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Men's Varsity, Sports

McGill Redmen lacrosse leaves Gee-Gees aghast in sudden-death playoff

by Patrick Beacham on

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McGill Redmen lacrosse (12-1) stormed Molson Stadium at their Oct. 28 game as they went head to head with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees (4-9), battling for a qualifying berth at the  2017 Baggataway Cup. McGill ran away with the game after taking the first quarter 4-2, ending with a definitive 17-6 victory.

After losing to Ottawa in 2016 during a sudden death playoff, the Redmen have now defeated the Gee-Gees three times this year, increasing their scoring margin each game.

“It’s always tough to beat the same team three times,” Redmen Head Coach Tim Murdoch said. “It was a total team win, and I think that our bench depth was really on display tonight.”

The Redmen attack line rushed the ball up the field with increased intensity each time, and Ottawa could neither keep up with McGill’s rotations, nor protect their goal from an onslaught of flying shots.

“We have threats from all over the field,” Murdoch said. “We have a lot of depth, and that’s going to really serve us well in the playoffs.”

The Gee-Gees were seldom able to get the ball up into their offensive end, let alone generate scoring opportunities. Save for some brief moments during Ottawa’s last attempts to make a comeback, McGill fifth-year goalkeeper William Waesche easily blocked opposing shots and lobbed the ball up to the offense for swift transitions.

“In any great defence, it takes a lot of help from the offence to set the tone,” Waesche said. “I thought today was a very offence-led effort. As a goalie, I was really happy with being supported from the other side of the field.”

The Gee-Gees, after enduring numerous Redmen offensive blitzes, were visibly deflated. In their last breath, they managed to put up two final goals at the end of the third quarter. McGill then swept the fourth quarter with a 4-0 shutout.

“We played 80 minutes of team lacrosse and it’s the first time we did that all season,” Redmen first-year midfielder Gardie Herr said. “We didn’t have a lull after the half which usually happens to us. It’s just nice to go out there and win.”

It is still uncertain whom McGill will face in the first round of the Baggataway Cup, though it will likely be either the Queen’s Gaels or the Western Mustangs. Heading into the national playoffs—hosted in Kingston between Nov. 3 and 5—the Redmen will use the upcoming week to sharpen up and prepare to take another stab at the championship.

“We’re just focusing on bringing the intensity every day,” McGill first-year defenceman Oliver Bolsterli said. “And just getting better every day of the week so we’re ready to roll on Saturday.”

 

Moment of the Game

Immediately following a faceoff in the third quarter as Ottawa was deteriorating, first-year midfielder Gardie Herr was cornered by two Gee-Gees who proceeded to strike him in the face with their sticks, knocking him to the ground.

 

Quotable

“It’s a great feeling [to go back]. There’s nothing better than playing for a championship.” – Bolsterli on getting back to the championships after last year’s upset.

 

Stat Corner

Three Redmen—Liam MacDonald, Maxime Murdoch, and Goose Bolton—dominated the scoresheet, accounting for 11 of the team’s 17 goals.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

Nuné Melik fights for inclusivity in Classical music

by Maxime Scraire on

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“Do you mind if I shoot the interview?” Nuné Melik’s friend asked as we settled in The McGill Tribune’s office.

“It is pretty much just to brag [on social media] about how important and famous I am,” Melik added with a self-deprecating smile.

She might not be famous just yet, but after only a few minutes in her company, it becomes clear Melik is on her way to accomplishing great things.

In the past year alone, the up-and-coming classical violinist played at Carnegie Hall and the United Nations after winning the Waldo Mayo Violin Competition, published a volume of her own poetry, and released a crowdfunded record with her long-time musical partner, pianist Michel-Alexandre Broekart—all while pursuing her doctorate studies in music at McGill. She is now touring North America, playing in a handful of major cities before the year’s end.

The album, her first, is the result of seven years of relentless work, including extensive research on Armenian classical music, and two years of recording. The result, Hidden Treasure: Classical Armenian Music for Violin and Piano, is an emotionally-charged introduction to both her formidable talent and classical Armenian music.

