Issue 8 Volume 60

e x p l o r at i o n w i t h i n t e n t i o n

The Inquirer

issue 7 volume 60 • November 8, 2013

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF CANADIAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AN AURORA CHRONICLES PUBLICATION

{BE DIFFERENT, BE YOU, AND GROW.}

February 8, 2013

Culture. “The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collec-tively.”

The technical definition of culture is very beauti-ful. It sounds open and accepting. It sounds like an open picnic. It sounds like a celebration. It sounds fluid—it moves. Culture is shared and spread. Culture is a gift, not something to keep to one-self. Culture has many influences, and, since it is learned, your individual experience with culture is completely different from another’s. Why the lines, the barriers, the camps and the cliques? Why the barbed wire and the man-made laws that is deemed right for all? One’s culture is not more important than another. One’s idea of “good” is not to anoth-er man’s standard. Embrace culture.

Sapphire w.

“Preservation of one’s own cul-ture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” -Cesar Chavez

To submit questions, response, art, or an article:

- www.caucsa.tumblr.com

- [email protected]

The content of this newspaper represents the views, opinions and interests of the students on the Aurora Chronicles (The Inquirer) Editorial Team. Readers should not assume that what they find in this newspaper is automatically endorsed or supported by the CUC Student Association, Canadian University College, its administration or its employ-ees. What you find here may very well be one student writer’s opinion. While we, the Editorial Team, do our best to ensure that the information provided is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the material. If you do notice any mistakes or if you disagree with the appropriateness of any of the content please contact the Editorial Team directly at [email protected].

Editor’s Note

Listen:Sunshowers by M.I.A

Inside...

3 IN THE BRAIN

4 THE WORLD How to Survive: Yourself

6 Witch Hunts & Hysteria in 2013

7 RHIZOMATIC RELIGION

8 SELF EVIDENT TRUTHS

10 THE LISTENER

11 BOOK AND MOVIE LIST

12 LETTER

13 ENTERTAINMENT

14 MUSIC MAKES THE PEOPLE

Page 3T H E I N Q U I R E R

IN THE BRAINBY ASHISH AGARWAL

Culture is one of the most important and basic concepts of

sociology. In sociology culture has a specific meaning. The an-

thropologists believe that the behaviour which is meant is called

culture. In other words the behavior which is transmitted to us

by some one is called culture. The way of living, eating, wearing,

singing, dancing and talking are all parts of a culture. In common

parlance, the word culture, is understood to mean beautiful, re-

fined or interesting. In sociology we use the word culture to denote

acquired behavior which are shared by and transmitted among

the members of the society. In other words, culture is a system of

learned behaviour shared by and transmitted among the members

of a group.

Definitions of culture

Culture has been defined in various ways by sociologists and

anthropologists. Following are the important definitions of culture.

E.B. Tylor defines “Culture is that complex whole which in-

cludes knowledge, belief, art, morals, Law, customs and any

other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member

of society”.

Edward Sapir says that “Culture is any socially inherited ele-

ment of the life of man, material and spiritual”.

Malinowski defines “Culture the handwork of man and con-

ventional understanding manifest in art and artifact which

persisting through which he achieves his ends”.

Redfield remarks that “Culture is an organised body of con-

ventional understanding manifest in art and artifact which

persisting through, characterizes a human group”.

Mac Iver is of the view that “Culture is the expression of our

nature in our modes of living, and our thinking, intercours-

es in our literature, in religion, in recreation and enjoy-

ment.

According to E.S. Bogardus “Culture is all the ways of doing

and thinking of a group”.

Characteristics of Culture

For a clear understanding of the concept of culture it is necessary

for us to know its main characteristics. Culture has several char-

acteristics. Following are the main characteristics of culture.

1. Culture is Learnt

Culture is not inherited biologically, but learnt socially by man. It is not

an inborn tendency. There is no culture instinct as such culture is often

called learned ways of behaviour. [...] Wearing clothes, combing the hair,

wearing ornaments, cooking the food, drinking from a glass, eating from a

plate or leaf, reading a newspaper, driving a car, enacting a role in drama,

singing, worship etc. are always of behaviour learnt by man culturally.

