Volume 23 Issue 3: Sound of Silence

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 3

SOUND OF SILENCE

A C T S

OCTOBER 17, 2018

1 7 : 1 9 - 2 0

ENDOMETRIOSIS & IDENTITY

MASCULINITY IS NOT HETEROSEXUAL

WONDER IN THE SILENCE

The feminine deconstructed.

“Masculinity is not what we have come to think it is.”

How the lack of dialogue in Ghibli films fosters a child-like experience.

PG. 8-9

PG. 10-11

PG. 14

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Our Our Team Team

Sabine Henderson Managing Editor

Janae Gartly Visual Editor

Kelsey Morris Academy Editor

Kennedy Dragt Arts + Culture Editor

FROM THE EDITOR “O how beautiful, look at the crimson snow! And up there on the rocks there are ever so many roses!”

-Johanna Spyri Bailey Martens Web Editor

Manfred Dewsbury Layout Editor

Ishita Wilson News Editor

Bailey Broadbent Sports Editor

I am nearing the end of my university career, and for the past month or so, I have been listening in on conversations of fellow soon-to-be graduates. It seems that the trend among students and professors alike is to talk about how our four or so years at university were the most formative years of their lives. I can’t say I agree with that statement—the most formative years of my life so far were my last two years of high school. Up until a few days ago, I had no idea why this was the case.

In high school, I had plenty of time for silent contemplation—I was bored, lonely, and honestly quite unoccupied, so I spent my days filling my ears with Radical Face and my mind with radical thought.

When I got tired of music, I sat in silence—in my room, on old fences, behind dilapidated Russian garages smoking Marlboro Red. It was in those seemingly empty moments that I became Niki. In those hollow, silent moments, I had the most time for thought. Some thoughts kept coming back and soon became part of me; some morphed from primitive ideas into personal ideologies; some were nonsense and only temporary.

I often look back with envy toward my past self, toward someone who valued silence and made time for it. In university, I have made no

Nyssa Morgan Humour Editor

Hannah DeVries Photo Editor

Richard Enns Advertising + Finance Manager

Sierra Ellis Illustrator

Emma Dykstra Staff Writer

Hazal Senkoyuncu Social Media Manager

place in my life for reflection. The person I am now is convinced she needs to fill her time with work, or else she is worthless. Sometime in my first year of university I decided that silence is a waste of time, and I have regretted that decision so, so much. I am left feeling as though I have not moved, as though I am still 17 years old.

Before abandoning my love for silence, perhaps I should have come back to Heidi, Johanna Spyri’s bestselling children’s novel and one of my favourite stories. Heidi, a girl in love with the majestic muteness of the Alps, is forced to move to the chaotic city of Frankfurt to work for a rich family. The constant noise of this new world around her causes Heidi to lose herself, and her homesickness draws her thoughts to life back in the Alps with her grandfather. It is only when she returns to the mountains and to the absence of noise that she can take a breath and return to her journey of self-discovery.

Although the story of Heidi is fictitious, the lesson she gives is one we need to learn. Silence is integral to meaningful existence, because out of silence comes contemplation, and contemplation and reason are what makes us intelligent beings; they are what make us human.

Mars’ Hill Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University, floated with funds raised by the Student Association. Mars’ Hill seeks to be a professional and relevant student publication, reflecting and challenging the TWU community, while intentionally addressing local, national, and international issues.

Mission to Mars The mission of Mars’ Hill, as the official student newspaper of Trinity Western University, is to inform and entertain its readers, cultivate awareness of issues concerning the TWU community, and provide a forum for purposeful, constructive discussion among its members in accordance with the Community Covenant, Statement of Faith, and Core Values of the University.

Editorial Policy Mars’ Hill encourages submissions and letters to the Editor. Mars’ Hill reserves the right to edit submissions for style, brevity, and compatibility with the Mission, Statement of Faith, the Community Covenant, and the Core Values of the University.

Anonymous authorship of any material may be granted at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

Opinions expressed in Mars’ Hill belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, Trinity Western University, its officials or its Student Association.

Contributors: Alex Persteiner Abby Pernsteiner Janae Gartly Brendan Dixon Nathan Froehlich Jennifer Mamchur Sarah Sommer Kirsten McAllister Olivia Krause Rhys Fowler Emmett Hanly Kenzie Morgan Jen McPhail

This Issue Brought to You By: Once a waak One pin bowling Death for dinner Jesus’ Christmas socks

7600 Glover Road Langley, British Columbia, Canada v2y1y1 marshill@gmail.com marshill.news

What’s actually a conspiracy?

-Niki Mara

Senior Editors:

Niki Mara

Editor-in-Chief

Sabine Henderson Managing Editor

Hannah Fletcher

Chief Copy Editor

Janae Gartly

Visual Editor Media Advisor: Loranne Brown

DE-CLASSIFIEDS

Submit your declassifieds at: www.marshill.news/ declassifieds

The Marlie needs to chill it with the Hillsong playlists. There are other worship bands out there, just saying.

I’ve been waiting so long for this to come out thank goodness I found the typeform

I think what this school needs is sexier on-campus jobs. I need money, but I wanna look good too.

“Preaching and teaching should be sisters, not twins.”

To the dorm that was singing the American National anthem at the top of their lungs at like 11pm: you were a little pitchy

“If you have a pastor that kind of sounds like a used car salesman, just walk out on him” - Townsend

non-ripped jeans are sexy af egg why are they called declassifieds if they’re written by classified people? visual team flames Hey...yellow lanyard here...just want to say that I’m in for a reunion...

PS. Remember when they were actually yellow and not slightly greened from blue jeans? Good times, good times.

I lost the game. <3 “Marriage is intensified despair” - Cal Please tell me the LC has not been renamed “the Leaf”, please tell me no…

If love is in the air then I must be aquatic gotta love that the fall work day for foundations 101 is LITERALLY RIGHT BEFORE MIDTERMS If Alex Miller and Jenna Rodermond ever made an album, blessed tears of joy would be shed. #doitforthepeople

I think I expanded my stomach too much on thanksgiving weekend three weeks left for art and written submissions to [spaces] literary journal!

Don’t call it traditional marriage if you didn’t complete three incredibly dangerous trials to prove your intelligence, courage, and love.

Nothing better than getting TEN declassifieds in the paper. #egoboost

“I see Trinity students all the time.

They must be embarrassed when they pay for their condoms.” -Nancy from Sodexo, now working at Walmart Pharmacy

Roses are red, I don’t like toads, TWU PLEASE HELP FIX THE ROADS

The Lord is my Shepherd but Josh Redekop is my RA

Frisbee @ 4, field between Neufeld and Music Building. Weather permitting. Skill not required.

Boy, Mars’ Hill really hates the term “traditional marriage”

Whole wheat? *snorts* you know I don’t eat spicy food! not my berries Yoink is the opposite of yeet Declassification imminent Who looks at a bag and thinks, “You know what this needs? P I P E S.”

That click click click noise you hear when you walk into the library Frits Kuhn is the only human I know who can pull off both hardcore flow and the shaved look, what a beauty 419 is the place to be Ha, now you’re thinking about your breathing

Why can’t gospel chapel be every week?

shoutout to the Douglas Facebook group which makes me dread doing my laundry

Douglas boys: don’t yell out your window at 1am unless your asking me out. Thx

Lyle Loveday is honestly the sweetest person. And he has the best name ever.

but how do we know this is anonymous

finally we are all spartans - yay, I love being a violent ableist man. –Sabine

Intramural bucket game should be a thing.

Petition to rename October “Halloween Month”

What did we do to deserve the maintenance guys?

I have been on student leadership multiple times in order to gain popularity.. where’s my 1000 Instagram followers?

To the dude who keeps yelling out randomly by Skidmore. Thanks. You remind me of super smash bros.

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Andrew Kimball is a gem God has blessed Jacobson Hall Second year is the year we get the men shout out to the CFs for introducing me to my new study playlist #LOTR hey did you guys know mars hill has a website now gonna see what the worst word i can get published in the declassifieds is - you know youʼre at a christian uni when they submit “frick” lol. “bad words” are a social construct but middle school humour sure isnʼt –Sabine Declassifieds contain some of TWU’s most profound thoughts Barber Los’ actually does amazing work. Props fella According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a bee should be able to fly Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground The bee of course, flies anyway Because bees don’t care what humans think is impossible The global lounge is such a sick spot to chill with great people Song you should listen to this week: Already There by Lonestar You youngins think geese are scary?

Y’all don’t even KNOW the havoc the Trinity Owl used to cause in the back forty #rip a new year to find a roommate, not a husband.

Mars’ Hill editors reserve the right to edit or reject submissions based on content and/or length. A printed submission does not necessarily reflect an endorsement of any kind, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of Mars’ Hill staff, the student association, or that of the University. In fact, probably not.

