Agora - December 6, 2021

Welcome to the Family Madrigal Disney’s new flick is a delightful romp through a magical house

Page 9

A culinary student sautées vegetables. (File Photo).

Culinary program on chopping block

by Claire Bacarella Agora Staff

Culinary students may not be crying when chopping onions. Instead, they could be crying because MCCC’s culinary program might be coming to an end.

“A freshman class was not accepted this year due to low enrollment, and second-year students are on track to finish,” said Grace Yackee, vice president of Instruction.

Serving Monroe County since 1968

The culinary and foodservice education credit program, or CAFE program, is under review, said Yackee. They will consider factors like how many students want to join and the number of job opportunities.

At the head of the program is chef Kevin Thomas, who is in his 35th year as instructor of culinary arts and foodservice education.

Year 35 will also be his last. Thomas said he plans to retire after the completion of the

Winter 2022 semester.

“I’m involved in the process with the program being under review,” Thomas said.

“They’re obviously asking me my opinion on what to do with the facilities after the program’s done.”

Campus’ culinary facilities will continue to be utilized for lifelong learning classes for the community, Thomas said.

“From the heart, I hate to see the program

Dec. 6, 2021

under review,” he said. “But I kind of understand because the demand for this particular field has declined.”

Final review of the CAFE program will be presented to the Curriculum Committee during its monthly meeting January 2022.

Thomas expects the committee to decide to discontinue the program, but he said that the stars have aligned with his retirement.

Vol. 69, Issue 1

2 • Campus News

December 6, 2021

Campus News • 3

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Dance school to put on holiday celebration showcase

by Claire Bacarella Agora Staff

Agora Chorale to perform for the holidays

by Emma Marion Agora Staff

As the holiday season approaches, MCCC’s musical ensembles continue to do their best at getting into the Christmas spirit even with pandemic restrictions.

MCCC’s Agora Chorale will host a concert titled “Sing Noel” in collaboration with The John Tyner Chorale.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back in and doing concerts,” said Catherine Brodie, director of the Agora Chorale.

On Tuesday December 7, 2021 at 7:30pm in the La-Z-Boy Center, these singers will be featuring well known holiday tunes such as, “That’s Christmas to Me” and “The First Noel.”

“I really like the Coventry Carol,” said Elizabeth Brockman, who has been part of the Agora Chorale for 6 years.

Other selections will include ensembles, percusion acompiament, solos and audience participation.

Brodie said her group had to prepare for this concert very swiftly as their last performance was at the end of October.

At the performance there will be about 40 singers, which is about half of the full ensemble.

“They all can come back if they want to, but certain people don’t want to wear a mask and that’s the school’s mandate,” said Brodie. “I don’t really mind it because I don’t want to see

(Top photo) Agora Chorale members rehearse Nov. 30 for their upcoming concert. (Above) Choir Director Catherine Brodie conducts the Agora Chorale members. (Photos by Emma Marion).

people get sick.”

Savannah Hoffman and Lily Hatkow, both first time Agora Chorale members, said they are ready and back in the performance mindset.

“This is super exciting because the last time I was able to perform in a group was my junior year in high school,” Hoffman said.

MCCC’s Destination Dance School is preparing to take the stage for their annual holiday dance showcase after it was canceled last year due to COVID-19.

The performance will take place on Thursday, December 16, 2021. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Meyer Theater, which is located in the La-Z-Boy Center.

The showcase is open to the public and Destination Dance School is accepting donations at the door.

Destination Dance School founder Kellie Lajiness directed and choreographed the showcase.

“About 30 dancers will be in the show,” Lajiness said.

“Including MCCC’s Destination Tap Collective, Inside Out Dance Ensemble, and Destination Dance students.”

Lajiness founded the Destination Dance School in 2010.

Their first annual holiday showcase was held in 2013.

This year’s show will be the fifth time Inside Out Dance Ensemble member Elisabeth Brockman performs in the holiday showcase.

“I’m excited,” Brockman said. “I want to go show people what I’m able to do and show them the techniques we’ve been working on.”

Audiences can look forward to various styles of dance including theatre, contemporary, and tap.

Eight-year Destination Dance School performer Autumn Hensley will be performing tap as part of her involvement with the Destination Tap Collective.

