Volume 98, issue 2

Walla Walla University

the

Collegian 10 October 2013 | Volume 98 | Issue 2

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Changing the trigger Conversation warning exploring rape culture

This content deals with discussions of rape and may be a trigger or sensitive to some people.

Grant Perdew Editor-In-Chief

When I was first hired as Editor-in-Chief of The Collegian, I became excited about the possibilities of the publication. I see great potential in this facet of ASWWU: the opportunities to publicly bring up topics that need to be talked about.

This issue brings up a topic that often gets swept under the table: rape culture. Rape is something that happens everywhere, to men as well as women, and should be discussed carefully.

Obviously, this is a difficult issue to cover. The emotional difficulty often makes writers shy away from confronting the terrible truths.

Most people don’t know the facts and statistics surrounding this topic, and that rape culture is present and promoted in our everyday media.

The Collegian doesn’t bring up rape for the sake of stirring controversy or to use rape as a “trend piece” to bash pop culture and the media. We don’t intend to make anyone feel uncomfortable

3–7

8–14

Context

Perspective

News|ASWWU|By the Numbers Calendar

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Grant Perdew

Assistant Editor Nathan Stratte

Head Layout Editor Alix Harris

Head Copy Editor Carly Leggitt

Head Photo Editor Kate Gref

News Editor

Carolyn Green

Feature Editors

Broklynn Larson Katie Pekar Julian Weller

Opinion Editors

Brandon Torkelsen Rebecca Williams Andrew Woodruff

Fashion Editor

Brenda Negoescu

Sports Editor

Grayson Andregg

Religion Editor

Jon Mack

Science & Technology Editor Joe Hughes

Food EDitor

Andrea Johnson

Local Attractions Editor Timmy Barbosa

Daniel Peverini

Arts & Media Editor

Outdoor Editor

Backword Editor

Justin Mock

Diversions Editor Eric Weber

Chad Aufderhar Rachel Logan

Creative Writing Editor Rachel Blake

want to be featured in the collegian?

Submit your poetry, articles, creative writing, art and photos to: aswwu.collegian@wallawalla.edu

feature

photo by kate gref

Opinion|Religion|SM/ACA|Column|Creative Writing|Snapshots|Diversions|Contributor

Travel Editor

I would encourage you to inform yourself on rape culture and what we can do in our society today by reading the Feature and Opinion sections and a powerful column by contributing alumnus Josh Haddock. Without further adieu, I invite you to read our second issue of the year and learn about things that matter.

15–17

photo by river davis

photo by troy isaacs

or upset by the content. This edition of The Collegian is intended to inform, teach, and help readers, including those affected by rape.

Layout Designers Erik Edstrom Andralyn Iwasa Ian Smith

Copy Editors

Rachel Blake Jassica Choi Lauren Heathcock

Staff Writers

Lester Biggs Savannah Kisling Carlton Henkes Lauren Lewis

Office & Distribution Manager Haley Coon

Changing the Conversation: Exploring Rape Culture

18–24

life

photo by flickr user jim 914109

Arts & Media|ASWWU Video|Food|Travel Fashion|Sports|Outdoor|Science|BackWord

If you are interested in contributing to The Collegian, contact our page editors or the editor-in-chief at aswwu.collegian@wallawalla.edu. The Collegian is boosted by regularly incorporating a wide range of student perspectives.

Cover Photo Credit: Kate Gref, Arella Aung, Timothy Torres, Creative Commons, Andrea Johnson The Collegian is the official publication of ASWWU. Its views and opinions are not necessarily the official stance of Walla Walla University or its administration, faculty, staff, or students. Questions, letters, and comments can be mailed to aswwu.collegian@wallawalla.edu or grant.perdew@wallawalla.edu. This issue was completed at 3:30 a.m. on 10 October 2013.

The Collegian | Volume 98, Issue 2 | 204 S. College Avenue College Place, WA 99324 | collegian.wallawalla.edu

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l Word

CONTEXT NEWS | 3

Government shutdown // Savannah Kisling

Staff Writer

There is nothing news agencies love more than an ongoing scandal. The current media darling? The U.S. Government.

There are a lot of facts and a lot of opinions being strewn into the media. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres explains, “It’s like if you want to play Candy Crush on your iPad, but your husband wants to play Words With Friends. So as a compromise, you shut down the government.” In truth, lack of compromise is the reason that on October 1, the US Government stopped funding for all non-essential programs.

The eye of the storm is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. A number of Republicans have stepped up because they believe that passing this Act could actually be a worse decision for the American public

than approving the budget for the next fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2013–Sept. 30, 2014).

The reasoning of the Republicans, who hold majority in the House of Representatives, is that Obamacare will give the government control where it shouldn’t have it. It is also believed that Obamacare will particularly hurt small-business employers because it requires that every American have health insurance.

Democrats, who are the majority in the Senate, argue that Obamacare will slow the rising costs of medical care, give health insurance access to those previously denied due to pre-existing conditions, and make it so that if you are, in fact, insured, you don’t end up paying for those who aren’t (because everyone will be covered under the new law).

Bottom line: Democrats in the Senate want Obamacare and Republicans in the House don’t. As a result, the Republicans refused to pass the budget for the next year. They say parts of it may help fund Obamacare. It’s important to note that Obamacare is outlined to balance out cost-

Famous bait in tacos // Carlton Henkes Staff Writer

A small-town craze gains major publicity as USA Today declares Worm Ranch’s vegetarian taco as the 11th-best taco in the nation.

To those out of the loop, "Worm Ranch" may be the most unappetizing name since the popular grade-school book, How to Eat Fried Worms. But to a native of the valley, it’s enough to make someone start salivating.

TheDailyMeal.com article, “The tastiest tacos across the USA,” by Dan Myers, was featured on USA Today’s website on August 31, 2013. The Daily Meal approached 200 of the top food critics in the country to suggest their favorite taco destinations.

Then the connoisseurs at the Daily Meal

carefully narrowed the list to 35 tacos, and declared them the best in the nation. Walla Walla’s taco made it just outside the top 10.

Ironically, the specific menu item chosen for the 11th tastiest taco was the vegetable taco, true to Walla Walla’s vegetarian persuasion. Not only was it the only vegetarian taco on the list, it was also the only taco featured from the Northwest.

Worm Ranch’s now famous taco has been featured on ABC’s KVEW 42 and KAPP 35, as well as NBC’s Right Now KNDO 23 and KNDU 25.

Dora’s Deli, the restaurant section of Worm Ranch, began making quality Mexican food 11 years ago — just four years after Worm Ranch opened as a bait and tackle shop.

“My father started the bait and tackle shop,” says Rubio Jimenez, the store manager, “and my aunt worked with my

wise due to fines and taxes. In reality, no one can predict how much it will end up costing.

According to estimates, 83 percent of the government is still running, which means most of the government's programs continue despite the lack of a budget. By obligation, the government has to pay those workers who are expected to go in to work despite being “unpaid” for the time being. It is still a question whether the government workers sitting at home will receive the same.

OPEN POSITIONS M t. A s h E d i t o r A S W W U G r ap h i c D e s i gn e r C o l l e g i a n L ay o u t D e s i gn e r C o l l e g i a n R e l i gi o n E d i t o r

Sources:

Collegian Columnist

Http://scrapbook.ellentv.com/post/62838193969/ ellen-lays-out-the-government-shut-down-for-anyone.

Http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/30/politics/government-shutdown-up-to-speed/index.html.

Http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/30/politics/government-shutdown-up-to-speed/index.html.

Http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/10/07/ reports-show-less-than-20-percent-fed-government-isreally-shut-down/.

how to

Apply

1. Download application from ASWWU website.

2. Send your résumé, application, and cover letter to aswwu@

"But to a native of the valley, [Worm Ranch] is enough to make someone start salivating.” mother and came up with ideas for food.”

Jimenez now works the shop that his father started 15 years ago, while his mother, Dora Jimenez, runs the restaurant.

This family business has seen its share of growth. The college and university crowd has been especially helpful. Noting the amount of regular student customers, Dora Jimenez says, “Business has been picking up more. But when they’re on vacation, no.”

Another reason to stay in school!

wallawalla.edu.

3. Wait for your interview.

SENATE ELECTIONS OC TOBE R 15 WE C 11 a .m.

CONTEXT ASWWU | 4

SPIRITUAL VICE PRESIDENT

meet the aswwu cabinet //

KARL WALLENKAMPF

Junior Humanities & Biology Bayside, Calif.

Favorite place on campus: University Church Favorite place off campus: Rattvik, Sweden Spirit Animal/Patronus: Caracal Pump Up Song: "The Beast" — Tech N9ne Katy Perry, Gaga, or Miley? Audrey Hepburn Role: To unite the members of ASWWU through religious leadership, including student week of worship, Battlegrounds, concerts, community outreach, agape feasts, and more.

PRESIDENT

JONO PRATT Graduating Senior Business Paradise, Calif.

photo by david richardson

Favorite place on campus The gym Favorite place off campus Seoul, South Korea Spirit Animal/Patronus: Snorlax Katy Perry, Gaga, or Miley? Kanye Pump Up Song: "Till I Collapse" — Eminem Role: Responsible for representing the needs and requests of the student body to Walla Walla University's administration.

executive VICE PRESIDENT

Financial VICE PRESIDENT ALEC NORTH

PHILIP DUCLOS

Graduating Senior Business & Accounting Spokane, Wash.

Favorite place on campus: The Atlas Favorite place off campus: The Patisserie Spirit Animal/Patronus: Bearodactyl Pump Up Song: "WWU Can't Hold Us" Katy Perry, Gaga, or Miley? KP Role: Responsible for communicating the needs and requests of the students body to Walla Walla University's administration, faculty, and staff; presides over student senate.

marketing VICE PRESIDENT

Graduating Senior History & Religion Roseburg, Ore.

photo by david richardson

photo by david richardson

Social VICE PRESIDENT NANCY PATIÑO Graduating Senior Social Work College Place, Wash.

