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Reclaiming disability narratives through art

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Peak Web
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Photo of Alice Wong, an Asian American disabled woman in a power chair, against a background of bamboo trees. She is wearing a blue cardigan and sitting in a power chair. She is holding a copy of her memoir, Year of the Tiger, a paperback in yellow and red with a fierce tiger on it designed by Madeline Partner. She is wearing a bold red lip color and a trach at her neck.
PHOTO: Eddie Hernandez Photography

By: Olivia Visser, Opinions Editor

Photo of Alice Wong, an Asian American disabled woman in a power chair, against a background of bamboo trees. She is wearing a blue cardigan and sitting in a power chair. She is holding a copy of her memoir, Year of the Tiger, a paperback in yellow and red with a fierce tiger on it designed by Madeline Partner. She is wearing a bold red lip color and a trach at her neck.
PHOTO: Eddie Hernandez Photography

Alice Wong

Alice Wong is an Asian-American “disabled activist, writer, editor, media maker, and consultant.” She founded the website Disability Visibility Project, a platform to share and connect disabled voices. Wong is well-known for her writing on topics like disability justice and culture. Her work has been featured in publications such as the New York Times, Vox, and Radiolab, and covered across multiple news publications. Some of her most notable publications are the books Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life and Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century. Wong’s writing emphasizes the need for better support and representation among disabled communities. She’s also an active member of Twitter’s disability community @SFdirewolf and on Instagram @disability_visibility. 

A 40ish mixed race Sri Lankan, Irish and Galician nonbinary femme with curly brown silver and purple hair, lying on a couch looking at the viewer horizontally. They have rose gold aviator frames, thick eyebrows, red lipstick and sand colored skin, and are looking at the viewer with a kind of tired but hopefully crip wonder. They wear a blue denim vest with a pin that says Neurodivergent Universe above a pink and blue image of a ringed planet, and a black tank top with yellow lettering that read Talk To Plants, Not Cops is barely visible. They have a tattoo of the words "We begin by listening" in magenta cursive script on their left arm.
PHOTO: Syrus Marcus Ware

Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha is a “nonbinary femme disabled writer and disability and transformative justice movement worker of Burgher and Tamil Sri Lankan, Irish and Galician/Roma ascent.” On top of their poetry, they’ve authored and co-edited ten books and have won multiple awards for their writing. Their latest publication, The Future is Disabled, asks the question: “What if, in the near future, the majority of people will be disabled — and what if that’s not a bad thing?” The Future is Disabled highlights the necessity of disability justice in the age of COVID-19 and systemic barriers that exacerbate or lead to disability. They can be found on Instagram under @leahlakshmiwrites.

Yo-Yo Lin

Yo-Yo Lin is a “Taiwanese-American, interdisciplinary media artist” who uses innovative techniques like animation, performance, and sound. According to her website, her work “reveals and re-values the complex realities of living with chronic illness and intergenerational trauma.” Yo-Yo’s art has been shown at Lincoln Centre, New York Film Festival, SXSW, and many other galleries and conferences. She blends futuristic, trance-like visuals with emotive elements like nostalgia and isolation. Her online portfolio showcases some of her art, and is definitely worth checking out. 

Sharona Franklin

Sharona Franklin is a Vancouver-based “multidisciplinary disabled artist, writer, designer, consultant, and advocate.” Her work has been featured in Vogue and Pinup Magazine, among other publications. Franklin largely works with sculpture, textiles, and other visual mediums to conceptualize topics like bioethics, disability justice, and life as a chronically ill person. She publishes her artwork under the social media handles @paid.technologies, @star_seeded, @hot.crip, and @disabled_personals.

Michel poses for a selfie with a joyful expression on his face and a paintbrush between his teeth. He is standing in front of a fiery painting with vibrant yellows and reds with a touch of blue swirls.
PHOTO: Michel Dumont

Michel Dumont

Michel Dumont is a “Métis, Two-Spirit artist descended from the Robinson-Superior Treaty Area.” He’s known for his “wearable art” which has been featured in multiple art shows and exhibitions. He also uses vintage tiles to create colourful upcycled mosaics. Dumont wrote a piece for Canadian Art that describes the challenges of Canada’s “tokenization” of BIPOC and queer creators. He stated it was only until recently that funding agencies moved beyond requiring traditional materials like “leather, sinew, and beads” for Indigenous artwork. Dumont also stresses the need for better representation of Indigenous and disabled creators. You can find him on Instagram at @madbear67.

