Spring 2016 by The Point Magazine

SPRING 2016 | ISSUE 13

THE POINT

E D ITOR IN CHIEF

P H OTOG RA P H ERS

A n n e M ari e Larson

Marika Adamopo lo us

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Alex Bell

M A NAGIN G EDIT OR

Melanie K im

A n n a h Pri tc he tt

K ay la McCabe May lin Rowe

ART DIR ECTOR

Hannah Wagner

G ra c e Pan

I LLU S TRA TORS P H OTO EDITOR

Hannah Chance

J a m e s M c Cahon

Nico Hernandez

FACULT Y ADV ISOR

D ES I G N ERS

Tamara Welter

K ira Best er Hannah Chance

STO RY EDITOR S

Micay la Jo nes

N i c o l e Foy

Megan V an V lear

J u b i l ee Pham

K elsey V ogt

K a t h ryn Toomb s A n g e le ne Wong

W RI TERS Sophia D amman

CO P Y EDITOR

Mo nica K o chan

La u ri e Bul l oc k

Aubrey Mart in Oliv ia O’Brien

BUSIN ESS MAN AGER

James O’Hearn

B ry c e H umme l

Alisa Ohara Jenna Schmidt

CO VER IMAGES BY

Oliv ia V elaz quez

A l e x Be l l (Bac k )

Hannah Wagner

H a n n ah Chanc e (Front)

Summer Wagner

“Men are waffles and women are spaghetti,” explained my professor, drawing a grid and a plate of squiggly lines on the whiteboard. As he labelled the waffle sketch “men” and the spaghetti “women,” he continued: “Men are better at focusing on a task while women are gifted with a broader perspective.” I bristled in my seat. This wasn’t new. It’s a view I have heard expressed by other professors and students on campus. “I love spaghetti by the way. It’s one of my favorite dishes of all time,” he assured the class. I sighed as he further defended the analogy. “Women just have a different kind of intelligence than men do,” he said. It’s true: women and men are not the same. But that does not mean they should be lumped into separate blobs. These stereotypes are tired, inaccurate and belong in the garbage. Let’s retire them. People make assumptions all the time. This can quickly turn into stuffing others in boxes they probably don’t want to be in.

SPRING 2016 We are a student publication of Biola University. Contact us at pointmag@biola.edu On the web at pointmag.biola.edu Facebook.com/thepointmagazine Twitter.com/thepointmag Instagram.com/pointmagazine/ California College Media Association: Best Magazine Photo 2015 Associated Collegiate Press: Magazine Pacemaker Finalist 2013 California College Media Association: 1st Place General Excellence 2008, 2010 Columbia Scholastic Press Association: Gold Medalist 2009 Associated Collegiate Press: Magazine Pacemaker 2008

it perpetuates the problem. People deserve to be known on an individual level rather than branded and written off. Truly knowing someone requires more than just listening. It requires understanding and appreciating differences along with similarities. It’s time to up our cultural competency. Otherwise we are missing out on seriously valuable viewpoints. Fellow majority folk, we need to be better. Maybe this call comes from the fragile tangle that is my spaghetti woman heart, but I believe we are capable of more. We need to take some deep breaths and continue to engage in uncomfortable conversations well. Everyone is different, and if we can dismantle the constructs we’ve been taught, we can better understand and love each other. This was what we kept in mind as we built this issue and aimed to equip the Biola community with some information to discuss topics such as the terminology surrounding mental illness, Deaf culture, and Christians living in different countries at war. Open the magazine, Breathe Deep, and read. The conversation starts here.

We need to toss these ideas, broaden our collective perspective, and recognize the beauty in variety. I doubt this is a new message to anyone, but it’s worth bringing up because we still don’t get it. There is inequality on this campus whether it’s based on race, gender or sexuality. When people generalize, it might be convenient or well-intentioned, but

Anne Marie Larson

SOUP FOR THE SOUL Food as substance and experience

EXPLORING MORE Do students adventure for the experience or the social media?

AND SOMETIMES WE TALKED ABOUT JESUS Reflecting on our time in youth group

“I’M SO OCD” The damaging results that follow making light of mental illness

FLOORPLAN Student reactions to campus construction

MIR/MYR Finding peace in the church after war

CLOSED CAPTIONING dents An insight into Deaf Culture

POLITICAL SOMETHING Land of Whatever, Home of Who Cares

IT’S ALL RELATIVE How the definition of family shapes individuals

SOUP FOR THE SOUL Food as substance and experience By Aubrey Martin

SO UP FO R TH E SO UL | 02

“If Americans are talking about food, they’re eating it.” British author Robert Moser published “Stone Soup” in 1808, a story that later became an adored children’s book. A trio of monks create soup for a hungry, war-torn village by boiling three small stones. They turn rocks into a seasoned stew by boiling a small pot of water and asking villagers to contribute herbs, vegetables and meats. Watching one member add food to the pot started a domino effect that fed the whole village. All it took was a simple bowl of soup to bring the villagers out from hiding in their homes to sharing in the streets. Food is more than just substance; it is an experience. Between the restaurants, Instagram accounts and blog posts about food. If Americans are talking about food, they’re eating it. Food brings people together. In fact, it is necessary for survival and social success. Biola University communication studies professor Brian Moe equates the human search for relationships to the human need for satiating hunger. People are hungry for meals that fill their stomachs and relationships that satisfy their souls. Yet, they often settle for relationships that are condiments versus substances. In the same way, they habitually indulge in food that is instantly gratifying but unhealthy. Food is second only to water in importance for maintaining human life. All other needs are secondary. Why, then, is food often treated as an afterthought? Marketers know how to biologically control food cravings by combining specific sugars, salts and fats together to hit a “sweet spot” in the brain. This sweet spot controls the cravings, the cravings control the consumer, and the consumer becomes susceptible to the market’s control. The Crafter’s Movement, comprised of self-proclaimed foodies, seeks to craft outstanding meals with ordinary food, free from outsourcing, to establish the personal relationship between humans and food. Outsourcing refers to obtaining food by an outside supplier, especially if replacing an internal source. Crafters have used food trucks as an industry corrective, providing the “fast food” the public craves by adding something unique to the existing product. For example, avocado and a drizzle of honey to an ordinary grilled cheese. Farmer’s markets are a creative alternative to traditional grocery stores because they personalize the process of purchasing food. 03

