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McGill, News

Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Education to launch this fall

by William Pang on

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This fall, McGill will be launching a Provost Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education. Led by co-chairs Paige Isaac, Coordinator of First Peoples’ House, Hudson Meadwell, Chair of the Department of Political Science, and Angela Campbell, Associate Provost (Policies, Procedures and Equity), the task force will propose initiatives aimed at integrating indigenous perspectives into academic curriculum and research, as well as the retention and recruitment of indigenous students and faculty members.

The task force was first proposed by Christopher Manfredi last Sept., shortly after his appointment as Provost and Vice Principal Academic.

“Last Fall, [during] my first presentation to Senate as provost, I said that I thought McGill had the opportunity to be the leading university east of the Ontario-Manitoba border [to form a provost task force],” Manfredi said.

Three months later, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its final report, concluding a six-year investigation that interviewed more than 6,000 indigenous men and women who survived abuse in residential schools. These schools, which operated for more than 130 years, were sponsored by the Canadian government in an attempt to assimilate indigenous youths into Euro-Canadian culture.

The Commission called for a total of 94 recommendations to be put in place. Pertaining to post-secondary institutions, the commission urged universities and colleges to introduce degrees in indigenous languages, for law schools to require all students to take a course on Aboriginal People and the law, as well as for medical and nursing schools to provide a mandatory course on indigenous health issues.  

“The task force is not just about responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report,” said Manfredi.  “That’s obviously an important part of what the task force will look at, but it’s more broadly to think about what contributions McGill can make towards developing its own indigenous studies work and making a contribution to indigenous education.”

Thirteen members in total will serve on the task force, including two students: Ray Aldred, a PhD candidate in philosophy, and Christian Quequish, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Indigenous Affairs Coordinator. According to Manfredi, the task force will last for nine months, with an initial progress report to be completed this coming Jan. and a final report in June 2017.

Allan Vicaire, the Indigenous Education Advisor and a member of the task force, applauded McGill’s effort in raising awareness about indigenous issues over the years.

“Already in the last five years we have built great programming, and now the task force is an addition to it,” said Vicaire. “I think it’s a really collaborative effort for myself, the First People’s house, the Office of the Dean of Students, and now the task force and the indigenous studies program is another mechanism to bring more exposure about indigenous issues”.

Ben Geobe, an indigenous student PhD candidate at the McGill School of Social Work, applied to the task force because he wanted to be a voice of a group that has historically been underrepresented. When asked why the task force was necessary, he replied, “My big concern is that I hear a lot of diverse projects that are focused on enriching or helping our neighbours in the Aboriginal, First Nation, and Inuit native communities, but you don’t always hear about it in a coordinated way.”

The task force will officially launch on Sept. 22, in commemoration of the relocation of the Hochelaga Rock.

Arts & Entertainment, Theatre

Play Review: Never Swim Alone is much more than absurd

by Selin Altuntur on

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Daniel MacIvor’s Never Swim Alone is an ironic parody of gender as well as a mildly unsettling piece of theatre. Directed by Katey Wattam, Never Swim Alone is not the kind of play an outsider would come to expect from McGill’s Player’s Theatre. Everything about it is minimal in terms of set design, costume design, and props, and yet it remains impactful long after the show is over.

The plot appears simple enough: Two men, Frank and Bill, played by Thomas Gould and Guillaume Doussin, enter a room and engage in a battle of one-upmanship  under the watchful gaze of the dainty Referee, portrayed by  Eléonore Von Friken. Through 13 rounds of attempting to outshine one another, the audience catches a glimpse into the tragic lives of the play’s three characters who hide behind their ironic and caricatured façades.

           Wattam took artistic liberties with staging and blocking, which were a welcome departure from conventional arrangements. When interacting, whether in a verbal  or  a physical altercation, Frank and Bill were often positioned in ways that created distance between them. From a conversation held back-to-back to a chokehold where both characters were on opposite ends of the stage, creative uses of space amplified the actors’ actions and commanded the room’s attention.  

The convincing and powerful performances of Gould, Doussin, and Von Friken were made even more impactful when placed against the minimal backdrop of a simple black curtain.  Without the conventional addition of an elaborate set, the characters were really all that one could focus on. The actors’ performances were the greatest strength of the production, while the minimalism of the set and props played to this strength.

           When I spoke to her after the show, Wattam mentioned that she chose  to direct a Daniel MacIvor piece because of the “philosophical meaning he embeds in accessible dialogue, while theatre can be a generally inaccessible medium.” And she has a point—theatre is a transient form of art where one cannot understand it at their own pace, like with a book or film, and many nuances risk being lost to the viewers during the performance. For an outsider who is not especially familiar with theatre, or even the arts in general, it can seem daunting to attend a performance rife with references and inspiration from classic works. Never Swim Alone was something else entirely.  Although MacIvor’s text draws on scholar Judith Butler’s treatise on gender, it is not necessary to be familiar with these allusions to understand the message—that the characters are damaged by the superficial, male-centric world they inhabit.

          Despite its eccentric guise, the play is a tragic one. Frank and Bill’s competitive jests mask repressed dissatisfaction with their mundane, materialistic, and uneventful lives. By judging their competition, the Referee attempts to assert her own agency in the masculine world of the play, yet the men’s focus on outshining one another eventually leaves her by the wayside. It becomes abundantly clear that the gender roles the characters are trying to live up to are damaging their lives in irrevocable ways.

