Volume 25 Issue 2: Neutrality by Mars Hill Newspaper

Neutrality

Pick Up Your Stuff PG. 5

Political Centrism PG. 10-11

VOLUME 25 ISSUE 02

Neutrality or Apathy PG. 12

10 07 20

MEET THE

TEAM SBR

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

With each passing day, I realize the vitality of bringing impartiality and neutrality into our daily interactions. While impartiality may come off as indifference, our student body should dive deeper into the meaning that couples itself with these misconceived words.

Before speaking of the positive aspects of neutrality, it must be stated that neutrality can be a bad thing. There are certain choices that can, and should be made in what one would deem as “correct thinking.” These instances of necessary opinion are objective, such as correct communication with our peers. Instead, a neutral perspective on life should be taken in some of our daily interactions. Approach each day with a fresh, and impartial perspective on our surroundings. Without remaining neutral, pessimism and hate can mount against those who have, and will wrong us on occasion.

Before dismissing my message due to my lack of expertise, please consider trying it for yourself. Let us hope that we can create a university campus of love, and acceptance for one another through the use of neutrality. Get your Vitamin D and ensure that you are exercising as we all gear up for the semester; it will help. Failure happens. Do not let that distract you from the goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of the year. “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” - Marshawn Lynch I’m not sure how I feel about the message. What do y’all think?

INT

MARS’ HILL

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Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University located on the traditional ancestral territory of the Sto:lo people. 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.

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.

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, the Statement of Faith, the Student Handbook, 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.

CONTRIBUTORS

Sydney Dvorak Alice Jun Braedon Grover Sunnes Sophia Belsher Micah Morgan Emmett Hanley

DECLASSIFIEDS SUBMIT YOUR OWN AT MARSHILLNEWSPAPER.COM/DECLASSIFIEDS

As a senior how am I supposed to get my ring by spring if I can’t be on campus??? Taylor swifts new era. That’s all. egg The campus doesn’t feel right without the comforting energy Stephanie pappenfus gives off whose going to protect me from the geese now? How do you get those backgrounds on zoom? Click the little arrow beside your ‘show video’ option and select ‘choose virtual background’ from the menu -Emma 2020 mix? You mean my depression mix? I miss Jordan Is there anyone on the island that’s relevant anymore? If liv harder and micheal bohmer ever break up I’m throwing myself into the ocean #truelove #goals

Dear 5’11 or taller: I’m tall. I love good movies, I’m hilarious, and I play piano! Let’s go on some adventures together ;) What’s cookin’ good lookin’? Y’all should submit to [spaces] literary journal. We accept poems, stories, plays, art, and photos. The deadline is November 5th. Check our website for the guidelines! Ned’s Declassified TWU Survival Guide remember when someone dropped an f bomb in the declassifieds and mars’ hill didn’t censor it if anyone says heart sparkle ever again I will no longer be on speaking terms with them how do u say it? “mars hill” or “mar shill” Press F for the international students who has zoom calls at 3am Can we just appreciate how great of a doctor Dr. Hitchman is?

If you’re good at calculus and know how to explain things pls submit a response in the next declassifieds. thank you.

Why are commuters cool this year

if Maritha Louw doesn’t run for president next year i will riot

In these unprecedented times < In this tempestuous epoch

You can only call them baby first years if you are willing to take care of them

That glorious second year feeling when you can finally get into your major

What happened to Connor green?

The torch in the TWU logo has been regarded as a fire hazard and will be removed from campus immidiatly. No person, i’m not going to virtual chapel. The whole point of chapel is to worship in community and if I’m gonna worship online, i’m picking the songs. My dad came to one preview weekend and now thinks he’s the Trinity expert Submit to [spaces] literary journal! I’ve been trying to contact B-Haynes but she won’t answer me!!! Tell her I love her the fifth estate CACTUS IS EDIBLE!!! Traditional Mexican Nopal recipes exist Why am I so different? I just want to be an average Joe. Will I ever belong... Cavalli has a great voice. He should voice a Disney character.

Whoever is the reason for RELS 160 zoom meetings with Craig Allert - Why? The West Coast Collegium is the superior collegium I’m looking for a guy who’s Christian but not too vocal about his faith ya know what im sayin When you were a resident last year but now commute and have lost weight from not eating Sodexo anymore The 8am lawnmower outside of Douglas is causing spiritual warfare I drank vinegar for Fort Week and it still wasnt as bad as TWUSA coffee. (Lol i love you TWUSA) 6 low is a buncha simps this year and that’s fax RA’s are the imposter among us. Art and humour makes life durable

ok but like Mars’ Hill kinda be poppin this year tho

Buildings as Rappers: Skidmore- Megan thee Stallion Douglas- Lil Uzi Vert Fraser- Travis Scott Jacobson- J Cole Northwest- Cardi B

The meme page coming back saved 2020.

Ezra Blaxland has my whole heart. That’s it.

Submitting Declassifieds is like therapy

Trinity: *Has 6 months of no one on campus* Trinity: Oh hey students are back, lets start the new building and redo all the roads.

You can’t scare me. I took BUSI 176 online during the summer.

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.

CONTRIBUTOR OF THE ISSUE: BR AEDON GROVER SUNNES WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR? Struggling Actor, 3rd year. WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Newberg, Oregon: The American version of Langley. Both have: An ‘Old Town’ area, a river going through it, a private Christian University, a drive-in theater, and are on the longitudinal coordinate 122°W. WHAT IS YOUR ON-BRAND ZOOM BACKGROUND? Sodexo Buttered Chicken

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WANT TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD? I love laughter. No matter what it might be, acting, improv, or working with kids, the greatest joy I can get is seeing others have joy themselves. Bringing laughter to people allows for a great connection not only between them and me, but between anyone that gets to laugh. People can feel so defensive of showing joy, and laughing with strangers is the easiest way to break down those barriers. That vulnerability carries trust.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ARTICLE YOU’VE WRITTEN FOR MARS’ HILL AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? That one from last year with the Resident Building Ranking because people need to know Jacobson’s place on the bottom. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE (FICTIONAL) CHARACTER AND WHY? Probably Diddy Kong cause he doesn’t wear pants.

NEWS BC PREMIER CALLS SNAP ELECTION

GRACE GIESBRECHT

On September 21, B.C. Premier John Horgan called a snap election in an attempt to solidify his government and potentially win a majority for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP). British Columbians head to the polls October 24, 2020.

Furthermore, calling a snap election breaks the agreement Horgan made with Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau to not call an election before October 2021, alienating the support needed by the NDP to form a minority government.

Horgan says the election is a matter of assuring stability for the next stages of the pandemic and recovery from it: “We can either delay that decision and create uncertainty and instability over the next 12 months … or we can do what I believe is always the right thing and ask British Columbians what they think.”

According to political scientist Hamish Telford, the decision to call an election is “risky” either way: “If you look at the electoral map, it’s not an easy map for the NDP. They need to pick up a minimum of four seats to get a bare majority government, and that’s assuming they hold everything they’ve got. It’s not absolutely clear to me where they can pick up those seats to get to majority territory.”

Horgan’s approval ratings are remarkably high due to the NDP’s handling of the pandemic. The snap election is likely a gamble on approval ratings from the pandemic overcoming the potential negative blowback from politicizing them. Calling a snap election is still within the right of the party in power, though last year a fixed election date (for next year) was agreed upon. If they win a majority, the NDP will have the confidence of the legislative assembly without support from across party lines. Horgan’s NDP currently holds a minority government with the support of the Green Party of BC, and has since July 2017. The margin that they hold going into the election is narrow, with the NDP and the BC Liberals tied for 41 seats each. The Green Party holds 2 seats. Calling an election to capitalize on the approval of the NDP is drawing criticism: “Today, John Horgan chose politics over people,” said Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson. He says calling an election in the middle of a pandemic is a “cynical, self-serving, selfish move.”

