Home Blog Page 68

From Police Studies to Criminology: a conversation in social awareness

Anna
-
0
From Police Studies to Criminology: a conversation in social awareness

On the 24th of June, Memorial University’s Sociology Department announced they were swapping their Major of Police Studies to Criminology from this upcoming September. The day following the announcement, ex-police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd.  

Although these appear to be two distinct events, upon closer inspection, it is safe to say the driving force behind both of these developments is more interlinked than one might expect. 

George Floyd was a Black man accused of passing a forfeit 20 dollar bill, and in turn, Derek Chauvin arrested Floyd and pressed his knee against his neck for more than nine minutes. This attack led to Floyd’s death and caused public outrage and disgust.

The BLM Movement fights against systemic racism against Black people and often focuses on victims of police brutality.

Although this incident occurred in the United States, the act of hate against Floyd inspired a global movement that left many questioning the validity of their own justice system.

Consequently, this shift in social perspective also translated over to Canadian borders, including here in Newfoundland and Labrador, evidenced by Memorial University’s subtle development within their Sociology Department. 

“The greatest change adopted in 2021 is to the major/degree name itself,” MUN’s Department of Sociology wrote in an email last Friday. 

In this sense, the change appears to be less of a modification to the curriculum itself and more of a socially acceptable rebranding of the major.

Students who are already midway through their degree have the option to either graduate with a major in Police Studies or switch over to a major in Criminology. Furthermore, the opportunity to enroll in an Honours of Criminology has also been incorporated. 

Despite the adjustments the public is beginning to see due to the BLM, the movement is far from over in its fight against racial inequality. For one, a white nationalist hate group has been linked to the vandalism of a George Floyd memorial in New York a day before Chauvin’s hearing. Further, the three other police officers present during Floyd’s arrest are scheduled to stand trial this upcoming August, all of them pleading not guilty. 

Roughly 200 Attend CFS-Hosted “Join the Fight! Rally Against Austerity” Protest on Saturday

Kaitlyn Woodley
-
0
Roughly 200 Attend CFS-Hosted “Join the Fight! Rally Against Austerity” Protest on Saturday

Featured image taken by The Muse’s photographer Komran Mackey.

This past Saturday, people joined the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) at the Colonial Building by Bannerman Park for a rally against austerity.

Screen Shot 2021 06 30 at 4.53.45 PM
Buttons with various CFS slogans on them gathered on a table. Photo taken by The Muse’s photographer Komran Mackey.

The recently published Greene Report attempts to solve the budget crisis currently facing Newfoundland Labrador. The report, which has been referred to as the ‘Big Reset,’ calls for slashes to post-secondary education. Moya Greene, appointed by the provincial Liberal government, has recommended that “operating grants for Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic be slashed by 30 per cent, at a rate of five per cent annually.” It has been proposed and confirmed that this budget cut will lead to a dramatic increase in tuition: According to CFS NL, a 30% cut to MUN’s funding by 2026. will lead to a doubling of tuition costs.

MUN students have been fighting against this drastic cut to education. As Newfoundland Labrador is a dramatically ageing population (meaning there are more older people than younger people), the province is facing a demographic crisis as well as a fiscal one. Many students argue that by cutting the funding to Memorial, the province’s only university, the province only pushes would-be young people (AKA tax payers and the work force) to other provinces on the mainland. This issue speaks to local students who would not have chosen to stay home to go to MUN if the school’s tuition cost the same as other universities in the Maritimes or across the country.

Furthermore, international students already pay over four times as much as local students, and over three times more than Canadian students not originating from Newfoundland Labrador. However, many international students one speaks to regarding MUN will tell you: they, like local students, come for the cheap tuition. It will deter international students from attending our university if the (already unfair) fees hike any higher.

Screen Shot 2021 06 30 at 4.15.14 PM
Screenshot from Memorial University’s website. Page titled “Undergraduate Tuition and Fees,” found here.

The Protest Logistics

The protest saw a turnout of roughly 200 people. As we from The Muse entered, our contact tracing information was taken and we were given hand sanitizer as well as CFS-branded tote bags which included whistles and information pamphlets. CFS had volunteers providing ASL translation and hearing assistance devices, first aid (provided by Avalon First Aid), as well as some volunteers amongst the crowd to hand out water bottles and other informational pamphlets.