Every Thursday, Elaine Haffke collects her freshly-made jars of honey to set up shop on the streets of Anaheim, CA. She is a renaissance woman: beekeeper, pollen collector and honey maker. But what exactly makes Haffke’s honey different from the bottles at Albertsons and Trader Joe’s? Locally grown honey has been known to relieve common allergy symptoms because the allergens in the air are also in the honey. Consuming the honey builds the body’s natural immunities, creating a defense against allergic reactions. Bee pollen gives consumers numerous health benefits such as more energy and vitamin B. The pollen at Haffke’s stand is more vivid than the faded, mass-produced pollen that’s been collecting dust on a shelf. It can be used to top off yogurt parfaits, acai bowls, or as Haffke prefers, eaten by the spoonful. To the left of Haffke’s stand sits Alex Molina, the one-stop shop for all things avocado. In response to learning of his impending kidney failure five years ago, Molina became a gluten-free guru. He cut out all unnecessary sugars and oils from his diet, leading to the creation of his own signature cooking oil. Combining avocado oil with sweet red vinegar and a dash of Italian sea salt, Molina created a dressing perfect for roasting vegetables and relishing a salad. The changes Molina made in his diet not only eliminated his dependence on dialysis but also enhanced his health holistically. The thing about food culture is that it’s not the same for everyone. People are different, with different health needs and different tastes. Food culture at its best is controlled by the consumer, not the handler. So, how does a college student, low on money and short on time, regain control? Food is more than just substance. Food is an experience, most often shared with other people. A great way to take ordinary food and create a new experience with it is to organize a potluck with friends - much like the characters in Stone Soup. Turn a few small stones into stew.

Editor: Jubilee Pham Designer: Micayla Jones Photographer: Marika Adamopolous

SO UP FO R TH E SO UL | 04

EXPLORING MORE Do students adventure for the experience or social media? By Alisa Ohara

In the last year, social media usage and national park attendance spiked in the United States. On Biola University’s campus, both are favorite pastimes. The intersection of the two, commonly known as adventure culture, is increasingly prevalent. Just look at every Hydro Flask toting Biolan trotting around campus in their gently worn Teva sandals and North Face jacket. According to the 2016 Outdoor Participation Report by the Outdoor Foundation, Americans, regardless of age, are often drawn to outdoor recreation more than

any other sport, fitness or leisure activity. Hashtags that are currently trending on social media include but are not limited to: #liveauthentic, #vscocam, #wanderlust, and #exploretocreate. In February of 2016, Christopher Reynolds from the Los Angeles Times reported that National Park attendance has noticeably increased in recent years. “National park visitor traffic surged in 2015, as did visits to most of California’s national parks — especially Joshua Tree, which posted a 27.43 percent increase in visitors,” said Reynolds.

“Yosemite attendance rose 6.58 percent to 4,294,381. Sequoia’s attendance was up 5.82 percent to 1,103,362.” This spark of interest to explore and go on adventures has influenced many students at Biola. In addition to common sightings of adventure gear, countless opportunities to go on outdoor excursions held by different clubs and Student Programming and Activities are displayed on picket sticks and dorm community boards. A variety of students post pictures of venturing out to natural

and scenic locations on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. Students juggle academics, extracurricular activities and their social life during the school year. As a result many become stressed, anxious and exhausted. Madhumita Murgia, journalist and speaker with expertise in the fields of science, health and technology, commented on the effects of stress on the brain. “Chronic stress like being overworked or having arguments at home can affect E XP L O RING M O RE | 06

#vscocam #letsgosomewhere #liveauthentic #exploretocreate #wanderlust #welivetoexplore #instatravel #travelmore

brain size, its structure, and how it functions,” said Murgia.

“hip” within their community. Hallman has also witnessed to this pressure.

According to Murgia, the two most powerful weapons to combat stress are exercise and meditation, which involves deep breathing and being aware and focused on one’s surroundings.

“That’s cool if it’s a great picture but I think there’s this pressure to always look like you’re out there adventuring. It’s okay not to be out there all the time, but enjoy it when you do get a chance,” said Hallman.

The emerging existence of adventure culture gives students the incentive to engage in outdoor recreation that combines these two stress relieving activities while posting fun pictures on social media. This trend also entices students to experience places they would have never thought of visiting.

Although this trend seems harmless, the negative aspect must also be considered. Adventure culture calls into question whether the motive behind posting these pictures is based purely on a desire to share experiences, or pressure from peers to go on outdoor excursions to stay current.

The influence of adventure culture can be witnessed around Biola’s campus, including in one of its most popular clubs — Adventure Club. The Adventure Club’s main goal is to give students a chance to get out and experience God’s creation, and worship Him through those experiences, according to their Facebook page. Sydney Hallman, vice president of Adventure Club, has witnessed the adventure culture trend affect students negatively when they go on trips. “They’re missing smells, sights and more. I’ve seen where people are so focused on taking a picture that they miss a deer walking behind them. I’m just like, ‘Turn around and look at the creation around you’,” said Hallman.

This trend also casts doubt on whether students are being authentic on social media, or presenting an idealistic persona. “Socality Barbie,” an Instagram account created by Darby Cisneros, mocks the ridiculous lengths many go to create the perfect post. With 1.3 million followers and over 10,000 likes on every picture, a deep curiosity and care for this topic subsists. Socality Barbie points out the irony of how the “authentic” photos people post seem to closely resemble each other. Her Instagram account is filled with carefully curated, aesthetically pleasing pictures to mock those that present these kinds of photos as #liveauthentic material.

about integrity, so in social media it would be giving an accurate presentation of yourself — which is not the same as fully disclosing who you are.” According to Kim, being authentic means presenting content that is true to oneself while not necessarily pouring out every single detail of one’s life on social media. When people only put positive posts on social media this is often seen as inauthentic. “You’re going to have your friends, family, future and past employers in one place and knowing what content is appropriate for all of those locations tends to be on the positive side,” said Kim. Kim explained that sharing different content to distinct audiences does not necessarily make one inauthentic. It means that the context of the platform and the appropriateness of the messages are understood. Information or details shared in person, over coffee, and in different relationships such as friends, employers and family will look different. Social media is a great place to connect with people and share experiences of the world, but it is not the only way. Adventure is waiting — no stickered Nalgene or iPhone required.

