2.00 per semester fee will allow the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) to continue providing funding for services and resources that improve accessibility on campus for students with disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic health impairments, or other conditions. Such services include exam accommodations, assistive technology resources, and campus transport. Since 1988, the Access McGill Ancillary Fee has provided equipment and services to make campus facilities more accessible.

Renewal and Increase of the WUSC Student Refugee Program Fee: Yes to both

A “yes” vote to this motion will allow the McGill of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) branch to execute its Student Refugee Program (SRP), which aims to settle three refugee students per year. The program sponsors the students’ expenses for one year, and allows them to gain permanent residency after arriving in Canada. A “yes” vote to renew the non–opt-outable fee of $2.00 per semester will allow the SRP to continue sponsoring students. Additionally, a vote in favour of the fee increase question would raise the fee from $2.00 to $4.00, enabling SRP to increase its sponsorship to four or five students per year. 

MSA Service Fee: Yes

The Muslim Students Association (MSA) hopes to create an opt-outable Service Fee of $0.99 through this referendum. The MSA offers resources and support to Muslim students at McGill, including prayer services, mental health services, educational classes, professional development services, and social events. A “yes” to the creation of this fee would support existing services and allow the MSA to further expand their services. Additionally, a “yes” vote to allocate discretionary funding will allow the MSA to devote 5.16 per cent of its fee budget to provide financial aid to Muslim students in need.

Renewal of the McGill Writing Centre Ancillary Fee: Yes

A “yes” to this fee will renew the McGill Writing Centre’s (MWC) non–opt-outable fee of $1.50 per semester. The MWC offers up to seven free hours of individualized writing consultations per term for each student. Tutors are experienced writing instructors with PhDs in their field or McGill alumni with tutoring experience. If renewed, the fee will go towards funding tutor and coordinator salaries. This fee will also enable the MWC to increase the number tutoring appointments to meet increased student demand.

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Midnight Kitchen could allocate 20 per cent of its budget to discretionary funding. Midnight Kitchen allocates five per cent of its budget to discretionary funding. The Tribune apologizes for this error.

News, SSMU

Legislative Council approves policy against harmful military research

by Vanessa Barron on

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The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council held its biweekly meeting on March 11, where members approved a motion to implement a policy on harmful military technology and introduced a new motion seeking to adopt an official harm reduction policy for substance use on campus. 

The policy regarding military technology demands increased transparency about military research at McGill, and mandates SSMU to engage in meaningful advocacy against harmful military research. While the Legislative Council approved the motion at their Feb. 11 meeting, the SSMU Board of Directors rejected the motion and sent it back to the Legislative Council for further review. The Board of Directors also brought the motion to the Steering Committee to check the factual validity of the citations and potentially add new ones.

Despite that 22 councillors voted in favour of the military research policy at their Feb. 11 meeting, councillors debated it for nearly 40 minutes during the second round of deliberations, and seven council members voted “no” to the motion. Arts Councillor Alex Karasick critiqued the policy’s unclear scope, but many members, including Vice-President (VP) Finance Gifford Marpole and VP University Affairs Brooklyn Frizzle, argued that the chance to debate the scope of the policy had long passed, already having been debated and approved one month prior.

Maya Garfinkel, U3 Arts student and research coordinator for Students for Peace and Disarmament, explained how the policy relates to the recently approved Divest for Human Rights Policy and encouraged more transparent research on campus.

“If the Divest for Human Rights Policy [had] an external focus, this is more of an inward-looking policy that unpacks how the research apparatus at McGill operates,” Garfinkel said. “We really do want to focus on maintaining a strong foundation for research so that students in all faculties have the research opportunities that they expect when they come to McGill. We are more focussed on exactly who is controlling the research that students are participating in.”

The motion passed with 15 in favour, seven opposed, and four abstentions. 

