Volume 23 Issue 2: Feminine/Masculine

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 2

FEMININE / MASCULINE

A C T S

THE ANDROGYNOUS MIND

“Thus, both aspects are good; both are necessary, but, in excess, they self-degrade.”

PG. 12

OCTOBER 3, 2018

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TWU VOICES ON PAPER: GENDER & VOCATION

AND COMPASSION WORE ORANGE

Members of the TWU Community explore identity in their various walks of life.

The invisible but present margins.

PG. 10-11

PG. 5

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Our Our Team Team

Sabine Henderson Managing Editor

Janae Gartly Visual Editor

Kelsey Morris Academy Editor

Kennedy Dragt Arts + Culture Editor

FROM THE EDITOR “There is no joy involved in following others’ expectations of yourself.”

-Miriam Toews Bailey Martens Web Editor

Manfred Dewsbury Layout Editor

Nyssa Morgan Humour Editor

Hannah DeVries Photo Editor

Richard Enns Advertising + Finance Manager

Ishita Wilson News Editor

Bailey Broadbent Sports Editor

Sierra Ellis Illustrator

Emma Dykstra Staff Writer

Hazal Senkoyuncu Social Media Manager

According to numerous studies on brain and behaviour, we become fully aware of our own consciousness, or “self,” at around the age of six. I distinctly remember playing out in the front yard with my brothers back in Russia when it suddenly hit me that, well, that I am a person. I am a girl, in fact, and that is how I am different from my brothers. The epiphany hit me so hard I had to leave the yard and sit in the kitchen of our apartment alone for a while.

My awareness of self has changed significantly since my childhood.

I’ve pieced together a large part of the puzzle that I call my identity. However, one thing has carried on into my adulthood without change, and that is the feeling that I am not entirely comfortable in my gender. As ridiculous as that idea may seem, I have, from the age of six, felt uncomfortable displaying my femininity through my outward appearance or through the way I see the world. It is as if, at some point in my early life, I was led to believe that dressing in a feminine manner was a statement not worth making. Over the years, I have found many ways to conceal the femininity I could not seem to come to terms with—I have cut my hair too short, I have shopped in the men’s clothing section too often, I have worn an outfit that was not “ladylike” enough to prom.

Mars’ Hill Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University, floated with funds raised by the Student Association. Mars’ Hill seeks to be a professional and relevant student publication, reflecting and challenging the TWU community, while intentionally addressing local, national, and international issues.

Editorial Policy Mars’ Hill encourages submissions and letters to the Editor. Mars’ Hill reserves the right to edit submissions for style, brevity, and compatibility with the Mission, Statement of Faith, the Community Covenant, and the Core Values of the University.

Anonymous authorship of any material may be granted at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

Opinions expressed in Mars’ Hill belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, Trinity Western University, its officials or its Student Association.

This Issue Brought to You By: Manny being a mess Kahoot is lit Jazzercise

While I still find myself using comparative words more often than I should, I have come to know a bit of truth about identity through Miriam Toews’s heartstring-tugging story, A Complicated Kindness. This bestseller is a first-person narrative from sixteen-year-old Nomi Nickel, who finds herself questioning everything around her and falling short of understanding why she is still in her hometown of East Village following a religion she does not believe in. The story consists mostly of her inner monologue trying to make sense of her identity and of the unbelievably dissatisfying world around her. Somehow, Nomi goes through the process of self-exploration without really tying her identity to her gender. Instead, she questions her actions as a human, only occasionally leaning to gender-specific thought.

How is it, then, that I have felt like it is wrong for me to occasionally feel detached from my gender? Maybe, like developing a certain character trait, discovering how we best embody our gender is just a part of the ongoing identity exploration of early adulthood.

Let us use this issue, and the rest of our early adulthood, to explore how our gender identity interacts with the world around us. Let us use this time of uncertainty and, possibly, identity crisis, to realize that it is okay for the puzzle to be, for a time, incomplete.

-Niki Mara

Mission to Mars The mission of Mars’ Hill, as the official student newspaper of Trinity Western University, is to inform and entertain its readers, cultivate awareness of issues concerning the TWU community, and provide a forum for purposeful, constructive discussion among its members in accordance with the Community Covenant, Statement of Faith, and Core Values of the University.

Contributors: Madison Fleischer Adaolisa Agu Chloe Heuchert Jonah Carpenter Shelby Bennett Eva de Souza Chrisaleen Ciro Riley Voth Andrea Rodrigues Kyle Baker Monique Bouchard Jordan Bogress Manfred Dewsbury Deryk Kirchner Makena Wardle Cathy Shields Hannah Stuart David Coulter Madison Evans Chloe Stone Rose Holmes Peter Woekel Debbie Thiessen Media Advisor: Loranne Brown

7600 Glover Road Langley, British Columbia, Canada v2y1y1 marshill@gmail.com marshill.news

If you were to describe your personality with a song, what would it be?

Senior Editors:

Niki Mara

Editor-in-Chief

Sabine Henderson Managing Editor

Hannah Fletcher

Chief Copy Editor

Janae Gartly

Visual Editor

DE-CLASSIFIEDS Yeet, Pray, Love Spoou puas. (read it upside down) how is it that i have less facebook friends than there are days in the year, yet everyday i still seem to have at least two friends with a birthday? whoever stole the vacuum from Douglas 4/5s GIVE IT BACK PLEASE!!! we just wanna suck stuff up :/ Don’t call it traditional marriage unless it solidifies a political alliance that will eventually lead to world domination

K but I keep saying Fortnight instead of Fort Week and I’m going insane @ douglas boys, please don’t yell out your windows past midnight. sincerely, girls who actually enjoy sleeping yo overheard i think it’s time to accept ur death and let twu memepage take over Joel Redekop nerd

is

a

frickn

what ever happened to the marmalade in the caf i miss it

I’m so ready for this skateboarding fad to be over

Text BORB to 306 320-7001 for expertly curated bird videos

Yena is seriously one of the sweetest & smartest CA’s ever!!

You’re awesome Yena <3

“Where the hell is Bailey Broadbent?”

Can we give a huge shout out to Courtney Connor and the TWUSA team for the epic Late Night this year!

I’m so glad Jonah Carpenter is in this issue’s Himnal.

All hail the... Jacobson? Puddle? egg

there’s too much crisp in my coffee.

Submit your declassifieds at: www.marshill.news/ declassifieds

Dear first years, the declassifieds will get better.

is no one going to call it The Leaf...or?

Two fish are in a tank. One says to the other: “Do you have any idea how to drive this thing?”

townsend speaks at a rate of 3.4 despairs per minute

Two soldiers are in a tank. One says to the other: “”blublublublububublbublblub!”

Live Laugh Loranne Student leaders will be held to a “higher standard?” The court called it coercion. Get it together TWU Okay huge puddles are fine but you know what’s NOT fine the SURPRISE POTHOLES UNDER ALL THAT WATER WOW Fellow yellow lanyard here.

Who’s up for a yellow lanyard reunion on campus?

I’ve been trying to get Daniel Aguero in the Hymnal for ages help

Can Mars’ Hill keep getting delivered to my apartment doorstep?

Natalie Davidson is a real cute tea granny.

If you listen really really closely...you can still hear skidmore under construction

r/TWU My strongest skill? It would have tp be typimg.

Whoever made the Trinity Meme page, you’re the reason I get up in the morning

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*writes something politically charged to show that I am woke* Manny vs. Laurel What the frig does “nuncle” even mean. Who does Shakespeare think he is?

Someone put pickle juice in my tea as a prank but jokes on them cuz it was delicious i forgot what i was going to type here sorry sabine I’m honestly shocked I’ve made it to fourth year without getting run over by a golf cart.

Live Laugh Loranne late night with TWUSA was dope, thanks TWUSA!! u guys killed it What’s a colour and a fruit?

BANANA! spread my wings and make me fly!

Mars’ Hill editors reserve the right to edit or reject submissions based on content and/or length. A printed submission does not necessarily reflect an endorsement of any kind, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of Mars’ Hill staff, the student association, or that of the University. In fact, probably not.

CONTRIBUTOR OF THE ISSUE What is your name?

Madison Fleischer What is your major?

Political Science, Minor in Media and Communications Where are you from?

Born in Bellevue, WA and raised in Richmond BC/ Surrey BC! Dual citizenship perks.

What is something you believe in , something you’re passionate about and want to share with the world?

Something I am especially passionate for would be politics (shocker). I think the true essence of politics should be fuelled by loving people and being a public servant. I hope that my advocacy for youth to get involved and realize the importance of their representation is empowering. Also, stressing the reconciliation that has been a long time coming for the Indigenous peoples is something that needs

Symphony #8 by Mozart –Christophe Towells

powerful influencers. So my lofty list of goals in cludes opening up my own Indigenous law practice and hopefully running for Premier of BC one day.

Why do you write for Mars’ Hill?

I write for Mars’ Hill because I think the most powerful way to impact a community is action behind one’s words. I am a strong believer in exercising my power to influence through speech and can only hope that it inspires others to write and share some of the matters they care about the most.

Mars’ Hill truly fosters a unique space for students to read their peers’ submissions, and it acts as a great conversation starter.

What is your favourite body part?

Eyebrows. Always sisters, never twins.

If you had to stand on one surface for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I would stand on water, like Jesus.

This could be you! Each issue, we will feature a contributor here that has submitted consistent, relevant, and thoughtful content. Send your submissions to marshill@gmail.com!

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news

Discussion with Danny Ayalon An insider opinion on Israel Chloe Heuchert

Trinity Western University (TWU) hosted ex-Israeli diplomat Daniel “Danny” Ayalon on August 30, 2018. The TWU Alumni Association funded and organized the event with help from TWU alumna, Natalie Hilder.

fight together against different terrorist groups.

Ayalon also discussed tactics with which Israel made peace with Jordan in 1995. King Hussein

In his discussion of the Insights and Analysis of Israel and the Middle East, Ayalon brilliantly captured the withstanding issues concerning Israel and shared his ideas on ways in which peace can be achieved through compromise.

Throughout the lecture, Ayalon referred back to the origin of Judea and discussed the significance it holds in the modern world.

