ing November 2018 by M3 Group Publications

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ON WHICH WE WALK Native American Fall Celebrations

BRINGING JAPAN TO THE GREAT LAKES WRITING BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS A look at National Novel Writing Month

THIS IS YOU, AND THIS IS BEAUTIFUL How cultural traditions help us celebrate our differences MYINGMAG.COM

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WHAT AM I? Confronting Subtle Racism

A letter from the editor BY EMMA HEIKKINEN

My mom is Korean and my dad is, well ... basically, he’s white. As a kid, the only reality I knew was mine, so I didn’t find it odd that my parents were different from each other. Evidently, some people do, and it’s something I’ve dealt with my whole life. The frustration and dread I feel when I’m approached and asked, “What are you?” isn’t something I can put into words. I’m tough. I’m sarcastic. I’m strong. I’m confident. But these aren’t the answers they’re looking for. I haven’t been surrounded by outward racism. Many people experience discrimination on a much scarier scale. I have, however, experienced the tiniest taste of it. Because I’m a Korean woman, I’ve always been told that I look just like my mom, even though my features are more similar to my dad’s side of the family. People were confused when they saw my dad with small, Asian children. I used to think discussing microaggressions was silly, brushing them off as people being easily offended, until I understood that every time someone asked me, “Are you related to Kim Jong-un?” or said, “Of course YOU know how to use chopsticks,” it was a microaggression. I realized that because the pit I get in my stomach when the “But where’s your mom really from?” is hurled at me is different than other things I’ve felt. In high school, a girl I thought was one of my closest friends tended to let these remarks come spilling out. I shouldn’t have been surprised, considering her mom once referred to me as “Oriental.” One conversation has always stuck and makes me uneasy to this day was when she was talking about our friends, who are Vietnamese, and about how she loved having Asian friends. I mentioned that I’m also Asian and she laughed. “OK, but you’re not real Asian. I mean, you speak English at home.” When I referred to myself as half-white, she laughed again. She said that not only was I not a “real Asian,” but I wasn’t white, either. I know that girl didn’t intend to hurt me, but that’s the problem. Racism is so ingrained into our society that we don’t always realize why the things we’re thinking and saying are an issue. If I was scoffed at for stating that I’m half-white (in a time when we didn’t have a president who is slow to condemn white supremacists), how vile now are the kids to the girl who looks a little different than they do? We should be lifting each other up, celebrating what makes us unique and finding ways to honor our diversity. What am I, you ask? I’m a woman. I’m a Christian. I’m a student. I’m a friend. I’m a sister and a daughter. I’m half-Korean, half-white and fully human. Emma Heikkinen is a senior professional writing student who spends most of her time volunteering with middle school and high school students, along with doodling on every surface available. She works as an elementary curriculum writer for Riverview Church, where her work includes design, video stuff and teaching. You can find her @emheesun on Instagram and Twitter. 2

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CONTENTS november

ON THE COVER

6 WRITING BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS 8 BRINGING JAPAN TO THE GREAT LAKES

12 THIS IS YOU, AND THIS IS BEAUTIFUL

FEATURing 4 ON WHICH WE WALK

HAPPENing

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GROWing

READing

LIVing

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IN THIS ISSUE

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ON WHICH WE WALK Native American Fall Celebrations

BY JILL CIAMPA Before Thanksgiving became a nationally celebrated holiday, there was already a rich culture of traditions existing in the United States. Native Americans were already practicing and spreading their culture throughout North America. While most Americans were taught about the history of Thanksgiving, they often don’t know about the original holidays that began here. In Lansing, those native celebrations have been carried on for centuries. To understand these traditions, we have to know where they started. Eva Menefee, a Native American professor at Lansing Community College, detailed the history of Native American culture and traditions passed down. 4

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“There were many different bands that lived in this area, most of them came from Canada. When the car industry picked up here, a lot of them moved to Detroit from the south and Lansing from the north,” Menefee said. Of course, there were tribes already native to Michigan. Menefee knew that the Ottawa and Chippewa tribes frequented Lansing. “They moved from summer homes to winter homes after the growing season,” Menefee continued, “And during the winter, that’s when they would share their stories and have Ghost Fest.” Ghost Fest is the celebration of those that have passed

on. Menefee’s husband, Robin, explained that, “Ghost Fest is always on the first Saturday of November and it’s a celebration of the people that have passed on within that year, but also for all ancestors. There is a feast and a bonfire to honor them.” There are certain activities that go along with Ghost Fest. Joe Webster, one of the tribal elders attending a Michigan State University Native American conference this fall, described a part of Ghost Fest called spirit dishes. “A spirit dish is made in honor of the ancestor or person who has passed on,” Webster explained. Menefee described spirit dishes further saying the ritual is performed to honor the dead. “The spirit dish is a favorite meal of the deceased person. It is then put into the fire,” she said. Ghost Fest continues to be celebrated today with some modern twists. Menefee stated that she invites non-natives as well: “It’s kind of like an open house.” Everyone has lost someone. By bringing people together for this celebration, a sense of community is created from that can cause isolation. While there are different celebrations for different tribes, Ghost Fest is commonly found in Michigan. Among the different tribes there is also a change in the name of the celebration. The Ottawa (Odawa) Tribe call it “Ghost Supper,” for example. While the name changes, the meaning remains the same. Regarding the Lansing community, Menefee said it has been difficult to educate the public about the history Native Americans share with our state, despite many opportunities. The Nokomis Learning Center and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Interpretive Center, which R_ING Magazine ad.pdf