           What was most enjoyable about the production was that it managed to convey significant social commentary in a way that wasn’t lost to the audience.  As an art form that demands undivided attention, theatre can be more of a challenge to dissect right in the moment. While the play’s philosophical inspiration and meaning were extremely palpable, MacIvor doesn’t spell it out for viewers in a way that prevents them from thinking and drawing their own conclusions. In fact, provoking thoughtful reactions is probably what this play does best—as it is entirely possible that others would draw different conclusions than those drawn here. The play achieves something remarkable in being accessible, insightful, and shocking while maintaining charm and endearing absurdity throughout.

 

Editorial, Opinion

A safe academic setting need not stifle free speech

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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As the semester began at the University of Chicago, incoming students received a letter from Dean of Students John “Jay” Elison stating the administration’s staunch opposition to safe spaces and trigger warnings. The letter, and its ensuing criticism, is another example of the polarizing debate surrounding these terms. As the new semester commences at McGill, members of the McGill community must revisit the primary motivations behind anti-oppression tenants: Empathy and respect.

Despite the designation of several physical spaces on university campuses, including McGill’s, as safe or safer spaces, these are much more than physical entities. Regardless of whether the terms exist, safe spaces are ultimately a mindset compatible with and crucial to a free, academic institution such as McGill.

In light of the University of Chicago letter, it is important to seek greater clarity with regards to safe spaces and trigger warnings at McGill. When academic institutions recoil from these terms, the concepts’ purposes become removed from the fundamental values that they are supposed to protect. Placing blanket bans on safe spaces and trigger warnings, as the University of Chicago did, demonstrates that critics have failed to engage with these concepts in a productive way.

A paradox behind the debate regarding safe spaces and freedom of expression is that safe spaces were originally introduced to allow people—regardless of genders, sexualities, classes, religions, races, and ethnicities—to express themselves freely. Extending this mindset into a university classroom should not prohibit free, intellectual discussion. Whether new to campus or returning, members of the McGill community must remind themselves that the purpose of safe spaces should not be to censor, but to promote respect and diversity—two values essential to education at a university.

Academic discussion at universities can be uncomfortable; however, too frequently, safety is wrongly equated with comfort. Safer spaces, as they are termed at McGill, are commonly seen as places in which everyone should feel free to be themselves without fear of oppression or discrimination; they do not exist to shield students from uncomfortable ideas or topics.

Because academic discussions often broach difficult topics, content or trigger warnings are understandable. A university cannot force its students to make one choice over the other, nor can it dictate what its members react to emotionally; however, it can help them to engage in difficult conversations by encouraging its faculty and administration conduct these as safely as possible. Ultimately, it is each student’s decision whether or not he or she wants to engage with sensitive material. It is necessary to discuss and analyze indigenous issues, sexual violence, racism, and genocide—to name some examples of potentially disturbing topics—in order to learn about and from society’s mistakes.

 

 

 

Safe spaces are ultimately a mindset compatible with and crucial to a free, academic institution such as McGill.

Those in positions of authority, including professors and student leaders, must be responsible for fostering these conversations in as safe and inclusive a way as possible.

In order to keep the uncomfortable from veering into the unsafe, all members of the McGill community have a responsibility in the balancing act between freedom of expression and the maintenance of safe spaces. The inherent power dynamics between figures of authority and students, particularly those who identify with minority groups, must be taken into account. Discussions must remain a dialogue rather than an attempted imposition of an individual’s political views. It is imperative that these conversations are not limited to specific perspectives, but strive to include a variety of experiences and viewpoints.

Accepting the diversity of people and opinions in an institution such as McGill can only help to further academic discussions about injustices—both past and present. Empathy and respect remain fundamental human values whether or not physical safe spaces exist. Such spaces exist because we need to be reminded of their importance—not only in our individual interactions, but in academia as well. When there is proper regard for what these spaces do or do not stand for, safe spaces and free, intellectual debate are not mutually exclusive.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

South African musician takes centre stage: St. Lucia on fame and the beauty of pop music

by Selin Altuntur on

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If you are drawn to synth-pop beats, reminiscent of 80s music, your ears would have perked up as St. Lucia kicked off their set at Osheaga. In the sweltering afternoon heat, frontman Jean-Phillip Grobler emerged on Osheaga’s Green Stage, situated at the end of a large dusty field overlooking downtown Montreal, wearing a loosely buttoned shirt and bright turquoise slacks. “It’s really hard to be up here in pants,” he quipped to the sweaty audience.

 What followed was an hour-long performance of energetic synth-pop and R&B-inspired music that fans of New Order and The Petshop Boys would enjoy. But these aren’t the only influences that are salient in Grobler’s work. After his performance, he made it clear that his upbringing in South Africa has significantly influenced his music as well.

 “I’ve never had a negative connotation towards pop music, since the apartheid government would ban a lot of subversive music,” he said. “A lot of what we got was the most harmless pop from all over the world. I never grew up with this feeling that pop was a bad thing, or that if you have a pop song you’re selling out. We have a lot of pop songs, and I just think if you have this great pop song that makes you feel something then that’s a beautiful thing.”

Grobler mentioned some of the popular South African bands he grew up with, such as Just Jinger and Springbok Nude Girls. While those artists haven’t emerged into the international mainstream, some recent South African bands have—Die Antwoord, for one—thanks to increasingly globalized platforms. 