Organizations that had some sort of signage present included CFS, MUNSU, the Communist Party of Newfoundland Labrador and NAPE (Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees).

Screen Shot 2021 06 30 at 4.24.29 PM
Some volunteers at a CFS information booth. The three people stand behind a white plastic table which has CFS-branded bags, buttons and bottles of hand sanitizer. One wears a black and white printed dress and the other two wear CFS “Education is a RIght” white tshirts. Pictured from left to right: Jade Byrne, Ely Pittman (MUNSU’s Queer Students Representative), and Brittney Meaney. Photo was taken by The Muse’s photographer, Komran Mackey.

The speakers were extremely powerful and passionate. A list of speakers present include:

  • Kat McLaughlin, the Newfoundland Labrador Representative for CFS, who offered a Land Acknowledgement and Introductions;
  • Robert Leamon of the Indigenous Activist Collective;
  • Jessica McCormick of the People’s Recovery Report;
  • Raven Khadeja and Precious Familusi of Black Lives Matter NL;
  • Gemma Etchegary of Fridays for Future NL;
  • Apoorv Singh of ARCNL (Anti-Racism Coalition of NL) and offering the International Student Perspective;
  • Mackenzie Nolan offering the rural student perspective;
  • MP Jack Harris, New Democratic Party MP elected to St. John’s East;
  • Mary Shortall from the NL Federation of Labourl
  • Isabel Ojeda, who read and proposed that students send an email to their local representatives (from the email campaign found here);
  • and finally McLaughlin again to offer closing remarks.
Screen Shot 2021 06 30 at 4.40.35 PM
Kat McLaughlin, NL Representative for CFS, stands beside a handmade sign with a purple background and red and white font, which reads “END LIBERAL AUSTERITY NOW”. Kat wears a white CFS shirt with the CFS bullhorn logo which says “Education is a Right!”. Photo was taken by The Muse’s photographer, Komran Mackey.

The Muse was able to grab a comment from Kat McLaughlin, the Newfoundland Labrador Representative for CFS as pictured above. Here is what she had to say:

“Today students and community members are coming together to rally against the cuts to funding at Memorial University, to rally against the austerity, and the cuts to education by the Liberal government. We are bringing together the voices of students from across our community. We have international students, rural students, high school students, alumni – we have community members and community organizations, activist organizations, all coming together to share their perspectives on why education is a must and why accessible education is a must.
Today we hope to bring these voices together to show that accessible education is vital and necessary to this province. To show that community members across the province, country, and world need accessible education. To show that marginalized folks are going to be the most impacted by these cuts.”

Many of the speakers touched on the rights and issues related to education of Black, Indigenous, and other people groups of colour, decolonization and criticized capitalism. Speaker Robert Leamon of the Indigenous Activist Collective stated:

“[Education] should be freely shared for the benefit of all. Instead, we see capitalist, colonial governments, like the Furey government, defunding education, seeking to turn knowledge into a commodity that can be bought and sold.”

Screen Shot 2021 06 30 at 4.56.07 PM
Three members of the Communist Party of Canada (from the Sally and Chuck Davis Club, St. John’s) stand holding up their knee-high red and black printed banner with a white background. The slogan reads “A better world is necessary and possible!” One member holds up a yellow and pink sign reading “Girl Boss Vianne” and the club’s newspaper. From left to right, those photographed are Kyle Pollett, Liam Duggan, and Ky Rees. Ky (they/them) is the Club Secretary for the organization. Photo was taken by The Muse’s photographer, Komran Mackey.

If you were unable to make it on Saturday but wish to learn more about CFS NL, find their Linktree here.

Muslim Student Association Feature

Anna
-
0
Muslim Student Association Feature

Anna Philpott from The Muse had the pleasure of reaching out to MUN’s Muslim Student Association (MSA). Then, she connected with Ghazia Azam, the VP of Internal Affairs at the MSA, to discuss Azam’s personal experiences in the society, her thoughts on recent events, and why it is more crucial now than ever to protect and support the Muslim community here at MUN.

