VOL. 65 No. 15
February 28, 2019
theweathervane.org
THE WEATHER VANE E A S T ERN ME N N ON I T E U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S S T U D E N T N EWS PAP E R SINC E 1 9 3 9
Weather
Today: Sunny, 49˚ Tonight: Wintry Mix, 29˚ Tomorrow: Rainy, 41˚
BSU TOWN HALL ENCOURAGES DIALOGUE By CLARA WEYBRIGHT
Jeremy Blain
Health Services Director Irene Kniss and senior Ivan Harris engage in their small-group discussion during the town hall.
LIFE INSPIRES JAE CHO TO CREATE YOUTUBE VIDEOS By IGNACIO OCARANZA
Midnight on a Friday is usually a time for going out with friends. However, Jae Cho is at his desk editing the footage he shot earlier that day. He knows that he doesn’t have the best equipment or the best software, but that does not stop him. The world around him just needs to present an idea; then, he takes care of the rest. Senior Jae Cho is an Accounting major, but he takes an interest in the arts. He moved around a lot prior to EMU. Cho grew up in South Korea, Mississippi, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. When asked why he came to EMU, his answer included social responsibility and interest in environmental sustainability, but in the end, Cho came here for a girl. His ideas and humor on his YouTube channel give him a unique personality.
NEWS & FEATURE
Cho has been publishing YouTube videos since seventh grade. He first got into video when he resided in South Korea. “My parents wanted me to study a lot and go to the library, but I would always lie to them and go to the movie theater. There was the biggest movie theater in front of my home in South Korea. They played twelve different movies a day, so I could always go and watch movies every day.” The ideas of his YouTube videos can range from creating a chocolate commercial to waking up a hallmate at 6 a.m. by banging pots together loudly to telling his story about getting his car stuck in the mud. Some of his videos have a substantial number of views. His most viewed video has over 3,400 views. He currently has an average of 113 views per video. He believes that Continued on page 3
REVIEW
For its fourth year in a row, BSU hosted a town hall on race in Common Grounds. This event was designed to gather the community to discuss the ways in which EMU has changed, and needs to continue changing, in regards to racism. This particular night, the agenda was slightly more specific. “[The] objective of tonight is to increase knowledge and awareness of microaggressions and the impact that that has on campus climate,” graduate and BSU member DeVantae Dews said in his opening remarks. He added that he had several things that he envisioned for the evening, including the goal to “foster a sense of commitment and responsibility to make change, empower a shift in campus culture, and transition from victimization to empowerment.” Continued on page 2
NOTE ABOUT THE PIPELINE By AUSTIN SACHS
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, to a crowd of an estimated 1,100 people, Rev. William Barber and former Vice President Al Gore joined community activists in Buckingham, Virginia to fight against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a 600-mile fracked gas pipeline from West Virginia. to the coast of both Virginia. and North Carolina. Proposed in 2015, the pipeline has drawn criticism from environmental groups, the Virginia chapter of the NAACP, and other activist groups for its reckless and haphazard pushing of the project. Dominion Energy and Duke Energy, the builders of the pipeline, state that there is need for increased fracked gas pipelines to transport the liquified natural gas to communities that need it. As construction nears its beginning, the efforts from both groups to stop or start it have escalated, which led to Barber and Gore visiting Buckingham, Virginia. Buckingham County is home to Union Hill, a town formed by freed slaves, where
SPORTS
the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is proposing a compressor station. A compressor station is a large industrial complex that helps compress the natural gas as it slowly expands on its path from the fracked gas fields to its final destination, whether an export terminal or power plant. This compressor station is why the fight between both groups has escalated, as the impacts from both noise and air pollution can have long-term health consequences and decreased economic values of the land surrounding it. In addition to this, the community of Union Hill has stated that their community has been chosen because of their lack of resources to fight Dominion Energy and Duke Energy in court. Traveling with each of their own organizations, The Climate Reality project and The Repairs of the Breach, Gore and Barber spoke about why they have been motivated to join the fight and why Virginia should avoid the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Barber said that
OPINION
Governor Northam should “stop getting all excited over cultural things and get down to the real issue about racism” in reference to recent events on Governor Northam and college blackface photos. He said that if Northam really cares about reconciliation, he should stop the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Gore called the Atlantic Coast Pipeline a “racist, reckless rip-off.” He added that if the pipeline is never used, when it is constructed, Virginia utility rate-payers will have to pay for it in increased electricity rates. Dominion, a regulated private monopoly, is guaranteed a 16 percent rate of return on all projects completed. Other community leaders spoke about the technical aspects of the pipeline or how the pipeline has affected them locally. The entire event was surrounded by music from the civil rights movement and other activist movements. The event finished with a call to action for everyone to continue their fight against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and for racial justice.
CANVAS
Caf Family
“You” Review
Basketball Seasons End
Engage in Respectful Dialogue
Art by Freddie Monahan
“There is always a note on the agenda about how much we appreciate everyone’s hard work and commitment...”
Looking for a new show to binge watch over Spring Break? “You” is a must-watch psychological thriller...
“It’s not about the hard times you go through, but how you respond to those hard times.”
We live in a wounded world, and to respond by wounding it once more is futile. We must strive to respond with love...
This week’s Canvas page features two pieces by Monahan: “Simulacrum” and “Untitled.”
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NEWS & FEATURE T h e We a t h e r Va n e
TOWN HALL COVERS MICROAGGRESSIONS
Continued from page 1
from victimization to empowerment.” Dews and BSU President and sophomore Jakiran Richardson, along with senior Paul Kayembe, sophomore Amanda Jasper, and senior Jasmine Wilson all provided leadership for the evening. Centering the group’s conversations around the subject of microaggressions, these BSU members urged people to mix up their seating arrangements and find people who they didn’t
know to sit with. “My goal going into the event was to highlight what micro-aggressions are and to help people connect with someone they wouldn’t normally connect with,” said Richardson. Dews opened the event with prayer, asking that the people gathered would “understand how to better relate in community—in a diverse community.” As an extension of this search for better relationships within community, the over 40 attendees were invited to split up into small
groups for the rest of the evening. The first event included questions for the small groups to answer, like “When was the first time you became aware of your ethnicity?” and a word association question. Words included “Eastern Mennonite University, Racism, macroaggressions, and microaggressions.” Leaders played a video from media source Quartz defining microaggressions and the forms that they take. The video featured clips from movies depicting types of microagressions. After the video, group
members discussed several written scenarios, each detailing a microaggression. The notetaker from each group was invited to share the group’s feedback. These notes will be shared with President Susan Schultz Huxman in the BSU’s yearly Climate Report. The leaders stressed that they wanted the event to be a space of honest sharing about difficult conversations. About his leadership style, Richardson said, “I don’t like to run my events very...highenergy and stuff like that.