CONTRIBUTOR OF THE ISSUE What is your name?

Alex Pernsteiner What is your major?

Political Science Where are you from?

Idaho, colloquially known as the “armpit of America.” It’s the state that looks like a gun.

What is something you believe in , something you’re passionate about and want to share with the world?

I’m definitely passionate about politics. I’m just filled to the brim with millennial “I can fix the world” energy, and I just love the idea of spending my life working to make the world better through political action.

Why do you write for Mars’ Hill?

I think journalism is incredibly important, and it is only getting more important as the media becomes more and more crucial to our political opinions.

I have considered working as a journalist, and I think it would be good to get some experience writing articles and working on the editing process.

Also I was coerced a little bit by my girlfriend, so there’s that.

What is your favourite body part?

My left eye. It’s basically blind, so it’s just a useless glob of gross white matter. I relate to that.

If you had to stand on one surface for the rest of your life, what would it be?

One of those springboard floors that they have in gymnastics places sometimes. I don’t do gymnastics, but bouncing is way more fun than walking.

This could be you! Each issue, we will feature a contributor here that has submitted consistent, relevant, and thoughtful content. Send your submissions to marshill@gmail.com!

“Rees Morgan’s mustache” –Janae Gartly

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news Ishita Wilson

Kavanaughʼs Confirmation Built Upon Assault Denials Ishita Wilson

Following the weeks brimming with turmoil and backlash, the Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States on Saturday, October 6. With Kavanaugh’s election, five solidly conservative judges currently sit on the bench, making this one of the more conservative Supreme Courts that the U.S. has had.

Similarly, Kavanaugh shut down all allegations and maintains that he has never assaulted anyone. Kavanaugh has full support from the White House as Trump dismissed these accusations as a “big fat con job.” Furthermore, supporters of Kavanaugh believe that accusations as old as these should not have an impact on Kavanaugh’s position.

Demonstrators against Kavanaugh gathered as the Senate finalized its vote, and angry citizens chanted protests as Kavanaugh swore his oath at a private ceremony.

Trump went on to say, “I stand before you today on the heels of a tremendous victory for our nation, our people, and our beloved constitution.”

However, many others do not share Trump’s sentiment that Kavanaugh’s confirmation is a victory. This event re-sparked the #MeToo movement as many women spoke in support of Ford.

President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kavanaugh for the seat that previously belonged to the now-retired Justice Anthony Kennedy was painted in controversy due to the sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh. A few days before the Senate Judiciary Committee was to vote on Kavanaugh’s position, Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist and a psychology professor at Palo Alto University, accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her during high school.

At the age of 17, an inebriated Kavanaugh allegedly pinned Ford to a bed at a house party and covered her mouth to keep her from screaming while trying to remove her clothing. “I thought he might inadvertently kill me,” said Ford, thinking back on the incident.

Ford’s husband, Russell Ford, confirms her allegations and recalls a couple’s therapy session in 2012 during which Ford discussed assault by two boys, one of whom was named Kavanaugh. On August 7 of this year, Ford took a polygraph test which emphasized two questions: “Is any part of your statement false?” and “Did you make up any part of your statement?”

Ford’s answer to both questions was “No.” The polygraph test examiners applied three different numerical scoring systems to the results, and all of which established that her answer was “not indicative of deception.”

Kavanaugh, on the other hand, denied these accusations and claimed that he had not sexually assaulted Ford. Following the accusation, Kavanaugh released the statement, “I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time.”

After Ford’s accusations, two other women came forward with accusations against Kavanaugh as well. Deborah Ramirez, Kavanaugh’s former classmate from Yale University, recalls that Kavanaugh imposed himself onto her at a dorm room party. Some of Ramirez’s classmates were contacted by the New Yorker and claimed to have no recollection of the event. Others, however, confirmed Ramirez’s story.

Another woman by the name of Julie Swetnick declared that Kavanaugh was present at a series of house parties in the 1980s at which boys would spike the punch with alcohol or drugs, causing girls to lose their ability to consent to sex. “I have a firm recollection of seeing boys lined up outside rooms at many of these parties waiting for their ʻturn’ with a girl inside the room,” said Swetnick.

To Swetnick’s accusation, Kavanaugh replied, “This is ridiculous and from the Twilight Zone. I don’t know who this is, and this never happened.”

Several Senators voiced their concerns on the matter as well. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) explained that Kavanaugh’s confirmation would tell the nation’s girls that “your experiences don’t matter.” While a woman’s life may be derailed, the men responsible are “probably going to be fine.

They can even grow up to be president of the United States or a justice on the Supreme Court.”

Following Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, Democrats Luis Gutiérrez and Ted Lieu are pushing for impeachment, because they believe a man accused of sexual assault who made disrespectful comments about the accusers does not belong on the Supreme Court bench for life.

On the other hand, Republicans are angry that this fight happened, as it caused several of them to question their support for Kavanaugh.

This fight has allowed many younger citizens to speak out on the matter as well. A 17-year-old senior from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois explained, “As a society, we are making strides in the fight against sexual assault and harassment.”

“The fact that the Senate confirmed him makes it quite clear that this battle will not be aided by changes in national policy.”

Many other high school students also spoke out about their disappointment at the blatant disrespect of Ford following her allegations against Kavanaugh. After her testimony against Kavanaugh was made public, Ford received several death threats and was unable to return home. Ford confirmed that she and her family have been living in different secure locations to avoid harassment.

These accusations, vote, and confirmation have divided the United States’ populace and leaders alike and will only continue to foster further discussion in the upcoming midterm elections. Only time will tell how tightly Kavanaugh holds on to his denial, and how fiercely citizens continue to fight for his impeachment.

“Communist Russia” –Niki Mara

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What You Need to Know about the Legalization of Marijuana in Canada

Emma Dykstra

Today, the long-awaited legalization of marijuana in Canada finally becomes a reality. If you are like the average Canadian, you may have some questions. Why is it being legalized in the first place?

What kinds of laws are being put in place to keep it under control?

The list goes on.

legal cannabis.

It states that the federal minimum age to use the drug is 18, and that the legal possession amount is a maximum of 30 grams of legal cannabis, dried, or equivalent in non-dried form in public. People are also permitted to grow a maximum of four cannabis plants in their There are a few logical reasons behind the legalization of canna- home for personal use. bis. First, it has been shown to reduce criminal activity. Twenty-three thousand cannabis-related charges were laid in 2016. By legalizing The federal government will be responsible for managing the types the drug, people who use small amounts are kept out of the criminal of cannabis products available, packaging requirements for cannajustice system, whereas in the past, small possession offences left a bis products, standardized serving sizes, prohibitions on the use of stain on their criminal records. Furthermore, the funds the govern- certain ingredients, and good production practices. Each province ment spent on preventing illegal trade of the drug can now be spent will be allowed to create its own laws surrounding cannabis stores, elsewhere. The government can also start to tax cannabis as a new where the stores will be located, and how they will be operated. product, creating benefits for the Canadian economy.

Provinces will have the ability to increase the minimum age of use, lower possession limits, restrict where people are allowed to use Despite the positive impact legalization might have on the country, marijuana, and set requirements for people who choose to grow it many still have reservations. A large concern is that there will be an at home. These laws can be found on individual provincial websites. increase in road accidents due to marijuana use as the drug impairs people’s judgement, therefore making them unfit to drive. However, The Cannabis Act also has a list of offences and punishments for peoCanadians have already been using marijuana since before it was ple who choose to treat this new legalization like a free-for-all. One legal. can receive a ticket or go to jail for up to five years for possession of marijuana over the legal limit. Tickets (for small amounts) or up to 14 years in prison are punishments for offences such as illegal distribution or sale, as well as growing cannabis beyond set limits or with combustible solvents. Imprisonment is guaranteed for crimes such as taking cannabis outside of Canada, selling cannabis to people who are underage, and using youth to commit cannabis-related crimes.

Fifteen percent of Canadians reportedly use marijuana on a regular basis, and it is unlikely that that number will drastically increase after its legalization.

So what can we expect now? Perhaps you will catch an extra whiff of it when you walk down the street. Other than that, past trends tell us that not much will change. Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012, and, according to the Washington Post, it has had very little impact on the state. There was no dramatic increase in teenage users and cannabis-related driving accidents, numbers that had been expected Thus, there should not be an expected increase in cannabis-related to go up after legalization. If things have stayed relatively the same road accidents and other criminal incidents. in Colorado, perhaps they will stay the same in Canada as well. Today we become a country that has legalized a drug that is illegal in Now to the paperwork. The Cannabis Act is a document that pro- the majority of the world. Will we see any major differences in our vides needed information about how cannabis will be treated in weed warranted nation? That is something only the future can tell us.