She said she is excited to hit the stage after last year’s performance was canceled.

“To finally be able to do what you love and perform, it’s like

a breath of fresh air,” Hensley said.

This year does look different, though, with audience members and dancers alike being required to mask up.

But these masks can’t stifle the holiday spirit dancers are set to bring to the stage.

(Above) The Inside Out Dance Ensemble performs a dance to “We Need a Little Christmas” in the last holdiay showcase in 2018. (Below) IODE performs a number to “Soul Cake.” (Photos by Helen Robinette).

4 • Campus News

Dec. 6, 2021

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Makerspace provides community resources

by Lauren Werlinger Agora Editor

The MCCC Makerspace is like a mad scientist’s laboratory, said Makerspace coordinator Micheal Reaume.

“It’s really cool to be able to have an idea for something to make or need to fix something, and all of the necessary tools and equipment are right here,” Reaume said.

A makerspace is a place where members of the community can collaborate on projects using resources they otherwise might not have access to.

Equipment available includes computers with computer-aided design software, CNC routers, 3D printers and power tools.

“It’s really satisfying to design something, print it and have everything fit together perfectly,” Reaume said.

The Makerspace opened during the 2020 winter semester, Reaume said. However, due to the pandemic, the college had to shut it down.

During that time, the only people using the Makerspace were volunteers from MCCC and Monroe High School to produce face shields and mask adjusters at the beginning of the pandemic.

Though the Makerspace’s reopening was at the beginning of the 2021 fall semester, people have already been working on several projects, Reaume said.

For example, Reaume made a pedalboard for his guitar and 3D printed a Ford Mustang model to give to Jack Roush during his visit to the college.

“I’m always working on some kind of project, so it’s a good excuse to put some of our tools to use on a regular basis,” Reaume said.

The MCCC VEX U Robotics team also has been using the space to 3D print robot parts.

“The team competes in the VEX Robotics competition and part of the competition in designing our robot allows us to create and 3D print custom parts,” said Maribeth Mohn, former VEX U Robotics team member.

Mohn has also been using the Makerspace to create brackets and mounts for her senior design project.

“It is a convenient way to 3D print parts when you do not have a personal 3D printer or the parts you need to print are too large for your own 3D printer,” Mohn said.

The Makerspace is open to any community member 18 or older, according to an informational flyer.

There is currently no charge to use the

Michael Reaume, Makerspace coordinator, leads a 3D printing workshop for a Boy Scout troop. (Above) Reaume shows them how to use CAD software. (Below) Reaume explains how the equipment in the Makerspace works. (Photos courtesy of Micheal Reaume).

(Above) Makerspace technician Maxwell Haar solders components onto a circuit board. (Below) The community has created a variety of 3D printed objects.

Makerspace, stated the flyer.

“The thing I hear most frequently from people who are new to things like 3D printing is that they can’t believe how easy it actually is, even for people who aren’t inherently tech oriented,” Reaume said. “So I’m excited to be able to teach and provide these kinds of resources to people who otherwise might never have gotten to experience it.”

To arrange to use the Makerspace, contact Mike Reaume at mreaume@monroeccc.edu or call 734-384-4176. It is located in the Career Technology Center in Room T-160.

Agora/mcccagora.com

Features • 5

Dec. 6, 2021

Power of a professional editor The journey of finding the perfect career

by Emma Marion Agora Staff

When reading the weekly newsletters that get sent through your email, the effort, time and collaboration that goes into each article is second to no other class offered on our campus.

Each article that crosses over your screen has taken hours writing, compiling, interviewing, rearranging and most of all editing.

In our very own newsroom at MCCC we have very talented and hardworking editors doing all of this work behind the scenes to keep you informed.

Beyond our newsletters and beyond editing on MCCC’s campus, there are jobs that encompass similar tasks.

Maggie Gautz, a Monroe County native, is in an editor for the ACT. Any sort of editing takes countless hours, but Gautz’s job holds a lot of power with her influence over a nation wide test.

Gautz graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in English and with a teaching certificate.

From there she taught English at a Montessori high school and decided it wasn't quite right.