2. Cultural is social

Culture does not exist in isolation. Neither it is an individual phenom-

enon. It is a product of society. It originates and develops through social

interaction. It is shared by the members of society. No man can acquire

culture without association with other human beings.

3. Culture is shared

Culture in the sociological sense, is something shared. It is not something

that an individual alone can possess. For example customs, tradition, be-

liefs, ideas, values, morals, etc. are shared by people of a group or society.

4. Culture is transmissive

Culture is capable of being transmitted from one generation to the next.

Parents pass on culture traits to their children and they in turn to their

children and so on. Culture is transmitted not through genes but by

means of language. Language is the main vehicle of culture. Language in

its different forms like reading, writing and speaking makes it possible for

the present generation to understand the achievements of earlier genera-

tions. But language itself is a part of culture. Once language is acquired it

unfolds to the individual in wide field. Transmission of culture may take

place by intuition as well as by interaction.

5. Culture is continuous and cumulative

Culture exists, as a continuous process. In its historical growth it tends to

become cumulative. Culture is growing whole which includes in itself, the

achievements of the past and present and makes provision for the future

achievements of mankind.

6. Culture is consistent and interconnected

Culture, in its development has revealed tendency to be consistent. At

the same time different parts of culture are inter-connected. For example

the value system of a society, a society is closely connected with its other

aspects such as morality, religion, customs, traditions, beliefs and so on.

7. Culture is dynamic and adaptive

Though culture is relatively stable it is not altogether static. It is subject

to slow but constant change. Change and growth are latent in culture.

For full article:http://www.preservearticles.com/201107048767/1321-words-short-essay-on-the-

culture.html

February 8, 2013

IN THE WORLD HOW TO SURVIVE: YOURSELF

A baby is born and is given a name. They are made to believe things about themselves. They are ad-vised on how they should sit, carry themselves, dress, and play based on their sex and culture. You shape a baby’s mind and it is based on what you want that baby to think about life. As a young child, I spent much time alone with little guidance or nurturing. The cherry tree at the side of the house was my refuge from what sounded like my grandmother and her sisters’ brawl. There were times when my cousin, Chad, and I spent some evenings perched in the tree with him talking about how hard kindergarten was with all of the letters and numbers to learn and my expression of distaste at my aunt for stealing some chocolates from my jar when she thought I was not around. Without any real adult guidance, I learned by trial

and error and there was a thirst within me that only enlightenment can quench so I observed and felt. I saw sweet, fun-loving young girls around my home, live without borders. They socialized with other girls that wore their brother’s clothes. I saw them with boys that had spiked hair. I even saw them hug dogs that had mange. After a while many of those same girls grew into unrecognizable young women. Some became shal-low and the others became cliquey and deceitful. Look-ing on, it came to me that these girls did not grow out of anything but were rather influenced by other young women at their schools who were influenced by those who lived nearby. The same transformation I saw with boys-- except they became lovers of girls rather than anything greater or lesser than they used to be as chil-dren.

BY AMRIT PERSAUD


Even though I tried, it seemed impossible to be-come like anyone of any clique. It was hard to chat with someone today and pass him or her without acknowl-edgment tomorrow. It was especially difficult to share a private conversation with a friend and hear all about what you mentioned, the next day, from an acquain-tance. Society has dictated the lives of most and binds in-dividuals to culture. I asked myself where I was when culture was being passed out. That’s right, I was up in my cherry tree being the observer rather than receiver of many aspects of society’s culture. I continued observ-ing for a while after and then stopped as I saw nothing new, only re-runs. Books became my friends and my state of awareness and enlightenment grew brighter with time. Finally, my niche was found in my journey on Enlightenment Boulevard. What’s funny about Enlightenment Boulevard is that it’s found at the heart of every Imagined City—the Imagined City of Culture. Please understand that the City of Culture is a brilliant place of food, clothing, traditions, and even has it’s own linguistic codes. But when the sun goes down and the shadows grow long, are the inhabitants learning from one another, or do they have tunnel vision syndrome? It is a frightening thought that some cultural groups are groomed to broadcast pride and a sense of duty to their own but other groups, or rather congregations, are reared to not recognize their social standing. “I think whites are carefully taught not to recog-nize white privilege, as males are taught not to recog-nize male privilege […] whites are taught to think of their lives as morally neutral, normative, and average and also ideal, so that when we work to benefit others, this is seen as work that will allow ‘them’ to be more like ‘us’,” stated activist Peggy McIntosh in an essay.1

