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Top Ten 2020 Halloween Costumes

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Humour
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Very calm, very cool. Nothing wrong here. Illustration: Siloam Yeung / The Peak

By: Juztin Bello, Copy Editor

  1. The debate fly

As the breakout star of the VP Debate, this meme-turned-costume is kind of filthy, relevant to current events, and at the exPence of a shitty politician — perfectly encapsulating 2020. While you could just dress up like Michael Pencil with a fly in his hair, that would be uninventive and very telling of your morals. I mean, just think about it: why would you dress up like an insignificant, weak, dirty, spineless maggot, when you could dress up as a fly?

2. Carole Baskin’s dead husband

Remember that phase of quarantine when Tiger King was a thing during 2020’s five-year-long March? Who could forget the m̶u̶r̶d̶e̶r̶ tiger Queen herself, miss Carole Baskin, and the mystery behind her ex-husband Don Lewis’ “disappearance?” Now, as someone who seldom trusts a white woman in a flower crown, I know that this giant-pussy-lovin’ activist definitely murdered her ex-husband. So why not pay homage to Mr. Tiger-grub himself and go as him for Halloween! All the cool cats and kittens will love your pop-culture phantom fit so much you’ll be Baskin in the attention you crave — except, unlike Carole, you won’t have to kill a man to get it. 

3. A Notes app apology

“Hey guys, I never thought I’d be doing this, but I just want to be completely transparent with you all . . .” blah blah blah. If you’ve seen a celebrity post this type of discourse on social media, then you’ve unfortunately witnessed the most empty attempt of owning up to mistakes out there. Dressing up like a Notes app apology is easy, given that these apologies themselves are basically just glorified disguises manipulative people use to hide their ignorance and lack of social awareness. You could literally just stick a piece of paper on you that says “I’m sorry I guess,” since that’s about as much effort people put into these apologies.

4. The diversity character for a Netflix original

As a year that has seen the rise of performative activism and virtue signalling, a perfect 2020 costume would be a character thrown into a Netflix TV show/movie that solely exists to hit a diversity quota. This costume is pretty easy if you’re already a minority; you just have to go somewhere with a bunch of privileged-looking people, stand in the background, and not say anything. And middle-class, able-bodied, cisgender, heterosexual white person reading this, I know what you’re thinking — but no, this costume is not for you. 

5. Trump’s tax debt

While the obvious choice would be dressing as Trump himself, this writer feels that, much like Trump’s “tan”, this costume seems a little overdone. The next best thing would be something that Trump himself finds horrifying, gets people talking, and is completely unexpectedly expected: that’s right, why not go as the taxes Trump failed to pay? You think the rich find monsters and try-hard pun costumes terrifying? No, of course not! Instead, confront them with accountability and the reality that they aren’t above the working class. That’ll get them screaming. 

6. An impostor

This Halloween, take this opportunity to dress up like one of those sus, cylindrical little bitches and find out which of your neighbours is the impostor. Is it your stiff, old neighbour who glares at you and your dog on your walks to make sure neither of you shit on his lawn? Is it the meathead down the road who drives 70 down your residential street and yelled at your friend for puking in front of their house before the Uber came? Or is it actually just you, who continues to uphold the image that you’re perfectly collected and unaffected by the numerous tasks you’ve yet to do that will probably kill you if you attempt completing all of them?

7. C a k e (???)

2020 has been a year of questioning, and one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind has to do with one thing: cake. In spite of numerous 2020 atrocities, the questioning of whether things are actually cake tops this year’s list for “Why and how is this a thing?” Why not play into this confusion? Put some crumbs in your pocket and leave them in your path to really play up your cakiness. Or, if you want to play the “laying it on thick” game, you could cover your naked body in icing; that’ll really have your friends questioning whether or not you’re actually cake. But then again . . . how do you know you’re not made of cake? . . .

8. A shit ton of moths

Mothpocalypse really swarmed BC this year. Arriving during the height of the forest fire smoke, their timing was almost as good as SFU’s tuition increase during a pandemic — the biggest difference, of course, being that the moths didn’t make any excuses for their sudden appearance. And while one might oppose dressing up like the butterfly’s ugly twin, in truth, moths depict exactly what everyone is trying to do this year: searching for the goddamn light. 