Playing 4D chess with bus seats

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Peak Web
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Illustration of a person chasing after a bus.
ILLUSTRATION: Angela Shen / The Peak

By: Emily Huang, SFU Student and Professional Transit User

Waking up early is overrated. Self-care is important! Unfortunately, the limited amount of bus seats, and genetics have cursed my height so I will get thrown around more easily. The bus seats and my height aren’t the boss of me, and I will perish on this hill to defend the honour of that statement. After a few days of playing four-dimensional chess, I have managed to beat the bus bot on medium difficulty with a game-changing hack — having Lougheed Town Center as the closest station to home. Let me explain my big brain strategy.

Two bus routes and three train routes. That’s all I need to be able to wake up forty minutes before class. The walk to the station is the most crucial part of the commute — it’s important that I’m not too slow, but given the number of train lines I get to choose from, I am allowed a five-minute leeway. One trick I like to use is to download songs that are at least 130 bpm so I can trick my body into becoming Sonic the Hedgehog. I add them to my don’t-be-late playlist before beginning my daily journey to the school on top of a mountain. 

Once I reach the station, I take a quick glance at the monitor showing the train arrivals. I methodically calculate three routes: the 143 from Burquitlam, the 145 from Production, and the mysterious VCC-Clark secret — which I will disclose later. The advantage of taking the 143 bus from Burquitlam Station is that there is a higher chance of getting a seat than if I took the 145 bus from Production Station. Because the train has less carriages, be prepared to run towards the front of the very first carriage. “Why so?” I hear you ask. Why, my bus-taking Watson, the staircase leading to the exit of Burquitlam Station is closest to the front of the first carriage. Getting downstairs faster than everyone else on that train increases your odds of getting a seat in the bus. It’s a competition, remember?

The standard route involves the 145 bus line. Standing near the hind doors in the third carriage or the front doors of the fourth carriage of the Production Way University train grants the nearest access to the stairs leading to the exit. It is important I keep a quick pace during my descent, because everyone else has the same goal in mind — getting that sweet, sweet seat and taking a fat ten-minute nap. One drawback of this route is that the Expo line train has much longer intervals between trains. I cannot guarantee that it would be the most foolproof route, but that’s where the emergency third route comes into play! Instead of taking the Production Way University train, take the VCC-Clark train. Trust me, it’ll work in a pinch. Since Millennium line trains have less carriages than the Expo line trains, make sure to stand at the furthest end of the carriage. The process after stepping out of the train remains the same: hurry. Cartwheel to the front of that line if you have to. I recommend the middle doors, but if you enjoy a challenge, the front doors will be ample. 

All that’s left is to enjoy the fruits of my hard work: that mildly uncomfortable upholstered seat and getting to scroll on my phone without having to worry about splatting around and accidentally showing someone my fanart-filled timeline. Once I reach the campus, I thank the bus driver for the enjoyable ride and take a deep, victorious breath of the fresh mountain air. Once I reach the lecture hall, my mood  always sours at the lack of seats near the charging ports. Unfortunately, I no longer have the brain juice to play four-dimensional chess with the world.

The reflection pond is going to waste

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Peak Web
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Illustration of the koi fish in AQ, looking visibly angry.
ILLUSTRATION: Raissa Sourabh / The Peak

By: Nercya Kalino, Staff Writer

Dear SFU,

One would think that the reflection pond has a sense of purpose, considering its name. I have never come across such oblivious humans in this concrete confinement I’m obliged to call home. As the oldest fish in this pond, I find it baffling — almost jaw dropping — at how the students in this university seem to be unaware of the purpose of the reflection pond. It’s in the name!