Could it be true? Is this why patriarchy still has its way because male children are made to not recognize their privilege? And if they had, would they then make

an effort to practice yielding to other people out of respect? I wonder, if it is as simple as teaching your children to respect regardless of class or sex then why hasn’t it been practiced before? Maybe then girls would grow up learning to be strong women instead of dream-ing to be brides and boys would grow up being respon-sible in their learned roles understand and accepting that there are people that share this planet with them, not just their fellow males. Culture is a touchy subject for many. I see some good in culture as it brings a sense of order and famil-iarity, rather than a never-ending search of whom or what one is meant to be. At the same time, it can be so controlling. I remember in my freshman year of college, I had seen a group of people of Indian decent, dressed and waiting to go out. I felt the strings of my heart tug as my grand-mother, who is East Indian, also liked to gather with her sisters and sit for a brunch. Could I possibly join them? “Hello, are you girls headed somewhere special? Is there room for one more?” “Sorry,” they said, “It’s an Indian party.” My heart sank to my feet and I dragged it across the lobby behind me, leaving an invisible trace of blood. “If only I had been a little more tanned, then I’d be invited to Indian parties,” I thought. All was not lost, though, as I made curry later that day. I am, today, okay with the idea of not fitting in. In not finding somewhere that I comfortably fit, I have found that I had a better relationship with myself. It became clear that nothing that I wore, nothing I could say in any accent, nothing that I acted could define me. In giving up self, I was able to find myself and I became satisfied. For the first time in many years I could ex-press that I love who I am, even though I cannot define myself, it feels overwhelmingly amazing. What would this world look like if everyone, for one evening, would step out of self and explore with new eyes and observe the beauty in each other, binaries aside, and find es-sence in one another and swim in it?

February 8, 2013

BY EVIE DARKLY

WITCH HUNTS & HYSTERIA IN 2013

The Salem witch trials took place between February 1692 and May 1693 across several towns in Puritan Massachu-setts, the most famous bearing the “Salem” name. While it was predominately women and their children who were accused of making a covenant with the devil, men were not immune to the charges.1 Twenty people were executed dur-ing the Salem trials, including one by the barbaric method of “pressing,” and the stories and images from these dark days reverberate today akin to ghost stories told around the fire. Yet there are many, many more instances of witch-hunts in world history. Europe experienced its own “witchcraft craze” from the 1300s through the 1600s, and tens of thousands of people--predominately women--were put to death (scholars are still debating the particulars, but it is estimated there were between ~35,000 to ~50,000 executions in Europe dur-ing this period, 75 percent of which were women).2 Indeed examples of punishment for “malevolent sorcery” exist in the oldest law codes preserved today from ancient Egypt and Babylonia.3

From the Ancient East, to Europe through Antiquity and the Middle Ages, and then on to a few paranoid towns in the eastern United States, certainly we can all look back on those times as barbaric and senseless. Or, instead of looking back, we could just look... over. The witch hunts are not over.