“I’m really proud of this project, and I’m not easily satisfied with myself,” Melik said.

Of Armenian and Georgian descent, Melik is passionate about shining a light on the music she grew up with, and strives to give a voice to the neglected composers who shaped her.

“I want people to learn about this music, or at least acknowledge its existence,” Melik said. “Because today, it’s as if it’s not even there, you know? It’s wrong. [Our music] is beautiful. It has its value.”

Her album stands in opposition to her classical contemporaries,  many of whom she criticizes for abandoning those who stand in the margin.

“We’ve been running circles around absolutely the same repertoire for centuries,” Melik said. “Everything that is not Beethoven, Mozart, or Shostakovich is not even worth being considered.”

With Hidden Treasure, Melik forges her own path as a curator, recording not what she knows will make her famous, but what she believes needs to be heard.

“The main message is really just to celebrate that we are still here, and that we continue to create things,” Melik said.

In addition to popularizing Armenian music by both playing and recording it, Melik seeks to make the music more accessible to classical performers. Over the past few years, she has traveled to Armenia three times, to gather sheet music that cannot be found in North America. Her travels were worthwhile.  

“I have, I think, the most impressive library of Armenian music in North America right now,” Melik said.

Melik is now considering launching an electronic library on her website, to which access would be granted on a pay-what-you-can basis. Meanwhile, she continues to work on her doctorate thesis and is shooting a documentary feature on Arno Babajanian, an Armenian piano virtuoso whose three-piece “Violin Sonata in B-Flat Minor” and “Elegy” are featured on Hidden Treasure.

The album release might feel like the end of a chapter, but for Nuné, there is no slowing down.

“I’m leaving for Mexico [on] Monday. I’m going to give masterclasses [and] play with the orchestra,” Melik said. “I’ll most likely present the album also.”

She also has a Canadian tour planned with Jeunesse Musicale and a Chinese tour coming up in 2019.

“I just want to impact the world in a better way,” she says. “I don’t know if I’m gonna succeed, but at least I’m trying.”

While Melik continues to push the boundaries of the exclusive classical music canon, no one will contest that.

 

Ask Ainsley, Student Life

Ask Ainsley: How can I have a safe one-night stand?

by Ainsley on

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Dear Ainsley,

Now that I’m in my first year of university, I feel like a lot of my friends are having one-night stands. I’ve never had one before, but I want to prepare myself for the possibility. Do you have any tips on how to have a safe one-night stand?

Sincerely,

Contemplating casual sex (CCS)

Dear CCS,

I’m so glad you’re thinking about this—being safe when engaging in a one-night stand is super important! We tend to view these encounters as having ‘no strings attached,’ but we often forget to think about the potential repercussions of casual sex, especially when it’s with someone new.

When going into a one-night stand, just as in any sexual situation, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re both giving enthusiastic and continuous consent. If you’re at a party and have been drinking, remember that your own and others’ abilities to make rational decisions and give consent might be compromised. If you have the slightest inkling that someone is too drunk to consent, trust your gut, and do not try to engage in sexual activities with them. When you go out, try having one designated friend stay sober and check up on the group in the event that anyone gets too drunk to consent. And, even if you’re sober enough to make decisions on your own, if you’re having doubts about going home with someone, remember that it’s more than okay to change your mind.

If you have decided to go home with someone, it’s a good idea to tell a friend where you’re going and with whom. Regardless of how good things might go, it can be helpful to have someone looking out for you.

Once you’ve made it to your home or theirs, you still have the option not to have sex. Often during one-night stands, there are pressures or expectations to engage—but you are never obligated to do anything and you have the full right to say ‘no’ at any point in the evening.

In the case that you do decide to have sex, be sure to use protection. There are several kinds, ranging from condoms to the pill, so decide what’s best for you. Either way, you want to make sure you are protecting yourself against STIs and, if applicable, pregnancy. I know it can be intimidating to bring up the topic of birth control with someone you don’t know very well, but the fact that you’re not familiar with each other—or your practices—makes it even more important.

