I love you.

     Today I propose one small step for man, one giant step for mankind, in the right direction. A step towards loving yourself. A step towards acceptance. A step towards a positive use of the media. I want to take a stand against cyber-bullying, from the little bullies and the big corporations. Confidence shouldn't be muted by media screams, simply so that they can sell it back to us. I am more than a size 8. I am more than anonymous insults directly spat over the internet or indirectly spat into beauty products; 2 for 1 special anyone?
    In local news, a student at our school recently decided it would be funny to make a slander account, mocking other students. It wasn't funny. Our student took a stand and fought hate the way we always manage to, with #CBLove. We fought our problems the best way possible, with #CBSolutions.
   Ideally, everyone would jump on this bandwagon, bullies included, of course. We could all spread love instead of anxiety. You deserve that, you deserve that because you are an individual, you are beautiful, and you are important. I love you.
   We've learned, from the media, to pick on flaws to make ourselves feel better. Calling someone fat doesn't make you any thinner, calling someone gay doesn't make you any straighter, and calling someone retarded doesn't win you any Nobel prize. However, calling someone beautiful can turn their whole day around, and you'll feel better too. Spread the kind words, via twitter, a secret post-it note, or face to face. Let people know that they are lovely the way they are, that includes you. It's easy to get suffocated by your own insecurities when you're always breathing in. So take a deep breath, appreciate yourself, and spread the love.

Just a friendly reminder from another human being, you are not alone.

Photo sources: Tumblr (Original Authors Unknown)

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

    Today I felt very inspired, inspired to travel to Vietnam, all due to this episode of a travel show, Departures! One of the hosts, Scott Wilson & Justin Lukach, put it best when they said, "people see Vietnam as a war, not a country." This was accurate of my own views of Vietnam. I had completed a research assignment on their war last year, but never bothered to look into the broader picture. After seeing that episode I was dumbfounded by the rich culture and friendly people they met among gorgeous scenery. So, feeling inspired, I looked into some more Vietnam trivia, from the ever reliable, Wikipedia.

• Population 87.8 million
• Area 331,210 km² (size of Germany)
• Has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era (2.6 million years ago)
• Ranked 16th worldwide in biological diversity, being home to approximately 16% of the world's species
• Bicylces or motorcycles are the most common form of transport in the cities
• 85% of population identify as Buddhist
• Unemployment at 2.3%
• Literacy rates at 90.3%

More importantly, as far as I'm concerned...

• Round trip flights, Ottawa to Ho Chi Minh, start from $1,682.82 

Here are some great pictures I found of Vietnam, from National Geographic, to give you a taste of what I'm now day dreaming of!

A Bitter Too Late

Twas the night of elections, when all through the land
All the creatures were stirring, from NY to Los Ang.
The poll stations were hung, in the public, with care
In hopes the eligible voters soon would be there

Some adults were nustled, all snug in their bed,
With visions of the economy boosting in their heads.
But some with no beds, not even a cap,
Had to settle outside for a long winter's nap.

On the White House lawn there was such a clatter,
"So why bother vote, if I don't even matter!?"
Pompous politicians argue over cash,
But regardless, stocks grow and they crash.

- A Short Sattirical Poem By Self, Based On Twas The Night Before Christmas

      I'm currently watching the CNN coverage of results and as anyone with a basic comprehension of the electoral college system (very few Americans) can tell you... the system is awful. Quoted as "a filter from pure democracy". To put it very simply, an entire state votes for one candidate, based on 51% + of the votes. Whether or not this system is effective is one thing but the repercussions are clear. If you live in a red (Republican) state your vote for Obama is pointless, so why even bother voting? Based on the twittersphere for example, is very Pro-Bama, as many youth are. However, that is not being reflected in the votes adding up on my television screen. It doesn't matter if 99% of Americans are Democratic, it matters what 51% of VOTERS are, well I suppose even that is a stretch... 51% of Electorates are what decide America's 4 year destiny....

Just a short cynical rant on the red, white, and blue (literally).