Carolyn Kim, chair of the public relations department at Biola, dissects this topic further by defining social media authenticity. Editor: Kathryn Toombs

Social media pressures students to go on outdoor excursions to seem relevant and 07

“Authenticity at the end of the day is about being truthful,” said Kim. “It’s

Designer: Kelsey Vogt Photographer: Alex Bell E XP L O RING M O RE | 08

AND SOMETIMES WE TALKED ABOUT JESUS By Sophia Dammann

At the mention of “youth group” a cloud of nostalgia resurrects from the psyche of young evangelicals. For some, it recalls hours spent hemming knee-length denim skirts, perfecting a french braid and finally finding the right KJV Bible so they could fit in with the homeschool co-op kids. For others it brings back the nausea of putting a Happy Meal in a blender on Wednesday night and watching their friend drink the chunky brown meatsmoothie until hurling.

It is true, youth group communities are generally safe places for young Christians to hang out. But for many Biolans, this environment had stifled the important process of questioning and faith-wrestling that teenagers need.

From weird games involving shaving cream and cheesy puffs to summer camps and lock-ins, the culture of the church youth group reflects an odd shared experience among young evangelicals. While for some youth ministry is remembered as a celebrated part of growing up, for others, it is a series of cringe-worthy moments and poor sermon metaphors.

“Too often in the church we try to hinder students from having those questions of crisis,” said Keehn. “A large part of why young adults leave the church is because they haven’t come to a place of ownership over what they believe and why.”

For many Biola University students, the youth group experience was less about engaging in a personal relationship with Jesus and instead acted as a holding pen, encouraging sobriety and virginity above all else. “Youth group was just like hanging out with my friends from school except there was no cussing,” said sophomore intercultural studies major James Stinson. “The people there were safe and clean, but I never shared my testimony with my friends or told them about things I was struggling with. It was very surface level,” he said. 09

Director of Biola’s Christian Ministries department, David Keehn, explained the need for students in the church to question their beliefs to claim Christianity as their own; this is known as the Identity Development Theory.

Keehn added that part of this issue originates from what parents want from their kids. “Parents want help in getting their teenagers to obey and live a certain way. But, in doing so, they’re asking the church for help with the symptom rather than the cause, so youth pastors get caught doing a lot of sin management,” he said. When the methodology of youth ministry lies in cementing an outward conformity to truths and religious principles, the big picture of the Gospel is in danger of being abandoned for the appearance of “nice,” “wholesome,” and “well-behaved”

kids. Along with this focus on the preservation of innocence among young adults comes the shallow and stagnant feeling that many associate with their youth group experience. In decades past, as the church worked to manage the issue of sexual sin among young adults, its theology warped into a moral structure that prioritized not sinning above all else. “To put it simply, I would say that purity culture teaches that sexual sin irreversibly damages a person and decreases their worth,” said Sarah Schwartz, Biblical exposition student at Talbot Theological Seminary. During her time as a graduate student, Schwartz has spoken on several panels and chapels about the negative effects of purity culture. Purity culture is a problem seen in misguided youth groups. Emphasizing works over faith cripples students’ theology, the future of their relationships with God and their overall feelings of belonging within the church body. “One habit that came from being in youth group was that I thought that being a Christian meant that you had it all together and you were perfect,” said Stinson. For him, life post-youth group meant unlearning the doctrine of moral perfectionism and relearning the theology of grace. Refocusing youth group discussions on Christ and the importance of sharing the AND SO M E TIM E S W E TA L KE D A B O UT JE SUS | 10

Gospel is necessary to cultivate lasting and transformative spiritual growth in students. Discussing things like purity isn’t bad; the problem comes from emphasizing purity more than Christ. “Ultimately, everything should be pointed at Jesus,” Stinson said. “In anything that we’re doing in youth ministry it should always be about Jesus.” Another danger that youth ministry faces is the harsh divide that frequently forms between “youth group kids” and “high school kids.” “When I was in youth group I definitely felt like I wasn’t known by anyone and I felt like everyone that was my friend was friends with the person that I made myself to be and not actually the person that I was,” Stinson said. However, Stinson’s experiences as a teen are part of what drove him to pursue leadership roles in youth ministry as an adult. Through camp counseling over the summer and involvement in residence life at Biola, Stinson seeks to make a difference in the experiences of young adults in the church. “Now that the Lord has given me so much freedom from all of that, it gives me such a heart for people in that age because I know how it feels to be alone and that’s the total opposite of what the Gospel is about,” he said. For Stinson, whose parents were also the youth leaders at his church, the moment of finally taking ownership of his faith happened after he had exited the youth group context. “I feel like what I really needed in my walk with the Lord was to be away from my parents and away from my family and to be able to understand who Jesus is and who God is in my life by myself and for myself, instead of just copying what other people did,” he said.

“Youth group was just like hanging out with my friends from school except there was no cussing.”

Given the wide scope of youth group experiences, some are only able to discover the meaning of their experiences through hindsight, while others are able to recognize it in the moment. Sophomore public relations major Jonah Hamilton is one person who appreciated the impact of his youth group while he was still an active part of it. Hamilton joined a young men’s bible study in his church shortly after giving his life to Christ in high school. Now, as a campus mentor with the California School Project, a ministry that pursues “student-led, churchsupported campus awakening to the love of Christ at every public school,” he hopes to emulate the mentors he had growing up by encouraging students and relating to them. Youth group’s impact on the lives of young Christians is complicated and, like many adolescent experiences, rarely definitive. As an odd mix of theological education, community building and selfdiscovery, many life lessons arise from one’s time in youth group. The insecurity that typically characterizes the teenage journey into adulthood suggests that survivors ought to recall their time in youth group with the grace of one looking

back at their prom photos from the 80’s — nostalgia, humor and only a small amount of judgment. However, many students have experienced real hurt and undeniable trauma from youth ministry, which cannot be tucked into a photo album and put away. “I would encourage those who have been hurt by youth group to find safe, healthy people to process their experiences with,” Schwartz said. “I would remind them that they are a beloved image bearer, a child of God and full human person, not an object, not goods — damaged or otherwise.” Many of today’s youth group survivors are becoming tomorrow’s leaders in ministry. As a result, Biola students have an increasing responsibility to think critically about that time. Whether that means building on their positive experience, or striving to rework broken ministry structures, the post-youth group Christian is called not into passivity and shame, but into empowerment and church progression.