If it’s your first time venturing into a one-night stand, don’t forget to have fun; there’s no shame in enjoying the night. Keep in mind, though, that because you don’t know this person very well, a one-night stand might not be the best time to push sexual boundaries. This is probably not when you want to try unconventional sexual positions or sex toys, unless you and your partner have both explicitly consented to that beforehand. While it’s important to feel comfortable expressing yourself sexually, if you just met the person you’re with, they may feel pressured into saying ‘yes’ to things because they don’t yet know you well enough to say no. If there’s a time to keep things simple, it’s now.  

When it comes to spending the night, it’s important not to have too many expectations. Don’t assume that you will sleep over at someone’s place or that they will stay over at yours, because for some people, sharing a bed is more intimate than sex. If you find yourself wanting to say a simple “bye” post-sex, honesty is your best bet. Kindly tell your partner that you prefer to sleep alone, or that you’ve got to be up early the next day. They should respect your decision, just as you should respect theirs.

On another note, it’s definitely worth communicating your long-term expectations with your partner post-sex. Whether you want your one-night stand to remain one-time, you want to see the other person again, or you want to take things to a new level emotionally, let them know, and hear them out if they want something different. Romantic comedies tend to portray tired tropes of one-night stands as the beginning of a happily ever after. Sometimes this is the case, sometimes it isn’t, and the only way you’ll know is if you talk about it.

One-night stands can be fun, but they require care and communication. The best advice I can give you is to prioritize your happiness, comfort, and certainty surrounding the decisions you make. Everyone has their own preference when exploring intimacy and sexuality, and it’s all a matter of personal choice when discovering what you want.

Stay safe,

Ainsley

Men's Varsity, Soccer, Sports

McGill Redmen soccer haunts Concordia Stingers in last regular season home game

by Jordan Foy on

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On Oct. 27, McGill Redmen soccer (4-5-3) took on the Concordia Stingers (3-8-1). The highly physical game resulted in a 3-1 victory for McGill.

The first half was a close affair, with both teams registering a goal each. The Redmen came out strong and were able to get ahead early, when second-year midfielder Roberto Bonalumi booted the ball past the Concordia keeper.

In the opening minutes, McGill controlled the play well, employing excellent ball movement to halt the Concordia attack. But, as the half went on, their play slipped and Concordia scored midway through the half to tie the game.

During halftime, the Redmen regrouped and focused on tightening up their game.  

“We told them […] they have to execute better,” Head Coach Marc Mounicot said. “They have to be more dangerous offensively, and the use of the ball has to be much more positive [….] We were hoping for a reaction, and I think they did [react].”

In the second half, the Redmen were able to regain control over the game by refocusing their strategy.

“Instead of putting our heads down, we just knew that we had to come out strong in the second half, and just change the momentum,” fifth-year midfielder Michael McIntyre said.

The Redmen offence struck again in the 58th minute, after a superb pass resulted in an easy tap in by second-year forward Mehdi Ibn-Brahim.

Later in the game, McGill capitalized once more when Bonalumi took advantage of a misplay by a Concordia defender for his second goal of the night. The Redmen then contained the Stingers’ offence for the remainder of the half and secured the win.

The match marked the last home game for many graduating veterans on the team, who expressed how thankful they are for the team and the experience.

“I was just looking forward to the opportunity of playing, and trying not to think about it being as my last game, and instead just trying to enjoy it.” McIntyre, one of the six graduating players, said.

For defender Davide Salvoni, the game was bittersweet.

“I dedicated a lot of time to this program for four years, so it felt a little tough to let it go, you know, break the routine I’ve been in for the last four years,” Salvoni said. “So I definitely wanted to end it on a good note.”

On Oct. 29, the Redmen took on the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) Citadins (7-4-1) at Stade Saputo, losing 1-0. Despite the loss, the team still secured a berth in the RSEQ playoffs. They’ll face off against the Université de Montréal Carabins on Nov. 11 at Stade Cepsum in the semifinal round.