9. Elon Musk’s child, X AE A-XII

I’ll be honest, Elon Musk absolutely terrifies me. And knowing that this man has offspring is possibly the next scariest thing. When word came out about Elon’s child with a literal formula for a name, people were rightfully amused. But rest assured, we shant be laughing for long, for once this all-powerful being becomes old enough to take over Elon’s empire, we’re all doomed. This child has access to all of the secrets of the universe and the inheritance to do whatever he wants with said information. Now is the time we must begin paying respect to our future ruler by honouring him through costume and hailing his name. No being, human or extraterrestrial, shall surpass the future energy conservation king. A L L H A I L X AE A-XII. 

10. 2020 itself

Naturally, the only thing that could round out this list would be dressing up like the entirety of the shitshow that is 2020. There are plenty of ways you can replicate this year’s landmark disasters: dressing up like a tree and setting yourself on fire, wearing a hazmat suit that’s also on fire, or literally just setting yourself on fire with no costume because, let’s be real, that’s actually how 2020 feels. I could humour the idea of dressing up as a (white) cop who hasn’t faced consequences for his actions, someone who refuses to wear a mask in the middle of a pandemic, a Republican, or something on a similar, utterly thoughtless wavelength, but something tells me the only people who would wear these “costumes” wouldn’t really be dressing up at all.

Your Halloween Horrorscopes

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Humour
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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: Kyla Dowling, SFU Student

Aries: You just had to ask, “how could 2020 get any worse?” Now, we’re looking at a year-end zombie apocalypse thanks to your cynicism. Why pay for therapy to be told you’re “a threat to society” when you could just transform into a loud, violent creature and feel more like yourself than ever before?

Taurus: The stars are telling you to express how you really feel, Taurus. Cut off all your friends. Scream into a moldy pumpkin. Commit to your organic, GMO-free diet by eating the hearts of everyone who says dressing up as a cop for Halloween “isn’t even that bad.” 

Gemini: Is that really your Halloween costume, or are you looking to be casted in a porn parody of Zootopia? Either way, Halloween is the perfect excuse to rock bunny ears, pretend you aren’t a furry, and then sadly take jello shots and crank Megan thee Stallion all alone thanks to ‘rona. Happy Halloween!

Cancer: You’ve made some pumpkin-spiced lube from the tears of your classmates hearing you be the devil’s advocate, and you’re ready to try it with your boo. Your “boo” may be a BPK lab skeleton dressed in an off-brand Pikachu costume, but it beats your typically fragile ego every other cuffing season. 

Leo: Pumpkins aren’t the only guts you’re getting into this Halloween season. You know the drill — keep the seeds away at all times. If you’re looking to spice things up in the bedroom, you could try some sexy Chucky/Chucky’s-bride roleplaying. Or just stop being such a pillow princess for once.

Virgo: If you were in a horror movie, you’d certainly never move into a haunted house on top of a hill to finally be left the fuck alone. Mind you, even if you did, any demons bugging you certainly beat the people you’re forced to be around during your monthly Wal-Mart runs.

Libra: Your dream of recreating Romeo and Juliet in the 1996 Baz Lurhmann film doesn’t have to be ruined by the pandemic, Libra! Find your own bootleg DiCaprio — probably some business major still gelling their hair for Zoom classes. Then, die side-by-side at a Halloween party from COVID-19 instead of poison. 

Scorpio: It’s your season, and all eyes are on you, Scorpio. No, seriously. Where did you get all those eyes you’re holding? I know you’re ~dark and edgy~, but this is kind of disturbing. Can you — can you put them back? Wait. Back up. What are you doing with that scalpel? Someone hel—

Sagittarius: Happy Halloween, Sag! Well, “happy” is a bit of a reach, since your crush decided to ghost you this spooky season. But you still have time to get cuffed! Remember, if all else fails, you could always dress up as a video game controller this Halloween. Maybe then someone will finally hold you. 

Capricorn: Nothing could ever scare you —  except the ghost haunting you because you didn’t forward chainmail in 2007. But don’t forget: fear is an aphrodisiac. Give the ghost a chance! Your friends might all have “loving relationships” and “a life”, but they can’t say they’ve been railed by the supernatural.