Next, Frizzle introduced a new motion regarding the adoption of a harm reduction policy for substance use on campus. Guest speaker Sarah Graham, vice-president of the Association of McGill University Support Employees (AMUSE), gave a presentation on McGill’s lack of resources for harm reduction regarding drug and alcohol abuse. The new policy aims to formalize a stance against de facto abstinence-only practices toward substance use in student residences and separates SSMU from Greek-letter organizations.

Frizzle affirmed the extensive student consultation and research on the harm reduction motion, which will be debated at the next Legislative Council meeting on March 25. 

“Generally speaking, I do believe that SSMU has generally good practices around harm reduction,” Frizzle said. “Unfortunately, those practices do not find themselves in any policies or internal procedures [….] We believe it is more important now than ever to formalize this stance and show our support for efforts around harm reduction.” 

Soundbite:

“Every single month, it feels like [Gerts’ reopening] gets delayed by a month due to government restrictions. I am gonna say [it will open by the] end of April, but take that with a grain of salt because things are changing every day. The reason why I kept Gerts on this budget […] is just in case it does open. If it does not, then essentially there are  no expenses and no revenues in the Gerts area. But [by the] end of April, hopefully—that’s the dream.” — SSMU VP Finance Gifford Marpole, on Gerts’ projected reopening during the question portion of the budget presentation. 

Moment of the meeting:

SSMU President Jemark Earle called for a one-minute moment of silence to honour the victims of COVID-19. 

 

Campus Spotlight, Student Life

McGill Black Mentorship program fosters valuable connections

by Lucy Keller on

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This past January, the McGill Black Alumni Association (MBAA) launched its newest initiative, the McGill Black Mentorship Program. Since the MBAA was founded in 2016, it has engaged McGill’s Black students by hosting several networking and professional support events. The Mentorship Program was spearheaded by MBAA co-founder Marilyn Ahun, (BA ‘15), alongside Shanice Yarde, Senior Advisor: Anti-Racism and Equity Education; Adrienne Piggott, chair of the Joint Board Senate Subcommittee on Racialized and Ethnic Persons; and Kavetia Dass, Alumni Relations, University Advancement. In creating the program, Ahun was motivated by the knowledge that she would have benefited from a mentor’s support during her undergraduate studies at McGill. 

“Before graduation, I really had no idea how to prepare for life after McGill,” Ahun said in an interview with The McGill Tribune. “I did not know what graduate programs I should be applying to, or if I should even be going to graduate school. I would have really appreciated having someone to bounce ideas off and someone who could tell me a general idea of what I should expect once I leave.”

The program, which began its first cohort in January, will pair current McGill students with alumni, staff, and faculty for an eight-month long period.  

While McGill has a general mentorship program, Ahun believes that a space dedicated for Black alumni, students, faculty, and staff is important to account for their unique circumstances: MBAA events help Black students navigate and combat challenges such as anti-Black racism on campus. The mentorship program strives to create a more intimate and personal setting to address these and other factors. 

“Whether we want to admit it or not, we experience life differently,” Ahun said. “There are some experiences a mentor could really help me with for my area of study, but their experiences won’t necessarily be the same as mine. I really wanted to create a program where alumni, faculty, and staff could help guide students as they navigate their lives in McGill and […] prepare for life after McGill.”

Mentors and mentees meet once at the beginning of the eight-month program and once at the end, though MBAA encourages students to connect with their mentors more frequently. Program organizers have created guidelines for both the mentors and mentees, but Ahun hopes that students and professionals will continue their relationships after the eight months.

The program is currently facilitating its first cohort of matches, with 100 students currently matched to over 80 mentors. While the majority of mentors are alumni, MBAA welcomes any staff, faculty, or even graduate students to become mentors. Mentors work in a wide variety of fields including medicine and healthcare, NGOs and engineering. The majority of current mentees are from the Faculty of Arts or Science, but MBAA hopes that the next round, set to launch in August, will see participants from even more fields.

The ongoing pandemic has forced the initiative to operate at a distance, with meetings between mentors and mentees mainly restricted to online platforms. While connecting virtually is not ideal, an online platform has likely increased participation in the program, as it has expanded its reach to participants located outside of Montreal. Though she is excited for future in-person meetings, Ahun is grateful for the online format, which has facilitated connections between Black students at McGill and alumni from around the world. 