I don’t get that many visitors, you know. No one wants to talk about how they feel, or even just come out and sit in silence looking back at the reflection of their images casted on the serene, still water. I will say this: as I’m getting closer to kicking the bucket, I find that my skills as a master of self-reflection are quite redundant. I didn’t ask for this, you know. I just wanted to be like the rest of the fish with no worries — except for plastics in our waters — but no! I was given this job to listen to a person’s thoughts . . . and when the moon is full, I ought to pray to it as a way of helping. I am special! But what is it good for if none of you brave opening up to me?

And don’t get me started on why the Avocado is a waste of space! Just the most useless statue among the rest. It is ludicrous that everyone is in love with the Avocado. People have reflected more on its existence than they have pondered my glorious presence. I used to wonder what the fuss was all about. One day, out of curiosity, I leapt out of the water and landed on the pavement. Yes, I risked my life to unveil this mystery. I stared hard at the Avocado and thought to myself, “I don’t understand these people — this is pathetic.” Before I knew it, raccoons thought I was dinner and scrambled towards me! Luckily, my old friend, Crow the Might, pushed me back into the water. I was bedridden for weeks before I could comfortably swim again. How I loathe the Avocado. Yet, you would rather stare at that . . . thing and ask each other the least philosophical questions. 

Let me tell you who among you is the most perceptive. The daycare children! Every once in a while we hold a festival for them as they walk on by. We gather at the pathway and cheer at the bumbling creatures. The children smile and applaud at our performance! They gather at the edges of the water. Some of them receive insightful foundations of self-consciousness. You can see the glimmer in their eyes when they find themselves within the reflection of the water. We call them the beholden ones. They are my favourite, because they appreciate my existence. You students, on the other hand, leave me speechless. 

You would think that maybe the professors are not the same. This is true, but not in the way you think. They gossip, I can tell by their laughs. They cackle and snort as they walk around the pond during their breaks. They call it, “Getting some fresh air!” Ha. Here in the pond, we call them chatterboxes. Like a radio, you simply have it on for background noise. 

As for you students, we do not have a definite name for you yet. Sometimes, we call you “zombies” because of your eye bags, to others we call, “happy litterers” but that’s a smaller demographic. On good days, we call you strangers because never have we seen you look back at yourself from the pond. Maybe you ought to give it a try. Screw this place.

Diving back into the ocean floor,

An Angry Koi

The rivalries of SFU men’s basketball team

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Peak Web
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Illustration of two runners intensely staring at each other.
ILLUSTRATION: Jill Baccay / The Peak

By: Simran Sarai, Sports Writer

Everyone loves a rivalry. 

Rivalries, between teams or players, are a big part of what makes sports so thrilling. No matter what level of competition you’re at, a high-stakes match against an age-old foe will always get your heart pumping. And since rivalries are as transitional as relationships, their circumstances change. Some rivalries are one and done, and momentarily spark after tensions run high in a game. But others seem to be written in the stars. Like a cross-town rivalry. 

The Peak sat down with SFU men’s basketball player Victor Radocaj to discuss what rivalries are unique to SFU’s men’s basketball team. Radocaj, who’s majoring in computer science, boiled down the essence of a lively rivalry to its history. 

He cited SFU and UBC as a “good example.” He added, “They’re both in BC, they’re the two biggest universities in BC, and there’s a history of us playing each other, even though we’re not in the same league. The only reason we play that game is really because of the rivalry.”

The annual game between SFU and the UBC men’s basketball teams, coined the Buchanan Cup, packs the bleachers every year, irrespective of which school hosts the game. Radocaj said the support from fans has a circular effect, bringing supporters in, and further amplifying the rivalry between the two teams.

“SFU sold out the gym and it was overcrowded — they had to turn people away — which you generally don’t see,” the forward shared in reference to this year’s turnout. “So, it definitely gets the crowd and the people watching the teams more invested, because it’s really easy to rally behind a team when you have something to fight for.”

While some of the most quintessential rivalries in sports occur between two superstar athletes trying to outdo the other, Radocaj said that individual rivalries at this level are kept to a minimum. If anything does occur, it’s “usually interpersonal stuff.” The lack of one-on-one competitive rivalries is due to the constant influx of players coming in and out of the league, which makes it hard to establish and sustain a rivalry. “Without the history, the rivalry can die really quick,” Radocaj added.

