hUNDReDS

Falling in love with Dickensian characters since 1918









U the ubyssey

MARCH 28, 2011

volume 92, number xlivi

room 24, student union building

published mondays and thursdays

feedback@ubyssey.ca









LIPDUB

BRINGS

hUNDReDS

“i expect us to be the most watched lip dub

ever made.”

PAGe 12









UBC’s hUmanities 101 stUDents give their take on the Downtown eastsiDe PAGe 4

2 / u b y s s e y. c a / e v e n t s / 2 0 11 . 0 3 . 2 8







events

march 28 2011

volume xcii, no xlivi



editorial



coordinating editor onGoinG events tuesdAy, mAr. 29 of the North African uprisings become the stuff of legend. •

Justin McElroy : coordinating@ubyssey.ca today. • 3pm, live programming 7:30pm, Freddy Wood Theatre,

news editor Ubyssey Production • Come citr rAP kArAoke At the Pit • at citr.ca. $15 regular, $10 student and

Arshy Mann : news@ubyssey.ca help us create this baby! Learn UBC’s first ever rap karaoke senior. Buy tickets at ubctheatre.

assistant news editor about layout and editing. Expect drops on Tuesday, March 29 wednesdAy, mAr. 30 universitytickets.com or call

Kalyeena Makortoff : kmakortoff@ubyssey.ca

senior news writer

to be fed. • Every Sunday and at UBC’s Pit Pub. This is your (604) 822-2678.

Micki Cowan : mcowan@ubyssey.ca Wednesday, 2pm. chance to slay all the classic Br Av e n e w P l Ay r i t es

culture editors rhymes you’ve been rapping to 2 0 11 f e s t i vA l • T h e U B C

Jonny Wakefield & Bryce Warnes : resource GrouPs • Are you yourself in the shower and show Creative Writing and Theatre

culture@ubyssey.ca working on a progressive off your mad skills for the adoring departments’ present their 25th

senior culture writer project, but need funding? Do crowd. DJ Relly Rels from the annual Brave New Play Rites

Ginny Monaco : gmonaco@ubyssey.ca you have an idea, but can’t get Crimes and Treasons radio show festival. Students from both

culture illustrator it off the ground? Apply to the is going to be spinning the beats, departments stage a risk-taking

Indiana Joel : ijoel@ubyssey.ca Resource Groups for funding! keeping the party going between and wildly inventive festival of

sports editor Come in, pitch your idea to us karaoke sets. Please note: this is original one-act plays. • Mar.

Marie Vondracek : sports@ubyssey.ca

features editor

and we will consider fully or not an opportunity for amateur 30–Apr. 3, 8pm, matinee at 2pm

Trevor Record : features@ubyssey.ca partially funding your project. rappers to demo their work and on Apr. 3. $10/$15, call (604)

photo editor • Every Monday, 11am in SUB no freestyling! • 8pm–1am, Pit 822-2678 for ticket information

Geoff Lister : photos@ubyssey.ca 245 (second floor, north-east Pub, SUB. $5 at CiTR (SUB and go to bravenewplayrites.

production manager corner). For more info email Room 233) or The Outpost, $8 wordpress.com for a list of plays

Virginie Ménard : production@ubyssey.ca resourcegroups.ams@gmail. at the door. To ensure that the and schedules.

copy editor com. DJ has the instrumental you

Kai Green : copy@ubyssey.ca want to rap over, performers fridAy, APr. 1

multimedia editor P o t t e ry s A l e At sP rou t s • need to email citrRapKaraoke@

Tara Martellaro : multimedia@ubyssey.ca The UBC Pottery Club is now gmail.com with their request. fun rAiser! • Theatre at UBC

associate multimedia editor selling their work at Sprouts is holding their first annual Fun

Stephanie Warren :

associate.multimedia@ubyssey.ca and have donated some pieces Prof tAlk with dr Jeffrey Byrne Raiser! It hits the stage with

video editor in return for space. It brings a • On UBC CiTR Radio’s Prof Talk, roller-skating, stilt soccer, fire

David Marino : video@ubyssey.ca new addition to the Sprouts with host Farha Khan, Dr Jeffrey juggling (poi), stand up comedy,

webmaster atmosphere and allows potters Byrne from the Department of live music, singing and dancing.

Jeff Blake : webmaster@ubyssey.ca sp ac e to showc ase their history will discuss his research Featuring the talents of both

pieces. • Mon–Fri, 9:30am– on revolutionary Algeria in the theatre students and faculty,

Room 24, Student Union Building 4pm, Sprouts, SUB basement. 1960s in the context of some this event is destined to

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contributors



Karina Palmitesta Tyler Branston

Will McDonald Maria Cirstea

Mike Dickson Meiki Shu

Krissy Darch Nanami Oki

Greg Scutt Michael Stewart

Lenkyn Ostapovich Monica Brown

George Wallace Pat Haram

Willie Li Lorna Jean Johnson

Paul Taylor Phoenix Winter

S. Steel Komail Naqvi

Will Steele Dan George

Victor Jean Maryanna Aston Moore



Front page photos:

Tyler Branston/Jab Rewind PROD.

Alison Rajah



legal

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News editor ARSHY MANN » news@ubyssey.ca

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senior writer MICKI COWAN » mcowan@ubyssey.ca









Greens looking to BC for first seat news BrieFs

study: students okAy with

tuition increAses, BudGet

During the 2008 election, the cuts

Greens picked up 8.8 per cent of

the vote in Vancouver-Quadra, SASKATOON (CUP) — When

which includes UBC, coming in at students know their university

third place—just ahead of the NDP. is facing a budget crisis they

Laura Leah-Shaw, a local real are willing to accept both tu-

estate agent, will be facing off ition increases and budget cuts,

against Liberal incumbent Joyce according to a new study by

Murray; Conservative Deborah the Higher Education Strategy

Meredith, a Sauder professor who Associates.

ran and lost against Murray in Slightly more than 50 per cent

2008; and the NDP’s Victor Elkins. of students responding would

Carr will be once again run- accept an increase in tuition

ning in Vancouver Centre, a rid- between $3000 and $9000.

ing where she picked up 18.27 Only one student in six said

per cent of the vote in 2008. they wanted tuition frozen at

Carr pointed out that Vancou- any cost.

ver Centre, which includes down- “I would say that the current

town, the West End, Yaletown situation that we have with all

and parts of Kitsilano, has a de- of the consultation that we get

mographic profile that is advan- is very good at helping us to un-

tageous to the Greens. She com- derstand why the university is

pared it to Melbourne, Austra- in the positions that they are,”

lia and Brighton, England—cit- said James Eastham, VP Aca-

ies which just happen to have demic at the University of Al-

elected Green parliamentarians berta’s students’ union.

in the past. “But I don’t necessarily think

“Melbourne and Brighton, just that it will make us happy that

like Vancouver, are seaside ports, tuition is going up or that bud-

tourism-based economies, very gets are being cut.”

Adriane Carr in front of the Gulf Islands that the Greens hope will give them a seat. Geoff lister Photo/THE UBYSSEY

strongly arts and culture and

film-oriented [with] strong LGBT

Arshy mAnn people are,” Adriane Carr, dep- parties are only interested in communities,” she said. “It’s a uBc Geneticist wins cAnAdA

news@ubyssey.ca uty leader of the federal Greens, gaining the most seats in the match in my mind.” GAirdner AwArd for

told The Ubyssey aboard the Spir- next election and not in work- But in order to make those leAdershiP

In a federal election likely to be it of Vancouver Island. ing towards enduring solutions kinds of gains, the Greens need to

dominated by the concerns of Carr was en route to party lead- to problems such as environmen- convince youth to actually show

an increasingly aging popula- er Elizabeth May’s riding of Saa- tal degradation. up to the polls. Michael Hayden, a physician

tion, one party will be looking nich-Gulf Islands for the Greens’ “There’s a huge difference be- “Vote,” said Carr when asked who identified the genetic un-

to a more youthful base. election kick-off. It’s also where tween the Green Party and all the what message she would leave derpinning of Huntington’s dis-

The Green Party of Canada the party hopes to gain its first other parties. And fundamental- students with. “They need to vote. ease and more common illness-

has yet to elect a candidate to the seat in the House. ly, it’s because we understand “If youth voted they would es such as heart disease is this

House of Commons, though they “It’s our number one priori- that there are limits to growth, change politics in this country year’s winner of a Canada Gaird-

received just under a million ty to elect Elizabeth May in this and the others don’t. forever. Vote, and vote for who ner Award for leadership, val-

votes in the last federal election. election and…Saanich-Gulf Is- “We understand that you’ve got you really believe will best rep- ued at $100,000.