Aquarius: I hate to break it to you, Aquarius, but Beetlejuice is a TikTok thing now. Put away that pinstripe suit you spent hours trying to find at Value Village. Save your green hair dye for when the Joker becomes a niche costume. Look for something a little more unique in your life — once your glasses stop fogging up from your mask. 

Pisces: The Halloween full moon will influence you, Pisces. Invest in a flowing nightgown. Sneak into the abandoned asylum downtown, wailing loudly down its halls. You’ll still be crying about forgetting to buy Pilsbury pumpkin sugar cookies, but at least your mysterious aura will drown out how narcissistic you are. Almost.

Senate Report: October 5, 2020

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News
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Photo from Peak archives

By: Serena Bains, Staff Writer

Exam invigilation software for the Fall 2020 term

During the question period, Senator Gabe Liosis discussed proctoring software. SFU expressed interest in implementing new exam invigilation for the Fall 2020 term. Liosis asked if there were any updates on what exam software would be used in the Fall term.

Senator Elizabeth Elle noted that instructors have the most knowledge of whether an exam is needed for their course. She added that if an exam is required, proctoring software is necessary to prevent cheating. SFU is currently piloting a new software to meet BC privacy requirements. Elle added that the software must be integrated into Canvas. The software is currently being piloted in 12 courses, which began the last week of September. 

Possible appointment of an Associate Vice-President of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Senator Liosis posed a question regarding the possible appointment of an Associate Vice-President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). He asked what the process would look like, what the timeline would be, and whether President Johnson would consider a Vice-President of EDI rather than an Associate Vice-President.

President Johnson stated that her comments regarding EDI were said in a casual conversation about how to improve the structure of SFU. While she has not ruled out the possibility of a Vice-President of EDI, she stated that it is currently in the consulting phase. President Johnson said she would like to move forward with a recommendation later in the Fall.

Process to report academic dishonesty

Senator Eric Gedajlovic posed a series of questions related to the issue of academic dishonesty, discussing the significance of academic dishonesty in the Spring semester, what is being done to avoid this issue in the future, and the process for professors to deal with such instances. 

Vice-President, Academic and Provost pro tem Johnathan Driver stated that there have been concerns from professors and students alike regarding academic dishonesty. It was recommended that a working group be established to address the issue of academic dishonesty and any gaps currently present. The membership of the university board on student discipline has already been increased to address the greater number of cases of academic dishonesty. He added that, “We won’t solve all the problems by technological means, such as online proctoring software, but we will obviously be taking a look at this.”

According to Driver, the Centre for Educational Excellence has also developed resources for professors to deal with academic dishonesty and possible alternative forms of assessment that would make academic dishonesty less common. Professors can also receive guidance from the academic integrity advisors, department chairs, and the student conduct office to determine what an appropriate penalty would be for a specific offense.

Senator Rummana Hemani stated that there were 275 reported cases of academic dishonesty in the Summer 2020 semester, with two courses involving multiple students, classified as “mass-cheating.” Senator Hemani also described that the process for reporting academic dishonesty is already present in current policy. 

Driver also responded by stating that the amount of academic dishonesty that goes unreported may be anywhere from 20% to 60% of students and 50% of instructors speculate that cheating may have occurred in their courses. 

Driver did not state how instructors will be compensated for their increased workload as negotiations are ongoing with the faculty union, however he encouraged professors to document the additional time spent dealing with academic dishonesty.

The status of the student to faculty ratio in relation to tuition

Senator Gord Myers explained that more than 93% of the universities ranked in Quacquarelli Symonds have a greater student to faculty ratio than SFU. He added that the amount of tuition revenue has increased by 89% in the last 11 years, where the increase in the amount of tenured positions has been insignificant. Myers concluded by asking whether there was a plan for hiring more tenured professors. 

Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Academic Wade Parkhouse responded by providing an overview of how SFU plans for an increase in faculty hiring. It was stated that the student-to-faculty ratio is part of the planning process. Senator Parkhouse affirmed that the numbers of faculty members from March 2020 show relatively no change. He noted that this is due to hiring usually occurring either in July or September, therefore, the statistic that Myers cited was indicative of the number of staff in the 2018/19 recruiting year. As of September there has been a net increase of 30 faculty members. 