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features a learning center and library open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, are both within 20 minutes of East Lansing, The Nokomis Native American Cultural Center is open for tours and free walk-ins year-round. Native American cultural traditions stretch far wider than many Americans have been taught. While these traditions continue, they often go unnoticed by most people in the city. Menefee wants to help spread awareness of these traditions. While there are some MSU clubs that focus on Native American culture, there is an overall lack of campus knowledge and engagement. “We want to have more events,” said Menefee. “MSU has its Native American club (the Native American Indigenous Student Organization) that does lots of events, LCC has a club, we have a youth club, the Indigenous Youth Empowerment Program through Lansing Public Schools (has a club) too.” Through education and outreach, Menefee and groups such as these work to bring Native American cultures and traditions into the public eye.

Photos by Jill Ciampa

Jill Ciampa is a professional writing major studying publishing and technical and public policy writing. She enjoys spending time reading and water-coloring. She can usually be found watching Netflix, traveling, or trying to get someone to understand her French. Follow her @jillcia on Twitter.

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Writing by the Seat of Your Pants A look at National Novel Writing Month BY AMELIA TURKETTE Every November, thousands of writers pick up a pen or another writerly weapon of choice and begin a 50,000word creative writing marathon. The goal is to complete a novel by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30. This is National Novel Writing Month, a nonprofit organization that values enthusiasm, determination and deadlines. According to its website, “NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel.” For those of us who have never written anything longer than a short story or a lengthy report, the 50,000-word count can seem daunting, but it isn’t impossible. In 2016, 384,126 people around the world participated in NaNoWriMo, and over 34,000 people completed their novels. These novelists come from all walks of life: They are students, educators, mechanics, actors and administrators. For most, NaNoWriMo serves as a motivational tool to finally get their stories on paper. “I first heard about (NaNoWriMo) a long time ago. … I was an undergrad and I had always wanted to write a novel,” said Dr. Kate Fedewa, an academic specialist and writing professor at Michigan State University. Fedewa has participated in NaNoWriMo for a number of years. The first novel she ever wrote during NaNoWriMo was historical fiction, but now Fedewa writes primarily science fiction and fantasy. “If I can get my editing done [for] the [novel] that I started last year during NaNoWriMo, I’m hoping to send it to an agent by the end of next month,” she said.

According to the organization’s website, hundreds of NaNoWriMo novels have been published, among them: “Water for Elephants,” by Sara Gruen, “The Night Circus,” by Erin Morgenstern and “Cinder,” by Marissa Meyer. NaNoWriMo writers can approach their story in a variety of ways: by writing the plot in a linear fashion or by jumping around to different scenes. This seat-of-your-pants writing frenzy means December becomes the designated month for making edits. “You don't want to edit as you go in NaNo,” said Abbe Philo, an informational and statistical analyst at MSU University Advancement. Philo writes supernatural fantasy and has won NaNoWriMo four times. “Anyone can do NaNo, and I think it’s great for people who want a unique kind of motivation either to get a project out or break a creative slump.” Setting up a NaNoWriMo account is easy. Simply go to nanowrimo.org and sign up. Once registered, you can select your home region to connect with local writers. In the end, National Novel Writing Month is about celebrating the act of writing and its impact on culture. “I think writing is an important tool in exploring ourselves. It feels a bit like a psychology experiment sometimes,” said Philo. Further, writing is a transformative process that can directly inform how we navigate our world. “We all have our own lived experiences and see the world through those experiences,” said Fedewa. “But there are some experiences that we will never be able to have firsthand. What I think is so important about fiction writing especially is the idea that by reading about the experiences of someone else, you might come to better understand perspectives outside of your own.” So, go forth and write! As Fedewa said, “If you’re looking for a way to get motivated around writing, or to try a different approach to writing, or to prove to yourself that it’s not impossible to write a lot, NaNoWriMo is a great opportunity to do any of those things.”

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Photos by Amelia Turkette

The NaNoWriMo logos were created by National Novel Writing Month and downloaded from https://nanowrimo.org/press.

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Amelia Turkette is a senior studying professional writing. When she isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t busy with class and working full time at MSU, she loves taking walks with her dog Bree, making a mess in the kitchen and cozying up with a cup of coffee and one of the 10 good books sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s currently reading. Catch up with her on Twitter @ amelia_turkette.

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BRINGING

JAPAN TO THE GREAT LAKES

Photos by Bridget Hanchek

Celebrating the Semicentennial of the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Agreement BY BRIDGET HANCHEK

The year 1968 saw the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., waves of student protests rocking the nation and the continuation of the Vietnam War. Despite it all, plans were being laid that would connect two governments in a commitment to both exchange and understanding for years to come. On Nov. 14, 1968, the state of Michigan and Shiga prefecture, Japan, signed the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Agreement. Now, 50 years later, the relationship is stronger than ever and has brought hundreds of people together from around the world. Shiga is a prefecture in central Japan known for its historic sites and home to Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa. Its long relationship with Michigan has led to numerous exchange programs for students of all ages. Even adults are encouraged to be ambassadors for their state by joining the Goodwill Mission, which sees a biannual exchange of visitors from Michigan and Shiga staying with local families.

