Volume 25 Issue 8: Bloodlines by Mars Hill Newspaper

Bloodlines

Amanda Gorman PG. 4

Black Theology PG. 6

VOLUME 25 ISSUE 08

TWU’s Afro-Caribbean Club PG. 10-11

02 17 21

MEET THE

TEAM

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

Happy Black History Month! As we work to build a better future for all, let us celebrate the diverse individuals we associate ourselves with. Canada has recognized Black History Month as an opportunity for all to become more educated on the harsh realities of African-American history in North America. Canada, which was assumed by many to be a safe-haven for Black people from the seventeenth century and on, was far from that. Bearing similarity to the tarnished relationship between Indigenous peoples and settler society, Black people relocating to Canada were not able to escape the racist nature of settler society. To the adversities of minorities in Canada, Social Darwinism took its full effect on the sparse population of Black people who sought refuge from slavery. Black people were enslaved, denied work, and violently forced out of the nation in some cases. This legacy is not built to be reverted to, but is put on display as a reminder of the relationships that must be reconciled. These scars still exist.

Black History Month takes on a different theme each year. 2021’s theme is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” The intent behind our issue’s theme,“Bloodlines,” is to magnify the importance of celebrating the representation, identity, and diversity of the individuals on our campus. As we attend our classes, communicate with our friends, and trudge through this extraordinary time in history, I recommend that you ask yourself the question: from where do I speak? As encouraged by one of my former professors, Dr. Bruce Shelvey, I began examining the pedestal I sit upon as a white man. Culture is meant to be demonstrated and celebrated; therefore, using the pedestal I sit upon to give agency to those who may not have the same opportunity as people like myself will allow for conversation on a better future to be had. Say all you want about how far we have come, but do not ignore the amount of work that must be done in response to the bouts of injustice we continue to see in our home and native land. Let us unify in these times of trail as we seek to create safe spaces for all in the fight against racial injustice. Enjoy your reading break!

INT

EDITORIAL POLICY

MARS’ HILL

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CONTRIBUTORS

Wes Acheampong Sophie Holland Rees Morgan Marissa LaVasseur Simon Shackelford Tamilore Awonusi

TWU ACC Jessica Kruger MacKenna Wilson Ellie Bellicini Keni Hervie Alisha Pinto Emmett Hanly

DECLASSIFIEDS SUBMIT YOUR OWN AT MARSHILLNEWSPAPER.COM/DECLASSIFIEDS

Let’s get haze, giant LED walls, lasers, and lights for chapel! Unpopular opinion: “Driver’s license” by Olivia Roderigo isn’t that sad. I don’t see why everyone’s so hyped about it. Can we have a section displaying Marshill team’s MBTI personality types at some point? I would like to know more about the team. It would be great if it happened! Linguistics is the gateway drug to Philosophy. No one: Profs: Let me just breathe into this mic as loud as I can before class starts :) Hey Frits, remember when you used to get mentioned in the declassifieds every issue? HOW DID I FORGET ABOUT RAPUNZEL AND FLYNN RYDER?! Another couple to set my relationship standards too high I just want to live in a musical where everyone breaks out into song and dances great is thy potato do first years even know about mars hill?

Please, someone teach me about the amazing women of academia that no one has properly acknowledged for centuries, it would really be the chicken noodle soup my soul needs. Update: I have knitted 3 toques and half of a sweater With Sefa Tese’s major being in media & communications, would asking her out here be a “feeding two birds with one scone” kind of moment? Thanks Hannah Ahrendt for your article, my studies have pointed to God being ‘all-gendered’ and indeed we need to expand our view. Are third and/or fourth year girls into guys that have already graduated? Cause I’m both a good cook and essay editor :D For the children. Cause of death: Business 176. How ironic is it to have a class on Excel that no one excels in. A person’s feces smell like fermented peanuts and rotten meat. I guess carbohydrates and protein make it smell that way.

we need a groundhog day,,,, but a groundhog that will predict when covid lockdowns will end

Leaving someone for Jesus is the best decision ever!

is having a crush on emmett hanly for at least one month still a requirement to graduate with a theatre degree now that he’s gone? Need a spotify wrapped but for the emojis I used Dynamite is a good song. It lifts my mood Coke or Sprite? Potato fries or Yam fries? What is your pick? I would go with sprite and nice hot crispy potato fries Nyssa Morgan knows a lot about BTS #thankyouNyssa Run run as fast as you can, you can catch me I’m in quarantine Enchiladas Are dalmatian dogs super rare or something? I swear I’ve seen 3 in my whole 20 years of life. in the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, “Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand, you can’t love.” make sure to check out @ twec.twu !!!

In response to the ENGL 103 comment, I actually loved my 103 class. Leah Cameron is superb. Tyler Jones for TWUSA President - his speech blew everyone else’s out of the water. #TJ4TP I just saw the Nov 2020 compliment: thank you! <3 Ellie Forsyth 2x speed is too slow! I want my lectures to go faster Shout out to Dr. Etherington! That dude is awesome! I didn’t know Texas Woman’s University had a campus in Canada! My roommate just confused Tom Brady and Ted Bundy... Please send help. To the couple in the grey suv under Robson, I’ve parked next to y’all making out twice now. Third time I’m joining. Luke Rattray is attractive cus he is realistic and knowledgeable. He’s friendly too and that’s why people are drawn to him

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.

CONTRIBUTOR OF THE ISSUE: WESLEY OSEI-KWABENA ACHEAMPONG WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR? I’m a Biblical Studies major… taking a break :) WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Ghanian-Jamaican born in Mississauga, Ontario. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WANT TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD? I’m especially motivated by my faith. My faith has always impacted my advocacy and public actions. When I was younger my faith was different and though well intentioned I negatively impacted others and myself. As I continued to learn more about faith and life I recognized that negative impact and

worked to change that. As I continue to learn and work to create positive change I hope to encourage others to learn and work to create positive change, to show them change is possible and encourage them to imagine new paths forward. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ARTICLE YOU’VE WRITTEN FOR MARS’ HILL AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The Desperate Need for Black Theology, it’s my first! This piece is important for the Trinity Western Community. I hope it encourages the community to learn about black liberation, feminist, womanist, and queer theology and black lives matter movements amongst other civil movements responsibly,

especially at a time where many church leaders, evangelical and otherwise, irresponsibly advocate for oppression rather than the oppressed unknowingly or purposely. WHAT IS YOUR ON-BRAND ZOOM BACKGROUND? I switch between three videos of Cardi B and Nicki Minaj laughing, they catch people off guard and give them a laugh at the beginning of a meeting, then I switch it off. WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL LATE NIGHT SNACK? Earl Grey tea (black) and a blueberry muffin.