The next senate meeting is planned to occur on Monday, November 2.

Need to Know, Need to Go: October 26 to November 1

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Arts
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Illustration of a blue calendar, with "Need to Know, Need to Go" written on top
Arts & Culture events to catch around the city. Image courtesy of Brianna Quan

By: Meera Eragoda, Arts & Culture Editor

Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) events | October 27 to 30 | Free

The SFSS is wrapping up their fall/Halloween offerings this week with a few more events. They will be hosting a vegan, salted caramel pretzel cookies workshop on Tuesday, October 27. Following this, painting fall landscapes with Bob Ross will occur on Wednesday, October 28. If you missed their previous lantern making workshop, there will be another one on Thursday, October 29, and they’re capping off the whole week in the Halloween spirit with a horror movie night on Friday, October 30. Follow their Instagram (@sfss_events) for details on how to attend.

 

Arts Connect: Fall Reading Session with Indigenous Brilliance | October 29 at 4 p.m. | Zoom | Free with registration

Hosted by the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) and organized by Room Magazine and Massy Books, the online Fall Reading Session with Indigenous Brilliance will feature poets Afuwa, Jónína Kirton, and Michelle Sylliboy, with artist and curator Emily Dundas Oke. They will gather via Zoom to perform their responses to VAG’s exhibit Uncommon Language which in itself is a response to the Eurocentric “desire for a universal aesthetic language.” Registration is required and can be done through VAG’s website.

 

Parade of the Lost Souls | October 31 | Free | On Co-op Radio Vancouver 100.5 FM | 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Parade of Lost Souls, hosted by the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret Society, usually hosts a parade on Halloween where attendees dress up in costumes and make their way through East Vancouver to Britannia Community Services Centre where a haunted house and other Halloween activities would be set up. This year, they’re adapting their programming to radio and will be guiding listeners through their own COVID-19-friendly gatherings with songs, dance breaks, campfire sing-a-longs, games, and storytelling. If you want to join in the fun or want to tune in to have it as background noise but don’t have a radio, they offer the live listening link through dustyflowerpotcabaret.com.

 

An Ocean of Peace: Curatorial Talk and Tour | November 1 at 2 p.m. | Zoom | Free with registration

The New Westminster Museum & Archives is hosting a virtual tour through their exhibit An Ocean of Peace: 100 Years of Sikhs in New Westminster with guest curators Naveen Girn and  Paneet Singh. The event will feature the perspectives of Sikh community members in New Westminster, and talks will cover topics such as the Sikh and South Asian diaspora and the gurdwara (place of worship). The event will explore their connections to the City of New Westminster. Registration is required and can be done through New Westminster Parks and Recreation’s website.

Monday Music: Songs for when you’re trapped in a horror movie of your own making

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Arts
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"Monday Music" in giant yellow block letters with a red background
Monday Music: your weekly themed playlist. Image courtesy of The Peak.

By: Kimia Mansouri, SFU Student

The veil between the world of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. So bathe under the rare, bright Full Blue moon, and celebrate Samhain properly with this playlist that takes you on a witchy, horror journey. Conjure your darkest desires this Halloween and give in to them. Summon Hecate and Pan, and attempt rituals that supposedly make you live forever. 

I will take no responsibility, lest the viewers commit any crimes upon reading this.*

 

“This Is Halloween” — Marilyn Manson

Courtesy of Disney

 

Nothing can go wrong with a song from a classic Tim Burton movie, but I cannot assure that with Marilyn Manson’s gothic metal twist added to the piece. Manson’s cover of The Nightmare Before Christmas’ most recognized song is ideal for embracing the frightening monster that you keep hidden in the back of your mind, because as Manson ominously sings, “Life’s no fun without a good scare.”

 

“A Little Piece of Heaven” — Avenged Sevenfold

Courtesy of Warner Records Inc.

