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Research group “Mankind” denies new SFU research

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A gloved hand reaches for a beaker. There are three yellow-tinted beakers in a lab and an arm wearing a lab coat and green gloves picks up the third beaker.
PHOTO: CDC / Unsplash

By: Jacob Mattie, Peak Associate

In a recent press report, gender-proud man and SFU materials science researcher Mike Roeskòp alleged that diamond remains the hardest substance known to mankind. He and his all-male entourage have refused to talk to literally anyone else about their other, harder materials. The group, which go by the self-styled moniker “Mankind” are as exclusive as they are lacking in diversity.

Boron-nitride in wurtzite configuration — colloquially known as “hardinite”— has been shown to be 58% more robust than diamond. While hardinite is well-known among material scientists, its existence seems to have been lost in communication with Roeskòp and his compatriots, despite a new study by his SFU colleagues.

The Peak reached out to Roeskòp for further detail.

“We know diamond is the hardest material. We know this because man is, among all animals, the smartest species, and therefore cannot be wrong,” said Roeskòp.

Some people might try to convince you that there are different kinds of intelligence, like how owls can process an incredible amount of sensory information, or how dolphins use a language 20 times as information-dense as our own, but don’t believe that quackery. We’re smart in the way that we put a man on the moon. 12 men, actually, so ipso facto we’re at least 12 times as smart as anything else you’d care to name — I’d like to see an owl try and fly that high.”

On the controversy around his proclamation, Roeskòp said, “People have tried to tell me that I’m not as intelligent as I declare, but they just don’t get my genius.”

According to Roeskòp, relations between some male scientists and their declared rivals — “the rest of humanity” — have been under strain since the plagiarism by James Watson & Frances Crick of Rosalind Franklin’s discovery of the double-helix shape of DNA.

Allie Trope, an SFU researcher and author of a recent publication on hardinite, responded to Roeskòp’s accusations of rivalry.

“What? I mean of course what [Watson & Crick] did was unacceptable, but most likely they were just miscreants. It’s Roeskòp’s defensive attitude that’s making it a gender thing. Our results on hardinite are, in true scientific spirit, publicly available behind a $50 paywall. We even have a dedicated room within SFU’s RCB Hall to showcase both the material and its manufacturing processes. Which, to be frank, is something I doubt our self-declared nemeses saw.”

When told about the room in the RCB, Roeskòp nodded sagely and replied, “We have our best men working on it.” Reports indicate that Roeskòp and his fellows are to this day still striding through RCB in search of the material display room.

Your weekly SFU Horoscopes: September 6–12

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An illustration of a girl with long flowing hair. Astrological signs and stars shine around her.
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Ouyang / The Peak

By: Carter Hemion, Humour Editor

ARIES: You already know you’re the main character. Show that off with an obnoxiously loud SFU crest tie. Wear it to class. Wear it to the beach. Wear it in the shower. Signal to Beedie that you are ready.

TAURUS: Invest in a graduation frame for motivation. While you’re at it, grab those Calculus study aids and find something better to do than stare longing into the empty frame that cost almost 98 small Tim’s iced coffees. 

GEMINI: The SFU sock monkey has your name on it. If anyone says it’s too tacky, sock it to them, and tell them they sock.

CANCER: Embrace your spiritual side with a spellbinding journal. If classes don’t go well, you can always summon a tutor. Or just hex the TA, I guess.

LEO: Get some cheeky little SFU-branded wine glasses. You don’t have 8:00 a.m. classes, right? Stop your whining and start your wine-ing!

VIRGO: Lighten up! The LED umbrella has you covered when you need a dramatic cry in the rain, but don’t want to be caught in the downpour. 

LIBRA: You must be dying to spice things up in the kitchen after being home for so many months. Don’t fret — the SFU dissection kit awaits! It even comes with a nice case you can store leftovers in.

SCORPIO: Did you know SFU sells cute dog collars and leashes? Perfect for you! And probably great for your dog, too. 