Canada now that it is legal. The act comes into force today, on October 17, 2018, and provides a strict, structural framework for all of Canada. The act has three objectives: to keep cannabis out of the hands of youth, to keep profits out of the hands of criminals, and to protect public health and safety by allowing adults access to safe,

“11:07 was an inside job” –11:07 Improv

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The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

A Word with Palestinian Human Rights Activist Jonathan Kuttab Alex Pernsteiner On October 2, 2018, Palestinian human rights lawyer and activist Jonathan Kuttab gave a guest lecture at TWU about the origins of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as well as ways in which both parties may be able to make peace in the future. Kuttab, a Christian, was the founder of the first human rights advocacy group in Palestine, Al-Haq, which continues to fight for the rights of Palestinians today. The lecture was organized by Just Peace Advocates, another group that advocates for reconciliation between Israel and Palestine.

Kuttab, a Palestinian born in West Jerusalem, spoke about the history of the conflict between the Palestinian people and the State of Israel, a conflict which largely began with the settlement of Jews into the area that is now Israel following World War II. Escalating tensions between Jews fleeing the horrors of the Holocaust and Arab Palestinians worried about the threat of losing their homeland, reached a fever pitch in 1948 when around 800,000 Palestinians were removed from their villages

by Israeli forces in order to secure the land for the nascent State of Israel. Since then, Palestine and Israel have been at odds with each other, with terrible loss of life on both sides of the conflict.

Kuttab was very open in his criticism of the State of Israel in particular, claiming that it had routinely violated the human rights of the Palestinian people. He explained that Israel had, over the course of the past 70 years, progressively stolen land that belonged to the Palestinians under international law, and had routinely disobeyed and disregarded international agreements that it had signed. He explicitly described Israel as an “apartheid regime” with different sets of laws for Israelis and Palestinians.

He explained that Palestinians are not allowed to use the Jewish-only roads within Israel-Palestine and have no political pow-

er or representation, even though Arabs represent about 20% of the population of Israel. Kuttab was especially critical of Israel’s treatment of Gaza, a small coastal strip of land surrounded by Israeli troops in which nearly 2 million Palestinians live, as Kuttab put it, “under siege.” Israel controls all who come in and go out of Gaza, the area in which Gazans are allowed to fish (Israel currently restricts their fishing area beyond what they are entitled to under international law), and even the amount of food that goes into Gaza. He explained that Israeli forces specifically calculated the minimum amount of food they could give the Palestinians in order to keep them alive, and they allow them no more than that.

After these harsh words against the State of Israel, however, Kuttab began to outline what he thinks would be necessary for both sides of this conflict to reach “just peace” with each other. He grounds his desire for peace, as well as his path forward, in his faith. He believes that Christians should not believe, as so many Christians do, that Israel is in some way “entitled” to control of the area. Rather, he thinks that a Christian response to this conflict would be to strive to create peace and protect the vulnerable, whether Jewish, Muslim, or Christian.

A just peace must be committed to equality, justice, and nonviolence on all sides.

To Kuttab, the first thing that needs to happen is that Israel must accept and admit their past mistakes, and once and for all acknowledge that the Palestinians are humans with rights. Both Zionists (Israeli nationalists) and Arab nationalists must accept that there will never be peace so long as each side wishes for a nation without the other group. Each group must acknowledge that they must live in harmony with each other, or else face the risk of complete annihilation of one of the sides.

An Update on NAFTA Emma Dykstra

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is no more. On September 30, leaders of the United States, Canada, and Mexico announced a new, amended NAFTA. The name of the new agreement is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which may not go into effect until 2020. So what is new?

and the problem in front of a select panel.

First, more automobile parts will be made in North America. To qualify for free tariffs in the three countries, 75% of an automobile must be made from North American materials. Next, American farmers now have access to 3.6% of the Canadian dairy market, as opposed to the extremely limited access they had in the past.

While a few more issues have been resolved and decided as well, these are the major changes. Or are they? Some have argued that not much has changed. And what did change is not any accomplishment for Canada. Some say that Canada just gave into ultimatums from the US and opened up its dairy market, which was a betrayal to Canadian dairy farmers. The CEO of Dairy Farmers of Ontario expressed disappointment in the deal, saying that Canadian farmers will not be able to compete with the expanded American market flowing into Canadian grocery stores.

A win for Canada was the keeping of Chapter 19, better known as the dispute resolution. There was a threat from the United States to remove this section of NAFTA. Chapter 19 (now known as Chapter 10 of the USMCA) is an agreement stating that if there are any disputes between trading partners, the country has the right to challenge the other country

Is the USMCA a win or a loss for Canada? In many people’s eyes, it is a loss. It may seem like the government simply gave in to American threats and let them have their way at the cost of our dairy market. But others say that only time will tell of the benefits of this new deal. For now, all we can do is wait to see the benefits, or disadvantages, of the new NAFTA.

“Profs making you buy textbooks they wrote” –Kenzie Morgan

academy

7

The Trouble with Noise

Kelsey Morris

Abby Pernsteiner I don’t know what I would have done if I grew up in the age before headphones.

I got my first MP3 player when I was 12. Before then, music had been an activity restricted to car radios and ancient desktop computers. When I got that player, music became portable. Any boring activity could be made slightly less so by sticking some cheap headphones in my ears and letting a beat surround my actions.

A year or two later, I received my first iPod, which gave me access to a far wider library of songs. iTunes gift cards became a staple gift at Christmas and on birthdays, usually followed by a long deliberation on what was the best use of my 15 dollars.

This pastime, however, was not only for entertainment purposes. I also discovered that it could be a potential solution to a lifelong struggle. I have a problem with stimulation. It always feels like my brain is doing too much or not enough. Tasks like cleaning the bathroom or taking a walk feel colourless and void. My mind feels like it can’t latch on to anything and starts fuzzing out, leading to mistakes in even simple tasks.

Imagine how you feel during a boring lecture, when you suddenly “wake up” from a fog with the cold realization that you haven’t heard a word of what the professor has said in the last 20 minutes. Now imagine that professor is just the world around you and the lecture you missed is the drying rack full of dishes still half-dirty. You were too spaced to realize they didn’t actually get cleaned all the way.

With an iPod, though, I quickly discovered that audio gave me something to latch onto. My brain would be so busy translating sounds into meaning that it wouldn’t have time to realize we were, in fact, very bored.

And maybe that’s what I’m worried about, that this aid has turned into a dependency. Because as much as headphones are a tool to help me, they can, and often do, become a cage.

This has continued all the way into adulthood. The only thing that has changed is the content and the device. I traded that iPod nano for a smartphone and a laptop and incorporated dozens of new artists and podcasts into my repertoire.

I think I’m afraid of silence at this point. When I’m alone in my room with no particular need to focus, I still find my hands reaching for my phone, anxious to create some sound in the room.

Reading used to be one of my favourite activities, but I can’t read and listen at the same time.

Different audio matches different activities. When I write, I have to use music without words; it gives just enough buzz to keep my brain going, but not enough to force me to engage in anything other than what I’m typing. When I draw, I listen to video essays—something I have seen enough times to not pay attention to, but that will still provide stimulation.

At night, the car I’m driving and the streets outside quickly populate with figures from the dark corners of my brain. The noise from my headphones may not be actual protection. In fact, it might even be a greater danger. If there is someone lying in wait for a victim, being visibly distracted is certainly not the best move. But hearing some familiar voices fill my eardrums—feeling like even though I’m alone, there are people all around me—can calm me in a most vital way.

I get anxious when I’m alone somewhere without headphones because they are like a safety net between myself and other people. But I also know this means that I miss things: I’m less likely to meet someone new when I unintentionally show the world around me that I have no interest in engaging with it. It can be safer in that space I create with noise, but it can also be extremely lonely.

I can’t be the only one dealing with this. Maybe we could all come to accept the silences in our lives. Learn to embrace them for a short while, to live in them, and come out unafraid. In the silence the only thing you can hear is yourself.

It may be frightening, but it’s a source of great strength.

The Art of Thinking Uncreatively Alex Pernsteiner

When turning through the pages of publications such as this one, what immediately stands out is not the articles. Every page is not just written, but meticulously designed and decorated. Reading through an edition of Mars’ Hill is not an intellectual exercise, but rather a holistic experience of sight and colour, as articles are punctuated by art and design just as much as by periods and commas. Those capable of producing such dynamic syntheses of word and picture deserve the praise they get and more.

But it does no good to pretend that everyone possesses the capacity to think and create in this way. As much as those with creative talents must be praised, perhaps there is a need for an occasional round of applause for those who are not so creative, for those whose minds work best within a careful framework of logic and rules.

