T STAR Since 1909

February 10, 2017

The Houghton Volume 113, Number 13

Houghton College's Student Newspaper t STAR Since 1909

MOVIE REVIEW: BEARING WITNESS AT THE WHY I MARCH FOR WHAT DO WE DO WITH ARTIST OF THE WEEK: SHYMALAN'S SPLIT I MARCH FOR LIFEA REGUGEES POL/77CS? 1 MEREDITH GUFFEY I FEATURES, P. 4 FEATURES, P. 5 OPINIONS, P. 6 OPINIONS, P. 7 FEATURES, P. 8

Track to Compete at Championships Buffalo Musicians I 11. , The team is in high spirits 4641=L 11 going into the meet, accord- Kick Off ing to team chaplain Melissa Bell ' 17. Bell commented, "This past week we had Artist about 90% o f the team [reach personal bests], and hitting 4 that again or surpassing that Series would be an awesome way to send the team into nationals." MICAH CRONIN Kasey Cannister ' 17, one of the women's team captains, concurred. She stated, "Our The Spring Artist Series meet this past weekend, re- will commence tonight in ally demonstrated how strong the Wesley Chapel, featur- we are becoming with so ing the band Wooden Cit- many personal records oc- ies. Adjunct music profes- curring." sor Megan Kyle plays the Bell also noted men's oboe in the ensennble and pole vaulter Leland Roberts will be performing tonight ' 19 is currently ranked first in as well. HOUGHTON.EDU the conference. "It would be The group has gained The men's and women's indoor track and field teams will compete in the NCAA Empire 8 Conference a huge win if he could onto regional acclaim since their Championships tomorrow at Utica College that spot," she said. Roberts inception in 2011, perform- broke the Highlander record ing in venues throughout MICAH CRONIN in the National Christian director, Harold "Skip" Lord, in men's pole vault earlier Buffalo including the Al- College Athletic Association track and field athletes must this season with a vault of bright Knox Art Gallery, The Houghton High- (NCCAA) indoor track and place in the top six of their 4.42 meters. He held the pre- Silo City, Hallwalls Art landers Indoor Track and field championships. event at the Empire 8 cham- vious record as well. Center, PAUSA Art House, Field teams will compete "Right now, we plan to pionships, or the top four in Sprinter and long jump- and the State University of in the Empire 8 conference have 9 women and 7 men relay events, to participate in er Malik Bullock ' 19 said, New York at (SUNY) Buf- championships tomorrow at competing [at the NCCAA the national championships. "I'm really excited to see the falo. Utica College. Outcomes championships]," said head In addition, athletes must of the meet will determine track and field coach, Patrick meet NCCAA qualifying eligibility for competition Hager. According to athletic standards. See TRACK page 2 See SERIES age y

President Mullen And Gospel Choir Hits The Road

Students ANNA SHILKE 0 - Participate

In D.C. On February 12, the Houghton College gospel Conference choir will travel to Roches- ten and join the Browncroft Community Church worship

JORDAN TRAUTWEIN team for all three oftheir ser- vices. In the past, the School of Music and the Houghton Students Colleen Shan- Symphony Orchestra have non ' 17 and Becca First- collaborated with Brown- brook ' 18 travelled to Wash- croft's worship team to or- ington with President Shirley chestrate events such as the Mullen to attend the Student annual Christmas Prism Leadership Conference, Concert. "This is an excel- sponsored by the National lent way to bring our visions Association of Evangelicals. and our goals into fruition," The conference, which commented Jerome Bell, took place at the end of Janu- Leader and Director of gos- \1 ary, was centered on "faith- pel choir. Browncroft's wor- ful advocacy". While there, ship pastor, Jason Harris, will be leading worship. they had the opportunity to RAHEEL DHINGRA witness the inner workings The gospel choir, created The gospel choir, created in the late 90's, features a variety of African-American music. This Sunday, the of the political system and in the late 90's, features a group will assist in worship at Browncroft Community Church in Rochester, NY. voice their own policy con- variety of African-American

cerns. music. Students who are a Shannon shared her im- part of gospel choir have the is considerably casual, the choir is open to anyone who tain occasions, such as the pression of the work she ob- opportunity to learn about choir learns not by music, is interested, with practice Homecoming college conserved. She stated, "Despite the deep, passionate genre but by listening along until taking place every Sunday cert have yielded an addi- of gospel music. Practice, the words are memorized. night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m, though said to be managed Currently there are almost and occasionally Thurs- See see D.C. page 3 efficiently and productively, forty members, but gospel day night for an hour. Cer- GOSPEL page 2 2 1 NEWS FEBRUARY 10, 2017

/ntemationa/ U Kenyan Wildlife Reserve Invaded

herders returned with spears Mwangi Kiumuri, it was ex- Another issue that the set- On the other side, Max and automatic weapons, pected that 1.3 million Ke- tlers are taking with this case Graham, CEO of Space For which they used to burn down nyans would be affected by is the indiscriminate killing of Giants, attempted to explain huts, and slaughter animals on the drought. The National wildlife. According to reports, these killings in a state- the way. Drought Management Au- the herders have gone so far ment he gave last week. He Laikipia, a Kenyan county thority (NDMA) confirmed as to kill animals from Big said,"First, the herders are planted northeast of the Great this estimate, and added that Five, including six African coming into conflict with el- Rift Valley, is home to con- the Samburu and Pokot com- elephants, lions, decapitated ephants at water points, and servancies, private properties, munities were among the zebras, and even household shooting at them to scare

and endangered wildlife. most vulnerable, which is dogs. them away. Second, sorne f Tensions between pasto- where the invading herders "Twenty years of time, of these herders now in Lai- ralists and settlers are nothing come from. effort, sweat, money... it's kipia, but not indigenous to new to the Kenyan county. However, after the attacks fallen apart in two weeks, de- the area, are traditionally However, some hold the be- this week, some are starting stroyed," says conservation hunters: to kill an elephant lief that the invasions are to believe in an underlying manager, Josh Perrett. is a rite of passage in their ANTHONY BURDO thought to be a direct result of motive. In 2008, Kenya ex- "Before, you would see el- culture."

MELISSA MACLEAN a drought that Laikpia experi- perienced a violent political ephant, a few hundred head of However, despite the re- enced last year. episode between the current buffalo, Jackson's hartebeest, location and devastation to This is the perspective of president, Mwai Kibaki, and oryx, Grant's gazelle, impala. wildlife, residents are also Matthew Lempurkel, Laiki- the opposed candidate, Taila Now you see thousands of being injured in the process, Last week, over 30,000 pia's North MR "People are Odinga. One of the landown- head of cattle, a lot of sheep including one death reported cattle fiooded the conserved struggling over the available ers believes that this invasion and goats." last week. plains o f Laikipia, Kenya, as water and pasture for their is a result of the political ten- One of the larger wildlife President Kenyatta has armed semi-nomadic pasto- livestock, which is our liveli- sion spilling over. "This was conservancies, who depends since ordered all invading ralists stormed tourist huts hood," he reported in Kenya's all planned years ago, and is on donor funds to safeguard herdsmen to leave the Laiki- and grazing fields. The Star this week. Pastoral- designed to peak in the run- its wildlife, has already can- pia area, but the government In early January, around ists depend upon fertile graz- up to the elections...Votes in celed a $5 million invest- has yet to successfully halt 10,000 nomadic herders ing fields for their livestock's exchange for grass and land ment due to fears about the the invasions. * took their first attempt to survival, and when water be- grabs, the seizure of Laikipia future of its wildlife. Another Melissa is a senior commu- drive their cattle into the comes scarce, grass becomes by outsiders and the expul- sanctuary for the endangered settled land. However, the scarce as well. According to sion of rival tribes, ranchers black rhino is also under seri- nication and international big hit came last week when Kenyan cabinet secretary, and conservancies." ous threat. development double major.

; TRACK from page 1 relay team who received All- American honors last year at the NCCAA nationals. Garns

and white will be "key run- -. ners" at this weekend's meet according to Cannister. Garns 1 will race in the 60 meter dash kSarouRF.'9940-b,4-0.Ij men's and women's distance and 200 meter run, and White 8*r'I ' -v'...... R"li...u....79/ :-.L medley relays. Coach [Hag- will race in the 800 meter run. ' .1 er] has put together a solid Cannister noted, "In our set of athletes." He contin- field events, we expect strong ued, "I'm also interested in performances in High Jump, ..79 ./ i 'lisiwimp,2,2/LI'll.,9//9/VillillillilifiA,Ji'illifi,f.lilizilillirl the rnen's 4x200 relay be- Pole Vault, and Long Jump '11 All cause we competed all day by Gwen Stokes '20, Fiona un 9///////A [before running the relay] at Daloia ' 17, and Kalei Braut- Ithaca and did pretty well, lacht '20, respectively." so it'11 be interesting to see White, Garns, and Daloia what we can do well rested "continue to be athletes who and eager to compete." compete at a high level" said Hager remarked, "Our Hager. He continued, "On men's team is quite im- both teams we have several proved from previous years. young athletes who have In my first two years, we re- worked hard to develop a ally had nobody who could strong team culture. This type score in the top 6 in the con- of culture will really help us ference, Indoors. This year, improve and take steps for- we have several, and even ward as a team." HOUGHTON.EDU broke the 4 x 20Om school The NCCAA nationals Garret Kirkpatick '17 competes in the men's longlump at the Kerr-Pegula Field House. record. It's really nice to will be held at the Kerr-Pe- have depth and 'options' on gula Field House on February for an athlete to use one ofthe event at tomorrow's meet. Cannister said. "We strive to the men's side." 17-18. Since Houghton ath- NCCAA-permitted "at-large" "While some will con- end our season with our best The women's team fea- letes will not incur extra costs bids. This would occur if an tinue on to the National performances. We definitely tures Rebekah White ' 18 and from travel, hotels, and other athlete has NCCAA qualify- Championship, this is the last anticipate and expect to see

Nikki Garns ' 17, two return- incidental expenses, Lord ing marks but does not place meet of our indoor season for many personal records across ing members of the 4x800 stated that it may be possible high enough in his or her many members of our team," our whole team."*

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR THE STAR PLEASE EMAIL US AT [email protected]

GOSPEL from page 1 "Gospel Choir means so in prayer and in the Word community, love and great "It's so authentic," add- many different things to so during rehearsals, making for friendships. Another thing I ed soprano member, Olivia many different people, ex- a very inviting and Christ- like about gospel choir is the Flint, '20. "It's the most claimed Bell. "What I like centered atmosphere. "Most openness you have when you passionate, authentic wor- most about it is the commu- importantly, we get 'turnt for worship. Regardless of the ship that I've ever been a said Bell tional thirty plus members. nity. People of different eth- Jesus, "' song that we sing I always part of. Jerome upholds this The number of members is nic, racial, and social back- Travis Trotman ' 17, As- find that we as a group are al- great foundation of what real sistant Director and leader of also contingent on points of grounds can come together ways moving, extending our worship should be like. God the semester. For example, and worship the same God." gospel choir, agreed. He stat- hands to the Lord or keeping calls all of his people to wor- members during the spring Bell further explained that ed„ "There is just something a beat to the rhythm of the ship-every tongue should about this choir that screams semester are less frequent. the gospel choir spends time music." worship him."* FEBRUARY 10, 2017 NEWS 1 3

SERIES Yom page 1 ertoire represents a sampling Artist Series perfor- composers, as well as "un- high school musicians. A of more recent developments mances cover a wide range derrepresented" 20th and Rochester City Newspa- in classical music, including of genres, according to mu- 21 st century composers. The per review stated, "...the The ensemble defies cross-pollination with other sic performance major Derek group said they seek to em- Wooden Cities vocalists easy definition, accord- musical genres, offering stu- Chase '19. "They've had phasize Buffalo composers, performed it with poise and ing to a Buffalo Rising dents and community mem- everything from a Brazilian having recently performed gusto. Their willingness to review. They are typically bers an opportunity to have jazz group to the Navy Cho- the new composition "Exam- be vulnerable and silly was categorized as avant garde a new, hopefully exciting and rus to a saxhorn band. While ples of Excess" by University laudable..." classical, improvisational interesting, musical experi- they might not all appeal to at Buffalo music professor Wooden Cities will ensemble, or a new mu- ence." everyone, I feel that every- James Currie. Wooden Cities begin their performance sic collective. "We have a The University at Buffalo, one can at some point see [a also revived Buffalo native tonight at 7:30 and are ex- strong interest in impro- which boasts several alumni performance] that has their Lejaren Hiller's 1968 work pected to play until 9:00. visation in various forms, as members of Wooden Cit- specific tastes." Avalanche in their first full Tickets to the event are $ 15 which is the focal point ies, noted that the group is Wooden Cities "seeks to length tour last summer. for adults and $7 for youth around which we've orga- well known for inviting audi- increase the performance and Wooden Cities also ex- 18 and under. nized this concert", Kyle ence participation after, and awareness of contemporary pands the traditional demo- "1'm not really sure stated. "While what we sometimes during perfor- classical music in Western graphic of classical music what to expect," Chase said. do is rooted in the classi- mances. The purpose of these New York through uniquely audiences. Their most recent "[Wooden Cities] seems to cal tradition that forms the interactions is to "help widen engaging presentations," ac- performance was at Greece be a great mixture of con- foundation of much of the the circle of contemporary cording to the band's web- Olympia School in Roch- temporary music and clas- Greatbatch School of Mu- music appreciation," the en- site. This includes perform- ester, NY- and was done in sical, so I guess we'll just sic's curriculum, our rep- sernble hopes. ing a mix of work by young cooperation with amateur have to wait and see." *

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D.C. from page 1 esting because Colleen had already been in touch with Tom Reed's office in Corning through her involvement with the Do Something table." She also admired their the tumultuous political at- discussion of global perspec- mosphere, Capitol Hill was tive and international op- still running very smoothly. portunities. She said, "The Everyone had the mindset concerns that [Colleen and that we're not just this mo- Becca] brought did a great ment. We are a country and job of representing a global we have a lot of people who Christian higher education. "1111 depend on these systems." As much as it is important She shared that a high- that the president speaks, I light of the trip was the op- think it has a greater impact portunity to speak with rep- when the student speaks." resentatives in person and She elaborated, "When you 111 i practice advocating. She have students speaking very said,"I was able to talk to enthusiastically about what [Representative Tom Reed, they learned and what they i NY-R] about the Do Some- appreciated... I think it has thing table, and in what real credibility." ways we could be more ef- Firstbrook found it did a fective in that advocacy lot "to enrich what it looked COLLEEN SHANNON work." She continued, "The like to be an American citizen President Mullen, Colleen Shannon, and Becca Firstbrook practiced faithful political advocacy in things we do here really do and live in America and have Washington DC during the National Association of Evangelicals' Student Leadership Conference. have an effect on Capitol that kind of authority in my Hill." government." She continued, me and bring it to the greater especially when you are talk- in the policy realm" as it is to "This is the first time " I didn't realize the whole po- puzzle that is politics . ing about something that mat- have a "boots on the ground" that we have taken students tential of what that meant until Shannon noticed the same, ters to you." approach. She explained, and they really represented I found out about the execu- and stated she is looking for- As she reflected on the im- "I think policy is something Houghton in a wonderful tive order and it popped into ward now to "encouraging pact of her participation in the important for people to think way," Mullen explained, my head that 'Oh, I could have others that you can make a dif- conference, Firstbrook noted about, no matter their major. and recalled the issues the advocated against that. I have ference, even though you are in whatever work she finds as I think if you have the oppor- students presented. She con- that authority to bring this is- just one you are one person an international cultures major, tunity to learn more about the tinued, "It was very inter- sue that's really important to you are a person that matters, "It's equally important to work system to take it."* 4 1 FEATURES FEBRUARY 10, 2017 Film Review: Siyamalan's Sp#t

quaintances and locks you all ally encouraging, and honestly JAKIN RINTELMAN in a ten by ten cell deep under- invigorating, way. It's not al- ground. When this happens to ways masterful, but Split never Casey and her acquaintances, lets the tension droop. Every they learn that their abductor scene is just efficient enough to It is horrifying how much is afflicted with Dissociative move you onto the next before of our growth is the product Identity Disorder and that each things get too uncomfortable, o f pain. Even more terrifying one of his twenty three unique and not too soon to be accused is the fact that an M. Night personalities has a different of backing down from its sub- Shyamalan movie in 2017 idea of what to do with them. ject matter. was something that made me This is when Casey learns what James McAvoy is the pri- dwell deeply on the subtle lengths she will go to in order rnary reason Split works at all, ways that my experiences to escape. and deserves all the praise he is KEVIN HAS f 23-DiSTINCT have shaped my personality Split is the kind of movie being adorned with by pundits. PERSONALITIES. and being. It's important that that seethes and boils silently There is an inherent challenge you understand how viscer- beneath your skin. It is equal in taking on a role that requires THE 24TH IS ABOUT TO BE ally this offends me, in order parts innovative and quaint, one to inhabit what are essen- UNLEASHED. to understand the signifi- restrained and madcap, senti- tially twenty three different cance of any praise this mov- mental and malevolent. There people, each with their distinct ie deserves. The director of is a carefully teetering balance sets of mental, physical, and -n* NEW THRILLER FROM Lady in the Water, The Last between schlock and drama spiritual characteristics. It is M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN Airbender, and After Earth, that is always threatening to tip an even greater challenge still, J ES McAVOY shouldn't be able to convince too far in one direction, but the to do so deftly. Somehow, he a child to sympathize with a moment of failure never comes. manages to do so. He's so good R liT bunny dying of rabbit cancer It serves as a testament to the in fact, that you when you see in her mother's fluffy, tear- values of careful direction and him contort his body and mind IN CINEMAS JANUARY 18 soaked arms. And yet, I find fine-tuned performances that between many personalities in myself uttering the impos- this story manages to take such a single scene, you can catch of sible, with Split, Shyamalan overused elements of modern glimpse of someone deeply in has made another great film. horror and allow them to fer- love with their craft. Split follows Casey (Anya ment, creating an atmosphere With *lit, Shyamalan Taylor-Joy), an unexpect- of distrust that lingers long af- manages to take a premise IMDB.COM edly capable teenage hero- ter the screen goes dark. The that's campy, unempathetic, The 2017 movie, Split, was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film ine. She doesn't have friends, cinematography enhances this voyeuristic, shoved into the follows teen, Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy.), after she's abducted by a man she sulks in corners while even more, knowing how to Osh Kosh overalls of modern with Dissociative Identity Disorder (James McAvoy). the cool kids celebrate their hide pertinent visual informa- filmmaking that is the PG-13 sweet 16's. Casey is the kind tion until the sheer frustration horror/thriller, and mold it into have something important to amalan twist yet, I'll just say of person you want to have of the viewer seems to teleki- something with surprising the- say about human psychology, that if you've kept up with around when a deranged man netically influence the camera matic coherence. It's incred- interaction, and trauma. If you his filmography, you're in for (specifically James McAvoy) to move. This film is secure in ibly refreshing to watch a film were wondering why I haven't a treat. It's nice to have you kidnaps you and your ac- its tone and its content in a re- in this muddled genre actually mentioned the trademark Shy- back M. Night.*

Photo of the ULN Week

3=ze Best of Break

Andrew Myers 18 FEBRUARY 10, 2017 FEATURES | 5

Bearing Witness At The March for Life

have thought that their daugh- marching had had abor- ter who they decided to have tions," Clark said. "It's not would be standing in front of coming from a place of ig- all these people," Clark said. norance. They know exactly Neither student consid- how this system works. It's ers herself an activist. Clark a side of this issue that is shared with a laugh that this ignored, that it can be very was her "first time doing damaging to have an abor- anything like this," but both tion." MI Bile, are passionate about deepen- Smiling, Kettinger re- 1:C+, Abr E The ent Free ing their understanding. Both called walking down the LW + I tf women left the march with a ww tnebalm,ng street and seeing groups of newfound dedication to advo- monks or nuns march past. cacy and conviction about the In keeping with the religious died totheN. power of public demonstra- tone of the event, Cardinal tion, due in part to the event's Timothy Dolan's address explicitly activist tone. "They drew parallels between the said that we would be the pro- Christian church and the life generation," reminisced "sanctuary of the womb" Kettinger. "The generation while also urging listeners to that would end abortion." care for the environment and "Half of it is about being embrace refugees. a witness," Clark shared the Dolan's comprehensive experience. "We the people ideology and doctrine of tol- care about this issue and want erance was reflected in the to see it change. But it's also crowd. "They didn't even very educational and reaf- want to call it a protest," firming. It's very popular, Kettinger said. "It was such especially among people my a joyful, loving celebra- GABRIELLE KETTINGER age, to see only the grey areas tion of life." Clark agreed, Students Elizabeth Clark and Gabrielle Kettinger travelled to Washington, D.C. on January 27 to attend the and not think of anything as adding that there was "no annual March for Lite. The March featured speakers like Vice President, Mike Pence, and Bishop Vincent concrete. Reaffirming my be- violence, no yelling, just Matthews. lief that certain things are not seeing the beautiful things okay was definitely very good in life and trying to protect the annual March for Life in Vice President, Mike Pence, for me." life." Both women were also CARINA MARTIN Washington, D.C. According and Bishop Vincent Mathews. Though media attention heartened by the event's to the March's official web- Particularly moving to both sometimes profiled the March broad definition of "life," site, the March first took place Clark and Kettinger was the for Life in opposition to the which embraced discussions On January 27 two in January of 1974, and has testimony of Ludmya "Mia" Women's March that had of domestic violence, care Houghton students, Eliza- continued as a peaceful dem- Love, a U.S. Representa- previously taken to the same for the elderly, and the Black beth Clark ' 18 and Gabri- onstration to encourage law- tive from Utah and the first streets, both Clark and Ket- Lives Matter movement. elle Kettinger ' 19, followed makers to end abortion. female black Republican in tinger were adamant about "It's not just anti-abortion," their interest in pro-life ac- Before the march, Clark Congress, whose immigrant the "women-focused" attitude Clark said. "It's about hav- tivism to the movement's and Kettinger attended a ral- parents elected not to have an they had seen in the crowd. ing an abundant, fulfilling most iconic gathering: ly that featured speakers like abortion. "Never would they "A lot of the women who were life."*

Laura White: Alumna and Author

RACHEL BELLEROSE submission to a list of editors obviously works incredibly my agent thought would be in- hard to balance her work life terested. After that, it was . . with her writing life. She's "It all started with a . more rejection. Luckily there proof that being published by Hiccup. Hiccup and Tooth- was one yes in that sea of no's, a big house isn't impossible, less, actually," said Alumna and that's how we landed with and I can't wait to see what 11 Laura White ' 13 0 f her re- HarperVoyager. she does next." HarperVoy- cently published fantasy White visited her alma ager, White's publisher, is a novel. White, who writes mater in October, both to pro- branch of HarperCollins, and under penname Elle Kath- mote her book and to encour- is the second largest consumer erine White, began working age aspiring writers that pub- book publisher in the world. on her book Heartstone as a lication is possible. She held Not bad at all, for a Houghton student, after an evening of a lecture and visited classes, grad. trying to divide her atten- speaking powerfully about White stressed how im- tion between reading Pride the writing life and the need portant a writing community and Prejudice and watch- for diligent work while main- has been for her during the ing the film How to Train taining a gracious attitude. creative process, and recom- Your Dragon. She stated, Professor of English, Stephen mended a similar path to as- "Halfway through the mov- Woolsey, who taught one of piring authors. "Network with ie I had the sudden image White's classes at Houghton, fellow writers at all stages of Mr. Darcy riding a drag- stated, "She has a real call- in the career path," she said. on and all I could think was ing or concern for the students "Writing is often a lonely en- 'This story HAS to exist."' here, wanting them to value deavor, and you need a strong The fact that her story their own gifts...calling them community to keep you sane." has gone on to be published to a kind of courage in explor- White also emphasized the is no small feat. From the ing those gifts and making the importance of treating writing time of its conception to most of them." as a serious occupation. She its publication in January, Students who attended worked as a marketing man- the book has been four White's talks certainly felt ager while writing her novel, years in the making and the passion that White has but considered her writing to has gone through multiple for writing and encouraging be the equivalent of another rewrites. White stated she young artists in their craft. So- full-time job. She stated, "If Alumna, Laura White '13, began writing her book Heartstone as a had "Lots and lots of rejec- phia Ross, who attended the you treat it seriously, other student. The initial idea for the book formed after an evening of trying tion...we went through sev- lectures, stated, "Laura had people will too; if you treat it to divide her attention between Pride and Prejudice and the movie eral rounds of editing with a lot of practical advice for like a casual hobby, so will the How to Train Your Dragon. Heartstone before going on us at each of her events. She rest of the world."* 6 | OPINIONS FEBRUARY 10, 2017

The Problem With Political Memes

real issue. What makes the best, memes are funny, they're Ferguson. The second is the not- are simply pro-birth with no ironic, they're egalitarian, they're so-subtle racism embedded in regard for the quality of life." trend of political newsmemes Micah-approved. the picture and text combination. I suppose I agree with the so alarming is that so many Any negative opinion I have There's a reason the creator of very core of the sentiment, that uncritically absorb them with about memes, then, is directed the meme used a photo of black one cannot be truly "pro life" stunning ease. Perhaps this is at those that are not true to what protesters allegedly "destroying without supporting political because we have been trained to candidates and measures which memes ought to be. There are, in the country" rather than a photo see photographs as solid proofor my view, certain kinds of memes of white people rioting. Which would protect the sanctity of life evidence; if we've got a photo, after birth too. Yet I have to admit which are in fact destructive to our groups voted for Mr. Trump in we don't need research. Perhaps relationships, communication, droves, and which groups took to that this is what I am bringing we feel too stressed and busy discernment, and intelligence. the streets following his election to the meme: my own reasoned, to commit to being politically nuanced idea which I've had The memes I have in mind (and how)? aware and active, so we share are those which serve as news for The third problem with this years to ponder over. Is that kind concise memes instead. The of reflection what this meme is many individuals. These usually meme is that it uses the same reasons are understandable, but are of some sort of political method of humorous memes on encouraging, though? I think they don't erase the fact that newsmemes do not and will persuasion, be it Libertarian, news, which inevitably corrupts not. lIn fact, I think this meme Green Party, Democrat, the truth. There is no way that the would have me lump all those never live up to the standard of ANTHONY BURDO Republican, or anything in textual claim of the meme will who oppose abortion into a single reliable journalism. It seems to between. actually communicate what those group. It would have me ignore me that the most useful thing For example, on the same who are resisting Mr. Trump's pro-life feminists and Democrats. they're good for is sorting how MICAH CRONIN day of the Women's March on administration are claiming It would have me lump those who your Facebook friends voted. Washington I came upon a meme about themselves, nor does it wish to restrict abortion together If you want real, quality with those who wish to restrict with the text "Claim Trump will communicate what those loyal news, stop believing memes. I am a conscious human destroy the country, [while theyl to Mr. Trump see as "destroying SNAP and Social Security Stop reading fake news being with a decent sense of actually destroy the country." the country." Perhaps it is the disability benefits. It would have from Daily Dot, Daily Buzz, humor and consistent access The photo showed a group of opposite of"Make America great me uncritically assume that those Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, Fox to wifi, which is to say I love young African American people again?" We cannot know for sure who are anti-abortion/pro-life News, Mic.com, The Blaze, memes. Especially Gordon sitting on top of a car, with fire, if we are using memes as our don't blink an eye at poor kids and Charisma News. Instead, Ramsay memes. (And Harambe protesters, rioters, and police guide. and struggling single moms. close out your Facebook app memes, Kanye memes, and my officers surrounding them at a It isn't only those in Mr. There may be a connection to and read the New York Times, current favorite: CASH ME Ferguson, Missouri protest in Trump's camp who do this. Many voting for anti-abortion/pro-life The Washington Post, BBC, OUTSIDE, HOWBOW DAH). 2014. (I know this because I did a of my progressive/Democrat candidates and supporting other and Politico.com, all of which Memes are great because Google search on the image). friends have shared a meme conservative political agendas, have apps for your phone and tablet. * they are simple, condensed There are several problems that by social media standards is but that is something one teams from sustained attention to expressions of often complex here: the first, of course, is the pretty ancient, though it still pops cultural humor and even blatant misinformation the meme up often in my news feed. The reputable news sources, not cultural critique, and social spread by insinuating that the text, laid over a picture ofDwight simplistic memes. media platforms allow virtually protests happening across the Schrute from The Office, reads I admit, the problems I've anyone to participate in this new world that day were anything like "You think being anti-abortion noted with each of these specific Micah is a senior theology form of entertainment. At their the (arguably justified) unrest in makes you pro-life? False. You memes are symptomatic of the maj or.

Why I March For Refugees

he paused, and turned to his indefinitely is a travesty ofjustice. children, students and parents, away from seeking asylum in Asian-American friend, "Are As 11 million refugees fled from simply trying to find a place to the United States. The decision you gonna be okay? You know, life-threatening conflict, they live. has been made regardless of with all this immigration stuff?" found themselves on foreign According to Quartz, as of the fact that most refugees He was in support of large-scale shores seeking asylum. It then 2016, the US accepted 14,333 from Syria are women and immigration reforms, but when became the responsibility of the refugees from Syria. Due to the children, who would otherwise it came to his friend? He was free nations of the world to aid nature of this already long and be resigned to live difficult lives worried. He cared because he had them. difficult process, that number in refugee camps, with limited a relationship, and while it might With the introduction of the wasn't likely to rise quickly. resources and opportunities for not have changed his personal executive order, I believe it also With the recent executive order, their families. opinion, it certainly affected me. became my responsibility to this number will likely shrink, So why do I march for His Asian-American friend protest the ban. To march for the as green cards and asylums are refugees? I march because I is safe from the immigration thousands of people whose lives revoked, and Syrian refugees believe that the United States has reforms suggested are detained a responsibility to the suffering by the Trump and put on people of Syria, and to other administration, but "With the introduction of the planes out of countries being most affected by ANTHONY BURDO many refugees from the United the refugee crisis. I believe that around the world executive order, I believe it also smes, everyone has a right to safety, are not. Immigration if and to a legitimate process for

from seven became my responsibility to thecision seeking asylum in what has DANIEL BELLEROSE countries (Iraq, protest the ban." would really sometimes been the immigrant Iran, Syria, Somalia, protect capital of the world. Most of all, Sudan, Libya, and American I march because I understand Yemen) have been severely will be turned upside down, and citizens from terrorist attacks, I that the refugee crisis is a human In a small cafe in Western restricted for the next 120 may never recover. I march to would at least consider supporting one, and that immigrants - like New York I overheard a days, giving the administration show solidarity to these people. it. The statistics surrounding the gentleman in the cafe - can conversation that exemplified time to create a stricter vetting Every march I have attended thus Syrian refugees (and, in fact, join the American community, why I care about immigration program for immigrants from far has had refugees from the refugees from all seven countries) form relationships and add to issues. Three men sat in the those countries, with a ban on countries on the list in attendance however, do not support this. As the beauty of our country. I early hours of the morning Syrian refugees indefinitely. The as well. They spoke passionately, ofright now, there have been zero march because refugees make drinking coffee together, as they decision was made in response to thanked us for joining them in Americans killed by terrorists America great.* do every weekend: two locals, the threat from Fundamentalist protest, and mourned with us from any of the countries listed and one Asian-American man. Islamic Terrorist groups like over the decision. This form of on the temporary ban, with most Together they laughed, ISIL, which operate in majority- mass solidarity is powerful, and attacks on American citizens discussed Trump's election, Muslim countries. many people who came up to coming from Saudi Arabia, the and their excitement over his Starting the week after the speak left the stage with tears UAE, Egypt, and Lebanon, none recent decisions regarding executive order, I have been in their eyes, emotional at the of which have been included in immigration. "Trump's gonna and will continue to protest display of camaraderie. It helped the ban. Daniel is a senior international make America great again!" this decision. From a purely me to understand those truly Despite all this, refugees development major with minors one man exclaimed, as they humanitarian perspective, being affected by the ban, not from Syria have been labelled as in world religions and political chuckled together. But then banning refugees from Syria militant warriors, but women and dangerous, and are being turned science. FEBRUARY 10, 2017 OPINIONS 17

What Do We Do With Politics?

on Wednesday, as I was trying to to people who disagreed with system that affords its citizens all information about legislation L--UC:i=- -9,- /.. f parallel park. (I passed, in case you?" "Did you treat them with sorts of opportunities to stand up that they feel needs to be you were wondering.) kindness?" It no longer matters for their beliefs and put them into opposed or supported. They My gripe with the question, who cried when and where. I practice. The more we take our alternate between advocating besides my own inability to want to know how our splintered principles and use them to engage for the vulnerable with better answer it, is that I think it's the churches are going to be made with post-election politics, the immigration reform, and for wrong question. Please don't whole again. more we switch our focus from the earth by supporting wise misunderstand; I'm not trying to My conclusion thus far: the things that divide us to the environmental policy. And they minimize the legitimate reactions we need to look to what holds things that unite us. do it with one another, standing of celebration and grief felt by us together. Democrats or These opportunities are not in unity instead of division. Americans after the election. Republicans, we can agree in a trite or irrelevant, especially on As of November 8, I was Those reactions were important, common love for humanity. We the lower levels of government. deeply concerned about the but as we move farther and can agree that God has given us From a purely statistical presidential election. I voted. farther away from the election, stewardship of this earth and we standpoint, an individual has a I discussed. 1 ranted and I our immediate responses to need to take that responsibility much greater chance of changing researched. I watched a debate. Donald Trump's victory can't seriously. We can agree that it is decisions on a state or local level But after November 9, my continue to take precedence. Of our responsibility to stand with than on the federal level. It takes priorities changed. I've stopped greater concern to me right now and for the vulnerable. Proverbs fifty percent of America to elect worrying over who holds office. are the policies he's announced 31: 8-9 states "speak up for a president, but according to My interest now lies in how I since his victory, the splinter in those who cannot speak for congressional staffers, it takes can be an agent for change in this ANNA SCHILKE our country, and the splinter in themselves, for the rights of all as few as fifteen Americans to world. My interest now lies in the church. who are destitute. Speak up and sway a congressman's vote. how I can be part of the healing The last is particularly judge fairly; defend the rights of Fifteen! It's as easy as a phone of the nation and involved in "So was there, like, a huge upsetting. No matter our political the poor and needy." On these call or an email. Five minutes protecting the things I'm called breakdown at your college origins, I would like to think tenants, we can find common out of a day to talk to a staffer or to protect. What I offer you here after the election?" Of all people of a loving and kind God ground. type a message. Five minutes! is one solution. There are others. the potential questions I was could manage to show that same What, then, do we do with Houghton College, surely we can But if you, like me, are done prepared to answer about the love and kindness, if not to the politics? This presidential handle five minutes. with questions about crying election, this was never one I world around them, at least to election vividly displayed that Even more, we can do it and are ready to do something, considered. Who I voted for, each other. As a first time voter common principles do not always togethen Every Thursday, a it is one you might want to yes. Why I voted for them, yes. I can only hope the hatred and result in a unified decision. So do group of students run the "Do consider. * If my college was a sobbing, venom that parts of the church we abandon the political arena Something Table" by the steps of quivering mess on November displayed during this election are altogether? I don't think that's the cafeteria during lunch. Their 9? Not so much, Yet it's a not typical. Ultimately it is this the answer. The problem with end goal: convince Tom Reed, question I find myself having behavior that I find concerning, presidential elections is that the Congressional Representative to answer. To grandparents. far more than either Donald they fool us into thinking that of Houghton's district to visit and To aunt and uncles. To family Trump or Hillary Clinton. The they're the pinnacle of political in the meantime, sway his voting. Anna is a sophomore writing friends. To the sweet gentlemen sorts of questions I want to engagement. They're not. Each week they prepare scripts maj or with minors in Spanish who administered my road test be asked are "did you listen They're a piece of a much bigger for phone conversations and and piano.

he mission of the Houghton Star is to preserve and promote the values of dialogue, transparency and integrity that have characterized Houghton College since its inception. This will be done by serving as a medium for the expression of student thought and as a quality publication of significant campus news, Houghton area news, and events.

Letter to the editor:

To the Editor: NYC trip, which has sold out in it did not replace the NYC trip CAB strives to put on one month. the past, failed to garner enough by any means. In fact, both trips large event every month and the We look forward to hosting Having been a member of student interest, leading to its occurred last year. NYC trip was our big event for the NYC Bus Trip next Fall and CAB for the past three years, I cancellation last semester." For those wondering, the November. To replace that gap plan to book the bus even earlier would like to defend the false Besides the trip being $30, NYC Bus Trip regretfully in our schedule, we planned the than we usually would, to make comments made about the nothing in that paragraph is true had to be cancelled this Fall Sky Zone trip that occurred on sure one is available. New York City Bus Trip in the and CAB did not state those facts. semester because all the local November 19, the same day the February 3 edition of the star in To clarify, the New York City bus companies had no available NYC trip would have occurred. Kasey Cannister (CAB the Mystery Bus Trip article. Bus trip is far from lacking student buses on the day the trip was With the Sky Zone trip, we Member) The article stated, "The event interest. A 55 to 65-passenger bus scheduled. were not replacing the NYC trip, [Mystery Bus Tripl, which cost has sold out and had an extensive We attempted to move the rather we chose to plan a separate $30, was hosted by CAB in waiting list for the past several date of the trip, but with such a event to make sure students had lieu of the New York City bus years. Additionally, this was the busy college calendar, that was an opportunity to get off campus trip, according to CAB. The 2nd annual Mystery Bus Trip and not possible. and enjoy a fun event during that

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The opinions and views expressed in the Houghton Star do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Houghton College or the Wesleyan Church (our sponsoring denomination.) 81 FEATURES FEBRUARY 10, 2017

Artist Meredith Guffey //applied design & visual communication major of the Week

0- NEIGHBot?

In speaking of this desire for our own far off country...1

feel a certain shyness...[It is] the secret we cannot hide and cannot tell, though we desire to do both.

- MICHAEL SIEVERS - C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory Titles & Media clockwise descending

Caffeine Phoenix, digital drawing & co//age

Wild Parsnip invasive weed caricature,

mixed media ... .1.. -d- \ J j 'li

Brussel Sprouts, digital #lustration over *

creative commons photograph

Densty, digital drawing & collage

Houghton Jazz Poster, digital media

1*k

4 *J.