Southwestern Adventist University
Status Our magazine.
Meet Your New U.S. President: Donald Trump Ask Parker Q&A
Biblical Refugees or Syrian Refugees
From the Editor W
e are near the finish line of another semester. For many, these are the last weeks of their
first fall semester and for others like me this is our last fall semester. I know, I shouldn’t get ahead of
Alondra Zavala Editor in Chief
myself, but I can’t help but to stop and think as things come to an end, and as other things are soon to begin.
Email: alondra_z@swau.edu As I was waking up the moring after Thanksgiving, I noticed something: Thanksgiving was already forgotten. Commercial after commercial, Christmas was being advertised. Black Friday had passed and many had bought Christmas gifts for their loved ones. This holiday has come to be a time of receiving material gifts, but it has pushed aside the meaning of giving. The logic of giving, because you have received, has come to replace the act of giving without interest.
“...give knowing the value of what you’re giving...”
As college students, we know what it’s like to have nothing, but we also know what it’s like to be blessed. The
Apostle Paul could not have said it better, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both,” (Philippians 4:12).
Therefore, I urge you all to give knowing the value of what you’re giving--if it’s a smile, make it wider; if it’s
your time, give it without restrictions; and if it’s a prayer, give it whole heartily. You never know--it might be the biggest blessing anyone may receive from you.
Blessings,
Alondra Zavala
Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Good Times, Good Food: My Kind of Trifle Nu Pham
Dr. Ingo Sorke Interview Mairim Argueta
Paulino Santos Interview Mairim Argueta
Don’t Take this Food for Granted
CONTRIBUTORS Alondra Zavala Editor in Chief
Herman Aguilar Writer
Nu Pham Writer
Hayden Scott Graphic Designer
Mairim Argueta
Herman Aguilar
Writer
Meet Your New U.S. President:
Janely Castro
Donald Trump
Writer
Dr. Steve Jones
Gicele Fuentes
Ask Parker Q&A
Writer
Parker
Sarah Castro
Biblical Refugees or Syrian
Photographer
Refugees Hayden Scott
Campgrounds and Kites Kerstie Macomber
SPONSORS Rahneeka Hazelton SA Adviser
Dr. Glen Robinson
Angela Delgado Photographer
Kylie Kurth Writer
Starr Wallace Photographer
Good Times, Good Food: My Kind of Trifle (Mini) A
By Nu Pham trifle is a type of dessert that consists
of layers of fruits, custard or whip cream, and pound cake. It’s very easy to make and will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. There are many wonderful recipes out there to make delicious trifle. But, as a college student (especially if you live in the dorm), a you don’t often have the tools nor the time to create or cook any fancy dishes. I suggest this go-to recipe. It’s super easy and affordable to whip up! You will need:
1. Cool Whip
2. Strawberries (or any kind of
fruits you would like)
3. Store-bought pound cake
(my favorite is located in the ice
cream section made
one by Sara Lee)
4. Clear plastic cups
That’s all you need! Here are the instructions: 1.
Rinse the fruits and cut them to bite size (or desired) pieces.
2.
Cut pound cakes into cubes.
3.
Layer the pound cake, fruit, and cool whip, into the cups. Repeating each to make them look as you desire.
4.
Last but not least, share your creation with at least 3 friends!
As easy as that, you have a super simple yet fancy dessert recipe to impress your friends. All of this can be bought for under $10 and can serve up to 10 people.
4
Profile Dr. Ingo Sorke, Religion Professor
E
ntering Dr. Sorke’s office--all the walls lined with books, volumes and encyclopedias--he is inputting grades while Kollin is on his laptop, sharing a quiet father-son moment. Mairim Argueta: You are a pastor but you are also a teacher, a husband and father. How do you juggle all that? Dr. Ingo Sorke: Strict time-management and priorities. God first, family second and church, third. Have a routine or your life will become a series of emergencies. You have three blocks in a day: Morning, afternoon and
but the people only see you as serving dinner.
evening. How will those blocks be occupied? People time,
MA: What did you feel when you came into the church?
preaching time, worship time, family time.