“I think that’s the really interesting thing about African music,” Grobler said. “Before the internet, it was such an insular thing. Now, one guy, John Wizards, has been recording  with Mumford & Sons, so I feel like music coming out of South Africa is a lot hipper now.” 

St. Lucia is another prime example of the increasing presence of  South African artists onto the international stage.  Since debuting their act five years ago, Grobler and his band have toured North America and Europe multiple times, appearing in major cities and festivals alongside legendary acts like Radiohead, whom Grobler cites as a major musical influence. Despite these experiences, St. Lucia is still getting used to their newfound success.

“It’s really, really surreal, especially growing up in South Africa and watching the international music scene happen and admiring it and wanting to be a part of it. “It’s really incredible and I have to pinch myself. The fact that I can make music and make a living out of that, it’s incredible. And I’m making music I want to make, I’m not being told to make it—it’s my own thing.”

Grobler has a strong background in music and performance.  Having attended a choir school during childhood, he experienced touring internationally from a very young age. 

“I read these articles from people about how touring takes this huge toll on your life […] I know I’m fortunate that I get to tour with my wife, who plays keyboard in the band, but I can’t identify with that attitude because we really enjoy traveling to places. We make an effort to explore the place and try the food and and go on a hike or find a cool area.”

This dedication to enjoying all sides of touring developed early on during Grobler’s academic career.  “It comes from me being in that choir, from touring when we didn’t have televisions in the bus or wifi or cell phones, and you just have to stare out of the window and create something.”

When asked what advice he would give to music students struggling to find a personal sound in a university context, Grobler emphasized the importance of being happy with your own work  instead of attempting to live up to standards set by others. For students, it can be difficult not to draw comparisons with their peers; however, Grobler argues it is essential to go at your own pace and recognize personal successes.

“It’s easy to be really intimidated by people around you because their work is more popular or easy to stomach. We’re doing really well as a band but we started around the same time as Haim and Chvrches and they’re way bigger than we are now,” said Grobler. “It’s very easy for us to be like ‘oh why are we not as big as Haim? What are we doing wrong?’ but we’re not doing anything wrong—we love what we do.”

While St Lucia’s steady rise to international acclaim is still underway, Grobler made it clear that authenticity and unapologetic creativity are ultimately more important than fame. 

Find out more about St. Lucia on their website.

Football, Sports

NFL 2016 Season Preview

by Aaron Rose, Samuel Rose, Joe Khammar, Nicholas Jasinski, Zikomo Smith, Ben Simon on

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NFC North

  • Green Bay Packers

    The Packers are looking to bounce back after an underwhelming 2015-16 campaign. With receiver Jordy Nelson back from a season-ending ACL surgery and a leaner Eddie Lacy in the backfield, Green Bay’s offence should return to top form. As long as quarterback Aaron Rodgers is at the helm, the Packers should be serious Super Bowl contenders in 2017.

    Minnesota Vikings

    The 2015-16 season looked bright for the Vikings, who surpassed expectations last year. Unfortunately, a gruesome knee injury to their blossoming young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has all but ended any playoff hopes. Even with the addition of quarterback Sam Bradford, Minnesota will rely heavily on running back Adrian Peterson. Expect their first season in U.S. Bank Stadium to be a disappointment.

    Chicago Bears

    The Bears are hoping to turn it around after undergoing significant changes to their roster in the past few years. Chicago is banking on big seasons from sophomores Kevin White and Jeremy Langford. If their defence can hold, their offence should be able to score points, but expect the Bears to be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

    Detroit Lions

    After an abysmal 1-7 start last season, Detroit bounced back to finish the year 7-9. The Lions will look different in 2016 after the unexpected retirement of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Ameer Abdullah looks like a breakout candidate, but expect this team of misfits to once again finish near the bottom of the league.

     

     

  • NFC East

    New York Giants

    Rookie Head Coach Ben McAdoo will lead an improved Giants team, with receiver Victor Cruz returning to give quarterback Eli Manning another explosive pass catcher. The defence looks better than last year with the addition of defensive end Olivier Vernon. Look for New York to improve from last season and make it out of a weak division.

    Washington Redskins

    On paper, the Redskins have the best team in this dysfunctional division; nonetheless, they face the ninth hardest schedule in the NFL. Cornerback Josh Norman performed poorly in the pre-season, raising questions about how much he can improve Washington’s defence. With solid receiving options, Kirk Cousins could be an effective quarterback. However, the Redskins should underperform this season, likely relinquishing the top spot in the division to the Giants.

    Philadelphia Eagles

    The Eagles look like a trainwreck this year. With Chip Kelly out, Head Coach Doug Pederson hopes to make something out of Philadelphia’s mess. With essentially nothing to cheer for this year, the always-disgruntled Eagles fans can only hope that second overall pick Carson Wentz shows promise as he begins the year as Philly’s starting quarterback.

    Dallas Cowboys

    With quarterback Tony Romo breaking his back in the preseason, the Cowboys are banking on rookies Ezekiel Elliot and Dak Prescott to lead the offence this year. Although both are exciting prospects, leading ‘America’s Team’ bears a lot of pressure. Luckily, the O-line is still the best in the league and the defence has solid playmakers. However, expect a disappointing season punctuated by some exciting flashes from Dallas’ rookie quarterback-running back tandem.