Modern witch hunts take place in cultures where belief in magic and the dark arts is strong. In Saudi Arabia, one can actually still be executed for witchcraft, though what actually constitutes “witchcraft” in legal terms is unspecific.4 In Sub-Saharan Africa, witch hunts against children and women who have “red eyes” have been reported, with many of the accused falling victim to vicious lynchings.5 In Sierra Leone, the commencement of a witch hunt in usually honoured with a speech about social ethics by local “witch finders.”6

In many parts of Africa, the motive for accusing someone of witchcraft is often a ruse to acquire the accused’s land, as is the same in India. In India, revenge is often the recipe for a witchcraft charge, such as in an instance where a woman refuses the romantic affections of a man. In remote Indian villages, anything from a poor harvest to illness indicates the presence of witchcraft to the superstitious.7 Keeping in mind the gender norms in India, it is not hard to understand how few options these accused women are left with. Women

charged of witchcraft in India are generally not punished by the law, but are instead driven from their homes by angry mobs. The ones who survive often succumb to suicide. A 2010 estimate determined approximately 200 women a year are killed in India through lynchings and hangings after being branded witches.8

In Papua New Guinea, there is a broad belief in sorcery, or puripuri as its known there. “White” magic and “faith heal-ing” are common practise, while “black” magic is punishable by up to two years imprisonment. Extrajudicially, Papua New Guinea’s women suffer a worse fate, as the accused witches--usually ageing single women--are tortured, mur-dered and sometimes cannibalised by mobs of self-proclaimed witch-hunters.9 Something as accidental as a car crash can send villages into hysteria as they search for the source of the tragedy. Even being related to a woman accused of witch craft is enough to send family members fleeing from their homes in the middle of the night to live in the slums of another town. Said one leader of the witch hunts, “It is part of my culture, my tradition, it’s my belief. I see myself as a guardian angel. We feel that we kill on good grounds and we’re working for the good of the people in the village.”10

Though the phrase “witch hunt” typically conjures up those infamous Salem witch trials, the prevalence of such hysteria today necessitates a consideration of the gender norms and climate of fear in the countries where it still takes place. As these countries become more modern and educated, will the persecuted find a way to respond and help traditional beliefs evolve into rational ones? Or will they be overcome by the mob and the systemic abuse of power engrained into their societies?

Footnotes:1 http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/speccol/calef/calef.html

2 http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief-salem.html3 http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/W/WITCH%3B+WITCHCRAFT/

4 http://www.hrw.org/en/node/62304/section/235 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3209047.stm

6 Studia Instituti Anthropos, Vol. 41. Anthony J. Gittins : Mende Religion. Steyler Verlag, Nettetal, 1987. p. 197.

7 http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2013/01/2013121101834161718.html8 http://www.thehindu.com/news/article533407.ece

9 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-05/png-police-arrest-alleged-cannibals/411320810 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/witch-hunts-murder-and-evil-

in-papua-new-guinea-1681072.html


RHIZOMATIC RELIGIONBY HUCK FINN

Moses didn’t have scripture; he had the burning bush—God’s creation on fire. It cultivated his spiritual aes-thetic; it inspired him to worship God. I’d like to chal-lenge you to discover what God has set on fire for you. My spiritual aesthetic is poetry. Although it does not entreat me to create poetry, it changes what is ordi-nary to extraordinary in my life. In nature, I see not churches, but geographical features that inherently worship God. The moon does not complete its orbit at the horizon; instead, it is swallowed by waves. It is within this beauty that my human nature fuses with the celestial. It is a metaphysical experience which rec-ognizes that I am human; a relationship between my biological sustenance and an element of God’s creation. He is ceaseless. Like fire, he is unexplainable to science yet scaldingly obvious. My spiritual aesthetic ignites my relationship with God. It allows me to inspire oth-ers. It is beautiful, warm, candescent! When I do not feel spiritually uplifted, my world is charred. I become burnt out: an element—blackened and seared. I doubt, but remain always hopeful. My distress and scars are evidence of what I can be, and what I was, how I’ve journeyed.

Allons! whoever you are come travel with me!Traveling with me you find what never tires.

The earth never tires,The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first, Na-ture is rude and incomprehensible at first,Be not discouraged, keep on, there are divine things well envelop’d,I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell.

