April 4 Print Edition

Taking time to remember

ORU will join churches in serving communion during Holy Week from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the Prayer Tower.

Oral Roberts University • April 4, 2012 Holy Family Cathedral serves communion at its Palm Sunday Mass.

Photo by Stephen Salmon

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Contents 4

Life: Students wear hoodies in solidarity

8

Life: Debate team wins national honors

10

Center: Tulsa Easter plans for kids, adults

13

Sports: Iannelli honored in veterans game

17

Muse: How do you find Mr. or Mrs. Right?

19

Muse: Trayvon Martin case raises questions

Do you have a story idea for the Oracle?

Email oracle@oru.edu or tweet @OruOracle!

Photos by Austin St. John

Oruoracle.com

Rebekah Mulkey, top left, and Tim DeSilva, top left, act in a scene of March’s Showcase Theater. Josh Martinez, below, also participates in the production. Students directed all scenes for a class credit.

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 3

Life

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Photo by Stephen Salmon

Some students wore black hooded sweatshirts in chapel March 30 in solidarity and to show respect to the late Trayvon Martin, who died in late February.

Students pay respect to Trayvon Martin

By Aba Hammond The Feb. 26 fatal shooting of a 17-year-old black male in Florida ignited a national debate on racial profiling that found its way a month later into classes and chapel at ORU. Trayvon Martin died at the hands of George Zimmerman, a volunteer neighborhood watchman in Sanford, Fla., as he was walking from a convenience store to a house where he planned to watch a televised basketball game with his father.

Zimmerman told police he was acting in self-defense and has not been charged with any crime under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.

While the case remains under investigation, protesters all over the country claim justice has not been served. They argue that Zimmerman, who is half Hispanic and half Caucasian, instigated the matter by singling out Martin as “suspicious” because he was black and was wearing a

hooded sweatshirt, leading to the altercation and eventual shooting.

ORU junior Christopher Michael Miller invited other students to show their support by donning hoodies during chapel March 30.

“I was heartbroken to see such injustice,” Miller said. “I was further heartbroken to see that many students on campus were completely oblivious that this was even happening.

“Searching for a way to raise awareness on campus, I found many examples of other schools wearing hoodies by the masses in videos, pictures and other media. We all go to chapel, so I figured that would be the best way for this event to get noticed.”

Junior Stephanie McKain was among dozens of students who wore hoodies to chapel, although many of them didn’t cover their heads.

“Many people don’t understand

4 • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • THE ORACLE

racial profiling,” McKain said. “Racial profiling is the consideration of race when developing a profile of suspected criminals; by extension, a form of racism involving police focus on people of certain racial groups when seeking suspected criminals.

“When one thinks that all Middle Eastern people on a plane are terrorists, or all Hispanics are illegal or an African American male wearing a hoodie is suspicious that all pertains to racial profiling. This is what we are standing against.”

Overall, the outcome Miller desired was simple: raising awareness. He didn’t want any violent arguments. He just wanted people to understand that this happens.

“Just because a person has never experienced racial profiling does not give them the privilege to ignore it,” Miller said. “This campus should understand that. Whether they do or not, today is a step in the right direc-

tion.

“In the end, I hope to hear about lots of discussions in classes and debates among floors, etc.”

The topic did find its way into several media, government and communication classes, including American Jurisprudence, taught by Dr. Winston Frost. He urged his students to not rush to judgment in the case.

“I think it is a tragedy, but I think we need to let the judicial system work before we jump to conclusions,” Frost said. “The media is presenting evidence and information in a skewed fashion.”

While he welcomed debate on the issue, he added that he didn’t want it to divide the ORU campus.

Miller agreed.

“When it’s all said and done, an innocent teenager was murdered on Feb. 26,” Miller said. “Anyone indifferent to that fact should definitely check his or her spirit.”

Kony 2012 becomes most viral video in history

By Hannah Covington One month ago, the name “Joseph Kony” topped the International Criminal Court’s list of Most Wanted Men. He has appeared on this list for seven years.

Seven years as the ICC’s Most Wanted Man, however, has failed to gain the rebel Ugandan leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army as much fame as two months on YouTube accumulated for celebrities like Justin Bieber and his song “Baby.”

It seems that Invisible Children, the organization dedicated to Kony’s capture, has taken note of this fact.

Now, the group has a YouTube answer of its own.

With Joseph Kony as its central focus, the Kony 2012 video has become a social media sensation since its launch on March 5, pulling more than 100 million views in the first week.

Its staggering success makes it one of the most viral Internet videos of all time.

Amid a resounding flood of both criticism and praise, this viral social justice film has prompted scores of viewers to prepare for Kony 2012’s main initiative, an event called Cover the Night.

On April 20, participants will place posters, stickers and buttons bearing the name and image of this Ugandan exile in cities across the nation.

When Tulsa awakens on the morning of April 21, a group of ORU students hopes to give the city its own striking introduction to this infamous figure.

At a Social Justice Club meeting four days before

Internet Photo

On April 20, ORU students will go into the Tulsa community and post fliers of Joseph Kony as part of the Kony 2012 initiative featured in this month’s viral YouTube video. the video premiered online, about 50 ORU students previewed Kony 2012 and heard firsthand from Invisible Children about this new campaign.

The 30-minute video provides a brief context about the central African conflict involving Kony and shows how viewers can help the pursuit of him.

It lists names of 20 “Culture Makers” and 12 “Policymakers” for viewers to target in raising awareness about Kony. The campaign pairs together allies as unlikely as Rihanna and Mitt Romney.

In light of last October’s legislation to send 100 American troops to central Africa to help find Kony, many believe that awareness is the key to catching this elusive criminal.

As part of the ORU initiative in this campaign, senior Amber Albrektsen said that the Social Justice Club plans to participate in the Cover the Night event. Albrektsen is the vice president of the club.

“We can actually do something history changing,” she said.

Though not directly involved with the Social Justice Club, sophomore John Weiand said he also plans to lead a group of students on April 20.

Their aim is simple: Make Kony famous.

“The only reason the American troops are there is because of the public outcry,” Weiand said.

He added that sustaining this outcry is needed to keep troops in Africa. Kony 2012 makes use of the power of media and social networking to raise the rebel’s notoriety.

While it has engaged a multitude of supporters, Kony 2012 is not without its share of critics. Part of the criticism eddies around claims that the video oversimplifies the problems in central Africa, particularly in its portrayal of Uganda.

ORU graduate and African missionary Tim Way lived in southern Uganda for nine years. Though he

called the atmosphere of the south “very different” than the areas plagued by Kony in the north, Way has been to Gulu a number of times over the years. Invisible Children features Gulu as one of the places where thousands of people would come to sleep at night in the hope of being safe from the raiding LRA. The city no longer serves this purpose. Ugandan forces drove out Kony and his rebel army in 2006, which some think the video underemphasizes.

“There are no more nightly walks into the safety of large towns,” Way said.

“The refugee camps, which at one time were home to something like 2 million people, are closed. But there is still a lot of work to do.”

Though Kony is no longer in Uganda, the kidnappings continue.

Mark Bartels, director of the Uganda Studies Program at Uganda Christian University, explained that despite the nation’s progress, apprehension remains.