IS: It was a cultural shock. Being a Seventh-day Adventist is not a religion;
MA:What led you to your calling?
it is an immersive culture with its own terms such as vespers, AY and
IS: I used to have my own research lab in my basement
haystacks.
but then one day I was asked to give the mission story. I
MA: On your website, I saw a super interesting video on women’s
was scared to be up front, freaked me out! I memorized
ordination. How did that video come into existence?
the report and I preached it. Then over time I got involved
IS: I wrote an article and somebody contacted me asking to create it. We
in ministry and have been happily stuck in ministry since
worked together in the editing process.
then.
MA: We have students that are constantly studying and sometimes we
MA: Is there a difference in being a Pastor as opposed
don’t maintain a relationship with God aside from our religion class. What
to a Teacher?
would you say to encourage us?
IS: Yes, the calendar. Pastoring never ends and we have
IS: Yes, make the time whenever you can. Shut down Facebook, don’t
a bigger ever changing congregation. Teaching has a pre-
answer messages and reconnect with God on a regular basis. Make it a time
made routine. A defined end and beginning. The students
to listen to Him, praying and thinking through things. God thrives on that
make the congregation and our interactions are all filled
time He spends with you. Spend time, not money. He is waiting for you plus
with meaningful, intentional church ministry.
you can be transparent and vulnerable with your sounding board.
MA: What is the biggest misconception people may have
MA: What is your go-to verse?
of you?
IS: Exodus 2:23-25. The typical panic verse: God I need help, the burden
IS: People think you have all the answers and on the
is too heavy and they cried out to Him. The verse says that God saw them,
other hand people just see the final product as a pastor or
heard them, he acknowledge them, and God did something about it.
teacher. That’s it.There’s a lot of behind the scenes going on constantly, with new demands. It’s like a cook: you try new recipes, throw things away and try something else
5
Profile Paulino Santos, Kinesiology Professor
S
antos greets me in typical Puerto Rican fashion: a huge smile on his face as he opens up like a book to discuss his life and relationship with SWAU. Mairim Argueta: How did you end up teaching kinesiology at a university? Paulino Santos: I did a bachelors degree in physical education and a minor in business, then a masters in adapted physical education. That opened doors into the field of education. I’m currently doing distance learning at Arizona State University finishing my doctoral degree this January.
PS: From a department with 600 students to one
MA: Can you tell us a little of your family?
with 50 students, I can really prepare each student
PS: My wife lives here in Texas with me and my daughter is a psychology individually more fully and yet it’s also a challenge. counselor and is about to make me a grandpa for the first time. My son works MA: Why do you think more Adventists decide to as a computer engineer and just finished an ironman contest. I’m a happy man. study physical education? MA: How did you and SWAU meet? Because Texas is a ways off from Puerto PS: I feel like they are so worried about keeping the Rico!
Sabbath day that they fail to see that there are options
PS: Well, I was planning a summer camp for our PR university and I received to still serve God and follow your passion. I have been an email just after an injury. For those who love God all things help them able to put my students in contact with a university that towards good, right? One phone interview brought me to Texas to be evaluated will cover your masters in adapted physical education. on campus and the next thing I know I’m selling all my stuff over a weekend, MA: How would you motivate students to do exercise? and arriving here with just two suitcases.
PS: Exercise pushes me onwards and upwards. I
MA: How did your wife feel about it?
always tell my students, “He who does not know where
PS: She was very supportive and still is. She makes delicious cake that can sell he or she is going is already there.” I encourage you to anywhere so she was happy to change locations and try out a new client base.
find something that you like and start doing it, even
MA: How does it if it’s just walking around the mall. Make physical feel to come from a exercise part of your routine because it will affect your big university to a mind and body. There is a saying in physical education smaller one? What that says “[that which] is not used, atrophies.” If you are the benefits?
don’t use your body, it will stop working.