Favorite place on campus: Church (I like to people-watch) Favorite place off campus: Mi casa con mi familia Spirit Animal/Patronus: A tiger with wings Pump Up Song: "Bass Cannon" — Flux Pavilion Katy Perry, Gaga, or Miley? Gaga Role: To unite the members of ASWWU through social activities and entertainment while helping to make WWU a fun and enjoyable campus.

as

Favorite place on campus: Bowers computer lab Favorite place off campus: The Patisserie Spirit Animal/Patronus: Sloth Pump Up Song: "Sexy & I Know It" — LMFAO Katy Perry, Gaga, or Miley? Katy Perry Role: Maintains the budget and finances of ASWWU and its functions.

ERIC WEBER

Senior International Communications, French Emphasis Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Favorite place on campus: The Atlas Favorite place off campus: The Olive Spirit Animal/Patronous: Oprah & Judge Judy Pump Up Song: "Ready for the Weekend" — ICONA POP Katy Perry, Gaga, or Miley? All three, simultaneously, in my ears.

Role: Markets and advertises the functions of ASWWU to the students and community, and manages the brand of ASWWU.

20 m

CONTEXT NEWS | 5

A feast for a community // Lester Biggs

Staff Writer

and church members. There were at least 180 tables and at least 80 families provided the food.

Walla Walla University students, staff, and church members came out Saturday afternoon, October 5, to the annual Longest Table event, to enjoy both the food and each other’s company.

Though the Longest Table happens at the same time every year and sometimes changes location, the main focus of this event stays the same: togetherness. It also helped students who are new to get out and meet other students and faculty, by providing a place to hang out after the first week of school.

The event, which was hosted by WWU and the pastoral staff, took place on 4th Street and had enough food to feed many students, faculty,

“The church and campus really encourage students to sit at a table and get to know some church members, as opposed to grazing and

aswwu athletic showcase // lauren Lewis Staff Writer

ASWWU held a special event Sunday night called the Athletic Showcase. This event spotlights university athletes and introduces them to you, their loyal fans.

Students who attended the event and arrived on time were fed pizza. The Olive, a restaurant in downtown Walla Walla on Main Street, supplied the food.

2013 AGa mud bowl //

The Athletic Showcase participants emerged from a flashing strobe-lit black tunnel as Kofi Twumasi announced the names of each athlete. Each player had personal info revealed while running to the stage and assuming his or her standing position in front of the audience. A basketball player on the girls' team, Kayla Garcia, was announced with the hobby of “loves eating.” Each player sported team uniforms and often something extra. One soccer player moonwalked to the stage and accessorized his uniform with a scarf.

Twumasi and his announcing deputy,

lauren Lewis Staff Writer

picking up a little food here and there, but not really talking to the people that made the food. I think that really helped the community piece of the Longest Table,” said the campus chaplain, Paddy McCoy. The Longest Table is known for many things, such as catching up with old friends, and meeting new people, but most of all it is known for the food. The food is prepared by church members from the neighborhood as well as some of our faculty.

“The food was really good. It was a lot more diverse from what it used to be last year,” said Junior Karl Pomare.

Throughout the event many people couldn’t help but notice that not only were there a lot of photographers, there were also “quad copters,” which are little planes that were used to capture the fun from the air and document the memorable event.

Some of the food contributed to the potluck included ethnic cuisine, such as Italian, Asian, and Hispanic food. No lunch would be complete without dessert, and there was plenty to go around. There

“The most memorable part was walking around and seeing people. I actually found people I didn’t even know had returned this year,” said Junior Beverly Rivera.

Kevin Ellis, broadcasted with ease and lots of oomph. More energy and hoots rang out when Ellis started rapping.

Robert Hogan, joined with two linemen, refereed the game. The girls' volleyball team won the game in two matches.

After the showcase, the university girls' volleyball team played an intense match against a university staff team.

For more ASWWU events, check the ASWWU website and keep your eyes open for posters around the university.

photo by arella aung

The annual Aleph Gimel Ain, or AGA, Mud Bowl was held this last Sunday morning. Every year, female and male students are invited to play a game of football in six inches to a foot of mud and water. The event was held to the south of WWVA, just beyond the university's soccer field.

Attendance was high. Last Sunday, AGA officers had more than 10 teams registered and expected to have one hundred or more university students playing. This was Freshman Ariana Parks’ first time playing in the AGA Mud Bowl and she considered the event “a blast! ... Basically all the girls

photo by troy isaacs

were a lot of pies, brownies, cakes, and even homemade ice cream.

were covered in mud and running around with no clue what to do!"

Before playing in the Mud Bowl, insurance waivers and team-identifying wristbands were given to each participant.

The infamous Walla Walla University waivers had all possible harms listed.

Comically, the risk of “death” was sixth down on the bulleted list, as if hiding, and “injury from vehicles” was twelfth on the list. Thankfully, no deaths or unruly car incidents occurred. Good luck to all those still washing mud out of clothing!

CONTEXT

BY THE NUMBERS

6

#thecollegian

Number of Chinese people killed by giant hornets since July.

Millions of visitors who have been shut out of national parks since the shutdown began on Oct. 1.

22.8

Average number of gallons of water needed to produce, package, and ship one egg.

@instagrant_gustavsen

2

Number of people severely burned in a New Mexico hot air balloon crash yesterday morning.

42

@masonelliot95

Number of chemists who shared the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for computer simulations that enable closer study of complex reactions like photosynthesis and the design of new drugs.

@willjum

@karlwallenkampf

350 7.i 3

Miles from earth to NASA's Juno spacecraft yesterday as it was sling-shotted toward Jupiter.

3525

Millions of dollars in missed revenue per day caused by the shutdown of national parks.

Miles per second Juno was traveling (relative to the sun) when it passed earth yesterday on its way to Jupiter.

auditions

2016

Sign ups in Sittner Lobby

Year Juno will reach Jupiter.

October 15 &17

5.5cm Size of some queen Asian Giant Hornets.

CONTEXT 7

week in forecast 10 Oct Thursday 61° 45°

photo by mason neil

12 oct Saturday

11 oct Friday

61° 41°

61° 43°

photo by timothy torres

photo by mason neil

Week of Worship

Week of Worship

11:40 a.m.

11:40 a.m.

University Church

University Church

Speaking: Anthony Smith & Alma Alfaro

Speaking: Brant Berglin & Terri Dickinson Neil

Fall Classic

Vespers 8 p.m.

University Church Speaking: Josefer Montes & Kristen Taylor

13 oct Sunday 57° 37°

photo by aswwu

Collegiate/Young Adult Sabbath School 10:30 a.m.

WWU Prayer House

ASWWU Backpacking Trip Fall Classic

Guest Piano Recital: Karlyn Bond

7:30 p.m.

Melvin K West Fine Arts Center Auditorium ASWWU Backpacking Trip Fall Classic

ASWWU Backpacking Trip Fall Classic

14 oct Monday 57° 39°

photo by nate hughes

15 oct Tuesday 63° 44°

16 0ct Wednesday 63° 45°

photo by grayson andregg

Columbus Day

CommUnity: ASWWU Senate Elections 11 a.m.

University Church

photo by josh mckinney

WWU Service Day with Breakfast & Lunch 8 a.m–2 p.m.

CTC Bowl

PERSPECTIVE O P IN I O N | 8

collegian

WISDOM

are all men rapists? // Brandon Torkelsen

Opinion Editor

Civilians now mowing lawns around DC memorials.

Seattle’s mayor supports $15 minimum wage.

I know where I’m moving after graduation.

Colombian city claims world record as 13,800 people meet for coffee.

C

Government shutdown day 10.

C

C

13,750 were college students.

=

China sacks official over lavish, threeday wedding.

Yay communism!

Still waiting for Harry Potter VIII.

C

GTA V brings in more revenue than book sales in 2012.

Rape is a male problem — men rape women.

(I don’t wish to overlook or demean male rape victims; the principles outlined here, while specifically addressed to men, cannot be limited to a single gender, but affect everyone.)

Unfortunately, it is not hard to remove ourselves from direct involvement; “I have never raped anyone, therefore rape isn’t my problem.” There is, however, a kernel of truth to the extreme feminist slogan: “All men are rapists.” Each person on this campus contributes to our culture — a culture in which, perhaps through our negligence, sexual harassment and rape are allowed to exist.

We have allowed these atrocities to become

What’s love got to do with it? // Rebecca Williams

Opinion Editor Recently, I have become very perturbed about the general population’s casual attitude towards rape. There are several ideas floating around relating to responsibility, who should take the responsibility, and the ever-popular sentiment, “why can’t men just keep it in their pants?” This issue should be an open and shut case, yet our society has managed to cloud and complicate definitions to a point where it seems as though every man has the potential to be a rapist, and that no sometimes means yes. In an effort to combat our society’s growth towards rape culture, a culture that normalizes or excuses rape in media and pop-culture,1 I am going to clear up some misconceptions.

For the most part, rape is not about sexual gratification or attraction. In fact, the woman’s perceived level of attractiveness has little to do with why she was raped. We must conclude that rape is mainly an act of violence. Some men even use it as a form of punishment for estranged

normalized through our social structures and our terminology, and it’s our job to fix that.

Gender roles are assigned early in life. In elementary school, boys are allowed to misbehave more. The phrase “boys will be boys” is used to implicitly condone many devious (albeit often harmless) actions. As boys grow up with this ideology, they begin to equate social status with rebelliousness — no one wants to be a “goody.”