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“The people who come from Shiga are always really impressed by the friendliness of the people here, and people from Michigan are enchanted by Shiga,” said Chad Frost, program coordinator for the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU). Frost is a perfect example of the way the sister state agreement can shape people’s lives. He studied abroad in Shiga several times and now helps other students do the same at JCMU. JCMU is a study abroad center located in Hikone, a small town in Shiga. The center was founded on the 20th anniversary of the sister state agreement in 1988. Patrick Mercer, JCMU’s media specialist, also found his calling through studying abroad in Shiga. “I went from wanting to learn more about Japan in general to wanting to learn more about Shiga specifically and wanting to stay connected,” Mercer said. JCMU brings students into the local community through

conversation, cultural events and internships, where they often form lifelong bonds with the people they meet. “I think what has made this relationship really thrive and continue for as long as it has is the fact that there’s a lot of deep personal connections that come out of this. … You’re constantly renewing the stock of people who have a relationship with Shiga.” said Frost. This year has been all about celebrating that relationship. In September 2017, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Shiga Gov. Taizo Mikazuki unveiled a commemorative art piece and planted a tree together in Japan. Shiga representatives visited Michigan in September 2018 and planted a tree on this side of the ocean as well.

“We have learned that caring about people from another country is a gift that never stops giving. We must celebrate our diversity, but also cherish the humanity we share, and we must continue to push the limits of understanding and the levels of our commitment,” Mikazuki told Michigan.gov. This November, the semicentennial of the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Agreement provides a powerful opportunity to celebrate our similarities and our differences. Just like in 1968, we must choose between being afraid of the wider world and embracing it.

Both sides of the partnership are optimistic about the future. “I think Michigan and Shiga’s future will be similar to the path I took with the relationship,” Mercer explained. “I see the relationship developing very similarly, where people get an introduction, grow together and become more and more connected.” The sister state agreement creates an intimacy between the residents of both states, which they perpetuate in their communities and bring with them everywhere they go.

Bridget Hanchek is a senior from Portland, Oregon studying professional writing and Japanese. She enjoys reading, cooking, and eating, often all at once. She spends way too much time at the library. Follow her on Twitter @behanchek.

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NATIONAL HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK GIVING TO THOSE IN NEED BY ANASTASIA NIFOROS

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is Nov. 10-18 and is the perfect time to give to those who are struggling. At ing Magazine we want to prevent people from experiencing hunger and homelessness not only during this week but all the time. Here are some ways to help out: York Project This Detroit-based one-for-one clothing company was founded by Josh York, an alumnus of Michigan State University. He originally started selling beanies but realized homeless people can come across those fairly easily compared to other items. The company now sells a variety of stylish clothing, and for every purchase made, the company sends a donation kit to someone who is homeless. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see anything that you like, you can choose to purchase a donation kit for only $6. You can also join the company for a donation event on Nov. 17 in Detroit. Check out the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website to learn more about what you can do to help at yorkproject.com. City Rescue Mission in Lansing City Rescue Mission is at 607 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing and is an emergency homeless shelter for men, women and children. It is an independent Christian organization.

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The shelter serves meals every day, contributing about 100,000 meals a year to those in need. They also provide showers, clothing, vouchers and hygiene items. You can donate items to the Lansing location between 7-11 a.m. and 1-7 p.m. You can also volunteer to help provide food and shelter. For more information on the rescue mission, you can visit their website at bearescuer.com. Punks With Lunch Started a year ago, the Lansing chapter of Punks with Lunch is run entirely by volunteers and local donors provide everything they supply. The sack lunches they hand out consists of a sandwich, a piece of fruit, a snack and a beverage. Every Saturday, Punks with Lunch gets together at the Street Kitchen restaurant to pack more than 100 lunches and sort out nonfood donations. From there they head to downtown Lansing to distribute lunches in Reutter Park. You can volunteer by showing up to their scheduled outreach dates, always held at 10 a.m. To learn more about volunteer dates and what you can do to help, check out their Facebook page, @PunksWithLunchLansing. The options listed above are just a few local things that you can do to give to those in need. By doing so you will be helping the hungry and homeless community take a step toward a better life.

Photos by Anastasia Niforos

Anastasia Niforos is a senior studying journalism and professional writing with a focus in media marketing and editing and publishing. You can always find her hanging out with friends or bingewatching “Game of Thrones.” She also enjoys working out, playing IM soccer and making playlists on Spotify.

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This is You, and This is Beautiful

How cultural traditions help us celebrate our differences BY EMMA HEIKKINEN AND ANASTASIA NIFOROS

When my family visited my mom’s relatives in Chicago over the holidays, my brothers and I would cross our fingers, hoping to be there over New Year’s. If we were, we’d usually see my mom’s extended family and celebrate with a couple Korean traditions. As a kid, I didn’t really understand it. All I knew was that we’d get some cash from our elders if we bowed and mumbled something in Korean. Young Yi grew up celebrating New Year’s Day in a traditional Korean way. “Being Korean, starting the new year with blessings and family is a big deal,” he said. “[We] celebrated with family members by gathering together from the morning until the evening and celebrating with a couple of key traditions.” The first is a form of traditional bowing called “sae-bae.” “With the bowing comes paying respect and blessings to the elders of the family, and in return, either a word of encouragement, blessing or money is given from the elders to the youngers,” Yi said. “A second tradition that comes with the New Year celebration is eating a dish called 'ddukgook.' In Korean, 'dduk' is rice cake and 'gook' is the word for soup. “This rice-cake soup is meant to be eaten every New Year’s Day and is meant to ... give strength and health for the year.” 12