     

     

  • NFC West

    Arizona Cardinals

    Quarterback Carson Palmer is coming off a career year, and with a horde of stud wide receivers, Arizona’s offence should be just as explosive. The team has high expectations for sophomore running back David Johnson, and with one of the league’s deepest defences, the Cardinals are poised to be Super Bowl contenders in 2017.

    Seattle Seahawks

    With quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm, anything is possible for Seattle. The team said goodbye to their beast running back Marshawn Lynch this season, but Thomas Rawls looks poised to take over and produce big numbers in Seahawks colours. They once again boast one of the league’s strongest defences and will be serious Super Bowl contenders, but a weak offensive line will be Seattle’s Achilles heel.

    Los Angeles Rams

    The Rams will be a blast from the past, returning to the City of Angels after a 22 year absence. First overall pick Jared Goff has struggled in the preseason and expects to start the year as the third string quarterback. Even with an outstanding defence and star running back Todd Gurley, a tough division and weak quarterback play should leave the Rams as a playoff outsider.

    San Francisco 49ers

    The 49ers’ offseason has been a public relations nightmare. The team will likely be basement dwellers and backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick ruffled feathers when he refused to stand for the American national anthem. Head Coach Chip Kelly joins the team and hopes to fix this roster of misfits, but expect the 49ers to be in contention for the first overall pick come draft time.

     

     

  • NFC South

    Carolina Panthers

    Last season’s NFC champions blew away the division, only losing one game the entire season. Although that season ended in a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Denver Broncos, there’s plenty for Panthers’ fans to be excited about this season. Quarterback Cam Newton will have his top offensive weapon Kelvin Benjamin back, after the wide receiver missed last season due to injuries. The Panthers should easily capture top spot in the division.

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    The playoffs might be an unattainable goal for the Buccaneers this season, but at the very least, with former first overall pick Jameis Winston under centre, they should finish with a winning record. The offensive-focused, Head Coach Dirk Koetter was brought in last season as offensive coordinator to help nurture Winston and other young players in his unit, presaging bigger and better things for this team in just a few years time.

    New Orleans Saints

    The Saints spent three of their four draft picks on their defence, trying to bolster a unit that came second-to-last in 2015. Superstar quarterback Drew Brees continues to lead a stellar offence that could not be more opposite compared to the other side of the ball. However, an ageing Brees will have a difficult time carrying his team in this division again, and the Saints are likely to finish towards the bottom this season.

    Atlanta Falcons

    Atlanta has posted a losing record each season since winning the division in 2012. Unfortunately for Falcons fans, this year doesn’t look like it will be much different. Quarterback Matt Ryan is nowhere near as talented as Brees or Newton. Look for Atlanta to depend heavily on running back Devonta Freeman to complement receiver Julio Jones and the Falcons’ aerial assault.

     

     

  • AFC North

    Pittsburgh Steelers

    Even without star running back Le’Veon Bell at the start of the season, the Steelers boast one of the league’s most lethal offences. With a young defensive core, the Steelers look fast and furious, and are expected to spend plenty of time in their opponent’s backfield. If quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can stay healthy, look for the Steelers to be in the mix for Super Bowl 51.

    Cincinnati Bengals

    After choking again in last years’ playoffs, the Bengals look to prove that they can make it to the divisional round after four consecutive first round eliminations. Cincinnati has a strong two-man punch at running back, but they lack a number two receiver behind A.J. Green. However, the Bengals strong defence should be good enough to lift Cincinnati to another wildcard spot.

    Baltimore Ravens

    The Ravens will have six starters returning from injury this year after an injury-ridden and disappointing 2015 campaign. With question marks scattered across the field, Baltimore is hoping the return of receiver Steve Smith and improvement from third-year running back Terrance West can help solve their offensive woes. But, still finding themselves in a tough division and with an ageing defence, the Ravens' playoff chances are slim this season.

    Cleveland Browns

    With the addition of quarterback Robert Griffin III, Cleveland is hoping to find stability under centre for the first time in over two decades. With a bevy of new receivers and a young running back tandem, their offensive production should increase. However, with a weak defensive front and a miserable defensive backfield, the Browns should be on the clock at the top of next year’s draft.

     

     

  • AFC East

    New England Patriots 

    Even if the season starts flat with second-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo under centre, Patriots fans should be pumped for Tom Brady’s week five return from his Deflategate suspension. While New England’s defence is hoping veteran defensive end Chris Long can make up for the loss of Chandler Jones, the offence looks to have a lethal tight-end combo with the addition of Martellus Bennett to flank Rob Gronkowski. It’s safe to say the Patriots are a lock for another division title.

    New York Jets

    The New York Jets had a surprisingly successful 2015-16 season, but choked at the end of the year to miss the playoffs. The addition of veteran running back Matt Forte, coupled with wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, make up a talented offensive core to go alongside quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The defence remains intact and is expected to show improvement, making a wildcard spot very possible.

    Miami Dolphins

    The Dolphins are coming off a rather disappointing year—even after picking up Ndamukong Suh in free agency. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is still looking for his breakout season, while receiver Jarvis Landry has become a dangerous weapon and veteran running back Arian Foster should have an immediate impact both on and off the field. If new Head Coach Adam Gase can push the right buttons, the Dolphins have slim but plausible playoff hopes.

    Buffalo Bills

    Led by quarterback Tyrod Taylor and top offensive weapons LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins, Buffalo has finally put together a stable and respectable offence. The Bills shouldn’t be as reliant on their defence this year after a mediocre 2015 season. Losing defensive tackle Mario Williams hurts, but Head Coach Rex Ryan is more than capable of making readjustments. However, even with the optimism, this team is set for another average season in the NFL basement.

