NEW MUSIC FRIDAY

By

Peak Web

-

September 16, 2016

0

By: Sarah Finley, Courtney Miller, Jessica Whitesel

Follow The Peak on Spotify to stay up to date on New Music Friday.

“My Way” – Calvin Harris

Jessica Whitesel: Bye girl, bye. I might be reading too much into the drama of the Calvin Harris Taylor Swift breakup, but like a new master of the break-up track has been born from the ashes of that relationship. Harris crafted a break-up track that works for all relationship ends, not just romantic ones.

Courtney Miller: It’s light, which contrasts with Harris’ deep and raspy vocals. You can tell it’s from the same guy who made “Summer.” It’s not amazing, and the repetitive ending lasts a touch too long, but it’s easy enough to have on and not mind.

Sarah Finley: I’m not really a Calvin Harris fan, but this track sounds like it could be on a playlist for a beach party. Not to mention, with the chorus being “You were the one thing in my way,” this is most definitely a hilarious diss track aimed at Taylor Swift.

“Hurts” – Emeli Sandé

JW: I love her voice, but the horns and handclaps have the opposite effect on building the emotion of the song. I would have loved an uptempo strings section pared with maybe, like, a bassoon for the bass line. Because as of right now, the backing track is annoying as hell and I just want it to go the fuck away.

CM: It fakes you out by starting in a ballad kind of mood, but then that snappy percussion comes in, lifting the song into more of a kickass number. The vocals match the music very well and overall it comes out into a pretty good song. Would listen again.

SF: A strange conglomeration of quick clapping, slow and powerful vocals, and a dramatic horns section, I’m not sure how to feel about this track. It’s like Emeli Sandé couldn’t decide what she wanted the mood to be, so this is an attempt to combine all possible emotions.

“Under the Grave” – ROZES

JW: WHO HURT YOU??? That sentiment is not just specific to this song — it’s the theme to this whole playlist so far — but, like, I still want to know. In the ranking of these three break-up songs, it is by far the worst. It just fell into the background until the weird scream singing in the background makes you push skip.

CM: The vocal range is pretty great, and the track does just enough to keep from being monotonous. It’s a chill pop song that has clear distinctions between the chorus and verses, which is something I don’t find too often. It’s still comfortably within its genre, but it does a good job of not sounding exactly like everything else.

SF: The repetitive lyrics are your typical, heart-hurt, angsty teen pop lyrics. If I want sad music, I can listen to much sadder, and if I want happy music, there’s much happier. This is just a weird in-between stage.

“True Colors” – Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake

JW: I know that this is a Cyndi Lauper song, but I wasn’t expecting a cover. I honestly put this song on the playlist because I was like, “Haha, we can make fun of this disaster.” I WAS WRONG. It is a really good cover and their voices work really well together and I feel like I should apologize to the song for being mean to it.

CM: First off, I freaking love Anna Kendrick so I’m already heading into this song with high hopes. They took a more mellow approach to this song, less done up than Lauper’s version. If you like acoustic versions of pop songs, you’ll love this. Timberlake and Kendrick sound really good together.

SF: Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick combine their angelic voices for this DreamWorks rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors.” Need I say more? It’s Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick — you either like them or you don’t.

“Root Beer Float” – Olivia O’Brien feat. Blackbear

JW: TIL root beer float is something probably more than likely sexual or financial or maybe the actual drink, so TIL that I learned nothing about the youths. I am old and out of touch, I guess. It’s not “Milkshake” that’s for sure. The beat is great but the vocals just need to go away.

CM: Is “root beer float” some kind of recently coined sexual activity? Trying to figure that out took up most of my attention during this song. It’s pretty run-of-the-mill, and although it starts off catchy and infectious, it quickly loses its charm.

SF: Is root beer float a euphemism that I’m too innocent to understand? Or is this literally about A&W’s classic beverage? Either way, it’s exactly as terrible as you’d think. Admittedly, it would be better if it didn’t have weird laughter interspersed throughout, but yikes.