NEWS THE HILL AMANDA GORMAN CLIMBED EDDISON BRYAN Amanda Gorman, the 22 year old Black woman from Los Angeles, has taken the world by storm with her outstanding gift of the gab. On January 20, 2021, she was handpicked by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to be the inaugural poet at the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Gorman recited her own poem, “The Hill We Climb,” to the high-profile audience as the youngest to ever do so. This occasion drew tremendous attention even before her speech, as Oprah Winfrey gifted her golden hooped earrings and a birdcage ring. According to Oprah Magazine, it was a tribute to the infamous inaugural poet, Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” The concept of inaugurations having poets is still relatively novel since, prior to Biden, only three other Presidents had them: John F. Kennedy in 1961, Bill Clinton in 1993 and 1997, and Barack Obama in 2009 and 2013. Oprah also sent gifts to her close friend Angelou for her recitation at President Clinton’s first inauguration. Amanda Gorman is no stranger to the spotlight as she founded “One Pen One Page,” a nonprofit organisation, in 2016 aimed at boosting creative writing among youth in underserved communities. In 2017, she rose to national

When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea. We must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace. And the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it. Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that it isn’t broken, but simply unfinished. We, the successors of a country and the time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one. And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge our union with purpose. To compose a country, committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man. And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all. Let the globe, if nothing else say, this is true. That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped. That even as we tired, we tried. That we’ll forever be tied together victorious.

recognition when she was awarded the title of Inaugural National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States––a distinction which honours the contributions made by outstanding poets. That same year, at the United Nations Social Good Summit, Gorman delivered her poem entitled “The Gathering Place” as a UN Youth Delegate. Amanda also graduated from Harvard University in 2020 with a degree in Sociology, which aids her advocacy and social justice pursuits. The 2021 Inauguration was not only historic due to Gorman’s accomplishments; this event was significant because both her and President Biden formerly faced speech impediments. In her CNN interview with Anderson Cooper, she describes how she struggled articulating sounds and consonants, particularly those with the letter “r.” This has further inspired those with an impediment to dream big and accomplish greatness––either as a poet laureate or even President. Amanda Gorman’s poem is filled with beautifully blended poetic techniques that proclaim Black excellence and optimism for a divided America. Here is the transcribed poem recited by Amanda:

Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division. Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made. That is the promise to glade the hill we climb. If only we dare it’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit. It’s the past we step into and how we repair it. We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation, rather than share it. Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. And this effort very nearly succeeded, but while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated in this truth. In this faith we trust for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us. This is the era of just redemption. We feared it in its inception. We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter. To offer hope and laughter to ourselves. So while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe? Now we assert how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be a country that is bruised. But whole benevolence, but bold, fierce, and free. We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation. Our blunders become their burdens, but one thing is certain. If we merged mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy, and change our children’s birthright. So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left. With every breath, my bronze pounded chest. For there was always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. We will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one. We will rise from the gold limbed hills of the West. We will rise from the wind swept to Northeast where our forefathers first realized the revolution. We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the middle Western States. We will arise from the sun baked South. We will rebuild, reconcile and recover and every known nook over our nation. And every corner called our country. Our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful. When day comes, we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid, the new dawn balloons, as we free it. For there was always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.

PROTESTING TO BE PROTECTED EMMA DYKSTRA

COLUMN: WHAT THE HONK?

The bumper stickers are on a variety of vehicles, and almost every evening you can be guaranteed to spot a group of protesters on a street corner somewhere in the Lower Mainland. The stickers and the protestors shout one message loud and clear: I support Indian farmers. While many people have seen the protestors and their message, few actually know what they are protesting, or what is actually happening in India. In September 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi enacted three different laws directed towards farming in India. Farmers are raising concerns about these laws and how, while the government is staging them as helpful, they will actually hurt farmers more in the end. There are concerns that these laws will take away control, rights, and the say of farmers in India. The laws are phrased in a way that seems to be assisting farmers, attesting that the government should not be involved in matters and that farmers should be free to sell as they choose without doing any of their work through the government. However, removing the government from the process simultaneously removes economic security. There is worry that the power over farmers will be transported to corporations who have no interest in giving a population that is already struggling in the middle of a global pandemic a social safety net. Farmers make up 59 percent of India’s population and account for 23 percent of the country’s GDP. Despite this contribution to the country’s economy, many farmers live in poverty, making just under $650 CAD a year. Laws that threaten to send these farmers deeper into poverty has caused an uproar in Indian communities all around the world. Canada is home to 1.3 million Indians. Solidarity movements have been happening all over the country in the form of stickers, posters, car rallies, and demonstrations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even issued a statement where he offered his support to those demonstrating across the country in union with their families across the ocean. The protestors pride themselves in their fight against the corporate greed that threatens the livelihood of India’s largest employer: farming.

NEW ADMINISTRATION, NEW FACES: PUTTING HARRIET TUBMAN ON THE TWENTY DOLLAR BILL EMMA DYKSTRA

While cash may not be used as often it once was, the face of currency says a lot about the priorities of the country in which it circulates. Mackenzie King’s face graces the Canadian fifty dollar bill, an honour as our longest serving prime minister. Robert Borden’s heroism as the Canadian prime minister through the First World War gave him a spot on our largest piece of currency, the one hundred dollar bill. The United States shares this patriotic sentiment, which is why it is unsurprising that it has chosen a new American hero for its twenty dollar bill: Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubman was a political activist and abolitionist during the ugliest chapter of American history. She was born into slavery but escaped. Though Tubman was free, she returned to the land of her captors for 13 more missions and is estimated to have helped free 70 other slaves. The process of replacing Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on the bill was an idea put into motion by the Obama administration in 2016, spearheaded by the then treasury secretary. However the redesign was put on pause during the Trump administration, which argued that the new bill would not be able to be put into circulation until 2028 and it was that secretary of the treasury’s decision whether or not to swap out Jackson for Tubman. Under the new Biden administration, research is being done to speed up the process and make the dream of gracing the bill with the abolitionist’s image. “The needless foot-dragging on this important effort is unacceptable” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen in a statement. “Our currency tells our country’s story and it is past time to honor the contributions of Harriet Tubman.” The new administration is doing everything it can to speed up this process and have the project underway as soon as possible.

WHAT THE HONK IS A SHADOW CABINET? EMMA DYKSTRA

No, it is not the movement of sun over a piece of furniture; that’s a cabinet’s shadow. A shadow cabinet is a term used in Westminster systems for the team within a party on the other side of the House of Commons. Each party in government has a cabinet: a team of ministers each assigned to a different portfolio. It is that minister’s job to handle federal matters related to the portfolio given to them. Various ministers include the minister of finance, the minister of agriculture, the minister of foreign affairs, and many more. The Official Opposition (the party that came in second in the last election) forms their own unofficial cabinet to hold these ministers to account. They are officially labeled as critics, but sometimes they are referred to as shadow ministers. Holding cabinet ministers to account means scrutinizing poor decisions that might be made by the government while also proposing new ideas instead. For example, the current minister of health is Patty Hajdu from the Liberal Party. The health critic (or the shadow minister of health) is Michelle Rempel from the Conservative Party. Rempel has been actively researching and criticising the current government’s failed vaccine rollout. While all members of the opposition are responsible for holding the government accountable, these critics and shadow ministers have been given more specific tasks when it comes to fulfilling that duty. Just last week, the Conservative Party leader announced a cabinet shuffle where he moved some famous critics to different portfolios. The famous and fiery Pierre Poilievre was moved from finance critic to jobs and industry critic. Poilievre became famous during the summer of 2020 with his role on the finance committee during the WE scandal. What does this shadow cabinet shuffle mean? Nothing for now. The shadow ministers are not real ministers and do not have any executive power. However, it cannot be denied that even though it is an unofficial title, the shadow cabinet is an important part of holding whatever government is in power accountable.

ARTS & CULTURE

THE DESPERATE NEED FOR BLACK THEOLOGY WES ACHEAMPONG

The global church is economically, socially, and ethnically diverse. However, the perspectives of upper class white men have been elevated to the forefront of theological education to the point of obscuring the witness of Christians from the variety of backgrounds that make up the global church.