SAGITTARIUS: Embrace your search for something more! Get a red-striped SFU hat and navy blue pants to live a Where’s Waldo life in the crowds. Do you think he wears stripes because he doesn’t want to be spotted?

CAPRICORN: The SFU Branded BTS Bundle is for you! No, not that BTS. For just $43.00, you could get some, uhh . . .  paper and a water bottle? Perfect for every occasion! 

AQUARIUS: Go ahead . . . get that lab coat you’ve been thirsting over. It doesn’t matter what you’re studying — you need to be the quirky side character in every room.

PISCES: Treat yourself with SFU lounge pants. Even when you relax, you’ll never forget the mental commitment you made to your degree. Or the financial, material, and physical commitments. Give in to SFU haunting your every waking moment.

“A Maine Movie” points the future of indie comedy in a hopeful direction

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Arts
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A group of friends mid-conversation, sitting around a dinner table
A close-knit cast makes A Maine Movie memorable. Image courtesy of Dog Spy Productions

By: Sara Brinkac, Peak Associate

Often the phrase “indie comedy” evokes the vision of “quirky” characters who alienate their audience through stilted dialogue and overwhelming tropes lacking genuine emotion. However, the 2018 indie comedy A Maine Movie — now available on Vimeo — offers a breath of fresh air in a film culture that seems increasingly reliant on stylization as a front for originality. 

The simple story of six New York friends at a vacation home in Maine is the perfect backdrop for the touching, messy, and real dynamics of friends both new and old. Written by Matt Nelsen and Marty Schousboe, A Maine Movie does what any good comedy strives to do: it takes a hard look at the human condition and finds optimism in existence and laughter in our failures. Not to mention, it also has a great soundtrack.

The film opens on the engagement of Gary (Gary Richardson) and Lauren (Jessica Frey), who are about to spend a weekend in Maine with their friends. This is set to be a picturesque vacation, but as the opening scene may suggest, it is fraught with complication. First, we learn another couple has decided to break up — with one party being a little too enthusiastic about the idea. This prompts the drunken discovery of town local Robby, played by the wonderfully awkward John Reynolds.  

Robby joins the friends for dinner and begins what is the first in a long series of tension-building scenes. As dinner ends, the arrival of a new intoxicated harbinger of dysfunction crashes onto the lawn: college friend Anthony and his new girlfriend Ollie. Anthony carries his capitalist ideologies with the heavy hands of toxic masculinity and Ollie (played by the delightful Ana Fabrega) seems to be an oddly complaisant and out of touch side character hiding in his shadow. This sets in motion a string of bruised egos, polite exclusions, and a host of other nuances that come from being in close quarters with people you’d rather avoid. 

A Maine Movie feels reminiscent of Noah Baumbach’s Kicking and Screaming, but with an unconventional twist. 

Nelsen and Schousboe had a distinct vision and precisely executed it. While Nelsen impressively directed, composed, and starred in the film, Schousboe’s skillful cinematography ties the film’s vision up in a neat neo-realistic bow. It is exciting to see how carefully the two creatives worked in order to compliment the story with the camera work. At its core, A Maine Movie is about relationships — and by extension, love. It explores how we form, break, and grow relationships and how other people can influence our perceptions of friends, partners, and new people we meet.

With the open, calming imagery of Maine being juxtaposed against the chaotic, claustrophobic use of hand held shots, both the story and camera movement climax in a beautifully staged and teeth grinding one-shot. A Maine Movie reminds the aspiring filmmaker they don’t need a Hollywood budget to create a visual experience, they just need care, patience, and passion. 

To perfect the atmosphere, the film’s talented cast of NYC comedians give a powerful performance in their own right. Each character is layered with subtle reactions and complex emotions that any 20-something viewer will recognize in both themselves and others. Additionally, the writers cleverly use audience assumptions of everyday characters, such as the early write-off of Ollie’s intelligence, to surprise and challenge expectations. Each character we think we understand leaves us shocked and puzzled, daring us to think twice about the strangers we often encounter. 