They are inclined to use their minds as a calculator rather than as a paintbrush, and the joy they find in solving a problem is no less an act of self-expression than a painter creating art.

It is really no surprise that contemporary culture celebrates creativity so highly. When you walk into a store, you hear music. You see art and murals covering walls and streets and advertisements highlighted by graphic design. Art touches nearly every area of modern life. Its pervasive-

ness is a result of its accessibility; humans enjoy art instinctively, though they may not be able to articulate why. Art is exciting and entertaining. and even more so are the minds of the artists themselves.

By contrast, the life and work of the analytically-inclined can seem drab and bland. Thinking through things systematically and following rules and frameworks is, to many, a drag. Frankly, it is just not sexy. Consider the difference between a work of fiction and one of nonfiction: if you ask someone to tell you their favourite book, very few will say the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus or Elements of Biology: 8th Edition. The writer of the next great American novel and the painter of the depths of the human soul receive far more recognition than the author of research papers and the formatter of spreadsheets.

The sketch I have offered makes the life of the analytical thinker seem dry and boring. But I have only sketched it in this way because that is how analytics are often taught to think about themselves. My life is not any emptier because of my inability to write eloquently about the world in verse; it loses no wonder when I describe it in the language of science. The joy I feel at wrapping my head around a puzzle is no less than that of the artist who bares their soul in their work,

and my excitement in a library surrounded by the works of philosophers is no less than that of a patron at an art exhibit. Our culture has determined that the creative way of life is vibrant and beautiful, while the non-artistic is best visualized in various shades of grey and beige.

To this I can only reply that we love the things we love; maybe it is everyone else who is unable to see the pleasure that beige can bring.

So here’s to you, you analytics, you wearers of khaki and drawers of stick figures. May your life be filled with the wonder of pure reason and problem-solving, of science and math and everything else that the world tries to convince us is boring. Your light comes from a source that not everyone shares. Delight in it.

“Hitler didn’t commit suicide at the end of WW2. He escaped to Argentina, most likely.” –Madison Muhic

8

ENDOMETRIOSIS & IDENTITY The feminine deconstructed

Janae Gartly Today I couldn’t walk. I could feel the pain from my lower abdomen in my toes. As I stumbled through the parking lot toward my apartment, the thought that I might not make it up the stairs to the third floor was realistic.

Endometriosis robs me, again. The pain cripples me and reminds me of my immense grief.

To spare you a summary of the female reproductive system that you likely received in a high school biology course, here’s what you need to know: every month, a lining is grown within the structure of the uterus. Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle signal the lining to either grow or be shed. In the case of endometriosis, this process is dysfunctional at best.

to preface every date with a disclaimer about my uterus. Spoiler alert: it’s broken. It sucks at being a uterus. How heartbreaking is it to tell your boyfriend’s mom that if her son picks you, he won’t biologically be a father?

My own pain comes in well-intentioned comments about hope and stories of healing for other infertile women who were healed because they “just prayed really hard for a really long time.” I am so happy for your aunt who “has what [I] have, but prayed and had a successful pregnancy after all,” but my aunt has what I have, and was pregnant only once. She miscarried.

While the cause of endometriosis remains unknown, the CCGE writes that the development of the disease is likely related to a genetic predisposition, a suspicion that is clearly confirmed in my family— endometriosis is present in every living generation.

As defined by Cynthia Farquhar, Postgraduate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Auckland, “endometriosis is a chronic condition characterised by growth of endometrial tissue in sites other than the uterine-cavity, most commonly in the pelvic cavity, including the ovaries, and the uterosacral ligaments.” These growths cause excruciating and debilitating pain and can form cysts that cause frequent or chronic pain, comparable to that of kidney stones or a burst appendix.

This is not a redemptive story. I am not here to tell you that I have been healed, or that there is hope for my uterus—I still can’t carry life.

I still collapse in pain, reminded of my grief with each wave of agony.

Living with endometriosis means that sometimes my roommate finds me on the floor in the hallway because I can’t make it to my room. The pain is often so intense that I am unable to stand, speak, or even think. But the pain isn’t forever, and I know that I can take it day by day. The frustration of being unable to think clearly, let alone attend classes, is something that I’ve come to terms with.

Some days I just can’t stand upright for a while, and I can live with that.

Dr. Andrew Prentice of the University of Cambridge writes the following in his clinical review of endometriosis, published in The British Medical Journal in 2001:

It is well established that a relation exists between endometriosis and infertility. In more severe cases of endometriosis it is obvious that the disease is a cause of the patient’s infertility.

In such cases fertility is compromised as a consequence of the anatomical distortion of the pelvis caused by adhesions or endometriotic ovarian cysts, or both.

This research is backed up with staggering statistics. According to a 1998 study led by the Canadian Collaborative Group on Endometriosis (CCGE) and published in Epidemiology, endometriosis is “diagnosed in 20-68% of women investigated for infertility.”

I know that God will lead me to still waters where I am given rest and purpose, but in this circumstance, I am grieving.

My disease is my enemy, and it robs me of a life I thought was my choice.

It tells me not to write this article because proclaiming your infertility from the rooftops does not exactly constitute a romantic selling point.

And that is exactly why I have written this piece: to communicate that not all women are child-bearers. Not all women want to be, and not all women are able to be. If I could somehow make this dumpster of a uterus work, believe me, I would. But I am not the only one out there in this position.

What saddens me more than the disease itself is my fear of the honesty that it demands. While I had no choice in this circumstance, all potential romantic partners are handed the choice. They have to choose all that I am over their hypothetical children. How do you look someone in the eye and ask for that?

Try explaining to a casual romantic interest that if they go down this avenue with you, they may end up childless. My pain is in feeling like I have

“The back forty owl is actually just Vic Cavalli in a costume” –Corinna Scholing

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My identity and worth as a woman is threatened within a hetero-normative community obsessed with marriage and the nuclear family. What’s more, biological infertility pokes massive holes in the theology of conservative “Biblical” femininity. In contrast to conservative Christian theology, the femininity embraced by secular Western culture is by no means defined by submission or fertility—and rightly so.

Women are understood as multi-dimensional, intelligent, and independent individuals with powerful and unique agency.

But in many conservative religious communities, femininity is defined through a set of characteristics determined by archaic social practices and values.

In Proverbs 11:16, it is written that “a kindhearted woman gains honour,” a characteristic often employed in encouragement of submissiveness and passivity. In Titus 2:3-5, women are instructed to be “self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive.” The instances of these motifs throughout Biblical literature are countless.

search revealing that the total number of people whose bodies differ from standard male or female is 1 in 100 births, and the frequency at which a child is born so noticeably atypical in terms of genitalia that a specialist in sex differentiation is called in, occurs in about 1 in 1500 to 1 in 2000 births.

What exactly is intended in stating that God created both man and woman?

Often, conservative Christianity refers to male and female gender. According to West, Zimmerman, and the vast majority of researchers in contemporary gender studies, the dichotomy of male and female gender is a product of the conception of “gender as an emergent feature of social situations: both as an outcome of and a rationale for various social arrangements and as a means of legitimating one of the most fundamental divisions of society.”

If we refer not to gender but to sex for an understanding of femininity, what is to be said for the thousands of individuals born intersex? How could there possibly be a standard that ascribes God-imitating roles to men and women, when there is no concrete sociological or biological dichotomy in the first place?

As both a woman and a Christian, I fit into few of these categories comfortably. I am not soft, submissive, or gentle-hearted. I do not want to be touched.

I will not stay at home. I am loud, aggressively passionate, bold, and radically disinterested in submission.

To find identity as a woman is a personal and spiritual endeavour. I am at peace with this identity and feel comfortable within it as a facet of my individuality and humanity. The journey to understanding one’s identity ought not to rely on the socio-spiritual scripts we are given. Our existences as male or female or other ought not to be confined within exclusive identification.

I am not the staple of Mennonite femininity that my heritage expects of me, and I never will be. My character is strong, ambitious, and courageous.

If my character fails to conform to the “Biblical” constitution of femininity, what else does the Bible say will root me in femininity? 1 Timothy 2:15 states that “women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”

When I am faced with others’ discomfort with my understanding of gender as a construct, I wonder what else they could possibly think it is. If I am not of Biblically feminine character and reject the subsequent role ascribed to me, what is there holding me to a female identity other than my sex? Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman write in their highly influential book, Gender and Society, that gender is not something we are, but it is instead something that we do. They argue that gender is “an achieved status... constructed through psychological, cultural, and social means.” Sex, on the other hand, is defined as exclusively “ascribed by biology: anatomy, and hormones.” West and Zimmerman also acknowledge the likelihood of sexual ambiguity. The Intersex Society of North America has presented re-

The boundaries of sex and gender flow and intermingle and are no longer exclusive or defined. What must be held most dearly is our willingness to follow and worship Christ the creator God. My identity as a woman is rooted in my reception of the love of Christ. I have no role by my gender; I have no role by my sex; I have a role through the almighty God to be a steward of the Earth, to love others, and to pursue truth. I am to be love and light in the world as the individual that I am.