“Obviously this is not a great situation and we hope to be in person soon, but it is nice to know that people across the world who are a part of the McGill community can participate,” Ahun said.

To learn more and sign up for the program, check out their Facebook, website, or information pamphlet.

Out on the Town, Student Life

Exploring Montreal’s funkiest architecture

by Dante Ventulieri on

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Some consider Montreal to be the mecca of culture in Canada—a city unafraid of risks—and its architecture reflects that. From lesser-known gems to cult classics, each building has its own unique history and style. With the weather warming up, but the lockdown still in effect, The McGill Tribune has compiled its list of funky buildings that are worth a visit during routine walks.

La Maison Coloniale

For over 30 years, La Maison Coloniale has been one of the most polarizing homes in the Plateau. Designed by architect Jacques Rousseau, this house is known for its imposing concrete structure, complete with clinging vines and embossed details. Its menacing size and cold exterior cleverly contrast the quaint multiplexes that surround it. This eccentric home sits on the corner of Avenue Coloniale and Rue Marie-Anne, a quick detour from Saint-Laurent Boulevard.

Habitat 67

Known as one of Montreal’s most unique buildings, Habitat 67 has maintained its allure for over 50 years. Nestled along the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, the building consists of 354 prefabricated concrete modules connected via walkways and landscaped terraces. Habitat 67 was conceived by Moshe Safdie, who submitted the design as part of his master’s thesis for the School of Architecture at McGill. This architectural icon was originally built to house Expo 67 visitors, but has since been converted into luxury condos. Habitat 67 is worth the visit, and the walking tour is a must for those who want to experience the building up close post-pandemic.

Hôtel de ville de Saint-Louis

Constructed in 1905, the building previously served as a police station, fire station, post office, municipal court, and town hall for the former city of Saint-Louis. The architects and elected officials behind the project paid homage to French Renaissance castles by incorporating turrets, dungeons, and machicolations. Though it was originally conceived to be an unpretentious civic centre, its intricate architecture and masonry led to final costs being double that of estimates. Its expensive construction indebted the city, with Montreal annexing the municipality only five years after the building’s inauguration. Today, the building houses a fire station, an auxiliary firefighter dispatch, and the Museum of Montreal Firefighters.

2-22

2-22, located at the intersection of Rue Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Laurent Boulevard, is the most modern entrant on this list. The building was completed in 2012 to revitalise the area, which had been known for decades as the Red Light district of Montreal. This six-storey building is a dedicated cultural hub whose tenants include a radio station, an information centre, a documentation centre, an arts centre, and a bistro. The most eye-catching aspect of the building is its recessed glass entrance which not only enhances the look of the building, but also allows more pedestrians to walk along the busy street. At night, the building is illuminated by multimedia presentations that are displayed on the unique facade of its double wall structure. 

Pink House

At first glance, the abandoned Canada Malting Co. plant in Montreal’s Saint-Henri borough looks like any other decrepit industrial tower. In late 2019, the two cabins on top of the building were painted pink and red and decorated with green curtains. During the holiday season, the cabins feature a Christmas tree along with other decorations. The person or group behind the painted cabins is unknown, and the display remains shrouded in mystery. According to one of the building’s owners, a trek to the top entails a dangerous 40-foot climb on a ladder. Since being abandoned in 1985, the owners have attempted to discourage intruders, but to little effect: The facility remains popular in the urbex community, which is comprised of people who share a common interest in exploring the built environment. With demolition or renovations expected in the future, a visit here should be done sooner rather than later. 

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

‘It’s A Sin’ breaks your heart—and it should

by Noma Mirny on

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Gutsier than The Inheritance, gentler than Angels in America, younger than The Normal Heart, crueler than Falsettos, yet more hopeful than 1985: It’s A Sin is a revolutionary depiction of the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic. 