Editor: Annah Pritchett Designer: Kira Bester Photographer: Melanie Kim AND SO M E TIM E S W E TA L KE D A B O UT JE SUS | 12

“I’M SO OCD” The damaging results that follow making light of mental illness By Jenna Schmidt

“Whenever I see those commercials for antidepressants, I just can’t help but think, ‘Well, don’t get depressed in the first place!’” The girl in line at Starbucks frowned, trying to ignore the conversation at the table to her left, where one woman was nodding vigorously in response to the other woman’s comment. “That’s exactly it! People are just looking for attention. Some people just need to get over themselves,” she said. “I get that they’re sad and all, but sometimes you just need to get over it.” The girl felt her face redden as she got out of line and left the coffee shop. She stopped outside and saw her friend sitting at the table, waiting for her to come back with coffee. Her friend, who had told her only recently that he was struggling with depression. People don’t undermine the reality of chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. So why do people treat mental illnesses as if they don’t exist? Mental illnesses are widespread and unspoken realities in all communities. Some of the most commonly diagnosed disorders include Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression, and anxiety. From mild to severe, mental illnesses manifest in different ways for different people. Depression is not always feeling

sad, and OCD is not always perfectly lined up pencils on a square desk. According to polled statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, taken in 2015, 20 percent of teens from 13-18 years old have a mental health condition, while 11 percent have a mood disorder, 10 percent have a behavior or conduct disorder, and eight percent have an anxiety disorder. And these statistics are for youth alone. According to the same study, one in five adults in the U.S. battles with a mental illness, and nearly 10 million adults in the U.S. live with a listed “serious” mental health condition. The top four are anxiety, severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia among adults — anxiety counts for 18.1 percent of adults in the U.S.

“According to the same study, one in five adults in the U.S. battles with a mental illness, and nearly 10 million adults in the U.S. live with a listed “serious” meantal health condition.” “I’ M SO O CD ” | 14

That means 42 million Americans are struggling with anxiety each and every day. Elizabeth Hall, professor of psychology in the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola, emphasizes the importance of understanding normal levels of emotion versus diagnosable mental health conditions. “It is very important to keep distinct what are normal levels of emotion you might not like but exist, like fear or sadness, and all these normal emotions that God gave us, versus something that is problematic,” says Hall. “When those get mushed together, then people who actually have problematic levels of fear and sadness and who would qualify for a diagnosis might not feel like it’s legitimate and get help for it. Their friends are also saying they’re depressed and anxious, and they seem to be coping just fine with it.” Hal l s aid whe n p eople u s e te r ms l i ke de pre s s ion a nd a n x ie t y to re fe r to e motion s l i ke fe a r a nd s ad ne s s , t hey pu sh away e mo t ion s t h at t hey do no t want and wo u ld r at he r no t h ave by m ak i n g t he m s ee m l i ke proble ms . To di s ti n g u ish b e t wee n nor ma l level s of e motion a nd proble mat ic one s , H a l l recom me nd s a sk i n g ce r t a i n q ue s t ion s of the s i t u at ion a nd t he s olu t ion s . “If I am sad, that is different from when I am sad every day for two months, and because of that sadness I am no longer taking pleasure in anything or enjoying anything in my life. Obviously those are different experiences. The other criteria would be how much it affects people’s ability to function,” she said. Since mental health conditions have been downplayed for centuries, those who now experience mental illnesses in this modern world are still fighting against unbelief in the reality of mental illnesses. For those who do not struggle with mental health conditions, they may be left wondering how they can work

and live with and help the people around them who do experience that daily struggle. When a friend or family member cannot get out of bed because their depression is too much that day, or when their ADHD medication or lack thereof results in migraines or unhealthy eating habits, one can find themselves in a dilemma as to how to respond. “I think it’s hard because especially with certain things, people don’t acknowledge that it’s real or that it’s nearly as serious as it is,” says junior business major Abigail Koltun, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. “I know that at least with ADHD, people think it’s just that people are not trying hard enough to focus. So they think that if we tried hard enough, without medication, we’d be perfectly fine and adjusted, but we’re just lazy.” For those who struggle with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and social anxiety, amongst other conditions, the experience of shame in society as well as in the church. The stigma, trivialization and misunderstanding of mental health conditions in society have leaked over into the modern church, and can Christians can change this through their interactions? “When people trivialize it by saying, ‘I’m feeling super ADHD right now,’ it makes me realize that they don’t understand what it means to have ADHD or dyslexia or any other illness/ disability,” says Koltun. “They could interact with us by understanding that they actually have no idea what it’s like to go through what we’re going through, so not just to say, ‘I get what you’re going through,’ because they don’t.” Junior political science major Emily Vivanco, who struggles with depression, agrees with Koltun on the importance of understanding that she will engage differently in social settings.

“I know that at least with ADHD, people think it’s just that people are not trying hard enough to focus. So they think that if we tried hard enough, without medication, we’d be perfectly fine and adjusted, but we’re just lazy.” “Living with depression is like living in a world of gray. Some days you get a glimpse of color and you think, ‘Is it over? Is this what normal feels like?’ Then the color fades and you’re left in the gray again, a black and white movie with subdued sound that seems to lag because you’re numb,” she said. Vivanco says that while the mixtures of numbness and pain vary for those with depression, understanding the difference in how people see the world can help others interact with them. “It varies depending on the individual,” says Vivanco. “But understanding that we can’t engage with you on a ‘normal’ HD color film level is a huge step towards helping us trust you.” For someone who wakes up in the morning and cannot find a valid reason in their mind and body to get out of bed and go to work, depression is not a joke. For someone who experiences a panic attack at the thought of their fear or at the mention of something that triggers their fear, anxiety is not a joke.

because they have tried so hard to control their mood swings every single day, bipolar disorder is not a joke. So, as the body of Christ, let us not make jokes at their expense. “Most of us don’t really want to be treated differently based on whatever disability we have, and most of us won’t openly tell you,” says Koltun. “But in order to interact with us best, unless we tell you differently, act with us the same way you would have if we didn’t have this disability.” Those who struggle with mental health conditions and those who do not should feel safe to have open conversations with each other, where people can begin to understand the reality of mental illnesses and experience kindness, respect and comfort from those around them. 90 percent of those who take their own lives have an underlying mental illness, according to NAMI statistics. The way one uses their words when speaking about mental health or to someone with a mental illness can change these statistics for the better or for the worse, and for the church, this should be a concern for Christians to work in the lives of those around them. Change comes not only from feeding the homeless man on the street corner, but also taking time to care for that girl in the junior high group who has not eaten in a couple days because her anxiety makes her feel sick, or the man working behind the cash register who needs to remember to take his pill every morning or suffer the consequences of distraction, headaches, and pain. Let’s work to change the understanding of mental health for the better.