Some of them started to leave churches and join “secular” groups and causes such as student unions, community movements, and Pan-African organizations. Young James Cone, a professor at Adrian College, witnessed this trend as he taught his students about theology. In the midst of riots in Detroit (in response to the assasination of MLK), Professor Cone’s students questioned what Barthian dogmatics really had to say about their lives: did the Bible have anything to offer? Professor Cone sought to answer these questions by reflecting on the tradition of Black theology and Black religion in America and systematized it. And thus, Black Liberation Theologian Dr. James H. Cone was born. Black Liberation Theology speaks to the Black experience in North America. It is consistent with the Biblical theme of the God who stands with and liberates the oppressed, especially the Gospels and the New Testament’s liberation narrative. Cone speaks to this conviction: “to suggest that [Jesus] was speaking of a “spiritual” liberation fails to take seriously Jesus’s thoroughly Hebrew view of human nature. Jesus entering into the kingdom of God means that Jesus himself becomes the ultimate loyalty of humankind, for He is the kingdom. This view of existence in the world has far-reaching implications for economic, political, and social institutions.”

All theology is born out of a group or an individual’s experience and yet we have often paid attention to the questions that arose solely from the experiences of upper class white men. This “white” theology fails to accurately witness to the reality of the liberating Gospel of Christ to the oppressed; in fact, white theology has been a tool of oppression and white supremacy, employed to justify the subjugation of other humans, which is categorically antithetical to the Gospel of Christ. This is why the late Dr. James H. Cone argued, in Black Theology & Black Power 1969, that “[t]here is, then, a desperate need for a Black theology, a theology whose sole purpose is to apply the freeing power of the gospel to Black people under white oppression…a theology of revolution.” For Black folk throughout America––especially during the Civil Rights Movement––church was a significant part of Black culture and continues to be. The church cared for the souls of Black people and engaged in the often dangerous work of empowerment and activism. As tensions rose during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the movement and its leaders would begin to hemorrhage the support of the public. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. lost the support of the then U.S. President Lyndon Johnson and popular evangelist Billy Graham amongst others for his vocal opposition to the war in Vietnam and criticism of American imperialism. Many Black churches who felt that tension began to withdraw from the cultural politics they had historically engaged in. This move left many young Blacks disillusioned, wondering if there was indeed room for their identity and their work within the church.

Black Theology, like all other theologies, is not above criticism. Yet many people’s aim is not to critique but to plunder, and in doing so, they seek to plunder Black emancipation in the church and in turn the emancipation of all people. Black Liberation Theology is beautiful. Like many other so-called “specialized” theologies, it works to bring the Gospel of Christ to confront the experience of different people in each generation.

CELEBRATING BLACK AUTHORS AND DIVERSIFYING OUR IMAGINATION SOPHIE HOLLAND

Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison: these are some of the most prominent Black writers of our society whose work you may have seen on your English syllabus. They are some of the household names that come to mind in a writing class when teachers discuss the role and plight of Black people in literature. However, these literary figures are only a small fraction of the Black writers who deserve recognition.

In her TedTalk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shares how truly impressionable we are when it comes to stories, especially how vulnerable we are in relation to stereotypes. Trinity Western University (TWU) student and Mars’ Hill contributor Alisha Pinto discusses this TedTalk in her article, “The Myth Of Diversity and Inclusion: The Perils Of People Of Colour At TWU,” stating that white people “assum[e] the experiences of those of colour around them” based “on a narrow minded perspective.” Our preconceived notions of cultures different from our own can be dangerous when we rely on a sole stereotype of that culture. By celebrating a wider range of Black authors beyond Angelou, Baldwin, and Morrison, we are able to dissolve these stereotypes, and become a stronger ally through empathy and respect for a perspective that is different from our own. I encourage readers to engage in current and classic literature by Black authors. Not only will it open your eyes to a more well-rounded perspective on Black literature, but seeking new stories can be a fun, thrilling experience. Here are some of my personal recommendations when it comes to literature by Black writers. They are books which touch on important social justice issues, but also offer depth and insight into fascinating literature. I highly recommend that you, too, give them a chance––you will not be disappointed!

1. Thick and Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom. This is a pow-

As a white person, I acknowledge that I speak from a position of privilege––the privilege of seeing my culture represented over and over again in literature. In elementary and high school, I read a multitude of books where the characters looked like me and came from a similar background. It took me a long time to realize that not everybody has this privilege. This is why we need to “diversify” our libraries, so to speak. For so long, our libraries have centred around white authorship, with little to no effort to intentionally diversify the literature. In addition to elevating the voices and struggles of Black people, exploring the works of Black authors allows students to read about people who are like them, and to see their cultures represented in literature.

erful, influential collection of essays that expose important truths about critical social topics. Particularly, Cottom touches on the intersectionality of race, gender, sexual orientation, politics, body image, consumerism, and more. This intersectionality is particularly well expressed through Cottom’s writing where she states, “Being too much of one thing and not enough of another had been a recurring theme in my life.” Cottom herself is a sociology professor and researcher at the University of North Carolina, and offers a deep sociological perspective on these topics.

2. The Color Purple by Alice Walker. This is a popular novel which

many of us may have already heard of; however, it is more than just a book about the struggles of an African-American woman. The novel is about her journey of finding and loving herself as she learns to, as Walker writes, “grow and see the light.” The Colour Purple is also a novel that represents the LGBTQ+ community, as the story includes a lesbian relationship, and Walker is openly queer herself. I found this book to be an extremely valuable insight into a character, a story that has made me recognize things I take for granted. This book is graphic and may be triggering for some. There are things that happen in the story that make me sad and even furious. But with that said, I recommend it. It is a hard story, but a beautiful one, and a vulnerable voice that needs to be heard. Additionally, it was produced to a 1985 film adaptation, and a Broadway musical!

3. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This book is also well known, as it is contemporary, and has recently received much attention in response to current events. Thomas writes, “Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right,” referring to the cruel reality of living in an unjust legal system. It is a sad novel with sensitive content (racially motivated police violence), but a well-written one with a narrator who shares a genuine, poignant voice to which teenagers can relate. It was also adapted to be a film in 2018.

4. The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. This is a powerful novel

set in the Colonial period and deals with the injustices of slavery. It is told through the poetic, strong voice of its protagonist, Aminatta Diallo, who narrates, “I have my life to tell, my own private phantom story, and what reason would there be to this life I have lived, in the event that I was unable to open this door to relate it?” This novel is graphic and heart-wrenching, but exceptionally well written. Hill’s writing style is precise and raw, and excellent beyond comprehension. This novel has also been adapted to film and television.

In the case of students, elementary school children are particularly impressionable to stories. Children cling to narratives and characters, which is why it is crucial that they see their cultures represented in books. Teenagers––another impressionable audience––also deserve to see characters who are like themselves, as well as narratives to which they can connect on a cultural level. Many universities also are in need of more diversity when it comes to their English curricula. There are several Black authors with powerful stories to tell, and even in our contemporary society where minorities in literature is a common topic in academic discourse, there is still not nearly enough representation of these authors when it comes to university English classes.