Trinity Western University (TWU) sits squarely in the Langley East riding, an area considered a provincial Liberal stronghold. This year, veteran MLA Rich Coleman is not running for reelection for the first time since 1996. He is replaced as the BC Liberal candidate for the riding by Langley township councillor, Margaret Kunst. Opposing her for the position of Langley East MLA are TWU graduate Cheryl Weins for the Green Party and Ryan Warawa from the Conservative Party of BC. Ryan Warawa is the son of the late longtime MP for the Langley area, Mark Warawa. At the time of writing, Langley East does not have an NDP candidate. Developer Eric Woodward announced his candidacy for the NDP, then withdrew it a day later. Though matters of provincial government often take a backseat to federal ones, they have recently rocketed to the spotlight during the pandemic. Many major pandemic issues fall under provincial jurisdiction. Healthcare is the most notable of these, but concern over housing and education are also high on the list.

A recent Insights West survey taken in the first few days of the campaign backs this response. Horgan’s decision to call an election was “greeted unfavourably by 58 percent of those polled.”

COLUMN: FEMINIST NEWS AMY CONEY BARRETT: WHY YOU SHOULD CARE SYDNEY DVORAK

On Saturday, September 26, Donald Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barret to take Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court (SCOTUS). On Tuesday, September 29, Barrett met with Republican senators to make plans for a quick confirmation. Republican senators are hoping to push the confirmation through before the 2020 election in November, in order to assure they hold a 6-3 conservative majority in the SCOTUS. The Senate Judiciary Committee—the 22 senators who oversee the Department of Justice will begin considering Barrett for a seat in SCOTUS on October 12. Background: Judge Amy Coney Barrett is a judge in the federal court of appeals and a professor of law at the University of Notre Dame. In her career as a judge, Barrett has made decidedly conservative rulings on gun rights, immigration, and abortion. Democratic senators oppose her nomination and are particularly worried that Barrett could tip the scales against women’s reproductive rights and the Affordable Care Act, which provides health insurance for millions of Americans. Rulings: Donald Trump has already announced that it is “certainly possible” that Barrett play a part in the decision to overturn Roe v Wade, the ruling that makes abortion legal in the United States. Democrats have suggested that her strict Catholicism would present a bias for any decisions on abortion.

There are currently 17 abortion-related cases on their way to SCOTUS, all of which have the goal to severely restrict abortion in Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Maryland, and North Carolina. Trump told Fox & Friends “Maybe they’d give it back to the states. You just don’t know what’s going to happen.” In a speech he gave in Delaware, 2020 Democratic candidate Joe Biden said, “Women could once again be charged higher premiums just because they are women; pregnancy could become a pre-existing condition again; seniors will see their prescription drug prices go up and the funding for Medicare go down.” Many are concerned what Barrett’s nomination could mean for women. Abortion clinics across the U.S. could lose funding, state rulings could eliminate clinics all together, and deter women from care by making it too expensive. Barrett previously signed a ruling against the Affordable Care Act’s provisions for birth control, on the grounds that it violated religious freedom. The Trump administration has already ruled that employers have the right to withhold birth-control in their health insurance guarantees. Also in question is whether transgender people will retain access to gender transition hormones and surgeries, also on the ground of infringement on religious freedom. Barret’s stance on these issues could overturn Bader Ginsburg’s landmark accomplishments in women’s rights.

COLUMN: WHAT THE HONK?

PICK UP YOUR STUFF TYLER JONES

In early September I was asked by a friend to pick up a box from the Northwest building’s storage room. When I went to find this box in Northwest storage, I was astounded at the disorganization that I stumbled into. Boxes, skateboards, and clothes created the mosaic of a claustrophobic’s worst nightmare. After this rather chaotic experience, I talked to Northwest’s new Resident Director (RD), Andrew DeGroot to discuss the lack of responsibility that is being taken by students when it comes to storage rooms .

WHAT THE HONK IS THE THRONE SPEECH?

Before diving into the storage room conundrum, I asked DeGroot about his experience as an RD at Trinity Western University (TWU). DeGroot, starting his third year in the role, said that he has enjoyed the job throughout his tenure serving on campus.

EMMA DYKSTRA

“I am given the opportunity to build important relationships with students [as an RD] … there are misconceptions about RDs due to the disciplinary aspects of our job, which is definitely the worst part.”

The throne speech (or the speech from the throne) is the speech that kicks off a new session of parliament given by the ruling government to state its agenda for the next four years. The speech is read from the throne in the Senate chambers, a seat where the Queen (or in this case, her representative) sits.

DeGroot went on to explain his love for Fort Week and shared stories of his observations of God working in the lives of students as some of the many highlights of the RD position. When asked if the storage rooms on campus were more full than previous years, DeGroot stated that while he is unsure if other buildings may not be dealing with the same chaos, there is a good chance that they are. “We have so many students’ stuff who [may] not be coming back. If you go into these storage rooms, you could also find boxes that are dated back to 2015.” Although I saw the storage room in Northwest, DeGroot claimed that the building he serves as RD in is not the only one that is dealing with this problem. DeGroot also stated that storage is an issue every year, but the lack of room has been heightened due to obvious reasons. “We are not entirely sure what should be done with these old boxes that are pulled out of the storage rooms. Certain items are good for donation, such as kitchen equipment, but old homework notebooks and syllabi that are put in storage rooms should be recycled by students.” DeGroot had a final message to students: “Pick up your stuff… and store things that you will need in the future. As long as boxes aren’t dated past September 2019, things will be donated, or recycled.” Student Life has designated the month of October to clean up the storage rooms. DeGroot stated that there is still time to retrieve some of the items that have been left behind. As students are unwilling or unable to retrieve what has been left in the storage rooms on campus, it raises the question: will anything be able to be stored at the end of the 2020-2021 school year?

The Governor General (GG) reads the speech out loud as the Queen’s representative. The GG summons Parliament through a proclamation to go to the Senate to hear the speech. Then everyone walks over to the Senate where the GG reads the speech out loud. Once the speech is read, the government can get to work. This is all pretty standard, but there is one guy who makes the process a little more interesting: the Usher of the Black Rod (UBR). The UBR is appointed by the GG and is responsible for various tasks and duties in the Senate. Before the GG can read the speech, the UBR goes to the House of Commons and knocks on the door three times with a black rod, summoning the members of parliament to come to the Senate to hear the speech. You may think it’s quite a drawn out and unnecessary process to hear what the government’s goals are, and maybe it is. But it’s just another tradition we inherited from the British Empire that keeps us and our government a little bit classier.

After my experience at Northwest, the answer is a sincere no. While storage could have been more organized in years past, the lack of responsibility shown by current, and former students is disappointing to say the least. There are many options that can be pursued instead of throwing random boxes into storage, which looks a lot more like a dumpster than a generous space for students to store items they can’t take home. While our student body should avoid having an outrageous amount of stuff, throwing random boxes of recyclable and donatable material is not the answer in solving the storage problem at TWU. Our student body is made up of adults who need to make adult decisions. If you are local, grab your stuff, and be responsible for the mess that has been made in our storage rooms. If you are not local, please email Student Life for more information on how to retrieve what you have left in the storage rooms at TWU.

ARTS & CULTURE

BECOMING BODY NEUTRAL ANONYMOUS

I have always had an issue with the body positivity movement, and that is because I have spent too much time hating the way that I look.

take in images, we rate images, and we are bombarded with ideals that are impractical and shallow.

When I was in the eighth grade, a friend once told me: “you know, you could be the hottest girl in school if you only tried.”

The human body is incredible, yet the sad fact remains that many people feel betrayed by their bodies, and the body positivity movement does not fix these issues. My mother has a degenerative illness, one that has radically impacted her lived experience: she does not look like she once did, she is no longer able to perform basic tasks as she did prior to her illness, and, objectively speaking, she is a very different person than she was 10 years ago. In the midst of all these changes, there are two things that have not changed––her endless joy, and knowledge that she is incredibly beautiful and valuable. This is not the result of her celebrating her body’s appearance; rather, it comes from something much deeper than that and it is this mindset that encapsulated body neutrality.