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My mom isn’t particularly sentimental, so we never learned the proper, formal bow, and we don’t see my mom’s family over New Year’s anymore. But every year, my mom makes dduk-gook, and we invite friends over to celebrate with us. Lansing resident Carla Brooks had a similar experience with her mixed heritage: “Being a mixed kid is something all of us mixed kids get to be together, and it’s a certain thing that we experience that people who aren’t will never understand." “We celebrate almost no cultural holidays, and we’re fully immersed in American culture,” Brooks said about her family’s experience. “However, we infiltrate our heritage and culture into every holiday that America celebrates. A large part of this was because of how awful Hispanics were treated in this country around the time my dad was born. Families in this time period felt it was better for the kids to only speak English. They felt the kids not having accents would help.” Suban Nur Cooley, a doctoral student and graduate assistant at Michigan State University, moved to the U.S. from Somalia in 2006. She fondly remembers celebrating with her family during Ramadan.

Photo by Shelby Robinson Photo by Shelby Robinson

Photo by Shelby Robinson

COVERing

Photo by Carla Brooks

“Some of my favorite memories growing up were spent in he kitchen for the last afur/iftar,” Cooley recalled. “I love this tradition. We would chop up tomatoes and watermelon – their cool touch was refreshing to our fasting minds. We would paste the sambuusi dough together and cut up the diamond-shaped pieces of mandazi.” Cooley continued, “My whole family would cook together. Then we’d fill the water jug, watching the condensation form as we waited for the adhan. And finally, we took our first sips and bites and celebrated thankfulness together, aware that the merriment and community of Eid was around the corner.” Alexa Dresner, a human biology student at MSU, has similarly fond memories of her childhood. One tradition that she celebrates is Passover. This lasts for seven days, and throughout the week there are different customs they have to follow. For the first two nights, they have a Seder. “This essentially is a family dinner, but each person gets a prayer book that talks about the traditions and customs for this dinner and how the Jews have come to where we are today,” Dresner said. In the middle of the table is a Seder plate that has an egg, a shark bone, a charoset, bitter herbs and a dark-colored paste made of fruits and nuts. Each one carries significant meaning as to why it’s eaten, like how bitter herbs represent the bitter times the Jews went through to get out of Egypt. During the seven days of Passover, there are certain foods they cannot eat, but that depends on their specific Jewish descent. “Instead of bread, we substitute matzah, which is basically a cracker with no grains in it,” said Dresner. “We supplement it with everything we eat for that week.” One of her favorite traditions is making matzah pizza with her siblings. “This is one week that reminds me of the suffering the Jews went through to become free. The reason we eat matzah is because the Jews were preparing for Shabbat, which is Friday night dinner. Their bread didn’t rise and left them with what we call matzah,” said Dresner. “No matter what religion you are, you should always commemorate where your ancestors came from and what they suffered to make our lives easier.”

Photo by Carla Brooks

Cooley agreed that our traditions tie us to our families and ancestors: “For me personally, these traditions are important due to the nostalgic connection it has to both my familial upbringing and the Somali cultural community.” To Brooks, celebrating her Hispanic culture along with American traditions has been healing in a lot of ways and has helped her feel free to be herself. “In a world where I don’t fit into any box, these things are beautiful because it’s almost like solidifying over and over that this is you, and this is beautiful,” she said. “The interesting thing about celebrating diversity is that we are able to see that people – though they may look different, speak different languages, smell different, eat different foods and have different traditions – are much more similar than they think,” Yi said. “When we celebrate diversity, especially in America, there is a learning opportunity and the unknown becomes known, and therefore people who are different than us aren’t as scary or intimidating as we may have initially thought.” “For many populations, traditions often connect them back to a home country or community still held dear in the hearts of people who don’t have access to these places anymore due to war and other circumstances,” Cooley said. “These traditions are a way to remember and honor ways of knowing, being and belonging for communities across the globe, which then connects them again in the new spaces they call home.”

Emma Heikkinen is a senior professional writing student who spends most of her time volunteering with middle school and high school students, along with doodling on every surface available. She works as an elementary curriculum writer for Riverview Church, where her work includes design, video stuff and teaching. You can find her @emheesun on Instagram and Twitter. Anastasia Niforos is a senior studying journalism and professional writing with a focus in media marketing and editing and publishing. You can always find her hanging out with friends or bingewatching “Game of Thrones.” She also enjoys working out, playing IM soccer and making playlists on Spotify. MYINGMAG.COM

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Around the World in a Single Day The MSU Global Festival Reminds us that Everyone is Here

BY TIMOTHY SNYDER Quick! Think of an event in East Lansing that can attract Michigan State University students, families, school groups, Scout troops, community members and visitors from as far as Detroit and Grand Rapids. While one of MSU’s many sporting events or the homecoming parade are valid choices, there exists another event with that broad appeal. As you likely inferred from this article’s title, that event is the MSU Global Festival. The MSU Global Festival takes place in the MSU Union each November, with this year’s festival taking place Sunday, Nov. 11. Originally conceived in the 1940s, the Global Festival allows attendees to view seemingly countless exhibits hosted by MSU’s international students and community members. Some exhibits serve to educate attendees about a culture while others allow them to play games or take photos. Exhibits can also provide workshops, which teach people about cultural activities such as writing one’s name in a culture’s native language or using customary utensils. Joy Shantz, chair of the Global Festival, hopes that the myriad of exhibits will serve as an enlightening moment for the event’s attendees. “We hope that people will recognize the rich cultural diversity that is already around them,” Shantz said. “We can get kind of stuck in our class schedule or work schedule or routine and not realize what the people around us have to bring to the table.” Since there’s so much on display at the Global Festival, it’s hard for one to walk away without acknowledging the many, varied and equally important voices present at MSU. The MSU Global Festival also hosts a number of performances by international students and groups as well as people from the community. Performances include dancing, singing, traditional instrument orchestras, standup comedy, martial-arts demonstrations and more. Shantz views these performances as an interesting reversal of roles. “I think international students and scholars, when they're here, spend a lot of time learning American culture and customs,” she said. “This gives them the stage, literally, to share their culture and clothing.” Another mainstay of the Global Festival is the World Gift Shop, which enables attendees to purchase items from 14