Ayalon served as Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak. In 2002, Ayalon was selected as Israel’s Ambassador to the United States and stayed in the role until 2006.

During the drafting of the Road Map For Peace, he played a significant role in negotiations between then-President of Israel, Ariel Sharon, and previous American President, George Bush. He later got involved with the Nefesh B’Nefesh, which encourages Aliyah, the immigration of Jews to Israel, by Jewish individuals in North America. Ayalon became co-chairman of the organization from September, 2007 to December 31, 2008. In April, 2009, he joined the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party and served the Knesset, and was elected as Deputy Foreign Minister to Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as well.

Ayalon’s lecture at TWU’s event began with introducing Israel’s commitment to achieving peace with Palestine. Ideologies of peaceful co-existence went as far as distributing land in order to bring neutrality amongst the nations.

Ayalon explained that these peace agreements began in 1977 with Anwar Sadat, the third president of Egypt, who extended an olive branch by speaking at the Knesset to identify different approaches towards peace. This led to Israel’s decision to relinquish the Sinai Peninsula, which is three times the size of the nation today. Currently, Israel and Egypt have a mutual friendship and

Ishita Wilson

twelve days of hard-hitting negotiations. He mentioned that the last unsuccessful attempt at peace occurred in 2008 between Ehud Olmert and Abu Mazen. Again, both sides could not reach an agreement, even though Israel offered more land.

In a one-on-one chat with Ayalon, he shared that Prime Minister Netanyahu has been helpful in working to resolve the issues surrounding land in Israel. Ayalon gave Netanyahu credit for his intellect on the matter, as Netanyahu uses archeological finds and historical documents to back up his facts on Judea. Ayalon claimed that a full understanding of the Bible is needed to fathom the historical significance of Israeli land.

of Jordan traveled to Jerusalem in search of peace, and Israel signed a peace pact, agreeing to give Jordanians land and water. Today, their border is one of the most peaceful due to their continued compromise and agreements on certain matters.

Unfortunately, as Ayalon explained, sometimes peace agreements do not go according to plan.

From 1993 to 1995, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) were discussing possible agreements for peace and solidarity. Israel was willing to give up more land and signed a peace agreement before the final decision was made. The signing of this agreement was highly unusual because nations do not sign accords until both sides agree and one proposes a counteroffer. Unsuccessful in their attempts, both parties met at Camp David in July 2000.

Ayalon shared his first-hand experience at Camp David and recollected that Ehud Barak offered Arafat Gaza and half of Jerusalem split down the middle, but Palestine refused this offer after

Presently, one of Israel’s significant allies is the United States, as President Donald Trump declared support for Israel during his presidency. The leaders of both nations seem to have a strong relationship, which Ayalon hopes will continue for the entirety of Trump’s presidency.

In addition, Ayalon briefly talked about his non-profit organization, The Truth About Israel.

Its purpose is to educate individuals on Israeli matters and to give insight about issues surrounding Israel. The organization also strives to bring justice and essential rights for the Jewish people.

It reaches out predominantly through the use of social media, especially utilizing videos on the matter at hand.

The Truth About Israel seeks to educate high school and university students by giving them the tools needed in order to understand Israel’s history. Ayalon explains that information can easily be manipulated or misunderstood, which has led to past problems surrounding the Israeli crisis.

He believes that looking back at the Tanakh will help others see Israel in a different light.

Millennials At the Ballot

Why women vote left and men vote right Madison Fleischer Bet that grabbed your attention. Although it is not always the case, young women are more leftwing in comparison to their male counterparts.

In the midst of movements like #MeToo and with an unprecedented number of women running for elected office, the gender gap between Democrats and Republicans is among one of the highest in the United States.

According to a 2018 study by Pew Research, 56% of women in the United States consider themselves a Democrat or Democratic-leaning, and the same is true for 44% of men. Only 37% of women affiliate themselves with the Republican Party compared to the 48% male affiliation.

On the contrary, Canada has a gender-balanced cabinet in power (Liberal Party of Canada), and more women are beginning to throw their hats

in the ring in all represented parties. In recent years, there has been a sharp shift in leaned partisanship among millennial women. Back in 2014, only 56% of millennial women affiliated with the Democratic party or leaned Democrat compared to the current 70%. In Langley, the Conservative Party of Canada’s (CPC) campaign chair for the 2019 election believes that the CPC should build bridges with women.

Being the large tent that it is, the CPC has quite a variance in conservative values from Red-Tory to far-right, and it seems that the further right you go on the spectrum, the more male dominant you get. Wonder why young women tend to vote more left? This can be attributed to the idea that millennial females have an inkling for redistribution and see larger roles for the state of government than males. Studies show that older women

“Young Dumb and Broke” –Holly Gust

tend to be more leftist in regards to economic policy preferences; however, often their religiosity supersedes those preferences when it comes down to the ballot.

It is also evident that much campaigning is directed towards female voters. Additionally, women in general are more likely than males to readily support social programs, are more tolerant of the ever-changing values and mentalities of peacemaking, and do not show much engagement regarding military matters.

With this being said, there are still exceptions, and the Conservative party has had success in attracting women to the right; however, based on voter trends, the idea of gender-related differences in political preference is still very much a constant.

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And Compassion Wore Orange The invisible but present margins Eva de Souza When Phyllis was six years old, she faced the terrifying prospect of attending school far from her her grandmother, who was her primary caregiver. To prepare for this significant event, her grandmother bought Phyllis a new orange shirt. However, when Phyllis arrived at the school, everything was stripped away. Her right to speak her language, her right to be in community with her family, her belongings—including the precious orange shirt that represented her grandmother’s sacrifice—were all taken from her.

September 30, Orange Shirt Day, is an opportunity to intentionally put ourselves in history to remember the injustice gone unnoticed and the suffering gone unseen in residential schools. In a time and place where we value “I” above “you,” “us” over “them,” it is difficult to swallow the fact that others are a part of us. We do not want history to repeat itself. One day a year, regardless of our skin tone, politics, and place in society, we wear bright orange shirts to grab the attention of our fellow community members and direct their minds and hearts towards those that are forgotten.

Residential schools, forced adoptions and relocation, displacement in every sense of the word, assimilation, erosion of culture and cultural values, and destabilization have all shaped our nation on a large scale. Those identifying as Aboriginal make up almost 1,700,000 of Canada’s population, and the third highest agglomeration of Aboriginals in Canada is in the Vancouver area with over 61,000 people.

When communities are left on the margins and forgotten, they often lack the most basic needs. The UN recognizes “the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions” in Article 11 of The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)—a multilateral treaty adopted by UN General assembly in 1966. However, our Charter of Rights and Freedoms does not include a right to adequate housing. In Canada, 20% of Aboriginal people live in houses that are reported to be in need of major repairs, compared to 6% of non-Aboriginal people. The government said in December 2017 that a separate Indigenous housing strategy is being prepared and will be released soon.

As a result of neglect, mistreatment, and abuse, Aboriginal adults have reported alarmingly high levels of psychological distress compared to the general population.

Aboriginal youth have had suicide rates about five to six times higher than non-First Nations youth.

Phyllis, when she tells her story, says that it has taken her to some dark places, and that she sometimes felt that she was “worth nothing.” She gave birth to her son, Jeremy, at age 13. She worked hard to resurrect the community that the residential school systems stole from Indigenous reserves around the country. She worked hard to find healing. Today, she delights in the yearly opportunity to share her story and create spaces for others to be heard.

It is good that we—as a university community and a country—annually wear orange. However, it would be better to remember those forgotten and to notice those unnoticed on a daily basis. History will repeat itself in the midst of an ignorant people, and simple apathetic awareness is not the cure. Indifference leads to nothing better. I hope injustice tears at your heart and at mine. It is good to know it is not made of stone.

There should be more than one day where we act like we recognize another’s struggle or the community’s struggle. We should have a lifestyle that represents an awareness of struggle and an intent to doing something about it.

How can we say and show that we care? We all can relate to some time in our lives when we felt like we were uncared for. Compassion is strength. Empathy is power. The power to not just feel for, but act in the utmost interest of another. The extra two miles, that stone turned over, that door opened. It is a lifestyle. It is in how we treat our neighbour beside us or hundreds or kilometers away.

If you are here today, you are in your own way a survivor; help others survive.

We can wear compassion every day and no one but ourselves can strip us of that. Right here and right now you can make a difference.

“Gangster’s Paradise” –TWUSA

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The Radical Decision

to Let a Woman be Heard

Chrisaleen Ciro On August 25 of this year, the New York Times ran a podcast comparing the number of women running for elected office in 2018 in the American midterm elections to the previously record-breaking numbers in 1992 in America. 1992 was known as the “Year of the Woman.” Similarly, Politico reported that 589 women declared an intention to run for office in 2018.

The catalyst for the first movement was in 1991, when Anita Hill, a young black former research assistant, was brought in to testify against then-Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomas.

Her testimony described a series of interactions she had with Justice Thomas that violated Hill’s boundaries. The sight of a panel of white males interrogating Anita Hill about her relationship with Clarence Thomas mobilized a generation of women to run for office.

Long before rumours of Christine Blasey Ford’s accusations began to circulate, Hill was asked to comment on the number of women running for elected office in 2018, as well as, more generally, the political culture in a post-#MeToo era.

She was optimistic that the language we have used to talk about survivors has changed. In fact, she was so optimistic, she did not believe that a nominee with sexual assault charges would get this far.

Blasey Ford wrote to Dianne Feinstein, a key swing vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee who was first elected in 1992’s “Year of the Woman.” Blasey Ford spoke of a profound sense of civic responsibility that compelled her to come forward. She remembers attending a gathering in Maryland with a teenage Brett Kavanaugh and recalls how the then seventeen-year-old and his friend pulled her into a bedroom and pinned her to the bed. She recounts the feeling of his weight crushing her to the bed and the fear that he might accidentally suffocate her. Blasey Ford has two pieces of evidence: therapists’ notes from when she disclosed, and the results of a polygraph test taken on August 7 of this year.