Needless to say, I did not love high school. That statement––which I have yet to determine if it was meant as a compliment or insult––is a product of the society we are living in. We are bombarded with a multiplicity of body-centric messages every single day. When my friend posed me the challenge of putting more effort into my appearance, I knew what she was implying: I was to lose some weight and start wearing makeup. Thankfully I have always been quite stubborn, so I did not listen to my “friend’s” recommendations.

We spend so much time curating a perfect version of ourselves to present to the world, both in-person and through the use of social media. We are constantly being presented with decisions: what to buy, what to wear, how to act, what to believe. There are so many options being presented to us that we can lose ourselves in the process. One trend that has gained popularity over the years is the body positivity movement. In its essence, the body positivity movement aims to celebrate bodies that do not fit the stereotypical beauty standards. The heart of this movement is good: its ethos is to celebrate your body as beautiful, regardless of whether or not it meets conventional Western beauty standards. The movement arose out of people speaking up about their lived experience of being looked down upon because of their size. For many years, I let myself believe these lies as well, thinking that somehow being skinnier would help me to obtain a whole new lease on life. I have since come to realize this is false. However, I have also come to realize that body positivity is not the answer––at least not to the questions I have.

This kind of body neutrality serves to neutralize the issues raised by toxic body positivity and instead turns the focus away from how we look. Christine Wincentaylo, a writer from The Female Lead, defines it this way: “Essentially, body neutrality aims to encourage you to accept the body you are in and focus on its achievements, rather than its appearance.” Going back to the situation my mother finds herself in, instead of looking at everything she is no longer able to do, she can focus on her achievements. For example, her last MRI showed no new lesions in her brain––that is a huge win, a miracle even. She may not be able to run a mile but she walked to the vehicle without her cane––another win! Here is a radical thought: what if who we are had nothing to do with what we look like at all? And another one––what might it look like to truly and authentically love yourself without loving every aspect of how you look? These are ideas I have been pondering lately and it has had radical implications for how I view myself and how I live my life. If I claim to believe that I am infinitely valuable, being made in the image and likeness of God, then the way I view myself should reflect what I claim to believe.

When the body positivity movement started gaining traction I felt more than ever before that I had to justify the way that I looked. I saw people similar to my size posting on social media of themselves wearing swimsuits, scantily-clad outfits, or eating different foods, and talking about the body positivity movement. I felt like I could not post anything remotely revealing without having to caption it with how much I loved my body, curves and all. The body positivity movement, at times, could be suffocating. It made me feel like there was something wrong with me because I was not content with my appearance. There is still a part of me that struggles with that to this day. In all honesty, I still do not love how I look. But I love who I am, who I am becoming, and how God has used me throughout my life. We live in a society that has done a great job of quantifying human value. We rate people’s appearance on a scale from 1-10, we collect likes on Instagram posts, views on a story, and shares for a page. We

It is easy to fixate on our appearance, for we are faced with it every day in the mirror. However, I challenge you to be self-reflective here and ask yourself the following questions without thinking about your physical appearance in your responses. What sets me apart? What is my greatest accomplishment? What is something people admire about me? What does my body enable me to do particularly well? And lastly, who am I becoming?

THE ENIGMA OF I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS EMMETT HANLEY

Content Warning: Spoilers Ahead! Snow falls on a dreary drive through rural America, where a young woman sits in the passenger’s seat of her boyfriend’s car on her way to meet his parents for the first time. We hear her thoughts, contemplative yet contradictory, as she considers her place in the world, her relationship to the man driving the vehicle, and whether her life is worth living. Repeatedly, her mind drifts back to the same phrase: “I’m thinking of ending things.”

has grown old. He feels as if he missed every chance and never had the courage to live the life he wanted. Because of this, he resents himself very deeply. He loses himself in this imperfect invention in order to distract from the hopelessness he feels and the intrusive negative thoughts he suffers from, up until the end of the film where he finally confronts his own imagination and either gives in or carries on, depending on how one wishes to interpret the ambiguous climax.

This is the premise for a 2020 Netflix original released on September 4, which was written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Charlie Kaufman. Adapted from a book of the same name by Canadian author Iain Reid, the film was met with what can only be described as confusion upon its initial viewings. On a first glance, I’m Thinking of Ending Things appears to be a mishmash of conflicting ideas and is pretentious to a fault. Much of the visual language is abstract and surreal. Without context, the film comes across as a horror movie–– disorienting at best and deeply disturbing at worst. Yet, when one takes a moment to peel back the layers and spends time to deconstruct the narrative, a haunting truth is discovered that recontextualizes the entire sequence of events. This is a film that benefits greatly from repeated viewings, with each subsequent watch evoking new revelations within this emotionally resonant meditation on the nature of life. It is simultaneously beautifully compassionate, and heartbreakingly bleak. The current prevailing interpretation is that the entire story takes place in the mind of a character who appears at the outset to be completely removed from the main plot. This film is essentially the daydream of an elderly high-school janitor (played by Guy Boyd) who feels as though he has wasted his life. He is imagining his younger self (Jesse Plemons) bringing home an idealized partner (Jessie Buckley) to meet his parents, and every word that comes out of any character’s mouth is either his own train of thought or his perception of another person he came across in his life. Several clues allude to the fact that all of these characters are merely facets of the same person––even down to the similar names of the two lead actors. As the film goes on, multiple moments occur where the lines between the old man and the young man seem to blur, as one actor will momentarily be replaced with the other during blink-and-you-miss-it cuts. Meanwhile, the young woman is merely a conjured image in his mind, and as it is revealed towards the end of the film, she is simply someone he saw across the bar one day and did not have the courage to speak to. Everything she says stems from his fantasies, yet her demeanor and inner thought process indicates the disgust he believes she would actually feel towards him. In reality, the janitor

While this film is ultimately about one soul’s loneliness and self-loathing, I do not find watching it to be a miserable experience. I contend that I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a profoundly empathetic work of art that explores heavily stigmatized subject matter with both care and brutal honesty. It by no means glorifies suicide or self-harm, but instead presents an intimate look at a life and why someone could end up feeling despair. Ultimately, it helps to bring a deep understanding of the lives of people who we would never realize were struggling, and how our culture can lead people into those feelings.

CLOCKED INTO CLIMATE NEUTRALITY CARTER SAWATZKY

How much longer can we afford to stay neutral towards the ongoing climate crisis? Answers may vary depending on who you ask. According to the Climate Clock at the time of its New York unveiling on September 19th at 3 p.m., however, there are less than 7 years, 103 days, 15 hours, 24 minutes, and 11 seconds until the earth would be irreversibly damaged.

take swift action to keep warming under the much-talked about 1.5°C threshold; the deadline is based on information from the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change which created a “Carbon Clock” founded off data from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The second––and more hopeful––number shown in green on the Climate Clock tracks the growing percent of the world’s energy currently supplied from renewable sources. This is the lifeline of the countdown fixture. In short, we need to get our lifeline to 100 percent before our deadline reaches 0. The Climate Clock represents a revolutionary new way to measure climate change and the journey towards climate neutrality. By speaking in a language we already are familiar with and connecting temperature with time, Golan and Boyd’s project grounds the ecological crisis narrative in a fresh, accessible way. The Climate Clock does not care about your aversion to discuss eco-issues, or your distaste for the Green Party. The Climate Clock does not tell you to recycle or go vegan to save the environment. The Climate Clock merely announces that Earth has an urgent deadline to make the necessary changes before untold climate horrors are baked into our future. The clock continues to tick.