I am not gentle, I will bear no children, and I am, nonetheless, a woman

by Christ designed and to Christ modelled.

“Amazon Alexa” –Kennedy Dragt

Masculinity Is Not Heterosexual Last September, I arrived at Trinity Western University alongside 699 other new students, excited to start my first year of post-secondary education. Surprisingly, my anxiety for the year was pretty low, with the exception of some discomfort moving into dorms, not knowing how I would fit in, given that my previous friends and roommates consisted largely of females and fewer males. As a gay man, I was keenly aware that I was different from my dorm-mates; I felt that I was on a tier below everyone else because of my sexuality, which also gave one strike against my masculinity. As O-Week came to a close and the time for shirtless macho-boys dressed (or not so dressed) in costumes for Banana Challenge and Fort Week rolled around, I found myself feeling wildly inferior. I had encountered the notion of hyper-masculinity on TWU’s campus, which provoked me to question my own masculinity, and, ultimately, what masculinity really is.

For many of us, hearing the word “masculine” brings several characteristics to mind. Reinforced by Hollywood, pop culture, and just about everything else, these characteristics include, but are not limited to, strong, tall, muscular arms, a sculpted chest and abs, a strong chin line, some charm, money, and an underlying disdain for the effeminate. Somewhere along the line this stereotype also adopted “emotionally detached” as one of its most dominating characteristics.

And while not all of these characteristics are inherently negative, they each deny the majority of men the freedom to be the diverse men God created them to be. This is especially true for gay men, whose masculinity is commonly perceived as minimal or nonexistent, given that their sexuality is most recurrently perceived as strictly feminine. But if the contemporary idea of masculinity is based primarily on aesthetics, what we know as masculinity cannot be called “masculinity.”

This poses the question, “What does it mean to be masculine?” Is it to woo the girls with a nice body, some bad pickup lines, and a few bucks to blow, or is it something less superficial? And do we celebrate the brave, the wise, and the courageous, or do we celebrate the ones who embody the facade that we lust after?

Strength is arguably one of the most dominating characteristics of what we know as masculine in modern culture. A simple Google search of “manly men” provides results that affirm this distorted idea of masculinity. In this context, physical strength is most often associated with being masculine, while emotional expression is very rarely viewed as such: it is almost exclusively deemed feminine. Although this does affect many gay men who are inaccurately stereotyped as soft and overly emotional, this equally affects the sensitive and emotionally expressive heterosexual man who is in touch with his emotions. When he experiences even a moment of tearful emotion, he is scrutinized and called weak and feminine. What the world does not see is a man who is brave enough to express himself—for allowing himself to be human in a society that tells him to “man up” or “grow a pair.”

From childhood, we are taught that there are two categories for us to fit into: masculine and feminine. Boys like blue,

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girls like pink, boys like trucks, girls like dolls, boys like video games, and girls like giving makeovers. If a girl’s tastes fit in the “masculine” category, she is celebrated for betraying her pink, fluffy femininity. On the contrary, if a boy discovers that his tastes fall within the “feminine” category, and he likes the colour pink, playing with dolls, and giving makeovers, he is ridiculed. He is told that his tastes are unnatural, he is not masculine, and ultimately that he is not enough.

He is told that he is gay and feminine, inferring weakness, unintelligence, and shame; he becomes an outcast among his male peers because of it. While many heterosexual men can identify with this narrative, perhaps a far greater number of homosexual men experience these pressures.

The masculinity of gay men is almost always challenged. Stereotypes have robbed the gay man of his right to embrace his manhood and express it in his own individual way because it does not always conform to the traditional male gender expression. It is on the basis of sexuality that expressions of masculinity have been deemed masculine and not-masculine, more commonly called “feminine.” Psychologist Joseph Pleck, PhD, of the University of Illinois explains, “Our society uses the male heterosexual-homosexual dichotomy as a central symbol for all the rankings of masculinity, for the division on any grounds between

Nathan Froehlich males who are ʻreal men’ and have power, and males who are not.” This theme is also seen in the language used especially by heterosexual males in today’s society, such as in the slang term “that’s so gay” and stronger expletives, inferring that homosexual men are inherently grotesque and fundamentally less masculine than heterosexual men. The gay man is constantly reminded of how dissimilar he is compared to heterosexual or “masculine” men, and that he, therefore, does not fit within the realm of normalcy.

Brad Harper, co-writer of the book Space at the Table writes “The long-held stereotypes about the ʻgender presentation’ of gay persons—stereotypes like gay males walking with swaying hips and limp wrists, or lesbians keeping their [hair] short so it stays out of the way when they swing an axe—are neither accurate nor helpful. While these presentations may be true for some gay persons, they are also true for some heterosexual persons.” He continues, “…much of what we consider appropriate gender behaviour or presentation is little more than a series of social constructs.”

When we buy into gender stereotypes such as our culture has, we are left with two polarized groups of men uncomfortable with each other, threatening the masculinity of the other. It should come as no surprise to learn that gay men have a very different childhood experience than their heterosexual counterparts. They grow up with

the knowledge that they are different from other boys, not always knowing why, and they are continually reminded of their peculiarity by the dominating notion of heteronormative masculinity and their lacking ability to conform despite their relentless strides to prove themselves as “man” enough. They work hard to perfect the areas of their lives that they are able to, in an effort to compensate for the shame they experience from the disapproval they have endured for being different than most guys, but, they are rarely satisfied. This can be exceptionally difficult for the gay man who is out of the closet, as many heterosexual men, uncomfortable with the thought of being desirable to another man or caught up in the weight of their own theological views, reject him. Consequently, the gay man is left in isolation from the same love and community which he was designed for and that many heterosexual men freely enjoy.

According to Statistics Canada, males are at the highest risk for attempting suicide, making up at least 75% of all suicides in the country. They cite a “lack of social support” as being one of the greatest contributing factors in an act of suicide.

Further, Canada Human Rights Trust reports that LGBTQ youth and young adults (between the ages of 10-24) are four times as likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual peers. Although these statistics are not specifically a reflection of the harm done by hierarchical masculinity, one can only wonder how this statistic might be different had these men been loved, accepted, and affirmed in their individuality by their communities.

Masculinity is not what we have come to think it is. Masculinity is not heterosexual; it is diverse. As Godly Christian leaders, we must rid ourselves of a toxic ideal that suffocates individuality, confidence, and self-expression. We must understand that true masculinity means allowing room for men to be themselves—homosexual and heterosexual. Masculinity means looking beyond stereotypes and social constructs and instead, seeing each person as a person and accepting them for who they are, and listening to them. It means having the tact to disagree with respect but to never show partiality to another person because of difference in body type, nationality, sexual orientation, personality, gender, convictions, political beliefs, religion, past, interests, struggles, and postures.

Masculinity means asking for help when it is needed, expressing emotion, and taking care of oneʻ’;s mental health, not suppressing emotions.

Masculinity means being persistent in uplifting and supporting others, even if it occasionally comes with discomfort.

Masculinity is accepting one’s self for each individual quality and having grace for self and others when things get difficult.

Masculinity is living as the man God made, not chasing after what the world wants that man to be.

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arts + culture Kennedy Dragt

Brendan Dixon

Artist Spotlight

Mars’ Hill: When did you begin to make art? What would you consider to be the highlights of your artistic journey?

Brendan Dixon: Well, I was always doing art when I was little.

But I only considered doing it seriously in grade 11 when I began to think about a career in architecture.

MH: How would you define your personal style?

BD: I would definitely consider my style to be a lot more of that of a designer than that of the classic artist type. My art involves a lot of planning. I pride myself on being able to have structure. I always love a good grid.

MH: What is it that you like about architecture? What drew you to it?

BD: I’m drawn to architecture because it has both artistic and technical aspects; it blends together form and function. I remember loving going into Vancouver just to look at the buildings.

MH: Where and how do you find inspiration for your work?

BD: Hmmm…I think I mainly get inspiration from just other artists and designers online. There are so many different people and styles.

So going into online communities is really inspiring.

MH: You are involved with Pillar this year. How has that shaped your art?

MH: What are your prefered mediums?

BD: For traditional art, I generally prefer to work with graphite and BD: It’s made me look more into print publication, layout, and watercolours. And then there is, of course, digital work. opened me up to different styles. It is a good way to explore a new kind of subject matter.