When Senator Feinstein finally moved forward with Blasey Ford’s letter, she was hesitant to come forward. Eventually, as press pressure continued to mount, Blasey Ford was convinced that she needed to come forward. The next day, Kellyanne Conway promised that Blasey Ford’s voice would be heard. Her hearing took place on Thursday, September 27, 2018. On the morning of Monday, September 24, Justice Brett Kavanaugh told the New York Times that he “would not be intimidated into withdrawing.”

“F.U.N” by Spongebob –Bailey Ridder

Rending a narrative from the implicit sphere to explicit discourse is the ultimate social erosion.

Justice Kavanaugh’s towering credibility, rooted in his all-American upbringing and elite education, should preclude him from any immorality.

Blasey Ford’s testimony takes a chainsaw to Justice Kavanaugh’s credibility, leaving the fertile soil vulnerable to a cleansing mid-summer rain.

The system that allocates Justice Kavanaugh his power depends on the public believing that he is above reproach. We believe that the system that put him forward as an agent of justice would preclude any individual that was guilty of such horrific injustice. Blasey Ford, a civilian who has not participated in any vetting process has no credibility—and even less authority—to contribute to this dialogue.

The issue is not Justice Kavanaugh’s authority, it is the system that was, until two weeks ago, prepared to give him this authority.

The irony of a second “Year of the Woman” being marked by a sexual harassment allegation and the testimony of a survivor has not been lost on the media. Hopefully, as the testimonies and investigations continue, meaningful reform might follow.

academy

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Kelsey Morris

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Andrea Rodriguez What does it mean to be a woman? We all have a set of ideas and expectations surrounding this question. We start collecting these gender ideals and norms from the moment we are born, beginning with our families and the schools we attend, and progressing into spheres of social influence and new cultural contexts. Because we see gender roles replicated in so many spaces, we tend to think of them as universal and non-negotiable; we begin to think these ideas apply to the majority of women. It is easy, then, to forget the extent to which gender roles and expectations vary across cultures. As a result, we may also forget that there is still a need to fight for women’s rights across the globe. But the reality is that being a woman has very different meanings and implications depending on where you are on the globe.

One of the factors that varies cross-culturally is the level of safety that women experience. In Latin America, simply being female is dangerous.

Three-quarters of the nations in the world with rates of femicide classified as “very high” are found in Latin America and the Caribbean. El Salvador has the world’s highest “femicide” rate, coming in at 14 per 100,000 women. In Bolivia, 52% of married or formerly married women said they have been physically or sexually abused by their partners, according to the 2015 Small Arms Survey. In Colombia and Peru that rate was 39%. It is vital to recognize the relentless and pervasive nature of such acts in Latin America; even basic daily activities like taking public transportation, using a community latrine, or collecting water can put girls and women at high risk of victimization.

Women in the Western world today hold a number of economic rights that many may take for granted, such as the right to land ownership. In Uganda, women comprise 80 percent of the agricultural workforce and are responsible for 80 percent of food production, yet own only seven percent of the land. This leaves women extremely vulnerable to violent land grab-

bing. If a widow refuses to leave her home, she and her children may be menaced, threatened with machetes and physically assaulted; some have had their homes destroyed by perpetrators intent on making their property uninhabitable. Because those convicted of land theft are often related to their victims, police may dismiss cases as a “family matter.” These cases are accompanied by issues like child marriage, intimate partner violence, and female genital mutilation. It is absurd, then, to claim that the need for continued advocacy has vanished. To believe such an idea would constitute a very narrow and selfish understanding of the world.

My invitation is the following: recognize the privileges enjoyed by women in Western societies and celebrate them. The privileges of safety policies, basic human rights, and a smaller pay gap allow women to reach their full potential. They allow women to determine the impact they would like to have on the world that they live in—and that is a beautiful, powerful thing.

But just because most of the women we know enjoy these opportunities does not mean that women and girls around the world have them too.

Many do not have access to education. They are not safe. They are not recognized by their communities as persons deserving of respect and dignity.

This should matter to all—including Christians. It is the Christian call to uphold the dignity and rights of women worldwide. Such cruel and pervasive violence does not align with the vision God has for the world. We have a responsibility to become educated on the realities facing women internationally. There is power in privilege to raise awareness, utilize talents, and support those who are working to bring justice to girls and women in the developing world. In the celebration of the opportunity that women in the Western world now have, there emerges a duty to ensure that they can be enjoyed by all women, in all places, all of the time.

The Fallacy of the Strong Independent Woman Monique Bouchard

It is not uncommon to hear women throw around the popular phrase, “I’m a strong, independent woman.” It is used to refer to that friend who got dumped, but “it’s fine” because she is a strong, independent woman. That girl who is lifting twice her weight and does not need you to assemble that new bookshelf for her because she is a strong, independent woman. That lady in those heels who is angsty because some guy had the audacity to open the door for her when—clearly—she is a strong, independent woman and could do it herself. I know you have heard it, and maybe you have even said it yourself.

Before we get too far, do not misread what I am saying: I am (obviously) all for women in leadership being defined by boldness, courage, assertion, healthy communication, and delegation skills. I believe that women are incredibly capable and that gender does not determine competency.

My dreams should not be limited by a “man’s world” or an “old boys club,” and I understand that this phrase, “strong, independent woman,” has originated within a patriarchal society with the hope of shattering it.

Capturing an attitude that is dissatisfied with current injustices directed towards women, it is utilized to combat common frustrations like the wage gap: the factual reason women get paid less is because they do not ask for raises as much as men do. This means that women naturally question their worth in employment more than men even though they are statistically better employees. In light of this reality, we can see that the phrase “strong, independent woman” is the first step in women recognizing their strength.

But is it time to take this a step further?

As human beings, we are created for community. If you have been around Trinity Western University for even a few days, you have probably already heard that enough times, but there is much truth in that statement. We intrinsically long for connection. Being lonely can be more deadly than obesity. We need each other because life is meant to be shared. One person can only be strong for so long on their own, making dependency necessary. This is not inherently bad, so long as it is equated with reliance and not control. For that reason, I argue for the strong, interdependent woman.

This is the woman who builds a strong community around her so that she becomes even stronger.

This is the woman who says “thank you” to the man that opened a door for her, not because she is weak, but because she recognizes that her strength is worthy of respect. This is the woman who does not abandon action in the face of adversity but remembers to walk in grace when interacting with her opponents. She does not “use” people, but she partners and networks and climbs to make her ceiling the new floor beneath her feet. Idealistic?

Maybe. But being strong alone? Impossible.

“Trash” by Death Grips –Nyssa Morgan

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David: How to be a Man Without Killing a Giant Manfred Dewsbury

For much of his life, David was a king possessing great authority and courage, known for taking matters into his own hands. Many Christian men have grown up hearing the heroic story of the young shepherd boy who slayed an angry giant with power of the Lord on his side. Acts 13:22 says, “I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes.” From the outside, David appears to be another one of ʻthose guys’ that we are used to seeing in action movies. Upon close examination, however, of the intentions of his heart, the life of David unveils much of what it means to be a man of God. Throughout his life, David wrestles with the virtue of patience. Countless times, he is put in a position that requires trust in God’s plan and timing.

In such moments, he not only practices patience, but actively prepares for the unfolding of God’s plan, demonstrating that patience is an active state, not a bitterly passive one. David’s story begins when he is anointed by Samuel. While he still remains a shepherd, even after the momentous event of his anointing, he does so with a renewed perspective. He continues to care for his sheep, waiting patiently and actively on God’s call to the palace.

Throughout periods periods of of Throughout active waiting, waiting, David’s David’s life life active shows aa radical radical trust trust in in shows God’s sovereignty. sovereignty.

God’s Instead of taking control of his own life, he relinquishes control, giving it up to God, overcoming one of the greatest temptations of mistrust. His trust in God’s sovereignty was tested in times of crisis. Referencing two instances that strengthened his faith, David says in 1 Samuel 17:37,

Women’s “Writes”

“The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” David was aware that these instances were necessary preparation for the time ahead when he was to slay Goliath and defend the Israelites against the Philistines.

Finally, David demonstrates his godliness by being vulnerable. As a lover of beauty, David has been credited with authorship of 72 of the Psalms. In one such passage, Psalm 8:3-4, David writes, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” This Psalm demonstrates the way in which David appreciates the divine beauty of God. David’s vulnerability is also evident in his brutal honesty with God in many of his Psalms. As David cries out to God in desperation, he writes in Psalm 10:1, “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” David embodies genuine and authentic relationship with his maker and through his poetic and painfully raw language we can see how his vulnerability draws him closer to faith.

Today’s culture often scoffs at such ideals as the “Godly Man” because of the harmful and mostly unattainable societal stereotypes presented about masculinity. Often, even in Christian contexts, men are expected to take charge and be tough and courageous in times of adversity.

However, in light of this, it is critical to observe characters such as David, a man after God’s own heart, so that we may construct a concept of the “Godly Man” that invites men into an authentic relationship with God. This concept is built not on leadership, authority, and courage, although these are admirable attributes, but on traits that David displays: patience, radical faith, and vulnerability. When these virtues become a part of a man’s character, leadership abilities develop naturally.

Makena Wardle Before the turn of the nineteenth century, women could not even consider pursuing the profession of writing. Women were discouraged from and often denied the chance at most occupations, especially those centering on demonstrations of personal views or opinions. Considering women were not even given the right to vote yet, it truly is astonishing that authors like Jane Austen and Agatha Christie were able to achieve such a high degree of success.

mother in her early 20s. Amidst these setbacks, she pursued writing tenaciously and became a master in her field. Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the best-selling author of all time, Christie orchestrated archetypal characters and captivating plots with which she dominated twentieth-century fiction. She is best known for her novels And Then There Were None and Murder on the Orient Express, both of which have been adapted into multiple films and TV series.

Jane Austen, a female author who is now a household name, shattered the nineteenth century equivalent of the glass ceiling with her romance novel, Pride and Prejudice. This work is well-known, not only because of the character Mr. Darcy, a dapper gentleman who has been stealing hearts since the book’s publication in 1813, but also for the character development of its strong female protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet. In Persuasion, Austen writes, “I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.” This sentiment is seen as Austen breathes life into other novels like Emma, a piece titled for a headstrong woman who captivates all who read of her. Austen’s collection of works is bursting with female characters who will make you want to change the world and fall in love while you are at it, instead of the other way around.