Although UBC is an obvious foe for SFU as a whole, with the two schools drawing constant comparisons, the Red Leafs men’s basketball team also has a lengthy history with a nearby stateside school. “I know that Western [Washington University] we consider kind of a rivalry because they’re pretty close,” said Radocaj.

Recently, SFU has been successful against Western Washington. After losing eight games in a row since 2012, the Red Leafs toppled Western Washington both times they played last season. Although, coming up short to their southern rival this year, wins against a tough opponent like Western Washington seem to be frozen in time. So much so, that a single win can make a world of a difference. 

Another difference maker between rivalries is intensity. Radocaj shared that no matter which rival the team is preparing to play, those high-stakes match-ups amp up the energy for the team and individual athletes. “UBC was one of the games we were most excited to play as a team. We were super hyped up, even though half of us aren’t even from BC,” Radocaj joked. 

On the surface, players may treat a rivalry game like any other match, but with history on the line, there’s always extra preparation that goes into playing these types of games. “When a rivalry game is coming up, there’s no messing around. You’re focused on one thing; you’re focused on your goal.”

SFSS election results: new executive committee announced

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Peak Web
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This is a photo of the SFSS offices. Their logo is printed in large letters on the window.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

By: Vee Babbar, Peak Associate

The Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) provides the SFU undergraduate student body representation, support, community, and extracurricular opportunities. The recent voting period has revealed the new executive committee and referendum vote results. 

Newly Elected Executive Committee

The SFSS is made up of representatives from each undergraduate department. They also have the executive committee, made up of the president and six vice-presidents. As the previous executive committee’s year-long term is coming to a close, the elections to elect the new executive committee has now closed. The voting period ran from February 14–16, and the results were announced the next day. 

Liam Feng was elected the president with 430 votes in favor and 255 against. The vice-presidents elected are as follows:

  • Vice-president of internal and organizational development: Leonarda Ognjenovic (430 votes in favour, 203 against)
  • Vice-president of finance and services: Jadvinder Bolina (431 votes in favour, 200 against)
  • Vice-president of the university and academic affairs: Thomas Lueth (354 votes)
  • Vice-president of external and community affairs: Nancy Brar (466 votes in favour, 162 against)
  • Vice-president of equity and sustainability: Priyanka Kaur Dhesa (394 votes)
  • Vice-president of events and student affairs: Ayooluwa Adigun (435 votes in favour, 171 against)

Referendum Results

The referendum upheld four questions in total. The first referendum was to increase the SFSS Student Health and Dental Plan to keep up with inflation. If passed, the fee would have increased by $31.92 and given the SFSS permission to increase by another 5% every year. The updated plan would have given students access to unlimited mental health counselling and psychology services. 

The SFSS attempted to make these changes at the previous referendum in November 2022, but the vote failed to reach quorum — not enough students participated in the vote so it did not pass. During this voting period, the vote also failed to meet the 50% majority required to pass: there were 307 in favour and 498 against. 

The second referendum proposed a revision of SFSS bylaws to correct minor typographical and grammatical errors. Although it received more votes in favor (526) than against (180), it still did not meet the required threshold of two-thirds of the total majority. 

The third referendum asked for bylaw updates to clarify, safeguard, and democratize the current regulations. This referendum also failed to meet the required voting threshold, with 508 votes in favor and 163 against. 

Finally, the fourth referendum proposed updating bylaw six to allow e-voting in council meetings. It received 509 votes in favor and 174 against, but this was still not enough to pass.

The SFSS was unable to meet the required voting threshold to pass any of the four referendums.

Duo disaster with Canvas

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Peak Web
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A cropped illustration of Duolingo’s mascot, a green owl named, “Duo,” peering at the viewer.
ILLUSTRATION: Amanda Eng / The Peak

By: Hannah Kazemi, Staff Writer

SFU’s latest Canvas update has students and profs fighting for their lives. The new feature brings the worst of popular language app Duolingo to motivate the way students study and get their work done. Casey Aoibheann Doyle, a third year Criminology student, can’t take it anymore. If you ask me, her story is not a hoot . . .