This public stunt was long in the making. Since the creation of the Climate Clock in 2015, co-creators and passionate environmentalists Gan Goland and Andrew Boyd have been looking for prominent venues to spread awareness of the science-backed earth deadline. They found their first supporter in the infamous Swedish climate activist and iconic hell-raiser, Greta Thunberg, who custom-ordered the first portable Climate Clock which she continues to carry around with her to this day. The co-creators’ aim for their one-of-a-kind project is to synchronize everyone onto what Boyd calls “the most important number in the world.” In designing the Climate Clock, they took cues from other major countdown clocks including the National Debt Clock in the United States and the Doomsday Clock.

Although the clock was only displayed in New York from September 19 until September 27, the co-creators are hoping to arrange for it to be permanently displayed either there or at another highly-visible location. On the Climate Clock website (ClimateClock.world), supporters are encouraged to DIY their own countdown, which they say can be made with several inexpensive electronics. Is it about time for TWU to get its own Climate Clock?

The eerie countdown shows two numbers. The red number shows how long it will take, at current rates of emission, to exhaust the earth’s carbon budget. This is the deadline that tells the time we have left to

THE 11:07 SHOW: IMPROV GONE VIRAL BRAEDON GROVER SUNNES

When I saw 11:07 during my Preview Weekend in March, 2017, I never imagined the impact this one-hour show would have on me for so long. Then again, I doubt anyone could have imagined how much this spring would impact all of us. Leaving school in the spring, Nyssa Morgan and I were set up to be this year’s 11:07 Improv coordinators, and neither of us knew what that meant heading into a summer of uncertainty. As summer came and went, there was little talk of what the plan was, since one could not be decided until the SAMC Theatre faculty knew how we could run shows. Extraordinary circumstances called for an extraordinary idea. Between quarantine and the first day of class, Nyssa and I ventured through a list of all the possibilities. Everything between live outdoor-chapel shows to having a two-person sketch show like Saturday Night Live was considered. After one or two more heated brainstorming sessions, we knew our priorities aligned with wanting to keep 11:07 on the Trinity Western University (TWU) radar, so that a show of 35 years would not fade from the campus culture. We also enjoy being relevant. The result of all this planning led to a new 11:07 platform: The 11:07 Show, an online and pre-recorded comedy special with access for anyone to watch, laugh, even participate in its making. With just over two weeks left to plan for our first show, Nyssa and I gathered the old cast and crew to present some of our finest ideas. We were excited for this new platform, but the workload seemed to

double in light of planning, filming, and editing. With such short notice and limited resources, there was only so much we could accomplish. Yet our desire for a well-made show and the pressure of audience anticipation pushed us through a stressful week.

As our first show went live on Facebook and Instagram on Friday, September 25 at 11:07 p.m., there was an overwhelming sense of relief and joy that this brainchild we created was funny, enjoyable, and as “stupid” as TWU student Sam Corbett thinks it is. With the legacy 11:07 has created over the three decades it has been at TWU, we sincerely hope that this renewed show we have brought to your fingertips will hold a similar stake in the online world our school has become, and continue to bring campus together in laughing as hard as ever. The show must go on. And it must go viral!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: GEORGIA HENKLE WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS? I actually really look up to a lot of printmakers, especially Dave Kloc. Screen printing is a very difficult discipline, and he does it extremely well. His work is absolutely stunning to look at and whenever I see any of it I get super inspired to continue to make as much work as I can. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEDIUM? Such a tough question––it’s changing all the time! Right now I’m obsessed with 3D animation on the computer, but I also really love screenprinting and drawing with microns and markers; it practically changes month to month. I just love exploring new mediums when I can.

WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR AND YEAR? 3rd year Art + Design WHY DO YOU DO ART? Part of it is to de-stress, part of it is to express myself and fully process my thoughts, and part of it is because sometimes I just want to make things that are interesting to look at!

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO IN THE ART SCENES YOU ARE INVOLVED IN? At TWU, I honestly really look up to my fellow students. Every one of them is so creative and has such a unique artistic voice that it’s hard not to be inspired by all of them. My design professor, Josh Hale, and my intermedia professor, Erica Grimm, have also taught me so much about creativity and trusting the process when it comes to making art.

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED AN ARTIST AWAKENING? TELL ME ABOUT IT. Definitely when I made my intermedia installation last fall! The piece was all about how keeping secrets from the ones closest to you only makes you less human, because to be fully human is to be fully known. I really didn’t realize how close the piece was to me––I initially just thought it was an interesting concept. Around 4:00 a.m., right before it was due, I was finishing up the sound aspect of the installation when it hit me how much I had been thinking about this subject subconsciously. Because I had been processing the topic that whole semester, it made it a lot easier to make work from the heart, rather than feeling like I was trying to make a visually appealing piece with an arbitrary meaning in order to fit into the art world. That experience has kind of carried over into my work since then, and even has influenced the way I think about the world as well which is really awesome. WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR ART? In Mars’ Hill, on my Instagram @ghenkle.art, or my website at https://ghenkleart.myportfolio.com! I’m slowly uploading snippets of my work to Instagram, but if you want to see more in-depth photos and commentary of the process work, the website has pretty much everything.

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: SOPHIA BELSHER HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY AND THE RUGBY PROGRAM? I saw it on Instagram at first and thought it was a joke but I texted my friend and she said that it wasn’t. I did more research on it and found out that it was actually real. I transferred from UFV (University of the Fraser Valley) to TWU (Trinity Western University) because I never had the opportunity to implement my faith into my sport. It was also a new program and so I found it to be a unique leadership opportunity that doesn’t come across often.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH RUGBY? I started in grade seven and it was because my brothers were playing and that made me want to play. It got more competitive in grade ten. I was playing soccer before but that’s when I made the switch over to full time rugby and then it got more full-time and competitive.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST RUGBY-RELATED ACCOMPLISHMENT? I guess taking a chance with the TWU team. I didn’t take rugby that seriously at UFV and to go to four practices and four lifts a week was a lot. Also I found it as a challenge to play for a program that hasn’t existed before. I knew that there were lots of bumps that were going to have to be smoothed over in the first year or two. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A SPARTAN? I have never really self identified as a “Spartan”, maybe that’s because I’m a transfer student. I guess I am one, so for me it’s to integrate faith into being a student-athlete,

but I’ve never given it much thought. I don’t want it to appear as if my identity rests in sport. I want my identity to be found in God. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE ATHLETE GROWING UP AND WHY? The year above me was very talented, and I looked up those players because of their talent. HOW HAS COVID AFFECTED THE SOCCER SEASON AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ADAPT TO IT? We find out next week whether or not we’ll have a season, but my guess is that we’ll be cancelled. I see it as a great opportunity for a second year program to really develop our skills for next season. I think we’ll be able to get in a couple of exhibition games as well. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS THIS YEAR AS A STUDENT AND ATHLETE? Just to increase my GPA and be studious and to invest into the girls on the team more so than last year. I think this can look like being a person that the girls can come to and talk about different things. I hope I can show them God’s love by loving them. DO YOU PLAY ANY OTHER SPORTS? I played soccer and I also skateboard a lot.