“The job just wasn't a good fit for her,” said Mark Feleder, Gautz’s father and director of the College-Community Band at MCCC. “She’s a perfectionist, which can be helpful in her new profession, but as an English

Maggie Gautz, her husband Shaun Gautz and their daughter Jane go for walk in nature. In her current job as editor, she is able to work full time and spend time with her family. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Gautz.)

teacher it just didn't work.”

Gautz said her father has supported her throughout her job changes and moves across the country.

Although it took her a little time to find the job that fit, all her previous experience was necessary for skill building.

For Gautz to be eligible for new job, she had to have the exact degree and English experience she had built up.

While having difficulty pinpointing a job, she went through an editing certification program online through the University of California in San Diego to be more appealing to

employers.

She edits all portions of the standardised test. She deals with everything from math to English on a daily basis.

“Basically, content specialists who write the tests send their items to our department to edit them,” Gautz said. “We make sure the grammar is correct and follows our style.”

Upon being hired in 2017, Gautz decided to move her family near ACT headquarters, located in Iowa CIty, Iowa.

“We were all prepared for a move. I worked from home before anyway,” said Shaun Gautz, her husband.

Like many jobs, the pandemic took a toll but it allowed Gautz and her family to return to her home state like she had hoped for her young daughter.

“With the pandemic, they sent everyone home, and they decided that it worked really well for everyone, so we moved back here” Gautz said.

While being able to work from her home in Michigan for a company in Iowa, she works full time and raises her daughter Jane.

It takes a great many steps to discover the career that fits each individual's preferred lifestyle and skillset.

From college degrees, to student internships, to reevaluating a career years into a job, the process of finding the "perfect" job is an accumulative experience.

The Agora Editors

Lauren Werlinger Elisabeth Brockman

Get Involved With Your Student Newspaper • Reporting • Writing • Photography

• Videography • Broadcasting • Illustration and Design

Email: agora@monroeccc.edu Call: 734-384-4288

Adviser

Matthew Bird-Meyer

Staff

Claire Bacarella Emma Marion

The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in Room C8 of the Campbell Building, (734) 384-4186, agora@monroeccc.edu.

Submissions: The Agora encourages submissions by anyone in the college community, including freelance articles, opinion columns, or letters to the editor. All submissions must include a name, address and phone number for verification purposes. The Agora reserves the right to edit for clarity, accuracy, length and libel.

The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press. It is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Association, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you would like to see in the Agora - it’s your newspaper. Email submissions to agora@monroeccc.edu.

6 • Opinion

Dec. 6, 2021

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A ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ discovery My father’s childhood rulebooks open up a whole new world

by Lauren Werlinger Agora Editor

Shane Werlinger, my father, set a small stack of books in front of me at the kitchen table. They were practically falling apart- loose pages, spines plastered with packing tape, and writing all over the insides.

They were his childhood set of rulebooks for a tabletop role-playing game called “Dungeons and Dragons.”

“I was invested with my whole heart and soul,” he said.

I was blown away that my dad had kept these books after all these years.

Generally, tabletop or “pen and paper” role-playing games consist of players describing the actions of their characters within a set of rules.

As the name suggests, players keep track of their character’s hit points and inventory using pen and paper.

The books were the first - and at the time, only- edition of “Dungeons and Dragons” when my dad was growing up in the 70s and 80s.

Like my father, I have been playing “Dungeons and Dragons” for years. But he got into it a lot younger than I did.

I began playing the game when I was 14 years old; my dad started when he was 6 years old.

His neighbor invited him over to play, and from then on, he was hooked.

“It was all consuming,” my dad said.

For him and his friends, it was the main topic of conversation.

“It was something we would think about in school, between classes and in the middle of classes,” he said. “We would sit and whisper about the adventure coming up.”

He was so invested in the game because he and his friends wanted to escape from their life circumstances.

They grew up in low income housing.

“We had hardly anything,” my dad said.

“All of us had some form of a lifestyle of abusive parents or lack of parents. But it wasn’t all bad, because we had D&D.” Though my friends and I are fortunate enough to grow up in different circumstances, we still use tabletop role-playing games like “Dungeons and Dragons” to escape.

Busy schedules, stress from work, and up-

Shane Werlinger points out illustrations in the first edition version of the ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ player’s handbook. (Photos by Lauren Werlinger).

coming exams are overwhelming. When I’m playing a game with my friends, though, that all fades to the background.