 

Have you ever felt like your relationship with a partner is going so well, that you murder them out of fear of breaking up? Great, this graphic metalcore and rock song could be your soundtrack. Celebrate your love with this song, as the narrator rips “her heart out right before her eyes”, and eats it. 

 

“Seven Devils” — Florence + The Machine 

Courtesy of Universal Island Records

 

Get in losers, we’re casting dark magick on humans to avenge our ancestors in Salem. This alternative/indie song is the perfect backdrop for empowering all witches and is ideal for sacrificial rituals in the forest. Florence’s operatic ethereal voice raises the goosebumps on your skin and strengthens your connection to the craft.   

 

“In Boxes” — Aurora 

 

Courtesy of Glassnote Entertainment Group LLC

With her magical, goddess-like vocal range, on the surface, Aurora beautifully depicts a story of a lonely woman who murders her lovers and keeps parts of them in boxes underneath her bed. However, beneath the surface of this indie-pop song, you will find a well-formed extended metaphor about letting go of the weight of past relationships — a good resolution for this Witch’s New Year.

 

“Special Death” — Mirah

Courtesy of K Records

 

So far, we have scared kids, killed our beloved, and practiced dark magick by sacrificing our enemies. Time for the “what have I done?” moment, where you’ll be sitting head in hands, contemplating your life and your identity. When you are dead to the people you love and you lose the last bits of your innocence. There’s comfort in the melancholic mood of this indie/alternative song which resembles the paradigmatic ominous music box song featured in almost all ghost movies, flawlessly carrying out you fully over to the dark side.

 

More Songs for the Witching Hour:

 

 

 

 

*The Peak does not actually condone violence of any kind

What happens if the “Local Women in Your Area!” actually find you?

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Humour
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PHOTO: Priscilla Du Preez / Unsplash

By: Alex Masse, Peak Associate

Would you spend a devastating seven more bucks a month on a new streaming service for a show unavailable on Netflix, or do you risk some harmless little malware and maybe a housecall from the FBI on a pirating site? I know my pick.

If you’ve been to these sites, you’ve inevitably seen the ads that say, “Local Women in Your Area can’t wait to meet you!” They feature busty women with hungry grins who promise a good time — and they’re just a quick credit card entry away.

When I started episode one of What We Do in the Shadows on one of these sites, they were 10 kilometres away. As I loaded up the second, just eight. I didn’t think much of it: probably just some attempt at getting my attention. 

For episode three when they were only six kilometres away, it started to feel like a countdown. My double chins reflected in the computer screen tensed with mild fear.

Still, I did what I do when any stressor in my life risks rearing its head: I click on the next episode. Can’t hurt me if I’m watching a vampire sitcom. 

“Local women in your area! Now in your home!” the advertisement told me. Yeah, sure. 

Suddenly, my door shot open as though a gust of wind blew through. Only, I swear my door had been locked.

The distinct clacking of heels on wood signalled someone — something — approaching. It came in a seemingly endless rhythm, as if a whole army was on their way. Maybe if I hid under my desk still unused this semester despite it being October already, the monsters wouldn’t find my smooth brain appetizing.

My bedroom door slammed open. To my surprise, it was just one woman. Long, luscious black hair, perky breasts that caught my normally-respectful eyes, and as I continued looking down . . .  at least a dozen legs, distinctly insectoid in nature, each perfectly slid into a red-backed Louboutin heel. At least the horrifying (but hot?) insectoid about to rip open my flesh was stylish.

“Ready for a fun time?” She asked, leaning in closer, joints clicking as her neck and face neared mine. I realized her face didn’t move, as though it were a mask. From under her mask-like face (surprisingly blended for the gods?), a black tongue snaked out.

All I managed was to shake my head. I was not trying to find out what this creature meant by a fun time. 

“Then we’ll just sssssskip that and get more . . . comfortable,” she cooed. She patted my cheek with a cold, leathery hand. “You know what I’m talking about, right?” 

Again, I shook my head. Man, I just wanted to watch What We Do in the Shadows. Couldn’t she have picked on some guy watching hentai or something?

Her visage fell, almost revealing whatever lay underneath. “We’re gonna live here now. Our offspring will hatch and mature under your roof. And either you can bring us raw meat . . . or you can be the raw meat.”