I like to chill, relax, get comfortable.” Richardson feels the event fulfilled its original intentions. “I think the event went extremely well. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw everyone engaging and discussing,” he said. The event is one out of many that are being sponsored and led by BSU in honor of Black History Month. BSU has also organized a monthly art show that began on Thursday, Feb. 21 in the Black Box Theater for Black History Month.
DINING HALL STAFF PROVIDES COMMUNITY By LINDSEY HISTAND
It is no secret that the EMU dining hall staff goes above and beyond to provide students, faculty, staff, and members of the community with the best customer service and food service possible, but what people often do not see is the bond that the staff members have with one another. If you ask any of the staff members at the dining hall how they would describe the bond within the dining hall team, the response you will often get is that they feel like they are a part of a family. Food Service Director Bruce Emmerson explained why the dining hall staff is easily able to work so well together, saying, “Almost all [staff members] have been working at [EMU’s dining hall] for close to 10 years or more, … [which] is rare in food service establishments.” Productions Manager Shannon Grinnan added that since the staff has worked together for so long, “there is open communication and
By LUKE MULLET
SGA met at an atypical hour last week due to the snow day. Therefore, this update will cover our proceedings from the past two weeks. Thursday, 02/21/19 SGA heard and approved a $2,000.00 funding request from BSU for the Civil Rights Spring Break Tour. The trip’s additional expenses will be covered by fundraising/ donations, participant fees, and funds from the Multicultural Services Office. During open floor, Theo Yoder shared about his experience attending the convocation committee meetings. He informed the senate that the committee
understanding,” between the staff members. The diversity within the dining hall team adds an extra layer of understanding and care for one another. “We have employees from all around the globe: Albania, Ukraine, Cuba, Iraq, and several places around the country,” Emmerson said. In addition, the dining hall employs individuals with
autism. Emmerson said that, “they are dependable and hard-working people…They get along with everyone and are an important part of the cafeteria team.” Grinnan noted that, “Everyone on our team has something to contribute to its success, whether it’s making the food, washing the dishes, or sweeping the floor.” One of the great
aspects of working on the dining hall team is that there are so many skills to be learned. Staff morale is high at EMU’s dining hall. Service Manager Marlyn Cullen says, “The spirit in our kitchen is very positive.” Cullen goes on to say that this positive spirit leads to “staff going out of their way each and everyday.” to help each other.
Jeremy Blain
Cafeteria staff gathers in kitchen space for a group photo
SGA MEETING NOTES
discussed the pros and cons of convocation points and whether they should be awarded for off-campus events. In addition, they reviewed the convocation speaker guidelines. These guidelines are sent to upcoming speakers and essentially outline EMU’s mission statement and community values. This document and procedure were formed, in part, as a response to the N.T. Wright controversy. Wednesday, 02/27/19 SGA heard and approved two funding requests and heard an update from Bruce Emmerson, the director of EMU’s food services, as well as his boss, Steve Brandy. Bruce and Steve, at the
request of the senate, provided a brief update on the status of all things food-related at EMU. They shared about the upcoming renovations to the cafeteria and wanted to hear from students to inform that process. While the funding for the project is only about halfway to the goal, Steve strongly believes that it will happen. They will be expanding the cafeteria space toward the commons, adding additional worker-attended modules, and potentially adding outdoor seating. The new serving area will be twice its current size and there will be more natural light entering the cafeteria from the new east-facing windows. If you have any suggestions to
make the our cafeteria more awesome, contact Bruce or an SGA senator! The first funding request was from Celebration for $300.00 to reimburse their drum-shield construction expenses. Celebration received funding from Campus Ministries and contributed some of their own funds for this project. They were able to obtain and assemble the shield components cheaply by collaborating with Engineers for a Sustainable World. In addition, SGA heard a unique request from The Weather Vane this week. The Weather Vane has been operating with a deficit in its semester budget as well as its retention fund. Several
Emmerson recalled a time when one of the dining hall staff lost her mother and the other staff members “went to her house, brought food, and comfort[ed] her … that is why we feel like a family.” Dining hall staff often take part in moraleboosting activities such as gift exchanges, celebrating staff birthdays, and providing special treats like cookies, donuts, or snack bags. At the end of the day, Emmerson, Grinnan, and Cullen want to make sure that they express their gratitude to their staff for their hard work. Grinnan explained that at their monthly meetings, “there is always a note on the agenda about how much we appreciate everyone’s hard work and commitment to the team. It’s important to say thank you as much as possible.” Cullen concluded by saying, “We are blessed to have such a great bunch of wonderful cooks, food service workers, and great student workers whom keep all the pieces of the puzzle moving.”
of the factors that resulted in this situation were the improper use of finances by previous leadership, miscommunication, turnover between advisors and student leaders, and the loss of several semesters’ records of ad sales. The current Weather Vane leadership and advisor requested a $5,500 bail-out from SGA to neutralize this semester’s budget, return their retention fund to 2016 levels, and provide funds for their 2018-2019 Year in Review special edition. SGA chose to approve The Weather Vane’s request for the full amount, drawing the necessary money from the Shen’s (EMU’s retired yearbook) retention fund.