ANNA PHILPOTT: Could you provide a brief description about MSA alongside their missions and goals?

GHAZIA AZAM: The MSA is committed to facilitating equity and diversity in education. We are the Muslim Student Representatives on campus, and as such, one of our essential functions is to advocate for Muslim student concerns and bring about changes to address these concerns. Another one of our main objectives is to facilitate interreligious dialogue and increase awareness in an effort to eliminate Islamophobia.

How long have you been in this society, and why did you personally decide to join?

I have been working with MUN for almost two semesters at this point. I understand the importance of the mission of the MSA, and its goals align with my personal aims as well. The scale of the interconnectivity between the MSAs of different universities also meant that it would be the perfect venue to develop and diversify my skills. So far, my experience with the MSA has been amazing and eye-opening. I plan to continue working with them for the entirety of my university career.

What was an event hosted by the MSA that was meaningful to you?

Back in March, we worked with the MSAs of the University of Saskatoon, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University to host an online United Islam Awareness Week event a while back. It was a weeklong online event that was attended by around 500 people from 30 different countries. The outreach and global impact of the event were unbelievable. It’s also amazing that a group of students were able to organize and execute such a remarkable event.

How has this society been impacted by COVID-19? 

The MSA was known for its impressive and extensive in-person events. Prior to the pandemic, our events would include Muslims as well as non-Muslims and people from all ethnicities and nationalities. We have not been able to achieve those numbers since the pandemic and due to social distancing regulations post-pandemic. Despite the challenges we faced, the MSA has remained one of the most active student societies over the past year. We hope to make a comeback after the return to campus in Fall 2021.

What were your initial thoughts regarding the act of terror against the Muslim family in London, Ontario? 

It was terrifying and devastating. It’s really hard to believe that a Muslim family would be so brutally murdered in a place like Canada. The incident was a manifestation of the buildup of microaggressions that Muslims have faced throughout their lives, and we need to deal with the root of the problem: misinformation and propaganda. 

Do you believe MUN is doing enough to support its Muslim students and make them feel safe? If yes, how so? If not, what can they do better?

I believe that MUN has taken exceptional measures to support diversity and inclusiveness in its student body. That is also made apparent by the percentage of international students that are registered students at MUN. Furthermore, right after the incident, we received condolence messages from quite a few student societies and even from Dr. Timmons herself. However, I think more can always be done to support Muslim students. One of the most important things would be to raise awareness. This could be done by including facts about Muslims in the orientation material, starting Scholarships and Awards for Muslim students in leadership, and so much more.

Aside from spreading awareness through social media, how can other students actively work against the discrimination of Muslims? 

I would really encourage anyone that wishes to support Muslims to conduct some active research into Isam and its principles. I believe that if people could thoroughly understand what we believe, they would be better suited to support us. Furthermore, feel free to ask your Muslim friends as many questions as you need to to understand how exactly you should support them. We are always happy to explain. 

What would you say to convince a Muslim student to join this society? i.e. What have you personally gained from joining? 

I would say that for me, this society has definitely been a piece of home away from home. I relate to the students and other execs running this society, and I have made a ton of friends working here. I would encourage students to join the MSA because it is one of the places where you can make real-world and lasting changes. We advocate, and we advertise like all student societies, of course, but we go a step further from that and actually bring about transformations that make a difference in the lives of students and community members. One of the things that I love most about the MSA is how versatile it is. We can really partake in any and all activities that support the Muslim community on campus. Our members also come from all fields and disciplines, and as such, the MSA is a great place to interact with students from varying disciplines. MSA is a convergence point for cultures, ethnicities, and interests, and we would definitely be thrilled to have new members joining!

Is there anything specific you would like to mention/discuss?

I would like to use this space to encourage non-Muslims to reach out to their Muslim friends in times like these and check up on them. Also, if you ever want to learn more about Islam, please feel free to attend any and all MSA events. We would be happy to see you there.

Reach out to the MSA here.