Honestly, all this talk of raw meat just had me staring at her boobs again (respectfully).

Before I could object, she continued. “Also, I bricked your computer. For a laugh. But ssseriously, either feed us or we’ll literally eat you.”

In short, don’t pirate unless you want the sound of a stampede every time your roommate wants a midnight snack. And don’t complain, or you’ll be the midnight snack.

Guidelines on having a safe Halloween encourages trick-or-treating in small groups

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News
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PHOTO: @freestocks / Unsplash

Written by: Karissa Ketter, News Writer

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has released safety guidelines for a low-risk and fun Halloween this year. To prevent the risk of further COVID-19 outbreaks in the community, they recommend that no indoor Halloween parties — big or small — should take place. However, the BCCDC notes that trick-or-treating can be a safe activity for kids in small groups of no more than six people. 

As the BCCDC states, regardless of Halloween plans, those with any symptoms should stay home and keep the lights off to avoid having trick-or-treaters approach your residency. 

Trick-or-treating this year should take place in small groups of kids who consider incorporating non-medical face masks into their costumes. The BCCDC notes that it isn’t necessary to sanitize every treat, rather kids should sanitize or wash their hands after touching candy and not touching their face. Additionally, small groups should be distancing themselves from other groups.

Households handing out candy to children should consider using tongs or making a candy slide starting from the door to give extra space between themselves and kids. The BCCDC says that only sealed, pre-packaged treats should be distributed this year and sanitizing both your hands and the door should be done regularly throughout the evening, in addition to wearing a mask. They also recommend that people handing out candy stay outside to limit the amount of children touching and approaching their doors at once. 

The BCCDC notes that all indoor trick-or-treating, such as in the mall or community centres, is discouraged. 

It is recommended that all parties or gatherings are limited to six people and take place outside. Parties held on heated patios or fires are best as fresh air and social distancing lowers the risk of COVID-19 transmission. They also note that providing individual servings of food is optimal to avoid buffet-style food sharing. Additionally, the BCCDC states that no drinks, smokes, tokes, and vapes should be shared with others. 

For those that want to go out on Halloween, the BC Government’s Gatherings and Events Order states that restaurants and businesses can remain open as long as they follow safety guidelines. Events must be limited to no more than 50 people and social distancing of two meters from others in the establishment is mandatory. Patrons of events must be recorded and monitored for contact tracing. Establishments must supply hand sanitizer for patrons and indicate with floor markers two meters of social distancing. Additionally, tables in restaurants must not be occupied with more than six people at a time, liquor may not be served after 10:00 p.m, and no dance floors, karaoke, and dancing or singing is allowed in public spaces.

Toast the spirits in your building with horror podcast Demons and Bellinis

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Arts
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The SFU hosts aren’t afraid of getting serious about harmful horror tropes. Courtesy of Kate Maglalang

By: Kelly Chia, Peak Associate

Demons and Bellinis is a podcast started by two SFU students, Molly Lorette and Ashley Smith, in 2018. Demons and Bellinis is a project where the two long-time friends talk shit about demons — and at 32 episodes, they’re still going strong. The Peak spoke with Lorette and Smith about this passion project and what it means to them to start a podcast like this.

As the title suggests, Demons and Bellinis is a casual podcast with a spooky undertone. Lorette describes it as having a “campfire ghost story kind of vibe, but you’re in your 20s talking shit.” Lorette and Smith’s contagious laughter as hosts truly make it feel that way.

Of all the episodes the two have recorded, “50 Berkeley Square” — about a supposedly haunted location in London — has been Lorette’s favourite to record. Lorette fondly recalls how the episode’s described entity had tendrils that made wet slapping noises, prompting Lorette and Smith to make numerous jokes about Victorian era hentai.

Though they love to joke and banter about horror, they also find themselves interested in the ways horror can be used as a lens for the past. “We have discussions about how there can definitely be more than meets the eye [ . . . ] Horror is definitely a product of a time and place: it can tell you a lot about philosophy, about psychology, and history. Stories bring us all together,” Lorette says.  

“Horror is definitely an interesting medium in learning history because there’s so much terror in what people were scared of and what the cultural anxieties were at the time,” Smith chimes. 