“Most [Ugandans] will say they won’t feel safe until Kony is apprehended or killed,” Bartels said.

This is where the U.S. troops come in—to help the African militaries find Kony in the African jungles.

Another criticism of the Invisible Children video regards the organization itself, particularly in light of the recent controversy surrounding its co-founder, Jason Russell. At the center of this controversy rests a video of Russell nude in a residential area, yelling at cars in what medical officials have called a stress-induced mental breakdown.

Weiand, like many Kony 2012 participants, said that Russell’s personal problems are irrelevant to the purpose of the video and do not “change its mission.”

Weiand plans to print 1,000 stickers and 1,000 posters bearing the name and image of Kony to place on mailboxes, light poles, power poles and high traffic areas in Tulsa.

In going into the Tulsa community to combat a problem 8,000 miles away, he said that this campaign gives ORU students a chance to step outside the bubble of their daily lives.

“It has made people think about what is going on in the world,” Weiand said.

“We live in a world that is so interconnected that there’s this risk of becoming those people who know [of atrocity] and do nothing.

“I don’t want that to be my legacy.”

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 5

Miller challenges Christian worldview thinkers

By Aba Hammond Christians don’t have a worldview. They have a window to engage reality, according to Dr. Michael Miller.

The difference lies in understanding truth and the role of reason as well as freedom, beauty and the nature of human beings.

“Truth means to conform the mind to reality,” he told students, faculty and staff during the first of three lectures he presented March 29 and 30 at ORU. “We can’t think like secularists and act like Christians,” Miller said, adding that Christians must not conform to the pattern of the world but be transformed, as the Bible says, by the renewing of the mind.

“Freedom is not merely

Dr. Michael Miller exercising your will,” Miller said. “An irrational will is not a free will but a diabolical or sick will.”

Miller, a research fellow and director of the Michigan-based Acton Media, was the featured speaker at ORU’s third annual Christian Worldview Lecture Series.

His topics included “Stewardship of the Mind: Thinking like Christians,” “Forming the Moral Imagination,” and

“Christian View of the Person and the Challenge of Global Poverty.”

He drew a favorable response from the 75 to 150 people in each of his audiences in Zoppelt Auditorium.

“I was expecting the same general message that ORU seminars usually incorporate,” said junior Kai Vincent Turley Good. “However, I was delightfully surprised with Dr. Miller’s lecture. He offered a point of view that was contrary to the generally accepted mindset regarding fact and opinion.”

Junior Joe Dorsey agreed.

“I thought it was an interesting take on worldview,” Dorsey said. “I never thought of Christianity as a way to view reality rather than Christianity being a worldview itself.”

I’d say many have a strong heart, but we don’t have a mind for the poor.

Dr. Michael Miller

Miller lectures internationally on themes such as moral philosophy, economic development and social theory, and entrepreneurship. Much of his current work at Acton involves leading PovertyCure, an international network of organizations devoted to seeking to address the issues of poverty by promoting entrepreneurial solutions to poverty in the developing world.

“As Christians we are called to help the poor,”

Miller said. “I’d say many have a strong heart, but we don’t have a mind for the poor. Aid money goes straight to the government, and they stop helping their people and it also displaces and delays the development of businesses.”

Sophomore Gregory Tanis attended Miller’s first session and left feeling challenged.

“I thought it was good,” Tanis said. “Many of the ideas and arguments are not new, they have evangelical circles in many Christian arenas really. However, he did bring his own perspective and take on the issues of truth and reason.

“I’m glad he left us with a few questions that make us think about it more and continue discussing it among ourselves.”

Watergate reporters lecture at Univ. of Tulsa

By Hannah Rundell Veterans of The Washington Post Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein shared their famous story in a lecture at Tulsa University on March 27.

Almost 40 yeras ago, a small news story on a breakin at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., lead to the discovery of a huge cover-up scandal in President Richard Nixon’s administration, and Woodward and Bernstein were the reporters who took on the task of uncovering this scandal.

Having been invited to speak at TU’s Presidential Lecture Series, the duo took the stage and re-told their stories of the historical event.

“What the third-rate burglary really was was the key to unlocking the Nixon presidency,” Bernstein said.

Woodward and Bernstein were fairly young and new to The Washington Post when they took on this news story in 1972.

“We were just metropolitan reporters, not very high up on the totem pole,” Bernstein said.

“We weren’t even on the totem pole,” said Woodward.

However, through all of the challenges the two went through to investigate this story, especially with no one wanting to share any information, their work on the Watergate scandal earned The Washington Post a Pulitzer Prize for public service.

6 • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • THE ORACLE

The lecture lasted an hour and a half, with questions from the audience following.

“I thought it was amazing how they were both still able to remember,” said ORU freshman Ian Harrup. “After 40 years they are still pursuing the story after all the work they put into it. All the work they put into it is still carrying through today.”

This reporter duo typically only speak together 10 times a year across the nation.

“We’re just telling old war stories and what you will see is a different time in journalism, a different time in our political history, and a different time of how people absorbed information,” Bernstein said.

Internet Photo

Carl Bernstein, left, and Bob Woodward uncovered the Watergate scandal. The duo spoke at TU on March 27.

Tulsa DA to seek death penalty for Horton, Nichols murders Staff Report Tulsa District Attorney Tim Harris will seek the death penalty against the two young men charged with the Sept. 18, 2011, murders of ORU freshman Carissa Horton and her boyfriend, Ethan Nichols.

Harris announced his intent March 27 during the arraignment hearings for Jerard Dwaine Davis and Darren Price, who have been held without bond in the Tulsa County jail since their arrests Sept. 19, a day after the bodies of Horton and Nichols were discovered in an east Tulsa city park.

No trial date has yet been set by Chief Judge William Musseman Jr. of the Tulsa County District Court. He set the next hearing in the case for April 26.

Harris, a 1983 graduate of ORU’s former O.W. Coburn School of Law, has served as Tulsa district attorney for 14 years. Harris said that during his tenure he previously has sought the death penalty in 10 cases and convinced a jury all 10 times to impose that sentence.

In the case of Davis, Harris is basing the death penalty on three factors, according to court records: • “The murder of the victim was especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel involving mental and/or physical torture.”

• “The defendant knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person.”

• “The murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest or prosecution.”

Davis was 21 at the time of the alleged murders.

Court documents also indicate that the death

Oracle, Perihelion take home dozens of media awards The Oracle and the Perihelion, ORU’s yearbook, received several awards at the Oklahoma Collegiate Media Association’s spring conference Carissa Horton Ethan Nichols on March 30 at OSU in Stillwater.

The Perihelion placed first for yearbook photogpenalty will be sought for Price based on these raphy, content, coverage, layout and design as well same three factors as well as a fourth: “The exisas first overall. tence of a probability that the defendant would The Oracle placed first for interior page design, commit criminal acts of violence that would conthird for front page design and second overall. The stitute a continuing threat to society.” Price was 19 Oracle online placed second for online newspaper. at the time he was arrested.

Many individual awards were also given, includA Jan. 10 preliminary hearing in court revealed ing first, second, third and honorable mentions to that both Price and Davis admitted to police more than 25 Oracle and Perihelion staff members during their arrests that they were in Hicks Park in categories like feature writing, investigative the night of the fatal shootings, but each tried to reporting, advertising, news photography, sports accuse the other of pulling the trigger that killed photography, reviews and reporting portfolio.