     

     

  • AFC West

    Oakland Raiders

    For the first time in 14 years, the Raiders could be playing football in January. Oakland is the only team in the AFC West that should improve on their 2015-16 record. They had a fantastic off-season, making key additions that will certainly augment their young core. Quarterback Derek Carr and receiver Amari Cooper make a dangerous offensive duo, while the additions of cornerback Sean Smith and linebacker Bruce Irvin bolster the defence.

    Kansas City Chiefs

    The Chief’s oft-injured star running back Jamaal Charles will not be ready for week one and the offence will struggle until his return. The defence, though expect to be stolid, will not be as strong as last year. With Marcus Peters taking over the number one cornerback position after the Chiefs lost Sean Smith in a trade and Justin Houston to a knee injury, Kansas City should regress in 2016-17.

    Denver Broncos

    The reigning Super Bowl champions had a pretty underwhelming offseason. Starting quarterback Peyton Manning retired and starters Danny Trevathan, Malik Jackson, and Brock Osweiler departed in free agency. Denver still expects to field one of the best defences in the league and should win at least 9 games. Yes, it’s a far cry from their magical 2015 campaign, but the Broncos are looking to the future with first round pick Paxton Lynch developing.

    San Diego Chargers

    The Chargers will restore their respectability in 2016. The team improved in crucial areas with the addition of youthful players in key positions. Defensive end Joey Bosa looks like the next J.J. Watt, and wideout Travis Benjamin gives the offence versatility and the ability to stretch the field. These additions give the San Diego a nucleus of players that should allow them to eventually return to the playoffs in quarterback Phillip Rivers’ career.

     

     

  • AFC South

    Houston Texans

    With J.J. Watt continuing to anchor the defence, the Texans expect to be at the top of a weak division. The quarterback carousel should end this year with Brock Osweiler winning the starting job. However, Houston may struggle, given the major improvements by Jacksonville and Indianapolis. They should compete for a division title, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have an outstanding squad.

    Jacksonville Jaguars

    Jacksonville has their best team in years with Blake Bortles at quarterback and Allen Robinson catching passes. The defence is solid, marking a significant improvement from last year. Cornerback Prince Amukamara and safety Tashaun Gipson will bring much needed experience to a very strong secondary. The Jaguars could reach their first postseason since 2007, and Head Coach Gus Bradley could finally get just reward for his efforts over the past four years.

    Tennessee Titans

    The Titans expect to have a strong backfield with Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry, winner of the Heisman trophy, rushing behind mobile sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota. Tennesse are a wild-card; they could easily suffer another losing season. Tennessee’s offensive line needs to protect Mariota better if they want to win the division. However, they should produce a number of exciting performances behind their explosive rushing attack.

    Indianapolis Colts

    Can quarterback Andrew Luck redeem himself following a poor 2015/16 season? Have the Colts improved sufficiently on defence? These questions hang over the 2016/17 season. Indianapolis still has a poor offensive line, a fairly unspectacular receiving corp, and there is little reason to believe they will markedly improve on last year. Expect Andrew Luck to throw a lot of yards inefficiently and with a number of turnovers.

     

Ask Ainsley, Student Life

Ask Ainsley: “What should I expect coming into first year?”

by Ainsley on

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Dear Ainsley, Dear Ainsley,

I am entering my first year at McGill in the Fall, and I'm not quite sure what to expect academically. I've heard grade deflation at McGill can be severe, and that classes are rigorous. What should I expect?

Sincerely,

Frightened First Year (FFY)

Dear FFY,

To be honest, I didn’t quite know what to expect going into first year either. In one of my first classes, the teaching assistant (TA) told us that we should be proud of getting a B on an essay. The shock in the room was palpable. The majority of students who get into McGill were at the top of their classes in high school or CEGEP, so being pleased with a 70 per cent isn’t something that most students are used to. 

While this may not  happen to you, just know that getting a B isn’t the worst thing that can happen, and that there are plenty of other students in the same position as you. That being said, a lot of this also depends on your faculty. If you’re in science or engineering, you may be taking some required courses in first year that cover a lot of material you’ve already learned in high school. Your grade may also be curved, which, depending on your grade and your teacher, could either benefit you or not. In Arts, however, you are given a bit more flexibility in your first year courses and program requirements later on, and as such, you may end up taking classes with upperclassmen who have more experience writing university-level papers, so your marks may end up being closer to the average than you’re used to.

One good thing about first year is that it’s a great time to dip your toe in the water of many different subjects in order to figure out your interests. It’s not uncommon for students to change their major numerous times before deciding what they want to do with their degree. Use first year to try out different classes that you may consider majoring or minoring in later on at McGill.  

In terms of course registration, you should try to make the most of add-drop period, which occurs during the first two weeks of classes each semester (from Sept. 2 to 20 in Fall 2016; from Jan. 4 to 17 in Winter 2017). Use this time to sit in on classes you are considering taking to get a feel for their subject matter, workload, and rigor. If you don’t think you’ll like a class, drop it and pick up something else. Also, if you want to take a class, but are worried it will be challenging to get a good mark, consider taking it pass/fail. You’re allowed to take one elective a year this way and it won’t affect your GPA. 