As we grow and are inundated by the media (which both shapes and is shaped by our culture), we are taught that when a friend comes back from any sexual “conquest,” the proper response should be a fist bump. We positively reinforce sexual actions to the point where the role of a man becomes to go as far as he can. This places the entire burden of self-control firmly on the shoulders of women. The tragic result of this is when rapists “misinterpret signals” and say, “She was asking for it.” Sexism’s rampant spread throughout our culture is not only found in our social structures, but has made its way into our everyday language. The National Union of Students recently carried out a study in which it showed how the prevalence of sexism in the wives or lovers.2 It does not occur just because the aggressor lacks control over his sexual organ. Normal men are perfectly capable of stopping at any point during sexual intercourse.

So, if a person says, “Well, it is partly the victim’s fault. She was dressed provocatively; she let him get too far before she told him to stop,” he or she is incorrect. This belief is a myth.3 What the victim was saying, wearing, or doing was not the cause of the rape. She was raped because her aggressor had a psychological and/or physical need for control and dominance that manifested itself in an act of sexual violence.

So, now I ask why — if this act is so obviously unacceptable and horrific — why is our society moving towards rape culture? One possible answer could be the media. Although it seems that the media is constantly being blamed for everything, and we definitely need to take responsibility for our own actions, this is one case in which the media really does have a huge impact on behavior. Men are constantly over-masculinized and taught to consider any “feminine” characteristics unacceptable.

From day one, young boys are conditioned to disrespect femininity, from being told that they “throw like a girl” to being told to “suck it up; be a man; rub some dirt in it.”4 They are pressured to become society’s idea of “manly men.” In addition, our society portrays women as helpless, sexual objects who fear men but also “need” them in order to be safe. Women aren’t taught how to protect themselves from

Th Je pr

“banter” of university students encourages sexual violence against women.1 Common expressions often carry inappropriate undertones, many of which are demeaning.

Modern culture has done an unprecedented, although incomplete, job of promoting equality before the law. Regretfully, the law is often the only place equality is found. Whether it’s using “raped” to describe how badly the Niners beat the Texans on Sunday or congratulating our roommates on their latest adventures, we take daily actions to implicitly endorse rape. Our culture has a problem, but there is a cure. We are free to refuse to live under the shadow of a prejudiced culture. While the idea that all people La are equal no longer needs to be argued, it is notJesus being upheld. Every person has the right to makethe g his or her own choices. As shapers of culture,Naza let us use our influence to create a world thateasy mean disallows the barbarity of rape.

Further reading: Th “Men in groups: Collective responsibility for rape.” Larry and May and Robert Strikwerda. Hypatia Vol. 9 no. 2. comm (Spring 1994).

a con as an law v a stronger aggressor, they are told merely to of Je do whatever they can to get away, which often true times is not enough. They are timid about statem setting physical boundaries in relationships such, because they are afraid of losing their partner. carrie Men aren’t taught how to respect women possi from an early age or that society’s definition of Only “masculinity” is skewed. The media teaches both can m genders that promiscuity and casual sex reward narra and them with healthy relationships. the g We need to fight the media on this issue. We how need to inform our generation and the coming Jesus generations that all gender identities are unique unco and different, that these differences are not bad, and that each person, regardless of gender, is to On be respected. There are aspects of masculinity is in and femininity in everyone, and until our conse society accepts this, we will continue have as th problems with sexual violence, discrimination, final there and inequality in general. that limit 1.nus.org.uk/cy/nus-calls-for-summit-on-lad-culture/.

1. Marshal University, . “Women’s Center: Rape Culture.” Marshall University. Marshal University.

Web. 8 Oct 2013. <http://www.marshall.edu/ wcenter/sexual-assault/rape-culture/>.

2. Felson, Richard B., and Marvin Krohn. “Motives For Rape.” Journal Of Research In Crime & Delinquency 27.3 (1990): 222-242. Academic Search Premier. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.

3. Ronán Conroy, et al. “Rape And Child Sexual Abuse: What Beliefs Persist About Motives, Perpetrators, And Survivors?” Journal Of Interpersonal Violence 26.17 (2011): 3580–3593. Academic Search Premier. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.

4. She’s the Man. Perf. Bynes Amanda. DreamWorks, 2006. Film. 6 Oct 2013.

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Works,

PERSPECTIVE REL I GI O N | 9

The Gospel about Jesus: A promise proclaimed //

Freed from every attempt to sugarcoat real evil by the unconditional promise of love, the Christian is acutely aware of the mass despair and palpable alienation created by a world situation that increasingly concentrates power in the hands of a

in the midst of a permanent war economy.

The Christian is free to condemn the systematic destruction of our planet by resource-thirsty corporations and hope for reconciliation between humans and their home. The Christian is free to hope

Because God has raised Jesus from the dead, the Christian is free to hope that the final future of humanity is love. Frustrations, betrayals, disappointments, and conflicts remain real, but they are put in their proper place — they are merely a prelude to God’s future of infinite love. With this future in sight, Christians continually strive to actualize God’s future in their present.

Daniel Peverini

Religion Editor

One more theoretical consideration is in order before we get to practical consequences. If Jesus lives beyond death, as the gospel claims he does, He is the final future of every person. After all death, there is Jesus. Therefore, He is the promise that death will meet its end. Love without limits is possible in Jesus, our final future.

The Christian gospel of unconditional promise means radical freedom for believers. If we believe it, we are likely to try for the seemingly impossible. The Christian is by no means unaware of evil.

photo by raffaellino del garbo

Last week, we discussed the gospel about Jesus up until his death.1 But the core of the gospel is that God raised Jesus the Nazarene from the dead. The statement is easy enough, but what does this message mean?

The previous article posited law and promise as opposing categories of communication. Where law poses future as a conditional demand, promise poses future as an unconditional gift. In this paradigm of law versus promise, the Christian narrative of Jesus’ death and resurrection enables true promise. Evidently, any promise statement — “Because I will do such-andsuch, you may expect such-and-such,” — carries at least one hidden condition: the possibility of the promise-maker’s death.

Only a speaker who lives beyond death can make an unconditional promise. The narrative of such a speaker would be death and resurrection into life. According to the gospel, Jesus is such a speaker. This is how the Jesus who proclaimed became the Jesus who himself is proclaimed as God’s unconditional promise.

for healthcare for the sick, jobs for the unemployed, acceptance for the excluded, and equality for the marginalized. The Christian can hope that even the most broken of personal relationships will find healing.

privileged few who exploit the rest. But the Christian is also adamant that despite all this, love beyond death is our final future.

Christian faith posits a big “nevertheless.”

The Christian sees the world as it is and says nevertheless that God in Jesus has the final word, a word of love.

Christians are therefore free to take responsible action against evil, even if they make mistakes in the process. Despite numerous frustrations, the Christian is free to fight untiringly for a just society in which racism, homophobia, and classism have no place. The Christian is free to judge wars of imperialist aggression as the betrayers they are, and hope for peace even

“The Christian sees the world as it is and says, nevertheless, that God in Jesus has the final word, a word of love.”

1. As with last week’s article, I must acknowledge that throughout I have drawn ideas liberally from Jenson, Story and Promise (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1973).

Campus Ministries

40 days of prayer “God shapes the world by prayer ... The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil …” (E.M. Bounds). I realize that we are now in the thick of a very busy quarter, and most of our days in the week are scheduled with almost no free time. If I am to stay connected to God, however, I must be willing to spend time

with Him every day of my life, despite my class load. I want to encourage all of you to join me in prayer every night at 9 o’ clock for 10 minutes in the Prayer House for the next 40 days. If you struggle like I do to make God a priority over your life, setting time away for prayer could make a big impact for not only your life, but also for those you pray for. We will be praying for God to invade this campus in a special way this quarter, for Him to increase as we decrease, and for any specific prayer requests you bring to the Prayer House each night. — Sean Lenhoff

PERSPECTIVE ACA/SM | 10

Wild adventure with God as our tour guide // Joanna Wart Taiwan

Today, a new adventure started. My new-found friend Lesley (who’s from New Zealand) and I decided we were going to try to find a hot spring called Bayan Wild Hot Springs. Now, this isn’t any old hot spring; it’s the free and illegal one. We were both up for fun and adventure, so the plan was fitting.

The designated time to meet was 1 p.m.

When we stepped off the MRT it was like we stepped into an ant colony — everyone was going everywhere. Now what do we do? Lesley and I started the long task of finding the bus stop. We finally found

What if i hate Kosrae? // River Davis Kosrae

the bus and asked the driver to take us to the hot spring. (Note that at this time, we didn’t have the name, location, or any information about this hot spring.) Needless to say, we ended up somewhere other than the free hot springs. The driver drove us to a resort! Ending up at a resort wouldn’t have been a problem except that neither of us had money.

Our next plan of action was to find an English-speaking person, and with God’s help it didn’t take long. Soon we were off, by foot, down the mountain. As we walked, I got the idea to try to hitchhike.

The cars seemed to speed up as they saw us. With each vehicle that passed we laughed at the thought of jumping onto one of the cars. Lesley and I shot up a prayer asking for any kind of ride. I had walked with my thumb out for about 12

Da

minutes, when a nice BMW pulled up beside us. As the car slowed down I could see a family with smiling faces greeting me. The son spoke English.

This family asked us where we were trying to go. We tried to explain the location

me anything, would I still have two marbles?”

“What if I actually wanted to go back to WWU and just keep doing school like normal people? What if I don’t like coconut water? What if the pastor finds out that we actually have no idea how to teach in a classroom?” About as soon as I realized that I had nervously devoured the whole pack of mixed nuts in about eight seconds, our plane connected with the runway on a dark, tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean called Kosrae.

“How about 2=2? Kokok, would 2=2 make sense? If I have two marbles, do I have two marbles?

“Ok Kokok, you are in third grade. You can do this! So, what is 2+1?”

I receive a toothy grin. “54!”