Mairim Argueta
A transfer student from the University of Puerto Rico, Mairim enjoys getting to know the people around her and making bridges to translate dreams into realities.
6
Don’t Take this Food for Granted HERMAN AGUILAR
W
hen we think about having a
balanced and healthy diet, some of the foods that come to mind include fruits, vegetables, and dairy. However, did you know that grains are one of the most important foods that our bodies need in order to function and remain healthy? There is just one problem: people neglect and overlook them when it comes to their diet. Grains make up the biggest and most important part of the food pyramid, and that is no coincidence. Grains have numerous benefits for our health overall. Some of the dietary benefits that grains have include dietary fiber, B vitamins such as thiamin and riboflavin, and minerals such as iron and magnesium. These vitamins and minerals found in
make you feel full faster without feeling
additions like these can not only make
guilty of eating too many calories. And I
your grain recipes much tastier but will
don’t know about you, but when I can eat
help you consume the grain intake your
a lot and not have to regret it later when
body needs daily. Grains have always
it comes to the scale, it is always a great
been an important food in our diet, but
feeling. The American Journal of Clinical
our negligence and ignorance to it has
Nutrition recommends young adults and
made us miss out on its benefits and
adults to consume about 6 to 8 ounces
wonderful taste. So it’s up to us to stop
of grains each day. You might say but
taking grains for GRAINted and start
grains are very plain and tasteless. There
giving them the respect and place in our
are great ways to make grains very tasty
diet that they deserve.
and incorporate them as a staple of your diet. For example, adding fresh fruits and cinnamon to your oatmeal is a tasty way of consuming whole grains. Also adding fresh vegetables and nuts to your whole grain brown rice can take your ordinary rice recipe to new and tasty levels. Simple
grains can help reduce blood cholesterol, promote
a
healthy
nervous
system
and carry oxygen in blood in order for us to have a healthy and productive cardiovascular system. Because grains are rich in fiber and contain few calories, they
7
Herman Aguilar is a senior communication major from Houston but originally born in Honduras. Some of his passions are sports, helping others, and traveling.
Biblical Refugees or Syrian Refugees By: Hayden Scott Opinion Piece
W
8
A large supporter of the concept that the
questionable places that the rest of the
Who qualifies as a refugee? The
vetting process for refugees is either too
world deems unfit to tread.
dictionary defines the term refugee as,
lenient or nonexistent altogether is our
One of the issues we have is the way we
“a person who flees for refuge or safety,
current president elect Donald Trump.
see people. A chief way we are becoming
especially to a foreign country, as in time
Attempting to be vague and shallow is
more and more polarized is through
of political upheaval, war etc. (Refugee,
only doing an injustice to the people
our Facebook feeds. We like pages that
n.d.).” Refugees have shifted from being
affected by this situation.
align with our beliefs. If you like guns,
people to being political points for each
The logic people use for preventing to
you’re going to like pages that talk about
party to use for gains in the polls. We
come into our country is that we don’t
guns. If you like a page that talks about
have begun to think of refugees not as
know where they’re coming from, or
technology, you’ll like pages that talk
actual people, but strictly as “refugees.”
what their motives are, and that we have
about technology, so on and so forth.
They’re just those people who want to
to take care of our own first, instead of
There’s nothing wrong with this, but the
sneak into our country and work for ISIS,
helping foreigners. The only problem is
problem happens when you start liking
or live off the government, or something
that this reasoning goes in a circle. We
pages that align with your political views,
similar to that. But the actual reality is
shut them out because we don’t know
or pages that are stereotypically involved
much different from the rhetoric that so
anything about them, but how are we
with your political leaning. So, say one
many of us share on Facebook. Also, I’m
going to understand anything about
person likes the page PoliticusUSA, and
not going to sit here and not name chief
them if we don’t interact with them? The
another likes the page American News.
voices for such blatantly wrong rhetoric.