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NEWS & FEATURE T h e We a t h e r Va n e
BIG QUESTIONS GROUP OPENS CONVERSATION all are philosophers. We all seek knowledge. We all seek wisdom,” Ketsela said. He wants to help students realize their inner love for wisdom and a passion for a different type of education. It is not only the process of asking questions, but the pursuit of education. To Ketsela, many students’ education on the campus begins and ends within the walls of the classroom under the direction of the professor. Ketsela sees something bigger. “In education, we are free. We can think as broadly as we want,” Ketsela said. He envisions a campus that greater engages in the liberal arts education. Students, he hopes, will see the bridges
between education and professionalism. They will learn to think on their own, a skill that help with their career and the life outside of it. Each meeting will follow a general framework. The first 20 minutes will be spent hashing out new ideas that the group brings in. After that, the group will disperse and take about 20 minutes to think and write on the idea or ideas. Everyone will reconvene for the last 20 minutes to share and engage in socratic questioning. The tentative meeting time will be on Fridays from 7-8 p.m. All students from any majors are welcome to join, big questions or none.
was Dove Chocolate and So I texted [my friend] around him. “I think I find [we thought] it was going Abigail [to see] if she was my inspiration from my to work better with the free, and she said she was. daily life. I go to a grocery some of his viewers might taping when attaching it to I did not even feel like store like Kroger or Food even be famous. the drone. So there was no making a video that day.” Lion, I look at people and One of his videos, “Hey affiliation with Dove, and Cho’s inspiration for go, ‘Oh! I can make this Bring me Some Chocolate,” then he helped me make the his videos can change video.’ Or I take a shower is a commercial advertising video; his name was Sergio. depending on what is and I get a random thought for Dove Chocolate. In response to his video, Cho received a box of Dove chocolates and a letter from Dove saying that they loved his commercial. He found the idea for that video in class. “I think I had the idea that I wanted to fly something in the video with my drone. The full idea and picture of the video came to me in my class and one of my friends in that same class had the same drone as me. So, I asked if he was free and he said he had 20 minutes. So we went to the Den and got some chocolate. Jeremy Blain Originally, we were going Jae Cho has found an interest in creating videos and posting them on his YouTube to use M&M’s but there channel. Cho gathers inspiration from a variety of different sources.
in my head. Or I watch different YouTube videos and they make me want to do something different, like, ‘Oh, what if he did that this way or what if she had this idea.’” “Jay justs get his stuff ready to film and goes all around campus to interview people,” said first-year Daniel Lopez, a frequent subject in Cho’s videos. “Sometimes it’s twice a week, and sometimes he doesn’t show up in two weeks; it all depends on how motivated he is and how much time he has,” he added. Cho continues to be active on his channel and finds new, creative ways to spark interest in his videos. He doesn’t have a set schedule for his uploads. You can find Cho’s videos and channel on YouTube under “Jae Cho.”
By JAMES DUNMORE
Prior to this school year, junior Yonas Ketsela saw a college education in the same light as many others. To him, it was all about passing exams, quizzes, and classes. There was always a “right” answer in the classroom and it was the students’ job to identify it. After a semester participating in the Oregon Extension, Ketsela has returned to campus with reinvigorated pursuit of education: one different from that found in many college classrooms. Now, rather than pursue the answer, Ketsela wants to pursue the question. To help others find and share this passion, he is starting
the Big Questions group on campus. “My own theory is that questions are greater than answers,” Ketsela said. On returning to campus, he found himself faced with a learning community obsessed with answers, but not as much the questions. The Big Questions group is a chance for Ketsela to share his new passion for questions with others. “I am a limited being ... When a group of limited beings comes together ... you will have a spark.” Ketsela believes in the necessity of community when exploring questions and seeking answers. Part of the group’s formation comes from Ketsela’s role as a Pastoral
Assistant on campus. “This is what Yonas is launching out of his own passion for the integrity of honoring and engaging [students] own learning and searching for meaning with others as companions,” Campus Pastor Brian Burkholder said. The end goal is not for the group to find answers to the “big questions,” but to find life in the process. As he explained his vision, Ketsela gestured from one point on a table to another. It is this gestured space between these points, the questioning process, that he hopes to focus on. The lack of such a community on campus is not out of the lack of fellow philosophers. “We
JAE CHO’S CREATIVITY IN YOUTUBE CHANNEL Continued from page 1
DR. JOHN LOWE PRESENTS ON HEALING
By KATE SZAMBECKI
There are only 23 Native American nurses in this country with doctorates, and EMU alumnus Dr. John Lowe is one of them. Lowe, a registered Cherokee Native American, visited EMU’s campus this past weekend to discuss alternative healing and what it means to be a Native American nurse in today’s world. In May of 2017, Lowe opened the first center for indigenous health and research at Florida State University, called the Indigenous Nursing Research for Health Equity.
He is currently serving as the Executive Director of the organization. He is also a professor and researcher at Florida State University, and the Endowed McKenzie Professor for Health Disparity Research. According to his biography on FSU’s website, Lowe’s work “is heavily based within his research program that evolved from his doctoral dissertation, ‘Cherokee Self-Reliance,’ which investigated cultural values that contribute to Keetoowah-Cherokee health and well-being among adults and youth, particularly in regards to the substance use and other risks behaviors.”
For years, Lowe has researched methods of help for Native American youths with substance abuse problems and high levels of stress. Much of Lowe’s research is funded by organizations from all over the country, such as the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse. His “Talking Circle” intervention method was recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Programs as a promising method for teens. Lowe came to EMU to speak during a CJP class, as well as a talkback in Common Grounds. He
discussed his research and methods with students and community members. One of his strong points was his personal connection to these issues, not just because he is a Native American, but because of his past. “One of my purposes is to help save our next generation. If we don’t do that, we could be annihilated,” said Lowe, “And that was the intention in the beginning. I am a survivor of the genocide.” Lowe talked about the effects trauma has on health, especially in Native American youth. His circle processes are a healing mechanism for youth who are going through trauma
and may have turned to drugs or alcohol. Lowe’s core values tie directly into EMU’s peacebuilding philosophies. “He shared deeply about the value and importance of relationships, and of attending to history— especially histories of indigenous people and the land—in justice and peacebuilding,” said CJP professor Timothy Seidel. “He was very generous with the stories he told. It was a real gift for the EMU community. I hope we can honor that gift as we as a learning community continue to pay attention to the histories of the peoples of this land.”