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE: IN A POLARIZED WORLD

POLITICAL CENTR

EMMA DYKSTRA The U.S. Presidential debate was painful to watch, no matter who you’re voting for. Between yelling, interruptions, and one candidate telling another to “...just shut up,” the whole thing was difficult to stomach. Red and blue have never been such different colours, so opposite in policy and party. But America is not alone in its quest for some unanimity between its two prominent candidates. Canada has had its share of division as well. New Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leader Erin O’Toole has stated that Canada is “...more divided than ever.” Whether or not this is true, it cannot be denied that our world seems to be like a rubber band, which is being pulled into different directions just waiting to snap. Society has told us that we must pick a side. You cannot be a Democrat and admit you think Donald Trump has good fiscal policy even though you might disagree with his social values. You cannot be a Conservative and say you think that Justin Trudeau has good social policies, even if you think his fiscal policies are bad. There is an ideology for groups who feel like they are the rubber band, feeling like they’ll snap if they don’t commit to one party or political figure. If that’s you, you might be a political centrist. What is political centrism? To get a better understanding on the subject, I reached out to Dr. Grant Havers. Dr. Havers is the Chair of the Department of Philosophy with a cross-appointment in Political Studies at Trinity Western University (TWU). He defined political centrism as “...in basic terms, the centre that exists between the Left and the Right. Specifically, it is a synthesis of ideas that herald from both sides of the political spectrum.” Political centrists are often quiet, as they are typically labeled with the “sitting on the fence” colloquialism when they refrain from committing to an idea or party. “In principle, centrists try to avoid an inflexible or dogmatic commitment to one ideology (left or right) that does not address the political, social, and economic challenges of the day,” Dr. Havers states. “Centrists would likely pride themselves on being moderate and practical, and deny the charge of ‘sitting on the fence’ if that means a lack of principle or resolve.” It is easy to see why these people are not welcome in either camp when looking at Western politics, more so keep quiet when asked what their political beliefs are. However, the real problem does not lie within the people within the camps of ideas, but rather in the political labels society has given them. The reality is that the CPC is not as far right as you think, and the same could be said about the Democrats and how far left they are in society’s narrative. Dr. Havers believes the problem also lies in the fact that these political labels of left and right have been constantly changing throughout history. “Back in the 1990s, Donald Trump would have been called a “centrist” Democrat (in fact, he probably was at the time), given his support for trade protectionism, stricter border controls, and limits on immigration,” Dr. Havers said. “Today, these policies place him on the ‘far right’ of

the political spectrum. Most voters in Canadian and American democracies lack sufficient knowledge of political history that would help them recognize just how much political labels have been radically reinvented.” The labels society has given to left and right have become over simplified. With these confusing and over thought definitions, it may seem like there is no place for centrism in the current political world. There is a way to make it work. However, it is not an easy task. “In order for centrism to work, there has to be substantial common ground between political parties without falling into the trap of erasing differences altogether,” says Dr. Havers. “The political centre is quickly vanishing in American politics, in light of the fact that the Democrats and the Republicans refuse to work together to forge policies with bipartisan support. The grassroots of both parties also support this polarization. With apologies to W. B. Yeats, the center cannot hold because many voters on the left and the right suspect that ‘centrism’ is not an equal synthesis of ideas from the left and the right. Many voters on the right are furious with conservative parties for surrendering to leftist views in the name of ‘moderation.’ For example, the Conservative Party [of Canada] here is trying to distance itself from its social conservative base in order to appear more ‘mainstream.’ In the process, the party is in danger of becoming merely an echo of the Liberal Party, not a clear alternative.” Those issues belong to the parties themselves. Where the real power lies is in the people and the way they subscribe to what parties might tell them. Political centrists are frequently labeled as people who can’t pick a side. However, it is this writer’s opinion that political centrists de-

RISM

COLUMN: TWUSA THE TWU LIFE APP, STUDENT FEE, AND MORE TWUSA BUSINESS

DANY LOMBARDO, TWUSA PRESIDENT 2020-2021 I have been getting the question—how is TWUSA going? And the answer to that question is: great! Despite the uncertainty, added workload and constrained budget, our team is offering more services and opportunities for involvement than ever. Let me explain. This summer, our team decided to work over the summer in order to be fully operational by the fall. This was not an easy choice. Most of us worked multiple jobs over the summer and had to balance many different things at the same time. However, the work paid off. By being able to work over the summer we had the time and resources to decide multiple things, among them the fee.

serve more credit. The ability to look at different ideologies and policies objectively is becoming a lost art at the expense of being seen as a team player. The tricky part of being a true centrist is holding an equal balance of ideas. Dr. Havers warns that the omission of centrism in politics is a sign of a democracy losing its values. He says, “In Canada and the United States, politicians across the spectrum often berate each other and even citizens for holding ‘un-Canadian’ and ‘un-American’ values, respectively. As Noam Chomsky has observed, totalitarian regimes usually employ this language in order to marginalize or suppress dissent. Sadly, this tendency has migrated to liberal democracies as well. If the state can define what counts as a legitimate value or what stands for ‘centrism,’ this does not bode well for the survival of freedom.” While we live in an extremely polarized age, it is unfair to criticize people who can see both sides of an issue. Ideas, policies, and politicians should not have to be painted red or blue. Some ideas are better than others. If you agree with a Liberal idea or a Republican idea, that does not mean you align with either party. As a voter, you are entitled to look at a situation objectively without feeling the need to sell your soul to a specific ideology. Of course at the end of the day, you must pick a party to vote for. It will be the party that shares most of your beliefs, but that doesn’t mean it will share all of them. Being a true or even a partial centrist is the very definition of democracy. Mutual respect and understanding can heal the wound of extreme partisan division. We should celebrate and be conscious of our differences, but not let them tear us apart as nations. It is simply not worth it. As Abraham Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Our Vice President of Finance, Jada Wiebe, prepared for three possible outcomes: a 15 percent, 30 percent and 50 percent decrease in revenue. Making these calculations allowed us to be prepared for multiple scenarios. We then proceeded to evaluate how to lower the fee. Our TWUSA team kept in mind that the decision we would take this year would affect current and future students and TWUSA councils. We learned that, for every $5 we decrease the fee, we would lose over $15,000 from our budget. This would mean that we would have to significantly reduce or cut our services, events, this newspaper (Mars’ Hill) and the yearbook (Pillar). In addition, future TWUSA teams would still have to serve more students with fewer resources. Instead of reducing the fee and, as a result, limiting what TWUSA offers, we decided to make the TWUSA fee worth its value. Our TWUSA survey, which had over 500 respondents, allowed us to see three main needs coming into this year: connection, communication and community. We reviewed our budget and brainstormed ways TWUSA could help all students in these areas. The Editor-in-Chief of Mars’ Hill, Tyler Jones, had mentioned the idea of using mobile applications for our departments. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to be in a cross-departmental task force, The Virtual Campus Experience, led by Student Life and the IT department. In our meetings I learned that the taskforce had decided not to pursue an app for the fall due to time and budget constraints. Taking these things into consideration, a mobile application seemed like the most cost-effective solution in providing a tangible service to students that addressed community, connection and communication. As reference, our printing costs last year were double the cost of the app.

partment agreed to support us and divide the cost. In order to execute this project, we created a new leadership position: the Director of Technology. This is the first official computer science student leadership position at TWU. Why an app? Currently, communication is done through a combination of emails, websites and a great number of social media accounts. However, students who do not check their email regularly, are unfamiliar with the TWU website, or do not go on social media much, often miss out on important information. The TWU Life App seeks to simplify and gather information in one place. From services to events, chapel, podcasts and more, the app incorporates all the different opportunities students have for involvement. Our goal is for the TWU Life App to be the social connection point for the student body. This is not just an app from TWUSA, but an app created by students for all students. We are in constant communication with TWU’s Richmond campus, the TWU Graduate Student Association (TWUGSA) and other student leader groups to collaborate and leverage the app to their benefit. If you are a student leader, the app is here to help you. Contact us to see how you can advertise your event or group on the app. In sum, the purpose of the app is to provide equal opportunities for involvement to students unable to attend in-person classes or live on campus. I have many hopes with this project. The first is that future TWUSA teams and students can build upon this initiative and use it to serve the needs of the school. The second, is a stronger sense of community, especially during this time. The final one is to get your support. We, like you, are students looking to help and improve our school. But none of this will be effective without your support. While the app has many things, there is still quite enough room for growth and innovation, and we are open to your feedback! TWUSA’s mission statement establishes that we are here to promote a maturing and active commitment to Jesus Christ among our members; challenging one another spiritually, socially, and intellectually; providing individuals with opportunities for involvement while positively impacting the life of the University and the community at large. We believe the app is one way we further our mission, and enhance your experience at TWU.

