Letters to the editor
Defending Real Women
RE: October 16, 2006 “Defining Real Women”
Dear Editor:
Ashley Houghton's diatribe masquerading as a review of Real Women London (RWL) Magazine (Interrobang, Oct 16) was both pathetic and distorted. Just because she doesn't fit into the market the magazine is targeted to, she feels it is her given right to ridicule and chastise those individuals who have produced this local (quality) publication. Let me set the record straight.
RWL was started about six months ago by two (and I use the term lightly here as both are going through career transitions) self-employed single mothers. Shelly Wilson is the publisher and the energy behind the initial idea. She works countless hours bringing this publication to print each month while trying to build her own graphics design and promotion company in tandem with the magazine and raising two teenage daughters on her own. Jane Antoniak is a single mother of three who has taken on the editorial responsibilities for RWL. Over six months ago, Jane Antoniak attended the Small Business Centre's self-employment program, a program funded by Human Resources Canada for individuals that are unemployed and want to work in getting their own businesses off the ground. For Ms Antoniak, RWL is a product of that program. I assisted Ms Antoniak in developing her business plan and found her to be an outstanding individual, often giving of herself to others and the community while not expecting anything in return. Sorry to disappoint Ms. Houghton, but the magazine's principals are struggling, hard-working individuals who are pounding the pavement every week looking for advertisers to keep the publication (and dream) going. The fact that they'll accept advertising from legitimate companies owned and operated primarily by other local London women is not degrading as Houghton suggests; it is a necessary fact of business, even she does not like the ad content. Wilson and Antoniak are not the images that Houghton projects.
Houghton was extremely vocal of the “models” that RWL uses on the cover. Had she taken the time to consider the approach RWL was actually taking, she would have understood that the cover shots of local women are NOT professional models, but “regular” women, mothers and grandmothers living among us who have no desire to be professional models — they simply have agreed to be representatives of all women because they believe in what the concept stands for. Their faces are never shown -- representing an image of any women, and all women. If Houghton thinks this magazine is written by and for the “rich and famous” she need only head downtown and meet the staff which are (and I say this at the risk of offending them — but they would understand under the circumstances), very plain and ordinary like the rest of us, however extremely genuine.
I was especially put-off by Houghton's racist innuendo “articles written by the magazine's all-white staff”. All too often comments such as these go unchallenged and therefore find some loose form of legitimacy. What Houghton wrote is trash and just plain crap! Had Houghton done her homework she would have found that Antoniak has written a weekly column for years in the London Free Press called “How Did They Get Here”, an exposé featuring the stories of hundreds of immigrants that have come to London from around the world. There is not a racist bone in Jane's body and she has personally championed the difficult and sometimes gut-wrenching stories on what people endure to gain the same freedoms that individuals, such as Houghton, enjoy when they write such trash. The stories may not resonate with Houghton's immature view of London, but rest assured they are very popular and balanced and are respected throughout the immigrant community in London. I wonder if Houghton enjoys the same level of respect in her own community as Ms Antoniak enjoys in her community.
I felt moved to write this rebuttal as being a professor here at Fanshawe I see so much optimism, excitement and progressive thought that is truly inspiring. Sadly however, like all societies, there will be some who find comfort in judging and chastising other's sincere efforts to reach their dreams. Those judgments will be ignored by those it is directed to — for I imagine they'll remain undeterred, focused and happy.
Darren Chapman
Professor, Business Studies
Salute to architectural students past and present
Fanshawe College
Re: To the "Past and Present Architectural Division Students" that I taught,
At this time of giving thanks, I would like to thank those of you who through their thoughtfulness made my last day of teaching at Fanshawe one of the most memorable day of my life.
The flowers and the thoughtful words filled me with joy and contentment. Your considerate gesture made me feel that all those years I spent teaching Architectural Technology Students at Fanshawe were put to good use.
Along the years teaching you, I was empowered and my teaching skills were enriched due to your skills and dedication to a profession that requires one to be slave and master at the same time!
I should mention that your achievements and professional success was, and will always be my pride and joy also.
Wishing you the very best in your future professional and personal endeavors,
Mariana Nedelcu
Ph.D. Arch., M.A.Ed., MRAIC, MTSA
Students aren't into SAC
October 25, 2006
Re: Poor voter turn-out for SAC
As a first year broadcast journalism student and one who is interested in politics it was intriguing to me to see how the SAC elections took place this year, and I say shame on the FSU who seemed to have not placed a lot of importance on this election. With approximately 15 000 students at Fanshawe and in different divisions there should have been massive turnout. I congratulate the 709 people, including myself, who voted, but I am disappointed by the pitiful turnout. I feel the election needed to have been promoted more not just with ads in the Interrobang and some campaign posters, but with a more non-passive approach in getting students to exercise their democratic right and vote. Isn't it any wonder why youth do not vote in droves in municipal, provincial or federal elections? If they are not engaged then why should they.
Lastly in my division, Communication Arts, I cast my vote for Steve MacDonald who was in my opinion the best person to represent the division. His campaign was run ethically and with good solutions to challenges that face the college. I noticed that there was a small smear campaign going against him. To whomever perpetrated that campaign either person or another opposing campaign I say that it doesn't work when running for office anywhere else and it shouldn't here. To the students who voted hopefully you made an informed choice for your division and did not vote for someone because they had nice posters, cheap gimmicks or made unrealistic promises. We have a municipal election on November 13th, a federal by-election on November 27th in London North Centre, a riding some students live in, and possibly another federal one before school's out in April. Find out how you can vote and inform yourself on the candidates and issues so we can all become active participants in democracy.