“Cinderella” – Mac Miller feat. Ty Dolla $ign

JW: Mac Miller should just love college and not really do anything else. I know that he has been having some issues with figuring out his sound coming off of that and it does come through in this song. But he is overshadowed by Ty Dolla $ign, and if it had just been Miller or Miller and a female singer, it could have been stronger. Oh and it is eight motherfucking minutes long and NEVER FUCKING STOPS 😡

CM: The starting vocals are nothing short of awful, so I’m automatically turned off this song. He’s doing some weird vocal effects shit that’s just annoying af. The next guy that comes in sounds like he’s trying to rap with a southern drawl, and just no. Much dislike.

SF: Oh, Mac Miller and Ty Dolla $ign. What a combo, delivering exactly what you’d expect from the pair. “Daddy told you’d better bring yo ass home.” That’s not how the fairytale goes, silly. My question is: how is this song eight minutes long?

“This Pleasure Needs Pain” – ådå

JW: This is a club track. Turn the bass up to drown out the repetitive vocals and just get fucking wrecked to it. Like, I guess it’s OK, but I’m in an office not the club so I’m just a sad panda.

CM: You are left with no doubt as to the title of the song. I like the low bass filled backing track — I don’t think the vocals contribute much to the song, as it’s basically just the title over and over again. Give me an instrumental version and I’ll spin it, but not this.

SF: Echoey vocals with lil bass drops and an eerie bassline would make this track dance club material if it were just a bit more upbeat.

“Lemonade” – Skylar Grey

JW: It takes a massive set of lady balls to release a song with the same title as a Beyoncé album. Those lady balls need to be comparable in size to the bush cricket’s — largest testicles relative to body size in the animal kingdom — since it is a best sub-par, and at worst one of the most skippable songs of the year.

CM: I’m just bored. There’s nothing new to this, it’s just some sultry lemonade. The bridge is the best part, where it starts to sound like something worth listening to, but it’s too short to justify listening to this equivalent of overcooked plain oatmeal.

SF: Skylar Grey was a staple on my early high school angst playlist. This track is more of the same, with slightly robotic sounding vocals, sad lyrics, and impressively diverse percussion.

“Reignite” – Knox Brown x Gallant

JW: Imagine if off-brand Chris Brown and off-brand The Weeknd had a baby, and then that baby had a baby with all of the non-singles from Usher’s Confessions. That is this song. And it sounds as bad as you would imagine.

CM: I like that about halfway through it changes up its instrumentals for a few moments and you can catch a glimpse of guitar. It’s a little bit seductive, but not enough to make it a go-to. The high vocals were impressive, but less so the more they just went on and on.

SF: Head voice vocals, a jazzy drum part, and cheesy romantic lyrics make this tacky track sound like something the high school DJs at my senior prom would’ve chosen for the iconic slow song to end the night.

“September Song” – JP Cooper

JW: This is how hand claps should be done in a backing track. It works with the overall feel of the song and keeps the uptempo poppy feeling. Lyrically, it is kind of repetitive, but it does want to make you dance — even when you are in an office.

CM: Okay, this is absolutely nothing new, but I still kind of like it? Like, it’s got a good beat, relatable lyrics, and bonus, it’s also in a pretty chill key for sing alongs? So while it’s not a fave, it’s still enjoyable.

SF: Despite its title, this track reminds me of summer drives on the highway with my best friends. Catchy and reminiscent of high school loves, definitely listen to this track if you want to over-romanticize your teen days.

“Cancer” – Twenty One Pilots

JW: I want to like Twenty One Pilots, but I’m past my emo phase. I would have loved this song 10 years ago when I was 15 — like, when the original came out. But on an unrelated note, don’t listen to the lyrics unless you really, really, feeling like crying over the subject of the song.

CM: The lyrics are beautiful, and it’s a really emotional, thoughtful, evocative song. The vocals aren’t the greatest — just not my style — they’re a little too borderline on the whining.

SF: I’m not really a TOP girl, but their cover of the MCR track could potentially be a contender for a spot on my cry playlist. The slow, heartbreaking lyrics almost made me feel like I was dying and leaving my loved ones behind, too.

