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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.

Hockey, Sports

Coaching changes for Montreal Canadiens must foster improvement

by Sarah Farnand on

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On Feb. 24, the Montreal Canadiens fired head coach Claude Julien and associate head coach Kirk Muller. The decision came directly after the Canadiens lost two games in a row to the last-place Ottawa Senators. Julien, who had been with the Canadiens since 2017, was immediately replaced by assistant coach Dominique Ducharme, who has been with the Canadiens for two seasons. The replacement of Claude Julien was a necessary move—his coaching decisions did not hone the skills of his players.

Hours after dismissing Julien and Muller, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin thanked the coaches for their service, but emphasized the need for change.

“I would like to sincerely thank Claude and Kirk for their contributions to our team over the past five years during which we worked together,” Bergevin said. “I have great respect for these two men whom I hold in high regard. In Dominique Ducharme, we see a very promising coach who will bring new life and new energy to our group. We feel that our team can achieve high standards, and the time had come for a change.”

On March 2, following Julien’s departure, goaltending coach Stephane Waite was dismissed after eight years with the Canadiens. Waite helped Carey Price develop into the star goaltender he is today—but Price’s recent lacklustre performances indicates that change is necessary and will hopefully reinvigorate the goaltender. 

Price, who took home gold in the 2007 Ice Hockey Junior World Championships, the 2014 Winter Olympics, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, is the backbone of the current Canadiens team. In July 2017, Price signed an eight-year, 84-million-dollar contract extension with the Canadiens, becoming the highest-paid goaltender in the NHL. With such a high salary, the Habs expect a lot from their goaltender. From Prices’ 45 goals against in 17 games, it was clear that Waite was not effectively coaching Price.

Ducharme, who was hired to create the spark necessary to win games, is off to a bad start—the Canadiens have lost six of their past ten games. Losing streaks are becoming a standard for the Habs: In 2019, they suffered two eight-game losing streaks, and lost seven games in a row after winning the first in 2017. Later, in their last 34 games of the 2017-2018 season, they only managed nine wins. 

While the Habs had promising performances at the beginning of this season, winning five of their first seven games, the team has entered yet another losing streak. Their current 13-8-7 record places the team fourth in the North division, putting them in playoff contention. However, the fifth place Calgary Flames are only four points behind, and have beaten the Canadiens in three of their past four meetings. It is possible that the transition is responsible for the continuous losses, and the Habs will begin winning more consistently once they settle into a new routine. 

This is a crucial season for the Habs to make it to the playoffs. Time is running out for stars like Carey Price and Shea Weber, who are nearing the end of their careers, and key players like Phillip Danault and Tomas Tatar, who have contracts set to expire this year. As the Flames close in on fourth place, Ducharme must lead the Habs to wins immediately. With half of the shortened season underway, the Canadiens need to secure victories to gain the confidence necessary for the playoffs. Playing in a less competitive division with only seven teams, all of which they have previously beaten, gives the Canadiens a better chance of making the playoffs, and the team must not let this opportunity slip through their fingers.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

Claire Ridgely discusses her latest EP, ‘Flowers For A Friend’

by Deana Korsunsky on

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Having a song stuck in one’s head can be an excruciatingly irritating experience. Yet, over the past month, I have found myself delighting in the fact that Claire Ridgely’s lyrics, “All I ever wanted was a kick of serotonin” have not left my mind. This wildly relatable sentiment—particularly in today’s dispirited times—comes from Ridgely’s catchy indie-pop tune “All I Ever Wanted,” the first song on her EP, Flowers For A Friend.

Claire Ridgely (BA ‘17) has been singing her whole life: Raised in Virginia, the Montreal-based singer participated in choirs and acapella groups for 10 years in Switzerland before moving back to Virginia, and finally joining McGill’s a cappella group Effusion. After putting out her first single in 2018, Ridgely continued to sing professionally, and ultimately released her EP on Jan. 21, 2021. 

Ridgely recalled that it was the vibrance and friendliness of Montreal’s music scene that guided her toward singing professionally. 

“It wasn’t until I really came to Montreal that I found a crew of musicians and I started to realize that there’s a whole lot of other people who have the same kind of dream as me,” Ridgely said. “Once you get on that wave, you start to know all of these people, and it’s a very supportive place to be.”

After riding the waves of Montreal’s music scene for three years, Ridgely released Flowers For A Friend, an indie-pop ode that navigates the tumultuous nature of relationships, romantic and otherwise. The melodically addictive first track “All I Ever Wanted” paints a picture of potently uncertain euphoria, as the upbeat blend of instrumentals seamlessly harmonizes with Ridgely’s relaxing, mellow vocals. Only the nonchalant plucking of guitar strings stands out, punctuating the simultaneously tense and easygoing tone of the song. 

Every song that follows on Flowers For A Friend gingerly explores the limits of trust and unreciprocated love; Ridgely urges her listeners to choose strength over bliss and accept harsh realities. Ridgely’s EP concludes with the breezy and steamy track “Island,” which adds a range of emotions into a five-track album, demonstrating both versatility and authenticity to her art.

Ridgely noted that each track encompasses elements of positive and negative emotions. Despite this, the final products still stand alone as songs to invoke happiness and an urge to move. 

“There’s [a] contrast between the stories behind the songs,” Ridgely said. “They have that bittersweet sort of tinge. But at the same time, the production makes it so that you can dance to something that is somewhat traumatic.”

Although Flowers For A Friend indubitably prompts listeners to sway to the beat and sunbathe in the chilled-out sensation of the music, more solemn undertones pervade most of the project. Tapping into her emotions to write the EP was a challenge for Ridgely due to the vulnerability she had to reveal in the lyrics, but the final result unwittingly turned into a sense of emotional closure. The music takes on a life of its own, and exists in the world independently from its creator. 