I twitch involuntarily. “Not quite. If I had two marbles, and you found one more, how many would you have?”

“76.”

I shifted. “What if we had 2+1=3? Does this make sense?”

“No. Yes. No.” “Ok. Let's get simple. How about 2+0=2?

If I had two marbles, and then no one gave

to them but they were just as confused as we were. The dad decided to pull over and ask a local restaurant about the hot spring. As we all stood in this nice restaurant the mother took my hand and said, “You eat lunch with us.”

They happily paid for our meal — one of the nicest acts shown to me so far in Taiwan. This family showed God’s amazing love with poise. We prayed with them before the meal and talked about religion, family, culture, and education. God was working.

“What if I hate Kosrae?” I thought as I subconsciously reached for my 79th packet of mixed nuts on my final flight to the island. We were 25 minutes from bouncing onto the little Kosrae runway at midnight as I was bombarded by these thoughts.

Fast forward to today ...

photos by river davis

photo by joanna wart

“38!”

I felt uneasy, as if my “fight or flight” senses were about to kick in.

“Hmmm. No.” The bell rang and before I could say anything, the class had magically emptied out of my classroom for recess.

Teaching in Kosrae is filled with experiences and adventures, from being chased by a shark to cheese hunting to playing the famous “Spelling Basketball” in class. My kids always give me a run for my money, but I often enjoy the challenge, and I am feeling closer to my class every day.

A major thing that has hit me being here in Kosrae is the sudden change to simplicity. I came from cramming eight tests into three days; organizing music for vespers; and juggling work, classes, schedules, and meetings at WWU to having conversations in Kosrae like this: “Hey, Tyler, can you toss me a tangerine?”

“Sure. One or two?”

“Three.”

Lesley and I thought we would try to find the bus stop to get home, but before we could say goodbye they decided to drive us home. Once again, God was looking out for us. We didn’t have any money or gifts to give, so we decided to sing a song. “My God Loves Me” came to mind, which we sang to offer thanks.

“Whose turn is it to fill up the drinking water?”

“Definitely Ryan’s turn.”

One of my students appears in our doorway.

“Teecha, I come in?”

“What’s the password?” I playfully challenge.

“Coconut Banana.”

Mitchigo comes padding in, and we all kick around a volleyball and laugh and tease. Kosrae is a beautiful place, and it’s not just the unfiltered stars or the clear, blue ocean. It’s in the hearts of our new family, our new friends, and our kids. It’s in the kindness of Uncle Larry, in the laugh of Pastor Tara, and in the mischievous smile of little Nelly-Sonia. There is beauty all around; you just need to know where to look for it.

To read about more adventures, visit: missiontotheisland. blogspot.com

PERSPECTIVE C O L UM N | 11

creative

WRITING Dandelions // Why try?

This body will surely die.

If this life has the meaning of a dandelion: To grow, to take winds beatings, Fall and be stepped on, And then frozen by a heartless cold snow, Surely you would miss the flower’s blossom, The breaking the surface to breathe God’s fresh air, The tickle of the sun in the spring of May, The bustling bees with their honey flow The tireless ants working below, And being blown in the wind by that child, That child who made his dreams and became What you are today.

I say for you the doubting Thomas, Too fearful to act on conviction, For the misguided, unsure, questioning, Hoping, crying, breaking, swelling, and wanting.

For this here, this means far more than a dash between two soon to be forgotten numbers.

‘Twas a gift to be cherished, Not meant to be taken as careless.

Life is more than just some bore With no value that can be bought in a store.

‘Twas given through death so we might rise again.

As such, do not strive to be better than they, Stronger than Hercules in the fray, Faster than Bolt’s nine foot stride, Ruthless as Armstrong’s unforgiving pride, Smarter than that four point student, Who forgets that after texts fade away, What is important is not his brain, but those Lives his intellect has sufficiently served.

Strive to be you, exactly as you were meant to be.

Rachel Blake

Creative Writing Editor See I am not you and you not me and we come not from the same family, You might beat me at your game and gain fame to your name, Maybe even steal my voice’s right to proclaim, But I believe in this thing called chivalry.

Strive to be the best you can, God’s humble servant, a man.

Weakness may encompass, But doubt not the reach of His hand’s circumference, His holy hands heal our hurting hearts.

He watches, guides, and whispers in that quiet place.

Don’t hide your scarred face.

He sees in and breaks free the seeking, the broken.

Word of his deliverance has been spoken, For that you can stand certain, With hope to someday feel His embrace.

Pierced, raw, and amiss memories strain, Recalling countless pains, That time you fell down stairs from these untied laces, Hoping to be noticed by more forgiving faces.

Those helpless eyes you lacked strength to encourage, That girl who no more returns your letters of postage.

That wound in your friendship left not mended.

Unrelenting, Lucifer’s course leaves you helpless.

In the fog under this street light, With fingers frail and fear’s bite, Step into the dark abyss.

Not seeing a path, hearing a friend, Or feeling a guiding hand.

May seem a hopeless road untraveled.

But wait for that morning light.

Then, seeing His direction, pursue That child’s joy that He will bring.

See still that dandelion dreams, Waiting for you to find it.

Only one step is needed to start.

Take it.

— Howard Heaton

A brief and thrilling history of Islam, Part 2 // Brenna Selby Contributing Writer

In case any stragglers happened to miss last week’s column, we’ve been discussing Islam.

“At a Christian university?!” you ask. Yes, at a Christian university! Keep your shirt on. This is a history class, not a Sharia indoctrination session (Sharia is the moral code and religious law of Islam, as set forth in the Quran, by the way).

Last week I talked about how Muhammad went from being an unremarkable tribal merchant in seventh-century Arabia to being the founder of one of the world’s most widespread and influential religions. I left off by saying that by 630 CE, Muhammad and his followers had “secured possession” of Mecca, the religious and economic focal point of the Arab world. Now, take note: when I say that Muhammad “secured possession” of Mecca, I am not making a cute analogy for his proselytizing prowess. I’m using militant language precisely because from the beginning, Islam was both a political and religious force, meaning that Muhammad was a prophet and a general.

Today I’ll begin to focus on the growth and spread of Islam — from its (frankly) pathetic roots as a poor man’s pipe dream to its status as runner-up to Christianity in the world religion popularity contest.

As I mentioned briefly last week, Muhammad spent over a decade preaching around Mecca before he gained any sort of following. Apart from his own supportive family members, the first converts to Islam were slaves, and it wasn’t for some time that more prestigious men joined the bandwagon as well. As Muhammad and his religion gained popularity with some, others started to fear and oppose him. Muhammad’s insistence on the existence of one supreme deity rubbed many Meccans the wrong way. By undermining their polytheistic beliefs, Muhammad was threatening their very way of life. Mecca was the hub of Arabian trade and culture, and much of the city’s livelihood rested upon its religious ceremonies — particularly, a yearly pilgrimage made by many Arabs to the Kaaba (sacred house) to worship their gods and conduct business.

Sadly, Muslims who had formerly been slaves were the most vulnerable to persecution, because they didn’t belong to any particular clan and were thus unprotected. Fortunate to be supported by his clan, Muhammad himself was spared physical harm, but he was nevertheless ridiculed and threatened.

The future was looking bleak for Muhammad and his followers, and things only got worse when Muhammad’s uncle, Abu Talib, died and was succeeded as the head of the family clan

by Abu Lahab, a different uncle who bitterly opposed the prophet. Displaced from his own people, Muhammed sought protection for himself and his followers from a different clan, but was turned down. Homeless and despised, it wasn’t until 621 CE that the Muslims were accepted into and given protection by the Yathrib tribe. This monumental event was recognized as the decisive turning point in the fortunes of the Muslims, and Muhammad’s emigration to Yathrib (renamed Medina, “the city of the prophet”) in 622 CE was named the “Hijra” and adopted as the starting point of the Islamic calendar.

After relocating to Medina, Muhammad spent the first few years consolidating his position as a leader and settling domestic squabbles among his followers. He also ran into a bit of trouble with a number of Jews in the area. Because they refused to recognize Muhammad as God’s messenger and would not submit to Muslim teaching, the majority of Jews were removed from the area — some by forcible banishment and others by bloody massacre.

As his power grew, Muhammad focused on securing a wider sphere of influence, using shows of force and negotiations with neighboring tribal groups. He additionally began a strategic campaign against the Meccans and organized raids against pilgrims’ caravan trains going into the city during the sacred month of Rajab.

This antagonized the Meccans into engaging in armed conflict against the Muslims, but they proved no match for Muhammad and his followers.

This brings us back to 630 CE, when Muhammad, more through skillful diplomacy than outright conflict, gained possession of Mecca itself.

Sources: Crash Course with John Green (!!!) http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=TpcbfxtdoI8.

Geoffrey Parrinder, World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present.

SNAPSHOTS

WELCOME BACK BASH SURF TRIP/MUD BOWL

12

photo by timothy torres

photo by troy isaccs

photo by troy isaccs

photo by timothy torres

photo by troy isaccs

photo by timothy torres

PERSPECTIVE DIVERSIONS | 13

Eric Weber

Diversions Editor & Pontificator

Puerile Politics

julian weller

Our country is pretty messed up right now. Microsoft is still a company, Michele Bachmann hasn’t been taken back to her home planet, and I’m pretty sure animals are able to get married. But the biggest problem with our country, at the moment, is that we don’t have a government and the SAC is out of Wham. Now, I’m not going to point any fingers (thanks a lot, Condoleezza Rice …) because I think this issue is larger than a particular party and/or body mass index. The biggest problem is that we all act like bunches of hate-filled third graders whenever we discuss politics. “I hate Obama! He’s a meanie head and he wants to steal my Cheetos!” or, “I hate the Tea Party! They’re annoying poop faces who won’t share their Band-Aids!”