The historical mini-series created by Russel T. Davies (Doctor Who, Queer As Folk) centres on a group of young people living in Thatcher-era London. Set between 1981 and 1991, the show follows actor-to-be Ritchie Tozer (Olly Alexander), first-generation immigrant Roscoe Babatunde (Omari Douglas), and Welsh-accented wallflower Colin Morris-Jones (Callum Scott Howells) as they delve into the city’s nightlife. By the end of the pilot episode, all three characters end up sharing a flat dubbed the “Pink Palace,” with Ritchie’s sweet-hearted classmate, Jill Baxter (Lydia West), and his friend-with-benefits, Ash Mukherjee (Nathaniel Curtis).

Davies explores his characters with such nuance and care—combining fumbling anxiety and insecurity, intense rage and liberated desire, inexperience and limitless ambition—that each one becomes deeply relatable. We can recognize traces of these young people in our classmates, family, friends, and even in ourselves. 

But as these young men develop their careers, switch college majors, and party through London’s bustling queer nightlife, the audience knows what they do not—that the shadow of HIV/AIDS hangs over their lives. Colin, who struggles most of all to find a sense of community, seeks the mentorship of an older gay coworker, Henry Coltrane (Neil Patrick Harris), only to see him disappear from work soon after. Colin finds Henry weeks later, forcefully separated from his partner, and locked in an isolated hospital room unexpectedly diagnosed with lung cancer. Simultaneously, Roscoe is hired as a club manager tasked with kicking out older gay men for distributing information pamphlets about “GRID” (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency)—an early term for HIV/AIDS.

Aside from its unprecedented U.K.-centric focus, It’s A Sin is a unique addition to AIDS-era media for its exploration of mass confusion and miscommunication-fueled fear. For such a tragic topic, Ritchie makes for an unusual protagonist as a brazen party-boy. Flitting from pub to pub, Ritchie is seen mocking the notion of a disease that only kills gay men. He disputes his friends, cheekily laughing at a disease that can supposedly calculate someone’s sexuality or target H-named demographics (Haitians, Homosexuals, Hemophiliacs).

The monologue ends with Ritchie, arms open and about to kiss a random club-goer, yelling to the camera, “How do I know [AIDS] is not true? I’m not stupid!”

Months later while Ritchie is out partying, his friend Gregory dies alone in his apartment.

While most contemporary queer storylines continue to be dominated by gay white men, the show masterfully incoporates an intersectional analysis of systemic oppression. Through Roscoe’s character, a first-generation Nigerian-British gay man, the show explores queerness in immigrant households and touches on issues of racism and classism. At one point, Roscoe works as an escort for the racist and elitist Tory MP Arthur Garrison (Stephen Fry). The power imbalance between the two begs the question as to why Black, Indigenous and people of colour within the queer community have to work harder to obtain a smidge of the wealth and power afforded to straight-passing white aristocrats. 

Although the show is not wholly perfect—and there is something to be said about the underdevelopment of Jill’s character and the exclusion of queer women who helped in the fight for HIV/AIDS research—it is, overall, a tour de force. Timely in its release during our own pandemic and magnificent in execution, the magic of It’s A Sin lies in its humanity; never are the characters given the relief of being political heroes or melodramatic martyrs. Without romanticizing their death, it insists on remembering  them—and the people they represent—for the friendships they fostered, the fun they had, and above all, the love they shared, even if only for a moment.

Sports

Proposed restrictions in U.S. sports legislation are openly transphobic

by Zoe Babad-Palmer on

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The beginning of 2021 has marked social progress for queer rights in the United States: Democrats have taken steps to pass the Equality Act, a bill that would include sexual orientation and gender identity in civil rights protections, and U.S. President Joe Biden signed two executive orders to combat anti-2SLGBTQIA+ discrimination, particularly within the education system. These legislative decisions, however, have sparked pushback from conservatives.

Since the start of March, Republican legislators in 24 states have introduced bills that would prohibit transgender women from competing in women’s sports in schools and universities. One such bill, the “Mississippi Fairness Act,” passed the state House 81-28 and the Senate 34-9, and is expected to be signed into law by the governor within the month.