In order to change that, they’ll lands [is] a very Green-friendly to think long-term, it’s not about resent you. Don’t listen to this Hayden and his team at UBC

be making a big push in British riding,” said Carr. thinking about vested interest.” ‘I think it’s disrespectful’ gar- identified genes for several rare

Columbia, with a message that When asked why youth should While the Greens have steadi- bage that [it] won’t count if you disorders and more prevalent

most appeals to the age group vote Green, Carr replied that, “It’s ly gained voters in the past few don’t vote for a certain party. Of diseases, including heart dis-

that votes the least. your future at stake.” elections, in order to finally win course your vote counts; every ease and diabetes, as well as

“I think BC is the province The UBC graduate and for- a seat they’ll have to fight the no- vote counts, it sends a huge mes- chronic pain.

where breakthrough will hap- mer leader of the Greens’ BC tion that a Green vote is a wast- sage and it can elect something He also founded three com-

pen by virtue of just how green branch said that the other major ed vote. different. So vote.” U panies to develop screening

tests and treatments based on

the discoveries.

Yang elected AUS President in close contest; Mahal takes SUS The awards for seven re-

cipients are considered Can-

ada’s Nobel Prizes—although

kAlyeenA mAkortoff as director of finance, Iyad Sal- since the awards were creat-

kmakortoff@ubyssey.ca loum as director of sports, Mark ed in 1959, 76 Gairdner win-

Ventura was public relations of- ners have also garnered No-

The results have been tallied, ficer and Oliver Bozek as Social bel prizes.

and the undergraduate societ- Coordinator. Saba Marzara won

ies will be welcoming a new set the science student senator seat

of representatives. by only 45 votes. eArth hour enerGy reduction

Polls closed Friday evening Three of the four SUS AMS tArGet not Achieved

for the Arts Undergraduate So- representatives were re-elect-

ciety (AUS), Science Undergrad- ed. Marzara is the only new

uate Society (SUS) and Human face, joining incumbents Ma- As part of the university’s Earth

Kinetics Undergraduate Society ria Cirstea, David Kim and Ig- Hour participation, UBC part-

(HKUS) elections. nacio Rodriguez. nered with Vancouver energy

The AUS’s newest president Similarly, out of the AUS’s six management software compa-

is Justin Yang. Tina Mash, Car- AMS reps, four are incumbents: ny Pulse Energy to track elec-

oline Wong, Jennifer Qi, Tanya Kyle Warwick, Rory Breasail, Mi- tricity usage in campus build-

Shum, Joanne Kim and Jenny chael Haack and Caroline Wong. ings and show real time green-

Chen were all elected to execu- Yang and Ehteshami debating away. dAvid mArino Photo/THE UBYSSEY Anne Kessler and Roshak Mom- house gas emission savings.

tive positions. Carolee Chang- tahen make up the other Arts Although Orion Henderson,

foot, beat out incumbent Alys- that he chose to focus his ener- Speaking about her plans to councillors. associate director at the UBC

sa Koehn for the AUS student gy on AUS. work with the SUS executive, Ma- Voter turnout for the AUS elec- Sustainability Office, said their

senate seat. “I had to do some soul search- hal said, “I really want to to help tions was less than impressive, target for this year was a five

Yang, who defeated Arash ing that weekend and figure them be able to integrate more coming out at around four per per cent reduction, they found

Ehteshami by only 20 votes said, out what I wanted. But I feel I students into their committees, cent. a reduction of only three per

“I definitely was surprised. It made the right choice and put to get more general students in- Mahal estimated the SUS vot- cent in the University Servic-

was a very tight race and for my heart into it.” volved, especially since we’re er turnout numbers at just un- es Building and two per cent in

good reason. Arash was a very For SUS, Kiran Mahal won the looking at a decreased Council der six per cent. the Chem Bio Building.

strong candidate.” presidency by 38 votes against size next year.” “For next year we really need The overall earth hour savings

Two and a Half Men star and runner-up Jordan Wright. The SUS executive will be rep- to make sure people know it’s were 20 per cent at all of the

media sensation Charlie Sheen “It feels really good, I’m re- resented by Michael Wong as important to vote and take own- Pulse Energy-monitored build-

recieved 60 votes. ally excited to lead this society, VP External and Mona Male- ership of their society. ings. The amount of electricity

While Yang began the elec- which has already been taking ki as VP Internal. Gary Tse will “It’s important for us to know saved BC-wide was the same

tions in both the SUS and AUS a leading role in campus events take on the role of director of ad- that students want us in our po- as turning off close to eight mil-

presidential races, he is happy and student issues,” said Mahal. ministration, Joaquin Acevedo sitions.” U lion light bulbs.

4/ubyssey.ca/humanities/2011.03.28







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2011.03.28/ubyssey.ca/humanities/5









Current Humanities 101 participants at the Vancouver Art Gallery during the February 2011 launch of The Capilano Review’s “Manifestos Now!” issue. Photo courtesy of Alison rAJAh









What is Hum 101? Ideals, humanities and

education

GeorGe wAllAce back to school. All of us were education, and she is going to go

Contributor all around the same age, 40s on to school as well.



My name is George. I’m 57

and 50s. One of the ladies said

she didn’t want to sit around

She feels confident now that

she can pretty much tackle any-

Education benefiting society

years old. Some friends asked and talk to people her own age thing she wants. So it’s not just

me why I was going to UBC to about the weather and drink tea about learning classroom things

do a Humanities 101 Commu- all day—she wanted to stim- but about interacting with peo- s. steel for human needs such as

nity Program course that offers ulate her thinking and explore ple, challenging yourself, see- Contributor housing.

no credits. The answer is fairly new ideas. Humanities 101 gives ing what heights you can reach, The marketplace works well

simple: I haven’t been in a class- you that. what new doors open for you. Ideals serve humanity best as an informational tool but

room in 40 years and I thought it I remember as a young kid go- when they guide us and not rewards the winners dispro-

was time in my life to do some- ing to school and how excited I rule over us. Countless lives portionately, much like gam-

thing different. ....it’s about being hu- was about the first time I could have been sacrificed to the bling. The National Hockey

I worked in the oil patch, I write a whole paragraph instead ideals of the past few centu- League is also very competi-

worked in the music industry man, it’s about class- of printing it, or read a book with- ries. The humanities ask why tive, but the losing teams still

and I wanted to do something out using my fingertips to guide human society is the way it is. have access to good housing.

that will help the community, but work and working with my eyes along word by word. I So the humanities consist of The market anticipates the

I had to know if I could go back get the same feeling from be- many questions. Philosophy wants of the wealthy but is

to school. I decided to apply for people and understand- ing up here. I didn’t even know was the first humanities disci- severely tardy in meeting the

the course. In doing so, I had to what philosophy was and then pline. Critical thinking helps us basic needs of others. Educa-

write a little essay about why I ing yourself and chal- for five weeks all I did was talk to develop processes for ana- tion can help fill the gaps in

want to go to school. I was con- philosophy. I’m still not sure I lyzing. Architecture and all the our society. The humanities

tacted after the draw for places lenging yourself. like it—but now I know what arts can be said to be part of could benefit from more re-

was made, I was number 37 on it is. And politics and the law, the humanities. We can learn sources and more diversity

the list of 30. I didn’t think I was how the laws are dealt with for much about human society by of thought.

going to get in—I didn’t expect We’ve been discussing every- different parts of society. Even studying art and architecture.

seven people would not want to thing from politics to symbols the professors like us because We must learn to value our hu-

go to UBC—but I got here. Af- and signs to philosophy, broad we do our homework. manity and that of others. Per- Education can help

ter five months it’s taught me strokes of everything that goes So basically Humanities 101 haps human society can be

something: I can still learn. I ac- on in everyday life, and you learn is exactly that, it’s about being good for all humans. fill the gaps in our

tually enjoy the classroom now. and share ideas with people who human, it’s about classwork and Education should not be

It’s given me the confidence to you otherwise might not brush working with people and under- mere indoctrination. We need society.

explore other educational op- shoulders with. Another lady has standing yourself and challeng- to learn key human skills from

tions—which I’m planning to do. a learning handicap and she came ing yourself. U those who know them well.

In class, we were sitting here into a relaxed atmosphere George Wallace is a DTES resi- We also need to ask relevant Ideals, the humanities and

around talking in a group, ask- and is learning every day. I asked dent and current participant in Hum questions and seek answers. education can help guide us to

ing each other what brought us her if she will do anything with her 101. We need to find solutions better ways of being. U

6/ubyssey.ca/humanities/2011.03.28







Take the cotton out of Anything other than construction



your ears, put it in your victor JeAn

Contributor

Hum has been a lot of fun—going to

the Museum of Anthropology was one





mouth & LISTEN...

of the highlights of this year. The fact

Being a Hum student for the past little that we get to explore a wide range of

while, I have had a wealth of unexpect- topics is the most fantastic part of the

ed knowledge placed in my lap. Every program. I never thought I would be



LISTEN...

week we touch on a specific topic rang- out at the UBC campus taking part in

ing from feminism to architecture to po- anything other than construction. It’s

litical science to philosophy. It has really a really sweet deal to have this course

opened my mind as to how much knowl- open to those who would never have

LISTEN... edge there is on campus and what learn-

ing at the ‘university level’ is all about.

had the opportunity otherwise. U

Victor Jean is a Humanities 101 student.