 

Moment of the Game

Late in the first half, McGill goaltender Antoine Marchal and a Concordia attacker engaged in an epic footrace for a stray ball, in which Marchal just managed to boot it out of reach of the Stingers forward.

Quotable

“I think we came out with the right mindset, we were just worried about ourselves, rather than the other team. And we never stopped throughout the whole game, even when they tied it up.” – Fourth-year midfielder Michael McIntyre

Stat Corner

Despite Concordia outshooting McGill 9-6, the Redmen registered more shots on target, edging the Stingers 5-3.

Editorial, Opinion

SSMU President must step up, or step down

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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The current state of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) is disconcerting, to say the least: Executives and employees have resorted to publishing op-eds against each other, and five of the six remaining executives have formally expressed a position of non-confidence in President Muna Tojiboeva, due to a lack of transparency and communication with both her colleagues and the students she represents. These public rifts diminish the effectiveness and legitimacy of the organization and the important services it provides, negatively impacting its constituents. Moreover, framing the current discord within SSMU solely in terms of “political differences,” as Tojiboeva has done, obscures legitimate student concerns regarding her performance as president. Until Tojiboeva acknowledges and commits to improving upon her past incompetencies, and the executive team as a whole overcomes their frustrations toward each other, SSMU’s ability to serve students will suffer.

Tojiboeva ran for president to increase transparency and repair student trust in SSMU after a scandal-filled year. As President, she has yet to fulfill these promises. Measures to encourage student engagement and participation in the Oct. 23 Fall General Assembly (GA) were lacking compared to previous years. In particular, Tojiboeva failed to directly communicate the motion submission deadline—two weeks prior to the assembly itself—in time for members to submit motions for consideration at the GA. Consequently, several motions were submitted from the floor, and by extension, required two-thirds majority to be added to the agenda, rather than a simple majority. This misstep at best shows carelessness, and a weak commitment to upholding democracy within SSMU.

Under Tojiboeva’s leadership, important information regarding the meetings and decisions of governing bodies has also become less accessible to students. The SSMU Board of Directors (BoD)—of which Tojiboeva is the Chair—meeting minutes now consist of summaries rather than verbatim accounts, and have not been regularly updated: Oct. 15 and 22 minutes were not uploaded online until Oct. 30, and the Oct. 1 meeting minutes are still missing as of Oct. 31. Moreover, the BoD resolution book has yet to be updated during Tojiboeva’s term, something that she should prioritize if she is serious about increasing transparency.

The Oct. 16 suspension of Vice-President (VP) Finance Arisha Khan from the BoD is another example of the opacity of SSMU practices under Tojiboeva’s leadership. While she was away representing SSMU at a conference, the Board voted to suspend Khan on charge of a confidentiality breach, compromising her ability to defend herself. The President, along with the two other SSMU executives present, had to leave the room for the closed discussion and ultimately abstained from voting. However, any decision regarding a senior actor within student government must be made transparently, and with adequate due process. As Chair of the BoD, Tojiboeva should have made every attempt to ensure Khan’s representation at the meeting, or otherwise proposed to table the discussion until Khan returned.

These are objective failures of Tojiboeva’s promises of transparency and her ability to fulfill her presidential duties. Yet, she has failed to adequately respond to such criticisms, discounting them in a letter to The Bull and Bear as the SSMU “establishment” disliking her because “they no longer have a reliable lackey to do their bidding in the SSMU Executive.

Framing the current discord within SSMU solely in terms of “political differences,” as Tojiboeva has done, obscures legitimate student concerns regarding her performance as president.

On campus, this divide has been interpreted primarily in terms of stances on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and corresponding charges of anti-Semitism. These are legitimate and important issues that merit attention in their own right, as do students who feel targeted or unsafe as a result of them. However, by reducing her individual shortcomings to political differences, Tojiboeva exploits and inflames a sensitive political debate on campus, perpetuating dangerous identity politics. Views surrounding these issues must not be conflated with the competency of a SSMU executive in performing their duties, whether or not one agrees with her personal political views.