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REVIEW T h e We a t h e r Va n e
ENC CONFERENCE INSPIRES By ANNA CAHILL
“Go.” “Why? Why me? Why now?” I originally chose to attend the Every Nations Campus (ENC) conference based solely on the video about last year’s conference, which this month’s Campus Ministries Hub presented. I didn’t have a deeper reason. Like my decision to go to China on cross cultural last semester, I just did it. I didn’t anticipate what was to come. I had no way of knowing how my life would be moved and changed. I volunteered to cover the event for The Weather Vane simply because I knew that I could. I was planning out possible interview subjects, I talked with Eric, one of our photographers, and I made sure that this would be excellent, unbiased coverage of the event. After returning from the event, I knew that I couldn’t write this like every other article. The experience was too powerful; it was too lifechanging. This past weekend was everything and nothing; God’s presence was by my side through it all. This needed to be a different kind of article. During the conference, I called my boyfriend from the hotel room in Chantilly because I was so overcome with the Holy Spirit that I had to share that experience. I had to tell him, not suggest to him, that we would go to the next ENC Conference—the world conference—in July. We have to. This is one of my nonnegotiables. He
sounded concerned, so I jumped on him for that. “Why aren’t you excited? Why are you being so closed off? Please, tell me all of your thoughts,” I said. It’s crazy. If I say that this conference changed my life while also opening up my mind to how wonderfully and present God already is, was, and has always been within my life, then I sound crazy. I realize this, but I’m still so excited and confused and everything all at once. I still have so many questions. How do I make more time for God? How do I pursue what I am called to do even if that completely changes my original plan? Why did I choose China? Why have I seen the worst type of pain in my best friend? Why did I have to experience that? Why do I feel so deeply? Why is it difficult for me to find the right words to speak aloud, yet while writing, the words come so easily? Why am I like this? Why am I constantly battling between wanting to get to know and talk to new people but also being too timid, too anxious, too scared to speak up? I am so painfully introverted, yet I know what I know, and I am never afraid to speak passionately to those things. During that weekend, the connections not just to the people in the space around me, but my own experiences, were so incredible. I, along with a few of my EMU brothers and sisters, felt a call
so strong that tears were often abundant. The conference itself included worship unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Upbeat, fast-paced, current songs got everyone to their feet; then those same songs broke everybody to the ground. Wonderful speakers shared God’s word, but they also discussed the importance of how the Holy Spirit moves within all of us. This movement is shown through our gifts and our strengths, but is also shown every time we handle more than we ever imagine that we can. What pushed me to tears was the realization that God’s love was in that place and is really, truly here around me now. It does not matter where you come from. It does not matter where you are. It does not matter where you are going. Regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexuality, age, social economic status, God still loves you. God loves us all the same regardless of our sins, regardless of how much we know, or we don’t yet know about Him. He is already here. I sound crazy; I know, but there’s no other way to explain the power and love of Jesus. ENC meets weekly for EMU small group on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. in the Discipleship Center and large group, which includes JMU and Bridgewater as well as EMU, on Thursdays at Divine Union Community Church at 7:30 p.m.
We soon realized that we had many options. From spicy to savory and everything in between, Lindsey and I needed extra time to make such a difficult choice. I chose the Drunken Noodles with chicken for $11.25, while Lindsey continued to struggle to find something. At first, she considered seafood, but finally settled on the Orange Chicken for about $13. The food presentation was top-notch, although our food was arranged differently. Both of our dishes arrived on plain, crisp white plates. Lindsey’s was square shaped, while mine was oval. None of Lindsey’s food touched, while all of mine did. The vegetables—a combination of broccoli, carrots, onions, cucumbers, green beans, and snap peas —were crisp. Mine had the perfect amount of sauce to make the vegetables flavorful
but not overdone. The Orange Chicken was delicious. Lindsey complained that the sauce was citrussy and heavy. The flavors were the perfect amount, she said. While crispy on the outside, the chicken was sometimes dry on the inside. The textures seemed off, while flavors stole the show. The soupiness of my noodles was also slightly offputting. While the flavor of my meal was savory and spicy, the consistency was soft and squishy. The vegetables offered some crunch, but the rest of my dish was too slimy for my liking. We were each given plenty of food; we both had to take a box of leftovers home. The flavors were great, but the textures were off. Overall, great food, but the prices were kind of high. Beyond is located at 50 W. Water St.
BEYOND FAILS TO EXCITE By ANNA CAHILL
Beyond is an Asian cuisine restaurant located in downtown Harrisonburg. Sunday evening, my friend Lindsey and I went out for dinner. The bar takes up the entire center of the main dining room. The walls are each painted different shades, from yellows to greys. Hand painted abstracts contrast the brightly colored walls all the way around the room. Three different seating options dance into one’s line of vision upon entrance: stools for the bar, cushy, yellow chairs and taller dark blue seats for the dining guests. Sushi, noodles, rice, and egg rolls are available. The menu offers a variety of anything and everything one could ask for from typical Asian cuisine. Our young, sweet waitress poured us each a tall glass of ice water while we made our selections.
A worship leader sings for gathered students at the Every Nations Campus Conference in Chantilly, Va.