What adds so much to this film is that, for the first time in a long while, I was able to witness and feel a group of friends truly enjoying themselves both on and off camera. While this film may not have the production value or theatrics we have become accustomed to in mainstream media, it has one thing that has grown increasingly sterile: heart. 

Perfect Fit: fall essentials

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Illustration of fashion and home accessories (backpack, pillow, etc.) in shades of pink and blue
Refresh your life with these simple style recommendations. Illustration: Kitty Cheung / The Peak

By: Sara Wong, Arts & Culture Editor

Fall never used to be my favourite season, but these days I’m obsessed with seeing leaves change colour, planning trips to apple orchards and pumpkin fields, and watching Gilmore Girls. So, in honour of my newfound love of autumnal activities, here are some items I think will make this time of year feel even cozier. 

Smooth as butter

Photos courtesy of Beth and Olivia

As temperatures begin to drop, moisturizer is needed more than ever. There’s no shortage of body care products on the market, but finding something long-lasting that doesn’t cost a small fortune can be challenging. Since I discovered Beth and Olivia Handmade five years ago, I haven’t had to worry about the aforementioned problems. Even better, their products are locally-made using all natural ingredients, like coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. The “Calm” hand butter and chai lip butter are my personal favourites and I carry both with me when heading up chilly Burnaby Mountain. 

Beth and Olivia’s products can be purchased from select retailers (as listed on their website) or through their online or Etsy shops.

All for shawls

Photos courtesy of Sara Wong / The Peak

Pre-pandemic, I worked part-time at Winners. 90% of my shifts were at the checkout station, and I remember selling a lot of shawls around this time of year. They came in a diverse range of colours, patterns, and name brand labels — plus, the average price was $25. The shawl I picked features a white, black, and grey checkered print, but I think any design will be extremely versatile. If you want something warm, yet lightweight for long lectures or need an extra layer while enjoying the last of Vancouver’s patio season, then shawls will become your new favourite accessory.

Spice it up

Photo courtesy of Food with Feeling

Pumpkin spice is everywhere right now, and while I’m a fan of the flavour, I’m not falling for large corporations taking advantage of seasonal cravings. All the ingredients in a pumpkin spice blend — cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice — are pantry staples and can be found at any grocery store. Pro tip: buy in bulk; you’ll save money and the environment. Pumpkin spice is nice to have on hand not just for lattes, but cooking and baking as well. There are plenty of recipes online to draw inspiration from. I’m particularly fond of Sandra Lee’s pumpkin-spiced, prosciutto-wrapped figs though.

SFYou: Motoki Long-Nozawa discusses LGBTQIA2S+ language in classrooms

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Features
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by Michelle Young, News Editor

Name: Motoki Long-Nozawa

Pronouns: he/him

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Occupation: Japanese language instructor 

Department Affiliation: Department of World Languages and Literature 

Fun fact: “I drink a green smoothie and practice self, positive affirmation every

morning. These make me physically and mentally strong and resilient. Of course, I

sometimes feel down. However, I try to embrace my negative feelings and take my time

for recovery. I do not rush. Embracing myself and practicing something that makes me

positive are key to my happy life.” 

 

Motoki Long-Nozawa has worked as a Japanese teaching assistant, language consultant, and instructor. He focuses on language and communication in classrooms. Specifically, he works with LGBTQIA2S+ students studying Japanese. 

As a student, when I heard Long-Nozawa speak about flexible gendered vocabulary in Japanese, my interest was piqued. In class, he explained that, while some teachers are strict in the adjectives students use to describe one another, he would allow us to be more fluid. 

“Kakkoi,” is typically used to describe good-looking men, he said. However, taking into consideration inclusivity, Long-Nozawa noted that in his classroom, we could use this to describe anyone of any gender. 

Language has been evolving for years to be more inclusive. “They” has been increasingly accepted as a singular pronoun and its use has been traced back to the 1300s. Despite many strides over the years within the LGBTQIA2S+ community, there’s still a bit of work to be done in regards to equity, and how we shape our spaces for others.