Furthermore, there are appropriate channels for a SSMU President to voice complaints against fellow executives. The commentary section of a student publication is not one of them. Claims of inappropriate or harmful workplace conduct, including body shaming and online harrassment, as Tojiboeva expressed at the Oct. 19 Legislative Council and in her letter, should be addressed through internal human resources channels, not aired out on public forums. Similarly, discord within the executive committee should not have come to the point where executives felt they had to bring the issue to Legislative Council, citing numerous previous failed attempts to resolve their concerns with the President internally.

After the Fall 2017 GA, several executives, including Tojiboeva, expressed desires to “reconcile” their differences and repair their working relationships. This is absolutely critical for SSMU to operate productively. SSMU executive portfolios require cooperation on a number of issues, and often overlap. Executives function as a team, and must act like one. Ultimately, SSMU’s primary concern must be the provision and improvement of student life and services—executives cannot let the current division distract from this.

It is crucial to recognize discrimination when it occurs, but to equate administrative concerns with political bias endangers SSMU’s democratic accountability. When legitimate and pressing criticisms are levelled against any SSMU executive’s ability to perform their professional duties, they must either step up and respond directly to those complaints, or step down. Right now, the President is doing neither.

 

 

 

 

 

Science & Technology

What sparks wildfires?

by Jovi Sidhu on

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Every passing summer brings forth the recurring and growing problem of forest fires in British Columbia, as well as in neighbouring provinces and states south of the border. Provincial governments have been tasked with preparing and dealing with fires that seem to be affecting larger and larger areas of land, and appearing in greater frequency.

The main sources of wildfires are dry wind conditions, which cause tinder in forests to ignite (by rubbing with great friction), and dry thunderstorms—when rain evaporates before hitting the ground but lighting continues to strike. These storms pose major problems for many areas during dry summer seasons, when fires caused by lightning continue to burn uncontrollably. Over the past year, British Columbia saw its worst season of wildfires since 1958, with over 900,000 hectares of land burned since April 1, and over $220 million in costs to the B.C. Wildfire Service. The province held itself in an extended state of emergency until Sept. 15, 2017, forcing many interior communities to evacuate from the threat of fire and the intense amounts of drifting smoke.

This rivals the Fort McMurray wildfire that started on May 1, 2016 in Alberta, which scorched almost 590,000 hectares of land. The wildfire present in B.C. at the end of August was around 467,000 hectares in size, not including parts of land already burned which equated to a total of 900,000 hectares once it had begun to settle. At its peak, the longest stretch of fire extended over 130 kilometres. Even now, large portions of land are still suffering from active fires. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, these fires cover land in Kamloops, Williams Lake, and Quesnel, among many other areas.

Although land formations, such as vast rock ridges, may constrain fires, other formations such as valleys act as funnels for wind, directing flames toward certain areas. Other areas of B.C.’s interior are very hard to navigate, resulting in many sections of fires being challenging to access by land and air, making it difficult for responders to approach the fire directly.

In Quebec, this summer has had moderate wildfire incidences compared to the most active provinces. According to the Société de protection des forets contre le feu, there are no major or minor fires affecting the province. Fortunately, all of the major fires were contained over the summer despite an increase risk in fires due to constant dry wind weather that the province faced.

If you plan on having a bonfire in the great outdoors before Winter begins, make sure that it is contained and watched; these massive forest fires start from a mere spark and can rapidly escalate.

Laughing Matters, Opinion

Just eat the damn bagel

by Sanchi Bhalla on

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There are many kinds of monsters in the world—the people who don’t hold the elevator even though they see you coming, the baristas who underfill your $8 coffee, and the bread-makers at Subway who think that an 11-inch sub counts as a footlong—but these do not hold a candle to the evilness and villainy of the proponents of healthy substitutes for regular food items—“healthifiers,” if you will. Those villains take our beloved greasy, oily, sugary, and anything-but-healthy comfort foods, and desecrate them by trying to make them nutritious. Their attempts are not only often counterproductive and not very effective, but they stand to ruin the singular joy that is devouring inherently unhealthy—yet delicious—food.