Instead, it’s a time to relax, unwind and roll some dice.

Even into his teen years, my dad and his friends would run around in the woods outside their neighborhood dressed up as their characters.

“We were living the story,” he said. “That was our whole thing.”

Before now, I barely knew about this hobby that was, for about a decade, a huge part of my father’s life.

My father is like a walking time capsule.

He has so many valuable memories and experiences that, at the core, are so similar to my own.

After talking with my dad, I realized the heart and soul of the game is the same: get together with your friends, forget about your problems, and kill monsters.

My friends Ella Ryan, Ryan Mason and Percy Hug gather around the table to play a tabletop roleplaying game.

Agora/mcccagora.com

Dec. 6, 2021

Stop the music

Opinion • 7

Pandemic robs local musicians of chance to perform

by Emma Marion Agora Staff

In a conversation during class about our upcoming holiday concert, College Community Band Director Mark Felder got quite emotional when he found out that he would no longer be able to hold full ensemble concerts.

“I had a resignation letter written,” Felder said during class. He was frustrated with campus pandemic restrictions, which mandated only the student members of the band could participate in the concert.

As his words left his mouth, I could feel the level of tension in the room rise.

“I was not expecting that at all,” said Ronald Dart, a third-year student at MCCC and a first-year band student, after the tense conversation by Felder during class.

“That was so out of the blue,” said Xander Churchill, a first-year student.

The pandemic put a damper on meeting with the entire College Community Band as well as much pressure on Felder.

For over a year, the band was put on hold.

For scholarship students, the opportunity to further our musical abilities at the college level didn’t happen.

I, along with 13 other students, were deprived of making music and learning alongside professional musicians from our community.

For Felder, this is his 29th year directing at MCCC and he says he misses his full ensemble very much. Felder is putting on “A Student Holiday,” which will be the first concert he is holding since the pandemic put the program on hold.

“Our students do gain so much from being immersed with the community members, many of whom are professional musicians,” Felder said. “However, we are making the best of this pandemic situation.”

In order to be a part of MCCC’s College Community band, each member must go through an audition process that includes a prepared solo, memorized scales and sight reading.

I prepared for weeks prior to auditioning for this competitive college experience, only

Mark Felder conducts the Detroit Symphony in 2013. (Photo courtesy of Mark Felder.)

to have my audition date pushed back multiple times and then finally deciding to hold it over Zoom.

As the last few days of summer 2020 came to an end, my fellow students and I were excited to continue playing music beyond what we had accomplished in high school.

Fiona Vogt, a second-year scholarship student at MCCC, graduated from Summerfield High School in 2020. She had a very similar reaction as mine when the pandemic kept eating up every ounce of our lives.

“I was so disappointed when it got canceled because it was just another thing that got canceled in 2020 because of COVID,” Vogt said.

Vogt says her audition experience was a

roller coaster of emotions.

“I was sort of glad it got postponed so that I could better prepare, but it became more and more stressful the longer I had to wait,” Vogt said.

Each semester, MCCC looked into reestablishing the College Community Band but decided that, for the safety of the students and community members, we would not meet with the full group.

This is my second year as a band student but it wasn’t until the 2021 Fall Semester that we were actually able to meet, with regulations of course.

Currently, 13 other students and I meet every week to collaboratively make music. We

maintain our distance and wear masks when we aren’t playing, but the process just isn’t the same.

“The present guidelines at MCCC have negatively affected the Monroe College-Community Band because we haven’t gotten to meet since March of 2020,” said Felder.

When Felder mentioned retiring, it was so hard to hear and so disheartening. One of my college dreams was to play music at this level.

In high school, I learned about Felder’s group at MCCC, his musical background, and his profession on the instrument I play, which made me completely inspired.

This was a dream come true, until it wasn’t.

Agora/mcccagora.com

Entertainment • 8

Dec. 6, 2021

Agora staff chats: favorite Christmas movies The Christmas Angel: A story on ice

By Elisabeth Brockman Agora Asistant Editor

Every December I have ventured to the attic for a large box of VCR and CD Christmas movies.

But to watch my favorite Christmas movie I must also clear the furniture out of the living room and put on my fluffiest socks. I make room to dance along with my favorite Christmas movie “The Christmas Angel: A Story on Ice.” I am enchanted by the rhyming story of a stolen angel and a redeemed evil villain.