Ignacio Ocaranza
REVIEW OF “YOU” By LINDSEY HISTAND
Looking for a new show to binge-watch over Spring Break? “You” is a mustwatch psychological thriller that fits the bill. The name of this title may sound familiar because “You” originally aired on Lifetime. Netflix turned it into a part of their Original series this year. The show is based on a novel by the same title by Caroline Kepnes. In this show, bookstore manager Joe Goldberg becomes obsessed with customer Guinevere Beck as she is browsing the selection of books in Joe’s store. After Joe has a couple of more run-ins with Beck, he begins stalking her through her location on social media. He starts following her in his spare time and learns pretty much everything about her. Joe successfully ropes Beck in and develops a romantic relationship with her, and viewers are along for the ride on the rollercoaster of Joe and Beck’s relationship. After all, Joe will do anything to protect Beck and his relationship with her. Joe Goldberg is played by Penn Badgley, who is best known for his role in Gossip Girl, which originally aired on The CW network. Badgley’s performance in this show is perfection. He grasps the complex role of obsessed lover and villain with ease. What intrigues me the most about this character is his ability to be seemingly normal to everyone he knows except for his neighbor’s
abusive boyfriend, who claims to know Joe’s “type” based on the knowledge he has gained through being a parole officer. Viewers hear Joe’s commentary throughout the entirety of the shows. This narrative strategy gives the viewer significant insight into Joe’s motivations and thought processes. He honestly believes he does the things he does because he is in love with Beck, not because he is creepily obsessed with her. Elizabeth Lail, who plays Guinevere Beck, is best known for her previous role in “Dead of Summer,” which originally aired on Freeform. Lail masters the role of hopeless romantic and starving writer as her character obliviously falls in love with her own stalker. It is easy to fall in love with Lail’s character because of her love for life and poetic abilities. All she wanted to do was fall in love and skip off into the sunset with Joe. It’s too bad that the guy she hoped to do that with is crazy. Her best friend Peach Salinger, played by Shay Mitchell, tried to warn her many times that there was something “off” about Joe, and she was right, but Beck wouldn’t listen. I highly recommend watching “You,” especially if your top picks on Netflix all consist of crime dramas and psychological thrillers. Every episode leaves viewers intrigued and wanting more. Season one of “You” is available to watch on Netflix.
February 28, 2019
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SPORTS T h e We a t h e r Va n e
BASKETBALL PLAYERS, COACHES EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR DEPARTING SENIORS
By BRI MILLER and ALLIE SAWYER
Both the men’s and women’s basketball seasons have come to an end; however, the teams have laid the foundation for the coming years in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Prior to this year, Melvin Felix was at the forefront for the men’s team throughout his seven seasons as assistant coach with the Running Royals. In his first season as head coach, Coach Felix said, “Our senior class was great from the beginning of this season all the way to the end.” For the first time since 2003, eight seniors experienced a leadership change that brought a different coaching style to the team. “In their individual careers,” said Felix, “they have all had some challenges, including having to adjust to a new head coach their senior year. They made this transition for me a smooth one and they laid the first brick for the future of our program.” Coach Felix had the opportunity to watch these players grow. Senior Travis Clower said, “Coach Mel always did a good job of reminding us that life is a lot like basketball. It’s not about the hard times you go through, but how you respond to those hard times. I think basketball has taught me a lot about how to get through difficult times.” The team’s resiliency was on display throughout the season, maybe no more than on the road at Virginia Wesleyan. “[A high point] would be going to Virginia Wesleyan and getting down
early in the game, but sticking together and coming out of there with a win at the buzzer,” said Felix. Seniors Tariq Caldwell and Clower also deemed this game a highlight of their season. “My favorite memory from this year is going down to Virginia Wesleyan and upsetting them on a lastsecond shot, then celebrating in the locker room,” Caldwell said. As seniors leave their collegiate careers behind, they impart final pieces of advice to their remaining team members. “I hope the underclassmen understand that four years will be over before you know it,” said senior Sammy Thomas. “They have to treat every practice, game, shoot-around, and everything like it is their last. I hope they do not wait until their senior year to try their absolute best.” Senior Josh Good’s advice: “Stick together as one team, no matter what adversities come their way.” With the season at its end, Coach Felix is proud of the team’s accomplishments this season. “Obviously, we would have liked to win more games and get deeper into the ODAC tournament,” Felix said. “With all of the ups and downs we had this season though, we kept our chins up, kept working, and continued moving forward.” Although the women’s team is not losing quite as many seniors as the men’s team, they said farewell to five of their members with their final game. While those seniors competed in their last season at EMU, Jenny Logan
completed her first season as head coach. “Having been in the conference for three seasons prior to this, I knew what this group of seniors was capable of,” Logan said. “I was really excited to get the opportunity to work with them. From day one, I could tell they were a group with fun energy who were seeking growth and further ways to impact the program.” As senior Lindsey Krisak moves onto future endeavors, she wants her teammates to take that energy and integrate it into their daily lives. “I hope the underclassmen can grasp the concept of hard work and give their all in everything they decide to do. Whatever their role as an underclassman is, I encourage them to do it enthusiastically and thoroughly.” The senior class left their mark on the rest of the team. “Our seniors were the leaders of our team in so many ways,” said sophomore Cheyenne Suamataia-Teo. “They are hardworking, passionate, and set a good example of what the program should be in the future. Everyone will miss them, their energy, and leadership.” Coach Logan appreciates the impact the seniors left on the team and how it has fostered a community of support both on and off the basketball court. “There’s no doubt that they have had a significant impact on the EMU women’s basketball program and community. It has been a joy to watch them and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for each of them. I know they
will continue to serve others and have a positive influence on whatever community they choose to call home.” Krisak reflects on her time as a four-year athlete in an overwhelmingly positive light. “The environment from my team, coaches, and our fans just reminded me exactly why I chose to come to EMU, and I’ll never forget it,” she said. “I will be taking so much from what I have learned here as an athlete into my future.” Even though seniors such as Krisak are moving into futures outside of EMU basketball, Logan believes in the future of the EMU basketball team. “While we
have a large senior class, we are also fortunate to have a group of underclassmen who play key minutes for us and will return with that experience. We are really looking forward to seeing players step up into leadership roles and help to continue to grow our program into the brand of basketball we want to play night in and night out.” Looking ahead to next season, Logan hopes to see the energy from this season carry over. “We will have a relatively young team next season and are looking forward to seeing them become a cohesive group that competes passionately,” she said.