Similar bills have been introduced in previous years, with one passing in Idaho in 2020 before being blocked in court. Recently, more and more states have been attempting to limit trans students’ participation in sports. The number of such bills that marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals created in 2021 has already surpassed last year’s total of 19 and represents a coordinated push by conservative hate groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom to harshly limit the freedoms of queer individuals.

Proponents of these bills have tried to justify them as an attempt to protect women’s sports, citing concerns that transgender women have an unfair advantage over cisgender women. Legislators, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, say that the Equality Act and President Biden’s executive orders are an attack on women. They have falsely claimed that the executive orders would withhold federal funding from educational institutions that do not allow trans women to participate in women’s sports. This, however, is untrue, as the order in question has no bearing on federal funding.

This rhetoric against trans women is based in fearmongering and has no basis in science or fact. Not only are the legislators behind these bills unable to reference instances of transgender athletes causing unfair athletic competitions, but there is no evidence that transgender athletes have an advantage over cisgender athletes. Athletic ability varies from person to person, and to ban transgender athletes from competing against other women would be like excluding basketball players who happen to be extremely tall—or banning Michael Phelps from swimming because of his scientifically proven biological advantages. Moreover, most of these legislators have shown little to no support for women’s sports, and have instead weaponized them to harm trans youth.

Bills targeting trans youth often focus on trans women, and have a disproportionate effect on athletes of colour, cisgender and transgender alike. One recent instance of discrimination is the case of Caster Semenya, an Olympic champion runner and Black woman who was required by World Athletics, the international governing body for athletics, to take medication that lowers testosterone levels. Additionally, stereotypes frequently label and profile women of colour, particularly Black women, as unfeminine.

Professional female athletes, in contrast to conservative lawmakers and pundits, are broadly supportive of transgender athletes in their sports. Jessica Platt, a trans woman and professional ice hockey player, played in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and has discussed the positive atmosphere she experienced on the team. Layshia Clarendon, a trans and nonbinary WNBA player, announced their top surgery to the full support of their team and the players’ union and has spoken about the harm of targeting trans athletes.

It can be disheartening and tiring for trans athletes to constantly fight against nonsensical, bigoted rhetoric and legislation for their right to merely play sports, but they are not alone. They have activists, lawmakers, and teammates alongside them.

Editorial, Opinion

Meet the 2021-2022 SSMU Executive Candidates

by The McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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President 

Darshan Daryanani 

Darshan Daryanani, U3 Arts, has extensive experience in student government, currently serving as an Arts Senator and a member of 12 different SSMU or AUS committees. As the pandemic continues to restrict on-campus life, one of Daryanani’s top priorities, if elected, is to ensure the successful reopening of student-centred infrastructure and services, such as the University Centre and Gerts Bar, and implement spaces dedicated to prayer and spirituality. Daryanani hopes to reconfigure SSMU’s current system for institutional memory: Instead of relying on the static documentation of SSMU’s past motions and initiatives—such as exit reports—he hopes to maintain active communication with past SSMU executives to ensure the continuity of major projects from year to year.

Mark Morrison

Mark Morrison, U2 Science, has no SSMU experience, but is confident that his industry-related work in sustainable development will make up for it. Morrison believes that his practical experience in the workforce allows him to better connect with McGill students, and would help him bring a new perspective to SSMU. Morrison hopes to overhaul SSMU’s governing structure and governing documents. His platform revolves around student advocacy and inclusivity, and emphasizes that SSMU’s number one job is to advocate for students. Morrison also plans on improving McGill’s relationships with Indigenous groups in Montreal and ensuring the university couples symbolic gestures such as land acknowledgements with tangible action to support marginalized groups.

Jake Reed 

Jake Reed, U2 Engineering, currently serves as the Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS) representative on SSMU Legislative Council and previously sat on the EUS Board of Governors and the EUS Governance Review Committee. Additionally, Reed was the dispatch coordinator for the Montreal Students for COVID-19 Response and Relief initiative. Reed’s platform emphasizes student advocacy and safety; notably, they promise to bring legal insurance coverage to every SSMU member and implement outcome-focussed advocacy measures within SSMU. Reed intends to advocate for continued hybrid learning during the Fall 2021 semester. 