Part of the challenge of first year is adjusting to the change in environment and lifestyle, which can impact your academic performance. Especially for those moving into residence, which is a distracting environment at best, it can feel next to impossible to balance your academic and social lives while also potentially working, taking part in extra-curricular activities, and generally adjusting to your new surroundings.

Your first year should be dedicated to figuring things out. It’s exciting, it’s stressful, but ultimately, the experiences you have will shape you as a student and person, and help you discover what you’re interested in, what study patterns work for you, and maybe even give you insight on what you want to do later on in life. The important thing is to try your best, and to stay on top of your schoolwork as much as possible. If the stress is too much for you, don’t be afraid to email your professor or drop into their office hours and explain the situation. Professors want you to do well, and many are very understanding, especially when it comes to mental health. So play hard, study harder, and don’t be scared to ask for help. If there’s one thing I learned in first year, it’s that I’m not the only one who has no idea what they’re doing.

All the best,

Ainsley

 

Have a question for Ainsley? Ask here.

Arts & Entertainment

Album Review: Blonde – Frank Ocean

by Evelyn Goessling on

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Where to listen to Blonde:

(Some suggestions)

1. Walking home alone after leaving a disappointing house party. This music makes you feel good if slightly melancholic, like you’re still cool even though that party was not.

2. With your good friends at a beach, park, or lake. These are ideal tunes to listen to with your friends—you don’t have a lot to say to each other today, but are in a warm summer slump. Maybe you all smoked a joint 30 minutes ago and it’s time for a nap. Frank’s gentle and atmospheric melodies mix well with the nearby murmur of picnics, Frisbee, and slacklining.

3. When you’re driving with your crush and you want to impress them with some chill vibes, but you can still talk (and probably make out later). Sexy and cool breakup albums are ideal for bringing people together.

4. Drinking while cooking dinner. This makes a solitary activity feel more special. It gives it a hint of casual style.  

5.    Biking across town. Each song blends into the next so your cycling flow through traffic won’t be interrupted. Catchy beats mixed throughout will get you pumped and over that hill, though.

6. When you’re sad, happy, lonely, or with loved ones. Blonde is melancholy yet comforting, because it’s about life that keeps moving and people that keep going on with their days. What did you do today? Did you listen to Frank Ocean?

 

 

Blonde is wonderfully accessible and deceptively simple. “This is life and mortality,” Frank Ocean sings on “Pink + White,” the album’s third track. There are a lot of truisms hidden in Blonde but those five words cover the essential tone of the album. “Summer’s not as long as it used to be, every day counts like crazy,” Ocean sings on “Skyline To,” an ambling anthem to long days quickly becoming shorter. 

Blonde is long and languid. It doesn’t rush, yet there is emotional urgency in each note. Ocean’s poetic phrases and layered instrumentation offer the listener an ambient reflection on the nature of life, loss, and personal growth. Some of this is hard to hear, yet at the same time, entirely captivating. Yung Lean’s chorus on “Self Control” is a quiet plea to a former lover: “Keep a place for me. I’ll sleep between y’all, it’s nothing.” Then there’s “Be Yourself,” a funny and heartrending voicemail from the mother of a childhood friend of Ocean’s, telling the listener to “stop trying to be somebody else. [….] Be yourself and know that that’s good enough.” Each song is intimate and endearing, simultaneously drawing the listeners into themselves and into Ocean’s world.

Long sections of the album go by without a hint of drums. The gentle rhythms of keyboard, bass, guitar, birds chirping, and the grainy recordings of kids in a skatepark carry the listener seamlessly from one song to the next. It’s easy to lose the distinction between each song as hooks come in and fade, carry over to the next track, and reappear later on the album through some subconscious memory of the same sound.  

Two songs stand out as ‘singles,’ although none were released from the album. “Nights” and “White Ferrari” feel like the Ocean that we know from Channel Orange; the master of deeply cool and catchy tracks. But still, these songs are entirely different from their Channel Orange kin. “Nights” has three distinct overtures strung together in the span of five minutes. “White Ferrari” has a trance-like slow and heavy build, which resolves into Ocean’s singular voice accompanied by acoustic guitar. The sometimes-abrupt transitions demonstrate Ocean’s incredible musicianship, and mirror the transience of his thoughts.

The last song—“Futura Free”—has a distorted structure similar to “Nights.” The song ends with a recording of local street noise and soft voices. “What’s your name?” the interviewer asks his friends. “What do you do? What’s your first memory? What’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever witnessed?” Ocean ends the album with a humble home recording, reiterating that line on “Pink + White:” This is life and mortality. Everyday moments, small victories, and big heartbreaks become a mosaic of life experiences. In its totality, Blonde is a beautiful and unexpected reflection on the peculiar impact of those experiences. 

 

Student Life

How to make the most of Activities Night

by Albert Park on

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Whether you are a first-year looking to find your place in the McGill community or a fourth-year student hoping to become more involved on campus and pad your resume before graduation, Activities Night is a great place to start your search for the perfect extracurricular. With this year’s Activities Night expanded to three days, students have more opportunities to discover and join campus groups. The following is a run-down of tips from Elaine Patterson, Vice President (VP) Student Life at the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) about how to get the most out of Activities Night.

1. Approach club recruitment tables with a good attitude

Though it can be daunting to approach a club’s table, there’s no better way to make a good first impression than with a positive attitude and a friendly smile. The representatives at the table will appreciate your enthusiasm, which will move your conversation along more smoothly.