KEEP MOVING TOWARD YOUR GOALS THIS SUMMER! Take a summer course with EMU. Online and on-site options available. Check out classes and register: emu.edu/academics/summer-courses REGISTRATION RUNS MARCH 12 - APRIL 6
ROYALS BASKETBALL: SEASON STATISTICS By ADAM MOYER
Men’s Basketball: Final Season Record: 10-16 Conference Record: 5-11
Sammy Thomas (60.5%) DJ Hill (57.7%) Mark Loving (55.6%) Christian Hansen (50%) Tim Jones (43.1%)
3-Point Shots: Longest Win Streak: 2 games Travis Clower (56/138) Largest Win: 20 points (92- Jamel Howard (17/69) 72 vs Shenandoah) Tim Jones (15/41) Michael Williams (12/39) Points Per Game: 71.1 Tariq Caldwell (10/30) Field Goal %: 44.7 Rebounds Per Game: 38.1 Assists: Assists Per Game: 12.3 Tim Jones (77) Travis Clower (57) Points: Tariq Caldwell (33) Travis Clower (342) Jamel Howard (27) Tim Jones (319) Xavier McCants (25) Sammy Thomas (299) Steals: DJ Hill (195) Tim Jones (38) Tariq Caldwell (172) Travis Clower (37) Field Goal % (min. 10 shots): Jamel Howard (19)
Tariq Caldwell (16) Xavier McCants (16)
Rebounds Per Game: 36.7 Assists Per Game: 12.6
Rebounds: Tariq Caldwell (185) Sammy Thomas (146) Tim Jones (126)
Points: Emily McCombs (256) Lindsey Krisak (227) Chrissy Delawder (217) Jess Washington (209) Lexi Dean (180)
Assists: Lindsey Krisak (82) Lexi Deffenbaugh (64) Emily McCombs (35) Precious Waddy (34) Chrissy Delawder (24)
Steals: Lindsey Krisak (40) Blocks: Lexi Deffenbaugh (32) Tariq Caldwell (12) Sammy Thomas (10) Field Goal % (min. 10 shots): Kiana Childress (26) Lexi Dean (24) Travis Clower (9) Lexi Dean (53.3%) Emily McCombs (24) Chrissy Delawder (47.6%) Women’s Basketball: Jess Washington (45.1%) Constance Komara (43.5%) Rebounds: Chrissy Delawder (166) Final Season Record: 10-16 Jourdyn Friend (37.5%) Lexi Dean (135) Conference Record: 7-11 Jess Washington (134) 3-Point Shots: Longest Win Streak: 5 games Lindsey Krisak (43/143) Blocks: Largest Win: 33 points (76- Chrissy Delawder (34/74) Lexi Dean (46) 43 vs Mary Baldwin) Lexi Deffenbaugh (30/85) Chrissy Delawder (13) Emily McCombs (29/121) Lexi Deffenbaugh (6) Points Per Game: 61.6 Precious Waddy (7/27) Field Goal %: 38.2
theweathervane.org
February 28, 2019
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OPINION T h e We a t h e r Va n e
THE MEDIA MISREPRESENTS RACIAL ISSUES
By WILLIAM EWART
President Trump has permeated our country with hate and racism—we all know this to be fact. It caused two race-based incidents barely two weeks from each other, on Jan. 18 and 29. On the 18th, a group of high school students from Covington Catholic High School surrounded a Native American and chanted racist insults like “build that wall.” On the 29th, actor Jussie Smollett, from the show “Empire,” was accosted by two anti-gay Trump supporters who used the phrase “this is MAGA country.” Then they put a rope around his neck and threw bleach at him. All of this proves to us that there is a systemic racism in the U.S. that led to President Trump’s election. Except there is not and it did not. The two examples I just brought up were either misconstrued, in the case of the Covington kids, or faked, in Jussie Smollett’s case, to support the narrative that America is systemically racist. There are two real issues that have led to these stories existing. One issue is the mass media’s willingness to run with stories without proper
information; the second is the left’s willingness to accept these stories without question. This is not new; it has been happening for years. In 1992, a woman in Portland, Oregon faked racist attacks on her home. She was caught the very morning before she led a group of 500 in a march on video, lighting ablaze a cross on her own back porch. After the police confronted her, she confessed to having faked all of the incidents. In 2017, an anti-Trump gay man faked a Nazi, anti-gay, pro-Trump vandalism in a church. He admitted to it and claimed that the 2016 election left him “fearful, scared, and alone” and he “wanted others to be scared with [him].” I would urge you to watch the full video depicting the Covington High School students and Nathan Phillips. I do not want to spend too much time on that story, but the truth is out there for you. Smollett claims that on Jan. 29, he went to Subway late at night and was attacked by two masked white men who began their attack by yelling “Hey, Empire.” They approached him and, before punching him, told him that “this is MAGA country.” Smollett said on an interview with ABC News that it was not until after the fight and their leaving that he noticed a rope around his neck. It was not until he got back to his apartment that he noticed bleach stains on his shirt and called the police. When they arrived about half an hour later, they found him still wearing the rope around his neck. He took them back
to where he says the alleged attack occurred and pointed out a camera, telling them that he was glad there was a recording of the attack. The next day, police spent hours sifting through the footage; they could not find the two white men Smollett had described, but did find two black men who were in the area. So, they used the camera footage to track where they went and arrested the two men. Not only were they not white, they were Nigerian, and one even appeared on the show “Empire” as an extra. The police released them the next day because they cooperated with the police. They told the police that Smollett allegedly paid them $4,500 each to stage the attack. Obviously, before the news about the two Nigerian men came out, there were a lot of questions people like me had for Smollett. Why on earth would there have been two pro-Trump racists roaming the streets of Chicago, the bluest city in the bluest state of the U.S., with rope and bleach, but who also happened to have been watchers of “Empire”? This was also during the cold wave that went through that area. That day, there was a high of 11˚F and a low of -9˚F. On top of it all, should I believe that they also yelled “This is MAGA country?” No one had ever uttered that before this story. If Smollett is convicted of falsifying a police report, he is facing at least a three year prison sentence. It turns out there were rumors that Smollett’s
character on Empire was going to be written off soon. It is alleged that he faked the incident to gain public sympathy to prevent his removal from the show. Why did this story gain traction? I think that Michael Knowles summed this up well in his podcast when talking about the incident in 2017 involving the anti-Trump gay man I mentioned earlier: “So the 2016 election provoked fantasies in this man’s head. The leftist narrative is a fantasy and that’s why he’s scared, fearful, and alone. But other people are not because they are living in reality. So he wanted other people to be afraid, to be living in that fantasy with him. So what did he do? He took his fantasy and he tried to make it a reality. He tried to make himself “a victim … because if he’s living
in a fantasy and he feels alone living in that fantasy, he wants other people to be in fantasy with him and he has to turn the fantasy into reality.” I see this mentality on this campus. The narrative that America is rife with racism, and Trump is making it worse by bolstering their racism, is nothing more than a fantasy. The media spent months planting this fantasy in our minds. Because stories were not happening involving Trumpian racism, people had to make it up. I am very sure that there are racists in our country, but not anywhere near to the extent that the leftist media makes it out to be, and I would urge all of my readers to be honest with themselves about that, to be willing to call these fake stories out as fake.