I reached out to Long-Nozawa for an email interview to discuss language, inclusivity, and how this affects the LGBTQIA2S+ community. “I am interested [in] listening to LGBTQ+ students’ experiences in Japanese language classrooms. Listening helps me enter students’ life worlds,” he told The Peak. 

He explained that currently, LGBTQIA2S+ language researchers are focused on dismantling heteronormativity. “We need many transformative changes. For instance, LGBTQ+ individuals, communities, and topics are absent in many textbooks and classroom practices. We need more representation and discussions about sexuality and sexual identity.”  

For example, “Japanese language teachers assign students gender pronouns and gendered roles in role play without asking students their gender identities.” He explained this creates a space for oppression, negatively affects LGBTQIA2S+ students, and, as a result, “students’ voices are ignored.”

In English, gender is communicated primarily through pronouns. In Japanese, however, there are speech patterns that can connotate “femininity and gentleness,” or “masculinity and roughness.” Even more complex, pronouns are fluid and “you can choose a different pronoun for different reasons and situations.” 

With the evolution of language, these binaries are becoming increasingly blurred. Gender-neutral speech is rising among young people, and individuals are learning to play with gendered speech to suit their identity. 

In the context of classrooms, Long-Nozawa said, “I believe teachers need to have dialogue with students and respect their gender and sexual identities. Teachers always need to be critical about their teaching practices and make continuous efforts to create safe, inclusive, and encouraging learning space.”

When asked about the importance of inclusive language, Long-Nozawa asked, “Why is it not important?” 

He added, “LGBTQ+ students do exist. LGBTQ+ teachers do exist. Considering LGBTQ+ issues in language education in general and Japanese language education in particular is absolutely necessary.

“I am proud of myself as a gay educator, researcher, and person. However, I had and will have ups and downs in my life as a gay person. My personal experiences in language classrooms were not always enjoyable. I was not able to talk about my life and express myself with fear of homophobia. Also, lack of representation in terms of sexuality made me feel more marginalized.”

Researchers maintain that educators set the atmosphere for students. However, some have noted teachers often reinforce heteronormativity and create negative situations for students. They recommend textbooks include scenarios with LGBTQIA2S+ couples and teaching language in a way that isn’t binary. 

Long-Nozawa said, “With my personal experience, I have grappled with the idea of safe space and how we make language classrooms safe, inclusive, and encouraging.” 

He added, “It is critical for students as Japanese language speakers to be aware of linguistic and cultural practices that marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals and speak up against them. Researchers, educators, and students need to reconsider Japanese language education through the lens of social justice.”

 

Carter’s Declassified SFU Survival Guide

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PHOTO: Chris Ho / The Peak

By: Carter Hemion, Staff Writer

Congratulations on starting or returning to your SFU adventure in Fall 2021! Things have changed since the last time we were all on campus. As your humble guide, I’m here to help prepare you.

Before you get too comfortable at the Burnaby campus, you need to know who to make friends with. When you enter the AQ from Convocation Mall, remember you can only take a bottom set of automatic doors in after you have befriended Hairy George. He’s the head of a gang of janitorial raccoons that use automatic doors to sneak in every night to clean up around the trash cans and various garden areas. Hairy George also works crowd control about 20 minutes after the hour and, with his help, you’ll never be late to class. Just hold the elevator doors for him once in a while!

Once you start spending time on campus, learn your study spots. Watch out for haunted areas like the autopsy suite and the office where a deceased professor and paranormal expert may still lurk. SFU is also currently home to a paranormal investigator and expert on human decomposition, should you run into any ghosts. But don’t worry — spirits rarely harm people! You’re more likely to just become a zombie yourself.

When you have your first mental breakdown, prime locations are on the fourth floor of the AQ, the seventh floor of the library, and that roof of the South Sciences Building that you should not climb on under any circumstances. (Don’t worry — I won’t tell!) Plan your cries wisely, as you will need to sign up online for these spots during midterms and finals.