Though there has been significant progress in the recognition of female writers, there are still incidents today which call into question whether this type of social prejudice has truly faded. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, shocked the world in a memorable interview with CNN when she first revealed the reason behind the use of her initials in publishing instead of her first name, Joanne. Speaking of a conversation with her publisher, Rowling said, “They said to me, ʻWe think this is a book that will appeal to boys and girls.’ And I said, ʻOh, great.’ And they said, ʻSo could we use your initials?’ Because basically they were trying to disguise my gender.” In the years since that first conversation, Harry Potter has won numerous awards and is one of the best selling children’s books of all time, regardless of the fact that the secret of Rowling’s gender is known.

In a discussion of successful authors, Agatha Christie is sure to find mention. Christie fought not only against an abundance of societal pressure to find a husband, but also she held the responsibility to take care of her sick

It is female writers such as these that inspire men and women alike to pursue their passions. Whether your goal is to become a world class writer or to just pass your organic chemistry class, take a page from J.K Rowling’s book and believe that “anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.”

“Garbage” by Tyler the Creator –Hannah DeVries

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SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR The Rise of the Sugar Daddy Exploring the epidemic of loneliness Kelsey Morris The sugar relationship, defined as an arrangement in which one partner offers companionship in exchange for compensation, has been an object of fascination in popular culture. Young men and women in these relationships are called “sugar babies,” receiving from their “sugar daddies” all sorts of financial compensation including but not limited to cash, gifts, paid trips, and tuition payments.

There has been much conversation lately regarding such sugar babies and the alarming epidemic of financially struggling students who engage in such relationships. Universities such as UBC and SFU have strikingly high numbers of young male and female students who fund their education and lifestyle, often exclusively, with compensation from sugaring relationships.

However, there has been far less discussion regarding the equally alarming epidemic facing the men who create a demand for companionship from these young men and women. In addition to the increasing number of students in Vancouver area desperate for extra income, there has been a drastic increase in the proportion of men desiring the sugar daddy “lifestyle.” With these two trends, the city has recently been recognized as a hub for the sugaring industry.

The average age of sugar daddies in Vancouver is 46, but a significant portion of sugar daddies are elderly men of grandfathering age, many of whom are widowers. Sugar daddies are often stereotyped as older white males who are some-

how perverted for seeking paid companionship with younger women, and while this may be an accurate depiction in some cases, the problem of isolated elderly men engaging in sugaring goes beyond that.

The increase of elderly men desiring such companionship is

wildly fascinating from a sociological perspective.

A sub-discipline of sociology that examines the ways in which communities care for aging populations places particular emphasis on the importance of social care. These sugaring relationships—which are most often based on companionship, contrary to the common misconception that such relationships are always sexual in nature—may be related to the social care of elderly men. It is not illogical to assume that elderly men may turn to sugaring as a way to compensate for a lack of a caring environment of friends and family.

On an individual level, children and grandchildren alike have great potential for impact in this area. Dr. Todd Martin, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Trinity Western University, explains that there are many factors that contribute to an increased number

“I Have Made Mistakes” by The Oh Hellos –Marjorie Persons

of lonely men in contemporary society. He says that women are not as likely to remarry as they were historically, reducing the number of potential partners available for elderly men who are single or widowed. Because matriarchs often assume the role of ʻkin-keeper’ in the family—facilitating gatherings and connecting extended family—many elderly men are at risk of becoming isolated when a female spouse passes and they do not remarry. The inclusion of single or widowed elderly men in the family structure is integral to social health, but Dr. Martin explains that because “men are socialized to be more independent and more self-reliant,” they may not be inclined to reach out. For this reason, the responsibility to facilitate relationship and belonging often rests on extended family.

On a broader scale, inclusion and socialization of elderly men is a societal problem. This raises the question, then, of how our societies can foster increased social health in the elderly male population. Perhaps the need for paid companionship could be curbed with the design and implementation of initiatives that encourage the integration of elderly men into social settings that are life-giving and supportive. The explanation of sugaring requires more than a simplified stereotype—it requires a stringent look at how societies create the need for such relationships, and a consequent call to fill this need in constructive, healthy, and sustainable ways.

TWU VOICES ON PAPER: We asked members of the TWU community to tell us how they relate their gender to their major, profession, or upbringing. These stories are an example of courage, curiosity, and compassion—each one representing a different perspective, shedding light on the beautiful diversity of the TWU community.

David Coulter

Madison Evans

male, you need to have a sense of humour.

In my experience, there are immediately two thoughts that pop into your dorm mates’ heads when they find out you’re studying Nursing. One, how many butts do you have to wipe? And two, why are you still single? Although neither of these things are my favourite (particularly the latter), there is so much more to nursing than that! Nursing provides the opportunity to have a job where you interact with others every day, hear amazing stories from all generations, and have the opportunity to demonstrate the love of God, which are blessings that few career paths offer. All of my interactions with my patients have had an impact on me, and I hope that my care and hospitality has had an impact on them as well.

divided itself into two groups: all of the guys played soccer in the field, and all of the girls played stella-ella-ola next to the jungle gym—all of the girls, that is, except for my best friend and me. We took pride in calling ourselves tomboys and in being able to keep up with the best of the guys.

The dichotomy between femininity and athleticism was instilled in me at a young age.

The girly-girls didn’t play sports: that was for the boys, or the self-professed tomboys.

If femininity meant missing out on soccer at recess, I didn’t want any part in it—although, despite my pride, I do remember feeling left out.

When you choose to study Nursing as a

The idea that Nursing is only for girls was something I believed when I was younger, but now I understand just how ridiculous that statement is. Nursing is a vast and diverse career. There are nurses who drop in on helicopters to assist with skiing accidents, nurses that help in the operating room, assist in emergency, work with children, work with older adults, research, educate, rehabilitate—the list can practically go on forever. Limiting nursing to wiping butts and “having so many other options” misses the whole point of the amazing career that it is. I was not afraid to choose nursing as a vocation because I knew that once I received my degree I would have hundreds of options ahead of me. Nursing doesn’t trap you; it opens the doors of opportunity. If you are a guy who loves working with people, saving lives, and being friendzoned by 55 girls…then give Nursing a shot! The world is ready for more male nurses!

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Every day during recess, the grade 4 class

I was fortunate in that I constantly had the support of my family in my athletic endeavours while growing up—yet my misconception about the relationship between femininity and athleticism was not laid to rest.

That changed when I started competing in track and field, a sport that embraces and celebrates femininity, in part thanks to trailblazers like the 100m world-record holder “Flo Jo” Florence Griffith Joyner. I saw that not only are femininity and athleticism reconcilable, they are congruent—something I could see and admire in my teammates and mentors, not just the all-stars.

Fast-forward 13 years, and the tomboy playing soccer at recess has followed her athletic dreams to the varsity pole vault squad at TWU. I embrace being feminine and enjoy being athletic—but my identity is not tied up in either designation.

Peter Woekel Masculinity in leadership is a tough sub-

ject to write about for me. When I look at the news, I am confronted on a daily basis by a deluge of allegations against men in leadership using their privilege to abuse others. Sometimes when I try and talk with others about this, I am literally speechless—incapable of uttering more than halfsaid syllables and stifled groans, trying to process the sheer magnitude of pain and trauma that has been and continues to be heaped upon those without power by those that have it. It is hard to write about masculinity in leadership because so often the first association that comes to mind is that pain and trauma. But I don’t know that it has to be.

When we think of masculine leadership we should think of no one short of Christ himself. One of the main reasons I continue to follow Christ each and every day is because when I look at his life, I see one of unimaginable beauty. I see someone whose boldness led him to flip the tables of merchants exploiting religious devotion for their own benefit. I see someone whose confidence led him to challenge the authorities willing to sacrifice the life of a prostitute in order to protect their own political power. I see someone willing to use his own privilege to help elevate the women around him to positions of authority that they so richly deserved. I see someone whose love was so great he was willing to die so that others might experience it. In all of these things, I see a beautiful masculinity.

Men, let’s pay more attention to that. We have a million and one bad examples of masculine leadership confronting us on a regular basis. Let’s do better. Do not let those bad examples discourage you from masculine leadership itself, but rather, let it encourage you to redefine it. Let’s take back the ways in which masculinity has been used as a means to perpetuate violence and destruction, and instead embody the ways in which Christ uniquely created it to be—a beautiful gift to this world and the people in it.

gender & vocation Adaolisa Agu

I was born in Nigeria and lived there until I was 11 years old, when we moved to Canada. I have never really considered how my gender ties with my identity, and I think this is primarily because gender roles between males and females were much more accepted in Nigeria then. When I lived there, it was very common for women to have more domestic roles such as taking care of the children at home and ensuring that the house is kept in order while the man goes out, at times travelling far, to find work as the primary provider of the home.

When you consider various circumstances and the structure of society, you can see how this kind of mentality came into play.

Considering the poor economy and little job opportunity for everyone, it has always been quite difficult to find a good job that pays well. Thus, with high job competition, men were most often the ones with better chances at attaining the influential or major work positions available, and were also usually more willing to go for jobs involving greater risks.

The Nigerian culture is quite traditional, and even though we are beginning to see changes to this, with women now expecting the men they are in relationship with to be able to contribute domestically and not only financially, I grew up not seeing women in influential positions. As a result of this, I have had a hard time here in Canada seeing myself in public positions of influence and stepping into these roles. Now I still very much value the domestic roles women have to play in society, and I look forward to being a mother, but it has been life changing to be given opportunities to influence others publicly and to see that women can also hold influential positions in society.

Chloe Heuchert

I am a fifth-year History student on my way to graduating in April 2018. Even though I feel that my gender has not shaped my career choices or decisions, it has still played a part in how I motivate myself.

I chose History for a few reasons. Studying other time periods and learning more about them would be the typical answer. In my narrative, the situation is a bit different.

Analyzing the incentives behind a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or an organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions was my main rationale for examining historical events.

Two areas of history that have stuck out to me would be the Renaissance period and Jewish history. Learning about how different families throughout Europe were intertwined is pretty fascinating to postulate.

The origins of Israel, its development, and how Jewish people live today is captivating to say the least.