Writer Dante Stewart (Instagram: @stewartdantec) shares, “Black History Month is not simply asking, ‘how can I remember and learn about Black people?’ It is all of us asking, ‘how can we love Black people by seeing them, hearing them, relishing in them, and creating a world where Black people feel loved, inspired, and protected?’” In regards to literature, this means we are led to read stories by Black authors, past and present, to emphasize the narratives they write, and make these narratives visible.

EARNED IT: THE WEEKND & CANADA ON THE WORLD STAGE REES MORGAN

Historically, the Super Bowl Halftime show is a performance from some of the biggest names in music. These artists work with a near-unlimited budget and creative freedom, and are placed on the stage of one of culture’s biggest events. This exposes them to an unfathomably large audience, a portion of which might not even watch another musical performance throughout the year.

held down one of the music industry’s most visible performances, proving that Canadian talent itself is strong enough to hold these cultural positions.

On February 7, 2021, Canadian artist Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known by his stage name The Weeknd, made history when he headlined the Super Bowl halftime show. In accordance with this event, John Tory, the mayor of Toronto, just named February 7 as The Weeknd Day, celebrating this mountaintop moment for Canada. Any Canadian talent, whether it be artistic or athletic, is inevitably swept into American culture. Canada gets minimal recognition for its contributions to sports, music, and cinema. Listening to some of the NBA’s most notorious pundits discuss the validity of the Toronto Raptors’ championship provides a brief glimpse into the disrespect hurled from our southwards neighbours. Canadian cultural figures must exist within the American cultural system, probing actors and musicians moving down to the United States to “make it.” The movement of cultural forces from Toronto, including The Weeknd’s XO and Drake’s OVO mark a shift in cultural power. Abel’s performance was marked with the sound Toronto is known for––a darker, reflective take on music, which amassed criticism from fans looking for an Americanized facade of happiness. The Weeknd being recognized as a large enough artist to be placed on such a high stage marks a new era for the perception of Canadian expressions of talent, potentially signalling a shift in cultural power to the North. At the very least, this signals a new level of credibility for Canadian artistic expressions. What is remarkable about The Weeknd’s performance was the fact that he did not bring out any surprise guests. Abel’s voice alone single handedly

The Weeknd performed the deep-cut “House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls,” which tells a story about a party inside his house at 65 Spencer Ave in Toronto. In the song, a choir chants “This Is / A Happy House,” which means a Canadian address got a shout out during the performance. Step aside 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Canada is here.

DIVA DO’S AND DIVA DON’TS: ADVICE FOR YOUR MENSTRUAL JOURNEY MARISSA LAVASSEUR

Hey everyone! My name is Marissa and I am now a proud user of the Diva Cup. Some of you, especially non-vagina havers, are probably clueless as to what a Diva Cup is. I am here to tell you what it is while giving the vagina-havers some advice along the way. A Diva Cup is a menstrual cup that is made of medical grade silicon and is a more sustainable substitute to other feminine products. A Diva Cup runs around $35, which may seem expensive, but you should view it as an investment. Unlike tampons, a Diva Cup is reusable and promotes sustainability. The Diva Cup was always something I had been curious about. I liked that the Diva Cup was more eco-friendly, which also meant I did not have to be constantly buying tampons (1 Diva Cup = 250 pads and tampons). I was also attracted to the convenience of the Diva Cup. Tampons should only be worn for about four hours, while the Diva Cup can last up to twelve. Lastly, it was something I wanted to accomplish: I felt that as a 22-year-old woman, it was about time I got more familiar with my body. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts that I wish to extend to you dear non-Diva reader. Do’s: Your Research This would be my number one tip before trying out the Diva Cup. It boggles my mind that feminine-product users do not read the instructions before usage. Well, this is me, telling all of Trinity Western University’s (TWU) female population: Read. The. Instructions. This will only help you in the long run and allow for safety when using these products. In fact, I encourage you to go the extra mile to watch videos and look up more information before using the Diva Cup. They have an extremely helpful website that I took advantage of. Give Yourself an Alias To Boost Your Confidence Give yourself a powerful alter ego who exudes confidence and strength to reach your full potential as a sustainable diva. Dream up a glorious girlboss name and roll with it. Which confident persona do you want to embody while Diva Cupping? Relax Breathe. You need to relax both mentally and physically while attempting to use the Diva Cup. This can be a scary experience, but taking a deep breath and just remembering to have patience with yourself will help. In order to

use the Diva Cup, you need to physically relax in order to insert it. Take your time, give yourself grace, and think about how impressive you will be when it is done. Have A Support System To Encourage You Along The Way I am so grateful to have besties who were willing to Zoom call me and give me a pep talk before experiencing the Diva Cup. This plays a crucial part in the success of your user experience. I probably called 10 friends after I successfully used the Diva Cup and they all were so impressed and proud of me––I want this for you, reader. After calling, I received some sage advice from my Diva Cup guardian angels who have traveled this road long before me. It may seem silly, but those calls eased my fears knowing I had friends to virtually go through that experience with me. Don’ts: Panic Panicking only makes the experience worse because it causes you to tense your muscles. Just like that risky text you are about to send to your would-be lover, just suck it up and send it, princess. Tensing will only make it more of a painful and lengthy process. Rush Make sure you do not have a Zoom class in 20 minutes (like I did). Take your time because it might take a few tries before successfully inserting the Diva Cup. Remember, patience is a virtue. Succumb to Fear Diva Cups are scary. This is the truth. But, it is so worth it to just give it a try. The fear you have is all mental, so get your pep talk from your gal pals and go for it. It will not hurt (especially if you did your research like I recommended) and you will be totally fine. Share Your Alias To The Public Your Diva Cup alias is strictly for you and your closest vagina-havers. If you dare to share, she loses her power and your lifeline is gone. Okay ladies––mark your calendars for your diva regimen, schedule your Zoom calls, remember your do’s and don’ts, and you will be well on your way to becoming a Diva like me.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: SIMON SHACKELFORD WHAT IS YOUR ART FORM? For a long time I would digitally paint over my sketches and leave in the original pencil work and digitally overlay textures I created on paper. I have recently switched to acrylic painting. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON? Right now I’m mostly working on projects for my drawing class. The assignments have pushed me in a more contemporary, abstract direction. I’m also making graphics for TWUSA, like the new merch line that just came out.

WHAT IS YOUR YEAR AND MAJOR? I am a second year Art + Design major. WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS? The main drive for my creative process is to test things out. Normally it starts with me wondering how two ideas could combine in an unlikely way.

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO IN THE ART WORLD? I have been a big fan of Tim Biskup for years. He’s got a unique combination of cartooning and decorative print making. I also really like David Carson’s grunge graphic design style.

friend. The school gave us full creative control and we were able to just paint a cartoon character we came up with together at a large scale. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR AESTHETIC? WHAT HELPS YOU TO ACHIEVE THAT? Punk/Grunge aesthetic has been important for a lot of my artwork. It takes a lot of texture layering and ripping paper and stuff. I also really like Romantic painters like William Blake. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU AND YOUR ART? My dream is to design album art for a record label. I intend to adapt and take any opportunity to prepare for when I can get a shot at that. WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR ART? @simon_designin

WHAT IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CREATIVE CAREER? A highlight was when I was able to paint a huge mural at my high school with my best

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: TAMILORE AWONUSI HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY (TWU)? WHAT WAS YOUR JOURNEY TO COMING HERE? I first heard of Trinity through my coach Andrew Evans at a tournament in Washington, DC and he told me about the program. At the time I wasn’t really interested because I was moving to New Zealand to play Pro teams academy. I was in New Zealand for about five months and then I got injured and had to stop playing there. I ended up getting in contact with Andy about the program because I wanted to go back to college, and then that’s how I ended up here.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH RUGBY? I went to a boarding school in Ireland and rugby was compulsory there. At first I didn’t really have an interest in playing rugby, but since I had to, I eventually just started to fall in love with it.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST RUGBY-RELATED ACCOMPLISHMENT? Probably playing for Connacht in the provincial tournament in 2018 and it was also their academy team. We ended up finishing 3rd in the tournament.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A SPARTAN? It just means for you to give everything 110%, even in the face of adversity, committing yourself to God and your purpose is enough to see you through it all. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GOALS AS A STUDENT AND ATHLETE THIS YEAR? To maintain my GPA and to continue to build the team into a winning team and develop a brotherhood within the team. WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO BACKGROUND NOISE TV SHOW OR MOVIE ON NETFLIX? How I Met Your Mother.