After multiple meetings, we managed to convince various stakeholders that TWUSA could run an app. Thankfully, Trinity Western University (TWU)’s Marketing de-

OPINIONS NEUTRALITY OR APATHY—YOU DECIDE MONICA RAWLEK ELIZONDO

Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but not everyone has the right to my opinion.

you believe, defending why you find that to be the case, and recommending why others should reach the same conclusion as you.

(And the fact that this is in the Opinions section is incredibly ironic, but now that this has been addressed, let’s get started.)

As I have progressed in my studies, though, I am faced with the wisdom of Socrates and his famous statement: “the only thing I know is that I know nothing.” For every new thing I learn, there are countless other things I know nothing about. I may be able to articulate an opinion for a variety of different issues, but unless I know why I believe what I believe, that opinion will amount to nothing.

The preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights makes the following acknowledgement: “Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people.” Many wars have been waged in the fight for freedom of speech, but what does this freedom mean for us today? These are certainly turbulent times: politically, economically, socially, and in other fashions as well. We all have a voice, one that can be used for good or for harm, and we must steward this responsibility well. In an age of social movements, we are faced with a multitude of issues—each calling for action and asking us to pick a side. Can we be neutral in the face of social change? Or is apathy the greatest roadblock for real change to occur? Neutrality: the quality or state of being neutral Neutral: not engaged on either side I am in my final year as a Philosophy student, so essentially that means I have spent the last four years at Trinity Western University (TWU) thinking. We discuss issues such as the nature of knowledge, suffering and belief in God, and whether or not objective moral truth exists, just to name a few highlights. A lot of philosophy is figuring out what

When there are pressing issues and major calls for social change, it is our responsibility to not blindly pick a side, share a post, or ask for donations. Until you figure it out, it is okay to have a neutral stance––but do not stay there. If you do not know enough about something, talk to people who do, conduct research, and find reliable sources and information from all sides of an argument. Apathy: lack of interest or concern When faced with the challenge to think deeply about why we believe what we believe, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of apathy. Whether it be climate change, the Black Lives Matter movement, or COVID-19, many things demand not only our attention, but our action as well. You can choose not to speak during heated discussions if you are not sure where you land, but under the caveat that you figure it out. It will always be easier to do nothing, but doing nothing will not lead you anywhere. Will you sit idly by as the world around you changes or will you figure out what you believe and act in accordance with those beliefs? This may be where the discussion starts, but know that learning is a lifelong process. Take your beliefs and challenge them, ask questions, and be proactive. Know that it is okay to be wrong, and give yourself grace as you continue your journey.

PINK TAX: HOW MISOGYNY AFFECTS THE ECONOMY

LIV WALTON

On Walmart.com a pack of 4 men’s Gillette razors costs $5.97 USD. The same brand also sells women’s razors under the name Venus-Gillette. However, the women’s razors come in packs of two and sell for a dollar more at $6.97 USD. So what is the difference between the men’s razors versus the women’s; what do the women’s razors have that is worth spending a dollar more? They have pink and purple handles. The price difference shown between these two packages of razors is the perfect example of the Pink Tax.

Oftentimes, environments that are traditionally male-dominated are also prejudiced towards women. Places like car service shops and hardware stores can be examples of how misogyny affects the economy. When misogyny becomes a marketing tactic, people who do not identify as male are pushed to the margins. This is damaging; not only to the people it affects but also to the progress society has made towards gender equality. Even with decades of women’s marches, rallies, and political debates, sexism in marketing is being dismissed.

What is the Pink Tax? The Pink tax is when products, with no obvious difference other than the fact they are marketed towards women, cost more than the same products that are marketed towards men. This practice is most clearly seen in the aisles of your average superstore. Essential items like deodorant, toothbrushes, medications and razors cost more when they are pink and come in “feminine packaging.” However, these examples are not the only place where the Pink Tax is evident. According to Turbo.intuit.com, the Pink Tax also affects the rates of women’s mortgages, car loans and other services. If you are a woman or feminine presenting person, you may have experienced this unfortunate reality in certain places.

Unfortunately, due to the polarization of men’s and women’s products, even gender neutral products are more expensive than men’s products. BIC released an Amazon exclusive razor called, Made for YOU that comes with a reusable handle, eight blades, and sells for $7.99. While the ethics of this product do seem better, this is still a product that discriminates against marginalized people because of its high cost. The Pink Tax has created a domino effect in gender neutral products that pushes people who are already in the margins— such as single moms, Black women, homeless people etc.—into further marginalization. It is this practice that shows backwards steps are being taken in the fight for equality amongst human beings and it’s consumers are watching it take place.

NEUTRALITY OF LIFE ALICE JUN

When you think of life, there could be several images that come to mind. It could be a child in a line across from the carousels. It could be an image of someone successful in a magazine. It could even be a patient who is battling cancer and enduring day by day. Or It could be a person experiencing mental illness, who may not see the light at the end of the tunnel. These examples of life leave us asking the question: is life a pinnacle of joy, or is it a dreary abyss? Perhaps it is right when Ridley Scott says “life isn’t black and white. It’s a million grey areas.” Life is neutral––it is a saturation of the good and the bad, right and wrong. The world is simple and yet so complicated. The sum of knowledge, the polarity of opinions and the opposing dynamics of people’s experiences are blended into one concept of neutrality. Neutrality is everywhere within life. One example of neutrality in life can be a cheap burger at a fast food restaurant. While this meal can be seen as a threat to health from some perspectives, it may be able to feed low-income families who cannot afford to pay for a different meal. Some people will criticize the food chains, while others appreciate the existence of the store. What may be good for one individual might be bad for others, and vice versa.

Additionally, what may be a problem to some may be a solution for others. Pro-life may be a right stand because a fetus in the uterus has life and thus requires protection. However, in another case, abortion may be also considered as a right choice in consideration of the person giving birth. For instance, the person giving birth could be at risk of death due to pregnancy. In this case, what may seem like two polar opposite perspectives may be neutral through common ground, as both sets of beliefs hope to protect human lives. Knowledge is another example of the neutrality of life. Some people may praise the knowledge of natural sciences, while others praise the knowledge of liberal arts. The presence of the two sectors of knowledge, on different ends of a spectrum, produces a balanced society and benefits people in a structurally harmonious way. The natural sciences enhance human health and the infrastructure of the world, whereas liberal arts enrich human rights and interpersonal communication. The totality of knowledge takes a neutrally proportioned social structure from the individual to the communal scale. Finally, neutrality allows the existence of the cosmos. Neutrality in life is not only a blend of black and white, but red and blue, purple and yellow. Furthermore, neutrality is the mixture of the spectrums of life. Life is neutral and neutrality in life is the vast hue of white light that includes all the luminous shades of colours in the world.

LIFE IN A SECRETLY HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT ANONYMOUS

It will be hard for me to forget the first time I realized that no matter what I do, I will never be fully accepted at the company I have spent the past three years with. The company I work for is not explicitly Christian, but it is heavily affiliated with one of the churches in town. This church and its pastor have an international reputation for incendiary teachings and events. The most telling example of this is how the pastor first came to notoriety for co-authoring a book in which he argued that Christians may justifiably own slaves. I knew none of this when I was hired.

outside of their in-group. The majority of this company goes to the same church. They attended the same school and graduated from the same college. They attend the same anti-mask protests. In such a hegemonic group, they do not view anything they believe as too controversial, since they are under the impression that everyone around them is in alignment with their belief system.

When my state announced a stay-home order, the executives decided to hold a company-wide Zoom prayer meeting for those affected by the pandemic. Leaders in the company took turns offering prayers for healing of the sick, wisdom for political leaders, and hope for the unsure. I, still a Christian at the time, tuned in from the basement of my parent’s home, grateful to be at a company where corporate prayer is possible. However, my attitude changed quickly when one of the leaders opened his prayer with gratitude to God that this pandemic would give us a chance to “repent of the abomination of homosexuality, the butchering of babies in the womb, and the confusion of the natural order between men and women.” I sat in shock as the prayer continued, and watched dejectedly as the prayer chain simply moved on to the next person, without any comment or resistance from anyone else on the call. I am bisexual. The company does not know this, and this incident has ensured that they never will. I am confident that there are others like me working here, but none feel safe to reveal themselves and risk backlash from higher-ups. Hearing those words said, and seeing them go unchallenged, made it abundantly clear that no matter how much I work, no matter how much of my heart and soul I pour into doing the work that I love, I will always be an abomination to these people if they found out who I am. I am not here to share a sob story about how hard my life has been since leaving Trinity Western University (TWU). I was under no delusion when I left Canada to live in a state that has voted Republican in every election since 1964. This is not a place where people like me (or my Black brother) are made to feel welcome. My intention is to point out that what privileged people in hegemonic spaces see as neutrality is often marked with hostility for people

When such a hegemony exists, everyone else no longer feels safe to openly express what they believe or even who they are. If I were to be open about my sexuality, I would cause trouble and break up workplace cohesion. If I explained that I believe doctors when they say we should wear masks, I would be “starting arguments” and making the environment difficult. Consider this a challenge to embrace an ethic of radical inclusivity. Actively look for ways to make your clubs, friend groups, and workplaces open and welcoming to everyone, especially to underprivileged groups for whom feeling welcome is so rare. Until recently, there was a woman working in my office who we will call Meredith. I never worked with her, but every time I walked by her office, I saw a miniature Pride flag sitting on her desk. Just knowing that there was one person in the office who accepted people like me was enough to get me through the worst days. Be Meredith as much as you can. Actively seek out the unwelcomed and welcome them.

SPORTS

IT’S NOT ALWAYS BLACK AND WHITE: THE MOST THANKLESS JOB IN SPORTS LUKE RATTRAY

Sports are one of the most polarizing pillars of culture. No matter how neutral one tries to stay throughout a match, one will always find themselves leaning toward a particular individual or team. Needless to say, being a neutral fan in sports is like the Washington Wizards winning an NBA championship next year–– it is impossible.

The exception, however, is that there is an individual in sports that must remain consistently neutral, unbiased, and fair: the referee. The referee is easily one of the most important figures in sports. Without them, every game would be utter chaos: no fouls, no penalties, no rules-- every person for themselves. The referee establishes law and order in every game that they facilitate, trying to make it as equal for the two parties competing against each other as they can. A referee must have an extensive knowledge of the game, almost flawless decision making, and the ability to perform under pressure. This role carries an incredible amount of responsibility and pressure. If the referee makes a bad call, it is immediately met with thousands of booing, cursing, and yelling voices. No matter what decision is made, one

side will always leave unhappy. Despite the occasional controversial call, it is important to recognize how often referees make the correct call. Referees must have an incredible eye as they are making crucial decisions throughout a game. When looking at the English Premier League (EPL), the top soccer league in England, referees made about 245 decisions every 90 minute match according to a Sky Sports article written in 2018. The Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMO), the organization that is responsible for the officials of the EPL, estimates that referees make about five errors per match. This amounts to about a success rate of 98 percent. The NBA, which has seen corrupt officiating in the past 20 years, can be considered as another example. Ben Dowsett, in a 2019 Forbes article, suggests that even though there is tension between the players and referees, the officials still operate between a 93 and 95 percent success rate. However, with this, there will still be a few calls missed, that at times can ultimately decide the fate of a game. One prominent example of a specific call shaping the landscape of the game occurred in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks. At the buzzer, Giannis Antetokounmpo fouled Heat forward Jimmy Butler during a tie game. This foul sent Butler to the free throw line, where he buried both, making it possible for the Heat to capture the game, the series, and eventually, the conference. This is just one example of how refereeing can change a game. There have been recent additions to the world of officiating, such as implementing coaches challenges in the NHL, which was introduced in the 2015-2016 season. This same implementation was introduced to the NBA this season. Another big step forward was the introduction of the VAR (video assistant referee) in top soccer leagues around the world in 2018. By ideas like these being introduced to sport, it aids in making the game more transparent for fans. With officiating being one of the most thankless jobs in sport, it is the hope that, through being able to see what the referee sees, fans will finally give them the much deserved appreciation.

BIG MARKET TAKE LITTLE MARKET LUKE RATTRAY

Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia: these cities are home to some of the biggest markets in the NBA. Recently, there has been a pattern of incredible players moving on from a smaller market team to one of the bigger markets. A few examples include: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, and Anthony Davis. All of these players, except for Davis and Leonard, moved on to bigger markets through the process of free agency. Davis and Leonard, however, were traded from a smaller market to a bigger market. Players will go so far into wanting out from their current predicament that they will often advertise it for the world to see. In one of the most prominent examples, Davis, who publicly requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans, was fined $50 thousand USD, causing him to react by wearing a shirt that quoted the famous cartoon, Looney Tunes, reading “That’s All Folks!” during his final game as a New Orleans Pelican. Situations like this one have occurred on more than just one occasion. We have seen players, coaches, and owners be fined $50 thousand USD for tampering with players. Free agency is one of the most interesting times in the NBA off season, especially now as big time players are signing to big market teams. The pattern has always remained the same: big market teams stay winning. There is no denying that the big markets are deserving of their title due to their being some of the most populous cities, having a rich team history, a high fan base, and their tendency to be popular tourist cities. For example, if I was an NBA player, I would much rather play in a city like Miami than for a team in Minnesota (no offense to those from Minnesota). A big part of why it is extremely difficult for small market teams to be successful in the NBA has to do with the quality of players on the team. Big time free agents will most likely never sign with a small market team, often because those teams do not have the assets necessary to build around that star player. A famous example of this was LeBron James’ first stint with the Cavaliers, where the second best player on

those teams was one-time All-Star Mo Williams. Even though small markets draft big time players, they will often leave if those players do not see a change. Just ask Anthony Davis, Kemba Walker, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. Despite this, small market teams have made it big before, though it is an extremely rare feat. One of the best examples of this feat is the San Antonio Spurs. They have gone on to win five NBA championships out of six appearances in the NBA finals, all while making the playoffs in 22 consecutive seasons. One of the key reasons for this was their ability to keep the biggest players on the team. It also helped that the Spurs drafted almost all of their best players throughout that time, with the likes of David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard (they traded for him immediately after he was drafted). San Antonio established a dynasty that spanned over 20 years, having won at least 50 games in 19 of those seasons. Not only did they have short-term success in winning championships, but also had longevity and consistency-- a testament to the players and how the organization was run as a whole. In today’s NBA, there is a “win now” mentality, and with that players are willing to sacrifice loyalty if it means winning. This has been a consistent theme in the NBA and it seems that it is extremely difficult to break this mould. Arguably, there seems to be a sense of inequality amongst the two markets in the NBA. Perhaps if the small markets want to have more of a chance of attracting better players and growing their teams into winning teams, there needs to be some change to how the league treats both sides of the coin. Maybe the salary cap could be changed; maybe the luxury tax rate should be higher for the bigger markets. Either way, in the NBA, if you no longer want to be on your team, just wear a shirt while saying that Los Angeles is one of your favourite cities.