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various cultures. Artwork, scrolls, purses, fabrics, wood carvings, general knickknacks and more are available, all sourced from community members who downsized and chose to donate some possessions. “Once in a while we get things and we don’t even know what they are, until someone who has experience with that culture comes along,” said Dottie Schmidt, head of the gift shop. “They’ll know, then it’s a huge shock.” All proceeds from the gift shop go toward the Lillian Kumata Scholarship program, which provides monetary support for married international students. Volunteers are instrumental to the event’s success. They run the gift shop, construct exhibits, direct traffic and act as ushers during performances. The event has required about 100 volunteers, most of them students, over the past few years. Shantz said these volunteers gain an appreciation for different cultures after the Global Festival’s conclusion and often go on to volunteer for similar events. Shantz believes the Global Festival has a transformative effect on everyone. She said the event “gives you a different view of people in your community by just highlighting that we have a lot of cultural things to offer.” Schmidt echoed that sentiment. She said the event could, for example, change a child’s entire worldview by illustrating how many unique outlooks exist in the world. The university as a whole has that effect, for that matter. “MSU really opens your eyes,” Schmidt explained. “There's everybody here. That's what I think the festival does. Not just for a little kid, but for a more sophisticated attendee too.” If you wish to volunteer for the Global Festival in the future, reach out to Shantz at joyks@msu.edu. Photo from MSU Office for International Students and Scholars, Facebook Page

Timothy Snyder is a senior studying professional writing. The writing process takes up much of his time, whether it's for school, work or recreation. He uses his remaining free time to play video games, cultivate spicy peppers in his garden and solve rudimentary problems through programming.

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Making A Mark ing Staff Member Reflects on Visiting Historic Homesite Marker in Lansing

BY GRACE BELTOWSKI

When I was assigned to write this story, formerly titled something like “Historic Sites in Lansing,” a few places were initially recommended to me by peers – the TurnerDodge House, Meridian Historical Village and the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, to name a few. My plan was to research these sites, maybe visit a few and take some pictures and then write an article summarizing the highlights and how these places depict our city’s rich history and culture. This I did not do. It’s not that these sites aren’t interesting. It’s not that they aren’t “historic enough” or important. They are, and you should make time to visit them if you live in the Greater Lansing area. But, what stopped me in my tracks was the suggestion to look into the Malcolm X Homesite Marker in Lansing. I had no idea Malcolm X – the famed Nation of Islam leader and black nationalist – had even lived in Michigan, let alone Lansing. As I did further research into the site, I found he had lived there for only a few years as a child, long before he became a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement. And while, after a quick Google search, I found this “homesite marker” consisted of a large plate sticking out of the ground with an engraved description of his life on it, what I discovered that what the site lacked was the actual house it commemorates. What was so significant about a historical marker for a childhood home that isn’t even there anymore? Especially for someone who isn’t typically associated with our city? Peculiarities such as these call for investigation, so I hopped in my car one Friday afternoon to see what it was all about. I found the marker rests unassumingly on the side of a busy street in south Lansing. You wouldn’t notice it if you weren’t looking for it. From far away it appears to be a rental sign for the apartment complex that has since been built in the house’s place. On the upside, the plate itself was actually larger than I expected, yet the engraving continued onto the back side where I couldn’t get a good look at it because there was a mess of bushes blocking my path. I was disappointed when I saw this. I was disappointed at how haphazardly the marker seemed to have been plopped down, as if it were the intruder to this space instead of

the apartments, the bushes or the cars rushing past. I was even more disappointed when I continued my research and found the home no longer stood because it had been burned down by a mob. As Malcolm X recalled, the first responders were all white and did nothing to stop it. Despite these things, the reason I was so disappointed was because I saw myself reflected in this meager attempt to acknowledge what turned out to be such an injustice in our city’s history. How often do I see or hear things going on in my life and not even take a moment to acknowledge them, process them, think about what role I might play in the equation? How often do I let such events slide past my consciousness, fading until they are nothing more than engraved markers on the side of the busy streets of my memory? And I can’t help but think that if I were to just take a moment out of my day to acknowledge, to process, to think – my role in that equation might transform from one of ignorance and passivity into one of action or one of change. So, this isn’t an article that highlights how rich our history is here in Lansing. This isn’t even an article that urges you to visit a historic site. But it is one that challenges you to acknowledge and act on the history taking place right now – be it in our country or in our own lives. But we shouldn’t need an article for that. Maybe simply a large plate sticking out of the ground to spell it out for us. The Malcolm X Homesite Marker can be found at 4705 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Lansing.

Grace Beltowski is a junior studying professional writing with a focus in editing and publishing and a minor in creative writing, so she really does not like to read or write. Her many talents include making chocolate chip pancakes, stalking her favorite YA authors on Instagram and scaring people with her inflatable dinosaur costume.

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COOKing

Cooking for Critters Light on the cooking, heavy on the peanut butter BY BRIDGET HANCHEK

Photos by Bridget Hanchek

While you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving feast in the comfort of your heated home, spare a thought for the birds and squirrels stuck outside. These recipes require no cooking, just a little creativity and a lot of peanut butter. All measurements are approximate and can be changed depending on the size of the materials you have on hand or are able to find. Don’t worry; the critters won’t care. Peanut Butter Pine Cones Materials: 15 inches of string 1 pine cone 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup wild birdseed Directions: 1. Attach one end of the string to the pine cone with a loop at the other end so the pine cone will be able to hang on a branch or hook. 2. With a knife, cover the pine cone in peanut butter while avoiding the string. 3. Pour the birdseed into a bowl or tray and roll the pine cone in it until completely covered in peanut butter. 4. Hang the pine cone outside immediately or refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it. Swinging Seed Sock

Directions: 1. Cut a long rectangle out of the laundry bag from one of the corners and turn it inside out. Sew it up, about half an inch in, from the long open edge. 2. Fill the bag up with birdseed and tie or sew the top closed. It’s best to do this outside, as you’ll probably spill some seed through the holes in the bag right away. 3. Tie or sew a loop of string at the top of the bag so you can hang it, then place it outside. Perfect Peanut Garlands Materials: About 2 feet of strong thread 1 sturdy sewing needle 1 bag of unshelled peanuts (unsalted is best) Directions: 1. Thread the needle, then tie a loop at the free end of the thread to keep the peanuts from sliding off and push the needle through each peanut to string them together. 2. When the thread is almost full, cut the needle and its knot off and tie another loop for hanging. 3. Hang the garland between two branches or hook or wrap it around a small tree. Follow these instructions, and your yard animals will be the best fed on the block. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Materials: 1 mesh laundry bag 1 spool of thread 1 sewing needle 4 cups wild birdseed

NOV. 2018

GROWing

Hints for Healthy Houseplants

Keep some greenery in your life all throughout the year. BY TIMOTHY SNYDER We all know how to grow plants on a basic level. Shove a seed into some dirt, water it, give it some light, don’t let the cat eat it and you’re all set, right? Unfortunately, you need to invest a bit more effort when it comes to houseplants. It’s all up to you, not nature, to provide them with a hospitable environment. Thankfully, there’s a lot of incentive to do so. Houseplants bring a host of benefits to your residence, such as improved air quality and humidity. Their mere presence can even help with issues such as anxiety, depression and general mental health. If you decide to try and cultivate some houseplants, be sure to keep these details in mind: Plant Type: Plants are like romantic partners in that you should pick one that suits your personality and needs. Succulents such as cactuses are great if you tend to forget about your plants for days at a time. Ivy is good for those who want to invest more effort and receive a larger, leafier plant for their trouble. Herbs and lettuce, meanwhile, are an excellent choice for those who want their hard work to pay off at the dinner table. Light: A south-facing window will receive the most sunlight throughout the day and as such is ideal for most plants. It isn’t the end of the world if none of your windows point south, but your plants won’t quite reach their ideal sizes. Alternatively, you can buy a plant that thrives with less light, such as English ivy. In situations like these, you need to work with what you have. Water: Thankfully, watering is the least stressful component of plant care. As long as you keep an eye on the soil’s moisture and avoid dehydrating or drowning the plants, you’ll be fine. Remember to place something

Photos by Timothy Snyder

underneath the pot to catch any excess water, lest it spill out and soak your windowsill or carpet. Soil Quality: This is an oft-neglected detail when it comes to houseplants, but it’s no less vital than the others. Houseplants won’t take kindly to soil used in outdoor pots or raised garden beds, so it’s important to obtain a light, fluffy indoor potting mix. It’s also essential to add new nutrients to the soil as the plant grows. Administer an organic fertilizer once every couple of months, and perhaps even toss in some compost for variety. That covers the basics. Now, go produce some happy plants and watch as they help you kick that winter gloom to the curb!

SOURCES https://www.bioadvanced.com/articles/5-benefits-houseplants https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/lighting-needs-of-houseplants/ https://www.planetnatural.com/plant-care/ https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/indoor-gardening/5079.html https://gardencollage.com/heal/mind-spirit/houseplants-improve-mental-health/

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READing

Turning Back the Pages Young Adult Novels for Your Reading List BY AMELIA TURKETTE Young-adult (YA) novels aren’t just for young adults. Whether they appear on a required reading list or become a local book club selection, many YA novels are now considered classics. So, don’t hide your favorite YA fantasy between your textbooks or under your desk. Celebrate the genre and escape into one of these novels that resonate beyond the teenage years. “Children of Blood & Bone” By Tomi Adeyemi │ Fantasy This West African-inspired novel, released last March, is the first book of an epic trilogy. It is now a New York Times bestseller about the young diviner Zélie Adebola as she attempts to restore magic to the land of Orïsha. “Chaos Walking” By Patrick Ness │Dystopian You’ll want to read this trilogy before the movie comes out in 2019. A coming-of-age story set in a world where everyone can hear each other’s thoughts and there are secrets hidden in the noise.

“The Book Thief” By Markus Zusak │ Historical fiction A young foster child steals books in 1939 Nazi Germany and shares them with her foster family and the Jewish man concealed in the basement. This book is a profound look at the power of the written word. For more great YA novels, take a look at the list of 100 Best Young Adult Books of all time published by Time Magazine. According to Time, “We’re living in a golden age of young-adult literature, when books ostensibly written for teens are equally adored by readers of every generation.” Amelia Turkette is a senior studying professional writing. When she isn’t busy with class and working full time at MSU, she loves taking walks with her dog Bree, making a mess in the kitchen and cozying up with a cup of coffee and one of the 10 good books she’s currently reading. Catch up with her on Twitter @ amelia_turkette.

“When Dimple Met Rishi” By Sandhya Menon │ Romance Rishi and Dimple are two Indian-American teens who have major plans for their lives that do not include the arranged marriage their parents have in mind. They both end up at the same summer program, and thoughtful humor ensues. “Ender’s Game” By Orson Scott Card │ Science fiction Published in the 1980s, “Ender’s Game” is a sci-fi classic. To defend themselves from alien invaders, the human race uses video games to train children to be soldiers. “Ender” Wiggin ends games because he is so good at them, but what happens when the game is no longer just a game? “To Kill a Mockingbird” By Harper Lee │ Classic literature Another classic story about a young girl growing up in Alabama during the Great Depression. Her father, a lawyer, defends an African-American man who’s been falsely accused. What unfolds is a drama of heartwrenching prejudice.

NOV. 2018

Photos by Amelia Turkette

LIVing

LIVing for Modern Food Traditions Mushroom gravy as the new classic gravy twist BY MADISON SIMMERS

As family stories pass around the table, so does the gravy boat. Food from tradition is nostalgic, and gravy is no exception. Its versatility in adorning Thanksgiving foods with extra flavor makes gravy a holiday classic to have at the dinner table. It’s naturally made by the runoff from a roasted meat in cooking and thickened with wheat flour or cornstarch. Because of gravy’s popularity, modern diets and cultures such as veganism have adapted this holiday staple to fit their lifestyles. Veganism, or the practice of refraining from using animal products, has been increasing since the 2010s as an effort to live a cruelty-free lifestyle. Since its introduction, there has been an increase in vegan-oriented meals, including the adaptation from meat gravy to mushroom gravy. This mushroom gravy recipe is a delicious substitute for the turkey-based, center-of-the-plate item. Instead of using the runoff meat juice from a roast, this recipe uses vegetable stock, mushrooms and flour to create a thick Thanksgiving side. While it may be a vegan recipe, this doesn’t mean everyone else can’t enjoy it.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons (28 g) non-dairy, non-hydrogenated butter (such as Earth Balance) • 1 yellow onion, chopped • 1 pound (455 g) cremini mushrooms (about 20 mushrooms), thinly sliced • 3 tablespoons (25 g) flour or another thickener • 2 cups (470 ml) vegetable stock (store-bought or homemade) • 2-3 tablespoons (30 to 45 ml) tamari soy sauce • ½ teaspoon dried thyme • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.Heat butter in a large skillet. Once it’s melted, add onions and mushrooms to sauté over high heat. For 15 minutes,

stir frequently until the onions turn translucent and slightly golden brown and the mushrooms soften. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk flour into stock along with tamari, thyme and black pepper. When there appears to be no lumps, add to onion mixture and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. 3. For smooth gravy, purée in a blender or food processor. You may want to play with the flavor a little by adding more tamari or pepper. If necessary, reheat mixture on low heat in a saucepan. Serving Suggestions and Variations: •Instead of non-dairy butter, use olive or toasted sesame oil. •If you want to eliminate oil altogether, sauté the onions in stock or water. It might take a little longer. •To aid the process, cover the mushrooms to help them “sweat.” If interested, here are how vegan substitutes alter other Thanksgiving recipes. Some recipes use lentils to make meatloaf, non-dairy butter to make pumpkin pie and coconut milk to make a plant-based whipped cream. If you find this appealing, there are plenty of delicious, worthwhile recipes available online. This mushroom gravy recipe was adapted from “The Vegan Table” as “Golden Mushroom Gravy.”

Madison Simmers is a senior studying advertising management and professional writing with a focus in editing and publishing. You can always find her tea in hand and ready to take the day head on. If not, she’s binge-watching YouTube videos or watching “Cheers.”

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PHOTOGRAPHing

Brighten Your Space Adding light to your home BY EMMA HEIKKINEN Whether you live in a dorm, apartment, house or any other place you call “home,” it can be a fun challenge to customize the space to reflect your personality and taste. An easy way to add practical decoration is by utilizing string lights, lamps and taking advantage of natural light. Thumbtacks and nails can be used to hang lights on walls or mantles. Just because you may not have the natural light for plants doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some greenery. Use fake leaves and plants in clear jars to add a touch of the outdoors, or stack dried plants and flowers for a more vintage feel. Posters are a great way to showcase your personality and what’s most important to you. Use thumbtacks or masking tape to attach them to the walls. You can use binder clips on the bottom of the posters to weigh them down without adding additional holes or risking rips. You can also use posters or other signs to mentally “brighten” your space through positive affirmations or other encouraging notes.