TWU’S AFRO-CAR

FROM CONVERSATION TO COMMUNIT EDDISON BRYAN Last year was a “year of firsts” for many of us across the world. We faced the COVID-19 pandemic, political upheavals, international travel restrictions, a global recession, along with worldwide social justice protests about the state of Black lives. As we enter Black History Month (BHM) 2021, we spoke with the only Black-led student organisation on campus, the Afro-Caribbean Club (ACC), on how the recent events in the world have impacted their vision and the Black student experience at Trinity Western University (TWU), as well on how everyone can join in on the celebration of Black artforms. Mars’ Hill (MH): Can you introduce yourselves, telling us where you each are individually from, and the role you currently serve on the executive body? Executive members of the Afro-Caribbean Club (ACC): Angel Bazubagira from Kigali, Rwanda. Currently serving as President. Indra Kanyana from Kigali, Rwanda. Currently serving as VP of Finance. Nathalie Nyakato from Kigali, Rwanda. Currently serving as VP of Operations. Sefa Tese from Luanda, Angola and Lagos, Nigeria. Currently serving as VP of Marketing. MH: The age of online schooling has made it hard for clubs to reach the student body as they once did. So, for TWU students who might not be aware of the club this year, what is the ACC and what is its vision for our student body? ACC: The ACC was founded in 2018 out of a need for community and inclusion within the growing Black student population at TWU. We aspire to be a place where we embrace and empower each other and promote progress, change, and awareness. MH: Many might look at the ACC and think it is a “Black only club:” how do you address this while being an organisation centred around promoting African and Caribbean culture? ACC: The ACC strives to be a voice and provide a space and resources for our Black students. We want to be a part of a community in which we are seen, heard, and understood. Our desire is to actively contribute in all aspects of community life, and to accomplish this, we need one another. Any supporter of our vision and mission is a welcomed member of this club.

MH: The pandemic has altered the regular operations of the extra-curricular experience. Walk us through the regular events you had pre-pandemic, and tell us how you have adapted to engage students with your plans during COVID-19.

RIBBEAN CLUB

Photos by Olivia Francis-Akolo

TY CONNECTION

ACC: Pre-COVID-19, we aimed to host at least one big event every month. We’ve had a number of social mixers and fundraising pop-ups, and even got the chance to collaborate with Simon Fraser University’s SOCA (Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry) for one of our events. We also had our first annual spring gala in observance of BHM last year. However, this school year has been really tough. With the COVID-19 restrictions in place, this has made social gatherings impossible. Building a social media presence as strong as the one we had physically is going to take some time, but we are hopeful that we will succeed. Being a considerably small executive team has also presented its challenges. MH: On June 2, 2020, TWU hosted its inaugural “Conversation with Students of Colour” in light of the George Floyd protests, centred on listening to the experiences of Black and other students of colour, which make up TWU’s minority student population. Since then, have you seen any actual progress by the TWU administration’s approach to inclusivity, and what more do you think needs to be done to improve the experience of Black and other students of colour here at TWU? ACC: Admittedly, this is not a simple question with simple solutions. If the goal of the conversation was merely to listen to our experiences, then that goal was met. But as of present, the conversation feels like it has died. Granted, meaningful conversations on race aren’t easy because of their multilayered, complex nature. But talk in and of itself is not enough. Change is the end goal, and we can only get there by doing active work. So it is difficult to measure any actual progress, moreover in such a short period of time. Besides, progress from the perspective of the TWU administration might not always look like progress to us. Without a clear action plan where everyone is aware of the role they are playing, it is hard to make any headway. That being said, there are things that can be done to improve the experience of BIPOC students. For a start, engage BIPOC students twelve months of the year, not just during key events (i.e. cultural, electoral, tragical, etc.) or for your class projects. Support initiatives and events organized by BIPOC students. Many international students make unimaginable sacrifices in pursuit of education abroad but are often met with obstacles when it comes to financial aid. Most of the eligibility requirements for financial aid and awards are non-applicable to international students. Ultimately, this accounts for the high number in international student drop outs.

MH: To follow that up, how can we navigate having race relations with white students, and subsequently them to their family members, on the issues of systemic racism in society revealed by the Black Lives Matter international movement? ACC: It shouldn’t be the burden of BIPOC students to educate our white/other counterparts on race relations. The responsibility lies on the individual to do their research and take the initiative to listen and learn. We are willing to engage in conversations that further awareness and together take action against systemic racism. MH: BHM, developed by the “Father of Black History,” Dr. Carter G Woodson, is being celebrated this year under the theme “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” What does BHM mean to you and how can you see us celebrating this theme individually, as well as collectively? ACC: It is a celebration of the ingenuity, resilience and unity of Black peoples. It is an opportunity for us to reclaim our rightful place in history and highlight our significant contributions to it. It is a chance for us to explore and reconnect with our rich Black heritage and culture. To celebrate, push for more authentic representation and diversity. Educate yourself on major figures in Black history and zero in on the impacts the movement has had on their personal lives. MH: Finally, what are your own personal favourite Black literature, songs, movies and/or media that we should check out and also enjoy, year round? ACC: Music: Burna Boy, Wizkid, Giveon, Tobe Nwigwe, Aya Nakamura, Jonathan McReynolds, Claudia Isaki, Dadju, Tayc, Sheku Kanneh-Mason Movies: “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” “Just Mercy,” “American Skin,” “If Not Now, When,” “Sylvie’s Love,” “Queen and Slim” Authors: James Baldwin, Desmond Tutu, Chimamanda Adichie, Tressie McMillan Cottom, Tomi Adeyemi, Samantha King Holmes Social Media: @NoWhiteSaviors, @morganharpernichols, @obiaris, @zeroresistancebrand

OPINIONS WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD OF MARIE CURIE? JESSICA KRUGER

The only reason why I’ve heard of Marie Curie is because of hours spent online and reading cool books like Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World. I am mad that how I learned about Marie Curie was through personal research and not through my schooling. I have become increasingly frustrated that I have learned about a total of one influential female in either of my fields of interest––only one! I am genuinely and rightfully upset that the intellect of women and what knowledge they offer has been suppressed. Even now that women are allowed to be in academic and practical fields, their ideas and skills are still not being acknowledged or commended. Why are we dismissing people who could be changing academic climates, inspiring people, and bringing knowledge to academia that others can use as a springboard? While I totally understand learning about male historic greats, like Ibn al-Haytham and Carl Jung, I must insist that we are not learning about many female scholars in history because they were and still are oppressed. Society simply forgets about female scholars because there is no pressure not to. Society seems to think that men have founded all of the important scientific

discoveries when many were uncovered by women. Just look at Perutz, Bragg, Watson, and Crick stealing Rosalind Franklin’s work without giving her any credit. Women have made very important contributions to academia but they go unnoticed or are scorned. Representation is important, so even if you feel like the men you have found that are saying what you are teaching is enough, go the “extra mile” to find out if a woman has made the same or similar point and mention them (and this could also go for a BIPOC, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community). I hope that those of you whom I am making uncomfortable will not simply toss this aside as nonsense and rebut it with the popular phrase “not all men,’’ because I can tell you that the wonderful women who make up the majority of the population of our university feel the same at least in some small way. We understand that “not all men’’ may be true but so is “enough men.” Please be an ally, men, and hold your friends accountable when they diminish the work of women or comment on a woman’s appearance in an academic situation (or any unwarranted situation) when their work should be the focus.