Horton and Nichols.

Both of the victims were from Keokuk, Iowa, and moved to Tulsa last year to continue their romance.

Nichols, 21, had moved here with his family in March 2011, and Horton, 18, arrived in Olympic gold-medalist Madelaine ManAugust for her first semester at ORU. The couple ning Mims will be one of four official chapwere last seen alive early on the Sunday evelains for the U.S. Olympic team this summer ning of Sept. 18, at the Broken Arrow house in London. In 1968, Mims won the 800m where Nichols lived with his family and a friend. with a time of 2:00.9, the only American to Horton did not return to ORU that evening or win this event, and until 2008, the youngest. the next day, and Nichols did not show up at the Currently a chaplain of the Tulsa Shock, Mims house that evening or the next day for work at is founder and president of the United States Blue Bell Creamery in Broken Arrow.

Council for Sports Chaplaincy and served The couple’s bodies were found the next morn- U.S. teams in seven previous Olympics. Mims ing at Hicks Park, near East 31st Street and South is currently pursuing her doctorate at ORU Mingo Road, not far from where the Nichols family and developing a credential process for putlives. Two bodies had been discovered by a man ting sports chaplains on the same level as and woman walking their dogs there the morning military, hospital and correctional chaplains. of Sept. 19. They then called police.

Nichols’ stolen car and texts from his stolen cell phone helped lead Tulsa police to both suspects later that day in nearby apartment complexes.

Grad student will serve as chaplain at 2012 Olympics

“Family Night” invites ORU to pray April 4

ORU will host “Family Night” for students, faculty and administration on April 4. The event will be a student-led night of worship and prayer. There will be a service from 7 to 9 p.m. with a message from Student Association PresiOral Roberts University’s social work students tive issues impacting the social work profession.

dent Jentre Olsen. From 9 to 11:30 p.m., prayer attended the National Association of Social Workers The Legislative Day provided an opportunity will focus on ORU, the church and the world Legislative Day at the Oklahoma Capitol on March for social work students and practitioners to parand will be led by A’Leithia Sweeting, Suzie 10. Twenty-one students had the privilege to attend ticipate in macro-level practice and learn effecLand and Jon Torres. The event is a combined and meet other social work students from around tive ways to advocate on the behalf of others.The effort of the Chaplain Program, RA Program, the state. Lanny Endicott, ORU Associate Professtudents toured the Capitol, watched state Senate APA Program, Missions, The Prayer Movement, sor of social work, sponsored the students from his and House deliberations, talked to legislators ORU Lead, Social Justice Society and Student Social Welfare Policy class. More than 100 social and visited the Oklahoma City National MemoAssociation. Chapel credits will be offered.

ORU social work students participate in legislative day in Oklahoma City

workers were in attendance to learn about legisla-

rial & Museum.

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 7

Debate team wins national honors at championship

By Nathaniel Robertson In just its first year of existence, the ORU debate team can add a national championship to its resume.

Junior Sarah Sandford and freshman Joseph Jackson took home first place in the Junior Varsity division at the National Championship for the National Parliamentary Debate Association held March 9 -11 in Hutchinson, Kan. Experienced debaters in high school, the duo went undefeated during the tournament, beating out a team from Sterling College in the championship round.

“I figured it would be a building year, just a matter of starting our debate team and trying to break into the debate circuit,” said Sandford, originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. “Winning a national championship is a once in a lifetime kind of feeling.”

“I was literally in shock,” added Jackson, originally from Visilia, Calif. “No way we could have predicted such success so soon.”

Although it has been in the works for some time, the club was birthed this summer, after Susan and Steve Jackson, 1984 business graduates of ORU and parents of Joseph, saw the need for a debate team and decided to fund the entire project. Money goes toward, transportation, entry fees, accommodations and food money for the weekend competitions.

The decision was made regardless of whether Joseph

would attend ORU or not.

“We saw the potential for fabulous Christian leadership to come out of that whole area,” Susan told Excellence magazine earlier this year.

“We felt ORU needed to tap into these kids that were skilled in their communication and thought process, in being able to verbalize a stand for what they believed and why they believed it.”

Other awards the two took home at the national championship were for impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and individual parliamentary speaking.

When asked about their success as a duo, Jackson and Sandford are quick to point to their teammates and coaches.

“The best part is the relationship aspect of it,” said Sandford. “Our team’s really close, we have a lot of inside jokes and it’s just a really enjoyable experience.”

The team is coached by an assistant professor of communication Dr. Agena Farmer and Tulsa Attorney Molly Brown.

It consists of six to eight members who practice weekly in their Forensic workshop class taught by the two coaches.

Once the Jackson family had decided to fund the team, Dr. Farmer put in ad in the local paper looking for an assistant coach and although she had many replies from those fond of ORU, once she got a reply from Brown she knew she was the one.

“Molly absolutely loves this; she works really well with the students,” said Dr. Farmer.

Brown, who holds a degree in jurisprudence and currently is an attorney, debated throughout high school and according to Jackson and Sandford; went undefeated her junior and senior year of college.

Before each debate, participants are given fifteen minutes to prepare on the selected topic. Each team gets three speeches and four people speak alternating sides per round. At the end, a judge decides a winner.

A team usually goes through five rounds a day, then depending on their record may advance to a March Madness Style elimination tournament playoff.

The three divisions for the National Parliamentary Debate Association are Novice, Junior Varsity and Varsity.

Looking forward, both Sandford and Jackson will continue on and hope to return a core group of core members as well as attract new ones.

“I’d love to see the team grow, to be something that more people take part in and become a fixture on campus,” said Jackson. ”I think that any institution of higher learning, especially a university that wants to represent thinking, responsible people owes it to the students to have an opportunity to learn how to converse about something without being mad,” said Dr. Farmer.

Faith

The Faith Editor is Josh Copeland.

You may contact him at joshuatrevorcopeland@gmail.com

Spring Break missions teams return home

By Hannah Rundell Spring came, and the ORU missionaries went.

All across the nation, ORU Missions sent out 10 teams with a total of 134 missionaries during Spring Break.

Although this was a chance for most students to relax, these teams took this opportunity to reach out to people all across America, and even some islands. These are the teams that just arrived back.

Dominican Republic Medical • 11 members • Team Leader: Lacey

Condron • Assistant Team Leader: Ethan Hacker • Worked with YWAM to bring medical care to people in Santo Domingo.

Miami • 7 members • Leader: Amy Vormbrock • Assistant Team Leader: Daniel Howell • Worked with children of various ages and backgrounds through His House Children’s Home.

New York • 7 members • Team Leader: Richard

Clear • Assistant Team Leader: Kristina Buonviri • Worked with New York School of Urban Ministry to participate in various outreaches throughout the city, including soup kitchens, hospitals, and a cerebral palsy home.

St. Louis Mercy • 8 members (women only) • Team Leader: Melody Ruano • Assistant Team Leader: Shannon Headley • Worked with Mercy Ministries to reach out to and encourage women in St. Louis going through difficult life-controlling issues such as alcoholism, abusive backgrounds, and image issues.

