The theme for this year’s International Banquet is “A Cruise Around The World” and we hope you can join us for this trip! This event is open to all students, international, domestic and unidentified. Faculty members, university staff and community members are also welcomed. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, please bring cash and come to the Wong Centre as tickets will be sold all next week, Mon-Fri from 8:30 am-4:30pm. The deadline to purchase tickets is March 12.
Tag: culture
Research Feature: Holly Giacomondonato
The goal of my thesis is to present a history of the Halifax Public Gardens that subverts the nature-culture binary that is fundamental and implicit in so many academic subjects, including environmental disciplines. For example, how many times do we engage in the conversations about returning to or protecting nature as something that is outside of the human? Much of the literature that critiques the nature-culture binary has been conducted by sociologists and anthropologists of science (Donna Haraway and Bruno Latour are two of my favourites).
This is partly because in the lab, scientists often interact with actor-networks that include animals, plants, and bacteria. As well, the idea of a human who is a sovereign unit separate from all other living actors, is laughable when considering the bacteria colonies present in and on any part of the human body. Based on this understanding, the nature-culture binary appears to be a false dichotomy that the methodology of my research seeks to avoid.
My thesis argues that both human and plant assemblages are history-making actors affecting the creation of the Halifax Public Gardens. This relationship is examined by using Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to analyze power dynamics between the principal designer and plant assemblages in the Gardens, as well as exploring other significant actors’ relationships with plants. ANT subverts the nature-culture divide by both recognizing a diverse array of actors and using collectives such as networks or assemblages as preferred units of analysis. In ANT an actor is a being that enlists and represents other actors.
The principal designer of the Halifax, Richard Power, enlists and represents the plant assemblages in the Halifax Public Gardens by creating a design for the Gardens to which they are expected to conform. However, the plants in the Gardens attract Power with characteristics such as beauty or colour and affect his design by being successful or unsuccessful in the space. Plants in the Gardens are also selected based on their connection to the landscape of Europe or their ability to create European design features. This adds another layer of complexity to the power dynamics within the Halifax Public Gardens as the Europeans and their related plant assemblages claim more agency than indigenous people and plants due to the idea of improvement in landscape through design.
Plants are also shown to be actors through an exploration of their relationships with other significant actors in the Halifax Public Gardens. These actors include the City Council of Halifax, the Royal Family, and the public of Halifax. For example, the Royal Family is a significant component of the Halifax Public Gardens due to events held in their honour, their visits to the Gardens, and their impact on the design of the Gardens. The Royal Family has direct relationships, such as personally planting trees, and indirect relationships, such impacting flower bed design, with the plants in the Gardens.
Through Actor-Network Theory (ANT) the Halifax Public Gardens is shown to be a natural-cultural space. Why is this significant considering that ANT would argue that any space is a natural-cultural space? Well, as ANT is a relatively recent and unorthodox theory, it is useful to create case studies of how ANT can be applied to spaces. More importantly though, Halifax Public Gardens provides a good model for analysis as it is an understudied space, with strong patriotic association, and is a creation of the Victorian-era which was loaded with ideas of purity and separation which are criticized in this research.
Holly Giacomondonato is a fourth year Environmental & Sustainability Studies and Environmental Science student
Q&A with Charts Café
Last week, we sat down with Jesse Van Gestel, owner of Wolfville’s newest café “Charts” to get to know him and his café a little better. Off the beaten path, Charts Café is a travel-inspired, casual, professional and intimate gathering spot for the Wolfville community.
What would you like to tell someone who has never been to Charts Café before?
Well, first of all, we make all of our food in house. This includes all of the baked goods, the bread, the soups, sandwiches and salads. So, any bread that you have here at charts was baked that morning. The coffee and espresso we serve is from North Mountain Coffee – a small coffee roasting business in Berwick, NS. It is local, taste great and aligns with our strong value of using as much local ingredients as possible. For the espresso based drinks, our shots are timed and our milk is temped to ensure consistency and high quality every time. Lastly, our staff is always eager to engage with the community and loves chatting with our customers – we are always happy to modify any order to suit the customer’s needs to our best ability.
What brings you to Wolfville, and what is your favorite thing about Wolfville?