One recent example of this barbaric trend is the birth of the “bagel scoopers.” For those innocent souls who have yet to meet them, let me explain. You know those bagels that you love, with the fluffy inside, the crusty outside, and the wonderful carb-y aroma? The happiness you feel when you bite into a perfect one? Well, these barbarians do not. In the name of “health” and “fitness” and “carb-cutting,” bagel-scoopers insult the good name of pure carbs by scooping out the middle. They scoop out the soft centre, and then fill it up with low-fat cream cheese and top it with a sprinkle of sadness. Or maybe not—after all, sadness has a high sugar content.

When asked why, these villains respond with stories of carb-comas. They claim that reducing their intake of carbs makes them feel “lighter,” “better,” and “happier.” These are lies and slander. There are few positive results of bagel-scooping. The main reason people do it is to cut down on their intake of carbs, forgetting that we NEED CARBOHYDRATES TO SURVIVE. Carbohydrates are a major source of energy, helping to build essential proteins and lipids, preserve our muscles and aid the functioning of our gut bacteria. And they contain fibre, which helps you, um, go.

Other sinners (and perhaps more guilty ones) are those who try to change the humble pizza. They are easy to spot: They hang out around a vegan cafe, usually chanting blasphemies like,  “Let’s make the crust out of cauliflower to cut on carbs!” or, “you should ALWAYS blot your slice to reduce the oil on it.” Blotting your pizza cuts a grand total of 76.5 calories. That’s it. You can burn that while sprinting to campus from New Residence Hall after oversleeping, by tapping your foot while waiting at Service Point for anyone to come help you, or while running across campus hunting down an elusive samosa sale.

The worst offenders of all are those who wear fake smiles while touting the benefits of zoodles. In case you’ve been living under a rock, zoodles are noodles made out of zucchini. Yes, I’m serious. Yes, you should go back under that rock; you’ll be safer there. Zucchini is great and delicious and there are plenty of incredible dishes based around it. Don’t make it something it’s not. It’s not a good base for bolognese sauce, it’s not an adequate replacement in a stir fry, and it’s definitely not a substitute for good old ramen. Writing this, I’m repressing some very terrible memories of zoodle-ramen with vegan chicken.

If you want a healthy and delicious meal, there are an infinite number of foods that are meant to be healthy to choose from. If you’re going to eat an unhealthy meal, let it remain so. In fact, if you eat a “healthy” substitute of an otherwise unhealthy food, you tend to increase your portion sizes, which often negates the point of choosing that option in the first place. So, stop this sacrilege. Go forth and enjoy a delicious, double-toasted, cream-cheese filled, lox-on-top bagel, just the way it was intended.

 

 

Sanchi Bhalla is a first-year business student with an unmatched love of novelty phone cases. She can be spotted anywhere on campus where doggos run wild.

 

 

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

 

 
Commentary, Opinion

How soap sparked controversy: Political ads must be handled with care

by Sruthi Sudhir on

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Advertisements that incorporate social and political commentary when selling a product have become increasingly popular in recent years. This has also lead to an increase in controversy. Recent advertisements such as the infamous Kendall Jenner Pepsi flop, in which Jenner uses a can of Pepsi to resolve a protest, and the more recent Dove attempt at diversity, where a black actress is shown as turning white when she removes her t-shirt, are key examples of ignorance and lack of sensitivity in corporate environments.

Statement ads, which branch off from the typical product-selling content that consumers are used to, are a smart way for brands to share their views and stand up for social issues. That said, companies and advertising agencies need to be aware of the implications of their advertisements and tread lightly when dealing with sensitive subject manner. This is not to say politically-charged advertisements should not be made; however, they need to be handled with care. Viewers must continue to hold companies accountable for the messages their advertisements send, and companies should continue to use political ads—good and bad—to incite conversation on important social issues.

In today’s materialistic society, using advertisements to display social commentary is a clever marketing tactic. As digital advertisements become shorter and more targeted towards individual consumers, companies use them to build a reputation as being aware of social issues, and to get people talking about their products. However, these companies must take measures to educate themselves about their own intended messages—and ensure that the outcome matches the intent.