Our endorsement: Yes with reservations to Jake Reed

Jake Reed’s experience with student government and holistic approach to the reopening of campus make them an excellent fit for SSMU President. Morrison lacks any practical experience in governance as well as the institutional knowledge to succeed as president, and Daryanani’s campaign goals, such as a mySSMU app and Welcome Back concert, seem to lack feasibility and cohesion given the circumstances of the pandemic. Reed’s commitment to strengthening SSMU’s standing with the university administration will be invaluable amid the uncertainty of the Fall 2021 semester; as McGill returns to in-person activities, SSMU requires a dedicated president to help lead the executive team into this uncharted territory. This emphasis on student advocacy and support, however, means that Reed must make up ground in engaging students in SSMU affairs.

VP University Affairs

Claire Downie

Claire Downie, U3 Arts, brings a plethora of experience to her candidacy for VP University Affairs (UA). Downie has served as SSMU’s menstrual products coordinator and SSMUnion recording secretary. Beyond SSMU, she has also collaborated with the Union for Gender Empowerment (UGE) in her capacity as the menstrual products coordinator, and has also been involved with Montreal Student Initiative for COVID-19 Response and Relief. Her central campaign priority is to ensure that the resumption of in-person activities in Fall 2021 will be safe and accessible for all students. Downie also hopes to re-establish compensation for Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) notetakers, increase the availability of menstrual products on campus, improve library services, and send out listserv recaps of governance meetings to better engage students within SSMU. 

Neel Soman

Neel Soman, U3 Arts, is running on a platform covering several issues related to student accessibility. Although he has little SSMU experience, he has been involved in many student groups, including McGill’s Figure Skating Team, and has served on Inter-Residence Council. As a self-identified queer person of colour, Neel believes his unique lived experiences will help him advocate for marginalized students. Soman’s platform includes ensuring a safe return to in-person classes, extending the S/U option for at least another semester, updating McGill’s policies on sexual violence, and improving access to services for Francophone students. He also plans to introduce an Asian Affairs Commissioner to SSMU. 

Our endorsement: Yes with reservations to Claire Downie

Both candidates have demonstrated a strong understanding of the scope and responsibilities of the VP UA portfolio. However, as the VP UA represents student interests at almost all levels of university governance, Downie’s previous SSMU experience gives her an advantage in student advocacy. Soman’s lack of formal SSMU experience is particularly concerning, as next year’s VP UA term will be tasked with navigating the transition back to in-person academic activities. Even so, Downie’s near-exclusive focus on COVID-19 safety and accessibility for Fall 2021 neglects other priorities concerning equity. Beyond intentions to support the OSD and increase menstrual product accessibility, Downie had few ideas on inclusivity initiatives.

VP Student Life

Karla Heisele Cubilla 

Karle Heisele Cubilla, U2 Arts, has served as an executive on the Spanish and Latin American Students’ Association (SLASA) for the past two years as VP Events and VP Projects, an experience she feels has helped her to understand the challenges facing student groups. If elected, she will prioritize mental health initiatives, family care, and establish certifiable workshops to enhance student resumes. To help lessen the burden on SSMU’s family care services, which currently subject parents to long wait times, Heisele Cubilla has an ambitious plan to institute a volunteer program where students could gain experience working with the daycare. Heisele Cubilla intends to continue initiatives, like the WellnessWorld portal, developed by her predecessor Makheen Akter. 

Our endorsement: Yes to Karla Heisele Cubilla 

Heisele Cubilla’s commitment to supporting McGill’s student body is clear. Having immigrated to Canada independently and started CEGEP without a strong Montreal support network, she understands the importance of community involvement. Heisele Cubilla hopes to help other McGill students facing similar experiences due to isolation caused by the pandemic. While she may lack direct SSMU experience, her work with SLASA along with her role as recruitment director for Alpha Phi McGill will surely help her to thrive as VP Student Life. 