A Fond Farewell to the Mount Pearl Theatres

Rivers Cafferty
-
0
A Fond Farewell to the Mount Pearl Theatres

Photo Credit: Hayley Whelan

           The Mount Pearl Theatre, which resided in Mount Pearl Square (more commonly referred to as Sobeys Square) on Topsail Road has permanently closed as of June 1st, 2021. The theatres’ story began in 1981 when the Sobeys Square mall opened for business. In the 80s, the Mount Pearl Theatre could be found in the company of a go-kart track and regular visits from Thomas Amusements. Originally, the Mount Pearl Square mall was home to Sobeys and Zellers stores, which contributed in a large part to the mall thoroughfare. Forty years later, the only remaining staple in the mall is the Mount Pearl Theatre, which has closed for good, ending the chapter of the Mount Pearl Square mall as any of us knew it. In place of clothing stores and restaurants now reside a massage clinic, a Bell store, a hearing aid health centre, a travel clinic and a solitary Robin’s Donuts franchise.

           Although my own experiences with the Mount Pearl Theatre have been limited to a showing of the first Avengers movie and Sponge Out Of Water, I still feel a strange sadness at the passing of the physical theatre into a vague memory. I imagine driving past Mount Pearl Square with my future children in the backseat and saying “Look kids, there used to be a theatre there.” It’s a testament to the good memories I’ve had there that melancholy and nostalgia overwhelm me at the thought of the theatre being closed.

           The Mount Pearl Theatre was known for hosting limited showings of niche and nostalgic movies that the Avalon Mall Theatre didn’t offer. It was these special events that drew in a crowd. For a long time, the Mount Pearl Theatre hasn’t had the benefit of being in a crowded mall, where shoppers could browse the showtimes and spontaneously decide to see a movie. Special showings like the one I attended for the 40th-anniversary re-release of Monty Python’s Life of Brian in the spring of 2019 served as a way to draw people in. Aside from the convenience of what were sometimes more opportune showtimes, the Mount Pearl Theatre really could never compete with the Avalon Mall Theatre when it came to new releases. The extended closures of theatres in Newfoundland throughout 2020, as well as the necessity of socially distanced seating ultimately led to the theatres’ downfall.

           The last time that I was at the Mount Pearl Theatres was thankfully not too long ago. Although we were given no warning that the theatre was going to close, I am grateful that I got to see a movie there one last time. My final movie at the Mount Pearl Theatre was a special showing of the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie in April of 2021. In retrospect, the Mount Pearl Theatre was on its last legs then and already crawling to the finish line. The final showing I was able to see seemed like a last hurrah for the theatre. Even the limited showing was not able to draw many people from their homes and into the frigid theatres at Mount Pearl Square. The socially distanced seating arrangement made for a sparse and distant crowd. My companions and I shivered our way through the film in one of the front rows, our overpriced popcorn held carefully in our laps as if they were kernels of gold instead of corn. Our masks hung at our throats and our necks were crooked at an uncomfortable obtuse angle toward the screen. Anxious theatre employees paced the front of the theatre regularly, staring intently at us with clipboards in hand – making sure that none of us was violating COVID-19 restrictions.

            Since this experience, I have been to a showing at the much warmer, much less sterile Avalon Mall Theatre. The stark difference between the two theatres leaves me unsurprised that the Mount Pearl Theatre was the one to close. Although its closing marks a sad end for the potential of Mount Pearl Square and draws nostalgic memories from our hearts, the closure was a long time coming. Our beloved theatre has taken its last breath nuzzled comfortably in our arms and close to our hearts. We thank all past Mount Pearl Theatre staff for contributing to our pleasant memories.

In conversation and solidarity with Palestine

Anna
-
0
In conversation and solidarity with Palestine

Article written by Modeline Longjohn and Anna Philpott.

IMG 20210516 123425 803
Standing in solidarity with Palestine.

On May 10th, 2021, the world was rocked by gruesome videos of the bombings in Palestinian cities. The bombing, one of many, left massive carnage and hordes of bodies in its wake. In response, supporters in cities all across the globe took to the streets to march in solidarity with Palestinians. Here in St. John’s, Newfoundland, many joined the rally held at the Colonial Building located next to Bannerman Park on May 16th, 2021. The event began at 12 in the afternoon and lasted for about 20 minutes. 