Political advertisements are prone to many interpretations, further complicating the issue. Lola Ogunyemi, the actress in the Dove ad, did not initially think that the ad she acted in was racially insensitive, illustrating the ambiguity in determining an ad’s sensitivity. She affirms that “[she] is not just some silent victim of a mistaken beauty campaign,” suggesting that the ad is not overtly racist. However, she also notes that “advertisers need to look beyond the surface and consider the impact their images may have, specifically when it comes to marginalized groups of women.” Ads may not mean to be offensive, but advertisers must realize that their ads will be viewed in different ways by different people.

Viewers must continue to hold companies accountable for the messages their advertisements send, and companies should continue to use political ads—good and bad—to incite conversation on important social issues.

Likely, Dove is not going to face any massive decline in sales after this controversy, just as PepsiCo did not after its disastrous ad campaign. This isn’t the first time that Unilever, Dove’s parent company, has failed to recognize racist implications in one of its campaigns. As Lindsay Rittenhouse writes in AdWeek, this pattern suggests a lack of minority representation within advertising agencies and the companies that hire them. Hiring a more diverse range of individuals is one solution to preventing more ads like this from being released in the future. Although Dove insists that it “is committed to representing the beauty of diversity,” no one at its marketing agency detected the obvious undertones of racial bias.

Successful alternatives include advertisements such as Airbnb’s 30-second ad during the 2017 Super Bowl, which portrayed the diversity of its staff through the hashtag #weaccept, sending a powerful, concise message. Coca-Cola’s “America the Beautiful” Super Bowl ad showed the iconic song being sung in English, as well as languages like Hindi, Arabic, and Tagalog. While the ad received a backlash of a white nationalist nature, it masterfully communicated an important message about diversity in the current political context of the United States.

In today’s social and political climate such advertisements—when done well—are powerful; advertisements should reflect the society they are catering to, and advertising agencies must evolve their approach accordingly.

 

Sruthi is a U0 Civil Engineering student. Although her ultimate goals involve building bridges and saving the world, her current hobbies include watching TV, playing the violin, and trying to figure out how seven years worth of French language classes have suddenly left her since arriving in Montreal

 

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

 
Student Life

Pumpkin carving 101: Get crafty and reminiscent this Halloween

by Gwen Wren on

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With Halloween less than a week away, it’s time to get serious about decorations—and pumpkins are at the top of the list. Carving pumpkins is a familiar tradition to many students, and goes back as far as the late 19th century, when Irish immigrants escaping the potato famine brought Jack O’Lanterns over to North America.

The story goes that hundreds of years ago, a man named ‘Stingy Jack’ fooled the Devil, and for that he was refused entry to both heaven and hell; instead, his spirit was doomed to roam the earth for all eternity. In order to see, Stingy Jack carved a turnip and put a piece of coal inside. Many years later, people all over the world have carried on this old tale, but with pumpkins in place of turnips.

Though university students might have abandoned their pumpkin carving adventures years ago, it’s a Halloween activity worth revisiting. While this time of year is generally packed with costume parties and apartment crawls, it can be fun to indulge in your 8-year old self and reminisce about simpler times. With a little apple cider and some friends, this activity can make for a laid-back-yet-fun celebration of All Hallows Eve.

Carving a pumpkin isn’t rocket science, but it’s good to have a plan. Here are six simple steps to get the carving started.

Step 1: Pick your pumpkin

Whether you find yourself on a farm picking your own pumpkin or you stop by the grocery store on the corner of your street, the most important qualities to look out for when choosing your pumpkin are its size and colour. Aim for a large and light pumpkin—it’ll be easier to design with more surface area, and easier to carve thanks to how hollow it is. In terms of colour, the lighter the pumpkin is, the softer its flesh, meaning carving won’t turn into a strenuous task.

Step 2: Get ready to get creative

By now, you have your pumpkin and you’re sitting at home with it—it’s time to prepare your work space. To limit the mess you are about to make, put some newspaper down wherever you plan to channel your creativity. Gather your tools of choice. It’s easiest to carve with a serrated knife, since it can cut through the skin of a pumpkin quickly and efficiently.