FACING THE FRAUD IN YOU MACKENNA WILSON

Have you ever felt like you didn’t really earn your accomplishments, or that they were just the result of luck? Or perhaps as if your peers would eventually figure out that you have no idea what you are doing, and expose you as a “fraud?” Have those fears stopped you from chasing opportunities that you are qualified for? If so, take heart in the fact that this is not just you. According to the International Journal of Behavioral Science, over 70 percent of the population experiences what can be described as imposter syndrome.

can cause constant anxiety and unease that can distort your perception of your abilities and achievements. It can ultimately cause you to believe that you do not deserve to be where you are. As a musician, occasional artist, and creative writing major, I encounter imposter syndrome nearly every time I approach my crafts. Even as I write this, I fight to drown out the voices that scream, you have nothing meaningful or worthwhile to say. While I have learned how to battle it over time, imposter syndrome used to have a much stronger hold on me. Anytime I ever received praise for something, I would reject it and give excuses for why I didn’t deserve praise. Anytime I would be in the company of fellow musicians, artists, or other creatives, the voices of fear would ask me, how long do you think it will be till they figure out that you don’t belong here? Imposter syndrome was great at keeping me from stewarding the gifts that were given to me by God. I constantly convinced myself that there were so many people much more qualified than me, so I felt that I should not pursue what I love and what I felt called to do. These conclusions would often result in me crying on the floor in frustration, fully unable to cultivate my passions. If you are experiencing anything similar, know that you are uniquely created and have many beautiful and valuable attributes that are meant to contribute to goodness in this world. You are necessary, and your unique skill set matters more than you allow yourself to believe. Believing that you are not qualified enough is incredibly isolating. Allow others to lift you up, and practice internalizing their feedback and praise. It can also be helpful to occasionally remind yourself of your well-earned accomplishments and achievements.

Imposter syndrome is a detrimental thought pattern that arises out of feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt, despite evidence of past achievements or successes. It can manifest in the fear that people will expose you as a “fraud,” or realize that you don’t know what you are doing. Anyone can experience imposter syndrome; it can affect individuals in any occupation, or area of expertise. It is normal to experience it at the beginning of any new opportunity in which you are expected to perform well. However, if imposter syndrome lingers, it

Even if the feeling that you are an imposter never fully goes away–– it certainly hasn’t for me––do not let it hinder you from doing what you were created to do. Oftentimes, imposter syndrome can stem from perfectionism—something we were not designed to bear. Do not compare yourself to an unrealistic standard: allow yourself to believe that your best can be good enough. Getting something done can be more valuable than getting something perfect.

GROUNDING ELLIE BELLICINI

Going to the grocery store with your Grandma when you are young is the most exciting thing ever: bright coloured packaging, pretty flowers, the shopping cart you get to sit in, and of course Grandpa’s favourite “spicy” salt and vinaigrette chips. Maybe––just maybe––Grandma will let you buy a bag.

I was able to walk hand in hand with my 87-year-old Nonna, telling stories about my late Nonno Ugo. The stories she told were of chivalry, and pride; two things my Nonno never disregarded.

As you get older the excitement fades and the once anticipated adventure turns into a chore. Just one other thing you have to get done off your checklist. Nonetheless, this task is pretty ordinary, no matter what age you are. I, however, did not have the chance to do that till I was 17 years old and 8510 kilometres away from the city I grew up in. My amazingly ambitious parents moved to British Columbia in 1991 from Northern Italy. They had no clue what they were coming to but they knew that it would all eventually benefit their future child, me. I grew up learning Italian, but I’m as stubborn as they come. By the time I was in kindergarten I had decided that my native tongue was a lost cause. Flash forward 12 years and I found myself yearning for some sort of attachment. My parents divorced, my dad got remarried, and now I have three sisters. I would not trade anything for the world but there was something missing from my life, I lacked something. So I went to Italy. I lived in my dad’s hometown, Pisogne,for a week and stayed with my Aunt after four weeks of Italian schooling in Florence.

As the Italian words, which had I once shunned, spewed from her lips I found myself and what I was lacking in the details. No matter the distance or the time that had passed, her words stirred in me a sensation which can only be categorized as nostalgia. This place and these people are where I am from: they are my roots. Through the stories she told––the good, the bad and the ugly ––I was like a tree receiving rain after a long draught. My thirst had been quenched.

It was in Pisogne, my ancestral ground, where I found what I was looking for. I was grounded–– and not the “slam your room door, yelling at each other” grounded.

THE WHOLE STORY KENI HERVIE

February has come to take on a new meaning since the events of the past year. Where it had previously been a month in which we recalled the great advances made by the Black community, now this month has come to mean more than just looking at successes.

This month I am taking time to reflect on my own story as a Ghanaian immigrant to Canada. From my childhood, I remember the stories told to me on my father’s knee about the village he was raised in––a village that was often lacking basic resources. I remember the humid African night where I learned about my great-great-grandfather: the man who introduced Christianity to his remote Ghanaian village and was persecuted because of it. I recall the tales of adversities my father had to face to become a computer science professor, something seemingly impossible for a village boy to achieve. Therefore, when it came time to move abroad, I remember being excited. The American movies and television I consumed made me thirst for the wealth of opportunities available in Canada––a country, which I believed, surpassed my own possibilities. Yet when we arrived, the main thing I recall was feeling and being different. I remember the strange looks in stores and the struggle it was to be accepted by other children. I remember the doubt about my academic proficiency given my thick accent, and I also remember the way I forced myself to quickly assimilate to lose my accent. Yet what I remember the most is my severe disappointment that the country meant to give me the opportunities I had lacked in Ghana made my journey toward those goals almost as arduous as my father’s before me. Although I have come a long way from being the naïve African girl who placed too much faith in Canada, and although I have achieved many of the goals I desired by the grace of God, the journey here was not without the hurdles that society placed before me.

In the wake of the uprisings seen around the world, after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor among others, it has become more evident that the successes of the Black community have been made in the face of many adversities. As society reflects on the past, it is crucial to recognize where it has failed people of colour because these failures are as much a part of the story as the victories.

So, in February, a time in which we celebrate Black history, culture, and advancements, let us also recall the struggles that Black individuals have surmounted to achieve these victories. This is what makes our stories whole and ensures better for those who will come after us.