Throughout the rally, a host of speakers and volunteers from different organizations and coalitions came to share their stance on the situation in Palestine. With chants such as “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” “the occupation has got to go,” and “the apartheid’s got to go,” roughly two hundred people could be heard voicing their protests and support.

Anna Philpott and Modeline Longjohn of The Muse were in contact with one of the rally’s organizers, Yazan Jabr, a recent Memorial University undergraduate who was responsible for introducing the aforementioned speakers.

According to Jabr, “the rally was a show and stand of solidarity for my Palestinian brothers and sisters who are currently in Gaza or Jerusalem and the West Bank. They have had a very hectic week, we started towards the end of Ramadan which made its way up to Eid (another festival which we celebrate right after Ramadan). Thankfully, this time, with the rise of social media and people having access to the Internet, today more than ever we are able to see things in a clearer way instead of just hearing about it.”

In terms of why it was significant to host a rally here in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Jabr stated:

“For me, the rally was really just to create awareness to let the people of Newfoundland know what’s going on back in my homeland. […] There are also other solidarity protests going on around the world, and I thought it was just fitting to do one in Newfoundland.”

When asked how he would explain what is currently happening in Palestine, Jabr described the events as the result of an ongoing occupation that has been taking place since 1948. 

As Jabr told The Muse, this occupation saw the displacement and disposition of around 800,000 Palestinians to be forced off their land. Meanwhile, the remainder of the population was left to be under the control of an apathetic Israeli government.

human rights 1
“I pray for our children to be raised in a world where human rights are taken seriously. #FreePalestine.”

Speaking on his personal relationship towards Palestine, Jabr stated:

“My ethnicity is basically of a Palestinian background. I am not an official Palestinian because during the first displacement back in 1948, my grandparents were one of the people who were kicked out of the country and they had to go to Jordan, a country that borders Palestine, and they got their citizenship from there. So, although I am a Jordanian citizen by passport, I am also ethnically Palestinian if you go up my roots.”

“The topic of Palestine has always been a topic of discussion between myself, my family, my friends, even back home. I was born and raised in Kuwait, another country in the Middle East, and the issue of Palestine is an issue of utmost importance back home. […] You know, a lot of Arabs have always stood in solidarity with Palestine and it’s always been an ongoing topic.”

In terms of his initial reaction to the news, he asserted:

“My reaction is that I am not always surprised to be honest, because when you’re living under an occupation like an apartheid system, what can you really expect from that? There can’t be any good that comes out of it.”

In the most basic sense, the Britannica dictionary describes an “apartheid system” as a policy that aims to segregate people racially and discriminate against people of colour both politically and economically.

IMG 20210516 131638 Bokeh
“Canadians Support Palestine.”

Correspondingly, Jabr offered some counsel on how people in the MUN community can help:

“For people to help is to read up on the history of what is happening and continue to raise awareness. As I previously mentioned, this is not the first time a topic like this has come up. It’s been coming off and on for the last few decades and I am beginning to see this time, in contrast to other times, that a lot of people are being made aware and the reaction from people is all that’s needed. We can’t sweep this under the rug. The more people are aware of this, the more they can stand in solidarity with Palestinians and therefore elect officials who will stand for Palestinians and make sure that the injustices we see don’t happen as much anymore.” 

When asked what he would like to say to the Palestinians impacted by the attacks, Yazan emphasized:

“My heart is hurting, and I am feeling for them, and I hope they know a lot of people are standing beside them, how much they are valued, and how much they are in our hearts. They are basically living in an occupation where they don’t have ease of access to leave when they want, with limited electricity and water. I stand with them and wish one day I can be there with them to advocate. This situation is definitely in the forefront of our hearts.”

Invincible Review

Timothy Parsons
-
0
Invincible Review

After their smash hit The Boys, Prime Video has decided to adapt another hyper violent superhero story, this time from the mind of the creator of The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman. In Invincible, Mark Grayson, voiced by Steven Yeung, is the son of the world’s greatest superhero Omni-Man, voiced by J.K Simmons. The show follow Mark as he develops his father’s powers and strives to become a hero in his own right under the moniker of Invincible, while a mystery concerning the deaths of the world’s premiere superhero team unravels.
Invincible is without a doubt my favourite comic series ever made: I have every single issue in either single issue or trade paperback form. So when I say this is a great adaptation, you know I really mean it.