Allons! we must not stop here,However sweet these laid-up stores, however conve-nient this dwelling we cannot remain here,However shelter’d this port and however calm these waters we must not anchor here,However welcome the hospitality that surrounds us we are permitted to receive it but a little while.

- Walt Whitman, “Song of the Open Road”

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not con-cerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with power-ful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body

- Walt Whitman, Preface to Leaves of Grass

February 8, 2013

Self Evident TruthsCreator: iO Tillett Wright

“One of the core ideas behind Self Evident Truths,

is that people don’t fit into over-simplified boxes.

Everyone falls somewhere on a nuanced spec-

trum of human sexuality.”


It is time to show people our faces, so that they must acknowledge our variety,

our humanity, and our dignity. Familiarity begets empathy:

“Hey, that looks like my daugh-ter/ son/ friend/ wife/ father.”

selfevidentproject.com

February 8, 2013

“Only TOmOrrOw” - my BlOOdy ValenTine, m b vOkay, so as of this writing, m b v, the long, long, long awaited

followup to 1991’s legendary Loveless has only been out about

3 days (this is a 22-year wait, people. Some of you haven’t even

been alive that long). So bear in mind that this is clearly more

of a “reaction” than a “review.” But listen I didn’t hit refresh

on the band’s website for hours on a Saturday night waiting for

the Internet to unbreak for nothing, okay? Also don’t be sur-

prised if for the remainder of the semester I just write about

this album and alternatively get nostalgic/angsty because no

one at CUC appreciates that My Bloody Valentine created

shoegaze and are largely responsible for the sound of today’s

left-of-center music. (If you do care, please write to SAChron-

[email protected] and ask for Evie Darkly. I probably still won’t

tell you who I am but we will fall in love, I can promise you

that.) So, let’s start with “Only Tomorrow,” song #2 for those of

you following along. Bilinda Butcher steals the spotlight from

Kevin Shields on vocals in what is a great introductory track

to the rest of the album, with all its listless cooing and waves

of perfectly distorted guitars (a sound they invented). At over

six minutes, the song drones and sighs in a murky reverie with

that raw guitar sound coaxing Butcher’s voice out of the dark-

ness again and again and again. It’s that hazy juxtaposition

between “shimmering” and “shadowy” that My Bloody Valen-

tine have done such a fine job reminding us of their mastery

of. Since when are reunion albums actually good? I like what

you’re doing with yourself, 2013.

-E.D.

“The Fall” - rhye

That moment when you’re dressed to the nines—suit and tie,

lipstick, polished shoes, heels, cologne, manicures—looking

classy and ready to take on the world. Do you know what it’s

like? Men feel oddly reminiscent of Frank Sinatra; women de-

sire pearls. Okay, maybe you’ve never felt like that before. But

“The Fall” is a song that will certainly evoke such emotions—I

have to fight the urge to imagine myself in a fancy dress with

a sweeping updo and the aforementioned pearls, waltzing

around a ballroom with a Sinatra look-alike. When listening to

this song, that is no easy feat. “The Fall” is about being apart

and then being together; being in love and then not loving at

all. Running away and coming home. Happiness and regret.

Lovers and strangers. Pearls and rocks. Cologne and tears.

-M.M.

“in This diVide” - azam ali

Strained by overgrown dreams

Rooted in disillusionment

But in the hour fate flaws

I know I’m not alone

And fall, it’s the way I know

And fall, it’s the way I’ll grow

Cause we face the tides

Of will and divine

Though we mystify

What we flee and feel today

And why, when there’s a way

Above the fire that fears of drought fill,

Do I crawl

“elaika” - imam as-shaFaei

To You, the Creator, I lift my longing, and even if I am an

evildoer, a criminal, O possessor of kindness and generos-

ity! When my heart became constricted and my paths became

narrow I took my hope in Your pardon and forgiveness as an

escape. You are and still remain the only One who can forgive

sins. You grant and forgive out of Your benevolence and gener-

osity!