“Runaway (Patrick Stump Remix)” – MSTRKRFT

JW: So Patrick Stump is remixing songs. Post-Fall Out Boy life has not been good to him. As far as remixes go, I feel like I am just being assaulted by random noises that don’t go together at all. It makes me sad and also kind of gives me a headache.

CM: It was definitely dynamic enough to be a remix, and I love Patrick Stump, but remixes are not my style. I guess there was technically nothing wrong with it, but remixes always have an overdone quality to it, like you tried too hard to make it a remix, so now it’s just kinda crappy.

SF: If you need to snap out of the funk that “Cancer” put you into, this may be the track to suit your needs. With rambunctious percussion and instrumentals that leave you feeling all over the place, this track will get rid of any sad mood vibes.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: NFL Blitz with Jason Romisher

By

EIC

-

September 15, 2016

0

6560912647_aca92d5e95_b — Matt Stafford will have a big game against the Colts this weekend.

Last Week: 9–7

This Season: 9–7

Hello, football fans. The highlight of my picks last week was easily correctly predicting that Victor Cruz would score the game winning touchdown in the Giants vs. Cowboys game. The play of the week was when Raiders’ coach Jack Del Rio elected to go for a successful two-point conversion down one with under a minute to play to secure a huge road win for his up-and-coming squad. The biggest surprise was New England winning on the road with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback. The biggest disappointment was San Diego blowing a 24–3 lead to hand Kansas City their largest come from behind win in franchise history. Now to this week’s action.

New York Jets at Buffalo Thursday, 5:25 p.m.

Last year the Bills knocked the Jets out of the playoffs with a win on the last game of the season. Bills coach Rex Ryan improves to 3–0 against his former team.

Prediction: Buffalo 20 Jets 19

New Orleans at New York Giants, Sunday 10 a.m.

This game is going to be an absolute beauty for anyone who likes offensive football. Look for the Giants to start the season 2–0 and send the Saints marching back home 0–2 and looking for answers on defence.

Prediction: Giants 42 Saints 41

Kansas City at Houston, Sunday 10 a.m.

A playoff matchup from a year ago will result in Houston prevailing this time with a big fourth down sack by the forgotten former number one overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.

Prediction: Houston 23 Kansas City 19

Dallas at Washington, Sunday 10 a.m.

Washington takes care of business and sends Dallas into level 10 freakout mode with an 0–2 start.

Prediction: Washington 27 Dallas 21

Miami at New England Sunday 10 a.m.

Miami has the misfortune of starting the season at Seattle and then at New England. Unfair and a recipe for an 0–2 start.

Prediction: New England 28 Miami 20

Tennessee at Detroit, Sunday 10 a.m.

The Lions offence roared last week with a road win at Indianapolis. Matt Stafford has another big game as the surprising Lions start the season 2–0.

Prediction: Detroit 40 Tennessee 26

Baltimore at Cleveland Sunday, 10 a.m.

I cannot believe I picked Cleveland last week. I’m not going to make that mistake twice, especially the way Joe Flacco, the pride of Audubon New Jersey, looked last week.

Prediction: Baltimore 34 Cleveland 10

San Francisco at Carolina, Sunday 10 a.m.

Beating the Rams at home is one thing. Travelling across the country to take on a Panthers team smarting from a hard-fought loss to Denver is another. Panthers shred Chip Kelly’s squad with authority.

Prediction: Carolina 51 San Francisco 10

Tampa Bay at Arizona, Sunday 1:05 p.m.

Upset special! Last year Tampa Bay missed the playoffs and Arizona went 13–3 and advanced to the NFC Championship game. This game will be highly competitive and demonstrate that Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston is a force to be reckoned with the NFL.

Prediction: Tampa Bay 36 Arizona 34

Seattle at LA Rams Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

The Rams are 3–1 the last two years against the Seahawks and will be looking for a win in their first home game after returning to Los Angeles. After their putrid offensive performance last week I just cannot pick them despite Russell Wilson’s bad ankle.