Upon opening her laptop, Casey is prompted to say “hello” to Duo, the iconic and notoriously chaotic green Duolingo owl. Duo’s job is to make sure Casey stays on track with her school work. Duo will live on her computer to provide short messages of encouragement and remind her what she has left to do. Casey accepts the terms and conditions of installing the Duolingo x Canvas update and closes her laptop. “Finally, something useful SFU’s decided to spend their money on,” Casey remarks.

The next day, Casey is writing an essay when she decides to take a break and watch videos on YouTube for a few minutes. Little Duo pops up at the corner of her screen blaring “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa, catching Casey off guard. The word “start” is replaced with “stop,” so she jokingly thinks Dua Lipa is reprimanding her for taking a break from the paper. Casey does not care for Duo’s tastes for Dua, really, but wants to be polite. Of course, she is also impatient.

Duo gets halfway through the song before Casey finds a way to cut the music off. She doesn’t particularly care for the song, and Duo looks offended. “Duo is sad . . . but not as sad as Casey will be if she turns off Dua Lipa again! Dua Lipa is Duo’s favourite. Don’t make Duo mad.”

Just like that, Duo disappears into the ether. Casey brushes off the snide comment as a stereotypical reflection of Duo’s love of Dua Lipa. It would be more accurate to say that Duo is obsessed with Dua Lipa. Casey remembers this from TikTok. She makes a mental note to expect more Dua Lipa than she’s ever heard before, so long as Duo’s around.

Casey goes back to her essay and takes another break, this time to scroll through Instagram for a while. A reel from Duolingo’s account comes across her feed featuring Duo dancing to a mashup of Dua Lipa songs. Text that says “Duo is Watching” appears at the end of the reel just before Casey scrolls past it.  Duo pops up in the corner of her screen and starts screeching “Prisoner” by Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa as her phone turns to static. “You’ve barely written anything! Two hours wasted flipping between apps . . . and you don’t even follow Dua Lipa. Duo is watching you . . .”

As quickly as Duo appeared, Casey’s screen went black and Dua Lipa’s version of “Cold Heart” started playing at maximum volume from her laptop. She’s spooked once again by the vague and mysterious presence haunting her. Casey turns the song off and mutes the entire laptop. Casey decides to uninstall the Duolingo x Canvas update because she’s over it and doesn’t like the idea of a cryptic bird stalking her every move.

But before she can hit the “uninstall” button, a low and hazy fog begins to roll into her bedroom. She hears a mishmash of Dua Lipa songs faintly playing in the background. One by one, “One Kiss,” “New Rules,” and “Levitating” all consume and surround Casey in a soundscape of Dua! She searches her room for a way to make it stop. Casey is crouched over with her hands covering her ears and her eyes squeezed shut as a grizzly bear-sized Duo comes crashing into her room, flapping massive green wings at her. 

“YOU DISOBEYED DUO! DUO TOLD YOU TO NEVER TURN OFF DUA LIPA AGAIN! DUO WILL MAKE YOU PAY!!”

The volume of the music intensifies as Duo flies through the window in Casey’s room, smashing it to pieces. Casey’s laptop bursts into flames. Now she knows: more important than her assignments is a cultivated love for Dua Lipa (not sponsored). She will never disobey Duo ever again.

This week at SFU

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Peak Web
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Photo of an SFU swimmer celebrating in the water.
Wilson Wong / SFU Athletics

By: Simran Sarai, Sports Writer

Away Games

Tuesday, March 7, until Saturday, March 11: swimming at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships (NCAA).

  • All of the six qualifying swimmers were unable to compete due to SFU’s failure to comply with a “participation bylaw” 
  • Men’s and women’s teams placed 14th and eighth, respectively last year

Friday, March 10, until Saturday, March 11: track and field at NCAA Indoor Championships (all day).

Friday, March 10, until Saturday, March 11: men’s wrestling at NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships (all day).