gospel is always about going to the dark,
The person who likes PoliticusUSA
will see the article titled, “Trump Has
instructions on how to act. I believe there
weight than saying a silent prayer for the
a Breakdown in New Hampshire and
is some disassociation between what some
homeless man we see on the side of the
Accuses Hillary Clinton of Being on
of us are doing, and what the Bible tells
road. If we changed the word sojourner to
Drugs” (Easley, 2016). While the person
us to do. For example, in several parts of
refugee, how would that influence how we
who likes American News will see the
the Bible, like Exodus 23:9, “You shall not
see these people? “You shall not oppress
article, “Hillary Clinton Exposed Having
oppress a sojourner. You know the heart
a refugee. You know the heart of the
a
Seizure
Camera…
on She
Wants This Video Scrubbed
from
“’Which of these three do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” – Luke 10:29-37 (ESV)
refugee for you were refugees in Egypt.” What
about,
“You
shall treat the refugee
the Internet” (American News, 2016). So
of a sojourner, for you were sojourners
who takes refuge with you as the native
here we can clearly see different goals in
in the land of Egypt.” Another would be
among you, and you shall live him as
mind. The liberal and conservative media
Leviticus 19:33-34, “You shall treat the
yourself, for you were refugees in Egypt?”
outlets are both attacking aspects of each
stranger who sojourns with you as the
Now I’m not advocating for a translation
candidate that have absolutely nothing
native among you, and you shall love him
change, but every word in the Bible has
to do with their policies; and while
as yourself, for you were strangers in the
several ways of translating it, and when
character is important, if not essential,
land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”
you see multiple types of ways a verse can
the real issue should be the political
As a final example, Deuteronomy 10:18-
be said, it takes on new life.
history of each candidate, the experience
19, “He executes justice for the fatherless
Ellen White once said, “We are all woven
they can bring to office, and their record
and the widow, and loves the sojourner,
together in the web of humanity. The
of consistency.
giving him food and clothing. Love the
evil that befalls any part of the great
While both sides are attacking each
sojourner, therefore you were sojourners
human brotherhood brings peril to all.”
other, they begin to see the other side
in the land of Egypt.” All of these verses
In biblical times, there wasn’t much that
as completely ridiculous and without
use the Hebrew word ger for sojourner
could be done on a universal scale. We
reason. This creates an atmosphere
and strangers. The Hebrew and Aramaic
couldn’t know what was happening across
where there is no room for debate, due
Lexicon of the Old Testament defines
oceans, but even then, the followers of
to each side only highlighting the “faults”
the word ger as, “a man who (alone or
Jesus went everywhere they could, and
that each bias outlet propagates. I believe
with his family) leaves village and tribe
helped in clarifying misconceptions that
this is where a chief issue is when it
because of war, famine, epidemic, blood,
people had about God’s love, justice, and
comes to talking about refugees. This is
guilt, etc., and seeks shelter and residence
the law. But in this day and age, we know
a time where we truly need to remember,
at another place, where his right of
what’s happening across the ocean before
“Do not be conformed to this world, but
landed property, marriage and taking
we know what happened with our own
be transformed by the renewal of your
part in jurisdiction, cult and war has
neighbor. We have become globalized.
mind… (Romans 12:2).” Aren’t we called
been curtailed (Köhler, 1994).” We don’t
We are woven together in the great web
to not let the world dictate how we think,
use the word sojourner for speaking of
of humanity as one; we are one, single,
and take our beliefs from the Bible?
anyone anymore, and therefore in our
enormous family that must be united by
As a Christian university, our foundation
minds it’s not relevant to us.
love.
is biblical and the Bible is where we
We think of these verses as, “be nice to
Joshua Heschel has some powerful
retrieve all of our knowledge and our
strangers.” But it has so much more
words on this subject. “In Christ there
9
is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free.
to those that the world does not approve
program. Not a single one. So, I ask you, where
All are brought nigh by His precious
of. Is Fox News condemning a certain
does your reasoning for wanting to turn away
blood (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:13).