Prediction: Seattle 19 Rams 12

Indianapolis at Denver Sunday, 1:25 p.m.

Denver took care of Carolina and will easily handle a Colts team with a very poor defence. Look for a huge game from CJ Anderson and a Broncos’ defensive touchdown.

Prediction: Denver 27 Indianapolis 6

Jacksonville at San Diego Sunday, 1:25 p.m.

Which mediocre team will go 0–2? Jacksonville is ready to win on the road despite the veteran savvy of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

Prediction: Jacksonville 30 San Diego 27

Atlanta at Oakland, Sunday 1:25 p.m.

I really hate to pick against Atlanta since their GM is a Canadian product of the University of Guelph. However, Oakland will be riding high after their emotional win last week and it appears the Falcons defence will not be able to respond.

Prediction: Oakland 42 Atlanta 24

Green Bay at Minnesota Sunday, 5:30 p.m.

Minnesota wins the first game in their new stadium against the archrival Packers on a last-second Blair Walsh field goal.

Prediction: Minnesota 17 Green Bay 16

Philadelphia at Chicago Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Monday night football has really gone downhill in their matchup selections. The most interesting part of this game is private wagers you should make whether the telecast will feature footage of the 1988 Fog Bowl played between these two teams on this field.

Prediction: Bears 20 Eagles 13

Game of the Week:

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, Sunday 10 a.m.

Oh baby! Another playoff rematch but this is a divisional matchup and a double revenge game for both teams. In last year’s playoff tilt, Pittsburgh star receiver Antonio Brown was concussed on a cheap shop. Cincinnati had the game won and was basically killing the clock when they absolutely self-destructed in the worst last-minute collapse in NFL history. Steelers win a bruising contest with several penalties and ejections.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 13 Cincinnati 10

SFU football loses 68–7 to Texas A&M Kingsville

By

EIC

-

September 15, 2016

0

SFU has been outscored 155-10 so far this season.

Down 40–0 after one quarter Saturday night wasn’t the start the SFU football team was looking for. And when it was all said and done, the 68–7 loss to the Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas — a deficit of 61 points — was likely “the second most lopsided in SFU team history,” according to The Province’s Howard Tsumura.

“We played a team that was very well-prepared, they were very big, very athletic,” head coach Kelly Bates told The Peak. “They were very successful on every drive, we don’t have the ability to sustain any drives, we don’t help our defence, and they had some big plays.”

It didn’t take long for the Javelinas to get up on the board — just 22 seconds. On their very first opportunity of the night, Kingsville quarterback Myles Carr threw for an 80-yard completion, giving the team their first touchdown of the night, the first of 10.

SFU’s first drive of the night looked as if it might be successful, with quarterback Miles Richardson opening his night with throwing for two consecutive first downs — an 11-yard pass and a 19-yard pass. For good measure, the Javelinas took a roughing the passer penalty and gave SFU 15 more yards.

But the fun ended there. The drive ended with a turnover on downs when an attempt to go for it on the fourth down with nine yards failed. Naturally, Kingsville took advantage of this, putting up another touchdown in their returning drive.

In the remaining three quarters, SFU fared better. The Clan managed their only points of the game in the second quarter when a blocked punt was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Trevor Kemp. SFU tied the Javelinas 7–7 in the second quarter, and lost the third and fourth quarters 14–0 and 7–0, respectively.

“I think we need to learn from what happened last week and understand that [. . .] we have to show up and be ready to play.”

“It’s not easy to be down as much as we were, as early as we were, to understand that there’s still three quarters of play left, and those three quarters aren’t just going to magically disappear,” said Bates. “To embrace that and to understand that this is an opportunity to build some character and reveal some character — well, that’s the positives.

“I thought our kids played hard, I thought they learned from it, I thought they got a good lesson in terms of seeing how they have to play if they want to play at the next level, and we can only get better from that.”