New Mexico • 8 members • Team Leader: Lauren Escobedo • Assistant Team Leader: Ben Norell • Worked with Apple Tree Education Center and Boy’s and Girl’s Club to pour into lives of children and teenagers.

Puerto Rico • 13 members • Team Leader: Kerry Kammerlohr • Assistant Team Leader: Bobby Behr • Worked in the city of Cagaus, taking part in various outreaches to minister to the people of Puerto Rico.

Sacramento Mercy • 6 members • Team Leader: Caitlin Blose

Courtesy Photo

Team New York, above, spent Spring Break on a mission trip.

• Assistant Team Leader: Ellen Stines • Worked with Mercy Ministries to reach out to and encourage women in Sacremento going through difficult life-controlling issues such as alcoholism, abusive backgrounds, and image issues.

Wilmington, Del. • 9 members • Team Leader: Cole Proffitt • Assistant Team Leader: Kelly Doom • Worked with Urban Promise, reaching out to inner-city youth of Wilmington through after-school programs, Bible studies and work projects.

Haiti • 13 members • Nursing and Education Departments Atlanta • 47 Members • Summer Leadership Training for all Summer Team Leaders For the Atlanta trip, every team leader for summer missions went to work with various groups to prepare as leaders for their summer trips. According to Souls

Afire Team Leader Stephanie McKain, the team leaders were divided into groups and did different outreaches based on what their team would be doing this coming summer. Each day a different leader led the group and there was discussion each day on good things about their leadership and things they could improve.

Overall, each team took something different out of their trip over Spring Break.

McKain said all 47 members stood in a circle, saying what they had learned and it lasted until 2:30 a.m.

The teams have since returned and are now back in the routine of classes like everyone else.

No matter what the students took away from their trips, these 134 missionaries, on 10 teams, took 1 week to make a big difference across the nation.

“I feel like I took away the fact that God meets us where we’re at, so I can’t really judge people anymore because we’re all different,” said New York team member Helenia Quince.

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 9

Easter in Tulsa: Special events abound Those looking for a family-friendly church environment for kids to have a fun and safe Easter egg hunt can attend Grace Church’s “Eggstravaganza.” Grace Church, located on South Garnett Road in Broken Arrow, will have an egg hunt, lots of candy and inflatables for children at 10-11 a.m. Sunday April 8 at the Grace playground. Grace Church’s Easter service times are 8:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Victory Christian Center will have its annual full-scale stage and film production of the life, miracles and resurrection of Jesus. Titled “Risen,” the production will feature a 250 volunteer cast from the church, elaborate set and lighting design and music. The production starts at 7 p.m. on Good Friday and continues through Saturday at 5 and 7 p.m. and at 9 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 8 at Victory’s main building across the street from ORU.

Children can meet and have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny at Woodland Hills Mall. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures on the lower level of the mall in front of Dillards April 5 at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., April 6 and April 7 at 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Another family-friendly egg hunt option is the annual Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum “Zoobilee,” exclusive for members. Tickets are $5 and children can meet Peter Cottontail and get a free photo, hunt for eggs, enjoy arts and crafts and ride the train and carousel for free. The event is 8-10 a.m. April 7 at the Tulsa Zoo located at 6421 E. 36th St. North in Tulsa.

STUDENTS

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One of the largest churches in Tulsa, Church on the Move, will have six identical services to choose from on April 6-8.

The service on Good Friday is at 7 p.m., Saturday at 5 and 7 p.m. and Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. In addition to putting together creative Easter services, Church on the Move is known for its tradition of water baptisms on the spot. Hundreds of people are encouraged to be water baptized during services and no sign-ups nor special clothing are needed.

10 • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • THE ORACLE

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Easter breakfast: get your muffin on

By Francesca Lucido “Maine and Michigan have the best blueberries in the United States.

Bet you didn’t know that. Did ya?” says the man at the little blueberry farm each August.

August is blueberry picking season in my home state of Michigan.

It’s around this time that my family begins to accumulate a little blueberry farm of our own.

We are reminded of this abundance of blueberries each time we open the refrigerator and see dozens of plastic Tupperware containers filled with handpicked blueberries.

These blueberries are used to create delicious blueberry crumble, blueberry pancakes, pies and pastries.

Blueberry muffins were by far my favorite part of August.

My mom would make the most delicious blueberry muffins for breakfast each morning.

You don’t, however, have to wait until late summer to enjoy these treats.

Whether you’re going home to spend the holiday with your family or simply spending a day relaxing in the dorms, these treats will be ready in no time at all and you’ll be smiling and satisfied.

Blueberry Muffins

Adapted from allrecipes.com 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1/3 cup milk 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 teaspoon of vanilla Optional Crumb Topping: 1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup butter, cubed 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease muffin cups.

Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.

In a separate bowl add the vegetable oil, egg, milk and vanilla.

Mix well. Combine this with the flour mixture and fold in blueberries.

The batter will have a thick consistency.

Fill the muffin cups to the top.

Bake 20-25 minutes.

Optional Crumb Topping: Mix sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon. Use the back of a fork to mix.

Sprinkle on top on the muffins before baking.

Variations: If you’re not a blueberry fan, try one of these excellent variations:

• Replace the milk in the recipe with apple, orange or pineapple juice.

• Zest half a lemon and add to the batter.

• Use frozen raspberries, strawberry slices or banana slices for a fruity twist.

• Add three tablespoons of peanut butter to the batter. Mix well.

• Before putting them in the oven, drop a teaspoon of your favorite fruit jam, jelly or preserves on top of each muffin batter cup.

After they’re baked, you’ll bite into a sweet surprise.

• Add two cups mini chocolate chips, one cup mini marshmallows and half a cup of toasted coconut for s’mores muffins.

• Replace the oil in the recipe with applesauce or plain yogurt to cut the calories without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Photo by Stephen Salmon

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 11

Class uses real-world skills to combat sex trafficking Picture two children walking down the road to buy ice cream.

These children buy ice cream every Friday afternoon after they get off the bus.

But on this particular day, the children are being followed by sex traffickers.

The children are kidnapped, enter a horrific lifestyle of sex trafficking and may never see their families again.

Branding and Promotions students at Oral Roberts University are helping to stop the sex trafficking trend in the United States.

The students partnered with the non profit organization Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT).

On April 10 at 7 p.m. a Trafficking Awareness Night will be taking place in Zopelt 101 and 102 and admission is free.

Students involved in the Branding and Promotions class will be sharing what their groups have been doing to help TAT, to spread awareness about the trafficking issue and inform the student body how they can help.

TAT’s goal is to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the trucking and travel plaza industry to combat domestic sex trafficking.

Every year, more than 100,000 children in the United States are forced into prostitution every year.

“Growing up, my parents owned a small motel in El Paso, Texas, where truckers composed a large percentage of our business,” said Lyn Thompson, national coordinator and co-founder

of Truckers Against Trafficking. “They were, by large, good guys. As I reviewed how prevalent human trafficking is along our nation’s highways and how members of the trucking industry are literally everywhere, it made sense to me that they could play a critical role in the fight against human trafficking.

With a little help, they could be the abolitionist heroes of the 21st century.”