based on beliefs and being virtuous in listening to what we may consider “the other side.” When N.T Wright visited campus in November 2018, EMU was not spared from controversy over his visit. Published opinions, protests, and attendees of his lectures reflect a divisive culture at an institution that prides itself on community, especially among the student body. It is perfectly acceptable to not be in attendance at public lectures we may disagree with. We have a right to protest as well. I understand that N.T Wright has spoken and written on issues surrounding marriage and theology that have potentially reopened old wounds, but we must recognize that striving for diversity and healing means including “the other side” in an institutional setting, not necessarily in a personal
aspect. In the spring semester of 2019, an anonymous opinion was published in The Weather Vane regarding the speaker on campus for MLK Day, shedding light once again on a divided community. While I do not necessarily agree with what the writer was arguing, I cannot deprive them of their opinion, anonymous or not. Not only is this a revelation of divided politics on campus, but it reflects a fear of being ridiculed on a personal level for having an opinion. We should be a community that encourages people to share their honest opinions and that fosters constructive disagreements rather than attacking them personally. One could argue that including controversial speakers may lead to further divisions. Is it not just as dividing, if not more, to develop policies encompassing
the entire institution based on desires to pull the institution toward one side of the spectrum, no matter which side it may be? One could also argue that publishing anonymous opinions gives cover for malicious intent, which will divide. I am not willing to jump to this conclusion without speaking to the original author. When people feel the need to share their opinions anonymously in a platform like The Weather Vane, we must seek to understand the behavior. It is not fair to make the conclusion that the author is an ill-intending individual only seeking to cause harm. We must also weigh the possibility that they have been wounded as a result of sharing their opinion. While not all responses to the anonymous opinion piece were personal attacks on the author, that does not mean
there were no potentially wounding statements made about them. While protests against N.T Wright’s presence on campus were peaceful, that does not mean there were no ill-intended statements made about him. As new issues arise on campus—and they will—we must remember that wounding behavior knows no political spectrum or religion. We must also remember that being wounded is not a justification to wound others, whether we are speaking or responding. We live in a wounded world, and to respond by wounding it once more is futile. We must strive to respond with love and understanding, remembering that to love a person does not mean accepting their beliefs as true or right. It simply means listening with respect and treading lightly on wounded ground, no matter what side of the spectrum we are on.
We Want Your Letters! Hey, you! Yes, you! Do you have opinions? Do you like writing opinions? Did a Weather Vane article resonate with or frustrate you? If so, write a letter to the editor! We enjoy hearing your responses, and the more student voices we can include, the better. If you feel that you are underrepresented or that your voice is not adequately heard, tell us why in an opinion article of your own and send it to wvane@emu.edu. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and space.
REACHING COMMON GROUND IN CONTROVERSY
By ELLIOT BOWEN
This academic year has had its fair share of controversies. We have had the opportunity to hear N.T Wright and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day through lectures, workshops, and guest speakers, yet we still find ourselves divided by political and religious issues. Potentially divisive issues are inevitable, but that does not make divisions within our community inevitable. We must work to find the balance between isolating ourselves
theweathervane.org
February 28, 2019
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OPINION T h e We a t h e r Va n e
EDITORIAL: SUBMIT OPINIONS TO THE PAPER
By ALLIE SAWYER
Throughout the semester, our staff has been seeking opinion pieces from students outside our staff. As someone who thrives on hearing the stories and experiences of others, I am disappointed by how few op-eds we have received. In the first editorial of the semester, Clara and I established that we wanted more of campus to feel included in The Weather Vane (WV). Despite our assertions, we are not receiving nearly as many as I had hoped. The lack of op-eds has left me wondering, why
aren’t students interested in publishing their opinions in The WV? Attempts to try and answer that question run through my head: social media provides people the space to share, people don’t care about sharing their opinions, writing an article is daunting, writing a piece on such a small campus is vulnerable, etc. No matter how many possible rationales I come up with, I know there is not one clear answer; sporadic speculation also does not solve the problem. Being a staff member of The WV means that I have inherent biases pertaining to this subject: sharing ideas in the school paper is important, the community should engage in discourse in a unbiased space, and publishing opinions forces people to sit with and develop their ideas. I acknowledge that not everyone shares those values, but I believe they are important. When students share their
ideas in the paper, it allows people who are not in their typical circles the chance to encounter that perspective. Social media breeds polarization and keeps people within specific spectrums that are often similarly aligned with themselves. By publishing a piece in The WV, people go out of their typical social spheres and begin engaging with the community. Ideally, The WV is an unbiased space. I argue that it is impossible to isolate all biases, but we try our best to eliminate as many as possible. Part of that attempt to eliminate biases means that we will publish almost any piece that we receive from a member of the community. By accepting opinions from all veins of the community, The WV can truly be a place of discourse for the community. Each of us should desire to hear the perspectives of one another because it is the only way that we can grow to create a community that honors each
of its members. Not only should we honor the perspectives of others, but we should also reflect and honor our own opinions. The ideas we have come from our unique experiences. In publishing a piece, people take the time to wrestle with how their experiences influence their beliefs and are given the chance to fully develop their beliefs. Although social media gives people a place to publish their thoughts, it has become such a commonplace thing that it does not provoke the same level of critical thought that writing an op-ed piece does. Writing a piece for a newspaper pushes people to reflect on their ideas, often in a way that they had not before. As I write this piece, it probably sounds like a longwinded way of an editor trying to get more op-ed pieces, and, in a way, that is true. However, my main purpose is to show why it is important for our community to engage more. EMU is going through
a lot of changes right now, changes that will affect its existence as a university. I know people have thoughts on past and potential changes, as well as social justice issues that are going on. Events on campus that promote discourse do create conversation and provide great spaces for people to grapple with their ideas and beliefs, but they are not enough. Publishing in newspapers is a more concrete way to share ideas. They create a space where a person’s words are preserved. In an age that is becoming more digitized, papers have shifted to try and stay relevant. The WV has a website where we upload our articles, and some papers only have digital publications. By doing so, a greater pool of people can access the ideas shared in a paper. While that might seem scary, it is the best way for us to stay in tune not only with the ideas of our community, but with ourselves.