The plotting of events in the show is far more concise, energetic, and accessible to anyone who hasn’t read the books. Events that take place after the final episode in the books are brought to the middle of the series, which I prefer as it makes the world the show lives in feel bigger and the characters more developed.

The cast is absolutely stellar all around. Steven Yeun both embodies the joy that having superpowers would provide, but also the weight of the world on his shoulders as he tries to live up to his father’s legacy. It not often that an action hero will cry under the pressure he’s in, but Steven Yeun keeps it from being forced and I couldn’t have asked for a better actor to portray him.
J.K Simmons voices Mark’s father Omni-Man, and again he’s able to knock it out of the park. Simmons is my favourite actor, and he’s easily able to go from a supportive, loving father to the most powerful being on the planet at the drop of a hat. He’s truly intimidating and inspiring to watch all at once.
If I were to list off the entire cast, they’d all be the same. The cast is full of A-list actors like Zazie Beetz, Seth Rogen, Djimon Hounsou, and Gillian Jacobs just to name a few, but I’ll mention one more in detail. Debbie Grayson, Mark’s mother and Omni-Man’s wife, is played by Sandra Oh and is likely my favourite difference from the comic series. In the comic, she’s a supportive role with not much else to do in a world filled with people with the power of gods. However in the series she takes a much more proactive role in the main plot, being one of the prime investigators of the deaths of so many superheroes. Her character is brought through the wringer of emotions, and while I can’t give too much of the show away I can confidently say the Sandra Oh steals the show turning a fine supportive character into a driven, capable one.

With such an amazing cast, you’d expect the animation to be up to par right? Well, that’s true some of the times. When it comes to action, the animation of fluid, vibrant, energetic, and above all violent. Not all the battles contain buckets of blood and gore, I’m just saying that the best fights in the show do. If you can’t handle gore well, do not watch this show. Spoiler alert: the last five minutes of the first episode and the entire last episode is pretty much a bloodbath. Apart from the fights though, the animation can leave a lot to be desired. There are many moments where characters are talking and the animators will simply have a single model moving side to side to simulate walking. It’s not bad per se, the models are still nice and colourful, it just seems more lazy than anything else.
Compare it to a cartoon show like Avengers: Earth Mightiest Heroes. The character models of Invincible may look better, brighter, and more proportionate that in Avengers, but when characters in Avengers talk there are subtle differences in their body language and facial expressions making it feel more alive. After the seventh talking face scene in Invincible, you really start to notice how stiff and plain the animation can be.
There’s a weird moment I’d like to gripe about. In one episode there is an explosion. The scene is animated in a way I’ve never seen before. The power and devastation of said explosion is beautifully animated it made my jaw drop. But then seconds later, you see birds falling dead from the sky. The same model of dead bird is repeated dozens of times in the span of a few seconds and it looks absolutely awful. It reminded me of the bird gifs used in the “so bad it’s good” Birdemic.

While the animation may leave something to be desired, the dynamic action scenes, incredible cast, and engaging story are able to make up for it in some part. The first season of Invincible may have stumbled along the way, but Prime Video has the makings of another fun if not gruesome superhero epic. I can’t wait to see what seasons 2 and 3 bring to the table.
Invincible gets 3.5 out of 5 stars

Several Fees Waived for Fall 2021 Residence Applications

Rivers Cafferty
-
0
Several Fees Waived for Fall 2021 Residence Applications

Photo Credit: Christopher Le (via Unsplash)

            As we prepare to settle back onto Memorial University’s campuses for the first time in over a year, we remain cautious. To make the transition back to residences and campus life easier, MUN student residences have made some changes to the application process and have implemented improved safety and health procedures.

            To compensate for the uncertainty that surrounds plans to return to campus in September, students are not required to pay application fees, confirmation fees, or cancellation fees when applying to residences for the Fall 2021 semester. These changes allow students to apply without risks in case of changes due to COVID-19 or other restrictions.              

            Applications for the Fall 2021 semester have been open since November 4th of 2020. Deadlines for applications have yet to be released.