My love for history has led me to having two different passions: political science and writing. I became interested in politics a few years back during our last election in 2015. American government has also been a moving force in my curiosities, especially in light of current events. Closer to the end of my third year, I wanted to get involved to some capacity in politics. I joined the Conservative club here at Trinity and soon became vice president, which is still my title at the moment. Getting handson experience and exerting my leadership skills has been excellent building blocks for any future career paths I decide to take. I believe that witnessing women in government is something that the world needs to see more.

Writing has also become something I enjoy doing in my spare time. I began writing for the Jewish Independent over the summer and it has been a life-changing experience all around. I started writing book reviews and completed my first article on an event back in August. I see myself going into writing, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s writing my own book or going into political commentary.

Women who are not afraid to dive into a career path such as these are refreshing to observe. I am hoping that showing leadership and determination in these positions will inspire other women to go far in their career endeavours.

Jonah Carpenter

I want to preface this article by saying that this is not a discussion about women in church leadership. I worry that taking any particular stance on that matter would create an unedifying conflict that could distract from the importance of male and female discipleship. This is a topic which I believe is more necessary to our present day churches than a discussion of church politics.

For me, this discussion started at a volunteer appreciation night at my home church in Oregon. After the night ended, one of our faithful volunteers came up to me and my youth pastor asking if we could have a quick talk. This quick talk ended up being nearly an hour-long discussion of gender, accountability, and discipleship. The topic at the surface level was about a family at my church that had recently finalized a divorce, but at a deeper level the discussion was about the lack of discipleship programs our church had for women. The divorced woman felt alone, as there were no mentors who could truly understand her side of this messy story. Even at an intellectual level, the lack of female discipleship in some churches creates a one-dimensional picture of God. As a man, traditionally masculine depictions of God as a father, protector, or judge speak to me more than ideas of God as a caring friend or a mother hen (Luke 3:34). The reality is that God is all of those things; I just chose to see the side that resonated with me. Leading a co-ed discipleship group gave God the opportunity to open my eyes to his qualities that we would deem more feminine. Through discipleship we can see God in the other; God speaks through His people when we give Him the voice to do so. Why limit the tone of voice God can have in your life? I would encourage you: seek discipleship from a variety of people so that you can encounter an infinite God in new, exciting ways.

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arts + culture Kennedy Dragt

The Androgynous Mind Sabine Henderson

In the fall of 1928, a woman sits gazing out of a window in London, England. The leaves are shifting, warm-hued and moribund, and as she watches the rhythm of the world beyond, the sight of a young man and woman stepping into a taxi cab together prompt her to reflect on unity, bringing to mind the words of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. “A great mind is androgynous,” he famously stated, thereby suggesting perhaps the synthesis of feminine and masculine aspects, resulting in a mind that is, in the words of the woman at the window, “resonant and porous; that it transmits emotion without impediment; that it is naturally creative, incandescent and undivided.” It is in a book entitled A Room of One’s Own that these concepts take root, as writer Virginia Woolf contemplates the flow of life beyond her window, considering androgyny—and the lack thereof—in writing.

throw ourselves out first. This throwing ourselves away is the act of creativity. So, when we wholly concentrate, like a child in play, or an artist at work, then we share in the act of creating.

We not only escape time, we also escape our self-conscious selves... this is: art: prayer: love.”

These female writers do not seek to assert that “masculine” writing, as defined by direct, linear, end-oriented reason, is poor or in any way inferior—it is highly valuable, beautiful in its clarity, reassuring in its certainty, essential for conveying concepts effectively. The androgynous mind cannot exist, let alone flourish, without this aspect.

In her careful, methodical observation of the spider’s web or the praying mantis’s eggs in Pilgrim

Androgyny is no simple concept, particularly in relation to the creation of art and when presented in the early twentieth century. Critics today continue to examine the perspective she presents, many interpreting the concept of the androgynous writer as contradictory to Woolf’s extensive interest in how women’s writing is, and ought to be, distinct from that of men. The question remains, however: does androgyny in writing seek to erase sex? Does androgyny require the absence of difference?

In a letter to Ethel Smyth, a composer and dear friend, Woolf writes, “I believe unconsciousness, and complete anonymity to be the only conditions . . . in which I can write. Not to be aware of oneself.”

Here, perhaps, lies the key: good writing requires unconsciousness of the self, and therefore also the unconsciousness of sex. Unselfconsciousness is not an altogether foreign idea within literature and philosophy; on the contrary, debates and musings on whether the acquisition of knowledge depends on rational (self-conscious) discourse or on receptive (unselfconscious) intuition have been present since ancient and medieval times. While rational discourse tends to operate in search of an answer or outcome, receptive intuition is an outward-focused process of contemplation, and the two polarities are frequently described as “masculine” and “feminine,” respectively.

Thus, by simultaneously encouraging the development of the female voice and the androgynous mind, it seems Woolf seeks to bring balance, to foster feminine intuition in the predominantly rational discourse-focused writing of the modern era, where little is created without an ulterior agenda. Writers without “a spark of woman” (unselfconscious receptivity) fail to create works that “explode and give birth to all kinds of other ideas,” as their work is limited to what they alone can conjure into being through their ability to reason well. Madeleine L’Engle expresses this concept well, noting that “When we are self-conscious, we cannot be wholly aware; we must

at Tinker Creek, creative non-fiction author Annie Dillard, for instance, exhibits this quality well, informing readers on the wonders of the natural world. However, if she composed in this “masculine” manner for the entirety of the book, her work would lean more toward being a well-written textbook than a work of art, as it would lack balance with a receptive, reflective, “feminine” view of her subject that points to deeper meaning hidden within the particulars. Yet, if her writing were to be entirely “feminine,” her words might be an obscure tangle of experience and meaning, without forward direction. Thus, both aspects are good; both are necessary, but, in excess, they self-degrade.

The act of embracing of androgyny partakes in the act of creation; a balance of reason and intuition, of critical revision and unconscious creation, of masculine and feminine, are essential in the formation of valuable works. Unlike what critical theorists such as Roland Barthes in “The Death of the Author” claim, it seems that the creator is not completely separate from the creation; rather, the alignment of the author’s atten-

“Golddigger” by Kanye –Rees Morgan

tion shapes the text as well as the effect it has on the reader. Hence, evidence of androgyny or the lack thereof is not impossible to find—notice, what is hidden beneath the text? Is everything defined, or is there a sense of uncertainty? Is the tone defensive or permissive? Does it feel willed or allowed? Neither extreme is ideal, and such strong polarity is not always present—it is the imbalance, however, that indicates the absence of androgyny. Woolf, observing the tendency of writers to lean towards “masculine” rationality, thus seeks to restore balance by encouraging the “feminine” voice of intuition to take part in the conversation.

And what has changed? Virginia Woolf published this work in the early 20th century, yet it remains relevant today, as societies continue to wrestle with the role of gender. The rational, goal-oriented position of “masculine” knowing often seems to overshadow intellectual contemplation more than ever, reflected in the increasingly consumer-driven, progress-oriented, politically-focused production of “art” with ulterior motive—and not by the hands of men alone. The character of the “strong independent woman,” for instance, is a trope frequently fueled by a desire to compensate for injustices of the past; in doing so, however, the woman continues to let herself be defined in relation to man, not in relation to reality. Consider Katniss from The Hunger Games or Woman as portrayed in Milk and Honey—these characters seem to defend the equality of women largely by using methods that belong to the very structures they seek to challenge. By focusing on the idea that Woman too is purely fearless, independent, strong, rational, powerful, and selling this idea in mass media, men and women alike are discouraged from seeking to balance strength with humility, independence with interdependence, and reason with wonder. Creators and consumers of much contemporary mass media thereby actually become more conscious of sex, as they pursue an agenda out of anger and reach for a goal (masculine) and fail to become aware of the process of discovery (feminine).

Anger at the injustice done to centuries of women is not wrong, but anger without forgiveness and self-forgetfulness comes to stand between writer and subject, between creator and reality, between the self and the other, and thereby prevents the creation of true art.

In the process of redefining what it means to be a woman or to be feminine, as well as what it means to be a man or masculine, an awareness of these ways of seeing, knowing, and creating is imperative. It is not necessary to eradicate femininity and masculinity; rather, the focus must shift to view what lies beyond the self—in writing, art, spirituality, work, relationships, life—in order that all become more fully human.

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“A New Hope” Feminism in Star Wars Shelby Bennett [CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD] The fight for women is a rebellion built on hope. In an age of female subjugation, simplification, and objectification, where women in most action movies only serve as the sexual appeal, Star Wars has a history of rebellion. Long before I understood the need for feminism, I was a little girl who wanted to be Princess Leia. From the opening sequence of the first movie in 1977, “A New Hope,” Leia is central to the success of the Rebel Alliance in their fight against the dark Imperial forces. She saves the critical plans to the Death Star, takes down Storm Troopers, threatens Darth Vader to his face, stays loyal through torture, and takes over her own rescue—in the first thirty minutes! Throughout Episodes IV-VIII, Director George Lucas’s portrayal of Leia demands respect; costuming choices and camera angles prepare her for action, not objectification. In Episode VI, Leia is captured and forced into a sexualizing costume by Jabba the Hutt. Yet even this scene reinforces her strong character and sends the message that anyone who views or uses women as objects is like Jabba the Hutt, a giant disgusting drooling slug. Despite the oppression, Leia uses the very chains that enslave her to finally choke and defeat Jabba. As decades pass, Leia becomes the foundation upon which the Resistance continues; she stands with the cause even when she stands alone.

However, Leia is not the only inspirational woman in Star Wars. Padme remains faithful to her people, her convictions, and her lover all at once, even as he slips into the dark side. Jyn leads the band of rebels to secure the Death Star plans, despite knowing that it will cost them their lives. Rey faces her deepest internal fears and discovers that she is far more powerful than she ever imagined. Rose rescues and reminds her violence-bent friend that winning requires “Not fighting what we hate, [but] saving what we love.”