It didn’t take long for Truckers Against Trafficking to pick up speed.

“In 2009, as members of Chapter 61 Ministries, we started the Truckers Against Trafficking initiative to educate, equip, empower and mobilize the trucking industry in this fight,” Thompson said. “TAT has grown so fast and received such support that, in 2011, it became its own 501(c)3 ministry.”

TAT sends out informational DVD’s, packets and wallet cards to trucker schools to inform the students about sex trafficking and how they can help stop the cycle. When they see suspicious activity, all they have to do is call into the TAT hotline at 1(888)-373-7888.

The nonprofit organization focuses on the victims, 27 million of them now, and uses truckers to be the eyes and ears to uncover the abuse.

“We asked my mom if we could get some Frosties before dinner, and she said, ‘Yes.’ [We were] walking, and that’s when the Lincoln pulled up,” Shari said, a Toledo, Ohio teen rescued from the sex trade. “Here we are, I’m 15 years old and my

12 • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • THE ORACLE

cousin is 14, at a truck stop working, and we’re forced to go from truck to truck asking guys if they’d like to have sex with us, and we’re young girls terrified out of our minds. It’s awful to think that these truckers are OK with it, thinking this is someone’s daughter…that is missed.”

The students at ORU have learned a lot about trafficking and are eager to give their ideas to TAT. “TAT has shown me that you don’t have to have a specific set of skills such as an FBI agent, a counselor or a known public speaker to fight trafficking,” sophomore Jessica Sherwood said. “You

can simply be a passionate person who desires to help free victims from slavery. We can all be everyday heroes if we do our part.”

The Branding and Promotions class is taught by assistant professor of media Chris Putman and is only offered in the spring semester.

Sports

The Sports Editor is Billy Burke.

You may contact him with comments or questions at therevolutionis@oru.edu

Veterans game honors late Ryan Iannelli Golden Eagles baseball faces Louisiana Tech, wins by 10 runs

Photo by Sami Prichard

The Golden Eagles wore special uniforms and camouflage hats to honor late alum Ryan Iannelli who died during combat operations in Afghanistan on Sept. 28, 2011.

By Billy Burke Coming into March 30, the Golden Eagles’ baseball team was stalling and looking for a boost. While going a combined 1-6 in the previous seven games, ORU was outscored 14-30 during that stretch.

The Friday night game kicking off a three-game series against Louisiana Tech was designated an Armed Forces night. The special evening intended to pay respect to those currently serving and those who have fallen in the name of our country, specifically Ryan Iannelli.

Iannelli, who played four seasons of baseball before graduating from ORU, was honored Friday night as a former ORU athlete and a fallen hero of America who died during combat operations in Afghanistan on Sept. 28, 2011.

The motivation for the game proved to be the boost the Golden Eagles needed. After a moving pregame ceremony where Iannelli’s father threw the first pitch with Iannelli’s mother, Donna, and sister, Amanda, both present, it was time to play baseball.

The Golden Eagles played arguably their best game of the year, beating La. Tech 9-1. The story of the game was the young blood that chipped in to help give the Eagles the offensive spark they had previously been missing. ORU freshmen (Coker, Domenico, Trevino) combined for six runs off four hits and

totaled six RBI in the game.

Mike Torrence pitched a gem for ORU, tossing seven innings, allowing one run off five hits while fanning five.

After the game, ORU senior Dave Demet, who lived with Iannelli when he played at ORU, gave a teary eyed statement.

“Nelli was a one in a million guy,” Demet said. “I’ve never met anybody whose smile and laugh was so contagious. He really treated me like I was his little brother, and I consider myself one of the luckiest individuals to have had him in my life.”

ORU would carry the momentum from Friday’s victory into Saturday’s game where they lit up the scoreboard 14-4.

Saturday was the day of the hitter, with every Golden Eagles starter, along with two pinch hitters, getting a hit for ORU. The Golden Eagles collected five doubles, 18 total hits and took advantage of four fielding errors by La. Tech in their biggest offensive output of the season.

However, starting pitcher Alex Gonzalez didn’t need 14 runs, because he was just dirty Saturday.

Gonzalez only gave up one run on four hits Saturday, while abusing La. Tech batters with 10 strikeouts.

Although the Golden Eagles lost a closely contended game on Sunday (3-2), they seem to have found the jumpstart they needed to help them get back on track.

ORU played Friday night’s game with visible passion and zeal, seeming to channel Iannelli’s spirit throughout the game. His life was one of service and sacrifice to his family, his friends, his team and his country. The least the Golden Eagles could do for him was win.

Mission accomplished.

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 13

Shot Calling: MLB Predictions

By Billy Burke Sunscreen, check. Cracker Jacks, ready. Lucky glove, already on my hand. That’s right, baseball season is around the corner!

Technically, the “Opening Series” in Japan between Oakland and Seattle marked the start of the season. But let’s be honest, neither team will be suiting up in October anytime soon. So who will be left standing when the September page is ripped off the ManTeam calendar and October begins?

AL East: Tampa Bay Rays The pitching staff consists of Cy Young candidates David Price and James Shields. Throw in 2011Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson and MLB’s No. 1 prospect Matt Moore, and the Rays rotation looks as intimidating as any in the MLB. Breakout Player: Desmond Jennings

AL Central: Detroit Tigers When you combine Prince Fielder and last year’s AL batting champ Miguel Cabrera, the duo alone could easily surpass the .200 RBI mark. Oh yeah, and the reigning AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander?

He’s leading the charge in the rotation.

Breakout player: Doug Fister

AL West: Texas Rangers Besides the flashy acquisition of Japan’s finest, the Rangers have enough firepower to eradicate a small nation. Hamilton, Cruz, Napoli, Beltre, Kinsler, all hit over 25 home runs last year. Throw in Joe Nathan (comeback prediction) to close up shop? Yes please.

Breakout player: Joe Nathan

AL Wild Card Slot No. 1 New York Yankees

NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Yanks are poised for another run at the World Series. With a rotation that seems to have improved by adding Kuroda and Pineda, and an offense that is capable of putting up 4+ runs a night, NYY looks solid.

But can a team with age at critical positions (SS,3B) stay healthy?

Breakout Player: David Robertson

The Diamondbacks have quietly improved their pitching this offseason by adding Trevor Cahill to an already stout rotation (Hudson, Kennedy, Saunders). Combine that with a young lineup featuring Justin Upton and Paul Goldschmidt, and the Diamondbacks are looking more and more like a legitimate threat.

Breakout Player: Paul Goldschmidt

AL Wild Card Slot No. 2 L.A. Angels The Angels are coming into 2012 with a very well rounded team. They have sufficient talent in the rotation with Wilson, Haren and Santana.

L.A. also has several players (Pujois, Trumbo, Aybar, Hendricks, Hunter) who can put runs on the board.

Breakout Player: Howie Kendricks

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies may not have the potent offense they had when they won the World Series in 2008, but they still have one of the best rotations in the MLB with Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Worley. Although their offense is on the older side, they can still do some damage with Pence, Victorino, Rollins, Howard and Utley. The only question is if they can stay healthy.

Breakout player: John Mayberry

NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals Despite losing Pujois, the Cards still have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. With Wainwright coming back this year, the rotation will look stacked (Wainwright, Carpenter, Garcia, Lohse). Offensively, they still have Holliday, Beltran and rising star David Freese.