MH: Which of your pieces are you most proud of? Why? BD: Tough question. As far as my traditional art, I would say my MH: Where is your favourite place to work? self-portrait, because it encompases my own ideas and views about BD: I think I like working at home in my study best. I’m in my own myself, and it opened up my style and abilities. quiet place where I have everything that I need; I can relax and get As far as digital work goes, it would be my calendar. I’m proud that stuff done.

I was able to finish the illustrations for all twelve months and I really MH: What do you think your art says about you? What do you try like using it in my study this year. to communicate through your art?

BD: I think I always like to show that I am organized and detailed.

I like my pieces to be well unified and cohesive, expressing that everything is planned and fits together.

“Sodexo” –Samantha Twist

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u n v e i l e d Sarah Sommer The Middle East is a place that captivates the heart. It is not the vibrant “culture” often associated with Persian marketplaces and scenes from Aladdin that is so enrapturing, but the mesmerizing hearts of Syrian refugee women hidden beneath head coverings.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, there are 25.4 million refugees in the world today. In the tiny country of Lebanon, home to only six million people, about two million refugees reside in camps. Yet, to me, this refugee crisis was only realized in the fall of 2016, when I spent eight weeks in Lebanon.

As we visited the tents of Syrian families, the husband reclined on cushions, asking questions as his two wives sat silently on mats nearby, heads and bodies covered, stealing shy glances at me and pouring over-sweetened tea into little glasses for their guests.

It was only when these women were alone with us that they could truly open up. One Thursday evening, we gathered in the schoolroom tent—20 Syrian women, one female Palestinian translator, and six white-skinned foreigners. As I shared my story and faith, their response was a plethora of curious questions, wrinkled brows, and hopeful smiles.

“Does God really say He created us all beautifully? Including me?”

Sandra, a woman from our team, asked a Syrian woman if she enjoyed dancing. The woman’s face lit up; from within the folds of her gown appeared a hybrid cell phone with a built-in MP3 player. Seconds later: the

boisterous rhythm of Syrian wedding music blared from its tiny speaker.

Before we knew it, the blinds were drawn and the Syrian women removed their head coverings, twisting the scarves into ropes to tie around their hips. They shook out their long hair which reached past their waists and shimmered with streaks of henna. Their faces glowed with wide, unrestrained smiles. Giggling exuberantly, a woman grabbed my hands and motioned for me to imitate her.

I flushed as I mimicked her hip thrusts, curving my arms sultrily out to my sides. The twelve of us—a collection of Syrian and Caucasian women—held hands and danced in a circle, a unified kaleidoscope of shimmying hips and elated laughter. This exhilarating joy emanates from being fully revealed to those who accept you for who you are; this is the beautiful individuality that is suppressed beneath an exaggerated veil of propriety.

The lovely, joyful hearts of Syrian women reflect the dreams and hopes that lie in all our hearts. Our role is to break down façades with its kindness and transparency. The result is a beautiful thing: even in a culture where veils are the expectation, these women expressed themselves where they knew they are accepted for who they are.

In our culture, where our versions of decency and faux pas exist, similar things lie beneath the surface. All individuals need space and safety for their souls to be revealed, and it is the responsibility of the community to provide them with that opportunity.

SAMC PRESENTS The Game of Love and Chance Jennifer Mamchur Have you ever wondered what getting married was like in the 1700s? It was not a piece of cake. In The Game of Love and Chance, Madam Orgonia has arranged a marriage for her daughter. However, she is a modern mother, and she gives her daughter Silvia an out—if she really does not like Dorante, her husband-to-be, Silvia can send him away and they will try again.

Let’s put it in a modern scenario: imagine that cute guy you’ve always wanted to talk to, but have never gotten the chance to see the character of when he is away from his friends. How can you be sure that a ring by spring is a good idea if you don’t know who he really is? In The Game of Love and Chance, Silvia finds a solution to this problem: her best friend, Lisette. The two girls, with the blessing of Madam Orgonia,

swap places to figure out if Dorante is marriage material. Silvia thinks her plan is foolproof, but little does she know, her betrothed has a similar idea.

The problem when dealing with other people is never knowing whether they are going to stick to the plan, and if they don’t—well, everything could fall apart. Silvia is up to her eyeballs trying to figure out why her friend, Lisette, will not send Dorante away, and she even seems to be into him. What would you do? Come watch Silvia navigate through her unwanted emotions towards her mother, brother, best friend Lisette, Dorante, and his valet, Bourguinon. Only one question remains: who will win this game of love and chance? Come find out at SAMC Theatre October 23–November 3.

“My mother’s love” –Nyssa Morgan

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How the lack of dialogue in Ghibli films fosters a child-like experience Kirsten McAllister In 2013, while Disney was coming out with its Academy Award winning hit Frozen, Studio Ghibli released its most expensive film to date, The Tale of Princess Kaguya. The two-hour long film tells the coming-of-age story of a heavenly princess who was born into a bamboo stalk to a family of poor bamboo farmers. Unlike Frozen and most other recent Disney releases, the film uses the ancient art of 2D animation. Not only is it not CGI, but the animators use a sketch-like style which could be comparable to the unfinished look of Impressionist paintings. The free-spirited Princess Kaguya enchants her viewers not by saying or doing anything particularly regal, but by spending most of the film running through the woods, dancing for joy beneath cherry blossom trees, and engaging in simple domestic tasks.

The animators’ choice to use fewer frames per second and to apply only simple lines to the characters’ forms gives the viewer more time to look at less, allowing them to see every movement.

While this particular style is only applied to the single Ghibli film, it represents a philosophical approach to animation that is foreign to most of us who have grown up under Hollywood. While films like Frozen leave us undoubtedly entertained and involuntarily singing, the films of Ghibli directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki leave their viewers with silence.

Though other Ghibli films employ more traditional hand-drawn styles of animation, their characterization still distinguishes them from studios like Disney and Pixar. In Ghibli, character is revealed through mannerisms, little quirks, and seemingly insignificant actions rather than through speech.

Of course, if there is one rule for animation, it is that there is nothing “insignificant” or accidental included. Simple moments that do not advance the plot, such as little Chihiro silently stuffing her face with steamed rice buns as tears stream down her face because she is afraid her parents who have been turned into pigs will be eaten (Spirited Away), are essential to the story because of their emotional implications. By focusing on his viewer’s emotions rather than their understanding of the plot, Miyazaki earns their suspension of disbelief and opens up the room for all sorts of magical things to happen.

In another film about little girls who are coping with the loss of parents, the sisters Satsuki and Mei have moved with their father out into the countryside while their mother is sick in the hospital (My Neighbour Totoro).

Here they encounter the magical giant rabbit/bear creature, Totoro, who happens to be king of the forest. One night they get up to see him outside their window performing a ritualistic dance around their small garden plot. Without questioning, they rush out to join him, aiding in the magical growth of a giant camphor tree. The scene is silent and wonderful and ambiguous. When the children wake up the next morning, they see that the tree is gone, but their garden plot has sprouted tiny plants. The scene ends with the two girls shouting alternatively, “it was a dream!” and “it wasn’t a dream!” The viewer, left not knowing which is true, must embrace the disclosed emotional truth of the experience rather than analysing the

plot. The reality of the miracle is not as important as the joy that these small signs of life bring the sisters at a time when their mother is in danger of death.

Takahata and Miyazaki’s magical people and events are always deeply connected to the beautiful and sometimes terrifying world of nature. This nature is the soul of their films, providing the source for the viewer’s meditation and creating the necessary pauses for understanding the characters and their world. Miyazaki offers us moments of contemplation not only through enchanted valleys and seas, but in the spirits and magical beasts with which the landscapes are filled. Creatures like the mute Night-walker, god of life and death (Princess Mononoke), or No-Face, a greedy spirit that never speaks but only consumes (Spirited Away), or of course, the most famous and inarticulate Totoro engage and mesmerize the viewer.

Although Takahata and Miyizaki’s characters and settings are often wordless, this kind of quiet does not require an eradication of all sound. The sounds of the wind blowing, the accompaniment of a soft piano arrangement, or the exchange of only a few honest words does not disrupt the silence but deepens it. Nature enthusiast and lover of silence, Gordon Hempton says that real silence has more to do with an absence of noise rather than an absence of sound. As a self-proclaimed “acoustic ecologist” of the earth, he calls the true quiet of this “solar-powered jukebox” we live on, the “think tank of the soul.” Another deep thinker on silence, Josef Pieper, writes about how true speech only emerges out of places of silence. He proposes that “…the world reveals itself to the silent listener and only to him, the more silently he listens, the more purely he is able to receive reality. Since reason is nothing but the power to understand reality, then all reasonable, sensible, sound, clear, and heart-stirring talk stems from listening to silence. Otherwise speech is sourceless: it turns into chatter, noise and deception.”