As you get settled, know that hooking up in the Avocado is so 2019. In 2021, we get nailed on the giant hammer, get plowed in the Learning Gardens, or go bone in an archaeology lab. Better yet, bus to the Surrey campus and study instead. 

For good luck, some students take a dip in the pond every winter to ensure passing the term. Others choose to kiss the Beedie mural’s graduating sloth the morning of exams. Personally, I recommend leaving an offering to the statue of Terry Fox every new semester.

My best piece of advice? Skip the main Burnaby campus altogether and opt for Vancouver classes. The bathrooms there are so nice. Who cares about the transit?

SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue discusses the criminal justice system in Canada

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Written by: Jaymee Salisi, News Writer

On June 22, 2021, the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue hosted the fifth instalment of their Doubling Down series called “Enhancing Dialogue on Criminal Justice in Canada.” Each event features speakers outlining actions institutions should take to strengthen our democracy.

From lawyers to activists, journalists, and social workers, panelists voiced their perspectives on Canadian criminal justice. The event covered how the criminal justice system can be improved.

Managing lawyer of the Halifax Youth Justice Office Brandon Rolle said although “we do run up against a system that was designed for us to fail,” social justice work can’t progress without hope. 

“When a client walks into the courtroom and sees a Black judge and knows that their story will be understood, or when you can get a cultural assessment for the court and someone’s complete identity is in front of the court — they don’t have to be separated, or that narrative is not erased — to me that’s hopeful.”

“It’s who you are, it’s your identity, and you can’t erase that from the process,” Rolle said. 

Rolle added it’s important in conversations about crime to look at the circumstances within society that led someone to committing a crime. 

“The law that’s been imposed here colonially can only take us so far,” criminalization and policing campaigner at Pivot Legal Society Meenakshi Mannoe said. 

According to Mannoe, the law is limiting and “designed to exhaust people who actually want justice beyond a colonial framework.”

In response, Rolle said the Supreme Court of Canada has imposed an analysis meant to accommodate Indigenous background factors in Canadian criminal sentencing.

Gladue analysis can influence criminal justice sentencing by informing the court about cultural factors that might have contributed to their actions such as discrimination, abuse, or dislocation from culture or family.

Aligning with traditional Indigenous restorative justice practices, Gladue shows that healing and rehabilitation might be more effective for the offender and may influence the dismissal of their jail sentence.

By considering all alternatives to jail, a Gladue analysis aims to help reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people in Canadian jails. The Department of Justice reported, “Indigenous people are overrepresented in the Canadian criminal justice system as both victims/survivors and accused/convicted individuals.” In 2016/2017, Indigenous adults made up 30% of admissions, while only being 4.1% of the Canadian adult population.

The panelists agreed on the importance of teaching and validating Indigenous law in higher education in building on the concept of dismantling colonial frames of justice.

“Programs at law school that teach lawyers from day one to think about how to make law differently gives me hope and I think that might be an effective strategy,” Halifax community activist El Jones said.

Rolle said change requires reevaluating the justice system’s process. “Focus more on rehabilitation, culturally appropriate programming, view someone through a lens of systemic racism, background factors, and how it has impacted them, and arrive at a sentence that is more just,” he said.

Indigenous matriarch and author of the Ancestral Pride Allyship Zines, Xhopakelxhit said, “Right now, in terms of the political climate that is happening in so-called Canada here, there’s not a lot to be hopeful for.” As more unmarked graves of Indigenous children from residential schools are recovered, she said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fights against Indigenous rights in court.

However, Xhopakelxhit is optimistic about creating more safe spaces to open up dialogue for others to learn more about equity and law and for Black and Indigenous people to express themselves.

Learn more about the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre on their website.

Indigenous and Black graduate scholarship established for SFU Biology MA program

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PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

Written by: Harvin Bhathal, Peak Associate 

Editor’s note: Previously, this article attributed the quotation, “However, I had no idea that you could simply ask them for opportunities to work in their lab and possibly collaborate on a peer-reviewed publication,” to Chavoshi. This was said by Dr. Smith and has been corrected. 