Breakout Player: Jon Jay

14 • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • THE ORACLE

NL Wild Card Slot No. 1 Atlanta Braves Alas, this is the fairwell season for Chipper Jones which puts a tear in Braves fans’ eyes everywhere.

However, this season the Braves look poised to recover from their collapse last year. Atlanta has a deep lineup that has that sexy combo of speed and power (Bourn, McCann, Uggla, Heyward, Prado, Jones, Freeman).

Breakout Player: Jason Hayward

NL Wild Card Slot No. 2 Milwaukee Brewers Despite losing Prince, the Brewers still have a solid offensive core.

NL MVP Ryan Braun should have another stellar year. Plus with Hart, Ramirez and Weeks in the lineup, the Brew Crew can still put up a run or two. Although the strength for the Brewers right now is in their pitching, Zack Grienke leads the charge from the rotation, followed by Yovani Gallardo, Shawn Marcum and the ageless Randy Wolf.

Breakout Player: Mat Gamel

Scene

The Oracle Scene Editor is Halle Byrams.

You may contact her with comments or questions at hbyrams@oru.edu

“Hunger Games” film proves satisfying

By Hannah Covington Rest assured. I come bringing good tidings of reasonable cinematic joy.

As an entertaining and fast-paced film, Gary Ross’s adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling, young adult wonder “The Hunger Games” is worth the hype.

To the relief of religious “Hunger Games” readers, Ross carefully avoids compromising too much of the series’ fluid storyline. In fact, this imaginative and reliable director provides about as faithful of an adaptation that could have been hoped for.

Does he take risks? Not really.

And one is left to wonder what direction the movie could have gone in if someone had really wanted to plumb the book’s darker and more lurid undertones that this adaptation breezes by.

Then again, sometimes these risks don’t pay off, and based on the box office figures, Ross’s solid take on the story certainly has, making $19.7 million from the midnight premiere alone. After the first weekend, this figure jumped to $155 million.

With a running time of 142 minutes, there were a lot of things that could have weighted down “The Hunger Games.” But with constant scene changes and lurching momentum, this thing was more streamline than a MacBook Air. The story takes place in a futuristic, dystopian America. Out of the ashes of war and rebellion, the utilitarian Capitol rules the nation of Panem and its 12 districts.

As the film opens, the nation’s annual Hunger Games are set to begin.

Panem’s leader President Snow— played by the quietly sinister and a little too Mr. Bennett-esque Donald Sutherland—explains the nature of the Games via video voiceover.

Each of the 12 regions surrounding the Capitol must send one boy and girl representative between the ages of 12 and 18 to a nationally televised, fight-to-the-death competition. In this “new era of peace,” the games allegedly serve as a symbol for honor, courage and sacrifice.

He calls them “a safeguard” for the future.

In simpler terms, it’s an annual bloodbath of young adults orchestrated by priggish elites in a vein similar to “The Truman Show.” Talk about charged material.

With a PG-13 rating, Ross sidesteps much of the potential gore and violence that would have placed this film out-of-reach for much of its target audience. And based on the chirping, continuous commentary from the slew of middle-schoolers seated behind me, this audience is thankful they could attend.

We first catch a glimpse of the story’s unflinching, 16-year-old protagonist as she skirts off to the woods of District 12. Coalminer’s daughter Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is pretty tough. She kills game and sells it on the black market. With brawny resolve, she volunteers to take her sister’s place as the district’s female representative for this year’s competition.

During the movie, I was left to wonder what would have transpired if Katniss had met the emaciated Bella Swan in the Hunger Games arena. But I digress.

To translate the first person narration of the book onto the big screen, Ross shoots the film principally from Katniss’s point-of-view, inviting viewers to see the gore and spectacle of the games alongside her.

He overdoes the handheld closeup camera angles in the opening hour or so, creating shots that stagger

as much as Katniss’s boozy survival coach Haymitch (Woody Harrelson).

Thankfully, things settle down a bit as we make the transition from the protagonist’s impoverished, Appalachian abode to the Capitol.

Filmmakers created enough buildup to the actual games — almost an hour’s worth — that I felt as excited for this bloodbath to start as the obnoxious, glib audience infesting the Capitol.

Uh-oh, you think. Maybe this sick appeal of violence is what the author is trying to point out.

But Ross’s film doesn’t linger long enough for these fleeting glitches of conscience to become too bothersome. At some points I wish they had.

After being selected to compete, Katniss and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) are shuttled by silver train to the Capitol. As it cruised through the mountains, the train felt reminiscent of something like the Hogwarts Express.

But look out, kids. This thing isn’t taking you to a cheery wizardry

Internet Photo

school. No, no. Welcome instead to the nation’s breathtaking epicenter of vanity and sadism that appears to be an interesting cross between Whoville and NYC, equal parts candy coating and menace.

With dazzling costumes and outfits that seem plucked straight from a Tim Burton film, the Capitol residents certainly possess a certain amount of intrigue. Serving as a blue-haired Regis Philbin of the Apocalypse, Stanley Tucci turns in an enjoyable performance as Caesar Flickerman, the host and commentator of the games.

Equally interesting is game master Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) who sports swirling facial hair that’s as wild as Donald Sutherland’s eyebrows.

But the star power of this film undoubtedly belongs to Lawrence’s Katniss. In a story that is so actionoriented, the characters could have easily become lost. With Lawrence in the lead, this never happens. Girl’s got some true grit.

Continued on page 20

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 15

Students attend “Blue Like Jazz” premiere

Internet photo

By Nathaniel Robertson The Christian movie industry hasn’t always had the best reputation, but with the recent emergence of movies like “Fireproof,” “Courageous” and “Facing the Giants,” producers are working hard to change that.

However, among those in the media industry, the question remains: is there such a thing as a Christian film?

On Tuesday, March 20, during Spring Break, 15 ORU multi-media majors and professor Don Eland traveled to Oklahoma City to see a premiere of “Blue Like Jazz,” opening April 13 in theaters nationwide.

“I always wonder if those trips will be worth it when they get over, and this one definitely was,” said Eland.

Based off the 2003 New York Times best-selling book written by Donald Miller, “Blue Like Jazz: Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality,” the movie is about a young man who tries to escape his Bible Belt upbringing by going to “the most godless campus in America,” Reed College in Oregon.

“I thought it was a great story of hope and faith,” said Eland. “It was very down to earth, very practical story and I just really enjoyed the

16 • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • THE ORACLE

production quality,” MMI student Keith Jackson also enjoyed the film but was disappointed by the characterization.

“I thought they would have shown more of a turn from him being a Christian to being non-Christian, then choosing to be a Christian again and not so much an on and off switch.”

Despite positive reviews from the majority of the viewers, the film has raised controversy among groups of Christians who argue that the film lacks a clear message.

“I wouldn’t recommend it as a witnessing tool,” said junior MMI major Phil Newsome. “It could possibly confuse them, it wouldn’t help them grow. I think it’s the type of film for believers who want to discover more about what you think about Jesus and developing an opinion.”

Jackson disagreed and said he would recommend it to everybody.