            Due to provincial COVID-19 regulations and in the interest of the health and safety of all students at the residences, new procedures and rules have been implemented for all MUN residences. These include increased cleaning routines to match COVID-19 requirements, modifications to card access to reduce thoroughfare, and maximum capacity regulations in public areas of the residences. According to provincial regulations, any space where a distance of two meters (6.5 feet) cannot be maintained between occupants is considered to be a public space, and masks will be required in these areas.

            All students must self-isolate after entering the province and make arrangements to do so outside of the MUN campus residences. Current provincial self-isolation regulations dictate that anyone who enters the province must self-isolate for 14 days. An ideal space for self-isolating would be a living space that is separate from other people or a separate part of a dwelling that includes a bedroom and a bathroom that no one else will be using. If you are unable to fulfil these requirements and must isolate yourself close to others, then the entire household must isolate with you.

            As we find our way back to a sense of normalcy, we must remain vigilant in our care for the health and safety of those around us. We can appreciate the guidelines and regulations that have been put in place to keep us safe as much as we enjoy being able to apply for residency risk-free.

Spiral (2021) Review

Ely Pittman
-
0
Spiral (2021) Review

Content Warnings: human & animal death, torture, gore/blood, drugs, jumpscares, flashing lights/images, gun violence.

Featured image from IMDB (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10342730/)

Hitting the theatres mid-May, Bousman and Stolberg’s Spiral brought the ninth instalment of the Saw series. Starring Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, and Marisol Nichols, Spiral follows Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” (Rock) as he takes on a new series of murders inspired by the Jigsaw killer.

Despite not being the biggest fan of horror or gore, I found Spiral a thrilling film to sit through. Although there were scenes that had me closing my eyes for the majority of them, the plot was easy to follow, and the end twist left me wishing there was a sequel to watch directly afterwards. However, Spiral sat further into the thriller genre than it did the horror one: it didn’t leave much of an impression beyond the screen and it lacked the “scariness” one would expect from a 2021 horror film.

Whether or not you’re a fan of the Saw franchise will certainly influence your opinion of the film. Fans of the franchise have called Spiral a turn from Saw’s usual horror theme to a crime thriller, with old tropes and “bored” torture scenes. Coming from a long-time fan of the franchise, I found it an interesting change, though it did bring in some more recent cliches that come with the crime thriller genre. For this reason I did have more expectations for the film, but was not left completely unsatisfied. I would watch Spiral again, but more likely in an event that a sequel comes out, rather than picking it out for a rewatch on its own.

Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson were welcomed additions to the cast and the two actors played their parts incredibly well, though the emotional scenes were left a bit flat. An important part of the plot was how the Jigsaw killer seemed to have a personal vendetta against the main character, Zeke, but the reason, once revealed, proved to be a bit of a cliché. The identity of the killer was not completely unexpected, but the end scene left a surprising twist that will make for a great sequel.

Though it has only been starred at 5.9/10 on IMDB, Spiral is a film worth watching. It was easy to follow, it left room for a sequel, and it filled out some gore criteria that one would expect in a Saw film.

RATING: 3.5 / 5

The Path to Finding Happiness – Yogic Incentive

Rivers Cafferty
-
0
The Path to Finding Happiness – Yogic Incentive

Photo Credit: Simon Rae (via Unsplash)

As university students, we all struggle with finding a balance in our lives that allows us to be happy and productive. Our mental health often takes a backseat to exam dates and assignment deadlines. When our inner afflictions become too powerful to ignore, we don’t know where to turn or what steps we can take to achieve a better outlook. Solutions that we consider include therapy sessions, medication, and lifestyle changes. All of which are useful in their way. 

Like any other student my age, I struggle with the uncertainty of the future and coming to terms with my past experiences as I age and learn new things about myself. I have experience with depression and anxiety that extends to both extremes. I have searched for happiness in commercial places: by making purchases, seeking romantic relationships, and clinging to physical objects and activities that serve as sources of joy. I have tried every viable solution proposed to me. 

So far, my experiences with these have led me to believe that more than anything, I need to work on developing a love for myself and others that will help me to view the world in a more positive, rational, and calm way. Yoga and meditation have begun to help me with that.