A basic graph of the electoral college votes in the last presidential election - Source: Wikipedia

Genderless Washrooms

    Currently, at CBSS, led by myself, is a movement in support of genderless washrooms. To be more clear the end goal is to have one washroom be transformed (by the change of a door sign) to an established genderless washroom, for single use only. This option would create a safe space for any students identifying as intersexed, transgender, genderqueer, questioning, or any student that is uncomfortable with the traditional binary-gender washroom system.
     This washroom option has been a goal of our school's GSA, gay-straight alliance, for years now. The washroom could set a new standard for schools provincially and nationally. CB has stepped up as a leading school in queer youth rights and anti-bullying, this progressive action is the next step. We can't simply settle with the changes we have made, we must move forward.
     To back up are movement we have used social networking; instead of a petition class to class we have a facebook page our supporters can like. At this moment in time we have 865 likes, ranging from CB students to trans-rights activists in the UK, U.S.A, Australia and more! Check is out here!
    This page has been faced with some negative feedback also, which was to be expected. However, for every problem people have with the washrooms we have solutions. Here are some examples:

1. "Boys have penises, girls have vaginas, done" - Incorrect, gender and sex are not always coordinated as societal norms dictate, and some people were born with both genitalia, this may be a minority but does that mean their rights are less valid? No.
2. "There are no transgender people at CB, it's pointless" - There may not be any publicly vocal transgender students at our school, but that doesn't mean they do not exist. Even if there were none, the entire school population changes every 4 years, we should be prepared to create a safe and accepting environment for every type of human being.  The establishment of the washrooms would make a huge statement to any student at CB under the gay-brella, it represents how accepting we are.
3. "A boy and a girl will go in and have sex" - If a couple wishes to have sex on school property then a sign on a door will not affect their decision, the signs on the male washroom are not a security system to block all vaginas. Where there is a will there is a way. 
4. "If it is a private washroom, people will just use it to poop" (This has been a largely voiced concern, seriously) - If it is a smelly washroom, it is still a safe washroom and that is what is important. 
5. "I don't agree with this!" - Awesome, don't use it. This washroom is an option so that nobody is uncomfortable. This comment reminds me of the closed minded gay marriage debate, if you don't like gay marriage, don't get gay married! Rights are about options, we can't take away peoples rights and peoples options, we must take a stand for the minority even if the majority sees it as frivolous. 
6. "We can't afford a new washroom" - This comment is more of  a misunderstanding  we will not be building a new washroom, simply changing a door sign, which shall be paid for with the funds SAFE, our GSA, has raised!

All support is appreciated and I'll post more of our progress once we move forward to administration!

Picture source: http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCnMxTdex40SRyG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprofile.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhprofile-ak-ash4%2F195812_379345542140872_1626705310_n.jpg

The Perks of the Movie I Saw Last Tuesday - A Film Review

    As a high school student making minimum wage, no day is a more glorious occasion than cheap movie day at the cinema. After my friend and I filled our bellies with the thrifty choice of Mongolian Village we set off to see The Perks Of Being a Wallflower. Without spoiling the ending I will spoil the expectation that it is anything like the trailer. However, it was very authentic to the original novel from 1999; this was thanks to the fact that Stephen Chbosky, the author, was also the film's screenplay writer and the director. If you haven't read this renowned book, a warning it is very sad - so sad in fact that if you leave the theater and you aren't ugly crying you may not have a heart. Fortunately, unlike many gloomy movies, the ending is anything but cliche and expected, but that's all I'll give away. The biggest criticism I have for this piece is the poor casting choices for the lead characters. I suspect someone upstairs simply wanted to throw Emma Watson's name on their movie poster, as she did not deliver the character of Sam with any justice. The soundtrack was great, with risk of posing as wanna-be-hipster. All these factors lead to a Rotten Tomato rating of 86% and an audience rating average of 95%. My friend and I were among the majority and I highly recommend seeing this piece, if only on cheap Tuesday.

Movie Poster Source: http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower_8_Poster.jpg

Blasphemy in the UN

blas·phe·my

 [blas-fuh-mee]

noun, plural blas·phe·mies.

1. impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things.

2. Judaism .

a. an act of cursing or reviling God.

b. pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH) in the original, now forbidden manner instead of using a substitute pronunciation such as Adonai.

3. Theology . the crime of assuming to oneself the rights or qualities of God.

4. irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc.: He uttered blasphemies against life itself.

 

 

      The controversial anti-muslim video that his been enciting countless riots and protests accross the middle east has now been cause for debate in the UN as it is considering enacting an anti-blasphemy law. From the western world this is not being met well; as the U.S. government refused to demand the elimination of the video, insulting Mohamed, they will not stand to have their first amendment, the freedom of speech impeeched. Anger from the muslim community with the world is bumping heads with the Americans; as serious as murders at embassys, though many peaceful protests have ensued also. The debate is whose rights must be protected and how should the UN respond to bullying on a global scale?  