Everybody’s argument is just as dumb and juvenile as the next because nobody wants to have an intellectual discussion about these issues. We’re comfortable being upset in our soiled diapers. It’s OK to be wrong. That’s why we take Kellie Bond’s classes — to help us realize how young and stupid we are. Let’s stop crying about how we want fruit gummies instead of Cheerios and just talk about it. Unless you’re Rush Limbaugh; then you can just shut up.

PERSPECTIVE CONTRIBUTOR | 14

Blurred Lines // Josh Haddock Contributor

I have been positively obsessed with Robin Thicke this summer. Not so much his song “Blurred Lines,” which I really could have lived a happy life without ever having heard, but the conversation surrounding “Blurred Lines” and the notsafe-for-work music video that goes with it. Since it was released, it has been called “kind of rapey”1 and “misogynistic,”2 been endlessly parodied, and been the subject of much intellectual debate; all while achieving almost record-breaking status as the number-one song in Billboard magazine for 12 weeks, finally dethroned last week, oddly enough, by Katy Perry’s female-empowerment ballad “Roar.”

So what is it about “Blurred Lines” that is so controversial? While Thicke’s lyrics do sound alarmingly similar to phrases used by actual rapists,3 he’s not alone in his lingo. A number of recent pop songs have featured the phrase “I know you want it,” including many female artists like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azaleal, and, of course, Rihanna. To be clear, though, standard gender roles of dominance and submission create a different meaning when the phrase is used by men. Still, the culture of pop music values sexual confidence, and the phrase “I know you want it” neatly sums up pop music’s sexual zeitgeist. He or she who doesn’t have confidence goes home alone.

But what sets Thicke apart from even his male peers is his lack of confidence in his confidence. Perhaps Rihanna really does

know her man wants it, but for Thicke and T.I., the matter isn’t quite as clear.

Thicke’s lack of clarity is quite troubling, especially given the majority of cultural depictions of women. Two years ago, the documentary Miss Representation attempted to show how the media portrays women as sexual objects, and recently, a Swedish company did reshoots of American Apparel ads using male models instead of females to highlight female sexual commodification in media marketing.4 Even more alarming than the sexualization of women5 is the trend of violence against women in popular music, comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. Most strong male characters in television and film have to overcome some physical obstacle or enemy, whereas the strong female characters very often show their strength by surviving sexual assault or rape — as if women’s strength comes not in achieving something but in surviving what has been done to them. Comic books have recently become infamous, thanks to the internet, for the “women in refrigerators” meme,6 a collection of grotesque images of violence against women in comic books.

Even popular fiction features violence against women as normal; in the Twilight series, the character, Jacob, forces himself on Bella and when she fights back he doesn’t let go. She then breaks her own hand trying to get away, and Jacob gets off scot-free.

And don’t even get me started on 50 Shades of Grey.

Thicke doesn’t see himself as part of that culture, though. He has stated that he thinks his song is feminist and that the music video, which was directed by a woman, is about female empowerment (nevermind

that he stated in the same interview that it was “a pleasure” to “degrade a woman”).7 For Thicke, there is a clear distinction between what he believes he wrote and how it has been perceived. Divergences like the one Thicke is experiencing, between what the artist intends and what is received by his or her audiences, are common. In Ayn Rand’s book The Fountainhead, there is a scene in which a lead character is clearly raped, screaming and biting throughout the assault. However, when Rand was questioned about the rape sequence, she completely denied that what she had written was rape. She said that secretly, despite all evidences to the contrary, her character had wanted it. So who is right?

Rand, the woman who wrote the book, or the reader? In this particular case, Rand is definitively wrong,8 but when lines are a little blurred, who is right? And who gets to decide if Thicke is writing a feminist song or a “rapey” song that contributes to rape culture: Thicke or us?

Which brings us to a large part of the debate around Miley Cyrus this summer.

Though there was obvious “slut-shaming” happening, the real debate about Cyrus was whether her use of black culture was racist. A lot of criticism came at Cyrus for her use of black women as props in her VMA performance.9 But Miley says she loves black culture and that most of her friends are black. But, as was the case with Rand for rape, Miley doesn’t get to decide whether her actions were offensive to the black community. I believe Miley when she says she didn’t think she was mocking black culture, and I believe that it wasn’t her intention to be racist, but that’s how people have understood it. In the end, it’s

not about whether Thicke intended his song to be about rape: that’s how people have understood it, and it thus perpetuates rape culture.

[1] Tricia Romano, “‘Blurred Lines,’ Robin Thicke’s Summer Anthem, Is Kind of Rapey,” http:// www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/17/ blurred-lines-robin-thicke-s-summer-anthem-iskind-of-rapey.html?utm_medium=email&utm_ source=newsletter&utm_campaign=cheatsheet_ afternoon&cid=newsletter%3Bemail%3Bcheat sheet_afternoon&utm_term=Cheat%20Sheet, accessed 10/05/13.

[2] Elizabeth Plank, “A Feminist Takedown of Robin Thicke, And Anyone Who Thinks There’s Something “Blurry” About Sexism,” http:// www.policymic.com/articles/56069/a-feministtakedown-of-robin-thicke-and-anyone-whothinks-there-s-something-blurry-about-sexism, accessed 10/05/13.

[3] Http://jezebel.com/yikes-blurred-lines-lyricsarent-so-catchy-when-rap-1335658624.

[4] Http://www.businessinsider.com/if-men-posedlike-female-american-apparel-models-2013-5.

[5] Http://jezebel.com/5908730/good-things-happens-when-you-pose-the-men-of-the-avengerslike-women.

[6] Http://www.toplessrobot.com/2008/06/the_10_ worst_women_in_refridgerators_ie_cases_of_v. php.

[7] Http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/05/ robin-thicke-interview-blurred-lines-music-videocollaborating-with-2-chainz-and-kendrick-lamarmercy.html.

[8] Legally what happened in The Fountainhead is rape. For more information see Katie Pekar’s article on page 15.

[9] Http://groupthink.jezebel.com/solidarity-is-formiley-cyrus-1203666732.

“Even more alarming than the sexualization of women is the trend of violence against women in popular music, comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games.”

FEATURE 15

Changing the Conversation: EXPLORING RAPE CULTURE // Katie Pekar

Feature Editor

Rape has always been a controversial subject.

In 1789 BCE, the Code of Hammurabi declared that forced sexual intercourse with a married woman wasn’t actually rape — as a married woman, she was guilty of adultery.1 This marked the start of a now-centuriesold debate over the victim’s innocence, provocation, and guilt. Throughout the next 800 years, most laws regarding sexual violence assumed women were guilty. Even the Hebrew law recorded in Exodus compelled rape survivors to marry their perpetrators.2 In 1275 AD, however, the Statute of Westminster finally made the rape of any woman, virgin or married, a crime in England. This ruling marked the turning point in understanding not only how rape is defined, but also who is guilty.

Today, despite the legal jargon inherent in state laws, Washington State is clear when it comes to defining rape. Most of us understand the definition of first-degree rape: forcible compulsion of sexual intercourse by using a weapon, kidnapping the victim, or entering the victim’s place of residence.3 Seconddegree rape is less understood, however, and includes (but is not limited to) intercourse where the victim is mentally incapacitated, physically helpless, or in a position of inferior power.4 Washington defines mental incapacity as the inability to understand the situation and communicate consent, while physical helplessness includes not only unconsciousness, but also the inability to communicate consent.5 This means alcohol inebriation is not “an invitation” — it’s a

RAPE CULTURE (NOUN): An environment where prevalent attitudes and behavior normalize, excuse, and condone rape.

class-A felony with a minimum three-year prison sentence. And while it doesn’t carry a three-year prison sentence, third-degree rape, where lack of consent is verbally expressed but intercourse still occurs, is still rape and still a felony.6 Washington has a “‘no’ means ‘no’” policy when it comes to sex.

There’s even more debate over who is responsible for rape. Is it the victim, who wore a short skirt and low-cut top, or the man who “just couldn’t resist”? Is rape the fault of a vulnerable male prison inmate, or his fellow inmate who uses sexual aggression to assert power? Perhaps guilt lies with the media, as many online activists are asserting in response to Robin Thicke’s song and music video “Blurred Lines.” This catchy tune and others

like it are easy to blame. Maybe, however, our culture’s ability to believe it’s normal for 25 percent of women and 10 percent of men to experience rape is responsible.7 Is our culture — a culture where rape is accepted, normalized, and even condoned — to blame?

Sex Educator Carina Kolodny argues in her article “The Conversation You Must Have with Your Son” that rape is rampant in our culture because boys are not educated.

Women receive rape education early, often via comments from parents and friends: “Be careful what you wear because someone might view your outfit as an invitation,” “be home before dark,” “don’t accept rides or drinks from strangers,” and even, “you look like such a slut in that outfit.” Men, however, are not often

FEATURE 16

1789 BCE

621 BCE

Code of Hammurabi declares married rape victims are guilty of adultery.

Book of Deuteronomy includes laws regarding rape.

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reminded that sexy and even “slutty” outfits are not invitations, that there are no points

12,100,000

12.1 x10^6 12.1Million

Estimated number of women who have been raped at least once in their lifetime.

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Statute of Westminster makes the rape of virgins and married women a crime. ph

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awarded for deflowering women, and that sex with a partner so inebriated he or she cannot legally consent is actually rape.

Kolodny maintains that this educational imbalance, where men receive little or no guidance regarding sexually appropriate behavior, perpetuates a cultural belief that women are responsible for avoiding rape.

If someone fails to meet social expectations of good virtue and common sense, such as staying home after dark and wearing appropriate clothing, our culture suggests that rape is acceptable.8 Naturally, then, one seeks to project an image of good virtue and common sense.