SFU are now 0–2, and have yet to begin conference play. Last week, they could excuse the fact that they lost 47–3 to their Division I opponent (which, even then, was in the FCS, which is a lower tier than you would see on TV in bowl games). This week, however, they lost worse to a Division II team that, despite beating a Division I FCS team the previous week, hasn’t won a conference game since 2012.

In two games, SFU has only scored 10 points.

SFU has averaged only 167 yards of offence per game so far this season. — SFU has averaged only 167 yards of offence per game so far this season, last compared to the other teams in the GNAC conference.

The Clan has a tough challenge this Saturday at the home opener against Humboldt State. Last year, Humboldt State handed SFU their worst loss with a 57–0 defeat on the road. If SFU has one thing going for them, they are a much better team at home than on the road. Last season, SFU lost on average by 29.4 points per game on the road, while they lost by an average of only 6.5 points per game at home.

“I think we need to learn from what happened last week and understand that regardless of how fast the team starts, we have to show up and be ready to play on the first snap — there’s no easing into the game of football, so I hope that we learn that lesson,” said Bates.

Last season, SFU didn’t win a game, but were for the most part competitive (at home, at least). This season, they’ll need to be more competitive before they can win.

Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Saturday at Swangard Stadium. The Clan will be playing Humboldt State.

A few firsts at this year’s Flamenco Festival

By

EIC

-

September 14, 2016

0

Rosario Ancer, artistic director of the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival, is brimming with enthusiasm for this 26th year of the festival. She is most excited about the range of performances and the international guest artists.

The headliner at this year’s festival is the Mercedes Amaya Company, which will be performing Templanza at the Vancouver Playhouse on September 16 and 17. This show marks the first time the festival will see the Spanish Gypsy style of flamenco. Ancer explained that each year she tries to bring a different style of flamenco to the festival, and to alternate between traditional and experimental styles when deciding which international artists to invite.

Ancer said that, in interviews, Mercedes Amaya explained she didn’t have to learn flamenco: she has been surrounded by it since she was born, and her whole family is involved in flamenco. Amaya comes from a long line of “flamenco royalty,” as Ancer put it, explaining that her aunt is the great Carmen Amaya. Her husband and son are both flamenco guitarists, and her daughter is a dancer, so the family tradition will continue.

New at the Playhouse this year, there will be a silent auction featuring flamenco-related pieces of art by Salt Spring Island artists, as well as one piece by Ancer’s husband, photographer and flamenco guitarist Victor Kolstee.

On September 16, ¡Arte! Flamenco, a company from Saskatoon, will open for the Mercedes Amaya Company. On September 17, Ancer’s own Flamenco Rosario will perform Flamenqueando, which translates to “flamenco-ing”; this refers to a playful, improvisational style where the performers have fun and express the pure joy of dance, song, and flamenco culture. Ancer said she is very proud of this show, which will see three generations of her students on stage.

Another first for this year’s festival is performance in studio. Local group Toque Flamenco will perform Bajo la Influencia at the Centro Flamenco for an intimate show. Their flamenco music is inspired by rock classics by artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Kansas, U2, and the Police. Ancer described this show as “flamenco with a twist.”

Presenting the contemporary side of flamenco is Calgary’s Rosanna Terracciano. Her show on September 15, We All Need to Say GOODBYE/ADIOS, is a personal, reflective exploration of loss. She incorporates objects used in traditional flamenco into her performance.

For anyone who is brand new to flamenco, there are a couple of free events not to be missed: an introductory dance class on September 17 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre and a lecture called “Understanding Flamenco” at the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library on September 13.

SFU lose to UBC 3–1 in hockey showdown

By

EIC

-

September 14, 2016

0

lisa-dimyadi-hockey-916x609 — The Thunderbirds have now won eight straight contests against the Clan.

The annual SFU vs. UBC hockey game has become sort of a tradition, albeit a very one-sided one. Going back to January 2012, SFU had lost seven straight against the Thunderbirds, the last two being 6–0 defeats. On September 10, the result was more of the same, as SFU lost 3–1 to UBC. Unlike last year though, the Clan looked competitive throughout most of the match, and had their chances to make things interesting later on in the game.