people? Those are the ones we need to
Syrian refugees away from? Could it be their
Whatever the difference in religious
reach out to all the more. CNN? Same
planning to bomb Christian churches? Or was
belief, a call from suffering humanity
thing.
that three white, Christian men in Kansas
must be heard and answered. All
A
around us are poor, tired souls that need
Republican,
refugees
We’ve forgotten what America is made of.
sympathizing words and helpful deed.
entering this country. It’s perfectly fine
America is made of diversity, and diversity does
There are widows who need sympathy
to be apprehensive of people coming
not simply mean straight, Christian, and white.
and
orphans
from a war-town nation, but we have
If we are to truly embrace American values as
whom Christ has bidden His followers
let this get out of hand. One of the most
we claim we do, we have to embrace the tired,
to receive as a trust from God. Too often
supporting pieces of evidence for the
the poor, the broken, and the teeming masses.
these are passed by with neglect. They
vetting process (the process by which
We have a shameful history of genocide and
may be ragged, uncouth, and seemingly
refugees can enter the United States)
discrimination, and even now some, like Steve
in every way unattractive; yet they are
is working is that, “we’ve actually never
King of Iowa illustrate this discrimination and
God’s property. They have been bought
had a terrorist attack in the United States
bigotry that we have come to accept as the
with a price, and they are as precious in
perpetrated by someone who came in
norm. “Filling your country up with people
His sight as we are. They are members
by the U.S. Refugee Settlement program
who have a completely different belief system…
of God’s great household, and Christians
(RELEVANT Magazine, 2016).”
There
and expecting they won’t rise up against their
as His stewards are responsible for them
has not been a single terrorist attack
benefactor is foolish (Ropeik, 2015).” The fact
(Heschel, 2001).” Heschel reminds us
carried out by anyone who has been vetted
that a state representative proposed such an
that we are specifically commanded to go
by the United States Refugee Settlement
idea not only goes against American values, it
10
assistance.
There
are
lot
of
politicians, are
against
specifically
(Sanchez, 2016)?
goes against Christian ideals. I won’t even get into the proposal by some that we should only let in Christian Syrians. Everything I’ve said is not to divide, but to unite. Disagreeing with a candidate or a senator does not mean that I am condemning the entire population of Republican voters. I fully believe that Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, and so on all want the same thing for their children--their wellbeing. But I do believe that any party that is completely against a certain type of people based on race, religion, or sexuality is entirely against the Gospel, and needs to be addressed when it happens. This is real, this is now, and we have the power to do something about it.
“All this is simply to say that all life is interrelated. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality; tied in a single garment of destiny. What affects one directly affects all indirectly. Strangely enough, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” – Martin Luther King Jr., 1963
11
Ask Park I’ve been single my whole life. I thought college would be different. But now I feel like I don’t even have friends! How do I not come off desperate, but make friends fast? Enjoy being single while it lasts! You can take this time to focus on more important things like spending time with family and friends. Get to know someone as a friend—when all you are worried about is having great conversation and being yourself— before even thinking about getting involved in a romantic relationship. Learn to be comfortable with yourself as an individual, but more importantly, take some time to develop a deeper relationship with God. When your trust in God is strong enough, you’ll spend less time wondering where your future spouse is. Instead, you will know that He will reveal everything when the time is right. As far as making friends goes, I’m not entirely sure how someone could look desperate. The only situation I can think of is if you waited on people ‘hand and foot,’ trying to win their
12
attention through favors. You are looking for a friend—someone to connect to and have fun experiences with—not someone to please. Follow the cliché: be yourself. When you aren’t being honest and straightforward, it’s draining. Act naturally and don’t conceal or change who you are to impress others. The process of getting to know someone doesn’t happen overnight. You have to make time for the people you care about so you can get to know them better.
