6 THE VOICE, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 EDITOR JUDY CHERN lewpoints Legal drinking age of 19 is archaic ccording to Statistics Canada the average Canadian starts drinking at the age of 15.6. The legal age to purchase or consume alcohol in B.C. is 19, although you can drink at home with the consent of a parent or legal guardian at any age. The discrep- ancy between the law and the reality suggests that, somehow, govern- ment policy is not quite right. The majority of the planet sets its drinking age at 18. B.C., however, falls into the six per cent of counties with a higher age requirement. If the laws of countries and provinces are set in accordance to the param- eters of what society considers right or wrong, why does alcohol create such intolerant attitudes? < Five years ago, B.C. raised its age OPI N iON of consent from 14 to the world- BEN BULMER wide average of 16. The age of consent is, compared to the drinking age, relatively low. But surely the experience of having sex at 16 is far more emotionally complicated than drinking a beer at that age. Advocates of sexual health have succeeded against conservative minds by initiating programs and influencing laws that reflect the reality of the situation. The distribu- tion of condoms is commonplace in schools even for those who are still under the age of consent. No one would want to ban a scheme that cuts down on teenage pregnancy. Could we not use this rationale when it comes to alcohol? If teenag- ers are drinking regularly at 16 why not reduce the drinking age to reflex this reality? Having teenagers drinking in bars is surely a safer environment than in the local park. A17 year-old told me that friends of hers would drive home drunk from parties simply because, if they didn’t drive, their parents would know they’d been drinking. If this is what prohibition has created surely something needs to change. And while we're at it, can we please allow alcohol in super- markets and corner stores, and sell it past 11:00 p.m.? Some of us aren’t living in the 1950’s. Make stat holidays cul- turally rich very year I hear people grumble about how it’s not Turkey Day, it’s Thanksgiving. It’s not Happy Holidays, but Merry Christmas. I lhave no problem with these holiday die-hards sticking to their guns. For I too believe in a cultural Canada, here statutory holidays shouldn’t be turned into amorphous days devoid of culture and tradition. But, I do believe in a multicultural Canada, and so I am a little perplexed at B.C.’s newest statutory holiday: the amorphous and culturally devoid Family Day. B.C. has always been home to many Asian cultures. With Chinese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Korean and Tibetan Canadians all elebrating Lunar New Year in early February, why not have Lunar New ear as a statutory holiday in B.C.? Why not allow all Canadians to learn and share in a holiday with a rich history and tradition? Why not encourage Canadians to learn about their neighbours and fellow citizens? Canada is the first country in the orld to pass a multiculturalism law. According to the Multicultural- sm Act, the Government of Canada acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their ultural heritage.” Incorporating non-Christian ultures into our statutory holiday system would be a difficult under- aking, but it would serve to help preserve, enhance, and share the ultural heritage that makes Canada such a rich and diverse place to live. With so many cultures in the Canadian mosaic, a revamped statutory holiday system could help educate us on the diverse cultures found within this country. For example, Sikhism is one of the most prevalent non-Christian religions in B.C. with over 130,000 practitioners. June has no statutory holiday, why not have June 16 set aside for the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan? I would certainly enjoy learning about my fellow Sikh Canadians. By the way, this year Lunar New ear falls on Feb. 10, while Family day will take place on the 11th. THX \ \ N a aoe ¢ Kequird Secretive LSU fails at diversity the role of a student union is first and foremost, to provide services and assistance based upon the students’ needs? That’s what many Langara students would expect to see after paying their mandatory LSU fees. Is the LSU doing its job? The expe- riences of Danielle Moneer Mac- donell would prove otherwise. According to this week’s story by Sera Akdogan, Macdonell was allegedly harassed by a male security officer in the student union building for not “look[ing] like a student.” The same officer then allegedly followed Macdonell into the washroom after she identified herself as transgender. She has not yet received an apology from the officer. What’s the point of a diversity policy and diversity and inclusion officer if it fails to do the least it could offer to our students — to help them feel safe and accepted at school? So if a student union isn’t doing its job, what’s there to keep them in Cres me if I’m wrong, but isn’t check? Not much at this point. Students can’t protest by not paying the union fee, because that would amount to not paying one’s full tuition. And the consequence of withholding that fee from the school would be, in the worst case scenario, legal action. Perhaps we have to resort to the Australian model and give students the choice to opt out on student union fees. Maybe that way, the LSU will have to work and earn its money. Voluntary student unionism is a tricky proposal, because too many stu- dents opting out would lead to a diminishing of services and upkeep of buildings supported by union funds. At the same time, it could also diminish voter apathy and let students decide what they really need or want; as well as let them OPINION JUDY CHERN decide their own level of contribu- tion, if at all, to political lobbying — which the LSU is no stranger to. Instead of failing at diversity, and supporting socialist causes like freezing tuition rates, perhaps it’d be better for the LSU to focus on the real problems. We want to hear from you Did we get a fact wrong? Tell us. Got a different point of view? Write to us. Problems with something we've said? Let us know. Journalism instructor Nicholas Read oversees The Voice. Email him at nread@langara.be.ca The Voice is published by Langara College's journalism department. Editorial opinions are those of the staff and are independent of views of the student government and administration. We welcome letters to the editor. All letters must be signed. They may be edited for brevity. Names may be withheld in special cases, but your letter must include your name and phone number. HOW TO REACH US PHONE 604-323-5396 FAX 604-323-5398 E-MAIL thevoice@langara.be.ca DROP-IN Room A226 Langara College There is a mailbox at the entrance to the journalism rooms. SNAIL MAIL The Voice 100 West 49th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. VSY 226 WEBSITE wwwilangaravoice.com EDITORIAL STAFF THIS ISSUE: MANAGING EDITOR/ PAGE 6 Judy Chem PAGE EDITORS PAGE 1 Steven Chua PAGE 2 Richard Hodges PAGE 3 Jennifer Thuncher PAGE 4 Ryan Banagan PAGE 5 Simone Pfeiffer PAGE 7 Annie Ellison PAGE 8 Katja De Bock WEB EDITORS Tanya Hill Jules Knox Michael Letendre REPORTERS Brenna Brooks Deanna Cheng Jesica Cunningham Marie-Andree Del Cid Puneet Dhami Kristen Harpula Kayla lsomura Jacqueline Langen Angela Holubowich Warren Jané Kelci Nicodemus Niall Shannon Ben Bulmer Patrick Colvin Hailey McDonald Sera Akdogan Garin Fahlman Brian Horstead Jesse Adamson James McLaughlin Contact us: Online at langaravoice.com Twitter at @langaraVoice