SPORTS VICTORY AMIDST LOSS: THE STORY OF DEREK AND JIM REDMOND LUKE RATTRAY

We are often so captivated by those who emerge victorious that we completely forget those who finished in second or third place. The higher one goes and the more competitive the stage, the more likely the victor will be remembered––and there is no more exemplary a stage than the Olympics. However, one of the most cherished memories, and one of the most personal, did not come from someone having a gold medal draped around their neck, but rather, came from someone who did the very opposite: lose. Derek Redmond was an accomplished British sprinter. Heading into the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics, his most notable accomplishment was achieved in the 1991 Tokyo World Championships. There, he beat out the heavily favoured American team and claimed gold in the 4x400 metre relay. It can also be noted that this was the second fastest finish in history at the time. However, Redmond’s career was also consistently upset by injuries, with him having to withdraw from the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea because of an Achilles injury. In between 1988 and 1992, Redmond had undergone eight surgeries because of injuries he suffered. Going into the 1992 Olympics, Redmond had been posting consistently fast times while staving off injuries. Everything was going well until the semi-finals, where Redmond tore his hamstring at the midway point of the race. Needless to say, this is an Olympian’s nightmare. In the blink of an eye, Redmond’s dreams were shattered knowing that the semi-final race may be the final time that he will compete in the Olympics Unfortunately, this turned out to be true.

Everything appeared to be lost for Redmond as he decided to rise up and continue to hobble for the remainder of the race. Redmond made it down the track a few feet until he had some help from one of his biggest fans: his father, Jim Redmond. As the duo made their way down the track, it may have felt like an eternity for them, but for the people watching, they were witness to one of sports most courageous moments. Derek was in tears throughout the rest of the race, and it appeared that the only thing that kept him standing up was his father’s arm wrapped around his son’s shoulders. Though the pair was met with a standing ovation from the audience, Derek ended up having a time of “Did Not Finish,” which was met with resistance from many since it is without a doubt that he did finish the race. Even though Derek most likely did not live up to his expectations of bringing home a medal, he and his father did capture the hearts of millions of people and the story has arguably only gained popularity since then. It is this kind of moment where we are able to see the true human condition, and what it means to be a family. When one of us falls, it is those that are closest to us that have the ability and the courage to help us up, move us along, and finish the race that we have been running.

TILTING THE SCALES: UNEQUAL REPRESENTATION IN THE NFL’S POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY MAKENA WARDLE

When the National Football League (NFL) kicked off its 2020 season back in September, many prominent news outlets, sports commentators, and spectators of the sport pointed out the continuous lack of diversity seen within the League’s coaching staff. Within the 32 teams in the NFL, approximately 70 percent of the players are Black. Yet within these same teams, only three head coaches and two general managers are Black.

an event the NFL described as a part of its “commitment to strengthening the coaching and personnel development pipeline.” The event was an opportunity for young people of colour who were prospective coaching candidates to hear from past NFL coaches and executives of colour. Going even further back, in 2003 “The Rooney Rule” was introduced which requires the NFL to consider minority candidates when hiring for head coaching and other upper level positions. Yet, according to The News York Times, “the number of minority head coaches at any given time has never topped eight and the league has rarely penalized clubs for violating the rule.” In May, 2020, it was announced that amendments to “The Rooney Rule” had been approved. These amendments are stemming from the fact that only three of the twenty recent head coaching position openings (prior to the changes) went to minorities. According to the NFL website, “the League will require clubs to interview at least two external minority candidates for head coaching openings and at least one minority candidate for any coordinator job [...] In addition teams must interview one external minority candidate for senior football operations and general manager jobs. Teams and the NFL league office must also include minorities and/or female applicants for senior-level positions, including club president jobs.” It is important to note that the NFL does not set a quota for the number of minorities who should be hired, just considered for certain positions.

This lack of diversity does not only apply to the Black population, but to BIPOC as a whole. According to the Squire Patton Boggs website, as of May 2020, “the NFL only has four ethnic-minority head coaches and two ethnic-minority general managers.” This is not the first season where this lack of representation amongst the coaching staff of the NFL has been brought to light. In an effort to amend this, back in June, 2019, NFL coaches and executives met at the Quarterback Summit,

If we consider the attempted steps towards diversity that have been taken, we are left with the question: why are there still so few people of colour in high positions within the NFL? According to Michael Bidwil, the current owner of the Cardinals, the NFL has “to make sure we’re doing everything we can do to build a pipeline of play callers and quarterback coaches, who will eventually get to offensive coordinator and head coach.” In order to achieve this, the Cardinals have set up the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellowship, an initiative which pays up to two years of the salary of former players from minority groups so that they are able to coach. Since then, other NFL teams have set up similar fellowships. Though the attempts to promote hiring diversity at the NFL have not been perfect, there is hope that these changes and opportunities will produce an increased amount of representation for minority groups within authoritative positions in the NFL.

THE GASOLS: SPORTS’ MOST UNDERRATED SIBLING DUO LUKE RATTRAY

The NBA has seen multiple families reach incredible success from father to son and brother to brother. As fans, we have seen it in Mychal and Klay Thompson, Dell, Steph, and Seth Curry, Joe and Kobe Bryant, and Doc and Austin Rivers. It is certainly not easy making the NBA, but the fact that multiple members of the same family are able to make it and actually be successful in the league is an achievement all on its own. With this, one can find the most success, consistency, and team-oriented family in the NBA in none other than brother Marc and Pau Gasol of Spain.

again are not limited to, a one-time NBA champion, a Defensive Player of the Year Award, a one-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, a three-time All-Star, and a two-time All-NBA Team selection. Both brothers are without a doubt a lock for the Basketball Hall of Fame, and it is extremely rare to see something like this not only in the NBA, but sports in general. If anything, the Gasols only rivals are really the Williams sisters and the Manning brothers. The other interesting thing that can be pointed out about the Gasol brothers is the fact that they both played crucial roles on all of their championship-winning teams. For Pau, who was acquired in a trade with the Lakers that saw Marc go the other way to Memphis in hopes that he would be the Robin to Kobe’s Batman in pursuit of a championship. It is without a doubt that Gasol was the answer that both Kobe and the Lakers were looking for, as the Lakers made three NBA Finals in a row, winning two of them. It can also be noted that if Gasol wasn’t traded to the Lakers, Kobe would not have won his last two championships alone, and Gasol provided the perfect number two option that complimented Kobe’s game quite well. For Marc on his championship team, the Raptors were looking for depth and defense at the centre position, and that was exactly what he brought to the table for them after being acquired at the trade deadline. Marc quickly grabbed a hold of the starting centre position in Toronto, and since he was a “pass-first” big man, he managed to help Toronto develop into the top three-point shooting team after he arrived on the set. Gasol ended up playing really well throughout that magical playoff run, and eventually helped Toronto reach and win that coveted NBA championship.

Starting off with Pau, some of his accomplishments include, but are not limited to, a two-time champion, a four-time All-NBA Team selection, and a six-time All-Star selection. For Marc, his accomplishments include, but

It is without a doubt that Marc and Pau are the NBA’s most successful brothers; their accomplishments alone are more than enough to see them both make the Hall of Fame. Beside the fact that they are the first brothers to each have an NBA championship, they also both played very important roles on their respective winning teams which arguably, if they were not a part of them, would not have won.