Pitching Turkeys

Pitching Turkeys Living on low incomes without homes

People with diverse backgrounds and knowledge,

Phoenix winter

Phoenix winter

on of intellectual and and DTES

aged 20 to 80, who enjoyin thevalue

People with diverse backgrounds and knowledge, aged 20 to 80, who enjoy and value being

Homelessness and its effects part women residingactivist communities.

Contributor

Contributor being part of intellectual and activist

Coming into the Downtown Eastside

Coming into the Downtown Eastside

expecting to to empower people to get

expecting empower people to get PAt hArAm

communities. hoard things, to keep what homeless situation. We really need

lead you to

them out just isn’t going work. It’s

them out just isn’t going to to work. It’s Contributor you need near you so that you know people in these areas who care about

more productive make people’s lives

more productive to to make people’s lives that you will not have your belongings what is going on with the women.

positive as they can be in in this neigh-

as as positive as they can be this neigh- The Downtown Eastside (DTES) is now taken from you for whatever reason. Generally, temporary shelters are just









WE MANIFEST MANIFESTOS DAILY!

bourhood; give people the best quality

bourhood—give people the best quality well known in the media through world- In the east side of Vancouver, people’s that—not a permanent solution to an

life given their circumstances. That

of of life given their circumstances. That wide coverage and it is now impossi- belongings are often thrown out when ongoing problem—but they do help.

doesn’t mean coming the DTES and

doesn’t mean coming to to the DTES and ble to be ignorant of the homeless with- they are evicted or lose their housing. Millions are spent on other non-priori-

pitching turkeys out the back of a

pitching turkeys out of of the back of a in the DTES. Who are the homeless? No one seems to care if these things ty areas, which should go into perma-

truck Thanksgiving.

truck at at Thanksgiving. Where is their support coming from? are of value to anyone, which just rein- nent housing. The shelters just gob-

Some Eastsiders get upset with

Some Eastsiders get upset with do- Where is their voice? In this essay, I con- forces the issue that there should be ble up funding and then the people

gooders who do this, they don’t don’t

do-gooders, becausebecause they do sider homelessness from the point of guidelines in place to protect people’s are back to where they were—with

do anything meaningful to Helping

anything meaningful to help.help. Help- view of someone who has been home- possessions if they are without homes. no permanent solution.

ing means going to to Langley-land

means going backbackLangley-land less. I look at the effects on women re-

and lobbying the government for de-

and lobbying the government for decent siding in the DTES, especially in terms of storAGe Government intervention

housing, a stop to gentrification, and

cent housing, a stop to gentrificationan hoarding, storage, medical attention, the

increase in welfare rates. This This

and an increase in welfare rates.will im- Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, Often people need to put things in stor- The government spends vast amounts

prove the the quality of life in the

will improve quality of life in the Down- shelters, government intervention and age lockers so they are kept safe. I of dollars on treating individuals with

town Eastside. U

Downtown Eastside. U action and the Tent City on the DTES had my belongings in a locker for three addictions, mental illness and many

Phoenix Winter isis a DTES resident and

Phoenix Winter a DTES resident, a during the 2010 Olympics. I know that months and prayed each month that I other areas of health-related symp-

participant in in Writing & Writing Semi-

participant Writing & Writing Semi- many First Nations people live on the would find some kind of job to be able toms. What they need is a team of pro-

nar and a Steering Committee member.

nar and Steering Committee member. DTES, some are homeless, all have a to pay for them and not lose them alto- fessional individuals who are genuine-

right to adequate housing of their choice gether. The end result was $300 from ly interested in helping these people,

and all deserve to live in a dignified and start to finish until I retrieved my items and many professionals in the area are

justifiable way that suits them. out of a locker. I cried when I had them doing just that. What is the solution?

Moving to the DTES brought into my suite, after not having

Moving to the DTES seen them for three months. What does Government Action

mAryAnnA Aston moore the government do to help individu-

mAryAnnA Aston moore

Contributor Many people end up stay- als who are in this position? What are Government policy needs to be put

Contributor needed are places to keep items with- into place that does not distrust the

I moved to the DTES approximately five ing temporarily with some out being charged if you are homeless. individual who is in need. Libby Da-

I moved to the into an old slumlord-

years ago. I moved DTES approximately 5 vies has been the NDP representative

ruled buildingIand I was shocked. I was

years ago. moved into an old slumlord- one, or ‘couch surfing.’ Moving to the DTES

medicAl Attention for Parliament in the Downtown East-

shockedbuilding and I was also the level

ruled at the poverty, and shocked. I was by Maryanna Aston Moore, DTES resident and Writing participant

side for 14 years. Davies does her best

of misunderstanding that I came across

shocked at the poverty, and also the level Medical attention is vital to those who to get action going on these matters,

when I would tell individualsIwho knew

of misunderstanding that came across The world is changing and we must have been homeless even for a small and last year held a fast outside Carn-

me that I Iwas living in the DTES.who knew

when would tell individuals I had to keep ourselves informed at all costs I moved to the DTES approximately 5 years egie Centre to represent how

amount of time. Having been in need ago. I moved into an old slumlord- she felt

go me brainIsurgery and also had to get

for that was living in the DTES. I had to see where homelessness is going. regarding homelessness. Her

of medical attention Imyself, I am I cer- shocked at the poverty, and also the actions

ruled building and was shocked. was

somego for brain surgery and also IVan- to

to extreme dental work done at had This is a tough issue and being part of tain level of misunderstanding that I came across when louder than words, and I am

I am not the only one who is at speak I would tell individuals

couversome extreme dental work done at

get General Hospital. that change is not an easy one. Though risk. who knew me that I was living in the DTES. Iglad to go for brain surgery and her side

After homelessness, a checkup had she has the people on

Once I made my Hospital. known

Vancouver General address there is increasing awareness of home- I had to get some She has put

by a medically trained person is a ne- alsoand vice versa. extreme den- forward

to people who knew me there, I known

Once I made my address was lessness, I am also concerned about Bill done at Vancouver General

cessity. It is important that people get tal workC-304, “An Act to ensure secure,

amazed, shocked and horrified at what

to people who knew me there, I was what happens when someone who adequate, made my address

some kind of medical attention to see Hospital. Once Iaccessible and affordable

their understandingandwhat lifestyle

amazed, shocked, of horrified at some was living without a home becomes housing for Canadians,” which would

if they have been over-exposed to the known to people who knew me

and circumstance I had put myself in

of the language surrounding their under- housed. I believe that it’s very impor- put was amazed, shocked, and

elements and to check any other prob- there, I in place a National Housing Strate-

by standing to whatarea was. First of

moving of that lifestyle and circum-

all,stance Ito state that I was by moving

I want had put myself in not suf- Powerful voices project an image of us

tant to make certain that people who

have been homeless are observed af-

lems which come from severely inad- horrified at are all of the language

gy. We some behind you, Libby! Keep

fighting for understanding of

equate housing, as well as for medical surrounding theirthe rights of all! I now live

fering so area. First of slumlord-ruled

to that much in the all I want to state terwards to see how they are coping in secure and circumstance I

conditions they may have, including di- what lifestyle social housing, but there are



which drowns us which drowns us out.

building, butnot suffering so much, in the

that I was it brought an awareness and managing with the changes this put homeless people that

abetes and addictions. Medical atten- hadstill myself in by moving toout there who

to slumlord-ruledI building, but it brought

me, one that had never been ex-

posed to when towas one that I had in

an awareness I me, growing up nev-

out.

brings, which can also be challenging.

What constitutes homelessness and

tion is a priority after homelessness— area. First high riskwant to state

are in of all I situations.

as well as the need for food and social that I was not suffering so much,

different countries throughoutwas life.

er been exposed to when I my grow- what are its many faces? Does it just interaction that extend beyond emer- in the slumlord-ruleddone? but

whAt is to Be building,

Noing up in different countries throughout

matter how poor one might be, reside in the DTES, or is it present in gencies and survival needs. it brought an awareness to me, one

we all life, and that is that no matter how

my deserve to live with dignity, we many other communities? Having been During the been exposed to

that I had never Olympics in February of

all poor one to live be,homes deserve to

deserve might in we all that are in that situation myself for about three dtes women’s centre last year, a Tent City differ-

when I was growing up in was organized in

clean, with all deserve all deserve to live

live we dignity, we to have clean months, I can say I would not want to be local parking area my life,

ent acountries throughout in the east side of

meals, healthy meals, we we deserve

in homes that are clean, all all deserve there again for any reason, even briefly. that is that Some of the main

Homelessness has affected many wom- andVancouver.no matter how poor organiz-

to have access to education, to under-

to have clean meals, healthy meals, we Many people like to think the homeless en in the community, some running from oneers were First Nations women from the

might be, we all deserve to live

standing andto have access to education,

all deserve to freedoms. are a bunch of bums, people incapable Power of Women group at

abusive situations, and some finding with dignity, we all deserve to livethe Down-

Through the Humanities freedoms.