with a broken heart quickly is just giving yourself time to heal. A broken heart will not heal overnight, so giving yourself time to get over your last relationship is something important that you have to consider. Allowing yourself to experience new things, meet new people, and make new friends can help you heal a broken heart quickly. By meeting new people, going out, and having fun with friends, it allows your mind to not think about your ex or your past relationship that much and thus gives you exposure to different How do you handle heartbreak things and new people. Finally quickly? you have to tell yourself that the Heartbreak is one of the toughest reason your past relationship didn’t work out is because it and most difficult feelings and wasn’t meant to be. By having experiences that any person can this mindset you will realize go through. Heartbreak is not that God has something else easy to get over, but there are and better for you and there is a some things that you can do to reason why he didn’t allow you to get over it a little bit faster. In be with that person. At the end my opinion, the first and most of the day the most important important thing you can do is aspect of getting over heartbreak take your broken heart to God. quickly is leaving everything in God is the only one who knows you completely and fully, so allow the hands of God and allowing Him to control the situation. him to heal your broken heart Because after all, his plans are and express your pain to him, always better and then he will do the rest and give more perfect you that love and guidance that than ours. God you need through this difficult loves you for time. Another aspect of dealing who you are and that is all that matters.
ker Q&A How do I get a guy I like to notice me? There are billions of people in this world, and it is amazing that God molds each and everyone of humanity the way He has designed if they allow Him to. Take a moment, and think about that. You are beautiful because God said so. I want to throw this out first to make sure you understand that God intends to be in every relationship. To answering your question of what you should do to get noticed by a guy or girl, I would like to first tell you to examine yourself first. Answer the following questions: what are your standards in a guy? And with the lifestyle, the personality, and the beliefs you possess, does the guy you’re interested in match up with yourself? I think this question really determines how you carry yourself around the guy/girl you are interested in. Answering these questions will lead you to the kind of crowd that you would desire for the one you’re interested in. If he/they are at the same events, activities that you participate in, that is already a big plus in having the same interests/beliefs. Be yourself. Knowing yourself will allow you to not waste your precious time
in setting your eyes on someone who might not be a good match for you. This is my most earnest advice: ask the One who knows you most, as you converse with Him, you will find out the person that you are more and more. You will start to notice what your desires are as you ask Him. He wants the best for you and He will give you the best as you let Him guide you.
they might get defensive, keep lying or will just avoid you. The best thing to do is to let them know you still love them and that you will always be there for them. Sometimes leaving that relationship is the healthiest thing because the friendship is getting toxic and that is not good for either of you. Despite all of this the most important thing is to always keep a Christian attitude throughout everything. When things get tough and your friend makes you mad, and it will get tough and you will get mad, be the bigger person. As hard as it may be, being the bigger How do you eat your tacos? person will make things Soft or crunchy? run so much more I like my tacos how I like smoothly. Remember Southwestern: soft, pure and that when Jesus was with a diversity of flavor. carrying out the plan of salvation, people hit How do I tell my friend that Him, spat in His face and laughed at they’re being really fake? Him. After all of that He still endured death on a cross for you, your best Sometimes it can be hard to friend and even those that spat in His know what to do when your face. God knows the plan for our lives. best friend is not really being When everything seems like it is falling your best friend. The first thing apart, God is putting things together you should do as their friend just the way He wants it. is be real with them. Tell them Don’t pay back evil for evil. what is bothering you and if it is Don’t retaliate with insults when people something serious, like, maybe they keep lying to you or maybe insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called they’re hiding things from you, then let them know that the only you to do, and He will bless you for it. -1 Peter 3:9 way a best friendship works is with honesty. Your friend might not understand that you are trying to rebuild the friendship,
13
Opinion Piece
Meet Your New U.S. President: Donald Trump Dr. Steve Jones
O
Melania, is a Slovenian immigrant and
Throughout his campaign, Trump touted
former lingerie model.
that he was a Washington outsider.
real estate mogul and reality television
Trump made his business reputation
In October 2016 he began claiming he
celebrity Donald J. Trump won the
building hotels, casinos, and golf courses.
would go to Washington and “drain the
United States presidency in what was
The centerpiece of his real-estate empire
swamp” of government insiders, a slogan
arguably the biggest upset victory in
is Trump Tower, a 663-foot structure
that caught the fancy of his followers.