For example, Smith points out that many horror stories happen in homes, because it’s the place we know best and are most vulnerable in. “I think the idea of a home being haunted or something awful happening in the home scares a lot of people. It strikes them where they feel most at ease [ . . . ] If we lose our sense of safety at home, what do we have left?” 

The two are both passionate about exploring the full context of paranormal stories and noticed that while many paranormal podcasts recount these stories, most did not analyze them.

Smith critiques those in the paranormal community for not speaking up when these horror stories or tropes are founded on troubling history. “The Goatmen stories are loaded with racially charged history. You can’t just talk about the Goatman Bridge without talking about the KKK or white supremacy, you know?” 

These stories are about spirits that appear as half man, half goat, and seek revenge for injustices. One specific story discussed on the podcast is that of the Goatman on Alton Bridge, the location of the murder of a Black family by the KKK. 

Another harmful trope Lorette points out is the use of Indigenous culture as a backdrop for horror. “As someone who identifies as Métis [ . . . ] but also wasn’t raised in a Métis or Indigenous environment, it can feel like [ . . . ] I don’t have a place in this conversation because I’m white passing. But I can use my voice to elevate these issues.” 

Lorette feels a lot of frustration with the way Indigenous horror is handled in the paranormal community. “I [watched] a YouTuber who I really liked and looked up to using the term ‘Indian’ when referring to an Indigenous man, as well as making assumptions of him being wise, [playing into] the ‘Stoic Chief’ archetype that a lot of older Indigenous men frequently find themselves pegged as,” Lorette laments. 

In particular, she noted that the Swiftrunner story — about a Cree man who becomes possessed by a wendigo (an evil spirit largely known from Algonquin folklore) — is often covered in an unsatisfactory way. The wendigo that features in the story has been used as the basis for a lot of Western horror with writers excessively misrepresenting and oversimplifying the spirit. After reading an article on how non-Indigenous horror writers borrow from Indigenous experiences, she wanted to voice her concerns about how Indigenous stories are appropriated. 

“I finally found myself determined enough to cover the Swiftrunner case in particular in a way that didn’t centralize white people, as well as create dialogue revolving around the ways that the case is handled by white paranormal enthusiasts.” 

Demons and Bellinis is definitely a casual podcast, and the two know how to lighten the mood as they recognize the value in humour and good company — especially when talking about horror stories. But what grounds the podcast is Lorette and Smith’s ability to be critical. Horror so often creates caricatures out of marginalized people, be it BIPOC culture or people with mental disorders. Calling out horror when it appropriates and stereotypes people is necessary, especially when horror seems like a purely entertaining and apolitical space. 

For Lorette and Smith, horror is a way that the past interacts with the present, and a way to subvert the familiar.

“Horror writers and people in the paranormal community telling stories have a responsibility to [ . . . ] understand what these stories are trying to make us scared of and [whether] it’s justifiable or not. We shouldn’t be relying on these tropes to tell a scary story,” Smith explains.

As expected, with Halloween approaching, the pair is very excited about releasing new content. Coming up next? The Salem witch trials.

If you’re looking for a fun and introspective podcast this Halloween, Demons and Bellinis can be found on Spotify, Castbox, Podbean, and YouTube.

Don’t be spooked by trick-or-treating

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EIC
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Crystal Sing / Getty Images

by Emma Jean, Staff Writer

If one of the goals of trick-or-treating is to bring some scares, they may not be too successful with kids this year — but they’re knocking it out of the damn park with adults. It’s difficult to imagine how a holiday tradition revolving around children roaming the streets in hoards, breathing in the homes of strangers, and asking for unsanitized goods could be done in a manner that doesn’t result in outbreaks of COVID-19 in both kids and adults. I think it’s natural for anyone to be nervous about this sort of thing. But according to the opinions that really matter, it can be done. Considering the amount of kids and adults that children come into contact with at school, it becomes more and more understandable. 

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) released an outline for how usual Halloween festivities can take place, with a section dedicated to trick-or-treating. For an activity that seems to defy the interpersonal laws of social distancing, the list is short, to-the-point, and has practical advice on how to do it safely. 