COLUMN: TAKE OF THE ISSUE DON’T WORRY ABOUT PATRICK MAHOMES, AT ALL LUKE RATTRAY

Fresh off of a Super Bowl LV defeat, the Kansas City Chiefs will be wondering this offseason where they went wrong in the big game, and no one will be contemplating this more than their generational quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Either way one slices it, the Chiefs did not live up to their expectations in the Super Bowl after what was an incredible regular season and dominant performances in the Divisional and Conference Championship games. It goes without saying that the Kansas City Chiefs have a dynasty on their hands. Yet in any dynasty, there is always the chance that royalty can come under siege, and this is what Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs experienced on Sunday night. Everyone knows how successful Mahomes has been in his young NFL career. It is not every single day that you see an NFL franchise reach its Conference Championship game three years in a row. An even more impressive stat is that Super Bowl LV is the first time that Mahomes has lost a game by more than one score since he entered the league in 2017. Mahomes is also the youngest quarterback in NFL history to have featured in two Super Bowls. The Texas native is truly making a case for himself to be a sooner-than-expected heir to the throne that Tom Brady currently sits on. Mahomes has a near-perfect setup for a team that features one of the best offensive cores that the league has seen. Blessed with the best tight end in football, Travis Kelce, and with the fastest and one of

the friskiest wide receivers in Tyreek Hill. Having these three as your offensive core will surely be enough to earn wins throughout the season. The Kansas City Chiefs will still have one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league for the coming years, and we all know that this Super Bowl loss will leave an extremely sour taste in all of their mouths which will be carried over into the next season. What makes the greatest athletes great is not only summarized by how much they win, but more importantly in how they bounce back after losing. It is also important to remember that Brady did lose three times in the Super Bowl, twice to Eli Manning, and once to Nick Foles. It is without a doubt that Brady did lose to less-skilled quarterbacks than Mahomes, who has only lost twice to none other than Tom Brady. It is without a doubt that Mahomes will take this loss on the chin and will most likely return to the Super Bowl sooner than later. At the end of the day, the only reason why Mahomes is being discussed like this is because he is likely to be the only person that even has the chance to catch Brady. Perhaps one day we will see Mahomes get within range of Brady, and maybe even to the point where sports fans see this as a new LeBron-Jordan argument where there can be valid arguments for both sides. Until that time comes, Brady is able to sit comfortably on his throne, as he watches his heir continue to write his legend in the history of the NFL.

HUMOUR

TOP SIX PLACES TO CAMP ALISHA PINTO

You have been doing online school for almost a year now, so you deserve a break. Having to look at the same walls of your house and the same people in your Zoom classes all day can be tedious. So after a little exploring, I came up with a list of lovely places in Vancouver that can give you the rest you need with a fun camping experience. 1. Fraser River Park: This area is a lovely place to take the dogs and the kids for a fun few nights. Fill your mornings with some fishing and a gentle ocean breeze. Make sure you keep an eye out for the occasional eagle and song sparrow as this park is filled with fascinating wildlife.

4. Your mom’s house: Feeling a little lonely? Well worry no more, just go home and stay with your mom. This area offers free wifi and breakfast to happy campers! However, in this location, you will face a fair bit of nagging to clean your room and alter your life decisions, so be warned.

2. Sparkwood Park: This beautiful park is home to some of Vancouver’s most exotic insects like ants! Who doesn’t love ants? It is huge and filled with greenery, perfect for an afternoon with your dog.

5. Someone’s garage: Sure it might be a little cold in the evenings, but you can never go wrong with a combination of weird car smells and random baby toys to keep you company. The most fun part about this location is that it could literally be anyone’s garage! Just keep an eye out for the closing door and then slide on in there.

3. Seymour Group Campsite: This site is for anyone who is looking to take a deep dive into forests and wildlife. They do not have cell service, but that only makes for a more authentic camping experience. You might not get a chance to stalk that guy who ghosted you or have sore thumbs from scrolling TikTok, but at least you are breathing fresh air in the great outdoors.

6. The fridge: Not only do you get full privacy, but this luxury coffin is packed with several different kinds of food at all times.

DAYTIME LIVING IS FOR LOSERS NYSSA MORGAN

I’m sick of this. I can’t take it anymore. I refuse to conform to the diurnal standards society has forced us to accept for years. Our days are structured around the absurd, archaic notion that sunlight is necessary for us to function as human beings: but who says that that is the best time to be awake? So what if I like to wait until I hear birds chirping to go to sleep? That doesn’t mean I’m weird, okay? Morning people love to look down on us night owls and brag that they are so productive. Just the other day, Tyler Jones claimed that he made breakfast, worked out, wrote the great American novel, and solved world hunger all before 8AM. When I mentioned that I usually go to bed when the sun is rising, he looked at me with pity in his eyes and said he would pray for my conversion to daytime living. I don’t get what the big deal is! Nighttime is far superior in so many ways that make life way easier than you can imagine. No one bothers you in the middle of the night: no profs making Moodle announce-

ments, no emails to answer, no calls that you have to pretend to miss because answering the phone is stressful. You can post whatever you want on your Instagram and only that international student you met once in another timezone will see it. Scared that you will run into things in the dark? Just scream and the soundwaves will bounce off the furniture. Or your roommate will get mad, come out, and turn on the light and you will avoid stubbing your toe on the couch. Speaking of roommates, if they are weirded out that you are lurking in the shower, hanging upside down from the curtain rod, when they get up in the middle of the night to pee, just skulk off into a different dark corner of the house and wait for them to finish their business. While Mars’ Hill does not condone drinking blood, all I’m saying is vampires know what’s up when it comes to the benefits of nocturnal living. Also, Tyler Jones needs to mind his own damn business.

ALUMNI ADVICE COLUMN EMMETT HANLY

Good evening, fine students of Trinity Western University. I am an alumni of the institution you are currently attending and a certified opinion-haver. I am in no way qualified or skillful at giving any kind of advice to anyone about anything but Nyssa needed content so here I am to answer your burning questions. For our first column, we have two concerned third-years in need of some sagely knowledge from someone who has been in their situation before. Dear Alumni Advice Column, I had a rough time this Valentine’s DDay. I’ve been swiping left and right on tinder––sorry I mean,christianmingle.com––for months and have had absolutely no luck. So I tried asking out this hot guy from Douglas but he started asking a bunch of questions about my blood type and if I ate a lot of garlic. I think he might have been a vampire, so I told him never mind. Valentine’s Day has come and gone but I’m still single. What should I do? - from Lonely and Longing Hey Lonely and Longing, Dang, that sucks, but it really do be like that sometimes. My advice would be to give the vampire guy a second chance. I mean, vampires are hot, right? If he looks anything like Robert Pattinson and you don’t snatch him up, I might try asking him out. Hope this helps! - Alumni Advice Column

Please Help! I’m in a pickle! My cat has been living in my dorm room for the past year and a half and my RA still hasn’t noticed. But now that cat is stuck in one of the trees in the Back Forty! Her name is Slippers and she’s adorable and I love her. - from Tense Tabby Hi Tense Tabby, Okay, first, I’m allergic to cats so I’m probably not the best person to ask. Second, do you know how long it takes to get this paper into production? By the time this issue is released, your cat will have been up there for a while. I hope you found some way to get your cat down on your own, because it’s probably starved to death by now if you haven’t. - Alumni Advice Column Okay that should do it for this issue. I probably won’t do this column again but if you really have a question for me that you want answered, ask Nyssa instead.