American
in midtown Manhattan. A series of six
In 2011, Trump alleged that President
underdog Republican candidate, Trump
bankruptcies,
his
Barack Obama was not born in the
defeated former Secretary of State Hillary
business portfolio after he overleveraged
United States and was thus ineligible to
Clinton, scoring 290 electoral votes to
his Trump Taj Mahal hotel and casino in
be president. This so-called “birther”
Clinton’s 232. Candidates need 270 to
Atlantic City, New Jersey.
question gave Trump’s 2016 campaign a
win the presidency.
The United States Justice Department
decidedly racist foundation. By failing to
Trump declared his candidacy for the
also investigated Trump and his father,
disavow the birther question, he attracted
Republican nomination in June 2015.
Fred, in 1971 on allegations they refused
the endorsements of white nationalists
During a series of pre-primary debates
to rent apartments to African Americans.
and the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK, in
Trump won support by belittling his
Trump has repeatedly bragged that
fact, plans a victory march for Trump in
opponents and making wild statements,
the investigation was settled with “no
December.
such as suggesting that more nations
admission of guilt.”
Trump ran a xenophobic campaign by
acquire
Trump
Trump, however, is best known for
calling Mexican immigrants “rapists,”
attracted hundreds of thousands of
hosting the reality show The Apprentice,
threatening to deport undocumented
followers by promising, among other
2004-2015. That show had contestants
immigrants,
things, to return jobs to America, stop
trying to best each other by establishing
immigration of Muslims from areas
illegal immigration from Mexico by
their own brands and businesses. Losers
that, in his opinion, seem to breed
building a border wall, and defeating ISIS
were ushered from the game with Trump
terrorism. His vows to take the U.S.
(Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).
intoning his signature line, “You’re fired.”
out of the North American Free Trade
Trump, 70, has five children by three
Unlike most presidential candidates,
Agreement (NAFTA), halt the Trans-
different
Trump has no political experience.
Pacific Partnership (TPP), and slap high
n November 8, 2016, New York
14
national
nuclear
wives.
politics.
As
weapons.
His
current
the
wife,
however,
marred
and
vowing
to
stop
tariffs on certain imports smacks of a
had misused her diplomatic authority
his White House staffing showed that
protectionism not seen since the early
to accrue donations to the charitable
his staff had devoted little attention to
1930s. Coupled with threats to lessen U.S.
Clinton Global Initiative. Trump became
the organization of his administration.
involvement in NATO (North American
so aggressive with the allegations that he
Trump also began softening the many
Treaty Organization), led most observers
began calling Clinton “Crooked Hillary”
stands that had attracted Republicans
to believe Trump intended to return the
and threatened to jail her if elected
to him. He announced that he might
nation to an isolationism reminiscent of
president. His followers rabidly chanted
amend, rather than repeal and replace,
the pre-World War II era.
“lock her up!” at rallies.
the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare);
a
Late on election day it became apparent
that he had no intention of jailing Hillary
misogynistic stance. Trump repeatedly
that Trump had stumbled upon a “rust
Clinton; that he still supported NATO;
degraded women – including former Miss
belt” strategy to connect with white
and that parts of his immigration “wall”
Universe Alicia Machado and Republican
middle-class
might in fact be – a fence.
primary hopeful Carly Fiorina – for their
participated in the economic recovery
Whether the inexperienced Trump can
looks or weight. In October 2016, just two
after the Great Recession of 2008.
govern with the support of less than
days before the second debate between
Trump, however, did not win the popular
half of the electorate and while making
Trump and Clinton, a 2005 “hot-mic”
vote. Clinton won that with 61,963,234
decisions that could very well alienate his
video emerged of Trump bragging that
votes compared to Trump’s 60,961,185.