I have known of Wolfville for quite some time as my parents have been living here for 9 years and my mother is from the valley. I personally grew up overseas and travelled quite frequently in my youth. I graduated from St. Francis Xavier with a bachelor’s degree in Business, however my brother and sister both graduated from Acadia. I had always wanted to own a small business, so when the space was available, it was the perfect opportunity to try – I would be close to my family and in a town I was familiar with. Honestly, I did not picture myself settling down in a small town initially, however, I am very happy with the decision and am constantly surprised at how cultured and interesting Wolfville is. My favorite thing would have to be the university atmosphere adding lively hood to the place, and all of the festivals that occur yearly like Devour, Soup Fest, Deep Roots etc.
What makes Charts different from the other Cafés in Wolfville?
Well, we always strive for high quality in everything we do – as I have said before we have specific times and temperatures to adhere to when preparing drinks. Also, all of our meals are traceable as they are all made here in our kitchen. I would have to say the space definitely stands out as unique – there is plenty of open space, tall ceilings and natural light, making it a comfortable spot for people to study or unwind. We work hard to provide a dual atmosphere to the space – casual and professional. We have hosted business meetings and many other professional gatherings, but have also flipped the space for coffee houses and open mics. Lastly, much of the meals are quite healthy, with usually more than one vegetarian or vegan option, and our breakfasts are freshly cooked upon ordering with real eggs and real cheese.
What are your favorite menu items?
Concerning drinks, I would have to say my go-to is an Americano. It is universal, a step up from a regular coffee, and goes with essentially everything. For lunch, my favorite would be our Roast Beef sandwich paired with our Jamaican Chicken soup – full size of course. For desserts, well that sponge cake topped with fresh blueberries and buttercream is looking pretty good right about now.
How do the students at Acadia fit in with Charts Café?
I think that Charts makes a great study spot or casual hangout space for the students at Acadia. We have many students come in and do their work, and the open space we have keeps the atmosphere calm – it’s a nice change from being crammed in a library. We also see students coming in on the weekends for breakfast – it can be a good spot for a breakfast date or to catch up with some friends. The students here bring a lot of diversity and culture into the café which I very much enjoy – people from all over the world come to Acadia and it is neat to pair that sort of demographic to our travel-inspired café. It also allows us to have people of all ages come to the café, making our space unique and diverse. Lastly, the majority of our staff are students at Acadia, or young people from the area – Acadia students are always so easy to work with and hire because by being a student at Acadia, we can always assume the individual is intelligent and confident.
Any other comments?
Our café hours are every day from 8-5pm, and we look forward to you stopping in and adding your hometown to our world map! You can ask our staff for a pin to make your mark in our café!
Jordan Mahaney is a fourth year Biology student and Production Manager of The Athenaeum
The Annapolis Valley Also Has a Cornwallis problem
On January 31, 2018, Halifax removed the statue of its controversial founder and Nova Scotia Governor Edward Cornwallis. The Halifax Regional Council had voted the day before to immediately remove the statue and place it in storage until the Council can decide what to do with it. Other locations in Halifax have also recently changed names: Cornwallis Junior High became Halifax Central Junior High, and the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church voted to change their name and hopes the street name will also be changed.
While Halifax is the most publicized example where people are sorting through the legacy of Cornwallis, it is not the only place with things named after Cornwallis. The name Cornwallis is all over the Annapolis Valley: the Cornwallis River, a community called Cornwallis Park near Annapolis Royal, Cornwallis Inn and Cornwallis Street in Kentville, Cornwallis Avenue in New Minas, First Cornwallis Baptist Church in Upper Canard, and several businesses with the name Cornwallis.
So why is that a problem? Edward Cornwallis was the Governor of Nova Scotia between 1749-52 and founded the city of Halifax in 1749. Cornwallis is most infamously known for a proclamation he issued in October 1749, known as the Scalping Proclamation (you can see a copy of the original proclamation here). The proclamation states that the government leaders “authorize and command all Officers Civil and Military, and all His Majesty’s Subjects or others to annoy, distress, take or destroy the Savage commonly called Micmac, wherever they are found, and [… we] promise a reward of ten Guineas [a currency about equivalent to one pound] for every Indian Micmac taken or killed, to be paid upon producing such Savage taken or his scalp.” Essentially, the proclamation says that anyone who brings the scalp of a Mi’kmaw man, woman or child to the colonial authorities will receive cash. In June of 1750, they increased the bounty to 50 pounds per scalp. Many people, including Mi’kmaw Elder Daniel Paul in his 1993 book We Were Not the Savages, called this action “genocide” against the Mi’kmaq, especially since Cornwallis also declared his intentions to permanently exterminate the Mi’kmaq people in mainland Nova Scotia so that the British could take all the land. Because of this history, Daniel Paul has campaigned for 30 years to remove the statue and the name of Cornwallis on streets, schools and more.