Editor: Angelene Wong

For someone who finds themselves exhausted at the end of the week

Designer/Illustrator: Hannah Chance Photographer: Maylin Rowe “I’ M SO O CD ” | 18

FLOORPLAN By Monica Kochan

In the midst of a record setting campaign, Biola students have varied responses regarding the administration’s extensive plans for the school. The campaign leading with the banner, “A Soul of Conviction, a Voice of Courage” is currently raising support to improve student affordability, extend its intellectual and global influence, and increase student learning with the construction of the new Alton and Lydia Lim Center for Science, Technology, and Health. Biola’s campaign, motivated largely by a desire to equip future leaders, will continue it’s city to city campaign through the end of the year. Adam Morris, Vice President of University Advancement, explains the distinctiveness of “A Soul of Conviction, A Voice of Courage.” “This is what we call comprehensive campaigning, so instead of it being a single project, it’s a number of projects that would range from scholarships to the science building to academic centers, like the Center for Christian Thought, to what we call Global Reach, which is using technology like Open Biola to take the resources of the University to make them available to the global church,” said Morris. Students and faculty have expressed diverse feelings regarding the new campaign and science Center. Jessica Yee, a junior biochemistry major, believes that Biola’s campaign is a positive influence not only on the university, but on the surrounding community of past and present Biola students. “It’s a great way that not only is Biola reaching out to everyone around us, but also to alumni and other people to get them reinvolved or involved in Biola’s community,” said Yee. “So I think the campaign is a good way of not just raising money, but also raising awareness of [the fact that] ‘Oh yes, Biola is still this awesome university, still growing, still doing great things.’” Matt Cruzen, associate professor and chairman of the biological sciences department, expresses his sympathy for the art department, which has been displaced by the construction of the new science center, while also emphasizing the need for new science facilities. “We’ve been putting bandaids on this building and Bardwell, we just had to annex that about three years ago, but we’ve already

outgrown it . . . labs are the biggest problem. When I came here, we had two labs on this floor. Now we’ve subdivided and been very creative doing a little construction. We’re at four, but we’re at capacity every day till the evening,” said Cruzen. “There’s no real room for anything, so I’m definitely sympathetic with the arts, and especially since they had to lose some buildings now.” According to Morris, the new center will triple the size of the current facilities on campus by housing 27 laboratories, six new classrooms, nine prep labs, nine conference rooms and 70 offices, bringing together the otherwise separate programs of science, health, math and technology into one space. The science building has evident need of new technology and increased space; however, the fulfillment of these needs comes at the cost of a lot of change, particularly the relocation of the art department. Student responses to the new science center are for the most part positive, though some have concerns regarding current projects, affordability and student scholarships. Semaj Thompson, freshman sociology major, shares his thoughts regarding the center. “I’m grateful for it as a tool because down the line it’s something that’s going to improve the overall of our collective mission at Biola, which is to spread the Gospel,” Thompson continued. “We can do that by equipping Christians in different areas, such as the math and sciences with the knowledge they need to go and be critical hard hitters for the environments that they are working in, especially when those environments are predominantly non-Christian.” Although Thompson realizes the importance of the new science center, he has some minor reservations about applying funds to cosmetic changes on campus, such as the construction near the Biola Bookstore, which could potentially be used for other projects.

year, and so I think in order to keep students here, especially international students, I think it’s important to make that available to them,” said Webster. Although Biola has been promoting the new center in order to raise appropriate funds to achieve their vision for the building, Deborah Taylor, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of Biola, articulates that the primary focus of the campaign is student scholarships. She also notes that the science building is intended to benefit students specifically before it benefits the overall school. “You can’t ever complain about the value that a new building adds to campus,” Taylor said. “But this was designed specifically because we have increasing numbers of students who want to go into the STEM fields, and they don’t have the facilities that will allow them to do all the things you should be able to do as part of your undergraduate experience in the sciences. So it definitely came out of student need.” In keeping with the goals of the University Plan, The Seven Aspirations, Morris emphasizes the importance of improving student affordability. “The largest portion of the campaign we’re in right now is trying to raise 85 million dollars for student scholarships, and so, if the University is going to accomplish its vision for the future, part of that vision is to deal with the issue of affordability for you, students, and part of our job is to take the affordability issue to the donor community, and say, help,” said Morris. Students also voiced concerns over current and future student diversity in the Biola community and over the prioritization of the art department.

Laura Webster, sophomore art major, raises concerns over the affordability of Biola.

Yee believes that Biola’s next step should be towards making greater efforts for diversity on campus through enrollment and advertising. “It’s not just this idea that we are more diverse, so we’ve got that checked off, it’s like we are more diverse so we offer a better space for you to grow and challenge yourself,” said Yee. “If you’re in a dorm room next to someone; it’s a different culture, with different ideas, and it helps you become a better person.”

“I think that scholarships need to be addressed more because tuition is going up every year, and went up quite a lot this past

In terms of overall diversity, Taylor addresses inequality and her intent to pursue greater diversity. FL O O RP L A N | 20

“I’m happy for the science students, but I really hope that they don’t forget us.” “We don’t want to be the kind of place where we attract students or faculty of color, and then because the environment is such that they are hitting up against obstacles that are systemic kinds of inequities, they don’t feel that this is where they can thrive.” Along the lines of this issue, Taylor states that it is the administration’s intention to pursue diversity both by improving Biola’s environment and students’ preparedness for the future. “We’re going to look at the questions that our students responded to [in the NSSE survey] and said they don’t feel prepared to do, and we’re going to come up with one or two initiatives next year that our entire university, will work together to say, how can we change that?” Taylor said. Laura Webster supports the new Science Center but voices her concerns for her department. “I’m really happy for them, and what I know about the building is that it’s a part of Biola’s mission to emphasize the STEM fields and make it more competitive with other universities because that’s really where students are going,” Webster says, “As an art student, the only complaint that I really have is that they didn’t talk to us much about it.”