Saturday, March 11: softball vs Western Washington at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 12: softball vs Western Washington at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

On the road against Western Oregon for the next four games

You cannot separate sports and politics

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Peak Web
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PHOTO: Zhang Kaiyv / Unsplash

By: C Icart, Staff Writer

Content warning: mentions of sexual assault, genocide, racism, and police brutality 

We are less than a year and a half away from the next Summer Games. In light of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, will Russian athletes be allowed to compete? The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is going back on a previous recommendation to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Paris Games and “is now examining a ‘pathway’ to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in the 2024 Olympics, with some restrictions.” After all, one of the fundamental principles of Olympism is that “sports organizations within the Olympic Movement shall apply political neutrality.” But is it possible to separate sports from politics? Not really.

China has a particularly bad track record when it comes to sports and human rights violations. Calls to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to the genocide of Uighur Muslims and the disappearance of Peng Shuai after accusing a top Chinese official of sexual assault are two of many possible examples. “Kyiv [ . . . ] says at least 228 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed in Russia’s invasion.” Is it possible to overcome this reality with white flags and not playing the Russian and Belarusian anthems? “Political neutrality” in sports is a lie that benefits powerful nations. Sporting events have always been political despite efforts to downplay this reality. FIFA Uncovered is a documentary highlighting how soccer and politics are intertwined, and have been for a long time. As Miles Coleman, the producer of the documentary, puts it, “Football and politics are in bed together and to ignore it is either to play willful ignorance or you don’t like how they are relating and you wish it would all just go away. The question isn’t whether we can remove politics and football. The question is what do we do about it?”

Politics play a role in deciding where significant sporting events like the World Cup and the Olympics are held. Despite the exorbitant costs (the Sochi Olympics costed around 50 billion dollars), countries compete for the opportunity to host, probably because it can boost their economy and their “global trade and stature.” Governments use these events for sportswashing, which “is the use of sports to present a sanitized, friendlier version of a political regime or operation.” For example, Qatar spent “at least 220 billion dollars” in luxury accommodations and infrastructure projects. They promoted the World Cup using famous celebrities like David Beckham while being accused of “modern day slavery.” But sportswashing can go beyond hosting; sponsoring teams or simply participating in sports can also be a form of sportswashing. An article by Sports Illustrated traces sports washing all the way back to the ancient Olympic Games. 

Governments also use athletes for political purposes. For instance, Brittney Griner became a political prisoner after being caught possessing a small amount of cannabis oil in Russia, where she played basketball in the ​​Russian Premier League. Logically, it makes sense that athletes sometimes also use their platform to make political statements. We must challenge the idea that politics and sports only interact when athletes engage in political activism. Athletes staying quiet on political issues would not magically make sports apolitical.

Sports have historically been one of the first places where marginalized communities have been accepted to participate and can be a driving force for social inclusion. This does not change the fact that oppressive ideas such as racism still affect sports today. After all, this year’s Super Bowl was the first time in history two Black quarterbacks faced off. 

In recent history, athletes taking a stand (or a knee) in support of Black Lives Matter is the most visible display of political activism in sports in North America. In 2020, the NBA was incredibly vocal. “Black Lives Matter” was painted on courts. Players wore jerseys displaying messages like “Black Lives Matter, Say Their Names, I Can’t Breathe, and Anti-Racist,” among many more. After a police officer shot Jacob Blake, NBA teams opted not to play in protest, halting the playoffs for three days. 

For some athletes, competing in and of itself is political. This is the case for the Haudenosaunee Nationals, a lacrosse organization. They “are sanctioned by the sovereign Haudenosaunee Grand Council and are governed by the Haudenosaunee Nationals Board of Directors.” Haudenosaunee territory is on both sides of the border between the lands colonially known as Canada and the United States. The Haudenosaunee, like other Indigenous nations, are sovereign. As a result, they maintain a nation-to-nation relationship with Canada and the United States and travel internationally using Haudenosaunee passports. 

The Haudenosaunee government has issued passports since 1923, and the Haudenosaunee Nationals teams still encounter resistance today when they enter and travel to lacrosse competitions. Notably, in 2022, the Irish government accepted the Haudenosaunee passports of athletes traveling to Ireland for the Lacrosse World Championships. This is 12 years after the team had been denied entry to the UK. UK Daily News reported, “The Canadian government, too, has been known to confiscate Haudenosaunee passports and dismiss them as ‘fantasy documents.’” The team is hopeful they will be allowed to compete in the 2028 Olympics considering the Haudenosaunee “not only created the game, they are currently 3rd in the world, based on their bronze medal at the 2018 World Championships.” Every time the team competes, they “assert their nationhood and sovereignty in the geopolitical arena.”