Rob McGarry
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
RE: October 16, 2006 “Defining Real Women”
Dear Editor:
Ashley Houghton's diatribe masquerading as a review of Real Women London (RWL) Magazine (Interrobang, Oct 16) was both pathetic and distorted. Just because she doesn't fit into the market the magazine is targeted to, she feels it is her given right to ridicule and chastise those individuals who have produced this local (quality) publication. Let me set the record straight.
RWL was started about six months ago by two (and I use the term lightly here as both are going through career transitions) self-employed single mothers. Shelly Wilson is the publisher and the energy behind the initial idea. She works countless hours bringing this publication to print each month while trying to build her own graphics design and promotion company in tandem with the magazine and raising two teenage daughters on her own. Jane Antoniak is a single mother of three who has taken on the editorial responsibilities for RWL. Over six months ago, Jane Antoniak attended the Small Business Centre's self-employment program, a program funded by Human Resources Canada for individuals that are unemployed and want to work in getting their own businesses off the ground. For Ms Antoniak, RWL is a product of that program. I assisted Ms Antoniak in developing her business plan and found her to be an outstanding individual, often giving of herself to others and the community while not expecting anything in return. Sorry to disappoint Ms. Houghton, but the magazine's principals are struggling, hard-working individuals who are pounding the pavement every week looking for advertisers to keep the publication (and dream) going. The fact that they'll accept advertising from legitimate companies owned and operated primarily by other local London women is not degrading as Houghton suggests; it is a necessary fact of business, even she does not like the ad content. Wilson and Antoniak are not the images that Houghton projects.
Houghton was extremely vocal of the “models” that RWL uses on the cover. Had she taken the time to consider the approach RWL was actually taking, she would have understood that the cover shots of local women are NOT professional models, but “regular” women, mothers and grandmothers living among us who have no desire to be professional models — they simply have agreed to be representatives of all women because they believe in what the concept stands for. Their faces are never shown -- representing an image of any women, and all women. If Houghton thinks this magazine is written by and for the “rich and famous” she need only head downtown and meet the staff which are (and I say this at the risk of offending them — but they would understand under the circumstances), very plain and ordinary like the rest of us, however extremely genuine.
I was especially put-off by Houghton's racist innuendo “articles written by the magazine's all-white staff”. All too often comments such as these go unchallenged and therefore find some loose form of legitimacy. What Houghton wrote is trash and just plain crap! Had Houghton done her homework she would have found that Antoniak has written a weekly column for years in the London Free Press called “How Did They Get Here”, an exposé featuring the stories of hundreds of immigrants that have come to London from around the world. There is not a racist bone in Jane's body and she has personally championed the difficult and sometimes gut-wrenching stories on what people endure to gain the same freedoms that individuals, such as Houghton, enjoy when they write such trash. The stories may not resonate with Houghton's immature view of London, but rest assured they are very popular and balanced and are respected throughout the immigrant community in London. I wonder if Houghton enjoys the same level of respect in her own community as Ms Antoniak enjoys in her community.
I felt moved to write this rebuttal as being a professor here at Fanshawe I see so much optimism, excitement and progressive thought that is truly inspiring. Sadly however, like all societies, there will be some who find comfort in judging and chastising other's sincere efforts to reach their dreams. Those judgments will be ignored by those it is directed to — for I imagine they'll remain undeterred, focused and happy.
Darren Chapman
Professor, Business Studies
Salute to architectural students past and present
Fanshawe College
Re: To the "Past and Present Architectural Division Students" that I taught,
At this time of giving thanks, I would like to thank those of you who through their thoughtfulness made my last day of teaching at Fanshawe one of the most memorable day of my life.
The flowers and the thoughtful words filled me with joy and contentment. Your considerate gesture made me feel that all those years I spent teaching Architectural Technology Students at Fanshawe were put to good use.
Along the years teaching you, I was empowered and my teaching skills were enriched due to your skills and dedication to a profession that requires one to be slave and master at the same time!
I should mention that your achievements and professional success was, and will always be my pride and joy also.
Wishing you the very best in your future professional and personal endeavors,
Mariana Nedelcu
Ph.D. Arch., M.A.Ed., MRAIC, MTSA
Students aren't into SAC
October 25, 2006
Re: Poor voter turn-out for SAC
As a first year broadcast journalism student and one who is interested in politics it was intriguing to me to see how the SAC elections took place this year, and I say shame on the FSU who seemed to have not placed a lot of importance on this election. With approximately 15 000 students at Fanshawe and in different divisions there should have been massive turnout. I congratulate the 709 people, including myself, who voted, but I am disappointed by the pitiful turnout. I feel the election needed to have been promoted more not just with ads in the Interrobang and some campaign posters, but with a more non-passive approach in getting students to exercise their democratic right and vote. Isn't it any wonder why youth do not vote in droves in municipal, provincial or federal elections? If they are not engaged then why should they.
Lastly in my division, Communication Arts, I cast my vote for Steve MacDonald who was in my opinion the best person to represent the division. His campaign was run ethically and with good solutions to challenges that face the college. I noticed that there was a small smear campaign going against him. To whomever perpetrated that campaign either person or another opposing campaign I say that it doesn't work when running for office anywhere else and it shouldn't here. To the students who voted hopefully you made an informed choice for your division and did not vote for someone because they had nice posters, cheap gimmicks or made unrealistic promises. We have a municipal election on November 13th, a federal by-election on November 27th in London North Centre, a riding some students live in, and possibly another federal one before school's out in April. Find out how you can vote and inform yourself on the candidates and issues so we can all become active participants in democracy.
Rob McGarry
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