“I thought that the film did do a good job of saying from a liberal, non-Christian secular school, ‘Hey, even some people here at this school do recognize Christ,’” said Jackson.

The film also brought out debate on what it means for a film to be labeled “Christian.”

“There shouldn’t be [Christian] films,” said Eland.

“There are films. Some have more obvious Christian agenda and some don’t.

Films with an obvious Christian agenda, in my opinion, are for believers and there’s nothing wrong with that, doing a film that’s building the

faith of the brethren. But I personally would like to create visual stories for people who aren’t saved.“ “If the message screams out Christ or not, it doesn’t really differ either way,” agreed Jackson.

According to Eland, the film may not be sanctioned for a viewing at ORU due to its edginess.

While in Oklahoma City, the students were able to stop by EthnoGraphic Media, Mart Green’s film production company.

At the showing, students were able to meet the director (Steve Taylor), producer, lead actors and many support staff who were present at the screening.

“I think believers need to face the fact that it all starts with the money. You’ve got to have funding to make it happen,” said Eland. “I think it was successful because it was [produced by] brilliant, creative and exceptional people. Very few people could do what they did with the budget they had.”

Muse

Date Doctor

By Christian Aranza We’ve all been there; “love” at first sight, touch, talk...etc. We all know that feeling in your stomach when you really, really like someone.

The Muse Editor is Kelsie Wardell.

Contact her with comments or questions at klwardell@oru.edu.

Mr. or Mrs. Right? Or Right NOW?

So how can you decide if that feeling of like, love or lust means the person is “the one?”

It’s fairly simple after about the 15th time you experience and lose that

feeling. I must have said at least 20 times, “This is the ONE!,” only to lose or walk away from the relationship within months.

So how can you really know? Have you ever asked an older person the infamous question, “how did you know?” They all give the same unhelpful answer! “I just knew it!” Well, I’m glad they’re all prophetic, but for those of us who don’t “just know,” how can we find out?

Let me start by saying this: the myth of finding “the one” is not only ridiculous, but immature, and sets you up for failure. The person who is “the one” is the person standing across from you on the day you say “I do.” Before those words are spoken, it is 100 percent up to you and God who you decide to spend your life with.

It’s one of the freedoms God loves to give us! Why would God pick someone for you and give you no choice in it? This thought of “the one” traps people in unhappy relationships they’re too scared to leave for fear of walking out of the will of God. How can we combat this idea of “the one” while remaining open to God’s will?

1. Make a list. I used to go to school with a girl who had a list of qualifications her husband had to meet... seven pages long! This guy had to be everything from a Navy SEAL to a veterinarian! Unfair to all the guys, by the way. I don’t recommend your list being that long, but

I do recommend you write things down such as physical features that attract you, personality and religious preferences, family ethics and backgrounds. Don’t worry, God’s not going to be like, “I know you love godly, driven, tall brunettes, but you’re getting a lazy, short red-headed heathen!” That’s not the God who knows the desires of our hearts. So first, make a short list of things you want in Mr. or Mrs. Right and stick to that. Don’t allow yourself to date people who don’t fit into any of your desires. Our emotions, hormones and insecurities have a way of getting us into relationships we we look back on and wonder what we were thinking.

Don’t get me wrong. If you truly fall in love with someone who by no means meets your list, then maybe you’re one of the few lucky ones. However, most people find if they end up with someone who only temporarily satisfies their needs but doesn’t meet any of their long-term goals, they will eventually be discontent. So stick to your list.

2. Listen to your friends and family! They have been the people closest to you your whole life. I doubt for some reason once you started dating “Spike” they want you to be unhappy and that’s why they don’t like him. Don’t let them pick your mate, but do heed their advice. God gave you friends and family for a reason.

Sometimes it’s to smack you

and wake you up out of the hormonal dream world we can fall into.

3. Pray about it. Set aside your feelings, hormones and dreams and find a best friend who can go to prayer with you about it. The person you choose to spend the rest of your life with is no little matter. It is hands down the most important decision you will ever make! Don’t rush into any relationship, much less marriage. I’ve met many people who at 18 years old say, “God told me who I was going to marry!” I answer to that, “Did he tell you where you’re going to live? Did he tell you what you were going to drive? Did he tell you what career your going to have?” God’s not stupid, he knows at 18 years old we can’t handle knowing who we are going to marry. If He did, you would miss so many opportunities out of fear of being pulled away from the person God said you were going to marry. I also ask, “Did he tell her, too?” That’s always awkward. God “told” me three times who I was going to marry....It was three different women, and I didn’t marry any of them! So who was confused, me or God? I’ll put that on my tab.

So remember, stick to my three tips, love God before anyone else and don’t compromise what you want for anyone else.

Then, my friend, when you finally get married, welcome to the wonderful world of constant compromise!

THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 17

Don’t be the “Man in the Mirror”

By Aaron Brown I was having lunch with a friend of mine who happens to be in his mid-40s.

We were discussing what we believe to be the impending shift from mega-churches to…well…we’re not exactly sure. We do believe the shift has a lot to do with young people (teenagers through twenty-somethings) disillusioned with massive church buildings and bigger and better building projects instead of helping the poor and destitute. Eugene Peterson, a notable author and pastor-mentor who has appeared on my podcast (yes, I did just shamelessly promote my podcast), has alluded to mega-churches being nothing more than sarcophaguses. Peterson believes that little spiritual formation is actually happening in the church. Unfortunately, it appears church has become a gathering place for getting entertained by flashy glit and glam combined with an amazingly presented public speech. Congregants leave the service remarking how good the sermon was, get into their cars, go to their favorite restaurant, and by the time they are sitting down to eat, the aforementioned sermon is simply a nice idea that fades into the recesses of forgotten memory.

My friend looked across the table at me and said, “Aaron, this is why your generation is leaving the megachurches, because they don’t want to be entertained anymore and are taking up the causes of social justice.”

I had to stop my friend. I said, “You are right. My gen-

eration and those younger than me are all for social justice. Except they really are not doing anything.”

Let me explain: My generation and younger speaks a lot about social justice.

We talk about Darfur, the Invisible Children and other atrocities in different parts of the globe. However, the truth is we can’t change Darfur. The invisible children in Uganda are still faceless and nameless for us. Atrocities are constant, menacing companions throughout the expanse of history. We march in gatherings conducted here in the United States to protest the civil war activities of Darfur, but trust me, Al-Bashir is not sleepless at night due to your marching, nor are you of any great consequence to him.

I think anti-sex trafficking is a more pertinent social justice cause than most other global issues.

I think the demonstration walks conducted to bring greater attention to the issue are great, but are we actively writing our senators and congressmen to enact legislation to crackdown on the issue? At the time of this writing, the Kony 2012 video has received 90 million viral hits. How many people who watched the video actually wrote their congressional leaders?

My constant questions lead me to my own sad conclusion: I think our generation has been greatly fooled.

I think our self-deception comes from speaking so much and so often about these issues. We speak about it so much we think

18 • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • THE ORACLE

we have actually become part of the solution and are active in ending the pain.