SFU Science is raising $30,000 to create the first scholarship for Indigenous and Black graduates. $20,485 has been raised so far, and an anonymous donor offered to match all donations up to $15,000.

“Western science has a long history of colonialism and racism, which is still prevalent today,” said Ranah Chavoshi, a MSc candidate in the department of biological sciences. Chavoshi was interviewed by The Peak on behalf of the Biology Graduate Caucus’ Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. The committee helped establish the scholarship.

As a result of systemic barriers, SFU’s Biology graduate program has had four Indigenous students and two Black students out of a total 160 students over the past eight years. Today, the department has two self-identified Indigenous students and no Black students.

These barriers include “socio-economic barriers, cultural barriers, and the subtle barriers of hostilities and microaggressions that exist in the academic space,” which are all “often compounded by the unique intergenerational trauma experienced within these communities,” said Chavoshi.

Dr. Nicola Smith, a Black alum currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in the department, noted the “high premium that potential graduate supervisors place on prior research experience and prior publications at the undergraduate level.

“As an undergraduate, I did not know anyone working in biological research except for some of my upper-level professors.

“However, I had no idea that you could simply ask them for opportunities to work in their lab and possibly collaborate on a peer-reviewed publication,” Dr. Smith said. “This sort of ‘insider knowledge’ about how science works is often a mystery to Black and Indigenous students that lack professional networks.” 

The Peak also contacted a Mississauga First Nation alum, but they did not respond by publication deadline.

Chavoshi said, “Ultimately, we want this scholarship to not only provide for students financially, but lead to other opportunities such as internships, mentorship, and professional development. We realize that, in order for individuals to be successful, it has to go beyond monetary funds.

“We know that, if we can reach the minimum endowment of $30,000, we can give at least one scholarship valued at $1,500 to an Indigenous or Black student per year. If we can reach $60,000, then half of the scholarship will be endowed and half will provide more immediate and significant funding for one student who will receive a full-ride scholarship, approximately $7,000 for one semester per year.”

The adjudication of the recipient(s) will be overseen by the committee. 

However, Dr. Smith was concerned about the scholarships’ long-term sustainability because its funding is primarily reliant on public donations.

“I’m a bit disappointed that SFU administrators did not propose and fund this scholarship themselves,” said Dr. Smith. 

“I’m a bit disappointed that SFU administrators did not propose and fund this scholarship themselves,” said Dr. Smith. 

“The university claims to want to take actions toward making SFU an inclusive and equitable environment for students from diverse backgrounds; financially supporting a scholarship such as this one would signal to members of these systemically marginalized groups that SFU is putting ‘their money where their mouth is.’”

Still, Dr. Smith believes “the creation of this scholarship is a step in the right direction,” and commended the committee “for recognizing this need and acting on it in a tangible way.”

The committee has worked with SFU’s biology’s department, faculty of science, SFU Science Advancement Team, and the associate dean of EDI in science, Dr. Mary Catherine Kropinski, in the development process. 

They also consulted with SFU’s Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry Group, and Solomon Reese, an Indigenous consultant, on the Terms of Reference of the scholarship “to ensure the processes surrounding how this award is dispensed is as equitable as possible.” 

Chavoshi acknowledged the scholarship “cannot address the complex layers of barriers that exist in academia. However, we are hopeful that it can address the financial barrier that some of these students may experience.”

Chavoshi added the committee has been connecting with graduate students from other science departments to share what they have learned. They aim to “help set up similar scholarships in other science departments.”

To donate to the scholarship fund, visit give.sfu.ca. 

Reckless and loud driver offers his tragic backstory

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Humour
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PHOTO: Toine G / Unsplash

By: Jacob Mattie, Peak Associate

While crossing the street near SFU Surrey campus, a few of The Peak staff narrowly avoided being run over by a car. It was so loud that it gave enough warning to get out of the way, and fast enough to almost counteract its noise safety measure. Fortunately, we had been practicing our cardio, and were able to catch up to the car to obtain this exclusive interview:

Peak Staff (PS): Hey, you’re going pretty fast. Why is that?