Of course, to become a citizen of the modern world is to be inundated with constant noise. Giving in to the pressures of our well-oiled, high-functioning society, many adults lose the ability to simply rest in silence. Thus, it is no surprise at all that Takahata and Miyizaki’s quiet heroes are almost always children. The emotions that they evoke are beyond language, and the raw nature of children who are still incapable of expressing their thoughts and feelings with words, makes them the perfect protagonists to tell stories of the heart. Because of the posture of attentiveness to the world, the child is sometimes able to understand much more than the articulate adult. A person is much more open to a grand adventure if they have not yet learned to safeguard everything in speech, including themselves.

“Swag” –Tyler Allert

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Crowd Movement Alex Pernsteiner We live in a society predicated on rules. Social order is what separates us from the animals; it is a symptom of our larger brains and increased intelligence. Social norms and rules of communication and action have allowed for the construction of massive cathedrals and sprawling metropolises. It is our ability to collectively structure society in a rational way that makes us who we are.

I only say this to remind you of what we as a species are truly capable of. Many of you seem to have forgotten this. One of the simplest aspects of our existence, that of movement, has lost all forms of rationality or etiquette. Watching a group of students walk down a hallway or get food in the caf is more akin to watching a swarm of ants crawling on top of each other , rather than rational humans getting from place to place. It’s time for this 19-year-old crotchety old man to educate you youngsters on the ethics of crowd movement.

Hallways are not a terribly complicated invention; at their core, they are nothing more than

point A, point B, and a passage between the two. The intended purpose of a hallway is nothing more than to get from where you are to where you are going, and there is no need for a hallway to be used for anything else. You can think of a hallway like a blood vessel; so long as everything is flowing, there are no problems.

But once it forms a blockage, it can’t do what it needs to do. A hallway is not a great place to gather with your dorm and hold a lengthy discussion.

The caf is even worse, but that seems a bit more justifiable just because the layout is confusing. My only advice for everyone in the caf is to move with purpose. You can’t just meander around in a daze like a five-year-old in a shopping mall. Get where you need to go and then sit. The world is confusing and terrible enough without having to navigate through amoeba-like swarms of students.

Now get off my lawn.

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Ziye (Harry) Qian TWU Richmond Campus

爱在TWU

秋天是悲凉的感觉，总是让人想起离别；离别也意味着相聚，像我和西三一大学。 在迷蒙中醒来，一闪而过的念头是一天的课。像每个上课的早晨 一样，我驾着车在去学校的路上，我想着：来西三正好一年了，我还 没有毕业，不禁又想起初来西三一的我，以及这一年经历的一切。 去 年 的 这 个 时 候 带 着 毕 业 的 喜 悦 告 别 了 学 院 ， 进 入 了 自 己 梦 寐 以 求 的 大 学 ， 一 切 都 很 新 鲜 ， 期 待 着 教 室 、 老 师 还 有 同 学 。 都说大学是个小社会，而我真的也尝到了这其中的滋味。刚进学校时轻飘飘的 心态让我很快迷失在求学的路上，然而老师的谆谆教诲和同学的互相帮忙让 我重新找到努力的方向，上帝在前方指引着我们，把好的留下和不好的遗忘。 绿 灯 了 ， 我 在 上 学 的 路 上 ， 我 也 在 人 生 的 路 上 。 “A true conspiracy” –Chad Ruloff

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sports Bailey Broadbent

Why TWU Needs Rugby Back Rhys Fowler To many, rugby might be the proverbial mashup of boneheads on a field. I feel as if it is a funny part of my personal calling in life to tell you that you are wrong. In fact, rugby is wonderful and is exactly what TWU needs.

Rugby is celebrated in many countries, with some even considering it the leading sport. New Zealand in particular is home to the All Blacks, arguably the most dominant team in all of sports. Watch for just a few moments, and you too will see why rugby has continually proven to be an ideal mix of physical prowess and strategic discernment. It is fast-paced and endlessly entertaining, so why are we not buzzing about it here at TWU? Next time you find yourself sitting in chapel, take a glance to the upper-left side of the gymnasium. You just might see a men’s national rugby championship banner, sulking and collecting dust. There used to be excitement around the game right here on campus. For one reason or another, things changed and Spartan rugby drifted away. Although this is a sad realization for student rugby-enthusiasts like me, I am a firm believer that good things usually make a return. Here are four reasons why a return of Spartan’s rugby would be the best thing nobody saw coming: 1. It is a growing game. More and more Canadian universities are fielding rugby teams and developing their programs. Being situated in the heart of the lower mainland, TWU has ample opportunity to harvest some of the area’s top young talent and make a name for itself across the country.

2. It is an exciting game. The physical element of the sport always has viewers on the edge of their seats. The display of stamina and perseverance is jaw-dropping. Go on YouTube and see for yourself. There is little doubt

Name: Olivia Krause Hometown: Richmond, BC Year: 4 Major: Nursing Sport: Soccer Mars’ Hill: How did you first get involved in soccer?

Olivia Krause: I have been playing soccer since I was four years old, so pretty much my entire life. Apparently, at one point, my parents tried putting me in figure skating, but I was too aggressive for that, so they opted for a contact sport.

MH: How did you hear about TWU and the Titans?

OK: I first heard about TWU in grade five at a missions conference in Vancouver. It was right then and there I told myself that I was going to be attending the school. Years later I attended preview weekend and first heard about the Titans, which made me even more excited to attend Trinity.

MH: What made you want to continue your sport at university?

OK: I loved playing soccer so much throughout my childhood, so not playing after high school was never really an option for me. Soccer helps me clear my head, and playing with such fun girls on the team makes the sport even better.

The Titans also offer a nice balance between playing competitive soccer and the ability to keep up with academics.

MH: What’s your greatest soccer-related accomplishment?

OK: I think my greatest soccer related accom-

that residents in the Fraser Valley would buy into the entertainment that is competitive rugby.

3. It is a versatile game. The game is most popularly played with 15 players per side, but rugby sevens is quickly becoming a sought-after rendition of the sport with just seven players per side. This would require fewer athletes to be involved, yet with no less opportunity for competition amongst Canadian universities.

4. It is an inclusive game. The game of rugby accommodates a variety of athletic strengths, as the culture in the sport is famously unified and classy.

A common sound bite in the clubhouse would be “soccer is a gentleman’s game played by hooligans, while rugby is a hooligans game played by gentlemen.”

A rugby team would give the university an opportunity to create a college football-like atmosphere while displaying integrity within the locker room that is to be expected of any team. The students and faculty at our university could benefit from playing and supporting such a sport. I personally enjoyed several years of competitive rugby on Vancouver Island and elsewhere in BC, so the game is in my DNA. When I came to TWU, I was excited to see the banner in the gym and disappointed that there was nothing to show for it a little over a decade later. I know that there are those who witnessed the glory days of rugby at TWU, and I am confident the sport will one day re-enter our community. Then, I can feel the funny part of my calling fulfilled.

plishment was in high school, trying out for a high-level team straight from only playing the lowest level of soccer. I learned a lot through that experience as it taught me to have the confidence to pursue jobs and dreams I may not think I am the most qualified for.

MH: What’s the best part about playing on the Titans team?

OK: The best part about playing on the Titan’s soccer team is the girls. The girls I get to play with are so fun and we all really bond throughout the year. I have met some of my best friends through playing on Titans.

MH: How does the Titans soccer team compare to other teams you have played for?

OK: Titans is unlike any other team I have played on, mostly due to the fact that the team is based in a Christian environment. I mostly played on club teams growing up, where, in most cases, I was the only Christian on the team. Being able to pray as a team before practices and games is such an awesome and unique experience. In some ways, playing on this team is like being a part of a ministry, as our opponents often times do not have any Christian background. Teams know and respect our team because of the values and sportsmanship we show on the field, which makes it such a cool way to exemplify Christ to our community.

MH: Do you play any sports other than soccer?

OK: I have also played softball and basketball for most of my life. I continue to play softball during the spring and summer on a women’s team in Richmond.

“Mars’ Hill + OneTWU are trying to eradicate every last hint of the covenant” –Frits Kuhn

Athlete Spotlight Olivia Krause

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Guts, Glory, Klassen: A sit-down with TWU Titans Menʼs Basketball Coach Bailey Broadbent “Do we have the guts? Do we have the glory? Do we have the Klassen?”

Titans Men’s Basketball coach Josh Klassen utters these powerful words to his team every time they step onto the court. Part of his duty as head coach of the team is to motivate his players, and he seemingly excels at it.

resilient Klassen looked to bounce back in a big way. After receiving the elusive title of player and coach, his second season with the team looked all the more promising, but did not quite pan out.