“From my own experience, I can say that a lot of the times when I am tabling, I don’t want to feel like I am trying to accost people to bring them to the table,” Patterson said. “I want to let them feel comfortable enough to approach my table by themselves to learn more.”

2. Don’t be afraid to ask “What club is this?”

You should never worry about seeming unprepared or naive when going up to a table. You are at Activities Night to learn; there’s no shame in not knowing what a group does before you approach their table, and club representatives are there to help you.

“There are so many groups with different names and acronyms, there is no way that everyone is going to remember all of it,” Patterson said. “I think club executives realize that themselves, so they are always happy to explain what they are and what they do!”

3. Ask representatives about their group’s level(s) of involvement

It is important to be prudent about the number of groups you can get involved with based on your other commitments, academic or otherwise. While it’s important to respect your schedule and limitations, there are ways to get involved in multiple clubs at a level that works for you. You should avoid walking away from an opportunity you are interested in before finding out exactly what the time commitment is like.

“Time commitment is something that prevents a lot of people from joining the groups they want [to],” Patterson explained. “But in reality, there are many groups that hold an event every once a week or once a month [….] So you can figure out how to get involved with only an hour or two of your time every week.”

4. Don’t worry about signing up for too many things

Contrary to popular belief, you are not signing away your soul by writing down your email on a club’s sign-up sheet. The primary way to stay updated about opportunities is to receive club emails, and the representatives will be happy that you showed interest. There will be time after Activities Night to reorganize your commitments and to unsubscribe from mailing lists.

“Speaking from personal experience, I think it is absolutely okay to sign-up for as many groups and listservs as you want,” Patterson said. “And then from there, once you figure out which groups you want to get involved in, you can unsubscribe from the ones you are no longer interested in. That’s how you can organize everything after your initial binge sign-up.”

5. Leave your major/minor at the door

Avoid the misconception that you should only join groups that are related to your field of study. In fact, it’s a good idea to get involved in new clubs to explore hobbies and passions beyond your studies in order to take a break from the mental drain of academic life.

“I think a lot of what getting involved is, especially at McGill, is about finding an outlet from your academics,” Patterson claims. “I know, for example, many of the students in the Symphonic Band Club are science students. I think that’s the best part about SSMU, it offers opportunities to people without being restricted by their majors.”

6. Take a notepad

While taking notes is the last thing any McGill student wants to do after a long day of lectures, Activities Night is worth pulling out your notebook and pen. You will want to keep a record of what you are learning in order to make sure that all the information you hear about each club does not go out the other ear.  It’s also useful to mark down the names of any groups that you were interested in, but didn’t have time to sign-up for. 

 “Write down which listservs you joined, names of different groups that caught your attention, and anything in between,” Patterson said. “It will be easy for you to go back and look at that after Activities Night.” 

Going to Activities Night is an integral part of the McGill experience, so remember to walk into it with an open mind, and you might be surprised by where it will take you.

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Comedian to watch: Aisha Brown

by Audrey Carleton on

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“Let’s hear it for all the black women in tonight’s lineup!” Comedian Aisha Brown opened her set with a sarcastic quip that automatically brought attention to the homogeneity of the lineup at All Access Live with Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart at the 34th annual Just For Laughs comedy festival.

Based out of Toronto, Brown came to JFL for the first time to perform two taped sets. In addition to her All Access Live set, she also performed in Kevin Hart’s LOL Live show. Brown’s set for All Access Live was refreshing, as she dove into her experiences with racism and mental illness candidly and with good humour. 

“I went to, for a long time, a predominantly white school; I was one of zero other black kids in my grade,” Brown said. “I was also a terrible student, so at one point, I was 100% of the black kids failing middle school. I did have one supportive teacher who was like, ‘Hey, I believe in you. You’re street smart.’”

Taking her experiences with racism onstage allows Brown to be more accessible to other demographics that are often ignored by the comedy community. 

“Even though I don’t necessarily make it my goal to be the black woman on a show, it often is the case,” Brown said in conversation with the McGill Tribune. “Sometimes, I’ll get the feedback of, ‘Oh wow that was really refreshing, I really liked your set,’ and it’s nice to know I’m speaking to audience members who don’t typically feel spoken to.” 

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In addition to touching upon her experiences with race, Brown also delved into mental illness in her set for All Access Live. In one notable bit about anxiety, Brown recited a sombre satirical poem called Anxiety Hawk, about an an imaginary hawk living on her shoulder. The hawk caws loudly to remind her of irrational fears in daily life, like forgetting to turn off the stove before leaving the house, or being secretly disliked by friends and colleagues. 

Brown’s Anxiety Hawk is not the only time she’s discussed mental illness in her stand-up. In both her stand-up and written work, Brown is very candid about struggling with anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. She attributes her openness on stage to her natural ease in articulating her thoughts and feelings.

“If something’s on my mind, I’ve never been a good person at being coy, or [thinking] ‘Hold it in and work it out internally,’ ” Brown said. “I’ve always been kind of a person who’s like, “I should say exactly what I’m thinking at all points’ […] I think maybe a lot of comedians have that same syndrome where it’s like, ‘What’s bothering me, let’s get it out.’ ”

In fact, it was dealing with depression after the end of a long-term relationship that pushed Brown to take the plunge into the world of stand-up three years ago. Not only did feelings of dissatisfaction with her life motivate her to make a change, Brown also found that the feelings of detachment she experienced during a long period of depression gave her a sense of immunity and fearlessness on stage.