The rape clock is a term used to describe how women rearrange their schedules, often to the detriment of professional and personal

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1838 CE

A minister accused of rape is acquitted because his victim is not of “good reputation”. ph

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success, to avoid not only rape but also the appearance of ignorance. And while most of us are unfamiliar with the term, the vast majority of women navigate their schedules according to the clock’s dictation. Every day, women add minutes and even hours to their schedules in the attempt to avoid rape by adjusting their commutes, waiting for escorts, and simply staying inside after dark. Just as frequently, friends, boyfriends, deans, and parents reinforce this behavior, warning against midnight treks across campus and deeming early-morning runs reckless. This well-intentioned chastisement not only perpetuates the idea that women are responsible for their protection, but also damns rape survivors to believe they were at fault.

How We Can Combat Rape Culture:

· Blaming the victim (“she asked for it”)

· Avoid using language that objectifies and degrades women.

· Sexually explicit jokes

· Speak out against offensive and trivializing jokes.

· Trivializing sexual assault (“boys will be boys”)

· If a friend says they have been raped, take them seriously.

·Scrutinizingavictim’sdress,mentalstate,motives,and/orhistory

· Define your own manhood or womanhood. Do not let stereotypes shape your actions.

· Defining“womanhood”as submissive and sexually passive

· Always communicate with partners and do not assume consent.

· Assuming only “weak” men are raped

· Think critically about the media’s messages on gender roles, relationships, and violence.

Source : Marshall University, Women’s Center (www.marshall.edu/wcenter/sexual-asault/rape-culture/).

Sigmund Freud’s influential theories associate women with passivity and masochism.

ns

Examples of Rape Culture:

· Defining “manhood” as dominant and sexually aggressive

1856–1939 CE

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Here’s the kicker: The rape clock is almost entirely ineffective. Not that common sense should be disregarded — if there’s a lit path, that’s probably the best option (even if it only protects against tripping). Common sense only gets us so far, though. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the vast majority of sexual assaults happen in or near the victim’s home or the home of someone the victim knows.9 People are three times more likely to be raped by an intimate partner such as a significant other or spouse than to be attacked on a dark street.10

98%

of victims never see their attacker caught, tried, and imprisoned

Why then, do women follow a rape clock? Why do caring friends, parents, and administrators advocate a system that doesn’t work? According to Walla Walla Sociology and Social Work Professor Emily Tillotson, it’s about reclaiming power: “Women buy into [the rape clock]

FEATURE 17

1977 CE Nebraska becomes the first state to include marital rape within rape laws. ph

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1982 CE

New York Legislature eliminates the physical resistance requirement in rape cases. o ph

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2012 CE

Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act is passed.

Legislator Todd Akin states that pregnancy cannot occur in cases of “legitimate rape.”

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2013 CE

Stuebenville students convicted of raping inebriated victim; texts and cellphone photos provide evidence.

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77

because it gives them a sense of control.” By definition, rape is out of the victim’s control.

It’s also not up to parents or well-meaning friends. But all of us sleep better when we think we’re protecting ourselves — and if staying home and knitting cozies after dark is what it takes to get a good night’s rest, we queue up for our knitting needles.

Unfortunately, rape is ultimately in the control of rapists. And no, not all men are rapists, but the majority of rapes are committed by men. While there are some reported incidents of female perpetrators (and almost certainly a large number go unreported), most reported sexual violence is committed by men against women and other men.11 So if men are the perpetrators, how do we stop them? Carina Kolodny argues it’s as simple as educating them, a job that can be performed by any mother or father. She suggests that explaining to sons why rape is never acceptable rather than telling daughters the various ways to avoid it is the best way to change our culture’s normalization of rape.

Sociologist Michael S. Kimmel has a different opinion: rapists are taking gender roles to extremes. Women are traditionally viewed as sexually passive and are expected to defer to men in the bedroom. Men, however, are expected to pursue women: they are the sexual aggressors. These gender roles are problematic because they enable and justify the actions of rapists. When a man rapes, he uses physical or emotional power to pursue and dominate, casting himself as dominant

and his victim as submissive. Kimmel states that sexual violence often seems normal to the rapist. Because it is merely fulfillment of accepted gender roles, the perpetrator is may be unaware his actions constitute sexual violence.12

80% Percentage of Victims assaulted by someone they know or are newly acquainted with.

Kimmel provides a solution: Break down gender roles. If our society can allow women to hold equal power and stop telling men they must be aggressive to be masculine, the normality of rape will fade. When we stop imposing problematic gender expectations, people will stop fulfilling them in problematic ways. And while changing cultural perceptions of gender is not an easy proposal, Kimmel’s ultimate solution is simple: When we stop expecting men to rape, they will stop raping.

Changing how our culture views rape is a necessity. We as a culture must re-evaluate how men and women relate to each other.

It will require effort of thought, as we seek to bend the way our brains view gender and rape. It will require vigilance of speech, as we choose words that uphold higher standards of behavior. And it will require that we change how we interact as we seek to treat everyone with greater respect and equality. This is not an easy task, but it is important.

Imagine an environment in which women are not taught to fear men, and men are taught to respect women and each other.

Envision our campus free from the gender stereotypes which normalize rape. Picture a national culture in which sexual violence is never acceptable. It’s a naïve vision, perhaps, because we will never completely eradicate rape. But we can begin changing our thinking, and when we do, we begin changing our culture.

That change starts with me. And it starts with you.

[1] Encyclopedia of Rape, Preface.

[2] Exodus 22, Encyclopedia of Rape, p. 23.

[3] Http://apps.leg.[3]wa.gov/RfCW/default. aspx?cite=9A.44.040.

[4] Http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default. aspx?cite=9A.44.050.

[5] Http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default. aspx?cite=9A.44.010.

[6] Http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default. aspx?cite=9A.44.060.

[7] Encyclopedia of Rape, p. 200.

[8] Http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carina-kolodny/the-conversation-you-must-have-with-yoursons_b_3764489.html, Encyclopedia of Rape, p. 228.

[9] Encyclopedia of Rape, p. 200.

[10] Http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/fvsv9410. pdf.

[11] Our Sexuality.

[12] The Gendered Society, p. 440-446.

Sexual Assault Resources YWCA, Walla Walla 1. 24-Hour Crisis Response: 509-529-9922 2. Support Groups: 509-525-2570 3. Medical and Legal Advocacy: 509-525-2570 4. www.ywcaww.org

Walla Walla University 1.

2.

3.

Campus Security: 509-527-2222 Counseling Services: 509-527-2147 Abuse Helpline: 800-234-0038

College Place Police Department 1.

509-525-7778

LIFE

18 E|18 CULTUR

ARts and Media Do it // Chad Aufderhar Arts & Media Editor I have seen this equation in a few different places over the past few weeks and it got me thinking about how I view art. I remember the first time I visited the National Gallery of Art a few years ago and struggled to feel inspiration from the old still lifes or the more unusual works. I am not an art expert and I never will be, but I do feel differently about art than I did back then. I don’t think it has to be something only for “elite” or “artistic” people.

We don’t all have to paint and we don’t all have to love paintings, but beauty is attractive to all of us. Beauty in expression, while part of our school’s vision, is also something I believe to be discernible by everyone. We may all end up in different places appreciating different

tinyurl.com/lszkz2d

Songs for another Young Tornado

Modern Art =

Elvis Costello & The Roots “Walk Us Uptown”

I think this collaboration was a brilliant idea and whether or not it will live up to expectations, it is good. The combination of Costello’s soulful class and The Roots’ hip hop background works.

I could do That

+

Yeah, but you didn’t things, but I think as long as we go towards beauty the details do not matter too much.

There is much of art, especially modern art, that I know I do not adequately understand or appreciate, but I try to be open to beauty in forms that are new to me as often as possible.

This has brought me three conclusions: one, that I should not allow myself to criticize things I have not tried; two, that if beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, then it is the beholder’s responsibility to look for it with an open mind; and three, do it.

I want to see what you are doing and share it with everyone, too! Email submissions of visual or auditory art to:

chad.aufderhar@wallawalla.edu.

Typhoon “Young Fathers”

This track off the 11-piece Portland ensemble’s second full-length is quite the orchestral epic. Kyle Morton strikes a somewhat charming balance between loss and hope.

The Head and The Heart “Another Story”

Next week, they release a new album full of songs that have been ruminating amongst the chaos of the whirlwind that has been the last couple years for this band.

Lorde “Royals”

She has been dubbed the queen of alternative by Billboard and others.

This song is still leading some charts.

Whatever you decide to call her, the fact is her music is striking a chord.

The ASWWU Video team is polishing lenses and prepping cameras for ASWWU CommUnity.

Come out October 15 for the debut videos and get CommUnity credit as well! Also, keep your eyes open for actor signups in the cafeteria soon.

ASWWU Video

vimeo.com/aswwu

Neko Case “This Tornado Loves You”

Sultry vocals and poppy instrumentation is only the cover of the book that is Neko Case. Listening to her newish album is like learning what tornado love feels like.

featured art:

by Cynthia Gobel

LIFE

FOOD 19

The Food Fiend presents

dut c h B a b ie s photo by andrea johnson

Andrea Johnson Food Editor Dutch Babies are the greatest breakfast food in all the world. When I was in grade school, my best friend, Kindra, and I started a strange tradition. When we had sleepovers we would wake up early and make Dutch Babies. We would set the table, put breakfast out, and leave a note suggesting that a group of mysterious benefactors called the Car Key Gnomes (based on the Far Side comic, and yes, sometimes we stole the car keys just for emphasis) had made this feast. When the rest of the family awoke, we would feign ignorance of deed. I’m not quite sure why we thought we fooled anyone, but we kept it up for years. Here, I’ll share the wonderful mystery of Dutch Babies (and don’t worry, the Car Key Gnomes have promised to stay uninvolved, so your keys are safe). Prepare your taste buds for complete happiness.