opinions on those questions have become so divergent that the question of “truth” has become another player in this cynical game. Not a day goes by that people do not come with other explanations to give to those questions, creating more confusion than clarification. I am from a country that has decided to leave natural things to their natural places, to where they belong, instead of moving them around for the sake of science and cynical curiosity. Such a notion seems nonexistent in this country. Everything has become subject to study and questions; curiosity has pushed and opened up the gate to reflect and embrace Lucifer as savior and master of some. An acceptance that can be translated in the openness to the bloodshed of newborns in the name of freedom and constitutional rights. WOW, never predicted that one! In one of my classes, students reflected on the question of faith and religion. For some, faith should not be associated with the existence of God, as not everyone ought to believe in the existence of God. What was more surprising was the enthusiasm behind that thought. Morality has become the enemy of curiosity and the need for answers. The notion of disconnect between God and faith would have made sense if they—the supporters of that notion—had a better explanation to give to the existence of human beings, the universe, the planets, the sun, the moon, the constellations,
the creation of life in the womb of woman, and everything else that we can’t reproduce regardless of our technological advancement. We have craved cuttingedge technology to reach out for extensive knowledge to unlock the secret of life, yet we reject the creator of life: God. Not one standing explanation has been made, yet many excuses have been provided to rebuke the unbreakable connection that exists between God and faith. Although faith has lately been associated with the notion of allegiance to the state, therefore undermining its holiness, it is still crucial to keep that notion of faith far away from the notion of allegiance to the State. What is surprising again is the impartiality of the church in this battle for truth. Although I believe that “truth” is a matter of perspective, I cannot help but to also think that in some notions like faith and religion, the truth should not be put into question, and the ambiguity surrounding the existence of God should be off the table. For political purposes and capitalist interests, the church has neglected to step in with their definition of truth and religion as the world becomes more blindsided by darkness and modernization. This is evident is when some proclaim that democracy and women’s rights should be above God’s words, as what matters is the progress toward a world where women become superior to men and in full control of their
bodies: at its finest, late-term abortions.The church has failed in its missions, in this case of reminding people of the notions of faith, religion, and God; the notions of democracy and freedom have cost the church its mission. I have had the privilege— because it is still a privilege regardless—to deal with colleagues that have a far-leftdifferent definition of God and faith. Not only that their interpretation is leaping, but also is a total reflection of the current political climate.
Politics have played a crucial role in the way they have come to perceive faith, religion, and God. For some, God is not real. There is an African saying that says, “For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” We can prepare for a tomorrow that includes everyone in it, gives rooms for changes, and has no place for discrimination, but we ought to do that without crossing the most precious value of them all: respect for life.
KEEP POLITICS AWAY FROM RELIGION AND FAITH By PAUL KAYEMBE
Rejected and hidden: those are the two words that come to mind when I hear faith and religion. I came to this country that stands by the values of Israel and by the importance of humanitarian actions across the world. It’s a country that has promised to wage wars on poverty and injustice, and although these two promises are ambiguous, it still is crucial to mention them. In standing for theological values, I was expecting more from this great nation in terms of faith and religion. I have been disappointed by how the notions of faith and religion in this country have both been reframed to fit into the current era. God has been reframed to conform with the American people; the American people have decided not to adapt themselves to God. Power and supremacy, acting at their finest, have gotten the best of the American people. Everything has become controversial at every layer, and dissected with no precautions or thoughts of the consequences. Even God has become subject to studies and rebuttal. Simple notions of faith that we all, human beings, have acquired at birth, have now been put to the test and second-guessed. Who is God? What is faith? Who gets to say that God exists? Who got to say that faith is even a thing? Although enticing, those have been very deceiving questions that I have been exposed to ever since I stepped foot in this country. To make things even worse,
Editors-in-Chief Allie Sawyer Clara Weybright Front Page Editor News & Feature Editor Review Editor Sports Editor Opinion Editor Canvas Editor
Allie Sawyer Jenna Lile Clara Weybright Adam Moyer Kate Szambecki Eric Ocaranza
Managing Editor Daniel Harder Copy Editors Jenna Lile Adam Moyer Brandi Nelson Kate Szambecki Clara Weybright Photography Editor Web Manager Business Manager Circulation Manager Faculty Adviser
William Ewart Elliot Bowen Douglas Nester William Ewart Kirsten Beachy
The Weather Vane is published weekly by undergraduate students of Eastern Mennonite University. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the university or its affiliates.
theweathervane.org
February 28, 2019
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CANVAS T h e We a t h e r Va n e
Simulacrum This piece is inspired by Jean Baudrillard's theory on the postmodern, hyperreality. In his writings he wrote that in this state, all images are copies of other copies, and that there is no original. My piece explores this concept in relation to identity; I copied my own drawing over and over, playing a game of visual telephone, copying the last thing I drew; in the end I got something unlike what I began with, a miscopy of the original. Freddie Monahan Untitled
Junior
This piece I think is pretty explicitly about the AIDS crisis. I often feel like nobody understands the gravity of the AIDS crisis during the 80s and the 90s; people just kind of act like it just happened and there's nothing to be done. But it was a genocide, a genocide by negligence on the part of people like Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush. More people died in the US of AIDS during the crisis than did Americans in the Vietnam War. That's not something to roll your eyes at. Freddie Monahan Junior