Star Wars is full of strong women, and they have something powerful to teach us. Perhaps Leia demonstrates that women serve much more than a secondary role. Perhaps Rey reminds us that we must first know ourselves before we can embrace the power inside of us. And perhaps Rose teaches us the best way forward as feminists: not by fighting, but by saving. We win not by tearing down and caving in to the same systems of oppression, but by choosing to celebrate every human being in the hope of being celebrated as well. This rebellion is built on the hope for equal respect, worth, and reverence, and on the hope that each of us, male and female, will join this Rebel Alliance. May the Force be with us.

The Conversation Continues Kennedy Dragt This issue of Mars’ Hill has sought to provide an introduction to the diverse perspectives of the men and women at TWU regarding what it means to be a man or woman in their various avenues of life. We encounter these daily as we engage with the art and culture which surrounds us, on campus and beyond. The following mediums continue the conversation and exploration of sex and gender.

Lady Bird Greta Gerwig’s 2017 directorial debut is a simultaneously elegant and tumultuous feminine coming-of-age story. Set in 2002, the film follows a young woman with the self-given name “Lady Bird” through her final year of high school, as she navigates the comedic yet vividly emotional highs and lows of adolescence.

Boyhood With a narrative arch spanning 12 years, Richard Linklater’s experimental drama returns yearly to the life of both the actor Ellar Coltrane and the character Mason, Jr., whom he portrays. The simplistic narrative of this film, which follows Mason Jr. from his days as a quiet young boy to those as a introspective university student, is relatable and emotionally potent.

Puberty 2 Alternating between melancholic and bitter tones, New York artist Mitski’s fourth full-length album, Puberty 2, both celebrates and laments various experiences idiosyncratic to the female sex.

Basic Volume London artist Gaika’s debut album is abrasively beautiful both in lyrics and sound. Cohesively reflected in the distortion of his voice and non-traditional soundscape, Gaika’s music tackles critical issues of contemporary society. The album reflects on what it means to be human in our various identities, and includes a call to redefine masculinity.

Other People’s Problems, “Megan and Clark: Learning how to be married all over again” This unique episode of a podcast that allows listeners to observe anonymous therapy sessions subtly engages in the social and biological realities of sex and gender. In this particular episode, a married couple, Megan and Clark, discuss the challenges they are facing as Clark transitions from female to male.

“Wilson (Expensive Mistakes) by Fall Out Boy –Ishita Wilson

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Artist Spotlight Mars’ Hill: How did you decide on your band name?

Riley Voth: We used to be called “Just For Today,” which was a tongue-in-cheek joke that we cooked up on the spot when we played a gig and we were prompted for a name. And I thought it was really funny, and other people thought I was serious, and then it kinda stuck around for a little too long, and it was really pop-punk. And then we found out that there was a Christian metal band that was called “For Today,” and we a realized, well . . . we should change that. So we were kicking around names for about a month and then we settled on “Bermuda” or “Bermuda The Band,” and it just kinda stuck.

MH: Can you give a brief overview of how your band began and has come to be as it is now?

RV: In the beginning, Nathan and Isaac and I [Riley] played for an open mic. We ended up playing “This Love” by Maroon Five. We all went through auditions last October for Trinity Worship Project, so we met Kaleb through that.

I asked him if he would be interested in playing with us for the next open mic as a foursome.

So we all met up and we played the song “Hot Blood” by Kaleo. People went wild. It was also right after the Dolphins had played, so people were really hyped. And we played, and everyone was dancing, and we decided we needed to keep doing this. So we did a few other things together, and then we were finally asked for a name at the Sir Douglas Party last year. I guess that’s when we officially became a band; if you name it, it becomes a thing.

MH: How has being part of the TWU community influenced the shaping of your band?

RV: Oh man! It gave us informal places to begin playing, like open mics. That’s really great. I love the idea of an open mic, especially in a community like this where yeah, you’re really putting yourself out there, you’re taking a risk, but also it’s a place where there’s a lot of forgiveness. So we definitely did things wrong a few times, but we learned; we learned really quick. As we got better, we were given more opportunities, like a first year party that we played for, or a donor event through admissions. Trinity has faith in its students and will rely on you if you show that

you can take it, if you shoulder the responsibility well. For us as a band it has been huge. There’s not many places where a bunch of students who play in a band in their spare time can make it into gigs.

MH: What do you think is the most unique aspect of your band?

RV: One thing is we all grew up playing different music. I grew up as a piano player playing Jazz and gospel music for church. Isaac learned to play drums for worship music and old classic rock. Nathan is a classically trained pianist who teaches piano actually, and he started to play bass out of a need at his church. Kaleb started playing guitar through all different styles of music. We all have these different leanings as we play, so when we cover a song we all kinda play what we are used to or with whatever style and flair that we’ve grown to love.

MH: Would you consider yourselves a boy band? Why or why not?

RV: I have never thought of that before. So I guess the answer is no; I would not consider us a boy band, but we are a bunch of boys in a band, which by definition makes us a boy band.

But, no, I would not say that we are a boy band.

MH: What is the most difficult part of working together? Do you ever have a hard time coordinating everyone’s different styles?

RV: I’ve played with people before who have been difficult to play with, but all of these guys are so easy to play with. They’re always forgiving, always encouraging, and just love the simple act of jamming together. And we respect each other’s styles, so we’ve never run into problems.

There’s some stylistic differences, but in the end if someone says, “ hey you should do this instead,” it always sounds better in the end, and people always take it with a lot of grace and humility. We have it really good; it helps that we’re all really good friends.

MH: Will you soon be producing your own music or just continuing to do covers? Why? RV: It’s hard to guarantee any production without a studio or set timeline. But the dream is, yes,

“Up Like an Insomniac” by XXXTentacion –Chris Bunch

to continue to write, continue to produce. I think we’ll have our first song out, I’m not sure if it will be published as The Band Bermuda, but it was recorded through Portraits. There are opportunities to be recording; the problem is time, as students. Yes, the dream is one day to have EPs and albums, but it is hard to do that when you haven’t written enough.

MH: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

RV: I think we have all just gotten better as musicians over time. I know that when we started playing, my guitar playing was rather weak. I like to think it has gotten better. I know for the other guys they’ve gotten so much better; they were incredible to begin with, but they’ve got even better. As far as style goes, it does still depend on our venue, but the first song we played was fairly jazzy; but, we left that, went straight into new rock, bamming out head bangers, but since then I’m not sure whether there’s been a distinct style change. But, we have opened ourselves up to playing a lot of different genres. We just kind of experiment. Our style hasn’t really morphed; it has diversified.

MH: What is your favourite part of the band?

RV: Playing gigs. I mean it’s fun to jam with each other; it’s fun to rehearse, but having the opportunity to play for people it just. . . the pressure, the adrenaline, the rush of playing for people, where you can’t mess up! You have that stress in you and that drive, but then you look into the audience and see people smiling and having fun and enjoying the music, enjoying themselves.

It just give me so much joy. That’s my favourite thing.

MH: What advice do you have for other TWU students who want to form their own bands?

RV: Be patient. Find people that you enjoy that aren’t just good musicians. Play songs you like, not songs that want to be heard. Don’t kill yourself with expectations. Just have fun, do your best, and screw the rest.

15

Boys’ Costumes, or Lack Thereof Nyssa Morgan

Okay boys, like you, I need to get something off my chest, except, unlike you, it is not my shirt. I feel I need to express to the male gender my absolute and complete disappointment in your lack of creativity when it comes to costumes. How is it that every year, whether it is Fort Week or Banana Challenge or Dorm Skits, your best ideas all involve only wearing 50% of an outfit? Sure, you maybe add a tie and call it “business casual” or you rub dirt and leaves on yourself and say you’re Tarzan, but is that all you can come up with? Really??

Do you guys think that you’re being original, that you’re the first to come up with the wild idea to be bare-chested? Flip open any TWU yearbook in the last 30 years and you will see that guys have continuously made almost every event an opportunity to be shirtless. That simple fact alone should make you boys want to challenge yourselves to break out of the boring and lazy tradition.

You think the only way your costume will be funny is by taking your shirts out of the equation? Well, have I got news for you, bud! You can be just as funny—if not even funnier—with your shirt on! Groundbreaking, I know.

Also, don’t get me wrong, I understand a lot of y’all are stoked to show off your torsos, but no one really cares that you got a gym membership over summer and want to use this time to display your hard work. If that is your only motivation to dress up as lifeguards or boxers or whatever, then I think you need to rethink your priorities.

School events are an awesome opportunity to be innovative and original, so making yet another edition of Shirtless Boy Costume™ is such a waste!

I am not even angry; I am just disappointed. But that does not mean I don’t believe in you, boys! I see your potential to produce incredible outfits that we will remember fondly until the day we die, all while wearing a full outfit!

If you put in the tiniest bit more effort, I promise it is absolutely possible for you to try something crazy and stay fully clothed for once. Blow our minds, boys. Wear a shirt.

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“All Fired Up” –Kelsey Morris

16

sports

From Riches to Rags: The Joe Murphy Story Kyle Baker

As students reconvene on campus for another year of school, one thing softens the blow of classes, papers, and exams: the return of NHL hockey. As the NHL season is now officially underway, it seems only natural to write something about Canada’s national pastime.

On June 21, 1986, Joe Murphy was selected first overall in the NHL entry draft by the Detroit Red Wings. Murphy, a former member of the Penticton Knights of the BCHL, had amassed 61 points in 35 games as a freshman at Michigan State University and became the first player to be selected #1 from a NCAA college hockey program. Murphy began his career with the Red Wings, but really found his stride after being traded to the Edmonton Oilers early in the 1989/1990 season. Murphy was a force to be reckoned with during his two seasons in Edmonton, putting up 144 points in 160 regular season games and 45 points over 53 playoff games—and was a key member of their Stanley Cup winning team.

Following his success in Edmonton, Murphy was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks. After a strong year in Chicago, Murphy began to change; he acted differently and was not the same easy going, fun “Murph” everyone had known. Joe would play two more seasons with the Blackhawks before being traded and going on to play for a handful of other teams. Murphy eventually retired from the NHL in 2001.

Following his playing career, Murphy went “off the grid,” with his family often not knowing where he was. In the summer of 2018, word around the NHL community spread that Murphy was living homeless in Kenora, Ontario. After a search, former fellow NHL players were eventually able to track him Name: Jordan Bogress Hometown: Ladner, BC Year: 1st Major: General Studies Sport: TWU Spartans Men’s Hockey Mars’ Hill: How did you first get involved in hockey?