- S.W.

“weekend away” - Tuung

This song reminds me of wandering the streets of Edmonton at

night. The city of art, simplicity, great tea, and inspiration. I

can’t think of any better song to take with you on a walk.

“yOung americans” - daVid BOwie

In spite of what you, do, say, and feel, to or about someone

else, sometimes she’s just looking for a young American.

Sometimes this culture pays off, sometimes it doesn’t.

- L.B.

THE LISTENER


• Babies (2010)

• Baraka

• Samsara

• Avatar

• The Fifth Element

• The Class

• Ginger and Rosa

• Devil’s Playground (2002)

• 56 and Up

MOVIE LIST

Riding in Cars With Boys - Beverly Donofrio

Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

-Anne Fadiman

Death of a Guru - Rabi R. Maharaj

The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank

Lord of the Flies- William Golding

I Live Here -Mia Kirshner

BOOK LIST

February 8, 2013

LETTER

On the shores of Goulais Bay Lake Superior and the neighbouring one of Batchawana, one of these pub-lick nuisances--an Indian reserve was laid of a few years ago under Lord Elgin’s Government the reserve covered a portage of 30 miles on the Lake with a suf-ficient depth into the country to make up an area of 300 square miles of land--some of the best land in the country and so situated as to block up the means of ac-cess to the entire regions lying in the rear of it and all this for about a d dozen of the most wretched, squalid, miserable specimens of human nature that I have ever seen: indeed a close inspection of, and a little acquain-tance with, these creatures leads one to doubt whether they are human, but whether they are men or monkeys it matter not now, the present administration have found means to extinguish their title so far, that the country is now surveyed, and will soon be in market.

Response:

I suppose the individual who published the above and Mr Charles Linsey, the grear Hearo who tried last fall to frighten the Manitoulin Indians out of ther sences and their Lands, are, one and the same--if they are not their certanly is a great family likeness between them I have lived for several years with in a few miles of Goulais bay and I have frequently seen Indians aluded to but I never took them for Monkyes neither did I ever hear such a thing hinted at by the white people I think they were allways, considered to be human beings, possessing living souls, I did not think monekys lived so far norht I allways understood that they were found in warm climates, when I was in England I went to the zoological garden were I saw a great maney monkeys and of variosu sises and kinds but I observed their was on trait coman to them all and a close inspection & a litle acquaintance with the Editor of the Leader has led me to the conlucsion that the same trait stand out prominently in so comon to all th emonkeys I ever saw I will eave you to guess who is by nature verey closly related to these four leged animals well I will tell you the trait wich I observed so comon to every variety of monkeys was an entire absence of humanity. I have allso frequently seen the little trained mon-

key exibeted in our canadian towns and vilages with pants red coat and cap, but every child could tell that it was a monkey because its tail would stick out and I noticed that after he had played of his money anticks he allways went around with his hat for a colection and as far as I can learn this is just what a certen creature does after he as performed something wich is pleasing to a certen party he expects them in return to throw something handsome into his cap. The Editor of the Leader apears to think that every indian reservation is a publick nusiance so I conclude that if he could have his will, he would have every band of indians drove on to the baran waste of granite rocks north of Lakes huron and superior but why are indian reservations aney more publick nu-siance then large blocks of land bought and held by speculators I argue that Indians have a right to be paid a fair valuation for aney lands wich they may agree to surrender, I suppose the Leader would not ahve a word to say if a dozen or two poor hard working white men should get scatered throug the Goulais bay teritory, while all the remainder was bought up and held by a few speculators untill those poor men by hard persever-ing industry ahd cleared up their lands and made roads and thus by the poor mans hard labour raised the value of the rich land speculators property--the Edi-tor of the Leader sttes that the present administration have found means to extinguish their title, my english his so poor that I frequently have to consult Webster and I find the word extinguish means to destroy to put an end to; to extinguish a claim or title, a wonderful fear surely for the present administration to perform and for the Editor of the Leader to brag of; this shows another instance of the uter helplessness of the poor indian they apear to be at the mercy of such men as Mr Charles Linsey our present administration can extin-guish the red mans title at pleasure, what hope is their for the remnant that are yet left to whom can they go for redress who will help them or are they entirly without helper, I suppose Mr Linsey will answer these questions when the present administration give him a commission to go to manitoulin with soldiers to subdue the Indians or monkeys as he calls them.