Webster’s real concerns center on the future priorities of the school. “The complaint is that they didn’t talk to us, but the concern is that while sciences are important; the humanities are also important,” said Webster. “And I think the risk is that by focusing so much on the STEM department, they’re not going to focus as much on the humanities anymore, and I really think that for a university to be well rounded and be a proper reflection of society, they need to have both.” Although students and faculty express the hope that the expansion of the art department will occur in the near future, Biola administration has yet to confirm definite plans. “I’m happy for the science students, but I really hope that they don’t forget us,” said Webster. Although students largely support Biola’s current initiatives, they lack certain knowledge about campaign plans and the motivations behind, and intent for, them. The administration, though expressing its prioritization of students here, has not necessarily communicated this value to every member of its community. If administration created a space to connect directly with students of all backgrounds, better informing them about initiatives and acquiring student feedback, they would bring students into the process of improving the school and would also gain a picture of students’ real needs. This process might be surprising and difficult, but, in prioritizing the individual student, it would build up the entire school more holistically. Although it would take more time to effect change on issues like diversity and equality, and open dialogue would not be a smooth process, nor would it solve every issue, it most certainly would communicate to every student how important they are as learners and more importantly, as people. And that would make the difference between a school where only some feel valued and one where all feel valued and want to pursue the collective vision.

Editor: Kathryn Toombs Designer: Hannah Chance Illustrator: Nico Hernandez FL O O RP L A N | 24

January 2016: I sat between two Russians in the back of a black van watching rain fall atop old snow. Looking out at the eastern Ukrainian town of Slavyansk, I tried to picture it two years earlier, before the quiet place had lit up with the brutality of war.

MYR/MIR By Hannah Wagner

Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine’s origins and importance as a buffer between Russia and the West has proved crucial. In late 2013, mass protests developed in the capital Kiev among Western supporting Ukrainians. Then President Viktor Yanukovych was pro-Russian and his policies strongly clashed with those of the people. Yanukovych fled Ukraine in February 2014 and in March 2014, Russia invaded and annexed the decisive Ukrainian region of Crimea. The result of it all – war. Those in the densely Russian cultured areas of eastern and southern Ukraine erupted with unrest, uprooting people from their homes and ripping families and countrymen apart. The conflict continues to this day, though I hope that what I was seeing out the window was aftermath and not the eye of the storm. I had been traveling for 10 days through Russia and Ukraine visiting radio stations as a writer with Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC),

a Christian non-profit radio ministry located in La Mirada, California. Both of the men I sat between work for Russian-based radio TEOS. They and the men from FEBC were traveling to Ukraine to lead a workshop on effective communication. In Slavyansk, we met with a station nestled in the heart of the border land between Russia and the West. The ride roughened as the road turned to dirt. Heavy coats absorbed the bumps and buffered us from the harsh winter looming outside. Through rain-blurred windows I watched the ruins of asylum buildings pass. An FEBC staff member told me how pro-Russian rebels bunkered there against Ukrainian troops. “What are you feeling?” I asked Alexey Vlasihin, one of the Russians sitting next to me. His blue eyes stared out the window at the haunting scene, considering the question. Like many Russians, he had visited Ukraine before to see family and friends. But this ride through Slavyansk was his first time witnessing the physical destruction left by the pro-Russian rebels who had violently occupied the town and other Ukrainian land during the crisis of 2014. “Do you remember the fence we saw at

our last stop?” he asked me in his thick Russian accent. “The one in front of Victor’s old house? It had holes from shooting and bomb shards. I can easily imagine children walking by.” I did not quite understand, but I could feel something deep and sad emanate from him. “These are Russian speaking people, who were bombed by pro-Russian rebels,” his head hung low now. “We are brothers.” He could feel the weight of it, he explained, the weight of the violence carried out in the name of his own country. I could sympathize; I had often felt a distant sense of guilt or shame for American acts of seemingly senseless violence. But, unlike Americans, Russians cannot ignore the tangible violence right in front of them. “Of course, I didn’t shoot a gun, but…I feel anger and shame,” Alexey said. The van stopped. The group poured out and we looked around quietly, our breath preceding us in warm white clouds. The driver pointed across the street into an inconspicuous field of yellow brush. This was where, he explained, four of his church brothers were mowed down by machine gun fire from a group of proRussian rebels two years earlier.As we

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boarded the train back to Kiev, I could not shake the image of that field and the lives ended there. I thought of the two days we spent in Slavyansk: the Christians there had fed us, welcomed us into their church and showed us genuine love. What strength allowed them to welcome, feed and trust us, a group of Russians and Americans? The people of Slavyansk had been hurt by outsiders, and even more significantly, hurt by their own countrymen. Yet, they took us in like family, and allowed us to worship alongside them. After coming home to California, I felt challenged by the powerful peace between the Ukrainians of Slavyansk and the Russians I traveled with. Hoping to better understand this peace, I spoke via video chat with three young people I had met on the trip about their experience as Christians during the conflict between their countries. In the spring of 2014, brothers Andrey, 16, and Ivan Bradarskiy, 19, were high school students in Slavyansk, Ukraine. Their president, Viktor Yanukovych, had just fled the country in February after mass protests against his pro-Russian policies and in March, Russia invaded and annexed the crucial Ukrainian region of Crimea. In April 2014, the brothers began noticing concerning changes along the streets of Slavyansk.

“There were soldiers and sandbags,” said Andrey. “Then Russian flags were there. On the Russian flag the highest line is white. But, on this flag the highest line was black. That meant they wanted our region, the Donetsk region, to be a republic — a republic together with Russia.” These soldiers were pro-Russian rebels seeking independence from Ukraine. Within months, these militants seized large portions of the Donetsk region, including government buildings in Slavyansk. Armed conflict broke out between them and the post-revolutionary Ukrainian military, who had mobilized to regain control of the region.

“I just stopped watching television and internet,” said Polina. “I understand there is no truth to this.” Polina now works for the FEBC station in Moscow, hosting two shows for people with questions about Christianity and Muscovite youth. She said that she rarely encounters people from either Russia or Ukraine with extreme hatred because of the war. “You don’t have to hate people just because they aren’t your nationality,” said Polina. “You should start to understand it is not natural to hate someone just because they are Russian or Ukrainian or because they have black or white skin.”

Without warning, the Bradarskiy’s Eastern Ukrainian town had been pulled into the fray.

Polina’s pastor in Moscow is Ukrainian and their church prays for both countries frequently.

“We are friends, Ukraine and Russia,” said Andrey. “We couldn’t imagine that there would be conflict between these friendly countries.”

Since more of the physical conflict has been experienced by Ukraine, Andrey and Ivan experienced firsthand what it is like to be Protestant Christians in Ukraine during the war. The boys said the pro-Russian rebels commonly claimed to be Orthodox Christians, a traditional and widespread religion of the region, carrying signs that read “Russian Orthodox Army.”