COLUMN: TAKE OF THE ISSUE MORE TO COME FROM THE NUGGETS TYLER JONES

In the midst of the strange circumstances cast by COVID-19, fans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have been able to experience an amazing return to the season. Electrifying performances by the NBA’s best teams and players have only affirmed the growing love for basketball that is being seen around the world. Of these electrifying performances, the Denver Nuggets stand out as one of the most exciting acts throughout the 2020 NBA playoffs. As many fans are aware, the Nuggets were able to accomplish a feat that had never been met in the history of the NBA. That being, the back-to-back 3-1 series deficits that were overcome against the Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Clippers. Yeah, good basketball teams. With the Nuggets recent playoff success being noted, what are some of the driving factors behind their team’s perception being altered? 1. Jamal Murray is an NBA superstar. As his teammate, Nikola Jokic, has been awarded the esteemed title of “superstar” prior to the 2019-2020 NBA season, Murray only received this recognition after his jaw-dropping performance in the 2020 playoffs. Murray, one of 23 active Canadian NBA players, affirmed himself as an incredible scorer, shot creator, and offensive weapon by averaging 26.5 points per game at an efficient rate of 50.5 percent from the field, and 45.3 percent from three-point range. Murray’s scoring rate did not only boost the offensive capability of the Nuggets, but allowed Jokic to carry less of the team’s offensive load himself. Murray’s success has been, and will be instrumental in the Nuggets’ success. 2. Standing at 6’10, Michael Porter Jr. has piqued the interest of many NBA fans as he couples his size with raw talent. While he struggles to find consistency, Michael Porter Jr. showed immense potential in his recent playoff debut. As Porter Jr. was limited to a bench role for the majority of the 2019-2020 NBA season, the

increased minutes and freedom provided by the Nuggets’ head coach, Michael Malone, provided more reasons to believe in his bright future. In the wake of Porter Jr.’s aforementioned, and expected inconsistent performances, it must be stressed that the incredible outbursts of scoring that he posted in the NBA’s return to play completely outweigh his flaws. Porter Jr. will continue to improve upon the successful foundation that has been built in his rookie season with the Nuggets. Be prepared for Porter Jr. to blossom into an even better scorer as it is incredibly rare that a player at Porter Jr.’s size can affirm themselves as a high-level shooter.

Although the Nuggets fell to a worthy opponent, the Los Angeles Lakers, in a five-game series on September 26, 2020, the hoops world remained enlightened to the talent that the Denver Nuggets will continue to bring in the coming years. The movement of strong-willed, young, and talented players sporting the Nuggets uniform is only creating conversation about the true ceiling of this organization. If things continue to go well for the Nuggets, the NBA may have a new dynasty on its hands.

HUMOUR

RIPSTIK VS. RAZOR BRAEDON GROVER SUNNES

Over the last year, students have been choosing their ride of choice: RipStiks, longboards, skateboards, you name it. A once peaceful land, populated with young men on their handlebar-less vehicles has been ravaged by the remote male dorms of North West with their loud, objectionable, handle-barred wheels of destruction. I am talking about RazorScooters. Javen Kay, resident metalworker and Northwest RA (Resident Assistant), is the source of these ankle-breakers, and a prime suspect for starting the conflict. In an exclusive interview, Kay said, “Yeah, I just got the scooters for free so I figured it would be awesome for my whole dorm to have them!” You hear that? “Free.” How detestable, a proven communist.

Those of us on continental Trinity Western University (TWU) ground respect the grind of delving deep into the Facebook Marketplace and Value Village shelves for our wheels, paying our hard earned CERB money, and shredding that fresh gnar TWU calls pavement. This is a declaration of war, Javen Kay, from the No-Handlebar Representative. I expect your response in the next paper or else you shall expect hellfire upon ye. RipStik Team Captain: Out.

BREAKING NEWS: PSLs CONSIDERED BASIC BECAUSE EVERYONE LOVES THEM EMMA DYKSTRA I haven’t ordered a pumpkin spiced latte yet this fall. And I’ve been to Starbucks eight separate times. I have a good reason, and it’s a reason I think we can all relate to: I’m scared to order a pumpkin spiced latte because I don’t want to get called basic. I know the barista won’t say it out loud, and I know my friends won’t say it out loud, but I know we will all think it simultaneously if I order one. Basic. But I’m not the only one. Pumpkin spiced lattes came into the world soaring in popularity. They wouldn’t be around if they weren’t so good. The drink originally came to be back in 2003 when Starbucks was testing for new winter flavours. In fact, the original recipe was tested and marketed right in Vancouver. It outsold the peppermint mocha and the eggnog latte for many years, and brings the company about $80 million each season. Since its launch, pumpkin spiced lattes can be found at almost every local coffee shop between late August and mid-November. We just can’t get enough of them.

And you know why they’re so popular? Do you know why PSLs are so “basic”? Because they’re honking delicious. Instead of roasting each other for enjoying basic things, why can’t we just accept that maybe things become mainstream because they’re amazing? Why can’t we just accept that a pumpkin spiced latte carries with it this warm cozy feeling that oozes all things autumn, like crunchy leaves and bonfires? What other caffeinated drink can so perfectly capture that feeling you feel for a limited two to three months? Nothing can. Nothing but the pumpkin spiced latte. So friend, you go and order that pumpkin spiced latte. Go to a pumpkin patch, because it’s super cute and you deserve a fun photo shoot. Go listen to Folklore wrapped up in a cardigan. Light some fall candles. Be proud to enjoy all these things. We enjoy them because they’re the best.

MARS’ HILL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GRIZZLED, OLD TWU STUDENT RECOUNTS THE GLORY DAYS OF THE “CURRENT STUDENTS” WEBPAGE MICAH MORGAN

Mark Claggen inspects the fireplace, adds two oak logs to the blaze, and falls heavily into his armchair. “Listen,” he says, “and I’ll tell you of a time when TWU students could access anything they needed with a single click.” I grasp my notebook and pen, feeling my heart pound in my chest. Could he really be old enough to have seen the “Current Students” page when it was actually useful?

“One block of text just says ‘Courses,’ which is pretty vague,” I say. “Some of the links have different names but take you to the same webpage.” Claggen gasps and clutches his chest, but I continue: “Between the pile of links and menus to sort through, and the fact that the labels are unclear, it can take five or six clicks to get to what you’re looking for––Are you okay, Mr. Claggen?––

“What was it like?” I ask. He smiles. “It was magnificent. Everything you needed was on one page. Email, Moodle, financial statements, course registration, transcripts official and unofficial, final exam schedules, and more were all visible the second you loaded the page. I’ve never seen so much information organized in one place so well.”

Claggen, going white as a sheet, gasps, “Please, I need to know: is the ‘Apply for Scholarships’ button still accessible?”

“That’s incredible,” I say, “Right now, the page has…a picture of powder paint and three enormous blocks of text below it that are links but don’t look like links. What do you make of it?”

Mark Claggen falls forward out of his armchair, dead. I probably should break bad news more slowly from now on.

“It isn’t too hard to find,” I start. “You just have to click ‘Student Services,’ then scroll to ‘Finances,’ then click––”

Claggen runs a hand through his white, thinning hair and sighs tiredly. “That makes no sense. On the old page you knew exactly what you were clicking on. What else is changed?”

DISCOVER YOUR

NEXT STEP

Find your passion and advance your career with a semester in Ottawa Apply now to spend FA 21 or SP 22 at the Laurentian Leadership Centre

Application Deadline: February 15 To apply, visit twu.ca/laurentian-leadership-centre/apply @LaurentianLeadershipCentre @twu_ottawa

#LLCOttawa

CAPITAL “B” BLACK MAKENA WARDLE

Mars’ Hill Newspaper is officially changing its style guide to include the capitalization of the word Black. Following in the footsteps of esteemed publications such as The New York Times, CBC, and The Globe and Mail, our team at Mars’ Hill has decided that we will capitalize the term “Black” when it is used in reference to the race, culture, or ethnicity of a person. “For many people the capitalization of that one letter is the difference between a color and a culture,” said The New York Times’s editor, Marc Lacey. Mars’ Hill also aligns most of its stylisation with The Canadian Press. James McCarten, Washington correspondent for The Canadian Press, tweeted on June 9, 2020 that, “To reflect popular usage, The Canadian Press is adopting Black as a proper name for a person’s race, capitalized when used in that context.” He went on to clarify that they will also not be capitalizing the term “white,” a decision that Mars’ Hill has also made. Our pursuit of allyship does not end with the capitalization of a single letter, but this adaptation does reflect our evolving world, and we want to be a part of that change. We will continue to seek out opportunities to give voices to those who are so often silenced, learn from our own mistakes, and celebrate the diversity we see around our world and––most importantly–– within our community here at Trinity Western University.