THE LEADER1864


ENTERTAINMENT

• Bistro Italiano: Saturday, February 9, at 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria • Banquet: 2 Worlds: CUC Prom, Sunday, Febru ary 10, 7 pm at the Lacombe Memorial Centre• Orchestra Tour to Edmonton: Sunday, February 10• CUC Women’s Soccer: Monday, February 11 at 7 pm at the Collicutt Centre, Red Deer• CUC Basketball Teams vs Olds: Tuesday, February 12 at 6:00/7:30 pm at the CUC PE Centre• CUC Hockey Team vs Clive Hawks: Tuesday, February 12 at 10:15 pm at the Lacombe Ice Centre

• Valentines Day: Thursday, February 14• Reading break: Friday, February 15-Tuesday, February 19• Dodgeball Tournament: Saturday, February 16, 7 pm • CUC Student Trip to Edmonton: Sunday, February 17, 10 am. More information at LVH• Maple Hall Open House: Thursday, February 21• AY: Saturday, February 23, 4:00 pm in the LVH Chapel• Business Club Jazz Café: Sunday, February 24• February is Black History Month

`With the prevalence of the internet in recent decades, I don’t

doubt the giddy and arguably wit-less puns about surfing the

internet and actually surfing (thankfully it’s an old joke; still,

consider yourself lucky if you haven’t heard it). Bad puns aside, I

have heard of surfing for sport, technology, and even on reclining

objects—couches and mattresses, but only in a friend-helping-

friend through a hard time context. I had no idea that a global

Couchsurfing community existed with a culture of its own, com-

prised of traveling supporters and enthusiasts all over the world

and even in my hometown.

When people hear of Couchsurfing, one out of two reactions

is fairly predictable: they either love the idea or hate it. And to

be honest, it can be an unnerving concept: an online community

where members offer to host travelers, or couch surfers, looking

for a place to stay. The surfer is at the mercy of the host’s accom-

modations—be it a guest bedroom, pull-out bed, or even just the

floor. There is no cost or monetary fee, and it’s up to the surfer and

the host to work out scheduling and arrival times. Couchsurfing

requires an open mind, positive attitude, and friendly spirit.

My first Couchsurfing experience was in the summer of 2012

while road tripping with a close friend from CUC to Montreal,

Quebec. We had heard about Couchsurfing from a friend and loved

the idea right away. We stayed with a doctor/author in Regina, a

software engineer in Minneapolis, and with a languages student

in Montreal. All of our experiences were positive; not only did

we have free accommodations (that were clean, comfortable, and

looked better in comparison to ill-reviewed hostels), but I was able

to meet interesting people who were proud of the city they lived

in and wanted to share it with me. Our host treated us to the best

cup of coffee in Minneapolis, which it no doubt was, and sent us off

with freshly bought vegetables from the farmer’s market. Another

host said he gives an extra house key to his guests if they stay for

more than a night. When I seemed surprised at that, he replied

that he trusts those who come to stay with him and hopes others

do the same. Couchsurfing is a community based on trust, travel,

support, and openness. Most of the hosts have been Couchsurfers

themselves and want to help those who are traveling and need a

place to stay.

Couchsurfing is about the human experience. It’s about

connecting with people from around the world and for a night or

two, or however long you are on a futon in someone else’s home,

experiencing the world and culture of that person. This experience

is not for everyone, but for those interested, be smart and travel

safe. Couchsurf with a friend; especially if you are female, don’t

stay alone at a man’s house. Read the references and experiences

of others before you send a request to someone; if a host’s profile

indicates a personality or lifestyle that would clash with your own,

don’t request their accommodations. Most of all, listen to your gut,

and don’t discredit your intuitions or feelings. Go out, explore, and

enjoy the world. And that’s the beauty of leaving the internet for

just a little while and surfing a couch instead. Pun intended.