Step 3: Clean out the insides

Next, cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin. Make it wide enough so that your hand, as well as a spoon, can reach in and scrape out the insides. Once the top is off, start scraping! As you pull out the gooey insides, keep in mind that you can either compost them or save the seeds to roast. Either way, it’s resourceful and waste free.

Step 5: Carve away

After you’ve cleaned out the pumpkin’s insides, it’s time to design. This can be the hardest part, but there are steps you can take to make it easier. As a rule of thumb, tracing and cutting straight lines makes for an easy cut. If you’re looking to be a bit more creative, though, you can print out free stencils online and trace a design. To do this, you’ll need paper and thumb tacks. Use the thumb tacks to pin down the corners of the design, and then poke small holes with them in the pumpkin to trace where you will be cutting. After you are done carving, rub some Vaseline or diluted lemon juice on the exposed parts of the pumpkin to stop the areas from turning brown.

Keep in mind that cutting through a pumpkin is not your only option—from glitter to spray paint, there are many ways to turn make a gourd glamourous. You can use stencils to paint designs onto your pumpkin, or glue to add embellishments like glitter, flowers, and sequins.

Step 6: Get lit

Once your pumpkin is carved and clean, pick a spot to display its spookiness, and light it up. Though it’s standard to light pumpkins using candles, battery-powered string lights can serve as a safer alternative. Wrap the lights around a mason jar or similar vessel, and set it in the centre of the pumpkin.

Student Life

Summers in Montreal might now involve a pool on Mount Royal

by Amrit Grewal on

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In 2014, the city of Montreal closed the public pool behind the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH). Three summers later, mayoral candidate Valerie Plante committed to revamping the old pool and opening it up again within the next year, should she be elected.

“With this project, we have the opportunity to offer the downtown population a new green space on Mount Royal, as well as a public swimming pool, arguably the most beautiful on the island of Montreal," Plante said while campaigning on Oct. 4. “We’ve already promised to green the mountain by planting trees, and this morning we are pledging to make it more of a family environment."

Though many rumours circulated as to why the pool closed in 2014—including after the death of a 67 year-old man—there is no known single reason. The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) insists that alcohol and drug use were not the reasons for it shutting down. Instead, they cite a lack of resources to continue operating it, especially since the hospital was set to relocate. They were also concerned about crowds that occasionally broke in after-hours. After the pool’s closure to the public, McGill announced that it intended to use the pool for both academic and community purposes, but the area was instead left completely vacant.

Initially, the pool was built at the MUHC for patient physiotherapy and rehabilitation. In 2004, however, the Centre opened it to the public. However, as it quickly gained popularity among locals and tourists alike, security at the hospital could no longer handle the people who visited RVH purely for the pool. Despite the lack of proper regulations and funding, the decision to close the pool still came as a disappointment to many.

In the event that the pool reopens next year it would likely be built in the currently unused parking lot on the Pins avenue side of the hospital, near McTavish street. Rather than catering solely to crowds who enjoy unruly alcohol-filled parties, Plante hopes this pool will be more family oriented. Projet Montreal has also proposed installing a public park in the area, also contingent upon Plante winning the election.

Given its location on Mount Royal—one of the most iconic spots in Montreal—the pool is likely to attract lots of tourists once again. However, this time its purpose is strictly entertainment for the public, meaning the administrating and regulating of the pool will reign in control; the fun during crazy summer days is highly unlikely to be broken by mishaps or accidents.

To Stefanie Weighell, U0 Arts, revamping the old pool sounds like a swell idea.  

"I think [installing a pool] would be a very good thing to have for the city [to do], considering there's not many pools around,” Weighell said. “However, I wouldn't vote solely for a candidate just for that, because politicians make a lot of promises and you never know if they're true. So, while I am excited that that could be a possibility, it just almost seems too good to be true."

The final decision on whether or not the plans will come to fruition will be made after the elections, which occur on Nov. 5. Until then, here’s to making it through the winter.

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