According to the guide, the key components to most Halloween activities, for both trick-or-treaters and those giving them their goods, are staying outside, masking up, staying with a group of six people or less, and keeping your hands clean. As long as everyone follows those guidelines, Halloween should be a safe-as-possible event that doesn’t stop kids from missing out on some of the best days of childhood. 

Parents have the best judgement on how this works for their own children, but there seems to be little reason for Halloween alarm. Don’t just take it from me, a childless 19-year-old with no personal investment in this; take it from Dr. Henry and her team. 

If you wish to hand out candy and help these crazy kids have a safe night, the BCCDC recommends using tongs, individually wrapped bags and other methods to reduce surface contamination. If combined with the conventional guidelines of being outdoors, wearing masks and tips like avoiding decorations like smoke machines that could cause coughing (Huh! Never would have thought of that! These people are smart!), Halloween can be a healthy holiday for all. 

If fellow childless 19-year-old adjacents are looking for something to do beside go to house parties (please don’t go to house parties) and find themselves in a residence that trick-or-treaters will likely visit, why not go to town creating a socially distant fun way to give candy to neighbourhood kids? Put a fence six feet away from the door and make a game of throwing it to them; hang goody bags on a clothesline; put a slide at your doorstep and slip candy down to kids; the possibilities are endless. If you’re anything like me, solving a fun, creative problem that has no bearing on outside life is an unmatched mental escape. And if you take up this one, you’re contributing to your community while you’re at it. 

I know it can be easy to panic about the possibility of a virus infecting the kids in our lives, but as long as we follow the guidelines set out by the BCCDC, this should be a perfectly safe way for them, and the adults facilitating it, to have fun and stay healthy.

It’s time to cancel offensive costumes

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PHOTO: Catherine Delahaye / Getty Images

by Devana Petrovic, Staff Writer

Topics surrounding culturally appropriative Halloween costumes, and the general audacity of what some people choose to dress up as, have floated around in past years. With that in mind, a lot has happened in the world since last Halloween — one major event being the Black Lives Matter movement, sparking increased discussion and action on racial justice. It is so important to be particularly conscious of how some stereotypical costumes can be harmful to the communities they are intended to represent. 

We’ve all seen the “Native American princess” costumes on the racks at Spirit Halloween. Really, it is an offensive and Americanized depiction of traditional Indigenous clothing, frankly far from accurate and honestly just a gross example of how neo-colonialism flourishes through capitalism. 

It is probably unrealistic to expect Halloween costume companies to just suddenly stop selling every single problematic costume. But we as consumers can do our part in boycotting the brands that sell culturally insensitive costumes, as well as by speaking out about the costumes that continue to plague the Halloween season. We have the freedom to choose a costume from a seemingly infinite amount of possibilities, so there’s absolutely no excuse for a racist or offensive costume if you can just pick something else. 

I understand that sometimes it can be confusing to know if a costume has offensive connotations. But at this point in time, where every social media platform is flooded with information about allyship and anti-racism, it’s not hard to find sources that clarify this sort of confusion. 

Yet, sometimes even a quick Google Search is not necessary. All it takes is to just read the room a little in order to understand that dressing up as a sexy cop might be insensitive and tone-deaf right now as it eroticizes and glorifies an oppressive institution. But then again, if you ever feel that your costume might not be entirely appropriate, chances are that it isn’t. 

Indigenous culture is not a Halloween costume; Black culture is not a Halloween costume —  especially not for someone who is not of that origin. Maybe, the intent behind these costumes isn’t to harm anyone. But, the reality is that regardless of intent or knowledge, a “Native American princess” or a “sexy cop” is problematic and hurtful to BIPOC, who directly face the true challenges of costumes like these being normalized. These aren’t “just costumes,” but they are dismissive portrayals of cultural symbols, mockeries of sacred traditions, and a glorification of violent systems. 

Costumes that portray racial stereotypes have not been OK for a long time now. It is especially problematic that costumes like these still exist in a time where there is a growing awareness of the oppression BIPOC communities face. But then again, it is just a costume and you can dress up as whatever you want. So, just be a fucking cat, and don’t flaunt your bad taste and racism on Halloween this year.

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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