Car Driver (CD): Bro, I’m sorry bro, I can’t help it. I need to go fast or else my dick will fall off.

PS: That’s unusual. How come?

CD: I was cursed, bro. I was minding my own business, trying to piss into as many of those newspaper boxes as I could. All of a sudden, this real muscly-looking lady starts screaming and charging at me. I got real scared and started running the other way, and I heard her yell behind me: “Slow down, you shitbag, and your dick won’t be attached to your body anymore.” 

I knew it was a curse. I got so scared I could hardly run right. She was a witch, I’m sure of it — I heard her laughing behind me.

PS: You mean cackling?

CD: No, no, laughing, bro. She was all doubled over and everything like how witches do when they’re casting spells. I saw a cat too later on that day, and that’s when I knew for sure she was a witch. So anyways, I ran as fast as I could, but I started to get tired, so I got in my car. I figure I don’t have to run as long as I just don’t slow down. Stop signs and traffic lights are real scary for me, but I make sure to rev my engine extra loud so she thinks I’m still going fast.

PS: How long have you been driving for?

CD: I don’t know anymore, bro. I think it’s been days. I’m just glad I peed so much before getting cursed, or my car would be a mess.

At this point, we thanked the driver for his time and wished him luck on keeping all of his appendages fully attached. We slowed our pace, and reflected on the valuable lessons that we had learned. Certainly, urinating inside public property is a bad idea without proper cardio training. However, we were also faced with the errors of our judgment. We’d often in the past criticized people with loud and fast cars for being selfish and lacking consideration for others, but our humbling discussion with this unfortunate man helped us remember: it’s important to gather all the details of someone’s situation before forming judgments.

Now, on hearing the rattle and roar of some dudebro’s souped up engine, we are no longer filled with disgust and irritation. We hold them tenderly in our hearts, and shed a tear of sympathy for the tragic lives they live.

SFSS BDS motion sees support from Palestinian and Jewish students and opposition from Hillel

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News
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PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

Written by: Nancy La, Staff Writer

This is a developing story that The Peak may cover in future pieces. Find previous reports of the motion here.

On May 19, the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) motion passed a motion in solidarity with Palestinian students. It discusses Israel and its acts of violence against Palestinians, such as attacks on residential grounds and mosques. SFSS’ statement included a call to action to “initiate, support, and amplify” Palestinian calls to join BDS campaigns. 

During the motion meeting, Palestinian writer and researcher Dalya Masri urged the SFSS to participate in BDS to help end the oppression of Palestinians. Masri’s presentation at the meeting detailed the Israeli government’s military use to control Gaza and prevent Palestinian resistance, and highlighted the necessity of the BDS movement. 

“Many Palestinians call for the BDS movement as the number one thing you can do,” Masri said, adding that “many campuses have actually used BDS as a form of accountability.” 

In an email statement to The Peak, she said, “The SFSS council’s motion, who are following the precedent from divestment policies globally, alleviate the stigma and fear associated with organizing for Palestinian freedom.”

Palestinian student Lara Radwan said, “Happy to see the SFSS stand on the right side of history as they stop letting businesses profit off of genocide and ethnic cleansing. We all play a part in making a change, and glad to see the SFSS take theirs.”

On June 25, the Hillel Jewish Students Association published an announcement on social media condemning the SFSS’ statement on the occupation of Palestine and its support of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. 

Hillel’s statement claimed BDS “sows hate and division” within student populations at SFU. They added the BDS movement is “not a call for peaceful communication or an equitable solution.” They also claim BDS is unsuccessful in its effort to free Palestine and highlighted their concerns of safety for Jewish students is not to be taken as delegitimizing Palestinian rights.  

In an email interview with The Peak, Hillel pointed to the lack of Jewish consultation during the process of passing the motion. “Our most significant concern with regards to this motion is that it seemed to be passed hastily and could have unintended consequences for Jewish and Israeli students on campus,” Hillel’s spokespersons — who wish to remain anonymous — said.