own base of support remains to be seen.
the could sexually assault women because
Thus, while Trump nabbed the requisite
he was a star. Soon, at least a dozen
electoral votes, he has no clear mandate
women had publicly claimed that Trump
to govern. The election is the second
had molested them.
electoral snafu of the 21st Century
Trump
also
gave
Trump hectored
his
campaign
Clinton throughout
workers
who
had
not
and has already put the validity of the
the campaign, charging that her use of
Electoral College system in question.
a private e-mail server while serving as
Trump spent a rocky first week as
secretary of state endangered top secret
president-elect. Confusion surrounding
information. He also charged that Clinton
15
CAMPGROUNDS AND KITES E
ver since I can remember, my family
something special to do since the camper
invisible sticks to place on the triangle of
went to a specific KOA campground every
would have been a hassle for my parents.
the kite. I hopped up, my figment ready
Thanksgiving. We rarely left home, but
I didn’t think about it then, but it was the
to fly. I mimicked unrolling the string,
it was a chance for all of us to get out of
last time she really got a chance to enjoy
looking up at the sky to watch the kite.
the house and avoid crowds together. The
a trip. Months later, she was in too much
But in my mind, I felt strong winds trying
camper that our large, loud van could pull
pain from chemotherapy and radiation.
to jerk the kite from my grasp. I jerked
was cramped for a family of five, with one
I don’t remember much, but a tiny, brief
forward, then tried to struggle backward
“master” bed, a cupboard-bed, and two
memory shines from that trip. My mom
against the wind. This scenario played
beds that could be made from the couch
and I were out sitting on the porch of
several times, but by the end, my mom
and the table.
the cabin, relaxing in the sunshine. It
was laughing.
The last time we went was different. My
was bright and somewhat warm, despite
I couldn’t remember the last time she had
mother had been battling cancer for three
the signs of fall all over the ground,
laughed.
years, with a short time in remission.
crunching beneath my feet. I don’t know
“Look, Mom!”
We decided to splurge and rent one of
what inspired it, but I decided to mime
It’s been six years since my mom lost the
the little cabins set up on the hill rather
flying a kite. I didn’t own a kite, but I had
battle with her cancer and many more
than take the camper. At that time I was
more than enough imagination to make
years since we went to that campground.
about thirteen, and I was excited to be
up for it.
I hold that memory in my heart, knowing
able to stay in a cabin. In my mind, it
“Look, Mom!”
that it means so much more than a
was a luxury that only people who had
I remembered how most picture books
tradition repeated every year. It was such
the money could do. She needed a break,
showed kites with ribbons on the tail. I
a small event. I could tell much more
and we all knew she loved nature. It was
pretended to tie bows and move down
about other times we had gone to that
a length of string. Then I grabbed some
campground. The time I fell from the
16
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:24
cupboard-bed in the camper, the times we went into an antique shop we had named “The Christmas Shop,” and the times we got kolaches from the Czech bakery. We went there so many times that I’ve lost count. But that memory with my mom stands above the rest. Not because it was particularly exciting or fun, but because I didn’t need anything but myself to make another person laugh. Sometimes the littlest things are the most important, like doing something to lighten the burden of someone having a rough day or even just stopping to help someone who’s dropped something. In the end, what we do is worth more than what we have. It’s too easy to get caught up in the
imaginary kite and laughter. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:24
materialism of this world, especially the day after Thanksgiving. Stores and companies take advantage of the holiday to promote their wares for the Christmas season around the corner, destroying the meaning of being thankful for what we have. They’ve pushed the start of these sales to the night of Thanksgiving in the greed of materialism and money making. This holiday season, I would like to remember all the little things that have made my life what it is. My family, God, and friends are more important than getting the best deal on things that, in the end, will probably not leave even a faint memory to look back on. After all, that Thanksgiving so many years ago still glimmers in my memory, with an
Kerstie Macomber
17
Finals Week Coming Up! Remember: