The Anchor: April 2021

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Carole Chee

Claire

Last week, my parents sent me a package with the new license plates for my car, which my dad was finally able to register after months of pandemic-related DMV delay. I brought them out to the parking lot with a flathead screwdriver in hand and crouched down on the asphalt to unscrew the old bolts. I quickly discovered that those plates weren’t coming off anytime soon. Years of Buffalo, New York winters had rusted the screws so thoroughly that they were fused in place. No amount of Liquid Wrench, tears, or effort from my roommate’s boyfriend could get them to budge.

After almost a year and a half of watching tragedy unfold around the world and in the lives of the people I love most, the part of me that responds to joy and hope and beauty feels as stuck and rusted over as the bolts in my car. I remember writing a piece toward the end of the spring 2020 lockdown that talked about the importance of keeping an open and expectant heart in the midst of turmoil. To be honest, I’m not sure how well I’ve followed my own advice. I’ve grown cynical and irritated as I watched authorities at the state and national level fumble first the development of COVID-19 testing and later the vaccination effort. I’ve withdrawn into myself when I should have been reaching out with kindness and concern for friends who were struggling. Instead of drawing encouragement from the positive signs that vaccination rates are accelerating and cases are declining in many regions of the U.S., I’ve let myself slide into fear over the potential that normalcy will never return.

Even as I resist my inclination to be hardened and hopeless, I don’t think that optimism alone is the answer. I hate the quote about how

we’re supposed to “see the stars, not the bars” of whatever figurative prison holds us captive. Unless we see the stars and the bars, the good things worth fighting for and the complexity of the problems that stand in our way, we deceive ourselves and diminish our ability to act with informed compassion. We reorient ourselves toward hope not by ignoring the reasons for despair but by reaching out in love despite them.

In the same package that held the deeply frustrating license plates, my mother also sent me another gift: a rainbow paper chain for counting down the days until the end of the semester. It’s been hanging in the corner by my desk, a concrete and colorful reminder that the end is in sight. There’s something so satisfying about tearing off a ring each morning and watching the chain slowly but surely shorten. As the tulips on Eighth Street and the unfurling ferns and the dandelions popping up by the sidewalk would tell us, the world will not stay still and dormant forever. Everything is being made new.

Ruth

I’ve said as much in a previous letter, but want to reiterate that I love spring. This year has proved especially gorgeous, as I have never before seen the tulips open up or the trees lining Eighth Street burst into bloom. Although they have been slow in coming, warmer days are among us, appearing sporadically every couple of weeks accompanied by cloudless blue skies. In spite of all of this new beauty that is making itself apparent, I find that one thing is ever consistent about springtime: statistics projects.

Although MATH 210, Intro to Statistics, is offered year-round,

more sections are typically available in the spring semester, as well as those of its accelerated counterpart, MATH 311, which is a half-semester course. The final projects are well-timed, hearkening the coming of spring along with the little green buds that dot the branches of each flowering tree. As a MATH 311 alumna, I know how difficult it can be to get responses from tired and unhelpful peers, so I fill out nearly every Google Form that’s sent my way. It’s always exciting to see what other students come up with, and I like the feeling that comes with knowing that I am helping contribute to the formation of academic literature in some small way. Put more simply, I just really like surveys.

A request to fill out one such survey came through my inbox today, so I obliged, filling out the basic demographics at a speed that only a seasoned test-taker could manage. However, I came to

an abrupt halt when posed with the question: “How often do you feel very sensitive and irritable?” Guess what happened next. That’s right: I got irritable, because I am very sensitive.

Despite all of its ornate trappings and the lingering promise of summer, I’ve always found spring to be especially difficult to get through. If someone looks at me funny (or in whatever implies that I am abrasive by means of an anonymous survey, apparently), I could easily burst into tears. I find myself becoming irritated by slight inconveniences and have little motivation to finish my remaining schoolwork. With all of the hustle and bustle of the semester, the evolving threat of the pandemic, and the major life changes that are about to take place, I am, quite simply, overwhelmed.

I don’t have any sage advice, but if you’re at the end of your rope this spring, know that you have company. It’s a trying time, but I encourage you to take the time to step back and look at the bright spots that invade the gray skies you’re under. Renewal is coming. The tulips are coming up. There’s probably a stats survey in your inbox. All is well.

Love,

Ruth Holloway & Claire Buck Editors-in-ChiEf

A beach trip with friends is just one of the many little blessings I’ve experienced in a season that often feels unrelenting.

Over Easter break, my brothers and I hiked at a park back home in Rochester, New York. Sometimes, a walk in nature makes everything better, even if it’s forty degrees in April and you have to wear a silly little hat.

CAMPUS&BEYOND

Spike in COVID cases sparks questions

Cameron Geddes Staff Writer

The April 1 email from the Hope College COVID-19 Response Team Steering Committee, which disclosed a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases on campus, sparked controversy and concern as to what was to blame for the spike in cases. The email highlighted how large of an increase the campus had seen in cases: “As of this afternoon, there are 216 students in quarantine/isolation, an increase of 50 in the past 36 hours. That volume is more than 3.5 times what it was on Monday morning. . . More than 30% of our positive cases for the entire semester have come in the past 72 hours.”

On April 7, President Scogin penned a special mid-week email to students, imploring them to respect the safeguards. Interestingly, after highlighting the safety of sanctioned on-campus events, he had this to say: “If you host or attend a gathering that is in violation of state and/or college policies, you will be subject to judicial action from the college. If a student organization is involved in the activities, the organization will be subject to judicial review as well.” This, of course, created rumors among many students that some unsanctioned off-campus gatherings were at fault for the spike.

Most prominent among the resulting rumors was that Greek Life and Dance Marathon (DM) were to blame. This was due to the fact that Activation Week was

the weekend of March 19 to 21, and Dance Marathon took place on March 26, putting them approximately in the window of the spike in cases. The timeline is as follows: on March 26, the 7-day positive rate was 1.2%. As of April 1, it was 5.4%. It increased to 7.5% by April 9. As of April 16 however, the positive rate plummeted to 2.1%. According to the CDC, COVID-19 takes 2-14 days to develop symptoms. This means if increases were recorded the week of April 1, infectious contacts occurred the week of March 18 onward, with subsequent cases following shortly after that increased the positive rate further. This increase has since died down, after April 9. It is unclear at this time if this was due to a change in behavior among students or a cessation of events which raised the positive rate.

In order to separate fact from fiction, The Anchor contacted the following student organizations: Greek Life, Dance Marathon, Campus Health and Campus Safety (who has not responded as of the time of this writing). Ellen Awad of Student Life, responding to an interview request from The Anchor, had the following to say when asked about the likelihood that Activation and DM increased student cases: “I am not aware of any activation parties occurring, but if there were activation parties happening indoors, the hosts would have knowingly violated college policy. . .”

When asked if Greek Life experienced an unusual increase in cases during this time period, she had

this to say: “From my understanding, the entire campus is experiencing an uptick in positive cases, and Greek organizations are experiencing this, too. I assume this is related to the B.1.1.7 variant, which is much more aggressive in its spread. . . The Quarantine and Isolation Team do not share the individual details of students’ cases as it is seen as private, like when you go to the doctor.”

Finally, she asked that students be considerate with each other: “We all need to work together to stop the spread. I think it is also more important than ever to give grace and extend understanding to other students. I know of many students who, over the year, have ended up in quarantine or isolation housing because they are spending time with their housemates or trying to make a new friend. It has been a difficult year.”

Katie DeKoster responded on behalf of Dance Marathon. Her response was similar in content to that of Ellen Awad but had this to add: “All Dance Marathon participants were instructed to follow safeguards, including masks, distancing and gathering in small cohort groups. Rather than gathering in the Dow as usual, the entire event was livestreamed. Even groups who appeared ‘on-stage’ throughout the event came in one group at a time and left immediately following their performance, or they sent in prerecorded videos that were added to the stream. . . We also chose to eliminate all programming from 1

a.m. to 8 a.m. in an effort to eliminate any overnight gatherings. From what the supervisors observed, these changes were followed.”

Finally, Jenny Fellinger had this to say on behalf of Campus Health, regarding the impossibility of determining if DM was a superspreader: “In late March, when we began to see an increase in positive cases on campus and across Greek organizations, Dean Frost instructed fraternities and sororities to cancel all off-campus social events . . . At this time, we would not consider Dance Marathon a ‘super-spreader event.’ . . . Individuals who are involved in the same organization — e.g., a fraternity, a sorority, an athletics team, Dance Marathon — often are friends who socialize with one another outside of the context of the organization. So the close contact may happen in situations outside of those organizations’ activities.”

Though there are still some questions as to the origin of the cases surge, the fact remains that there was a significant increase in cases, and all students should be mindful of their responsibility to their classmates. As the year draws to an end, students may be tempted to ease up on regulations. The Anchor would like to remind its readers that we collectively can decide how, and in what state, this academic year will end. Now more than ever, we need to look out for the Hope community.

HOPE STATISTICS — On Friday April 1, 216 students were in quarantine/isolation, more than 3.5 times what it had been the previous Monday

CAMPUS&BEYOND

What you need to know about Derek Chauvin’s murder trial

Carole Chee Staff Writer

As of Saturday, April 17, the trial prosecuting Derek Chauvin, a former member of the Minneapolis Police Department, has been in progress for three weeks. After the death of George Floyd in May of 2020 - publicized through a widelycirculating video showing Chauvin holding his knee on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes as the latter struggled to breathe - protests over racially motivated police brutality shone the spotlight on the Black Lives Matter movement and sparked national outrage. Chauvin is now facing charges of manslaughter, second-degree murder and third-degree murder in the death of George Floyd.

On March 29, day one of Chauvin’s trial began with the prosecution’s opening statement. “On May 25 of 2020, Mr. Derek Chauvin betrayed his badge when he used excessive and unreasonable force upon the body of Mr. George Floyd,” said prosecuting attorney Jerry W. Blackwell, focusing the jurors’ attention on the famous video of Floyd’s arrest. “You will learn that he was well aware that Mr. Floyd was unarmed, that Mr. Floyd had not threatened anyone, that Mr. Floyd was in handcuffs. He was completely in control of the police; he was defenseless. We are going to ask at the end of this case that you find Mr. Chauvin guilty for his excessive use of force against George Floyd that wasn’t assault that contributed to taking his life and for engaging in eminently dangerous behavior: putting the knee on the neck, the knee on the back for nine minutes and 29 seconds without regard for Mr. Floyd’s life.”

During the rest of the day and throughout the first week of the trial, hours of emotional testimonies from bystanders who witnessed George Floyd’s arrest and death were presented by the prosecution. These accounts were accompanied by additional video evidence and testimony from law enforcement officials and paramedics who stated that Chauvin’s use of force was excessive and unnecessary. Pointing out the emotional trauma caused by Floyd’s arrest, witness Darnella Frazier stated that she has been haunted by the experience and often lies awake at night, “apologizing to

George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and not saving his life.” More footage of the arrest was shown in detail, from police body cameras to surveillance video from the nearby Cup Foods store. This footage captured officers checking for a pulse, finding none and taking no action.

Courteney Ross, George Floyd’s girlfriend at the time of his death, testified on the fourth day of the trial. While her testimony demonstrated Floyd’s humanity as a father, partner and friend, it also revealed Floyd’s drug use. Chauvin’s defense lawyers suggested throughout the trial that Mr. Floyd died of complications associated with a drug overdose or heart attack. Hennepin County examiner Dr. Andrew Baker, who performed the official autopsy of Geroge Floyd, testified at the end of the second week. Baker acknowledged that drug use and a heart condition did contribute to Floyd’s death - the deceased had an enlarged heart for his size which could exacerbate his ability to breathe in high-intensity situations - but he also cited police restraint as the primary cause. “In my opinion, the law enforcement subdual, restraint and the neck compression were just more than Mr. Floyd could take by virtue of those heart conditions,” he said.

Both Dr. Martin J. Tobin, a pulmonologist and critical care physician, and Dr. Bill Smock, the surgeon for the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department, testified that there was no evidence that Floyd died because of a drug overdose. Chauvin’s defense cited a toxicology report, which found fentanyl and methamphetamine in Floyd’s system, but Tobin and Smock stated that his behavior did not correspond with that of a person who was overdosing. “That is not a fentanyl overdose,” said Smock, about Floyd being able to speak but dying from a lack of oxygen moments later. “That is somebody begging to breathe.” According to Tobin, Smock and other medical witnesses, Floyd died from a deprivation of oxygen, not an overdose or heart condition.

The second week was marked by testimonies from medical and law enforcement experts that addressed

Mr. Chauvin’s conduct. “Once Mr. Floyd had stopped resisting, and certainly once he was in distress and trying to verbalize that, that should have stopped,” said Chief Medaria Arradondo of the Minneapolis Police Department, explicitly stating that Chauvin “absolutely” violated the police department’s policies during the arrest and with his actions afterward.

Other officers, however, told Chauvin’s lawyer Eric Nelson that the crowd of vocal bystanders would have made it difficult for the officer to call for medical aid. “If you have a very hostile or volatile crowd… sometimes [the EMT] just getting out of the situation is the best way to diffuse it,” said Officer Nicole Mackenzie, the medical support coordinator for the Minneapolis Police Department.

The third week of the trial began the day after the deadly shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man killed during a traffic stop, sparking protests less than 10 miles from the courtroom housing the trial of Derek Chauvin. Eric Nelson argued that this shooting would influence the jurors to issue a guilty verdict and requested that they be sequestered and re-interviewed. The judge denied his request.

Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, gave an emotional testimony about growing up with his brother and George’s competitive personality. Philonise began to cry while looking at a photo of a toddleraged George Floyd and their mother. More witnesses were called who

affirmed the preventability of Floyd’s death and criticized the officer’s brute mishandling of the situation.

For the first time in the trial, a witness explicitly defended Chauvin’s actions. Barry Brodd, an expert on the use of force, stated that Chauvin did not use excessive force and that his actions were justified. The defense also called Dr. David Fowler, a former chief medical examiner of Maryland, to the stand. Fowler characterized Floyd’s cause of death as “undetermined,” stating that the deceased could have died because of a combination of factors, including heart conditions, drug use, and exposure to vehicle exhaust smoke.

April 15 marked the last day of testimony for the trial. Both the defense and prosecution will deliver their closing statements to the jury on Monday, April 19, and the jurors will then be sequestered and begin their deliberations for a verdict. The jurors and alternates were selected from a group of over 300 people, all of whom filled out a 14-page questionnaire about their views on race, criminal justice, protests, policing and other background questions. Most jurors held complex views, acknowledging that the police and justice systems are biased against Black people but also noting support for the police. Many jurors also noted anxiety approaching this trial but understood the depth and importance of their responsibility. “Everyone’s lives are changed by this incident and what happened,” said Juror No. 44. “Everyone’s lives. And it’s not easy. For anyone.”

The New Yorker

COVID-19 surge in Michigan: Data, strategies and vaccine rollout

Claire Dwyer Staff Writer

Recently, the state of Michigan has seen a drastic spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, all while the state continues its monumental efforts in the rollout of the coronavirus vaccines. As of April 17, the state has been leading the nation in per-capita cases of COVID-19, and 10% of the nation’s cases are from Michigan. Michigan hospitals have seen a 30% increase in admissions. The state’s positive rate is at 7.09% as of April 17, according to Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center.

No new restrictions have been put in place, but Governor Whitmer urged residents to take necessary precautions and to limit interactions with groups of people, such as at indoor restaurants, as cases have been increasing at an alarming rate. In a press conference, Whitmer added, “There's light at the end of this tunnel, but the recent rise in cases is a reminder that we are still in the tunnel. That's the nature of this virus; the second we let our guard down it comes roaring back."

Hope College also saw a large spike in cases around the Easter holiday, reflective of the greater trends of the state. On April 6, Hope experienced an all-time daily high of 24 positive cases. Additionally, the positivity rate spiked up to 7.5% with 123 active cases the week of April 9. These metrics prompted President Scogin to send a message through a Campus Health email saying, “As we approach the end of the semester, it is clear that COVID-19 is not going away without one last fight. We can do this. We can rally together, we can work hard over these next 30 days to make it to exam week and, ultimately, commencement. I am counting on you, your classmates are counting on you, and your staff and faculty are counting on you.” As of April 16, Hope’s positive rate is 2.1% and there are 75 active cases currently.

Additionally, the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant that originated from the U.K. has further complicated matters. The new variant is significantly more transmissible and has spread at a much faster rate than other variants. According to the CDC, 70% of new cases in Michigan were the B.1.1.7 variant. The new variant shows no signs

of being more deadly or a more severe illness than other strains, according to The Lancet. However this new variant has a bigger viral load, which is evidence of its increased transmissibility. The B.1.1.7 variant has not been shown to make vaccines less effective in comparison to other strains.

Michigan has largely focused its COVID-19 strategy around vaccinating as many people as possible. As of April 18, 44% of Michigan residents hav either been partial or fully vaccinated, and although this is significant, it is still far from the governor’s goal of 70% of Michigan residents vaccinated over the summer. Officials also warn that even after receiving their final doses, it still takes two weeks for full immunity to finally kick in. Therefore, fully vaccinated individuals must remain vigilant after receiving their final dose, and experts have cautioned fully vaccinated individuals to continue practicing COVID safeguards to protect the greater community. Although 23.6% of Americans have been fully vaccinated as of April 17, the goal of reaching herd immunity is still farther away, with at least 70% of Americans needing to be vaccinated to reach a low level of herd immunity. Experts stress that a high level of herd immunity is necessary to maintain safety in the community. Although a level of about 70% would allow almost

everyone to go back to “normal," higher percentages of fully vaccinated people would make it significantly safer and give communities a greater threshold of safety.

Vaccine inequality has also been a heavily discussed issue surrounding the vaccination efforts of multiple countries. Two dimensions of vaccine inequality exist: the inequality within different countires and the inequality between countries. Within the U.S., there are some racial disparities across vaccine distribution. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, communities of color in the U.S. are still receiving disproportionately fewer vaccines, noting that “there is a consistent pattern across states of Black and Hispanic people receiving smaller shares of vaccinations compared to their shares of cases and deaths and compared to their shares of the total population.” Globally, wealthy countries, which have a fifth of the world’s adult population, own more than half of all purchased vaccines, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which adds, “The disparity is even more pronounced when looking at the share who could be vaccinated. While enough vaccine doses have been purchased to cover more than 80% of the adult population, high-income countries own enough doses to vaccinate more than twice their populations while low-income countires can only cover one-third.”

These inequalities could lead to major setbacks in getting things to go “back to normal” in places where COVID-19 is still able to spread rapidly due to a lack of vaccinations and other safeguards, each time the virus spreads an opportunity for a new mutation can occur. Therefore, even though current vaccines prove effective against the current known variants, new variants that could emerge may end up being more severe and possibly able to resist vaccines, creating a whole new layer to the already destructive pandemic. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “it is estimated that there will not be enough vaccine doses to cover the world’s population until at least 2023.”

Unfortunately, there has been a setback for the the Biden administration's vaccine campaign. The CDC called for the singledose Johnson & Johnson vaccines to be temporarily paused on April 13. Approximately six people suffered from blood clots after receiving the vaccine, prompting officials to halt its distribution while CDC and FDA investigations are made. However, seven million others have received the vaccine with no significant side effects.

Hope is also moving forward in its vaccination campaign, with 550 Hope college students and staff vaccinated the first day. The on-campus clinic plans to continue administering the Moderna vaccine until April 20.

Click on Detriot

An open letter from MSO leaders

MSO Leaders

Guest Writers

This letter was written on March 27, 2021 to Dean Frost, President Scogin, Dr. Trent-Brown and Dr. Griffin on the behalf of leaders from various Hope Multicultural Student Organizations (MSO). Since the time it was sent, Hope administrators have decided to allow custom stoles at the 2021 graduation ceremony, citing a miscommunication for the delay in decision-making. They plan to meet next fall semester to solidify this decision for future academic terms. The intent of the MSOs is not to be malicious or sensational, but rather to share a story that may not have ever been told. By publishing this letter, the MSOs seek to make what they have advocated known to the Hope community so that everyone can be informed, as well as to show what honest advocacy can do on this campus.

Dear Dean Frost and Administration,

We are severely displeased. Your decisions regarding stoles are not in line with the values that Hope College claims to hold, and we have a list of grievances. Please read this letter in its entirety.

You first claimed that student groups could not wear their own custom stoles in the graduation ceremony because it did not reflect “unity” and “one Hope.” You have mistaken “unity” for “uniformity,” believing that we must all look identical in order to be a united group. Your use of unity is a mask that covers the diversity of our institution. Graduating seniors all wear the same cap and gown; that is unity. Diversity (and more specifically pride in diversity) is prominently showing the wide variety of interests and the things that Hope students have been involved in. For an institution that is trying to be so vocal about “celebrating diversity,” your decision to disallow stoles is an egregious error. Our stoles are the most literal and obvious form of “celebrating diversity” that we can think of. Major universities and colleges allow for custom stoles; thus, for Hope College not to do so is to be tone-deaf to the examples other institutions are setting in how to be proud of the diversity that is so desperately

sought after. This is not an issue solely concerning Multicultural Student Organizations (MSOs).

You claimed that it was not fair for only MSOs to have their own stoles, rather than all student organizations. As far as we know, no other organization has requested stoles, and if they did it surely was not up to MSOs whether or not they were allowed to have stoles (we would have said yes to them if it was). We wish for all registered and recognized student organizations to express their pride in what they spent four years of their lives working towards in their one and only Hope College graduation ceremony. Stoles are an expression of identity and pride, and any student organization should be able to express that. However, when it comes to MSOs, those identities are more apparent, and for all of the hardships that we have endured throughout our four years at Hope College, we would like to express that. All other alternatives to custom stoles that you have provided are a grotesque sign that you have missed the mark in understanding Hope’s student organizations.

First and foremost, your timing was not conducive to productive decision making. The stoles that the bookstore offers must be ordered by Tuesday, March 30. We did not receive your “mock-up” designs until Wednesday, March 24 (which were only for BSU, not any other group). Furthermore, we found your designs to be stereotypical and distasteful. Coming from a white man, no cloth could truly represent what the students of the Black Student Union stand for. The designs do not distinguish which group each stole belongs with. They boil down the Black experience to tribal patterns, of which tribe we do not even know (and surely you know that a single tribe cannot represent all of the Black community). We are still unsure what you would have even created for the Latino Student Organization, Asian Student Union, Prism and Pan African Student Association, and we don’t want to know in fear of feeling more disrespected. As for the Bookstore’s option, no student

organization was included when the website was being created or even sent out to seniors on March 18.

If you had cared to include us, we could have marketed it to our respective members so that they could know that it was an option (a lot sooner than four days before the form was due).

If you had cared to include us, we could have advocated for the use of our acronyms rather than full organization names in an effort to save our respective members’ money.

If you had cared to include us, we could have caught the error that Hope’s Asian Perspective Association was renamed to Asian Student Union ten months ago (and perhaps if you were informed of what goes on in the multicultural community through your many meetings with ASU, you would have caught that mistake yourselves).

If you had cared to include us, we

could have actually felt involved in the process to create these stoles and truly meet a happy medium between your wishes and ours. But we were not included, and that was a serious mistake. We have not been heard by you, and your actions have diminished our faith in you to represent our best interests and even give our departing seniors one last chance to proudly represent the groups that they care about. We no longer feel comfortable turning to you when we feel like our needs are not met. You’ve mentioned multiple times that students are your boss, so please take this letter to its fullest extent. We are not pleased, do not feel respected and need corrective action to be taken now. We would like to wear our own custom stoles at the graduation ceremony this year (and every year) to truly celebrate

Hope MSOs

LSO’s stole for the upcoming graduation ceremony.

diversity in a year in which the world has been beating down on individuals from marginalized communities. Any student organization that would like to wear custom stoles should be allowed to.

If we cannot celebrate the diversity that Hope tries so hard to recruit and maintain, then those from diverse backgrounds will continue to feel ostracized and go on to resent Hope College. We would hate to see Hope College’s budding reputation as a diverse institution be tarnished for actions that you have taken/

failed to take. For an issue as simple as pieces of fabric, we hope (read: expect) that you can right your wrongs and rectify this situation.

President Scogin, you are complicit in this decision as well. You chose to vote against the very students that you came in looking to support. You voted against the most obvious chance this institution had to show that it listens to its students and cares for how they choose to express their pride in Hope College organizations. You looked at students seeking to broadcast the

diversity of Hope to the world and you turned your back. We have hope that you too can right your wrongs and rectify this situation, but this day will not soon be forgotten. And Dr. Griffin, we’re unsure if it was you or your predecessor who voted against the stoles, but this letter applies to whoever did as well. We are tired of believing that Hope’s administration has our best interests in mind only to be crushed when it becomes apparent that you do not.

We do not write this letter with malicious or demeaning intent, but

rather to tell the truth. The decisions that you, Dean Frost, and you, President Scogin, have made are disrespectful, hurtful, disappointing and ultimately blind to the very mission that you claim to care about. We write this letter so that you cannot lean on the excuse of not knowing how we feel, because ignorance cannot save you from correcting the grave errors that you have made.

With utmost sincerity, MSO Leaders [See website for full author list.]

A response to Hope MSO leaders

Hope College Administrators

Guest Writers

Dear Unified Student Leaders, Thank you for your recent letter regarding the conversation surrounding commencement stoles representing student organizations. We appreciate the numerous voices gathering together in one accord to express your grievances, and we deeply lament the concerns of the voices who felt they could not be named for fear of repercussions. The voices of students are important at Hope. We welcome hearing student suggestions and insights, and we will gladly engage questions and concerns.

Regarding the decision about the commencement stoles, the discussion was ongoing. A final decision had not yet been made and a “vote” had never occurred.

We had only seen one model of a stole prototype with sewn on “patches,” and the discussion for that prototype was not favorable. When the prototype samples designed by the student organizations were presented, the discussion for those stoles was very favorable, and there was support for the students wearing them at commencement. We hope that this provides helpful clarification.

In response to the grievances expressed in the letter, we acknowledge the following:

“Unity” does not equal “uniformity,” and at Hope we genuinely seek to celebrate diversity as evidenced in our strategic plan, Hope for the World 2025, which states that “Hope College will

be a community unified by its inspiring mission, strengthened by its diversity and committed to the flourishing of every individual as one created and loved by God.”

We appreciate the depth of expression of identity the stoles represent. We lament the hardships that members of our community have endured at Hope College and we stand with you to name it. We are actively working to review our systems, policies, practices and curriculum through an antiracist lens and to make revisions that “affirm the dignity of all persons as bearers of God’s image” as stated in Hope’s Christian Aspirations.

Inclusion is an active process that engages and values the voices that are most closely involved in the

situation at hand. Yes, the process benefited greatly from the inclusion of the student voices, as has been demonstrated in the outcome. We want you to know that you have been heard, and we will continue to listen. If at any point you do not feel you are being heard, please know that our doors are open to you. We have been thinking about some potential new opportunities for more consistent communication that we would like to discuss together with you because we do care to include you. This is your Hope College. You ARE Hope College. Together, we are Hope College.

President Scogin Dr. Griffin, Dr. Trent-Brown Dr. Frost

A letter from the Asian Student Union

Hope College ASU

Guest Writers

To the Hope College Community, Over the past year, there has been a horrifying rise of hate crimes, xenophobia, harassment and racism towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. On behalf of Hope College, we, the Asian Student Union, acknowledge that these events have brought forth feelings of fear, anger and frustration. Thus, we want to condemn the racist sentiments and acts targeting the Asian community and express our deepest sympathy for all those impacted. We are profoundly saddened and outraged by the lack of reporting in the media and acknowledgment of hate crimes towards the community.

As a Multicultural Student Organization (MSO), we have

no tolerance for any form of racism, white supremacy, bias or discrimination that ultimately enables violence against any BIPOC community. Racism is not just a political issue; it is also the Gospel issue. Racism of any kind runs contrary to the truth that God created us all in His image. We are brothers and sisters through Jesus Christ; therefore we should treat our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Jesus cared about the marginalized and broke down the barriers of race through his everyday actions. Therefore, it is imperative that as we continue to process these acts of violence, we also begin to educate ourselves on the history and prevalence of racism in our country. In addition, we

should work towards bridging the discrepancy through our actions. I want to draw your attention to our call to action. We have a duty as members of ASU to acknowledge the violence happening is due to a greater system that enacts racial violence and oppresses all communities of color. We stand in solidarity with the AAPI community of Hope’s student body, faculty and surrounding Holland community. We encourage students and faculty to attend to reserve time to get to know your AAPI peers and practice anti-racist allyship. We urge the Hope community to report incidents of any acts of racism or discrimination and to stand up for your fellow AAPI peers when you are witnessing hateful actions

towards them. Additionally, we also urge everyone to reflect on their own biases and stand in solidarity with other BIPOC communities; our struggles are interconnected, and we all have a responsibility to bring solutions that aim towards accountability and repairing relations between communities. It is critical that we all come together to support each other in times when the world only seems to bring us down.

Spera in Deo, Hope College Asian

Student Union

Ali Koehl, VP

Sunnie Zou, Treasurer

Joy Gregson, Co-Chair of Board of Trustees

Susan Par, President Luong Tran, Trustee

ARTS

Seniors in Hope’s creative programs share their experiences

Sarah O’Neil Staff Writer

For the second half of the semester, The Anchor has spoken to different seniors in the creative majors of art, theatre and creative writing. This effort was to showcase the various artistic opportunities at Hope College and how to make the most of each department. All of them shared their highlights of being a Hope student, why they decided to become artists and their plans once leaving Hope. Below are selected responses from each of them. Visit anchor.hope. edu for the full interviews, as well as the upcoming dance and music major senior spotlights.

Studio art major Abby Wallar shared her advice for underclassman art majors:

“Work your tail off — it’s worth it. And keep plugging along. Once you get into the heat of the program, it is a wild ride, and don’t take any of it for granted, especially with the COVID stuff that’s been happening. I was offered as a junior to take the senior class, and I saw that get cut short for them and saw them not be able to have a show after working for four years. It’s super cliché, but don’t take anything for granted. This is such a life changing time in

your life, and even being in the art program, or even in general. The art program changes you in so many cool ways. Don’t take the time for granted, don’t take the people for granted and don’t take the materials for granted. All of these tools and everything? This stuff is expensive. Just don’t take everything for granted, as cliché as that sounds.”

Madison Meeron, a theatre major, shed light into some of her highlights of being a Hope student:

“I would definitely say just being involved with the theatre department. It’s a very tight knit group of people, so I’ve just created a lot of really close connections with a lot of the faculty as well as the students. Those are connections that I think will stay with me after I graduate. I have had a lot of opportunities at Hope that I don’t think I would have had if I attended a bigger school or a program that was a B.F.A. I’ve really been exposed to so many elements of theatre here. I’ve also been really fortunate with my casting opportunities, and I’ve gotten to be in a wide range of productions. All of them have been an absolute blast. My freshman year, some Hope alumni did a production for their senior capstone project.

After they performed it, they wanted to do some rewrites, re-cast it and take it on tour. I didn’t know any of these students — they graduated the year before my freshman year — so they were all older. But I decided to audition for the show anyway, and I was cast. So I actually went on tour the summer after my freshman year with a play that Hope alumni wrote. That was a cool experience that I probably wouldn’t have had if I didn’t attend Hope College, and those people became some of my greatest friends. I think, in general, Hope College is a really great community for networking, and I have made a lot of great connections that really stuck with me.”

Creative writing major Morgan Brown talked about what she wished she knew as an underclassman English major:

“I would say the number one thing is being confident in your writing. Not confident to the point of arrogance, but confident to the point of being able to share your work with other people without having panic attacks like I did. Also, realizing that your first draft is always going to be horrible. Or not always, but just don’t feel bad if your first draft is terrible, because you can’t make something better

if you don’t get it done. That’s the attitude that I wish I would have developed sooner: just put words on the paper and then worry about making it perfect, instead of freaking out over every miniscule mistake.”

Why the message in ‘Ordinary Days’ is so important right now

Abby Doonan Arts Apprentice

In the midst of the second weekend of shows for “Ordinary Days” at Hope College, it is important to take a step back and think about its significance to our daily lives. I had the privilege of speaking with three lovely cast members: Madison Meeron (’21), Sam Joachim (’22) and Emi Herman (’22). Through these conversations, I learned valuable insight into the minds of their characters, their own personal struggles as college students and why “Ordinary Days” is so important in this day and age.

Deb’s Perspective: Madison Meeron and Emi Herman

Deb is in her twenties and is pursuing her graduate degree. She tends to have a pessimistic outlook on life, but also wants to

accomplish a lot before she dies. She’s headstrong and passionate above all. At the beginning of the musical, she finds that she has lost the notes for her thesis somewhere on the subway. This causes her to fall into a deep spiral of stress, but then she gets an email from Warren, who happened to find her book.

They meet up, she gets her notes back and they get a cup of coffee. In the song “Big Picture” they discuss their opinions and goals for life, which are very different. Herman claims that Deb “thinks that life is supposed to be grand all the time.” Deb has many goals for her life: she wants an amazing apartment,

she wants to write books and she wants to be a professor. She wants to be the best.

When things don’t go her way towards the end of the musical, she has a breakdown in the song “Calm.” Herman says, “She doesn’t have the happiest outlook on life, but I think it comes from being confused on where she’s supposed to be in life. Nothing’s really worked out the way she’s wanted it to, so she just goes on new paths and they end up not working out the way she wants. So all of her anger comes from a place of being let down by life.” Things have not worked out for her in the past, and when her professor says that her thesis is all wrong, this is the last straw for her. She realizes that something in her life must change.

Towards the end of “Calm”, she gets this “bizarre-o revelation”

Continued on p. 11

Madison Meeron performs in Hope’s production of “Twelfth Night.”

Hope College Theatre Dept.

that maybe getting what she wants doesn’t actually matter and that life will work itself out. Meeron says, “Throughout the musical, she discovers that there’s more to life than just planning and trying to reach for all of these high and mighty things that you want. It can be very helpful to appreciate the little ordinary things in life.”

Warren’s perspective: Sam Joachim

Warren, a twenty-something struggling artist, is the character who brings Deb back down to earth by questioning this “Big Picture” of hers. Unlike Deb, Warren is “a person who admires the map that life is. Warren realizes that there isn’t a point A to point Z; there’s a point A, to point B, to point C… He recognizes that with everybody in the world, that they all have their paths and their gifts, and I think that’s really his major perspective on life,” as Joachim puts it. Warren’s perspective on life juxtaposes Deb’s theory, and it challenges Deb to think differently about her life and her values throughout the musical.

Herman compliments this by saying, “This show kind of embodies finding the beauty in everyday things. You can find your own fairytale. Especially Warren’s character. Like, I really am in awe of him, just being able to be okay with just kind of living.” Sometimes we get so caught up in the future that we forget to focus on the present and enjoy the small moments in life, moments that Warren accentuates in “Ordinary Days.”

Are you a Deb or a Warren?

As college students, we tend to be more like Deb. This is true for Herman, Meeron and Joachim as well, but they all had different reasons why.

Herman claims that she is a Deb because of how much she looks at the future and worries about it. She says, “I have seen myself grow so much since my freshman year… If I didn’t look at the future back then, I don’t think I would’ve become the person I am today, because coming into college, I knew I wanted to become a better person for a lack of a better word, and I think I’m definitely on that journey compared to where I was my freshman year. So I think that it’s a good thing to look at the future, especially in this setting where it’s encouraged to think introspectively about yourself.”

She claims here that it is okay to be a Deb sometimes because it is important to look at your future, especially as a college student. But she also thinks that she needs Warrens in her life to compliment her Deb.

Similar to this, Meeron thinks that it is important to have a balance between the two: “I struggle with a lot of the same things that Deb struggles with. I’m a major gogetter and I always want to have my ducks in a row, and then when something goes wrong, I have a tendency to panic when it’s not necessary, and that’s something that Deb struggles with. I would say though that there needs to be a balance; I don’t think you should be a Deb or a Warren.” It is important to have high expectations for your future, but it is also important to not worry if something doesn’t go according to plan, because things will work out in the end.

Joachim is a little different. He claims that as he has gotten older and matured, that he has become more of a Warren than a Deb. He says, “I think I started off with Deb’s perspective of, ‘here’s where I am, here’s where I want to be’, and thinking of it as a linear path. As I’ve gotten older, I think I’ve started to realize that saying ‘here’s where

I am now, this is where I want to be’, isn’t quite realistic because life is not just a plain; it’s hilly. There are times when you go up a hill and you reach the top and it’s great, and it’s a small hill, but there are other times where it’s a literal mountain to climb and it’s not necessarily easy. But it gets you to point C, which then says, ‘here’s where I get to go next,’ and that’s exciting.”

I think that Joachim hits on a really great point here: this idea that life doesn’t always work out the way that we want it to and that is okay, because it opens new doors for the future.

As college students, we stress all of the time about the future, especially in this setting where we are encouraged to know what we want to do with the rest of our lives by 18 years old. This is true for these three individuals who are all doing something in theatre, communications, English or something along those lines. There is this stigma that those types of professions do not make a lot of money, but is that really the point? No. The point is to be happy and find purpose in your life through the ordinary, little things that make you, you.

Why is this production so important?

I then asked Joachim, Meeron and Herman why they thought that Hope chose this production. They all thought that it was because of how small the cast is (four people!). But they also had some inspiring insight into how COVID factors apply, as well as just the relatability of the characters. Meeron had some really great things to say in regards to COVID-19. “[Ordinary Days] is very important right now. I think right now people are so focused on ‘When are things gonna be back to normal? What’s the future gonna look like? The future’s

gonna be so different’... And I think that ‘Ordinary Days’ has a beautiful message it’s not always about where you’re going next: it’s about how you get there and the people you meet along the way, the little things that you can find joy in life.”

I remember when the first lockdown happened over a year ago. I was so bored in the house all the time that my only source of entertainment outside of virtual school and Netflix was taking walks. Taking these walks really allowed me to value the colors and warmth around me as spring was starting to awaken. I would smell the pine trees, the cement after the rain, and I would look into the sky, up at the fluffy clouds, and that brought me so much peace. The little things that make the world beautiful matter, and with the world moving so fast, like it does for these four characters in New York City, people tend to forget that.

On top of the COVID connections, the characters are all super relatable. All of the characters are trying to make their way through life just as we are: they all have struggles, all have their quirks, and all have beautiful stories. Meeron hopes that everyone who watches the show will “see elements of themselves within the characters.” I know that after being an assistant stage manager for this show for a few months, I have thought deeply about how I can relate to this musical. In our interview, Herman said to me, “Everything is precious and I think this show really shows that and that is so important to remember right now. Don’t take anything for granted. Every moment has its beauty.” This show has allowed me to think deeply about humanity and realize that I should be present and not take things for granted. I hope that “Ordinary Days” allows you to do the same too.

Leslie Olivarez

One of the “Ordinary Days” casts: Emi Herman (’22), Grant McKenzie (’24), Sam Joachim (’22), and Cameron Baron (’23).

Emi Herman (’22)

Sam Joachim (’22)

Unmasked: Redefining the Autistic Experience

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and while there is a lot of awareness surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there is also a lot of misinformation online and in social media campaigns. Colleges will need to accommodate a growing neurodiverse (ND) population; 1 in 8 people are neurodiverse and 1 in 54 children are born with Autism (Harvard Business Review).

The two of us met through the Phelps Scholars Program, but neither of us had discussed or publicly disclosed our ASD until recently. As two Autistic students on Hope College’s campus, we wanted to take the time to answer questions that we get asked (or wish we would get asked more often) about life as an Autistic college student.

Samuel Vega (‘21) is a creative writing major and Spanish minor from Holland, MI. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of five.

Leah Reinardy (‘23) is a music and business double major from Zeeland, MI. She was diagnosed with Level One ASD at the age of 20.

What was the diagnosis process like for you?

Sam: The funny thing is that the process came in two parts. From 1-4 years old, my parents began taking note of a few quirks I exhibited: hardly hugging anybody, freaking out at sudden loud noises, even being ghastly afraid of shirts that you pull over your head. At five years old, they noticed that I played around children but never with them, and that it took a long time until I could even properly hold a pencil. My parents officially found out through a final diagnosis letter from a child psychologist. They noticed that my behavior resulted in explaining certain aspects of my father and grandfather’s behavior. It wasn’t until 7th grade that my parents officially told me about my condition, and that was one of the few times in my life where I’ve ever been genuinely livid about anything. Now I knew why talking to people was so difficult, why it took incredible willpower to focus on anything outside of my interests

and why there was some sad truth to being called “odd.” It was indeed frustrating to know that now my problems had a name, but I’ll never forget how my parents reassured me that Autism is not a disease, and that they were there to “do life” with me. Leah: I was first tested in middle school, but not for any specific psychological condition. While my initial diagnoses targeted symptoms, I realized that they didn’t target the neurological root of my difficulties. I went for a second round of testing in 2019 but still felt like I was misdiagnosed due to my age and gender. A year later, I went through a third round of testing and received my official Autism diagnosis. It was a huge relief to get my diagnosis — finally, I had some answers for what I was experiencing. However, I still wonder frequently how much pain could have been avoided if I had received a diagnosis and support earlier. We need to remember that the majority of medical and psychiatric diagnostic models are created from the white male perspective. The majority of clinicians and participants in the research studies of the past have been white males. Only in the past five years have studies been conducted on women and Autism, and the conversation on race and Autism is barely getting started. This has made it harder for women and the BIPOC Autistic community to receive an official diagnosis. Many Autistic women struggle to get an official diagnosis because insurance won’t cover diagnostic testing after age 18 and they can’t afford to pay thousands of dollars for testing.

How do you disclose that you’re Autistic? Who have you previously disclosed to?

Sam: Honestly, this feels like such a big deal. Outside of Leah and my family, I’ve only disclosed to about four other people. You know, I used to have a tactic of not saying anything until someone asked politely, and for a long time, that tactic worked. It felt bizarrely clever because then people would get to know me for me, and not for being “That Autistic Kid.” But sometimes disclosure does backfire, and people might suddenly view you as a weaker person, so make sure that you disclose to people you genuinely trust because it is crucial to practice

a bit of discernment before revealing something so vulnerable. When people asked me, “What’s your deal?” or “Why are you so quiet?” It was often easier to tell them “I’m just tired” or “I just think a lot” rather than take the time to explain Autism and all of its complexities. I hope to adopt and promote a philosophy that Leah once mentioned: “When you see me, I don’t want the first thing you think of to be ‘Autism’, but when you read about Autism, I want you to think of me.”

Leah: It’s true, I did say that the first time Sam and I grabbed coffee. I used to be ashamed of my diagnoses, Autism included. There’s so much stigma that comes with the word “Autism.” If I’m not comfortable disclosing, I’ll say “I have a neurological condition that makes it hard for me to…” when describing my difficulties. Over the years I have learned to use disclosure as a way to challenge stereotypes about disability. This spring I have become incredibly transparent about living with Autism, and I hope this propels local disability rights movements. The concept of disclosure is ridiculous in the first place; the term “disclosure” implies shame. I dream of a society inclusive enough that future generations won’t even have to worry about disclosure and its accompanying shame. Autism is not a disease. Autistic people are not burdens to society.

How does your Autism affect you in your daily life?

Leah: Socially, I have learned to “mask” (mimic social norms) but it drains my social battery quicker than the average person’s. Eye contact, vocal inflection and small talk do not come easily to me. In large groups, I feel like I’m in a fishbowl; I’m physically present in the room, but mentally I’m separated from others and everything blurs together. Bright lights and loud, unexpected sounds are distressing for me. I have difficulty visually and aurally processing the world around me at normal speeds. I live in a constant state of fight-or-flight. Occupational therapy has taught me to temporarily deactivate it using movement/sensory input. Since I was six, I’ve been dealing with anxiety and depression, but wouldn’t you be depressed if you were living

in a world that didn’t understand you? When I get extremely stressed, I experience meltdowns (visible mental breakdowns) and shutdowns (episodes in which I stop communicating and seem very “zoned out”).

Sam: While Leah and I both can relate to navigating things such as “masking”, eye contact, anxiety, depression and shutdowns, it’s been a bit more of a subtle journey for me. I might need to hear instructions multiple times to understand them. I have a hard time interpreting just how sincere a person’s facial expressions are meant to be perceived, yet it’s ironically easy for me to tell when someone might be holding back how they truly feel. With being diagnosed at an early age and having the privilege of all this time to practice adapting to a variety of social situations, it often feels confusing to distinguish whether a personal challenge directly ties with Autism or whether it could simply fall into the category of a “life lesson” or a “growing pain.”

Who/what resources have helped you over the years?

Leah: Honestly, without my friends in the music department, professors who have taken the time to mentor me and the residential support of the Phelps Scholars Program, I probably would have dropped out of college. I am notoriously bad at giving myself grace. My support system has modeled how to give me grace through difficult times, and I couldn’t succeed without them. Meeting up with Sam and other young adults on the spectrum has been incredibly validating. For the first time in my life, I get to interact with individuals who truly do “get it.” This newfound community has really inspired me in my activism efforts. I’ve also been in therapy for the past 13 years. I currently go to therapy three times a week; it’s a combination of talk therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. It’s the primary way I am held accountable for my recovery and personal growth. I believe society needs to normalize therapy more than it does — it’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to seek help.

Sam: While this might sound like a complete blanket statement, I’m

Cont. on pg. 13

Leah Reinardy, Samuel Vega, Guest Writers

thankful for anyone in my life who had the directness and genuine sincerity to say a version of “I believe in you.” The most important resource to have is the realization that support is possible. The fact that I have a therapist who has been with me for five years is a blessing in and of itself. There’s a series of comic books called “Introvert Doodles” by Maureen “Marzi” Wilson. She understands that classic feeling of how awkward social integration can be for people, and her humor is just so relatable. Also, the book “Quiet” by Susan Cain is a prime example of how there is nothing wrong with inherently being a quiet person. Even though I’ve only known her for a little while, I’m incredibly grateful for Leah’s friendship and insights. She has already taught me so much about self-advocating, recognizing and standing up for my own needs, even when I might not always know how to define those needs.

How does Autism impact your creative process?

Leah: My primary interest is music. Music allows me to express myself, overcome my social phobia and connect with neurotypical people. I experience alexithymia (inability to describe/identify emotions), which makes it hard for me to listen to a piece and connect with it emotionally in the same way a neurotypical person would. In music classes, I’ll often provide a vastly different emotional interpretation in comparison to my peers and professors. My Autism enables me to continually question the world around me. I love to write poetry, record podcasts and compose music that challenges cultural norms. I see creativity as my biggest asset in creating societal change. Sam: I also believe that creativity is my biggest asset for inspiring change. Autism has lent itself to enhancing my curiosity. I can also relate to finding some pleasure in questioning the world around me (especially with personal fascinations in studying other cultures and world mythologies). My passion for creative writing allows me to release and communicate much deeper thoughts, ideas and emotions that would otherwise take too much time or emotional exertion to explain to the average neurotypical person fully. Even if many might view it as a struggle, I have often been able to harness the tendency of overthinking and turn it into the skills of thinking thoroughly and critically.

How can Hope be a more inclusive place for the Autistic community?

Leah: As neurotypical individuals, understand that you will never fully understand the Autistic experience. Amplify and believe Autistic voices. I have had to fight for accommodations in some classes even though I’ve had them officially approved by Disability and Accessibility Resources. Lots of the COVID accommodations that have been put in place have made aspects of college life more accessible to disabled students. Remote class options, to-go meal boxes, recorded lectures and a staff committee that checks in on students recovering from illness/hospitalization are all accommodations that need to stay long-term if Hope truly wants to become a more inclusive and accessible school. Professors: do not put students, especially ND students, on the spot. We can and will contribute but will do so when we’re ready. If a student discloses to you, it means they really do trust you — it is often a terrifying conversation to have. Trust and validate them. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve been told “Oh, you don’t need to worry about that because you’re so high-functioning”. (Functioning labels are always harmful!) Autistic people are generally self-aware. Figure out how to help us build on our strengths and implement the changes and accommodations that relate to our concerns.

Sam: On a broader scale, I hope people understand that any attempt to explain an Autistic perspective does not automatically qualify as an excuse to continue “unusual” behavior. Just because a student hesitates to participate in class shouldn’t automatically qualify them as rude. Just because a friend doesn’t respond well to “dropping hints” doesn’t immediately qualify them as uncaring or insensitive to needs. Because ND people often take things at face value, we occasionally need more direct requests to accomplish a task. Before writing off someone as rude, ask yourself if maybe they’re nervous. Before assuming that someone “should have” understood you, ask yourself how you can balance being direct with showing compassion for a different way of thinking.

What stereotypes about Autism do you want to challenge?

Leah: First of all, Autism has no look. Perhaps some stereotypical

traits emerge at times, but this is usually when I’m having a rough day. The statement “you don’t look Autistic” is invalidating. I have had over a decade of therapy and put in so much work to be able to communicate with neurotypicals. When others say this statement, it tells me that they expect me to continue masking* to the level I have been (which is exhausting). Masking isn’t just “code-switching” for Autistic people; it is often the only way we are safe and taken seriously in society. I put in so much work learning how to communicate with neurotypicals. To me, “you don’t look Autistic” implies that a neurotypical person isn’t likely to meet me halfway in terms of communication methods and styles. Also, be careful where you do your research. Autism Speaks, arguably the largest Autism nonprofit, is seen as a hate group by the majority of the Autistic community. The puzzle piece is widely rejected because of its association with this organization. I won’t get into detail on this, but if you’re curious, just Google “Autism Speaks is bad” and you’ll find everything you need to know. Support Autisticled organizations such as Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network and Neuroclastic instead. Sam: I would say that Autism is a unique detail, not an entire identity. There is a reason why it’s called “The Spectrum’’: it can manifest itself in a variety of behaviors. Having Autism is an incredibly individualized experience. We are not all detached geniuses like Sheldon Cooper from the TV show “The Big Bang Theory.” We have a wide range of personalities, just like neurotypical people do, but it may take us longer to understand or process these complexities. The worst myth I hear is that Autistic people are entirely incapable of empathy. While the average person might express empathy through more obvious body language or by saying “I’m sorry,” an Autistic person might express this by proposing a solution or recounting a shared experience. In many ways, while Austitic people might not have a concrete emotional response for every situation, they can almost feel too much empathy and spend much of their lives learning how to filter that empathy into a way that’s easier for neurotypicals to understand. It’s not that we don’t know how to validate feelings, but it’s more about how the process of validating and discerning other’s feelings is

one of many life skills that take us longer to learn than others.

What’s next for you? What do you dream of doing in the future?

Leah: In addition to my musical endeavors, I feel that I am called to advocate for neurodiverse employees as an accessibility consultant. The fields of organizational behavior and disability studies are definite options I’ve been considering for grad school. At some point in the future, I will be researching with the business department on employee engagement and workfamily balance. As an advocate for the disabled community, I continue to serve as a guest speaker for various classes and workshops in the Holland/Zeeland area. (I’m now booking engagements for the fall for interested classes/organizations!) I also record podcast episodes with other neurodiverse students (Sam included). My goal in this is to give other neurodivergents a chance to share their stories, especially women and the BIPOC Autistic community. I post these on the podcast’s YouTube channel (Unmasked Podcast) and social media (@lreinardy). Email me, message me, find me around campus (in the Jack or the Keppel House). I am more than ready to continue this conversation. Sam: The future for me involves much exploring. I have been recently blessed with the pleasure of soon serving as a TA and Creative Consultant for Professor Susan Ipri Brown as she prepares to launch a new class about community engagement. While the ultimate dream is to be an author or screenwriter, another hope is to explore future endeavors such as Graduate school, Torchbearers International Bible School, or even a job with Wycliffe Bible Translators. After becoming acquainted with her cause, I plan to team up with Leah for her podcast and speaking engagements to learn more about what it means to be an advocate for the neurodiverse community. I wholeheartedly believe that there is a great deal of beauty, courage,and empowerment, with the fact that we are publically reclaiming a condition that we once thought of as a hindrance. We are a hopeful pair. We are a curious pair. This is another proud step on our fascinating journey of growth.

Go to anchor.hope.edu to view resources and photos of the guest authors that wrote this article.