“The songs are deeply personal,” Ridgely said. “When the project came out it felt like a breath of fresh air, like a reset [….] Subjects that I didn’t really think would reveal themselves ended up being the focus of a song. Then it was out, and I do my best to just let it live.”

Ridgely describes her music as a living entity, a vehicle for listeners to apply their own stories into the subtle, ambiguous details within her lyrics. Her songs come from a place of genuine authenticity—“homegrown,” as Ridgely describes it—encouraging her listeners to reflect and to grow. Ultimately, Claire Ridgely’s music is about choice: The listener chooses between giving oneself over to the lyrics and meditating on one’s memories of both trauma and joy, or simply seeking solace in the captivating beat of the tunes. Either way, it most certainly will be a kick of serotonin.

You can listen to Flowers for a Friend here. Catch Claire’s upcoming television appearance on Belle Et Bum on March 27th.

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

2021 Golden Globes were more controversial than glamorous

by Michelle Siegel on

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After Hollywood decided to push back the 2021 awards season to accommodate delayed releases due to COVID-19, it finally began last week with the broadcast of the 78th Golden Globe Awards. The Globes, long associated with bizarre nominations and even more bizarre winners, did their best to recreate the same glamorous vibes over two cities—New York City and Beverly Hills—while hosting their presenters and nominees through Zoom calls. 

In some ways, the attempt at a virtual awards show was successful: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler returned for their fourth year as hosts, and celebrities casually interacted with each other—albeit in what appeared to be Zoom breakout rooms. There were several unexpected winners throughout the night, such as Jodie Foster (The Mauritanian) for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday) for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.

The virtual ceremony, however, was filled with technical inconsistencies and awkwardness. While the show’s opening monologue was lively and fun, the physical distance between Fey and Poehler, who hosted from New York City and Los Angeles respectively, hindered their electric comedic timing and chemistry. The first winner of the night, Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah) for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, was accidentally muted while he began his acceptance speech. As Laura Dern awkwardly offered congratulations while shifting to the next segment, Kaluuya’s audio cut back into the broadcast midway through her speech.

Equally awkward, the show often had nominees conversing in small groups just before cutting to commercial breaks. Most groups sat in confusion and stared at each other, with some actors trying to start conversation to varying degrees of success. While the Best Actress in a Television Show nominees charmed viewers when gushing over the pets of Sarah Paulson (Ratched) and Emma Corin (The Crown), most of the night’s bits ultimately felt like a sad and uncomfortable reminder of our next Zoom meetings. Additionally, some of the glamour of the show suffered with some of the attendees’ wardrobe, with Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) accepting his award in a tie-dye hoodie. 

To add insult to injury, the clumsiness of the broadcast was overshadowed by the recent controversies surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization that produces the Golden Globes. A recent investigation from the Los Angeles Times revealed a lack of representation amongst the HFPA’s voting body, as none of their 87 members are Black, which led to many celebrities on social media demanding more transparency and diversity from the organization. The HFPA has also been accused for many years of accepting bribes as well as nominating and awarding individuals and films based on the amount of schmaltzing and wooing rather than the quality of the work. 

In light of the recent coverage of their indiscretions, the HFPA attempted to do some damage control during the show, with several senior members of the organization making statements about rectifying their failures in diversity and membership issues. Ultimately, cramming accountability and self-promotion into a two-hour window did not work. It came off as disingenuous for the HFPA to try to call themselves out on-air and for winners to call for change all whilst participating in and upholding that same organization. 

With many questioning if awards shows hold any value at all, it feels tedious to hold onto the HFPA’s mostly inconsequential voting body when there are other, more prestigious—though equally problematic—broadcasts to put stock into, such as the Academy Awards. Although the HFPA hoped that the 2021 show would demonstrate its value, it ended up furthering the narrative for its potential obsolescence. 

Features

Let’s go for a walk

by Jasmine Acharya on

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Before the pandemic, I relieved my stress by chugging beer from a regulation Sleeman cup. Now, I go for walks. Which one is healthier? I couldn’t tell you. 

 

Whether I am sad, happy, overwhelmed, or lonely, I go for a walk. These days, all I do with my free time is go for walks, exploring the city until my wanderlust is satisfied. Although I enjoy strolling the icy streets in solitude, sometimes I hope for company––I would love for you to join me today.

If you were not here, I would plug in my headphones and put on some music or a podcast to avoid being left alone with my thoughts. I especially enjoy listening to podcasts about mental health and music that reminds me of a night out with friends before the pandemic. Sometimes, I wonder if TikTok dances will dominate the post-pandemic club scene––I sure hope not. Well, I am glad you are here today so I am not dwelling on the haunting memories of Tuesdays at Café Campus.

We begin our journey by wandering through the unique and artistic Plateau neighbourhood. This community captures the best of Montreal: Beautiful snow-capped streets, incredible street art, and eccentric coffee shops. Between the beautiful architecture and the intricate murals, one feels transported to an art gallery.

Inevitably, one of us slips and falls—it is winter in Montreal, after all. We also try to avoid all the icicles about to fall and end our lives. The weather may be unforgiving, but our face masks, although hard to speak through, help keep us warm. As we continue walking, we find ourselves at Parc La Fontaine, which––surprise, surprise––is under construction. 

To avoid the construction, we walk towards the skating rinks. Although we did not bring skates, we stop for a moment to watch the skaters. We watch children trying to imitate their parents, friends crashing into each other, and couples sharing tender moments. We reminisce about when we could skate with our friends and family until our toes froze. We notice more and more people lacing up their skates and we decide to leave before we lose our minds over people gathering in big groups during a pandemic. We get hungry from all this walking, so at our next stop, we decide to get some food. 

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