BY MELISSA MYERS

FEBRUARY EVENTS

THE COUCHSURFING CULTURE: FOR INTREPID TRAVELLERS AND THOSE WILLING TO SLEEP ON FUTONS

February 8, 2013

MUSIC MAKES THE PEOPLE

“lOVe is On iTs way” - cOrinne Bailey rae

Oh Father,I wish I had understanding.Never known moreNever been so well informedWe know the scoreHeard it all before,But I’ve never felt more powerless

There’s so much blood on the streetsSo much hope refusedSo much grainy teenage photographs on

the evening news

Oo, when everywhere’s violenceSilently I go

When the day comesAnd I’ve counted all my sinsHow many I’ll seeI want to be able to say that I did more,

more than prayI did moreThan just spend my moneyJust writing lettersThan just going out marchingI did more than talking and saying the

right thingWearing the right thingIt’s time for an uprising

Love’s on its wayHope it won’t be too late

“wiseman” - Frank Ocean

Primate sharpens toolTo survive and thrive in the jungleMaybe hearts were made to pump bloodMaybe lungs were made for floodI won’t blunt my blade for cut these chainsRather let my limbs be drug through mudYou’re my brother but your eyes are coldYou’re my sister but your womb is bare

I bet our mother would be proud of youI bet our mother would be proud of you

Bad man don’t existNo evil man existsI know good man don’t existNo righteous man existsStrong man don’t existNo undying man existsWeak man don’t existNo just flesh and blood exists

“liVe yOur liFe” - yuna

Find your lightDon’t hide from what you areAnd rise before you fallAnd hope for something moreLive if you really want toLive if you really want toLive if you really want to

All my life I’ve been looking for something amazing

It’s almost like I’ve been stargazingThe sky is right above me

We were meant for something bigger than thisDon’t ever try to dismiss yourself cause you

don’t have to.


“SavageS” Pt. 1 - PocahontaS Soundtrack

What can you expect From filthy little heathens? Their whole disgusting race is like a curse Their skin’s a hellish red They’re only good when dead They’re vermin, as I said And worse They’re savages! Savages!Barely even humanSavages! Savages!

Drive them from our shore! They’re not like you and me Which means they must be evil We must sound the drums of war! They’re savages! Savages! Dirty redskin devils! Now we sound the drums of war! This is what we feared The paleface is a demon The only thing they feel at all is greedBeneath that milky hide There’s emptiness inside I wonder if they even bleed They’re savages! Savages! Barely even human Savages! Savages! Killers at the core They’re different from us Which means they can’t be trusted We must sound the drums of war They’re savages! Savages! First we deal with this one Then we sound the drums of war Savages! Savages!

Let’s go kill a few, men! Savages! Savages!

Now it’s up to you, men!

Barely even human! Now we sound the drums of war!

“cold War” - Janelle Monae

So you think I’m alone?But being alone’s the only way to beWhen you step outsideYou spend life fighting for your sanity

This is a cold warYou better know what you’re fighting

forThis is a cold warDo you know what you’re fighting for?

If you wanna be free?Below the ground’s the only place to beCause in this lifeYou spend time running from depravity

Bring wings to the weak and bring grace to the strong

May all evil stumble as it flies in the world

All the tribes comes and the mighty will crumble

We must brave this night and have faith in love

I’m trying to find my peaceI was made to believe there’s something

wrong with meAnd it hurts my heartLord have mercy, ain’t it plain to see?

This is a cold warYou better know what you’re fighting

forThis is a cold warDo you know what you’re fighting for?

To submit your creative pieces, email us at:

[email protected]

February 8, 2013

Find Yourself

Documents

Issue 8 Volume 60