“When we had our whole team turn out for games we were great” Klassen said of last years’ roster; “…unfortunately, however, that seemed impossible.”

Following the end of last season, he flirted with retirement from basketball altogether. Klassen went soul searching after the season, trying to find himself and the next direction he was to go. He even went as far as running for TWUSA president during last year’s election; “I was in a transition stage in my life, figuring out what challenge to take on next.”

Mars’ Hill had Klassen in a recent exclusive sitdown interview.

“I just want the guys to make sure they have the guts…” he said, “…so at the end of the day we can all have the glory.”

While his unique motivational speeches may confuse some, Klassen has had no trouble gaining the respect of his peers. Now in his sixth year of undergrad studies pursuing a major in Kinesiology, “Klass”, as some call him, has already found himself to be well-travelled in the sports world. Born and raised in nearby Duncan, BC, Klassen was dunking basketballs before he was walking on his two feet. Not long after learning how to walk, the boy mastered running, and, soon after that, he was playing high level basketball throughout his hometown. After showing outstanding promise in the sport through high school, Klassen signed on to play post-secondary basketball at Caronport Saskatchewan’s Briercrest College.

At Briercrest, Klassen began to develop an interest for the coaching side of the game, and after three years, he made a decision that would change his life forever. He transferred to Trinity Western University, where he would first serve as a player, and later as a coach, for the Titans basketball team.

“It was a tough move from Saskatchewan…” he said, “…but a sacrifice I had to be willing to make to continue to play the game I love.”

His first season on the team had its fair share of ups and downs, but the

That next challenge that awaited Klassen? A second season coaching the Titans. “People say basketball may have changed since my heyday, and they’re right,” Klassen said of his doubters. “But if I continue to coach the way I always have, we will be a successful team.” [He grins]. “The Titans are here to change the game back.”

With a “World Klass” coach like Josh Klassen at the helm, Titans fans across campus will find comfort knowing a passionate and driven man is steering the ship. “We want to compete this year. We refuse to be blown out.” Coach Klassen spoke optimistically about the roster this year, “…I’m beyond excited for this season, we have a lot of good talent coming in and it’s extremely promising. The future looks brighter than ever before.”

You can catch all the latest Titans basketball games Sunday nights at Rick Hansen Secondary School in Abbotsford.

THIS WEEK' S� STUDS AND DUDS Bailey Broadbent

Studs: - Canucks’ 19-year-old rookie, Elias Pettersson, became just the seventh player since 1990-91 to record 5+ points through their first two NHL games.

Duds: - Moments after defeating Connor McGregor in UFC 229, Russian mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out of the Octagon and threw punches at multiple members of the Irishman’s entourage.

- The Boston Red Sox defeated their arch rival, the New York Yankees, in four games. It was the first meeting between the hated rivals - Authorities in Belgium recently carried out a series of arrests in relain 14 years. tion to “match-fixing,” with evidence pointing towards soccer games across the country being rigged for financial gain.

- New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, became the NFL’s all time league leader in passing yards after throwing 363 yards - Despite having two years remaining on his contract, Minnesota Timagainst the Washington Redskins last week. berwolves star Jimmy Butler demanded a trade from the team just weeks before the start of the NBA season.

- TWU Spartans men’s hockey team opened their 2018/2019 season with two home wins against Vancouver Island University and are looking poised to defend last year’s BCIHL championship.

“TWUSA.” “JK lol Mars’ Hill definitely” –Alex Gust

18

humour Nyssa Morgan

I Think Iʼm Trapped in a Chipotle Mayo Flavoured Emmett Hanly like that thick spicy goodness. When I rinsed my mouth, the water from the tap tasted like none other than…chipotle mayo. I went to bed confused, but I hoped things would go back to normal the next morning.

Hey everyone, I’ve been in a bit of a predicament recently and I don’t know what to do about it. How did it all start? Well, I’m glad you asked. So, last week, I went out with my friends to Triple O’s for a quick bite and noticed they had an enticing Chipotle BBQ Bacon Melt burger. With my mouth watering and my stomach rumbling, I went ahead and ordered one for myself. I also felt the impulse to trade out the regular fries for some yam fries and a side of chipotle mayo because I think it’s important to treat yourself every once in a while. The burger was delicious and the yam fries satisfied my cravings.

However, the overload of chipotle mayo did burn my tongue, but I was having a good time, so I thought nothing of it.

They didn’t.

But that’s when everything went wrong. That night before bed, as usual, I plopped a fat glop of toothpaste on my toothbrush and started going ham on the brushing. After a hot minute of hard scrubbing, I noticed that the minty freshness I was expecting tasted a little… smokier.

It took me a minute to decipher that the flavour I was experiencing was, in fact, chipotle mayonnaise. Taken aback, I decided to investigate further. It smelled like toothpaste, it had the consistency of toothpaste, but it tasted

I poured myself a bowl of Cranberry Almond Crunch cereal and guess what? It was like those dried cranberries were floating in a bowl of chipotle mayo. I got a blizzard from Dairy Queen. Chi. Pote. Le. Mayo. I ate a single grape. IT TASTED LIKE CHIPOTLE MAYO! It’s been nine days and everything I’ve eaten has been EXACTLY THE SAME! Boy oh boy, has it gotten old. I used to love chipotle mayo, but now I dread its off-orange scrumptiousness. Will I ever be able to taste anything else ever again? Should I just burn off my taste buds for good? Somebody please help! What am I supposed to do?

Kenzie Morgan

Six Tricks to Spice Up Your Relationship with Water Nyssa Morgan As water makes up 60% of your being, staying hydrated is key to living a healthy lifestyle. According to The Internet, we should drink at least one to two liters of water daily to keep the body flowing and functioning at optimal speed. As students, though, this can often be challenging if you are not making a conscious effort to complete this goal. Luckily for you, I have compiled several new ways to spice up your water-drinking routine and get you on a path to total hydration!

1.

Buy a new, funky water bottle: It might seem like a waste of money to some, but carrying around your snazzy, new water bottle is guaranteed to increase your water intake. Simply bring it with you wherever you go and if someone comments on how cool it is, take a nice, long swig before replying, “Oh I know.”

2.

Add some fresh fruit or cucumbers: If the taste of regular water is the reason you prefer to dry out your body like a piece of Sodexo garlic bread, then this is the solution for you! Throw some fresh fruit and veggies into your glass of H2O and enjoy that great flavor of soggy produce.

3.

Turn your classes into a (water) drinking game: Sit down: drink. Stand up: drink. Pass out: drink. Wake up: drink. Get yelled at by the prof: drink. Get kicked out of class: drink. Cry in the hallway: drink.

4.

Eat a pack of crackers every hour: While this may not be the healthiest option food-wise, this article is not concerned at all with that issue, so start munching on those crackers. When your mouth is sufficiently dry from cramming in glorified pieces of salted cardboard, chug some water and you’ll be good to go!

5.

Keep your mouth open in the shower: This is a great way to kill two birds with one stone: cleansing your body and rehydrating it simultaneously! Do we know where TWU water comes from and if it is safe to drink? Let’s be real, no one does, so just risk it for the biscuit and drink up!

6.

Literally add spice to your water: Pepper. Paprika. Coriander. Oregano. Cumin. Take your pick and toss ʻem in there for the ultimate way to spice up your water-drinking routine! With a whole rack of options, I guarantee you will never be bored from hydrating ever again!

“Waking up” –Abbi Seidle

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ART 215 CP Beauty & the Sacred Arts

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19

THE

SHEVANGELIST

Jen McPhail

Major: Christianity and Culture Height: 5ʼ3.5” Hometown: Langley

Year: 1 Age: 19

Idea of a perfect date?

The one where he shows up

How would you make up after your first fight?

Mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow

What is your signature dish?

Iced tea

What is your go-to party trick?

Not getting invited

How would you win their parents over?

A jousting duel

Good age to get married?

Before I die

How do you plan to take family photos?

With a camera and a dog

Favourite season?

Oh my gourd, fall

How do you know if itʼs love?

Trusty magic 8 ball

Biggest deal breaker?

If you donʼt like High School Musical, we need to part ways

What is your love language?

QT with a cutie

How many kids do you want? *Dogs, 2

Skill that makes you ʻthe one?ʼ Not being ʻthe secondʼ

What skill will you pass on to your future children?

Chronic hiccups

• LING 101: Intro to Linguistics (FA, SP) • LING 210: Language and Society (FA, SP, SU) • LING 310: Articulatory Phonetics (FA, SP, SU)

Also, check out www.canil.ca to find out more about our summer program, our training tracks, our degree programs, and optional minors.

• 1-888-513-2129 • admissions@canil.ca • www.canil.ca “Cults in the back 40” –Rees Morgan