“Anytime you lose it’s disappointing, 100 percent,” said head coach Mark Coletta afterwards. “We know that, we take that to heart. [. . .] The effort level and the compete level is what we were looking for, [because] it’s the first game of the year, [and] it’s a process. We’ve got six and a half, seven months to get there. I’m happy with the way they played.”

The game started off as a back-and-forth affair, with both teams creating chances. SFU in particular was holding their own, which included a great cycle by Jesse Mysiorek’s line for some SFU offensive zone time. Later on in the period, SFU would get on the board first. On the powerplay, new recruit Scott Patterson, a Division I transfer, tipped a slap pass from Brandon Tidy to give SFU a 1–0 lead. However, that lead was short-lived, as UBC would equalize off an extended five on three.

The next period was marked by two more UBC goals, both in the second period. The first was off a turnover that squeaked right in front of the net, where the UBC player buried it top shelf. The other was a lucky goal that deflected off an SFU skate in front. It also saw a goaltending change halfway through the period, as Jordan Liem came in for the starting Lyndon Stanwood. The goaltender split will happen once again in their next exhibition game on September 24 against Trinity Western, according to Coletta.

It was billed as a preseason game, but it sure didn’t feel like one. The entire game was defined by the physical play by both teams. All the players were determined to finish their checks, and many penalties were handed out from scrums after play had ended.

“I think it’s just an inherent rivalry,” said Coletta on the emotions of the night. “I think UBC [is] probably known as one of the best schools in Canada, and SFU is right there behind them. We want to make sure we’re not giving anything up and we’re working hard to prove to them that we can play against them. There’s a respect factor, but we’re not going to lay over and play dead for them.”

One also has to wonder if a win would have been possible for the Clan if they had been healthy on the blue line. Mathew Berry-Lamontagna, Dustin Cave, and Robson Cramer all sat out the game due to injuries. Thus, players like Brandon Tidy, normally a forward, had to fill in on defence.

“He [did] well,” said Colleta on Tidy’s play. “We knew he played a little bit of defence last year when we were short-staffed. [. . .] It was a makeshift defence core against a very good CIS team full of WHL guys.”

The team will now have a bit of a break before their next game against Trinity Western on September 24.

Swans bring an intensity like no other to the stage

By

EIC

-

September 12, 2016

0

Seeing Swans perform live is intense. The difference between hearing the band’s studio recordings and hearing them in the flesh is akin to the difference between watching violence on screen to watching violence in real life.

The emotional force of their music was majorly amplified — and not only because of the literal wall of amps that were stacked up on the stage. During climactic swells in songs, the wall of amps produced feedback that sounded like someone was shrieking in the background. The effect was a phantom wailer that only came out for the show. It perfectly suited the macabre feel of the band.

Swans are a disturbed string sextet with the lushness of a string orchestra. Michael Gira is the deranged conductor, a mountain of sound rising and falling with the cue of his hands or voice. The band devoutly followed his cues which, at times, appeared unpredictable. Many times, songs seemed to be on the brink of dissolution; but there was always some mental connection that kept the band members in sync with Gira’s great expectations.

At one point Gira turned to his drummer Phil Puleo and gave him a signal to beat harder on the cymbal, which he had already been fiercely hitting for an unbelievably long time. I didn’t think it would be possible, but Puleo actually managed to hit harder. The pain that I imagine he was going through was cringeworthy, but Gira seems to aim for an otherworldly perfection.

Not surprisingly, there were moments where Gira appeared annoyed — things weren’t sounding as he wanted them to. His meticulousness turned to frustration as he picked up a music stand that had fallen over and threw it at the ground.

But to us mere mortals, it all sounded phenomenal. The sound produced by each member of the band fit together so seamlessly. Unified and beautiful textures emerged from the roughness and strain of the individual band members. Be it Puleo’s relentless bashing at the drums or Thor Harris’ insane arpeggios, the result of all the band members’ blood, sweat, and tears was genuine beauty.