VP Finance

Éric Sader 

Éric Sader, U3 Arts, is an economics major and math minor. He has experience managing finances as the deputy head delegate of the McGill Model United Nations Delegation Team, where he also oversaw equity, logistics, and budget coordination. If elected, he hopes to work closely with the VP External to advocate for the regulation of international student tuition fees. Sader also plans to implement reforms to SSMU’s five-year plan for the consolidation of student fees, incorporate bilingualism into the finance portfolio, and improve transparency of financial matters within SSMU. Further, Sader will continue to support the push for McGill to divest from harmful investments and hopes to work with the Financial Ethics Review Committee to prioritize investments in progressive companies instead.

Our endorsement: Yes to Éric Sader 

Aside from Sader’s clear enthusiasm for numbers, his experience as deputy head delegate of the Model United Nations Delegation Team demonstrates his qualifications for VP Finance. It is clear that Sader understands the logistical nature of the finance portfolio, has the knowledge to support crucial student services, and will ensure student fees are allocated efficiently. His emphasis on increasing transparency and student involvement will inform students on finance portfolio operations as well as the direction of McGill’s funding. His plans to reinforce bilingualism as one of SSMU’s core values will also make SSMU more accessible to Francophone students.

VP Internal

Sarah Paulin

Sarah Paulin, U1 Arts, has several leadership experiences that include serving as a Model UN club executive in CEGEP, a Secretariat member for the Secondary Schools United Nations Symposium (SSUNS), a member of the governing board for the Classics Students’ Association (CSA). Paulin values effective and transparent communication, both amongst SSMU executives and with the student body. Her platform emphasizes transparency with students regarding safety as they return to in-person classes and activities next year. She also believes that the Francophone Affairs portfolio has been neglected in recent years, and would like it to assume higher priority during her term. In regards to organizing Frosh activities, Paulin plans to create more alternatives that depart from the typical drinking culture.

Our endorsement: Yes with reservations to Sarah Paulin

Paulin shows clear willingness and flexibility to adapt in this role. She has many new and intriguing ideas for a safe return to in-person activities, such as providing a clear timeline of events, and expressed eagerness to support students during the transition. Additionally, her clear desire to help all McGill students feel connected to SSMU and the Society’s work is admirable. However, despite her leadership roles, Paulin is still a first-year student, and without experiencing on-campus life, successfully undertaking a major transition will be challenging. Paulin would also be filling a currently vacant seat, meaning she will have no predecessor to help her transition into the role.

VP External

Sacha Delouvrier 

Sacha Delouvrier, U2 Arts, is the director of outreach and student engagement for the International Relations Students’ Association (IRSAM) and has held other leadership positions on organizations such as SSUNS. His platform centers on three main priorities: Ensuring a safe return to in-person classes, supporting local organizations like Meals for Milton Parc and The Yellow Door, and improving advocacy for marginalized groups. As a Francophone student, Delouvrier plans to work extensively with Francophone Affairs and ensure French alternatives of  documentation are available. If elected, he hopes to expand upon previous projects such as SSMU’s initiative for housing advocacy by incorporating the currently absent external portfolio into SSMU’s five-year plan and building strong relationships with the executive team. 

Our endorsement: Yes with reservations to Sacha Delouvrier

Delouvrier is an experienced leader who has already established a working relationship with the current VP External Ayo Ogunremi, and demonstrates a sincere willingness to learn. He has promising ideas for developing a relationship between McGill students and the Milton Parc community. He also advocates for Francophone Affairs and hopes to provide job-focused French classes and coordinate the translation of more SSMU documents––both of which Francophone students have been demanding. However, Sacha lacks practical experience in activism at McGill, which could impede his ability to effectively engage with the advocacy duties of the role. 