The philosophy of yoga comes with the realization that happiness can come from within ourselves. We don’t have to look for things to brighten our mood. With enough focus and clarity regarding the realities of our world, we can learn to find happiness in a much simpler way. This is the lesson that I have been taught by Yogic Incentive founder Jordan Carter. 

During a session with Jordan, I was able to grasp an understanding of an alternate way of thinking that I have glossed over one too many times. He taught me a meditation that I find to be very valuable in my search for personal joy, as well as some breathing exercises. Although I went into our session without understanding exactly what I had signed up for, I left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and with a renewed perspective on the world. 

As an academic, I always approach philosophy with a sceptical but open mind. Yogic beliefs come independent of any religion. They encourage us to think about how our existence fundamentally affects the universe. This simplification of our existence may seem counterproductive, but by returning to our basic beliefs about the world and focusing on the grand scheme of things, we can minimize the effect that daily conflicts have on us. 

Yogic Incentive offers a mindfulness session that serves as a perfect introduction to the concepts and practices that you will need to begin your journey of transformation. These sessions are tailored to the individual and are intended to aid you with your struggles including depression, anxiety, anger, grief, and unhappiness. Jordan also offers a student discount for these services. If you are a university student and are interested in participating in a session feel free to contact him at yogicincentive@gmail.com for details.

Through Yogic Incentive, Jordan aims to create a space for people who are interested in self-improvement and cultivating joy within themselves. If you are searching for ways to improve your life and transform yourself through meditation, yoga, or other methods, you can join Jordan’s community through the Yogic Incentive Facebook page. Although the community is currently relegated to virtual platforms, Jordan aims to move towards face-to-face interactions as we come out of the pandemic. 

I am glad to have met Jordan and to have learned all that I have from him. The introduction to mindfulness and meditation that I received has opened up doors that I didn’t know existed. Through Yogic Incentive, I have been able to start my journey towards living a more peaceful and joy-filled life. Jordan’s teachings hold a lot of potential for people who want to learn to live serenely and achieve mental wellness. For more information visit the Yogic Incentive website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Now Available for Ages 12+

Rivers Cafferty
-
0
COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Now Available for Ages 12+

Photo Credit: CDC (via Unsplash)      

       Most university students are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the government of Newfoundland and Labrador website, you can now make an appointment to get your vaccine if you are age 12 or older. People aged 18 or older will be receiving the Moderna vaccine as approved by the government of Canada.

           You can book an appointment online with your MCP card through the Government of NL website. For those who are not front-line workers and are not currently self-isolating, vaccinations in the Eastern Health region will take place at the Village Shopping Centre. There are currently two locations within the mall where you can receive your vaccination: Village Mall Yellow (1st Location) and Village Mall Blue (2nd Location). The closest available appointment dates begin mid-June. After you receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be given an appointment to receive the second dose. You will receive the second dose no later than four months after the first dose.

           A restriction that you should keep in mind is that you cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine if you are currently experiencing symptoms of the virus. You also shouldn’t receive the vaccine if you are allergic to either polyethylene glycol or tromethamine. If you recently received another vaccination, you must wait 14 days before receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, once you receive the COVID-19 vaccination, you must wait 28 days before getting another vaccine. Please read the COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet provided by the government and carefully consider the restrictions before booking your appointment.

           Two doses of the Moderna vaccine are estimated to be 86-94% effective at protecting you from becoming symptomatically ill. The side effects of receiving the vaccine include muscle and joint pain, headaches, nausea, fever or dizziness (for a complete list of side effects consult the COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet).

           The release of permissions to administer the vaccine to a younger population is exciting news, as it means that we are that much closer to returning to campus in the fall. Do your part in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by booking your appointment to get the vaccine when you are eligible.

           With the development of these vaccines and the efforts to vaccinate our population, we are demonstrating as a community that we are capable of working together to overcome widespread illnesses. We have gotten closer as a community over the past year. We have worked to protect both ourselves and others from illness. These efforts have gotten us where we are today – with effective vaccines widely available and the promise of a soon returning to a relatively normal way of living. There can be no doubt that our society has changed after the experiences we have gathered during this pandemic. I hope to see you all well upon our return to campus in the fall semester.

1...676869...96Page 68 of 96