Jordan Bogress: For as long as I can remember I have been around the sport. I was raised by a father who loved the game, so he kind of had me lacing up the skates from a very early age.

MH: How did you hear about TWU and the Spartans?

JB: My parents actually both went to Trinity and met here. My Dad used to play here on the hockey team, and my Mom played on the basketball team. In the time since they met, my older sister has come here and recently graduated. Trinity has just always been a part of my family.

MH: What made you want to continue your sport at university?

JB: This past offseason I was at a bit of a crossroads while weighing out options for the

Bailey Broadbent

down. Those who spoke with Murphy found the former player to be troubled and “unable to function properly.” Many speculate that Murphy may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE—a brain disease found in patients who have received repeated trauma to the head.

The disease has gained national attention as of late for its prevalence in former football players. As of July 2017, CTE has been found in 99% of former NFL players tested, along with eight former NHL players who were diagnosed in post-death examinations of the brain.

After having his story told by former players through a TSN documentary aired over the summer, Murphy has joined a class action lawsuit with other NHL retirees against the league. The lawsuit alleges the league did not adequately protect players against head injuries, and concealed information regarding the long-term effects of concussions.

There is hope that future testing advances could give players the ability to be tested for brain damage during their playing careers, not just posthumously. However, hope for the future does little for Joe Murphy—a shell of the man he once was, and unable to function in a society that once revered him as a hero.

Sports fans often fail to recognize that people’s lives are more important than what they produce on the field or the ice. While hockey is evolving to become safer through improvements to equipment and rule changes, it is still a dangerous sport. Every fan should enjoy the great spectacle that the sport has become, but let us also not forget Joe Murphy’s story. Perhaps a safer game would be worth it if it means keeping former players off the streets and free from long-term injury.

future. Coach Barrett extended an offer to me to come play here, and I figured it would be a wise choice, mixing academics with the game I love.

MH: What’s your greatest hockey related accomplishment?

JB: Last season I won a championship with the Delta Ice Hawks in the PJHL so that was definitely a highlight of mine. I also spent the early part of the year playing some games with the boys on the Humboldt Broncos, which was pretty special and something I will never forget.

MH: What’s the best part about playing hockey?

JB: Spending quality time with the boys, whether it’s out on the ice, in the locker room, or on road trips.

MH: If you could play any other sport, what would you play?

JB: Baseball is by far one of the greatest sports on planet Earth. If I was not a Spartan, I would be playing shortstop for the Seattle Mariners, batting fourth in the lineup and hitting dingers.

“Bo$$” –Jaclyn Wiebe

Athlete Spotlight Jordan Bogress

17

The Return of Dorm Football Deryk Kirchner & Bailey Broadbent It all started with a documentary titled “Coach.”

That’s when dorm football at TWU began its meteoric rise from a basic pickup football team to a world class league. The documentary, featuring the Cinderella run of the 2015/2016 Douglas North dorm football team, highlighted so much of what the league has become on campus. David versus Goliath storylines, unlikely heroes, and elite coaching, “Coach” was the breakthrough that the struggling league needed to survive.

Now one of the most well attended Tuesday on-campus events, the thriving league under new Commissioner Deryk Kirchner brings a whole new wave of talent onto a field already filled with seasoned veterans and past winners. Students all over campus cannot stop talking about the upcoming season—and rightfully so. This season is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining ever.

Here’s a breakdown of each team this year, giving fans a little something to look forward to as they venture out in droves to Trinity’s South Field each week.

Oakland Raiders: After a heartbreaking loss in last years’ final, the Raiders were dealt yet another tough blow after losing key player Ethan DaSilva to Free-Agency.

Rather than endure years of rebuilding, the team went and signed multiple veterans to fill the void left by DaSilva. One of those players include alltime league leader in rushing yards and touchdowns, Deryk Kirchner. After claiming retirement after the 2017 season, “Kirch” recently signed with the Raiders in a surprising move. Critics are skeptical the fifth-year talent can help a young team after numerous broken wrists and a torn MCL. Another new addition to the Raiders lineup includes Quarterback Austin Driedger. While “the Machine,” as he is nicknamed, is embarking on his rookie season in the league, Driedger has seven years’ experience bouncing around various college leagues. Overall, this team boasts a blend of speed and experience, with the fastest receiving core in the league.

3H Fellas: The Fellas were in a serious rebuild last year and finished a respectable season with a loss in the semi-finals. This year’s team is looking stronger and more seasoned than ever before. Led by smart and savvy General Manager Jaron Jeske, the team drafted elite prospect Praise Olatoke, dubbed “The Problem” for his ability to shred defenses. Veteran Quarterback Noah Postman comes in for his second season at the helm, and is blessed with a plethora of receiving options including wide receivers Mason Chong and Jarod Foster. One skeptical insider had this to say about the Fellas’ chances this season “…it remains to be seen if this team has the ability to put as much effort on the field as they did with their jerseys.”

8/9 Up Rams: After a miserable 2017 season, GM Nat Johnson made a monstrous impact at the draft in 2018.

With multiple first round picks, Johnson assembled a team strong at every position. Fans are already dubbing quarterback Daniel Cox as the next Dustin Deugau, one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history. Along with Daniel Cox, Nat drafted notable players Sam Prevost, Kyle Ralph, and Jack Derrenbacker. This team has the chance to go deep, but they are young, and therefore untested. One inside source said, “Cox is the most talented prospect to potentially ever come into the league. His biggest challenge will be utilizing the raw receiving skill and surviving the pressure of the big leagues.”

8/9 Low Chargers: A rough start to the season was the product of the Chargers aching for a Quarterback. While the team still has Thomas Kasteel under contract, who is an elite force on both sides of the ball, the team struggled without a premium ball distributor. In week one the Chargers saw three Quarterback changes, none of which were met with much success. They have the tools and the drive to make an impact this year, but may have to get creative with recruiting. One player to watch is Josh Sylvain, who recently made the transition from the World Rugby League and is still learn-

ing the ins and outs of football. Sylvain’s older brother Joe is a two-time champion and one of the best defensive backs ever to play. If Josh can pick up the game as well as Joe, he may be able make a strong impact this year.

Prune Juice Pats: While their first contest of the season was a victory, the defending champs seemed like a different team without Dustin “the GOAT” Deugau controlling the offence. No one knows if the two-time defending champion will return, but the Pats are not concerned with the politics. The team boasts the best kicker in the league in Josh Lim, as well as a well-rounded veteran squad who know what it takes to win. One interesting acquisition is TinLok Pong, an extremely athletic player eager to make a difference this season. The Pats have a history of strong drafting, as well as a great development program, so their contract with Pong is a match made in heaven. “With Mackenzie Wiens, Joe Sylvain and Jared La Mar—the tools are all there, and with or without Deugau you need to assume they will make a play for the league title,” one insider said of the team.

Skidmore Hall: Vegas has the odds 4-1 that Skidmore Hall will win the league this season. This is largely due to the work of GM Michael Boehmer, who isn’t afraid to get dirty. An active offseason saw Skidmore steal Ethan DaSilva from the Raiders, along with signing multiple five-star prospects. The added receiving help brought in has made this the deepest team in the league and gives quarterback David Boehmer a ton of options. One insider stated “DaSilva is a candidate for MVP in 2018. He has had a taste of blood after barely losing the final last year and looks stronger and faster, if that is even possible.” The “Skids” took a victory in an incredible offensive battle against the 3H Fellas; the only thing that may be able to stop them is DaSilva’s bad blood with the league commissioner. An anonymous source filmed DaSilva breaking the league commissioner’s ankle over the summer in an undisclosed manner.

Yikes!

This Week' s’ Studs and Duds Bailey Broadbent Studs:

Duds:

- After nearly two years (635 days) without a win, the Cleveland Browns won their first game off the back of recent first-overall selection, Baker Mayfield.

- The Philadelphia Flyers unveiled a new mascot for this season: a horrifying, googly-eyed orange ball of fur straight out of your nightmares named Gritty. Certainly a new contender for the worst (or best?) mascot in sports.

- The Oakland Athletics clinched yet another postseason birth, despite having the third lowest payroll in all of Major League Baseball.

- For the fourth year straight, the Los Angeles Angels missed out on the playoffs, despite having two generational talents in two-time MVP Mike Trout and dual pitcher/batter Shohei Ohtani.

- Tiger Woods won his first PGA championship in 1,876 days after shooting a -11 at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, Georgia.

- Former NFL quarterback turned baseball player Tim Tebow recently revealed during an interview that his workout music playlist consists of a blend between contemporary Christian music and the soundtrack from Disney’s “Moana.”

- A food worker at a Detroit Tigers baseball game was fired and charged after a leaked video was shared showing the 20-year-old spitting in a pizza and promptly serving it at a game.

“Please Be Naked” by The 1975 –Janae Gartly

18

humour

On the Way to Class The things you might be doing that are genuinely ticking people off

Nyssa Morgan

Emma Dykstra Walking on the left side of the path: By law, in Canada you must drive on the right side of the road so that you don’t careen into oncoming traffic. This rule also applies on the stairs, pathways, and hallways of TWU. Remember, kids, drugs are not cool, alcohol is not cool, and walking on the left-hand side is definitely not cool.

Holding the door open too long: Opening the door for someone over three meters away forces them into a crazy jog, weird facial expressions, awkward laughter, and an out of breath “Thanks.” It’s okay, no one will think you’re rude if you don’t open the door for them when they’re a mile away. In fact, they’ll be thankful that you just avoided an awkward situation.

Walking slowly: Be considerate of the people behind you, please.

People are often in a rush to class and just because you’re not doesn’t give you an excuse to walk at a slothlike pace. Also, if you and your friends are going to walk like you have bricks in your Blundstones, please don’t take up the entire walkway.

Having conversations in annoying places: Places that you should not have conversations: on the stairs in RNT, the pathway up to the Music Building, in the hallway of the Music Building, on the steps in TWUSA, near any sort of printer, in the middle of the buffet area in the caf, or anywhere where people are seriously just trying to get through.