As a journalism student at Moscow State University, Polina Molczanowa, 24, found it difficult to make sense of the conflict from her relative safety in Moscow. The news she watched only caused more confusion. She found herself disengaging from media, overwhelmed by the convolution of assigning blame and political argument.

“The soldiers told the Orthodox people in our town, ‘just take your bags and leave town because it will be bad,’” Ivan

“As Christians, we know that all people are loved by God,” said Polina. “Not because they are in Ukraine or Russia, but because they are loved. It is a fact. This is a fact. And this makes our flags just a symbol of our borders.” and Andrey explained. “But other types of faith like Baptist, they would even kill them…like my dad.” The field that stretched before me in Ukraine was where four members of Ivan and Andrey’s church, including their father, had been tortured and murdered two years earlier. A few months after their father’s murder, Andrey and Ivan received a phone call from a soldier. He

offered them a chance at retribution — if they wanted revenge, he would tell them the location of the men who had killed their father. The boys refused. They were Christians, they informed the soldier — and ended the conversation. Through patchy video chat, I could see in Polina’s face that she felt the pain of Andrey and Ivan’s loss. At that moment, I once again felt the peace I experienced while in Ukraine. They helped me understand the unity in faith which empowered Christians to love despite the strife between Russia and Ukraine. As patriots, they are members of their country’s war, but as Christians they are members of one faith. Polina explained that war was simply a diversion — a tool used by the powerhungry to manipulate and distract from what truly matters. “As Christians, we know that all people are loved by God,” said Polina. “Not because they are in Ukraine or Russia, but because they are loved. It is a fact. This is a fact. And this makes our flags just a symbol of our borders.”

Editor: N i co l e Foy Designer: Micayla Jones Photographer: Hannah Wagner

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CLOSED CAPTIONING By Olivia O’Brian

It’s a normal Thursday night in downtown Fullerton and Roscoe’s Famous Deli, nestled among the other bars and eateries, is alive. Groups of people belly up to order a sandwich or pint, attempting to communicate over the loud music and noise of the game tables. Out the back door, through the hall, past the bouncers, is the courtyard… and it is quiet. Not at all empty, but very quiet. It is a Deaf event: an organized meeting spot for the Deaf community in the area to come together and connect. Sitting in a large circle, people speak to one another without their voices. Whether they are sitting two feet or 10 feet away, they talk using American Sign Language (ASL), a language that uses not only hands, but the entire upper body as a means of communication. Although they separate themselves from the main bar room to the more visually accommodating patio, they still welcome the “hearing community” into their conversation and lifestyle. April Caputi, film major and president of the ASL club at Biola, explained, “Being marginalized as a people group, [the Deaf community] knows what it’s like not to feel welcome and they don’t want other people to feel that way.” 33

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“It is not just the honest communication that bonds these people together, it is also the detailed communication they desire from one another.”

Approaching the Deaf event as a new signer can be intimidating, but most people involved in the Deaf community welcome newcomers seeking to learn about their life and culture, both of which they take much pride in. Many things make the Deaf community unique, but what may be new for someone who is hearing is their straight-forward approach to communication. In order to be clear, visual cues are vital. So, when mentioning a person, a description of how they look — and exactly how they look, is common.

This kind of detailed convers ation is valued over small talk. The more information shared, the more they stay connected. The patio at Roscoe’s is just one place around Los Angeles and Orange County where the Deaf community holds weekly events. These gatherings happen anywhere: coffee shops, shopping centers, parks. Yet, many students at Biola remain entirely unaware of them unless they have taken at least one ASL course for their language requirement.

Noticing a friend or acquaintance acting differently results in a direct question wondering why they seem different. Beating around the bush is a rare occurrence.

Anni Panagiotis, a junior sociology major, began taking ASL over Interterm 2016. After taking French, she found ASL an easy and fun way to fulfill the language requirement needed to graduate.

And the response? Honest, without taking offense. It is this honesty and openness that make the Deaf community so close knit.

“I knew a lot of people that took ASL and they said it was super fun, but I didn’t know anything about the culture.” Panagiotis said.

But, it is not just the honest communication that bonds these people together, it is also the detailed communication they desire from one another. If a friend is late to coffee, they do not just say they are sorry, they give the whole story.

This limited knowledge of Deaf culture is not exclusive to Biola students. “Deafness and disability go unnoticed in the Christian community and the church as a whole.” said Caputi.

“Only two percent of the deaf are Christians, which makes them one of — if not the most — unreached people groups in the world.”

The Deaf community is not something specific to any country, though there are variations of it around the world. They do not have a stake of land where their language is spoken; there are deaf people in every country speaking some form of sign. However, this does not mean that every deaf person has a language. “They are very much a marginalized group, and if God is calling us to reach out to those who are marginalized, deaf people should be included in that too,” Caputi said. Only two percent of the deaf are Christians, which makes them one of — if not the most — unreached people groups in the world. The need for the integration of interpreters and other forms of accommodation into churches is a fairly new concept. Many larger churches, with a greater amount of congregational diversity, have taken action to incorporate interpreters. This action welcomes deaf people who otherwise would have no way to hear the message preached. The issue does not only lie in the lack of accommodation in many churches, but the lack of social interaction. With language as the main mode of connection between believers after the service, the

Deaf community feels an instant divide; they cannot communicate with their fellow believers, hindering the familial aspect of the church. The lack of closeness is disheartening, especially when compared with experiences in the Deaf community. Caputi, who is deaf, relates her experience as a young churchgoer, “There was a divide for me in my home church. I was never really involved because I couldn’t hear the sermon and I couldn’t hear what the people were saying when I was in youth group. No one would really talk to me. I felt isolated.” Empathetic understanding of those who are deaf is as essential as knowing ASL or Deaf culture. “It is a matter of the heart,” said Caputi. “People’s attitudes and presuppositions of deaf people will dictate how they interact with them, if they are willing and patient enough to do so.”