Depending on the sport, professional athletes have massive platforms and are sometimes watched by millions of spectators. This situation gives many of them the power to create change by highlighting social justice issues. Not to mention, athletes often risk their careers to speak up for themselves and the toxicity and violence that sometimes goes on within sports organizations.

The idea that sports and politics could and should be separated is a myth that silences changemakers. In an article she wrote on the topic, tennis superstar Naomi Osaka mentioned that LeBron James was told to “shut up and dribble” by a news anchor “after he discussed racism, politics, and the difficulties of being a Black public figure in America during an ESPN interview in 2018.” Osaka does not let the backlash deter her: “Just because we are athletes doesn’t mean we are unaffected by what happens around the country, nor does it obligate us to keep our mouths shut.” Athletes may not have an obligation to become activists, but they should have the right to be. 

The twin earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria

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PHOTO: Shefali Lincoln / Unsplash

By: Saije Rusimovici, Staff Writer

Turkey is located directly on two main fault zones, making it a hotspot for earthquakes. The twin earthquakes of February 6, with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5, caused extensive damage to the region; it is now one of the top 10 deadliest earthquakes worldwide since 1950. The earthquakes impacted at least ten provinces in southeast Turkey and in Syria, “the cities of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, and Idlib were badly hit.” The earthquakes destroyed buildings that were not prepared to resist such an impact. Over 46,000 people have been confirmed dead while many others struggle to survive among the rubble and poor weather conditions.

According to TIME, civil engineers warned that Turkey’s infrastructure would be unable to withstand the impact of a large earthquake. Despite these warnings, plans to update to modern building codes and standards were largely ignored. In 2022, Turkey’s Union of Engineers and Architects declared that Turkey “has failed in terms of what needs to be done before the earthquake.” Despite codes passed in 1997 that would require all buildings to be constructed using ductile concrete, only one in ten meet this requirement. Civil engineering professor at Purdue University, Ayhan Irfanoglu, also notes that local jurisdictions and contractors don’t often apply these codes to building designs. 

In August 2016, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Central Italy, leaving many people injured, homeless, or dead. While this is not by any means comparable to the devastation of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, I have always been an advocate for earthquake security as I had family living in that region at the time. My aunt and her family were moved from their home three years later, once the government declared her apartment complex unfit for living as the structures were not built to withstand earthquakes. Even though earthquakes are not the most common natural disaster, earthquake-resistant building techniques can help protect against all types of natural disasters. Materials like concrete, when adequately used, have the capacity to withstand tornados, fires, and floods in addition to earthquakes.

The magnitude of an earthquake and the building guidelines are not the only factors that can contribute to the great destruction of an earthquake. The Turkey and Syrian earthquakes hit in the early morning when many residents were asleep and defenseless inside their homes. Preparedness, which largely lies with the authorities and not with civilians, is crucial in minimizing the risk of fatalities and injuries. Countries like Turkey and Mexico have early-detection seismic sensors, that can prevent fatalities when coupled with efficient communication strategies by the pertinent authorities. But, because there had not been a significant earthquake in the region for more than 200 years, there was a lack of preparedness that contributed to the ability to get adequate resources in response to the earthquake. 

In the wake of this tragedy, it is important to consider that Vancouver is also in a seismic zone and there’s a possibility an earthquake will occur in the near future. Thankfully, since the ‘70s, new and renovated buildings must incorporate seismic upgrades, but it’s still important for Vancouverites to take precautions at the individual level in preparation for a potential earthquake. The BC Provincial Government recommends making an emergency plan and having a kit on hand in the event of an earthquake. It is recommended that your kit includes non-perishable food items such as canned goods, and 4 litres of water per person for both drinking and sanitization. These should last anywhere from three days to two weeks and should be stored somewhere that is accessible. It is also recommended to pack first aid supplies, portable phone chargers, and personal toiletry items. 