“[After the breakup] I [realized] I don’t like anything about my life, I don’t like my job, where my life is heading, I’ve got nothing to lose, why don’t I just try this thing I’ve always wanted to do?” Brown said. “That stage fright—not that it ever really goes away—but it becomes less important when you feel like nothing makes you happy. It was almost like I was a little bit numb. So, I needed that numbness to be able to try something that I found terrifying.”

Fast forward three years to today, and Brown’s comedy career has taken off. I From signing with Yuk Yuk’s, the largest chain of comedy venues in Canada, to releasing a comedy rap album with her comedy collective Runnin’ at the Mouth, Brown’s appearance at JFL this year capped off a year of achievements. To top this list, in June 2016, Brown began writing freelance satirical articles for CBC’s comedy website. 

Writing articles online undoubtedly exercises different comedic muscles than writing stand-up material. In her stand-up, Brown strings together short, sharp punchlines; however, writing longer pieces entails developing a story with a cohesive topic and plotline. 

“I think when you’re writing something more long form, you’re not so concerned with laughs per minute,” Brown said. “You’re building something almost like one story, one cohesive story, whereas on stage, most of the jokes I do are pretty short, to the point, and yeah they meld together because I make them meld together, but […] they don’t really have a theme.” 

Beyond recently expanding and diversifying her comedic skill set by writing more long-form pieces, Brown has experienced a natural change in her comedic style over time. As she has grown more comfortable in her own skin as a performer, Brown’s jokes onstage have become more true to who she is offstage. 

“I think now I probably have more of a point [in my jokes], like it’s more real, it’s more about my life,” Brown said. “Whereas before I think I was trying to be more observational than I actually naturally am, and now I’m less afraid to talk about me, talk about my life, and make jokes on that. So, I’d say I’m probably a bit more honest.”

Along with her maturation as a comic, Brown has come closer to self-acceptance. In an industry as competitive as comedy, it’s difficult for artists to avoid comparing themselves to others; however, looking back, Brown has come to accept her own skillset and the niche she creates in the world of comedy. 

“Another thing that got me [as I was coming up] was seeing people who I thought were incredible and thinking ‘I will never be that person,’” Brown said. “And the truth, is I will never be that person. But, I can be something else.” 

~

To find out more about Brown and to read her blog, visit her website here. 

To hear more of The McGill Tribune’s interview with Aisha, check out our podcast episode here. 

Off the Board, Opinion

Life in the slow lane: Construction at McGill, again

by Emma Avery on

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In Montreal, construction has long since become the rule, rather than the exception. As such, it is fitting that Montreal’s 375th birthday next year is being brought to us by more orange cones, roadblocks, and detours for the construction of the Promenade Urbaine Fleuve-Montagne project. Perhaps it really is time for Montreal to take a recent Montreal Gazette call to rebrand itself as “The City of Cones” seriously. Additionally, given Montreal’s history of behind-schedule construction projects (the Olympic stadium comes to mind), the birthday wish we should all make this year is that the project actually gets completed before the city’s birthday has come and gone. 

By virtue of its location, McGill’s downtown campus is often subject to such construction projects. Which leads one to wonder—has the inevitability of a city under construction simply become a part of the student experience? Indeed, Montreal’s endless construction escapades have become a running joke amongst the McGill community. The email sent to explain that McTavish is once again being dug up, this time for the City’s Fleuve-Montagne birthday project (it has been barely a year since the last time it was torn apart), was met with eye rolls, groans, and pitiful laughter from students. But, surely, nobody would have been surprised. In many ways, the never-ending construction site that is McGill’s downtown campus is the best metaphor for the academic experience.

For one, continual roadblocks and detours ensure that students never set their standards too high—both on the way to and seated in class. Construction work is like an average B to B+ essay: It might not be perfectly polished, but it addresses most of what it needs to and shows some signs of effort and improvement. Sure, you may have missed a few points and made a couple mistakes, but the stone on the Arts Building crumbles from time to time and it’s still standing—it even manages to remain one McGill’s most iconic buildings!

emmaconstruction

During the 2015-2016 year, McTavish was finally clear of construction and freshly paved. It didn’t even flood, and getting to Quesada or Bento was no longer a huge hassle. Even the Arts Building was uncovered last year, and some began to believe that McGill had finally moved beyond the days of decline and disrepair. This was the A essay—the one you get back after working especially hard on and find, to your amazement, that the hard work actually paid off. You build up some confidence—finally, you think to yourself, you have figured out this whole university thing. Maybe you lined up a nice summer job, too, and feel pretty good. Then, just as things seem to be improving, another curveball gets thrown at you. Whether it’s just missing the 24-hour quota to get one of your three successive exams moved, or receiving notice that McTavish is going to be under construction yet again (along with parts of Sherbrooke, University, and Dr. Penfield), McGill and Montreal like to keep you on your toes. 

So begins another school year of navigating papers, midterms, and the trenches of McTavish. Inevitably, the elusive pathways across campus will never be in the same place you swore they were yesterday. This, incidentally, explains why you always seem to be late to class. But no matter how frustrating life at McGill can be, one can only hope that it will build character for when we finally have to enter the ‘real world.’

So thank you, McGill, and thank you, Montreal, for never failing to surprise. If nothing else, these detours and roadblocks ensure that our expectations are kept low, allowing us to truly appreciate the small victories. After all, construction does imply that hard work will (eventually) pay off. 

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