In addition to killing Mi’kmaq people, Cornwallis helped lead brutal mass killings of Scottish men, women and children as part of the suppression of the Jacobite rebellion in the Scottish Highlands. Whether or not you agree that Cornwallis’ actions were genocide, it is definitely concerning that we honour him by naming streets and communities and rivers after him. As one Kings County Councillor suggested back in 2010, it would be unimaginable for Germany to have a Hitler Street or Hitler River, so why is Cornwallis Street and Cornwallis River okay here in the Annapolis Valley?
The Annapolis Valley First Nation, whose members have to drive over the Cornwallis River to get into their community, submitted a request to change the name of the River back to the Mi’kmaw name Jijuktu’kwejk, which means narrow river. The Jijuktu’kwejk Project Facebook page continues to provide updates on the efforts to change the name of the river. The Jijuktu’kwejk Watershed Alliance, a group of citizens and communities along the river, started in 2016. They advocate changing the name of the river, but ultimately their goal is to achieve a “swimmable, drinkable and fishable” river. One petition to change the name of the river has 362 signatures, and a petition to give the new bridge in Kentville a Mi’kmaw name instead of calling it “Cornwallis Bridge” has 725 signatures.
Although changing the name of a river can be a long and complex process, changing the name of a street or building is typically quite straightforward as the town or municipality can do it. It would be quite easy to change, for example, the names of Cornwallis Street in Kentville, Cornwallis Avenue in New Minas, and the Cornwallis Inn in Kentville.
Some people argue that changing names erases history. Personally, I think that as Mi’kmaq people and other concerned citizens advocate for name changes, we are finally having an honest conversation about Nova Scotian history. Changing the name of something named after Cornwallis publicly acknowledges our history and recognizes that what Cornwallis did was wrong. Changing names also has the potential to recognize the Mi’kmaq history of the area, and possibly the Acadian history as well, by restoring traditional names like the Jijuktu’kwejk River. In addition to Jijuktu’kwejk River, the River has also been called Horton River, Rivière St. Antoine in the 1600s, and Rivière des Habitants in the 1700s. The Cornwallis Inn in Kentville was once called the Aberdeen Hotel. Changing the name of the river or any other Valley landmark named after Cornwallis will not erase history, instead the name Cornwallis River already erases all the previous history of the River.
It’s high time we have an honest conversation about history in the Annapolis Valley, not just a conversation that acknowledges the actions of British governors like Cornwallis, but also a conversation that includes thousands of years of Mi’kmaq presence on this land, and the history of other groups here like the Acadians and African Nova Scotians. Part of that conversation will likely involve renaming things, but it goes much deeper to trying to figure out how we can all live together in the spirit of the Peace and Friendship Treaties, in a way that celebrates all of our cultures and the land we call home. Mi’kmaw activist Rebecca Moore responded to the removal of the statue by saying “we’re in a time now of truth and reconciliation, and peace and friendship.” Talking about history and renaming can be a time of working together and learning from each other. While we are talking about history, maybe we can find some wonderful Nova Scotian people who deserve to have things named after them.
You’re Invited to the Annual Acadia International Banquet
The annual Acadia International Banquet, held by The Wong International Centre and the Center for Global Education, is cordially looking for your attendance for next Saturday, March 10th, 2018 at 6:30 pm at Sheldon L. Fountain Commons. The doors open at 5:30 pm so that guests can grab a seat, check out the International Photo contest, get some Henna, or simply grab a drink at the cash bar and chat. Tickets will be sold at the Student Union Building (SUB) on the main floor from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. This is an evening of dinner, performances, and cultural celebration. This long-standing campus tradition is a great opportunity for you to get in touch with the beauty of a variety of cultures. The energetic dances, traditional instruments, and global fashion show are the highlights of the night. We are looking forward to meeting you on such a magical evening. Do not forget to bring your friends!
Q & A on #JusticeforColten
This article draws on Idle No More’s discussion guide related to the Colten Boushie case. It is a great resource to explore if you want to learn more about this case.
What happened?
Although some of the details are uncertain, here is what is clear: in 2016, Gerald Stanley shot Colten Boushie in the head and killed him. Colten was a 22-year old man and member of the nearby Red Pheasant Cree Nation. Stanley was charged with second-degree murder. Colten Boushie and some friends had gone onto Stanley’s farm to try to get help for a flat tire. At the time he was shot, Colten was sitting in his SUV on Stanley’s farm. This February, Stanley was found “not guilty” by a jury with no visibly Indigenous people.
Since the verdict, there has been a huge outcry across the country from Indigenous peoples and allies on social media and on the streets through vigils and protests.
Why is this case a race issue?
Some people have criticized Indigenous people and their allies for turning this case into a race issue. However, there are many problems with the way this case was addressed, and most of them have to do with race. At a basic level, a white settler shot and killed an Indigenous young man. The crime may have been racially motivated, or at least racial bias likely played an important role. Indigenous people and their allies see this case not as an isolated incident, but as one example in a long history of violence toward Indigenous peoples in Canada. Ever since Europeans arrived on this land, white settlers have been killing Indigenous people and getting away with no consequences. It is also important to remember that this case was going through the Canadian justice system, and the Canadian state was set up as a colonial state to serve settlers and to control (not protect) Indigenous peoples. The systemic racism in the practices and policies of the Canadian state also permeates the justice system.
One of the major issues surrounding the case is that the jury in the trial for Gerald Stanley did not include any Indigenous people, and all jury members appeared to be white. Under the Canadian jury selection system, both the accused and the prosecutor can veto potential jury members without giving any reason. If they do not like how a potential jury member looks, they can reject them. In the case of the Boushie trial, the defence systematically rejected all the visibly Indigenous people from being jury members. This process explains how it would be possible to end up with a jury with no Indigenous jurors, even though Indigenous peoples represent a significant portion of the population in rural Saskatchewan. In such a racially charged case, choosing a jury entirely with people from one racial group exacerbated the racial tensions. Even if the jury made the right decision, which seems unlikely, it is hard to trust the decision when the jury is stacked against Indigenous peoples and racial bias may have played a significant role in the process. The jury selection in this case has led to calls to reform the jury selection process from Colten Boushie’s family, Indigenous activists and the federal government.
Since the verdict, there has been a lot of victim-blaming. Colten and his friends are being blamed for putting themselves in a situation where he got shot and killed. The argument goes that since they were drinking, since they were on Stanley’s property, and since some of Colten’s friends were under investigation for theft, that somehow Colten set himself up to be killed. Regardless of what Colten and friends may or may not have done, nothing justifies shooting and killing him. This reasoning is like blaming women for “allowing” themselves to be sexually assaulted because they wore the wrong clothes or were drinking. These arguments are very hurtful to the family members and communities who are grieving Colten’s death, and they also reinforce negative stereotypes about Indigenous people.
If you need evidence that racism surrounds this case, check out the comments section of any social media post by an Indigenous thinker, organization or activist. You will find many extremely racist comments in addition to widespread victim-blaming. Beyond recent comments related to the verdict, shortly after Colten’s death, racist responses appeared across social media, to the extent that Saskatchewan politicians and the Assembly of First Nations were forced to publicly speak out against these comments.
What else could the jury have done?
The jury found Stanley not guilty of any charges. Stanley was charged with second-degree murder, and the jury could have convicted him on that charge. They could have also convicted him on the lesser charge of manslaughter. Whereas second-degree murder is “a deliberate killing carried out without planning,” manslaughter is “a homicide committed without the intention to cause death.” According to the Criminal Code, murder may be reduced to manslaughter “if the person who committed it did so in the heat of passion caused by sudden provocation.” Stanley claimed he shot Colten by accident, but even if Stanley did not mean to kill Colten, he could still be held responsible for Colten’s death and charged with manslaughter.
What happens next?
In addition to calls to reform the jury selection process, there are calls for honest conversations about racism, a call for an appeal of the verdict, and a call for an inquiry into the case. If you want to get involved, there will be a #JusticeforColten vigil in Wolfville coming up soon (stay tuned for details). You can also read more about the case, use the hastag #JusticeforColten on social media, sign the petition calling for an appeal, donate toward Colten’s family, or address some of the racist comments online. Working toward justice in Canada, and an end to violence against Indigenous peoples will be a long and hard process, but it is more important than ever.
Heave Way
As a born and raised Nova Scotian, nothing completes a room more than some authentic Maritime music. This past weekend at Acadia, Signal Hill, the band, played at a school event. The atmosphere in the room was incredible. The pride everyone had while singing Maritime classics accurately represents why so many come to Acadia and stay here.
When people first come to Acadia, bands like Great Big Sea, The Rankins, and Signal Hill may be foreign to them, this isn’t the case for long. Signal Hill brought over 600 students together. School events unfortunately can be considered lame or not cool, however Signal Hill changed everything. I truly had never been so excited for a school function. People from across the province, from every university, travelled to Wolfville to enjoy this event.
One thing I can guarantee is once people leave Acadia, hearing songs like “Heave Way” brings back the most joyous memories. The way music brings people together in our Maritime culture is a rare find. The music never gets old, the good times never die, and the pride one feels never lessens. Singing in the kitchen with two or three generations to bands like the Rankins our truly my fondest memories.
The way music speaks to people here in the Maritimes is our universal language. The culture this creates is one that is inclusive. It is so interesting to see such a small area of the world so connected by these artists and songs. When people think of the Maritimes and time they have spent in the Maritimes, I’m sure that time spent in a local pub listening to local artists’ surfaces. Maritime music has a way of bringing people together that nothing else does. The pure essence of our culture and community here in the Maritimes is defined by the love and pride we hear through our music.
Canadianisms: What International Students are Asking About the Great White North
Oh, Canada. The snow, the hockey, the wildlife, and the maple syrup. Everything about Canada is beautiful, but for some it can get confusing. Canadian stereotypes and mannerisms, it seems, have been stumping some of our international students at Acadia. We are here to answer your questions! We asked nine Acadia international students what they were most confused by, or what they’ve always wondered, about the country we call home. The following are the results.
Q: Why do Canadians eat dinner so early at 5:00 or 6:00?
Shelby: I think 6:00 is a pretty normal time for dinner. I don’t understand this question.
Hayley: My roommate says the same thing. Apparently, a normal time to eat dinner is 8:00 for him and a lot of other international students, which is so late to me. I guess we eat dinner earlier because the sun sets before 5:00 most months out of the year, and I’m in hibernation mode. Please do not disrupt my already disrupted schedule.
Shelby: Oh, that makes sense! See, we’re learning about ourselves. I didn’t even know this was a Canadianism.Q: Why do Canadians say “sorry” all the time?
Shelby: I don’t think this is a thing. Sorry, I just don’t.
Hayley: Dude…
Shelby: Can we keep this out of the article?
Hayley: Nope. Sorry.
Shelby: Maybe we’re just really polite people. Isn’t that the stereotype?
Hayley: Maybe, but I think it’s a little bit more than that.
Shelby: Yeah it seems like a cultural thing. Like, saying sorry is supposed to be an admission of guilt, isn’t it? Are Canadians just really guilty people?
Hayley: Most of the time, when I say “sorry”, it’s sarcastic. If you bump into me, and it is clearly not my fault I’m going to say “sorry” to you. But what I mean is something like: “oh, I’m so sorry for existing in your vicinity. Watch where you’re going”. But because that’s super aggressive, I’ll just say the word sorry. Does that make sense?
Shelby: Yeah. I do that, too. Did we just discover that Canadians aren’t super polite but just super passive aggressive? Our saying sorry isn’t an admission of guilt at all, it’s a weird way of making other people feel guilty. Or maybe that’s just us.
Hayley: Fun fact: Ontario has a law that limits liability to people who apologize a lot. It’s called The Apology Act, 2009. I’m not even kidding. It’s designed to give lawyers a fair chance at defending people who apologized profusely about the crime they are said to have committed.
Shelby: This gives a whole new meaning to sorry not sorry.Q: Why do Canadians put ketchup on everything?
Shelby: Because it’s delicious. Next question.
Q: Y’all are so nice all the time! Don’t you ever get angry?
Hayley: I’m not, though. I have the opposite problem where everyone thinks I’m angry all the time.
Shelby: Canadians in general are really nice, though. At least out here. In Ontario, not so much. I’m not sure about Western Canada.
Hayley: I feel like most of these stereotypes are based off a comparison between us and the States. I’m not saying that Americans are inherently mean, just like Canadians aren’t inherently nice. But Canada does seem to be compared to the States a lot, so maybe that’s where this is coming from.
Shelby: We’re nice until you piss us off, but then we’ll just say sorry and have a beer with you.Q: So. Much. Plaid. Why?
Hayley: It doesn’t really help that we go to a school where our mascot is an axe wielding and plaid wearing person.
Shelby: The plaid stereotype is one I can get behind. It’s warm. It’s classic.
Hayley: I think I only own 6 or 7 plaid shirts. That isn’t a lot. Is it?
Shelby: It’s quite a few, yeah.
Hayley: I could use more, honestly.
Shelby: Bottom line: plaid is warm, it goes with everything, and it looks good on everyone.Q: Are you aware that Tim Horton’s coffee is terrible?
Hayley: I will always love Tim’s coffee, but yes, I am aware that it isn’t the best.
Shelby: How do you take your coffee?
Hayley: Black. You?
Shelby: Double Double! Ew, how can you drink it black?
Hayley: I’m sorry, but how can you taint coffee with cream and sugar?
Shelby: Are you actually sorry?
Hayley: Nope.Q: Use as many Canadian slang terms as you can in 5 sentences.
Shelby: It was a great day for hay, so me and the boys went for a rip and ended up hangin’ a larry and put the truck right in the rhubarb.
Hayley: Ya musta been givin’r! What were ya doin’, a buck 20? Anything slower is pert’ near ten-ply.
Shelby: Well, buddy was tryin’ ta light a dart but his flow got in the way and next thing ya know my double double is all over the rig!
Hayley: Sounds like he needs ta figure it out, eh?
Shelby: I think we went over 5 sentences, but I could do this all day.
Hayley: Mayzel.
Q: Why do you use “uh-huh” or “yep” instead of “you’re welcome”?
Hayley: Oh, this is a good question and it’s something I’m guilty of for sure.
Shelby: A lot of older people aren’t going to agree with me on this, but I think saying you’re welcome is just a bit off. Like, snide. You know?
Hayley: I feel that. Saying uh-huh or yep as a response just implies ‘no problem’. Like, no need to thank me, this wasn’t a problem for me to do for you.
Shelby: Yes! And for me, saying ‘you’re welcome’ is a tad bit conceited. Like, yes, I did you a favour and I’m awesome, so you should totally be thankful. You’re welcome to my kindness.
Hayley: I generally reserve saying ‘you’re welcome’ for older people because I know if I say ‘no problem’, I’m getting a side eye.
Shelby: I don’t think this is Canadian thing, I think this is a generational thing.Q: Canadians drink a lot of beer. What are the best Canadian beers?
Hayley: There are way too many to choose from. Let’s stick with top 3 for each of us, and leave out craft.
Shelby: I’m going to say Alexander Keith’s, Sleeman’s, and Moosehead.
Hayley: Old Style Pilsner, Molson Ex, and Rickard’s Red.Those are all the questions we have! If you want to know about any other Canadianisms, be sure to email us at [email protected] . Let us make sense of the great white north so you don’t have to.
The Emancipation of the NARP
Yes, you have read that correctly. It’s something you may have said aloud, but never read in text –nevertheless it is a part of campus culture. Or maybe this is your introduction to the topic. NARP, non-athletic-regular-person. A term often applied to those who do not participate on a varsity or club team at Acadia, a concept which I am sure is prevalent on other campuses. Full disclosure: I am considered to be a NARP.
This is a term that I would like to take back! Turn it into one of those, “I-can-call-me-that-but-you-can’t-call-me-that” situations. Sort of in the same vein of, I can make fun of my family, but don’t even think about talking bad about my mama. This term holds a negative connotation, of course, because who wants to be called a “regular person” (unless you are very odd like myself, and “normal” would in fact be a promotion in society)? But, I would like to argue that there is a silver lining for those who feel they are on the fringes of adoration due to the lack of their hand-eye coordination.
To all of you non-athletic angsty almost-adults – take this as an opportunity for indulging your ironic side. If that isn’t hipster bait, I don’t know what is. Stick it to the man, man. Imagine all the buttons you could wear on your retro jacket: “I peaked in high school”, “Badminton MVP 2014”, “Ur Fav NARP”, “Benchwarmer”, “Intermural CHAMP” or “Not a Scrub, But Got Scratched” and “I’ll come to all of your games”. By acknowledging the difference, instead of wallowing in it, I think there is a great opportunity for some counterculture and self-deprecation in the healthiest sense. Instead of succumbing and contributing to the dichotomy between the two groups, remember that both groups are made up of strong individuals. Therefore, I believe there may be a small need for people to get over themselves, and add just a dose of reflection perhaps.
No, you may not have the abs of a god, but are you healthy? Do you exercise regularly? I’m sure you enjoy sports in some regard. Then, who says you are not athletic or deserve self-worth? So, you don’t have an institution that recognizes your athletic ability, but you should be thankful for any good health that you may possess. Yes, you may be intimidated by the awesome swag that athletes possess (jackets, shirts, etc.), but haven’t they earned it? I don’t have to balance an insane schedule, which is upheld only so that I can physically exert myself. Ew, no thank you, blah. So, don’t fall completely to the folly of material possessions (such as varsity swag) and their status.
But, if you desire to play the status game why not make your own NARP uniform? Glasses that fall apart, your slept in department sweater, and… YOUR NEW BUTTONS! It is all just a question of confidence in your self-identity. So why not express yourself in an organization which already exists, or create your own? Or, you just do you. Whatever that means, and don’t worry so about your perceived value. Don’t sweat it, leave the sweating to the athletes.
At Acadia, we have the first overall rate per capita of Academic All-Canadian Athletes in the country. WOAH! The accomplishment of student athletes is the accomplishment of all Acadia students, one for all Axemen and Axewomen. It’s all about school pride, right? So, find an outlet which you can take pride in, ya NARP. Don’t let the athlete and NARP relationship become a rigid binary, and remember that both groups are made up of great people. Complex people that are multidimensional. Combat this and become a part of a team of your own, whatever that may be: photography, social change, clubs, or write for the paper (please)! Forge your own identity.
P.S. I do somewhat foster a theory deep down that the Kinesiology Department could possibly be the secret police of Acadia. Kinesiology… Kine…K.I.N.E = Knowledge In NARP Extinction. I don’t know, I am just putting it out there, in case you never hear from me again.
4 Documentaries That You Should Be Watching on Netflix
- Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)– Netflix
This documentary chronicles the life of Andrew Bagby. A man murdered by his ex-lover Not long after his death, she proceeded to announce that she was pregnant with Andrew’s child. Andrew’s close friend Kurt Kuenne decided to put together a documentary film about Andrew so his son could one day watch it and get to know what his father was like. As time goes on, things slowly begin to grow more apparent and what seems like a huge tragedy escalates into an even bigger one. You can watch Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father on Netflix.
- The Woman Who Wasn’t There (2012)– CBC
Alicia Esteve Head is a woman claiming to be a survivor of the September 11th 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. She states that she was on the 78th floor of the South Tower, making her one of the nineteen people that survived at/or above the point of theimpact of the plane. She proceeded to join the Survivors Network Support group and eventually become the president of the aforementioned group. She was mentioned in many reports about the 9/11 and was widely respected for her story of courage…That is until people started to realize that aspects of the story weren’t adding up. You can watch The Woman Who Wasn’t There for a limited time on CBC
- Life with Murder (2010) – Netflix
In 1998, 18-year-old Jennifer Jenkins was found murdered in her basement. The main suspect was her own brother. Their parents now had to face the reality that both their children would be cruelly stolen from them. They refused to accept this and instead chose to stand by their son’s side during the trial. Claiming vehemently that he was innocent, even when all the evidence pointed towards him. You can watch Life With Murder on Netflix.
- The Imposter (2012)– Netflix
I’ve saved the best for last, this may hands down be the best documentary I have ever had the fortune of watching, and the first one my mind would jump to if I were to recommend a documentary to people. The Imposter follows Frédéric Bourdin, a Spaniard thatclaims to be a 16-year-old American boy (‘Nick’ Barclay) who had been missing for 3 years. Unbelievably so, the police and Nicholas Barclays family believed that Frédéric was telling the truth. They send Nick’s sister to get him from Spain. If it seems like the story smells a bit fishy, they only get stranger from there. You can watch The Imposter on Netflix.
Feeding Your Horrible Procrastination Habits: The Best of Netflix TV Shows
By Netflix – Netflix Media Center, Public Domain If you lack self-control when it comes to being able to shut your computer screen at the end of a long day because you can’t get enough of your new favourite show, I encourage you to stop reading this article right now. I realize that a University education can be very demanding of a person’s time and I would hate to see you struggle to find the time to go to class, or finish an assignment. Therefore, if you really need get on that assignment that you’ve been “going to start tomorrow” for the past two weeks, stop reading and get to work.
If, however, you are on top of your work (or simply don’t care about the warning above) you’ve come to the right place. As I sat in bed last night trying to think of a topic for this article, I couldn’t find much current news that inspired me. So, being your typical University student, I flung open my laptop and proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes diving into my latest Netflix addiction How to Get Away with Murder (on recommendation by one of my roommates). It dawned on me, as one of the main characters was having her typical high-stress meltdown, what I would do if I were so stressed with school or work that I had a meltdown; watch Netflix! Alas, I got up off the bed and came up with my all-time favourite TV shows on Netflix to share with my fellow struggling students.