Regarding concerns over consulting Hillel for the motion, SFSS’ vice president, equity and sustainability Marie Haddad said the SFSS had a meeting with Hillel after the motion passed where the two parties “had a productive, honest, and organic conversation that focused on the safety of Jewish and Palestinian students on campus.”

In an email interview to The Peak, an anonymous Jewish student said, “Hillel does not represent Jewish students on any campus because Hillel is a Pro-Israel group.” The student added, “Hillel falsely claims that it represents our voices.”

Masri told The Peak, “Palestinians on campus and in Student Justice for Palestine [a coalition of Palestinian and Jewish students] have long been subject to anti-Palestinian racism, social media doxxing from various groups and administrations, their academic and profesional careers ruined, all solely for their identity and their advocacy to demand their freedom. The Palestinian movement has no room for anti semitism and it is quite discriminatory to equate such a thing with Palestinian liberation in the first place.

“When it comes to the power dynamics of oppressor versus oppressed, it is difficult to stand with ‘both sides,’ and there is only one right side to ensure justice, equality, and liberation.”

In a joint email statement with SFSS president Gabe Liosis, councillor Zaid Lari and Haddad said there were issues with Hillel’s own restrictions regarding what they can endorse. Because Hillel SFU is part of Hillel International, they are required to abide by the regulations set out by the root organization. 

According to Haddad, these regulations meant Hillel SFU is not allowed to support BDS movements or work with those who do. She discussed how the policy also forbids the group from “working with groups that ‘apply a double standard’ or or a group that ‘delegitimizes Israel.’”

In her statement, Masri added, “Objectively, it is quite difficult to declare support for both sides, which is what most people are now coming to terms with [in realizing] settler-colonialism and occupation are not debatable. The SFSS Council has taken the steps to ensure they use their power as a student council and perform an effective act of condemnation and support for Palestinians.”

Regarding the BDS movement, Hillel claims it is not an effective method to solve the ongoing situation in Palestine. 

In the SFSS’ joint statement, Haddad said BDS “is targeted at isolating the state of Israel politically and economically so Israel could not continue to implement its apartheid practices. It also pushes to divest away from complicit companies and the Israeli institutions that specifically violate Palestinian human rights,” Haddad said. 

In their response, Hillel spoke about its recognition of criticism for Israel and how the group also “practice[s] active criticism of the Israeli government.” In their statement, they said critique of Israeli policy is valid. In its criticism of the BDS movement, Hillel highlighted the “significant number of activists and branches of BDS (official Facebook pages, for example) that espouse Nazi-esque antisemitic rhetoric.” 

Liosis clarified what it meant for SFSS to support the BDS movement while being against bigotry on campus. 

“We will continue to amplify and center Palestinian voices, ensure Jewish student safety, and will always be willing to have difficult conversations and reject all forms of bigotry. We would also like to caution from framing this as a conflict between religious groups, as the actions of Israel should not be framed as actions of Jewish people as Jewish folks aren’t a monolith.” 

Councillor Zaid Lari, who proposed the BDS motion said, “Palestinian solidarity, Jewish safety, and Muslim safety are not mutually exclusive. Applying a boycott of the Israeli regime and its enablers is simply a method to aid in bringing about the liberation of the Palestinian peoples through meaningful action.” 

The Peak also reached out to SFU Students for Justice in Palestine, but did not receive a response by publication deadline.

Hillel stated they were invited to the SFSS’ working group to draft policies for BDS. However, because of their opposition to BDS, Hillel said they will be hosting their own meetings to “[foster] a more open and equitable dialogue.” 

In regards to campus action, Masri said, “It’s not enough to introduce anti-racism policies. diversity and inclusion workshops. Universities must actively combat anti-Palestinian racism and censorship, a very prominent and malevolent type of attack against Palestinian organizers and youth.”

The SFSS urged students to learn more about the ongoing issues in Palestine and to show support for Palestinian peers and communities through online resources such as the Decolonize Palestine website. 

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024