SPORTS & WELLNESS Vaccination clinic offers hope amid surge of campus COVID cases

Spencer Turbin Staff Writer

The week leading up to Hope College’s brief Easter break brought both negative and positive developments in the school’s COVID-19 mitigation strategy: an announcement of available vaccines for students and faculty, as well as a dramatic increase in positive COVID-19 cases on campus.

In late March campus health informed students that the B.1.1.7. Variant, commonly known as the “UK variant,” was detected in wastewater samples. Later on, three cases within the student body were confirmed to be caused by this specific variant. While mitigation strategies and overall standards remain consistent, the new variant is known for its ability to spread quickly and easily, which could possibly contribute to a more widereaching breakout on campus.

On April 1, the weekly Campus Health update email announced a large increase in cases on campus, with a total of 70 active cases on campus and 146 close contacts in quarantine. These numbers were more cases and quarantine designations than had been seen the entire semester. Campus Health cited that the uptick was due to a county and state-wide COVID-19 positivity trend, as well as off campus gatherings. These suspected gatherings

were allegedly not following safeguards or practicing campus or state COVID-19 guidelines.

Both campus health officials and administration are urging the student body to continue practicing safeguards and to stay vigilant. Students must follow these rules to keep themselves and others safe while maintaining an in-person living and learning experience at Hope this spring semester. Students and organizations that have been found to be breaking any rules or policies will be subject to the college’s judicial process.

There are many ways students can do their part to keep themselves and the campus healthy, including monitoring symptoms daily and contacting campus health for any necessary testing. Students should also avoid social gatherings and spend time within their cohorts or small immediate social circle. Additionally, wearing masks, sanitizing areas and washing hands are easy ways of preventing virus transmission.

While lots of updates have been plagued with negativity, Campus Health has recently announced some positive news in regards to the pandemic. A pharmaceutical provider has offered to establish a temporary vaccine clinic on campus to vaccinate both staff and

students. An interest email was sent to students who would be willing to receive the vaccine. Current plans indicate that the vaccine will be available to all interested students who are at least 18 years of age as the provided dose will be Moderna, which has only been authorized for those 18 and older.

There are currently three different vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use within the U.S. Two of these are two shot doses that are required to be taken around four weeks apart. This includes both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. However, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only a single dose. It is important to note that with all three vaccines the full protective effects are not acquired until two weeks after the final dose.

Administration of the first dose will occured on April 16, 17, and 20. Specifics and sign up details were emailed to students who could choose to sign up. Since the second dose must be administered approximately four weeks after, second doses will be provided May 14, 15, and 18. This timing lines up with the end of the semester and final exam week, meaning some students may have to return to campus or remain in their housing slightly longer than usual. It is still unclear how these logistical issues will be handled

and if residential life will allow students to stay in housing longer.

The premise of an almost entirely vaccinated campus is especially important and exciting given the fact that Hope College has announced plans to resume normal operations this summer and fall. A vastly vaccinated campus population would lower the probability of transmission significantly, helping normalcy and traditions to once again come alive.

Many students are looking forward to having all in-person classes and once again eating in the dining halls with all of their friends. Normalcy will also allow for large events like The Pull, an in-person Dance Marathon, and sporting events with full stands filled with spectators. For current freshmen, next year will offer them a whole new campus and opportunities to experience college life more fully. Conversely, it is a disappointing end for current seniors, as they graduate without the usual fanfare and exciting energy on campus. The optimistic future in a world postpandemic is exciting for many both on and off campus. While it is easy to quickly celebrate its ending, it’s important to remember the lessons and realities that this pandemic has brought to light. This will hopefully allow for Hope College to move forward more equipped to handle difficult and unknown situations.

Caleb Hoekstra getting vaccinated

Hope College

Hope nursing students helping run the vaccination clinic Hope College

Triumphant winter season makes way for spring

Spencer Turbin Staff Writer

As West Michigan’s weather has warmed and midterms have passed, inklings of spring have arrived on Hope College’s campus. Spring brings about new sport seasons with new policies for student attendance. It also marks the end of winter sports, highlighting a multitude of exemplary Hope athletes.

Earlier this season, the Hope women’s swim and dive team brought home the MIAA championship title. The attention has now turned to the men’s team as they compete in the highly competitive championship, with both Calvin University and Adrian College sporting strong and experienced teams.

Hope swimmers brought a stellar performance featuring both senior and freshman swimmers alike. Several event championships were claimed along with breaking multiple records. Winning a total of four events, Hope placed second in the meet with 906 points behind first place Calvin University with 1,054 points and ahead of Albion College’s 738.5 points.

A special performance was delivered by 17-year-old freshman Ben Catton (’24), a graduate of Holland Christian High School. Catton is on the pre-law track and this is his debut year swimming collegiately. Catton swam in the 100-yard butterfly preliminaries at the championships, clocking a time of 48.37 seconds and winning first place, first seed for the finals and claiming a new Hope record.

The previous record was held by Ryan Nelis, who swam a 48.88s in 2009. In the finals, Catton earned a slightly slower time of 50.42 seconds, thus earning the title of runner-up to Calvin sophomore Noah Holstege (’23) who finished in 49.15 seconds. Catton described the feeling of claiming the record during the prelims:

“It was a great feeling, especially all within my first year. When I touched that wall and looked up I was honestly overwhelmed. I looked over at the area where my teammates were. They were all celebrating and going crazy. Right at that moment I wanted to be outside of the pool and celebrating with them.”

The Hope men’s team had a great season with a successful ending as well. The swimming community at Hope is known for both its closeness and unique atmosphere in the realm of college athletics. Catton confirmed this:

“HMS (Hope Men’s Swimming) is something super special. It really is a brotherhood and I have felt genuine comradery with all of my teammates. Obviously due to COVID this year, things have been different, but as a team we have really made the most of it.”

Breaking a record as a freshman, especially at the age of 17 and in the realm of swimming, is virtually unheard of in college sports. When asked about his origin of success, Catton humbly attributed his performance to the

support and gratitude he recieved:

“It’s hard to pinpoint specifically one thing where I derive my swimming from. At the end of the day, it’s the people around me — from my teammates to my coaches. And also my family. They are a huge part of who I am and what I do.”

Not only is Catton’s young age impressive, it also creates a unique long-term opportunity for him to continue to grow as a swimmer and hopefully help lead the team when his time comes. Catton described his hope for the future of HMS:

“Bringing home the MIAA championship title for Hope’s team is a huge goal that I know we can attain. But also looking forward on a big scale, I think our team can become known on the national level. We have a great team all around with plenty of

skill and hard work. Growing as a team and improving is extremely doable over the next four years.”

The closure of the swim season for Catton and his team brings about the spring sports season (the first time since 2019), allowing for a new set of sports and new unique opportunities.

This season is establishing a new policy and environment for athletics, with the Hope athletic department and administration deciding to allow limited student and immediate family attendance at sporting events. This decision came about after the MIAA President enacted institutional discretionary for athletic attendance protocols. The only guidelines state that college policies must adhere to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) policies and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) current orders.

Policies for competition attendance include physically distanced seating and pre-reserved attendance only, which is consistent for both indoor and outdoor competitions. The majority of games will only allow for immediate family members of athletes and permit four tickets per athlete. Student attendance will also be permitted with specially approved Hope College designation.

Relief from spring fever can be provided by new student athletics opportunities every week, found on Hope College’s sports website.

A roundup of the 2021 men’s swimming champions

A member of Hope men’s swimming doing what he does best Hope College

Hope College

In town and on campus, the tulips are in full bloom this time of year. Each spring, five million tulips bloom in the Holland area. Did you know that in the 1600s, tulips were the most expensive flower in the world and cost ten times more than the average man’s salary in the Netherlands at the time?

Sarah Stevenson