to understanding, and to 101 class of holding a job, with mental health is- town Eastside Women’s Centre. Dur-

themselves without a home after years in homes that are clean, we all de-

that IThrough the in recently, doors of

put myself Humanities class that sues and the list goes on. I had none ing our time there, I wondered

of having a place to call home. I have serve to have clean meals, healthy what the

opportunity are opening to me which of

I have put myself in recently, doors of these problems and still found my- end result would have access

volunteered at the DTES Women’s Cen- meals, we all deserve tobe, other than gaining

were closed for various reasons in which

opportunity are opening to me my self without a place to live. Many peo- publicity for this act? Hopefully people

tre (DEWC) for five years, since mov- to education, to understanding, and

life—raising children, getting sick, los-

were closed for various reasons in my ple end up staying temporarily with will realize the real Humani-

ing back to this area where I grew up. to freedoms. Through theneed here for sup-

DETER









inglife—raising children, getting sick, los-

my townhouse, losing belongings. someone, or ‘couch surfing’ as it is be- class that the community in

The DTES Women’s Centre supplies tiesport from I have put myself and the gov-

TION

MINA









At ing mytimes I felt that I was never

many townhouse, losing belongings; ing called—myself, I was on my broth- ernment, of for the world

women with medical attention from recently doors and opportunity are in general

SELF









going to betimes I felt that an education

at many able to pursue I was never go- er’s couch for about two months. For to realize this is were closed

the Street Nurse, plus meals, clothing opening to me whichthe predominant prob-

because of the lack of money. This pro-

ing to be able to pursue an education some, this is just the first stage of be- lem of this decade—not just

and advocacy support. Although these for various reasons in my life – rais- here, but

gram, the UBC’s Humanities 101This pro-

because of the lack of money. Com- ing homeless. What comes after that children, getting world.

services are helpful, they do not supply ing throughout thesick, losing my

munity Program, has opened up doors

gram, the UBC’s Humanities 101 Com- is the most difficult part of the process. all the needs that are necessary. There townhouse, losing belongings - at

not only for myself to renew my inter-up

munity Programme, has opened After finding myself back in the stream is a need for counselling for women, many timesdofelt that I was never

whAt I you think?

DETER



TION









est in education, but myself to renew my

doors not only for has provided op- of things, I could not believe what oth- and other ways to understand what going to be able to pursue an educa-

MINA









portunities in education, but to reignite

interest for so many of us it’s provided er areas of my life had changed. There comes out of being homeless for long tionI becausethat homelessness does not

think of the lack of money.

SELF









those wonderful for so those wonderful

opportunities skills, many of us to reig- are many aspects of homelessness. periods of time. have to be a UBC’s life, but

This program, theway of Humani- we need

nite those skills, those won-

ideas, those wonderful memories that Let us look at a few of them. tiesthe help of all individuals as well as the

101 Community Programme has

within us for the wonderful memories

layderful ideas, thoseability to learn and shelters government to solve this

opened up doors not only for myself important

that feel blessed and honoured to

grow. Ilay within us for the ability to learn hoArdinG problem. I do not education,

to renew my interest inhave the answers to

here in the program and I honoured

beand grow. I feel blessed andwant to The Downtown Eastside Women’s butall the homeless situations, but I do be-

it’s provided opportunities for

let to be here in the program and I want to

others know who aren’t familiar with It takes many individuals years to over- lieve that solutions are won-

Centre did provide a shelter a few so many of us to reignite thoseout there if only

let others know who many many with

the DTES that there arearen’t familiarin- come the effects of having been home- government wonderful ideas,

years ago, and that worked well for a derful skills, thosepolicy is put into place that

the DTES there are are many many

dividuals, as that there in other parts of in- less even for a short period of time. In does not distrust the individual who is

six month period, with funding from those wonderful memories that lay

town, who are intelligent, determined, of

dividuals, as there are in other parts the back of your head you keep wonder- in us for U

the government. There were meals withinneed. the ability to learn and

town, who are intelligent, determined,

witted, conscientious and hopeful for ing, ‘Will it happen again? Maybe next and soups served and clothing avail- grow. IPat Haram is a DTES resident and Hum

feel blessed and honoured to

a bright future before them. U

witted, conscientious and hopeful for time I won’t be so lucky and will end up able on a daily basis. There are kitch- be here in the program& mentor in Hum 101,

alumna, participant and I want

Maryanna Aston Moorethem. U res-

a bright future before is a DTES in hospital or something.’ This fear of ens and available agencies around the Hum 201 & Writing and a Steering Commit-

and Writing Seminar participant.

identMaryanna Aston Moore is a DTES being without safety and security can DTES to help women deal with the tee member.

resident and Writing participant.

2011.03.28/ubyssey.ca/humanities/7









Food Line The 12 Key Actions









Powerful voices project an image of us

Based on over two years of intensive

work with 1200 low-income DTES res-

willie li As I get used to seeing these Living Incomes With/Out Homes: Homelessness and its effects on

types of drinks. All of these With Loware DTES

foods in the idents, and in co-operation with many

women residing

Contributor scenes, it becomes such a natural due to expire in two or three days, or

by Pat Haram DTES organizations, the Carnegie Com-

thing here. The free food events hap- have already expired, but they are still munity Action Project’s “Community Vi-









WE MANIFEST MANIFESTOS DAILY!

The sidewalk in front of the Pro- pen year round. Whether in hot sum- The were priced

edible. Some of these foodsDowntown Eastside (DTES) for Change in the the media through worldwide

sion is now well known in Downtown East-

vincial Court at Main Street and mers or windy, snowy winters, the coverage, stores.

very high when they were in theand it is now impossible to be forth these 12 key actions DTES.

side” puts ignorant of the homeless within the

Cordova is much wider than other charities come here for their mission Who are the them as is their support coming guide for future

Of course, nobody would touch homeless? Wherethe foundation andfrom? Where is their voice? In

this essay I consider homelessness from the point of view of someone who has been

sidewalks. Sometimes reporters, work. If it is a Saturday morning, a if they remained on the store shelves.the effects on women residing in DTES. Research terms

homeless. I look at

development in the the DTES, especially in

cameramen and people involved in church band and choir also come along In order to keep the food at the market medicalCCAP’s Wendy Pedersen and Jean Centre,

of hoarding, storage, by attention, the Downtown Eastside Women’s

particular court cases are packed with their hymns. For the people who price, store owners have to give those intervention and action, and the pros and cons of the Tent City

shelters, government Swanson, June 2010.

in. Most of these events take place get free food here, this has become a nearly expired foods away. Therefore, 2010 Olympics. I know that many First Nations people live on

on the DTES during the

during the day, but during the eve- routine in order to survive. They would the DTES, to char-

the stores usually give the food some are homeless, all havesocial housing forhousing of their choice,

1. Build a right to adequate low-income

ning and weekends, the sidewalk is be in big trouble without this food. and

ities. This demonstration all deserve to live in a dignified and justifiable way that suits them.

of kindness people.

WE MANIFEST MANIFESTOS DAILY!



mostly quiet, except when the free People call this spacious sidewalk area also make the

and compassion may The world is changing and 2. must keep ourselves informed at all costs to see where

we Tackle systemic poverty.

food is given away. ‘Food Corner.’ Many people in Vancou- feel good going. 3. tough issue and being part process that

rich business people homelessness isand This is a Stop gentrification—aof that change is not an

Every Saturday morning and Tues- ver know about it. The Food Corner charitable. It is good for the poor peo- is increasing awareness of homelessness, I amof cit-

easy one. Though there has happened in hundreds also concerned

day and Thursday evening, the free is somehow a symbol of God’s com- ple to have free food available to meet when someone who was living without a home becomes housed. I

about what happens ies around the world when richer

food event takes place on this side- passion and of the generous love of people push out poorer have been homeless

their daily basic needs.believe that it’s very important to make certain that people who people in

walk. Some local charities come here Jesus. Thank God for his great bless- are looked at how they

70s. also see a community and property values

These stories date back to the afterwards tobe challenging.are coping and managing with the changes

this brings, which can

for their mission and offer free food to ings, especially for the group of peo- I think at that time there might not increase.

those people who live in the Down- ple living on low income here in the have been as many poor people and 4. and what are its many faces? Does it just reside in

What constitutes homelessness Improve safety by working with

WE MANIFEST MANIFESTOS DAILY!







town Eastside with low income sta- Downtown Eastside of Vancouver—a the DTES, or or in

homeless people in Vancouver, is it in many other communities? Having been in that under- myself

police to provide a better situation

tus. There is a bus stop nearby. I usu- city which has been named most liv- for countries. A

any of the rich developed about 3 months, I can say I would not want toDTES residents from even

standing of be there again for any reason,

ally get off my bus every Tuesday and able city in the world by The Econo- briefly. and more the homeless are a bunch of bums, people incapable

lot of data shows that more Many people like to thinktheir perspective, dealing with se-

of holding a job, with mental health issues and the list goes on. I had none of these

Thursday night after my class at UBC mist. I don’t know if The Economist urban poverty issues are emerging in

problems and still found myself curity guard harassment, non-resi- staying

without a place to live. Many people end up

and I see a lot of people lining up for is aware that a lot of people are lin- these so-called big, rich cities. The dent drinkers and replacing myself, I

temporarily with someone, or ‘couch surfing’ as it is being called –the ille- was on

food—usually around 10:30pm. The ing up for their food here. Many of the free food event in Vancouver may befor about 2 months. For some, this is justlegal marketof being

my brother’s couch gal drug market with a the first stage

street lights and security lamps on people lining up for free food are ac- homeless. dispar-

just a sign of social economic What comes after that is the mosthealth and of the process. After find-

based on difficult part human rights

the front of the buildings make the tually homeless. They have to spend ing people in the things, I could

ity. Apparently about 200myself backreg- stream of principles. not believe what other areas of my life

sidewalk area quite bright. I pass by about two or three hours waiting for ularly get free food athad changed. There are many aspects of homelessness. Let us look at a few of them.

the Food Cor- 5. Improve health services.

the crowd and clearly see the people free food, but they are patient, calm- ner and the number is increasing. It

Hoarding: 6. Support and fund DTES arts &

standing in a long snaky line. They ing their hearts by listening to, or sing- It takes many in-

somehow rings a bell about theindividuals yearsculture. to overcome the effects of having been homeless

slowly wriggle their way forward and ing along with, the hymns. equality of the social economy in our of7. Develop an economy that serves will

even for a short period time. In the back of your head you keep wondering,

do little talking. The shadows on the The food is usually from large stores society, especially in the Downtown and employs lucky residents.

it happen again? Maybe next time I won’t be so local and will end up in hospital

ground coordinate with their move- like Safeway, Save-on-Foods, or other Eastside of Vancouver. U being without public spaces are public,

or something. This fear of8. Ensure safety and security can lead you to hoard

things, to keep what you need near you so that you know that you will not have

ments, leaving scrawled darkness on companies in the area. A wide variety gated, sufficient, safe, and

Willie Li is a DTES resident, partici- from you notwhatever reasons. In the east side of Vancouver,

your belongings taken for

the ground. Some seagulls fly around, of foods are included: bread, pastries, welcoming.

pant & mentor in Hum101/201 & Writ-are often thrown out when they are evicted or lose their housing.

people’s belongings

trying to get some human food. fruits and vegetables and even different 9. Keep towers to and which heri-

ing and a Steering Committee seems to care if these things are of valueoutanyone,retain just reinforces

No one member.

tage buildings.

the issue that there should be guidelines in place to protect people’s possessions if

they are without homes. 10. Involve DTES residents in neigh-

bourhood decisions.



Drug addiction

Storage:

11. Attract more children. kept safe at least until

Often people need to put things in storage lockers so they are

12. Create a DTES image that honours

there is some place to put yourself in a home. I had my belongings in a locker for 3

that I would find some kind of residents.

months and prayed each month & respects low-income job to be able to pay

for them and not lose them altogether. The end result was $300 from start to finish

lornA JeAn Johnson In a seniors’ home, medication is su- out DTES low-income had them brought

mainstream society. until I retrieved my itemsTheof a locker. I cried when Icommunity hasinto my

Many addicts

Contributor pervised. The sedative side effects of suite after not having 3 months.

Vancouver and to to do

right to exist inWhat does some place seek to help

would welcome this option, becausein seenathem forWhat is needed here isthe governmentkeep items

individuals who are this position?

benzodiazepines create very compla- without The ad-

they want to give up drugs.being charged if you are homeless. for itself: Residents them-

improvements

Drug addiction may be beneficial for cent seniors. Medication is provided dicts who prefer not to quit using are selves, with help from government, will

society, but it isn’t good for the in- by a doctor, so this keeps our seniors Medical decides

a tougher challenge. SocietyAttention: be able to strengthen and improve their

dividual. Obedient citizens are what off the corner of Main and Hastings. what the penalties are for drug use vital to those who have been homeless even for a small amount

Medical attention is already strong community by building

government prefers. It is much easi- Those citizens addicted to illegal of time. Having been

on assets attention currently present.

and how much social assistance will in need of medical that aremyself, I am certain I am not the

only one who is at risk. After homelessness, a follow up by a medically trained person

er for the community to turn people street drugs bear the brunt of soci- be given to these individuals. They See people get some kind of medical attention

is a necessity. It is important thatccapvancouver.wordpress.com/to see if

into complacent drug addicts by hav- ety’s anger and disgust. Dealers don’t they must inter-

have shortened lives and have been over-exposed to the elements and to check any other problems which

ccap-reports.

ing licensed doctors prescribe the care if the drugs are addictive. Turning act with violent dealers to keep us-inadequate housing, as well as medical conditions they may have

come from severely

drugs. Few people care enough about a single mother into an addict doesn’t ing drugs. It is a frightening choice.

as individuals including diabetes and addictions. Medical attention is a priority after

these addicts to “undo” the depen- faze the street dealer. There are very homelessness, pre-

Seniors and others addicted to and also the need for food and social interaction that is not just about

emergencies and survival instincts.

dence upon prescription medication. few well run rehabilitation centers for scription drugs usually stay addicted Downtown Eastsiders know

It is more important, from a cost per- the recovering street drug addict to for life. Celebrity rehab doesn’t exist what they want and need, and

spective, to help addicts on illegal live in. Studies show the brain needs for the ordinary person. Some peo-

street drugs. These addicts create a more and more drugs over time, and ple spend the rest of their lives with- practice self-determination.

greater financial drain upon society. this makes the addiction harder to out much joy or energy because se-

Government puts cost ahead of qual- break. The man in his 20s crying and dation and depression are often side Seventy per cent of DTES residents

ity of life, so more money is spent on saying he is going to die unless he effects of their medications. The com- live on low incomes. Income Assis-

dealing with street level addiction, and can get money for drugs because placent, fatigued and quiet individuals tance (welfare) is $610 month minus

seniors with addictions are ignored. the pain of withdrawal is worse than don’t set off any alarm bells in society. rent ($375-$425). About 700 people

Our society accepts the addicted death to him. There is no dignity in No-one cares if these people spend live in the DTES without homes. Gen-

seniors. Seniors living alone can have this lifestyle. many hours alone because they aren’t trification is a process that has hap-

problems if they run out of prescribed Some addicts need lifetime sup- causing unseemly ripples in the fab- pened in hundreds of cities around the

drugs, like benzodiazepines. The with- ported housing, because they aren’t ric of the community. U worl. Its effects ripple out; it displaces

drawal causes seizure-like spasms and able to stay off drugs on their own. Lorna Jean Johnson is a East Van- people from their homes, neighbour-

requires a trip to the doctor. More med- Providing this option means the ad- couver resident and participant in Writ- hoods and communities. It need not

ication is needed to prevent withdraw- dict will be able to go to school or ing & Writing Seminar, and is a Steer- happen. Vancouver East MP Libby Da-

al symptoms from continuing to occur. work and be an accepted member of ing Committee member. vies’s Affordable Housing Bill is soon

going into its third and final reading

(http://www.libbydavies.ca/bill_c304).

Downtown Eastsiders have been

put in the position of having to fight

for resources that are easily found in

most Vancouver areas; and they have

Listen to the ways that Downtown A message from the created and supported many nodes

for self-determination to meet their

Carnegie Newslettter

Eastside/South residents practice wants and needs, including:



Aboriginal Front Door Society: aborig-

self-determination because PAul tAylor

inalfrontdoorsociety.tripod.com/index.

html

Contributor Carnegie Community Action Project:



WE WANT IT! our neighbourhoods And we want to stay in ccapvancouver.wordpress.com







WE MANIFEST MANIFESTOS

I sold former UBC President Martha Carnegie Newsletter: www.carnnews.

Piper and Fred, her travel companion, org

copies of The Heart of the Communi- Downtown Eastside Literacy Roundta-

ty: The Best of the Carnegie Newslet- ble: dteslit.blogspot.com

LISTEN... It’s not what you might have thought... ter and asked her to shop it around as Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood

www.humanities101.arts.ubc.ca our contribution to your education. Fol- Council: dnchome.wordpress.com

lowing that, two profs added it to their Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre:

& at the Vancouver Art Gallery WE:Vancouver until May 1, 2011 recommended reading lists. Maybe www.dewc.ca

Hum provides practical support which acknowledges the one or a hundred of you should check Raise the Rates: www.raisetherates.org

circumstances that have kept our participants out of university. it out, or at least go to carnnews.org. Streams of Justice: www.streamsofjus-

You will be amazed. U tice.org

Paul Taylor is a DTES resident, vol- VANDU (Vancouver Area Network of

unteer editor of the Carnegie Newslet- Drug Users): www.vandu.org

ter for 24+ years, publisher of Help in

the Downtown Eastside (free resource Many of the people who work with these

guide in English, French & Spanish) for groups—and who volunteer with many

20 years, alumnus of Hum 101, Writing more organizations in the DTES/South—

101 & current participant in Hum 201. are also involved with Hum.





WE MANIFEST DAILY!

WE MANIFEST MANIFESTOSMANIFESTOS DAILY!

8/ubyssey.ca/humanities/2011.03.28









Neighbourhood Take me to your teacher

culture is ordinary Teachers influential leaders in society



wil steele inspires people to think critical-

Everyone contributes to the culture of the place where they live Contributor ly about issues and decide for

themselves what is important.

A clear example of teachers as To do this, the program balanc-

influential leaders in our com- es the course load with contem-

dAn GeorGe most are professional hand- The skid-row lifers, young munity are the staff, faculty, in- porary works alongside the clas-

Contributor wringers. There is the disabled and old, sit in their little rooms structors, volunteers and stu- sics. It attempts to give a more

man who always has a cheer- wondering where their lives dents of programs like UBC’s rounded view of the material in

Everybody contributes, for bet- ful word and the most beautiful have gone as they plan their Humanities 101. All members line with newer modes of think-

ter or for worse, to the over- lady in the universe who sets daily shuffle from soup line to of this program serve as lead- ing and teaching and strives to-

all culture in which they live or aside her own private pain to food line. A bit of gospel in ex- ers in the community by bring- wards a “utopian pedagogy”

work. Everyone absorbs and volunteer. There are many oth- change for a bit of grub. People ing what they know and learn— free of the biases of the past

transmits the lessons they learn ers who listen to the oppressed live and die and disappear from from within the program and or the influence of the control-

from their family, their street and and the downtrodden and help the neighbourhood history af- without—back to the commu- ling social system.

their neigbourhood. If any part drain some of their pain. ter a brief mention on a bulle- nities to encourage the pursuit Rather than valuing only

of the picture is erased, then the tin board—some do not leave of learning and to raise aware- the knowledge and abilities

history and character of the local a trace. They too add the part ness of important social issues. of those who have received

culture is impoverished.

The Downtown Eastside

Most individuals in the they play to the total picture of

the neighbourhood.

Most often those involved at

all levels of the program are vol-

education from within formal

settings, the instructors from

neighbourhood, which has been

described as the worst post-

area are ordinary folk The momentary citizens, the

slumming suburbanites and stu-

unteers within the Downtown

Eastside, Downtown South and

Humanities 101 also include

experts and those with knowl-

al code in Canada, is also a mi-

crocosm of the multi-ethnic na-

doing unspectacular dents, the transit riders and the

Nikon tourists are also part of

UBC communities and engage in

activism on issues such as hous-

edge and experience in areas

concerning the arts and human-

ture of Canada. There are peo-

ple from many different back-

but important work. the neighbourhood culture, al-

though they may not wish to

ing, civil liberties or more recent-

ly, the Olympics. Also, rather

ities, regardless of the ‘on pa-

per’ qualifications of these peo-

grounds, with varying levels of be lumped together with the than keeping academia behind ple, enabling students to learn

education and with high aspira- local lowlifes. closed doors in lofty towers, from and engage with a large

tions for their new lives, or per- There are predators search- This urban swamp can never it is opened to the Downtown range of instructors with very

haps they have abandoned any ing for victims on almost ev- be completely drained—it would South and Downtown Eastside diverse points of view.

hope of improving their miser- ery corner. The drug dealers in alter its character forever. Its shab- communities by way of discus- It goes beyond the borders

able lives. their baggy clothes, the preach- by history and its sordid and saint- sion groups held in the down- of socio-economic status and

Most individuals in the area ers with their pamphlets and the ly characters are what makes it town core to raise interest in aca- reaches out to show the value

are ordinary folk doing unspec- johns cruising the DTES streets unique. Generations of academ- demic thought as well as in com- of all members of society, rather

tacular but important work. and alleys. The dealers and ad- ics, ecclesiastics and various other mon current interests. Those in- than just the ‘elite,’ to promote

Some clean the streets and al- dicts, the preachers and sinners professional handwringers have volved work as true leaders, not free thinking and attempts to

leys, some people try to heal the and the sex buyers and sad la- tried to improve or change con- only to further the goals of edu- broaden one’s mental ‘toolbox’

sick and dying and others tend to dies all haggling—each trying ditions in the DTES and failed. cation within a free utopian dy- to encourage participants to see

the business of buying and sell- to get the best of a bad bargain. People live and die in the skids namic, but also for the better- and decide for themselves what

ing. Supporting this network of The market forces prevail even to be replaced by others bring- ment of the inhabitants of the goals are in their best interest

social healers, authority figures in these dark and dingy streets ing their own pain, joy and his- communities. and try to discern the best ways

and aspiring saints are the ad- and alleys—buy low, sell high. tory with them. The people may The program itself stands as to achieve these goals. U

dicted, the paranoid and margin- A sense of despair and distrust be poor but they enrich the neigh- a leader in breaking the classi- Wil Steele is a Downtown

alized citizens with their real or hangs in the air like the pun- bourhood with their personal his- cal model of ‘top down’ edu- South resident, Humanities 101

phantom fears, pain and anger. gent smell of piss that perme- tories. U cation. Instead of lecturing on alumnus and study group lead-

Then there are the unsung he- ates the whole neighbourhood Dan George is a DTES resi- the topics that others believe er, current discussion facilitator

roes and angels. They are rare- and swirls from street to street dent and participant in Writing to be important or indoctrinat- in HUM 101/201, Steering Com-

ly mentioned. Some are aca- with the shifting winds. Every- & Writing Seminar, and a Steer- ing students into often-outdat- mittee member and full-time stu-

demics, others are ecclesiastics, one is equal in good and evil. ing Committee member. ed or irrelevant points of view, it dent in Arts One.

2011.03.28/ubyssey.ca/advertisement/9

10 / u b y s s e y. c a / s p o r t s / 2 011 . 0 3 . 2 8









sports editor MARIE VONDRACEK » sports@ubyssey.ca









Blinded by NCAA possibility of full-ride scholarships? Douglas

mike dickson

mdickson@ubyssey.ca

amongst all of our student-ath-

letes. If we join the NCAA, we’re

looking to immediately raise

the CIS just doesn’t have the fan

base and image they do, the flip

side is us being able to play off the ‘Buzz’

Moore

Under the brightest of lights on that figure to two million.” brand-name and marketability of

the biggest of stages, our athlet- The jump would have differ- the NCAA.”

ic future may be shaped by what ent effects on different teams. The NCAA just signed a ten-

is one of the biggest differenc- For example, UBC men’s hock- year deal for the television rights

es between the NCAA and Ca- ey would likely join Division I, to March Madness, worth $14 bil-

nadian Interuniversity Sport: which includes the likes of for- lion. Reaching that level of expo-

scholarships. mer NCAA champions U of sure and that echelon of compe- 1922–2011

A decision on UBC joining the Minnesota and U of North tition could set UBC a world apart

ranks of the NCAA is coming Dakota. That kind of expo- from its CIS brethren, both in its

soon. Open forums are taking sure would go a long way capacity to give scholarships and Saying goodbye to

place today and Wednesday in in encouraging talent- the calibre of athletes lining up to

the Irving K Barber Centre in ed hockey players from take them. the “heart and soul”

preparation for the final deci- the Lower Mainland However, some, like UBC Thun-

sion in May that will shape the to stay and play clos- derbirds wide receiver Jordan of UBC Athletics

direction of UBC Athletics for er to home. Grieve, think that things wouldn’t

years to come. “Sixty junior A change as much as some think.

CIS rules dictate that athletes players from BC “Honestly, I don’t think the foot-

can only be given scholarship received schol- ball program would be affected

money to cover tuition—no more arships to Divi- that much because there are so

and, said UBC women’s volley- sion I schools last many players on the team,” said

ball head coach Doug Reimer, year,” UBC men’s Grieve.

often less. hockey head “I doubt there’d be a lot of guys

“Teams are in different sit- coach Milan receiving full rides; maybe a high-

uations based on endowments Dragicevic said. er general amount per player but

and alumni support,” said Re- “If UBC jumps not significantly so.”

imer. “I know for us, we’re not at to the NCAA, I Talking the talk when it comes

the stage where we’re able to of- think there are to scholarships is one thing, and

fer tuition to all of our players.” quite a few play- indiAnA Joel illustrAtion/ walking the walk is definitely

The Millennium Breakfast has ers from the low- THE UBYSSEY another.

raised millions for UBC’s student er mainland we “We have an allotted amount

athletes with the goal of ‘Keeping could attract with the draw of This is where the union could of funds we’re given by alum-

our Student Athletes in Canada.’ playing closer to home, in front prove itself to be blissful mat- ni and the UBC hockey depart-

Athletic director Bob Philip cit- of family and friends.” rimony for both UBC and the ment, and we obviously can’t

ed a study done last year by the This would be even more at- NCAA. In the NCAA, recruiting give more than what we’re giv-

CIS that revealed scholarships tractive if the crowds grew from the best doesn’t mean recruiting en,” Dragicevic said. richArd lAm/UBC ATHLETICS

are the number one reason Ca- families and friends stretching the brightest—particularly in bas- Philip admitted the jump

nadians leave. their legs to NHL scouts fighting ketball and football, where aca- would not be 100 per cent better mArie vondrAcek

“That was by and large the big- for elbow room. Division I leg- demic exploits take a distant sec- for every sport, and noted that sports@ubyssey.ca

gest reason athletes chose to at- islation allows teams to hand ond to on-field performance. teams from NAIA (North Ameri-

tend school in the States,” said out the equivalent of 18 full-ride “If there’s one thing UBC brings can Intercollegiate Athletics), in Douglas ‘Buzz’ Moore, a revered

Philip. “We currently have about scholarships, worth in excess of to the NCAA, it’s academic cred- which UBC has several varsity former rugby star and the back-

a million dollars that is spread $30 000 a year. ibility,” Philip said. “Given that squads that have made the jump bone of UBC Athletics, passed

have fared better than those that away on March 14, 2011 at the

jumped from the CIS. age of 89. A standout on the rugby

“In the short term, it’s just like pitch for both Canada and UBC,

moving houses; it’s always a has- he was inducted into the BC and

sle, change always has uncertainty UBC Sports Halls of Fame in 1967

and it could be a bit of a scary ride and 1996, respectively.

for a couple of years,” said Philip. Even after his retirement,

That said, the university has a Moore worked tirelessly to en-

buffer to that uncertainty in that gage alumni. Thanks to his ef-

it is committed to playing in Can- forts, the Big Block Club, has

ada until at least 2012–2013, giv- grown to over 8000 members.

ing teams some time to prepare To gain membership of this pres-

for their ascension to the elite tigious club, an athlete must play

should UBC join the NCAA. two varsity seasons for UBC. Ev-

“This has been going on for ery year, current and former T-

many years and the time has fi- Birds come together at the annu-

nally come for a decision,” said al Big Block banquet to celebrate

Philip. “We’re going to have to do UBC Athletics and raise mon-

this right, and I believe that we ey for the UBC Athletic Scholar-

are doing it right.” U ship Fund.

“The passion and commitment

he’s given for building the Big

Block Club into what it is today,

during his over 40 years with

the Athletics Department, will

be appreciated by everyone for-

ever,” said UBC Athletics sports

information director Ben Schach.

Presented with an honourable

Doctor of Laws degree from UBC,

Moore has been “a gentleman

through and through.” He was

also the ‘right hand man’ of Ath-

letic Directors RJ ‘Bus’ Phillips,

Bob Hindmarch and Bob Philip

since Moore’s arrival in 1964.

According to Philip, who direct-

ed athletics for 27 years—16 of

them with Moore—”he [was] ex-

tremely loyal...I couldn’t have

done it without Buzz. He was

the glue that held everything

together.

“Buzz worked closely with near-

ly everyone in the department. He

gave so much of his life to support

UBC Athletics and his passion—

rugby. He will be missed.” U

2011.03.28/ubyssey.ca/advertisement/11

12/u byssey.ca /cu lt u r e/2 011.03. 28









culture editors BRYCE WARNES & JONNY WAKEFIELD » culture@ubyssey.ca

senior writer GINNY MONACO » gmonaco@ubyssey.ca

illustrAtor INDIANA JOEL » ijoel@ubyssey.ca









Artist ProFile

BlAck wizArd unleAsh

s A BB At h shr e d









kAlyeenA mAkortoff

kmakortoff@ubyssey.ca



Right off Hastings and Main, a dark

staircase lined with an ominous

string of green lights leads up to

the wizard tower—or at least to one

of the Wizards’ print shop.

Johnny de Courcy, the print

shop owner and building man-

ager, is one of four members of

Black Wizard, a righteous ston-

er metal band of 20-somethings

that has garnered well-deserved

attention beyond their hometown

of New Westminster.

“At first people say the Sabbath

thing, and, it’s like, yeah, yeah, I

Close to 1000 students turned out Saturday to sing and dance for the viral video. komAil nAqvi/THE UBYSSEY tyler BrAnston/JAB REWIND PROD get it,” said vocalist and guitarist

Adam Grant. But their wide-range









liP duB

of musical interest is evidenced









Lip DUB

by the group’s old thrash-met-

al band Onslaught—and Grant’s

short stint as a rapper.

“The rumours are true; I was

in a hip-hop band,” Grant laughs.

“We had studio access at our high

school and so we would make

some hip-hop gangster beats and

student attempt at viral video draws hundreds to film shoot just make really dumb, white boy

rap.” But despite de Courcy and

bassist Kyle Fee’s support, Grant

Jonny wAkefield overhead at 2:30, hover for half an said it’s unlikely we’ll hear any rap

culture@ubyssey.ca hour and then go back.” in upcoming Black Wizard tracks.

Everyone then reset for the The four started playing together

By all accounts, the filming of continuous shot that is the core in 2009, but it didn’t really go any-

UBC’s LipDub video last Saturday of a lip dub video. In this shot, a where until de Courcy stepped in.

went off like a well-planned heist. camera pans along a crowd of “Me, Kyle and Eugene were

“It’s really hard for me to fath- people dancing and singing. The playing as Black Wizard and were

om that everything happened,” shot started behind IK Barber really Sabbath-y and it was just us

said LipDub producer and BFA and passed through the build- getting drunk in a basement…

student Andrew Cohen, with an ing, proceeded along East Mall and then when Johnny came, it

exhausted sigh. He still sounds into the SUB and through to the all clicked together again.”

winded a day after the fact from Aquatics Centre for an underwa- In early 2010, they made their

the massive undertaking. “It just ter shot. Cohen said the video will record debut with a full-length,

kind of worked.” include, among other things, a self-titled and self-released al-

Cohen and Bijan Ahmadian— city bus, a Maserati sports car, bum. The first song, “Long Way

his co-producer and the former an obstacle course, scuba divers Home,” is a good example of the

AMS President—were in charge and a woman dressed as a Zebra band’s musical range, an oscilla-

of the production team and vol- covering herself in pudding. “We tion between energetic rock riffs,

unteer staff that coordinated the had the air, we had the earth, we extensive guitar harmonies by

close to 1000 students and com- had the water,” said Ahmadian. Grant and de Courcy and drudg-

munity members who showed “And maybe we’ll add the fire in ing bass and thundering drums.

up to dance and lip sync along to post-production.” The band hopes to “spread the

Pink’s single “Raise Your Glass.” “Take, reset, take, reset,” said seed,” as Grant put it. Two tours

The day started early for the Cohen. “Everyone was so gung- are in the works: one to Alberta

team, who showed up at around ho, so filled with energy.” this week and another down the

7am to make sure everything was Cohen said that much of the west coast to California in April.

in place. Volunteers came in an equipment and time were donat- A tour fundraiser show will take

hour later, and at noon the cast ed, and that the aim of the video place here in Vancouver on April

showed up for registration. Pon- is to raise funds for the Make a 1 at the Interurban Gallery.

chos were distributed. “The pon- Wish foundation. Cohen and Ah- The three weren’t shy about re-

chos we had purchased as a con- madian hope that corporate spon- vealing the tension between them.

tingency plan in case it rained,” sors will pay between $0.01 and Speaking of drummer Eugene

said Cohen. “We decided early on $1.00 for every hit the video gets Parkomenko, de Courcy said, “I do

that it had to be that day, that we on YouTube. not see eye to eye with him on so

couldn’t reschedule it. It didn’t “You can’t make any mistake many fucking levels. I’m being se-

rain, which was glorious.” about it: we are the most well- rious, it’s hard…But I think that’s

By 2:30pm, the cast and crew equipped lip dub in the world,” what makes us, us.”

were filming on a strict schedule, said Ahmadian. “I expect us to “There’s your couple of words,”

due to an aerial shot of a flashmob be the most watched lip dub ever Grant laughed. “Mom and dad are

on the ground of the Museum of made. That was our goal.” still together, but they’re not sleep-

Anthropology. The video will be officially re- ing in the same room.”

“We had 30 minutes to film leased April 8. Cohen’s next few “They don’t live in the same

the flash mob, because of the he- weeks will be filled with editing city, they never have sex,” de

licopter. The helicopter was not al- and promotion. But he’s still Courcy continued.

lowed to land anywhere at UBC. It awe-struck by the experience. If only all dysfunctional fam-

flew in from downtown and start- “Holy crap, all of this just hap- ilies could produce sweet riffs

ed promptly at 2:20 so it would be pened,” he laughed. U like these. U

2011.03.28/ubyssey.ca/advertisement/13

14 / u b y s s e y. c a / g a m e s / 2 0 11 . 0 3 . 2 8





GAmes & ComiCs



sAzAemon, By meiki shu sudoku (hArd)









untitled, By nAnAmi oki









UBYSSEY ELECTIONS! solution



Think you have what it takes to run this rag? We’re electing the following positions for the 2011–2012 year.

Submit your comics

Coordinating Editor Art Director Features Editor to our website at

Managing Print Editor News Editor (x2) Video Editor ubyssey.ca/volunteer/

Managing Web Editor Culture Editor submit-a-comic.

virginie menard |

All positions are full-time beginning in September, with possible part-time work during the summer to be determined. production@ubyssey.ca

Candidates must apply by noon on Friday, April 1. For more information, email elections@ubyssey.ca

U theubyssey.ca

justin mcelroy | coordinating@ubyssey.ca U theubyssey.ca

2011.03.28/ubyssey.ca/opinions/15









opiNioNs do you cAre? WRITE US A LETTER » feedback@ubyssey.ca









editoriAl

chAnGe for chAnGes sAke A Good thinG



In many countries, elections are long-awaited,

eagerly anticipated events. Dates are circled for

months, politicians and strategists working cease-

lessly until that day. Then there’s Canada. A bud-

get is presented on Tuesday, a non-confidence vote

is passed Friday, the government casually falls

and an election is called Saturday, commencing

a five-week sprint/campaign/reality TV show.

May 2 we will have an election, the status quo

will be changed, and for that—above all else—we

will be thankful. Whether you like Stephen Harper

or not, this parliament has been a less-than-stel-

lar representation of how we govern ourselves.

Only 59.1 per cent of the population voted in the

2008 election, a record low matched only by the

low level of decorum that has marked our politi-

cal proceedings since then. The past three years

have brought a whole lot of yelling, slogans and

partisan tweets, but very little in the way of tan-

gible debates or accomplishments.

As a result, there is an air of relief that some-

virGinie ménArd GrAPhic/THE UBYSSEY

thing could break the melancholy pall that has

been cast over Parliament Hill for the past two

years. From the moment Harper incited the co-

oPinions

alition controversy by attempting to end polit-

ical party subsidies—a scant two months after

the election—there has been nothing but elec-

tion speculation.

Goldcorp’s $5 million gift to UBC raises questions

The pre-election campaigning was the result

of a minority parliament, where the Prime Min- krissy dArch investigated by CBC and the BBC, along- sector pensions in BC have 280 mil-

ister can fall at any time to Her Majesty’s Loyal Contributor side a slew of independent journalists lion dollars invested in the company.

Opposition. True, this is the downside of no par- and researchers. Why is UBC helping one of the most

ty having a majority. But the upsides have more Late last year, Stephen Toope an- Goldcorp has been laid with crim- notorious Canadian corporations to

or less dissipated over the seven years of minor- nounced the building progress of the inal charges for water pollution by launder its reputation on our own cam-

ity government in Canada, leaving us in a quag- new Earth Systems Science Building. both Honduras and Guatemala. In pus? What does it mean that our edu-

mire where the only question on many pundits What he failed to mention was that the Honduras, the company uses mas- cational institutions are being used

minds is “When’s the next election?” project was made possible in part by sive sprinklers that spray cyanide as vessels of corporate advertising?

This has a corrosive effect on our politics and a five million dollar donation from into the air; even by the low chem- Stephen Toope likes to talk about

policies; it cheapens our discourse and makes it Goldcorp, the Vancouver-based min- ical standards we have here in Can- UBC’s commitment to sustainabili-

impossible for anyone to focus on how to improve ing giant. ada, this would never be permitted. ty and social justice; a pillar display-

Canada next year, let alone in the next decade. In- Toope went on to say that UBC’s Regular explosions near mining sites ing the word “sustainability” and a

stead, the focus is on who’s up and down, who’s hot “commitment to sustainability is vi- allegedly make cracks in houses of pillar displaying the phrase “social

and not: if Ignatieff is ready for his time in the spot- tal to UBC’s growth as a globally sig- local residents, which the company justice” flank the entrance of the Liu

light, if Harper is mean to the press and if Layton nificant university, and as an example claims to be the result of loud mu- Institute for Global Issues. So why

is giving up too much in whatever budget is up for of how a large institution comports it- sic. Water pollution has caused body don’t we engage in public and system-

debates. And, of course, if an election is coming. self in a world that demands—and des- rashes and hair loss in children born ic analysis, looking at the decision to

That means there is less time to talk about the perately needs—a much higher level downstream from the mines, rashes accept these donations? Is someone

net effects of corporate tax cuts and hyper-spe- of environmental responsibility than which the company claims to be the conducting an analysis on the cor-

cific tax cuts for individuals. Or what Canada’s ever before.” However, I can’t help but result of poor hygiene. porate privatization of the universi-

vocal advocacy of Israel does for diplomacy. Or notice that Goldcorp donating to the Andrew Petter received an open ty, and the effects of moving public

issues regarding the world economy and wheth- Earth and Oceans Sciences is sort of letter from the Siria Valley Environ- goods into private hands?

er we are in need of any changes in our own eco- like Paul Bernardo donating to Wom- mental Committee in October 2010, The new building will be called the

nomic policy. These are important debates that en’s and Gender Studies. describing how the community has Goldcorp Teaching and Learning Wing.

are getting drowned out by political clatter. At SFU, students are organizing in lost access to safe drinking water, If we’re naming buildings after Gold-

Of course, the debates we hear over the next outrage against the administration how the people are suffering blood- corp, UBC risks condoning corporate

five weeks will feature many of the same sub- for accepting a ten million dollar do- based arsenic and lead contamina- actions. On the Goldcorp website un-

ject. The narrative is already there: Ignatieff is nation from Goldcorp to its Wood- tion, and how local people have lost der “Corporate Social Responsibility,”

a weak leader who will sell us out to socialists ward’s art facility, which is now the food security. It also cited an increase one can see that undisclosed amounts

and separatists, versus Harper, a control freak Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. SFU in militarization and violence due to have also been accepted by The Liu In-

with no respect for democracy or the fundamen- President Andrew Petter, has said the private security working for the stitute of Global Issues, the National

tal values we all share. Despite a ballooning def- that Goldcorp’s human rights record company. Centre for Business Law and the Min-

icit, troops still in Afghanistan and a host of pro- is a “non sequitur.” UBC isn’t the only Canadian insti- eral Deposits Research Unit.

posals the Conservatives were hoping to be ap- At least Petter is not trying to de- tution investing in conflict in Latin We deserve to know how much

proved in the budget, this will be an election of fend the company, as its chilling hu- America. The Canadian Pension Plan Goldcorp has donated in total to UBC,

style, not substance. man rights record and environmen- is currently holding 256 million dol- and how these decisions were made.

But now the speculation is over. The election is tal record have been reported and lars in Goldcorp shares, while public We deserve some accountability. U

here. We can vote and either throw the Conserva-

tives out of office, give them full control for five

years, or keep things the way they are. letters

Hopefully some sort of reconfiguration will re-

sult, one way or another. And while the next five

weeks will be filled with papers, finals, job-hunt- in resPonse to issAc rosenBerG this yourself by googling “pay gap Can- at least as frequently as men...1.5 per

ing and house moving, students need to regis- And rory BreAsAil’s letters ada” and reading the top result, which cent of men and 1.1 per cent of wom-

ter and get ready to vote. Whatever your politi- ABout my letter is a 2001 report by Statistics Canada. en reported that their injuries needed

cial beliefs, odds are you aren’t happy with the Or google “Workplace Salaries Time” treatment by a doctor or nurse.”

status quo. Now’s the time to act. U “If you repeat a lie often enough, it be- for a Time article about how young sin- So much for Isaac’s claims. Sadly,

comes the truth.” Doubly so if the lie gle women now outearn men by 8-20 their widespread acceptance has been

can be made into a sound bite. Rosen- per cent. a direct and significant harm to men.

berg asserts that women commit very As for domestic violence, google “Mar- They have led to even non-violent men

The Ubyssey’s Annual General little serious violence, and if they do, it tin Fiebert.” The top result is an annotat- being arrested under “dominant aggres-

is almost always in self-defense. Brea- ed bibliography of 275 scholarly works, sor” policies. They have led to men be-

Meeting is this Friday, April 1, sail asserts that women make 80 per collected by a CSU professor. His con- ing arrested even if they were the vic-

cent of what men do when working in clusion? “...women are as physically ag- tims that called the police. They have

at noon in the AMS Council the same job, with the same hours. gressive, or more aggressive, than men.” led to battered men being disbelieved

Chambers. All UPS members These statements are completely false.

The so-called wage gap does not take

Some highlights, which are rein-

forced throughout: “...half the violence

when asking for help.

Shame on anyone who perpetuates

are welcome to attend. into account hours worked per week,

nor does it account for different occu-

was reciprocal. In non-reciprocally vi-

olent relationships, women were the

such harmful lies, on anyone who “sup-

ports” women by falsely demonizing

pations. It compares secretaries with perpetrators 70 per cent of the time.” men.

U theubyssey.ca sanitation workers, 35 hours per week

with 50 hours per week. You may verify

“With regard to injuries results re-

veal that women inflict serious injuries — Cel Rince

16/ubyssey.ca/advertisement/2011.03.28