Photos by Emma Heikkinen 20

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QUIZZing

What Fall Outerwear Are You? BY GRACE BELTOWSKI

We all have that one jacket or sweater we wear all the time that almost seems to define us. If this isn’t the case for you, take this short quiz to discover your inner outerwear. How do you celebrate being done with midterms? A. Attending a Michigan State University sports event. B. Spending the day at Uncle John’s Cider Mill. C. Hitting the books. (It’s never too early to start studying for finals!) D. Movie night with friends (or maybe just movie night with myself). Have you eaten all of your Halloween candy yet? A. I didn’t eat any of it – that stuff’s not good for you! B. No, I still have some in a jar on my coffee table to offer guests. C. No, I’ve been rationing it at one candy per day and am still going strong! D. Of course — I ate all of it that night! How does your yard look when the leaves start to fall? A. There are already several raked piles to jump into. B. It looks peaceful and colorful from behind the Instagram 22

NOV. 2018

filter I used. C. The leaves are neatly packed into bags before they even touch the ground. D. Wait, the leaves have already fallen? It’s the start of flu season and you’re already sick — which Netflix Original do you binge-watch? A. Marvel’s “The Defenders,” for the action. B. “Stranger Things,” because everyone’s watching it. C. “The Crown” — for the history. D. “Orange Is the New Black” — for the laughs. What’s your choice of drink this fall? A. A piping hot cup of tea before my morning walk. B. Still scarfing down those pumpkin spice lattes. C. Coffee of any kind to keep me awake and motivated! D. Hot chocolate — lots of it. What do you do when the family gets together for Thanksgiving? A. Watch the football game. B. Help prepare the food.

C. Engage your family in a political debate. D. I’m only here for the food.

work or school. You enjoy learning and are always open to conversing with people to gain new perspectives.

Mostly A’s: You’re a comfy quarter zip You’re an energetic person who likes to spend the fall season outdoors, being active and enjoying the cooler weather. There’s nothing more important than staying fit and healthy, especially with that Thanksgiving meal right around the corner. Mostly B’s: You’re a classic cardigan You’re a social person who is obsessed with fall and loves to make the most of the season. You’ve got that fall aesthetic down to a T when it comes to clothes, food, weekend excursions and your Instagram posts. Mostly C’s: You’re a smart sweater vest You’re an intelligent, organized person who sees fall as the time to stay motivated and focused, whether that’s with

Mostly D’s: You’re a cozy hoodie You’re a casual, laid-back person who prefers to stay indoors and enjoy the season from a distance. There’s nothing you love more on a chilly fall day than to cuddle up with a blanket and a good book or movie, but you’re more than willing to come out of hibernation for those classic fall goodies.

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BUDGETing

UNDERSTANDING CREDIT REPORTS By Deidre Davis, chief marketing officer for Michigan State University Federal Credit Union What is a Credit Report and Why Do I Need to Understand It? You have a credit card — maybe your first. Once you begin establishing credit, understanding your credit report is the next step to ensure you are in good standing in terms of your credit usage. Why do you need good credit? Initiating and building credit helps put you in a good position when you are ready to apply for an auto loan or even when being considered for an apartment. It also affects your credit score, which is used by lenders, and sometimes landlords, to determine your likelihood to repay loans, credit cards and/or rent. Credit Report vs. Credit Score A credit report is a statement with information about your credit activity and current credit situation, including loan payment history and the status of your credit accounts (either delinquent or up-to-date). It is good practice to obtain a copy of your credit report at least once a year. You can get a free copy from each of the three credit reporting bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — each year through annualcreditreport.com. Regularly reviewing your credit report can help you identify factors that might be lowering your credit score and help you identify fraud. A credit score is a three-digit number calculated from information in your credit report. The higher the credit score (up to 850), the more likely lenders will be willing to loan you money, approve you for a credit card and other lending products at more favorable interest rates. Although your credit score is not listed on your credit report, you may be able to get your credit score free from your financial institution or through online sites like NerdWallet and Mint. Understanding Credit Reports

been made against you. • Credit items: includes all credit accounts that have been opened in your name and payment histories. Payment history detailed in your credit report has the single biggest influence on your credit score. If you are past due on any accounts, bring them current as soon as you can. Your credit use also affects your credit score. The amount of your total credit you have used, known as your credit utilization rate, makes up 30 percent of your credit score. A good rule is to use less than 30 percent of your credit limit for each credit card; if your balance is higher than 30 percent, pay it down. Here are some suggestions on how to manage your credit card balances: • Make multiple small payments — often called micropayments — during the month to keep balances down. • Ask for a credit limit increase. When your credit card limit goes up, the credit utilization rate goes down. • Tackle balances on the credit cards with the highest credit utilization rate first. How fast does it work? Credit card issuers typically report to the credit bureaus every month. Once the creditor reports your lower balance, the improved credit usage will reflect in your credit score. If you need help understanding credit, many resources are available, such as financial education classes MSU Federal Credit Union offers on campus for free throughout the academic school year. Find out more information by visiting financial40.org.

There are three main parts of a credit report: • Identity information: includes addresses, Social Security numbers, and names associated with you. • Public records: includes judgements or liens that have 24

NOV. 2018

Deidre Davis is the chief marketing officer at MSU Federal Credit Union. MSUFCU’s headquarters are at 3777 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823. Contact Deidre at deidre.davis@msufcu.org or (517) 664-7877.

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE YOU A SKILLED PHOTOGRAPHER? WANT TO BE PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE? ing Magazine is looking for freelance photographers to contribute to the monthly publication. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested, please email Ami at ami@m3group.biz with your experience, along with three samples of your work.

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