The soundtrack by Mannheim Steamroller takes classical Christmas carols and blends them with elements of new age and rock.

I always feel a little silly trying to “skate” around my living room with Olympic medalists and world renown skaters. It has not deterred me yet.

At the same level as Cirque du Soleil, I am amazed at the beauty and agility of the skaters.

I cannot wait to watch it this year.

The Santa Clause

By Claire Bacarella Agora Staff

My favorite Christmas movie, or movies, rather, is “The Santa Clause” series.

The movies tell the story of a man who accidentally killed Santa being forced to take his place.

Something about these movies has kept me coming back to watch them every year for as long as I can remember. Revisiting them every year is like seeing an old friend again that comes with a sense of comfort.

I strongly feel that this series is the most underrated Christmas movie and that everyone who celebrates should watch them at least once.

The Christmas Chronicles

By Emma Marion Agora Staff

My favorite Christmas movie has got to be “The Christmas Chronicles.”

As a kid, my family and I watched this annually and somewhere deep down inside I hoped that Santa would fall off of my roof, my dad would put on the suit, and become Santa like the plot of the movie.

Agora/mcccagora.com

Dec. 6, 2021

Entertainment • 9

Disney’s ‘Encanto’ is spellbinding By: Lauren Werlinger Agora Editor

Mirabel Madrigal is the only person in her family who does not have a magical ability.

Released to U.S. theaters Nov. 24, animated Disney movie “Encanto” takes the viewer on a colorful journey through the story of a magically gifted family.

As the inciting incident, Mirabel sees a startling vision that confirms the worst: the Madrigal family is losing its magic.

Mirabel decides that she will take on the responsibility of restoring magic back to her family.

Unlike most animated children’s movies, Mirabel does not embark on a long journey to save the family’s magic.

Instead, she stays right at home.

This choice is effective because the heart of this movie lies with the characters.

Instead of focusing on a grand quest, “Encanto” chooses to hone in on the smaller moments.

However, the first act was a few scenes too long, creating a slow start. This made the middle feel rushed by comparison.

While the movie is about an enchanted family, it still feels grounded and relatable. This aligns with the overall theme of the movie.

The message of “Encanto” is clear: you are more than the

Mirabel receives a sympathy gift basket because she is the only one in her family who does not have a magical gift.

expectations your family places on you.

This message is enhanced by the movie’s visuals.

Character expressions are subtle but impactful, adding to the depth of each emotional moment.

All of the characters were clearly designed with care.

There is so much detail in each character”s clothing and hair, and the way Mirabel”s dress flows is stunning.

The setting is alive with beautifully rendered tropical plants.

The message of “Encanto” is clear: you are more than the expectations your family places on you.

Each musical number was accompanied by creative, engaging scenes that illustrated the meaning of the song.

The musical numbers hearken back to iconic Disney moments, like the “Be Our Guest” number in “Beauty and the Beast” or the “Friend Like Me” scene in “Aladin.”

While the movie has strong visuals, I have mixed feelings about the songs themselves.

In most cases, I felt like the songs didn’t fit the voice actor’s voices, so they felt awkward and forced.

While I loved the beat of the song “Surface Pressure,” I was taken out of the moment by how out of place the actress’s voice seemed.

I was most impressed by the song “We Don’t Talk About

Stephanie Beatriz plays the voice of Mirabel.

Bruno” because of the clever lyrics and the way it introduced exposition.

Despite not falling in love with the music, I did find myself humming the songs under my breath later.

The rest of the score was beautiful.

Spanish pieces combined with instrumentals highlighted the emotional moments in the movie, adding to the immersion.

I left the theater feeling connected to the emotional core of the movie.

I like the new direction Disney and Pixar have been going toward lately with their movies. With movies like “Moana”, “Luca” and “Soul”, the production companies have been making an effort to tell stories about a variety of cultures and protagonists, and “Encanto” is no different.

The large variety of skin tones, body types and hair textures was great to see. It only added to the character of each scene.

Overall, “Encanto” is a movie with authentic conflict, effective messaging and beautiful visuals.

