Over the Edge - November 30 Canada: Cultural DEVON FLYNN CONTRIBUTOR n the November 16th issue of Over The Edge, there was an [&: that discussed the comparison between UNBC’s iden- tity and that of Canada. In the midst of pondering what the question meant, the author reflected on Canadian culture, the people, and a culture difficult to define. While Canadian culture is undeniably difficult to define, it is undoubtedly NOT “technic- ally a melting pot” as the author would believe. Evidence to this would be the several federal policies in place that affirm we are not like our southern neighbours. While a cer- tain Prime-Minister-who-shall-not-be-named is certainly vying for our country to be one of similar calibre as the US, multicul- turalism is one thing that historians, politicians and nationalists have argued is undeniable in the few differences between Canada and the United States. While Canada has always struggled with finding its identity and determining if it is truly a nation, multiculturalism has al- ways been a core base for wrapping that superfluous title of “Na- tion” around. Much of our historical roots are derived from the struggles and conflicts (some settled, some continuing) between First Nations, French and early settlers. The most controversial and sensitive subject you can bring to these groups are whether they are a nation themselves or simply “Canadian”. Go ahead and try to ask a First Nation or Quebecois student fluent in Canadian history, you’ ll be in for one hell of a conversation. The unsettled qualms as to whether First Nations and French should be recognized as “citizens+” alone shows that Canada is far from a melting pot of culture. But please don’t take this with the notion the groups are just looking for their recognition on a mantle — the historical and political contributions of these groups has been essential for national discourse in determining the legit- imacy of rights for smaller minority groups — namely, practically everyone else in Canada. The protection of multiculturalism in Canada is so essen- tial we have actually adopted it as a policy, aptly reflected in the law through the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. The Minister of this policy “shall encourage and promote a coordinated ap- proach to the implementation of the multiculturalism policy of Canada and may provide advice and assistance in the develop- ment and implementation of programs and practices in support of the policy.” Multiculturalism isn’t just a framework of policies for Canada, it one of the biggest parts of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the underlying document our country was built on. Section 27 states “This Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.” There are numerous other legislations that argue multicultural frameworks of Canada, but once you get the biggies, why go any further? But we return to the original question that was posed to the author in that November 1 6th issue of Over The Edge — How does UNBC compare to Canada? Mosaic # Melting Pot Well, the university certainly stresses diversity. It says so right on its website http://www.unbc.ca/policy/category/divers- ity.html. The numerous organizations and groups at UNBC def- initely promote an air of diversity: the Chaplin center is available to openly and respectfully discuss faith; the student service center accommodates students with disabilities; the First Nations Cen- ter provides academic and cultural for First Nation and non-First Nation students; the Northern PRIDE Association is a safe area for LBGTQ or straight (albeit one that was hard fought for); and the Northern Women’s Centre provides information on women’s issues though training programs, talks, workshops and events. Not to mention the numerous NUGSS clubs that support a variety of cultures, from the Punjabi Club to the Arabian Club. How- ever, I will note there is lack of “Quebecois” or “French” oriented clubs, groups or services at UNBC. C’est dommage. To reiterate my point, I once more stress Canada is not a melt- ing pot of cultures and should not be considered one. Although finding the same proportion of diversity at one of the youngest and smallest universities in Canada might prove a difficult en- deavour, it will not be a disappointing one. In doing so, you will actually begin to appreciate the opportunities we have to learn from each other, to share and enrich our lives and those of our neighbours, whether they be from the next town over or a country across the world. Shit Girls Say A funny Insight or just Sexist? SHELBY PETERSEN EDITOR IN CHIEF he internet is abuzz with the new meme “Shit Girls Say”. The popular parody has even warranted several different spin offs including, “Shit White Girls Say to Black Girls” and “Shit Girls Say to Gay Guys”. The now three-part ser- ies that features a cameo from Juliette Lewis, has a combined total of just under 15 million views. While the video series is funny and I did find myself laughing while first watching it, it does have some troub- ling attributes. Throughout the video the “girl”, played by Graydon Shep- pard, a male comedian, says things like, “Do you know anything about computers?” “What is wrong with my computer?” and, “Do I look like a doily?” The “shit” that this “girl” says may seem innocuous and at first, but when you examine it closer and watch the other two videos in the ser- ies it becomes clear that the “girl” be- ing portrayed throughout this meme is technologically illiterate, nonsens- ical, silly, weak, helpless, and above all pretty stupid. Speaking as a girl, I will admit to saying a few of these things before, but this portrayal is not the way in which I communicate nor Still from the video, Shit Girls Say. do any of my female friends. Many of you may be reading this and think- ing, “Ugh, just let it go, it’s a You- tube video!” but it is more than that —it is how society generally perceives women to be and the 15 million views are a testament to how acceptable this There is also a video called “Shit Guys Say” in which a woman dresses as a man and says things like “Let’s have sex” and acts like a character from Jersey Shore. This video, how- ever, only has 516 thousand views, which is considerably lower than its female counterpart. Moreover, the comments for the video say things like “Further proof why girls are not funny” and “More like shit morons say” whereas the comments for the “Shit Girls Say” video are all basic- ally affirmations to the series’ truth. While both videos are incorrect stereotypes of how each gender be- haves, “Shit Girls Say” has some- how managed to become a meme which people now, sadly, believe to be accurate. My hope is that one day someone will make a video in which a woman can figure out her own com- puter and speak intelligently. Some- thing tells me that wouldn’t get any- where near 15 million views.