- How to Get Away with Murder:
As mentioned in the introduction, my latest craze arises from my love of law. Main character Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) is a defense attorney that quickly finds herself in a sticky situation (the first episode foreshadows what is going to happen throughout the first season). The drama/thriller is perfect for a weekend night, and dives into the action 3 minutes into the Pilot episode. I’m still only on the first season, but as Season 3 is currently airing on CTV, I am desperately trying to catch up. A gruesome and bloody series, each episode has Annalise tackle a new criminal case.
Episode length: 45 minutes
- The Walking Dead:
If you haven’t heard of The Walking Dead, there’s really no point in you reading this article because you clearly don’t have an interest in television. The Walking dDead is far and away the most popular series in television right now, and for good reason. Currently on its 7th season, it’s hard to keep track of all of the characters that have come and gone throughout the years. Don’t get too attached, because they’ll probably die at some point. The show follows the trials of an ever-changing group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. Based on the popular comic book series, the costumes and make up is incredible and as realistic as zombies can look. I suggest starting now so you can catch up by the start of the 8th season!
Episode Length: 50-55 minutes
- Prison Break
Another one that you should definitely know, Prison Break ended in 2009 after 4 terrific seasons. Ok, maybe 2 ½ terrific seasons with a mediocre (at best) third season, but the others are so good they make up for the disappointment. True to its title, Prison Break follows the story of death row inmate Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) and his genius brother Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) as they plot to break out of Fox River Penitentary. Add a little assistance from the prison doctor Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Collins) and they might just me able to pull it off. The people they include in the plan, however, might have a different idea.
Episode length: 45 minutes
- Friday Night Lights
The first ever show I binge-watched has a soft spot in my heart. Set in Dillon, Texas, the show follows the Dillon Panthers High School Football Team and its diverse set of players. Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) takes his team to new heights after losing star quarterback, Jason Street. The stories of small-town Texas football and the lives of its players is something that everyone can get on board with. It’s half sport, half drama. If the female audience needs any more convincing, the fact that Taylor Kitsch plays star full back should do the trick.
Episode Length: 45 minutes
- Narcos
Another one of my latest discoveries (once again thanks to said roommate) is one that I would never have thought to try on my own, but I am so glad that I was encouraged to do so. The show follos infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura), drug enforcement officers Javier Pena (Pedro Pascal) and Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook) who always seem to be one step behind the cocaine trafficker. This is one show you can watch an episode of and put down for a couple of days, as most of the episodes are separated from one another, making it a great option for casual viewing. Don’t pass this one up next time you see it!
Episode length: 45 minutes
- Stranger Things
Far and away the most popular new show, Stranger Things just has something about it that makes you want to keep watching non-stop despite increasing your blood pressure exponentially. I still don’t know if I have the entire show figured out or know absolutely nothing about it, but that’s what makes me want to come back for more. Although somewhat out there and strange, the show ties in a realistic approach. Would you judge me if I told you I watched the entire first season (8 episodes x 50 minutes each) in a 24-hour span?
Episode Length: 50 minutes
- Dexter
Dexter is probably the closest thing there is to a killer’s perspective of Criminal Minds- Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) works as a blood-spatter analyst with the Miami Metro Police Department. Unbeknownst to his colleagues, he spends his nights ridding the world of killers. Seeking only to kill people that have killed others (making him the Robin Hood of killers per se) Seems a little twisted, doesn’t it? Dexter’ psychopathic tendencies sure are fun to watch unravel throughout the 8 seasons.
Episode Length: 50-55 minutes
- Friends
Hands-down my favourite show of all time, Friends is set in late 90’s/early 2000’s New York. This is probably the most easy-to-watch show ever, due to its short episode length, witty humor, and broad appeal. Friends is the perfect show to watch one episode of before bed, and allows you to skip through to your favourite parts (although I don’t recommend it). The most common rebuttal I hear when advertising this show to others is that they’ve “seen too many episodes here and there”. The greatest thing about Friends is that you can watch it from start to end (all 10 seasons made up of 20-25 episodes each) a million times and it never gets old. On top of that, the underlying storyline that runs throughout the show is awesome to follow from the start right until the very end. I am currently on the 9th season of watching the entire series for the 5th time- it really is that good!