United throughout time 10 • Entertainment

Dec. 6, 2021

Campus News • 11

Agora/mcccagora.com

Star Trek season four takes on the COVID-19 pandemic

By Elisabeth Brockman Agora Asistant Editor

This article contains “Star Trek: Discovery” season four spoilers.

Star Trek has always pulled me in with its continuation of Earth life, parallels to current events and imaginative setting.

The crew of “Star Trek: Discovery,” its newest iteration, continued the “human adventure” on Nov. 18 with season four.

According to the Star Trek timeline, “Discovery” started season one in the 2250s, 230 years in Earth's future and about 10 years before “Star Trek: The Original Series.”

At the end of season three, the crew of Discovery finds themselves stranded in the 32nd century, more than 900 years into their future.

“Discovery” stretches from the very beginning to the furthest future that the Star Trek universe has ventured.

Much has transpired in that time.

There have been 13 movies and 11 series with a total of over 800 episodes. In all, there are over 650 hours of science fiction content.

Truly dedicated Star Trek fans, like myself, have

spent close to a month of their life immersed in the Star Trek universe.

A progression I have noticed from the old shows to now are the different episode styles.

“Star Trek: The Original Series” was episodic with a self-contained structure: new discoveries, twists and satisfying endings. The newer stuff is serial with more continuity, focusing on overarching storylines and cliffhangers, pulling you through the series and making the week between episodes torture.

Today's audiences are calling for faster-paced storylines and dramatic special effects.

Much of the fantastic technology posed in the original shows and films are now not merely speculation, but ordinary. Nowadays, imagination is endless and technology to make it come to life is scientifically magical.

Despite these exciting developments, many of the original Star Trek fans have turned away from some of the newer series and movies, saying they are too violent and explicit, taking away the traditional Star Trek morals.

Presenting controversial content is not new to Star Trek. In fact, all the Star Trek writers have discreetly interwoven themes from current affairs.

Gene Roddenberry the creator of Star Trek created a multi-cultural utopia where everyone interacts in peace and works together to solve universal problems, regardless of gender, race, culture, ethical standards, association or antenna.

“Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms,” GoodReads quotes Roddenberry.

By flipping the script and shaking people’s stuck bias standards in increasingly blunt ways, Star Trek initiates oft’ uncomfortable change.

Star Trek has helped its viewers process touchy subjects such as civil rights, 9/11, equality and LGBTQ+.

Star Trek’s role as a facilitator of social discussions continues to this day.

Season four of “Discovery” introduces a universal threat.

An unknown anomaly enveloping planets, moving unpredictably, and bringing fear to all reflected

“Star Trek: Discovery” Season four aired Nov. 18.

“Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life form.”

Gene Roddenberry the concerns the world has faced with COVID-19.

"We were looking at what we feel collectively," said showrunner and co-executive producer Mi-

chelle Paradise in an interview with CNET. "What is the emotional experience that we're all having because of this thing that's happening globally? Uncertainty is a huge theme for the season."

The only way to combat this anomaly is for the characters to join together and help each other.

Unfortunately, back in season three, “the burn” made dilithium, the main energy for interstellar warp travel, become scarce. Having no way to travel, the galaxy became disconnected and the United Federation of Planets disassembled.

The universe was divided and scared when Discovery arrived from 900 years in the past.

As the only ship not relying on the depleted dilithium, instead utilizing a new spore drive technology, the crew located the source of the burn and a nebula

with a rich supply of dilithium.

In season four, the crew is tasked with reestablishing the United Federation of Planets and Star Fleet Academy to bring peace and connection to the universe after so much loneliness, want, segregation and fear.

In an effort to rekindle old relationships, the federation sets out to bring replacement dilithium to planets that have been cut off by the burn.

The gesture that spoke to me was in episode one, when Michael Burnham chose to remain open to the needs of another species and connect. Instead of taking defensive action after a misunderstanding when under attack on a diplomatic mission, they gained the trust of an understandably wary race.

Do we take the time to look at the wounds of our

fellow planetary inhabitants? Do we stop to understand how others have come to their beliefs? Do we have the patience to wait out anger to find the root cause of mistrust?

Trust is the foundation as we rebuild our future world.

United humanities that welcome diversity and seek to heal and facilitate resources are required to ensure the safety and unity for individuals, species, worlds and our universe into the future.