While the UN has launched a one-billion-dollar appeal for earthquake aid operations in Turkey, there are still many ways that Turkey needs support. SFU grad student, Nesil Martens, alongside community members Ziya Cemre Kutluay, Isin Can, Sumerjan Bozkurt, and Lara Aysal, have organized a fundraiser to support those impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. By donating to causes like Martens’ GoFund me page, survivors in need of food and shelter will receive the appropriate help. According to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, one of the best ways to support disaster survivors is to find local organizations that better understand the context, culture, and affected communities. CEO Patricia McIreavy also mentions that it is not only important to donate now when the incident is at the height of the news, but even after the immediate need.

You can donate to some of the organizations that are currently supporting those affected by this catastrophe: 

UNHCR: Provides shelter, tents, and blankets, as well as other non-food items, hygiene, and medical items.

Red Crescent Response in Türkiye: Distributes hot meals to people outdoors and in emergency shelters and sends its’ national blood stocks to the affected regions. They are calling for monetary donations and blood donations.

Médecins Sans Frontières: A non-profit organization of medical professionals that provides medical services to people affected by natural disasters. 

CDP Turkey & Syria Earthquake Recovery Fund: Provides targeted financial support where needed the most “in collaboration with local partners.”

Dear Peakie

By
Peak Web
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0
A photo of someone looking prim in an office chair with a thick book in their hands.
PHOTO: Pexels

By: Hannah Kazemi, Staff Writer

Dear Peakie,

I have also been forced to answer questions of yore, from students young and old. I’ve even assigned myself a title: Peekie, as my aficionados call me. My most important question, one I think you should be very qualified to answer: what makes you the expert?

Peekie

Dear Peekie,

Firstly, I find it morally wrong and awfully offensive for you to steal my nickname. I understand it may only be a matter of spelling to you, but to me, it is a matter of reputation. I am the only true Peakie. I am the ultimate keeper of knowledge and give advice so valuable that Joy Johnson herself has asked me to sit in on her meetings and make executive decisions in her place. If you’re curious why tuition will be raised in the fall, it’s because I need the 10% increase to fund my personal Little Treat initiative. It’s where I use your tuition dollars to buy myself a Little Treat (read: iced caramel macchiato) once a day so that I don’t completely lose it before I even graduate.

Sneakily yours,

Peakie

Dear Peakie,

My roommate won’t stop leaving our good quality knives in our sink! In this economy! I mean, the sink is not only gross, but it feels like I’m in the movie, Jaws, whenever I stick my arm in the sink. The problem is I loathe ALL forms of confrontation. How do I get them to see it my way?!

Walking on Knives

Dear Walking on Knives,

Your roommate needs a little bit of sense knocked into them, and you need to make a statement. I recommend leaving an Elf on the Shelf holding a mini knife around your place so that your roommate is reminded that they’re being watched every time they turn a corner. Say a lot without saying anything at all. Let Elfie speak for you; it’s creepy and sure to get the point across. If that doesn’t work (though I’m sure it will), set the TV to play Jaws repeatedly until your roommate gets so paranoid they swear off knives altogether.

Mischievously,

Peakie

Dear Peakie,

I experience fresh betrayal when I leave my home wearing a nice outfit only to discover that it is actually as bitterly cold as my heart outside. HOW do I stop being bamboozled by the nice sunshine outside?!

Not So Sunny

Dear Not So Sunny,

Ahhh yes, I know the feeling you describe. I experienced it only a few days ago. The trick, my dear reader, is layering. If it’s ten degrees in the city, it’s six degrees on Burnaby Mountain. And if it’s six degrees on Burnaby Mountain, it’s three degrees inside the AQ. Leave the house in crocs, jeans, and a light sweater, but bring a jacket and thick socks in case your toesies get cold. You may also require a blanket — I suggest investing in a Comfy so that you get warmth and style all in one. This does, in fact, mean you may have to ditch the hot girl tote bag and bring a backpack instead to store all of your extra layers. Don’t yell at me. You’ll survive.

With warm and cozy vibes,

Peakie

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

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© The Peak Publications Society

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

For advertising inquiries: [email protected]
For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society