Peak Speak: Favourite Meal to Make on a Budget

By

Peak Web

-

September 12, 2016

0

On today’s episode, we ask SFU students: What’s your favourite meal to make on a budget?

Special Thanks to Zach Siddiqui

Tips for First Year Students

By

Peak Web

-

September 12, 2016

0

We ask some members of The Peak team about any tips they have for freshmen SFU students.

Special thanks to Nathan Ross, Maia Britt, Ashley Fraser, Matthew Fongman, Linda Shu, Phoebe Joy Lim, Zach Siddiqui, Janis McMath, and Alexa Tarrayo

Woohoo, Boohoo

By

Peak Web

-

September 12, 2016

0

Woohoo: Drills

Check out humanity’s least-boring innovations. They provide a valid reason to invite your attractive dentist to get all up in your mouth and fill your cavities, if you know what I mean. They help us build sturdy structures like underground bunkers for cults. They even make performing Neolithic trepanning rituals on Squad™ so easy when their defeated enemies’ salty ghosts possess them.

Dangerous? Obviously — wear goggles. If you do lose important facial features, the scars will tell one heck of a story.

Boohoo: Drills

My life’s already up in flames; don’t remind me that my surroundings could go the same way without warning. Fire drills leave me standing in winter chills that make me wish I’d been victimized by arson.

Earthquake drills were another horror. Hiding under your desk for 60 seconds eases academic monotony until you look up at the gifts your predecessors left. Or, worse – you don’t look up, and thereafter find those presents trapped in your hair.
There’s a reason I don’t chew.

Sitting out the anthem distracts us from the real problem

By

EIC

-

September 12, 2016

0

Recently, NFL football player Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers made headlines when he chose to sit during the national anthem rather than stand.

Kaepernick is not the first professional athlete to protest a patriotic song, and he probably won’t be the last. In the ‘90s, NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (who played for the Vancouver Grizzlies) protested the anthem for many of the same reasons, and in return, the NBA suspended him for one game.

Kaepernick, so far, has received no suspension or other punishment because of his actions.

Specifically, he chose to sit during “The Star-Spangled Banner” to draw attention to the Black Lives Matter movement, and in doing so, has undermined the credibility of the initiative. When the media gets a hold of a story where an athlete is, arguably, disrespecting his country by refusing to stand for the anthem, they don’t concentrate on the reasons behind his actions. They focus on the action itself; the intent, no matter how good, gets left in the dark.

He is drawing attention away from the actual problem — racism — because everyone is too caught up in wondering if his stats allow him the luxury of being pardoned by the public for his offence. They’re not discussing the deaths of black people at the police’s hands, or of young black men like Trayvon Martin who were killed by white citizens.

Kaepernick is biracial, so I’m sure his heart was in the right place. He’s also been outspoken on his Twitter about Black Lives Matter. It really seems like he wants to help raise awareness, get people involved, and get them in the know if they were ignorant before. But this is not the way to do it.

A country that only weeks ago slandered Gabby Douglas across the Internet for not placing her hand over her heart during the national anthem is not a country that will take Kaepernick’s actions lightly. His actions will instead be discussed with words like “disrespectful,” “ungrateful,” and “unpatriotic.” His actions will be reduced to a sound bite of “what not to do.” No conversations and no change will come about because of his act of protest.

I wish I could say that Kaepernick’s actions sparked a revolution in how the world sees and deals with the imbalance of power, authority, and opportunity across racial and other constructed lines in the sand. I wish I could tell you that the various media outlets discussing the situation weren’t complicit, knowingly or otherwise, in the stifling of voices searching for a better world.

You may be wondering why this matters to us here in Canada, here at SFU. We’re not American. We say sorry too much. You could be forgiven for thinking we don’t have a race problem. But you’d be wrong.

Just because it isn’t as apparent here at home as it is in the US doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It just means we’re better at denying it. These issues of demographic superiority and a status quo media are a global problem.
We may forget about Kaepernick sitting out “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but the issue isn’t going to just go away if we ignore it. Systemic oppression affects everybody and as such, it is everybody’s responsibility to try and correct it.