 

Photosource: http://heresalink.com/search/atheism 
[US President Barack Obama speaking in the UN earlier this week]
Definiton cited from http://www.dictionary.com

Same Love for Mackelmore

       A new song on hip-hop artist, Mackelmore's, newest album, The Heist, is anything but the same from this genre of the music industry. Same love is a song promoting marriage equality comes from a refreshing angle because as Mackelmore says himself within this piece, "if I was gay I would think hip-hop hated me". This song contrasts with the word "faggot" that is embedded in many popular hip hop songs, along the bandwagon of macho-ism. As for the song itself, Same Love, is a fantastic! As usual Mackelmore impresses us with his word play and rhyme and in this piece Mary Lambert's voice is a perfect addition; few reviews of the song disagree. The song's message, in addition to the proceeds, are in support of marriage equality so from this gay Mackelmore fan it receives 3 thumbs up!

Buy the song here! Proceeds going to the Music for Marriage Equality Campaign!

Stepping Forward With The CB Graduated 2013

This is a link to a photojournalism piece on the graduating students of Colonel By High School! Completed with Sarah Fox.

Photo: Preview from set; 2013 graduate Kyla Germain.

Photographer: Myself; Erin Strawbridge

LSC

     Just around the corner is Colonel By's biggest event of the year, leadership camp. This year it is titled #SWAG camp (students working to achieve their goals) out of some ironic, topical humor. I am ecstatic to be planning camp this year as it is such a major event and amazing weekend. I've been perfecting the schedule for weeks now and in a few days it will really be happening. Will everything go as planned? Probably not. Knowing my  luck it will probably rain everyday with a possibility of a fire tornado. However, I know that because of the amazing teachers and students involved it will be amazing anyway. That is what is so special about LSC, you get to spend time with people you spend everyday with but to see them in an entirely different light. LSC allows you to see your classmate as silly as ever and then open their heart up to you, it's so human and the weekend is so filled with love.
     Stay posted for a podcast summary of LSC when we return!!!

Photo source: Erica Guy (leader from LSC 2012)

WE WANT OUR EXTRACURRICULARS.

     Without a doubt you've heard about the teachers strike that's currently affecting schools across Ontario, including my beloved Colonel By Secondary School. The summary of the situation is that, due to Bill 115, which includes a wage freeze and less sick days for teachers and more controversial, negating the right to stirke, teachers across the province may be protesting through "Work to Rule". This, as you probably know, would cut clubs, school events, sports and more. Basically, students are becoming the pawns in this argument that we're told we just don't understand. I heard it put well on teh radio this morning, the kids are acting as adults and the adults acting as kids. The bill, entitled "putting the students first", is causing quite the opposite. Fortunately students are coming together to protest and write letters to politicians, anything to stop the mess our "grown ups" have created.
     The work to rule strike would impact every student, each in a different way. The extra curriculars I've been lucky enough to be a part of have shaped me into the person I am today and arguabely saved my life.  We need our extra curriculars. We want our extra curriculars.

Photo source & PETITION: http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/protest-bill-115-the-putting-students-first-act-and-support-teachers

Breaking Reality TV

     Let me set the stage for you, it's 10 o'clock on a Sunday night and even though it's the first week of school I have some math homework. Given the situation, I turn on the television, hoping to ease my math pains with the some mindless show on TLC, ironically "the learning channel". I'm oh so fortunate enough to tune in right on time for the series premiere of "Breaking Amish". It seems to be an expose of sorts on the hardships behind growing up Amish, following 6 young adults who are chosing to leave this strangely oppresive lifestyle. This concept really fascinated me but as the show progressed I grow more and more uncomfortable with the show itself. The producers of "Breaking Amish" offered the participants and all paid for trip to NYC to experience the real world, but the viewer has to realize this is for TLC's benefit not the participants as you hope. To say this experience will be a culture shock is an understatement.The show takes these sheltered people and hands them a Jersey Shore lifestyle, they've been thrown into a celebrity like status that they may never escape after the season airs. They also will never be able to return to the amish as they have broken their rules and are now shunned, by those closest to them, members already recieving hatemail. My stomach felt uneasy last night because though I was happy they were given a choice for the first time in their life, I cringed that a TLC executive took advantage of it. I'm not sure how the season will progress but by this first episode one girl has already recieved a DUI and the previews for the next episode showed a bar brawl and "slut" scream off. I plan to follow this series as it progresses despite my discomfort of the show's dehumanizing marketing tactics. The only thing for certain is these ex-amish's lives will never be the same and someone at TLC is getting a promotion.

Photo Source: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20617303,00.html