• The babies will fluff up in the oven and then collapse when you take them out. This is natural; don’t panic!

• I make these in a blender. Throw all ingredients in (order doesn’t matter) and blend for a few seconds until smooth.

• You can make these without a blender, but it will be a pain to get it smooth. If you don’t have a blender, start with the wet ingredients (be sure to melt your butter), and sift in the flour to minimize clumps.

• The fun way to make these is in muffin tins, but any ovensafe casserole dish will work.

dutch Babies

• Berries, powdered sugar, whipped cream, and lemon juice are my favorite toppings. Try them out or try something new.

Let me know how it goes!

INGREDIENTS

• This is a great dish to make for friends. Have a breakfast/ brunch party and double or triple the recipe. These can be your main dish or just a part of your feast, but either way, they’re sure to be a crowd pleaser.

N otes and Suggestions photo by andrea johnson

photo in creative commons

3 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup flour 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 Tbsp. butter 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1/8 cup orange juice concentrate (opt.)

1/4 tsp. salt Butter/non-stick spray for pans Desired toppings Preheat oven to 450° F. Mix all ingredients, taking care to remove all clumps. Butter or spray pans and pour mixture in no more than 1 inch deep.

Bake for 18–20 minutes or until golden brown. Add desired toppings and enjoy.

LIFE

TRAVEL | 20

Finding Inspiration // Jon Mack Travel Editor Taking the first step is one of the hardest actions we make as human beings.

Admitting you’re wrong, asking permission for something you’re very passionate about, or even asking that special someone on a date — these actions take courage (some more than others), but today the discussion is about finding inspiration to take that first step into the realm of travel. What does it take to open the doorway?

however, some individuals have the opposite feelings. Looking into hotel reservations, camping locations, finding the cheapest fares, locating the most interesting historical sites, and browsing for the best restaurants can be relaxing, but how do you get your foot out the door?

When leaving school for a break, there are two general feelings. The first is the glory that comes with being task-free for a few days, and the second is the realization that getting home is more than a few hours away.

It’s a journey with many components that require some preparation and foresight: who you are riding with, what the weather conditions will be, what your schedule will be on the day of departure, and so forth. Traveling isn’t always an easy escape, but once at the final destination, the discomfort is always worth it. photos by jon mack Traveling for the sake of adventure and exploration is no different. Sometimes it takes the right inspiration to create the desire and willingness to make the effort and plan a trip. Often, people can find this process intimidating. Planning the route, looking for flights, busses, trains, or cars, and finding the right traveling partners is never an easy task;

I n s p i r at i on doesn’t always arrive in the same ways for everyone. For some people it’s a good movie set in a remote location. For others it may be a great book, where the main characters are traveling from one city to the next. For

DESTINATION OF THE WEEK:

others it may be the stories of ACA students or the testimonies of student missionaries.

And for some it may be the longing in their hearts to leave the nest and travel to far-away lands that inspire them.

One inspiration I have found in my travel experience is that when all the traveling for a time period is over, I find a great satisfaction in what has been accomplished, but at the same time I find a great curiosity for what more there is to see of the world. I like to think that I’m a traveler, but I’ve not been to many places in comparison to all the places I’d like to see and experience.

That’s what drives me to dream; the realization that there is more and always will be more. Different cultures and experiences can have a monumental impact on worldview. It’s these ideas that inspire me to get out there and experience the world for what it is, not what Facebook, Instagram, or the news tells me it is.

motivation to begin something great.

Locate that inspiration and foster its development. Every traveling experience makes for a better traveler, and every traveler can be an inspiration. I’ll leave you with a quote attributed to Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. Sail away from the safe harbor.

Explore. Dream. Discover.”

TRAVEL NECESSITY

OF THE WEEK: SMART PHONE

In the end, inspiration will come from somewhere and it is important to discover where that is. Even if it’s from a book or movie, it’s an important aspect of the traveling experience. One of the hardest parts of the process is starting it, getting the

SEATTLE

Location: Seattle, Washington Famous for: The Space Needle, Jimi Hendrix, Sleepless in Seattle, Macklemore, Pike’s Place market (aka The Market), Amazon, Russell Wilson, and rain.

Major Sports Teams: The Seattle Mariners, the Seattle Sounders FC, and the Seattle Seahawks.

Interesting Facts: Seattle is the most literate city in the country; New York City, Chicago, and Houston all get more annual rainfall than Seattle; more people bike to work in Seattle than any other city in the USA; and Seattle is second in the country when it comes to live music shows. These are all according to www.nileguide.com.

photo by flickr user jim 914109

HAVING A HARD TIME OR CAN’T FIND YOUR WAY? POP INTO A SHOP THAT OFFERS WI-FI AND TAKE A BREAK; PULL

OUT

THAT

SMART

PHONE AND GOOGLE IT. CHANCES ARE GOOGLE WILL HAVE THE ANSWER.

LIFE

FASHION| 21

Ruling the Runway // Brenda negoescu Fashion Editor

GENTLEMEN

STYLE TIP

When mixing flower prints and plaid, stay within the same color palette.

Guys, good news: Plaid is in this season for you too. I love this hooded grey plaid sweater — it’s unique and ultra comfy for those lazy days. Rather than pairing it up with a boring trouser, try a bolder color. These H&M twill pants are a steal! To add a little edge try an oversized beanie and complete your look with a simple-but-stylish boot.

Add a statement bootie.

W

ith a little attitude and a touch of sophistication, you can strut your stuff to class or a night out in these runway-inspired looks I've put together. FW13 runway collections featured a whole lot of plaid, flower prints and, of course, leather.

Glamorous punk is in and it's better than ever. Here's a palette of inspiration with steals under $60!

STYLIST'S CHALLENGE

STYLE TIP With this look it's best to keep jewelry minimal. These various sized rings add just enough edge.

H&M sweater, $21 / Zara print trousers, $20 / ZOOSHOO Leopard buckle bootie, $34 / Zara dress, $60 / Zara T-shirt, $17 / H&M drapey top, $32 / Zara floral print jacket, $60 / H&M long flannel shirt, $32 / H&M short skirt, $32 / H&M black jersey pants, $24 / ZOOSHOO studded bootie, $40 / H&M bag, $32 / H&M ring, $6.43 / H&M ribbed knit hat, $11.

Is your wardrobe in need of an update? Feeling like your wallet won't cover it? If so, a guest fashion blogger and myself have accepted the challenge. We're asking for $35 (to cover cost of the clothes you get to keep) and a couple of hours to be your very own personal stylists. We are looking for guys and girls who want to exhibit trendy styles and have the chance to appear in a future fashion feature. If interested contact me at ema.negoescu@wallawalla.edu.

H&M hooded shirt, $35 / H&M twill pants, $30 / TOPMAN oversized slouch beanie, $16 / ASOS Chukka boots, $47.

STYLE PROFILE ALYSSA HARTWICK Freshman Marketing Major

Top: Zara / Sweater: Nordstrom / Jeans: H&M / Headband: H&M / Tote: TJ Maxx (no name brand) / Watch: Guess.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR FASHION INSPIRATION FROM? "I receive most of my inspiration from other fashion bloggers and paying attention to

street style while traveling abroad."

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE IN A GIRL'S CLOSET?

photos by brenda negoescu

"I think the most important piece in a girl's closet is her LBD (little black dress) — it will never cease to wow!"

LIFE

SPORTS | 22

Baseball takes a hit // Grayson Andregg Sports Editor The game of baseball has been changed; we all can see that. What used to be America’s go-to sport has slowly and steadily become what

CAMPUS NEWS: Thanks to all who showed up for the Athletic Showcase and had a good time like I did. The soccer team lost to Trinity on Saturday night 9–0, though I heard that everyone who attended the game had a blast. The volleyball team had a thriller against faculty on Sunday night, the highlight of the game being a mysterious man dressed in cargo shorts with the skills of an Olympic indoor player. Make sure to check around for news and poster of upcoming games for the volleyball, soccer, and softball teams.

other sport fans tend to look down upon. Performance-enhancing drugs have been around the game for a long time, but I think it all started with the Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Brett Boone era. These PEDs are changing how the country looks at this sport, and it’s starting to lose its fire. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a diehard Mariners fan, but they’ve got about as much chance to get into the playoffs next season as the Jaguars do this year in the NFL. Speaking of the NFL, PED’s also have an effect on the sport. They just don’t have a list of 20 big-name players coming from one enhancement facility.

Seattle Seahawks #1 draft pick of 2012, Bruce Irvin, recently returned from a four-game suspension for PEDs. What I’m saying is that PEDs have a presence in the NFL, but when they are found, no one really tends to argue against using them. They take their suspension lightly and come back stronger. No

one in the NFL has ever really pulled an “Alex Rodriguez” (definition: left the Mariners for more money after they

he thinks he’s special. Basically, being an overall idiot and trying to get away with it).

trained him to be a star, was accused three times for PEDs and denied all three — the latest being a full-year suspension of 2014 — and then trying to sue Major League Baseball because

The MLB needs to find some way of containing this, or it’s going to get even further out of hand. Rules need to be enforced, and players need to at least act like they know them. For now, lets all pleasantly watch the MLB playoffs, as the LA Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals become the first teams to move on to the next round of the playoffs (NLCS), with the Cardinals making their third straight appearance by beating the underdog Pittsburg Pirates. ... Great.

NFL RANKINGS: Here are some fresh NFL power rankings for your liking.

After losing a heart breaker to the new #4 Colts, Seattle has dropped to #5, whereas the Saints and Chiefs are bumped up to #2 and #3. And Guess who #1 is?