Editor: Junilee Pham Xuan Designer: Kelsey Vogt Photographer: Kayla McCabe CL O SE D CA P TIO NING | 36

IT’S ALL RELATIVE How the definition of family differs person to person By Olivia Velazquez

The word “family” may conjure up images of smiling faces over a dinner table blanketed with mom’s home cooked lentil stew. For others, the word brings to mind the sound of a door slamming as their parent’s last footsteps echo down the hall, never to be heard again. Family is more than the fragmented relationships, the awkward annual portraits, or even the skeletons that accumulate in every closet. Family is the heart of humanity. Everyone has a role to play in a family, whether brother or sister; the golden child or the black sheep; the misunderstood middle child or Grandma’s favorite. But some like Daniel Troxell find the moment they were chosen to be loved far more important than any stereotypical role they play in family dynamics. The senior cinema media arts major was adopted from an orphanage in Krasnodar, Russia when he was two years old. Growing up in Idaho with his sister, who was also adopted, gave him a unique perspective on family. The subjects of this story were invited to provide a photograph that represented their family background.

“[My parents] have done a wonderful job keeping everything so seamless,” he said. “They made me feel so welcome and like I belonged with them.” 37

Many people do not realize family is a choice. Whether it is choosing not to throw a hairbrush at a sibling or do the dishes without grumbling, family is a daily choice of love — messy love — but love nonetheless.

“Many people do not realize family is a choice.” One of the most coveted familial bonds — at least, among Biolans — seems to be the matrimonial bond. But marriage is more than a dream of ring-by-spring, a Facebook status or a smiling couple selfie. Marriage joins two unique, endlessly complicated families and it does not always look like a Macy’s ad. The joining of two family trees and the tangling of cultures, religious beliefs, secret recipes, and inconvenient pet allergies will never be easy, but it is these very qualities that make individual families special in their own way.

together,” she said. “It’s really unique and I think it’s a beautiful illustration of what family is supposed to be.” Being part of a family means enduring the highs and the hurts and carrying the scars along with the treasures. Imperfection is not always the result of personal failure, but the symptoms of a disheveled humanity. Kate Abel, a senior intercultural studies major, is a child of two missionary parents who divorced when she was in eighth grade. Despite this, she remains close to her mother and siblings. “When I think of family,” she said. “I think of the word ‘comfort.’ It is that place where you feel comfortable to be yourself.” It’s natural for students to create surrogate families for themselves on campus. But for some students, their friends are their families. In either case, it is important to speed-dial loved ones once in awhile and just let them know many times they were a silver lining in a stormy season.

Jimmi Knight, a senior music major, married her high school sweetheart, David, in August of 2014. Edi to r: Ni co l e Foy

“I think the greatest blessing has been being able to see our two families come

D esi g n e r: Me g a n Va n Vl e a r Ph o to g ra p h e r: Al ex Be l l IT’ S A L L RE L A TIVE | 38

P OLIT ICAL SO MET HIN G Land of Whatever, Home of Who Cares By James O’Hearn

My fellow Americans! I am a simple man. I have simple values. First among these, I believe in this country! I strongly believe that the United States of America exists, and indeed, that it has fifty states. We stand on the backs of citizens for generations on end; we hold every moment of our past as something to be proud of. “A love of homegrown traditions never weakened us,” said Elena Lathrop, president of the Los Angeles Young Republicans club. “It gives us strength when we’re in trouble, something to rally behind.” Beliefs such as these connect us. They unify us as a people and act as a shield against un-American interlopers. If the Founding Fathers wanted us to care so much about the rest of the world they certainly would not have declared independence from it. The most recent election has indeed shown us what we may accomplish when

we true Americans come together for the holy trinity of cynicism, indifference and hatred. Which is better, we may ask — to have one of the lowest voter turnouts of the world, or to have the population flock to the booths in droves so that the “other one” does not get in? But when has being swept away by the will of the people ever done any good? It was but a few decades back we were being swept away by disco fever. To those who were disgusted and bored and cynical of politics and did not bother to vote, we can say proudly: you were in effect voting forthe entrenched Establishments of the two major parties, who (please rest assured) are not dumb, and who are keenly aware that it is in their intereststo keep you disgusted and bored and cynical and to give you every possible reason to stay at home praying instead of at a ballot on primary day. Robert Evans, popular author and journalist who followed the campaign of Donald Trump, had this to say to me on the candidate’s popularity.

“They [Trump supporters] aren’t all the same. But they are all the kinds of people who can’t stand letting anyone get away with bad behavior,” Evans said. “A crime deserves a punishment, and though they were all angry about different crimes, each of the men and women I met believed in the same punishment.” Our brave candidates have, more than anything, managed to tap into that apex of public consciousness: fear. It is perhaps the oldest and strongest of emotions, and the oldest and strongest fear is fear of the unknown. Shall we be afraid of attacks on the middle class, or on Muslims? Is there a war on the rich, or a war on the poor? Are Christians discriminated against, or shall we fear women? I, of course, love women. I was raised by one, I will likely marry one, and I played an absolutely stunning one in my high school production of Robin Hood: Men in Tights. But surely there is plenty to fear from them! P O L ITICA L SO M E TH ING | 40

“The word is fear. The name of the game is fear. Will we fear godless socialism or a theocratic oligarchy?” “The word is fear. The name of the game is fear. Will we fear godless socialism or a theocratic oligarchy?” Cathryn Carson, professor of history at the University of California, Berkeley, said, “There is a long tradition in campaigns of candidates who play to the fears of the electorate during times when great threats appear. Historically, when politicians use these ‘politics of fear,’ bad things happen.” Actions taken by fear of the “other” all too often turn a blind eye to the results. I ask you, what difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless whether they suffer fear and destruction under the name of socialism or in the holy names of liberty and democracy? They are the brands we sell, bleeding red, white and blue. The major problem — one of the major problems, for there are several — with governing people is that of who gets to do it. Rather, who gets people to let them do it to them.

coffee + conversations To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President of the United States should on no account be allowed to do the job. I may not prove it, but I can say it. To summarize the summary of the summary: people are an awful problem. Yet I will say something regardless. I say, “Vote.” I say, “Change things.” Now, this may have become self-evident by previous behavior, such as sleeping on beds made of broken glass, meeting random connections on Craigslist, and voting every two years for whoever seems likely to accomplish something. But it could, in fact, be argued that I am a masochist. So go back to bed, America. The government knows how it all came to be. Go back to bed, America. The government is in control as it was. Here is your road to freedom, students. Here is some Facebook cause to be outraged about. Look at this, shut up. Get angry about gay marriage being legalized and dead lions and a hundred little nothings that dot your feed. Here is Netflix, here are all your favorite shows! Watch meatheads and models blend their bodies together under the lights and congratulate you on living in the land of the free! Here you go, America! We are the news, we are the ones with mouths. You are free to do what we tell you.

Editor: Angel ene Wo ng

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