In order to present the most informed endorsement decisions possible, our editors conducted Zoom interviews with all of the candidates and examined each platform in detail. This research was followed by an Editorial Board meeting to discuss candidates and vote on who to endorse, and whether we had any major reservations regarding their candidacy. In order to earn the Tribune’s endorsement, a candidate had to receive a majority vote. Reservations could also be appended to any “Yes” endorsement with the approval of a majority of editors. There was also a disclosure process for any conflicts of interests and editors who have personal relationships with the candidates were ineligible to vote. 

In the spirit of transparency and as a matter of upholding The McGill Tribune’s credibility, we feel it imperative to make the process behind these decisions public. Should you have questions or concerns about our editorial process—or its outcomes—please send us an email at [email protected].

Erratum: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Claire Downie, candidate for the position of VP University Affairs, worked for the Union for Gender Empowerment (UGE). In fact, she collaborated with this organization in her capacity as the SSMU menstrual products coordinator. The Tribune regrets this error.

Sports

Professional athletes absolutely have a role in political activism

by Karan Kumar, Reza Ali on

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Currently in his 18th NBA season, LeBron James became the third player in league history to score a cumulative 35,000 points, joining Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Karl Malone and cementing his place as one of the greatest players of all time. Alongside his NBA career, however, James has also been recognized for what he does off the court. 

James often uses his large platform to tackle racial injustice. In June 2020, James commented on the death of George Floyd, making a post on social media with a photo of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee before an NFL game. The photo, which was captioned “This… Is Why,” commends Kaepernick’s continued efforts to speak out against racial discrimination and police brutality in the U.S. despite receiving backlash for kneeling during the national anthem. 

Despite all he has done for his community, James still receives judgement for his role in activism. In a recent interview for UEFA with Discovery+, soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized James’ social and political involvement. 

“[LeBron] is phenomenal at what he’s doing, but I don’t like when people have some kind of status [so] they go and do politics at the same time,” Ibrahimovic said. “Do what you are good at [….] I play football because I am best at playing football [….] Just do what you do best, because it doesn’t look good.”

James was swift to highlight Ibrahimovic’s hypocrisy. 

“It’s funny that [Ibrahimovic] said that,” James said in an interview with ESPN. “In 2018 he was the same guy who said when he was back in Sweden […] he felt like there was racism going on when he was out on the pitch.” 

James was referring to a 2018 interview with Canal+ during which Ibrahimovic claimed to be facing racism for his “non-standard” Swedish last name. 

Ibrahimovic’s comments come as James continues his advocacy for social justice and racial issues, something the NBA superstar has been committed to for almost a decade. James’ initiatives have seen actionable change, and demonstrate the need for professional athletes to take part in social and political advocacy. 

In June 2020, James launched More than a Vote, an initiative aimed at improving voter turnout and reducing voter suppression in the Black community in the U.S. Since its inception, the campaign has recruited more than 42,000 volunteer poll workers. Currently, the program continues to do important work combating racism and educating the community.

James also founded the “I Promise” school in collaboration with the Akron Public Education system in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. The school provides after-school tutoring, attendance incentives, and free transportation for students within a two-mile radius.

“I know what these kids go through,” James said at the opening of the school in 2018. “The most important thing for them is a structure and that we care for them. These kids [now] have the same opportunity as others. No matter where I play, Akron, Ohio will always be my home.”

James is one of many athletes involved in activism. Other athletes like Jaylen Brown and Marcus Rashford have also spoken on social issues in their communities. Brown is involved in James’ More than a Vote campaign and is also taking on his own initiatives, including teaming up with Dove Men+Care and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) to promote respect, support, and protection for Black men in society. Additionally, Rashford earned the prestigious Master of British Empire (MBE) award from the Queen on his campaign to feed underfed children in the United Kingdom.

In the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream played a key role in the election of Senator Raphael Warnock, after his opponent and Dream former owner, Kelly Loeffler, made statements against the Black Lives Matter movement.

The decision between sports and activism is not a partisan one. Athletes from a diversity of professional sports must continue to speak out against historical inequities in underrepresented communities that deserve recognition. Their successful careers provide them with a platform to give a larger voice to underrepresented communities.

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