Second, our social media have deceived us into believing by watching a YouTube video, “liking” something on Facebook, retweeting a tweet, or stumbling upon any form of medium related to social justice, we are indeed people of social justice. Let’s be blunt. We’re not. We’re simply consuming media, which is what our generation does exceptionally well, and then we talk about it with our friends, making statements such as, “Isn’t it terrible what is happening in Darfur? I’m so against it.

Someone needs to do something. I’ve been sharing the links to all my friends on Facebook.” And then, somewhere in there, we pat ourselves on the back because we have deceived ourselves into believing being aware of a moral problem in the world is the same as combating a moral problem. Again, let’s be blunt, you being

aware of a moral problem does not mean you are taking “active” participation in stopping the moral problem.

It just isn’t.

This would be like me saying, “I read this book entitled ‘Radical’ by Ted Platt and it’s all about living a life devoted to Christ through knowing him and helping the poor. I’m radical because I agree with everything in the book. However, I don’t help feed the poor, I don’t pray for the nations and I refuse to go on any type of missions trip. But I agree with everything written by Platt. I even ‘liked’ the Facebook fan page for ‘Radical’ and I’ve been tweeting to all my friends about it as well.”

What you have just experienced is what I call, “The Man in the Mirror.” No, not the Michael Jackson hit, but the principle taught by James, a pastor in Jerusalem and brother of Jesus Christ.

James 1:22-27 tells us those who simply hear or talk about something aren’t really

doing anything. To hear or talk about something and not actually do it is like someone who sees himself or herself in the mirror, and then turns away and surprisingly forgets what he or she looked like.

This is what our generation is doing today. We talk so much about so many things, but in actuality we don’t do anything and deceive ourselves into believing we are part of the solution to what we have voiced so much opinion about.

I hope my generation and those following will pursue more worthy avenues of seeking social justice. Jesus calls us to redeem everything around us in preparation for his fully-realized kingdom coming to earth. I think it would be great if instead of “liking” the Kony 2012 video, you get involved locally and have a greater and more meaningful impact by doing something like volunteering or missions. Remember, the “like” on Facebook is not the same as you handing a hungry person a meal.

Note: Aaron Brown is the RHD of EMR Dormitory.

Trayvon ‘s death questions our perceptions

Internet Photo

George Zimmerman, left, and Trayvon Martin, right, have been at the center of a media scandal following Martin’s death.

By Nathan Porter Two words have provoked sweatshirt hoods to rise, students to march, a president to speak, reporters to argue, races to clash, and an entire nation to evaluate itself: Trayvon Martin.

The story has become so controversial that as I share my opinion on it I am practically guaranteed to receive some dirty looks, a few deletes on Facebook, and about a dozen people who will unfollow me on Twitter.

Nevertheless, as a black male three years older than Trayvon and an American citizen, I feel compelled to comment.

One question that hovers over this story is the role that race plays in this tragedy. Despite what others say, I believe that race does play a part.

I’m no Black Panther, but in light of this country’s over 300 years of racial discrimination and inequality, the fact that an unarmed 17 year-old Black male was fatally shot and the Caucasian (half-Latino) man who shot him remains uncharged makes it hard to reject the

significance of race in this event.

At the same time, I believe that it would be morally irresponsible to categorize this story as simply a racial issue. The scope of this event is more than an issue of white versus black, it is is an issue of perception versus reality.

Whether we realize it or not, this story is directly related to the false perceptions we all have of others.

It is related to the perception a custodian has of a businessman and the perception that a businessman has of a custodian. It is related to the perception that a nerd has of a jock and the perception a jock has of a nerd. It is related to the perception a teacher has of a student, a girl has of a boy, and a Christian has of a Muslim.

The root of racism and discrimination is not an inner hatred that some people are naturally born with. Rather, the root is the urge to judge someone based on a lack of understanding.

People discriminate, judge, and stereotype be-

cause they don’t truly know the person they are discriminating, judging, and stereotyping. If they did, they would see how similar they are to that person, not how different.

The richness of American diversity is beautiful, but if the uniqueness that makes each individual different continues to override our common humanity, tragedies like this will continue to occur.

If George Zimmerman could see the image of his son or nephew in Trayvon’s face I’m sure he would have been much more reluctant to pull the trigger. At the same time, if we could see our dad or uncle in George Zimmerman’s face I’m sure we would be much less likely to presume his guilt.

Of course, many reading this article are wondering whether I think Zimmerman is innocent or guilty. Before I answer that I will preface my statement with this: I am not a judge or prosecutor and my limited information on this case is based on the biased and skewed opinion of reporters and the limited perceptions of others.

With that being said, based on the evidence I’ve seen, it seems obvious that Zimmerman is guilty, and for that I think he should be punished.

Overall, however, I want justice, not the confirmation of my own subjective opinion.

So if by some chance it becomes clear that Zimmerman was acting out of self-defense (which I highly doubt), I will stand cor-

rected.

It’s important for us to remember that from God’s perspective we all are Trayvon Martin. But if Matthew 5:22 is correct, we all are George Zimmerman too.

Presuming that this case is true, I’m saddened that

a white (half-Latino) neighborhood watchman killed a Black teenager.

But ultimately, we all should be saddened, because like the first murder in history, a man killed his brother. Think about it.

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THE ORACLE • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • 19

Continued from page 15 With tough-minded resolve and a touch of vulnerability, Lawrence provided plain good acting. She’s relatable. And she shoots things.

Casting really scored big here.

As Katniss comes onto the stage for her pre-games interview, Flickerman calls her “the girl on fire.” And it’s undoubtedly the performance of the girl on fire that has set this newest film series ablaze.

Cinna – played by a pleasantly low-key Lenny Kravitz – tells Katniss that if he were to bet, his money would be on her.

Looking to the next films, my money’s on Lawrence, too. Aided by an engaging supporting cast and steady

directing, she carries this movie on her sturdy and graceful shoulders.

Is a 21-year-old Lawrence too old for the role sometimes? Maybe. But is any 16-year-old really as cool as Katniss Everdeen? I had straight-across bangs and cargo pants when I was 16.

Let’s get real.

And if Lawrence can pull off a character like Katniss at age 21, all the more power to her.

I’ve also heard complaints that she’s “too sexy” for the role of the trilogy’s underfed, petite protagonist.

Her “womanly curves” didn’t bother me. I know she comes from a starving district. I know. But she’s also involved with a carbohydrate connoisseur named Peeta.

Let the woman have her

20 • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 • THE ORACLE

bread and her curves. Her talent as an actress merits her anything she wants.

In comparison to the Twilight Saga, I’ll say this: Even though the film did contain a type of love triangle between the fierce protagonist, Peeta and her hunting partner Gale (Liam Hemsworth), I still had this smug satisfaction throughout the entire movie that no one was a vampire.

But I digress again.

“Hunger Games” readers will be grateful for the amount of quotes and material pulled almost word-forword from Collins’ best-seller. Granted, some parts are omitted – readers will know what special piece of bread I’m referring to in particular – but the rushed plot still felt consistent with the original story.

Internet photo

I’ll admit, I wanted more from the ending, and here I do think the directing stumbled by opting to set up the next movie rather than properly finishing this one.

But because of the solid acting, understated score and

skillful cinematography, that oversight can be forgiven.

With a poised Lawrence leading the way, we’ve got a new franchise on our hands.

Let the games begin.