Headphone etiquette: Nothing says “don’t talk to me please” like a pair of headphones in someone’s ears. If you see someone you kind of know but don’t really know, but still want to say “Hi!” and they have their headphones in, don’t flag them down. Don’t tap them on the shoulder. Don’t wave in their face. Just don’t. Let them enjoy their music and their peace. Don’t make them take out their headphones just so you can say “hi” and have awkward small talk. Leave them in peace.

M a n a n d W o m a n P e r f o r m T r a d i t i o n a l M a rr i a g e , B ec o m e S i n g l e E n t i t y Cathy Shields

Supporters of traditional marriage achieved a victory yesterday at the altar. Tanner Greenberg, 21, and his fiancée Beth Marshall, 23, permanently melded both their consciousness and physical forms to become one complete being.

According to witnesses, the process happened only a few seconds after the individuals recited their wedding vows. The groom leaned down to kiss the bride, and their bodies “became light.” Descriptions vary after this point, but some words used to describe the event include “fusion,” “melding,” and “magical anime transformation.” When the light dimmed, there was only a single being. The being themself now seems to function on a higher plane of existence, leaving no way for any mortal human to accurately describe their appearance.

“This is what marriage was meant to be,” said maternal grandparent-ofthe-bride Janice Marshall, who is both legally blind and hearing-impaired.

“Two becoming one.”

“I just wanted to talk to Tanner,” confused friend Caitlyn Schraeder said.

“I was going to congratulate him after the ceremony. Is he in there anymore?” “we are one” the entity responded, in a voice that did not register properly on our microphones. “THERE IS NO TANNER. THERE IS NO BETH.THERE IS ONLY THE UNIFICATION. WE ARE ONE”.

When asked whether they had anticipated this drastic change to their physical and metaphysical nature, the singularity responded, “THAT'S JUST HOW MARRIAGE WORKS.” The being is now deciding between “Tath,” “Benner,” or “Tanbethery” as the name for their new form. Former people Tanner and Beth have taken the definition of traditional marriage to a new level, setting a higher standard for engaged couples everywhere.

Inner Monologue of a Rider of the Late Night Ferris Wheel Nyssa Morgan

Wow I can’t believe TWUSA got a ferris wheel for Late Night! This is so cool! I wish the line wasn’t so long, though. I thought this was supposed to be the Fast Pass lane? Why is it moving slower than the other one?

Okay, no, patience is a virtue. I can get through this. I mean, if it wasn’t pouring rain that would help but whatever. It’s a ferris wheel. It’s worth it. Why are people screaming? Aren’t they having fun? Man, maybe this was a waste of time.

But I can’t ditch my friends! They’ll take cute Instagram pics and I’ll be left out! Gotta tough it out. If Jesus can withstand the temptation of Satan for forty days, I can stand out here and wait for this ferris wheel.

Doooodoodoodoosomethingsomethingsomethingdespacitosomethingsomethingsomethi- oh finally! It’s our turn! Somehow this seat is both

“Troublemaker” by Olly Murs –Alexandria Bay

warm and cold at the same time? Oh wow this thing literally rocks back and forth so much! Is this safe? Are we supposed to move every time I exhale? Why are we stopped at the top?? I can’t breathe. Oh man I cannot breathe. Someone help me!

Lord Jesus please don’t let me die like this! I wanna get to Heaven but not now! I’m too young and single to die! Oh no we’re moviiinnnggg!

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WHO LET ME ON HERE??

WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA??? WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE SCREAMING?? THIS IS NOT—actually wait this isn’t that bad… It’s actually kind of cool! Hey this is fun! Wait, why are we stopping? Is it done already? That was so short! You know what, I’m gonna go wait in line again.

19

THE WELLNESS CENTRE & REC SERVICES PARTNER UP! Hannah Stuart, Chloe Stone, Rose Holmes & Debbie Thiessen With “wellness” as the theme for Trinity Western University this year, The Wellness Centre focused on physical activity in September as the first of ongoing monthly themes, by partnering with Rec Services, as a resource for healthy living on campus. This first health objective of the year impacts wellness in almost every aspect of life—physically, mentally, spiritually, and even academically.

- Physical activity is beneficial for mental health. One study in 2017 found that 20-40 minutes of aerobic exercise can boost your mood and decrease anxiety for several hours.

- Physical activity can be viewed as a spiritual process. Jared Ginter, Director of Athletic Facilities and Recreation at TWU, relayed in an interview that his goal is for the student body to view recreation as a form of worship, a discipline through which we can draw closer to God. - Exercise has been shown to improve brain functions such as learning and memory, which can contribute to higher academic achievement. This makes exercise an invaluable tool to help university students to succeed.

A survey conducted in spring 2018 by The Wellness Center found that 62.02% of students are serious about addressing their physical activity.

So, how can you become more involved in TWU recreation? In speaking with Jared Ginter, we learned that as of this year, Rec Services is now under the umbrella of the School of Human Kinetics, generating some exciting changes in the programs offered. Rec Services goes beyond just physical activities. Ginter’s vision for Rec Services is to develop programs and partnerships across the university that encompass many aspects of wellness. This means that when you get involved with Rec Services, you are improving your physical health as well as addressing your social and spiritual needs.

Rec Services offers a variety of programs and resources to help you have fun, meet new friends, build new skills, and get active based on your interests and experience level. They provide intramurals, fitness classes, student trainers, equipment loans, and more. Whether you love running, Zumba, hip-hop, soccer, weight lifting, climbing, or just want to try something new, there is something for you. Go to twu.ca/recreation to connect with the program that fits for you, or feel free to connect with Rowena Warkentin, TWU’s new Recreation Manager, who can get you going in the right direction.

Many students have indicated that they want to start going to the gym, but feel intimidated or just do not know where to start. Fear of the unknown can hold you back from taking the first steps to improve your physical fitness. This is why Rec Services is starting a buddy program. To help students overcome this initial obstacle, exercise beginners are paired with regular attendees of fitness classes or the Fitness Centre. If you’re interested in being paired with another student who can go to fitness classes with you or walk you through the first steps of getting connected with the gym, you can contact Michael Fama (Michael.Fama@twu.ca). Another option is to connect with student trainers who work with you to build a fitness plan tailored to meet your goals. If you sign up for a trainer with a friend or two, there is a significant discount. Working out can be a lot more fun with a partner—so grab your friend or sign up for a gym buddy and head to the Fitness Centre today! No matter what stage of your physical fitness journey you are in, taking small steps now can lead to big payoffs in your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellness.

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twu_llc | twu.ca/llc | #LLCottawa @LaurentianLeadershipCentre “Fergalicious” by Fergie –Abi Thomson

MARS’ HILL REVIEWS:

STUDY spaces Sabine Henderson

ATRIUM - 4/10 This strange, convertible space is not foreign to group projects and solitary students, and it is more often than not used as a place to sit until the library opens. While the view may trick your brain into thinking that you are #ExploreBC-ing as you work on assignments, and the stain-ridden couches help you imagine that you are sitting on Mother Earth’s lap, the reality of this experience is not so inspiring (especially when you come across that wad of ten-year-old gum and the broken pencil between the couch cushions).

DOUGLAS - 1/10 Walking into one of these study rooms is like walking into a sauna...except it definitely smells like sweat.

Open a window to air it out, and you will freeze. The chairs never match; the person beside you will definitely be eating loud snacks, and, four out of five times, someone will be sitting in the adjacent lounge watching The Bachelor. Is there any merit in this space, beyond that it was intended to be used for studying? I think not.

TWUSA - 6.5/10 Studying in this lounge is like building a sandcastle on the shoreline: one moment you’ll be constructing sentences in peace and quiet; the next moment, your inspiration will be washed away by a tidal wave of students rushing in between classes for a quick cup of coffee. If you don’t mind being subject to the ebb and flow, however, this is a good spot—comfortable corners, natural light, hot drinks only a step away, and enough community-building opportunities to justify procrastination.

FRASER - 7/10 When there aren’t Just Dance parties or movie nights happening in the “flounge,” the space provides a calm, open atmosphere with plenty of opportunity for people-watching—though, chances are, you won’t be able to reach your homework comfortably because of the awkward distance between the benches and the table.

Migrate to one of the study rooms, each containing a large table vaguely reminiscent of the Last Supper, and you will likely find yourself sitting across from someone you kind-of-but-don’t-really know but still feel obligated to share your snacks of “bread and wine” with. It’s always just kind of hit-or-miss with this building.

JACOBSON - 9/10 With large study rooms on every floor, the newest residence hall quantitatively and literally towers far above the other on-campus study spaces. If you ignore the overpowering new-building smell and bright fluorescent lights, the wide selection of large wooden tables and comfy booths provides options for everyone. The barstyle tables, however, may never be used, as you must be both tall and legless to fit your stool under one of them. Nonetheless, all possible qualms are made up for by the presence of the stunning fifth-floor view of the entire campus, the sunset, your crush walking to class, and the mountains looming in the distance.

THE Jonah Carpenter

HIMNAL

Major: Religious Studies Height: 1 smoot Hometown: Happy Valley, Oregon (It doesn’t live up to the name)

Year: 4 Age: 22

Favourite woman in the Bible?

Lot’s wife (she’s salty like me)

How would you make up after your first fight?

I’d buy a cheap ring, break part of it off and give it to her as a “piece off a ring”

Good age to get married?

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22

What type of animal represents you?

Probably a mouse. Small.

Loves cheese.

Not as cuddly as it looks.

Best place for a first kiss?

The altar

Biggest deal breaker?

She sings “unforeseen kiss” instead of “sloppy wet”

What is your signature dish?

I serve a mean backhand in ping pong

Your favourite band?

The Dolphins

How do you know if it’s love?

She puts up with my dad jokes

Age limit (max/ min) If they don’t remember when Farmville ruled Facebook, they’re too young. If they unironically had a Myspace, they’re too old.

What skill will you pass on to your future children?

Existential dread

What theme do you envision for the wedding?

Various cheese aesthetic

Top quality in a future mate?

At this point, existence

Views on courtship?

Leave it ALL on the court

What is your go-to party trick?

My trick is that I don’t go to parties

Favourite snack?

The girl reading this <3

“Here Comes The Anxiety” By The Wombats - Nick Ster