That’s right: the Jaguars.

eing away

needs way ning oing even of need rced, need act now now, antly MLB the dgers Louis ome eams f the inals ance burg

LIFE

OUTDOORS/SCIENCE | 23

ASWWU Outdoors, the New Guy on Campus // Justin mock Outdoors Editor As Outdoors Editor for The Collegian, it is my privilege to share information with our readers about new outdoor opportunities here at WWU. This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nathan Curry about a new ASWWUrun program called ASWWU Outdoors.

Nathan, a senior here at Walla Walla, is the ASWWU Outdoors project manager, and in this interview he gave me a clear picture of the new program and the opportunities it provides.

ASWWU Outdoors is a program that aims to involve students in outdoor activities. Its mission statement is simple: “To increase enthusiasm for the outdoors, promote outdoor education, and make

new outdoor activities accessible for WWU students.” With this mission in mind, ASWWU Outdoors is continually creating ways to make this goal of participation in outdoor activities a reality.

One way in which they do this is through ASWWU Outdoors-sponsored trips. These trips are led and planned by ASWWU Outdoors and provide students with a way to participate in various activities. These trips are not for the experienced alone, but are for everyone, including students who have little or no experience. As an ASWWU program, ASWWU Outdoors is free and available to all students. However, each trip has its own specific costs for participants. The first trip is a backpacking trip in the Eagle Cap Wilderness on October 12–13. For more info on this trip and others to come, check out the outdoors page at as.wallawalla.edu under the services tab.

Besides trips, ASWWU Outdoors is also creating a way for students to connect with each other. This is being done through the

Why does mint taste cold? // Joe Hughes

Science & Tech Editor Have you ever unwrapped a stick of spearmint gum, chewed a few times, closed your eyes, and inhaled? Chances are you have, and you felt the all the frost in Norway mysteriously appear in your mouth.

Through some culinary wizardry, a taste has been transformed into a temperature. How does this work? Why does this work? And what would happen if you chewed spearmint gum and ate a pepper?

The basics: The minty flavor comes from a chemical called menthol. It looks like this: In the picture above and to the right, the black dots are carbon, the white ones are hydrogen, and the gray one is oxygen.

The lower left picture is shorthand for the molecule that chemists invented because chemists are lazy.

(I'm not saying physicists aren’t, but yeah, chemists are lazy. Come at me.) Superiority of physics aside, menthol is a cool molecule.

It was first extracted from corn mint or peppermint plants in the west around 1771, but apparently the east had done it 2000 years before. Wikipedia says it is waxy and crystalline at the same time. To me, something being simultaneously candle-like and quartz-like is more confusing than the Trinity.

So, we know that menthol is the chemical that does it, but how does it do it? Well to answer that question we have to step back and understand how our senses work. The stimulus (taste of chocolate, temperature of a cold shower, smell of a campfire … ) is like a key, and our body is full of sensors that act like locks. When a certain key (taste of chocolate) happens by a locklike sensor on the tongue, it opens a source : fx networks door. Out the door runs a messenger, and he (or she, upon reflection) runs down a specific ion channel to the brain and says, “Hey! Eat a ton of this — your mother isn’t here!”

One of the reasons that cooking is so awesome is that you can combine all those

creation of email groups where students can sign up to be part of a group centered on a specific activity. Right now, there are seven different groups: backcountry (for backcountry skiing and snowboarding), backpacking, camping, climbing, mountain biking, paddling (for water activities that use a paddle), and surfing. Once you join a group, you will receive emails that pertain to events or trips involving those activities. Also, the system allows members to send emails between one another, allowing members to make connections and plan their own trips.

To sign up, go to the website mentioned earlier and follow the instructions. There are even instructions to suggest a new group.

If you want to get involved but are worried about finding gear, don’t fear. Mountain Rents, ASWWU Outdoors’ gear rental shop, may have what you need. It is located behind the SAC and has great deals for the students and faculty of WWU. Also, if you need something you can't find at Mountain Rents, use the email system to ask fellow group members.

For more information on the program,

check out the website and contact info found in the box below. Also, frequent the website to find out about new activities or events. In closing, I would like to thank Nathan Curry for his time interviewing and for the work he and ASWWU are doing with this program, providing us with another way to get outdoors.

messengers together. So when they arrive at the brain, rather than just delivering a simple message such as, “You ate raw salt? Why??” you get a whole novel of information about what you’re eating, with subplots about temperature, dialogues between spices, and graphic descriptions of texture. The awesome thing about this is that the method for telling the brain something about temperature (this cup of tea is way too hot) and

a messenger runs down the TRPM8 pathway to the brain and says, “Hey! It's cold in here!” Somehow, mint has managed to pick the lock on the cold door and break into our brain to give us some culinary synesthesia, but I’m not complaining.

This leads to a bunch of follow up questions — what would happen if you ate a mint and a pepper at the same time? What if you warmed mint gum in the oven before you ate it? What if you put a pepper in the freezer? And would any of this be palatable at all? If you find out, please tell me.

something about taste (this cup of tea is lemon ginger) are the same — messengers running up ion channels to the brain.

So here’s the answer — the mint key opens the cold lock. For molecular reasons that no one seems to want to talk about, the chemical menthol fits into the lock on the door that normally gets opened when it’s cold. The particular ion channel it runs down is Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily M Member 8, affectionately known as TRPM8 to its friends and relatives. So when you eat a mint,

What ASWWU Outdoors has for you: Exciting outdoor trips for students of all skill levels: October 12–13: Backpacking in the Eagle Cap Wilderness October 19–20: Rafting trip on the Deschutes River Email groups that include backpacking, backcountry, camping, climbing, mountain biking, paddling, and surfing Mountain Rents, ASWWU Outdoors’ gear rental shop To learn more and get involved: Project Manager: Nathan Curry Website: as.wallawalla.edu (outdoors page located under services tab) Email: aswwu.outdoors@wallawalla.edu

So now that you’ve heard some of my questions, I want to hear yours!

Please send me your questions (joseph.hughes@wallawalla.edu)!

I want to answer (or at least try to answer) all of your wackiest questions. Things like: Why are leaves green rather than black? Why does almost everything with fingers have five fingers? How come our body hair stops growing at a certain length but our head hair doesn’t?

Why were the Beatles so good?

Why do streetlights look like crosses when we are driving in the rain?

Et cetera, et cetera.

back

word

The good thing about the beginning of a school year is that it’s like New Year's — everybody makes new resolutions to be smarter, fitter, and all-around more awesome. The bad thing about the beginning of a school year is that it’s like New Year's — everybody makes new resolutions that they never keep. Because I want us to be best friends, here is my list of (abandoned) new-school-year resolutions: 1) Stop panicking right before CommUnity. “Who am I going to sit with?

Where did all these people come from? Do they even go here?” (Panic. Pull out cell phone.

Pretend to look busy reading a very important email.)

2) Become a very good liar when going to the cafeteria alone. “I’m going to need a to-go box. I’m researching something that cannot

wait an hour until I’m out of class for the day.”

(Pull out cell phone. Answer another important email while waiting for wrap.)

3) Stop spending all $80 credit at the DX within the first three days of the month. “It’s the first? I can buy gas. And yogis. And ice cream. And yogis. And coffee. And yogis.

Five-dollar Naked Smoothie? Why not? Do you want one too?”

4) Quit texting while walking from class to class across campus. “La-dee-daa lakjsdhflakdsjf.” College Place headline: Student Nearly Hit by Car While Crossing College Avenue.

5) Stop procrastinating. “I have all day to do my homework. Of course I have time for a New Girl marathon and two-hour nap. Wait.

verbatim "I'm here to be used; it's what I get paid for."

— Brandon Beck, during orchestra rehearsal.

"Hello, my name is Jean-Paul and I feel like a million bucks!”

— Jean-Paul Grimaud

"I write romance novels in my spare time.”

— Monte Buell

“Yes, you may shrink my head when I die.” — Jim Nestler, on the condition that it can stay in a jar in the biology lecture hall.

“Would you like a sip of my passion?"

— Nate Stratte on tea.

Rachel

Logan BackWord Editor

When did it get so dark outside?”

called Costco. At least one of us should have a Costco card.

The funny (or, not funny) thing about this is that I’ve seen lots of other students with the same problems I have (as in most of you). Can you imagine what would happen if we all banded together?

4) Texting while walking from class to class across campus? If we would just look up, not only would we a) Not get hit by cars, but

1) Panicking right before CommUnity?

Not a problem when everybody else who is panicking sits together and fills up half of the University Church.

b) Maybe see other cool people we’ve never noticed because we’ve been looking down at our phones. Maybe we’d actually recognize people at CommUnity because we’d see them walking around campus.

2) Becoming a very good liar when going to the cafeteria alone? No need to lie if we have our own section in the Cafeteria marked: Forever Alone #notanymore.

I know. It’s brilliant.

5) Procrastinating. Yeah. I got nothing.

3) Spending all $80 credit at the DX within the first three days of the month? It’s

If you could trade lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

“Tina Fey, because I want to know what it feels like to be that funny. What? I do!”

— Karissa Jacobson senior fine arts

“Iron Man, because he has a lot of money and he drives an R8.”

— Monique Dumitru freshman nursing

confession “I wish that happily taken girls would not be allowed to flirt/talk with single guys. How are we supposed to know they are in relationships with the way they act?!”

Sincerely,

“Chandler Jordana, because he’s dating the girl who’s asking me these questions.”

— Kyle Chiasson junior marketing

“Damian Lillard, because he’s the best basketball player of all time.”

— Taylor Duran junior health science pre-med

“Michael Jordan, because I’ve always wanted to be really good at basketball, and he’s really good at basketball!”

— Tiffany Nelson sophomore education

Annoyed and Alone in Meske To send an anonymous confession, sign

into

the

gmail

account

wwuconfessions@gmail.com, password: wwusecrets. From there, compose an email with your deep, dark secrets and send it to me at Rachel.Logan@wallawalla.edu.